Endgame: This is the Way the World Ends - MACHINE ROOM

[animusmods]

Characters: open to those staying in the machine room
Setting: machine room
Format: any
Summary: The time has come to make decisions about what will happen after everything is over.
Warnings: psychological horror (eventually)

Comments

[miseris_socios]

[He turned, nodding to waver. If nothing else, he could shield and he could heal. He didn't need to be on the front lines, but he needed to be there. To see what happened, to watch as they won - because if they could win here, they could do anything.]

[That hope, which sometimes seemed so rare in this place, needed to shine and he needed to see it, so he could carry it with him even after they left.]

[Ken smiled a little, setting down his spear carefully, and took a few steps forward.]

... Thanks. You too.

[He could say it, he could say it...]

Thanks... Dad.

[That was how he felt about Diarmuid now, in a lot of ways, so of course it... extended to Waver, too. He took another few steps forward and reached out to hug the magus tightly.]

[fionnuisce]

[WHAT]

[Waver dealt with plenty of teenagers, and if anything that only cemented the idea of god in heaven I am never fucking having kids. To say this was a shock would be an understatement, but it was one he had the feeling he shouldn't raise an objection to.]

[Awkwardly, he put an arm over Ken's shoulders.]

When this is over...find your way to London for a while if you can. We'll fit all of Diarmuid's bloody kids in my apartment and celebrate.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid steps up to them then, one arm going around Ken and one around Waver. It's too bad that it's so dark at the moment. It hides the grin on his face.]

I think you meant to say 'all of our bloody kids.'

[He pulls them both closer. Yes. Group hug time. And no escaping allowed!]

[miseris_socios]

[It's weird to be in a hug like this, but... not bad. He kind of feels warm and fuzzy. He squeezes them a bit and laughs.]

I'll see what I can do.

... Thanks. Both of you. Really.

[What are these feelings how do.]

[fionnuisce]

--?!

[HOW DO I EXPRESS EMOTIONS]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs softly, leaning down to whisper to Waver.]

Listen and learn. This is how you answer, My Puzzled One.

[He then turns to Ken and gives him a gentle smile.]

You don't have to thank us. You have done as much for us as we have for you. I am glad to count you as our son.

[miseris_socios]

I... mm.

[He lets go of the hug, still smiling.]

... Be careful, okay? I'll try, too. And I'll pull back if I get too hurt.

[fionnuisce]

We'll be here...so just stay safe.

[oathshackledbird]

Make sure you do that. And do me a favor...

[Diarmuid looks over across the room to pick out two familiar figures and nod at them.]

...keep my red and blue oni brothers out of trouble, okay? I know it's a huge task I am asking of you, but you can handle it. I know you can.

[miseris_socios]

[He follows Diarmuid's gaze and laughs a little.]

I will. Don't worry. I'm mostly going to be hanging back and healing and shielding. Electricity can only do so much, and it'd be stupid to have no one taking care of the support skills.