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

[slightlyoblivious]

[For better or worse, Yukiko has made her decision. There's no other choice she could make, in her view: she has her magic back, and she has her friends - no.

Friends doesn't seem like the right word.

It's more like family that she has to protect. In a strange way, everyone here has become part of a big extended family. Sure, there are the people you wouldn't invite over for the holidays, but every family has one person like that. This place is no different.

Yukiko has a determined look on her face as she waves to Diarmuid, but that becomes something of a sad smile after a second. The saying goodbye is the hardest part of this.]

[oathshackledbird]

[When Diarmuid sees Yukiko's wave, he returns the gesture, before moving to stand next to her. It is easy for him to guess she will be going to fight, especially since her skills are so well suited for something like this.]

Keep him safe for me, all right?

[Because Diarmuid is sure that Ryoji will be going to the fight as well.]

I want to see both of you back here, so you can go home together.

[slightlyoblivious]

[She nods.]

I will. That's a promise.

[- a beat, then -]

That's not a question of 'if' we get back. It's 'when'.

-- and thank you. For everything.

[And then there's an incoming hug. She's not normally all that huggy, but sometimes the situation calls for it.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid gladly accepts the hug.]

Of course it is 'when' and not 'if.' I have faith in all of you. You can do this. One last step along this impossible path and we are free. No one is going to fall down now!

[He hugs her tighter for a moment and then speaks again.]

Don't let them forget her weakness is Dax's power. Zo knows, but that doesn't mean everyone else won't get caught up enough to forget...

[In all the fights he has seen her in, Yukiko has always kept a level head no matter how much her emotions have been screaming at her. That is why he is telling her this. He trusts her to be able to remember even under the most dire circumstances.]

You are welcome. I am so glad Ryoji has you. I will never be able to thank you enough for making my son so happy.

[slightlyoblivious]

Definitely not. We've come too far to falter now.

[She nods - she'd heard Zo mention it, but the reminder is good. It pushes the thought to the front of her mind.]

I won't. That's a promise. As chaotic as it might get before then, this isn't the time to go forgetting the biggest weakness we can use.

[And Yukiko smiles warmly, shaking her head.]

- and I'm glad that he's had everyone else. But there isn't any need to thank me for that - it's what love does. I'm just -

[She tears up just a little, but gets herself back under control.]

- I'm happy he's in my life. If it comes down to it, I'm going to need a favor: please pick him up and throw him through the portal, if he hesitates when it's time to go. I don't think that'll be necessary, but a backup plan never hurts.

[oathshackledbird]

Well then, consider you backup plan approved.

[Diarmuid laughs and then presses a light kiss to the top of her head.]

I will tie him up and show only you how to untie the knots if it comes down to it. He's going with you. I'm not accepting anything else. I realize he feels that Minato needs him back home, but...

[Yukiko need him too. Now more than ever.]

It may seem like an odd thing to say, but we are all lucky. We have each other.

[And Ruana might be strong, but she is alone...]

[slightlyoblivious]

[That gets a giggle out of her. A few, actually. She's close to a full-out giggle fit for a second there, but manages to get it under control.]

Let's hope it doesn't quite come to that.

[Then she gets serious again.]

- more people need him than he thinks. And I can't just let him go back to being behind that seal.

[A nod.]

It's true. We're all linked, and not many people get to say a thing like that.

[oathshackledbird]

[Seeing her so happy and laughing there for a minute brings some peace to Diarmuid. While he does have faith in everyone, only a fool wouldn't still be worried, but as long as they can still smile and make each other laugh, there is hope.]

Hopefully not, but I am fully prepared should the time come. A lot of people need him, you are right about that, but I think he lets himself get overly focused on Minato and forgets that in helping one person, he is abandoning several others.

[Ironically, that is something Diarmuid has a feeling Minato would not approve of.]

He's doing better, though, and I know he will eventually become more aware and keep growing into the person he is really meant to be. He just needs time and people with strong links to him to be there for him. Lucky for him he has both.

[Or will have both once this is finished.]