[ It's a relief, and it isn't. A problem, and a solution. A tremendous heartbreak for reasons Maruki can't begin to touch upon – but for the first time this afternoon, that grief has nothing to do with Akira.
It's a relief. It should be a relief. His guiding light and his closest ally at least have one another.
It's a problem. It is a phenomenal problem.
And Maruki's expression doesn't betray more than brief shock before his brows draw down. He doesn't want Akira to panic. He wants to hold his shoulder, or touch his back, but these are casual touches he's grown used to with his friends here, not something Akira would be used to, even if they did know one another–
So Maruki settles for stopping their walk in its tracks. Turning toward Akira, serious and calm. ]
Breathe. It's alright.
[ Half-dead in the courtyard of a castle. Sick and shaking on the floor of its bathroom. You're alright. He has to tell Akechi before they get within shooting distance of the machiya. He can't hurt both of them like this. ]
We've never had reason to doubt that we're from the same reality, although now that's a more complicated question, obviously...
[ They never met. He saw Akechi on television, and that's it. There's no way of knowing. Maybe Akechi has been from Akira's reality all along. ]
As for when, I don't know. I've never gotten a straight answer out of him.
[ Early June was a lie, and he knows it. Their future plans for November upon their return came up once and only once, and not with enough context for Maruki to be certain of anything.
Akira can ask Akechi himself. If he gets a better answer than Maruki has, more power to him.
Still stalwart, but his tone softens into sympathy. The panic that's risen up in Akira is so unlike his friend. ]
He may be home. I'll check. If you're not ready to see him, for whatever reason, Kurusu-kun, we don't have to go there.
no subject
You–
[ It's a relief, and it isn't. A problem, and a solution. A tremendous heartbreak for reasons Maruki can't begin to touch upon – but for the first time this afternoon, that grief has nothing to do with Akira.
It's a relief. It should be a relief. His guiding light and his closest ally at least have one another.
It's a problem. It is a phenomenal problem.
And Maruki's expression doesn't betray more than brief shock before his brows draw down. He doesn't want Akira to panic. He wants to hold his shoulder, or touch his back, but these are casual touches he's grown used to with his friends here, not something Akira would be used to, even if they did know one another–
So Maruki settles for stopping their walk in its tracks. Turning toward Akira, serious and calm. ]
Breathe. It's alright.
[ Half-dead in the courtyard of a castle. Sick and shaking on the floor of its bathroom. You're alright. He has to tell Akechi before they get within shooting distance of the machiya. He can't hurt both of them like this. ]
We've never had reason to doubt that we're from the same reality, although now that's a more complicated question, obviously...
[ They never met. He saw Akechi on television, and that's it. There's no way of knowing. Maybe Akechi has been from Akira's reality all along. ]
As for when, I don't know. I've never gotten a straight answer out of him.
[ Early June was a lie, and he knows it. Their future plans for November upon their return came up once and only once, and not with enough context for Maruki to be certain of anything.
Akira can ask Akechi himself. If he gets a better answer than Maruki has, more power to him.
Still stalwart, but his tone softens into sympathy. The panic that's risen up in Akira is so unlike his friend. ]
He may be home. I'll check. If you're not ready to see him, for whatever reason, Kurusu-kun, we don't have to go there.