beware spoilers in the comments

[integralcandy]

I'm sure if you try, you won't do... too... badly.... Zzzz...

Muh? Sorry about that. How long was I out? Not long, I hope?

Well, I think you know where I was going with that, so maybe we can move on...

Comments

*heavy breathing* ps sorry for shaky

[mourns_nought]

You can see me, Hitori? [ This is it, finally. Nageki's chance to say everything he needs to say to him.

The mourning dove slowly hops over to the quail;

don't close your eyes... he needs to clear up so many things and lift your sufferings.. ]

don't worry, i'm new at this!

[integralcandy]

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Why can't I-- [Wake up.] So... I'll... I can... for just a little while...

Nageki?

ah alright c:

[mourns_nought]

[ Nageki became slightly downcast. So Hitori can't see him after all. Admittedly, it was rather silly of him to think that maybe. Just, maybe. Hitori could.. in this place. ]

Yes. [ he replies softly and gently as possible ]

Hitori, you're not dreaming. [ and then he reaches out the quail with his wing in an attempt to touch Hitori, to calm him down. Even though he knows very well that he probably can't ]

[integralcandy]

Don't-- don't say that... [You know how many times he's dreamt like this?]

It's fine. It's--[wait-- he shouldn't be... cold like this?] Nageki-- You're cold. Why are you cold? Are you-- are you sick again? You should--- you should stay in bed, just wait, I'll go get-- help, I'll get help--

[just because he can see him, doesn't mean he's really seeing.]

[mourns_nought]

[ The pigeon is surprised that he had touched Hitori somehow, but first he has to calm the quail down. Nageki shakes his head sadly ] No, Hitori. [ holy, get a grip Hitori

Nageki grabs Hitori's wing with his own ]

Listen to me, please. [ please please please, Hitori, you need to listen. He pauses for a bit before continuing: ] I'm not 'alive' anymore.

[integralcandy]

[no you calm down!!

he freezes up when he's grabbed, though.] I... [and sorta crumples.] I know... I was-- [there.] But can't... can't we... forget? Like it never happened.... [he's not crying his eyes are just a bit sweaty.] Please? Nageki...

oh no 1/2

[mourns_nought]

Hitori... [ He notices the quail tense up and lets go of his wing slightly

... he wants to forget? Nageki saddens a bit upon hearing this ] ...

[ and now his grip on the quail's wing gets slightly tighter as he said softly ] I.. understand [ ... ]

that you would want to forget about me. [ that's what he wants right? ]

[mourns_nought]

But [ ... ] I can't leave you alone. [ because... ]

You're blaming yourself, Hitori.

[integralcandy]

[!!]

No! Never. I could never-- Don't-- don't go. Nageki-- [... is he... clinging... a bit?] Stay. Please stay. I'll find-- I'll find a way, and then-- just don't--

[leave. Which is about when Nageki says the rest of it. Whoops.]

I'm not-- I'm going to fix everything, okay? I just need more time, and-- soon, I promise, it'll be soon--

[mourns_nought]

... [ and with that, Nageki's grip loosens a bit with relief

... fix? ] Hitori, you don't need to 'fix' anything. [ what is it that he needs to fix..? ]

I'm right here with you.

[integralcandy]

Yes-- yes, I do. [you died. you died. you died. and it's all his his fault.] Wouldn't... wouldn't you like to go home again? Just once. Just--

[once.]

I know. You're-- you're always with me. [more literally, bro, try again.] But... for a little while... here is... here's good. Right? [beat.] Right?

[mourns_nought]

[ no no no stop Hitori why

Nageki sighs a bit sadly ] No, Hitori. [ why are you doing this to yourself..?

He could stay with him maybe now but ] Not like this. [ the mourning dove shakes his head ] I can't stay with you being like this. [ please stop blaming yourself ]

[integralcandy]

[because being cray is all he's good at.]

What's wrong with this? I can change it. I can. I can-- I'll stop-- whatever it is, I'll stop. [he'll blame himself all he likes. Even when he doesn't.] It'll be alright, Nageki. Soon, it'll be alright. It-- it won't be long. I promise.

sorry for late!

[mourns_nought]

[ Nageki takes a deep breath. ] Then you'll stop blaming yourself? [ "It won't be long"? What does he mean...

He shakes his head again. ] Nothing will be alright if you keep doing this, Hitori.