𝚒𝚗𝚋𝚘𝚡 — 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚗𝚒𝚊.

[sacral]

EVEN WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS

Comments

[sacral]

A disservice to a shadow master. But not the only one.

[hallowedly]

You're stubborn. It's charming. Reckless, but charming.

I kept him alive. Where's my treat?

[sacral]

[ ...the telltale balk, so many years old, plastering anew: ]

You don't want anything I have to give you. [ Especially not once you see what he's done to your clinic — ] Unless you're in need of a nap.

[hallowedly]

Subaru-kun, what might your grandmother say, asking a man so brazenly if he'd like to come sleep with you?

[sacral]

She'd obliterate me.

[hallowedly]

Understandably. And I'm a demure and mindful man.

I was about to modestly offer dinner.

[sacral]

That wouldn't be much of a treat for you.

[hallowedly]

Is this a heartbreaking refusal?

[sacral]

[ ... ]

Have you been home recently?

[hallowedly]

Not yet. But surely chief Sumeragi won't think the worst of me if I all can serve him is a last-minute dinner.




( And a view of the beautiful monstrous arm in the sample fridge. )

[sacral]

[ He thought so. In the interest of not getting bludgeoned with the beautiful monstrous arm in the sample fridge... ]

I'll host.

[hallowedly]

( How proactive. How kind. How... suspicious. Excuse the silence for an hour, then, turbulent throughout the Murmur, intensely sing-song - )


Ah, Subaru-kun ♫ 🎶



( You're screwed. )

[sacral]

[ An hour of silence? Also suspicious.









It was nice while it lasted. ]

I did say I'd host.

[hallowedly]

You will host. ( Though he's bringing his damned monstrous arm for rune inspection, sir. )

And you will ensure the little orphanage, hospital, house of agonies and zoo under your roof are all successfully closed off from the public for a day, so I can enjoy a very long — what was it? Nap.

[sacral]

You're going to institutionalize your treats. [ He senses it. ]

[hallowedly]

You're going to run out of post-its.

[sacral]

If... you're lucky.

Any other requests?

[hallowedly]

Shouldn't that be your prerogative? Winter's coming to an end.

There's no telling the day, but it should be Sumeragi-sensei's birthday soon.

By all means. What will it be?

[sacral]

You won't want to hear it.

[ And there, brimming — the years-gone cosmic twinkle of humor. ]

[hallowedly]

It's not that I don't want to hear it, just... Subaru-kun, business just hasn't thrived as much here. Even if we go with the old three months' salary rule, I think you might still be disappointed in your engagement ring.

[sacral]

[ you're so annoying. ALRIGHT. ]

Rather than that, it took a large amount of my resources to renew the wards over your clinic. Replacements seem like a suitable ask.

[hallowedly]

( It doesn't take a tether to feel out this level of fleeting crackling irritation. )

I'll make up the thirteenth head's expenses. ( One government employee to another. ) But that certainly seems a miserly gift, after Subaru-kun's hard year. I'll have to use my imagination.


( Let fear gently settle down. )

[sacral]

Use it in my presence, if you don't mind.

[hallowedly]

...is it tiring? Deciding every other breath, whether you trust me or yourself around me.

[sacral]

It was just a selfish second request.