Just breathe. How ironic that such an obvious "command" would be so damn hard to follow. He's breathing too fast, too much, hyperventilating as fast as his lungs can take his air. But the more Keigo remains with him, touches him, proves he is in fact here with him and not gone away forever, the more that reality begins to return to Touya's burned-up mind. He's really here, he's really back, he's not a ghost, not some fake, but physical, tangible, bringing with him the scent of the air and the familiar feeling of his presence that Touya grew up with for all those years.
Just you and me.
He wants to believe it so badly. Ever so slowly, the cold inhale against Keigo's shoulder and neck begins to dwindle, Touya's lightheaded rush starting to ease as his racing heart and panic take a step back from the harrowing brink. Too weak to manage his flames right now, all that can give is the rising warmth of his body to the peak of his frantic moments. But even that is starting to cool as Keigo coaxes and guides him. Fingers reluctantly, unconsciously, start surrendering their death grip on his shirt and limb. Minutes pass, but it's eventually becoming more apparent there won't be another inferno blazing through the scorched hallways. No more damage to Touya's body at the moment.
Each pass of Keigo's hands helps with that. Each rub of his wings, each passing second on the darkness of their envelope coaxes the other teenager down from his high. Minutes and minutes... but eventually, it's enough. Left holding him, left breathing, left cooling...
For Keigo, it feels like years waiting for Touya to come back down. He knows this situation is a lot to take in, would be overwhelming for anyone, and he can't begin to imagine what the other might be feeling... But it feels like he's holding a bomb in a way. That if he doesn't say the right thing, Touya will explode all over again. That's the last thing he wants. There isn't any concern for himself in any potential situation where Touya lights up again. No, all that worry is focused on Touya and the damage he'll do to himself.
But Keigo's learned in the last few years how to hide all of that. The gentle motions of his hands, the soft words, and careful caress of his feathers, none of them give away how Keigo feels inside. Not the worry, not the stress, not the sadness or anger that come with the memories of what put Touya into that this bed in the first place. There's just a gentleness that comes easily these days with training that's told him to be what other's need, what to say and how to act, how to read them. And right now, Touya needs him and reassurance that he's still here. He can do that. He's always been able to do that.
"Still with me?" He prompts softly after a moment, wings shifting slightly so he can let some of that building heat escape from the cage of his wings before he's curling them closely around him again. There's a gentle nudge of his lips and nose against the older teen's temple. "We can stay here as long as you need."
For as ready to explode as Touya is, the constant reminder that Keigo is there continues to push ice onto his heat. Dragging away at the compacted burn inside threatening to erupt into another blaze all over again. What they'd said, how they'd lied, the only person who ever gave a shit about him beyond his power being taken away to return nevermore... Was it any wonder that he'd exploded and gone on a hellish rampage through the area? Burning people, items, structures, himself. There was no reason for any of it to exist. No reason for him to exist. So why not take as much of this cursed place with him?
Thoughts like that seem to drift away the longer Keigo holds him. No more focusing on the pain and loss, but rather the incredulous sensation of having the only person he had grown close to back with him. Hands touching his body, carding through his hair, wings wrapped around him in a way he'd never felt for several years, but always remained in his mind as memories of that childhood stolen from him. Touya can't tell that all Keigo is doing to him is simply things he'd been trained to do. He grasps onto it without hesitation. It's the only way he's going to get through this without destroying everything around him.
"Uh-huh..." The noise is quiet, voice different from the boy Keigo had left behind. Deeper, sullen, a changed person within the confines of those red wings. Lips brush against his temple and Touya ducks his head closer to Keigo's chest, settling in the embrace. Still with him. Burned but alive. Not dead yet despite looking like he should be.
The longer they sit there, Keigo finds his own thoughts trailing off. He thinks about the years they've spent together, all the little things they've learned about each other, what they've said to one another that they've never said to anyone else. It makes him ache to think about how all of that had gone up in flames because the people here, the things they've said and done to Touya... He doesn't want that life for him.
More than anything, he wants to drag Touya out of this bed, out of this place, somewhere where they never have to worry about anyone hurting them. He wishes it was that easy.
He feels the way Touya tucks himself against his chest, and he adjusts his hold reflexively. He littles carefully to the sound of the other's breathing, lets his attention split briefly to take in the world around them more intently. He can hear the voices of the doctors and staff nearby. Chattering impatiently about needing to go inside, but they all resist. They know the risk of what will happen if they make the wrong move, and he knows none of them want to roll those dice.
"Does anything hurt?" He wonders softly, letting his fingers pass through Touya's hair drift lower, finding a scar to touch softly. Gauging a reaction - checking for pain but also his friend's control.
So much went up in flame. Including Keigo. He'd resisted their words for a long time, but eventually, the pressure and disappointments took their toil, resulting in the rage and despair of being both alone and a failure. Despite his weakened state right now, the memories remain and Touya has zero regret for the damage and deaths he wrought on the institution that housed him all this time. Even if Keigo is back now, the burned man has had a taste of the other side...
Freedom. Walking free without the rules holding him down, seeing their faces washed in heat as the looks of horror and realization was flash-fried into blackened skulls. Look what they wrought. They wanted a weapon. They got it.
And it can turn where it wants.
Those realizations settle within his chest as Touya rests against Keigo's body. Breathing softening, eyes closing, the panic from his waking and the trauma from the experience slowly easing down now that Keigo is here. Luckily his mind is elsewhere so he doesn't hear the people talking around them, doesn't hear the words said. Instead, Touya continues to unconsciously internalizes the feelings from that time. He can deal with them later. For now, he's content to rest.
"No. Just feels numb." Honestly, he can't feel any pain at all. Even with the damage to his body. Maybe because of it. The sensations are faded, even the brush of Keigo's wings almost imperceptible on his skin. He can feel his hand in his hair, on the nape of his neck, but it's mostly pressure only. Perhaps the pain will come back later... who knows.
Given the amount of surgeries and skin grafts, Keigo isn't surprised to hear that. The different doctors had told him that was a possibility between Touya's flames and medical procedures, but he isn't thrilled about it. Far from it. It's yet another reminder of how much this place has done to the other, and it makes a familiar anger simmer under his skin. Something he knows how to hide now, but it still lingers under the surface.
"No pain is good," he offers softly as he lifts one hand to stroke it over Touya's hair gently. No pain and calm. Touya's in a good place for the moment, and the last thing he wants to do is disturb him, but the doctors do need to check him. Something he knows could go badly very quickly if it's not handled right. Touya's fragile, and Keigo doesn't know how much it'll take before he starts to crack.
He nudges a hand softly at the other's shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere," he starts gently, "but the doctors need to look at you. Will you be okay? I'll be right at the foot of your bed the entire time."
While Keigo's able to hide his anger under the surface, Touya's remains visible on the surface, even if it's currently muted by his exhaustion and bandages. Tired and numb, his mind occasionally flickers to the memories of that rampage, how it felt, what it sounded like, the emotions that welled up inside him. He doesn't know if all of it will come back with clarity over time or if only a few pieces will return with attachments. But what he does know is that it changed him.
And there's no going back.
"Maybe." Touya doesn't know if a lack of pain is good. It might sound good on the surface, but pain is what tells a body something is wrong. He could break a bone or get a cut and not know until he's made the damage worse. And if he can't feel anything at all, life's going to be a fucking lonely existence. There's some mild relief in that he can feel Keigo's fingers in his hair, even if it's more a vague pressure and recollection at the moment. Phantom sensation.
The nudge draws him out of his quiet moment and the promise Keigo makes earns another round of relaxation as Touya sinks against him. Eyes closing, resting, breathing easier. "They can look tomorrow," he murmurs, voice curt and unlike the boy Keigo had grown up with. "I'll kill 'em if they try today." Something far more detached and uncaring.
The last thing Keigo wants is for Touya to be numb to anything - physical or emotional. But for now, finally awake after too many surgeries, he's grateful his friend isn't in physical pain. He knows that if that were the case, it'd mean more face time with doctors and specialists, and there's no doubt in his mind that Touya wants to stay far away from them.
Eyes closing as his hands move through Touya's hair again, he can remember those scorch marks. The sight of Touya covered in blood and bandages after everything had happened. He's had years to learn to cope with the anger those memories bring, the hatred that simmers under his skin for what they'd done to ruin his only friend, the only person he loves. But for Touya, it's all still too fresh. Those doctors are in danger for simply just existing this close to Touya.
That's something Keigo becomes even more keenly aware of as the older teen speaks. It doesn't sound like the boy he'd known for so long, but someone else. And as he continues, speaking like that... He knows that boy he'd grown to love had been burned away. It should upset him, should make his heart ache more than it already does. Instead, all Keigo feels is the way his own resolve to take them away from here burn hotter. He promises himself he'll protect Touya this time; he won't let him suffer alone like that again. It doesn't matter if he can never have the old Touya back, he'll take care of this new one the way he should have the boy he grow up with.
"Tomorrow," he echoes softly, adjusting his hold around Touya, and this time, it's so he can tip them gently onto their sides to lay down in the too small bed. "You should save your strength. You'll need it." It's not scolding or telling the other he shouldn't hurt or kill others. It's his way of saying they'll leave this place, and the unfortunate reality of it is that Touya will need his strength for them to do it.
Unfortunately, the numbness is permanent. That's what happens when someone basically immolates himself for several minutes. Even with the surgeries and regenerative tissue grafts, the damage was too severe to heal Touya back to normal. The scars are there to stay, though there's no telling at the moment whether their presence would get worse or remain faded over time. When the bandages come off, it'll probably show the full story of Touya's damages.
Touya lets himself rest again as Keigo runs his fingers through his hair, taking comfort in the gentle gestures. He doesn't feel any regret for what happened, save for not being able to bring this entire place down in the inferno. But at the moment, he's too tired and overwhelmed to dwell on such thoughts. All he wants to do is focus on Keigo's presence. Rest finally seems an attractive option. He can deal with anything else later if Keigo's with him.
"Aa." Yeah. Tomorrow. That sounds good. Touya notes the soft tilt and realizes Keigo's lying them down. He has to let the other man do it for him, limbs too tired to do much on their own after the rush of emotion from the reunion. Lying on his side in the embrace of Keigo's wings is a pleasant experience, reminding him of the times they'd done the same as kids. "All right." Save his strength. Good idea. No reprimand or counseling. Unaware of what Keigo's planning, Touya simply closes his eyes and lets himself relax, quickly finding sleep in his friend's presence.
Keigo is mindful of the way he holds onto Touya as he lets himself drift off to sleep beside him a few minutes after the other teen's breathing evens out to indicate he'd fallen asleep. A part of him is over the moon to be able to do this again after so long - to fall asleep curled up with the only person he's ever cared about. To know that Touya can finally respond to him, talk to and touch him. It's an strange happiness he knows he'll have to contain once they're out of this tiny bed.
True to his word, Keigo keeps the doctors and nurses off Touya until the evening the following day. Even then, he keeps close, always within reach and prepared to tell someone to stop or give them distance if Touya needs it. That's how they spend the next week or so as well - Touya carefully observed by the doctors who are being intently watched by Keigo. And Keigo dismisses any requests (demands) really for him to do any training that takes him away from Touya's side for more than an hour or so. Keigo knows they want to argue, but they won't. As far as everyone is concerned, Touya is a ticking time bomb, and Keigo is the only person who can stop him.
When Touya is finally given the blessing to leave the hospital bed he'd been confined to, bandages mostly gone except for a few things that are in the final stages of healing, Keigo is happy to lead him out of the medical wing. One bare hand is curved around Touya's as they walk, keeping close enough that their shoulders can gently brush one another at they go. "I kept our room the same. I thought it'd be nice if we made changes to it together," he muses as he opens the door to their room. Sure enough, it's the same beyond a couple of small things like the addition of a few books, a taller dresser to accommodate the need for bigger clothes and accessories, and Touya's pillow is nestled beside Keigo's on the blond's bed. But otherwise, it's much the same. Not that Keigo has any intention of the two of them staying here long enough for this place to need any changes. They'll be out of here soon enough.
"We can sleep in your bed, if you want. I've been washing the sheets every week so they were clean for you." He'd never given up hope that the other would wake up, after all. He'd told anyone who asked that Touya would come back to him, and he was right. Something he seems incredibly happy about as he herds the other teen to sit on the edge of his old bed. "Do you want to see some of the magazines I saved for you? I found new places for us to go when it's time for us to live on our own."
He doesn't wait for an answer, grabbing one of the magazines before climbing onto the bed to scoot close to Touya. Opening the magazine, he flips through a few pages before stopping and setting it across their laps. "It isn't open all the time, but I'll find out how we can get special passes." It's a big mall, but that's not what he's concerned with showing Touya. The place his finger lands on the page is a store front and the doors are the exact shape and size of the ones that keep their living quarters and medical from the rest of the facility. "We go here and once we're done," he drags his finger towards the brightly lit exit sign among the bustling scene, tapping it, "we'll go here. It'll probably be busy, though. If we go early or maybe later at night, it shouldn't be too bad."
What he's telling Touya sounds innocent enough, but what he means is entirely different. He'll get them an access card to get into the other part of the facility, and they'll escape from there. They can figure out the best time depending on the schedule in the next few days.
So long as Keigo isn't absent when the doctors are in his room and inspecting him, Touya's mostly cold and callous to the medics. He seems to tolerate them more than anything else, eyes lidded and expression wavering between tired and annoyed. Despite his flames being weak right now thanks to the damage ravaged across his body, his attitude suggests that if pushed too hard, he'd ignite with little care to the outcome. One final burst to try and finish what he started.
But none of those things happen. Apparently the destruction and death's Touya had wrought on his rampage had cast enough of a ghost around the staff to avoid it. Probably to no one's surprise, he's more awake and alert whenever it's just him and Keigo visiting in the hospital room. Still, his exhaustion and recovery take a toll and Touya ends up sleeping most of the time as the days tick on. The scars and regenerative tissues go hand-in-hand on his body, that T-shaped rictus grin permanently etched into his face. At least everything's the same color, though Touya heard one of the nurses say "for now" in regards to his body's ability to stay in its current state. What would happen if he tried to use his flames like this?
... just how useless is he going to be now ..
As Keigo leads him away from the medical wing, Touya's eyes wander about the halls and passing rooms. He holds his friend's hand, not minding the way their shoulders bump against each other's as they go. Feels like it's been forever since he saw this place; it's been three years after all. Oh, Keigo's saying something.
"We're going to change it?" Touya sounds confused about why they'd bother doing that. Most of the rooms are the same, little in the way of personality unless it's somehow required. But he pauses upon seeing their room again. Particularly the bed with two pillows on it. The scene brings back memories and feelings, causing a quiet well of the sensations in Touya's chest. Soft, but weak. Enough that his expression relaxes, but a smile fails to appear.
"But my pillow's on your bed." Touya takes a seat on the bed's edge, resting his hands on the rim for a few seconds before smoothing his fingers and palms across the surface. The sensation's faint, numb, in that he can feel it's soft, but not anything like he could still remember. So he stops doing that and simply rests his hands on his lap instead. Magazines? Touya lifts his head and glances at Keigo again when he mentions new places to live. Right, they had... talked about that before. What to do when they left this place.
"Mh." That's the only response he can (or wants) to give, since Keigo's already scooting over to him with the magazine. Turquoise eyes linger on the pages as they flip across the book, dropping as the document flops on his lap. A mall? He hasn't been to one of those... ever. But he focuses on the placement of Keigo's finger instead, noting the door and the hallway, followed by the skim to the exit door. For a few seconds, he seems to simply take it as Keigo means it. But after the bit, his eyes lid and a different kind of focus wanders through his mind. "Later at night. Goin out with all those people's annoyin."
"We can change it, if you want. But we can worry about that later, when you're feeling better." Though he doesn't plan on sticking around long enough to need to now that Touya is awake and can mostly move around on his own. All he needs is for Touya to be strong enough to get out of here and to the place he's found for them to bed down for a couple days. If he needs to rest after that, he can. But he has to play the part here. To seem like the doting best friend excited to have his roommate and friend back. Not someone preparing to bring down a storm of sharpened quills if it means getting the pair of them out of here. And, more importantly, he's not sure if Touya's ever really going to 'feel better' after everything he's been through. Even now, he feels like such a hollow shell of his best friend that Keigo feels his own anger burning through whatever is left of his compassion for anyone in this place.
The people here did this to Touya. Enji Todoroki did this to Touya. And despite the bright smiles and carefree demeanor, Keigo will never forgive any of them for taking a part of Touya away from him.
He feels those familiar creeping thoughts, but instead of focusing on them, he tips his head gently against Touya's shoulder once it seems the other is understanding what he's saying. He wishes they could talk more freely, but he's sure they're being watched. They can't have their prized bird harmed, after all.
"Later sounds good." There's a soft hum of approval, and he's quiet for a moment as lets himself enjoy the moment. There's lots he wants to ask as they sit there, but he's not sure where to start. Instead of speaking right away, he starts with neatly sliding the magazine away before letting one of his hands slide under Touya's, letting the other teen decide if he wants to hold it properly or not. "Hey, Touya," he wonders after a moment, voice soft where his head is perched on the other's shoulder. "Do you remember what happened?"
It's a dangerous question to ask, and Keigo knows it. But he needs to know what's going through Touya's head, how much of that rage is still simmering under the surface, and just what might be the spark to ignite another inferno.
"Yeah." Touya doesn't sound like he's up for doing any kind of planning. It took a while for his brain to even grasp that Keigo was talking some kind of code for getting out of the facility. Getting out... huh. The idea seems like a vague shape in the clouds, potentially there, but is it worth going for? He thinks it might be only so since he's weak right now. Leaving this place behind would be amazing. While Touya's strong enough to move around and recuperate after the surgeries and efforts placed on getting his body back to as recovered as possible, there's little strength in his limbs to actually make for breaking out of the would-be-fortress. But hearing Keigo talking about such a thing and knowing his friend has the intention to leave makes the idea not an impossibility. Touya wants to... but he wants to be able to and not fail trying to make it happen. A few more days, a little bit of patience, wouldn't hurt him any more than it already has. He can bide his time and ensure they make out it. That's worth the wait. Enough to recharge. Heat up. Ready.
A soft bump against his shoulder pulls Touya from his thoughts and he glances down towards the feathered sandy blonde head he's grown up with. So many times he's felt this sensation and seen this sight. A little boy holding onto his hand, a smile on his face after Touya encouraged him that they'd get stronger. Now it seems the roles are reversed, with Keigo being the one to encourage him to stay strong and smile for him. Mah, smiling doesn't seem like a possibility right now, but at least he's calm and willing to rest without medication or antagonism towards the medics tending to him.
Touya's hand is moved rather than moving his hand himself. Lifted up, fingers curled a bit at the tips as Keigo slides his hand underneath his own. Once it's in his grip, however, the burned teen slowly closes his digits around the winged teen's. Whether it's 'proper' or not is up to Keigo to decide; Touya doesn't care. He cares more about the question leveled at him. For a while, he's left to think on his own. How much does he remember? There's a lot, actually.
"Depends on where ya want me to start." Does he remember the time away from Keigo? Does he remember the training he went through after Endeavor abandoned him? Does he remember getting the news Keigo would never be in his life again? Does he remember rampaging through the halls as his flames raged around him without control, incinerating people and scorching walls black, heedless of the damage he caused? Does he remember waking up and finding out how much of himself he'd destroyed? The answer is... yes. He remembers all of that. If asked to grab details right now, he probably could, though he's likely too tired to want to give Keigo a big report. "But I remember most of it."
Might be better to ask him what he doesn't remember... which is a stupid request.
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no subject
Date: 5/16/23 00:48 (UTC)Just you and me.
He wants to believe it so badly. Ever so slowly, the cold inhale against Keigo's shoulder and neck begins to dwindle, Touya's lightheaded rush starting to ease as his racing heart and panic take a step back from the harrowing brink. Too weak to manage his flames right now, all that can give is the rising warmth of his body to the peak of his frantic moments. But even that is starting to cool as Keigo coaxes and guides him. Fingers reluctantly, unconsciously, start surrendering their death grip on his shirt and limb. Minutes pass, but it's eventually becoming more apparent there won't be another inferno blazing through the scorched hallways. No more damage to Touya's body at the moment.
Each pass of Keigo's hands helps with that. Each rub of his wings, each passing second on the darkness of their envelope coaxes the other teenager down from his high. Minutes and minutes... but eventually, it's enough. Left holding him, left breathing, left cooling...
no subject
Date: 5/16/23 22:17 (UTC)But Keigo's learned in the last few years how to hide all of that. The gentle motions of his hands, the soft words, and careful caress of his feathers, none of them give away how Keigo feels inside. Not the worry, not the stress, not the sadness or anger that come with the memories of what put Touya into that this bed in the first place. There's just a gentleness that comes easily these days with training that's told him to be what other's need, what to say and how to act, how to read them. And right now, Touya needs him and reassurance that he's still here. He can do that. He's always been able to do that.
"Still with me?" He prompts softly after a moment, wings shifting slightly so he can let some of that building heat escape from the cage of his wings before he's curling them closely around him again. There's a gentle nudge of his lips and nose against the older teen's temple. "We can stay here as long as you need."
no subject
Date: 5/22/23 21:14 (UTC)Thoughts like that seem to drift away the longer Keigo holds him. No more focusing on the pain and loss, but rather the incredulous sensation of having the only person he had grown close to back with him. Hands touching his body, carding through his hair, wings wrapped around him in a way he'd never felt for several years, but always remained in his mind as memories of that childhood stolen from him. Touya can't tell that all Keigo is doing to him is simply things he'd been trained to do. He grasps onto it without hesitation. It's the only way he's going to get through this without destroying everything around him.
"Uh-huh..." The noise is quiet, voice different from the boy Keigo had left behind. Deeper, sullen, a changed person within the confines of those red wings. Lips brush against his temple and Touya ducks his head closer to Keigo's chest, settling in the embrace. Still with him. Burned but alive. Not dead yet despite looking like he should be.
no subject
Date: 8/3/23 00:29 (UTC)More than anything, he wants to drag Touya out of this bed, out of this place, somewhere where they never have to worry about anyone hurting them. He wishes it was that easy.
He feels the way Touya tucks himself against his chest, and he adjusts his hold reflexively. He littles carefully to the sound of the other's breathing, lets his attention split briefly to take in the world around them more intently. He can hear the voices of the doctors and staff nearby. Chattering impatiently about needing to go inside, but they all resist. They know the risk of what will happen if they make the wrong move, and he knows none of them want to roll those dice.
"Does anything hurt?" He wonders softly, letting his fingers pass through Touya's hair drift lower, finding a scar to touch softly. Gauging a reaction - checking for pain but also his friend's control.
no subject
Date: 8/7/23 03:30 (UTC)Freedom. Walking free without the rules holding him down, seeing their faces washed in heat as the looks of horror and realization was flash-fried into blackened skulls. Look what they wrought. They wanted a weapon. They got it.
And it can turn where it wants.
Those realizations settle within his chest as Touya rests against Keigo's body. Breathing softening, eyes closing, the panic from his waking and the trauma from the experience slowly easing down now that Keigo is here. Luckily his mind is elsewhere so he doesn't hear the people talking around them, doesn't hear the words said. Instead, Touya continues to unconsciously internalizes the feelings from that time. He can deal with them later. For now, he's content to rest.
"No. Just feels numb." Honestly, he can't feel any pain at all. Even with the damage to his body. Maybe because of it. The sensations are faded, even the brush of Keigo's wings almost imperceptible on his skin. He can feel his hand in his hair, on the nape of his neck, but it's mostly pressure only. Perhaps the pain will come back later... who knows.
no subject
Date: 8/21/23 22:41 (UTC)Given the amount of surgeries and skin grafts, Keigo isn't surprised to hear that. The different doctors had told him that was a possibility between Touya's flames and medical procedures, but he isn't thrilled about it. Far from it. It's yet another reminder of how much this place has done to the other, and it makes a familiar anger simmer under his skin. Something he knows how to hide now, but it still lingers under the surface.
"No pain is good," he offers softly as he lifts one hand to stroke it over Touya's hair gently. No pain and calm. Touya's in a good place for the moment, and the last thing he wants to do is disturb him, but the doctors do need to check him. Something he knows could go badly very quickly if it's not handled right. Touya's fragile, and Keigo doesn't know how much it'll take before he starts to crack.
He nudges a hand softly at the other's shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere," he starts gently, "but the doctors need to look at you. Will you be okay? I'll be right at the foot of your bed the entire time."
no subject
Date: 8/22/23 22:30 (UTC)And there's no going back.
"Maybe." Touya doesn't know if a lack of pain is good. It might sound good on the surface, but pain is what tells a body something is wrong. He could break a bone or get a cut and not know until he's made the damage worse. And if he can't feel anything at all, life's going to be a fucking lonely existence. There's some mild relief in that he can feel Keigo's fingers in his hair, even if it's more a vague pressure and recollection at the moment. Phantom sensation.
The nudge draws him out of his quiet moment and the promise Keigo makes earns another round of relaxation as Touya sinks against him. Eyes closing, resting, breathing easier. "They can look tomorrow," he murmurs, voice curt and unlike the boy Keigo had grown up with. "I'll kill 'em if they try today." Something far more detached and uncaring.
no subject
Date: 8/27/23 17:52 (UTC)Eyes closing as his hands move through Touya's hair again, he can remember those scorch marks. The sight of Touya covered in blood and bandages after everything had happened. He's had years to learn to cope with the anger those memories bring, the hatred that simmers under his skin for what they'd done to ruin his only friend, the only person he loves. But for Touya, it's all still too fresh. Those doctors are in danger for simply just existing this close to Touya.
That's something Keigo becomes even more keenly aware of as the older teen speaks. It doesn't sound like the boy he'd known for so long, but someone else. And as he continues, speaking like that... He knows that boy he'd grown to love had been burned away. It should upset him, should make his heart ache more than it already does. Instead, all Keigo feels is the way his own resolve to take them away from here burn hotter. He promises himself he'll protect Touya this time; he won't let him suffer alone like that again. It doesn't matter if he can never have the old Touya back, he'll take care of this new one the way he should have the boy he grow up with.
"Tomorrow," he echoes softly, adjusting his hold around Touya, and this time, it's so he can tip them gently onto their sides to lay down in the too small bed. "You should save your strength. You'll need it." It's not scolding or telling the other he shouldn't hurt or kill others. It's his way of saying they'll leave this place, and the unfortunate reality of it is that Touya will need his strength for them to do it.
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Date: 8/28/23 04:50 (UTC)Touya lets himself rest again as Keigo runs his fingers through his hair, taking comfort in the gentle gestures. He doesn't feel any regret for what happened, save for not being able to bring this entire place down in the inferno. But at the moment, he's too tired and overwhelmed to dwell on such thoughts. All he wants to do is focus on Keigo's presence. Rest finally seems an attractive option. He can deal with anything else later if Keigo's with him.
"Aa." Yeah. Tomorrow. That sounds good. Touya notes the soft tilt and realizes Keigo's lying them down. He has to let the other man do it for him, limbs too tired to do much on their own after the rush of emotion from the reunion. Lying on his side in the embrace of Keigo's wings is a pleasant experience, reminding him of the times they'd done the same as kids. "All right." Save his strength. Good idea. No reprimand or counseling. Unaware of what Keigo's planning, Touya simply closes his eyes and lets himself relax, quickly finding sleep in his friend's presence.
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Date: 9/16/23 18:42 (UTC)True to his word, Keigo keeps the doctors and nurses off Touya until the evening the following day. Even then, he keeps close, always within reach and prepared to tell someone to stop or give them distance if Touya needs it. That's how they spend the next week or so as well - Touya carefully observed by the doctors who are being intently watched by Keigo. And Keigo dismisses any requests (demands) really for him to do any training that takes him away from Touya's side for more than an hour or so. Keigo knows they want to argue, but they won't. As far as everyone is concerned, Touya is a ticking time bomb, and Keigo is the only person who can stop him.
When Touya is finally given the blessing to leave the hospital bed he'd been confined to, bandages mostly gone except for a few things that are in the final stages of healing, Keigo is happy to lead him out of the medical wing. One bare hand is curved around Touya's as they walk, keeping close enough that their shoulders can gently brush one another at they go. "I kept our room the same. I thought it'd be nice if we made changes to it together," he muses as he opens the door to their room. Sure enough, it's the same beyond a couple of small things like the addition of a few books, a taller dresser to accommodate the need for bigger clothes and accessories, and Touya's pillow is nestled beside Keigo's on the blond's bed. But otherwise, it's much the same. Not that Keigo has any intention of the two of them staying here long enough for this place to need any changes. They'll be out of here soon enough.
"We can sleep in your bed, if you want. I've been washing the sheets every week so they were clean for you." He'd never given up hope that the other would wake up, after all. He'd told anyone who asked that Touya would come back to him, and he was right. Something he seems incredibly happy about as he herds the other teen to sit on the edge of his old bed. "Do you want to see some of the magazines I saved for you? I found new places for us to go when it's time for us to live on our own."
He doesn't wait for an answer, grabbing one of the magazines before climbing onto the bed to scoot close to Touya. Opening the magazine, he flips through a few pages before stopping and setting it across their laps. "It isn't open all the time, but I'll find out how we can get special passes." It's a big mall, but that's not what he's concerned with showing Touya. The place his finger lands on the page is a store front and the doors are the exact shape and size of the ones that keep their living quarters and medical from the rest of the facility. "We go here and once we're done," he drags his finger towards the brightly lit exit sign among the bustling scene, tapping it, "we'll go here. It'll probably be busy, though. If we go early or maybe later at night, it shouldn't be too bad."
What he's telling Touya sounds innocent enough, but what he means is entirely different. He'll get them an access card to get into the other part of the facility, and they'll escape from there. They can figure out the best time depending on the schedule in the next few days.
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Date: 9/18/23 21:49 (UTC)But none of those things happen. Apparently the destruction and death's Touya had wrought on his rampage had cast enough of a ghost around the staff to avoid it. Probably to no one's surprise, he's more awake and alert whenever it's just him and Keigo visiting in the hospital room. Still, his exhaustion and recovery take a toll and Touya ends up sleeping most of the time as the days tick on. The scars and regenerative tissues go hand-in-hand on his body, that T-shaped rictus grin permanently etched into his face. At least everything's the same color, though Touya heard one of the nurses say "for now" in regards to his body's ability to stay in its current state. What would happen if he tried to use his flames like this?
... just how useless is he going to be now ..
As Keigo leads him away from the medical wing, Touya's eyes wander about the halls and passing rooms. He holds his friend's hand, not minding the way their shoulders bump against each other's as they go. Feels like it's been forever since he saw this place; it's been three years after all. Oh, Keigo's saying something.
"We're going to change it?" Touya sounds confused about why they'd bother doing that. Most of the rooms are the same, little in the way of personality unless it's somehow required. But he pauses upon seeing their room again. Particularly the bed with two pillows on it. The scene brings back memories and feelings, causing a quiet well of the sensations in Touya's chest. Soft, but weak. Enough that his expression relaxes, but a smile fails to appear.
"But my pillow's on your bed." Touya takes a seat on the bed's edge, resting his hands on the rim for a few seconds before smoothing his fingers and palms across the surface. The sensation's faint, numb, in that he can feel it's soft, but not anything like he could still remember. So he stops doing that and simply rests his hands on his lap instead. Magazines? Touya lifts his head and glances at Keigo again when he mentions new places to live. Right, they had... talked about that before. What to do when they left this place.
"Mh." That's the only response he can (or wants) to give, since Keigo's already scooting over to him with the magazine. Turquoise eyes linger on the pages as they flip across the book, dropping as the document flops on his lap. A mall? He hasn't been to one of those... ever. But he focuses on the placement of Keigo's finger instead, noting the door and the hallway, followed by the skim to the exit door. For a few seconds, he seems to simply take it as Keigo means it. But after the bit, his eyes lid and a different kind of focus wanders through his mind. "Later at night. Goin out with all those people's annoyin."
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Date: 10/11/23 21:50 (UTC)The people here did this to Touya. Enji Todoroki did this to Touya. And despite the bright smiles and carefree demeanor, Keigo will never forgive any of them for taking a part of Touya away from him.
He feels those familiar creeping thoughts, but instead of focusing on them, he tips his head gently against Touya's shoulder once it seems the other is understanding what he's saying. He wishes they could talk more freely, but he's sure they're being watched. They can't have their prized bird harmed, after all.
"Later sounds good." There's a soft hum of approval, and he's quiet for a moment as lets himself enjoy the moment. There's lots he wants to ask as they sit there, but he's not sure where to start. Instead of speaking right away, he starts with neatly sliding the magazine away before letting one of his hands slide under Touya's, letting the other teen decide if he wants to hold it properly or not. "Hey, Touya," he wonders after a moment, voice soft where his head is perched on the other's shoulder. "Do you remember what happened?"
It's a dangerous question to ask, and Keigo knows it. But he needs to know what's going through Touya's head, how much of that rage is still simmering under the surface, and just what might be the spark to ignite another inferno.
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Date: 10/16/23 00:07 (UTC)A soft bump against his shoulder pulls Touya from his thoughts and he glances down towards the feathered sandy blonde head he's grown up with. So many times he's felt this sensation and seen this sight. A little boy holding onto his hand, a smile on his face after Touya encouraged him that they'd get stronger. Now it seems the roles are reversed, with Keigo being the one to encourage him to stay strong and smile for him. Mah, smiling doesn't seem like a possibility right now, but at least he's calm and willing to rest without medication or antagonism towards the medics tending to him.
Touya's hand is moved rather than moving his hand himself. Lifted up, fingers curled a bit at the tips as Keigo slides his hand underneath his own. Once it's in his grip, however, the burned teen slowly closes his digits around the winged teen's. Whether it's 'proper' or not is up to Keigo to decide; Touya doesn't care. He cares more about the question leveled at him. For a while, he's left to think on his own. How much does he remember? There's a lot, actually.
"Depends on where ya want me to start." Does he remember the time away from Keigo? Does he remember the training he went through after Endeavor abandoned him? Does he remember getting the news Keigo would never be in his life again? Does he remember rampaging through the halls as his flames raged around him without control, incinerating people and scorching walls black, heedless of the damage he caused? Does he remember waking up and finding out how much of himself he'd destroyed? The answer is... yes. He remembers all of that. If asked to grab details right now, he probably could, though he's likely too tired to want to give Keigo a big report. "But I remember most of it."
Might be better to ask him what he doesn't remember... which is a stupid request.