dappledleaves | THE WORLD: PSL LIFE

[ Evil!!! Sinclair takes the controller, straightening up a little so he didn't impede them both from playing]

You know, I haven't played this in a really long time.

Same here, actually. But then again, I haven't really had time to play other games ever since Fragment started.

[ For various reasons. He connects the two devices by infrared or whatever DS used back in the heyday and let's go!! Mario Kart!! Oria picks Yoshi. ]

[ Ah. His favourite...he grabs Princess Peach instead. Time to go]

It really did take up all our free time.

Hey, at least the grind actually meant something for us in the end.

[ Like... fighting for their lives? Yeah. Sadly, that's still not new whether he's playing games or in real life. If anything, he feels even more targeted nowadays.

Time for the twisty Rainbow Road. Oria is really not going easy on sick Sinclair. ]

[ Why.

Sinclair tries to keep his car under control but gets hit with a banana almost immediately. Why]

It would have been better without it I think.

[ yeaaaah. Looks at Sinclair's life]

You think so?

[ Oria thinks he turned out for the worse because of Fragment, but he also gained many things that he favored. ]

But I met you again and we got closer. I think that's the highlight of my Fragment time.

[ Oria tosses a red shell at a CPU that's ahead of him. Suffer. ]

[Sinclair thinks about it, brain groggy]

Mm. I can't regret my time in Fragment when it brought us together. [He had become stronger for many things, but he knew how painful it was for other people]

I guess...I just wish it hadn't been so painful for so many people.

[HIS turn to throw a banana at the CPU. He's catching up]

[ It's definitely been painful. Oria lost some friends and went through some things that probably would have traumatized him for life. He's glad that he could announce Hector not being dead by bringing him to the party, but really. He feels that he couldn't match up to his own standards. Sure, his empathy was generally lower than the average person's, but he still felt for them sometimes, only because he understands how that felt.

Oria catches a mushroom speed boost to zoom off that ramp and nearly falling into the pit. Whew. That was close. ]

I could get through anything if I knew that you were there. Anywhere. Alive.

[ Sinclair fumbles with the controls, as the CPU knocks him off the map--noooo. But his focus isn't really on the game anywhere. He leans into Oria, biting his lip]

...you too. I only got as far as I did because you were there. Then. Now. You're always supporting me.

[ Despite a "heavy" topic, Oria can still divide his focus on the game and the conversation pretty well. ]

That's why there's no meaning to either of us sacrificing our lives for the other. I would never want you to give your life for mine in any circumstance.

[ Sinclair doesn't look at Oria this time, but the awareness of how Oria got his scar is as sharp as ever at the back of his mind. He works to get his character back up and running, collecting coins for a speed boost.]

I could say the same to you.

[ He's brow furrows ]

...your happiness is important to me.

Yours is too. You know that I'm not the type to throw my life away. Even...

[ Even when it was either him or his father. The suggestion was still met with a lot of resistance, but he still went through with it. It wasn't even him being cold. He would never be able to say, "if it's me or you, I'd rather it be me" to his father's face. He wouldn't mean a single word of that phrase. Family is important to Oria, despite everything they've done to him.

He grips the DS a little tighter, with his shoulder that's in contact with Sinclair tensing up. He remembers his father bleeding and how he worked so hard to staunch the blood flow so that they could wait for help to arrive. Even with the deal at Kayser Corp, Arvel only left Oria behind by himself because Oria specifically requested it. He really didn't like the idea of leaving his son behind in an obviously questionable environment.

...

Oria swallows through the tightness in his throat and pushes through with the game. He comes in third place out of 10 players, including themselves. ]

At least I'm not last!

[ He laughs a little. ]

[ Sinclair frowns, as his character rolls in at seventh]

...I can't believe I was that far behind...

[He can be a little pouty, even as he leans on Oria a little more, pressing his face against Oria's arm. Softly, in a quiet voice]

And I know. There's no point in any of this if we can't live to see any of it through. [ He swallows a little, remembering how Oria had looked when they found him. He can't promise he'll be safe and careful anymore than Oria can. But he can promise this]

... you won't ever have to make that decision again. I won't let anyone make me into a sacrifice you have to choose.

[ Oria would never have to live through that a second time.]

[ Oria quietly breathes out, puts the DS down on the bed and hugs Sinclair even if his face is into his arm.

Sinclair had seen many moments when Oria felt weak, and this is just one of them. His voice is quiet. ]

... Okay.

[ Like a lost child, accepting help from someone who could tell him that everything will be okay. ]

[ Sinclair drops his game to the side too and throws his arms around Oria, half crawling into his lap so he can cradle Oria's head gently to his shoulder. He's still hot and feverish, but he can do this much]

I'll always come back to you. Promise.

... Mm.

[ It's a lofty promise, but Oria thinks he knows the conviction behind it. He's made a few of them himself, after all. You can't guarantee nor promise something like that, but Oria can appreciate the sentiment behind it. ]

But you need to get better first. I think it's okay to lie down now, so do you wanna do that?

[ It is a lofty promise; but if they settle for something too small then it becomes meaningless and without direction. Sinclair frowns a tiny bit but nods, letting Oria move him as he likes]

Nap time...?

Yeah.

[ Oria warmly smiles at Sinclair, reaching over for the cup of water to hold out to him. ]

Nap time soon. Let's get you hydrated and I'll wipe some sweat off your body before you sleep.

Okay...

[ Sinclair nods, taking the cup of water drink. Honestly it hurts his throat to swallow, but he ignores it. He's very pliable like this]

[ Oria puts the games and cup away once Sinclair is finished drinking from it. Then he goes to grab an extra set of comfortable clothes and some wipes. ]

Alright, Emil. Here.

[ Oria tries to assist with taking Sinclair's shirt off... ]

[This is so embarrassing...yet Sinclair feels too sluggish and achey to protest it]

I could shower myself you know...

[And then ruin it by sweating with his fever, and maybe fall over but. Still. He still lets Oria take his shirt off]

Uh-huh.

[ Oria takes Sinclair's shirt off and quickly wipes him down and puts the new shirt over him. He does the same with his pants. ]

All done! Naptime.

[ Sinclair lays down, defeated and blushing. Mumble mumble]

You really took the nursing part seriously...

[aaaaaaa. But oh hey the room is spinning. He closes his eyes to stop it]

Emil, did you really think that I was going to touch you lewdly while you're sick?

[ He laughs a little and puts his hand over the eyes. Shhh. Rest time. ]

Wh--no. That's not---

[ aaaaaaaa.

His brain wasn't even there but now he's even more embarrassed. He wiggles a little at the hand over his closed eyes. Heeey.]

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deathgrips notif

SHAKES IT WITH YOU

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