dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[ The nuance from those words is the reason why Oria knows he's not allowed to be upset—the love, it's there. Even if it isn't the kind Oria wanted to be reciprocated, it's still there. And that's why he can't get mad or sad about it.

Because Sinclair means so much to him as a person rather than a significant other that Oria wants.

Even if he has received the revelation from his mother.

Even if he won't be here in ten years, much less five.

Even if...

Even if, ]

Are you okay with just hanging out in the room today? You did just get over a nasty headache...

[ Or maybe a checkup is due? But he doesn't want to say that out loud. ]

[ Sinclair rests his head against Oria's shoulder. little more and nearly whines at the thought of having to leave]

I'd like that. I only really want to be around you right now.

[ He feels safe here; they're safe here. Even if it's just an illusion of the feeling, it's enough]

But I shouldn't stop you from doing anything you need to do, should I?

[ What Sinclair says makes his heart go dokyun or something. The idea of a clingy Sinclair is outrageously endearing to Oria too. Man. ]

I don't have anything else to do today, so I'm free. You get to have me allll to yourself today!

Really?

[ Sinclair brightens, and gives Oria's hand another squeeze. He feels sheepish but he's glad Oria is humouring him]

Then, should we watch more movies or play something...?

[ Or just half sprawl on the bed and talk]

Hm... Let's play some games. I wanna see how better you got!

[ We can continue this or jump straight into plot if you want!! ]

I don't know how much better, but hopefully enough.

[He will not lose!! and they can have a lot of fun bonding and timeskip away o7]

[ The next day eventually arrives after their fun little rest day. They meet with Shion at the picnic area in the park. He's seen sitting around a picnic table seating, spinning a pen while seemingly lost in thought. When he looks up to see Oria and Sinclair, he immediately frowns.

"This wasn't what we agreed to." ]

You never said anything about having to come alone. Besides, he's involved so it makes sense for him to come here.

[ Shion doesn't look very happy about the arrangement and he glares at Sinclair even though he's with Oria. ]

[ Sinclair flinches a little at the glare and he clasps his hands together to keep from fidgeting.]

... I'm sorry for intruding. But I wanted to hear this for myself too.

[ He looks at Oria askance... what did they end up talking about?]

[ Shion sighs, already tired of being here. Seems like he has a bad attitude or is just cranky. It doesn't explain the glare at Sinclair though, which he's still doing, by the way. ]

So, spill. Who were you fighting over?

[ "... What?" ]

Who. Were. You. Fighting. Over. With. Aria.

[ For that, Oria gets a crumpled up napkin to the face, which he sidesteps. Sorry if you get hit by it. ]

[Why is he being glared at?? Sinclair is so confused that he catches the napkin automatically, only to drop it with a squeak. Ew? Hopefully that wasn't used?]

[ Sorry it was definitely used. He wiped cheeto dust off his fingers with it. Ganba, Sinclair.

"You're really nosy. If I tell you, then what are you giving me?"

Oria frowns and shrugs outwardly with an arm. ]

What do you even want?

[ "Rack your brain and think of something that's worth what you want. Use it for a change."

Binch. Oria is tempted to punch him. ]

[Ew. At least he's wearing gloves. He glances over at Oria and frowns a tiny bit, giving a small tug at his sleeve to remind him not to punch anyone. Then he looks at Shion, feeling a small sliver of dislike worm into his heart]

...if you have a deal you want made for your information, shouldn't you be setting clearer terms?

[ Shion eyes the little sleeve tug and holds the urge to scoff.

"Of course the other Severine would have claimed him theirs."

Oria is held back thanks to Sinclair, but then he just stares at Shion, almost dumbfounded. ]

What?

[ "You heard me."

Oria grabs both of Sinclair's shoulders and pulls him to the front between himself and Shion. ]

You two were fighting over him?

Me?!

[Sinclair yelps, looking confused He gets pushed to the front without much protest]

But why? I don't even know you. There's no reason for the two of you to talk about me, right?

[ Shion doesn't seem embarrassed. If anything, he seems more irritated about Sinclair's presence.

"Don't word it so weirdly." ]

What the hell am I gonna do when that was what Sungjin told me? He legit believed that's how it went.

[ Shion clicks his tongue, again in annoyance. He resumes his glare at Sinclair.

"This has to be said, but I don't like you." ]

You made it really obvious. [ He says that in a slightly deadpan voice. His endless patience is dwindling bit by bit] It would be nice if I knew why though.

[ "So it's true. You really forgot everything."

With that, the two hands on Sinclair's shoulders attempt to pull him back so that Oria is between them. ]

[Ah. Sinclair freezes as he's pulled back]

...you, you knew me before?

[ Shion only crosses his arms, looking displeased with how Sinclair really doesn't seem to remember. This is really the "crime someone committed but the criminal doesn't remember doing said crime". There's always a gray area for things like those, but Shion seems mad at the very least.

But he doesn't say anything to confirm Sinclair's question. In fact, there's more of a bloodlust vibe that seems to gather and Oria dutifully gets in the way. ]

Calm down.

[I can speak to him. No. No, he needs to do this himself.

He can't hide from these things forever. He is already atoning in the only way he can, but he thinks it isn't much. This would always hang over him, choking him.

He lets Oria stand in front of him, but he grips his own wrist, trembling. That non-answer meant Shion probably didn't know him, but maybe knew of what he had done. He doesn't say anything just yet, trying to focus.]

You wont tell us the truth?

Edited 2024-11-18 01:56 (UTC)

[ Shion hates that look in Sinclair's eyes and Oria can tell, so he holds onto Sinclair's hand and feels how much he's trembling.

...

"Fine. You want to know the truth? My foster family and I were in the park when it happened. We were there to celebrate my little sister's birthday. But then you..."

Shion isn't a registered Gauntlet Knight, but Oria is getting the feeling that he's dangerous even without it. The only thing going for Oria and Sinclair right now is that it's broad daylight and they are out in a public park.

"You maimed my foster family in your outrage when they didn't do anything to you. They lived through your carnage, but they wished they were dead. You cut them up in a way they suffered despite having to still live on."

...

"And then you just, forgot?"

He's livid now, under the calm facade where his fury lies. But still, he doesn't make a move. ]

I...did that?

[A sick feeling rises in his throat. Flickers of memories flash through his mind. Pain, overwhelming his every senses. Rage consuming him as he tore himself free from restraints, the implants going haywire. Kromer. Kromer. Trying to escape and then.

Blood begins to drip down his nose as he staggers on]

I...the ABN...those scientists...

[ "I also lost my friends because of that incident. You really left me with nothing."

Sometimes the psychological toll is too great for them to handle even if they survived the initial onslaught. The pain they had to endure, whether it was physical or emotional, was immense.

In Sinclair's moment of vulnerability, the rook appears once again inside of him but with a vengeance. It's a lot more sturdy this time and generally all around resistant. It tries to inject Sinclair with the same sickness that befell Oria and several other Gauntlet Knights.

Die.

Meanwhile, Oria catches Sinclair's nose bleeding and fully turns around to get small tissues to stop it from flowing. ]

Emil! Wait! Get a hold of yourself!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry--if I did that, then...

[He doesn't want to believe it. He can believe it. After all, most of his memories are a tangled mess. Who can deny Shion's truth? He clutches his head as the pain becomes searing, and the rook begins to wreck havoc]

Ah...the rook...was that you...?

[ Sinclair gasps, trembling as blood drips down his nose. It hurts; it's agonising. It's like his brain is being torn apart]

Why...did you go after so many people... they weren't involved.

[ I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Take your revenge on me but leave the others out of it. It's meaningless of course - he can't bring back the dead and he can't repair the harm he's done, unwittingly or not. Inside, Demian activates a shield, honing in on the rook.

"Sinclair, I'll free you from this grip."

Sinclair can't do much but crumble against Oria as the information warring against shattered memories begins to overwhelm his brain]

Edited 2024-11-18 11:18 (UTC)

[ Oria is alarmed when Sinclair falls against him. Seeing him in so much pain hurts his heart and he wishes he could do something about it. He wraps his arms around Sinclair even though he'd rather be punching the shit out of Shion. Hold back, even though he's hurting the one person he loves more than anyone in the world. Hold back. Hold... back...

... ]

"How do you know that they weren't involved? All those dirty factory borns... They deserve it, but you... my Sinclair,"

[ "Oria" caresses Sinclair's face. ]

"are an exception, just like that day."

[ Shion doesn't look surprised when "Oria" is suddenly like this. In fact, it looks like he expected this to happen.

"Why go after them when they weren't involved?"

Shion is absolutely furious with what he's hearing.

"I could say the same for you."

The rook is much more fortified than last time and attempts to disintegrate the shield. It's a virus, after all. It's meant to tear things down as it infects a program and continue the cycle. ]

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