fyulong | [Voice / Action]

[It's tempting to tease, it really is, because that's just what Mikage does when he's with Teito. But there's something about the embrace that bothers him, a level of desperation they don't often experience. He knows he's missed something, and from what he's read in the guide, there's no telling what Teito's been through. ...And probably without him. So he keeps holding on, giving Teito all the time he needs. And Teito should full well know that it's okay to cry with him.]

[ which he is. it's just so overwhelming for Teito right now. it might have only been a few months since Mikage's death... but it would take a long, long time for Teito to get over it anyway. there's just so much that has happened. ]

Y-you're really here...

[Mikage smiles, hoping that some normalcy will reassure Teito. He doesn't know what exactly is wrong, but he knows it isn't good.]

You got here first, right? So of course I'd follow you! I said I'd stay with you, remember?

I was looking for you. For almost three weeks.

[ now going to loosen his hold to look up. even his height issues aren't getting the better of Teito right now. ]

[Hold the phone there, Teito, you just blew his mind. Probably not for the last time today.]

Three weeks!?

That's how long I've been here.

[ oh right... talking out in the open... that's not going to go well with Black Hawks out there. tugs at Mikage a bit. ]

C'mon.

[Mikage's would agree if he knew said Black Hawks were in Luceti; as it is he's following just because he's damn cold and doesn't have a proper winter coat yet.]

I can't believe you've been here for three weeks! It's just been a few hours since I saw you in the church...!

[ not really surprised to hear that as he keeps walking. he hadn't expected Mikage to keep memories of being a fyulong... If he had even been brought here and changed back, that is. the little house isn't far, but it's like Teito knows as he is wriggling off his coat to give to Mikage. ]

It's been... Longer than that.

[ he struggles saying that. trying to keep the raw emotion out of his voice. ]

[Oi, don't do that. >:| Mikage gets a stubborn look on his face and pushes the shoulders of the jacket back on before Teito can get it off all the way.]

Hey, it's too cold for that. We're almost there, so I can just warm up inside. [He pauses, lips pursing as he looks ahead.] Longer, though... I don't understand.

[ shoots a look right back. ]

But the cold doesn't bother me. It's still warmer here than it is in Raggs...

[Mikage shrugs at that, then just lopes an arm around Teito's shoulders to hopefully win by default. He doesn't feel like explaining - or reminding, really, since Teito noticed before - that his own body doesn't have much warmth right now anyway.]

Raggs? You remember Raggs that well now? That's great!

It helps when I was there right before being here.

[ hey look! house! going to let Mikage get away with this now, but Teito is going to make sure that Mikage gets a coat next time.... and get Labrador to also make holes for the wings... ]

[.....WAT.]

Y... you were in Raggs!?

[ practically pulling Mikage inside now. ]

Talk more inside. Two Black Hawks are here.

[Whoa, okay, that's enough to shut him up. The discomfort of knowing that two of Ayanami's goons were in the area...

...Wait.]

It's... not Ayanami, is it?

No. Just the one with sunglasses and the other with pink hair.

[ taking off coat and putting it up. looks around but doesn't seem like Labrador is in at the moment. so Teito leads the way to his room. ]

If Ayaname was here... I wouldn't be putting people in danger by being around them.

[That's not much of a relief- he remembers Hyuuga during his interrogations, and he didn't like the man much more. He doesn't remember the other one, though, besides the brief appearance during their exams.

However, what Teito just said is worth chiding him for.]

You're not going to start thinking like that again, are you?

It's different now...

[ Mikage died! who knows what else Ayaname would do... especially if Ayaname ever learns that Teito is Pandora's Box. ]

Even if that bastard showed up, we'd deal with him somehow. Running off and doing things on your own isn't going to help anyone.

That's got nothing to do with it, Mikage.

[ So uncomfortable... where does he start? ]

I don't have the Eye anymore and they still are hunting me down.

[He doesn't asjdhaskjdas what. What, seriously.

...Okay let's backpedal a bit.]

Maybe you should start from the beginning, Teito...

Beginning where? There's a lot to tell.

[ takes a seat on his bed. ]

What... What do you remember...

[ really he's just happy to see Mikage like this... so happy. but what will he think when he finds out just what Teito is holding onto? ]

[...Oh boy. Mikage falters there, eyes averted, then sits down on the bed beside him, scuffing a hand through his hair.]

I remember... we were in the church. And I was-

[...Trying to kill you.]

...Everything went white. It... wasn't me anymore.

[ hangs head. he hadn't meant for Mikage to get upset... ]

I know. You told me that I should walk in the light... And also asked me to do something else.

[ not going to say that. never. those words are to never be repeated again... ]

I was... Powerless to help you. To protect you. In the end you -

[ chokes on the word. tears? quite possibly! ]

Y-you...

[Mikage's quiet for a while, because he remembers that part- and he remembers knowing exactly what would happen if he didn't obey his instructions.

So he'd died. He can't really be surprised to hear it outright, but knowing how much it must've hurt Teito... that's the hardest part of it.]

...Teito... would it have been easier for you if I'd told you...?

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]