[Rin can do his part when he’s able to walk again. Sousuke knows any attempt to reassure him that his god’s fine is a lie. A lie for his own sake, wanting him not to worry, but a lie nonetheless. He won’t have any of that. Right now, all he wants is for the blight to somehow go away and for Rin to feel better. If that can happen, both of them are going to get better. But the longer this lasts, the more the two of them are going to keep feeling bad for each other because of each other and down the dark spiral they’ll go without end. It’s unfortunate and stupid and not for the first time does Sousuke wonder just what sort of partners they’re supposed to be.
After all, what two people… function this way together? So close and loyal, yet so crackled and challenging. They promised to support each other and here they are, damaging each other and bringing the other down all the while trying to lie to themselves and each other that everything is fine. Seeing themselves as each other’s stress. Frustrated they’ve not done or have done this or that to drive the other to this point. It’d be laughable if it weren’t so pathetic.
Sousuke tries not to think about any of that obvious realization as they move within the private pool room. The petal lick through the water, bounding against his hips and chest as he steps down into the pool. But as sickeningly sweet and romantic as this is, it’s a relief to Sousuke’s eyes. Because this pool has to mean that Rin will feel better. That the pain can stop and his god can regain his strength. It’s why they came here, right? So what if he walks in with his clothes still on. Had Rin expected him to wait for him to strip?
He hears that stuttered protest, knows that Rin’s going to try to stop him because of his reaction to pools in the past. But Sousuke tightens his grip and grits his teeth, eyes narrowing on the wall across from them. Shut up. Don’t think about it. It’s just water. Move forward and make sure Rin’s in the pool so he can absolve himself of that painful blight. Focus on what matters. Focus on Rin. Focus on you. Don’t focus on me.]
It’s fine.
[His tone’s calm despite being a little tight, and the hard muscles in his arm are solid beneath his skin when Rin touches his limb. But he’s not stopping and his bicep flexes as he lowers the god down into the pool. He does hope, at least, Rin doesn’t kick or squirm or something. Even if he’s chest-deep in the water, he’d rather not end up getting tugged face first into it. And yeah… it feels uncomfortable. Shirt sticking to his skin, pants fluttering around his hips and legs, soaking fabric bumping around. Sousuke deals with it though and looks down at Rin, concern in his gaze. He just wants him to feel better…
Finally, he gets a quiet sigh; it sounds a lot better than the pained clench of Rin’s teeth and his tight breath. Though he can’t see it or feel it, he “senses” that something’s happening. Something good. At the quiet murmur, Sousuke nods and gently releases his grip on the other boy’s shoulders and legs. It’s only a second before Rin’s sinking beneath the surface of the water, petals floating over to block his face and leaves Sousuke silently gazing down at the water.
It… it feels nice. The water. The nauseated feeling, the fear and panic of dread he’s first experienced when he encountered the pools, seems to be fading the longer he stays here. That’s… that’s good too.]
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After all, what two people… function this way together? So close and loyal, yet so crackled and challenging. They promised to support each other and here they are, damaging each other and bringing the other down all the while trying to lie to themselves and each other that everything is fine. Seeing themselves as each other’s stress. Frustrated they’ve not done or have done this or that to drive the other to this point. It’d be laughable if it weren’t so pathetic.
Sousuke tries not to think about any of that obvious realization as they move within the private pool room. The petal lick through the water, bounding against his hips and chest as he steps down into the pool. But as sickeningly sweet and romantic as this is, it’s a relief to Sousuke’s eyes. Because this pool has to mean that Rin will feel better. That the pain can stop and his god can regain his strength. It’s why they came here, right? So what if he walks in with his clothes still on. Had Rin expected him to wait for him to strip?
He hears that stuttered protest, knows that Rin’s going to try to stop him because of his reaction to pools in the past. But Sousuke tightens his grip and grits his teeth, eyes narrowing on the wall across from them. Shut up. Don’t think about it. It’s just water. Move forward and make sure Rin’s in the pool so he can absolve himself of that painful blight. Focus on what matters. Focus on Rin. Focus on you. Don’t focus on me.]
It’s fine.
[His tone’s calm despite being a little tight, and the hard muscles in his arm are solid beneath his skin when Rin touches his limb. But he’s not stopping and his bicep flexes as he lowers the god down into the pool. He does hope, at least, Rin doesn’t kick or squirm or something. Even if he’s chest-deep in the water, he’d rather not end up getting tugged face first into it. And yeah… it feels uncomfortable. Shirt sticking to his skin, pants fluttering around his hips and legs, soaking fabric bumping around. Sousuke deals with it though and looks down at Rin, concern in his gaze. He just wants him to feel better…
Finally, he gets a quiet sigh; it sounds a lot better than the pained clench of Rin’s teeth and his tight breath. Though he can’t see it or feel it, he “senses” that something’s happening. Something good. At the quiet murmur, Sousuke nods and gently releases his grip on the other boy’s shoulders and legs. It’s only a second before Rin’s sinking beneath the surface of the water, petals floating over to block his face and leaves Sousuke silently gazing down at the water.
It… it feels nice. The water. The nauseated feeling, the fear and panic of dread he’s first experienced when he encountered the pools, seems to be fading the longer he stays here. That’s… that’s good too.]