ichibukuro | avalon ic inbox.

[ There are plenty of things Tsumugi's capable of: acting, gardening, listening to others, giving good advice... standing against spectral armies isn't anywhere on that list. From the safety of his home, he reaches out to his friends and loved ones, one by one.

Which means, of course, that Ichiro is getting a text while he's waiting for Kazunari to return to him: ] Ichiro-kun, when you're able to, can you let me know that you're okay?

[ He remembers finding him that December night, battered and beat up. While he doesn't know quite yet how eagerly he seeks out danger, it's enough to warrant his checking in. ]

alive

[ That's.............. better than nothing, he supposes, but. ]

Are you safe?

yes im home sprry cant look at phone for long

[ Perhaps it would be more polite to ask permission first - he is barging in uninvited, after all - but given the circumstances, he can cut himself some slack. If he remembers correctly, Ichiro lives by himself... which means he has no one looking out for him while he's in whatever state he's in.

So he doesn't respond to his text, and instead gathers some things into a bag. Medicine, towels, some tea leaves, miscellaneous bandages... the basics for taking care of a person. And while he's not fast, he makes his way to the inn as quick as he can.

He doesn't even warn him - he just knocks. (and really, given their friendship thus far, he really shouldn't be surprised by this.) ] Ichiro-kun?

[As soon as Ichiro sent the text, he knew he'd made a mistake. He had intended to end the conversation there but... after knowing Tsumugi for several months now, he should know better than to think that he would just take Ichiro's word for it and leave it at that.

So, the knock at his door comes as no surprise at all. Ichiro is even prepared for it, already perched nearby and ready to open it.

He's no longer deathly ill, but he's still looking rough when he swings the door open. He looks tired.]

Tsumugi-san. What a surprise.

[ The fact that he's able to answer the door at all is kinda a good sign? Though as soon as he sees how drained he looks, he's quick to step forward and rest a gentle hand on his arm, not even offering an apology for his intrusion. ]

You shouldn't be up for too long... come on. [ back to bed with you, mister protagonist ] Do you know what you caught?

[ Assuming, of course, this is an illness of sorts. ]

[For a brief moment, Ichiro actually debates whether to tell the truth or not. But he... can't lie to Tsumugi. Not after all he's done for him and how much he cares for him.

Ichiro lets himself be guided back into bed.] I was cursed actually... One of those things touched me.

But I, I know a siphoner so I'm not anymore. [He adds that second point quickly so Tsumugi wont worry more than absolutely necessary but just the volume of his voice makes his head ring still.

Even with the curse gone, recovery is taking its time. Ichiro got very sick very quickly so his body is all sorts of confused.]

[ His hand remains on his arm, something tangible, a tether to reality that they both need. Of course the specters were dangerous, but to do something like this... it's worse than he expected.

His fingers tense slightly, squeezing, but nowhere near painful. ] That's a relief... [ And that - "a relief" - feels like an understatement. ] I'd still like to stay for a bit, though, if that's okay.

[ He's not a siphoner, nor is he a healer. But at the very least, he can watch over him while he rests. ]

I'm just going to be sleeping, but if you're sure... [He looks around the inn room. It's small but knowing Tsumugi is familiar with the layout, having lived in one himself, is of some comfort. It's not like he doesn't know the limitations of the room.]

Make yourself at home though.

Thank you. [ Is it strange for Tsumugi to be thanking him, when he's the one doing Ichiro a favor by caring for him? Maybe. But he wouldn't have it any other way.

He settles into a comfortable spot on the floor, next to the bed. The inn room is small, yes, but strangely bigger than he remembers? But that could be due to the sheer lack of stuff he has in comparison to the space he'd shared with Kazunari.

There is one commonality he spots, though, sitting nice and neat on the windowsill. Though Ichiro won't be able to see his smile, he'll surely hear it in his voice. ] Your succulent looks really happy. I can tell you've been taking good care of it.

[Ichiro sinks into his bed, his entire body feeling like an anchor descending to the bottom of the sea as soon as he hits the sheets.

And Tsumugi's voice is the quiet chime of a buoy just over head.]

Yeah. The care sheet you gave me has been really helpful. I might even want to get another one.

[ Ichiro already sounds so tired... he's glad. Hopefully that means he'll rest easy and regain his strength quickly. ]

If you do, let me know! I'll be happy to give you another clipping from one of mine. [ ~~download that plant for free ichiro-kun~~ ] I'll let you choose which one you want this time, too.

I think... I'd like whatever you chose for me.

[He says, but the slow way he speaks indicates he's already drifting off. So while it's true that he'd like whatever, he might not even be hearing Tsumugi clearly in the moment.

It's only the sound of his voice, not the words, that lull Ichiro to sleep.]

I'll keep that in mind. [ He says, though he's not too sure if he's even awake enough to register his words anymore.

Either way, Tsumugi speaks this wish into the world: ] ... Sleep well, Ichiro-kun.

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text | un: tsum.tsuki (backdated to the 22nd) (no we don't have enough threads)

sometime after the blackout

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