Team Tinies IDK WHAT'S HAPPENING

[weddingcupcake]

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[prebeard]

[He goes quiet for awhile, unsure of how to respond. There's no one else he can admit fear to. There's no one else allowed to see him crumble. But at the same time, he's afraid that doing so too much will backfire and leave rejected to the point of murder -- or worse, simply left alone.

He wants to shout at Gilgamesh to listen to reality. He wants to plead with him to allow a break in denial. He wants to hear that he won't be abandoned succumbing, even after he dies. But he doesn't know how to say those things and remain "elegant". He only knows how to stomp on them and think only of his goals.

Only his goals seem so distant now. Becoming anything but a corpse seems impossible when his body's weakening so quickly. And yet he can't bring himself to risk voicing his terror of that finality, so when the next wave of pain hits his emotions are wound so tightly that all he can do is suddenly, with only a gasp as warning, dissolve into tears.]

1/2

[whoreofbabylon]

[For a moment, he's stunned. Of course he said he'd allow for tears - and he meant that with utmost sincerity. Still, the suddenness and the perceived lack of a trigger for it is startling.]

[whoreofbabylon]

[But Gilgamesh eases after a moment and settles down beside Tokiomi. He isn't cuddly and affectionate anymore, that much has been more than apparent, but he doesn't have any desire to leave Tokiomi either.

So he switches on his DS and rests one hand on Tokiomi's shoulder]

[prebeard]

[He's not a loud crier. Even this low, he can't loosen up enough for that. But it's there and it's obvious and when his hand comes up to cover Gil's it's weak and trembling. He digs his nails in without meaning to, but he's lost the strength to do much damage.

Still, that weight beside him is reassuring. He's learned, in the last year, what this Gilgamesh is like. Being allowed to feel that presence so close and still is more acknowledgement than he can truly fathom. He's been elevated to the point of altering the rules of a legend, and he knows that. It's another reason he wants so desperately to cling to it.]

[whoreofbabylon]

[He silently allows Tokiomi to cling - the nails are no bother. Gilgamesh regards his mere presence as vast honor, and so he is content to simply sit in silence and play Pokemon.

A game about collecting a shitton of things to do your bidding? He considers this game absolutely made for him.

After an easy 15 minutes in which he allows Tokiomi to simply cry it out, he suddenly becomes very focused on the screen. Several more minutes pass, an intense expression of concentration on his face, before Gilgamesh finally gives Tokiomi a gentle shove and turns the screen towards him.]

I have found a suitable creature to name after you.

[prebeard]

[By that time he's calmed down significantly, as the combined physical pain and terror ebb. When he looks up his eyes are red and puffy, bright against his pale face.]

A creature...?

[Excuse him. He's not been paying much attention.]

[whoreofbabylon]

Observe.

[He's named a Vulpix Tokiomi. He's rather proud of himself - at the very least, it's a distraction.]

I intend to keep it by my side and train it into a fine companion. It is capable of setting its opponents ablaze, a skill that will prove most useful.

[prebeard]

[That's incredibly silly. There's just something ridiculous about an ancient Sumerian king playing Pokemon in general, let alone making such a thinly veiled gesture.

He's too tired to laugh about it, but as he leans sleepily against Gil's side, he does give a warm, soft smile. Horrible person as Gil may be to everyone else, Tokiomi still can't help but love him.]

You're so strange.

[whoreofbabylon]

It is not strange in the least. You must name your companions! I have learned that only fools fail to assign names and believe they can secure victory with a confused, undisciplined lot of six Magikarp.

[The King of Heroes is vehement about this point - and yet, his shoulders relax and he allows himself to slump lazily against Tokiomi.]

[prebeard]

Is that the floppy fish one?

[Tokiomi is still not good at the world outside his studies. He is, however, much better than he used to be. He has evolved from your grandmother who doesn't have a television to your mom who really does try the poor dear.]

[whoreofbabylon]

That is the one. It's no wonder that can do little but splash and struggle, their trainer cannot issue proper commands to them. I assure you, your namesake will not be handled so irresponsibly. As king, I will not only conquer, but cultivate.

[prebeard]

You'll complete it in no time, I'm sure.

[He mutters, amused and sleepy all at once. The pain's subsided for now, giving way to exhaustion. This position is warm, comfortable and safe. No matter how much either of them has changed, all Tokiomi has to do is close his eyes and he's right back ten years ago, small and full of wonder and happiness with his Saber curled up beside him.

It's enough to combat the hopelessness of this illness, and he's beginning to fall asleep.]

[whoreofbabylon]

Naturally! I am already the very best.

[The weariness in Tokiomi's voice catches his attention, and for a moment he's concerned all over again.]

...do you require rest?

[He needs the reassurance that Tokiomi will wake up again. Only then will he allow sleep.]

[prebeard]

Just a little...

[He's a bit afraid to close his eyes himself. But he needs to take care of himself, and he's sure he can hang on another day or two at least.]

Will you stay?

[whoreofbabylon]

If that is your request, then I suppose I will grant it.

[Yes, in other words.]

This position is comfortable enough, anyways, though I may stir you if I choose to move.

[prebeard]

That's fine. I want to be beside you in case--

Ah. I'll just sleep better this way.

[whoreofbabylon]

Most things are better when I am involved. It's only the natural order of things.

[He ignores that pause - he can't allow himself to imagine what was supposed to come after it.

This boy has put such a strange hole in his ego, one that Gilgamesh has grown so accustomed to that he hardly notices it anymore. Even without the command spells, Gilgamesh casually regards Tokiomi as his "Master" and as such, has become prone to assenting to his requests. Gilgamesh has told himself that it's a simple matter of choice, that he has chosen Tokiomi as Master because it is familiar and convenient, and that he has allowed the very altering of his memories and ego because it makes living in this world all the more comfortable. Ultimately, though in a way Gilgamesh may never recognize, the logic is circular -- Tokiomi is the reason these things are allowed. Tokiomi has become something precious, beyond a treasure, beyond Master, and even now Gilgamesh assumes the sole act of being together makes life pleasurable.]

[prebeard]

Of course it's normal to feel better alongside someone you love. My family is probably less inclined to agree with you.

[whoreofbabylon]

That is simply because they do not love me as much as they should.

[prebeard]

Perhaps if they'd had my experiences, they would.

[whoreofbabylon]

Perhaps it's a shame that is an honor limited to one, then.

[prebeard]

And one I cherish to the bottom of my heart.

[He is tired, but not so tired he can't pull Gil's head down for a brief kiss.]

[whoreofbabylon]

[Gilgamesh never objects to a kiss. It takes a stunning combination of worry and willpower to keep him from attempting more.]

And as a proper leader, you put actions to your words.

[Look at how pleased he is. Oddly pleased. Gosh Tokiomi you make him fucking weird sometimes.]

[prebeard]

Of course. When my health has improved, I'll be sure to show you proper gratitude for watching over me.

[whoreofbabylon]

I would expect nothing less. How fortunate that I did not have to ask...

[Hearing Tokiomi talk like he's going to be okay is an ease on Gil's mind - the fits of sudden illness are becoming scarier, and any reprieve from that is desperately welcomed.]