009 | [action/voice]

[screwthegods]

[It's late in the evening when Homura finds himself deposited from one dark room into another. His defenses are up, instincts screaming to protect his battered and bruised body from further injury. Yet despite his will, the Malnosso have done their damage; his wounds are severe, blood still seeping from barely-patched gashes along his torso. Equally deep red stains mark the new-feather pants, leaving Homura dizzy and weak. He clings the first solid object he finds with his palm, swaying in an all-too telling fashion even as he tries to take a few steps forward. Having no idea about his location just yet, Homura struggles for patience as his eyes adjust to the darkness.]


[Later in the night, Homura makes the trek across the village to his own apartment. He's better now, though blood still dries on his clothes as he moves. It's a long trip to the highest floor of Community Housing 3, and the silence that meets him on his return is hardly as welcoming as most might expect. Instead of his own room, his own bed, Homura first heads across the hall to the bedroom once occupied by a fellow demi-god. He finds it empty, however, stripped of possessions and personalization that had once marked Nataku's presence. Despite the fatigue, Homura opens his journal then; better to make the announcement right away. There is no telling how long it's already been delayed.]

To those that might have known him, Toushin Nataku Taishi has been sent home.


[ooc: Late night overdue return from mallynap! Homura will be patched up by Ayumu before he heads for his own house, but he's otherwise free over the journal or in person to anyone interested who would be up that late.]

Comments

[ayu_nee]

[She manages a faint hint of a smile at that.]

As am I.

[And there's a brief pause before she continues, with an admission somewhat more honest than usual.]

I was starting to wonder if you were going to return at all.

[screwthegods]

[Homura moves his hand over Ayumu's when she confesses. It's likely as close as she'll let herself come to admitting she has been worried over him, and something she never would have said only a short time before. Despite everything, that makes Homura smile more honestly.]

I apologize for making you wonder, in that case. It's unfortunate that it went so far.

[ayu_nee]

It was hardly your fault, you know.

[And she isn't pulling her hand away from his, either. Clearly she was worried, even if she won't admit to more than what she already has.]

Rest here as long as you need to.

[screwthegods]

I'm aware. [Yet that is the problem in the end: so many things entirely out of his control, moreso than they had been centuries ago. Then Homura had naivety as his excuse. Now, he simply cannot do anything to change whatever might happen.]

Thank you. [Still, he has this. Homura curls his fingers around Ayumu's, drawing her hand down to place a gentle kiss on the skin.] And you'll stay with me, I trust?

[ayu_nee]

[At that her hand does twitch slightly, as though she'd thought to draw back again but changed her mind after the initial reaction. Gentleness is still something she doesn't quite know how to deal with, especially not coming from him.]

For a time, at least. I'll need to start breakfast in a few hours.

[screwthegods]

I'll be gone before then.

[Homura feels the slight twinge, but ignores it. True enough, that gentle side is one he rarely shows, much the same as Ayumu herself hides her emotions. Keeping her hand in his, now held against his chest, Homura lets his eyes close. A few hours will be enough time for him to sleep, and face the truth of an empty apartment.]

[ayu_nee]

[It doesn't seem like enough time to her, given the extent of the injuries she'd just patched up, but arguing with Homura about it would likely be unproductive. Ayumu merely confines her reaction to a faint sigh before settling down beside him, though she isn't entirely certain just how much sleep she'll manage before morning.]