[Ayase] - Brace yourself

[timeblue]

Heading back inside is nerve-wracking. I haven't felt this uncomfortable around my teammates since they found out I had Osiris Syndrome, I doubt it's a coincidence that it's happening again now, when my body's betrayed me again. I pause at the door, feel Shirogane's presence at my back, his hand resting momentarily on my shoulder and straighten up

Comments

[megthelegend]

Someone's at the door. I look up, and tense instantly.

It's Ayase-san. With Shirogane-san behind him, one hand on Ayase-san's shoulder. I move in front of Domon-san, ready in case he has Domon-san's death on his mind again, but he looks embarrassed.

"It's okay, Sion. I'm not going to do anything to him. Unless he does something extremely stupid and Domon-like, anyway, in which case he'll deserve it."

I ignore the last part, and give Ayase-san a huge smile. "That's really good. I'm glad you're feeling better. Would you like something to eat?" I cast a nervous glance Honami-san's way, but I think all of the tension she's carrying is directed towards Domon-san. Not Ayase-san. But things are so crazy around here, I don't know who's going to be attacked next.

[timeblue]

I force a smile at him and nod. "Sure, Sion. If there's anything around, anyway."

I glance sideways at Shirogane, whose fingers tighten on my shoulder before he lets go. I wasn't actually going to ask about that and, stupid of me though it is, I wish he hadn't done that. "Hungry?" I ask him instead.

[megthelegend]

"Sure, Sion. If there's anything around, anyway." Ayase looks at me. I squeeze his shoulder then let go. I think he's coping okay, though I'm not about to leave his side.

Sion bows, "Yes! I'll get you both something," then he scurries off to the kitchen.

"Hungry?" Ayase says, and he seems... a little edgy.

I put a hand in the centre of his back and shove him very lightly towards the couch. "I could eat," I say casually as we move over there. Ken looks up from one end of the couch, flinches, then goes to sit on the floor by the door. I nod at him, appreciating his vacating the couch.

Uh, now how do I do this? A double meaning, that might be vaguely amusing to him -- or at least distracting? "Starvation can be a powerful weapon." There. Won't mean anything to anyone else, and it's not particularly funny, but it might make him smile.

[timeblue]

"Starvation can be a powerful weapon."

I manage to grin at him, appreciating the effort. It's not easy seeing people flinching away from me, even when it's someone I don't particularly know and I could use the distraction.

"It is," I agree. "Depends on what you're hungry for, though, I guess."