CLOSED;;

[withoutnobody]

Who: withoutnobody & nostray.
What: Riku sticks his fingers into some wounds, Renji finds out about his late-night visits to Zabimaru.
When: today
Where: 4-2
Warnings: Ssssome violence, some Renji temper-tantruming.

Comments

[nostray]

[it's a combination of guilt an unease that keeps him bringing out his blade these days, cleaning over and over the already pristine surface with a care most wouldn't give even a well-loved pet, an attention more focused than his Zanpakutou was used to back home]

[he hates keeping them cooped up just as much as he hates being cooped, and that's where the guilt stems, but more than anything he's had a lot to think over recently. they're the only voice whose mumbles and snideness he can rely on to impart some kind of decent advice]

[the pressure of a familiar presence alerted him to Riku's entry before his words did, but it's not until he speaks up that Renji gives him any recognition. red eyes fixated on the shine of his blade, he runs the cloth over it gently, motion smooth and practiced, one more time before offering a response]

Y'ever tried spendin' the day ignorin' a hissin' that won't shut up?

[in actuality, the snake in his head and heart and being is closer to sleeping than waking and hissing, but it's an easier line to

[withoutnobody]

Well, don't.

[he crosses the cluttered habitat and flops next to him, pulling legs up underneath himself, elbow to a knee and his cheek to a palm]

[his other hand hovers for a moment, as if about to grab the woven handle, but it escapes and travels the length of the blade before dropping]

[he may know very little about about Shinigami or their world or spiritual pressure, but he's beginning to know Renji and he knows enough about Zabimaru -- enough that he's sure he can feel the spirit inside of it]

You spend enough time brooding, don't you think? No amount of apologies'll make either of you feel better.

[pot, meet kettle: you're both the same color]

[nostray]

[gaze following that hand trace the cold metal, he feels the subtle stirring in reaction of the creature within and busies himself with a quiet huffing sigh, lifting Zabimaru from his lap with one hand to slide it, perfectly silently, into the sheath that had been waiting at his side]

Y'ain't shy, huh.

[even with his blade safely away, his fingers linger on the hilt, toying lightly and idly over the wrapping there]

M'not brooding. Or apologisin'. "Sorry" ain't gonna solve their problems, or stop 'em whinin', so I don't much see the point. M'just keepin' the blade clean, that's all - s'imporant.

[even he can hear the pout in his voice, so he puts in extra effort keeping it from reaching his face. there's a hearty frown instead as falls into a more relaxed position and pointedly just stares ahead, sinking into the seat]

[withoutnobody]

[not anymore, a quirk of his mouth says]

Maybe if the solemn prince is done with his solitary confinement, the rest of us can carry on with our lives.

[he knows. he knows how Renji longs for the heat of battle, to feel alive in the adrenaline and heartbeat, the tang of blood and ache of fresh wounds]

[but he also knows not all of life is handled in battles, and that sometimes happiness is intravenous doses that sneak up on you]

[Renji may fear contentment and constancy, but a part of Riku values them]

Is that why you decided to head your group? For an excuse to get it dirty?

[nostray]

[a flinch and a sidelong glance, and Riku's good intentions are caught up in the weight of his own warring insides and he bares teeth for an instant - a brief flash of fierce enamel - before pulling himself together, forcing his eyes closed to calm the instinct to bite and bark]

[maybe it's because the idea repulses him, coming together to protect just as an excuse to bleed, or maybe it's because some part of him responded with a "maybe", but apparently that didn't go down so well]

I decided 'cause there's a whole bunch o'assholes out there that could squash us flat faster'n we could stop scratchin' our asses.

[or maybe it's got nothing to do with the taunt at all. maybe it's just too many things and too much frustration with far too few outlets. sharp response freed, Renji promptly bites his tongue]