[ That's the hardest thing of all, isn't it? He can't tell Sano that if even just the idea of getting his powers back makes him panic like this, he shouldn't do it– because eventually, they'll go home, and his powers will return to him whether he likes it or not. Even if he can't develop a better handle on it before then, he has to at least get mentally stronger, otherwise he'll shatter even worse than this. ]
Have you ever been scared of something in the middle of the night? It could just be a jacket hanging up on your door, but since you can't see it clearly, the darkness makes it seem a hundred times more terrifying, and your brain tricks you into thinking all kinds of things...
[ Haruaki's voice is quiet, but firm in his resolve. The only way out is through, as they say. ]
You're right. If you keep running, your powers will only seem scarier in your own head. You have to face them, even if it's hard.
[ He won't force Sano to look at him, but he does lift his head so he can look down at his friend, watching him with nothing less than pure, unconditional love. ]
You're so brave, Sano. I think this is the bravest you've ever been. It doesn't feel that way, does it?
[ Sano sobs, and Haruaki cards gentle fingers through his hair, rubs his back a little firmer. It's okay. He's cried enough times on his friend. It's Sano's turn now to let it all out. ]
Being scared, and feeling weak, and still not running away... that's real bravery. I'm really proud of you.
[It's so odd to cry. Sano just doesn't. He used to - Haruaki has seen it before - but not lately, not anymore. Often times, he wants to cry, but he doesn't. He hasn't.
That's not true. [ Quiet, gentle. ] You always have a choice.
[ Sano could choose to keep running from it, keep ignoring what he should do in favor of what feels more comfortable. Haruaki should know. He's done that enough in his life. ]
Sano, can I go with you to the crystal when you do wish for your powers?
[The sound Sano makes it's nothing short of pitiful, something between a hiccup and a whimper, making his shoulders hunch. He lifts his head to look at Haruaki, eyes full of tears, brow pinched.]
[ What a silly question. Haruaki really does adore him, and it's so plain on his face, serious countenance cracking in favor of a grin as he pulls his sleeve down over the heel of his palm and uses it to wipe Sano's cheeks. ]
Because you're my friend! Silly Sano-kun... I want to be there to support you. I don't want you to have to go through it alone.
[ And, if something goes wrong...
Haruaki wants to be there to help him, of course. But that part can remain unsaid. ]
[It doesn't have to be said. Sano knows as well as he assumes Haruaki must know, seeing as he seems to know everything. He'll keep Haruaki's power in check, and Haruaki will keep Sano's. It's such a profound trust.]
Okay.
[His voice breaks. He stares at Haruaki a moment longer, then curls up against him again.]
[ It's highly unlikely Sano woke up today and made this decision about his powers on a whim. Haruaki already knows that the subject weighs heavily on his mind, but how long has he spent agonizing over this decision all alone? Of course he wants to stay with someone he trusts, someone who's sworn to care for him and protect him. Haruaki can do that...
He squeezes one of Sano's shoulders, starts to shift to stand. ]
Okay. I'll stay with you. But we have to get up off the ground! Ahhh, your teacher's bones are so old~
[All words have left him. He's more tired than he's ever been, not caring about pajamas. He climbs into his little twin-sized bed and pops into tanuki form, crawling up to one of the pillows in the corner and rolling into a ball. The tanuki sniffles.]
[ Haruaki takes a few seconds to shoot a quick text to Akira explaining the circumstances – Sano-kun is struggling and needs someone to stay with him tonight, so he'll be home in the morning, please don't stay up all night just because Haruaki won't be there to remind him to sleep, get some rest ♥ – and then he's flopping down onto Sano's bed, curving an arm around the fluffy blob of tanuki to gently pull it in close. ]
Come here. Mametarou will be lonely without you.
[ Haruaki can hug them both in his sleep, keep them both safe.
And the morning will be brighter. He'll make sure of it. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Have you ever been scared of something in the middle of the night? It could just be a jacket hanging up on your door, but since you can't see it clearly, the darkness makes it seem a hundred times more terrifying, and your brain tricks you into thinking all kinds of things...
[ Haruaki's voice is quiet, but firm in his resolve. The only way out is through, as they say. ]
You're right. If you keep running, your powers will only seem scarier in your own head. You have to face them, even if it's hard.
no subject
I know. I know.
no subject
You're so brave, Sano. I think this is the bravest you've ever been. It doesn't feel that way, does it?
no subject
[He is crying. When did he start crying? He hears himself sob and grinds his face into Haruaki's chest.]
no subject
Being scared, and feeling weak, and still not running away... that's real bravery. I'm really proud of you.
no subject
[Until now.]
It's only 'cause I have no choice.
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[ Sano could choose to keep running from it, keep ignoring what he should do in favor of what feels more comfortable. Haruaki should know. He's done that enough in his life. ]
Sano, can I go with you to the crystal when you do wish for your powers?
no subject
You want to? Why?
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Because you're my friend! Silly Sano-kun... I want to be there to support you. I don't want you to have to go through it alone.
[ And, if something goes wrong...
Haruaki wants to be there to help him, of course. But that part can remain unsaid. ]
we can wrap soon ughhghghgh
Okay.
[His voice breaks. He stares at Haruaki a moment longer, then curls up against him again.]
Okay...
yes... it's cuddle time.........
Haruaki cradles Sano's head against his shoulder, murmurs warm into his hair. ]
Do you want to stay here tonight?
I lied we wrap when we die
[They could stay here, in Sano's room where he's been hiding, or Haruaki can take him back to he and Takahashi's place. He doesn't care, just...]
I want to stay with you.
no subject
He squeezes one of Sano's shoulders, starts to shift to stand. ]
Okay. I'll stay with you. But we have to get up off the ground! Ahhh, your teacher's bones are so old~
no subject
Shuddup. [Haruaki isn't that old. Sano can't think about his age anyway. He wishes he were younger.
[He puts an arm around him and helps stand him up from the floor, still sniffling. He feels nothing more than pitiful.]
gestures to our other thread. gestures to this keyword. anyway
Come on, Sano-kun. You should sleep this off. Things will look a lot brighter in the morning. I promise!
stares... also I lied... tanuki times... we can wrap if u wanna after all...
WRAPT IT U WANT :WHYYYYY:
Come here. Mametarou will be lonely without you.
[ Haruaki can hug them both in his sleep, keep them both safe.
And the morning will be brighter. He'll make sure of it. ]