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[ Akashi lets out a puff of amused laughter at the "Ever?" ]

We still have to cross over together, don't we?

[ He actually means every word, and he says it not just because they're beautiful words. This world is magical and he's learned some Dunamis. If he exerts more effort into learning magic, he can find a way--at least, that's what he believes.

One arm remains wrapped around her, but the other moves to cup her cheek so he can properly kiss her. Compared to the quick kiss that she gave him earlier, Akashi's kiss to her is deep and full of emotion, but it's not a lengthy kiss or anything.

When he pulls away, he can't help but kiss her again, a short and sweet one this time. The lights around them begin to change to warmer colours, even dimming more until it's just the light from Akashi's crystal (which he keeps hidden under his shirt) that's glowing a bright Piphron-y blue. ]

I love you, too. [ A beat. ] Miu-san.

[ He's never said those three words before. ]

Oh. [She breathes out, closing her eyes as she returns the kiss, more passionate than before as her happiness and love mixes with Akashi's. Little sparkles pop around the room like mini-fireworks.

Embarrassing. But she doesn't mind, smiling widely.] You called me by name too. I love you, I love you-- Haha. I could say it over and over again.

[Her hand reaches up to place over his hand, pulling it away so she can link their fingers together.] ...Do you mean it? About crossing over with me.

I never say things I don't mean, Hinasaki-san. [ A pause, then he laughs. Even this other self seems pleased. ] Sorry, I'm not used this yet...

Take your time. [she smiles lightly, rubbing her thumb over his hand where they're joined.]

...Where I'm from, there's a ritual called yuukon, or 'ghost marriage.' Originally it was used for a... slightly darker reason, but the main purpose still stands. It's about tying two souls together so they can be together in the afterlife.

That doesn't seem possible here.

[ Especially if it's something from her home? He's not sure, really. ]

Is it?

Probably not. [She admits a bit sheepishly.] And usually one partner has to be dead already anyhow, but... there’s versions of yuukon practiced in a lot of different cultures. Maybe they have something similar here.

[She shifts so she can rest her head against his shoulder, breath light against his neck. They probably shouldn’t be making these promises anyhow, but the two of them have always seemed to have a particular sort of intensity to this relationship.] Either way... A promise can hold just as much weight and power.

[A moment’s pause] Can I.... tell you a little more about where I’m from? It’s not exactly nice, but...

[ At the question, Akashi leans back to make himself more comfortable in his seat. He strokes Miu's hair softly to encourage her, too. ]

I'd like to hear it.

[ He likes it when she talks about stuff. It's not a good kind of rambling this time when he'll likely hear some bad stories, but it's still getting to know her better. ]

[Where does she begin? She goes quiet for a few moments, just enjoying Akashi's touch.]

There's a mountain where a certain religion revolving around water cropped up. The water on the mountain was considered 'pure' and deified. The belief was that the water is life, and in death the soul must return there. People came to the mountain to "return" their souls to the mother that gave it to them, to "die a proper death".

People would come from all over to the mountain and meet one of the many priestesses who lived there. They'd choose one and go with them up on the mountain to... [She takes a breath.] To kill themselves. The priestesses' job was to watch them and be with them so they wouldn't be alone. They'd, uh... glance into the souls of the dying and take on their pain, their memories, their sins, to cleanse the souls so they'd go off to the afterlife without baggage.

Once a priestess had used their powers on too many people, they were sacrificed to maintain the purity of the water and keep the yomi--the 'black water' from the underworld--from overflowing.

[Miu goes quiet again, closing her eyes.] ...That's the same power I have. Seeing memories and things like that? But when I use it on spirits, I... live through their deaths and experience it all so their souls can move on.

[ Akashi listens, taking it all in. It's still rather confusing, and even more surreal. To think that they're so many worlds apart. To think that there's a world such as Miu's. ]

Do you feel pain when you do?

[She hesitates, just a second, in which she contemplates lying before she slumps a little and nods.]

...Yeah. I feel everything they did. When I was a kid it scared me pretty badly, but I just... grew more numb to it as I got older, I guess. I tried not to do it as much.

That does happen, [ Akashi's voice is soft, but not out of fondness. He thinks about how it must have felt. ] growing numb to pain as you get used to it.

I'm sorry.

[She shakes her head at the apology] It's fine. I used to-- Well, I didn't even really hate it. I didn't feel anything about it. But it helps them, I suppose, so...

I haven't had to do it much here at all, at least. [She says like it's a consolation, and maybe it sort of is.]

...I wanted you to know, though. I don't really want to keep things from you.

...

[ Miu's words strike something in Akashi, and now he feels pretty bad. He kind of feels that Miu would be disappointed if he spoke about it now, but he may as well tell her. ]

Can I also tell you something?

[Miu tilts her head, sitting up and back to look at him properly]

Of course. Anything.

When I told you I met my father that night—rather, the night of the fog and the night I was bitten—I also saw my mother.

[ He grows quiet after that, just... just waiting to see what her reaction might be. If her reaction isn't so violent, he continues. ]

She was really angry to see me, as if she didn't want me to be her son anymore. I thought my world was going to end. I felt weak and insecure... [ Who knew he even knew what that word meant? ] That was when I got bitten. By her.

To this day, I'm not certain who it truly was, but now I know better that my mother wouldn't do something like that. It... It was still terrifying, though.

[She looks startled, but that's the extent of her reaction for that, waiting for him to continue.]

Seijuro-- I'm so sorry. [She's not angry that he didn't tell her, it must have been pretty terrifying after all, but she does wish he hadn't felt the need to keep it bottled up.

She reaches up to cup the side of his face, smoothing her thumb over his cheekbones.] Is there anything I can do...?

[ Akashi's usually the type to know everything, but right now, he doesn't. He shrugs his shoulders casually before responding. ]

I'm not sure, but what I do know is that I will be able to forget it over time. [ How long it will take, who knows, but he's trying to be positive for her sake. ]

I'm sorry for hiding it from you; you were already worried for me then, and I didn't want to burden you all the more.

It's alright. [She smiles a little and leans down to kiss him briefly.] You don't have to tell me everything right away. I understand. But thank you for telling me now.

[She can think of a few things to get his mind off of it, but, uh. She'll refrain. She'll be good for now. Maybe.

Though, speaking of getting bitten-- She turns Akashi's head slightly to look at his neck]

No more vampire scares?

I'm not-- [ He's not scared, he wants to say, but he doesn't. Even someone like him has fears! He's not perfect and he knows it. ]

... I still have nightmares from time to time.

[A noise of understanding.] Yeah, I understand nightmares.

It helps, sometimes, if you sleep next to people. Maybe you'll have good dreams tonight.

Ah-- I was thinking that you would sleep on the bed and I on the couch-- [ He trails off as he fixes his thoughts. He may also be blushing a little. ] Not that I would mind, of course.

We shared a bed before. What's the difference now? [The difference is that Akashi isn't suffering from a high fever and all this time...]

I don't mind if you don't mind. But... Can I borrow one of your shirts?

I suppose there isn't... I don't mind, and yes, you can borrow a shirt of mine.

[ Just. Just don't undress in front of him!! Even though... that would be nice. ]

[Unfortunately, the thought doesn't even cross her mind. But she reluctantly slides off of him]

Okay. I'll go grab something and get comfortable then.

[and away she goes!! She steals whatever shirt seems comfiest and like he won't mind her sleeping in (she judges some of these shirts a lil bit tho. Just a lil bit), and changes into it, leaving her clothes neatly folded.

When she appears in the doorway of his bedroom again, leaning against it with her hands folded behind her back to hide the nervous way she grips them, it's clear the shirt is long enough to cover her...and short enough to make it clear she's definitely not wearing pants or shorts or anything like that underneath it.]

Soo... You coming to bed? We don't really have to sleep right away. [But it'd be nice to lay down and relax]

[ Akashi had gotten up to get a glass of water to put by his nightstand once he goes back in his room, so he's checking Miu out from a different angle once she's out.

She has nice legs. What would it be like if he touched the—no...........

And Akashi has to look back up and look her in the eye, totally composed. God. ]

Ah.

[ So cool. He's just gonna walk into the room without saying anything more about it so he can put his glass of water by the nightstand. ]

If only we had a television set, then we could watch some movies.

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