piratejournal | [01] - Voice/Action

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[01] - Voice/Action

[Somebody chose the wrong time to wind up in another world, apparently. Hikaru is currently more than a little unnerved by the events unfolding around him, and by the more recent entries in the weird book he's been given. He's not aware that he is currently making his own contribution to the book's pages, and is sitting on a barrel on the outskirts of the market on Isla Empieza.]

What the hell is going on here?!

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((Call it luck or call it intuition. ~~Or even twintuition.~~ But Kaoru is actually on Isla Empieza when that familiar voice drifts into his ears from the general area of the market. He doesn't really want to get his hopes up. After all, he's been jumping at every shadow lately, inspecting each journal entry to look for handwriting that matches his own.

And yet, he can't help but check at the market, feet carrying him towards the landmark almost unconsciously. When he finally catches sight of Hikaru, dark hair and all, he finds himself frozen in place, staring at his brother without saying anything.

To some degree, he's afraid that this is part of the curse, some play of magic meant to manipulate him. Kyouya would kill him if he fell for something so stupid. It's the only reason he hesitates before calling out-)) Hikaru?

[Oh hey, that one didn't sound like it was coming from the journal at all. Hikaru immediately looks up, and zeroes in on his twin. He lets out a breath of relief he didn't really know he was holding in, and feels his shoulders relax a bit. It's one thing to hear from everyone else that Kaoru is here too, but seeing him is another thing entirely.

Without a thought, Hikaru closes his book and jumps off his barrel with the full intention of crossing the space to his brother in as little time as possible. His eyes do an automatic check of his twin on the way - there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong, and a little more of his tension eases away. So long as Kaoru's in one piece, everything will be fine.]

Kaoru!

((As much as he's like to, Kaoru is finding it hard to believe that Hikaru's actually there. It's been so long... Once his twin comes into arm's reach, he'll finally move, putting his two hands on Hikaru's shoulders before curling them into his shirt.

Warm, familiar, real. The tactile contact confirms it. He must be real. Kaoru doesn't mean to let his face crumple, but it's the natural proceeding of events as he tugs his brother closer into a clinging hug, burying his face in the other boy's shoulder.))

What took you so long to come, huh? ((He's obviously trying to keep the demand light-hearted, even though his voice is choked up.)) I almost started to worry you'd taken me literally. ((All that talk of separation, living individually - it seemed like it had happened so long ago.))

[He doesn't resist the hug at all - as soon as Kaoru's hands are on him, he's raising his arms to wrap his brother in a tight embrace. It's starting to dawn on him that things might be worse than he thought; Kaoru wouldn't be like this after just a few hours... it almost felt like he wasn't expecting Hikaru to actually exist.

He rests his chin on Kaoru's shoulder and turns his head to press his face against his brother's head, offering as much body contact and support as he can. His own eyebrows are drawn together in confusion, but he'll save his agitation for later - once he knows what's going on with his brother.

His words are just more confusing; as far as Hikaru was aware, they hadn't been apart for long. Sure, getting kidnapped was surreal and highly worrying, but... that didn't seem to be the issue at all.]

I... Sorry, Kaoru. I didn't mean to keep you waiting.

((He can hear the confusion in Hikaru's voice and sighs, pulling himself together even as his fingers tighten in his twin's shirt. When he finally pulls back slightly to look at the other boy, he's somehow pulled a smile onto his face, despite his watery eyes.))

I guess I'm not making much sense, huh. Ignore me. ((He laughs quietly, shaking his head.)) Though I guess I should be the one to say - welcome to Isla Empieza.

((He won't tell Hikaru how long he's been here, alone and without him. His twin is here now. There's no reason at all to let him feel guilty or make him worry.))

[Ohhh no Kaoru, you're not going to be getting away with any of that. His confused expression quickly turns to a frown, and you can bet he's not intending on letting his brother out of this embrace - he remembers exactly what happened the last time Kaoru tried to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself for Hikaru's benefit, thank you, and he also very distinctly remembers telling his brother not to lie to him again. He's a little bit hurt that it's happening again so soon, but he knows better than to let it go this time.

Besides, he's not forgetting that hesitant touch any time soon.]

Kaoru, what's happened? What's wrong? [Was it something he did? Kaoru did say he took a long time to get here... maybe he underestimated how fragile he'd be, so soon after their reconciliation?

Those teary eyes do nothing to reduce his concern, and his fingers press harder against Kaoru as a small token of reassurance. Whatever it is he did, he's sorry for it.]

What are you talking about, Hikaru? ((Kaoru lifts a hand, but only to run it over his eyes before smiling more properly at his brother.)) You're here. I mean, this place sucks, so that's what's wrong, and I've been here without you for a little bit, so that's what's wrong. But now you're here, so this place got infinitely better.

Everything's alright. Honestly. ((Just. As long as Kaoru can keep clinging to him, everything will be alright.))

Are you seriously trying to tell me that's all? [He asks it incredulously. Come on, he knows something's not right. There's no way being apart for just a little bit--

Something falls into place in his head. Kyouya had said that he'd been here for months, and Tamaki had said the same. They'd told him that people don't notice each other-missing.

But--no way, he'd notice if his own twin was replaced by a cyborg, right?

The light of realization has dawned upon him, but he really, really doesn't want to actually know the answer to this.]

Kaoru... how long is 'a little bit', exactly?

((Damnit. Kaoru ducks his head, a little ashamed, then lifts his shoulders, curling inward a little and looking away from his brother.))

... since October. So that'd be, um... three months. ((He lets out a little huff of breath, his voice deathly quiet as he speaks again, sounding like he's trying to convince himself of the following fact:)) Not that long.

[It feels like he's been punched in the gut. Three months. THREE MONTHS. He's shut down a bit trying to process that. Three months. That's--that's crazy. No way. He would have noticed! But, Kaoru wouldn't lie about that. It's easy to dismiss Tamaki and even Kyouya, because who knows what goes on in their heads? It's much harder to brush it off when it's his twin.

He wants to ask Kaoru if he's crazy - three months not a long time, ha! - but he's not so stupid he can't recognize a coping mechanism when he sees one.]

Three... th-three...

[Good job, you broke him.]

This is why I didn't want to tell you. ((He says, shaking his head immediately and lifting his hands to Hikaru's cheeks.)) I knew you'd be stupid about it. It's over, okay? You're here. No more problems, and no more worrying.

Or else I'll beat you up or something.

Who's the stupid one! How long did you think you'd be able to hide that from me? [He's a bit grumpy. Saying he's the one reacting stupidly... he's not the one who tried to pretend nothing was wrong.

He raises one of his hands to cover one of Kaoru's, grasping it tightly.]

Were you hoping I just wouldn't notice, or something?

I mean, as long as you didn't ask... ((Kaoru fidgets uncomfortably, turning away a little with a guilty look on his face.)) I knew you'd worry - but it honestly doesn't matter.

In what universe would I not ask?

[He sighs, moving his hand to place on Kaoru's own cheek. His intention is to turn his twin's face back towards him if he's turned away far enough to warrant it, otherwise it's just there. He doesn't like not being able to look Kaoru in the eyes at points like this.]

How can you just say it doesn't matter? Of course it does. You think I can't imagine what that would be like?

[He gives himself a moment to cool down, then continues, more softly and with a large helping of sincerity. He knows he's already apologised, but... he didn't actually know what for.]

...I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long, Kaoru. I won't let it happen again.

[Also he totally didn't even notice you were missing, and that's killing him with guilt.]

Edited 2014-01-20 21:15 (UTC)

How? Because I don't want you to get like this. I don't want you to imagine it. You'll overexaggerate in your mind and then beat yourself up. ((Kaoru tsks, leaning in to press his forehead to Hikaru's firmly.)) Don't apologize. It's not your fault.

It's not just that. Kaoru, I...

[He grimaces, averting his eyes. How to say this delicately? He doesn't even want to say it, really, but he's never been the type to hide things from Kaoru.]

I... didn't even realise you were gone.

[GUILTGUILTGUILT HE IS THE WORST BROTHER EVER GUILT GUILT GUILT

His eyes may be a bit watery with ALL THIS GUILT rolling off him in waves.]

I know, Hikaru. Scurvey Dog told me. That's- the only reason I didn't go crazy when I first came here. Knowing that you'd be okay, that you wouldn't be freaking out - that kept me calm.

What?

[Kaoru knows about the cyborg replacements?!]

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