[completed/closed] Characters: Amaterasu (gokuraku), Ra (atnoontide) & Jubokko (vampiretree) Date/Time: June 20th, night Location: Ra & Amaterasu's home Rating: PG-13 Warnings: none. Summary: Jubokko drops by and things come out in the open.
Rarely was there ever a night when Amaterasu left work feeling less than exhausted. She worked for the money, mostly, but it would be a lie to say she didn't enjoy the patrons. They were lively, friendly people who would often chat her up. Being a talkative person, she'd return the favor from time to time, but when she left the bar, it was always by the time her mouth had run enough, and her feet were aching in her heels. Changing into flat-soled boots was always the best part of her nights.
The walk home was always the same route, at around the same time of night. This way, it was familiar. Safe. She wasn't the sort to get overly paranoid about walking alone, but Babylon wasn't always safe. Especially after that time with the drunken patron -- that alleyway had been avoided since. She was sure, too, that Ra would feel better about her doing so.
With her husband on her mind, Amaterasu approached the front door of her home with quiet steps. As there was no doorbell to ring, she simply knocked on the door, feeling far too tired to reach for her keys. At least this way, Ra could greet her in the threshold.
Ra was still worried about Merlin, still annoyed with whatever or whoever had hurt him. Not that he had proof or any idea who to look for, but he would listen for any news of strangers in the region that might have done this. Somehow, the idea that they were from Camelot didn't seem likely.
He was quietly sitting in their house, waiting for Amaterasu to come home. She almost always came back around the same time. He was tired, but not nearly as tired as he'd been recently. The knock at the door made him smile to himself and he got up slowly and opened the door, smiling at his wife. "You're hopeless. Can't even open a door." But he pressed a quick kiss to her lips anyway. "Come inside. There's a warm drink waiting for you." If she didn't want it, he'd drink it himself.
Had Amaterasu even suspected anything from his inquiries about her work? He would hazard that she hadn't and welcomed the predictability as they suited his plans. Something about the whole conversation with the in-law business wouldn't leave him alone. And while his trip to Camelot had become somewhat extended, he didn't regret it. It gave him plenty of time to get to know the area and feed.
Not all feeding had gone that well. Jubokko examined his nose at several points as he followed his sister home, feeling still bothered that Merlin had even tried to smack him in the face. There was no visible injury but he bristled each time he recalled how unreasonably feisty the man had been. A vicious thought for the chancellor passed through him then was set aside in favour remaining in the shadows and watching his sister reach the door. The knock made him feel somewhat annoyed, feeding the mistrust that was growing in him (who was she seeing, why did she have to knock?).
Needless to say the kiss, as quick as it had been, made him want to put his hands around the man's slender neck and throw him down a well as well. But Amaterasu, there would be something for her as well. He'd wait until they had gone in, refusing to make a scene where others could gawk and whisper about later (how vulgar).
The truth of the matter was, she hadn't suspected a thing. For her brother to ask where she worked was something very trivial. After all, he was so busy in Niflheim, he'd likely never have the time to come see her. It was more normal for her to visit him, but that hadn't happened in some time. Still, there wasn't a thought in her mind that Jubokko might come to Camelot for her. Not a single thought or worry.
Seeing Ra's face so quickly had her beaming. After having to wait the night before for him to come home, she was more than pleased this night to see him home at a decent hour. Her hands came up to his shoulders. "My keys are somewhere, I just didn't want to look," she reasoned with him, smiling all the while. Without hesitating, she, too, leaned up to give him a kiss.
"Absolutely hopeless," he said again before drawing her inside. He had every intention of having a nice time with his wife and getting the chance to talk to her. He shut the door behind them, not bothering to lock it. He'd make sure to do so before they went to bed, but for now, he wasn't concerned. If Amaterasu wasn't concerned, he wasn't concerned. Her brother had never come to visit them in Camelot before and he had no reason to believe he would.
"How was work?" He walked toward the couch, gesturing to the cups on the table. "Would you like a foot massage?" It was on his list to be the best husband considering his busy schedule recently. Even the other night when he was meant to be home earlier before finding Merlin in a well. "No one hassled you unnecessarily?"
The second kiss nearly made Jubokko take a step forward, something that meant he would have revealed himself. There weren't many in the world he felt anything for but his sister was being kissed and was kissing back someone he didn't know. And the possessiveness he felt was becoming harder to deny. For the sake of clarity, he knew it not to be incest. He didn't feel sexual attraction to anyone. It was the sole idea that she was his blood and that meant she was his first.
When the time was right, his approach was made with the soft steps of a leopard, giving little away and offering no one any reason to look out their windows. There was still a fierce objection to creating a distasteful scene and a practiced smile slipped in place, his features relaxed and his posture meant to convey friendliness.
A moment was taken to look himself over and then Jubokko offered the door to swift, insistent raps from his knuckles. Part of him hope the man would answer but that part of him wanted to strangle him, too.
Amaterasu was more than happy to drop down onto the couch, stretching both legs out in front of her. She'd had yet to take off her boots, but in time, she'd find a moment to do so. For now, she was happy to find comfort in one thing, after having been on her feet all day. A hand came up to release that long hair from its ponytail.
"Work was busier than usual," she admitted with her tired smile, reaching out to Ra with one hand, and a cup with the other. "No one hassled me, I promise. As for a massage..." Her hand squeezed his. "I'll give you one, okay? You work so hard these days." The knock came before she was able to bring the cup to her lips, and immediately, her eyes met his.
"Are you expecting someone?"
Ra took his wife's hand, smiling widely. He was happy and this was pleasant. Had he known what was lurking outside their door, he'd have been far more on edge. However, he was blissfully unaware. "Guess that means tips were good?" Not that it really mattered. It was just part of the conversation, a slightly teasing smile on his face. "Good. I'd hate to have to get Helios and scare a few people." Alright, so he wouldn't hate it, but it would be such a hassle.
There was a small. "Well, if you really want to." There would be no complaint from him. He liked massages. Then again, he didn't know if anyone didn't like them. It would have been more weird if it were some stranger giving him one, admittedly, but this was his wife. It wasn't weird. Ra paused at the sound of the knock, frowning slightly. "No. I wasn't." Merlin was too out of it to call and he had other people to look after him.
Letting go of Amaterasu's hand, he stood slowly and made his way to the door. "I'll get it." It was likely someone they knew. Maybe Helios had decided to come over for some unknown reason. If, however, it was someone dangerous, he'd rather it be him answering the door instead of his wife. Opening the door slightly, he stared at the man on the other side. He didn't know him. "Can I help you?"
So it was the man who answered. It took a remarkable amount of calm to not demand to see his sister as well as to aim that charismatic smile at the one who dared to put his lips on Amaterasu. He even took a step back just so not to appear the least bit threatening or troublesome. But if this fellow proved to be a problem, a simple touch would see to it that he could gain quiet and swift entry.
"You may. Please call my sister over to greet me." That smile widened by a fraction. "And please offer me your name." Knowing his name meant it would become much more personal but, then, this already was much more of a big deal than things had been with Merlin.
All that Amaterasu had offered was a nod, her eyes following him to the door, the sight of which was blocked by a wall. She watched for a few moments before directing her attention to her boots, which she moved to unlace slowly and tiredly. Her fingers were just as tired as the rest of her, so she only managed to slip one boot off in time to hear murmuring at the door. Unable to hear it clearly, she removed her other boot.
"Ra, who is it?" This time she stood, padding her way over toward the wall that blocked her view of the front door. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight of her brother. Nothing. Even his questions hadn't been suspicious enough to warrant a raised eyebrow, and now he was here, only a few feet from Ra, and suddenly her mind was screaming 'danger'.
She froze in place, unable to do anything but blink. The speech center of her brain simply shut down.
Amaterasu's brother? Ra hadn't expected that at all, which was probably obvious due to a brief moment of staring. And he'd asked him his name. This was going to be bad, wasn't it? "Ra," he offered once he'd pulled himself out of his moment of confusion. "She's..." inside, he'd been about to say before she called out to him. He tensed slightly and even more so when she walked over.
He turned to look at her for a moment, not comforted by her reaction in the slightest. "Your brother, it would seem." He'd almost finished with darling but he decided not to. It was probably for the best.
The moment Amaterasu came into view, all his attention was on her. It wasn't all that hard to sense she was...worried (to put it simply). He allowed a moment to pass, long enough to see if her brain would accept even if her mouth seemed to not be functioning and then offered an idea.
"I think it would be best if you invited me in now, Ra. And then move Amaterasu to a chair so she may sit. We wouldn't want her to suddenly faint, would we?"
Not one person in the world frightened her as much as Jubokko. There was love for him, certainly, but also a fear that ran right through her bones. She had never doubted he could do whatever he wanted and when he pleased, had certainly never thought he wasn't capable of doing terrible things. His kindness, to her, sometimes felt too forced. Like something more sinister lurked beneath the facade.
All of this fear came crashing down on her, immobilizing her. Jubokko was here. He was here, almost in her house, talking to her husband. None of this should've been possible, not when Niflheim was where her brother lived and worked and was needed. She'd been naive to think he'd never show up unexpectedly.
Run was the first coherent thought to enter her mind, a thought that would be directed at Ra with all the power of her brain. Maybe, just maybe he'd understand.
Ra didn't like the way that idea sounded. He didn't like the way any of this was going, which was likely Amaterasu's state of frozen fear tainting things. Then again, if even she was afraid of the man, there was probably good reason for it. "I wouldn't want her to, no." But he had doubts about her brother. He glanced at Amaterasu for a moment again.
"Perhaps..." He frowned slightly. He didn't want to invite him in. He really, really didn't. "Perhaps tomorrow would be better." Yes. Tomorrow. When they had a plan. Tomorrow when he had time to think about this. That would be good. Hopefully he'd be reasonable. Hopefully.
Tomorrow was not a good idea. Finding that he was lingering too long on their doorstep, the gap between himself and Ra was shortened, Jubokko's fingers reaching to touch the side of Ra's jaw. Despite the sudden intimacy of the touch, he was more focused on the lips that touched his sister, the pad of his thumb moving to press to Ra's lower lip.
And, naturally, he was leeching. It was a much slower and gentler draw than what Merlin suffered, like someone easing inch by inch into a mildly drowsy state. It was what he used on his unsuspecting patients to lull them into talking less (or just when he was hungry).
"Let me in," he said and no one would be able to mistake that it was not a request. Though he would continue to speak to Ra, his eyes moved back to Amaterasu. "She is my sister and I haven't seen her in a long time. Depriving of me of her does not mean I will warm to you, Ra."
Finally something in Amaterasu shattered at the sight of her brother touching her husband. Fear and desperation to get Ra out of here propelled her forward, her legs moving despite the shake in her knees. It was a wonder her knees didn't give out on the scurry over. Her hands wrapped themselves around her brother's lower arm.
"Brother, please," she softly pleaded, wetness lining her lashes already. "Please don't. Why don't-- why don't you come in? We can... talk about this."
Even when the only thing she wanted to do was lock herself and Ra in a closet and never come out.
Ra wasn't much for touching...especially not when it came to strangers. He could deal with Merlin, Helios, and Amaterasu. They were usually the only ones that put their hands on him and he preferred it that way for now. This, however...He was tired enough, but now he felt even more tired. He didn't know what was happening. He just knew he felt just a little bit weaker than before.
And Amaterasu's voice. None of this was how it was supposed to go. Not that that should have surprised him. He stepped back. There was nothing holding him there and he could avoid touching if he had to. His fingers lightly rested on Amaterasu's shoulder. "Shhh. Don't be upset." He turned his eyes back to Jubokko, making an effort to keep his expression neutral. "Seeing as you've already been invited in, please sit down. Would you like some tea?"
On touching, Jubokko could well understand that feeling. But sometimes crossing into people's personal space was necessary.
With things were coming together at last, his fell back to his side and Jubokko smiled down at Amaterasu, free hand moving to covers hers than rested on his arm. There was no drawing from her, just a small pat. "Yes, we will talk. Until I understand what you've been doing all this time." A glance was made at Ra's hand and then to Ra himself. "Lead us in."
Touching her brother's skin had been enough to send the shivers running through her, but at his pat, Amaterasu nearly jumped. Fear had encompassed her so wholly that, now lacking the will to speak, she simply nodded, though to what in particular, it wasn't clear. Though she so desperately wished to take Ra's hand for comfort, she refrained from even looking at him in fear of just one look alone inciting her brother's wrath. But Jubokko didn't do angry per se. Not the blow up, screaming sort of angry. No, it was something she could read in his eyes, in his movements. In the way he spoke.
So much for not pissing him off.
Following her husband further inside, Amaterasu kept quiet, passing by the living room completely to tend to some tea in the kitchen. There was still some hot water in the kettle, and so it was poured into a mug she fetched from the cupboard, one of her favorite mugs from home. Her hand shook so violently she managed to spill boiling water on herself, but rather than crying out, she simply shed a tear. It fell too quickly for her to catch it, and it disappeared in her brother's tea. Was this it? Was this the end of her marriage? What would Jubokko do to them now that he knew they were together? So many questions, all of which she was too afraid to ask.
How selfish it was of her to abandon Ra in the living room. Such a little girl she was. But somehow she knew her brother would not take well to a foreigner brewing his tea. Braving through another set of tears, she rummaged through their selection of tea leaves, picked out a sufficient few, and dropped them into the mug to be stirred.
She could only hope that Jubokko hadn't already strangled her husband.
Ra didn't say a word about Amaterasu leaving them. He wasn't comfortable with it, but he wouldn't comment, wouldn't act like a scared child...even if he was a bit drowsy. He offered the chair for Jubokko to sit down in, settling on the couch himself. He didn't know what to say now that they were sitting in the living room.
"How long will you be in town?" It wasn't the question he wanted to ask, nor did he figure he'd get much of an answer for it. Her brother probably had other questions in mind. He wished he could tell what the other man was thinking or that he'd be have some way of protecting himself from whatever might happen. Neither of those things were likely to happen. Surely her brother might be upset with them, but he wouldn't hurt them. At least he hoped not, but he didn't know much about Jubokko and Amaterasu's reaction wasn't comforting.
Understanding of where Amaterasu had gone didn't mean he liked having her out of his sight but nothing was said. Just a glance had been offered in the direction of the kitchen. Opting to take the seat he had been offered with a quiet 'thank you' attached, he examined the home. If the kiss hadn't assured him that he was the reason why Amaterasu had in-laws, the home was a good sign that she was married.
"Not all that long. I've been here for a few days now," Jubokko answered, uncaring in his honesty, still giving the room a critical look over. He had nothing to hide now. "But I will not stay with you two if that is a concern." He had a fantastic hotel room with plenty of meals wandering around.
"How long have you both been married?"
To be honest, the idea of Jubokko staying with them hadn't even crossed his mind. He'd rather hoped that the man would leave them alone after this talk as he hadn't wanted him there in the first place. He wanted him out but there was only so much he could do...or something.
The question about their marriage hadn't come as a complete surprise. Little as he knew of Jubokko, he also didn't assume he was stupid. "A year," he replied evenly. No point in lying. Honesty would probably be more appreciated. At any rate, it would be better to tell him here so he didn't hear it from someone else. Even if it didn't go over well.
That meant he'd be lied to for a year. His temper was clutched at and restrained, knowing there was no reason for it to be unleashed just yet. Amaterasu hadn't come back, after all. "I see. And how long have you known her? I presume at least a few months on top of that year," he remarked, his tone positively serene. He wasn't foolish enough to think that anyone in that house felt any ease or would buy it but there was no need to behave in a boorish manner.
"And tell me what she's told you about me. I'm so very curious."
Ra could feel the tension and he was less apt to be able to hide his feelings. "Eight months." He kept hoping Amaterasu would come back in, but she seemed a bit preoccupied in the kitchen. Maybe he'd get up and go and check on her in a bit. It wasn't fun to sit here awkwardly. Still, he wouldn't hide anything. That was why they were in this position in the first place.
"She said you were originally from Ryugu-jo. Your name is Jubokko. You work as a doctor in Niflheim." He paused for a moment before adding on. "And that you were kind."
Eight months. He didn't know whether to get up then and strangle his sister or just save it for later after bashing in the skull of her husband. And smiling was starting to hurt so that went. Drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair, he stifled a sigh and moved forth with the conversation.
"We both are from Ryugu-jo. We both know what that means even if she has conveniently forgotten." A small pause was had. "And if she has said I am kind, she has only painted the prettiest of pictures of me. A flattering thing but it won't help you."
All of their words went unheard by Amaterasu as she cradled the warm mug in her hands, tentatively turning her body toward the entrance to the living room. Refusing to leave the kitchen would only be selfish and horrible of her. What a terrible wife she would be to leave her husband in such an awkward position.
Swallowing her fear, she took careful steps out of the kitchen with the tea, careful to both keep from spilling it and from attracting too much attention. All of her body rejected the idea of coming any closer, refused to function properly as she approached the two of them. Her hands shook as she lowered the mug on the table before her brother.
The smile she offered was timid as she took a seat next to Ra.
Ra was still. Wouldn't help them? Wouldn't help them what? He refused to look down. "I believe siblings are in the habit of painting their siblings in a good light...unless there is a reason for them not to." He wondered if now weren't one of those times, but he wouldn't have said so.
When Amaterasu came back into the room, his attention shifted to her face. There was a small smile given to her, something meant to be reassuring. He didn't know if it would make her feel better or not, but...that was another matter entirely. Hopefully the conversation wouldn't last too much longer and they could both get some rest and talk.
"Some siblings like to hide truths for the sake of...well. For whatever reason they think is right." The mug would be picked up, the contents sampled before Jubokko gave it a mild, approving hum. It wasn't like tea made by Hyacinth but it wasn't right to compare Amaterasu to his assistant that he would have forced to remake the tea if it wasn't good enough. Besides, he was a devil of a man to get things right for.
Once his sister appeared settled, all his attention flew to her. "Ama," he spoke in a saccharine manner, pushing on her a playfulness that was most unnecessary. "Why did you do it? Why did you lie to me?"
Naively, Amaterasu had hoped her brother wouldn't address her directly, not like this. When she was spoken to, she tensed up rather noticeably, redirecting her gaze elsewhere. She hated fighting. This was like a fight to her, with Jubokko as calm as ever. But more than anything, she hated to be deceitful. Especially to one's face. Over a journal it was easier to think about what to say, but in person, it had to be quick.
Deep breath. Deep breath.
"I knew you wouldn't approve of him," she somehow managed to whisper.
Ra was uncomfortable. That smile made him feel that way. However, Amaterasu's response to his question put him off. He wouldn't approve of him? Why? He was a perfectly respectable person. He had a job, he provided for them, he was a good person. He blinked once...twice. What was so wrong? Was it because he was from Camelot instead of Ryugu-jo? He didn't think that made him a poor choice.
He picked up his mug quietly, sipping at the drink and trying not to seem bothered by the comment.
It was a conversation that had to happen and to have Ra there was for the best in the end. Despite his personal beliefs and any way he would have reacted, he had thought it was very odd for any man to be kept a secret. Jubokko saw her intentions but it could never bode well for a relationship, could it? It was right up there with marriages that were too open.
Sometimes, Jubokko did not understand people at all.
"Because he's a little shorter than me?" he asked innocently, knowing well that wasn't why he wouldn't approve. He was going to make her say it, make her admit just what was wrong here.
You know the reason, her mind yelled, but ultimately it was unsaid. For her brother to play stupid with her like this -- it made her just as uncomfortable, when she knew he knew. But Ra, he'd never heard her admit it: that Jubokko wouldn't have approved of her both marrying a foreigner and having to lie about it. The lying wasn't the worst part. Her region had customs, it had rules, things Camelot had never seen. Getting away from it all had been a relief. Here, she could relax. She could function without someone breathing down her neck.
Why couldn't she be happy?
"Because he's not-- because..." Oh, so eloquent. "You know why."
Ra looked between them both for a moment before staring at the ground. He didn't know what he was supposed to say. Apparently the point of this was to make them both unhappy, but it was far easier when he didn't have the benefit of the sun. There was no explanation for it. He'd always done better when the sun was up.
"Could you get to the point," he snapped. Perhaps not his best move, but this conversation was grating and he wanted it over. He wanted to go to sleep and try to forget it. "It's late."
"My sister is just being terribly difficult. I apologize on her behalf and inability to say the truth," Jubokko replied. It was only his tone that offered pleasantness. The rest of him appeared cool and unimpressed, all which was focused on his sister at that moment. Though some of it should have been thrown at Ra for what Jubokko thought was his inexcusable rudeness.
"Amaterasu, when presented the perfect chance, seems to be unable to proudly say she married you despite how she was brought up. That she defied everything she was raised to believe in. That you are a foreigner and, by our ways, unfit for her. If you know anything about us, then you know that Amaterasu has risked being shunned and put in great disfavour of her people for her choices.
"So why can't she say it at all herself? Is secrecy that much better? Living a life while hiding you?" The mug of tea was set down, half finished. "And, in fairness, I'm not sure if who or what causes her more shame. All I know is that I'm very disappointed in my little sister." A smile curved his lips, offering no warmth. "Even if she's right about my not approving of this match. "
The first tear fell too quickly for Amaterasu to notice. It skid across her cheek and landed on her lap. She'd desperately wanted to keep the crying to a minimum, but with the rate at which this was going, she was going to be the first to end up in tears. Not that her brother or Ra would resort to crying to solve their problems.
"I'm--" It all came out too quickly, so with a deep inhale, she made a second attempt. "I am proud. I'm proud to be his wife. I've never been more happy than I am with him." This time when the next tear fell, it made a slow descent down her cheek. "I knew how my family would feel. I knew I was risking everything. But I wanted... to be happy. I wanted to have a life without prejudice and hatred."
Her teary gaze fell upon Ra. "You brought me so much joy. When you asked me to marry you, I thought... could anyone be more happy than me? I wanted to forget how my family would react. I wanted to be selfish. I'm still selfish." Slowly but surely, Amaterasu began breaking down into tears. "I'm sorry." She looked to Jubokko. "I'm so sorry."
Ra's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that the princess running away with Heimdall had been an issue. He knew that, but they'd run away and she was a princess. Surely Ryugu-jo couldn't expect their people to marry each other again and again. Then everyone would be related forever. He frowned. He'd wanted to say something...only then Amaterasu was talking and he felt his chest tighten.
His hand moved to hold hers, squeezing lightly. So long as she was happy with him, so long as she wanted him still, he wouldn't leave. Not for anything. Not even if her brother didn't approve. He could take his disapproval elsewhere and leave them to their lives. If he wanted to stay and make her hurt more, Ra would find a way to make him stop.
"I'm happy, too," he said quietly. "I'm not ashamed of you or us. I never have been." His eyes turned to Jubokko. "And I'm not sorry that I married her. I'll never be sorry for how I feel. I am sorry that she has to deal with this because she doesn't deserve it. She isn't something to be ashamed of and I don't want anyone to make her feel that way." He frowned. "Do you have something further to say? If not, it's late and I'd like you to leave."
He had never understood why tears worked on some men like that. How it brought out such a protective, emotional side of them. Personally, he only wanted to put a hand over her mouth to draw her into a tired state so she would pass out. But now he was going to be cast out by an irritated husband and his sobbing sister was to be of no help.
I have to wonder if she was adopted or if I was. Bringing himself to his feet, a couple of steps were taken to tower over Amaterasu. With complete disregard to Ra, he leaned over his sister, cupped her wet cheeks and pressed his lips to the top of her head. Should the gesture appear as a response to her tear, he would quickly clear that with his reply. "Only that this isn't over. Sister, if you are so proud, then you should not hide him like a dark secret." Merry-toned, he went on, thumbs skimming across her damp cheekbones. "And never, ever think of lying to me again. I think you know this could have gone so much worse than it did.
"I'll forgive your selfishness for now. But I will not give your marriage my approval." What he might do about Ra was up in the air but he had gotten what wanted for the time being. It wasn't as if his sister and her husband were going anywhere any time soon.
All the words that Amaterasu wanted to say were blocked by the heaviness in her throat. Feeling shamed, embarrassed, and guiltier than she even thought possible, she simply resorted to crying silently. If she'd had the chance to be proud of her marriage, she would have been. But being Ryugunese meant it wasn't possible to be openly proud of marrying a foreigner. She'd given up her heritage the moment Ra took her hand in marriage. There was no regret, only appreciation for ever having found someone to be with.
Despite the fear and the guilt, she so wanted to curl up in Jubokko's arms now that he was closer. This was her brother, someone she had deceived and kept in the dark. Someone she loved. But if he was hoping she would choose between him and her husband-- no. He wouldn't ask that of her, would he?
Ra was quiet as he watched Jubokko, listening to his words. His blood boiled and it was only by clenching his jaw that he kept from saying something else. It was obvious that he wasn't pleased, though. The anger was etched into his features and present in his eyes. He wanted the man gone, wanted him out of his house.
A moment passed and he stood slowly, hand releasing Amaterasu's. "Let me show you out."
The mystery of what he would ask of Amaterasu was going to have to be answered another day. Releasing his sister, eyed the man who legally his brother-in-law now. And that anger was met with coolness, a promise that he wasn't going to sway or bend to this individual.
Moving back toward the front of the house, Jubokko lifted one shoulder in a mild, elegant little shrug. "Don't bother. I'm well aware of where the door is. You can fetch my sister something to wipe her face with instead and see to her needs if your concern for her is so deep." A challenge within an order.
The urge to shout brother, don't go was about as powerful as the urge to throw herself into a closet and never come out. That her brother didn't approve of her marriage, even though all along she'd known he wouldn't -- just hearing it broke her heart. And he would likely never approve of it, as long as she remained married. What did he want her to do? He'd said it wasn't over, but what now?
Her hand reached out to take Ra's, for both comfort and the need to keep him close to her. Jubokko could show himself out.
Ra didn't argue with the man. If he wanted to leave on his own, then so be it. He'd see to Amaterasu. He squeezed her hand lightly, sitting down next to her. The tissue box wasn't far, so he pulled it over, setting it in his lap and offering her one. "Here you go." There was the smallest of reassuring smiles for her before he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Whether that would help or not, he wasn't sure. Whatever came next, he'd deal with it. He had to.