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Tweak says, "sup foo!"

🌸 Miracle Country Mods 🌸 (miraclemods) wrote in miraclecountry,
@ 2018-08-28 15:02:00

Entry tags:

! event, ; blackout event, ; flood event, ; secrets in the dark event, akiho shinomoto, chise hatori, chloe decker, chloe price, ciel phantomhive, cisco ramon, eliot waugh, harrison 'harry' wells, kady orloff-diaz, keith (voltron), lucifer morningstar, maxine 'max' caulfield, quentin coldwater, sakura kinomoto, sebastian michaelis, takashi 'shiro' shirogane, william 'penny' adiyodi, yuna d. kaito

open 🌸 all week
[It’s been days since there’s been any sign of the creatures that attacked, days since the rain stopped. And you can tell that the water is receding. It drains away until it’s easy enough to come down from the trees. Once you leave the treehouses, they seem to be swallowed up into the forest, as if they were never there at all.

Night falls and it’s almost peaceful, almost a sigh of relief— the end is in sight, isn’t it?

The water drains away and you might even be able to return to your homes— although waterlogged and water-damaged. Once morning comes, it should be fine. You’ll be able to rest. You’ll be able to take care of those still recovering from the attacks.

Except, the sun doesn’t come back again.

At first, perhaps you can tell yourself it’s a long night only because you’re waiting for it to end. Perhaps you wake up in the morning and assume it’s still the middle of the night because of the darkness. But the hours tick away and still the sun does not rise. And slowly, all other sources of light go out. The fire you’ve built to keep warm still burns, but produces no light. Fire magic illuminates for a brief time until it, too, starts to fade. Any new sources of light you try to create, even large ones, glow very faintly, dimly. Like they're struggling to stay there at all. And there’s no moon in the sky. Slowly, even the stars blink away.

You are not completely without light, of course. Miracle Country doesn’t expect you all to stumble into the dark never to be found again.

The light is unpredictable but illuminates the spaces around it. They’re made up of phrases and words— across walls, on the tree trunks, across the ground, anywhere you look. They glow brighter than fire, shining for a while before slowly fading.

They’re confessions. Yours, perhaps, or someone near you. Or maybe not related to you at all—and opportunity for misunderstanding. But they seem to follow you, guide you, goad you or comfort you. Perhaps they’re words you’ve never said aloud before, words you wanted to tell someone, something you’ve been swallowing down and know you have to say it. Perhaps the magic here is trying to help you. Perhaps the magic here is trying to taunt you.

Regardless, the words can’t be made to disappear and they can’t be predicted. But they’re what keep you all from being plunged into the darkness.

Can you find your way home again? The endless darkness will remain for several days, so make the best of this— who knows what might be lurking in the dark?]

🌸

[Secrets in the Dark event starts; go here for a list of secrets (or make up your own as you go, of course) or for any questions/concerns.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-02 09:48 pm UTC (link)

[For half a moment, he almost let himself relax-- they're making pretty good progress, despite the darkness and Keith's injury, and of course Keith's pushing through it but he doesn't look to be in a deep amount of pain, and they can't be that far away from the cabin if they're near so many trees. But, of course, perhaps it's because he's thinking they'll be okay that the secrets that show up aren't quite as sweet as the last one.]

[He's going to respond to Keith, to reassure him, to do something-- but those last two in particular, stacked on top of one another, are enough to make him almost freeze up. With Keith pressed so close, it'll be impossible for him to hide how the tension lances through him, his hold on his waist tightening instinctively, his face paling even in the eerie light.]

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finds
2018-09-03 01:22 am UTC (link)

[He feels it and immediately stops looking at the words, eyes to Shiro instead, concerned, frowning.]

Shiro. [His own arm tightens around his shoulders, ignoring how the glow goes brighter in front of them, voice soft but insistent. He tries not to let it go to the pit of his stomach to think of why these particular phrases are the ones that drain the color from Shiro's face like that. (It does anyway. Of course it does.)] Shiro.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 01:30 am UTC (link)

[Breathes out shakily, closing his eyes for a moment as if trying to steady himself. He turns his head, just barely, towards Keith when he says his name. The words keep glowing brighter even as he desperately thinks he should-- try to think of something else, right? But it's another thing entirely to actually see the words spelled out in front of him.]

I'm okay. [This is, at least, partly true. Aside from his initial reaction, the way his heart is beating faster in his chest as a result of that adrenaline, he can at least stay calm.] Just... surprised me.

[The words feel weak even to himself. As far as excuses go, that's not the best one he's ever come up with, and he knows it's not going to be very convincing, especially to Keith of all people. He sighs out shakily again and squeezes his hand against Keith's side, trying to be reassuring.]

I know you don't agree. [Of course you wouldn't.] I know you...

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finds
2018-09-03 02:49 am UTC (link)

[One thing Keith's never quite been able to get over about himself is that any intense feeling that decides to jam itself through his system always runs too close in the same vein as anger in his own mind, however it might come across to others. Most misunderstand it as anger. He knows Shiro wouldn't, but the way Keith's concern manifests itself just then is still such a rush. Almost like the air could get knocked out of him from it. He knows it isn't anger he feels as Shiro speaks now, feeling that shakiness to him from staying pressed into his side, but the edge in Keith's voice is there nonetheless, persistent.]

I don't. Of course I wouldn't. Shiro... You- [You shouldn't either, fuck.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 02:55 am UTC (link)

[He knows it isn't anger, knows Keith too well to mistake it for it-- knows so well how intensely Keith's emotions burn. All the same, his instinct is always to reassure him, holding him a little tighter.]

I know. [Of course you don't-- because you keep saving him.]

I'm sorry. [He looks pained as he says it and slowly, slowly the words I'm not worth saving start glowing brighter and brighter the more he focuses on it, despite trying not to focus on it, despite wanting to reassure Keith. He feels guilty, of course, that it's not working-- which only makes the words grow brighter, as if mocking.]

I'm sorry... [he says it again, softer, helplessly.] I've never-- talked about it.

[He knows you'd always disagree. Knows there's no way he'd ever convince you of it-- doesn't want to ever upset Keith like this. He knows it's true, at least-- not just Keith, but every person who's ever made a sacrifice for him, who's ever been hurt or killed or whatever else because of him--]

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finds
2018-09-03 04:42 am UTC (link)

Don't-- [God, you don't have to tell him sorry, of all things, but of course Shiro would. Even though it isn't at all about how Keith feels right now that should matter.

Without thinking he shifts haphazardly despite his leg or anything else, and throws his arms around him, both around Shiro's shoulders to hold him fiercely. He chokes out a soft curse and doesn't let go. The light is so bright it almost hurts his eyes this close to it but he doesn't shut them, looks only to Shiro as much as he can while hugging him. It fills Keith with such an overwhelmingly painful feeling he doesn't know what to do in that moment except go off.]

Shiro. You've always been- [He tries to curb the edge to his voice (which works very little but) only because he wants to say this as clearly and firmly as he can, without it having to be something that just incites more guilt or...] Listen to me. You're always going to be worth saving, you always have been.

[When his voice comes out much quieter at the end, the shakiness to it is evident.] You can't think like this.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 04:51 am UTC (link)

Keith.

[He says his name quietly, weakly, not quite a protest but something more like an admission, and acknowledgement. He's shivering a little, feeling overwhelmed just from this-- he's never liked to make himself vulnerable, to be weak, even if it's easier with Keith. Still. It's a lot. And the guilt still coils in his chest, despite himself. He hugs Keith back, his touch gentle even as he shifts a little to hold him up, mindful even now of his leg, of not wanting to hurt him.]

[He doesn't know what to say to that, how to protest against it-- knows, of course, that he'll never convince Keith anyway. He clings to him a little, ducks his head and presses his face gently into his hair, trying to steady his breathing.]

[Behind him, the words glow painfully bright and, slowly, new words form just below it, glowing fainter but no less readable. I'm not worth saving and directly below it: I want to believe you even though I know you're wrong.]

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finds
2018-09-03 05:23 am UTC (link)

[He sees those words and it honestly feels like something inside him slips out of place and shatters a little, a shudder down his spine and in his breath - before persistence settles back over him doubly so.]

I'm not wrong. [His tone is softer but no less sure. You can't see what the words say but he's sure what they reflect enough to say it aloud to Shiro directly. Fuck.] I'm not wrong, and even if you'd never had to say it to me like this, I'd still think it every time.

Without you... there'd be nothing, Shiro. [For the universe, for Earth, for -- Keith. He realizes that's the part he feels the most strongly, and it's no surprise really.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 05:34 am UTC (link)

[It's true that he was thinking it as the words were forming for Keith to read-- and so he shivers again when Keith responds to his thoughts.]

[The last part, though-- those words threaten to completely undo him. Something coils up tight in his chest and his breath hitches. He draws away from hugging Keith to look at him, expression fragile and disbelieving.]

Keith-- [You can't think like that, is his first thought-- the thought that Keith could feel that way leaves him feeling completely wrecked. He grips his shoulders tight, as if he's going to protest further-- but he can't quite manage it.]

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finds
2018-09-03 05:55 am UTC (link)

[He's pretty sure he's holding him just as tightly even when Shiro pulls away and their eyes meet, hands on his shoulders so tight that it must hurt. They're both shaken and he knows these intense words can't be much better for them than what's written against the shadows everywhere. Even still, he can't not say it.

Hearing his own name, the way Shiro sounds saying it, and the argument that seems to trail behind it even if he doesn't speak those words... Keith stutters out an equally pained, weak breath. What did you expect? He meets Shiro's eyes stubbornly even though he knows both of their expressions must be wavering and splintered right now.]

Shiro. [Keith said what he said. He's not taking it back.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 06:03 am UTC (link)

[He feels as if he's been bowled over. He doesn't quite manage to say the words he knows he needs to say. They fumble out of him, quiet and pained.]

Someday, I won't...

[He can't finish the thought, can't actually say it. It occurs to him that he's never actually said it aloud. Someday, he won't be here. There will, eventually, be a time when Keith has to be without him.

He's the one to break eye contact then, clenching his eyes shut and ducking his head. When he breathes, it's a soft, pained breath-- like he's been punched in the gut and he's trying to catch his breath again. He doesn't let go of Keith's shoulders.

The words behind him start to fade once he's ducked his head, quiet and still for a moment. There's a brief moment of darkness. And then the new words form, brightening and brightening until it's almost blinding:

I don't want to die.]

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finds
2018-09-03 06:32 am UTC (link)

[Even just the start of what Shiro begins to say puts his hair on end, Keith's mouth going dry, almost opening to argue back. But then what shakes him into silence, what strikes him the most is the way Shiro looks when he's unable to continue. The way he all but breaks down in Keith's arms and -- they're both still in that momentary darkness, overwhelmed, unmoving.

He hears himself say Shiro's name again much softer, barely there.

Then the lights envelop them again, and Keith sees the next words. His eyes go so wide it's like he's seeing lights beyond those in front of him, both from the brightness of it all and the words themselves. His pupils have gone small and diamond-like from the intensity, and finally he has to shut his eyes too with a shuddering gasp, arms shifting around Shiro and pulling him back into him, this time much more gently, one hand resting on the back of his neck. He can't speak again yet even if he wanted to but he's sure as fuck going to hold you. That's a goddamn good thing, okay?]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 06:37 am UTC (link)

[He takes a shaky, barely there breath and lets Keith pull him in close without protest, just sinking in against him weakly, his entire body shivering as he drops his hands from Keith's shoulders only to wrap them around him, holding him close, ducking down against him to press his face up against his neck. He manages a small, breathless whisper of Keith's name and nothing else.]

[He doesn't cry, because of course he's not going to let himself, but everything about him in this moment looks and feels too fragile-- like it'd only take one more push to knock him over that edge. He pulls some comfort, at least, in the way Keith holds him. He feels safe, despite feeling like he's about to shake apart.]

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finds
2018-09-03 06:51 am UTC (link)

[Keith knows he's pushing that edge too, feels the water in his eyes even though it never spills over, even though his breathing is shaking like he might as well have been sobbing this entire time. It's strange to feel that building upset threatening to spill over and hold it back by the sheer weight of every other instance in the past few years that has tried to throw Keith over that edge and been denied.

So instead, he tries to calm himself, focuses on Shiro, as his hand absently starts shifting along his neck and the end tips of his hair, not daring to say words even as they start to come together again in his mind. So much he wants Shiro to know, and so much that could undo them both.

Behind Keith this time, the lights try it for him: No matter what happens, I need you.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 06:57 am UTC (link)

[The light is bright enough to draw him away from where he's pressed his face against Keith, blinking his eyes open and kind of... just looking at the words. At first he doesn't quite react, aside from his breathing shifting, almost like he's observing it from an objective standpoint.]

[There's a lot he could say in response but he feels too emotionally exhausted already, too wrung out, too vulnerable. He lifts a hand instead, maybe not fully aware he's doing so, to curl gently into Keith's hair, cradling the back of his head as he straightens a little, pressing his forehead against Keith's temple, mouth close to his ear so he can speak to him low, his voice shaky and quiet, tentative.]

Keith...

[Part of him thinks, no, Keith doesn't need him anymore. Not really. That same part of him that hates the thought of leaving him alone someday but knowing he'll be amazing, no matter what. But the other part of him-- that smaller, quieter part of him that feels a small sliver of hope despite how badly he tries to squash it down... that part of him feels reassured. It's nice to be needed, after all.]

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finds
2018-09-03 07:18 am UTC (link)

[The proximity when he speaks definitely makes Keith shiver, and he opens his again eyes too - it's like seeing stars, blots of light at the edge of his vision, everything a little out of focus and overwhelming. But Shiro is real and right here and what else matters really?]

I'm always... [Oh, his voice sounds wrecked- stopping a moment, trying to make his tone quieter and a little more normal before trying again.] Your life will always be worth living, and worth saving to me. But whatever I want, or feel or need - it should first be worth it to you too.

[He sighs out, slowly, doesn't stop holding him.] It's okay to want to live, Shiro. More than.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 07:27 am UTC (link)

[He can't speak for a moment, too overwhelmed by that declaration. He feels like he's actually forgotten how to breathe, and his hold on Keith's hair tightens, as if afraid he'll pull away or disappear. He closes his eyes for a moment, trying to steady himself-- just focusing on Keith, the feel of his hair in his hand, the sound of his voice, the heat of his body next to him. When he does manage to breathe out a small sigh, it rattles out of him-- quiet and shaky.]

I want... [So much more than that. But that, too, feels like too much to admit. He's already upset him enough as it is.]

I don't... know what I'd do, if you got hurt because you were busy saving me. [If you got hurt, or worse. He'd never be able to forgive himself.]

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finds
2018-09-03 07:49 am UTC (link)

[Oh. It's not actually a surprising thing to hear all things together but Keith stills for a moment, that winded feeling in his chest again. He doesn't say anything right away at that, frowning. It's a concern he ultimately really does understand if only because he knows Shiro, has seen what it was like for him to watch others lose their lives in such efforts.]

I know that. I... [Keith wouldn't even think twice to take the risk anyway, but.] That isn't ever what I'm setting out to do.

Shiro, I've already lost you enough. [Once was too much, much less twice or--] I can't- I won't just do nothing, if it's in my power to make sure you're safe.

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 07:59 am UTC (link)

[His breath hitches and he goes very still and very quiet as he listens, as he processes that as he-- feels like something breaks apart inside of him, an impossible ache.]

Oh, Keith...

[He trails off, unable to summon up anything else to say for a moment. He feels winded, like he's been kicked in the chest. He can tell his hands are shaking even as he pulls his fingers gently through his hair, touches the back of his neck for some sort of tether, staying close to him like that. The guilt, of course, is there-- he can't help it. But also something warmer, something gentler-- it almost makes his expression soften as he looks at him.]

... You wouldn't be you, if you weren't doing everything you can. [He knows that much. He loves you for it, even as it breaks his heart.]

[Behind him, words flare up once more, two sentences stacked on top of each other. First, You deserve someone better than me. And second, I want to always stay by your side.]

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finds
2018-09-03 08:06 am UTC (link)

[It really shouldn't make his breath catch to see more phrases around them, but something in Keith's frown deepens at those words. He holds Shiro closer, almost on instinct alone until it settles to something both comforting and protective and... also wanting all at once. He wants that too, so badly. How could Shiro of all people be the one to feel like he doesn't deserve him? It seems all wrong to Keith somehow.]

Shiro...

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 08:11 am UTC (link)

[He glances a little over his shoulder this time to see what, exactly, the world is telling Keith about his thoughts. He reads the words slowly before turning back to Keith with a sigh. The hand at the back of his neck shifts, moving to rub slow, gentle circles with his thumb over the back of Keith's neck.]

I... need you, too, you know. More than you'll ever know.

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finds
2018-09-03 08:19 am UTC (link)

I-

[It's a lot to think of how far and how much they've been through to reach this point. To both come face to face with how much they need each other, or at least the starting inkling of it. A torrent of the full extent of that need and want lies in wait over them both.]

Then isn't that reason enough? I want it too, Shiro. I want so much for us to stay by each other's sides. [It can't be anyone else but you.]

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	yieldsfocus 2018-09-03 08:26 am UTC (link)
	[He's quiet for a long moment, overwhelmed at Keith's words, the way he says it, the way he looks. Shiro, in turn, looks at Keith with open, undisguised longing again-- couldn't hide it even if he wanted to. But there's that fear, too, despite himself-- a look that's likely very similar to that night of the storm.] Keith... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

finds
2018-09-03 08:51 am UTC (link)

[He hasn't forgotten that day for a moment, and the look is a reminder again, striking but maybe this time he can't find it in him to scramble away like he did then. He does lower his gaze like it's an apology, "knowing" he shouldn't push it, but he doesn't pull away from him either, curling into Shiro a little. Now isn't the time to make this about his stupid feelings, when Shiro has enough to deal with, but all the same, he just wants to convey to him how much he cares.]

Always wanted to stay in your life. To follow after you and one day walk beside you. That's still true now. It's-- [It doesn't matter how, he tries to tell himself.]

[The words around them all disappear and plunge them into darkness, cutting him off just then. Maybe Keith won't outright say the, but an impossibly bright light that suddenly appears around them both takes matters, and Keith's words, into its own hands:

I want this in whatever way I can have it, if I can stay with him.]

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yieldsfocus
2018-09-03 09:03 am UTC (link)

[Something painful twists up in his chest when Keith looks down, but he says nothing as Keith speaks, hanging on his words-- terrified and hopeful at once. When they're suddenly plunged into darkness, a helpless shiver runs down his spine, his thoughts all jumbled up, his eyes on Keith even in the darkness, not daring to look away.]

[The words, though. When they emerge, bright enough to almost make him flinch, closing his eyes against them, it's enough to steal Shiro's breath away. No, he's-- he's been telling himself, over and over, that he's misinterpreting Keith, that it's-- not the way it seems. But it's difficult to explain away that phrasing. He's silent for a moment, totally still, his thoughts racing-- thinking back on countless conversations, interactions, moments between them in the last months here. Those moments outside this place, too.]

Keith... [He says his name helplessly, quietly. Desperate.] Do you...

[But he can't ask that-- can't force Keith to say something, for starters. Doesn't know if he can handle the answer-- what could be more difficult: that he's right. Or that he's wrong.]