post-texting // for intenderembassy

[myselfwillbear]

[He didn't actually lock the door, even though he said he would.

(it had been too far, but after he'd said that he planned to V wouldn't bother trying the door, would she?)

Of course, that means that when there's the thump of him falling out of bed from inside the room, if V is outside like she said then there's not actually anything stopping her from coming in to see what's happening.]

Comments

[intenderembassy]

[He's going to hurt him.

He's going to hurt him, just like she thought he would.

(and she can't stop him)

(because he's their father)

Just...just don't think of him as your brother, think of him as IV, you've done it before, you do it all the time...

She can't. Not with him looking like that, sick and flushed and breaking down.

(she's trying to keep cool, clench her teeth and stay back, but it's clear that she's not calm, not collected, not as V as she needs to be for this)]

[seeingfarther]

[He doesn't look at either of them, though he stays angled toward IV.]

Don't be weak, V.

If both of you were weak, wouldn't I only have III?

No, it's good that I have Ryoga Kamishiro. I can trust him better than either of you.

Ah, though it's disappointing... I thought I could trust you, V, but I suppose you're too emotional after all. Maybe you should have been a son too and then it would have been okay, ne?

[intenderembassy]

[...

Is this how IV feels?

Is this how it is for him, all the time?

(should have been his son, should have been born a boy, should have been stronger

the hair on her head is too heavy)

She grips her knees, hard enough that her knuckles go white, but she still doesn't speak. Can't speak. Can't respond, not to that.]

[seeingfarther]

[Tron tilts his head toward V, frowns for just a second.]

Mou, you're usually better than this.

Is it because of IV? Do you feel sorry for him?

There's nothing to feel sorry for. IV lost his heart a long time ago, didn't he? What he is now doesn't deserve your pity.

[He waves a hand, dismissive.]

I'm disappointed in you, V.

[intenderembassy]

[She's still staring at the ground, but she responds now, voice flat.]

I understand.

[She understands what he's saying about IV (even if it's wrong), she understands why he's disappointed, she understands what she should do but can't, she understands...

(she wants to cut out whatever part of her is making her care, care about Tron care about IV care about anyone)]

I will better myself.

[seeingfarther]

[Tron grins abruptly, claps his hands.]

Good. Good!

[There's a whispered tou-san, please from the bed and Tron cuts it off sharply with a wave of his hand.]

Stop that. Didn't I say I'm not interested?

[intenderembassy]

[She steadies herself. She retreats.

It's not Thomas on the bed, it's IV, and...IV doesn't need V's help right now. Help can wait. It doesn't matter if he's...if he's suffering, right now.

And Tron...whatever Tron does has to be right, doesn't it?

V has to be a good son.

V stares at the floor, stony-faced, showing nothing.]