crowspace | call me out v. 15.0

[He's tired of hearing it, but he's sure Tsuchigomori is even more tired of not being able to interfere, so he can't really be too mad about that part.

Still mad in general, though.]

I hope your books told you that I'd be bringing you home, because that's what's going to happen. Even if I have to drag you.

You know I'm not really supposed to answer that either.

[However, Tsuchigomori takes out his pipe and proceeds to light it, despite the fact that this is probably a rather serious moment to decide that he needs to smoke right now. His lips manage the tiniest quirk upright in momentary amusement.]

But yeah, I might have seen a glimpse of something regarding an attempt being made.

[Note the use of the word "attempt" rather than an actual confirmation of success or failure, however.]

[This is kind of a serious moment, Tsuchi. Suga scowls.]

You can at least tell me if you wanted to leave, can't you?

[If Tsuchigomori really wants to leave him behind... He's not sure what he'll do.
He can't trap him - he'd be as bad as that man, if he did.]

Is that really something you don't already have an answer for?

[Tsuchi inhales some smoke here, before he sighs, tone more serious again as he looks away.]

Of course I didn't want to leave. Do you really think I would be that cold-hearted to not think twice about you?

[Some of the tension leaves Suga's body.]

...No, I don't. But I needed to hear it.

[There will always be that voice in his head that reminds him that he's not worth anything, that he's only ever been more harm to his loved ones than help, and that anyone would cast him aside.

It's not Tsuchi's fault that Suga feels that way. He just needs the reminder, sometimes, that this isn't the truth.]

Come home with me.

[He'll tear a path open himself if he has to.]

I can't.

[It's an automatic response, but the fact that he says "can't" and not "won't" is an easy sign that this is not something that he is happy with. Another decision being forced upon him than a decision of choice, even if his next words sound like he understands the reason behind it.]

It isn't safe for us to return yet.

[If at all, given Hanako's stance on the matter, but he doesn't add that.]

You aren't going to hurt anyone. [From someone else he might interpret 'not safe' in a different way, but he knows Tsuchigomori's always been concerned about the potential of his rumor becoming warped one day.] I won't let you.

Oh, is that right?

[Tsuchigomori frowns at that. The air around them seems to shift ever so slightly, a warning of foreboding now that wasn't quite so prevalent before.]

And just how sure are you of that? [A pause] I don't mean because of your own abilities and the glowstone, of course. I'm referring to the 1% chance that you become embroiled in a situation where even that might not help you. Do you think you'd find a way to stop me, even then?

Even if that happens, I'll stop you.

[His conviction is unshakable. He won't let Tsuchigomori do anything he'll regret, because his entire purpose in life is to protect people and because Tsuchigomori in particular should never hurt anyone. Even if he has to risk his own life to stop him, he will.]

Even at the risk of your own life, I'd bet.

[Tsuchi knows Suga well in that regard.]

Then, how about my life? If that 1% chance indicates that my death is the one and only way to stop me, would you allow it?

[That would be awful. He would never be able to live with himself, if he killed the man he loves by his own hands.

But-]

If it's that or allow you to hurt your students, I know what you would prefer.

[That's the kind of person Suga fell in love with, and he'll do his best to honor that.]

[Tsuchi's mouth quirks upright momentarily in a faint smile, before he speaks.]

Then, you'd know I would also prefer attempting to avoid it entirely if possible, hence why I'm here now.

[He starts to walk around a bit, and the previously dark space of the realm Tsuchigomori had been hiding away in seems to brighten a bit enough to expose that there are large cobwebs strung up all over the place. He takes a seat casually on one nearby as he blows smoke from his pipe.]

Well, not just for that reason of course. I'm here because Number Seven wishes for me to be here for the time being. And for as long as he is our leader, his will is to be followed by the rest of us that were bound to the school.

[It's... not a great thing to hear. Suga knows how important Hanako is to Tsuchigomori - he won't go against his word so easily. Even if he is a child, with all the foolishness that children sometimes have.]

Can I talk to him?

Sure, if you can find him. He's been even more elusive than the rest of us lately.

[Tsuchi says with a rather bored shrug, despite everything at stake here.]

Not that I truly expect him to stay that way forever. He is stubborn, but he's also not going to ignore it if he feels he has no choice but to intervene regardless of how he feels on the matter.

Okay. I'll find him, and then I'll come back here for you.

[He should hurry, but... Suga steps forward to throw his arms around Tsuchigomori in a tight hug, trembling a little with the force of the emotion he's held in while Tsuchigomori has been gone.]

I missed you. I'll be back soon.

[Tsuchi allows it and, after a few seconds, actually returns the hug, just as tightly rather than keeping up the aloof stance he had before. One of his hands even comes up to brush through Suga's hair briefly.]

I've missed you as well. It's been far too quiet not having you by my side.

[And lonely, but he doesn't want to admit to that kind of emotional vulnerability too much. Not when it will just make Suga or even Hanako feel worse about the whole thing.]

It's not the same without you, Ryuu.

[Reluctantly, Suga pulls away and heads out. He has a feeling where he should look first.

Neither of the people who return to Tsuchigomori's hiding spot are Suga. It's Hanako and Nene. Hanako seems more visibly distressed than he has since he was alive, and Nene is running on fumes of determination that will fall apart the instant she thinks too much about what's going on.

The explanation is somewhat tattered, but goes like - Nene came with Amane, Kou and Teru to the spirit world; Teru found Hanako first and tried to kill him, and threatened to kill Nene too out of revenge for what Hanako did to Aoi; Suga and Kou stopped Teru from finishing Hanako off and Nene grabbed him and ran.

They're both completely, 100% sure that Teru would never hurt Kou even for stopping him from killing a supernatural, but...]

[Tsuchi is honestly kind of surprised to see Nene here as well, but once the explanation is given, he immediately understands... and is also already feeling a headache coming on, because of course there's something troublesome like this happening.

Sometimes, he actually liked not being at the school for this exact reason, but lord knows he would never say that to Hanako or Suga. Speaking of the latter though, given that they are not here with the kids...]

Is Suga still back there dealing with the feuding brothers as well?

["Yeah." Nene doesn't look happy about saying this, given what she now knows about Teru, but... "B-But I'm sure Suga-san will be fine, sensei! He's got his sword and everything, right?"

Hanako bites his lip, having just enough sense not to point out that Suga's sword can't hurt humans. They all already know.]

[sighs]

Where are they?

[He is going to make the kids wait here while he breaks up the fight if need be, but then again, he's pretty sure Suga can handle Teru for the most part. Still... he probably should check on the boyfriend just in case.]

Edited 2022-01-15 23:09 (UTC)

[The stopped train's not that far away, hence why Suga was able to get to them in time. Just follow the tracks and you'll find it.

You'll also find a pissed off Suga, a Teru with a broken arm and bloody nose looking mostly bewildered that he's lost control of this situation so badly, and Kou vibrating to one side while holding Suga's sword. Teru's weapon is snapped in two pieces on the ground.

"Spi- sensei!" Kou has never looked so relieved to see Tsuchigomori. In his defense, breaking up a fistfight between an adult and a teenager is probably a little beyond him.]

[... Yeah, that scans. He knew Suga and Kou would be fine, so it is mostly Teru that is actually perhaps in a situation to be concerned about if Suga decides to hit them again.]

Okay, enough of that.

[He says, as he reaches a pair of hands out to keep Suga and Teru from coming in contact with each other anymore. Normally he would be wary about making any kind of physical contact with Teru in particular since he is an exorcist, but his weapon is broken so Tsuchi should be fine this time, he thinks.]

I think you've made your point.

[If anything, Teru just looks extremely sulky that a supernatural is coming in to break up a fight he was losing. Sucks to be him.

Suga, reluctantly, steps back.]

If he lays a hand on Nene I'm going to make him regret it.

He won't. He knows better than that now, right?

[Or at least he better not, given the ass kicking he got just from even threatening to do that, which is the look he gives Teru here. He reaches into a pocket with a free hand before unearthing some bandages, which he tosses to Kou.]

Once your brother is bandaged and good to stand, you're all getting back on the train and going home. None of you are even supposed to be here, let alone having fist fights with each other.

["He definitely does!" Kou, also giving his brother a look even as he helps bandage him up.]

You're coming with us, Ryuu.

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