Hey, Maruki. Check in with me when you see this.
Forgive the question out of nowhere: how should we refer to ourselves, in terms of our relationship?
I have been calling you my partner, but I begin to suspect that the full intended nuisances of the term are failing to come though. After all, we have been partners in battle, and in working to aid others even before we engaged in a relationship. So if I wish to be more clear, another term may be needed.
Slightly related to this, I was once referred to as 'your Venat', and I quite liked that.
I have been calling you my partner, but I begin to suspect that the full intended nuisances of the term are failing to come though. After all, we have been partners in battle, and in working to aid others even before we engaged in a relationship. So if I wish to be more clear, another term may be needed.
Slightly related to this, I was once referred to as 'your Venat', and I quite liked that.
[ Maruki has to stare at that question for a while, considering it. A universal language really does lack nuance, sometime; this would never be an issue for him back home. ]
Everything you just said is why I've always felt that "partner" is the only term that truly fits, in every sense of the word. I've never stopped to wonder if someone else hasn't picked up the intended meaning. I suppose you could clarify it with "romantic partner," but that's... ah, clunky, isn't it?
Still... there's no other word that feels right to me. Let me think on it!
While I do - who referred to you as that? It's cute...
Everything you just said is why I've always felt that "partner" is the only term that truly fits, in every sense of the word. I've never stopped to wonder if someone else hasn't picked up the intended meaning. I suppose you could clarify it with "romantic partner," but that's... ah, clunky, isn't it?
Still... there's no other word that feels right to me. Let me think on it!
While I do - who referred to you as that? It's cute...
[An anonymous delivery of a tea he enjoys -
It's not paranoia that drives him to investigate. That's what he tells himself. It's only natural to find the source before indulging in a drink.
They're futile efforts all the same. It wasn't Eren. It wasn't Akira. It wasn't Maruki, judging by the surprise when Akechi offers him a piping hot cup of black tea out of the blue.
It could be any number of people outside of that, but it's odd there's no name on the package. The only person he's ruled out is Okumura.]
By all means - try it.
It's not paranoia that drives him to investigate. That's what he tells himself. It's only natural to find the source before indulging in a drink.
They're futile efforts all the same. It wasn't Eren. It wasn't Akira. It wasn't Maruki, judging by the surprise when Akechi offers him a piping hot cup of black tea out of the blue.
It could be any number of people outside of that, but it's odd there's no name on the package. The only person he's ruled out is Okumura.]
By all means - try it.
[ Maruki does not try it.
He watches the steam rising from the cup. It smells like plain black tea, looks like it, but that hardly means anything.
He folds his arms over his chest, eyes lifting toward Akechi again. ]
I just find it difficult to believe you were anonymously gifted something. Unless you did your princely duty by helping someone out recently?
He watches the steam rising from the cup. It smells like plain black tea, looks like it, but that hardly means anything.
He folds his arms over his chest, eyes lifting toward Akechi again. ]
I just find it difficult to believe you were anonymously gifted something. Unless you did your princely duty by helping someone out recently?
Edited 2025-05-04 04:14 (UTC)
Hello, this is Ken. I hope you’re doing well Dr. Maruki.
I was told that you help people with anxiety and depression. Do you think you can help me out?
I was told that you help people with anxiety and depression. Do you think you can help me out?
[ Ah, word gets around, even when his practice isn't open to the public anymore. ]
Hi there, Amada-kun. I'm doing alright.
To be clear, I'm just a counselor. You're welcome to come chat with me about what's troubling you, but I want to be sure you know it's not traditional therapy by any stretch of the imagination.
Hi there, Amada-kun. I'm doing alright.
To be clear, I'm just a counselor. You're welcome to come chat with me about what's troubling you, but I want to be sure you know it's not traditional therapy by any stretch of the imagination.
feel free to jump to action here since i don't have a counseling log setup anymore!!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
placation
- 2025-05-10 01:03 (UTC) - Expand[ This is probably the most impersonal text he's ever sent. But it's something he's sending to Maruki because Maruki talks, he curls around and tangles himself up in so many people, and Vash? Vash is scared. ]
My brother is here. Please be careful. He's dangerous, even if we don't have access to our Gates.
My brother is here. Please be careful. He's dangerous, even if we don't have access to our Gates.
[ This couch is big enough for three whole antags to scroll on their phones, even while one of them is being a bastard and taking up more leg room than he strictly needs in order to get comfy. ]
People really will just put anything out on the internet, huh?
People really will just put anything out on the internet, huh?
People are eager for an audience and excited to play a game. Thoughtless posting is common among my peers as well. I hope they don't regret some of this in the coming days.
[As he screenshots another admission to put in his little phone files -
He "accidentally" hits Adachi's leg with his own. For the fifth time in the last ten minutes. Whoops!!!!]
My apologies again. I seem to be a bit antsy.
[As he screenshots another admission to put in his little phone files -
He "accidentally" hits Adachi's leg with his own. For the fifth time in the last ten minutes. Whoops!!!!]
My apologies again. I seem to be a bit antsy.
Hello, Maruki. I wonder if I might trouble you for a moment.
[ Whenever Maruki decides to check, there will be an absolutely stuffed basket at the door of Eyn Sof. It's got snacks both savory and sweet, plush hand towels with little squids embroidered on the corners, a bar of artisenal soap snuck somewhere in there, with flowers filling out any of the small gaps that might have been left.
Leaning against the front of it is an unlabeled, unsealed envelope, and should Maruki be curious enough to open it he'll find a handwritten letter inside: ]
To my friend Maruki Takuto,
I sincerely apologize that our last meeting was not under the best circumstances. I was not in control of my own actions and as a result harmed you in ways I never intended, behavior I am truly ashamed of. While this was not of my own volition, I realize the admittedly intimate knowledge that I'm capable of these acts in some capacity could be startling and damaging to trust.
I would like to rebuild that trust at any pace you choose, if you will allow me, as I greatly value our friendship and would like it to continue.
Sincerely,
Takahashi Akira
Leaning against the front of it is an unlabeled, unsealed envelope, and should Maruki be curious enough to open it he'll find a handwritten letter inside: ]
To my friend Maruki Takuto,
I sincerely apologize that our last meeting was not under the best circumstances. I was not in control of my own actions and as a result harmed you in ways I never intended, behavior I am truly ashamed of. While this was not of my own volition, I realize the admittedly intimate knowledge that I'm capable of these acts in some capacity could be startling and damaging to trust.
I would like to rebuild that trust at any pace you choose, if you will allow me, as I greatly value our friendship and would like it to continue.
Sincerely,
Takahashi Akira
[ Maruki hasn't gone out of his way to talk to Akira since The Incident, but it hasn't exactly kept him up at night, either. Perhaps if it were the first instance of grievous bodily harm he's suffered in this reality, perhaps if it were the first time he looked death in the eye, it would bother him more.
Instead, the only reason it sits heavy in his healed-over gut is because it was entirely unlike every fight he's had with Akechi that's gone too far, yet not similar to his furious battle against Akutagawa, either. Akira was clearly in the throes of having his cognition manipulated, and even after dealing with more doppelgangers and people with compromised minds that month, he's not sure what to make of that. How much of that was the true nature of his colleague-turning-friend, and how much was a product of the influence of this reality?
The easiest thing to do, he figures, is let Akira come to him. Especially if his memories were affected the way Kazuya's were.
And so: He crouches outside the door, reading the letter again and again, as if he can't quite parse the words.
He's never been given an apology like this. He never expected it, really.
Maybe that says more about his own mental state than it does anything about Akira's character.
He brings the basket inside, a smile tugging up one corner of his lips when he notices the little decorative squids, and then heads out to their shared balcony.
A quick rap of his knuckles on Akira's glass door, hopefully to catch his attention if he's nearby, but then a text sent as well just in case he isn't: ]
Thank you for the gift, even though it was unnecessary.
If you're home, will you come out to the balcony? We can have a smoke and a chat.
Instead, the only reason it sits heavy in his healed-over gut is because it was entirely unlike every fight he's had with Akechi that's gone too far, yet not similar to his furious battle against Akutagawa, either. Akira was clearly in the throes of having his cognition manipulated, and even after dealing with more doppelgangers and people with compromised minds that month, he's not sure what to make of that. How much of that was the true nature of his colleague-turning-friend, and how much was a product of the influence of this reality?
The easiest thing to do, he figures, is let Akira come to him. Especially if his memories were affected the way Kazuya's were.
And so: He crouches outside the door, reading the letter again and again, as if he can't quite parse the words.
He's never been given an apology like this. He never expected it, really.
Maybe that says more about his own mental state than it does anything about Akira's character.
He brings the basket inside, a smile tugging up one corner of his lips when he notices the little decorative squids, and then heads out to their shared balcony.
A quick rap of his knuckles on Akira's glass door, hopefully to catch his attention if he's nearby, but then a text sent as well just in case he isn't: ]
Thank you for the gift, even though it was unnecessary.
If you're home, will you come out to the balcony? We can have a smoke and a chat.
not for much longer.... but booket for my sweety first.....
placation
- 2025-06-15 08:47 (UTC) - Expandhey you're insane for this just fyi <3 haruaki inside eating crackers none the wiser
placation
- 2025-06-22 06:50 (UTC) - ExpandHiya Doc!
Me and Del are opening our new diner this Tuesday. We're calling it Lumturo, a lighthouse in a sea of cares! Come over for some good food, a good view, and if you're feeling brave, the stage will be open for anyone to have a crack at performing.
I'll reserve a table for you if you want to come, so tell all your mates too!
[Attached is more information and directions! It's located overlooking Stellari's airship docks.]
Me and Del are opening our new diner this Tuesday. We're calling it Lumturo, a lighthouse in a sea of cares! Come over for some good food, a good view, and if you're feeling brave, the stage will be open for anyone to have a crack at performing.
I'll reserve a table for you if you want to come, so tell all your mates too!
[Attached is more information and directions! It's located overlooking Stellari's airship docks.]
Please accept my apologies for disturbing you so late, Dr. Maruki.
Do you host virtual appointments?
Do you host virtual appointments?
[ Well, this is surprising.
Not because Maruki's not used to being contacted at this hour. No, this is actually fairly standard. But by Haru? ]
No need to apologize, Okumura-san. I'm still awake. Although I'm curious why you are!
[ WHAT THE HARU DOIN. ]
Virtual appointments aren't really my thing, but we can just talk as friends if something's on your mind. What's up?
Not because Maruki's not used to being contacted at this hour. No, this is actually fairly standard. But by Haru? ]
No need to apologize, Okumura-san. I'm still awake. Although I'm curious why you are!
[ WHAT THE HARU DOIN. ]
Virtual appointments aren't really my thing, but we can just talk as friends if something's on your mind. What's up?
[He goes to the windmill. There's nowhere else to go. If the machiya door opens and it's anyone other than Maruki, he thinks he'll kill them. If he stays on the farm, he'll only keep searching, pitifully climbing into the hayloft with another shout building i his throat.
[He can scream all he wants. Kanoa is gone.
[He goes to the windmill. He has no reason to think Maruki will be there. He didn't call him and ask him to meet.
[He goes to the windmill, slams the door behind him and looks around. There's no reason he'd be here.
[But Maruki is here, right there on the ground floor, his bag still slung over his shoulder. He must have stepped in only moments before.
[Eren has no grip. He loses every trace of what to say, how to ask for help, help, help. His eyes are panicked, already filling with tears at the mere sight of Maruki's face. Stumbling forward, he grips the man by both arms, squeezing too tight.]
Ta...[He can't speak. His lungs are compressing. His knees start to give.]
He...he's gone...
[He can scream all he wants. Kanoa is gone.
[He goes to the windmill. He has no reason to think Maruki will be there. He didn't call him and ask him to meet.
[He goes to the windmill, slams the door behind him and looks around. There's no reason he'd be here.
[But Maruki is here, right there on the ground floor, his bag still slung over his shoulder. He must have stepped in only moments before.
[Eren has no grip. He loses every trace of what to say, how to ask for help, help, help. His eyes are panicked, already filling with tears at the mere sight of Maruki's face. Stumbling forward, he grips the man by both arms, squeezing too tight.]
Ta...[He can't speak. His lungs are compressing. His knees start to give.]
He...he's gone...
[ Maruki barely has time to take in the wretched expression on Eren's face before the man's launching himself at him, unsteady and mired in something worse than sorrow–
No, Maruki knows that look. He knows that tone of voice.
It's only grief, pure and true.
He doesn't get a chance to drop his bag, and it slides awkwardly down his arm as he reaches out to steady Eren with both hands firm against his sides. Panic rises up in his own voice before he can tamp it down; there are precious few people he can think of who would draw this severe a reaction out of Eren. ]
Who? Eren. Breathe. Who's gone?
No, Maruki knows that look. He knows that tone of voice.
It's only grief, pure and true.
He doesn't get a chance to drop his bag, and it slides awkwardly down his arm as he reaches out to steady Eren with both hands firm against his sides. Panic rises up in his own voice before he can tamp it down; there are precious few people he can think of who would draw this severe a reaction out of Eren. ]
Who? Eren. Breathe. Who's gone?
[ Someone is still sorting through hazy memories, trying to figure out what's real and what is clearly imagined, and that's why, importantly, he messages Maruki. Someone who told him something that was important. ]
I think Akechi shot me.
Twice.
Does he seem like someone who would do that?
[ It's a hazy, fuzzy thing when he thinks back on it. There's no way, right? It has to be a dream, right? Because his leg would be ruined otherwise. He'd be dead otherwise.
And Maruki had told him that Akechi cared about him. It hadn't seemed like he was lying.]
I think Akechi shot me.
Twice.
Does he seem like someone who would do that?
[ It's a hazy, fuzzy thing when he thinks back on it. There's no way, right? It has to be a dream, right? Because his leg would be ruined otherwise. He'd be dead otherwise.
And Maruki had told him that Akechi cared about him. It hadn't seemed like he was lying.]
[After a goddamn fiasco-
It takes a long time for Akechi to return back to the Machiya. A broken arm on side, a chunk of his other missing - it makes navigation more difficult than he thought and any crystal speckled terrain has to be carefully maneuvered. It doesn't help that this-
Fucking hurts.
And it's only reviewing the battle during the now treacherous journey that keeps him sane. Nothing works. Kazuya's memories are still lost. The king's body still moves. He hopes that asshole has a headache from the lead he shoved into his skull. He'll need to find another way to take him out - maybe the demons are an option. Maybe he can use Joker to negotiate more from this amnesiac sadsack.
After he gets healed, takes a break and covers his exhaustion up with a heavy comforter, that is. That's a problem for tomorrow.
The only thing standing between him and a quiet evening now is -
A door.
The front door, to be exact. Akechi's gaze stays fixed on the handle. His broken arm moves in the breeze. It's miserable. He raises his other arm to little avail. Without a battle driving him forward, even raising his hand partway is an impossible affair.
But he's nothing if not tenacious and twenty minutes of willpower later-
He's in. Dinner's cooking. He can Maruki's irritating voice.
Akechi takes his spot at the counter, tucked into a corner. ]
Heal me - I'm in no mood.
It takes a long time for Akechi to return back to the Machiya. A broken arm on side, a chunk of his other missing - it makes navigation more difficult than he thought and any crystal speckled terrain has to be carefully maneuvered. It doesn't help that this-
Fucking hurts.
And it's only reviewing the battle during the now treacherous journey that keeps him sane. Nothing works. Kazuya's memories are still lost. The king's body still moves. He hopes that asshole has a headache from the lead he shoved into his skull. He'll need to find another way to take him out - maybe the demons are an option. Maybe he can use Joker to negotiate more from this amnesiac sadsack.
After he gets healed, takes a break and covers his exhaustion up with a heavy comforter, that is. That's a problem for tomorrow.
The only thing standing between him and a quiet evening now is -
A door.
The front door, to be exact. Akechi's gaze stays fixed on the handle. His broken arm moves in the breeze. It's miserable. He raises his other arm to little avail. Without a battle driving him forward, even raising his hand partway is an impossible affair.
But he's nothing if not tenacious and twenty minutes of willpower later-
He's in. Dinner's cooking. He can Maruki's irritating voice.
Akechi takes his spot at the counter, tucked into a corner. ]
Heal me - I'm in no mood.
Edited (I REMEMBERED MY VISIONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN OHHHHH) 2025-06-14 00:52 (UTC)
[ Comings and goings are so common in the machiya, especially between the two of them. Maruki knows the specific sound of Akechi walking through the front door, toeing his shoes off in the entryway, that he doesn't need to look up from where he's tending to a pot of broth to call out their customary welcome home. His back is to the bar, a soft tune whistling through his teeth as he stirs, tastes, plucks a few more sprigs of herbs to throw in, takes another spoonful to turn and offer it to– ]
Akechi!
[ Well, it was a nice though. The wooden spoon clatters to the ground, that bit of hot broth splashing against his pantleg on its way down. Maruki crosses the short distance of the kitchen to lean across the bar, a hand reaching out to hover over an arm bent at an angle it shouldn't be, eyes scanning quickly to take stock of the other injuries before raising to meet Akechi's. ]
What happened to you?
[ He heard the request, though, and Akechi can answer as the Tentacle of Healing does its customary work. Azathoth appears in the kitchen through a shimmer of aurora, and he barely has to put conscious thought into focusing its lifestream onto Akechi. ]
Akechi!
[ Well, it was a nice though. The wooden spoon clatters to the ground, that bit of hot broth splashing against his pantleg on its way down. Maruki crosses the short distance of the kitchen to lean across the bar, a hand reaching out to hover over an arm bent at an angle it shouldn't be, eyes scanning quickly to take stock of the other injuries before raising to meet Akechi's. ]
What happened to you?
[ He heard the request, though, and Akechi can answer as the Tentacle of Healing does its customary work. Azathoth appears in the kitchen through a shimmer of aurora, and he barely has to put conscious thought into focusing its lifestream onto Akechi. ]
[ It doesn't all click into place neatly, like one might think. Kazuya's memories come back in bits and pieces, scattered things that startle him until they don't. Until he realizes with relief that no one has to be sad anymore. That he can recall everything with crystal clarity.
Not just from back home, but from this place too.
The moment he thinks it's back, that it's all back, or at least enough pieces of it, Kazuya is on the move. There's important people he has to tell, and Maruki is one of them.
Of course, he needs to be a little bit dramatic about it. He needs to be a little bit silly, because otherwise he worries that Maruki might take the news too seriously, and he wants the reveal to be something stupider. Something mkre light-hearted.
And so, outside of Maruki's home, there is a large black cat. Obscenely large. Mid-sized dog sized large, and even taller when it rears up on its hind legs to incessantly paw and scratch at the door, meowing in loud, needy chirrups.
He knows you're in there, buddy! Answer him! ]
Not just from back home, but from this place too.
The moment he thinks it's back, that it's all back, or at least enough pieces of it, Kazuya is on the move. There's important people he has to tell, and Maruki is one of them.
Of course, he needs to be a little bit dramatic about it. He needs to be a little bit silly, because otherwise he worries that Maruki might take the news too seriously, and he wants the reveal to be something stupider. Something mkre light-hearted.
And so, outside of Maruki's home, there is a large black cat. Obscenely large. Mid-sized dog sized large, and even taller when it rears up on its hind legs to incessantly paw and scratch at the door, meowing in loud, needy chirrups.
He knows you're in there, buddy! Answer him! ]
[ Badb Catha's shrieking is the first thing to alert him to an unfamiliar presence outside, and Maruki's braced for another crystallized dreamer to attack their home–
But no. There's only the thud of large paws, the scratch of claws. When he looks out the window, he's shocked that such a huge animal could make such pitiful noises.
It's not the type of cat he's seen around Somnius before. Vash's potion transformation is similar, though, so it must be a dreamer, right...?
Slowly, Maruki opens the door, still wiping his hands on his apron from the dishes he'd been in the middle of doing. ]
Can I help you...?
But no. There's only the thud of large paws, the scratch of claws. When he looks out the window, he's shocked that such a huge animal could make such pitiful noises.
It's not the type of cat he's seen around Somnius before. Vash's potion transformation is similar, though, so it must be a dreamer, right...?
Slowly, Maruki opens the door, still wiping his hands on his apron from the dishes he'd been in the middle of doing. ]
Can I help you...?
[It's been stressful.
Not having the capacity to do anything about a bad situation because of a lack of power is miserable in its own right, to be sure, but there's a certain peace in that being your own decision. It's ... a different flavor of stress entirely to suddenly have the means to try, and for things to unfold in such a way that you bear a sense of responsibility over it. Just the weight of being a blue potion user with an edge at luring infected individuals to the crystal had been heavy enough before the incident that had forced him to take back his Persona. There's a second wish he's made just in case, a tattoo of a pill capsule marked on his throat, hidden by his jacket collar. It hasn't been necessary yet, but given what had happened with Aki when all this began ... he's had it on his mind as he's gone about trying to help with the purification efforts, has had Castor out sparingly, at best.
So the Persona isn't active at the moment that Shinjiro comes across Maruki, though the Evoker he'd mentioned the other month glints visibly at his waist, and he looks ready to reach for it at any moment.]
Doc? What're you doin' out here? It ain't safe.
Not having the capacity to do anything about a bad situation because of a lack of power is miserable in its own right, to be sure, but there's a certain peace in that being your own decision. It's ... a different flavor of stress entirely to suddenly have the means to try, and for things to unfold in such a way that you bear a sense of responsibility over it. Just the weight of being a blue potion user with an edge at luring infected individuals to the crystal had been heavy enough before the incident that had forced him to take back his Persona. There's a second wish he's made just in case, a tattoo of a pill capsule marked on his throat, hidden by his jacket collar. It hasn't been necessary yet, but given what had happened with Aki when all this began ... he's had it on his mind as he's gone about trying to help with the purification efforts, has had Castor out sparingly, at best.
So the Persona isn't active at the moment that Shinjiro comes across Maruki, though the Evoker he'd mentioned the other month glints visibly at his waist, and he looks ready to reach for it at any moment.]
Doc? What're you doin' out here? It ain't safe.
[ The voice draws Maruki's shoulders up around his ears, just briefly – he wasn't expecting to run into anyone else this far out into the woods around Somnius. Azathoth isn't out, but a shimmering aurora of deep jewel tones wavers in the air around Maruki. It always lingers for a minute or so after he dispels his persona, but since making the wish that branded itself into his nape, it sticks around for nearly an hour.
He still can't feel the collective unconscious at his fingertips, but that uptick in power has to mean something.
He turns around to spot Shinjiro, raising a hand to wave. ]
I could ask you the same thing, but I'm sure our answers are similar. You're out looking for people to help too, right?
[ Or Shinjiro is in the early stages of an infection that he can't spot as he scans him, the glint of the evoker catching a ray of light through the trees.
Well, he'll take his chances. He crosses closer to him, and step by step, it'll become clear just how many wishes Maruki has been granting lately – words and symbols are scrawled all over every inch of visible skin, down his neck and his forearms, all the way to his fingertips. ]
I haven't seen any this way, but I'd welcome the company to keep searching.
He still can't feel the collective unconscious at his fingertips, but that uptick in power has to mean something.
He turns around to spot Shinjiro, raising a hand to wave. ]
I could ask you the same thing, but I'm sure our answers are similar. You're out looking for people to help too, right?
[ Or Shinjiro is in the early stages of an infection that he can't spot as he scans him, the glint of the evoker catching a ray of light through the trees.
Well, he'll take his chances. He crosses closer to him, and step by step, it'll become clear just how many wishes Maruki has been granting lately – words and symbols are scrawled all over every inch of visible skin, down his neck and his forearms, all the way to his fingertips. ]
I haven't seen any this way, but I'd welcome the company to keep searching.
lmk if u wanna zoom thru the fighty bits since sleepr is here c:
petsthedog
- 2025-07-19 23:22 (UTC) - Expand( action ) @ maruki & akechi (it's bath time, post-june event)
abandonhumanity
2025-07-05 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well. That was awkward. Three men famously known for their ability to let go and their proclivity for forgiveness, surely they can all let bygones be bygones and coexist peacefully despite the betrayal.
[Maruki suggested a bath. Eren sits in one corner of the soaking tub, down to his traitorous biceps. Maruki and Akechi are still in towels, arguing about something.]
[Maruki suggested a bath. Eren sits in one corner of the soaking tub, down to his traitorous biceps. Maruki and Akechi are still in towels, arguing about something.]
[ Suggesting a bath really was the only feasible course of action. And as fond as he's become of Somnius' bathhouse, they do have a perfectly serviceable tub in the machiya. Just in case things get ugly, perhaps it's better to do this in the home...
He has faith they won't, though. The warmth of the steam mellows Akechi out and seems to make Eren pull into himself. He can work with that.
However, he's also brandishing a pair of scissors, towel wrapped around his waist and other hand on his hip as he stares Akechi down. ]
Get your hair wet and sit down. It's gotten too long. I'm going to do something about it. Don't argue or this will get very embarrassing for you, very quickly.
He has faith they won't, though. The warmth of the steam mellows Akechi out and seems to make Eren pull into himself. He can work with that.
However, he's also brandishing a pair of scissors, towel wrapped around his waist and other hand on his hip as he stares Akechi down. ]
Get your hair wet and sit down. It's gotten too long. I'm going to do something about it. Don't argue or this will get very embarrassing for you, very quickly.
Hey. Maruki. I probably owe you an apology, don't I?
It's gone. So are the words on my neck.
It's the same for me.
[ Throughout the month, most of the ink that stained Maruki's skin had to do with wishes he granted for others rather than ones he made himself, but still – those few things he had disappeared. ]
Unchecked power like that could only ever have been temporary. Still, that doesn't mean it isn't disappointing...
[ Throughout the month, most of the ink that stained Maruki's skin had to do with wishes he granted for others rather than ones he made himself, but still – those few things he had disappeared. ]
Unchecked power like that could only ever have been temporary. Still, that doesn't mean it isn't disappointing...
RSVP
You are invited to Sip & Blossom's soft launch party!
Okumura Haru is celebrating the launch of her brand new cafe, located in Stellari. There will be coffee, tea, fresh food, as well as a performance, so please come join her and others for this special evening event!
The launch party will be held July 25th at 6:00PM.
Please feel free to bring a plus one!
Thank you, and Haru greatly appreciates your support.
[It used to be so rare that they actually spent an entire night together, but not so lately. Eren still prefers the windmill over the farm or the machiya, so here they are. Yellow light leaks in through the loft's only window, and Eren presses into Maruki. He's still half-sleeping, not thinking much about the way shifting in close feels, particularly between his legs. Blame the morning for his excitement, though he could blame the company just as much. It's difficult enough trying to deny his attraction to Maruki when they're both awake, let alone when he might as well still be dreaming. To that end, Eren ends up rigid against his Other's warm thigh.
[It elicits a deep breath, the barest edges of a little groan; Annoyance at being disturbed from his sleep, or satisfaction at feeling that familiar body intertwined with his own?
[It elicits a deep breath, the barest edges of a little groan; Annoyance at being disturbed from his sleep, or satisfaction at feeling that familiar body intertwined with his own?
[ Maruki sleeps better in the windmill than he does anywhere else; in the machiya, he's alert to every tiny movement and noise, unwilling to risk any harm coming to his home or anyone in it. It's not as if safety is guaranteed up in the loft of the windmill, but a sense of security pervades the space anyway. It's where he falls into deep, dreamless sleep and has to be purposefully roused awake by Eren more often than not.
Which is to say– he's none the wiser to his Other shifting against him. He clings closer in his sleep, even, huffing a sleepy sigh as he nestles against Eren's chest, tangles their legs further. ]
Which is to say– he's none the wiser to his Other shifting against him. He clings closer in his sleep, even, huffing a sleepy sigh as he nestles against Eren's chest, tangles their legs further. ]
cw: there's nsfw stuff happening in this thread just mind ur business
abandonhumanity
- 2025-07-18 04:01 (UTC) - Expand[There's a conversation that's lingered on his mind-
Since his birthday and a bath shared with a confidant. He's mulled and considered a multitude of possibilities from what feels like a thousand angles. None lead anywhere of value without a Metaverse to test in.
All he can do is- ]
Maruki.
[Talk.]
What do you make of the Metaverse, now that you've heard multiple accounts.
Since his birthday and a bath shared with a confidant. He's mulled and considered a multitude of possibilities from what feels like a thousand angles. None lead anywhere of value without a Metaverse to test in.
All he can do is- ]
Maruki.
[Talk.]
What do you make of the Metaverse, now that you've heard multiple accounts.
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