girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

[ She needs to stop underestimating the nonsense fate or whatever it is will pull to put her and Akechi into the same situation, where either of them are too proud to simply walk away in polite agreement.

Not that having to work alongside him is the worst scenario in the world. They work well enough together, as long as they have a goal to work toward that allows them to fixate on it, rather than each other.

But it's funny he seems to be fussing about the potential contact.

She's not particularly keen to have to touch him, but she knows all too well now that Akechi is more than willing to sink his hands into her hair and throw her around like a rag doll.

She sort of wishes he was a child again right now. It might have made this a touch easier. ]

Shoulder to shoulder is adequate.

[ Very professional, very polite.

She holds up the tool, looking it over curiously. ]

Alright, shall we?

[ It's not a fight. Not an ordeal. That's one benefit to working with someone who spent her whole life sacrificing comfort for the whims of others.

He always thought she would be one of the more difficult thieves to work with given their background. It's notable that she isn't.

They kneel in near tandem to begin, Akechi matching her level by squatting and shrimping up to ensure their shoulders touch. It's an unfortunate consequence their arms also press together.

It's too difficult to work with his left hand, so he tosses the tool to the other. Moves to whap the brick? Rock? Whatever the hell is this and-

It doesn't work.

The material is supposed to bind and fit into place. That's what their pseudo-supervisor had said. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

Wonderful.]

I assume there's some trick to this. One they've neglected to relay. Any ideas?

[ A strange feeling it is for Akechi to sit so close to her, especially as their shoulders rub against one another. It brings back memories of Niijima Sae's Palace, with them all traipsing through the dark rooms and squished in vents together.

Akechi had been more than happy to work alongside them, showcasing his prowess, unaware he had been making them all the more suspicious about his behaviour.

She wonders how much he detested every second of it.

The sprint down memory lane doesn't last anyway— she notes something interesting; Akechi had been using his left hand. Has he always been left handed? She swears she's seen him use his right hand. ]

Hm?

[ Haru blinks and snaps out of her stupor, staring at the brick that lays there. Wait, that shouldn't have happened. ]

That's odd. I wonder why it won't work. [ She whacks the brick with the tool in her own left hand, but it does nothing. ] Do you suppose we have to do it in unison?

Perhaps. Let's try it.

[ One, two, three and-

Neither misses their mark or timing - it's not as if they can't operate in tandem when it matters. Being petulant only keeps them in this situation longer than necessary.

It doesn't work. The rocks keep their misshapen form and Akechi can feel a gnawing, nagging pressure in his skull. A tension where their arms meet in the midst of this.

It's going to be that kind of quest. ]

The only stipulation I recall is that we must touch. Maybe our shoulders aren't enough.

[ The thought eats at him. If that's not suitable - ]

We could try locking arms and before you say anything, the thought fills me with just as much displeasure as you likely feel.

[ Haru slowly turns her head to look at him, locking eyes for a moment.

Her smile is sickeningly sweet, her own eyes twinkling back at him, like he didn't just insult her to her face as he always does. ]

I see! Shall I wring your neck?

[ That counts as a form of touching, doesn't it? ]

[ Akechi's expression is flat. Impassive as ever as he takes in what she said, her as a whole. ]

Refrain.

[ As much as he's yearning for a physical altercation, now's not the time. They have a weird little supervisor gazing at them from a distance. Akechi smiles and waves to them until they wander off.

His expression drops again, arm hooking out awkwardly for her to take it or snap it in half. He has a response ready for either. ]

Make your choice.

[ She looks at his arm, blood creeping into her face as it dawns on her there isn't much of a choice.

It really is too bad he isn't a child anymore. She thinks she would have liked holding little Goro-kun's hand.

Haru slowly extends her arm, linking it around his. The inside of their elbows meet awkwardly.

His skin is very warm. She's not sure why that surprises her.

She's half-expecting him to twist her arm in retaliation, even with the supervisor nearby. But maybe he does have appearances to keep up in this world. ]

... shall we try again?

On my mark.

[ He counts down-

And his timing is off. He hits at the wrong moment. A second too fast and his frustration shows with an exhale.

It's a distraction to have her this close, in such an intimate way. It was his idea. He can't fault her for it, but the way his elbow and arm rub against hers - they may as well be holding hands. ]

Again - try to time it better.

[ As if it wasn't his fault for screwing up in the first place. The second time-

It doesn't matter if they work in tandem or not. The bricks don't fall into shape. One cracks under the force of Akechi's hit. ]

This is ridiculous.

[ Haru hits down as he dictates, striking quite accurately, but perhaps unsurprisingly for a girl whose melee weapon of choice is an axe.

She lets him take lead again and again, until it's apparent Akechi is struggling with this.

Their skin rubbing against one another is not helping. It doesn't feel natural, not unless they're in a scuffle. ]

Um... Akechi-kun?

[ She looks over at the other dragonkin a few of meters away, who are happily working in tandem, noticing their hands and fingers laced together. ]

I think we need to um, have our hands...

[ He follows her gaze to-

Them.

Turns to the opposite side and looks at a gelfling pair opting to go the same route.

He looks at their hooked arms, his gloved hands and untangles them, for a moment.

...

Of course they would have to hold hands. This world never ceases to disappoint him. ]

I see. Then let's get on with this worthless effort. Pick whatever side is more comfortable for you and take my hand when you're ready.

I wouldn't call it worthless. Besides, these quests are on a volunteer basis.

[ He's come out here for a reason, whatever it may be.

Haru doesn't budge from her spot, shaking her head. ]

This side works best, doesn't it? You're left-handed.

[ Isn't he? Wouldn't he prefer to use his dominant hand? Given her ambidexterity, she's content to keep working in her spot.

She looks at his gloved hand, putting her own hand out and waits for him quietly. ]

I'm taught myself to use both effectively. It's irrelevant to me what you pick.

[ Did she notice? Interesting. Not surprise. She's far more perceptive than he initially gave her credit for. A lesson he'll remember when he returns back to their world.

He's tempted to make her follow through and take his hand. For a moment, he doesn't budge from his spot.

But petulance doesn't help. They can't fulfil their task. There's no sense in dragging this out.

So he threads his fingers through hers - awkward and rough.

Thunder starts to roll above them. He ignores it for now. ]

Alright - on my mark again. One, two, three.

[ They're not gentle or soft, which is to be expected, but Haru is still somewhat surprised. She shouldn't be, not when she's all too aware of what these hands are capable of doing.

Her nails inadvertently dig into his hands, light at first, then release any and all tension.

She shifts her focus on the stone before them, vaguely aware of the thunder above them. She hopes it doesn't rain. ]

Three!

[ They strike in unison, clean and precise, and the stone melts into place. ]

It worked! How wonderful!

[ IS IT WONDERFUL? Well.

It keeps them from doing this forever. Akechi tightens his grip on her hand. ]

Let's keep going then. We should be able to make quick work of the task now.

[ And quick work it is, Haru able to brush past the awkward way Akechi grips her hand and focus on hammering down on the stone that melts perfectly into its spot.

She might be enjoying it bit too much. ]

This is quite fun actually! Like a good stress reliever. Maybe I should pick up chopping wood again.

[ Girl what.

Somehow he didn't expect that to come out of her mouth.

Well, she does wield an axe in the Metaverse. That didn't come out of the metaphorical blue.

Whatever. He ignores the fingers uncomfortably threaded through his own and the pinpricks of ice cold water hitting the back of his neck. ]

It would make you useful in a place like this. I'm sure they would benefit more from a lumberjack than a tea brewer.

Considering the locals are always requesting our assistance, they probably would.

[ She surveys their completed work so far, a sense of pride swelling in her chest to have helped repair the stones, even it's required an odd method to carry out.

She feels the barest hint of cold water hit her forehead and she reaches with her free hand to gently dab it dry. ]

We should probably finish up the rest quickly.

[ Her curls were refreshed earlier today and she doesn't want the rain mussing her hair. ]

Then let's move.

[ It irritates him she takes that comment in stride, but-

She's right and his grip on her hand tightens to keep them together. Out of malice, in a way. He doesn't want her to break free for a moment and ruin their stride. It would look pathetic if they failed now and came out of this mess soaked to the bone, with nothing to show. ]

On three again, yes?

[ His grasp on her hand tightens and Haru looks up at him, brow arched at first, before she turns to look at the remaining repairs.

The rain slowly begins to beat down on them and her shoulders pinch forward at the sharp cold, but she doesn't let go of his hand in that moment. They continue their work until everything is perfectly carved into place and when their hands finally unlink, it's a strange moment, releasing the warmth of their hands into the uncomfortable cold. ]

𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

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we can wrap..... this was hideous. thank u.

wrapped 💝