onerous | IC Inbox

[ and suddenly from out of the blue, a text from Yuri's favorite Shinsengumi vampire. ]

do you know a cheap restaurant that does food delivery

[ what and why ]

[This is what she gets for trying to doze and go to sleep early isn't it. She stares blearily at the text and briefly considers thumping her wall in retaliation for being woken up, but decides against it in the end.]

Do you not know how to cook? Are you hungry or something?

[As far as she knew his kitchen was pretty bare...]

[ that would have started a wall-thumping battle tbh ]

do you always answer a question with more questions?

[ don't mind him, he likes to be a shithead at like 9 pm ]

I WAS going to offer to make you something if that was the case. That's why I was asking. But if you're going to be like that...

[Nevermind then, starve.]

There are a couple of places near here. And there's always the convenience store around the corner if you have to walk. But you shouldn't really eat after 7pm anyhow.

i didn't ask you to cook for me

[ that sure sounds petulant... SO THERE ]

and it doesn't matter. i'm not going to sleep after i eat so

[ it's fine. it's totally fine. ]

No, you didn't. But I'm still offering. You helped me before, so I'm repaying you.

[That's all... IT'S NOT LIKE SHE LIKES YOU OR ANYTHING, SOOJ.

She rolls over to squint at her bedside clock.]

It's late. Do you have night-work?

i don't need a reason like that to stay up

[ meaning that yuri’s suspicions that he’s an unemployed loser are right. then ]

is what you make any good? it'd be a problem if you repaid me with something inedible

Is that how it is... [So Souji is a NEET... Who knew.

Ugh it's like talking to a kid sometimes. God.

Well she's already awake now so Yuri gets up fully now (and the kick she gives her wall is totally an accident okay. Totally).]

I can cook and it's edible. Taste is up to you. What do you like? I think I can make omurice right now [why is she even doing this. she said repayment but she's already regretting this. he's probably going to be a super picky eater too.

...Did they even have omurice back in Souji's time? She's pretty sure they didn't have ketchup. Oh well. WHATEVER.]

[It's somewhere around 2 or 3 AM in the morning, and someone is frantically calling Yuri's CereVICE.]

Yuri! Yuri! A-are you there? Yuri... please answer! [He sounds very out of breath and panicked.]

[Groggily she picks up the phone with a mumbled 'hullo?' as she's woken up from a dead sleep.

But then the tone of voice catches up with her a few seconds before who she connects that it's connected to and she sits up, suddenly wide awake]

Lee-san? What's wrong?

Yuri-! [Then as he hears the voice speak, it seems like a lot of the tension and panic die down. He sounds almost... relieved? But still anxious.]

A-ah... You are there! I... I...

Are you alright, Yuri-san? [He did not even notice dropping the honorific as he made the call.]

[She's so confused as she rolls over in bed to squint at the alarm clock beside it. What time was-- What?? Why was he calling this early? Why was he even up this early?

The dropped honorific gets a vague notice when he picks it up again, but she's not bothered by it. There's too much else to focus on]

Of course I am. You were expecting something else? [Her stomach twists anxiously and she frowns, feeling like something bad has happened and the fact that she doesn't know what or how or what to do to help makes it worse.]

Lee, did something happen? [She drops the honorific herself, urgency driving her towards impoliteness but hey! He did it first!!]

[Rock Lee's cold sweat is slowly dying down as he calms down, and he immediately starts to regret this. All that he's doing is worrying her.]

N-no. [He speaks with a soft sadness and a light sigh as he grips the CereVice.] Nothing has happened. ...At least, not in reality.

[He is about to elaborate, but then he worries about what she would think and he quickly backpedals.]

This is nothing but foolishness! I am so sorry, Yuri-san...!

[Not in reality? Her first thought is ViViD, and then maybe a dream. A nightmare? Her brow furrows in concern.

She wants to point out she'll be more annoyed if he doesn't tell her, but instead closes her eyes, counts to 5, and speaks again.] Lee-san, it's alright. I'm not mad or anything, just confused. If you're reassured now, then it's fine, I don't mind the call; really, you can call any time.

[She'd rather he call and wake her up and be relieved rather than sit up all night worrying or something.]

But you at least should tell me why. Maybe I can help?

[Her patience touches him and soothes him in some way, although he still feels guilt weighing on him for the trouble he has been putting her through.]

Ah... [His utterance hangs in the air for a moment before he speaks.] Y-yes. I will tell you. I... I am very sorry.

[He takes a deep breath before he goes on.]

I had a nightmare. But... it felt so vivid, so real. [He runs a head anxiously through his sweat-soaked hair.] I... I suppose that it is because... It was much like that memory I saw. E-except that... it was even more unsettling.

[His grip on the CereVICE grows increasingly shakey, as does his voice.]

Yuri-san, I... I dreamed that you had lost yourself!!

Oh. [The second her uttered the words, 'much like the memory I saw,' her stomach had dropped with an unfortunate feeling of knowing exactly where this might be headed.

And she's horribly right, twisting the fingers of her free hand into her sheets as the guilt settles on her. She doesn't know what to say for a long moment-- she doesn't want to say, 'I don't want to die anymore, it's fine,' because she knows deep down it's not totally true. There were good days and bad days, but she was coping and holding on. There were things she had to accomplish first and promises she had made. Hold on, just a little while longer.]

Lee-- Lee-san... [She'd almost tripped up again and left the honorific off and she trails off with a soft sigh.] I'm alright, really. I'm... I'm sorry that what happened is distressing you so much.

[She's not sure what to say to reassure him] I'm not going to-- To do that. You can believe me on that. [Yuri hesitates a moment] Are you... alright? o you want to talk about it...?

[She assumes by 'more unsettling' he means she actually jumped or something]

[He has managed to get a handle on himself for the most part, but the vision is still fresh on his mind, and flashes of it come back to him.

But Yuri's voice sounds warm even without her physical presence. It helps him to feel calmer even if he still worries, and even if he feels like he's looking into a problem that he's afraid that he can never truly see the full depths of.]

I... I think that I am alright now, Yuri-san. Please, I am the one who should be sorry. I wanted to help you and carry your burdens. I should be stronger than to be affected by this...!

[He shakes his head and goes on more slowly than usual, actually sounding tired.]

I do believe you. Honestly, I do. You are so strong, Yuri. [He doesn't catch that one.] And I care so much about you! I know that you could not truly...! ...But even so, when I woke up, I was seized by that fear, a-and I had to know for myself.

...I am very sorry for disturbing your sleep.

[ Souji stares down at the text. ah, she's really going to make him something?? why does yuri even put up with souji... he should feel bad. instead, a part of him is going 'she's just humoring me' so clearly, he can complain all he wants because it's not like she'll actually come over with food, right?? ]

what's omurice?

[ PLS EDUCATE HIM ]

If you weren't affected, I'd be worried. It doesn't mean you're not strong, it means you're human. [And it means he cares, even as he says as much. It's embarrassing, but in a good sort of way. It feels good to know people care so much, even as else wishes she didn't give them reason to.

And he'd cared enough to blow up her phone at 3am to make sure everything was okay. It makes her feel warm inside and she smiles a little despite herself. Her voice softens] Thank you, Lee. For caring. [she gives up on the honorifics at this point; she'll bring it up officially a little later, but for now she focuses on the conversation at hand. ]

You can call me anytime, really. I'd rather you call and be reassured than just waste time working yourself up. I don't mind. [Trying to brighten the mood a little, she adds lightly:] I like hearing your voice.

Besides... It's nice, to know someone cares. I feel bad for giving you the reason you had that nightmare to begin with, but... [Yuri says 'but,' but she doesn't actually know where she's going with that.] Having you wake me up to check up on me doesn't bother me, really. You're sweet, Lee.

it's an omelette and rice.

[Duh!!] Eggs and rice. It's good. [Also a kid-favorite food. She putters around the kitchen sleepily; it shouldn't take her long to get it together, about 25 minutes she thinks. Teasingly she adds:] You know what eggs are, don't you? [Okay no she's joking okay]

It's a recipe adopted from the west. Curry and rice is also really good, but i don't think I can make it as well as you could get it in one of the restaurants around here.

funny.

[ haha what a good joke yuri!!! ]

i guess i can try it. as long as it's not as bland as it sounds.

[ he actually is really hungry now ugh. leave him to starve tbh. ]

How benevolent of you

[She really SHOULD just leave him to starve but. here she is... Making this dumb chicken/ketchup rice and omelette bullshit.

Not too long after her text, there'll be a knock on Souji's door. Yuri stands there, still in her pajamas, the plate in her free hand. Why is she doing this... She knocked, but her gaze is at her own door. Maybe she should just set the plate on the floor and walk away... Or maybe she should've thought to put real clothes on (not that she's really embarrassed by it-- the shorts-and-tank combo is about as tame as her normal clothes so who cares). Or at least comb her hair.

But she'd been working on autopilot and it's only after it's all said and done that she's starting to judge herself.]

["it means you're human". Lee feels tears building up in his eyes as she says that, but they're warm tears, born of that realization that she breeds in him and trickling softly down his cheeks.

Alone in a dark room, all that he can hear aside from the rhythm of his own breath is her lovely voice saying such kind things. Well, that and he almost feels like he can hear his heart pounding.

He listens to all of her words, with a sad smile building on his face... along with some hints of color at being considered to be 'sweet'.]

Your words, Yuri... They are kinder than I ever thought I deserved. [He's speaking in a much softer tone than usual. It's the voice of the heart lying under all of those layers of energy.]

I am glad that you think that way. A-and honored. [Then a light bit of joy enters his tone; he is clearly beaming as he says this.] I do enjoy hearing your voice as well!

[But the energy quickly fades again, in favor of the more tender tone.]

It... the nightmare feels so much further away, and that is thanks to you. Thank you so much for speaking to me, and- and so kindly and patiently! And please know, that any time you need someone at all, you do not need to hesitate to contact me. I want to do everything that I can to help you. I... [He's not sure what he wants to say, but some words manage to find their way out of him anyway.] ...You are precious, Yuri.

Lee... [She trails off, feeling her face turning red. What does she say here? What can she say in the face of such relentless optimism and belief in her? Ah, she really is becoming too fond of people like Lee--and Lee especially; it's A Problem. She'd worked up a wall between herself and most others, not wanting to see their emotions and thoughts, not wanting to know the ugly truth of how people thought of her. But with Lee, she doesn't even need to use that power to know that what he says and feels will be be truthful.]

Thank you. I know I can rely on you. [It doesn't seem nearly enough to say, doesn't get across the sheer depth of her gratitude.] But you don't have to thank me. I understand what that's like, and... If I can reassure you somehow, that's all I want.

Do you think you'll be able to sleep again tonight? Maybe you'll have better dreams this time around.

[Lee feels a strong sense of contentment and a smile stretches across his face despite everything. He does not dwell on his feelings in this moment or what they mean. He just knows that he cares for Yuri so much... and he feels calm.]

I believe that I will. You do not need to worry, Yuri-san. Your words... They are making me smile again. I- I believe that I will soon be able to rest peacefully.

But... Will you be able to get back to sleep, after this?

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text; 5/6!! nighttime prob

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Voice (CW: eventual mentions of suicide)

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tooo action?

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