From start to finish, Rin was barely aware of his own actions, feeling more like an onlooker than anything else. He was conscious and sentient, that much he knew, but as far as he was concerned, he had never done this before, never practiced or rehearsed... It all came naturally like speaking an language or riding a bike. This was something he needed to do, his own emotions and feelings be damned, but, at the very least, he still held onto a bit of control. He could stop this at any time. If he so much as spotted a twinge of fear or hesitation in Sousuke's eyes, he could retract and bring everything back to his hands. But to his surprise, there was never a moment he needed to reel himself in. There was never a moment Sousuke fought back, resisted or refused.
You're too accepting of this, he wanted to say... but really, maybe this just showed how strong his best friend truly was. That's it. That's it, Sousuke. That true power... Show it to me!
And with that flash of light rocketing high into the air, a stronger gust of energy burst past them and into the grove. He knew it could have easily barrelled them over if they gave it the chance, but this was far from normal and they held their ground, unaffected and quiet while the bright light branded Sousuke's body. It wouldn't hurt, he knew that, but Rin was still human beneath all this and winced anyway once the light connected and dispersed with a single drip.
From there it was all too fast, too strong, like a passing storm on an ocean shore, and once Rin lowered his arm to his side the environment spiraled and followed, every last bit of light and darkness absorbing back towards him along with faint echoes of that name. He should have been afraid. Both of them should have been afraid. But this was how it was now, what they needed to grow accustomed to and include in their new lives. If they were going to start over, if Rin was going to help Sousuke return... then what was there to fear?
And as soon as legs touched the darkened ground beneath, the colors all peeled away and left the peaceful, beautiful pathway just as it was. Petals fluttered above and below and the faint call of a dove could be heard in the distance. The sound of running water, rustle of branches and leaves, a gentle bell chiming in the breeze--
Oy! Wait for me... Rin!
Yes. He could still see everything stretching before him like an endless ocean. He could still taste the water and hear every vein constricting in his body. But as soon as he reached over and his fingers rested atop Sousuke's head, the thoughts cleared until all that was left was a bright and brilliant sea. As a child, he could always gaze across this very sight and think of who stood at the other side. My friends, Haru--
--you.
"... Don't look at me that way," he said gently, not having to look down to know exactly what face Sousuke gave him. "I didn't think it at first... but--" Finally, shifting from where he stood and keeping his hand between Sousuke's ears, Rin lowered himself onto one knee so he could come face to face with this new form. Teal eyes... Both palms rested on either side of his face. So. This is how it works. ... And with a tiny scoff Rin shut his eyes and leaned forward until he could lightly bump his forehead to Sousuke's own, the gesture instantly warming the surrounding air and pulling with it more petals to dance between them.
no subject
You're too accepting of this, he wanted to say... but really, maybe this just showed how strong his best friend truly was. That's it. That's it, Sousuke. That true power... Show it to me!
And with that flash of light rocketing high into the air, a stronger gust of energy burst past them and into the grove. He knew it could have easily barrelled them over if they gave it the chance, but this was far from normal and they held their ground, unaffected and quiet while the bright light branded Sousuke's body. It wouldn't hurt, he knew that, but Rin was still human beneath all this and winced anyway once the light connected and dispersed with a single drip.
From there it was all too fast, too strong, like a passing storm on an ocean shore, and once Rin lowered his arm to his side the environment spiraled and followed, every last bit of light and darkness absorbing back towards him along with faint echoes of that name. He should have been afraid. Both of them should have been afraid. But this was how it was now, what they needed to grow accustomed to and include in their new lives. If they were going to start over, if Rin was going to help Sousuke return... then what was there to fear?
And as soon as legs touched the darkened ground beneath, the colors all peeled away and left the peaceful, beautiful pathway just as it was. Petals fluttered above and below and the faint call of a dove could be heard in the distance. The sound of running water, rustle of branches and leaves, a gentle bell chiming in the breeze--
Oy! Wait for me... Rin!
Yes. He could still see everything stretching before him like an endless ocean. He could still taste the water and hear every vein constricting in his body. But as soon as he reached over and his fingers rested atop Sousuke's head, the thoughts cleared until all that was left was a bright and brilliant sea. As a child, he could always gaze across this very sight and think of who stood at the other side. My friends, Haru--
--you.
"... Don't look at me that way," he said gently, not having to look down to know exactly what face Sousuke gave him. "I didn't think it at first... but--" Finally, shifting from where he stood and keeping his hand between Sousuke's ears, Rin lowered himself onto one knee so he could come face to face with this new form. Teal eyes... Both palms rested on either side of his face. So. This is how it works. ... And with a tiny scoff Rin shut his eyes and leaned forward until he could lightly bump his forehead to Sousuke's own, the gesture instantly warming the surrounding air and pulling with it more petals to dance between them.
"--It suits you."