[ That turn and stare is still the most terrifying part about this, somehow. Eichi forces himself to stare silently, firmly, without any shock as Reaper speaks and then removes his mask. He ignores the sting of feeling useless, of being worthless, and waits to see. When he does see, his stomach sinks and twists, but he's determined not to react in his expression.
His only reaction is a brief furrowing of his eyebrows as he realizes something. That face isn't just some monster, it's damaged, falling apart, needing healing. He curls his fingers into his own palm. ]
And if I think I can help you, won't you let me try? [ Determined, he doesn't stop there, lifting both of his hands but hovering before they reach him, waiting for permission. ]
I don't know if you saw, but I was given the ability to heal. Let me try to do something, at the very least.
[It's not the same look people usually give him when he reveals his face. He's not sure if it's more of a comfort that the other doesn't react one way or the other, but he does relax minutely where he's sitting.
He reaches forward to let his mask down onto a side-table or something that's closest to him, a hand reaching up to drag through the curled locks of hair that fall out from under his hood, now.]
I've had countless doctors and scientists try to fix me. And the leaves from that tree back on the Eluvio only hid the rotted features for a while.
[He avoids looking at Eichi with those glowing eyes.]
If you want to try, you can go ahead. I think you're just wasting your energy.
If I don't try, then I really will be nothing more than someone speaking soft words with no backup. You've helped me in the past, so as friends, shouldn't I do the same at every chance I can?
[ Otherwise, he'll just feel useless. Reaper's words will get to him in a way he doesn't like. Stubbornly, and with determination, he faces him directly on the couch. ] I have to use my hands, so bear with me for just a moment.
[ He cups Reaper's face, and immediately his hands start to go cold. Eichi has closed his eyes to focus, but he's giving it his all, meaning all of those rotted parts of his friend's face will begin to heal steadily. ]
[He wants to argue, he wants to argue that the other didn't need to help him, or even worry about the thought of it. Part of him doesn't want help, so much so that he's solidly settled himself in the idea that he didn't need it.
But it's a sharp reminder of nights of waking up with the splitting, aching pain that traveled along his joints, reminding him of his walking curse of a body as his muscles tensed and pulled themselves apart--
It's the only thing that keeps his jaw gritted tightly shut as the others' too warm hands cup his too cold face.]
[It's an alien, jarring sensation at first--like something foreign was forcing itself just under the surface of unhealthy skin. And he's not sure if he'd call the sensation of muscle and sinew knitting together in some fucked up reversal unpleasant, but it's certainly uncomfortable.
His teeth grit and his head tips down the longer Eichi keeps at it, the plumes of smoke escaping him becoming more pronounced as the other almost seems to force the damage out of the visible part of his face.
Needless to say, once the other pulls away, he certainly doesn't look as perfect as he had the day they'd met as Eichi and Gabriel, what with how his eyes still have that unearthly glow, but...
The idol's magic seems to have certainly done the trick in fixing what visible damage there had been, save for old and ever-present scars that would take much more time and effort to rid the old soldier of.
Needless to say, the old Reaper doesn't much know what to say except but to stare at the other in shock.]
[Eichi can't very well focus on watching when he's putting this much energy into fixing it. It's strange; this is taking far more energy than anything else he's done. Even Gladio's slit throat had been easier than this. A single, clean cut versus all that Reaper has been through. By the time he's finished, there's no more warmth left in his fingertips. They're icy, and he can't push forward any more effort to the scars or parts that are left. This is the extent that he can help.
But it's something. It's something significant, actually, and as Eichi drops his hands away, he gives Reaper a tired little smile at that shocked look.]
So I could do something like that, after all...
[His tired voice is the first hint that his healing isn't some simple trick that doesn't cost him effort. But as soon as the last word trails off, his eyelids are too heavy and fall shut, and his body slumps forward and to the side, unconscious for the moment.]
[Because exactly what he needs upon feeling his face stitch up and fix itself was for the kid to pass out next to him. A hand moves to cover the front of his own mouth, his eyes closing--
The usually ever-present, always buzzing pain that lights his nerves on fire and pushes him to his usual irritation is gone, and it's the most jarring moment of his un-life. Which is why he just... sort of freezes and stares at Eichi when he pitches over on the couch.
That is, until he sort of snaps out of it, rising into a stand with a rush. Hauling off a clawed glove, he'll check for a pulse before putting the idiot of an idol into a basic recovery position.
If the kid doesn't wake up or show signs of being alright within the next ten minutes, well... Going against his previous comment of 'letting him die' from overexerting his weak heart--he'll be calling the hospital.]
[It takes a little bit for Eichi to come to, but he does eventually stir, blinking at the ceiling from the couch where he's lying. He knows better than to try and sit up immediately, but spotting Reaper in his peripheral gets him to turn his head.
He doesn't look very good at all, but he's conscious now!]
Did I fall unconscious just now? [Of all the things to say upon waking up, he chooses that.] I'm sorry about that, Reyes-san. But have you had a chance to look in a mirror?
...Unless you want to call what just happened a narcoleptic spell.
[To put it simply: you look like shit.
His eyes flicker a little in their still dark sockets when Eichi speaks. An unseen flicker of relief will let him lift his head--just a little--but then he absolutely scoffs at the others' question.]
It seems this pathetic body of mine still can't handle much of this healing. I've been doing my best to practice, but even then, I'm cut off before I can truly press myself to improve...
[It's unfair. Now, he shifts, trying to push himself to sit up with a shaky hand.] I want Reyes-san to see the result of my hard work, you know? A handsome face like yours doesn't deserve to be buried with those injuries. Now, it's more like you're hardened, you know?
[For someone who looks like he'd fall over if someone breathed too hard in his direction, he sure does talk a lot.]
You do something fucking crazy like that, and then come back and say 'you can't handle it?' I don't get the way your head works sometimes, kid.
[It's a gruff, rude response--it hides the fact that he's settling with the fact that the other didn't fucking kill himself over something like that.
He's looking down at his hands when Eichi brings up 'seeing the result' of his work, and he turns his hands over, as if to accentuate a point.]
Don't need to run to go grab a mirror when I can see the results here. [Because the others' healing didn't just affect his face--his hands, normally hidden by gloves due to the deteriorating skin and burning knuckles were... painfully normal looking. Save from looking paler than a normal person should, and still cold to the touch--the chunks of flesh and bits of bone that were missing or poking out were completely non-existent.]
I'll go grab a look once I make sure your heart isn't going to explode between now and the moment I walk off to find a mirror in this place.
Fufu, so you do have a kind heart, Reyes-san. That sort of thing is unmistakable, you know? No matter your methods or your opinions, your heart shines through in everything, an obnoxious light in attempted darkness that guides everyone closer. You can't blame me for being drawn in.
[His eyes have drifted closed again, for the moment, but he's smiling a little, so it's clear he's still conscious. Just very, very exhausted.]
Though I can never be as impressive as you, I still think we're alike in this way. It's why we get along, isn't it?
You keep talking about me like that and I'll leave your ass on this couch for your roommates to find.
[Because nothing irritates him more than others putting a label of 'kindness' on him. He does things that aren't always inherently evil for his own reasons thanks--he's not too soon to let people forget he's a murderer and a terrorist. Even someone who's a civilian like Eichi.]
You start getting soft on people like me and people will start questioning your own moral ambiguity, you know. [A soft snort as he looks the other over, unsurprised fully that the guy looks like he's going to fall asleep where he's sitting.]
You may say that, but my morals don't generally come into question, even with all that I've done. I get the feeling that even you look at me and think that I must be some type of innocent bystander in everything, since I don't actually pick up a gun and use it. However, I've always been the type of person who would kill anyone if it meant getting my way that I believe is right.
[Still talking about idol activities, and yet he's so serious.] I'd like to retaliate myself, you know. That "Dodger" is the type of person I really hate, who blatantly relies on others to get his information without offering anything of worth in exchange. Someone who would kick someone while they're coughing on the ground... It's a different sort of cruelty, isn't it?
But I'm at a loss. Reputation doesn't seem to be something that matters to him. The most I could do is try to cut him off from you as much as possible and feel satisfied in that, but any responsibility tied to me would send me straight to my grave, don't you think?
[So, it's becoming increasingly clear that Eichi is low on oxygen or something from how he keeps tiredly babbling, but it's also just... his way of opening up. He's not sure if Reaper will understand that just like he doesn't like being called kind, Eichi doesn't like being called soft or implied as anything close to what he believes he isn't... But no one has really been able to understand his way of speaking since Keito. Tsumugi follows along, of course, but he's just trying to please. It's not the same at all.]
You don't need to be sent to an early grave. Your time is already painfully close, it'd be a fucking waste for you to tip over the edge into hell before what little time is already up.
[Because Reaper really can't let go of the fact that Eichi is someone who he can tell has a weak constitution--he'll use it as an excuse, for now as to why he sees no point in the idol dying from Dodger and his bullshit reasons for attacking the kid.]
So don't do anything that'll get you into any more trouble. Last thing I need is to find Dodger standing over your corpse, because I really don't feel like getting my clothes dirty with whatever the hell is swirling around in his blood.
[Subtle, Reaper.]
Stop chattering, you're going to make yourself pass out.
It makes me happy to hear you worry over me like that, Reyes-san.
[ He definitely is feeling that that last line may not be far off, though. He sighs, trying to curl his fingers into his own palms and only barely managing. Did he really use that much energy? It went so fast, so easily... ]
Despite everything, I've found meaning for this life of mine, as ephemeral as it may be. I don't want to die. So... despite the fact that I hate hospitals, I may need you to take me to one anyway. This is particularly bad.
[Kid, you're going to be the death of him. And the death of yourself. His hand moves up to drag down his face with some measure of irritation--or something very close to it--before getting up again to walk over to the couch where Eichi is sitting.]
Didn't I already tell you to stop saying shit like that.
I'm not worried.
[And yet, he's offering out that now ungloved hand out to the sickly kid, to help him up.]
You should have said this ten minutes ago instead of chattering on. Sometimes I swear your poor heart doesn't deliver enough oxygen to your brain.
[Eichi watches that hand for a quiet moment before he reaches to take it, and his grip isn't much of a grip at all. His fingers are still ice cold.]
Even if you're not worried, you know, this is a hand I was scolded for trying to touch once before, so I'm still a little happy.
[And not that he'll say it aloud, but he's worried. He didn't think this would drain him this much, but now as he tries to focus his weight onto his feet, his legs wobble, and he's forced to lean heavily against Reaper to even stay standing at all. He's honestly trying to death grip this hand here, but his fingers don't have the strength.]
I thought this would pass quickly, you know? So I thought I would appreciate this moment. [But it's not passing, and he's worrying, and he really needs to have the doctors look at him and make sure it's not going to get worse or stay like this for too long.]
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His only reaction is a brief furrowing of his eyebrows as he realizes something. That face isn't just some monster, it's damaged, falling apart, needing healing. He curls his fingers into his own palm. ]
And if I think I can help you, won't you let me try? [ Determined, he doesn't stop there, lifting both of his hands but hovering before they reach him, waiting for permission. ]
I don't know if you saw, but I was given the ability to heal. Let me try to do something, at the very least.
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He reaches forward to let his mask down onto a side-table or something that's closest to him, a hand reaching up to drag through the curled locks of hair that fall out from under his hood, now.]
I've had countless doctors and scientists try to fix me. And the leaves from that tree back on the Eluvio only hid the rotted features for a while.
[He avoids looking at Eichi with those glowing eyes.]
If you want to try, you can go ahead. I think you're just wasting your energy.
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[ Otherwise, he'll just feel useless. Reaper's words will get to him in a way he doesn't like. Stubbornly, and with determination, he faces him directly on the couch. ] I have to use my hands, so bear with me for just a moment.
[ He cups Reaper's face, and immediately his hands start to go cold. Eichi has closed his eyes to focus, but he's giving it his all, meaning all of those rotted parts of his friend's face will begin to heal steadily. ]
1/2
But it's a sharp reminder of nights of waking up with the splitting, aching pain that traveled along his joints, reminding him of his walking curse of a body as his muscles tensed and pulled themselves apart--
It's the only thing that keeps his jaw gritted tightly shut as the others' too warm hands cup his too cold face.]
2/2
His teeth grit and his head tips down the longer Eichi keeps at it, the plumes of smoke escaping him becoming more pronounced as the other almost seems to force the damage out of the visible part of his face.
Needless to say, once the other pulls away, he certainly doesn't look as perfect as he had the day they'd met as Eichi and Gabriel, what with how his eyes still have that unearthly glow, but...
The idol's magic seems to have certainly done the trick in fixing what visible damage there had been, save for old and ever-present scars that would take much more time and effort to rid the old soldier of.
Needless to say, the old Reaper doesn't much know what to say except but to stare at the other in shock.]
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But it's something. It's something significant, actually, and as Eichi drops his hands away, he gives Reaper a tired little smile at that shocked look.]
So I could do something like that, after all...
[His tired voice is the first hint that his healing isn't some simple trick that doesn't cost him effort. But as soon as the last word trails off, his eyelids are too heavy and fall shut, and his body slumps forward and to the side, unconscious for the moment.]
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The usually ever-present, always buzzing pain that lights his nerves on fire and pushes him to his usual irritation is gone, and it's the most jarring moment of his un-life. Which is why he just... sort of freezes and stares at Eichi when he pitches over on the couch.
That is, until he sort of snaps out of it, rising into a stand with a rush. Hauling off a clawed glove, he'll check for a pulse before putting the idiot of an idol into a basic recovery position.
If the kid doesn't wake up or show signs of being alright within the next ten minutes, well...
Going against his previous comment of 'letting him die' from overexerting his weak heart--he'll be calling the hospital.]
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He doesn't look very good at all, but he's conscious now!]
Did I fall unconscious just now? [Of all the things to say upon waking up, he chooses that.] I'm sorry about that, Reyes-san. But have you had a chance to look in a mirror?
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[To put it simply: you look like shit.
His eyes flicker a little in their still dark sockets when Eichi speaks. An unseen flicker of relief will let him lift his head--just a little--but then he absolutely scoffs at the others' question.]
Now's not the time to check your appearance.
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[It's unfair. Now, he shifts, trying to push himself to sit up with a shaky hand.] I want Reyes-san to see the result of my hard work, you know? A handsome face like yours doesn't deserve to be buried with those injuries. Now, it's more like you're hardened, you know?
[For someone who looks like he'd fall over if someone breathed too hard in his direction, he sure does talk a lot.]
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[It's a gruff, rude response--it hides the fact that he's settling with the fact that the other didn't fucking kill himself over something like that.
He's looking down at his hands when Eichi brings up 'seeing the result' of his work, and he turns his hands over, as if to accentuate a point.]
Don't need to run to go grab a mirror when I can see the results here. [Because the others' healing didn't just affect his face--his hands, normally hidden by gloves due to the deteriorating skin and burning knuckles were... painfully normal looking. Save from looking paler than a normal person should, and still cold to the touch--the chunks of flesh and bits of bone that were missing or poking out were completely non-existent.]
I'll go grab a look once I make sure your heart isn't going to explode between now and the moment I walk off to find a mirror in this place.
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[His eyes have drifted closed again, for the moment, but he's smiling a little, so it's clear he's still conscious. Just very, very exhausted.]
Though I can never be as impressive as you, I still think we're alike in this way. It's why we get along, isn't it?
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[Because nothing irritates him more than others putting a label of 'kindness' on him. He does things that aren't always inherently evil for his own reasons thanks--he's not too soon to let people forget he's a murderer and a terrorist. Even someone who's a civilian like Eichi.]
You start getting soft on people like me and people will start questioning your own moral ambiguity, you know. [A soft snort as he looks the other over, unsurprised fully that the guy looks like he's going to fall asleep where he's sitting.]
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[Still talking about idol activities, and yet he's so serious.] I'd like to retaliate myself, you know. That "Dodger" is the type of person I really hate, who blatantly relies on others to get his information without offering anything of worth in exchange. Someone who would kick someone while they're coughing on the ground... It's a different sort of cruelty, isn't it?
But I'm at a loss. Reputation doesn't seem to be something that matters to him. The most I could do is try to cut him off from you as much as possible and feel satisfied in that, but any responsibility tied to me would send me straight to my grave, don't you think?
[So, it's becoming increasingly clear that Eichi is low on oxygen or something from how he keeps tiredly babbling, but it's also just... his way of opening up. He's not sure if Reaper will understand that just like he doesn't like being called kind, Eichi doesn't like being called soft or implied as anything close to what he believes he isn't... But no one has really been able to understand his way of speaking since Keito. Tsumugi follows along, of course, but he's just trying to please. It's not the same at all.]
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[Because Reaper really can't let go of the fact that Eichi is someone who he can tell has a weak constitution--he'll use it as an excuse, for now as to why he sees no point in the idol dying from Dodger and his bullshit reasons for attacking the kid.]
So don't do anything that'll get you into any more trouble. Last thing I need is to find Dodger standing over your corpse, because I really don't feel like getting my clothes dirty with whatever the hell is swirling around in his blood.
[Subtle, Reaper.]
Stop chattering, you're going to make yourself pass out.
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[ He definitely is feeling that that last line may not be far off, though. He sighs, trying to curl his fingers into his own palms and only barely managing. Did he really use that much energy? It went so fast, so easily... ]
Despite everything, I've found meaning for this life of mine, as ephemeral as it may be. I don't want to die. So... despite the fact that I hate hospitals, I may need you to take me to one anyway. This is particularly bad.
[ Just casually says that... ]
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Didn't I already tell you to stop saying shit like that.
I'm not worried.
[And yet, he's offering out that now ungloved hand out to the sickly kid, to help him up.]
You should have said this ten minutes ago instead of chattering on. Sometimes I swear your poor heart doesn't deliver enough oxygen to your brain.
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Even if you're not worried, you know, this is a hand I was scolded for trying to touch once before, so I'm still a little happy.
[And not that he'll say it aloud, but he's worried. He didn't think this would drain him this much, but now as he tries to focus his weight onto his feet, his legs wobble, and he's forced to lean heavily against Reaper to even stay standing at all. He's honestly trying to death grip this hand here, but his fingers don't have the strength.]
I thought this would pass quickly, you know? So I thought I would appreciate this moment. [But it's not passing, and he's worrying, and he really needs to have the doctors look at him and make sure it's not going to get worse or stay like this for too long.]