Riku puts his hand over Tenn's. He wants, more than anything, to collapse onto him. To hug him tight, but he holds back. Still, he feels more of those tears coming on, and he bows his head. Already, he feels wrung out, drained, exhausted in a way he's never felt. It's bone-deep and painful, losing someone so completely.
[ He shifts a little and takes Riku's hand in both of his. The last time he said this to him was when Riku was furious with him -- this time, it'll be different. Maybe they'll finally, finally listen to each other. ]
We've been together since we were kids. I meant it when I said not a day went by where I didn't think of you at least once.
[ His hands tighten around Riku's, and he does his best to try and stop his palms from shaking, too. ]
I won't let anything happen to you. So...please...
[ His head is still bowed, even when Tenn says his name. But he listens to what his brother says. He can't forget how angry he'd been with Tenn, before... but...
I won't let anything happen to you.
He looks at him.
For so long, Riku's felt like they've been standing at opposite sides of a vast, unending canyon. Ever since becoming an idol, he's tried to bridge that. Tenn's right, after all; they've been together, ever since the beginning. The distance between them had been unbearably painful.
He meets Tenn's eyes, and that pain in Tenn's voice... it cuts deep. He swallows hard, and his eyes sting again. And Riku--
He closes that distance, and he hugs Tenn tight. ]
I'll protect Tenn-nii, too. [ He hides his face against Tenn's shoulder. ] I refuse to leave here without you. I refuse to look those people who love you in the eye and tell them I couldn't bring you with me. So let me protect you, too.
[ He lifts his head and looks at Tenn, ever stubborn. Ever steadfast. ]
[ He's not surprised when Riku draws him in for an embrace. Tenn doesn't return it at first -- again, that smaller part of him is telling him to push Riku away, to not get too close -- but the thought that he might lose Riku any day at any moment is enough to move him forward. He returns the hug and ducks his head so his forehead is touching Riku's shoulder.
He doesn't want to listen to any of this. He doesn't want to hear Riku's resolve to protect him -- his brother shouldn't risk his life for his sake. Tenn is older and wiser. This is his situation to manage, not Riku's. Riku should have never been brought here to begin with.
Even so, he can't help it. Riku's words sting, and he chokes out a quiet sob. His fingers curl into the fabric of his brother's shirt; he feels like he should hold onto him as tightly as he can.
He hates that it took this to get them here. Riku hates that Tenn's here, too, with him, even if being here alone would make him unbearably lonely.
But if he lost Tenn-- nothing is worth that. Not even this. Especially not this. But Riku can't turn back time; he can't change what Hamelin's done. That thought makes him so angry, but all he does is hold Tenn closer. Like Tenn'll slip out of his grasp if he lets go for a moment.
His heart breaks when he hears that sob, too. When was the last time he heard that...? All it does is solidify his resolve.
He won't let anything happen to his brother. Not if he can help it. ]
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no subject
Riku puts his hand over Tenn's. He wants, more than anything, to collapse onto him. To hug him tight, but he holds back. Still, he feels more of those tears coming on, and he bows his head. Already, he feels wrung out, drained, exhausted in a way he's never felt. It's bone-deep and painful, losing someone so completely.
Under Tenn's hand, his shoulders shake. ]
1/2
[ He shifts a little and takes Riku's hand in both of his. The last time he said this to him was when Riku was furious with him -- this time, it'll be different. Maybe they'll finally, finally listen to each other. ]
We've been together since we were kids. I meant it when I said not a day went by where I didn't think of you at least once.
[ His hands tighten around Riku's, and he does his best to try and stop his palms from shaking, too. ]
I won't let anything happen to you. So...please...
no subject
[ His voice is shaky, and his tone is almost pleading. ]
You have a family waiting for you back at home.
[ Their parents. IDOLiSH7. ]
I'll protect you. There's so much you have to live for, Riku.
no subject
I won't let anything happen to you.
He looks at him.
For so long, Riku's felt like they've been standing at opposite sides of a vast, unending canyon. Ever since becoming an idol, he's tried to bridge that. Tenn's right, after all; they've been together, ever since the beginning. The distance between them had been unbearably painful.
He meets Tenn's eyes, and that pain in Tenn's voice... it cuts deep. He swallows hard, and his eyes sting again. And Riku--
He closes that distance, and he hugs Tenn tight. ]
I'll protect Tenn-nii, too. [ He hides his face against Tenn's shoulder. ] I refuse to leave here without you. I refuse to look those people who love you in the eye and tell them I couldn't bring you with me. So let me protect you, too.
[ He lifts his head and looks at Tenn, ever stubborn. Ever steadfast. ]
Let me watch over you for once.
no subject
He doesn't want to listen to any of this. He doesn't want to hear Riku's resolve to protect him -- his brother shouldn't risk his life for his sake. Tenn is older and wiser. This is his situation to manage, not Riku's. Riku should have never been brought here to begin with.
Even so, he can't help it. Riku's words sting, and he chokes out a quiet sob. His fingers curl into the fabric of his brother's shirt; he feels like he should hold onto him as tightly as he can.
Before it's too late. ]
no subject
He hates that it took this to get them here. Riku hates that Tenn's here, too, with him, even if being here alone would make him unbearably lonely.
But if he lost Tenn-- nothing is worth that. Not even this. Especially not this. But Riku can't turn back time; he can't change what Hamelin's done. That thought makes him so angry, but all he does is hold Tenn closer. Like Tenn'll slip out of his grasp if he lets go for a moment.
His heart breaks when he hears that sob, too. When was the last time he heard that...? All it does is solidify his resolve.
He won't let anything happen to his brother. Not if he can help it. ]