[ He'll allow Riku to do that. There's so much he's done and wants to do to try and keep Riku safe, and knowing that Hamelin is such a threat is terrifying. Not just for Riku's sake, but for his own, too.
He doesn't know how much longer he can do this without breaking down completely.
He bites down on his lower lip, trying to fight back the tears stinging at his eyes. He doesn't know what to do, anymore. ]
Don't mess with him, Riku... Don't make the same mistakes I have.
[ Well... Tenn sure knows Riku well. Riku wants nothing more than to march up to Hamelin's office and-- and--
And what? Riku isn't a fighter. He can't even get through an encore without collapsing. What can he do, against someone like Hamelin? It stings, the knowledge that he's helpless, but...
That's not entirely true, though, is it? Even if he can't do anything against Hamelin, he can do something for Tenn. He squeezes his twin's hands, then pulls him into a tight hug.
It occurs to him that he can't remember the last time Tenn cried. ]
I won't. Promise. [ He doesn't let go, either. ] We're a team, right? The centers of TRIGGER and IDOLiSH7 will show Hamelin, in our own way.
[ Tenn's good at keeping his walls up, putting up a cold front and not letting people get too close. He's good at being tenacious and unwavering in the face of adversity.
Those adversities, however, did not include having to fight for his life or watch the people around him disappear, one by one. He's okay at putting on a strong face in front of everyone else, but when it comes to Riku, when it comes to these kinds of conversations, he finds it so hard to stay strong.
It's because he's so afraid of his biggest fear coming true. He doesn't want to lose Riku. There's so much time he feels like he has to make up for that was lost between them. So many times he pushed Riku down and away that he's starting to regret the longer he stays here. Their time together may very well be limited, as much as he tries to believe it won't be -- but reality always hits him. They're no match for some of the people here. They're easy targets.
There is only so much he can really do for Riku, in the end.
And so Kujo Tenn cries on Riku's shoulder. Riku's here, trying to lift him up, but right now he feels so small. ]
[ Riku feels Tenn's tears through his shirt, and-- and his heart breaks. Tenn's always been so strong, the one to push himself even when he's feeling less than okay. But now, Tenn is leaning on Riku. He's counting on him. He doesn't say that, but... he doesn't have to.
Tenn is sharing something fragile and vulnerable, and as Riku holds him, he can't help but think he's protecting him like this. And Riku won't let anything happen to Tenn, not if he can help it. ]
I'm here, Tenn-nii...
[ His voice shakes; his throat feels tight. But it's the only thing he can think to say. ]
[ For all the mean things Tenn's said to Riku, he really couldn't have asked to have a better twin. He's getting Riku's sleeve all wet with his tears, but he can't help it. Losing Riku would feel like losing a part of himself, and there's always that nagging feeling that someday, he'll disappear and they'll never be able to make up for that lost time he thinks about so often.
A few long moments later, Tenn finally seems to start calming down. ]
...Sorry. You have to see your older brother in such a pathetic state.
[ Maybe it's foolishly optimistic to believe that they'll make it out together, make it out safe... but Riku believes that with his whole heart. He believes that by the time this is all over, they'll be together and stronger because of everything. Of course, Riku doesn't want anyone else to die.
Especially not Tenn. And he definitely doesn't want to die, either. Thinking about him or Tenn dying-- it terrifies him, more than anything.
... But in spite of that, they're both still standing. More importantly, they're together, and Tenn is trusting Riku with this part of him. He remembers a conversation they'd had earlier in the week, when Riku had asked if it was wrong to be happy.
He lets out a quiet hum, squeezing Tenn gently. ]
I don't think being scared is pathetic. [ It's earnest and honest in that way Riku tends to be. ] Even when you're scared... I'll never think of Tenn-nii as pathetic. After all... Tenn-nii is the amazing brother I love more than anything.
Then... from now on, keep watching me, Tenn-nii. So you won't be so surprised next time. I'll show you how strong I am--strong enough to keep us both standing here.
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He doesn't know how much longer he can do this without breaking down completely.
He bites down on his lower lip, trying to fight back the tears stinging at his eyes. He doesn't know what to do, anymore. ]
Don't mess with him, Riku... Don't make the same mistakes I have.
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And what? Riku isn't a fighter. He can't even get through an encore without collapsing. What can he do, against someone like Hamelin? It stings, the knowledge that he's helpless, but...
That's not entirely true, though, is it? Even if he can't do anything against Hamelin, he can do something for Tenn. He squeezes his twin's hands, then pulls him into a tight hug.
It occurs to him that he can't remember the last time Tenn cried. ]
I won't. Promise. [ He doesn't let go, either. ] We're a team, right? The centers of TRIGGER and IDOLiSH7 will show Hamelin, in our own way.
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Those adversities, however, did not include having to fight for his life or watch the people around him disappear, one by one. He's okay at putting on a strong face in front of everyone else, but when it comes to Riku, when it comes to these kinds of conversations, he finds it so hard to stay strong.
It's because he's so afraid of his biggest fear coming true. He doesn't want to lose Riku. There's so much time he feels like he has to make up for that was lost between them. So many times he pushed Riku down and away that he's starting to regret the longer he stays here. Their time together may very well be limited, as much as he tries to believe it won't be -- but reality always hits him. They're no match for some of the people here. They're easy targets.
There is only so much he can really do for Riku, in the end.
And so Kujo Tenn cries on Riku's shoulder. Riku's here, trying to lift him up, but right now he feels so small. ]
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Tenn is sharing something fragile and vulnerable, and as Riku holds him, he can't help but think he's protecting him like this. And Riku won't let anything happen to Tenn, not if he can help it. ]
I'm here, Tenn-nii...
[ His voice shakes; his throat feels tight. But it's the only thing he can think to say. ]
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A few long moments later, Tenn finally seems to start calming down. ]
...Sorry. You have to see your older brother in such a pathetic state.
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Especially not Tenn. And he definitely doesn't want to die, either. Thinking about him or Tenn dying-- it terrifies him, more than anything.
... But in spite of that, they're both still standing. More importantly, they're together, and Tenn is trusting Riku with this part of him. He remembers a conversation they'd had earlier in the week, when Riku had asked if it was wrong to be happy.
He lets out a quiet hum, squeezing Tenn gently. ]
I don't think being scared is pathetic. [ It's earnest and honest in that way Riku tends to be. ] Even when you're scared... I'll never think of Tenn-nii as pathetic. After all... Tenn-nii is the amazing brother I love more than anything.
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...You've really grown up, Riku.
[ He draws back and rubs at his eyes. They're swollen, obviously, but there's a fond look on his face when his eyes meet Riku's. ]
Thank you. Hearing you say things like that with a smile on your face -- it's enough to keep me standing here.
[ He really, sincerely does not know where he'd be without his twin here. ]
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That's when you weren't looking.
[ He considers something, then nods to himself. ]
Then... from now on, keep watching me, Tenn-nii. So you won't be so surprised next time. I'll show you how strong I am--strong enough to keep us both standing here.
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[ It's nice, to be able to say that to him. ]
I'm proud of you.
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[ He looks so touched. Riku smiles brightly, nodding. ]
I'm glad! Aha, hearing you say that... it makes me really happy.
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[ He's like, mostly joking, but also. He won't say it very often, so!!! ]
By the way -- [ He reaches over to his dresser and grabs...a TRIGGER dvd! Huh. ] I got this in the shop this week.