they are full of regret

[sunshrouded]

Who: two dads (Tenka sunshrouded & Sousei deontology)
When: backdated to after the event!
Where: the Kumou Estate
What: first goal: get sousei to spit out his tea. second goal: get him drunk off his ass.
Rating/Warning: embarrassing adults

---

[Tenka comes home the morning after all the madness only after Shirasu called him out. And he's tired. He's tired and he's exhausted and honestly not much of a morning person, despite all the comparisons people make between him and the sun.

Either way, he's trudging his way into their home now and going to sit in front of their low coffee table, joining his partner.

Then because maybe, just maybe these past three days have been hard on him-]

So I woke up alone this morning.

That was nice.

[Are you ashamed yet, partner.]

Comments

[deontology]

[When Sousei woke up, he knew everything had been wrong. So, so, so hideously wrong. But Tenka had been gone, and honestly, Sousei had been in no hurry to talk to him about it anyway.

It's only due to his own sense of duty and inability to slack off that he doesn't hide in bed all day.

Instead, he gets up, and is sitting at the table when Tenka comes in, taking a sip of his tea--

He chokes, and the only reason tea doesn't end up in Tenka's face is because he covers his mouth with a hand.

TEA DOWN THE WINDPIPE, HACK COUGH.]

[sunshrouded]

[ . . . . . pfffft-]

Buhahahahahaha!!!

[Okay, he wanted to mess with Sousei but that kind of reaction is just too good.

So he's already laughing, loudly and unabashedly.

Thanks, partner. He's already a bit more cheered up.]

[deontology]

[Sousei eventually manages to catch his breath and stop choking. And then. He clears his throat, as if to say something--

Looks at Tenka.

Slowly sets the tea down.

And then his forehead hits the table. No. He's so done. Already, he's so done--and it's only because it's Tenka that he can let his guard down to this extent, but Tenka was also the person who got the worst of it.

And he hates that it happened at all.]

[sunshrouded]

[When Sousei's forehead is against the table, Tenka's already laughing even harder, a new surge of amusement hitting him. Well, at least Sousei can't think that Tenka's mad about it.....

So now he's just reaching over to pat the top of his partner's head.]

There, there.

Don't worry, Sousei. I'm not going anywhere.

[At least now it's something they can joke about. Or so Tenka thinks.]

[deontology]

[Honestly, he stiffens at it anyway. And slowly, he sits up, because no matter what he feels about it, he did and said those things, and he has to take responsibility for it. Even if he has no idea how that even happened. Honestly, deep down, it bothers him that it was so easy for them to completely and totally change his mental workings to the point that he was acting opposite to any way he ever would--

But there's nothing he can do about that at the moment.

Instead, one hand comes up to momentarily pinch the bridge of his nose.

It's too early for this sort of headache.]

...I don't know what came over me. [Technically, he does know--everyone who was affected was acting bizarrely.] At the time, it did not seem strange at all.

[sunshrouded]

I know. I tried to save your pride.

[HE REALLY DID.... He tried to keep Sousei from going out in public and everything, just in case he was acting that weird in front of other people too.

Though now he's simmered down a bit... and he looks considerably less tired, at least. Exhausted and frayed at the edges, sure, there's still a lot that needs to be said and handled. But. For right now Tenka's just going to focus on his partner instead. That much he can do.]

Not sure if I succeeded though.

[deontology]

... I know. I appreciate that.

[Tenka tried really hard all around--none of this is his fault, and he'd always known that Tenka would give it his all when it came to something serious like that.

It isn't necessarily Sousei's fault, honestly, but nonetheless--]

They were my actions, and I will deal with the consequences.

[Even if he would never even think to do any of those actions now.]

... I caused you a lot of trouble. [this is weird, and awkward, and a little stilted, because it was never this way--it was always the opposite. And yet...here they are.]

round 2?!

[sunshrouded]

[They hadn't done this since Sousei's birthday, but this morning Tenka woke up and Soramaru wasn't there.

So he's doing exactly what Soramaru would hit him over the head for: drinking in excess and laughing his troubles away.

The sake bottle is placed on the table and two cups are filled before Sousei can even say anything, one of them being pushed at him before Tenka raises his own cup in toast.]

To family!

[alright u shithead calm down]

[deontology]

[Sousei knows that Soramaru is gone, and it really does hurt. That's a second time his protege has been swiped from right under his nose, and he's not happy about it. Still... there's another Kumou that requires looking after, and here he is, drinking.

Slowly, Sousei takes the cup, though he narrows his eyes at Tenka then.]

Is this really necessary right now?

['Is this really how you intend to cope?']

[sunshrouded]

Yes, it is!

[And without hesitation, he clanks their cups against each other slightly now that it's in Sousei's hand.

There's no denying that Tenka's eyes aren't as bright as they normally are, but the fire in them isn't quite out just yet. So even as he feels an ache in his chest, an emptiness in his heart that came with the emptiness of that room, he maintains a smile that he really wants to be genuine.]

Because, Abe no Sousei-kun, family transcends time and space and weird science and aliens.

But sometimes you need a little help forgetting the distance for a night.

[It's temporary. Only temporary.]

[deontology]

[... temporarily need help forgetting the distance for a night, huh...

He slowly reaches over and picks up the cup. He won't drink for fun, and he won't drink at the urging of Tenka and Shinpachi and Sano, but for this...

For this, he'll drink.

To forget how far Soramaru and the Yamainu are, he'll drink.]

...Fine. For a single night.

[sunshrouded]

I'm a bartender. Wouldn't it be bad form if I got too used to drinking my sorrows away?

[Whatever sorrows he might have, anyway. Regardless, he's knocking back his own cup easily and refilling it. Whenever Sousei's is emptied, he refills that too.

Eh, practice enough with refilling Sano and Shinpachi's cups.]

Loosen up a little, Sousei.

[deontology]

[He knows what you're doing--or at least, he's trying to keep track and not drink too much. But...the bitter taste of alcohol is at least a distraction from the bitter taste of losing Soramaru again.

So maybe he's not being entirely successful.]

It would be bad form, but that does not mean I'll put it past you.

I do not need to loosen up at all.

goal 3: actually talk about the problem???

[deontology]

[I swear it will happen this time--

But either way. Sousei's not particularly happy. It's been a little while since Soramaru disappeared, but nonetheless... it is when training someone else that he finds that this is just... not right. He's training people, but his protege is taken right out from under his nose as if he was never there.

Sousei gets home, and he's grim. He's not in a particularly bad mood, but he's definitely extra quiet as he walks back into their shared (and significantly emptier) home. It's ridiculous. But he supposes Kumous do have a way of worming their way in--and he really does miss his protege.

He's not ignoring Tenka, exactly, he's just...not starting any conversation, that's all.]

[sunshrouded]

[we're so hopeful

Regardless, Tenka's scrounging up some poor attempt at dinner - aka trying to tend to whatever last leftovers Soramaru had prepared. It's amazing how easy it is to deal with extra food now that they're in the future. Yet as they slowly but surely rid themselves of the food that Soramaru already made, Tenka finds himself dreading the fact that they're eventually going to run out.

Then there really won't be any mark of his brother being there anymore.

So when Sousei wanders in and doesn't say anything, Tenka just shakes his head. Even without a single word, he can tell his partner's mood is off based on the lines on his face. He nudges him lightly then, bumping elbows and he tilts his head. His smile is one of friendliness and curiosity, though his eyes still contain traces of sadness.]

Yo. Welcome back.

[Though a few days ago, he could at least pretend to call this place 'home'.]

[deontology]

[... Right.

Tenka. Sousei doesn't think it'd be quite fair to bring up Soramaru to Tenka--even if he did leave his little brother to Sousei, he regretted it, and he's still his little brother. It must be just as painful in a different way for Tenka. So while he's usually willing to speak about what's irritating or bothering him, now... he's just not sure it'd be worth it.

Then again... leaving the elephant in the room isn't his style either.]

...Good evening. [hm... how to bring it up... what to say... he's just not sure right now.]

[sunshrouded]

[ . . . . . in complete honesty, that manages to make him laugh. He covers his mouth with one hand as he turns away, shaking his head before he walks back into the kitchen.]

You're trying to avoid talking to me about something? Or are you just being dumb about emotions again?

[Sousei doesn't mince his words unless it's something that might hurt him - he's seen it when the other holds back his opinion when they talk about Shirasu, just for the sake of Tenka's fondness for the other man. It's a funny type of consideration but at the same time, Tenka doesn't really care for it.]

Just say it. I can take it.

[He'll be sure on Sousei's behalf, if only because there's only one, singular thing that could possibly be bothering the both of them right now.

The one single thing that Tenka won't be forgetting any time soon anyway.]

[deontology]

[Wow, Tenka, don't hold back or anything. In response to that, Sousei scoffs faintly, but under his breath, crossing his arms and looking Tenka over for a long moment.

And then, he admits--]

It is grating. This is the second time I have lost track of my protege.

[It's what Soramaru is to him now, and he doesn't really take that particularly lightly. He hates that it's that easy for this place to mess with someone who he decided to look after.]

[sunshrouded]

[He's going to take the time it takes to put the food in the microwave, close the door, and pick out how long it's supposed to heat up for as time to figure out an answer to that.

That's right. Sousei took on Soramaru as his protege - Tenka remembers the fit of rage and jealousy that he'd been caught up in then when he remembers Soramaru telling him that he was seeking training from him instead. He'd asked Sousei to look after Soramaru too, just before he'd died.]

Didn't think you'd take either of our requests that seriously at the time.

[Soramaru wants to be stronger than him and Sousei was willing to get any dig in at Tenka - he was almost entirely certain that's why Sousei even entertained the idea at first. Sousei hadn't even truly acknowledged Tenka's request at the execution site-]

It's hard for you too, isn't it....

[He didn't even completely realize.]

drop train electric boogaloo

[deontology]

[When Nishiki is gone, it's not immediately obvious. She was quiet, after all, and not as present as Soramaru--but when she misses dinner, Sousei checks, and... well.

It's late when Tenka gets home from work undoubtedly, but nonetheless that's when Sousei is cleaning up Nishiki's room, just like they'd cleaned up Soramaru's.

It's very quiet, now, here. Quietly, he folds up the bedding.]

[sunshrouded]

[Tenka was hoping for the best - he thought maybe Nishiki went out earlier in the morning and that was all. But when he sees the door to her room open when he trudges in, he knows that's not quite the case.

She was quiet, true, but she didn't need to be loud to earn a place in his heart. The confusion and appreciation in her eyes spoke loud enough.

So he doesn't really move to help clean up immediately, instead settling an arm around Sousei's shoulders as he tries to smile and quip-]

Is this what they call 'bachelor living'?

[It's what they were doing before and yet- .... he doesn't like it.]

[deontology]

[... wow, Tenka, really.

Sousei arches an eyebrow at both the pained smile and the arm around his shoulders. He's not quite so torn up about it--Nishiki was never completely comfortable there, he knows, and she finds her place happily with the Kumous nonetheless. He knows all of that for fact.

It just is a little quieter now.]

I am tired of that smile on your face.

[It's fake, and he already said he was tired of those.]

Nishiki has returned with Soramaru, and she will keep him safe.

[sunshrouded]

[ . . . . okay, now the smile is swapping for an annoyed look. Jeeze, so much for trying to lighten up the mood.]

I know that--

[No, he doesn't. They don't know anything about where people go once they disappear from this place. Isn't that the scariest part? But he'll choose not to dwell on that because honestly...]

But Nishiki-chan is family too.

[Even though he met her maybe two months ago, if that. He still knows for a fact that he's going to miss her. It still hurts.]

[deontology]

[He won't let you lighten the mood!! He'll fight you!!

But yeah, he's not surprised that Tenka got so attached to her so quickly. For his part, he just shakes his head.]

I know. There is nothing wrong with being sad over it.

[Just stop with the fake smiles bullshit]

[sunshrouded]

[ . . . . . and like the adult that he is, he's going to pull on Sousei's ponytail then.

Ass.]

Are you trying to lecture me.....