[Voice post - worst fear virus.]

[unknownrival]

Really, Shirou, if you're home for the week, you should at least answer the door. [Issei sounds about as calm as normal, if a tad annoyed.] I told you I was coming over, so you have no excuse. Ah, well, it's for reasons like this that I have a key.

[The sound of footseps.] Not in the living room... He's probably in the shed and couldn't hear me, I suppose. [More of Issei's footsteps.]

It's locked. Shirou, are you in there? [A moment's pause.] No answer. Maybe he's out w-

Isn't that blood?

[There's a few loud blunt sounds, like someone throwing themselves bodily at a door, then a loud crash.]

Shirou?! Please be okay, please be okay, this isn't allowed to happen, that sort of thing can't happen if I'm here, you have to be okay, please- Why, why aren't you breathing, you can't not be breathing, I have to protect you, I won't forgive you if you don't start breathing this instant! Are you listening?! I'm telling you to start recovering! Please, please, please-

How could I let such a thing... I wasn't here fast enough. I won't forgive myself for not able to protect you.

((Issei's worst fear is being unable to protect a friend. And before anyone asks, the dead body is a virus-induced illusion - I won't really kill off Shirou as an NPC.))

Comments

Issei will appreciate it.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It's in his chest, it looks like...

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

...as dead as can be, huh. Well. Now what?

...alright. Are you hearing the sirens yet?
In any case, did your friend have anything to defend himself with?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I, I think so. They should be coming soon.

That's not really a question regarding someone who makes swords with his mind. I can't believe that he would be overpowered, how could something like this happen-?

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

Good.

Ah, sorry. I wasn't aware.

...do you see signs of struggle then? I don't know what to look for since I can't see the room.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

That's all right. The shed looks the same as it usually does. ...Except for the blood, obviously.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

Alright. Sirens getting closer?

Oh and does the shed have a back door?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

They should be here any minute...

No, it's just the one door. Otherwise I wouldn't have needed to break it.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

Good.

Right, you did mention it was a shed. When was the last time you talked to him before this?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It was this morning. He'd just gotten back in from his stay in England, and I said I was going to visit... I should have come earlier. This wouldn't have happened if I'd come earlier!

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

Blaming yourself now changes nothing. Just try and focus. The ambulance isn't going to come to the shed, is it? Going to the front door to show the way might be a good idea.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I'll do that. I - I'll answer you again after they leave.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

Alright.

Several minutes later.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

He's dead, isn't he.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

...yeah. Sorry.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

How... How could I have allowed this to happen?!

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

It wasn't your intention, and it isn't your fault.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Of course it's my fault! I should have been able to do something, anything to stop it! What kind of friend allows their friends to die?

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

You said he could create swords with his mind. He was perfectly able to defend himself. Had you been there, you would have been dead also.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

But he's an idiot! At the very least I could have - I don't know, bought time for him to run or something so that he wasn't killed!

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

And then you'd be dead in his stead. He'd be as miserable as you are right now. Would you like that better?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

He'd get over it.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

So will you. Give it time.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I don't think so.

[gonnabe1st.livejournal.com]

A close friend's death. Why do you think it'd be easier for him to cope with?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

He's always been higher in my esteem than I was in his. And he was going to do more good in the world than I ever will. And he... he doesn't fail at protecting people like I do. I didn't want to lose someone again...