unknownrival | [Video - daydreams virus.]

[A scene that would not be out of place in Issei's temple normally. With a small smile, Issei pours tea for another man, lean and stern-looking even when there was nothing to be particularly stern with. He sits down across from him after being thanked and sips his own tea before speaking.]

You know... I always did want to introduce you to my friends. A number have come and gone over the years, so I can't reflect too much on them... ah, but considering the subject, I suppose that doesn't matter as much. Still, I don't want to get too caught up in missing everyone.

You would have liked Kasumi-nee best, I think. She came to stay with us for a time, and is as dear to me as a sister as you are as a brother. She's kind, and gentle, and I don't think that you could have found any fault with her. Perhaps even you two would have considered each other siblings by extension.

And besides her... Retasu, too. She's younger than me, still a student, but you would have been a good teacher for her. Perhaps, with the encouragement of someone like you who can always be believed, we could have helped her more. I'll do my best on my own. For that matter, I would have liked Karen to be in my class, even if we had to compete for the position of student council president. The school could only benefit.

Kaitou Kid, I imagine, you wouldn't have gotten along with well at all. Considering your history, I wonder...

I had my reasons for all of it. You should know that. [He seems completely calm, without any of the anger that might be assumed to come from someone with such harsh features.]

I do. And you should know that his reasons are as good as yours were, and his actions better. Well, maybe it's that I love him that would have driven you to dislike. [Issei chuckles quietly.] You are an elder brother after all. Hakuba would have been more on your good side, intelligent, composed, not drawn too much to rule-breaking. The less said about you and Tyki, I think, the better. And William, no, would I have mentioned Mag to you first?

I could really go on for days about all the people I, at some point or another, wanted you to meet. But in the end, that isn't what I want the most. I wouldn't care who you come to meet or what you think of them if I could have you alive again.

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[a sort of shy smile] I see! You must miss him a great deal.

I like to think that we were close. We probably weren't as much as I would like to think, but at least I know that.

He seems very stern, but a good person. Then again, protective older brothers often are, or so I'm told.

That's an apt description. Reikan-nii is much more easygoing than my brother Kuzuki, who you saw.

Another older brother?

Reikan is my brother by blood, while Kuzuki was adopted into my family. Reikan is also still alive, which I suppose is an important difference.

I suppose it would be! Were you closer to Kuzuki-san?

Not precisely. While I adored both and still do... As far as I know, Reikan-nii never let me almost die, so I don't think Kuzuki-nii cared as much for me as I cared for him.

[he tilts his head slightly to the side, eyes widening just a little]

He almost let you die? Why?

[A long sigh, and he casts his eyes downward.]

I broke a rule. Something secret, that I told my friends about because I wasn't even involved and it was dangerous and I wanted them to be careful - anyway, I told them about my brother's and his fiancee's involvement. And he and his fiancee always worked together...

His fiancee possessed my body, tried to kill my friends, and explicitly said she would kill me when she was done with me.

I have to admit, I don't entirely understand. There aren't things like possessions and such on my world, unless it's something ridiculous being claimed in court rooms. Still, it sounds like a tough position to be put in, for both you and him.

Though frankly, it sounds like the fiancee's fault, really.

She did nothing that she did not ask my brother permission for. If he wasn't fine with it, it wouldn't have happened.

I see. So his intention was to allow her to...

[he shakes his head]

I'm sorry, I find it a little disgusting. Lives are too valuable for that sort of thing to be allowed, especially the lives of family.

I know. I would never do such a thing, myself.

But you're able to forgive him enough to wish him alive again and to share your friends with him? I'm afraid you're a much better person than I am.

Even if he hurt me, badly, was every other moment we had together false? I can't believe that to be true. He had a reason.

I suppose I do think that one moment can make a mockery of everything before. But I'm not the best at forgiveness sometimes.

As I said, you're a better person than I am, Issei-kun.

Thank you for that.

It would be nice to know how you do it, but I'm afraid my entire life would fall apart if I were to forgive so easily.

It isn't for everyone. And, I'm afraid I wouldn't nearly trust him.

It makes sense, if he's hurt you so badly before. [a pause, and he tilts his head, just looking at the screen for a moment] And how are you holding up? It must have been a difficult day, if you're thinking about this sort of thing.

I will be fine after a while. Thank you, however.

[he makes a soft little noise]

If you need anything, tell me?

Of course.

I hope that's a promise.

[video]

stripping.livejournal.com - 2011-08-26 09:23 (UTC) - Expand