[ The pace isn't kind to her, but Lux forces her way through regardless. She has to; she can't let the group know about the agony that she's in. It hurts to breathe, and being unable to take a full breath makes her feel light-headed. She wouldn't be able to make it on her own.
When they're finally out of danger, and he ushers her to a wall to lean against, Lux slumps over a bit, taking a breath through clenched teeth as pain lances through her midsection. ]
Don't know. [ She isn't in the right mind to be able to tell either way. She takes a breath before shaking her head, using the wall to try to ease herself up again. ]
It's fine. Just. Give me a moment.
[ The healers already have enough to take care of. She isn't going to burden them. ]
[ The first response is fair enough. She probably can't tell just going off the pain like this.
The second, however... Akira's mouth sets into a line. The concern is still there, but it's now overshadowed by that anger from earlier, only further agitated by the thoughts prickling at the edge of his mind. What if he hasn't made it in time? ]
It's not fine. Don't act like it is.
[ His hands twitch forward as if wanting to inspect the injury himself, but Akira doesn't have anything on him to apply to it, nor can he use healing magic. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he leans against the wall beside her, close enough that she can lean on him if needed.
He's absolutely going to bring her to the healers, but she probably needs a moment of rest before being dragged around more, and this is a conversation best had with some privacy. ]
This is what I meant about acting on your own. You could've died, Lux.
[ She's never had to deal with something like this. Whenever things went awry, Lux would just keep pressing forward, on her own. Having someone throw her reluctance to rely on them back at her is new; and maybe if she was in such bad shape, she would take this better than she is now. It feels like he's scolding her for doing the right thing. Her safety meant little to nothing in the grand scheme of things.
If she had waited for his approval, the captives would have died. She refuses to let her inactivity be the death of someone. Not again.
Pressing her lips together, Lux carefully tries to take a deep breath, her head bowed as she grimaces. She's frustrated, but it isn't completely directed at him. She would look him in the eye (she should; she wants to), but her head still feels light. It's a testament to her stubbornness that she's still standing like this. ]
What would you have done?
[ It lacks any accusatory bite. She can't convey her intentions over long distances, especially with such a tenuous Bond. ]
[ Of course she's trying to turn this back on him. How can she not understand how needlessly reckless that was? He understands that she wanted to help people, but she can't help anyone when she's dead—
Ah. He knows why that thought sounds familiar. If Lux were looking now, she'd see the frown twitch into a wry smile. He's being contradictory, isn't he? It doesn't completely soothe his fiery emotions, but it makes him reconsider the words about to leave his mouth.
Akira's answer doesn't come immediately. ]
On my own, I would've done the same thing. [ His voice is a bit calmer now, lacking some of the tightly wound anger. He can't deny that he would've come to the same conclusion in different circumstances. ] But when you have a partner, you've just got to... trust that they'll be there when you need them to be.
[ The Phantom Thieves never let him down. He was even able to put his life on the line because he knew they would be able to pull through in the ways he needed them to to make it work. Akira knows Lux would do the same for him. ]
[ If she wanted to turn this around on him, she would have. She might not know much about Akira, but Lux has enough information to make assumptions. But being vindictive has never been her style, and even if she is furious at being scolded, most of her anger has been turned toward herself at this point. What happened to listening to your head instead of your heart, Lux?
The delay between her question and his answer is lost on her, her concept of time at this point near nonexistent. Her head still down and her knees locked to keep her anchored to the spot, Lux doesn't see the way his lips tug upward, or the way he hesitates before responding. But she hears what he has to say, hyper focusing on each word, trying futilely to push her pain away so she can read the tone radiating in his voice and through their Bond.
She isn't completely successful, but one thing manages to pierce through the fog. ]
...
[ A partner. Right. That was the agreement, that they would be equals, and just like she wanted him to rely on her, maybe he wanted her to feel comfortable enough to rely on him as well. This isn't just because she was reckless, it because she got hurt. It's because she couldn't trust him enough to ask for help. ]
...You were.
[ She isn't very good at this. She isn't going to be very good at this overnight. But maybe this is a step in the right direction—if she hasn't managed to screw up this arrangement already. Raising her head up slowly to try to look at him, she lurches forward as the world shifts and her knees start to go, grabbing for his sleeve with both hands.
So, about that whole asking for help thing... ]
I think... I think I need to sit down...
[ And she thought she hated this before. Nope. This is actually the worst. Sorry, she's a mess right now, Akira. ]
[ It takes him a moment to connect her answer to his own words, her other emotions hard to read through the distress pouring through. Warmth presses back against it once he does, and then a jolt of shock when Lux's legs give out on her.
Akira is fast, though. Reflex kicks in, moving his arms to catch her as she does the same to his sleeve. It's too sudden for him to be mindful of her injuries, but any jolt from him grabbing her abruptly is probably better than hitting the hard ground. With a slow exhale to steady himself as well, he begins to lower Lux down carefully. ]
Come on, slowly...
[ If she'll oblige, he'll settle her down, propped up against the wall once more, although Akira's hands linger until he confirms that she's all right. ]
[ Maybe one day they will be able to look back on this and laugh. But right now, she wonders if it would be better if he lets her fall. At least that might put her out of her misery.
She winces as he catches her, taking a sharp breath in anticipation and whimpering when that makes things worse. Bowing her head and briefly gripping his arm tighter, she lets him ease her down to the ground. She doesn't let go immediately, but manages to nod her head. ]
I think so.
[ Just leave her here to die along with her dignity. ]
[ Unfortunately for Lux, he has no intention of leaving her here or allowing her to die. ]
You really need to get this treated...
[ There's a small bump of frustration from him. If he had his Personas, he could just heal her himself. Even a bandage in the Metaverse would be better than having to lug her over to the healers with the Resistance while she's feeling like this. ]
[ She assumes the frustration briefly flickering from Akira is directed at her, and she presses her lips together tightly in response. Lux hesitates before nodding again.
Relying on Resistance healers who are already spread thin isn't a situation she wants to be in, but she isn't in a position to refuse aid. There are other things to be worried about. ]
What will you do, then?
[ They both know he isn't going to just sit back while she gets patched up and the city burns. ]
[ Leave it to Lux to still be thinking about other people while in such a state. His attention shifts down to her middle. He wants to try to peek at it to assess the damage, but without being able to offer any true assistance, it would only cause her extra discomfort. Not to mention probably embarrass her. ]
Once I make sure you're being taken care of... [ That comes first, before anything else. ] Then I'll go back out there and see what else I can do. There are still people who need help out there. [ Akira pauses, meeting her eyes. ] I'll be careful.
[ It's not meant as a jab at her but rather reassurance. Actually, he feels a tiny poke of guilt for how much his anger bubbled over earlier. ]
By the way... I still don't approve of running in on your own, but I'm happy you decided to act.
[ His emotions still clash inside of him, protectiveness pushing back against that sentiment. It doesn't make it any less real, though. ]
[ Sitting down helps a bit, even if it does nothing to alleviate the pain. Her back straight and pressed gently against the wall, Lux is careful not to put any pressure anywhere. She needs to be able to breathe.
Frustration flares from within as he confirms her suspicion. He's going to go back out there, on his own? It doesn't matter if he's being careful; she was careful, and look what happened. In the chaos, it's difficult to make the distinction between friend and foe. ]
And who is going to help if you get in trouble?
[ Her words remain strained and somewhat stilted from her injury, but the weight behind them is unmistakable. It doesn't matter that he's telling her ahead of time, they both know she can't be there to act as support. How does he think that would make her feel?
They're partners, and while she trusts him (more than before, in fact), the hypocrisy here angers her. ]
[ He can sense that feeling radiating off her, but Akira doesn't back down. ]
There's a whole resistance out there. [ Natives of the city, Mirrorbound, some he knows and many he doesn't. ] I won't go into anything alone.
[ He can at least promise her that, even if it probably won't do a whole lot to set her mind at ease. If he thought she could get healed up quickly enough that she wouldn't be more of a liability than a help, he'd wait for her. But there's no way they're going to expend that much energy on one person when there are so many that need help right now. ]
[ She should be out there with them. Out there with him, making sure that, if anything bad were to happen, she could pull both of them out of the fire. But they both know that isn't going to happen, that she will be a low priority once she's patched up. It's what Lux would prefer regardless, but she still wants to have it both ways.
Frustration continues to bubble to the surface, but instead of sitting in it, Lux uses that to try to force herself up. She struggles, her hand grasping at the wall behind her to help her along. Her body feels heavy and unsteady, but she is going to fight through this pain, even if it's clumsy and inelegant. It isn't a side that she wants Akira to see, but what choice does she have? ]
Then... then we should move.
[ She hates this so much, but she refuses to hold him back. But heaven help anyone responsible if he gets hurt while she's forced to sit on the sidelines. ]
[ When she decides that it's time, Akira offers no protest, quickly rising to offer her support once again. Back to the Resistance they go, at a slow pace he enforces. He does need to get back out there, but he isn't going to allow Lux to hurt herself further trying to rush along.
They do indeed have a large number of wounded to tend to, so she essentially has to take a place in line. Akira settles her down to sit against another wall while she waits. How he'd like to stay and keep Lux company through the pain, but that simply isn't an option right now. Still, he pauses, crouching at her side. ]
I won't do anything reckless. I'll make sure I have backup. I give you my word.
[ Does she know what he's offering? It hasn't come up before, but Akira feels himself being bond magically to the promise. It's a weakness he doesn't offer up to just anyone. ]
[ Lux is quiet on the outside, but on this inside she is a churning storm of emotions. Even through their temporary Bond, her thoughts are loud, a mixture of frustration (at herself, mostly), apprehension, and genuine concern all fighting for a place at the front of her mind. She doesn't hesitate to use him as a crutch this time, even if each step brings them closer to something she emphatically doesn't want.
She did this to herself; and even if she doesn't regret saving the Monsters locked away in that orphanage, knowing that she has to divert attention away from people who matter far more bothers her. But she knows better than to voice that around Akira.
Settling down where he places her, Lux expects that to be it. Even when he crouches down to her level, she expects a few words at most. He'll be back, just wait here in the dark, and feel every right or wrong move he makes vibrate through their tightly-stretched Bond.
But that's not what happens. She raises her head suddenly, looking at him in bewilderment. He's giving her his word... Lux may not know about how honor-bound Puca are, but even she can tell that this isn't something he would do for just anyone. ]
...I know. [ With a little more certainty. ] I know you will.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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When they're finally out of danger, and he ushers her to a wall to lean against, Lux slumps over a bit, taking a breath through clenched teeth as pain lances through her midsection. ]
Don't know. [ She isn't in the right mind to be able to tell either way. She takes a breath before shaking her head, using the wall to try to ease herself up again. ]
It's fine. Just. Give me a moment.
[ The healers already have enough to take care of. She isn't going to burden them. ]
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The second, however... Akira's mouth sets into a line. The concern is still there, but it's now overshadowed by that anger from earlier, only further agitated by the thoughts prickling at the edge of his mind. What if he hasn't made it in time? ]
It's not fine. Don't act like it is.
[ His hands twitch forward as if wanting to inspect the injury himself, but Akira doesn't have anything on him to apply to it, nor can he use healing magic. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he leans against the wall beside her, close enough that she can lean on him if needed.
He's absolutely going to bring her to the healers, but she probably needs a moment of rest before being dragged around more, and this is a conversation best had with some privacy. ]
This is what I meant about acting on your own. You could've died, Lux.
no subject
If she had waited for his approval, the captives would have died. She refuses to let her inactivity be the death of someone. Not again.
Pressing her lips together, Lux carefully tries to take a deep breath, her head bowed as she grimaces. She's frustrated, but it isn't completely directed at him. She would look him in the eye (she should; she wants to), but her head still feels light. It's a testament to her stubbornness that she's still standing like this. ]
What would you have done?
[ It lacks any accusatory bite. She can't convey her intentions over long distances, especially with such a tenuous Bond. ]
no subject
Ah. He knows why that thought sounds familiar. If Lux were looking now, she'd see the frown twitch into a wry smile. He's being contradictory, isn't he? It doesn't completely soothe his fiery emotions, but it makes him reconsider the words about to leave his mouth.
Akira's answer doesn't come immediately. ]
On my own, I would've done the same thing. [ His voice is a bit calmer now, lacking some of the tightly wound anger. He can't deny that he would've come to the same conclusion in different circumstances. ] But when you have a partner, you've just got to... trust that they'll be there when you need them to be.
[ The Phantom Thieves never let him down. He was even able to put his life on the line because he knew they would be able to pull through in the ways he needed them to to make it work. Akira knows Lux would do the same for him. ]
no subject
The delay between her question and his answer is lost on her, her concept of time at this point near nonexistent. Her head still down and her knees locked to keep her anchored to the spot, Lux doesn't see the way his lips tug upward, or the way he hesitates before responding. But she hears what he has to say, hyper focusing on each word, trying futilely to push her pain away so she can read the tone radiating in his voice and through their Bond.
She isn't completely successful, but one thing manages to pierce through the fog. ]
...
[ A partner. Right. That was the agreement, that they would be equals, and just like she wanted him to rely on her, maybe he wanted her to feel comfortable enough to rely on him as well. This isn't just because she was reckless, it because she got hurt. It's because she couldn't trust him enough to ask for help. ]
...You were.
[ She isn't very good at this. She isn't going to be very good at this overnight. But maybe this is a step in the right direction—if she hasn't managed to screw up this arrangement already. Raising her head up slowly to try to look at him, she lurches forward as the world shifts and her knees start to go, grabbing for his sleeve with both hands.
So, about that whole asking for help thing... ]
I think... I think I need to sit down...
[ And she thought she hated this before. Nope. This is actually the worst. Sorry, she's a mess right now, Akira. ]
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Akira is fast, though. Reflex kicks in, moving his arms to catch her as she does the same to his sleeve. It's too sudden for him to be mindful of her injuries, but any jolt from him grabbing her abruptly is probably better than hitting the hard ground. With a slow exhale to steady himself as well, he begins to lower Lux down carefully. ]
Come on, slowly...
[ If she'll oblige, he'll settle her down, propped up against the wall once more, although Akira's hands linger until he confirms that she's all right. ]
Good?
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She winces as he catches her, taking a sharp breath in anticipation and whimpering when that makes things worse. Bowing her head and briefly gripping his arm tighter, she lets him ease her down to the ground. She doesn't let go immediately, but manages to nod her head. ]
I think so.
[ Just leave her here to die along with her dignity. ]
no subject
You really need to get this treated...
[ There's a small bump of frustration from him. If he had his Personas, he could just heal her himself. Even a bandage in the Metaverse would be better than having to lug her over to the healers with the Resistance while she's feeling like this. ]
Rest for a few minutes first, though.
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Relying on Resistance healers who are already spread thin isn't a situation she wants to be in, but she isn't in a position to refuse aid. There are other things to be worried about. ]
What will you do, then?
[ They both know he isn't going to just sit back while she gets patched up and the city burns. ]
no subject
Once I make sure you're being taken care of... [ That comes first, before anything else. ] Then I'll go back out there and see what else I can do. There are still people who need help out there. [ Akira pauses, meeting her eyes. ] I'll be careful.
[ It's not meant as a jab at her but rather reassurance. Actually, he feels a tiny poke of guilt for how much his anger bubbled over earlier. ]
By the way... I still don't approve of running in on your own, but I'm happy you decided to act.
[ His emotions still clash inside of him, protectiveness pushing back against that sentiment. It doesn't make it any less real, though. ]
no subject
Frustration flares from within as he confirms her suspicion. He's going to go back out there, on his own? It doesn't matter if he's being careful; she was careful, and look what happened. In the chaos, it's difficult to make the distinction between friend and foe. ]
And who is going to help if you get in trouble?
[ Her words remain strained and somewhat stilted from her injury, but the weight behind them is unmistakable. It doesn't matter that he's telling her ahead of time, they both know she can't be there to act as support. How does he think that would make her feel?
They're partners, and while she trusts him (more than before, in fact), the hypocrisy here angers her. ]
no subject
There's a whole resistance out there. [ Natives of the city, Mirrorbound, some he knows and many he doesn't. ] I won't go into anything alone.
[ He can at least promise her that, even if it probably won't do a whole lot to set her mind at ease. If he thought she could get healed up quickly enough that she wouldn't be more of a liability than a help, he'd wait for her. But there's no way they're going to expend that much energy on one person when there are so many that need help right now. ]
no subject
Frustration continues to bubble to the surface, but instead of sitting in it, Lux uses that to try to force herself up. She struggles, her hand grasping at the wall behind her to help her along. Her body feels heavy and unsteady, but she is going to fight through this pain, even if it's clumsy and inelegant. It isn't a side that she wants Akira to see, but what choice does she have? ]
Then... then we should move.
[ She hates this so much, but she refuses to hold him back. But heaven help anyone responsible if he gets hurt while she's forced to sit on the sidelines. ]
no subject
They do indeed have a large number of wounded to tend to, so she essentially has to take a place in line. Akira settles her down to sit against another wall while she waits. How he'd like to stay and keep Lux company through the pain, but that simply isn't an option right now. Still, he pauses, crouching at her side. ]
I won't do anything reckless. I'll make sure I have backup. I give you my word.
[ Does she know what he's offering? It hasn't come up before, but Akira feels himself being bond magically to the promise. It's a weakness he doesn't offer up to just anyone. ]
I'll come back soon, Lux.
no subject
She did this to herself; and even if she doesn't regret saving the Monsters locked away in that orphanage, knowing that she has to divert attention away from people who matter far more bothers her. But she knows better than to voice that around Akira.
Settling down where he places her, Lux expects that to be it. Even when he crouches down to her level, she expects a few words at most. He'll be back, just wait here in the dark, and feel every right or wrong move he makes vibrate through their tightly-stretched Bond.
But that's not what happens. She raises her head suddenly, looking at him in bewilderment. He's giving her his word... Lux may not know about how honor-bound Puca are, but even she can tell that this isn't something he would do for just anyone. ]
...I know. [ With a little more certainty. ] I know you will.
[ She's going to hold him to that. ]