[CONTINUE + 4] INTRO

[foundationmods]

[After so long a trip, you're all finally here. Taken through a hidden passage inside of the very mountain itself, you find yourself standing in front of a field of flowers, growing well due to the open roof above it. If you look up, you can just make out the shimmering colors off of the barrier - looking almost like the shine off of a soap bubble.

Try not to trample on the flowers as you approach the open, purple gate. And remember to wear your masks, now that you're here!

...Still, the sight of the yellow flowers waving in the wind....such a cheery sight fills you with determination for what's to come.

Welcome to the Underground.

...Again. The loop happened again, and you're here. Everything is the same.

Someone who was dead is alive again.

The trial...it was...you remember only up until Gilgamesh was FOUGHT against, and then...nothing.

You feel you shouldn't try to remember anything beyond that.

Not only that, But more monster names have faded from your memory.

...When will this end?]

Comments

3/3 she can die now

[accessorytomurder]

NOT. THAT. N-Not that I've, um—that I... I-I-I mean I would, I just, I mean, i-it's not a... w-we haven't...

they both can die. it's fine

[cw_suicide]

[thoughts that haven't crossed his mind if only because he's too big of a disaster to think about that in a productive fashion but also now they're making jokes about marriage and kids and

opens mouth...

closes mouth...]

... Hitoka really likes to plan ahead...

[w-wheeeez???]

rip

[accessorytomurder]

Look! I. I-I.

[Her voice dies in her throat.]

O-Our relationship h-has a lot of... of moving pieces! So. I, um. I was trying to... I m-mean it's not l-like... it's just, um, just, a rough idea of, um, of how that... might... work for four people...

[cw_suicide]

It really is a lot, isn't it.

[how did this happen and when did he feel more secure about this whole arrangement anyway?]

Though any input without Ango would be...

[trailing off before sighing. and giving something like a pout.]

Though I definitely can hear his voice in my head scolding me to take responsibility or something like that already.

[accessorytomurder]

No, um... how to put this...

[She rubs at her cheek, speaking quiet and sheepishly.]

I... I've felt this whole time, um, if I could, um, if I could manage to get a place in Ango-san's heart, he'd... probably be the ultimate ally. Um, from schedules to living arrangements to keeping track of household matters, to, um... to doctor's visits...

[Resolutlely! Not! Looking at him!]

Xian-kun... I think, he'd be a good father. A doting one. And, um, I think you'd be a lot better at it than you're willing to give yourself credit for, too, because you've always been good with the kids we met here. It's, um, I... I don't want to presume too much with Ango-san yet, o-of course! But, he's... he's very reliable, and good at comforting people. And, also, as much as a headpat here and there would keep our kids from getting into too much trouble...

[The hypothetical children in this consummately hypothetical mental exercise.]

And, well, with you and Xian-kun as role models, that'd be worth its weight in gold.

cw: uh... the usual suicide alluding but also torture things!

[cw_suicide]

... role model, huh.

I have... a very heavy hand at times. I'm not a very patient person and when I use my words, they can cut very deeply. I used to carve out people's hearts as part of my job, after all. Metaphorically speaking. It's a difficult habit to break.

[he is taking up one of her hands and gently just... moving his fingers against and around it and its fingers, something to do and something to look at as he tries this hypothetical mental exercise.]

Children are especially fragile when it comes to those things. Especially if one should inherit my sort of mentality--well... that would especially be something of a curse, wouldn't it?

[the bandages going up to his hand are pretty stark white reminders of his "flaws", really.]

Though, there are better chances to catch that earlier. Maybe. Even the Dazai Osamu of this world probably would have stood a better chance in a modern era.

[who knows if things were different for him how he'd turn out. that's like... one whole optimism, though! he's trying!]

[accessorytomurder]

Maybe so, but... In a house filled with four attentive people who know to be wary of that, don't you think they'd actually be safer, than any other average child?

[She ghosts a finger over his, her voice going soft and sweet.]

And you... remember what you said to me? About... about what you wanted. And... didn't want, anymore. I have faith our love can do that sort of thing again, especially if a little somebody gets the full dose, right from the start.

And you know what? Any child we have, in... any permutation... they'll be half me. So, I don't think you'll have to worry about dark urges creeping up, too often.

[cw_suicide]

Hitoka is the stronger one, after all.

[voice comes out a bit faintly, and it's mostly because of that second part bringing all the feels.]

[accessorytomurder]

I'd trust you with my life, Osamu.

[She says that, firmly.]

A-And... and any life we might decide to bring about later, too. So. S-So, have a little more confidence in yourself, o... okay?

[cw_suicide]

A work in progress. It's definitely a work in progress.

[and it's now time to resume being the obnoxious, in-the-way person by kissing at her neck.]

[accessorytomurder]

O-Osamu!

[That neck goes ruby red.]

C-Careful...! This caramel mix is really hot!

[cw_suicide]

I'm careful, I'm careful~ You can trust me with your life, remember?

[though he is laughing a bit]

[accessorytomurder]

Yeah, my life; not your physical safety!

[It's decanted safely, though, and she heaves a sigh of relief.]

...phew. Now we just need the pudding mix and to refrigerate it for a while.

[cw_suicide]

[she is correct. he wasn't not thinking about himself there. lol.]

About how long will that take?

[accessorytomurder]

About forty-five minutes in the oven, and an hour, maybe two in the fridge.

[She gently shakes him off so she can bend down to slide the water bath into the oven.]

We'll have to find a way to kill time...

[cw_suicide]

Well...

A hot bath, maybe...

[accessorytomurder]

.........Osamu.

[A long pause ensues.]

Do you want me to say that line, while I'm wearing an apron?

[cw_suicide]

Hitoka, there are children around.

[literally one of the things keeping him to PG ratings, listen.]

[accessorytomurder]

An edited version, then?

[She touches her chin, turning thoughtful.]

The senpai on the team always said that sort of thing was a boyfriend's dream...

[cw_suicide]

Your senpai isn't wrong. There's just also timing and setting involved.

In this case, your timing was flawless and the setting is the problem.

[curse being in a inn kitchen where anyone can just walk in]

[accessorytomurder]

When it comes to teasing, it's live by the sword, die by the sword. If nothing else, you and Xian-kun have taught me that.

[So she ducks out of her arms and takes a few steps away, linking her hands and looking up at him earnestly.]

So... would you rather have a bath first? Dinner? Or... a kiss?

[Suffer in PGurgatory, Dazai.]

[cw_suicide]

[lifts an eyebrow]

Did you think I was meaning a bath alone?

[accessorytomurder]

The big tubs are back over in Hotland, darling.

[cw_suicide]

What? Too much shame to squeeze in with me?

[accessorytomurder]

Too sure that Xian-kun will try to squeeze in too.