#incandesces

          Another night of new recruits... Another night of bloodshed, and people fucking up their final chance at life. These nights were the most fun for Nishi--Usually, he’d get to kill one of them himself as a warning to the others. He lifted the muzzle of his X-Gun for the night, settling it into his backpack for later use before taking his seat on the wall. It seemed one more participant was scanning into tonight’s game. Disinterested, his eyes fell to Gantz as the others huddled around the materializing form.

           ‘Ni--Nishi-kun!?’

           Strange... That almost sounded like... He lifted his chin to the newest entrant, only slivers of her body available to the room. Desperate, imploring eyes and the bottom of a jaw were enough for the male to recognize his girlfriend.

          “Ara... ragi?” His expression fell as he rushed into the outstretched arm dialed into their frequency. Pushing past the small crowd, he shrugged himself underneath so it would rest on his shoulder, just a little bit of comfort in this otherwise uncomfortable moment. Suzuki gasped from behind him--The older man’s first time hearing genuine care from the younger’s throat. Terrified eyes danced wildly, unhinged in a sudden fear he quickly understood. The feeling when he’d died was terrible--The worst pain imaginable. He’d been crumpled in a heap, his skull and legs shattered. The worst pain of his life washed over him in waves for minutes until he’d finally passed--And now the only person he cared for had met with the same fate, and there was nothing he could have done to stop it. Just like--

          He felt something hot sting him under the eye, like a fleck of molten steel over his lower eyelid. When he wiped it away, it came back clear and wet. He scoffed at himself before taking her cheeks in his leathered hands and wiping back what had materialized of her hair.

         He was--No, she was lucky to be placed here. She’d been given a second chance the same as he had once, and he’d do anything he needed to to protect her until he could eject her from the game. She was his one source of happiness--His only reason to smile. Perhaps Gantz knew that and granted him a wish he never thought he’d have to make. A grin broke over his features like a virus as he began to bitterly laugh out. Wiping his nose and eyes with his sleeve, he hauled her incomplete body in to rest on his shoulder.

[chanting] one of us, one of us, one of us–

❝.. THIS IS GODDAMNED EXCESSIVE, OI!❞

It was only natural for people to have minor disputes. From stumbling into someone, to saying something insensitive without meaning to. People were bound to argue with someone at least once in their lives. Or, in Ichigo’s case, countless times. But firing off magic spells at somebody over an accidental collision was a bit fucking much. He’d noticed the telltale signs of the man having been in a bad mood the moment he was confronted, so he tried his best to peacefully resolve the accident.

hello, karen and welcome to terra!

you will be housed in twin apartments A13, where you will find a complementary bee hairpin.

you will also be granted blaze’s fireball spell!

          ——Sigh.

         It was a stupid question, and as much he’d wanted to voice his opinion on the matter… This wasn’t the time. His beau must have been feeling pretty vulnerable to even have to ask.

         Joichiro wrapped his arms around her shoulders tightly, tugging her to rest against his chest. It musn’t’ve been a very comfortable position given her height, but it was the best he could come up with at the time.

         “Don’t say something so ridiculous. You’re the only person on this God forsaken rock worthy of my attention.” His thumb and forefinger moved to cup her chin, squeezing the pads of each against her cheeks. Forcing her features into something like a Fugu fish, he offered her a smile that held as much warmth in it as he could muster. “I’ve been lucky… To find the one person this fucked up society of ours hasn’t been able to touch. In a word… I suppose I could say I’m thankful. Thankful for you, Karen.”

          She’d become an extension of his personality. Her optimism completed his pessimism. Her empathy filled in the gap of his apathy. Her energy recharged him.

          Perhaps it wasn’t a traditional arrangement, and perhaps Nishi Joichiro was a selfish lover. But as far as he understood the concept–

           Quiet moments between them had become increasingly rarer as the couple had gotten to know each other. Their silence was sequestered to absolute necessity, such as the current moment.

           Though the train car they’d shared only housed another couple pairs, it was considered polite to keep conversation and noise to a minimum. He and Karen shared a single pair of earbuds as they sailed wordlessly across the tracks and toward the end of their day together.

          The time had felt... somewhat wasted, however.

          Nishi had enjoyed Karen’s energetic presence throughout their day, now dampened by the somber mood of the sundown commute. She dozed against his shoulder, seeming focused in on the new music he’d offered her. The accessory in her hair spilling the contents across the shoulder of his hoodie.

          Whatever words he could muster for the situation seemed... plain.

          He was... Happy? Placidly so; emotion never striking the canvas of his features. It was a transitional moment, the two occupying a liminal space. This memory could have gone by and never been admitted to the archive of his memories so easily...

          But it didn’t.

          Karen’s left hand crossed his belt and pressed open the fingers of his right that rested at his thigh. They found the grooves of his knuckles, tucking themselves up inside as though that were their purpose. Joichiro stared down at her, waiting for her to shy away, smile, laugh--Do anything. But Karen didn’t... Acting as thought it was only natural to show the world quietly and respectfully that there was something between them.