deadkids | my knee is itchy

Ah-

[ Ichigo's breath catches in surprise at the intruder in his house, just in time to watch a few of the oranges roll off the table and hit the floor.

There's a pause while he glances between the back door, Tsurumaru's shoes, and then Tsurumaru himself before he smiles nervously, giving a short laugh. ]

Thank you. I didn't know that you were still in town, Tsurumaru..?

[ Tsurumaru notices the oranges rolling all over the floor, and bends over to pick as many as he can get off the floor and placing them in a pyramid on the table next to the remnants of the tower. ]

I'm in town for another day or two. So, [ Here, a sheepish grin. ] I thought I'd come by and see how the kids are doing, but it doesn't seem like they're home right now...? [ He gestures to the crate of oranges and the gift-wrapped pile of boxes. ] Tell them I said hi, okay?

I'll tell them you stopped by. They'll be disappointed to have missed you, but they're at school for another hour or so, I'm afraid.

[ He stoops down to nab one of the oranges nearer to his feet and steps closer to set it on the table with the rest of them.

Turning to face Tsurumaru again:]

Wait, Tsuru. What are these boxes?

You know how Christmas is coming up soon, right? I don't really know what the kids want so I got them all iPhones. You have no idea how awkward it was going into the Apple store and asking for eleven? twelve? iPhones. [ He laughs, although his hand scrapes against his neck, and Tsurumaru is mildly thankful for his foresight to wear a scarf. ] I think I wrote the colour on the gift tag?

[ Tsurumaru turns to rifle through the boxes, looking over each tag and counting each Toushirou, and when he's done with that, Tsurumaru finds the slightly bigger one written with Ichigo's name on it. His other hand returns to rest against his collar rubbing uncomfortably against his neck. ] I don't know if I'll be back for Christmas, so, Merry Christmas, Ichigo!

Edited 2015-12-03 12:44 (UTC)

Why would you go to the trouble of doing that? I don't want to sound ungrateful, but you didn't have to.. I mean, the cost alone is something I can't accept easily..

[ He looks at the box in Tsurumaru's hand with a pensive stare, not sure whether he should take it or not. There's no way he could repay the cost in any way, but it would be rude to decline it after he brought them all the way here..

Ichigo's brow furrows at the predicament, but he doesn't miss the way Tsurumaru scratches at his neck. ]

Oh, sorry, is it too warm in the house? You don't have to keep your scarf on.

Edited 2015-12-03 13:06 (UTC)

I can't really take them back now. [ He smiles nervously again. ] But, you could pawn them off, too if that becomes an issue! And I do have the receipt in your present... [ He's talking a little too quickly to be completely okay, but he shakes his head at the comment to take his scarf off. At the same time, if he keeps scratching through the bandages he's sure he's going to make the bruises bleed. That's the worst part. ]

I'd like to stay longer, but I won't be staying long- [ An attempt at laughing here, but it becomes kind of warbled so he cuts it short. ] Mitsutada will want me home for dinner, but it was nice to see you! Sorry about the oranges--

[ He turns to step for the open door to the backyard. ]

I'll make sure that my brothers receive them.

[ Ichigo assures him as he smiles back, just to put the matter to rest. If he has to, he'll find a way to repay him, but that's a bridge he'll cross when he gets to it later.

Right now, however, is Tsurumaru looking more anxious than he's ever seen him before in his life. Dinner isn't for a good few hours. Worry lines Ichigo's face, and he steps around the table to block his way. ]

I don't mean to impose, but can you stay just a bit longer so we can talk?

[ He cuts the farewell he was ready to say at the door short before it even leaves his mouth. The anxiety flickers in, and instead of forcing a smile it stays there in a mask of nerves. The scarf is too loose, so Tsurumaru reties it quickly, hoping that Ichigo won't see the bandages hidden underneath, and the inevitable bloodstains from the open bruises. ]

I have to-- [ His voice turned harries and shallow, and as he removes his hand from the knotted scarf he takes the moment to stare at his nails, scrutinizing them for any flecks of blood. Ichigo's right, it's far too hot in here with his scarf layered on bandages. Even if he isn't due back to Mikazuki today, still- the last thing he wants is the sinking feeling in his stomach to get worse and for it to make Ichigo even more worried. ]-- I have to go.

I'm sorry. Please.

Edited 2015-12-04 11:17 (UTC)

Tsurumaru, please- [ He starts again, his tone gentle, as if the the person in front of him were made of glass. Ichigo's eyes follow his hand at the base of his scarf, and whatever he was going to say next fades from his mind as he catches sight of the bandages.

Suddenly, the dots are starting to connect. The softness to his voice edges closer to concern, and suddenly he's moving closer and trying to inspect the blood peeking through the bandages. ]

Are you hurt? Your neck-- did something happen?

Edited 2015-12-05 07:14 (UTC)

No, it's- [ He doesn't have the words to explain to Ichigo what happens in Vegas, and instead stumbles a few steps back when Ichigo approaches, reminding himself of the tiny tree in the corner and the boxes underneath that he can't trample over. ] I'll come see you again tomorrow.

[ When he touches his neck again, the bandages feel damp, and Tsurumaru bites into his cheek and tastes blood there, too. He has to make up some excuse to throw Ichigo's suspicions off him. He laughs nervously, trying to relax his posture again. ] I really didn't want you ask--- I'm fine. I got mugged in Vegas last time, but the police have taken care of everything, and I've got everything back, so it's just a matter of getting better and-

[ His eyes dart towards the door again, where he can see the tops of his shoes, and he wrings his hands together so he's not picking at his neck, but it's not the same. ] I just, really need to go.

[ Something is wrong. Gently, he takes another step forwards, cautiously extending a hand to brush against Tsurumaru's own near the scarf. For all he knows, the wounds haven't even been properly treated, and picking at them would only make it worse--

At Tsurumaru's story, Ichigo's brows raise in alarm, but he tries to settle himself down again so as not to worry Tsurumaru, too. ]

You were mugged, and they attacked your neck? I've never heard of anything like that..

[ The look in his eyes reads "I don't believe what you're saying", but it wouldn't be fair not to give him the benefit of the doubt, so--

Softly, he takes another step forward, searching Tsurumaru's eyes for a better truth, and speaks in a low voice. ]

I'm worried about you, Tsuru.

Yeah, well, you know muggers, and it's Vegas--

[ The unexpected contact causes Tsurumaru to flinch and draw back, stumbling back until he loses his footing and falls on his ass, the scarf becoming untangled in the process. He clamps down on his lip, scrambling for the scarf so he can retie it again, even though he knows Ichigo has seen the blood seeping through the clumsy bandages.

He knows he can't meet Ichigo's eyes with what little pride he has left, so he looks elsewhere instead, at his hands, at his feet, at the Christmas tree in the corner, anything to avoid the incriminating feelings as he climbs to his feet. At least Ichigo doesn't know of Mikazuki, though he thinks that's a little more worrying and a lot more unbelievable. ] Mitsutada already dressed them for me.

[ It's another lie, but Tsurumaru shoves his guilt down his throat so he can at least give Ichigo a smile to assuage his worries, and hopefully get the fuck out. ]

It's nothing to worry about, Ichigo.

[ "I'm nothing to worry about."]

Edited 2015-12-06 08:48 (UTC)

[ When Tsurumaru flinches back and hits the floor, Ichigo nearly moves to help him up until the sight of blood under messily applied bandages makes him freeze. He had no idea the wounds were that bad, especially for a mugging of all things.

Feeling something uncomfortable lodge itself in his gut, Ichigo clears his throat and tries not to let the overwhelming worry be too apparent on his face as Tsurumaru rises to his feet. ]

At least let me change the bandages. You're already bleeding through them, and it doesn't look like Mitsutada did a very good job of dressing them.

[ He tries to laugh here, if at least to take some of the tension away. ]

I promise I'll be gentle.

Don't- [ And here his words shake like the rest of him as the memory of the rope, Mikazuki's hands, and the quiet hushes Mikazuki had cooed to get him to stop struggling, play in his mind. The trembling stains the rest of the pained words he's determined to churn out. He doesn't want to yell at Ichigo if he can at all help it, Ichigo's too nice to be yelled at for something as stupid as his bedroom affairs. ]--Don't touch me.

[ He swallows. ] I'll get Mitsutada to do them over or something, or-- [ As the last words leave Ichigo's mouth, Tsurumaru's eyes widen, and he slides backwards until he's backed against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut and defensively holding his arms in front of him as if bracing for an attack. He doesn't slip or fall, but were it not for the wall behind him, he might have trampled over some of the giftboxes in his violent flight. ]

my knee is itchy

please for the love of god help me

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

tsurumaru "cant lie to save his life" kuninaga