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Entry tags:

haruka,
michiru

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[ Her back and arm were killing her, but they were healing much faster than she'd expected. Perhaps that was another benefit to what they were, the soldiers that they transformed into. For now, though, she's just focused on Uranus; the trees in this little patch of woods are thick and provide a lot of cover, but it also makes it easy to be snuck up on.

She's high in a branch right now, sweaty and sore as she crouches low against the trunk and catches her breath. It's dark, long after sundown, and she's left scanning her eyes over the treeline, looking for her sparring partner. ]

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[ Haruka waits for Michiru to shut the bathroom door behind her, neatly sets the remaining towel on the living room table, and then collapses on the sofa, arms splayed out over the backrest and head tilted back.

eyes fluttering to a close, she lets out a heavy breath. in all honesty, Michiru taking a bath would've been beneficial to her, too; it would've given her actual time to rest. as it is, though, Haruka makes use of what time she's got to relax, and hopes Michiru is very thorough in washing her face.

she very nearly dozes off (but definitely just nearly) when Michiru's voice snaps her back to reality, and she instantly hops to her feet. ]

I'll drive you.

I can take a bus.. I don't want to be an inconvenience.

[ It's posturing out of politeness, though; she really, really doesn't want to bother waiting for public transportation, not as exhausted as she is, not as bad as she feels like she smells. Cruising home in Haruka's car after a long day training is a far cry from the cruising on the beach that she's allowed herself to think about a handful of time, but right now? It sounds just as wonderful. ]

[ Haruka's getting used to the pattern, here: Michiru doesn't want any favors done for her, Michiru doesn't accept even the smallest of offers lest it makes her a burden. Haruka can understand how she feels, but that doesn't mean she's willing to accept it, either.

another thing she's getting used to: there's no use in arguing. wordlessly, she walks past Michiru to the doorway, slips her shoes back on, and steps outside as she opens the door. with her back to her, she calls: ] I'm driving you.

[ Michiru slips her own shoes back on, watching as Haruka goes. She starts to argue again, but it's pointless now, isn't it? And honestly, she doesn't really want to argue, anyway.

So she simply follows behind her, smiling gently to herself, some of the tension draining from her shoulders. ]

Thank you.

[ Haruka nods in response, sliding into the driver's seat and starting up the car. there's something reassuring in the knowledge that regardless of Michiru says, as long as she takes the lead, she will follow. ]

[ She slides into the passenger's seat, hands folded in her lap as she twists very slightly to look out her own window. ]

Are you sure you're alright to drive?

If I weren't, I wouldn't be offering. [ she's tired and in pain, without a doubt, but driving is second nature to her. she wouldn't be as brash as to do something she knows is beyond her capabilities, anyway, not when there's no need for her to. ]

Alright, alright. Just don't push yourself too hard.

[ Says Michiru. She's holding her stomach as subtly as she can, and when Haruka starts the car, Michiru simply shuts her eyes. ]

When should we meet again?

I know.

[ 'you too', she thinks, but pushes the thought down. stop fussing. you know she's more capable than that.

than you. ]

This time next week, maybe? What do you think?

Maybe a little sooner than that?

[ They had pushed themselves to their limits, but once a week didn't feel like enough. She's not opened her eyes, though, relaxed in the seat. ]

[ she figured that was probably going too easy on themselves. ] Friday?

I have a obligation Friday night. Saturday morning?

[ She's not opening her eyes, clearly comfortable in the seat. ]

An obligation, huh? [ but she doesn't press further. ] Sure.

Mm. [ Haruka didn't press, but Michiru half opens one eye to tiredly look at her regardless. ]

There's a famous concert violinist in town. I'm going to see her.

[ It's not an invitation- she only has the one ticket. ]

Have fun. [ she doesn't take it as such. they're partners -- that doesn't mean there's a need for them to butt into each other's lives beyond what's necessary. ]

I intend to.

[ She shuts her eye then, and if Haruka allows her, will spend the rest of the ride in silence. ]

[ Haruka plans on it. she's tired, too, and doesn't see the point in forcing small talk where neither of them are up to it. all the both of them want right now is to get home, and sleep.

at a stoplight, she glances off to the side, catching sight of Michiru's profile. she looks so peaceful, the tension finally drained from her features, her usual guardedness gone.

she's pretty, like that.

shaking her head, Haruka focuses back on the road. and maybe because she isn't looking at Michiru, and Michiru isn't looking at her, she feels the sudden urge to speak. ]

... Hey. [ quietly, softly. ]

Thanks for today.

[ if Michiru's asleep and doesn't hear, that's just as well. ]

[ It would be so easy to pretend to be asleep, or to even slip into actual sleep. The hum of the car is soothing, and she has enough confidence in Haruka's driving to let herself relax.

Except she's too disciplined for that. As much as she'd like to sleep, she can't let herself- so when Haruka speaks, Michiru just smiles very slightly. ]

Why are you thanking me? Learning to fight is important.

[ And there is no one she would rather learn with. ]

I... [ Haruka exhales, fingers fastening and unfastening around the wheel. maybe it really would've been better if Michiru hadn't heard.

but as things are, she might as well be fully honest. ]

... It's funny. Just before you beat me, I thought to myself that I was being too soft. That even though I said I wouldn't, I was still holding myself back. And I told myself that from that point on, I won't hesitate, and fight with everything I've got. [ a small, dry laugh ] But I couldn't live up to it for even a second. It's like you saw right through the lie I told myself.

[ 'I know you better than you know yourself', the words float up from the back of her mind.

she's starting to realize just how true they may be. ]

Some things take time.

[ Michiru isn't sure how she knows, just that she simply does: Haruka's soul is strong but gentle. Trying to change that almost hurts. Is this going to ruin her? Will she herself be Haruka's downfall?

No, she can't afford to think about things like that. Some things simply must be done, and this is one of them. ]

You would have won if you hadn't fallen for my trick, you know. You're a good soldier. [ But she won't touch on the bit about Haruka lying to herself, choosing instead to eschew it entirely. ]

You don't have to lie for my sake. I've got a long way to go before I can even call myself a soldier. You made me realize that today.

[ she thinks back: 'we can't allow ourselves to get emotional'; 'we won't have time to blame ourselves'; it seemed unthinkable to her, at the time, to look out only for herself, to concern herself with nothing but winning the battle. but Haruka understands now -- even if Michiru wouldn't argue with her then, her actions today spoke louder than words ever could've.

they can't afford to get too involved. they have to value their mission over their own lives -- and over each other's, as well. Haruka still doesn't like it, still doesn't want it to be this way. but their fate isn't going to abide by what they want. ]

[ She wants to chastise her: they are soldiers, became them the moment they took their wands, but arguing is silly. Instead, Michiru just hums again, breathing softly as she listens to the other woman speak.

Suddenly, impulsively, she wishes they could run away. Haruka could just keep driving until it became impossible- then they could hop on a plane and go somewhere, anywhere, run away from this place and let someone else take care of it. Right?

Except there was no running from her visions, and she knows it. So instead, she just sighs, softly and tinged with melancholy. Oh, well. ]

My, my. You drive so fast - I'm almost home already?

[ the shift in the conversation is sudden, but Haruka is content enough to go along with it, to set those thoughts aside.

she grins at Michiru. ] Of course. I'm the fastest driver in Japan. Still wish you'd taken the bus?

Not at all.

[ What if she just slept there, leaned against Haruka's shoulder and napped? What would she even do?

Ugh. Stupid, childish fantasies. ]

I think most people dream about getting to ride with you like this. I should be grateful, right?

Well, most people dream about getting to meet such a prodigious, world-renowned violinist as yourself, won't you say?