gaaaaay | (no subject)

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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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?

I'm hardly world-renowned yet.

[ Maybe someday. Can she still dream about it? ]

You'll get there.

[ not that she can guarantee it. it may be impossible -- it likely will be. but they both know this, and just for now, it's more comfortable pretending. like the end in the world isn't just out of sight and drawing nearer by the second, like they're not covered in scratches and bruises of their own doing, part of their desperate attempt to prepare themselves for that day. ]

We'll see, won't we?

[ But it's not dismissive, nor upset. It's just a vague, humming agreement, and she gestures at her building. ]

Thank you for the ride.

Anytime. [ she smiles at her, a little. ] Good night.

[ Michiru slides out of the car, lingering for a moment. She seems almost as if she might say something-- before she just tips her head again. ]

I'll see you Saturday.

[ And then she absconds. ]

[ Michiru pauses without saying anything, and Haruka doesn't say anything, either; only when Michiru turns to walk away, Haruka's hand abruptly shoots out, grabbing her by the wrist to keep her in place. ]

-- I'll get stronger. I promise.

[ and she lets go. ]

[ That? She wasn't expecting that, and it's almost enough to make her stumble, to lose her careful composure. ]

I know.

[ Softly. ]

I wouldn't trade you for any other partner.

[ A little smile, then, more sincere than most of her earlier ones. And then she really does leave. ]

[ Haruka doesn't know why her breath hitches in her throat when Michiru says that. afterwards, she says nothing more, only watches her leave.

... it's been a long day. time to head back home and sleep. twelve hours or so sounds about right... she can afford to be a bit late for school tomorrow.

exhaling, she steps on the gas. ]

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