neverplaysfair | Game 049 [Written/Voice]

Game 049 [Written/Voice]

[ Sometime in the early afternoon, the following question goes out over the journals. The camera is covered, and the handwriting is disguised. ]

Let's have a thought experiment. Say you were dying, and the only possible way to save yourself is to get help from someone very close to you. However, you don't know for sure that this help will indeed save you, and whether or not it does, there's a chance that it will damage the one helping you. Trying to help you might even kill them.

Do you ask for their help anyway? Would you accept their help if they offered it?

[ Later on in the evening, Joshua makes a separate post from the previous, this one voiced and not anonymous. ]

[ Filtered to Neku, 100% ]

Hey Neku, are you busy tomorrow?

[ /Filter ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nngh...

[The lightheadedness comes on full force with that stronger pull. He can feel himself starting to lose consciousness and at this point, Neku's not even sure he wants to fight it. Just, ugh.

He sure hopes you know what you're doing.]

[ Joshua totally does. Kind of. He just doesn't know what will happen. That's the same thing, right?

Shibuya's Music is like a wave of warmth over him, it's a momentary comfort that he knows will pass again but while it's here, he needs it.

At least his vibe is holding steady. ]

[...not quite! Either way, hopefully this actually helps. Because Neku is so not going to be happy later.

But after a few more moments Neku is out, going completely slack against Joshua as he falls unconscious.]

[ Joshua, meanwhile, is still fighting a war against his own body. The unconsciousness doesn't stop Neku's Music, but it does dampen it. Still, he's already taken a very large portion for himself.

It's not as drastic, or as clear, as it was the last time. But slowly, slowly he can feel the panic and the pain leaking away. He doesn't let go of Neku, doesn't stop holding him close until he's completely sure he's not going to relapse. The feeling of his shirt sticking to his back creeps back into his awareness, as does the feeling of the cold around him. He pulls himself back a bit and listens to his own Music. It's weak, it's unsteady, it's still broken in a few places but it's still fixable, it's still something he can recover from as long as he rests.

He's not dead. He's shivering and shaking and lightheaded but he's not dead. Hopefully, Shibuya isn't either.

Joshua tries to move away, and startles a little when Neku moves with him. ]

--Neku?

[ For a moment, he goes cold. Now that he's paying attention, he can tell just how weak Neku's Music has gotten. Just how faint it is. Neku's skin seems even colder than his, and just because he's still breathing doesn't mean he will be for long.

But Joshua isn't in any state to help him. He can barely help himself.

Still with raised vibe, he settles Neku on his bed and gets in with him, then tucks them both in. At the very least, for the moment they can share some body heat.

Joshua at least sleeps for the rest of the day. When he wakes, he's more than a bit relieved to find the body next to him hasn't become a corpse. When he's not dozing off, he spends the rest of the time playing what he can of Shibuya's melody on a violin with unsteady hands, as if that would somehow help both of them.

Now to see if Neku would wake up, or just slowly die. ]

[Neku can faintly make out the sound from the violin as he starts to regain consciousness. He tries to focus on it, but it sounds far away and he can't make sense of anything yet.

He's not dead at least.

He drifts in and out of consciousness for a bit longer, until eventually he can hear the music getting louder and he's starting to register the fact he's lying down. He really, really does not want to wake up though. His body feels stiff from not moving and he feels exhausted.

He begins to stir on Joshua's bed. He goes still again after a moment, his eyes remaining shut, but he's definitely awake.]

[ The sound of Neku shifting catches Joshua's attention instantly. He stops playing and looks up, not entirely sure whether he'd just imagined that or not.

He's still in his adult form, even after this long. He's not risking going back just yet. ]

Neku?

[Neku briefly cracks open an eye at his name being called but then quickly closes it again, his brow furrowing.]

...urgh. What...?

[ "You're alive." ]

Oh, nothing.

[ And Joshua resumes playing. Best to leave Neku alone until he feels like getting up. Either of them pushing themselves too hard could be bad here. ]

[He just needs some time to get his bearings.]

...what happened?

You passed out. [ Said simply, without even pausing his playing.

It's the truth. Just only a fraction of it. ]

[He doesn't say anything for a few minutes, fine with just laying there for the moment. Once he feels like he can, Neku slowly sits up. He brings his hand up to his forehead and opens his eyes finally, looking over to Joshua.]

...that's never happened before.

[From listening to his Music before he means. And why are you older now.]

[ Joshua pauses this time, looking over Neku as he sits up. Making sure he's alright. ]

I know.

[ Well, isn't that the million yen question. Joshua would quite like to know, himself. ]

...

[Okaaay then. He won't press it for now, honestly he feels like laying down and going back to sleep.

He drops his hand down to his lap, and when he does he finally notices he's in Joshua's bed and was covered up. ...well, at least Joshua cared enough to put him some place comfortable. How long was he out for, though?]

[ He'll need to ask that question or find a journal if he wants that answer. Though it's pretty clear there's a good deal more progress on Joshua's painting, if Neku thinks to look. ]

[He probably won't think to look. But the way Joshua is acting, all serious and distant, plus the fact he's suddenly older, is making Neku feel like there's something very wrong.

He shoots Joshua a look, not accusing or suspicious or anything bad, more along the lines of concern. Talk to me, damnit.]

[ If Neku isn't going to be upset at him for this, Joshua isn't about to give him any fresh reason to. Hope you don't mind your talking being small. ]

Are you hungry now?

Josh.

[Nope, now he's going to start pressing it. He's going to start getting upset if Joshua doesn't tell him exactly what is going on.]

[ Then use your words and ask like a big boy. ]

Neku?

...what's going on?

I was playing the violin while you were asleep, and now you're asking me silly questions.

Because something's wrong and you're not telling me.

Something's always wrong, Neku.

Then what's wrong now? Ugh, do I really have to play this game with you?

... You and I should both rest for a while.

...you're not getting out of this conversation.

[Though Neku wouldn't really object to more rest.]

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