dreamcrystals | 2nd Wish

[Oh, he's in the bathroom all right... Just not using it. He's in there removing the mirror that's hanging above the sink, humming pleasantly to himself when the knock almost startles him into dropping the damn thing.

His voice comes out suspiciously cheerful.]

Occupied...!

[ gh!! f-fine.

SHE'LL STAY OUTSIDE THE DOOR THEN. unlike him, she doesn't barge in on people. arms are crossed, and there is a no-nonsense aura going on just outside! ]

Yato, if I come into that bathroom after you and I see that the mirror is missing because you have it in your head all mirrors are dangerous...!

[Damn-- Busted...! He pauses midway to the window, having been planning to go out it with said object tucked under his arm. Instead, he slowly puts the mirror down against the wall and opens the door a crack to peer out at her with one eye.]

...what if it's still here?

[Just, you know, not on the wall.]

[ jolts slightly at that blue eye but she's standing her ground!! ]

You've already taken it off the wall? Geez.

[ SIGHS. ]

Put it back.

[DAMN, How does she always know?? Hiyori Senses are amazing.]

But--! I'm trying to keep you safe! What if ayakashi or something decide to crawl out of it??

[Still not opening the door all the way.]

[ that gives her pause.

it's fine she trusts him to take care of it if it happens. if!! but it probably?? won't?? ]

Y-you're just being dramatic! We can't live in fear all the time or we'll go crazy. Now, I'm telling you to put it back. We're not giving any of our mirrors away. Delete that post.

[ and because now she's pretty sure he's not BUSY WITH BATHROOM THINGS, she's going to push open the door now-- ]

[But one never knows for sure--!! Still, he's so surprised at her trying to enter that he gets whacked in the forehead by the door and staggers back with a quiet EEP. Thankfully, he is indeed not doing anything suspect in there.

Aside from running off with a mirror, that is.]

I can't delete it! It's not social media, it's a journal!

[At least he's moving to replace the mirror back where it belongs after taking the time to rub at his head. That smarts... Mumbling, his shoulders hunch up.]

Besides, you weren't the one who got stuck in a mirror...

[ truth be told, hiyori is surprised by her own audacity to enter the bathroom when yato is already IN IT, too. ]

Then, I don't know! Scratch it out!!

[ enter: hiyori! to watch him put the mirror back. yeah, she knew it. the last statement gets her to stiffen as she hovers nearby.

... it's true, she's not. yukine has already tried to use this argument against her, though. you ever been dead before? she's different now. her tone and face soften from her anger to something along the lines of tenderness. ]

I wasn't, but... Yato, the answer isn't to be afraid of mirrors and to get rid of them. That's just running away from the problem. And is it really ayakashi you're worried about...? Or something else?

[Well, when not in use, it's just another room, so!! Nothing weird here.]

Alright, alright! I try that when I get done here...!

[Still sulking, he lets his hands hover over the edge of the mirror, making sure it's secure before starting to drop his arms back to his side. Although her words get him to slow to a stop, gripping the sink's rim tightly.

...when did she get so clever? No, she's always been smart. Smarter than him, it seems. Gazing into the mirror at his own reflection, he pointedly avoids looking at her.]

.....I know. The only way I know how to deal with threats is to eliminate them. Ayakashi? Slay them. Other gods? Talk them into listening. But what can I do about a potential one like mirrors? So far it seems like every other instance of encountering them has resulted in something horrible happening. I... don't want it to be to you.

[ ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. having heartfelt conversations in a bathroom is normal.

how yato deals with things isn't a revelation to her. here, maybe, they can change that. something he said in bishamon's mansion comes to mind again, too. saying something along the lines of staying away from people was a way to protect them.

how? she hasn't gotten a chance to ask yet, but she steps closer and peers at him by using his reflection in the mirror. ]

I'm also a little weary of them because of what happened, but... I feel safe here. [ she had hoped he felt the same. ] If anything were to happen, you're nearby so I don't worry too much.

[ there's an attempt at a small smile. ]

Besides, I can probably get a couple of hits in. Didn't I tell you I helped take down one of those huge ice elementals?

[Normal for them, it would seem.

He would like to do better than just running away from his problems, but he's tended to take the route that seems safest for those he cares about. And when he doesn't, like trying to challenge heaven to protect Bishamon, it seems to end badly. He can't let that happen to Hiyori. He can't.

His gaze follows her movement, catching her eyes briefly before he glances away with a shy smile. She feels safe, huh...]

In that case maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have a couple in the house. If you feel comfortable with it. They still unsettle me, I won't lie.

[Glancing back to her in the mirror, he lets his eyes fixate on hers, so pink and pretty.]

Yeah. I feel like you'd get more than a couple hits in. You could likely wrestle whatever tries to show up and subdue them with your moves. Normal intruders are one thing we don't have to worry about. It's the unusual ones that concern me.

[ the thing with bishamon was all and all BAD. in every way. contrived by his father. it wasn't his fault and he tried to do right by his morals and by her wish to help. operating on the strong belief that yato could do it.

at what cost?

that answer is better than taking them all down and handing them over to whoever is taking advantage of yato's misguided generosity. hiyori hums in thought, considering.]

Y, yeah. I get your point. It's not like I don't understand why you're worried. Ummm--

[she doesn't want to disregard yato's concern completely. when she looks back up, they make eye contact through the mirror finally. ]

If it really bothers you... what if... we covered them when they're not being used? Will that help at all? I want you to be comfortable, too.

[It cost Yukine far too much, in Yato's mind. And that his friends risked their guideposts for them... It's something he never, ever wants to go through again. Now he sees why so many gods bow down to Heaven. It can be a frightening force.

Focusing on her staring at him a while longer gets him turning a faint pink color that he tries to ignore. She isn't wrong, either, but still...]

I appreciate you not going off on me. I know it might seem silly, but I can't help how I feel. Better safe than sorry, yeah?

[With his face heating up, he turns around to face her properly, leaning back against the sink and folding both arms across his chest.]

Hmm... That's not a bad idea. I think it might make me feel better, yeah. And if something does try to come through, they'll have to deal with an obstacle first. So yeah-- let's do that!

[ though she might not have been there to witness yato moving the mountain that was heaven, she has witnessed the mark he's made on so many people.

she nearly went off on him, but after hearing how he felt about it (and managing to stop him in time)... it's not that unfathomable. what's wrong is giving them away to avoid the problem altogether.

yato's faint blush is something she's going to ignore, too. in the hopes that he ignores her slightly flushed face as they HANG OUT IN THIS TINY ROOM TOGETHER. she fiddles with the hem of her sweater. ]

How you feel isn't the silly part. We'll make it work, as long as it makes you feel better. [ towels? blankets? what can they use...? she leans against the counter on her elbows, tugging at her sleeves. ]

Not only that, looking in mirrors is the real problem rather than the mirrors themselves. It's like... turning a creepy doll around because you don't want to feel like it's staring at you or something, right?

[It's probably ridiculous for someone capable of such a feat to be concerned with mirrors of all things, but here they are. There's no getting around the fact that the damn things are grating on his nerves.

Hiyori's always so understanding when it counts, he can't help but feel a surge of emotion when she's working hard to find a sensible solution that suits them both. The urge to take her hands in his own and thank her is strong.

But not strong enough to win out over his self-consciousness. As she messes around with her shirt, he idly runs a hand down the side of his pants. S-Sweating again. Damn his nerves...!]

Y-Yeah, okay. Alright. I know we can come up with something. [With his skills, it shouldn't be too hard to mock up some cute, usable curtains for the mirrors. Something tasteful that won't look out of place.]

...you're not wrong. So what you're saying is I ought to be focusing on dealing with that issue rather than getting rid of them, huh? Sounds like something Yukine would say. [He offers her a knowing smile.]

[ just a little, but it's okay. you can't control how you feel, but you can control how you act.

as for the hands, they're always sweating tho........ but her next smile at him is more heartfelt and brighter, glad he has more faith in himself. and her, too. she stands back up straight.

she can design something and he can weave it! yeah!! ]

... D-does it? [ she flusters, being compared to genteel yukine makes her feel warm. being reminded of yukine makes her smile a bit melancholy. ]

I wish we could see him. I know time moves funny here, so I keep hoping he hasn't been alone all this time, but I wish I could talk to him for just a bit. To everyone. Mother and father and onii-chan and grandmother, too...

[ don't cry don't cry don't cry. she's been so GOOD about staying strong. ]

[How he acts, huh... He's always just followed his whims, never really putting a huge amount of thought into managing his behavior. Which is how they ended up with him proposing to her, wearing her clothes, and other weird things. It's how they ended up crammed together in their small bathroom, like they're sharing secrets.

Which they kinda are, in a way. But it's a good kind. He smiles back at her, starting to feel better about the whole deal. At least briefly.

Hurrah for teamwork! Something to make everybody happy!]

Y-Yeah...! In a good way! [That much he feels the need to clarify, just in case. Although when she seems to start tearing up, he's quick to push off the sink and hesitantly reach out with both hands, eager to comfort her somehow.]

H-Hiyori... I know you're missing them some kinda bad right now, but it'll be alright--! I'll figure out a way of getting you home soon, I promise...! Just... hang in there, okay?

[He won't dare to tell her not to cry. She's allowed to; there's no reason she shouldn't. Not in the face of everything they've been through and are still up against.]

[ as if she could take being compared to yukine in a bad way.

since he's noticed her tears, she startles and reaches up to try and wipe them away in a hurry with her hands. ]

I-I know! I know it'll be alright... [ ugh. she doesn't want to cry like this. she doesn't want to worry yato. it may be okay to cry, but that doesn't mean it's ever easy. ]

I'm okay! Sometimes I think of everyone and miss them, that's all. You do too, right? So don't take everything upon yourself. [ is there even a way to get home? someone would have found out by now, right?

tissues. where are the tissues...? with blurry vision, she grabs a towel and rubs her face with it with a sigh. her nose and face are red when she lowers it and she can't quite meet yato's eyes. ]

It's not bad here, anyway! I can't complain. It's just a little weird.

[True, true. Though Yukine does have his moments, too. He is only human.

Feeling guilty about pointing it out, he hesitates a few more second before gently placing a hand on her upper arm, trying desperately to be reassuring without overstepping any boundaries.]

I know you know, I just-- [Don't know what else to say that isn't empty niceties without real meaning. Although even if they're trite and cliched, he does mean every word he says.]

Of course... I wake up sometimes, expecting to see Yukine only to realize that he's not here, and that I can't get to him in case he's having a nightmare. [There has to be a way, given that he's heard of people leaving. It's just... nobody seems to know how to trigger it.

He watches Hiyori work to compose herself, hesitating again before doing something brazen: wrapping his arms around hers in a tight hug. It's brief, it's gentle, but it's heartfelt.]

You're also allowed to miss them, too. You can complain about it hurting. I'll listen to any troubles you have, okay?

[ some old moments come to mind. being a thief, for one. that's behind him now though.

the hand on her upper arm makes her tense before she relaxes at it. she finds some of her nerve to glance up because he's doing his best to be comforting to her. for her. again. she tightens her grip around the towel, a thick tension in her throat. he's not having nightmares though, right? time isn't moving on earth. grandmother's clock isn't ticking without her, either.

his hug is brief, it's gentle, it's heartfelt, and it's what she actually needed in this moment. just over his shoulder, her eyes well up again. she's embarrassed but moved at the same time, so she reaches around to clutch the back of his jersey tightly and buries her nod against his shoulder. ]

I'm just... my grandmother worries me most of all. What if she, while I'm here. I'd feel so awful. But she won't, right?

[He almost doesn't try to go any further when a simple hand upon her causes that kind of reaction, but thankfully the moment of tension passes and she seem more comfortable with the contact. Last thing he wants to do is make things worse for her, after all. He can't say for certain what the relationship between this world and earth is, if one keeps moving without the other, or if they're in sync down to the second. He may be a god, but he's not omnipotent. Regrettably.

When Hiyori ends up clinging to him, his heart aches for her, clenching tight. Time is much more precious to humans, limited as it is. He understands and respects that. Trying to be comforting, her moves one handle to gently cradle the back of her head, the other rubbing her back in small circles. When he speaks, his voice is quiet. Calm. More confident than he really feels.]

She won't. I'm sure of it. She's just as strong as you are, Hiyori. She'll hang in there until you can see her again, I'll make certain of it. I'll keep searching for a way to get you back, even if only temporarily.

[ even if these are niceties, they're appreciated. it eases the ache in her heart for her grandmother. the dread that's been steadily creeping in on it. when, in yato's words, she was told it's her time. against him, with his soothing, she sags and calms. his smell is in her nose and he envelops her and it's so safe.

another silent nod against his shoulder. she believes him. when it matters, he's been honest with her. he hasn't been wrong. ]

I get my strength from her.

[ the thick tension in her throat, emotion, makes her croak out the words. she hasn't let him go but her grip has loosened slightly and isn't so desperate and helpless. for a while, she takes the comfort he offers her. ]

You have to get back, too. For Yukine-kun. I don't want him to suffer nightmares on his own, either.

[ the god's greatest secret.

mirrors being the worst of their problems compared to what's going on on earth doesn't seem all that bad. compared to what they had to leave behind. still, they bothered yato enough. she didn't mean to have things end up this way. crying on him.

hugging him for consolation. ]

Yato. Thank you. I needed that. You're always there when it's important...

[ and when it's not. her god of fortune. ]

[Until he learns more about Songerein and waking up, this is the best he can do for Hiyori. If he can provide even some small measure of comfort when things get tough for her, then he'll feel that he's done his job as her God of Fortune. Making the best of a bad situation, turning a negative into a positive, providing a safe haven... All are things he ought to be able to do for her.

He hugs her just a smidge tighter at her nod, smiling softly to himself. She's strong. She can handle this.]

That you do. Although some of it is your own. Don't forget that.

[When her hold on him loosens, so does his, in case she wishes to slip free. It's never his intention to hold her in place, to keep her for himself, however much he may long to do so. She's her own person, capable of standing on her own two feet. But he's also there in case she stumbles and needs a hand.]

Yeah. We'll find a way home, together. To that room where we belong, all three of us. Otherwise we'll get one hell of a scolding!

[Yukine won't let them hear the end of it, that's for sure. Leaving him to do all the work around the shop, studying on his own, and having to watch over his sleeping form. Provided he hasn't rolled off the roof yet. The kid would probably let him as punishment for being an idiot dozing off up there in the first place.

And for dragging Hiyori into this mess, whether it's his fault or not. Which he still feels it must be. That's one reason he has to do right by her.]

You're welcome, Hiyori. That's what a god is for, right? To answer your prayers, no matter how big or small. I'll always be there to hear them.

[ his best is enough. it's a comfort. he would be her god of fortune regardless, but he's done his job. in so many ways.

in reminding her that some is her own. she won't forget.

mention of getting a scolding has her laughing, just a bit wetly because her nose was running. like he gets when he's all weepy over shrines. she picks up the towel again and wipes her face. ]

Hehe. I'll just be happy to hear his voice.

[ although, something else has been bothering her. she doesn't know how to approach it. she doesn't want to believe it, either.

she's distracted by his comment that that's what a god is for. yes, it is. but strangely, even if it's true, a little ache is back. ]

Yeah. I'll keep making my prayers to the Yatogami. [ she pulls back and smiles at him but it's just slightly more reluctant to meet her eyes like her other smiles. it feels more polite. ]

I'd like to make a prayer now, if you'll hear it.

[He really is making it as a God of Fortune, in some small way, at least. It's a good start, being able to make one person happy. Especially when that person is Hiyori. She will always be his number one priority - he made a promise as such.

So hearing her laughter brings a smile back to his face, brighter and more assured than before. All is well between them, mirrors or no, being stuck here or not. It's what he craves, to be someone she can rely on and have faith in. Worthy of her devotion.

Releasing her, his brows raise in sympathy over the runny nose and he has to hold in a chuckle. Not easy getting emotional, huh?]

You and me both. I'll even take a slippering for being absent so long.

[That she'll keep praying to him sends a rush of color to his cheeks, but instead of getting all flustered, he embraces it with a brighter beaming that turns eager as she asserts there's more to her request. He has to resist the urge to take up her hand in his own, and instead nods emphatically. As if he could say no!]

O-Of course! I'll always hear them for you, any time, any place. What is it?

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