But my life is more than a vision--

[steelmyself]

| characters | Archer, Shirou, Rin, and whoever wants to join them in their endeavor. Feel free to tag multiple headers and jump threads within them!
| date/time | Monday, May 4th, onwards through the rest of the week.
| location | Outside the tree, near the mists.
| rating | PG for now, who knows later.
| summary | A complicated series of domestic scenes unfold as Archer, Shirou, and Rin set to work building a miniature kitchen out where they can have real fire, only to be interrupted by a storm.

It's been almost three weeks since Archer and Rin arrived in the center of the tree and gained their wings, only to be met by Shirou and Saber as well. That's just about enough time for it to dawn on those who might be concerned with the domestic details of day-to-day life that they have such a thing here, in between the confusion, the struggle to organize, and the fears of more giant spiders.

Archer's highest priority might be the salvation of all the souls around him, as much as he hates it, but bit by bit a new concern creeps up on him, almost unconsciously. Every time he serves Rin a subpar, barely-cooked meal, it pains him a little deep inside where he thought he was only hollow.

He decides to act.

Comments

[steelmyself]

I am your Servant, Rin. I will notice what you are lacking.

[ His voice is quiet and earnest. ]

[gandere]

We don't have a pact so that's not true. [ Or else he'd notice what she passed onto a certain redhead. ]

Plus a woman should be able to keep some secrets from her partner.

[steelmyself]

Her partner...

[ He sounds faintly enchanted by that idea. Perhaps enough to fail to notice that she is, in fact, still hiding something from him. ]

Mmm, you should, anyway.

[gandere]

It keeps things enchanting anyway. [ She adds as an afterthought as if she could be anything like that. ]

You have some secrets of your own, don't you?

[steelmyself]

...

[ There's a pause at that, and when he speaks his voice is a little weary. ]

I do.

But you are brilliant, so it's only a matter of time before you uncover them and I'm defenseless before you.

[gandere]

If that happens and you're exposed before me, it'd only be fair I should join you on that level. [ While her voice isn't weary, it's softer. ]

Partners shouldn't have an unhealthy edge on each other after all.

[steelmyself]

Then I'll look forward to it, Rin.

[ The smile faintly returns to his voice. ]

The day you uncover my secrets.

[gandere]

That sounds as if it's an invitation to a challenge, Archer.

It'd be harsh of me to reject it, so we'll play this game while we're here. [ There, now she has something to do now that their little kitchen is likely ruined. ]

[steelmyself]

You are harsh, but I don't think you'll back down from a challenge like that.

[ Though his words might have an edge, his tone is gentle. ]

[gandere]

The way you keep bringing this up only gives the impression that you want me to figure out everything. Is that how it is, Archer?

[ Because she'll lay out all of her suspicions right here, right now if so.

If she wasn't so worn down from the rain. There's a loud yawn that leaves her and causes her to bury her face into one of the furs she's gathered up. ]

[steelmyself]

That's how it is, Rin, but right now anything you said would probably be garbled with exhaustion. I won't hear anything till after you've rested.

[ He remains there, though--at her side. ]

[gandere]

I would never allow my tongue to get so twisted in a manner that made it difficulty for others to understand me.

[ She did speak plainly for the simple minded Shirou Emiya for two weeks straight. Give her credit where it's due. ]

[steelmyself]

Oh, of course not. Your incompetence lies in other areas. But you should rest now.

[gandere]

I'll rest when you stop insulting me.

[ He's the one who is Shirou Emiya. NOT HER. ]

[steelmyself]

I thought you didn't set impossible goals for yourself, Rin.

[gandere]

[ Tch. ] It wouldn't be impossible if you'd stop being such a bully out of nowhere.

[steelmyself]

I have to be a bully to keep up with you. But I suppose I could be quiet for a little while to let you rest.

[gandere]

Then shut up already. [ The most romantic sentiment ever. ]

... and good night, Archer. I know you don't need to sleep, but you should anyway. You might have a nice dream.

[ Meaning she's not going to do what she normally does. ]

[steelmyself]

[ A little surprised at those strange words-- ]

Rin?

Servants don't dream.

[gandere]

I'm not wrong, Archer. [ Except she is.

If she was in a pact with him, then he'd have her dreams within his mind. It's easy for her to think they're in a pact and that she can give him a nice dream when she can't think straight. ]

[steelmyself]

...of course not, Rin.

After all, you are perfect in every way.

[ He lowers his head to rest against her hair, though he doesn't kiss her again. He simply rests there. ]

[gandere]

[ She isn't, but as long as Archer believes it then she will as well.

As she drifts off to sleep, her body warms up. Not due to the Servant holding her or the blankets they're wrapped up in. Despite denying that she's strong and perfect, she still made the mistake of being a vulnerable human girl in the middle of a torrential downpour when she was already weakened from a wound along her stomach.

Good thing Servants can't get a cold. ]

[steelmyself]

[ Eventually, he'll get up and make her some soup for when she wakes up. For now, though, he rests and holds her. It's enough; he's almost happy. ]