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]

[ Even with the cold rain flinging immense drops all around them, he finds himself smiling. He has Rin's small, weak body in his arms, and treacherously he thinks that's where she belongs for just an instant before he banishes the thought. ]

As you know, I'm really unfair. I'm ruthless, even: that is the Servant you summoned.

[ He tries to open his wings to fly, only to find that they're too wet and the wind is too strong. Stubbornly, he instead starts to walk his way back to the tree. ]

[gandere]

[ Water pools within the skirt across her lap and around her in his arms as her body tries to fend off the cold. Shivering against him, the magus tries to make sense of his actions while fighting off the urge to pass out. ]

So what do you plan to do with me now that you're abducting me? Are you going to lock me up in a dungeon somewhere?

[ The cold might have gotten to her already. ]

[steelmyself]

A dungeon? That's no place for you.

[ He reinforces his entire body against the rain so he can pick up his pace, but still his arms are gentle around her, his chest warm. ]

I'm going to bring you back to bed.

[gandere]

[ Much like her wings, she draws herself in closer to the part of him that's warm in an attempt to ward off the chill. ]

That's nonsense, Archer.

I can't get in bed when I'm soaking wet.

[steelmyself]

[ He doesn't have to think about anything; he doesn't have to dwell on his sins and regrets; he just has to keep moving forward against the wind, cradling this one small body to his chest. He is protecting someone precious. For a fleeting moment, existence is even bearable.

So naturally he speaks carelessly, his guard fractured. ]

I see, I'll have to remove your clothes and wrap you in warm blankets.

[gandere]

[ What does she say to that? There's nothing that comes to mind so she accepts it for what it is: a throwaway remark made in the moment. Archer isn't the type to concern himself with things of that nature as a hero after all. ]

Didn't you receive a tunic as well? I could wear that.

[steelmyself]

[ He spends his energy moving forward into the rain and the wind, Rin nestled in his arms. The howling storm wipes away his thoughts: he has a girl to protect in his arms, and that's all. ]

Yeah, that'd be better.

[ His voice is a bit different, or is it just the wind? ]

It's indecent to have Tohsaka naked in bed in my house, after all.

[gandere]

[ It's my house. She thinks loud enough to count as she settles in against his chest. Not entirely comfortable, but it's the best she'll get in the moment as she brings a hand up to protect her nose from the rain around them. Something familiar tugs at her in his words, but it takes a few more steps before the mistake reveals itself. ]

Archer, you said something strange just now.

You're aware of that, aren't you?

[steelmyself]

[ Is that the sound of him catching his breath? ]

You're imagining things, Rin. Perhaps you're fevered.

[gandere]

... ah, it's possible.

[ Plus the impact of the drops against and around them are deafening. It's very well possible she heard what she desired to hear most instead of the reality that was around her. ]

Geez, that's troublesome. [ Not so much the possibility of a fever, but imagining Shirou's voice when she was being rescued by another. At least this is a shame she can keep to herself and not bother Archer with. ]

[steelmyself]

[ As they approach the tree, he speaks a bit unwarily once more. ]

It's a good thing I don't mind you being troublesome.

[gandere]

In this situation you may. [ She answers truthfully. ]

It's nothing we need to concern ourselves with for now. What's important is getting indoors and making sure the rain doesn't flood the inside of the tree.

[steelmyself]

[ At last he steps through the entrance to the tree, into the dry warmth inside, and looks up at the Life Stream and the hole leading to the second floor above it. ]

Hmm...

[ He's going to have to get pretty close to the golden light to carry Rin up to the sixth floor where her (his) house is. ]

[gandere]

What is it, Archer?

[ Once she's sure she won't drown from breathing in water, she'll pull away her hands and peel back away from his chest a bit. They're both sopping wet and it feels as if she's gain twice her weight in her hair alone from it. ]

[steelmyself]

It's nothing.

[ He approaches the way up, then pauses. ]

Ah, I'm soaked as well--

[ And he makes his coat disappear, leaving him in just his armor and his pants. His bare arms wrap around Rin. ]

[gandere]

Is it too much weight?

[ Suddenly insecure between both his commentary and bare arms. ]

[steelmyself]

[ Concentrating on the Life Stream above: ]

No, you're light as a feather, Rin. We'll fix that with better meals soon enough.

[ And he spreads his wings, shaking the water out of them, and takes flight towards the upper floors, clutching Rin firmly in his arms. ]

[gandere]

Hey! [ The sudden jolt in taking off only causes her to grab onto him tightly. ]

A little warning next time might not be such a poor idea, Archer!

[steelmyself]

[ He braces himself against the gentle warmth of the Life Stream, trying to avoid it as he flies, speaking sarcastically to defend himself. ]

Oh, I'm sorry. I was unaware my brave Master was such a delicate princess at heart.

[gandere]

You shouldn't handle your abductee so poorly in the first place! That's poor behavior for any kidnapped!

[ And that's a punch aimed right for his shoulder. ]

[steelmyself]

[ The punch is natural, but it distracts him just enough that he flies right into the Life Stream by mistake.

Peace and love suffuse the both of them, and suddenly he's really happy that Rin is punching him, so happy that he shifts his arms around her, catches her small fist against his shoulder, and leans down to kiss her knuckles. ]

[gandere]

[ There's something strange about this, but Rin finds herself unable to be angry about it. The scene alone is romantic enough and knowing that he cares enough to brave the storm to bring her back home swells enough compassion within her chest for him. ]

Hey Archer?

[steelmyself]

[ --he's in the Life Stream. Distantly, he thinks that he really doesn't deserve to feel so nice, but he can't quite be bothered by it right now. ]

Yeah, Rin?

[gandere]

It's great we're in this together. Had I arrived without you, I might have felt lonely or envious of everyone else among other things.

[ Of course this is her idea of romantic. ]

[steelmyself]

A woman who shines as brilliantly as you do need never be lonely.

[ And that's his idea of romantic--assuring her of her strength while removing himself from the picture. ]