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

[gandere]

[ Happy and sad both at the same time. As complicated as the war had been, it was at least something she could figure out in comparison to the man holding her. Why is it, Rin asks herself, that you think of someone forbidden instead of the one you do have?

Right now, she found it difficult to determine just who was the forbidden fruit between Archer and Shirou Emiya. The latter belonged to her sister, but not the one here. The former was a Heroic Spirit who had already lived his life, leaving everything that happened here to be a dream that could never be continued again. ]

If you keep this up, I'll warm up a bit too much. [ She teases knowing that that would be the breaking limit for them both. Too much too soon. ]

[steelmyself]

Hmmm.

[ He falls silent, at that. It's not her teasing that pushes him to stop--it's the hint of distress he can feel from her. Why is it that she's sad? He can't ask, right now. What if it's something he can do nothing about? ]

Then let's stop there, and merely keep you just warm enough.

[ His voice is calm now, and he pulls a little bit back from her, holding her only lightly now. ]

[gandere]

[ Far too much took place after he left her and with many of those details vivid in her mind like a fresh wound, she's incapable of relaxing. It'd be too easy to open up and tell someone, though what good would it do? It'd make him worry needlessly so and wear her pride down; therefore Rin's only option was to tuck those feelings away just as he tucked her in his arms. ]

We're okay together like this, Archer. [ He withdraws and it stings a little, though not enough to make a fuss over. ]

Careful with your arm. My stomach still hurts.

[steelmyself]

Mmm. We're okay.

[ It's not enough for her to be okay. He wants her to be happier than anyone else has ever been. But the gap between that ideal and the reality of her troubles is too far for him to cross right now. ]

Right, of course. I won't allow any further injury to come to you on my watch, Rin.

[gandere]

I wasn't sure if you were aware of it or not. [ Not that she's calling him out for it. Simply she's drawing attention to the fact she's kept it well hidden. ]

You aren't upset with me for arriving here in such a sorry state, are you?

[steelmyself]

[ He smirks a little, and though she might not be able to see it, she can probably hear it in his voice. ]

Don't underestimate my observation, Rin. If you are hurt, I will know.

[ He pauses at her question, though, before speaking more quietly. ]

With you? No. I'm certain that if you received injury or deprivation, it was for a worthwhile cause. You wouldn't lightly subject yourself to harm.

[gandere]

[ Does he know? Rin worries for a moment that his words ring true, but she's mastered the art of keeping her feelings to herself. There's no way he can know. ]

Hmph, it'll most likely scar in this place due to a lack of medicine. That irritates me, but there's nothing that can be done about it.

Deprivation though? What an odd thing to take notice of.

[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. ]