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[Unlike Will, who can pretend much easier, Lion is just sincere and obvious in her reactions. Still a little unsure and wondering if this is just a weird twist but then it doesn't feel like it at all and even if it was, the joke is on the nightmare. It would be a relief if he broke character so to speak even for a moment compared to the rest of it.

Relaxing just makes her more aware that he is Will. And she doesn't think about the odd or worrying implications that they seem to have replaced each other in equal nightmares. The only part of that that's noted is that Will was probably going to have one, too.

So taking a breath and giving a slight, weak smile against that look.] Yes. It's a little irritating, actually.

[A beat and maybe the look is getting to her.]

Are you all right...?

[It wouldn't have been the first time she was dragged into one of his dreams, though the first case ended horribly, he'd vote that this one has the possibility to be worse. But her reaction is normal, it's Her, but there's still that unrealistic shot in the back of his mind that she's faking it, it's just another move of that nightmare, kill her anyway-- no.]

Irritating is a... nice way to put it.

[And the follow-up makes his automatic smile to hers fall off entirely. Generally, it's quite similar to how some would lean against the doors of a shut closet to keep it closed. Except instead of hiding a mess or a pet or a yandere girlfriend, it's trying to force back something worse and she's essentially called him out on sucking at it.

Solution: try harder. And she gets a perfectly calm smile in response to her question. The only thing that makes her know she caught him is the fact he closed his eyes while speaking.] I'm fine. Just an atmosphere won't be enough to get to me.

['Irritating' is definitely the nicer way. And seeing how he isn't doing very well with faking it, it makes it a little worse. Lion frowns as she tries to think of something to help but even with how at ease she is, she still can't bring herself to actually move closer to him. That she hates. As though she's afraid of him when he's fine.

Well no, he's not fine, but he's Will and it's fine. It's really, definitely Will and she won't forgive herself for thinking otherwise when it's Will and-

Lion rakes her fingers through her hair with an annoyed sigh.]

I don't think separating will matter. And...in all honestly may make it worse. [If they're left alone to loop through thoughts that are less than helpful.] I can also guess the, ah, 'scripts' are similar and forgive me if I'd rather not play along. Any ideas?

[At least he stays silent, calmly observing as she goes through the motions of catching her own thoughts and immediately hating herself for them. It's easy to read people, especially Lion, and he can't exactly blame her for her choice. Whether it's because she doesn't want to make it worse or doesn't want to advance is irrelevant. He himself is guilty of not trying to close the distance as well.

Albeit his reason is not to freak her out more than he assumes he already is, but. Details.]

I'll agree that it would be worse. [Both of them are already painfully aware of what happens when they're left alone in that presence for long. No need to help it along. And after speaking he looks away again, staring off in the distance at nothing. Eyes freak her out, right, don't stare at her.] Either wake up or fight it off for the duration. 'How' is the big question.

If it was as simple as waking up, there would be fewer worries in general. [A sigh because it is true. If they could just wake up before a nightmare got too bad, Lion probably wouldn't have a scar for one and Will would be a little less burdened by guilt. So as nice as it would be, it's unrealistic.

And she knows he's avoiding looking at her but she can't tell why. It's either because it bothers him or because he knows it bothers her. Either one makes her a little sad but one irritates her simply because she shouldn't be afraid.

Yet Lion doesn't move into his vision even if she tells herself to do it. At least she can pass it off as hedging bets. It still feels off. Well, everything here does.]

All right, well. At least in mine...it's a bit gruesome but I imagine you understand the gist of where it would go and end. [A little awkward but otherwise said plainly.] Yours...tend to go in a similar way, though our roles feel ah, different to each other.

[Her a witch and him basically a demon.]

[Oddly enough, he's the one who breaks her mental justification of it being a bet. Staying quiet and staring at nothing up until she finishes speaking, and even a few beats after, until turning back to stare at her directly.]

Do you kill me first, or do I do it?

[With the type of morbid casualty where it's almost curious. Even though paired with his eyes, the atmosphere, and the dismissive tone he is, it's probably closer to the most unnerving thing ever. If it's a contradiction, how would it be fixed? Inaction, easy. If it's the same result, that means it's his problem.

Maybe a small bit is curiosity.]

[Morbid is right. Whatever she was thinking cuts out and Lion tenses because for a brief second it sounds like a different sort of question and a much worse one. Even realising what it means, there's another beat to just take a breath. Push down all the panic that suddenly exploded like a siren and relax.]

...You do. I never... [Lion frowns and sighs.] In the rare instances that I try to defend myself, it is still my death.

[After all that fear and calming, she ends up sounding a little dull about it.]

[All he spots is her tensing before going back to looking away. Staring off into the infinity that, he'll give credit, is an almost perfect copy. The only problem is it still feels like there's a wall, far off in the back like an amphitheater, but it's still a good rendition.

Her answer is more of a confirmation of a theory already formed, and if he didn't agree with her previously about how breaking apart from each other is stupid, he'd already be back to avoiding her. Avoiding her more than current anyway.]

Figures. [With none of the bitterness and more a casual acceptance. So, work on the assumption that's genuinely Lion and not a rehashed illusion to make the usual even worse. Then all that's left is to go for a time-out, and outlast the atmosphere until the nightmare's over.

The only other motion is knocking one of the lamps off a side table, a backhand dismissal of a motion while the sound of broken glass is eerily familiar, then sitting on the surface it freed. Laziness, or avoiding moving any closer than her to keep her calm. She can take her pick.]

No point speeding up the process.

[Will probably can't actually imagine how grateful Lion is that he missed that display. It would just lead her to berate herself more for feelings beyond her control and it isn't fair to either of them. At least it's one less thing to weigh on her heart.

And then that crash and Lion's head snaps around to stare at the broken shards. They probably don't look like they did that night and she wouldn't know anyway but her stomach lurches at the gleam on the floor. But panicking means getting defensive and in this haze that could mean-

She really needs to calm down. It's Will. Just Will and he's trying so hard for her - or at least she thinks he is - and she's reacting so badly.

Covering her face in her hands.]

I rarely become a witch in mine. But I always am in yours, yes?

[To his credit, he is trying. Even if it's through keeping his eyes shut, don't look at her don't, and trying to feign normalcy isn't working out that well in and of itself. The only thing is the pointed concentration makes for a good distraction. Distractions are good. Distractions mean girlfriends don't get assaulted.

At least to Lion's credit, since his eyes are shut, he completely misses her instinctive panic. And other than his initial movements, her boyfriend has since become a statue. No sudden movements means freaking her out less.]

...Most of the time. Rarely you show up as you are. [No need to talk about frequency over time, the statement as it is will probably freak her out enough. Great.]

[Not moving is good because it means Lion can relax a little. If he's not close, it's safe, which is a very damning thought and Lion pinches the bridge of her nose. Long sigh, deep breath. Right, right, relax.

It isn't as though she thinks like this normally. And even now a very sizeable part of her would rather be leaning against Will than this looping panicking nonsense. Lion can only pace and try to avoid looking at the expanse around them and ignore the creeping shudder of whatever influences are hidden in her mind.

So, distraction. Talking.]

...What do I do to you? In your nightmares. Do I hurt you?

[Maybe somewhere, deep down, it registers that even though he's sitting a ways off and staring at her or moving at all, she's still afraid. Maybe later, the thought will get sat on and used as ammunition for a fun game of russian roulette. For now, too much effort is being put into not justifying her fears. It's practically a migraine.

Ah. She's talking. And while he would rather silence, he knows that's her way of fighting it off. Distractions are a good thing. For her. Though he couldn't care for the subject matter. But, whatever. If it helps with her own focus, he can keep up the apathy. It's practically instinct by now.]

Maybe? Sometimes it's an assignment, sometimes you simply just are, sometimes it's because I missed stopping you in time. Injuries don't really register to me, but it's always a fight. You probably get a few hits in.

[And the only movement otherwise is a casual shrug. Like the subject matter doesn't bother him at all. Perfectly logical. Still not looking at her though.]

Is it easy for you to kill me?

[It comes out a bit blunt and sudden. Even Lion blinks at her own question. Does she really want to know all this? It's so morbid. But then again, Will doesn't seem bothered at all, which is maybe good or bad, she's trying not to think about things here. At least it seems like he'll answer these things without hassle.]

Yes.

[Like hers, the answer is blunt and sudden. But, instead of apathetic, the word's topped off with just sounding. Blank. Like there's nothing even left to bother worrying over whether it bothers him or not, or worries her or not, or wherever his emotions fit on the spectrum of it.

Normally he'd be concerned with that mindset, since it's the same unfeeling tendencies that were used during questionings and executions. But. Eh. Who cares? Not him.]

[Will might hear the way her breathing catches because she expected - or maybe selfishly hoped - for a different answer. But that's...good, isn't it? Since it is painless for him. She doesn't want it to hurt him, does she? Or maybe that much apathy bothers her, because she frowns and can't seem to respond to it.

It should hurt him to hurt her. Why doesn't it? That isn't right. And Lion can't tell if this feeling is just herself being selfish and unreasonable or something else but it might not matter. It's just upsetting. And Will sounds and looks so...familiar in ways that aren't helping that at all.]

That isn't very encouraging to hear. I doubt I could so much as hurt you, let alone that, but you say it's easy.

[The tone is actually harsher than the words.]

[And for the first time he breaks his statueque mode, head snapping to stare at her and eyes flying open entirely unconditional. Because there's a difference there she completely missed. Just because it's easy doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. That it's easy because, at the time, the mindset thinks it's for the greater good. Even now, that mindset is the more prevalent one. But that death is still a scar, another name face engraved in the longest list imaginable, all of various weights and Lion's would by far by the heaviest.

Maybe it's a good thing he's mildly snapped. It means she'll flinch away from his eyes, just like every other time he's looked at her, and miss that he actually was hurt by that.]

You're the one who asked! I answered honestly, and you get offended that it 'isn't very encouraging'. Next time I'll be sure to lie to your face.

[Were it any other time, that kind of caustic tone used during inquisitions would never be turned on her. But with this presence and already having a hard enough time keeping civility, it slips out too fast to regret it. And even regretting it means nothing when he's already out in the open.

Whatever. A beat later, his eyes are closed and he's already back to his previous position. Conversation over.]

[Eyes that should spare him that are actually what allow Lion to see it. Because they lock onto her so suddenly that she can't look away even though she desperately wants to. Even though he yells and even though that glare really could kill, Lion stares back, frozen, and it isn't until his eyes shut that she can even breathe.

It still takes a second or two to hit but when it does, it's obvious.]

...Will...

[Lion screwed up. Quite badly, actually. And though logically she knows the surroundings are pushing them for this and his reaction, while sincere, was amplified, she can't blame it so easily on anyone but herself.

Even if she's still unreasonably mad and hurt.

Blocking it out the best she can and wanting to move closer but this time she doesn't because she doubts Will wants that.]

Will...I'm sorry. That was cruel. I... [Have no good apology for being so heartless? ...Yeah.] ...I'm really sorry for being cruel.

[At least it's sincere, despite that strange pounding on her negative emotions, seeing Will hurt still doesn't feel good.]

[Even with her apology, Lion doesn't see the eyes again. Who cares how shocked her expression was? They were her questions, her own curiosity, and if she couldn't handle those kinds of answers then it's her fault for rejecting the truth. It's not as if it's unreasonable. Who wouldn't be upset with a response like that. And she thinks 'sorry' is a magical undo button that fixes it.

Except, the smallest part of the Him she knows left behind, casually observing that she sounds entirely sincere. And only because of how withering the presence is that it works as an anchor. So much for not being twisted by that miasma. Forget about her being the one at fault, maybe it's his. Maybe it's both. Saying optimistic things, but forgetting to make the effort to make it happen.]

...It's alright. I know... you didn't mean it.

[Except she did, but if there's enough of Lion herself left, it's easy enough to translate. That they both fell for it, but no harm done if she's willing to say the same.]

[Since Lion hadn't expected the apology to be accepted - nor for it to fix anything - it is a little surprising. Eyes widening only slightly because she's tired already, which isn't good for fighting this off, but neither is it really good for holding any anger, either. Why was she even angry?]

...You don't need to let me off so easily. [Not a joke or playful but slightly lighter than the rest. In the same sense, though, it's serious.

And Lion sighs because she does understand the message. But she can't see him being at fault at all in this case. Still wanting to approach him but she doesn't, just holding her arm loosely and looking away. Not like he's looking anyway but...]

I don't understand but I know enough to know better than to think that. ...And truly if it came to that, I'd rather you not feel anything in any sense. ...It was irrational and selfish. I don't understand that feeling enough to accept it as I should and as you deserve for me to do. At times, I suppose the...upbringing gap is too much for me. But...thank you.

[There's an almost subtle shift to look at her after that response, but the instinct is clamped down a second ever. Right, she's afraid of you like this, so don't look at her. That way it helps keep her calm. And she's left to silence as she speaks, explaining an apology he already accepted, even if part of it was done bitterly.]

I wouldn't say it's just upbringing. It's also perspective.

[There's a few beats of silence here, and might've even been left at that, but she said she didn't understand. A part thinks it's better to just leave her to that ignorance, while the rest thinks that showing her the decision from the other side of the board might at least be worth the effort. Logically, the former is the better choice. What a shame that second part is still the majority vote.]

An example. What if it was me? If I lost every piece of me and reverted to a mindless killing machine? It would no longer be 'me'. Just a monster wandering in my cage of flesh. ...To me, I think it would be better if I died. It's better than having my memory disgraced like that.

[At least she wants to understand. Lion listens and does think about it before answering. But it doesn't take much thought. Thanks to nightmares, Lion has already run that idea back and forth. Her smile is sad and carries in her tone.]

...I understand that. But how could I know it's hopeless? By the same token, I can't know if there would be hope. I'd rather believe, though, until my last breath that you'll wake up and be 'you' again. Accepting that there isn't hope for that...feels the same as giving up on you. That is something I couldn't do.

[That answer is... so very like her. Nothing wrong with thinking positively, but she always takes it to an extreme. In a way, his smile even matches her, weighted down a bit by sadness. Contrast against Lion's in that there's still a fragment of amusement deep down at the core of it.]

If the choices were giving up on me, or letting me kill you... I would like to ask that you kill me. [And a beat later, before she has the chance to make her inevitable denial-] But Lord knows you won't listen. It wouldn't be the first time we've gotten killed for resisting fate. What's a second time?

[Read as: If she wants to be silly and not accept his request. Then. Well, that's fine too. It it makes her happy, then he'd take pain for her.]

[A long moment passes before Lion slowly walks up to him. Standing in front of him, not trying to sit with him, and just resting her head against his. Even if some quiet part of her is shouting a warning, the rest of her is far too stubborn to care what a nightmare wants to happen. Which is the point.]

Will? I know we talk about it a lot but you still believe, right? Even here? It won't work if we don't both believe. No, we 'know.' [Lion takes both of his hands and holds them gently.] If all of that happens, it won't matter, because we'll still find each other again.

[Everything stated in an unwavering tone.] It isn't optimism or positive thinking. It simply is. [And then a beat and taking a deep breath.] So...let's wake up please. There is an obvious way. Of course, I am open to ideas.

[She might be able to catch his frown when she walks over, both from a mix of every internal siren going off at once and knowing hers are doing the same. That she's the one panicked and flinching away if he stares for too long. Even when she comes close and breaks that distance, there's no movement to indicate that he'd try to hurt her, either from the nightmares or the commandments of within or even if she herself asked for it. But he's still not opening his eyes. Still too considerate to accidentally ruin this stubborn part of her that resurfaced, even while laughing a bit at her words.]

Hm. The people calling you dense might be onto something. [Rude, and barely a beat after it would take her to get offended is when he finishes.] Stating the obvious all the time. Why do you think I'd let you kill me? Once, twice, a hundred times, you or anyone else, all that means is I have to go and find you again. Shouldn't take too long.

[Ever flippant when he says it. Could be read as stubborn pride or indomitable arrogance, but Lion could read it as something that could be better or worse by perspective, in that it's just a simple belief. Logic saying that death is a finality doesn't register in the face of that kind of mindset.

Oh, and an afterthought.] And if you think I'll kill you to wake you up faster, it wouldn't work. You sleep in too much for it to be that easy.

[Just by keeping his eyes closed for Lion's sake, she knows he won't hurt her. Hating those flickering, spiking fears in the back of her mind that are only part hers and part this atmosphere and they just need to go. Few are as stubborn as an Ushiromiya; it's why Will fits in so well.]

Open your eyes, please. [Lion squeezes his hands in a brief promise that she's fine.] I want to be able to look at you when I tell you that was very rude. I sleep as much as my body requires.

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