Day 9

[kentucky_mcgiygas]

[ The wall that once led to the jungle set opens up again. However, it now leads to… well… it's a hospital ward of sorts. Whether you actually want to use it is up to you, but the first person to head in there will find a box containing a first aid kit with extra bandages and ointment sitting on one of the bunks. ]

[ The tablets are also offering every player in the game a chance to choose a Blu-Ray or boxset from their homeworld (or a similar one). Once selected, it will be delivered to your dressing room. ]

[ And of course there's a new game! ]

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Comments

[locktouching]

Corrin! What... did I say? Did I say something wrong?

[Embraces him carefully. So confused.]

[chosemyfate]

I- [Where does he even start?

'Well, you hid something from me and then decided not to go through with it. And I can't resent you for it because your feelings are your feelings, so it's complicated'

His hands grip the front of Niles' shirt as he stayed against him.

Maybe this was why he took to drinking. At least Niles can assume it's alcohol. For the time being. But from how pained and miserable his sniffles and whimpers were, he did take advantage of letting out what he's bottling in.

He does manage to start with at least this much,]

I really don't deserve you, Niles.

[locktouching]

[Grabs Corrin's face, almost roughly, to look eye-to-eye.]

Don't say that!!

Please, don't ever say that...

You have to know that's not true. I'm the one who...

[His breath hitches, interrupting him, as words of self-hatred load back in his throat.]

[chosemyfate]

[His eyes are wide at the sudden reaction, tears only prickling at the corner of his eyes. Very taken surprise by this. Corrin would have no idea how far that low-self esteem and self-hatred went. Absolutely no idea. Until now.

In his own drunken haze, and despite falling apart slowly, he attempts to comfort Niles with arms wrapping around him. ..also because he might be swaying a bit still standing up.]

You're the one who deserves to be the happiest of all. [And deserves to get further than me, he almost wants to add but he already knows how that will go down. He keeps it to himself. For now.]

[locktouching]

Stop. Stop saying that...

[Tucks his head against Corrin's neck.]

My happiness is your happiness. Can you understand that?

[chosemyfate]

...

Is it, really? [Grips tighter on Niles.]

[locktouching]

Yes... if you're not safe and happy, I don't know what I would do... except try to bring a smile to your face with everything I have.

[chosemyfate]

...

[Corrin can't. He just can't. Even though he just hurts so much right now inside.

He can't do this right now, he decided this decision as he minds the weight of a tiny object in his pocket as he processed those words.

He wouldn't forgive himself if Niles not getting an earned vote was put in jeopardy because of him. So he will settle with this much,]

Niles. I think... [He picks his words carefully though his (slooshy-from-alcohol) head] I want to really talk some more after this game. I want you to focus on that for now.

[You may at least offer drink-after care, though.]

[locktouching]

Even though I sometimes enjoy seeing suffering... seeing you like this really hurts...

[Shuts his eye and grips Corrin a little more tightly. All he can conclude is that Corrin is pulling away from him, maybe rejecting him, and it pierces him with desperation. Wait until after the game? How can he?]

I will. But I have to say something really selfish.

I don't want to be alone ever again. I don't think I can handle being abandoned anymore. I just want to stay by your side...

[chosemyfate]

[He is resisting the urge to burst into tears at this. He knows Niles means this. All of this. Keeps twisting an emotional knife in Corrin's gut.

Not that Niles will see but he attempts a reassuring smile as he let himself lean against Niles for a second, thinking he might be able to stand on his own again in a bit. Just give him a second.]

...Please don't worry about me. I will be fine. Especially right now because you're here.

I will find you after this, I promise.

I will find you because... well.. Just know that what I might ask later... I only ask because I want you beside me, always, too.

[locktouching]

[Pulls apart from the hug enough to kiss Corrin's forehead.]

Thank you... that's more than I could ask for.

[He's still worried. But more than happy to hear that Corrin wants him nearby.]

...Do you think you can stomach any food right now?

[chosemyfate]

[ He couldn't help but close his eyes and sigh, his shoulders tense before but slowly relaxing at the lips to his forehead.

Blinks up at Niles (or at least he HOPES he is and not obviously missing and looking past Niles or something, eyes very glossed over...) for a bit at that. Well. Come to think of it, Corrin did go straight to the bar and not really think about getting anything to eat. At all. ]

...Food? [Doesn't know much about after-drinking care.]

[locktouching]

You shouldn't drink like that without eating. As much as I enjoy taking good care of you, I don't want you to make yourself too sick.

[chosemyfate]

Mm. Perhaps I could try. I did come here with an empty stomach, after all. [He came out not in the mood to eat, he still wasn't sure he had an appetite. But he would try!]

...I'm sorry. [He feels like he needs to say that again, after this and for making Niles do even more for him.]