open to any Go-Busters players from any universe incl Mushverse, ogods what am I doing

[loveenetronkurorin]

I sit back in my chair, tapping a pencil on the desk idly as I think about the latest reports.

We've made so much headway. But there's still so far to go.

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[loveenetronkurorin]

I want to sound angry at him, but I'm tired, he's impossible and the corner of my mouth quirks up without me willing it.

"I'll sleep when I have to. It's not that late."

Six hours will do.

[immaculateimperfection]

"You should get a lady friend. It might get you to relax more. At your age you're really due for one."

Again, I don't mean it seriously, but that's probably a given at this point. Still, it really couldn't hurt for him to have other focus's. The kids don't do too badly and Kuroki being in a better mood might make things better. Maybe.

[loveenetronkurorin]

"I'm not that old," I snap. "Just because you still look twenty-seven..."

...he's made me blush. He's actually made me blush.

[immaculateimperfection]

"Aha!" I clap and point. The blush is progress. If I can get him to loosen up even a little bit, my mission is succeeding.

"Still looking twenty-seven is good for getting ladies, but I hear they like the grizzled, older look too. You're secure and safe. Who wouldn't want you, Kurorin?"

[loveenetronkurorin]

I bury my face in my hands and sigh, though it sounds more like a whimper when it comes out.

"Secure and safe?" I repeat, shooting him a look. "Thank you very much. And I'm not." I scowl. "I'm not in as much danger as the chil- as the Busters, but I'm still not secure, or safe."

[immaculateimperfection]

"If you say so," although I sound incredibly disbelieving.

I decide to finish rounding the desk and place a hand on each shoulder of his, leaning down to look at him. I suppose this would be less worrying if it was anyone but me, but I'm trying and that's what counts.

[loveenetronkurorin]

"I do," I say gruffly. I refuse to scoot my chair back when he comes around the desk, because hell if I'm going to let him win the physical intimidation game, but then of course he just puts his hands on my shoulders and puts his face in mine.

"I'll sleep soon," I say through gritted teeth.

[immaculateimperfection]

"I believe you," I believe that you'll eventually go to sleep and not get as much as you should, but that's still believing.

My fingers start to move, gently working into his shoulders. Friends can rub each others shoulders. It's not that I'm worried about image when I'm around him, but more of the feeling of comfort and not overstepping too many boundaries.

[loveenetronkurorin]

He says he believes me, but there's something else there underneath. I'm too tired to bother trying to care.

He begins rubbing my shoulders. I make an aggrieved sort of huff, but then it softens into a tired sigh. Even in avatar form, he's good at this.

[immaculateimperfection]

I can feel softening without even having to look very far. It's working enough for me to be satisfied, so I'll continue.

"That seems to be better. You really should take it easy, Kurorin." After all, in my current state, who knows how long I can really keep looking after you like this.

[loveenetronkurorin]

"I rest," I protest, but it's difficult to sound angry when what he's doing feels so good.

[immaculateimperfection]

"You've got wrinkles, bags, and an angry knot in your brow," I sigh. It's almost terrible how much he's left himself go, but it's to be expected. The mission isn't an easy one.

[loveenetronkurorin]

"We can't all be avatars who don't age," I say stiffly. "It happens."

[immaculateimperfection]

Even Avatars have their problems, "I'll be young and beautiful for us both."

[loveenetronkurorin]

"So kind," I say wearily.

I reach up without looking and gently grasp one of his wrists. "Jin." My voice is hoarse. I don't know if I could say this to his face. "Are you all right? The real you?"

[immaculateimperfection]

That gave me a start, but I'm good at hiding it. To be honest I didn't think anyone was going to ask such a questions.

My body stands frozen for all of a few moments before I give a small laugh and pat his shoulder with the free hand.

"What? Of course. I wouldn't ever let anything happen to myself. It's not easy existing in subspace, but I'm managing it. Just keep focusing on what's important." Or else I might feel bad for not saying anything about my condition.

[loveenetronkurorin]

He's silent for a long moment, then pats my shoulder.

I near growl under my breath, mingled anger and worry and fear for him. "You're important, too," I say shortly. "And I don't believe you that everything's all right."

I don't know how bad it is. But I know he's quite good at lying.

[immaculateimperfection]

"Kurorin," it may be a playful nickname, but I mean I'm serious at the moment. "Our comrades gave their lives for this mission. They're counting on us. I'll support in every way I can."

I stop there, looking at him with a serious gaze. Hopefully that's enough to remind him that I really am not important in comparison. I can't accept my own weakness. It's shameful, but I can't help it.

[loveenetronkurorin]

I slump, just a little. Another group of lives added to the weight on my shoulders. Ah, not because I'm arrogant enough to believe myself the most important person, or the best fighter, or at fault personally for everything that's gone wrong.

But I am in command, and I haven't found a way to stop Vaglass.

"I know you will," I say shortly. "And if I had to give the order to sacrifice you to save humanity, because there was no alternative, I'd do it. But Jin. All lives matter because every life matters, and that includes yours."

[immaculateimperfection]

"Your words warm my displaced soul," I smile warmly. While saying it jokingly, I mean it. It's nice to know there is still at least one person who would miss me after everything is said and done. It would pain me to disappoint him, but I also do know he'd be able to get over it eventually if I could never come back.

I finally take my hands back and leave them at my sides.

[loveenetronkurorin]

"I'd prefer if we could take care of your displaced body," I say sourly, but it's not hard to read that there's some genuine emotion behind his words. He's a pain in my ass, but he's not that hard to read. Not if you know him well enough.

I wish I knew him well enough to know exactly what he's hiding.

"What's it like?" I ask softly.