My heart is a ghost town

[toremainbehind]

[The bar's been closed on a day it shouldn't be closed, but it couldn't be helped.

Izumo has chosen to take the day off, shooing everyone out of the bar, except for Mikoto and Anna since they live there. Right now, he didn't want to be near HOMRA, being reminded only of memories of Totsuka. Little tokens from Totsuka's hobbies all over the bar, placed neatly in places that can be seen but not in the way, rarely touched now.

Much like the films Totsuka had recorded during his time alive.

It's how he eventually finds himself in his apartment, perched on his couch with a shot glass of Vodka in hand and one of Totsuka's films playing. He's not quite paying attention to it, focused on the sounds rather than the images playing. Every time he hears Totsuka's voice on film, he takes a shot, his throat burning from the alcohol but it was a burn he welcomes all the same.]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

They might freak out if they saw ya.

[Because it's weird to have Ghostsuka haunting his apartment when he's never brought him to the place often when he was alive.]

At this point, I should just leave something out for ya ta write on if I can't see ya again.

[preciousmemories]

Or think they're dreaming, or that it's a cruel joke, like you did.

[Tatara laughs, a surprising cheerful sound considering what he just said.]

It would make it easier to let you know I'm around! Especially since that way I could respond to you even when you can't hear me.

[toremainbehind]

Possibly, but ya might even make their day.

[Ah, that laugh. It is nice to hear it again, though he doesn't comment.]

I'll be sure ta find a whiteboard or something for ya ta use then whenever you're around.

[preciousmemories]

I wouldn't want to make their day like that. That would...

[It would be too cruel, he thinks. Give them a hope that they were mistaken and it was just a terrible dream only for him to smile at them and so that no, he is dead.

He wonders if the day he'll actually disappear is the day that they stop missing him. He wonders how long that will be--and he pushes down the desire to stay with them like he would've if he was alive still.]

Thanks, Kusanagi-san.

[toremainbehind]

Be cruel?

[Izumo wonders if there will ever be a time when they'll stop missing Totsuka — probably not.

They're family; you don't stop missing them.

He gives a nod.]

Least I can do.

[preciousmemories]

You know what you thought when you heard me again.

[It aches less, eventually.

But then you see something, or hear something, and it reminds you of them, and it hurts all over again.

You can be telling stories years later and someone can say a phrase and then you start talking about the times you shared with them and.

It hurts. Tatara never wanted to hurt any of them, but he did by not leaving. It was never really an option, but...]

Do you think it would've hurt less if I just...hadn't stayed around you two?

[toremainbehind]

I won't lie about that. I still think it is.

[It aches less, but they'll forever miss him — them, when Mikoto dies, too.

Izumo keeps all of Totsuka's videos in his apartment, only bringing it to the bar when Anna requests for it.

Mikoto doesn't want to see them, he never does. He's never been good at this either.]

Would ya have actually stayed from us, though? [He looks over at him.] If ya hadn't stayed, Mikoto could be in a worse shape than he is in now.

[preciousmemories]

Yeah...I'm sorry, Kusanagi-san.

[Mikoto is the worst at actually doing much of anything...It's no surprise how poorly he took it, especially considering

Tatara was the one who said his powers were for protection. And Tatara was the one he couldn't protect.]

It was never really an option for me. Even before King became our King, I knew I didn't want to leave.

[He'd wanted to ask, but it really was never an option. He thinks Anna knows that better than anyone now.]

[toremainbehind]

Apology accepted.

[....If only it was that easy.

Izumo was there when he saw Mikoto 'handle' his death. It'll only go worse from there.]

Then why ask? Ya might be a pain in the ass at times, but ya were good, especially for a guy like him.

[preciousmemories]

[If only...At least it ends with the destruction of the Dresden Slate? That's basically the only good thing to come out of this.]

I...guess I wanted to hear you say that it was probably better this way. [He freezes and then pouts at Izumo.] Mean, Kusanagi-san! [Calling him a pain in the ass and then...saying he was good for Mikoto. That sounds like a different kind of relationship than the one they had.

He scratches the back of his head.]

Because...someone brought it up, a few years ago. [He kind of wants to tell Izumo, but also...he doesn't want to let him know that he's known for three years that this would happen someday.]

[toremainbehind]

Would it ease your worries if I did? [Or lessen the guilt?

But he laughs lightly.] I'm mean?

[At his words, a curious look paints his face.] Who said that?

[preciousmemories]

[He's not sure how to answer that...He's not sure he has a right to be concerned about his own worries or guilt anymore, but that's definitely not something he should say to Izumo's face.

He smiles.] I wanted to hear what Kusanagi-san thought, and now I have.

And you are mean, saying that now. [Oh. Time to avoid actually answering the question.]

Does it matter anymore? That person didn't want this to happen.

[toremainbehind]

Doubt my opinions would mean much, anyway.

[Dont think he didn't notice that.]

This person...someone who's close?

[preciousmemories]

Your opinions mean a lot, to me and King.

[Granted, that's just when Mikoto's actually in a mood to listen to people.]

Do you really need to know? I was the one who told them not to mention it, so...

[toremainbehind]

Not in this case.

[Not when it comes to revenge, despite Izumo sort of giving Mikoto his blessing to get revenge for Totsuka. He knew what would happen when Mikoto succeeds, and the thought makes him realize even more how alone he'd end up being.]

It's your decision ta tell me or not. I won't force ya.

[preciousmemories]

I think King's too...tired to actually listen to anyone now.

[Well, they all knew Mikoto would die someday. They've known since he became a King. This is just far sooner than they expected.

...Maybe it'd be fine if he just didn't say it in a way that it was clear Anna was the one who told him.]

They thought I didn't believe them, since I didn't leave you guys after. I did, but...even though I knew I wouldn't live long if I was around King, I liked this way of living a lot more than before I met the two of you.

[toremainbehind]

He's slowly reaching his point.

[And all Izumo can do is watch him slowly die.]

You're talking about Anna.

[preciousmemories]

Y--I didn't say that!

[It's all any of them can do but...Izumo is too sharp. He forgot he has to be even more vague if he doesn't want him to catch onto the idea and...

It's too late now, with that reaction.]

[toremainbehind]

No, but your reaction says it all.

[Anna knew. Of course she did.

But to not be told that Totsuka will eventually die?

Izumo decides it's time for a smoke.]

[preciousmemories]

[Can't argue with that...

Tatara exhales slowly.]

It's why I thought she was a Strain. I told her not to tell anyone, so don't bring it up to her...please.

[toremainbehind]

I won't. I'm not that cruel.

Doesn't mean I'm not upset with ya for knowing about this.

[preciousmemories]

[He sighs, closing his eyes and leaning against a table or the couch wherever they are.]

I was only told I wouldn't live long if I stayed around him. What could I have done?

We already said leaving wasn't an option.

[toremainbehind]

[Probably a table and Izumo decides to sit next to him.]

D'ya remember the talk we had? Right when Mikoto first made us his clansmen?

[preciousmemories]

[Give him a moment...]

Which one? [The one about Tatara being like a puppy, the one about being chains to bind Mikoto....Another one that he's not actually remembering right now...]

[toremainbehind]

[He'll be nice and not bring up that other one.]

The one of you being the one who holds Mikoto back.