He'll join love, naturally reaching to pick a flower or two himself. Rather than make a bouquet, though, he'll wind the flowers together with quick, restless motions of his fingers. ]
I wonder if this whole time I've been approaching the idea of the game in the wrong way.
[ He says this, as if he'll lead into some deeper idea, but he seems to lose the thread of where he was going with it; instead, he lapses into silence. ]
No, I... [ Yu only sighs, his shoulders slumping. ] Please, don't think I intend to do something rash. It's just that I...
[ He looks up at the darkening sky. ]
... I wanted to get to know all of you... the gods. I was so focused on trying to learn who you were as people that I failed to focus on who you were as gods. And this week, the game got so out of control...
Maybe if I'd been more focused I could have done something to prevent all of this.
...don't blame yourself, okay? That's what happens in a game like this, it's designed to make you guys start doubting yourself and that's not what I want for you. [There's a firm shake of the head.]
Walk me through this a little. What are you thinking would have happened if you did get to know us as gods?
...divine oath, Yu-kun. [They sound sad then.] It's the reason we have to play by these rules in particular, we can't get out of them until the game's over. I'm sorry.
...but I guess, in a way, if you could get everyone in the temple to agree to stop killing and a majority to align with one god? That'd be a way.
[ He can't seem to stand how physically frustrated he is. Both of his hands bunch into fists, and after a moment Yu will actually pace away from them. Not in anger at Love, just ... out of a need to move. He goes to scrub his hands through his hair
and stops, when his fingers touch the braid that Cinque made. Carefully, he'll tug free the flower she left entwined in it, cupping it in one hand as he returns to Love's side, staring down at it. ]
... were they scared when they died? [ His voice is awfully brittle. ] Did they also beg for help?
[ That isn't fair, he thinks. His fingers carefully curl closed over the flower and some of the tension leaves him, though all that remains in its wake is sadness. ]
... Love, what kind of world would you create? If you won.
I don't know. Okay? I really don't, and I wish I did because this isn't fair to any of you. [It's a small, unsure answer but Love keeps their head held high anyway. It's why when Yu asks that question, there's only a moment's pause before a confident answer leaves their lips.]
It'd be a world where the truth triumphs over everything no matter what. The most important thing is that it'd be a world where people don't feel like they have to hide themselves or their true feelings, or where they feel like their identity isn't real or really theirs. I want a world where you don't have to make a choice about what kind of person you are. People will love and support you, and you can love and support them and that's what makes you stronger. Having friends and people that will always be there to rescue you when things get tough and will fight for the truth...that's the world I want. I'm tired of lies and I'm tired of people getting hurt, especially now.
People shouldn't have to hide anything, and I know that's really rich coming from me when I agreed to play this game where secrets matter, but it's why I want you guys to reach out to other people and learn to trust them. Your bonds matter. [...] They make you stronger, and in the world where I win, your weaknesses become your strengths because of that support.
[ Their small voice makes him sigh. It was unkind, even if it's not Love he's angry with. He's about to apologize--
When they start to explain, he'll go quiet instead, letting them speak.
... and ...
... slowly, as they speak ...
... his eyes widen, bit by bit ...
Suddenly he feels like he did when they first met. Like this small god has stolen all the breath from his chest, could knock him from his feet with a word.
Your bonds matter.
Without thinking, he takes a step forward, lifting his free hand. But it pauses between them as he stares down at Love with wide eyes. ]
... who ...
[ ... ]
The guideline ... the one about bonds. It's yours.
His hand finds the edge of their hood, fingers oh so gently brushing. He doesn't quite complete the motion, which in any other situation would probably be to cup the side of this person's head, their jaw. A fond, familiar touch.
He lifts both hands, very gently cradling the god's head between them. Pressing into the fabric, not enough to truly cup their face, but enough to hold them steady.
And he'll lean down to press his forehead against Love's, his eyes falling shut. ]
[She stands still and watches closely because Yu's instincts are correct. She's careful and gentle and lets him take his time, but when he speaks there's a nod following.]
I'm counting on you...and I'm right behind you. I know you can do it.
...you've been doing everything I could ever ask from you, okay? Please believe me on that. That's the only thing you have to do is believe me and believe in yourself. Can you do that?
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He'll join love, naturally reaching to pick a flower or two himself. Rather than make a bouquet, though, he'll wind the flowers together with quick, restless motions of his fingers. ]
I wonder if this whole time I've been approaching the idea of the game in the wrong way.
[ He says this, as if he'll lead into some deeper idea, but he seems to lose the thread of where he was going with it; instead, he lapses into silence. ]
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[ He looks up at the darkening sky. ]
... I wanted to get to know all of you... the gods. I was so focused on trying to learn who you were as people that I failed to focus on who you were as gods. And this week, the game got so out of control...
Maybe if I'd been more focused I could have done something to prevent all of this.
[ Yu will slowly shake his head. ]
I don't know.
[ It's an uncharacteristic admission, for him. ]
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Walk me through this a little. What are you thinking would have happened if you did get to know us as gods?
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There must be some way. Some way to stop this competition, to change it. You all made these rules. Why couldn't they be changed?
[ Looks at Love, hesitant, more honest with them than with anyone else in this temple. ]
If we knew enough... wouldn't there be some way to finish this without a killing game being necessary at all?
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...but I guess, in a way, if you could get everyone in the temple to agree to stop killing and a majority to align with one god? That'd be a way.
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and stops, when his fingers touch the braid that Cinque made. Carefully, he'll tug free the flower she left entwined in it, cupping it in one hand as he returns to Love's side, staring down at it. ]
... were they scared when they died? [ His voice is awfully brittle. ] Did they also beg for help?
[ That isn't fair, he thinks. His fingers carefully curl closed over the flower and some of the tension leaves him, though all that remains in its wake is sadness. ]
... Love, what kind of world would you create? If you won.
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It'd be a world where the truth triumphs over everything no matter what. The most important thing is that it'd be a world where people don't feel like they have to hide themselves or their true feelings, or where they feel like their identity isn't real or really theirs. I want a world where you don't have to make a choice about what kind of person you are. People will love and support you, and you can love and support them and that's what makes you stronger. Having friends and people that will always be there to rescue you when things get tough and will fight for the truth...that's the world I want. I'm tired of lies and I'm tired of people getting hurt, especially now.
People shouldn't have to hide anything, and I know that's really rich coming from me when I agreed to play this game where secrets matter, but it's why I want you guys to reach out to other people and learn to trust them. Your bonds matter. [...] They make you stronger, and in the world where I win, your weaknesses become your strengths because of that support.
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When they start to explain, he'll go quiet instead, letting them speak.
... and ...
... slowly, as they speak ...
... his eyes widen, bit by bit ...
Suddenly he feels like he did when they first met. Like this small god has stolen all the breath from his chest, could knock him from his feet with a word.
Your bonds matter.
Without thinking, he takes a step forward, lifting his free hand. But it pauses between them as he stares down at Love with wide eyes. ]
... who ...
[ ... ]
The guideline ... the one about bonds. It's yours.
Why ... do bonds matter so much to you?
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...bonds saved me more than once. And...I think they'll save you, too. [Here, especially. ]
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His hand finds the edge of their hood, fingers oh so gently brushing. He doesn't quite complete the motion, which in any other situation would probably be to cup the side of this person's head, their jaw. A fond, familiar touch.
He doesn't quite do it. But he wants to.
So soft it's nearly a whisper: ]
Who are you?
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...someone to keep you safe. You belong with me. [It's their job to help their followers, after all.]
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He lifts both hands, very gently cradling the god's head between them. Pressing into the fabric, not enough to truly cup their face, but enough to hold them steady.
And he'll lean down to press his forehead against Love's, his eyes falling shut. ]
I already told you. I'm yours.
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The only thing he's truly sure of is that Love must be a girl; their voice, bearing, mannerisms... at least, he's pretty sure. Beyond that...
...
He wishes he could be certain. His chest hurts so much it's difficult to breathe through, but breathe through it he must.
Yu stays close a moment longer, then will stand straight, lowering his hands. ]
I suppose it is, [ he murmurs, very softly. ]
... I don't know how it's going to go, but I'm going to gather everyone together. Watch over us, alright?
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I'm counting on you...and I'm right behind you. I know you can do it.
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Love... is there anything more can I do? ... I trust you, with everything I have. I know you'll help guide me. So please...
[ He can rely on her. Right? He can believe in her... if there's something she believes he can do, he knows she'll point him where he needs to go. ]
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