brother_nature | Golden Peacock

Ow--! [MEAN TO HIM.

Toma frowns, blinking away tears. A possibility, sure - but he really doesn't like the idea that his brother has been pushing the limits of his regeneration that badly in strange surroundings, without Toma there to help him out if things go too far.]

Fine, fine-- but, contact me if you need backup. Please. I'll lie low for now, yes, but it's not worth you pushing past your limits.

[Just! So they're clear!!]

Seriously? C'mon.

[And there's that rare touch of softness that seeps into his voice. It's still confident, but comforting, warm, as his hand moves to caress his cheek.]

I won't even need to call you. If I'm in trouble, I know you'll be there. Same if anything happens to you.

[He doesn't know how long they'll be stuck here, or if they'll be torn apart again, but until then? Like always, he has faith in his brother's competence, even if he babies him relentlessly. Immortality or no, as long as they're together, they're invincible as far as Chobe's concerned.]

[Siiighs. Toma leans into Chobe's touch, closing his eyes for a moment.]

As long as we're clear...

[Even after so many decades, it feels a little odd sometimes - pushing even this much. Putting down his own demands toward his brother.

But he knows it's for the best that he can; with what he realized on that island, all he's figured out since then... he can't very well just leave Chobe to his own devices, to accept whatever harm may come his way and keep Toma out of it.]

Crystal. Any other stipulations?

[Meanwhile, Chobe LOVES that he's making demands. Yes! YES. More independence for his baby brother who he will crash out for if he's separated from!! This is not a contradiction in any way whatsoever! ]

[They are SO well-adjusted it's GREAT.]

...Yes. [Now, this one he doesn't really know if he can expect from Chobe of all people, but: He pushes himself up on an elbow, looking Chobe directly in the eye.] If you discover, or even suspect, that someone who may have enough power to kill you has fire Tao, let me handle them. Don't risk it yourself.

[It's not something they've had to think about in some time, but... Chobe has described the destructive power some of these other "guests" are packing. It's not like dealing with other mobsters, Englishmen, everyday humans armed with pistols that can barely slow them down.

Toma will not watch his brother die again.]

[Oh.

Chobe's turn to pout, though it's more of a thin frown, eye narrowing slightly. He's fine with Toma having his back--he's his second set of eyes, his extra pair of arms. But putting him in the literal line of fire due to his own weakness? That hurts.

And also hilarious timing given he's heckling Bakugo right now, and Esikko is tight with Dabi.

He's silent for a few moments, mulling it over, playing over dozens of scenarios in his head for the best answer, before he finally exhales. He told Toma to make demands, and. This is what he wants, huh?

He rolls over on his back, hands behind his head.]

Alright. Won't be necessary, but I hear ya loud and clear.

[He knew Chobe wouldn't like that - but, however strange it may still feel to put his foot down like this, with Chobe making That Face at him, it isn't something Toma can budge on.

Because it makes the most sense, doesn't it? By definition, someone who could kill Chobe couldn't kill Toma. What was the point of everything they went through, if they don't make use of that? There's no reason, anymore, for Toma to hide behind his brother. There's no excuse, certainly not in a scenario where Chobe would objectively be at more risk.

Toma's face lights up when Chobe agrees - despite his brother's open sulking. Frankly, it's kind of cute, in Toma's opinion; it's not often that even he gets to see that!

He drops back down on the bed, slipping one arm under Chobe's shoulders and flopping the other over him.]

Thank you.

[Ugh how can he stay even mildly annoyed at that face. And with Toma's weight on him, he can't help but bring a hand up to run through that silky hair, adding some reassurance that he isn't actually upset. It just all goes against the core of his being--of course it makes sense to him to take all the heat, even if that fire could kill him. If nothing else, by convincing others that their weakness is fire tao, no one would be able to piece together Toma's true weakness, right. . .?

Hah. Thoughts for later. He'll keep his word, to the best of his ability though. He's got a silver tongue, and would lie to anyone at the drop of a dime but. . .not him. Not Toma. ]

Anything for you, Toma.

[What if they just stay like this. At least until their watches start squawking to get back to game time. ]

[Success. Even knowing the power he holds (baby brother privileges), given Toma's frankly absurd investment in his brother's approval... the reassurance is still appreciated.

And that's one more bit of security - a tiny reduction to the already-small chance of something lasting happening to Chobe.

He answers with a quiet, appreciative hum, closing his eyes as he rests his head against his brother's shoulder. He is more than happy to stay put - for however long Chirpy will tolerate it.]

Golden Peacock - Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject