RYSLIG; ic inbox

[isawallflower]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, CHEERYCHERRY. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 019.46.820.17 *** CHEERYCHERRY has joined 019.46.820.17 <CHEERYCHERRY> It's Riley! <CHEERYCHERRY> Please leave a message! <CHEERYCHERRY> Please be someone with their priorities sorted out properly!

main: CheeryCherry
anonymous: panthera, aed
retired: gflynn (anon)

Comments

cw: untreated mental illness, homicidal ideation, dissociation mentions

[isawallflower]

[ Riley doesn't want to leave Mukuro alone. Not when she'd rushed over to help her, not when she'd shown her such kindness and care. But there's something she's not ready to talk about with Mukuro yet, something she's not ready to talk about with most people.

Riley shrinks down under the blanket, nuzzling into his side. ]

...You really still...love me...even though I... [ Can't even say it.

Sometimes she thinks she can still smell their blood. Sometimes, she thinks about how before she even killed them she could smell their blood. She thinks about how for a good few days after, she wondered if she was walking through a dream, or a nightmare. ]

...I...could hurt you too. I could...hurt so many people.

[icy_veins]

Of course I love you, [Eridanus almost sounds convicted, as those words pass his lips in a gentle murmur,] I have always loved you, my dear.

[In that other world, from birth until his dying breath. In Ryslig, when he found her trembling in a dirt and dung-made cell, confusion stricken and so very afraid of every little sound, every little movement. He has loved her from the very moment their souls met, and he decided—ah, this is one who is shaped in the same way he is. Different from the others, and so very afraid of it.

He sees a younger version of himself in her, and for that reason alone, he wishes to love her undying so that she will never become the sort of beast he has.]

You won't hurt me, my sweet girl... just the fact that you hold such a fear is proof enough that you will not do so, [he pets her cheek with the words—mindful of her bandages—holding her fast to his side,] I promise you, dear Riley, your heart is far to big to become the sort of person who hurts the masses.

[isawallflower]

[ It wasn't instantaneous for Riley. She couldn't shake it, years of feeling like she couldn't be good enough, that whatever she tried, whatever she did, no one would acknowledge her. Not a coach, teacher, or parent—she'd muddle through on her own, or depending entirely on Cairo until the two knew and loved each other so much they could no longer stand each other.

Riley tried to apply that to Ryslig as well. But, slowly but surely, she found...exceptions. Cracks in the carefully carved mask she's worn all this time. People who...aren't shying away, despite her reservations. Eridanus was the first to offer it, unconditional aid. Against expectation from everything she's experienced, he's here. She asked for help, and he came. ]

You really...really... [ An awful girl who takes away people's loved ones doesn't deserve this. But still, Riley drinks it all in as he holds her close. A quiet escapes hum her, wet and wavering and elated. She's wanted this for so, so long; she can't help herself. ] Dad. Dad, thank you, tha- thank you, I... I love- love you too...!

[ A sleepover is a great and wonderful idea. However, Riley is tired. If left in this position, she's absolutely going to fall asleep at Eridanus' side...and she doesn't seem inclined to move. ]