when they know they're your heart; (CLOSED)

[gandere]

WHO: Rin Tohsaka (gandere) & Kariya Matou (waiting_for_the_worms)
WHAT: A certain droning cuts deeper than anything Mayfield's ever done
WHERE: Mayfield neighborhood
WHEN: Sometime last week
WARNINGS: N/A

[ For Rin Tohsaka, there was no other man greater in her eyes than her father. This was a truth that could never be warped no matter what atrocities he may have committed as a magus. In her mind it was necessary and he would never engage in an act without meaning. While most of the others in her life may argue that, Rin held him dearly above the rest.

His time here in Mayfield was a blessing. It left her elevated and on a high unlike anything before. There had been times she could be described as content in Mayfield (with Sakura, with Archer, with Shirou - all of these people could cause her to bring out a relaxed smile), but with her father here? She was happy. Already she was willing to do anything he asks of her, losing memories and her abilities briefly just to make him stand on equal footing with her.

So when she discovers that Tokiomi has been droned, she spends a lot more time around his house as though she's waiting. It's only a matter of time before he comes back to normal, right? Today though, she will be stuck outside his house, having been asked to leave. And yes, she's stubborn enough to sit out there for hours on end. Late at night, she's still out there, waiting for her beloved father to be fixed. ]

Comments

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[The significance of that remark isn't entirely lost on Kariya. After all, it isn't as though he's given her much reason to trust him, especially after admitting that it's essentially his own fault that her poor sister had to go through what she did. And what teenage girl in her right mind would open up to a man who considers her father an enemy? Sakura can sympathize with him due to their shared experiences, but Rin... he's never sure from what angle to approach her. It always feels a little like walking on eggshells.]

Rin... it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for things the town does to people. Sometimes these things just... happen for no reason, right? Aren't you carrying enough of the world on your shoulders already?

[gandere]

It feels like there's always something I've overlooked. I'm clumsy and it always shows up at times that are inconvenient for me, Uncle Kariya.

[ Walking on eggshells is probably the best way to describe any interaction with her. Lancer knows he can't ever understand her and Archer's long given up. Even her own friends don't try often. Not that she minds it. In fact, it's better to keep everyone at a distance. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

You're doing your best. I know you don't think that's good enough, but you don't need to be so hard on yourself all the time, and you don't need to carry the burden all alone. Believe me... I know what trying to do that is like.

[It's hard for him to admit, but a part of him knew from the beginning that he wouldn't be able to succeed on his own. It was just the only option he had. But Rin's different. She's stronger, smarter, more capable, and has more friends than she's even willing to recognize. Kariya sees all sorts of potential in her that he could only hope to grasp himself.]

[gandere]

You do? [ Her voice is soft and with a hint of understanding as she looks back towards him. ] I feel responsible for everything, yet... there's too much for me to do.

[ Leaning in towards his side. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I do. And I've already heard about where that path led for me. I don't want to watch the same thing happen to you, Rin.

[He leans back toward her, lightly placing his arm around her shoulder.]

It's okay to share the burden once in a while. You've got people that care about you here. Me, Sakura, Lancer, all of your friends... it's all right to rely on them once in a while. You'll just drive yourself crazy trying to take everything on alone.

[Sighing, he stares up at the sky for a moment before looking back at her.]

I never had that option, Rin - to get help from someone who really cared - but you're surrounded by friends and family here. It's not a bad thing to have some support to fall back on.

[gandere]

If the situation arose, would you fall back into my arms? [ It's a sudden question. So much so that it even leaves her shocked, her eyes widened slightly as she thinks it over. ]

Ugh... that was stupid of me to ask, wasn't it? Here you're trying to be supportive and helpful all while I downplay it. Geez, I really do mess up at the wrong time...

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Of course. We're family.

[He smiles, drawing her closer.]

So just promise me you'll try not to be so hard on yourself. Let me know when you're feeling sad or frustrated or lonely. Even if I can't do anything to help, I can at least listen.

[gandere]

What good is it if you can't help?

[ Rin has always been selfish, but she doesn't mean to be in this situation. It just slips out. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Because at least then you don't have to face whatever's bothering you alone. This is that 'moral support' thing I was telling you about last time.

[gandere]

This 'moral support' thing doesn't make any sense. If you're unable to help, how can you face what's bothering me as well? It's annoying.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

It's called sympathy, Rin.

[gandere]

[ What's that? ] Sympathy... I don't really need that though. I need someone who can help me kick the butt of whatever is bothering me.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

What's bothering you right now, then?

[gandere]

[ Looking back over her shoulder at the house behind her. ] Father.

[ An open invitation to kick Tokiomi's ass!! ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[Kariya laughs a little, shaking his head.]

You want me to drag him out here and rough him up a little for you?

[gandere]

It might cheer me up some. [ Propping her head up with both of her hands. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Really? You're serious?

[He was half-joking there.]

[gandere]

[ Rin's a problem solver. If things can't be fixed through magic, then she solves them the next best way. ]

If you don't want to do it, you should keep from making offers.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Well, if that's what you really want...

[He can't say it's not something he's always wanted to do, either, so maybe this will be good therapy for both of them. Kariya stands up and heads toward the house, rapping on the door roughly.]

Tokiomi! Get out here!

[gandere]

Huh, you're really going to do it?

[ Turning onto her knees and hands, she looks up at him and the door, watching intently. ]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[Eventually, the drone they want shows up to the door. Kariya doesn't waste any time in grabbing him by his shirt collar before he can even speak, throwing him to the ground behind him, and closing the door.]

There. Now get up. Get up and look at the daughter you made worry so much that she sat up outside waiting for you all night long. The daughter you wouldn't even praise unless she did what you wanted her to do. The daughter whose sister you traded away without a second thought, all for your own ambition.

[He kicks the drone.]

Get up.

[And again.]

I said get up, damn it! Look at her! Look at Rin!

[If she's going to intervene, it should probably be now, before Kariya just beats the fucking tar out of Tokiomi's drone. He's been calm up until now, but this thing's smiling face is just pissing him off, and all of the rage he'd been quietly suppressing while he was here for Rin's sake is boiling up to the surface.]

[gandere]

[ It's only when the drone insists that Rin isn't his daughter that she leaps up to her feet, quickly trying to make it to her uncle's side. ]

Uncle Kariya! [ With that, she tries to grab at his arm in an clingy manner. ] Let's just... let's just go!

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Not your daughter? You piece of shit!

[It takes him a moment or two to register that Rin's even there through his blind rage, but eventually he seems to notice that she's tugging on him.]

R-Rin...

[And all at once, the realization of what he'd just done hits him like a ton of bricks. It's enough to cause him to stagger backward, very nearly falling over if not for Rin's grip on his arm. Tokiomi's drone disappears back into the house as Kariya stares blankly at his back, breathing heavily.]

[gandere]

[ Hugging his arm close to her chest, Rin nuzzles her face affectionately against it. ]

Uncle Kariya... please, let's leave. [ Her fingers grip him tightly. ] Please. Please let's just go.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

A-all right...

[He takes another deep breath, slowly collecting himself before turning away from the house.]

...I'm sorry, Rin.