(a kingdom of time) ch25 preview: 'his' last words. ~400 word preview, back to asuka's pov! finally, he and goku will have their talk...
When morning came, Asuka was even more exhausted than the night before. He barely slept, his eyes dry and heavy, and his stomach acids burning and sick at the thought of food. If he insisted on lying down, he was worried his baby brother, sprawled with his partner atop him, might wake up from the sound of his rapid heartbeat.
It came to no surprise, having dreaded this day they decided unanimously to open the floor for discussion for Nirinso, and for everything else that had happened so far. But while Asuka expected it, it didn't mean his anxiety made any sense. Everyone had been relieved and glad to have this agreement. Makoto had even talked to Kyo about arranging a special location for it. The kids were excited, a welcomed change from the melancholy that had filled their home. Goku, affected the most by the recent events, seemed absolutely relieved from his turmoil. From the bad memories stirred by Seadramon, his emotional and physical clash with Murasamemon, and this.
Him, Asuka. His own supposed partner.
Seeing and hearing Goku laugh again filled him with gratitude toward Reina, whatever it was that she and Pristimon did. But when the night settled and the feelings of hope were renewed, Asuka's usual thoughts began to play out. Compared to Reina, what had he done, other than to cause trouble and pain? Why hadn't he tried harder as she did, out of his comfort zone?
This was what he always hated and feared about himself. That he was too passive. That he went too easily with the flow that those he cared about would think that he didn't care about them enough, just as Tomoro did shortly after their parents were taken. But he knew his brother. Asuka was familiar with his role as his big brother.
But he didn't know Goku, and he didn't know what being a partner was supposed to be like.
This wasn't the first nor among the worst grapples he had with himself, so he'd chased after the normalcy, making meals, calling up Haruomi, and avoiding Kyo, so he didn't have to be reminded that he still owed him a message from a certain god. He'd put the negative thoughts away to try to recenter himself. When that didn't work, Asuka would simply keep trying.
Hearing the shutters rise, Asuka washed up to meet up with Reina. She must be still tired from the adventure she had with Goku, but Reina's strong habits weere persistent. It always made him wonder how she had put up with Kyo, who also liked going by his own relaxed rhythm.
When Asuka didn't catch a whiff of Pristimon's tea, he knew something was wrong. The blue dawn wrapped on the shadow in the entrance was shorter and smaller, and the hair thicker and spikier like a bush. Asuka stared as the shadow pulled away from the light of the rising sun, unveiling Goku's big, gold eyes staring back at him.
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