Secondo ~ video (filtered to house mates)

[serpente]

[Mukuro wasn't about to make a public broadcast until he was good and ready to. His focus right now was to recover his strength (despite Hibari Kyouya's punishing exercise regime) and get back on his feet. Well, technically he could already walk, but his endurance was pitiful. Most of his time was spent confined to his bed where he enjoyed playing the weak, frail patient to get others to fetch things for him. Food, mostly.

So, minions. Feed him!]

Please don't tell me we're having soup again for lunch.

Comments

[serpente]

[Tsk, since when was Gokudera this observant? He looks up and smiles glibly at the bomber in vague puzzlement.]

I really couldn't care less if you get in trouble. It's how he'll punish me I am concerned about.

[vongolastorm]

[since he grew up, that's when] Yeah? [nonchalant shrug] Well, if you're really so concerned, then I guess it's a no to that polenta. Don't want to get you in trouble after all. [starts to head for the door] Enjoy your chicken soup tonight.

[serpente]

[Irritating. So, SO irritating. He can tell he's being manipulated and the bastard wasn't even being subtle about it. This wouldn't happen if he had his strength back, the illusionist thought in annoyance. But he wanted food - real food - not soup, which he'd been fed in some form more or less during his incarceration.

You'd think he'd have long become used to relying upon someone, but he couldn't say the words that Gokudera wanted to hear just so the man would make him something other than soup. He could manage on his own, and the sooner he showed that to his minders, the sooner he could get out of this damn house.

So Mukuro grits his teeth and forces his body to move, shuffling towards the edge of the bed so he can put his feet down and unsteadily try to stand. Yes, he has been practising while no-one was around, but it has only been about a week so his limbs shake when they try to bear his weight.]

[vongolastorm]

[What a surprise.

He hasn't even reached the door yet and he already hears noises behind him. Turning around, he watches with unhidden amusement as the illusionist gets out of bed. It seems he's getting better. Always a good sign since it means there's going to be less work for him to do soon.]

So, what are you planning to do? [arches a slender brow] I mean, I have my guesses. Three, actually. First off, you are in serious need of going to the restroom which I can understand. Reasonable, really. Secondly, you're trying to prove something. Don't know what, but it must have something to do with your pride. And, thirdly, you have a masochistic tendency for embarrassing yourself. If you ask me, it's the last one.

[serpente]

[Mukuro doesn't answer, he just concentrates on putting on foot in front of the other as he makes his way to the door. If Gokudera tries to help or hinder him, he's going to get a bony arm trying to wave him off as he makes his wobbly way over. Don't stand in the way of the determined, frail man!]

[vongolastorm]

[Oh, Mukuro has absolutely nothing to worry about. Gokudera doesn't have any intention of stopping him. In fact, he's just here to observe. With a smile. Because he's a nice guy who respects other people's choices. No matter how irrational those choices are. So, go on. Walk, pineapple. Walk!]

[serpente]

[He's determined - he's going to show Gokudera he can bloody well make his own way and doesn't need help from others to get by. If he had his illusions he could have pretended to be fine, could have made them leave him alone. But no, he was here, kidnapped on the whim of one temperamental Cloud Guardian for some reason he couldn't fathom as yet. Probably just wanted to keep him close so he couldn't lie about his condition.

In any case, the illusionist has almost drawn level with Gokudera and is finding the strain of taking his body this far exhausting. Fuck, he can't even make it out of his own room. Turning around now would mean another notch in the Storm's smugness (though his testimony might convince Hibari to not take him out for some punishing exercise...).]

...Get out of the way, [he growls at Gokudera, hobbling a step closer, relying quite heavily on the wall and furniture. He planned to collapse just before the door frame if his body didn't give out first.]

[vongolastorm]

[It looks like Mukuro isn't doing too well. He's beginning to wonder if he should do something about it. Maybe lend a hand? Nah. Screw it. If he does that, he'll probably insult the man. He's obviously trying to prove something to him. It's just that he isn't doing a particularly good job at it. Either way, pride is on the line. And, despite how much care he lacks for it, Gokudera knows better than to take it lightly.]

Don't push yourself. [of course it doesn't mean he can't offer a pretty reasonable suggestion to him]

[serpente]

[Almost there - Mukuro takes one last step, toeing the line that marks his bedroom from the rest of the house, before his legs give way and he starts to topple. He falls against the wall, thankfully, but the impact hurts.]

Tch.

[vongolastorm]

I'd clap if my hands weren't full.

[lifts up both the tray and pail to make his point] So, [cocks a brow] now that you're done trying to prove something, ready to get back in bed?

[serpente]

No.

[He says that, but his legs give way even further and he slides to the floor with a pained hiss. His shoulder already has a bruise forming and the plaster dragging against the skin worsens it. Someone may have to help him up. Or leave him to crawl back to his bed.]

[vongolastorm]

Oh, yes you are. [He sets the items in his hands on the nearest flat surface before he takes the few steps to where the illusionist lay. Crouching down next to him, he stares at him for a long moment. Then, with a small smile appearing on his face, Gokudera scoops him right up off of the floor.]

Do you know what you remind me of? [starts to carry him back to the bed] You remind me of a stubborn little boy who's perpetually stuck on Opposite Day. You say one thing, but you mean another. You refuse help when it's offered to you freely. You don't know how to show gratitude and you hide it through the excuse of not asking for help in the first place. You're kind of like... [stops abruptly in his tracks, eyes widening] a woman! Holy shit, everything suddenly makes sense.

[serpente]

[Mukuro just rolls his eyes at the epiphany - did you think in his past lives he was always a man? Psh. He scoffs and pokes at Gokudera's neck to remind him to keep moving and not stand there with a silly shocked look upon his face.]

Women usually have breasts, not penises, Gokudera Hayato. Or did you fall asleep during that particular lesson?

[vongolastorm]

[No, because he never bothered to ponder over the intricacy of Mukuro's past lives. But it's interesting how feminine traits can carry over into the next life.

He makes a face at the prod, crossing the rest of the way to the bed. Setting him down on the mattress, he drapes the cover over the pineapple's head.]

I happen to be more verse in that lesson than you need to know. Anyway, I never said you were physically a woman even if you come damn close. I was referring to your personality.

[serpente]

[He in turn tugs the covers down again. Don't smother him!]

Does my being a woman impact on your ability to mother me? [he retorts]

[vongolastorm]

[brow lifts] Oh, so you admit to being a woman then? [snerk]

[serpente]

Only if you admit to being a mother.

[Physically tired he may be, but never too tired to wage a verbal war!]

[vongolastorm]

Never claimed I was one which makes your argument invalid. [reaches out to flick him right on the nose]

[serpente]

[He winces and covers his nose with a glare.]

So if I admit to being a woman, does that mean I'm allowed to have mood swings?

[vongolastorm]

What the hell are you talkin' about? [gives him an incredulous look] You already have mood swings. [loud scoff]

[serpente]

[Now he raises an eyebrow.]

You call those mood swings?

[vongolastorm]

No, I call them temper tantrums thrown by a four year old trapped in a twenty five year old's body.

[serpente]

[scoff] Oh? Then what are these mood swings you are referring to?

[vongolastorm]

Sarcasm, Mukuro. Sarcasm.

[serpente]

In that case, I will take your words to mean I do not actually have any such mood swings.

[All this talking is making him thirsty. Where's that orange juice gone?]