The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 100

"Go on. Go to sleep, I'll take over," he muttered.

"Really?" Suguru sighed, "I'll take you up on that. Thank you, Satoru."

"Yeah, I know," Satoru grinned. "G'night."

"Good night," Suguru said.

"Thank you... for talking with me about this," Satoru added quietly.

Suguru smiled at him. "Of course. Anytime."

He watched Suguru moving towards his sleeping bag and then let his arms rest on his knees again. He watched the fire crackling, his eyes flicking up and over to where he could see the faint glow of Sarah's technique. It sparkled gently as she slept, again, but still wasn't strong enough for anyone to have sensed.

Satoru watched it twinkling, resisting the urge to go and just... let it happen. That would solve it, wouldn't it? He'd understand how she felt and she'd understand how he felt. That makes the whole "separate timeline" deal not matter at all, didn't it? All the information out on the table for both of them to work with. Easy!

But... what if it changes her? She didn't think anything like the way he did! It was like watching a cameraman fuck up the shot that you actually wanted to see. Her memories were so focused on everyone else! He'd honestly wished she'd watched his fight more closely instead of spending all that time staring at him like that. But then again... seeing how he made her feel when he pulled her into his lap? That was—

He groaned, pushing himself up and walking over to kneel beside her. Gently he pulled back the sleeping back just enough to reach in and run his hand over her upper back firmly — calming and gentle. She seemed to settle in, groaning a little before she flopped over onto her front with a grunt.

His fingers brushed through a few loose strands of the braid Rin had put in her hair — the girls' way of dealing with, gasp, dirty hair! The scandal of it was almost funny, except now there was an embargo on touching hair. That just made them all want to do it more, really. Even Nanami admitted it.

Taking one more long look at her, he eventually pushed up and walked back over to sit by the fire. He inhaled through his nose, stretching his neck as if that would calm his nerves. "I'll tell her tomorrow," he said softly to himself, "get it over with."

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Satoru wouldn't look at her all morning, and Sarah was starting to get more than a little irritated. He was always just out of her reach, always flicking his eyes away and frowning when he turned away. Even with his blindfold he was so easy to read — she honestly didn't understand how people couldn't read his face more easily.

"Could you please start some coffee for us while you're making breakfast?" Rin asked as she walked by, adjusting her long braid in curls around her fingers. "I'm suffering."

"Yeah, I got you," Sarah mumbled, still staring at Satoru's back.

What was he thinking? Something was bothering him, that's the only thing that sent him into these bouts of withdrawal. Normally it was because he had figured something out and hadn't told her yet, which, guessing by how he was somewhat clinging to Suguru, was likely the case.

Nanami was also aware something was going on. His eyes were on the two of them as well and he was clearly annoyed. Suguru and Satoru still weren't very good at sharing all the details yet, forgetting that the rest of them were still quite capable of—

He's second guessing your relationship, it looks like.

Sarah froze. She narrowed her eyes. No, that was too obviously manipulation to be her own voice. That was—