Corrupted Dreams

Phantoms

After Emiya's temper tantrum, the two of us sauntered in the forest for a bit. We had no place to go, no sure objective without a plan, and if Emiya had a plan he certainly wasn't speaking up about it. As for me? Nothing. My mind still hadn't entirely left said tantrum.

It's odd the things Emiya drives me to say. Honestly, I asked the man to save me?! And to top that off, his smile had been unnervingly honest. I get scared when Emiya stops getting snarky. Things start getting dangerous when things start getting sincere, especially with him. First, his smile seemed nothing, but now it's a virus in my mind. Somedays, I wish I could bite back thoughts as well as I can bite back words.

My gaze was set on the ground, often trailing over Emiya's feet and legs. I noticed a recurring pattern in his walk. Occasionally he would roll his ankle as if to stretch it.

"What are you doing?"

"Hm?" He looked over at me.

"Why do you keep wiggling your foot like that?"

Taking a moment to glance between me and his foot, he just shrugged and began walking again. "No reason."

"Oh, no need to lie, Emiya."

His lips went tight. "It simply feels tense."

"Oh?" I suddenly remembered that it was the same leg that got snagged by those tendrils. The vial of mud momentarily became more present tucked away in my robe. Well, this is at least something to occupy us until we can pull together a plan. "Let me see."

I heard him sigh. "I don't want you fussing over me, Cu."

"I'll fuss as much as I like. Now sit down so I can take a look."

Oddly enough, he didn't carry his typical boulder of stubbornness and obediently took a seat. I silently admired this rare act in awe. "Well, are you going to take a look or not?" He snapped. Still grouchy though.

"Alright alright, no need to get impatient." I kneeled down in front of him. "My hands will be on you soon enough." It was an unwise thing for me to say in this position, the result being Emiya's foot driving into my chin.

"I'm not going to let you look anymore if you keep talking like that."

"Tch, touchy touchy." I rubbed my jaw.

"Cu."

"Fine, I'll talk like a decent human being for a minute."

"A minute's all I get?" There was a slight cock in his eyebrow and a smirk tugging his lips.

I focused down on his leg, "Don't push your luck, Sweetheart." As I pulled up his pant leg, I smiled at his amused snort.

The black spot came into view. It was smaller than last I'd looked at it, but still had that ominous glow of red around it. I kept an examining eye on it as I questioned him. "You said it feels tense, is it just in this area?" I circled my finger around the spot.

"Mostly, yeah."

"Mm, any other noticeable side effects? Perhaps this is why you're so irritable?" I muttered the joke but he still caught it, giving me a soft knock on the head.

"I'm not irritable... Though— never mind."

"What?" I looked up at him, his own gaze leaving me the moment I did. "What is it, Emiya?" His eyes finally met mine, a nervous furrow in his brow.

"It's nothing." He shook his head.

Now I'm curious. "Aw, come on, don't hold back on me now, Emiya~"