[ Haru knows those eyes. He's seen them before. On another night, just like this, when Nishinoya was still around to sit around the edge of the pool and pester him for hours, leave Haru to wonder how he kept managing to style his hair without a drop of gel in sight while he showed off all manner of special moves - it was on a night like this, as they both made their way back to the dorms, that they passed Echizen in the hall. For a moment then their eyes had met, the same dark pools seemingly devoid of life, taking in everything and seeing nothing. And only five minutes later there was a body to be found, a trial to be held, and Nishinoya was never the same, would be hard to believe he's still alive if he didn't see him at breakfast each morning, a shell of what he was.
If he'd been alone— It is a sobering thought, the kind that sends a chill down his spine, curled up beneath his covers each night and begging to be allowed to forget it ever happened. If he'd been alone, it would've been his body laid flat on a cold stone floor, beaten to death to avoid the issue of murder weapons altogether. If he'd been alone, he'd never see the world beyond these walls ever again. If he'd been alone, nothing he'd done inside here would ever have mattered. It might be why he's been willing to bear having Manami around, act like he wasn't grateful for the company.
And now those very same eyes are trained on him. A pity he doesn't have much time to be shocked. ]
—!
[ Haru's body tenses up immediately as he realises what Manami is planning to do, breath already hitching in his chest before he's set upon, that wandering hand curled fast around his throat. The problem with a cyclist trying to assault a swimmer in the water - moreso than any home advantage - is that even on the brink of death, certain things are just ingrained. The water is alive. Once you dive in, it will immediately bare its fangs and attack - words to live by, that have kept him living inside this place, words that mean, much as he wants to, Haru doesn't risk a breath as he sinks beneath the water, instinct that keeps his lungs from filling up.
A pity he doesn't have time to be feeling much of anything, actually, perhaps room for a sharp pang of betrayal before other instincts set in, override all else. He can hardly sit idle anymore and, as feelings and emotions threaten to overwhelm him, Haru sinks to the same ugly level. Being faced with his own mortality does wonders to crush the compassion that compelled that embrace, adrenaline pumping through his veins for what feels like the first time in years as he aims a punch - straight and simple and totally blind - to the side of Manami's head, other arm aiming to pull him down into the water. ]
Same
If he'd been alone— It is a sobering thought, the kind that sends a chill down his spine, curled up beneath his covers each night and begging to be allowed to forget it ever happened. If he'd been alone, it would've been his body laid flat on a cold stone floor, beaten to death to avoid the issue of murder weapons altogether. If he'd been alone, he'd never see the world beyond these walls ever again. If he'd been alone, nothing he'd done inside here would ever have mattered. It might be why he's been willing to bear having Manami around, act like he wasn't grateful for the company.
And now those very same eyes are trained on him. A pity he doesn't have much time to be shocked. ]
—!
[ Haru's body tenses up immediately as he realises what Manami is planning to do, breath already hitching in his chest before he's set upon, that wandering hand curled fast around his throat. The problem with a cyclist trying to assault a swimmer in the water - moreso than any home advantage - is that even on the brink of death, certain things are just ingrained. The water is alive. Once you dive in, it will immediately bare its fangs and attack - words to live by, that have kept him living inside this place, words that mean, much as he wants to, Haru doesn't risk a breath as he sinks beneath the water, instinct that keeps his lungs from filling up.
A pity he doesn't have time to be feeling much of anything, actually, perhaps room for a sharp pang of betrayal before other instincts set in, override all else. He can hardly sit idle anymore and, as feelings and emotions threaten to overwhelm him, Haru sinks to the same ugly level. Being faced with his own mortality does wonders to crush the compassion that compelled that embrace, adrenaline pumping through his veins for what feels like the first time in years as he aims a punch - straight and simple and totally blind - to the side of Manami's head, other arm aiming to pull him down into the water. ]