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（ there is a bit of tension to his shoulders when wei ying circles behind him, gradually easing at the touch. ）

Not especially.

（ nothing of the actions they have undertaken has been incorrect. no one has jeopardized their ultimate goal that he is aware of.

he tilts his chin down, stretching out the muscles of his neck and back and giving wei ying better access to his hair. ）

But... we are playing a game of odds. Thus far, we have had a hundred percent success rate in retrieving the orbs, and only one death — that Sabriel then undid. The longer we go without serious mishap, the more concerned I become that we will grasp at failure.

[He hums in response, cupping one hand full of water to scrub at some of Itachi's hair resting above the water.]

It could happen. I like to think that we are learning as we go though. That what we've learned increases our odds at least a little. [Not always, not when they willingly spurn what they've learned like they did in Forsythe Heights, but when they use their knowledge of past missions to inform their decisions.]

Do you think we'd be sent back to the same planet another time if we fail?

（ the contented little sound that he makes, the subtle way he lists into the attention are probably indication enough that he is enjoying himself, frankly. ）

Knowledge is not always a stopgap against failure.

（ you can be the best shinobi alive, and still fail. he has seen it, time and again and again. ）

There would be no other choice but to return. Failure does not mean the orb would cease to occupy a planet.

Mmm. [His fingers scrub lightly at Itachi's scalp as he works before returning to his hair.]

There isn't anything we can do other than what we're already doing to prevent it. If we fail then we'll deal with it when it happens. The best we can do now is do our best to retrieve the orb.

Does it worry you?

Yes.

（ not something he would admit to readily to another. but he has borne up beneath the weight of his concern for some time now. the more deeply he cares for those around him, the more challenging it becomes to keep his goals in clear sight.

matters have... become muddied.

not to mention if they ever were to fail a mission, he is not entirely certain he could look viveca in the eye afterwards. ）

But worry is inconsequential. Events will happen regardless.

[He can't assuage that worry, and outside of trying to distract him—a tactic that he's sure Itachi wouldn't appreciate even if he tolerated it—Wei Wuxian hasn't ever been great at offering anyone solace. After a long pause, he speaks.]

If it happens, we'll face it together just like everything else. [This much at least, he can promise.]

I can hardly be the first person to find your optimism infuriating, Wei Ying.

（ there is a weary sigh, and then itachi shifts in the water like a dancer on steady ground — maintaining his balance in the water with one hand braced atop it, chakra making it seem like nothing else so much as earth. he turns to face the man, his friend, and then: ）

I have also missed you.

[That gets a soft snort from him. It isn't optimism, not really. He was optimistic once, but now, now this is pure stubbornness. It is all he has, the sheer determination to push through and face challenges as they come.

But he argues none of that as Itachi moves to face him, the movement impossibly graceful in a way that belies the use of his abilities. The words sink into his heart and it aches. He'd hoped Itachi had missed him just a little. Not for want to cause his friend suffering but to know that even when Itachi needed time away, that he still wanted Wei Wuxian.]

I'm here now.

（ he reaches out, and takes the man by his hand, pulling him forward just enough that leaning in to kiss him is not disruptive to his tenuous balance. the kiss is soft and chaste as anything — but it is undercut with a sort of lingering heat, soft and pleasant as summer rain. he laces their fingers together with a slow deliberation, and when the kiss breaks apart he draws a moment's breath before redoubling it to the back of wei ying's hand. ）

I have yet to thank you for the art.

（ the sketches pressed down into pages of their linked journals, each telling a little story. he has largely kept it tucked away — if for no other reason than the fact he would likely be forced to give it up if another discovered he had anything of value, but. when he is able to steal private moments... he has not been unaware of all that wei ying has drawn for him. ）

[He doesn't forget where they are or why, not really, but from the moment Itachi pulls him closer, the rest of it fades to background noise. The recent distance between them had made him more tentative than usual, but that all falls away now and he kisses back as softly, chasing Itachi's mouth when he pulls away. His eyes stay closed for a moment before fluttering open almost reluctantly.]

There's nothing to thank me for. [He says quietly into the space between them, meaning it.]

I like capturing the things we see on missions and I like being able to share them with you. If you aren't at my side, then at least I can share them like this. And I liked yours too. [He smiles and drapes his arms around Itachi's shoulders, as much for the closeness as to give his core muscles a small break.]

You only say that because you do not know how I weight the value of your actions.

（ it is not quite the man's usual deflection, but nevertheless. once wei ying puts an arm around him, and he can feel the pressure of his weight as the man rests against him, he shifts a little so he can hook one of his feet behind his ankle and bring wei ying's foot forward until it rests atop his own — giving him some semblance of solid ground. ）

[The combination of Itachi's assistance and the buoyancy of the water allow him to find his balance, and he ducks his head at Itachi's words. He is beyond protesting it or making a whiny fuss about it, but it's still hard to hear Itachi speak of his worth so plainly.]

Then I'm glad. [Is what he says eventually, resolving to make time for a few more sketches. It's rare he has time for the intricate paintings, but it's easy to find a few minutes for a simpler sketch.

One of his hands twines in Itachi's hair and he leans forward to kiss him again, reveling in the closeness and the quiet of the moment.]

Mm. How long can you hold your breath?

（ it's said with — just the faintest trace of mischief. a rare thing, in him. ）

[His brow furrows and he laughs.]

A little more than three minutes. Why?

（ he frees up one hand, and murmurs: ）

Then take a deep one.

（ he forms the signs for the suirō no jutsu, and water coalesces around them, enshrining them in its embrace before it drags them down beneath the surface.

with the bioluminescence, and the additional help from wei ying's talismans, the underwater world is as lush and alive as anything on the surface, visible even without the sharingan. fish dart by, jeweled in the light, curious at the intrusion into their territory. itachi curls an arm around his companion, as much to gauge his body language and discomfort as they descend — though the pressure is equalized by the barrier — until they gently touch the ocean floor.

Inform me when you need to ascend. ）

Edited 2023-09-04 23:21 (UTC)

[He's instantly reminded of Xrisora, though it's entirely different experiencing an underwater world in his regular human body. There is something to Itachi's jutsu no doubt that makes movement beneath the water easier he thinks then it would be normally and he takes full advantage. His eyes dart this way and that and for a long moment he simply gazes up at the bright swirl of water and light above them, mesmerized by the beauty of it.

He turns to smile at Itachi and then nods his head in the direction of a bright collection of coral that's caught his attention.]

This is amazing. You know, the last time we did this you were a dragon. [There's laughter in his eyes that doesn't breach his lips.] How long can you hold your breath?

（ he observes the coral with curious interest, and then with a faint curve to his mouth: ）

Longer than you.

（ he is plainly teasing. though the truth of it is — not by much. his lungs were too damaged, too long by the illness that ravaged his body, and short of a transplant — which he is certain mccoy would offer, and perform — there is not much to be done for the scar tissue. ）

[Don't make him snort, Itachi, he'll drown! Wei Wuxian shakes his head, rolling his eyes dramatically to get his reaction across as his eyes remain bright with amusement.]

This man! [He almost grins before remembering to conserve his air.

And then a minute later his eyes grow wide and his jaw falls open, just a little. Not enough to take in any water, but enough to cut his air supply down by at least a minute—or it would be if not for what he does next. With a few twists of his fingers, he crafts two bright red arrays and one of them sinks into each of their chests. Itachi will find that he can instantly breathe underwater.]

I forgot! Don't make fun of me, I've never had a chance to use it on a mission!

（ this is the story of how itachi just stares at wei ying, love of his life, absolute buffoon, for a solid fifteen seconds.

and then he just cracks the dumbest smile, and reaches out to ruffle the man's hair. devoid of oxygen, all he succeeds in doing is stirring up a messy halo of long black tendrils drifting free of the tie he'd put it up in. ）

You are ridiculous. Please, never change.

[He can't even defend himself, he IS ridiculous. He lets out a soundless laugh and covers his face with his hands for a moment.]

It lasts for at least thirty minutes but I can always refresh it again. [He lowers his hands and steps towards Itachi, taking him by the hand and tugging him along.]

How soon do you need to be back? [They'll probably need to get out of the cold before then anyway, but it's helpful to know.]

Midnight is the longest I can be away before they miss me. However, I can send a clone. So long as they do not stray too far beyond the radius of my sensory abilities, it would fool them. I believe the captain's intention was to anchor not too far for the night.

（ so, you know. he's got time. ）

Good. [The Captain and the crew of the Silent Plunder have had enough of Itachi's time lately, now it's Wei Wuxian's turn.

As they walk along the bottom of the sea floor, a long snake like fish swims by and it takes him a moment to remember it's name. Eel he recalls. A name he wouldn't have known without how he'd read up on ocean life after Xrisora. Wei Wuxian follows the creature at a sedate pace, watching as it winds through the narrow tunnels of a structure of coral.

He only barely resists the urge to reach out and try to skim a hand along its spine. Eventually though, the eel winds out of the coral and around his legs, prompting Wei Wuxian to kneel to get a better look even as it darts away again.]

I think it's curious. [That makes two of them.

Wei Wuxian stays where he is and extends an arm, and after a while the eel approaches again, twining around his arm once before disappearing back into the coral for good this time. He lets his arm fall to his side again and resumes his spot at Itachi's side.]

Do you know what makes the water glow like this?

Yes.

（ and for a time it seems like that is all he has to say on the matter. wei ying asked if he knows, not to clarify that knowledge.

instead he watches, as the eel roams — makes its stop with wei ying, curiously encircling his arm before its retreat. red eyes track its progress as it dips back beneath the shadow of the coral.

he cannot help but wonder how, exactly, sharks might take to the man. he knows from long experience that they are neither as bloodthirsty nor as cruel as people say. would kisame object to that assertion, he wonders? or would he accept it as truth, now? four years of partnership no doubt resulted in considerable insights being made on both sides — although kisame would still despise him for the role he played as a double agent. if he had known, it would have come to blows long before his death.

finally — ）

There is an algae in the water. It produces a bioluminescent effect.

Algae! [Who would have thought? The world really is such a strange and amazing place. He doesn't know how something like algae can make an ocean come to life with light, and he makes a mental note to research it when they get back.

In the meantime Wei Wuxian continues to explore the ocean floor, investigating, picking up a handful of shells, and occasionally pausing to simply take in the view. Eventually he feels a chill beginning to settle into his skin and he motions for them to retreat back to the surface.]

（ ascending is a simple affair — and once they break the surface, he draws a long breath. the transition from breathing underwater to breathing above is ... not uncomfortable, explicitly, but certainly strange.

and then he hauls himself up out of the water, intending to walk across the lagoon to return to where they'd shucked their clothing, not terribly interested in troubling himself to swim the distance. the air is a cold chill against his skin and there's a faint involuntary twitch as he suppresses a shiver.

once they've returned to the shore — ）

May I use your Qiankun pouch?

（ he keeps rough stock of its contents — and is well aware that wei ying carries all manner of useful items out of habit besides. he will certainly have blankets, easily substituted for towels as they dry. ）

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