Archive of Our Own ^beta

“X,” Daichi asks one day, “How does time flow for you?”

Ten years, gone in a blink of an eye. Ten years, slowly flowing by, a river lazy in its path. X, if asked how these last ten years with Daichi have gone, would answer that both, despite their contradictions, are correct. All X can answer, for certain, is that no matter how swiftly these ten years have passed, they have proven to be ten of the best years of X’s life.

Daichi, however, wouldn’t take that for an answer. He likes his answers to the point. And if X has to answer in a fashion that Daichi would prefer, then he concludes he has no answer at all.

“I’m unsure on what you mean by that,” X settles to answer.

“I mean, you live thousands of years longer than I will,” Daichi instantly replies, “I’m just wondering. Are 500 years the same feeling for you as a year or two for us? Or do 500 years feel like forever?”

Despite having united with Daichi countless times, there still are underlying differences between the two. For instance, as Daichi mentioned, their differing lifespans — something X likes to not think about — or their definitions of normalcy. And now, when faced with this question, X is starting to suspect that their experiences on the passage of time might differ as well.

“I would not know that. I’ve never experienced the human passage of time, so I’m still unsure.”

Daichi blinks, before turning back to his computer. Bright blue light gleams at his face; thankfully, it is at a time where the sun is still up.

He quietly states, “I see. Do you think we can find a way to quantify them?”

If X’s experiences have anything to say, this question is only a preface to what will surely happen. It’ll have to be up to X — and Xio — to make sure Daichi doesn’t lose even more sleep than he already does.

But Daichi’s determination and skill, X concludes, will surely find an answer in the end.

“...If there is anyone who has the capability to do it, it is you, Daichi.”