[He takes hold of her hand with gentle, with the finesse of a lover. Although he should use it to pull himself up, he kisses one of her knuckles, lips lingering briefly before he winks in her direction.]
his gentleness surprises her and he'd already kissed her hand before she could do anything to stop him. it's a strange feeling -- different from the young, childlike affection from shinra, and it leaves an odd feeling in her chest. she doesn't remember experiencing it before, back in ireland when she alone and away from humans, away from their emotions.
she pulls her hand away. ]
You should get treated first.
[ maybe when he's not delusional, he'll realize his mistake. ]
He notices how she draws back, like a cornered animal attempting to retreat, and it tugs at his heartstrings in a way that's familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. She's not afraid of him, is she?]
Was I bein' too forward?
[Perhaps it's the loss of blood from several important parts of his body that's contributing to his behavior, but he does reach out to take her hand again, squeezing firmly this time.]
I'm sorry.
If you don't want me to touch ya like that, I'll let go. Promise.
[It was an act of solidarity this time, not some sort of silly move. He does release his hold, like he vowed earlier.]
[ she doesn't respond for a moment, helmet tilted down toward their joined hands until he lets go.
is she lonely? in ikebukuro, not as much. she was always around shinra, she could visit shizuo, could stop and chat with mikado, with anri. but if she was really honest with herself, she misses ireland. misses the clean, crisp, starry nights not obscured by tall buildings and skyscrapers; the cool air devoid of exhaust and nightlife noises. she misses when times were simpler, when things were less complicated.
the feeling is intensified here, two worlds away from home. ]
You are right, I am.
[ maybe he is too. she offers him her hand again, pulling him up when he takes it. ]
[She doesn't seemed bothered by much, really, which is why he kissed her in the first place. He watches her with an avid, interested gaze. He can't see her face so he can't read that, but her body posture does slump a little when she confirms his suspicions.
Even after coming to his feet, he keeps his hand where it is.]
[ she pauses after he stands, as if waiting for him to let go. eventually, she lets it stay, turning around and heading towards the banquet table, walking around the crowded areas of the hallway. ]
I wasn't particularly busy. Though I worked as a courier, I had my own schedule.
[The expression in his face is a strange one. He's feeling a myriad of emotions right now, of fondness and sadness, but also courage- He's had what he wanted most, and so he knows that it's achievable.]
My friends've got bigger things to worry about than me.
[Mutsu does worry though.
Is she worrying now?
Perhaps she's on the ship somewhere, wondering where he is. He tries to stop himself from falling down that rabbit hole, but the thought of her believing him to be gone, truly gone-
[ what does that mean? is it bad? like is she making him feel worse? before she can apologize, she realizes that he makes a valid point. where is the way out? ]
I think it should be this way.
[ pointing towards the area past the banquet table, at the sign that says "restrooms, atm, exit". ]
[ but then a group of photographers spot them, running towards them with cameras raised and flashing. it startles her into moving, tugging on sakamoto's hand as she runs towards the exit.
[Despite the dizzying array of flashing lights and the clamor of the raucous crowd, Sakamoto tilts his head back to laugh.
This kind of running, running from danger with the aid of a far stronger companion, feels familiar. In fact, he can almost register the cold air of the ocean breeze, accompanied by the salty scent of the sea. And yet, the grip on his hand is gentle, not harsh enough to break his wrist.
He's been running from something on the inside, too, running from the hateful idea that he might be stuck here for more than a few months, separated from the people he loves and held back from his duty.
Suddenly, at this very moment, he feels as though everything will turn out alright.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I think before we find a restaurant, we should take you to the hospital.
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[He presses a hand to his forehead (which is bloody, by the way).]
Do you think be able to find a cure for my aching heart?
[stop]
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[ she'll come to a stand and offer him a gloved hand to help him up with. ]
You won't know until you try, or so the saying goes.
i'm sorry u can ask me to delete this
Is that it?
Ah, well then! Why don't you try me?
never.
his gentleness surprises her and he'd already kissed her hand before she could do anything to stop him. it's a strange feeling -- different from the young, childlike affection from shinra, and it leaves an odd feeling in her chest. she doesn't remember experiencing it before, back in ireland when she alone and away from humans, away from their emotions.
she pulls her hand away. ]
You should get treated first.
[ maybe when he's not delusional, he'll realize his mistake. ]
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He notices how she draws back, like a cornered animal attempting to retreat, and it tugs at his heartstrings in a way that's familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. She's not afraid of him, is she?]
Was I bein' too forward?
[Perhaps it's the loss of blood from several important parts of his body that's contributing to his behavior, but he does reach out to take her hand again, squeezing firmly this time.]
I'm sorry.
If you don't want me to touch ya like that, I'll let go. Promise.
[It was an act of solidarity this time, not some sort of silly move. He does release his hold, like he vowed earlier.]
You seem a little lonely.
["In a way, so am I."]
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is she lonely? in ikebukuro, not as much. she was always around shinra, she could visit shizuo, could stop and chat with mikado, with anri. but if she was really honest with herself, she misses ireland. misses the clean, crisp, starry nights not obscured by tall buildings and skyscrapers; the cool air devoid of exhaust and nightlife noises. she misses when times were simpler, when things were less complicated.
the feeling is intensified here, two worlds away from home. ]
You are right, I am.
[ maybe he is too. she offers him her hand again, pulling him up when he takes it. ]
It's alright. I just wasn't expecting it.
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Even after coming to his feet, he keeps his hand where it is.]
Being idle does that to you.
You're very busy back home, I take it?
[Her friends aren't here, huh.
Oh.]
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I wasn't particularly busy. Though I worked as a courier, I had my own schedule.
How about you?
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[The expression in his face is a strange one. He's feeling a myriad of emotions right now, of fondness and sadness, but also courage- He's had what he wanted most, and so he knows that it's achievable.]
Yeah. I was real busy.
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Are you a troublemaker, then?
[ trying. to make a joke. yep. ]
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[He appreciates that.]
It's only stirrin' up trouble if your actions are gonna change things, right? Yeah. I'm one troublesome guy.
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[ ah. so he's that kind of guy too. the revolutionary. ]
Your friends must worry about you.
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[Mutsu does worry though.
Is she worrying now?
Perhaps she's on the ship somewhere, wondering where he is. He tries to stop himself from falling down that rabbit hole, but the thought of her believing him to be gone, truly gone-
It hurts.]
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Nothing is bigger or more important than a friend.
1/?
2/2
This is nervous excitement, isn't it.]
You're right about that.
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Are you alright?
[ is it the blood loss? they should've found a place for him to rest sooner... ]
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[Said fondly.]
I'm gonna hafta be, if I want to get outta here! Speaking of out, d'you know which way is out?
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[ what does that mean? is it bad? like is she making him feel worse? before she can apologize, she realizes that he makes a valid point. where is the way out? ]
I think it should be this way.
[ pointing towards the area past the banquet table, at the sign that says "restrooms, atm, exit". ]
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Ohhhh, I feel weak.
You'll have to guide me.
[wink wonk
Is he really trying to get her to hold his hand the whole way.]
My body is so fragile~!
[Yes.]
1/2
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well, he wanted hand holding, right. ]
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This kind of running, running from danger with the aid of a far stronger companion, feels familiar. In fact, he can almost register the cold air of the ocean breeze, accompanied by the salty scent of the sea. And yet, the grip on his hand is gentle, not harsh enough to break his wrist.
He's been running from something on the inside, too, running from the hateful idea that he might be stuck here for more than a few months, separated from the people he loves and held back from his duty.
Suddenly, at this very moment, he feels as though everything will turn out alright.]