[ 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.]
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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.]