Inbox;

[flaredo]

"Heeey, you've reached Yang! Well, actually, you didn't reach far enough, 'cause I'm not here right now! But don't yang up! Just leave a message on this baby, and I'll get back to you soon enough, okay?"

[ Please specify VOICEMAIL, TEXT or CALL. ]

Comments

action;

[flaredo]

I know plenty of older people who could use some encouragement, trust me.

action;

[rollin]

That's not the problem! At least pat me on the shoulder. The shoulder!

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[flaredo]

...

You're how old again?

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[rollin]

[ In an act of defiance, he grabs Yang's hand and places it on his shoulder, keeping it there with his hand over hers. His grip is stronger than anything he's done to her outside a fight, and the silence lasts for a moment longer than she would expect. ]

I just want to be taken seriously, too. What's wrong with that?

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[flaredo]

[ Yang blinks rapidly, staring down at his shoulder, before her gaze shifts to his face. ]

You say it like I haven't taken you seriously before.

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[rollin]

[ He casts his eyes downward as his hand loosens around hers. ]

Yeah... [ Then, a wry smile as he lets go. Seems like he let another insecurity of his slip out. ] Sorry. It's nothing.

[ Well, it's nothing he wants to bother Yang with. She's right, now that he thinks about it. Not once did she ever laugh at his dreams when it mattered.

As Yata shuts his eyes tight, he hits himself to snap him out of it, sandwiching his sore face between his hands. ]

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[flaredo]

...

[ There's a pause, before her hand flexes on his shoulder, a gentle squeeze. ]

Don't lie. Wanting to be taken seriously isn't a bad thing.

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[rollin]

I know, but now my face hurts.

[ He rubs his cheek. Ow. ]

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[flaredo]

Yeah, um... that's not exactly something you'd want me kissing better.

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[rollin]

No one asked!

... Oh yeah, about that. [ There's a really long silence—okay, it's not that long. ] Can—can you keep a secret?

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[flaredo]

[ can she-- OH IS THIS GOSSIP, she's instantly plunking her elbows on the table and cradling her chin in her palms, bright-eyed. ]

Definitely!!

[ SPILL. ]

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[rollin]

[ He leans back and GROANS. ]

Why're you so excited? You better not tell anyone! I'm serious!

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[flaredo]

I won't, I won't! [ But she's curious! ]

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[rollin]

Yeah, okay. [ He sighs as he runs a hand through his hair, the volume of his voice considerably softer. ] So... Saya was worried about sales that day...

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[flaredo]

Sales-- you mean during that whole flower shop thing?

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[rollin]

Yeah, that. I, um. I didn't wanna get in her way, so... I bought one...

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[flaredo]

... Awww. [ yes, this is a sincere coo. ] That's sweet, Yata! So you scored yourself a kiss?

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[rollin]

[ He sputters. ] I told her I didn't need one!

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[flaredo]

Still... sweet, but you missed out on a prime opportunity there.

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[rollin]

... [ He's pointedly silent. ]

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[flaredo]

... Yata...

[ JIIIIIIIIIIIIII. ]

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[rollin]

[ He throws a glance at her. A quick one! ]

... I-It's not like I missed it.

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[flaredo]

...

[ She's just going to grab him by the shoulders. ]

Details.

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[rollin]

[ YANG STOP. ]

On the cheek! She kissed me on the cheek!

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[flaredo]

[ ... Oh. Well, that constitutes a release, which she'll promptly do. ]

Even though you said she didn't have to?