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[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. ]

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[flaredo]

But what about you, Naoki? Any pretty ladies out there?

[ Can she tease you?? ]

[masakados]

Hmm? Sure, I bet there's plenty of pretty ladies out there. Lots of people here, after all.

[What a shit--] I think I mentioned before that I don't have anything for Romance Hour.

[flaredo]

Things change! [ wrinkling her nose at him, before she sighs heavily. ] Although I guess not for you yet.

[masakados]

Sorry I don't have any love life details for you.

[He chuckles.] Anyway, I'm still getting to know the people that I've met.

[flaredo]

But at least you're meeting them! You're not a lone wolf anymore.

[ She's so happy... ]

[masakados]

I'm pretty sure I stopped being a lone wolf when you decided to stick with me.

[But, after a contemplative pause, he adds with honesty because he's doing his best and opening up bit by bit:] I don't... you know. I'm not big on being by myself. [He hates it, honestly.] But in the Vortex World, I had to be. Since then, well... you know.

[He thought he had to be here, too.] But you've helped kick me out of it.

[flaredo]

... I'm not going anywhere, either.

[ She reaches out, to rest her hand on his shoulder. ]

It won't be just me, you know. You're going to end up with a lot of people who care about you. I'm just the first of many.

[masakados]

I know. I couldn't get rid of you even if I tried.

[But his expression is soft and he raises his hand to set over hers for a moment. No matter how many friends or people who care about him he gets, he thinks that Yang's always going to be a bit different-- special.

Naoki'll just keep that to himself, though.]

...but I guess we'll see, huh? Hopefully not so many that I can't keep track of 'em.

[flaredo]

But enough that you'll never be alone again. [ Even when Yang has to lurch off to keep herself from doing shameless things to him, thanks to spider bites--

Well, but that aside, she does intend to support him, so she gently squeezes his shoulder. ]

[masakados]

... [Never be alone again...

Naoki shifts suddenly, onto his knees, one sliding against ground as he moves closer to her and extends his arms to her. He doesn't give a lot of forewarning but he thinks this is the best way to express his gratitude for, well, everything; sliding his arms around her and pulling her closer to hug her.

She doesn't know everything about what he's done yet, and maybe she'll end up thinking differently about him, but that's all right. He'll always be glad for all of this--]

[flaredo]

[ There's not a lot of forewarning, and Yang's confusion shows for all of three seconds, a questioning noise trapped in her throat when he pulls her against him.

... Ah. He'd said himself that he hadn't liked being alone. He'd spent who-knows-how-long doing just that, against his will. And he trusted her to tell her all of this, to reach out for her first.

It's why Yang reaches back, still on her knees as she curves her arms around him and props her chin on his shoulder. There's that sense of protectiveness that tends to crop up when she thinks about what he's been through, but there's something else layering it. Something like--

She tightens her arms. ]

I've got you.

[masakados]

[Naoki's smiling as he turns his face into her shoulder, then down against it so his forehead rests there, head leaning sideways against her neck. When she tightens her arms, he tightens his, hands spread against her back.

It's not like the Vortex World. He doesn't have to be alone, and he can trust that Yang's not going anywhere on him, isn't going to run off without saying something. Even if it happened yesterday, wasn't what happened afterward proof enough that it's different?]

Mmmhm, [he hums just that, awfully happily, before adding in a low voice,] I know.

[flaredo]

[ He might feel her nod, acknowledgment of her own, but she won't say anything more, just hold him. He'll move when he's ready to, and it's not like Yang minds this at all. ]

[masakados]

[It might drag out for a little longer as he soaks up the warmth and just--

This--

Ah, right. He pulls back, sliding his hands up to her shoulders and giving them a light squeeze before his hands drop, grinning a little.]

[flaredo]

[ In response, Yang reaches up to ruffle his hair, returning his grin with a smile of her own. ]

You're pretty warm, Naoki.

[masakados]

[Ruffling mmfff. In turn, he casually flicks some of her hair with a laugh.]

Yeah-- I'd probably make a half-decent heater. [Pause--] But you're warm, too. [He doesn't mean precisely heat, though she's warm to hug, but... yes.

Either way, they ought to get up, so he moves to get his feet under him and stand.]

[flaredo]

I'd make a great heater, but there's usually a chance of getting burned-- hup!

[ Right, she's going to push herself up, too. ]

[masakados]

A high-risk heater.

[He pictures it with a smile and wanders over to where he left his hoodie from before.]

[flaredo]

[ Yang will stay where she is, stretching and finally taking stock of what will be bruising later. It's a pleasant feeling, though, knowing she'd burned off most of her excess energy. ]

Sounds perfect for me, don't you think?

[masakados]

[Shaking out the hoodie, Naoki shrugs it on, zipping it up and--mmm? He pauses to pull the collar up to his nose (hopefully when she's not looking). It smells a little like her...

...well, anyway. He turns back toward her.]

Yeah-- "Might get burned" is a pretty good warning for you in general.

[flaredo]

[ SEE, it's hard not to notice scents when they're that close!!

Bu she smiles at him when he turns. ]

Not enough people listen to warnings, though.

[masakados]

[He guesses so!! While doing a few stretches for his shoulders and arms, he heads back over to her.]

Or the risk might be exciting.

[With a shrug and a easy smile.] Anyway, Yang-- what're you up to after this?

[flaredo]

Nothing, really? I figure I can come up with something before I have to work tonight.

[masakados]

Hmm-- then, come with me to grab a snack or something.

It's not gonna fill up the rest of your afternoon, but I can keep you busy a little while longer.

[flaredo]

[ Yang brightens, already nodding eagerly. She didn't even have to drop hints (or demands) this time! ]

Sure! Go ahead and busy me up.