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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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[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.

[masakados]

Careful about saying that, or I'll really monopolise your time.

[Nah, Naoki wouldn't be that bad. Laughing and pleased by her reaction, he starts to walk, tipping his head invitingly at her.]

[flaredo]

You say that like I'd mind.

[ And she's falling into step fairly easily, settling into a lively stride. ]

[masakados]

After a while, who knows, you might.

[YOU'D GET SICK OF HIM YANG...]

[flaredo]

[ Joking or not, he still gets an elbow to the side. ]

Didn't we already agree that you're stuck with me?

[masakados]

Oof. [He'll nudge her back in return.]

Yeah, we did. I know I am. [And... well, he feels comfortable enough in the knowledge that she's not going to go anywhere that he can joke about it.]

[flaredo]

So we're dragging out snack time, then.

[masakados]

[There's our conclusion, eh--]

How long d'you think it's possible to drag it out for?

[flaredo]

Oh, I don't know... as long as you want me?

[masakados]

If we kept snack time going as long as that, I'd probably end up walking you right to work.

[Of course he'd say that, he's all for spending hours upon hours with Yang.]