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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. ]

Comments

[flaredo]

Didn't I already tell you that my opinion of you wasn't going to change?

[ She can feel the wetness soaking into her skin-- and she lets it, taking a steadying breath before she smiles. ]

What you told me doesn't make me think any less of you. I mean, yeah, it kind of really hurts when I think that you were an idiot and kept this to yourself, but Naoki is Naoki. You're still as human as you ever were.

... And I'm glad you relied on me this time.

[masakados]

[She might feel the slightly wry smile Naoki presses into her skin, before he lifts his face slightly, other hand shifting from her back to rub his palm roughly across his eyes. He couldn't even say when the last time he cried about-- anything was.]

...Yeah, I am too. [Though he'll try not to make a habit of late-night relying.] I'm really glad that I trust you.

[Not that he's glad that she's trustworthy, but that he's glad he finally let himself, that he was capable of trusting her. What an easy thing it is to say now. He's glad he met her, became friends, came to trust, came to like her--]

[flaredo]

[ Yang's smile softens, and she drifts one hand away from his back, up to his face to rub her fingers across the damper parts of it. It's just for a few seconds, before she lowers her hand.]

You've been through a lot, and I know trusting didn't come easy... so thanks.

[ Thanks for letting her care. In her sleepwear in an entryway in frigid weather at some bizarre hour.

Worth it. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki's eyes squint as her fingers rub, feeling a little flicker of self-consciousness now that he's done crying, after the worst of all of the emotions have calmed down. But her hand is warm, and she's been touching him without gloves all this time-- though thinking about that makes the self-conscious feelings worse.

But, he does feel more... settled than he has for a long time. She knows the things he feels the worst about, what he's done, and she's still here.

He tightens his arms around her, as though in a parting squeeze, before he lets them go slack around her.] I'm really the one who has thanking to do. [For being patient with him, for trusting him first, for every little thing she's done for him...] ...C'mon, Yang, let's go in properly. I'll make us something to drink.

[flaredo]

[ She'll take that as thanks with a small measure of relief; he looks a lot better, less worn ragged from his own feelings, and honestly, she's still not all that warm-- so she nods, moving forward. ]

That'd be great, actually.

[masakados]

[Naoki's expression warms visibly, and he nods in turn, heading inside. In to the living room, which is still mostly dark until he flicks on one of the lamps and gestures to the couch.]

Then, I'll be right back, just wait here. [He'll go make-- well, hot chocolate, actually. And he'll flit off to his room too while the kettle's boiling. You're just in a tank top and shorts, Yang (don't think he's forgot), so he fetches a sweater, and he'll move to come and drop it about her shoulders on his way back to the kitchen...]

[flaredo]

[ Is she supposed to stay standing? She's still moderately sleepy (although most of that had been banished when she'd yelled at him), but getting a sweater dropped on her demands her focus. So Yang will just be wriggling her way into the sweater, pulling her hair free and settling herself on the couch or what other piece of cushy furniture there happens to be. ]

[masakados]

[Good, settle on into his couch-- Naoki returns soon enough, trying not to smile at her in his sweater, holding one of the mugs that he's carrying handle-out to her.] Little warmer?

[He's gonna settle in next to her anyway. He's about as warm a heater as you could ask for.]

[flaredo]

It's not like I'm freezing.

[ But she still accepts the mug, curling her hands around it and raising it to her lips for a long sip. ]

... But I might call in that favor.

[masakados]

[Still is what his raised eyebrow is saying. She had to be more than a bit chilly. But ah well, he'll take a sip from his mug too.]

Favour?

[...Nope, in this moment, he's completely forgotten about that one.]

[flaredo]

You owe me a cuddle, mister heater. After this cup.

[ Honestly, the closeness might do him some good, too. ]

[masakados]

--oh, that favour.

[He hides a slight blush in a sip from his mug, turning his head juuust slightly to another side. He didn't think she remembered that--no, well, he didn't even remember it then, but he definitely didn't think she was about to take him up on it seriously...]

[flaredo]

[ Dryly, peering at him over the rim of her mug: ]

Want me to pretend I forgot?

[masakados]

[With dignity:]

I never said that. I don't wanna go back on it now. [Which means he wants to... secretly.

Being close sounds nice right now, after all of that. Even if he feels self-conscious and very...aware at the thought, he tries to force those feelings away. It'll be fine so long as he doesn't think too much about it.]

[flaredo]

Finish your cocoa first! I can wait.

[masakados]

I will. I believe in your ability to be patient for-- a cuddle.

[Naoki laughs into his mug, drinking from it again.]

[flaredo]

I'm a big sister, after all! I'm overflowing with patience.

[masakados]

I've noticed. In-between the times when we're trying to punch each other.

[But, he doesn't take long to finish off the cocoa. Leaning forward, Naoki sets his empty mug on the table.]

[flaredo]

You're observant. [ with a grin-- but after a bit, she's finishing her mug and placing it down to join his.

Your move, demon lord. ]

[masakados]

Thanks for noticing.

[Grinning in turn. But no, don't leave the next move up to him! He's watching her out of the corner of his eye. But, once her mug is down, he aims a sideways smile her way. And then he holds open an arm in offering. C'mere.]

[flaredo]

[ ... Okay, Yang. Just remember, for this moment in time, he is only your friend and that is the only thought you should hold in your mind.

Platonic cuddling is totally doable, she's done that more than once in her lifetime, and so she scoots over just a bit and tucks herself under his arm, lifting her legs onto the couch. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki can feel a small lump in his throat as she tucks herself closer, under his arm, and curls it around her, hoping his smile looks the same as usual. His palm rests on her back as he turns slightly toward her, bringing them closer together.

This is totally fine. It feels pleasant and comfortable, and his heart's not beating really hard, it's just hugging Yang.]

[flaredo]

[ THIS IS WHAT FRIENDS DO!! And friends also rest a hand on their friend's chest while wearing their friend's sweater because friendship!!

Okay, right, natural reactions. ]

Didn't expect to spend the night holding a pretty girl, huh?

[masakados]

[The prettiest girl he's ever met--

Naoki laughs and hopes desperately she can't feel how hard his heart is beating when she rests her hand against his chest.]

Can't say I was. It's not usually on my agenda.

[flaredo]

[ ... Wow, just how fast is his pulse-- is she imagining it?

But the next question on her mind distracts her, as she glances up. ]

Do you think you'll be able to sleep again? You probably need it, Naoki.