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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]

[Naoki cracks a smile, pressing it into her shoulder. Her support means a lot to him, makes the chance of facing those who died back in his world... less difficult.

It might never happen, he realises, but if it did, some day...

So with a soft exhale, he murmurs:] Thanks, Yang.

[flaredo]

I told you, I wouldn't let you face things on your own. [ She squeezes his hand, voice soft but level. ]

This included.

[masakados]

[Naoki squeezes her hand back in answer.] Again... thanks.

It means a lot, and I dunno if I've said that enough. [His forehead rests snug against her shoulder as he closes his eyes. Some of the feelings that'd surged back up when he heard that in Futomimi's voice are easier now.] I'd probably end up going in circles if I tried to face it all by myself again.

[Always circling back to blaming himself, instead of trying to push himself forward from that.]

[flaredo]

You would, so you're not allowed to.

[ Her free hand drifts up, to rub his back. ] You always end up taking everything on yourself, so if you start feeling heavy and hurt... just talk to me, okay? I'm not going anywhere, Naoki. And you're not responsible for everything.

[masakados]

[Not allowed, huh?]

Okay. [He shifts his own free hand around her body, to hug her as much as he can from this angle.] I will. Things don't really feel as heavy after I talk to you, so I don't got any reason not to, right?

[A go at joking-- soft, but still there.]

[flaredo]

... Right. In fact, if you keep things to yourself, I won't kiss you for two weeks.

[ SO THERE. ]

[masakados]

Yang, [Naoki groans.]

You don't think that's a little extreme? [He's trying not to keep things to himself anyway so this is probably a non-issue but.]

[flaredo]

It's not extreme, it's motivation!

[ He definitely won't do it now. ]

[masakados]

I think it's only motivation if you say you'll kiss me every time I tell you things.

[Naoki lifts his head just slightly to prop his chin on her shoulder, peering at her.]

[flaredo]

... I thought that much was a given.

[masakados]

--oh.

[Apparently not, given he looks all surprised about it... Naoki...]

[flaredo]

... Surprise?

[ NAOKI.... ]

[masakados]

[He just-- laughs at himself, of course, even shaking his head for good measure.]

[flaredo]

You dork... we should probably get moving soon, but I guess you did tell me something.

[ So she moves her hand, over to his chin, tapping. Look at her? ]

[masakados]

I did, [he'll confirm and lift up his chin, face all expectant.

He knows they have to get going, too, but a kiss before that sounds nice. Even if there's part of him that wants to to lay his head on her shoulder and close his eyes for a while, it's not safe here and they've got to find her team and any others.]

[flaredo]

Good boy. [ and Yang murmurs this, cupping his cheek as she leans in to kiss him. Hey, she's got to get her kisses in where she can. ]

[masakados]

[He finds a way to lean to meet both kiss and her hand, gloved as it may be apart from her fingers. Naoki's hand settles at her waist, just holding for a moment, as long as their kiss lasts.]

[flaredo]

[ It's brief, but warm. Yang breathes out softly as she leans back. ]

To be continued?

[masakados]

[Naoki touches his lips tenderly to her cheek before he pulls his feet under him, pushing himself up slowly.]

Yep, when things are settled. [That's a promise. His hand reaches for hers, to draw her up.]

[flaredo]

[ Up she goes, fingers wrapping around his. Right, business first. ]

Let's go settle things, then.

[masakados]

Off into... whatever's waiting to get in our way. Probably more elves and reindeer.

[He'll keep a hold on her hand, though... until they have to separate!]

[flaredo]

Bring it!!

[ ONWARDS. ]