"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?"
We got distracted from talking, didn't we? [Naoki laughs quietly over her head, rubbing his hand in a more soothing rhythm over her back. Their chests are still pressed, and he's hyper-aware of her warmth, but he closes his eyes.
If he just listens to her breathing, he calms down.]
It's not that I feel uncomfortable all the time. [He wants to say that much, but his hand has gone rigid against her back, and unease colours his voice.] But sometimes I can't help but think about it.
No-one even has to be afraid, or to say anything... I'm uneasy all on my own.
[ She isn't saying much now, because letting Naoki put it into his own words is incredibly important; Yang knows that. Whatever's bothering him, it isn't something she can simply guess at. ]
[It's scary enough that he doesn't want to put voice to it, like it'll become real if he says it. His hesitation makes that much clear.] I'm... afraid, when I think about the things my body's capable of, what it means.
I'm afraid of ending up more like a demon. I had-- to learn to act like them, to think like them, when I lived in the Vortex World, and I know I don't want to be like that. [And lower, his voice trembling:] I don't want to lose myself.
[ A long, pregnant pause trails after his words like a shadow, and Yang's hand slowly slips from Naoki's back.
... Only to find his hand, bringing it over to his chest, where she encourages his palm to rest. ]
Look at me.
[ Her voice is also lower, but steady. She can't understand exactly what his fear feels like, not when she's never been in that position, but the desire to draw that fear out of him is sincere and strong. ]
[Naoki raises his gaze slowly to her face as she presses his palm against his chest, looking at her uncertainly. He hasn't ever talked about this-- it isn't something he really wants to talk or think about but he does, whether he wants to or not.
His hand flexes slightly against his own chest.]
...My heart? [After a moment, he can feel it. Ah, it's beating too fast. Does he feel that nervous talking about that after all?
[ Yang smiles her approval, fingers flexing on top of his. ]
You said you learned how to act, how to think like a demon. Your body's not normal, either-- honestly, though, I think normal's boring. But more importantly...
[ She continues to gaze at him. ] Naoki, your heart's the strongest part of you. And that part is human. Even if you did lose yourself, you'd come back again, no doubts.
[His lips twitch into a small smile at her "I think normal's boring", half moving to shake his head. He feels the thump of his own heart for a long moment as he watches her, soaking in her words.]
You really think it's the strongest part? [He leans forward, his head resting against hers lightly.]
[Once he stops fussing over it, it is pretty nice to feel her fingers switching from ruffling to combing through his hair like that. Naoki sighs too, quietly, contentedly.]
Thanks.
[It's a single word, but he says it with a soft smile. He's grateful for her, for so much.] I won't. I'll fight against that with everything I have.
[He can't keep the feelings of adoration down when she snuggles like that-- and especially when she refers to them as a team. He kisses her shoulder, happy to snuggle her back.] Mmhmm, a team.
[He can't possibly think any more bad thoughts about himself now, as he nestles in closer into her arm. It's not a concern or issue of his that's easily solved, but... goodness knows being with Yang helps with it every day.
And he wants to believe what she's said. That he can do it. He just has to trust in himself.]
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[ She's already trying to remember how to breathe steadily, even as she stays close, tucking herself against him. ]
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If he just listens to her breathing, he calms down.]
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[ Don't think she isn't still thinking about that mention during the amusement park. ]
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Well... [...] When I'm with you, I'm comfortable with it.
[Or, well, he doesn't care because she doesn't.]
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[ She uncurls her fingers, rubbing her palm against his back. You know she'll listen, Naoki. ]
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No-one even has to be afraid, or to say anything... I'm uneasy all on my own.
[What he's uneasy of is almost as scary to say.]
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[ She isn't saying much now, because letting Naoki put it into his own words is incredibly important; Yang knows that. Whatever's bothering him, it isn't something she can simply guess at. ]
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[It's scary enough that he doesn't want to put voice to it, like it'll become real if he says it. His hesitation makes that much clear.] I'm... afraid, when I think about the things my body's capable of, what it means.
I'm afraid of ending up more like a demon. I had-- to learn to act like them, to think like them, when I lived in the Vortex World, and I know I don't want to be like that. [And lower, his voice trembling:] I don't want to lose myself.
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... Only to find his hand, bringing it over to his chest, where she encourages his palm to rest. ]
Look at me.
[ Her voice is also lower, but steady. She can't understand exactly what his fear feels like, not when she's never been in that position, but the desire to draw that fear out of him is sincere and strong. ]
What do you feel under your hand right now?
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His hand flexes slightly against his own chest.]
...My heart? [After a moment, he can feel it. Ah, it's beating too fast. Does he feel that nervous talking about that after all?
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[ Yang smiles her approval, fingers flexing on top of his. ]
You said you learned how to act, how to think like a demon. Your body's not normal, either-- honestly, though, I think normal's boring. But more importantly...
[ She continues to gaze at him. ] Naoki, your heart's the strongest part of you. And that part is human. Even if you did lose yourself, you'd come back again, no doubts.
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You really think it's the strongest part? [He leans forward, his head resting against hers lightly.]
I...sometimes I worry about that, too.
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But believe me-- your heart won't lose out to anything. Trust in it, okay?
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...Yeah. I'll do my best to.
[He lowers his voice into a murmur,] I don't ever want to wind up hurting someone.
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That won't happen. You won't let it happen, and neither will I.
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Thanks.
[It's a single word, but he says it with a soft smile. He's grateful for her, for so much.] I won't. I'll fight against that with everything I have.
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[ C'mere, boyfriend, she's just going to sling one arm over you for a hug. ] You're the strongest person I know.
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'Cause you're the strongest person I know.
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[ She's never had to restore an entire world before on her own. ]
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Tied... Mm, that works. I like that, I think.
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...I couldn't ask to be a part of a better one.
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[ But her arm around him tightens, almost protectively. No more bad thoughts about yourself, okay-- ]
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[He can't possibly think any more bad thoughts about himself now, as he nestles in closer into her arm. It's not a concern or issue of his that's easily solved, but... goodness knows being with Yang helps with it every day.
And he wants to believe what she's said. That he can do it. He just has to trust in himself.]
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[ ... She says, with a yawn. So much for going for dramatic emphasis. ]
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