"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?"
[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.]
[He strokes her cheek again, eyes soft.] Hopefully in a good way more so, though. [--referring to what they just talked about. He wouldn't have wanted to bring her down with his worries.]
[Just like that, without forewarning, but it's fine now to blurt it out whenever he starts thinking it especially strongly. He'll shift his hand just slightly to kiss her cheek where she was rubbing it against his hand.]
You bet we will. [ It's a soft mutter, though, and she keeps both arms around him, the grip slackening but never fully releasing him as she gradually drifts off against him.
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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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[Naoki sweeps her cheek after she's done yawning.] Sleepy?
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[He strokes her cheek again, eyes soft.] Hopefully in a good way more so, though. [--referring to what they just talked about. He wouldn't have wanted to bring her down with his worries.]
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[Just like that, without forewarning, but it's fine now to blurt it out whenever he starts thinking it especially strongly. He'll shift his hand just slightly to kiss her cheek where she was rubbing it against his hand.]
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You're too good with the sneak attacks, aren't you?
[ Not that she isn't happy to hear it, but her heart-- ]
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I didn't used to be, but guess I'm getting better at them. Probably thanks to you.
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[ Cheek strokes, too! ]
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[Grinning, he thumbs at her cheek next, playful.]
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[ Followed by another, more muted yawn. ]
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[But at her yawn, he strokes his hand over her hair.] Get some sleep, Yang.
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[ She's gotta protest. Out of obligation. ]
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[In an achingly fond way, he strokes her hair, slow and rhythmic...] Sleep, we'll talk more tomorrow.
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That hair thing is too damn nice. ]
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He kisses her head when he feels her emotions settle into the more indistinct ones of sleep, whispering a good night before closing his own eyes.]