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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]

You can run your fingers through it and have it be just fine in three seconds, you know.

[masakados]

That's not the point. [He's pushing a kiss to her cheek, very much offsetting his words.]

[flaredo]

... And you clearly don't mind.

[ This affectionate goof. Hold on, she's gently going to nudge his chin, to guide his mouth over to hers. ]

[masakados]

[Naoki's sighing softly as their lips come into contact, his fingers combing through her hair.

Mmf. Yes. He is an affectionate goof.]

[flaredo]

[ Her affectionate goof, no less. Yang's humming softly against his lips, nestling closer. Yep, this is perfect. ]

[masakados]

[He wishes he weren't tired, though, and that it weren't hitting him again now as he murmurs into her mouth.]

[flaredo]

[ She's not about to judge. Whatever this is, he clearly needs the rest. ]

[masakados]

[He defs thinks that he doesn't-- Naoki puffs a sound to her lips before he draws back, blinking slowly.]

[flaredo]

... Naoki? You okay?

[ That's a little concerning... ]

[masakados]

Yeah.

[Naoki smiles reassuringly, putting his head against her shoulder.] Just tired.

[flaredo]

... I know you don't want to, but resting some more couldn't hurt.

[masakados]

[His head moves, shaking back and forth. He really doesn't want to. Barring that he knows he doesn't need all of this rest...]

It just feels so strange to.

[flaredo]

I don't like not being able to do anything for you, either. [ Her arms tighten around him, protectively. Seriously... how does she fix this? ]

[masakados]

That you're here is already enough. [He nuzzles against her shoulder.]

Though, you know, with the way my body is, I...

[Naoki stops himself then. He's not good at talking about what he was just considering talking about, so he quiets, shakes his head against her shoulder.]

[flaredo]

You...?

[ Sorry, Naoki. She's well aware that he seems uncomfortable, but she gently prompts him anyway. Come on, boyfriend, you can talk to her. ]

[masakados]

[A slow breath out, a long breath, and his hand rubs along her side (though he himself doesn't realise he's doing it).]

...You remember how I told you about demons and magatsuhi?

[flaredo]

... Yeah. They feed on emotions or something, right?

[masakados]

Right. And so they don't need to eat, or sleep like humans need to. [--she can probably surmise what he's trying to say.]

[flaredo]

[ She can, because Naoki's told her multiple times, that he doesn't need to sleep all that much, and she'd noticed he didn't keep that much food around in his apartment... ]

So because of your body, it's the same case with you?

[masakados]

I... it might be. It probably is. [But there's reluctance in his voice, like he doesn't want to admit it.]

When I was changed, no-one actually stopped me to explain how my body works. [Which would have been infinitely helpful (Lucifer).]

Even when I get tired, it's not the same kind of feeling as what I've got now.

[flaredo]

... Is there a chance that the whole emotion-eating thing could help you feel better now?

[ It's not a very pleasant thought, of course, but Naoki... if she can do anything for him right now-- ]

[masakados]

I doubt it. [Naoki turns his head slightly to look at her, and it's like his expression is saying don't even think about it because there's no way, no way he'd ever...]

Because, I think my body just... absorbs magatsuhi whether I want it to or not. And with how tough things have been, it's...

[Negative feelings equal more magatsuhi. And Yang might feel him sink into her more, hiding his face once again in her shoulder.]

[flaredo]

Hey, [ softly, and there's clear concern there as she runs her hand gently through his hair, letting it pass slowly over her palm. ]

I get it. There's been a lot of it, huh? And it's not like you can turn it off.

[masakados]

[Naoki exhales-- and his breaths shake as they leave him. His heart pounds too fast and he's forgotten his tiredness in favour of that knot, tight in his stomach.]

Mm. Even if I wanted to. [That's why... all of this is so weird.

It freaks him out. More than he lets on. Or tries to let on, at least.]

[flaredo]

You're upset, huh?

[ She says it so simply, but she doesn't want him to feel like he has to keep his own emotions hidden from her. Yang's reluctant to release him, so she keeps him held close against her, the fingers of one hand flexing against his back whenever his breaths take on a shaky quality. ]

... It's gonna be okay though, Naoki.