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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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[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.

[masakados]

[His answer is a nod-- he's upset. It's not that he feels as though he needs to keep it hidden from her, but he can't quite face it on his own. It's difficult to even think about, hence why his breaths come short.

But her hand is warm, comforting, drawing his mind to it.]

Yeah? [murmured in a small voice. There's a moment of quiet, like he's thinking about something...] ...Yang, you never get afraid of any of the things I tell you about me, huh?

[flaredo]

Why would I be afraid? Knowing all of this doesn't make you any less Naoki.

[masakados]

It scares me a bit, [he admits, softly. Maybe he'll just have to borrow from Yang's feelings.]

Thinking about it, about getting energy from other people hurting.

[flaredo]

Which goes to show, again... that you're different from demons, Naoki. That jerk might've given you a demon body, but you're still incredibly human.

And that's why I'm not afraid. [ She moves, just a bit, to kiss the top of his head. ] No matter what, your heart hasn't changed.

[masakados]

[Naoki's fingers curl at her sides, clutching and keeping her close. He exhales a long breath that doesn't shake and he rubs his nose into her neck.]

My heart's changed a little. After all, I love you now. [Soft, but earnest.]

[flaredo]

[ Yang laughs, squirming closer and nearly overwhelmed by the rush of affection that floods over her in a warm accompaniment of his words. ]

Then your heart's changed for the better. And mine too.

[masakados]

[Naoki's arm lifts slightly, the better to tuck around her, his fingers stroking the space in-between her shoulders. They curl slightly and he lifts his head, bringing his lips to her forehead.]

It was already amazing before that, too.

[She always accepts him unflinchingly...]

[flaredo]

So we both had awesome hearts, basically. [ As her eyes close, to savor the light press of his lips. ]

[masakados]

Basically. [He smiles and combs his fingers through her hair.]

...Sorry that I... [He waves a hand.] My own body freaks me out sometimes. I think I've gotten used to it, and then something else happens that makes me rethink it.

[flaredo]

And that's why you have me. [ As soft as her voice is, it's firm. ]

For the moments when you're scared.

[masakados]

You're too reliable and cool. [He sighs and pulls her closer, but his kiss that he lays against her cheek is tinged with gratitude.]

...And you know you've got me for the same.

[flaredo]

It's Unspoken Clause in the rule of relationships. Be there when you're needed.

[ So there. She'll snuggle all the fright out of him. ]

[masakados]

And even when you're not.

[He'll just add that on to the Unwritten Rule. Because it's always nice to think and realise ah, I'm not alone, even when things aren't tough.]

[flaredo]

... Yeah. Just be there in general.

[masakados]

I'll always be there for you. [He declares it so upfront...]

[flaredo]

I know you will, demon lord. [ She's never doubted that, and she turns her head for a soft kiss. ] You've never let me down.

[masakados]

[Naoki laughs softly against her lips, more of an exhale because he needs (needs) to kiss her back.]

I'll keep up that streak.

[flaredo]

Mmm. [ A throaty noise of agreement, and her hand runs over his back again. He needs to rest, but she won't force him. She'll just stay with him like this. ]