Catch-all; Mandricardo

[momming]

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[duranduel]

...Huh? Why do you think that?

[momming]

[ hm. I WONDER. ]

You know what I've done. [ just that. ]

I didn't expect anyone to still want to... after everything...

[duranduel]

Listen.

[And he reaches out to take her hand with his other, holding it in both.]

I think...it's what Beau told me. You can't...let yourself get into a hole of negativity. That's what I did, and that's what I did wrong. Did those murders happen? Yes. Was it the fault of this place? Also, yes. So it isn't as if...you went out and decided to ruin things on your own.

[A sigh.]

You're not a bad person, Otome. And...Beau moved past what you did because she cared about you, and your happiness. She was able to break past the hatred and pain this place wanted us to feel. Because she loved you, and...I think you shouldn't beat yourself up for it any more. You've done enough of that.

[momming]

...

[ This is a lot to process, considering the last time they talked. And Otome just stares at him, a little bewildered, obviously stunned.

Also kind of tearing up? Again? It's fine. ]

[duranduel]

H-Hey.

[Oh no. He can't help it. He'll move forward to embrace her in a hug.]

Please don't cry. Please don't...

[momming]

I-- [ Too late. Her voice cracks embarrassingly and then she's just kind of quietly sobbing into his shoulder, her own shoulders trembling. ]

I'm sorry, I can't-- g-give me a minute, I'll be fine--

[duranduel]

No, it's okay. If you really need to, cry all you want.

[He says, with a sigh. He raises a hand to gently hold the back of her head.]

I ain't leavin'.