[he's rubbing his face dramatically, but he does look a little apologetic, at least.]
...by the time you and I talked, it had barely been twenty-four hours since Yamato and I decided on it. I think was still also trying to convince myself the whole thing was real, and then everything got kinda busy. So I wanted to tell you when I had the chance to.
[he's not always affectionate even if he's a fairly tactile person, but the second hug kind of...hits differently, in a sense. mostly in the way that she pulls him closer and he immediately reciprocates to hold on a little tighter.]
You're stuck with me, you know. For as long as possible. I wanted you to know that, too.
[he truly is much taller than her, and yet it's fine. she can lean and he will let her.]
...that goes both ways. No matter what. [regardless of what she's done, it doesn't really change much about how he feels about her other than making him more protective over her.] I'm not changing my mind.
Somebody has to be stubborn around here. [no there are too many people who are stubborn. it's fine. there's a pause then.] ...even now, I trust you pretty much more than most people here. So I know I can count on you.
[...there were maybe a few very early doubts when he had been unsure, but at the end of the day otome has been nothing but kind and understanding to him while letting him still be independent. weirdly the best kind of adult figure he can deal with.]
I just think that the things you've had to do without really being given a choice shouldn't outweigh the good things you've done for us because you wanted to.
[it's slightly morbid, but:]
A lot more of us would probably be dead if you weren't help us with first aid and patching us up. And even besides that...you're important to people. I don't know if I could talk to other people about some of the things I've told you the way I've been able to talk to you.
Yeah, that's why I'm being a little more lenient where I can be. I...it's not right. But it's not right for any of us, not just the people we're losing. At least with Molly coming back we know it's possible though. We'll get all of them back and we'll all leave.
[...but he nods at that.]
...I finally told Yamato about some stuff. I think he's a little less mad now. But for a while it really was only you. I'm grateful for that much.
He really was just worried about you... well, but I'm sure you know that by now.
... I've learned back home, and especially here, that it's important to say what you can when you can, because you never know how much time you actually have.
...yeah, I know. He had every reason to be, I guess.
I've been hearing that a lot lately here, too. Everybody seems to be thinking about that lesson, and I told Adora pretty much the same thing last week. We could all use the reminder.
We're going to see them again, but it doesn't change that we should tell people the things they need to hear. You never know who it'll actually help, right?
It's going to be difficult, Taichi-kun. I can't pretend that it won't be. I think we're going to feel much more pain before we can say we've pulled through.
But the will of the people I've met here-- it's so strong. I'm sure that we'll all keep going, no matter what happens. No matter how much it hurts.
We're not going to. We won't let people fall behind and we won't lose to whatever it is that's challenging us. I know that it's hard now, but...giving up now doesn't make sense. If they want us to play a role and be a part of some dramatic story, then we have to do everything we can.
[...]
I know you still can't say anything, Otome-san, but do you think we're going the right way now?
There's a lot you know that you can't tell us at the risk of a repeat performance, I think...so we'll have to piece stuff together ourselves. Someone's going to talk to the dead tomorrow. We'll try to get some answers then, too.
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[ SMILING SWEETLY, though she'll let go of his cheek. ]
After I just wanted to support the two of you, I wonder if you know how that feels?
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...by the time you and I talked, it had barely been twenty-four hours since Yamato and I decided on it. I think was still also trying to convince myself the whole thing was real, and then everything got kinda busy. So I wanted to tell you when I had the chance to.
[...]
Plus I lost the bet anyway.
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And she is most certainly grumbling under her breath before pulling him into another hug. ]
I'll forgive you, I suppose.
... I am happy for you both. I really did think it would be fine if people hated me, after... after everything, but.
Selfishly, I'm... so glad I didn't lose you, too. That I can still see you smile at me like this and want to tell me what makes you happy.
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You're stuck with me, you know. For as long as possible. I wanted you to know that, too.
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[ Damn, why does he have to be taller. She just closes her eyes and leans against him. ]
It's not "stuck with". You're my precious family, okay?
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...that goes both ways. No matter what. [regardless of what she's done, it doesn't really change much about how he feels about her other than making him more protective over her.] I'm not changing my mind.
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[ And one little squeeze before she leans back, smiling up at him. ]
Obviously the same goes for me. I'll do my best to support you for as long as I can.
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Somebody has to be stubborn around here. [no there are too many people who are stubborn. it's fine. there's a pause then.] ...even now, I trust you pretty much more than most people here. So I know I can count on you.
[...there were maybe a few very early doubts when he had been unsure, but at the end of the day otome has been nothing but kind and understanding to him while letting him still be independent. weirdly the best kind of adult figure he can deal with.]
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[ Fondly. ]
Even after everything I've done...
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[it's slightly morbid, but:]
A lot more of us would probably be dead if you weren't help us with first aid and patching us up. And even besides that...you're important to people. I don't know if I could talk to other people about some of the things I've told you the way I've been able to talk to you.
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That's why, even if we had to... I want to make sure we can get everyone back and safely home. That's really all I've ever wanted.
[ She sighs, a little tiredly. ]
... But I'm glad I was able to be there for you, too. You really do carry a lot on your shoulders.
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[...but he nods at that.]
...I finally told Yamato about some stuff. I think he's a little less mad now. But for a while it really was only you. I'm grateful for that much.
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... I've learned back home, and especially here, that it's important to say what you can when you can, because you never know how much time you actually have.
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I've been hearing that a lot lately here, too. Everybody seems to be thinking about that lesson, and I told Adora pretty much the same thing last week. We could all use the reminder.
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... I don't want to think we won't see them again, but I think the sentiment is still there.
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I don't want people to lose hope when we're so close to the end.
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[ She pauses, rests a hand over her heart. ]
It's going to be difficult, Taichi-kun. I can't pretend that it won't be. I think we're going to feel much more pain before we can say we've pulled through.
But the will of the people I've met here-- it's so strong. I'm sure that we'll all keep going, no matter what happens. No matter how much it hurts.
I don't want us to lose to a world like this.
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[...]
I know you still can't say anything, Otome-san, but do you think we're going the right way now?
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[ She looks at him a little apologetically. ]
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There's a lot you know that you can't tell us at the risk of a repeat performance, I think...so we'll have to piece stuff together ourselves. Someone's going to talk to the dead tomorrow. We'll try to get some answers then, too.