ic contact;

[orangehoodie]

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC.

Comments

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt is a little too sensitive to the current situation to be the first to offer. He would hardly say no, but he is sure Mr Amada is furious enough.]

I'm glad. I was really worried. [He crouches to look Ken over.] How about the rest of you?

[orangehoodie]

It's okay. Nothing that can't be handled, you know? [He contemplates, for a second. He doesn't know if Matt is hurt, and if he is, he doesn't want to make him stand too long. He's probably tired. He probably wants to rest. But he came all the way out here...

Screw it. He steps in and wraps his arms around Matt, careful not to squeeze him too hard in case he's still injured, and holds him there.]

What about you?

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt blinks. And smiles before he puts his arms around Ken's shoulders. Pats Ken's head gently.]

I'll live. Nothing permanent.

[orangehoodie]

[Sorry you're gonna have a wet spot on your shirt from his hair.]

It's good to have you back. But you gotta rest, okay?

[pheromonecoffee]

I've been resting. I rested every day in Vegas. [He hardly minds. Ken needs the comfort.]

[orangehoodie]

I was worried. I'm glad you're back. [He seems happy enough to just stay like this, but he'll pull back after a few seconds. Matt came here with something to do.]

You can wait on the couch. I'll call dad over.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt smiles at him, with one more head rub.] I'm glad you're okay.

[orangehoodie]

I'm not that easy to kill. [He will lead Matt to the living room, to the usual couch with the usual cushions and the usual extreme neatness of the room. Since there's no school not even Ken's homework is there to add a little clutter. The hamster cage was apparently moved to the shelf by the wall though, for when Ken asked Nadia to take care of his pet.

He'll make sure Matt is seated, ask if he wants anything to drink, then disappear down the short hallway to where his father will be. It'll only be a minute until they return.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt's a little dazed, staring at his hands on his knees when they get back. It takes him a second to offer Mr Amada a cautious smile...?]

[orangehoodie]

[Mr Amada is quiet as he enters the room, frown set on his face. He looks upset, to be honest, crossing the room to stand in front of the unexpected guest.

But then he's reached over and his arms are around Matt, pulling him close like he would do to his own son with words about how worried he was and he's sorry he left Matt by himself he's glad to see he's back is he okay?]

[pheromonecoffee]

[That frown terrifies Matt to his very core. The last thing he's expecting is what Mr Amada actually does.

He has absolutely no idea how to respond, blinking in confusion.]

Yeah, I... I'm fine, mostly.

[orangehoodie]

[Mr Amada holds him tight -- not so tight that it might hurt though -- with his arms around Matt's shoulders and one hand at the back of his head, like he's making sure he's there and not in pieces. Is Matt sure? He's not sure? Was he okay driving back?]

[pheromonecoffee]

[HE'S REALLY CONFUSED BY THIS.]

... You're not angry?

[orangehoodie]

[Of course not! Why would he be? He's the one who let you on your own in Vegas of course he's not mad!]

[pheromonecoffee]

I let Ken get hurt... [HE IS CURRENTLY HARBORING SO MUCH GUILT.]

[orangehoodie]

[You were hurt, too. That isn't your fault.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[He can say that as much as he wants. Matt's not going to believe him.]

... I'm sorry I worried you.

[orangehoodie]

[Mr Amada finally pulls back, but he's still got his hands on Matt's shoulders and he's looking at him, concerned.

He's just glad to see Matt is back safely. Did you really come here to apologize?]

[pheromonecoffee]

[He won't meet his eyes. He nods?]

[orangehoodie]

[There was no need for you to apologize for anything. But his apology is accepted. Mr Amada reaches over and pats his head. Ken who was watching from the doorway will approach too...]

[pheromonecoffee]

I should've been able to keep everybody safe... [Everybody got hurt. On his watch. He should've noticed Russel acting weird.[

[orangehoodie]

[As responsible and capable are you are and even with the Persona inside your head, you're still only one person. It's not like you ran away by yourself -- you got hurt too.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt just... avoids looking at both of them.

He thinks he would have preferred anger.]

[inretribution]

[Mr Amada lets go of Matt. And Ken looks unsure.] Matt...?

[pheromonecoffee]

[He takes a breath. Shakes his head and smiles.] I'm glad everybody got back safe.