ic contact;

[orangehoodie]

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[orangehoodie]

Dad's never home before nine. He won't mind.

[lowres]

I don't want to cause you more trouble...

[orangehoodie]

I promise. You won't.

[He will hold her hand firmly, embarrassment forgotten, and will walk her home. It's not a long walk, just a little longer than it took him to get to Nia's house because he isn't running this time.

In any other situation he'd say something as he lets her inside ("it's not much, it's kind of empty, i didn't get the chance to clean it today"), but he's quiet about it as he leads her to the couch in the living room and lets her sit.]

Do you want something to drink?

[lowres]

[She shakes her head, sitting on the couch and trying to make herself very small.] I will be all right.

[orangehoodie]

... I'm sorry I scared you.

[He is. He feels terrible. His eyes are averted and he stays standing, hands hanging at his sides awkwardly. He should've known. He should've thought it through. Of course it would scare her. It scared him when Owen got shot. She didn't know it wasn't real.

He stands frozen where he is because every nerve in his body wants to run into his room but he can't just leave her here.]

[lowres]

[She shakes her head. She knows he was trying to help.]

I am more afraid of what my father will do... He has never liked us very much.

[orangehoodie]

... Hey Nadia?

[lowres]

[She looks up at him. She didn't mean to make him worry so much...]

What is it?

[orangehoodie]

If I'm not a monster, neither are you. If you get scared, tell me. I'll help you.

[lowres]

I do not feel very much like a monster. But I do feel strange. There's something in my chest that's tight... I don't think we are going to be safe for much longer.

[orangehoodie]

[He's silent. And then]

Bring it on.

[He finals lets go of the tension in his shoulders and drops down, sitting on the floor, rolling his head back with a sigh.]

Let him. If he tries to hurt you, I won't let him.

[lowres]

You should not put yourself in danger.

But I do not think my father would ever physically hurt me.

[orangehoodie]

You're a Numbered. You're one of us.

Anything he tries to do against us, you'll get affected, too.

Parents are hard to get along with without this whole mess. Let's not let him.

[lowres]

I'm sure he's just as frightened as we are. We'll be able to talk sense into him.

[orangehoodie]

... Maybe.

Are you going to be okay?

[lowres]

[She nods.]

I have just never seen him so upset with me

[orangehoodie]

[Silence. Seconds pass.

And he gets up again, walks over to the couch by her. And sits, closer to her than he's ever dared to sit before.]

I'll bet. He won't get upset at you here. You can call [maid-san] from my phone, too, so someone knows where you are.

[lowres]

I am hoping I will be able to sneak back in before someone notices... I will be in a lot of trouble for leaving.

[orangehoodie]

[The color drains from Ken's face.]

I shouldn't've brought you here.

[lowres]

I asked you to not go home. It isn't your fault...

[orangehoodie]

[He shakes his head!!] If you get in trouble, you can say it was me. It was me, I called you out in the first place, so--

[lowres]

It is better that I get in trouble if either of us must. He cannot say that I was kidnapped or taken against my will if I am the one taking the blame.

You mustn't get in trouble.

[orangehoodie]

... Are you sure?

[lowres]

[She nods.]

If he finds out I will say you found me and made sure I stayed safe.

[orangehoodie]

I will make sure you stay safe, you know.