ic contact;

[orangehoodie]

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC.

Comments

[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.

[lowres]

[There's a moment where she stares at him, tearing up again. And then she sucks in a breath and wipes her eyes.]

I have never believed anything more.

[orangehoodie]

What are you crying about... [He knows exactly why. He just can't help but fill the silence, making sure her blanket's keeping her warm. He forgot to turn the AC down...]

I promise.

[lowres]

I am not crying. I'm very happy. [She wipes at her eyes once more.]

[orangehoodie]

Your eyes are leaking water and that's generally called crying.

[lowres]

It isn't the same so long as I am happy.

[orangehoodie]

... Okay.

[And he just kind of falls silent, drawing his feet up onto the couch, watching her sideways but not knowing what to say.]

[lowres]

[Can she lean on you, Ken? She wants to lean on you.]

[orangehoodie]

[He will not stop her from leaning on him except his face burns red and he can't help but jump a little and turn to her and he's so sure she'll hear how loudly his heart is beating because it's so... strange. And embarrassing. He's never been this close to anybody except when he was scared, clinging to dad or Matt or Owen.]

... Nadia?

[lowres]

[She sits up, jolting out of a sleepy daze.]

I did not mean to get too close.

[orangehoodie]

[... He reaches over and stops, then pats his arm a little, shaking his head.] It's okay.

I'll wake you up in an hour.

[lowres]

I do not want to make you uncomfortable...

[orangehoodie]

I'm not.

Just surprised, that's all. It's okay.

[lowres]

I am not very tired, anyway. [That's a lie she's already tipping over a little.]