THRONÉ

[frotag]

Comments

[frotag]

Unfortunately for you, I'm not that smart.

[ it's a little bit of dry humor on his part, but it doesn't take a genius to see past it to know he's concerned. ]

[naeddre]

[snort.

silence, but then without much warning:]

I killed Sora. She sliced open my arm with a glass shard.

[frotag]

. . .

I only have one question, Necchan.

[naeddre]

Mmhm.

[cleans her arm idly.]

[frotag]

When we made that promise...

Was that a lie?

[naeddre]

[a pause. and she kind of just - stops moving, stops doing what she's doing, because she has to look away so he doesn't see the heat behind her eyes threatening to spill over.]

No. It wasn't.

[frotag]

...That's all I needed to hear.

[ he gets up, and crosses the room. he stands in front of her, almost crowding her in. he knows what she's capable of, he knows his strength means nothing to a knife, he knows she literally just confessed to murder—

and yet, he still wraps his arms around her, pressing her head into his shoulder. ]

[naeddre]

[she's a little tense when he comes up on her, but - she doesn't run, she doesn't do anything. she does let him hug her, even though she doesn't really think she deserves it so much.

she can't quite force herself to relax, but she figures he knows.]

... She tried to shoot Temenos. [she says, quietly, eyes closed.] I tried to run from her as long as possible, but I couldn't let her go back and hurt him.

[frotag]

[ yeah, he does. it's why he doesn't go any further with the hug, simply holding her and letting her rest in his arms until she tells him to stop. ]

. . .

Did you have any intention of killing her before you realized she was trying to attack Tem?

[naeddre]

[quietly:]

No. I just wanted her to stay away from me.

[frotag]

...You know, I still mean what I said, too.

Thank god you're okay.

[naeddre]

[ugh

she just. kind of slumps, absolutely exhausted. kind of like when all of your adrenaline finally cuts out, when your body decides nope, it's time to pass out, it's time to stop going. she doesn't actually pass out, but. her knees do give out just a bit.

thank god you're okay - it makes her feel like she doesn't have to let the rattlesnake noise happen, defensive and on edge.]

[frotag]

[ as soon as she falters, ichiban is ready to catch her and keep her steady. his hand is at the small of her back to lift and carry her over to one of the cots so she doesn't need to worry about holding herself up for the moment. ]

...Have you told Tem?

[naeddre]

[she's fine with that! she just. flops down on the cot, with a sigh.]

... He's known since Friday.

[frotag]

...you probably don't need me to say it, but he's lucky to have you.

[naeddre]

[a - little laugh. a snort.]

... I suppose.

[frotag]

[ ... very carefully— and only if she allows him— he attempts to take her hand. ]

[naeddre]

[she allows it! she doesn't resist at all.]

... I think that I am more lucky to have him. [yay codependency]

[frotag]

... Mm.

[ laying his other hand atop hers now that she's consented, he squeezes just a little. ]

I'm sorry that you had to do that. And... I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you keep the blood off your hands this time.

[naeddre]

... It's...

[well, it isn't alright, is it? but.]

I don't want the blood on your hands, either. [...] I'll survive it. But - thank you. I know what you are trying to tell me.

[frotag]

Heh. [ he grasps her hand again, one more time, before letting go. ] Don't be afraid to ask me, Necchan. Anything at all. I'm with you, every step of the way.