[That's fine, apparently, since she's not pushing him away or trying to get him to let go. She holds on and keeps him close, letting his hands move wherever and leaning into his touch when he does pull back.
She doesn't speak immediately, but when she does her voice is quiet.]
...you were right here with me. Was that really waiting? I knew you'd come around someday.
[ The words rise like bile in his throat, I should have done more, so much more to support you--
But he already knows what she'd say. What she'd want him to think, to feel. And he swallows it back down, because it wouldn't help either of them. Because she's right: they've both been here all along.
For the first time he introduces a little space between them, but only a little; they're maybe an inch or two apart. His face is wet with tears, as he blinks they keep falling, but he's no longer wracked with sobs. There's just pain there, and a powerful, bittersweet joy. It spills out of him, the honesty. ]
I think I've known for a while now. But convincing myself you were really still alive...
[ ... ]
No. You're here. We're here. That's what matters now.
[Instinctively, a hand comes up to wipe away his tears. He's moved backwards but she doesn't let him get too far. She's keeping him close as they stay connected and she's quiet as she listens to him speak.]
I wanted to tell you for a long time, but it's against our rules. I wasn't even sure I could this time, but...the rest of them know. So I thought it must be time. Senpai, you've been through so much these last couple of weeks...I'm sorry I couldn't support you better. But we'll be able to protect each other better now...won't we?
[ God. Every place she touches his skin, even the merest brush, feels like a live wire jacked directly into his heart. Small bright bursts of feeling. The look on his face is impossibly tender. ]
You have nothing to be sorry for. [ hushed, but with such passion. Yu leans in again, closes that small gap between for what can only be called a nuzzle, their noses bumping gently. His eyes flutter shut. ] We will. I'll see you every day, if you'll have me. I should have been doing that a long time ago.
[Despite her feelings about being witness to Yu flirting with so many other people, when he's here with her it's easier to feel nothing but fondness and, you know, love for him. He nuzzles at her face and she laughs softly, allowing the movement as she keeps her hands on him just as gently.]
You've been busy. I understand. But you know where to find me now...so every day, okay? Even if it's just for a few minutes, just so I know you're okay.
[ God. Hearing her laugh could snap him in half all over again. It is so, so good to hear her laugh that the sound of it actually makes tears prick at the corners of his eyes again, though it couldn't be for a more different reason this time around. Being around her, being with her, is slowly mending all the fissures this trial, this day, had carved into his heart. ]
Every day. [ His conviction is absolute. And they're so close, maybe she can feel the way he's starting to grin. ] You won't be able to get rid of me. You sure that's what you want?
[ There's a pause, and then he huffs a voiceless laugh. Carefully, so he can do this without dislodging her, he'll sit up properly so that, for the first time, Yu can draw Rise into his arms for real.
But there's a stillness in him like a held breath. He's just ... looking at her, eyes searching her face, a strange and soft smile on his lips. ]
Rise...
[ He lifts a hand, brushes the side of her face with his fingertips. ]
[Well that's fine, she'll cozy up in his arms and keep hers around his for a proper hug, sort of burrowing into his chest because a.) she's missed him and b.) she can. It doesn't last long because she looks up at him, letting him examine her features even as she sits still with wide eyes and a perplexed look on her face. She stays still when he reaches for her face again, and she finds herself grateful she could finally remove the stupid mask.]
...about what? [She thinks she knows, but she doesn't want to assume. Not after everything, and while she would normally take charge...this is a different and much more fragile situation.]
[ She doesn't. She doesn't know. What she asked him at the lake now makes more sense, tugs at him, even. Did she really think he... with--?
No.
Carefully, Yu presses his hand to her jaw instead, cupping her face just so. The look on his face is so, so complicated, but his eyes are locked on hers. ]
[ Again that voiceless laugh, this time wry. Yu shakes his head minutely. ]
I know what people think about me.
[ What they say, or maybe guess, teasing or otherwise. It doesn't bother him -- he knows that the way he is makes people think it, for one reason or another, though that's never his intent.
But.
His thumb brushes her cheek. ]
But what they think doesn't matter. Rise, I love you.
[ Apparently, for him, it's just that simple. Maybe it always has been. ]
i want you to know this is so fucking funny with a souyo icon
[She allows him to continue cradling her face, taking time to look at him thoughtfully.]
...back home...you said no because you knew we would be leaving each other at the end of the school year anyway, huh? Somehow you always knew what I was going to do. [That's easier to grapple than Yu rejecting her because he didn't love her before now. But the smile grows.]
You already know how much I love you. It's always been that way.
[ Yu lets his eyes slip shut, tilting his face into hers. Barely, just barely, she might feel his lips brush her cheek. ] We'll make every moment count.
[The kiss catches her by surprise, but she's going with it. It's surprisingly chaste but the meaning behind it is evident. When she does pull away, she nods assuredly, holding him close and eyes determined.]
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She doesn't speak immediately, but when she does her voice is quiet.]
...you were right here with me. Was that really waiting? I knew you'd come around someday.
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But he already knows what she'd say. What she'd want him to think, to feel. And he swallows it back down, because it wouldn't help either of them. Because she's right: they've both been here all along.
For the first time he introduces a little space between them, but only a little; they're maybe an inch or two apart. His face is wet with tears, as he blinks they keep falling, but he's no longer wracked with sobs. There's just pain there, and a powerful, bittersweet joy. It spills out of him, the honesty. ]
I think I've known for a while now. But convincing myself you were really still alive...
[ ... ]
No. You're here. We're here. That's what matters now.
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I wanted to tell you for a long time, but it's against our rules. I wasn't even sure I could this time, but...the rest of them know. So I thought it must be time. Senpai, you've been through so much these last couple of weeks...I'm sorry I couldn't support you better. But we'll be able to protect each other better now...won't we?
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You have nothing to be sorry for. [ hushed, but with such passion. Yu leans in again, closes that small gap between for what can only be called a nuzzle, their noses bumping gently. His eyes flutter shut. ] We will. I'll see you every day, if you'll have me. I should have been doing that a long time ago.
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You've been busy. I understand. But you know where to find me now...so every day, okay? Even if it's just for a few minutes, just so I know you're okay.
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Every day. [ His conviction is absolute. And they're so close, maybe she can feel the way he's starting to grin. ] You won't be able to get rid of me. You sure that's what you want?
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Every day you have a little time for me is a day I want.
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But there's a stillness in him like a held breath. He's just ... looking at her, eyes searching her face, a strange and soft smile on his lips. ]
Rise...
[ He lifts a hand, brushes the side of her face with his fingertips. ]
There's no way you can't know, right?
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...about what? [She thinks she knows, but she doesn't want to assume. Not after everything, and while she would normally take charge...this is a different and much more fragile situation.]
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No.
Carefully, Yu presses his hand to her jaw instead, cupping her face just so. The look on his face is so, so complicated, but his eyes are locked on hers. ]
... that for me, it's always been you.
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...really? But what about...[Literally everyone else.] Do you mean that?
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I know what people think about me.
[ What they say, or maybe guess, teasing or otherwise. It doesn't bother him -- he knows that the way he is makes people think it, for one reason or another, though that's never his intent.
But.
His thumb brushes her cheek. ]
But what they think doesn't matter. Rise, I love you.
[ Apparently, for him, it's just that simple. Maybe it always has been. ]
i want you to know this is so fucking funny with a souyo icon
...back home...you said no because you knew we would be leaving each other at the end of the school year anyway, huh? Somehow you always knew what I was going to do. [That's easier to grapple than Yu rejecting her because he didn't love her before now. But the smile grows.]
You already know how much I love you. It's always been that way.
I KNOW I DON'T HAVE MUCH ELSE IT BLOWS.
... yeah. However I felt ... it seemed best not to start anything when I knew I'd be leaving. But you know... I had a lot of time to think this week.
[ With faint humor. Though his smile tinges a sad. ]
And however this game ends...
[ ... she'll be a god ...
... and he'll be mortal. ]
... I realized that if I didn't want any regrets, for either of us, I had to tell you how I felt.
im dying
no, kill me before you die
[ Yu lets his eyes slip shut, tilting his face into hers. Barely, just barely, she might feel his lips brush her cheek. ] We'll make every moment count.
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Look after me, Rise. I'll protect you, too. With everything I have.
[ he closes what little sliver of distance is left between them to press his lips to hers. ]
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I will. We will. Together....