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[dereban]

Yeah, you can!

[ She's yelling from the other room, although her voice is still a bit watery and shaky from everything. ]

[spacialeyes]

[With permission granted, Yuuto follows her voice into the other room. He pauses when he sees her, trying to judge whether she wants him close or just there, before walking over.]

We don't have to talk anymore, if you don't want to. But can I sit with you?

[dereban]

[ She nods. Her bed's a mess; it's clear that she's been crying. She'll have to change these sheets for tonight, too... ]

[spacialeyes]

[Oh Inaba. It breaks his heart to see that. Yuuto knows how much those tears hurt to cry, too.

He sits down, turning to face her.]

I can hold you too, if you think it'll help. Or... just sit here. [Yuuto reaches out to brush her hair out of her face as he tests what her touch boundaries are right now.]

[dereban]

... Please.

[ Her voice trembles. At the very least, her eyes are its normal hue, but each syllable she speaks comes off as a tremble.

It hurts. ]

[spacialeyes]

... Mm.

[After brushing her hair, Yuuto shifts closer so that he can pull her into his arms. As much as he hates the circumstances that led to this, it is nice to be able to hold her. He tries to help her get comfortable, with one arm around her waist and the other hand slowly carding through her hair.]

I'm here. Okay?

[dereban]

Mmm. I-I'm sorry...

[ She's already apologizing and wanting to cry, but she's already cried all the tears that she possibly could have for the night. ]

[spacialeyes]

[He responds with a gentle squeeze,] Mm. Apology accepted.

I love you, Himeko.

[dereban]

I love you, Yuuto. I love you, so... don't... leave me alone.

[spacialeyes]

I won't. It's a promise.

[Yuuto shifts to adjust his grip, trying to sort out if Inaba will lean into him. He wants to support her in every way.]

There... Does this feel okay?

[dereban]

[ She does, in fact, lean into him.

A promise, though, huh... Inaba finds herself frowning out of instinct, if only because she definitely doesn't have a good track record with that sort of thing. ]

Mmm. Yeah. I really am sorry, though-- I'm being a burden again.

[ She curls herself up a bit, knees close to her chest. ]

[spacialeyes]

[That word nearly makes him flinch, but Yuuto banishes the thought. He's not a burden and neither is Inaba. Even when she curls in on herself, Yuuto keeps her close. He's trying to ease her head towards his shoulder and support her fully.]

... It's true that I don't like seeing you sad. But that doesn't make you a burden.

Being able to sit with you, even if I can't fix it... I'm happy you let me in, Himeko. Thank you.

[dereban]

No, I should be the one thanking you... I was really scared, after all.

[spacialeyes]

It sounds like we're grateful for each other then? [Yuuto brushes his fingers through her hair again. It doesn't feel like the time to say it, but holding her like this is helping him to calm down too. His anxieties don't feel so out of control when he has Inaba to center him.] What scared you?

[dereban]

I... thought you were going to hate me and leave me alone. I wouldn't be able to do anything again. I'd just burst.

[spacialeyes]

[What circle of hell has he walked to, that he might be forced to clarify something like this:]

Himeko… You know that I love you more than my sister, right?

[He sighs, though it’s more a comfortable sound as he enjoys the warmth of holding her.] Even if I didn’t understand you, I’d never hate you. I’d only ask for you to explain… I’d want to understand what’s on your mind. And I’d want to help you understand me too. So that we can work together…

That’s something that I love about you. You’re always helping me see things differently.

[dereban]

Ah-

[ She sounds genuinely surprised, actually? ]

Even if that's true, I can still be wrong and make mistakes and...

[spacialeyes]

[That surprise is a problem!!?? But Yuuto won’t focus too much on it. He just laughs quietly at himself.]

That’s why, when we disagree, um… I’ll tell you my side too, okay? From now? We can be right and wrong and make compromises sometimes, together..?

[dereban]

....mm. I'm a bit stubborn though, you know.

[spacialeyes]

[His laugh this time he more shy as he admits;] I-I am too...

But if it's for you, then I'll do my best to listen and understand. Is that okay?

[dereban]

Yeah...

[ She trails off, and then - ]

Um, now that's done, I can... ask for a distraction, right?

[spacialeyes]

[It takes him a moment, if only because he's amused by the change of topic. Then he nods and loosens their embrace enough to look at her.]

Mm. Since you asked... Close your eyes?

[dereban]

. . . Okay.

[ And so she does, closing her eyes, wondering what he actually plans to do. ]

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto leans in to kiss her jawline, then quickly moving to her ear. There's an unspoken offer to lay her back on the bed as he pushes his weight forward. More spoken is a teasing whisper;]

I love you, Himeko. So much... Let me show you?

[dereban]

[ She lowers herself back onto the bed, allowing him to lead. Her face burns scarlet as she manages to nod slightly. ]

Yeah. Show me all you want.