featherduster | ( limelight ) overflow

[ she looks back up at him-- them down again, at their hands.

There is a distinct sense that No She Did Not Really Know That. But. ]

Well-- you had to, right? Even if you didn't want to, it isn't like you can trust me.

I just... didn't wanna put you in an impossible position.

It would've been selfish, wouldn't it?

Wasn't... doing all of this selfish anyway?

[ it isn't accusing; more wasn't that the point? ]

Depends on what's included in "all of this," I guess.

Regardless, I'm not...

I'm not mad the you "left me" or anything like that. If that's what you think. I just figured-- with everything done...

[ gestures weakly. ]

I'm still trying to figure out what to do and all, so it isn't like that's your issue to solve.

Edited 2025-05-18 19:16 (UTC)

[ He looks her in the eye, deciding directness is the wisest possible path at this crossroads. ]

Do you want me to leave you behind now?

[ Looking directly in the eye it's nearly impossible for her to hide the way the idea of it crushes her, but she sure does try to shut it down as quickly as possible. ]

... No.

[ He twists his hand to take hers fully ]

Then I'm not going to.

[ Simply ]

[ it takes a second, for her grip to curl more firmly around his hand. ]

... sorry. I've been doing a lot of-- assuming, lately.

Don't apologize. I haven't exactly been... clear. To be honest, until the boat, I never really knew what my future might look like.

[ He squeezes her hand ]

I want you in it, though.

[ She definitely looks like she's fighting off a bit of tears, her lips twisting before she ducks her head. ]

-- Y'don't have to. It'd be easier if you didn't. So long as you're happy with how things turned out, I can't complain.

[ a pause. ]

But if you actually want me. Around, still. I want... that, too.

Trust me-- if I didn't want you around, I'd be long gone.

You were one of the only things about that shitty place that was worth it.

[ Somehow looks even WEEPIER ]

... I do trust you.

[ Baby girl

Fuck it, there's nobody here to break their fingers. Pulls her into a hug ]

[ The reaction is near-instant, the moment he makes it clear what he's doing-- she pushes into him, arms tight around him and fingers clinging hard into the back of his shirt, ears flat and tail low. ]

Edited (forgor no wings) 2025-05-19 16:51 (UTC)

[ Quietly, smoothing a hand over her hair ]

I'm sorry, Cori.

[ muffled, a little bit of a wobble in her voice. she sniffles. ]

For what? I-- have you, so...

You do.

But... I remember how it felt.

[ She pulls back a little to rub her face with her sleeve, still leaning against him. ]

... Were you lonely?

Mm. Lonely... and scared.

I kept thinking if I could just tell someone I was lonely and scared, maybe that would make it easier. There was never such a person, though. It got easier eventually.

Are there people now?

[ A small smile ]

There weren't. Not until the boat.

But now... yeah. And I have you back, too.

I'm happy for you...

[ thunks her head against his chest.

And she's quiet for a long moment, with just a slight sniffle, before she speaks again. A tiny bit sulky. ]

... m'gonna bite you again. Since you healed it.

[ hey ]

... How come.

You liked it.

[ indignant, but after a brief pause, her face warm but fortunately hidden. ]

... I liked seeing it. On you, and Vincent. Brocade let me do it, too. It's nice, seeing someone's-- mine. Even if it's not... y'know.

( limelight ) overflow

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