Weep little lion man

[doctor_dragoon]

Characters: Okumura Yukio and ANYONE
When: Meh, why not today.
Where: A little ways off from the apartment building
Rating: PG, probably?
Summary: Yukio's been having a hard time, and he's looking for some alone time. You're not going to let him get away with that, are you?



It had been days since he'd confirmed the disappearance of Fujimoto Shiro. More than a week, actually. Probably more. It was difficult to keep track of the days in Nesreca, where each twenty-four hour perioud was composed just of eating (when Rin reminded him), sleeping (when he was very, very lucky), and constantly foraging for supplies that rarely appeared. But he had to do something to keep himself busy.

It had been easier at home, the loss of his father. He had his job teaching to distract him, his missions, the pain less acute with all the distractions their world provided... but all he had here was Rin and the constant reminder that they were, once again, on their own.

He'd settled himself a ways from the apartment building, loading one of his gun with practiced, almost automatic motions. There would be no danger of ricochet. Not here, not now.

Gunfire rang out shortly after, the loud cracks permeating the air at even intervals as smears of white powder from his specially prepared blanks peppered the nearby concrete wall. It was theraputic, and he was long overdue for some proper target practice.

Comments

[pencilpremonition]

"We don't have to go back yet," she offered, still fidgeting nervously. "But...if you're done, it might be a good idea? You don't have to hold my hand... You must have a girlfriend back home you're staying true to..." Oh how she hoped he'd say no, that he didn't, but it was heartless to not even ask.

[doctor_dragoon]

He went silent for a few moments, stowing his weapons away before moving to sit awkwardly near Becca. Close enough to talk, but with a respectful distance between them.

"Not... exactly..." He sighed, fidgeting his fingers in his lap. "I question the wisdom of forming that sort of attachment in this place. You must understand my hesitation."

[pencilpremonition]

She nodded quietly. It was true, if either of them got sent home, it would suck if they'd started dating. Then again... Becca just had to open her mouth and say the most hypocritical thing ever. "You can't live your life afraid of the future, though."

[doctor_dragoon]

The hypocrisy of her statement wasn't lost on him, but Yukio was polite enough not to mention it.

"I'm not afraid." Yes he was. He rubbed at the back of his neck, smiling in a self-depreciating sort of way. There was a sad edge to it, though. "To be honest, I don't know if now is the best time..."

It was difficult enough to consider something like this normally, let alone with the disappearance of his father still hanging over his head.

[pencilpremonition]

She nodded quietly, not sure if she should let it go and accept defeat or try to push on ahead. She fidgeted nervously, then finally decided on what she needed to say next. "Why not? Is something the matter?" Maybe she could help him feel better.

[doctor_dragoon]

Yukio looked off to one side, hesitant. He didn't like to share this sort of thing. He couldn't be vulnerable, but Becca deserved some kind of answer.

"... My father was here for a short time," he started eventually. "But he was sent home recently." Sent home where he was already long dead. His appearance in Nesreca had been like a second chance for Yukio and Rin, and his removal had been just as painful the second time around.

[pencilpremonition]

It must be nice to have a relationship with a parent that isn't based on pain and abuse. It isn't one that Becca understands, though she knows it's important. She reaches out to put her hand over his. "I'm sorry. Are you looking forward to going home and seeing him again?"

[doctor_dragoon]

He should've known that a question like that would follow, and he turned that sad-edged smile on her again, hoping she would read between the lines.

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

[pencilpremonition]

Oh, she understood that one. She moved over and tried to pull him into a gentle hug. This wasn't about flirting now, this was about just how awful that was. That...that she could understand perfectly. Her father had died as well, and if she'd had a chance to see him here, she would have been heartbroken when he vanished.

[doctor_dragoon]

He let her do as she liked, remaining still and stiff-backed in his seat. Yukio didn't cry. Hadn't cried in years, and he certainly wouldn't allow such a thing now.

"It's alright, Becca-san."

[pencilpremonition]

As long as he didn't pull away, she'd hug him tight. If he couldn't cry, she'd cry for him, and for her own father, too. She tried so hard not to cry, but she was weak and did so frequently. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

[doctor_dragoon]

He reached up and patted her arm lightly. "Thank you, Becca-san."

[pencilpremonition]

"At least you got to see him for a little while," she murmured, finally drawing away. She found his hand and took it in hers, still quite concerned for Yukio.

[doctor_dragoon]

"Yes, that's true." He gave her hand a small squeeze, still smiling that calm smile of his. He wouldn't let his sadness show. He would handle things on his own, but that didn't mean that he didn't appreciate Becca's concern.

"Let's go back to the apartment building. It's cold out here."

[pencilpremonition]

"Yeah," she agreed, shivering a little bit. She left her hand in his, wanting to hold it on the way back like she'd said. Now wasn't the time to push about flirting, but a little bit of human contact and concern went a long way.

[doctor_dragoon]

Yukio stood, letting her keep her grip on his hand. It felt different this way. Less awkward while it was backed with sorrow and regret rather than some sort of fumbling attraction. Or whatever that had been.

[pencilpremonition]

She walked back to the apartments with him in silence. There wasn't really anything else she could say to him after what had already been said. She still had a crush on him, but that could wait. It needed to, this was a serious moment.

[doctor_dragoon]

He turned to her when they arrived, offering her another smile. He was grateful for that silent support.

"Thank you, Becca-san. Very much."

[pencilpremonition]

She moved to offer a hug again. He seemed to really need it, and she didn't want him to be alone. At least he shared a room with his twin and wouldn't be going to sit alone in an empty room now.

"Of course."