Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

Mm... I understand. I'll do my best in the meantime, then.

[ cooking lessons with the son!! probably tomorrow, knowing her-- ]

[mombastic]

... Then I'm glad.

[ So if he'd had regrets back then, it sounds as though he was able to take care of them properly. And that is a lot better than she ever could have hoped for someone she cared about disappearing without so much as a warning. ]

You've worked hard, Leon. I'm very proud of you.

[penitentials]

[... It's strange. It's really strange, because he'd thought that he'd grown up, and was more of an adult, but... still, hearing Otome say this makes his throat tight and makes it hard to swallow.

He takes a moment, breathing in slowly, before he shakes his head gently.]

I was just...fixing what I had messed up before.

There's nothing to be proud of, there.

[mombastic]

There aren't a lot of people who would be willing to fix their mistakes-- for a lot of reasons, and I'm not saying that's wrong...

But to do that requires tremendous strength of will. So I believe there's definitely something to be proud of.

[penitentials]

... Otome...

[She's still...far too good to him, he thinks. But it's nice that she never changes.]

Well, I suppose you were not wrong before, so... it could not hurt to believe you now.

[mombastic]

Even if the same amount of time passed for me... I would always believe that, so don't worry.

[ He's a good kid!!!! ]

[discard]

[Tomorrow is good.

For now...tonight is for parfaits!!!

Which are now on Leon's mind. Because obviously, he loves them and really wants one. So he focuses on his dinner with a great deal more zeal.]

[mombastic]

Let me know when you're ready to go, okay? We can stop by before they close for the night and then do the dishes when we get back.

[penitentials]

I know.

[After all of this time, how could he ever think anything else of her? She's never doubted him, never let him down... she's been the most stable force in his life for a long time now, and honestly--

He just smiles a little to himself, tinted wry, and shakes his head.]

I do not know what I did to deserve having you here, truthfully.

[discard]

... Very well then. When we have finished our meals, that...would be fine with me.

[More like: he's really excited and really wants this, he just can't admit it because it's embarrassing.]

[mombastic]

I wouldn't say that anyone should have to do anything to deserve being cared about. [ Even Yamato, despite his... more abrasive qualities, had people who wanted to stand by his side and remind him that he was still a kid. Maybe knowing Yamato had made it easier to understand Leon, but that hadn't been hard. He'd just been a boy who had been forced to act like a hardened adult all too soon. Otome was there to make sure that he got to experience the other opportunities he'd missed. ]

But I guess if I had to say you did something... it's that you existed.

[ Isn't that enough? ]

[mombastic]

Okay! But be warned, their parfaits aren't to be taken lightly.

[ Otome, stop acting like they're going off to battle. ]

[discard]

I believe I am more than a match for any sort of parfait they could throw at me.

[Leon, why do you go along with this.....]

[penitentials]

[... It's enough.

It's enough, and it's strange, and honestly, it's also--]

...Sappy.

[But he's smiling. He's smiling and he's not trying to hide it, expression peaceful and content, because he's back with his family now, and that's all he could have ever asked for.

It's still an odd sensation, but...isn't it enough to just accept being happy?]

[mombastic]

For the sake of you, the parfait, and the laundry this week, let's hope they don't actually throw it.

[ Japan can be weird sometimes. ]

[mombastic]

[ It's only because he's smiling that Otome can pretend to look offended, drawing back to fold her arms over her chest with a very loud huff. ]

You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to live with me, for the record!

[discard]

[Otome pls.]

That would be a terrible wast--

That is.

I would not want ice cream in my hair, so they had better not.

[mombastic]

Don't worry, I'd shield you.

[ But she's glancing at him expectantly and tilting her head. Shall we? ]

[penitentials]

I had no idea, truthfully.

[But he doesn't mean her sap.

He means that she would give him a home. That she would give him a family. That she would look after him when he was low, and share with him his joys when he was high. That she would always be there for him, and never let him down--

He didn't know he was getting into that.

But...]

It has been an enjoyable experience learning, however.

[discard]

... Otome?

[???? Why are you like this.]

It is only ice cream, I do not need you to shield me.

[mombastic]

Oh, I know... but my sentiment still stands.

[ She'd shield him from anything, honestly. ]

[discard]

[He's quiet for a moment at that, frowning.

And then--]

Do not mistake this as me being unhappy with either the sentiment, or the fact that I am living here, because neither could be further from the truth.

[He's happy, he really is, but--]

But you had better never shield me in any way. It would not be worth the possible damage to yourself.

[mombastic]

[ Welcome to being adopted, Leon. Otome will never abandon you. ]

Then I'm glad. You do seem much happier, overall...

[mombastic]

And am I allowed to say that you shouldn't shield me either, then?

[ And will he actually abide by that? ]

[penitentials]

[He snorts softly at that, but...well, he is.

He can't deny that.]

I have been incredibly lucky. No matter how you look at it...I'm lucky. I am grateful for that.