pullmeoutalive | Two worlds, one family--

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!kia,
.rp post

Two worlds, one family--

[ 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. ]

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[ He really hasn't. Not physically, but there's something about him that seems... older. He's had more experiences, possibly experienced more grief and pain, and lived in a world that didn't know the truth about him.

Otome's already blinking back tears when she reaches for him, to draw him into a hug. ]

I'm so sorry... I couldn't be there for any of it.

[ Some parent. ]

[And finally, he doesn't pull away. He's grown a lot, after all, even if not in age. Otome's hug feels like coming home, like warmth and safety, and he doesn't have it in him to pull away from that.]

I would not have wished that upon you for anything. Don't be sorry.

[He just shakes his head against her shoulder.]

I succeeded. There is nothing to worry about.

There was no doubt in my mind about that. [ Firmly, as firm as she holds him and just... soaks in the fact that he's here, and he's changed, but he's still safe and solid here with her. ]

But I wasn't sure if I'd see you again... and there's not much I can do from a world away.

[ Except panic. ]

... I know.

I apologize.

[He says that easily now, shaking his head lightly.]

I had firmly thought my role there was done,but... [Well, who could've thought he'd be revived from the dead?]

Someone had other plans. [ It's fine. Really, it is. She can keep him close, sifting her fingers through his hair, and breathe a little easier. ]

... Thank you for coming back, Leon.

[Alright, look, it's not like he doesn't want to take the credit, but--]

It wasn't exactly my choice.

[HE JUST KICKED THE BUCKET AGAIN...]

... But I like to believe that I was simply returning to where I belonged now, with my role completed.

Where you belonged...

[ It's still strange to think about. She had never known Leon Magnus existed until she'd been brought to an alien colony, and then she'd fought to give him another chance. Having him here at all... ]

I'm so glad... I was finally able to give you a home.

...Thank you, Otome.

[He bows his head at that, until his forehead is almost resting on her shoulder.]

For that... I am truly grateful.

I'm just as grateful. [ lowering her own head a little to touch against his. ] It's not really a home when you're by yourself, after all.

[ Leon was an irreplaceable part of her family. If he ever disappeared for longer than a night... she's not sure what she would have done. ]

[Like this... it's nice. It's warm, and it really does feel like he's home, and he doesn't want to move or pull away.

Not when he can be close to one of the only people who still matters, just like this.]

I apologize for scaring you, and... I promise. Regardless of what happens, I will always return home.

[To here.]

And I promise, regardless... I'll always be waiting to welcome you back.

[ At any hour, no matter what. She'll be there for him. ]

[He's quiet in response for a long moment, overwhelmed. It's... a big promise, and he knows it.

So all he can really do is whisper--]

Thank you.

[ And all Otome does is smile, lifting her head a little, if just to press a kiss to the top of his head. No kid is too old for this treatment, as far as she's concerned. ]

I love you. You don't need to thank me for something that's only natural.

Otome...

[It's clear on his face that he's startled to hear that--but instead of pulling away, his lips just curve into a slight smile, and he nods.]

I understand. As you well know... I do feel the same.

Mm, I do. It's just not as easy to say it, but you do have your own ways of showing it.

[ She's never doubted it, honestly. ]

... You are, as ever, far too patient.

But I am grateful for it.

[He huffs a faint laugh.]

I like to believe that I have grown some over the past few months, however.

I can imagine. It sounds like you've truly been through a lot.

[ That she can't imagine. ]

... It does not matter now. What matters now is that... I am perfectly well.

[A beat, and he adds hesitantly--]

And that I am content.

... You don't have any regrets?

[ Had he seen his friends again? Had he had a chance to see what family he'd treasured? Was he really okay with everything now? ]

None.

[He hadn't seen Marian again. He hadn't even gotten to see Stahn again, though he was able to see Rutee.

But... he was able to save Stahn.

Meet and protect Kyle.

Help right his own wrong.

... How could he regret that?]

I was able...to do many things I wasn't able to do when I was alive.

... 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.

[... 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.

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.

... 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.

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

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

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