slavecrowned | empatheias: mailbox

I don't know.

[She sounds noticeably disappointed at that; she wishes she had a better answer for him, that she knew enough to really help with this in some way. She exhales slowly, frowning to herself.]

I think... if you're willing, then try to reach out to him again. Show him he hasn't scared you away.

[At least not for good.]

If you think this is a friendship you want to pursue, if you think you can help him, then you shouldn't give up.

[ He doesn’t expect Terra to have all the answers, but there is still a small part of him that echoes her disappointment. He should know better than to hope for a simple solution to a very complex issue, and he in no way wants to belittle the help she’s given him already. Her perspective on this matter has been just what he needs, and she’s helped to pull him out of his rather self-pitying line of thinking. ]

You’re right. I… hm, I don’t know if I can help him, but I think that someone should try, at the very least.

I think so, too.

[The situation itself is far too complicated for wishes and hopes to be enough, but she knows Arthur to always be good to his word. If he thinks someone should try, then she knows he will do his very best to do exactly that.]

I'd... like to try, too, if I can.

[She's only met the young man once, but it was clear to her even then that he was lonely.]

I think about who I might have been if nobody had reached out to me. Sometimes that's all it takes.

[ She has a point - sometimes that is all it takes, and it seems to strengthen his resolve all the more. ]

I think that’s a wonderful idea. You probably understand where he’s coming from more than I.

[ Terra’s kind soul would be good for anyone, he thinks, but she’ll be able to commiserate on a level that Arthur would not and that might make a world of difference. ]

Terra… thank you. That you were even willing to listen means a lot to me.

He may not think he wants anyone to help him, but if he told you as much as he did, some part of him must want to connect with others— to be accepted, maybe.

[To be forgiven, which is a feeling Terra knows all too well, except there are some things she doesn't think even she can be forgiven for. The only thing to do is to move forward being better than she once was, trying to bring good into the world however she can.

She smiles to herself, and there's another pulse of affectionate warmth between the two of them.]

As if you had to ask. Never doubt that I'll be here for you.

Together, then. Let is see if we cannot help this boy in some small way, at the very least.

[ It makes sense, when she puts it like that. If there are truly dark things in Akechi's past, he may well be used to people running from them, much like Arthur nearly did. He still may not like what he finds but if Terra is right – if Akechi is truly in want of someone to connect with, to not turn and run in the face of the ugly side of himself, then Arthur means to hold his ground. There is something resolute that echoes through the connection, the mental and emotional equivalent of a determined nod. ]

I am a lucky man.

[ Terra has a way of taking Arthur's self doubt and warming it away, melting it like snow in the face of the springtime sun, and there will never come a time when he is not grateful for that. Whether he is too caught up in his own problems or simply feels a bit down about himself, her presence helps him so very much. ]

Together.

[The same as they do everything else, in her opinion— as ever, she believes them to be strongest as a team, with far too many years of no one but herself for company to prove her right.]

I think we're both lucky, personally. I know you'll always do the same for me.

[He's made that abundantly clear.]

Do you think you'll be able to rest easily now?

As easy as I am ever able to, without you here.

[ Apparently, she did well enough at easing his troubles that he actually finds it in him to flirt a bit. The concept of flirting as a whole it still pretty new to him, especially given that he and Terra are already an item, but this slips out as easy as anything. ]

[Even now, after so many months together, such remarks still bring color to her cheeks, even when he's not there to say them in person. He'll feel the brief heat of flattered embarrassment, followed by a much softer, more affectionate warmth. She used to wonder whether or not she would be capable of feeling such things, but he summons those emotions from her with absolute ease, sometimes even unbidden.]

Maybe I should be there tomorrow to ensure you get a good night's sleep.

[She feels her cheeks grow just a bit warmer even saying so, despite the fact that it would hardly be the first time.]

I love you. Please, don't think badly of yourself just because you hesitated. You're only human.

[ Between the two of them, flirty banter only goes so far. He knows what she’s implying and it’s nothing they haven’t done before, but he still finds himself flustered by the sheer fac that they’re saying all this out loud… in their heads.

It’s complicated. ]

Well, I certainly wouldn’t say no.

[ Even if he is blushing. They try so hard. ]

I know, I know. It seems that even I sometimes need the reminder. Thank you again, Terra. I love you, too. Sleep well, darling.

I'll be happy to offer that reminder whenever you need.

[The hot flush of embarrassment is replaced by something much softer and more affectionate. He would, and does, do the same for her.]

Goodnight, love. Sleep well.

[The connection between them will sever, but not without leaving a warm, comfortable feeling in her chest in its wake. Despite the difficult topic of conversation, she knows she'll sleep better just for having spoken to him.]

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