re_alignment | audio;

Entry tags:

brave police: j-decker | kagerou

audio;

[For a long moment, when the feed clicks on... there's nothing. Only static. Did the manic-seeming BP start fidgeting with his Link again?]

[Then, abruptly:]

I'm sorry.

[The words are soft, choked. They're rough around the edges, as if edged by jagged points. If he were human, he'd have sounded like he'd been crying.]

[Despite the tone, the plea, it's clear the old Kagerou is back in the driver's seat again.]

I'm --

I'm so sorry.

[ click ]

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[The wing makes it obvious. And it isn't long before PJ treks himself over there, grabbing the ninja by the shoulder and pulling him to his feet.

There's no delay in anything--he just up and smacks Kagerou upside the head.

Friendship?

Oh wait, he's not done. As soon as that's over with, his arms wrap around the bot, gripping tightly at his back. Man hug go.]

You idiot.

[Any other time he'd have struggled. Or simply flown away. Today, though, he just allows himself to be dragged.]

[When he looks at PJ, the light in his optic -- just one now, the scanner is firmly back in place -- is dull. He stares straight ahead.]

[The blow jerks his head to one side, his whole body following it. But he doesn't protest. Doesn't cry out. He just takes it.]

[...]

[It's the hug that does it.]

[Suddenly he's literally trembling in the other BP's grip, his hands clutching at PJ's arms, not to scratch or tear, like before. Just for something to hold onto. Something solid.]

I'm so sorry. I'll fix it -- I'll make it right.

[Kagerou's trembling only makes him hold him tighter, face buried into that shoulder. He honestly didn't know where to go from here.]

Save it. It was that crazy pillar that's been affecting people.

[Don't scare me like that again.]

[He clings back, holding onto him almost desperately. PJ is solid and real and... forgiving him.]

[He buries his face in PJ's shoulder, in return. The trembling doesn't ease so much as it becomes slightly less erratic. Slightly less frantic.]

You're still angry though. Aren't you?

Hell yeah I am.

[It's said almost immediately, no hesitation. But that grip on Kagerou doesn't loosen or let go. In fact, it tightens, pulling the hug closer for a few seconds.]

I'm always pissed off. Specially with you.

[Can you hear that smile on his face? It's his teasing.]

[He flinches, suddenly, hearing that. He almost makes to draw back from PJ. But the closer embrace stops that from happening. He seems to sag into it, venting raggedly against yellow armor.]

[He can't seem to get enough cool air to his systems.]

What can... what can I do?

[What does he do from here, PJ?]

[It's weird, he's never felt this protective over anyone that wasn't part of the Build Team. The way Kagerou had wormed his way into his A.I. was...pretty astounding. Especially to him.

That hug doesn't let up.]

Just...stay by us, okay?

[He has no idea how PJ suddenly became important. Maybe because... he was one of the first to angrily insist Kagerou was on their team. One of those who had been there, that day. For him to accept the ninja?]

[It means something.]

[And he's going to hold onto it now, in the face of this weirdness. Literally and figuratively.]

It's that simple?

[Look who you're asking, Kagebird.]

[Things were easy when you didn't think. That's how PJ saw it. If he didn't think about everything that happened, he could accept Kagerou better. It put his mind at ease more than he cared to admit.

And then...it evolved from there.]

Why not.

[One more squeeze before letting go.]

Unless you want me to punch you.

[He doesn't have an answer to that. If PJ wants to accept him... he can't argue. Well, he could. But he suddenly lacks the energy to put up a fight. More than anything, he just wants this over and for everything to go back to normal.]

[When the other BP pulls back, he stays near him. A little nearer than he'd normally stand, to anyone.]

[He shakes his head.]

I don't want that. I... I'm too tired for that.

[It's something both you and PJ both want, Kagerou. He's done with this planet making everyone crazy. Especially part of his team. It doesn't sit well with him when A.I.s are messed around with.

He doesn't mind the closeness. Heck, he probably doesn't even notice.]

Me too. Let's...Let's take a day off.

I think we earned it.

[It's like PJ admitting his own fatigue is the key. The undoing. He sags to one side, leaning heavily against the other BP. There's something incredibly grateful, incredibly trusting, in the gesture.]

[He wouldn't lean like this against just anyone.]

You'll have to show me. How to have a day off.

[There's a moment of give, but he soon holds the BP up by his shoulder alone.

With a weak smile.]

It's a lot easier than you think, Kagebird.

[The support gets a quiet sigh -- he doesn't know how to thank PJ, other than that. But maybe it's enough. Maybe.]

Show me. All right?

[It's enough, and it's followed by a slight nudge. Build Team symbol of caring.]

No problems here.

[He nods, bowing his head. It's like a bow, a real one, to PJ.]

Thank you.

For this.

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