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[thxforthememories]

[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.

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Comments

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[thxforthememories]

[His whole frame shivers, feeling her hold. She's here. She's forgiving him. Everything can start to be okay again... can't it?]

[He keeps her supported, going still, so as not to harm her.]

Then you can't either.

All right?

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[littlecrowgirl]

[She doesn't move her face from that neck mesh, but there's a smile pressed into it now.]

I'm better now.


Dad's home.

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[thxforthememories]

[He starts to sink to his knees, still holding her. As if he's afraid releasing her is going to break something, or she'll leave him.]

[He's bowed over her, the words making him tremble with some emotion he can't name.]

I promised.

I promised I wouldn't leave you.

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[littlecrowgirl]

[The hold doesn't phase her. If anything, she welcomes the embrace, as if cold metal was now the warmest thing she could press herself against. And maybe...it was. In some metaphorical way. He was one of her only links in this strange world.]

You didn't


You didn't leave, you were just out of the house for awhile.

[Mentally and physically.]

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[thxforthememories]

[Her presence is more welcome than he could ever say. She's here. She's forgiven him. She still cares for him, needs him. No matter what he said to her, she's still here.]

[It's worth more than anything else in this world.]

[He nods, with utmost care, still keeping her close, as if putting her down would cause her to change her mind.]

I won't ever leave you.

I'll always come back. I promise. I promise you.

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[littlecrowgirl]

Heh, you're pretty good at keeping your promises. So I believe you.

[But the caffeine starts to wear off, her eyes slowly drooping down as she leans against him.]


Can we...sleep? I'm suddenly really tired...

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[thxforthememories]

... thank you, Kay. Thank you for everything.

[For forgiving him. For caring for him. For giving him purpose again.]

[He finally moves, when she sags in his hold, stepping quietly over to set her on the beanbag chair. But his hand doesn't move away from her. It hovers, while he literally curls around the beanbag.]

I'll be here.

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[littlecrowgirl]

...Thank you too. You're a good dad.

[It's said half asleep as she sinks into that beanbag, only falling more into it the longer she sits there.]

G...night.

[And she's out.]

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[thxforthememories]

[He curls a little nearer to her, never once lifting his hand from where it rests, protectively, over her.]

[Even when she sleeps, and he nods off too, draped around and over her. Guarding her.]

[It's his purpose now, isn't it?]