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[invocation]

[The melodious sound of chewing can be heard.]

"Leave a message, if you want.

If it's something stupid, don't waste my time with it."

Beep. _

text | voice | video

image edited by squeaks.

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[fortissimos]

[ 'Just words'. A lot of things are just words, and some aren't as easy to fix as others — things might not ever be okay with Mami, and maybe she should just accept that. Her senpai is probably better off not having anything to do with her. ]

... Maybe. [ She sighs, and reaches up to grab one of Kyouko's hands. (Both her arms are back, now, but she's almost gotten used to only having one, and doesn't think to use it.) ] Come down here?

[invocation]

[Kyouko's face dips out of sight again, but there's the sound of her shuffling down the narrow metal ladder a few moments later. She settles down next to Sayaka, eyes turned toward the ceiling, reaching for her hands without thinking.

She's quiet after that, thoughtful. After a long pause:] Are you gonna stick around?

[fortissimos]

... I'm not sure.

[ The answer is more dismissive than she means it to be. It's tempting to leave — and she probably should — but... it's surprisingly easy to be selfish when Kyouko's holding her hands. Stupid.

A few seconds pass before she finally sighs. ]

Should I? [ She doesn't trust her own judgment, anymore. The resignation is clear in her voice. ]

[invocation]

[Kyouko rolls over to face Sayaka. She isn't sure how well 'no,' will be taken, so instead she uses the opportunity to be honest.]

I want you to stay. I mean... [She sighs.] It's your room too, right?

[fortissimos]

Ahaha... yeah. I guess it is.

[ She'd almost forgotten, with how little time she's actually spent in it. It's dangerous to be here, when the others might come back at any moment, but being near Kyouko is comforting — she doesn't really want to move. ]

... I'll stay here tonight. [ There's no telling what might happen afterward, but she can at least say that much. ]

[invocation]

[Her expression softens. It isn't quite the answer she was looking for, but it's better than an outright refusal.] Okay. Good. I'll stay here with you.

[She gives Sayaka's hands a little squeeze.] Come a little closer, alright?

[fortissimos]

Mm.

[ It's slow going, but she shifts over towards Kyouko. The bed isn't really big enough to fit two people, but they're close enough to make it work, and she's not inclined to worry much about comfort. ]

... It's kinda funny. Being with you... makes me feel like I have a right to be here. [ She closes her eyes with a sigh. ] Stupid, huh? As if that changes anything.

[invocation]

[The bed is uncomfortable, too small and narrow even for one person, but Kyouko feels better rested than she has in a long time. She presses her face in the space between Sayaka's neck and shoulder, and it takes her a long time to speak up.]

You've got the right to be anywhere I am. Don't worry about anything right now.

[fortissimos]

Okay. ... Okay.

[ Maybe if she agrees, she'll even start believing it. She takes one of her hands back, but only to wrap an arm around Kyouko — it's nice, being this close to someone. ]

... Let's just stay together. I'm tired of being alone. [ Even if it was by choice. Even if she needed to be. ]

[invocation]

Okay.

[With her face hidden, it's impossible to see the way Kyouko's expression briefly twists, then relaxes.] Me too. [She hadn't realized how true that was until she says it.]

[fortissimos]

Kyouko...

[ She's done enough crying. Her body is still tense, but it's slowly seeping away; allowing exhaustion to finally set in. (She hasn't let herself relax like this in a long time.) ]

I... I'm really glad you're here. That I met you. [ That things changed between them. Something in her chest tightens, and she shivers a little. ] Don't ever forget that, okay? You mean a lot to me.

[invocation]

[It makes her feel guilty, but when Sayaka says that, affirms that she's valued, that she's glad they've met...it makes Kyouko happy. This wars with the tightness in her own chest, the feeling that she can't shake: that she isn't doing enough to help. That maybe, Sayaka won't ever be the same again.

She tries to take her own advice. There's no need to think about those things right now. At least Sayaka is here, and that's all that matters.

...She kisses her forehead.] Aha, you sap. [A tired little laugh.] All this mushy talk all of a sudden. I...

[...] I'm glad we met too. Now go to sleep.

[fortissimos]

It's not mushy.

[ Except it is, so her protest isn't a strong one. She yawns, and for a moment, things almost seem normal: they're together, idly arguing like always, but without any malice behind it. It doesn't take long for the feeling to pass, but she'll remember this moment. ]

... You'd better still be here when I wake up. I'm gonna be mad if you're not. [ The words are mumbled into Kyouko's shoulder, height different negated by the way she curls up. She falls asleep almost immediately, without even waiting for a reply, but that's okay — she already knows what the answer will be. ]

[invocation]

It's the mushiest thing I've ever heard. [Is Kyouko's response, but she's smiling when she says it. Now that some of the heaviness of this conversation has passed, it feels nice to talk like this.]

I'll be here. [She says it very softly, when she's sure Sayaka has drifted off. It takes her a little longer to fall asleep, but when she does, it is for once, peaceful and without dreams.]