sumarusfinest | Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

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Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

The wonderful thing about the Nexus is that it's usually fairly easy to find the regulars because of their preferred spots for lounging about the forum. This makes Katsuya's current task all the more convenient as he makes his way from the stall of the Velvet Room.

The suspect had to be around here somewhere. Always lounging about and starting fights with the resident magi of the Nexus. He finds what he's looking for in a blonde man working on a small glass device on one of the many Nexus couches, a cup of coffee sitting next to him.

"I need your assistance in regards to a case of the utmost importance. Your cooperation would be...appreciated."

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"No, no. You don't need to feel worse." He's murmuring into her hair now, so it's a bit muffled.

"Yes, of course. We can't be each other, that's unrealistic in expectations. I'll support your interests even if I don't understand them. And you are welcome to do the same."

He's just so glad she's allowing him into her home, letting him apologize for all of this.

Muffled, but still understandable. She won't argue because cuddling is better.

"I want to be supportive. I thought I was being supportive... but I must have missed something. I'll try to do better next time. And I'll apologize to your friend if he'll let me." He must think she's such a bitch now. No wonder Katsuya's always been reluctant to introduce her to people.

"I'm sure he'd just be happy to see that you're alright. Denizens of the Velvet Room are quite receptive to the depth of the collective unconscious. Since they specialize in bringing out the true face of one's soul...well, I hardly think a bereft woman will be too upsetting." He hugs Verity and smiles against her.

"Can we both agree to stop feeling awful and worrying the other? Misunderstandings happen. Please...don't run away from me, Verity." He shifts, tilts he chin up so he can give her a kiss.

"Ah. You should probably put the ice cream I bought somewhere cold, if you don't want it now. Sorry, I should have said what it was right away..."

She'll let him kiss her, but if he bothers to look at her he'll see she's hurting more now than when he arrived. If he thinks about it, maybe he'll remember he hasn't accepted her apologies or told her she's forgiven.

Or he can let her keep wondering what else she's supposed to apologize for.

Either way she's getting up to put the ice cream away. The whole bag is going to be shoved blindly in the freezer. "Do you want some coffee?"

He notices pretty quick that this is pretty much the opposite reaction he's expecting from her.

Again.

"Verity. What is it?"

The trouble is, Katsuya doesn't think she's done anything wrong, so there's nothing to forgive. There are aspects of her need to be literal and exact about everything that he really doesn't understand, considering how much of his culture is based around context and indirect social cues.

It's one of their biggest cultural differences. She thought learning the language was going to be hard.

She doesn't answer immediately, but she does come to sit down beside him again. Her arms are folded and she's rubbing the tattoo on the inside of her elbow while she tries to figure out how to explain without screaming. Not even screaming at him, just screaming like a crazy person.

"I don't know what else you want me to apologize for. I keep trying and you won't forgive me and... and I don't know what else to do."

"But..."

He tilts his head to the side slightly, confusion evident on his face. Were they even having the same conversation here?

"Verity..." Katsuya reaches over and takes one of her hands in both of his. "You don't need to be forgiven. I thought I was clear on that. You've done absolutely nothing wrong. If...if hearing me say that I forgive you will help, then I will. But...wouldn't it be lying if I didn't think you needed to be forgiven? I..I don't know what to do that won't cause you discomfort."

He doesn't scoop her into another hug. Just strokes her hand with the one that's on top of hers.

"Please, explain to me why you need to be forgiven. Or...tell me what I should do for you. Because if you can't tell I mean it when I say there's nothing you should be apologizing over, then...I must be rather good at lying to myself."

She takes a deep breath and forces herself to focus on him. She can't quite look him in the eye, but she can focus on his hands, fingers curling around fingers. "It felt like I had disappointed you somehow. That's why I left. I... and then I apologized over and over, and it felt like you were ignoring me. So please just. Just respond when I'm talking to you. Please."

He could hug her. Or he can let her lean against his arm like she's doing. She'd rather have the hug.

"I was sad to see you still struggling with interactions, and disappointed in myself for not taking your feelings into consideration when I called you over. But I was never upset with you. ....But you're forgiven for the transgressions you think you've caused."

Hugs are good. For both of them. Hugs can happen.

"I will try to be more dutiful in understanding your needs. All I ask is that you not assume the worst in me while I try."

Hugs are very good and very necessary.

"Thank you. I'll try not to assume the worst," she promises readily, "but it's hard right now to not assume the worst about everything. I know it's cliche, but... it's not you, it's me." And finally, she can relax, letting out a lot of the stress with a sigh before snuggling into his side. "When you called me to come out and see something, you were doing exactly what I asked you to do. You didn't know I don't like masks, and that isn't your fault. Please don't stop doing that? I need that."

So much better than what they had been doing.

"...I know it must be very difficult for you." He's stroking her hair and letting her snuggle up. "I'll keep trying to get you out in the world, I promise."

Most things are better than fighting. Watching paint dry. Waiting for moss to grow. Flossing.

She hums softly when he starts stroking her hair. If she were a cat, she'd be purring. "Thank you. I really do appreciate it." She's not sure she should be enjoying anything right now, but she has a feeling he'd tell her to shut up and enjoy it (but more politely). "I didn't get you any presents. I'm sorry."

This is what he had hoped would happen from the start of the whole endeavour. The cuddling, not so much the miscommunication. That was not enjoyable.

He reaches over and soon get new people otter is wiggling its head in her direction.

"You let me in and listened. Opened up to me. That's more than enough."

No, but they worked through it. That's the important thing.

She's not used to his being so playful, and the surprise of it helps surprise a laugh out of her when she reaches for the otter. "That doesn't seem like much. But if you're sure."

The otter is set down on his knee where she can look at it without leaving the cuddle. "He needs a name."

Katsuya likes cute things and making Verity laugh is its own reward as far as Katsuya is concerned. He's glad she likes it. The idea of a 'fake' toy animal was something he wasn't sure if she'd like or not. But it's purple and she seems pleased.

"I'm afraid otters aren't a very well known animal where I'm from, so I don't know of any 'appropriate' names for him."

She'd never been much for stuffed animals or dolls when she was a kid, but she's mellowed considerably over the last couple years.

No, really.

"Hmm. What made you pick him? You're not trying to tell me I'm shellfish, are you?" Nobody panic she's teasing. It's only a joke. A bad pun, but still technically a joke.

Meeting Loki will do that to you or drive you crazy, so it's good that it was healthy for her.

"To be honest?" Katsuya chuckles a bit before reaching behind to hold him in such a way that he's free to wiggle the otter's arms from where it's sitting on his knee.

"It was purple."

Mostly healthy. They'd both admit it was pretty toxic.

The cuteness gets another giggle from her, and she reaches out to pat the otter's hand. "Well, that's a place to start. I'll have to think about it. It's so soft." This is a revelation for her. "Did you have stuffed animals when you were little?"

Maybe it's a good thing Loki never told her where the ring came from. She wouldn't like an otter to cuddle so much if she knew.

Katsuya is so relieved to hear her laughing again. Not just today---at all, since the events that unfolded. It makes him feel like things are going to be alright. Not right away, but definitely someday.

"I'm sure I did when I was very young..." He doesn't remember having a favorite per say, but he does remember putting on little shows with them for Tatsuya. "I used to have them perform little skits I'd come up with when I was watching over Tatsuya. I'd grown out of them by the time he was starting school so I gave mine to him."

He's certain they were packed away once Tatsuya outgrew them, but it was probably lost in the downgrading when they got rid of the house.

"I had a popular cartoon character stuffed animal, Doraemon. He was a catlike creature, very popular around the time I was growing up."

It's a relief to be laughing. In the midst of grief, there's a time when it feels like laughter will never come again. Breaking through that, even only temporarily at first, is a huge relief.

"Doraemon. And now you have Helios. Sounds like you have a 'type'," she teases quietly. "I wish I could see those skits. You must have been the most adorable child."

She has a new shopping list. Never give a grieving woman a quest for something cute, Katsuya, unless you're prepared for the inevitable outcome.

"I am rather fond of things I can't have." Katsuya agrees with a self depreciating chuckle. "I honestly don't recall them too clearly. I gained an interest in baking at a young age and followed that whole heartedly for many years when I was younger."

"But I do know that's how I learned to pose and gesture with them." Purple Otter wiggles it's head back and forth, as through twitching its whiskers. "I was determined to perfect my performances, that much I remember."

"Not just things you can't have, I hope." Because she's right there. "Well, it's nice to know you did them all the same. Tatsuya was lucky to have you."

Whisker-twitching cuteness gets another giggle from her, and earns the otter a boop on the nose. "You're such a perfectionist."

"Of course not." So literal. Katsuya chuckles again. "Exaggeration, somewhat." He hums in agreement to her statement and lets himself enjoy the moment they're sharing.

Tatsuya was fine, wherever he was. Theo had helped him remember just how strong the younger Suou was. Katsuya had to have faith. So, for the first time in many months, he doesn't shy away at the mention of his brother. He just nods.

"You're only now finding this out about me? I must be losing my touch, Ms. Willis." His tone is very obviously mocking. No, they are not back to that again, worry not Verity.

"I know. I was teasing." Only about that part. Never about his brother. It's far too painful a wound to poke at idly, the same way he wouldn't dare tease her about her father.

"No, just remarking on it, Mister Suou." She knows he's joking and will play along. "Your ruse has not fooled me. I knew you'd be back to your perfect suits and perfect manners soon enough." Lifting the otter from his hold, she moves it up to bop Katsuya's nose with the furry one. "Mister Otter and I are on to you."

"Ma'am, I can assure you any suggested tellings of a ruse are entirely coincidental and essential to the case I am working on."

He even does his best to make his 'just don't, son' face at the otter.

"Perhaps your friend should be made aware of the laws regarding assaulting an officer then?"

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Did I seriously accidentally pick an awful thing again holy butts XD

Nope, it's fine, she doesn't know about the otter or the fish or the bazooka or any of that.

Whew.

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