[In a kneejerk reaction, Rita almost retorts that she doesn't care what Darcy thinks, even as it's clear that's only partially true. Natsuno keeps going, though, so even though Rita opens her mouth, she closes it again to let him finish.
He's right, of course. Her mouth works a moment, struggling to formulate a response. Of course she knows that there'd be no end to it here, where death isn't even permanent so there's no way for this to ever work out. But...it doesn't erase her own frustration.]
I know--I know, she just--then what am I supposed to do?! It's kind of impossible not to run into someone around here.
I know. I'm not saying you can completely avoid her. But just because you run into her, doesn't mean you have to engage. If she insists on picking a fight, tell her you're not interested. And yeah, maybe sometimes you will walk away and if Darcy keeps tallying some imaginary score, that's her problem. You know what you're worth.
[He reaches for her hand, lacing their fingers.]
If she insists on being a jerk anyway, we'll figure out how to deal with it then.
[She's quiet for a few long moments, letting her gaze drop but automatically lacing fingers with Natsuno. Eventually...she lets out a long sigh. Who cares what she thinks? You know what you're worth--it's like he knows just what to say to cut through the anger and bitterness.]
...You make it sound awfully simple.
[Because it is, the more rational part of her brain reminds her as she cools down. Or it should be, and only time's going to tell what works. Not that she's in any hurry to see Darcy's face again anytime soon...
She glances back up to Natsuno again, her previous angry scowl closer to a pout now.]
And if my nose is permanently crooked after this?
[Is this actually where part of her upset's coming from, underneath the more obvious got in a fight and lost? Yes, maybe. Look, even Rita Mordio has her moments of vanity...]
[He does hope the damage isn't permanent, because rational course of action or not, he doesn't want Rita to carry around a reminder of her humiliation. But all he says (very seriously) is:]
Then you'll still be beautiful.
[A kiss on the lips is probably out of the question, so he brings up their joint hands to kiss Rita's knuckles.]
I know it's not simple.
[Certainly not for someone as hot tempered and proud like Rita. Under his level-headed and direct demeanor, Natsuno is furious at Darcy, but she's not important. Rita's energies, safety, her everything is what matters.]
[It might not be very visible under the dressing and dark bruising, but heat immediately floods her cheeks.]
...You're a pretty smooth talker, Natsuno. [But...she nods. He's almost always an island of calm no matter how stormy her mood, and...she's grateful to have him, really.] I...I'll give it a try.
...Hey, can I ask you a favour? [A beat, and she quickly adds-] I promise it's nothing to do with revenge, or anything like that.
[He smiles, a little bashfully. He doesn't think he was trying to be smooth in particular, but... as long as it works. He's glad that she's willing to try.]
[It's a testament to just how much she respects and cares for him...and is maybe just a little whipped. He could lay out a thoughtful argument sprinkled with praise for why she should give up ice cream and she'd probably try it. That little smile of his, too... It's washing away the bitterness, and she manages a small one in return. What would she do without him? (She doesn't want to even imagine it, even as it's never a worry that's all that far away...)]
Well... [And now her smile fades as she glances off to the side awkwardly.] Can you...keep this a secret from Jade?
[...oh. Natsuno wasn't around to witness Jade scolding her in the lobby, but he can still understand wanting to keep it secret from him. He will fuss over her for sure... and his disappointment is hard to stomach, as Natsuno remembers vividly from October.]
I won't say anything, but... you really plan to avoid him until it heals?
You know it won't be just a few days, right? A bruise this big will take at least 10 days.
[Or so he thinks. He really has no idea how long it takes for serious bruises to heal. It's been over a year since he had to worry about something like that...]
[Even if it's not the sort of thing he's had to deal with personally in recent memory, it's not like she doubts him... The prospect of trying to keep this from Jade for over a week, though... She groans.]
Ugh... Well...I'll come up with something. It's not like he needs to see our faces every day, or anything...
[...She appreciates that he'd offer to do something like that, but... No, she doesn't want to pretend they had a fight. It would make her seem pretty immature! Plus...there are other reasons. Faking an aspect of their relationship doesn't sit well.]
My roommate's gone again. [Which might've been sad if Yakko hadn't been so annoying. Yeah, she's not actually sorry to see that one go.] So it's not like there's any reason for us not to hang out in my cabin instead of yours.
[They could never dare to make out in here with a menace like Yakko around. Now? The room's finally all hers--theirs, even. She glances down at his hand, can't help herself from leaning towards him even as she speaks up-]
Well...Clarke said I should put ice on it...
[It's just that Natsuno has a way of becoming her priority.]
[But she can't say she feels in any kind of hurry to check, not when Natsuno makes such a loving gesture--even at a time like this, when she has gauze stuffed up her nose. He really is the sweetest...
And so, you know, she just can't help but reach up lace fingers with that hand he used to brush her hair back, locking eyes with him at the same time.]
[Gauze up a bruised nose or not, her eyes are beautiful and he could stare her eyes forever. Without breaking eye contact, he brings their joint hands to his lips.]
Hmm... [He hums into Rita's knuckles, kisses her palm, the inside of her wrist. She likes when he's being smooth, right?] I don't know about lately...
[Natsuno draws closer to nibble on an earlobe and all but whisper:]
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neverleave) wrote2022-03-03 11:35 pm
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He's right, of course. Her mouth works a moment, struggling to formulate a response. Of course she knows that there'd be no end to it here, where death isn't even permanent so there's no way for this to ever work out. But...it doesn't erase her own frustration.]
I know--I know, she just--then what am I supposed to do?! It's kind of impossible not to run into someone around here.
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[He reaches for her hand, lacing their fingers.]
If she insists on being a jerk anyway, we'll figure out how to deal with it then.
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...You make it sound awfully simple.
[Because it is, the more rational part of her brain reminds her as she cools down. Or it should be, and only time's going to tell what works. Not that she's in any hurry to see Darcy's face again anytime soon...
She glances back up to Natsuno again, her previous angry scowl closer to a pout now.]
And if my nose is permanently crooked after this?
[Is this actually where part of her upset's coming from, underneath the more obvious got in a fight and lost? Yes, maybe. Look, even Rita Mordio has her moments of vanity...]
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Then you'll still be beautiful.
[A kiss on the lips is probably out of the question, so he brings up their joint hands to kiss Rita's knuckles.]
I know it's not simple.
[Certainly not for someone as hot tempered and proud like Rita. Under his level-headed and direct demeanor, Natsuno is furious at Darcy, but she's not important. Rita's energies, safety, her everything is what matters.]
But you can at least try.
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...You're a pretty smooth talker, Natsuno. [But...she nods. He's almost always an island of calm no matter how stormy her mood, and...she's grateful to have him, really.] I...I'll give it a try.
...Hey, can I ask you a favour? [A beat, and she quickly adds-] I promise it's nothing to do with revenge, or anything like that.
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Sure. What is it?
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Well... [And now her smile fades as she glances off to the side awkwardly.] Can you...keep this a secret from Jade?
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I won't say anything, but... you really plan to avoid him until it heals?
[Because that might. Take a while.]
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I mean...it shouldn't take that long... Once the bruising's gone, he won't be able to tell.
[Unless her nose really is permanently crooked...]
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You know it won't be just a few days, right? A bruise this big will take at least 10 days.
[Or so he thinks. He really has no idea how long it takes for serious bruises to heal. It's been over a year since he had to worry about something like that...]
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[Even if it's not the sort of thing he's had to deal with personally in recent memory, it's not like she doubts him... The prospect of trying to keep this from Jade for over a week, though... She groans.]
Ugh... Well...I'll come up with something. It's not like he needs to see our faces every day, or anything...
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[It's going to look weird if Rita doesn't hang out in 109 like she used to, but Natsuno keeps his promises.]
We can pretend we had a fight and you're too angry to come out, or something.
[He doesn't like the idea, but he'll do that for her!!]
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[...She appreciates that he'd offer to do something like that, but... No, she doesn't want to pretend they had a fight. It would make her seem pretty immature! Plus...there are other reasons. Faking an aspect of their relationship doesn't sit well.]
My roommate's gone again. [Which might've been sad if Yakko hadn't been so annoying. Yeah, she's not actually sorry to see that one go.] So it's not like there's any reason for us not to hang out in my cabin instead of yours.
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[Nope, he isn't sorry about that one either. Rita's roommates never seem to last for too long - she must as well have the cabin to herself!]
It'll be nice to have somewhere to hang out without worrying about weirdos walking it.
[He rests a hand on her knee. Obviously they're not gonna make out right now with Rita still in pain and all, but... you know!]
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Well...Clarke said I should put ice on it...
[It's just that Natsuno has a way of becoming her priority.]
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I bet there's some in the mini-fridge...
[The hand on her knee slides up toward her waist. The other brushes a lock of hair behind he ear. What are they talking about again?]
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[But she can't say she feels in any kind of hurry to check, not when Natsuno makes such a loving gesture--even at a time like this, when she has gauze stuffed up her nose. He really is the sweetest...
And so, you know, she just can't help but reach up lace fingers with that hand he used to brush her hair back, locking eyes with him at the same time.]
...Have I mentioned how great you are lately?
[Because he really should hear it frequently.]
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Hmm... [He hums into Rita's knuckles, kisses her palm, the inside of her wrist. She likes when he's being smooth, right?] I don't know about lately...
[Natsuno draws closer to nibble on an earlobe and all but whisper:]
Tell me again?
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[Nevermind that "lately" meant they were separated, with Natsuno trapped in the labyrinth illusion while she waited in the lobby.
She shivers in delight, squeezing his hand and nuzzling the side of his face, and in a stuffy, nasally, almost-whisper of her own:]
You're...a good boy. The best boy.