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[Futaba waits as he stumbles over the default response--she almost expected it. It's easier to fall back on an I'm fine, easier that exposing raw nerves and letting the hurt bubble to the surface.

She's surprised when he pushes through and is honest. Progress.]

Starting with me...okay.

[Oh no.]

[ Maybe, technically, he started with Otabek? Not that he'd done anything to hurt him, but he should have told him everything before agreeing to date him. There's a lot of things he should have done, and didn't, since he came here. Yusuke is trying to make up for them, not dwell on them. ]

Yes, Futaba. I have been doing a lot of thinking, and talking. I have been so caught up in my own whirlwind of everything that I hurt you. I know I did, and I am sorry. I cannot help the way I feel or don't feel any more than you can, but I can pay attention. I just...didn't. I neglected your feelings and breezed past you, and you are not the first to fall victim to my carelessness.

[ ...he'll talk to Brendan later. If he'll even listen. ]

You are important to me, no matter who feels what. I want to be a better friend.

Yusuke...

[She appreciates the thought behind his apology, knowing it comes from a place of honesty. But she hates that he felt the need to apologize for getting caught up in his own feelings--It sucked, it hurt, but she hadn't really done much to make him any more aware of it.]

I didn't bring it up. I could have confronted you about how I felt past...past confessing in the first place, but I didn't. It hurt, hurts, but I didn't tell you it did.

I pushed it down, hid it, because I didn't want to come in between anything when you were obviously serious about Yuri--and now I know that involves Otabek too. I should have been honest...

[She offers a slight smile after a moment.]

I know I'm important to you, just like you're important to me. I can't say it's going to be an easy thing moving past...this, but I'll be more honest if I'm feeling left behind.

You brought it up once, and it was not subtle. That should have been enough for me to realize I needed to be more careful.

[ Yusuke moves over to have a seat on the couch, pulling one knee up towards his chest to lay his head on, and letting the other one dangle off. ]

He told me I was being self-centered. It isn't a lie. I have been trying to handle everything on my own, just like back then, before the Thieves.

I didn't really...tell you I was still uncomfortable. I guess...Otabek being in the picture didnt help much--not with the way it came up anyway, especially after telling him how I felt at the sleep over. I don't know if it makes things better or more complicated for all of you but...I wasn't expecting and that made it hit a bit harder. Kind of brought a lot of "what-ifs" to mind...

[ She sighs, moving to join him on the couch. There was a bit more distance between them than normal, but not so much that it seemed like she was trying to maintain any distance.]

I don't know that I would call it self-centered. More...self-sacrificing maybe. You don't ask for help, but at the same time its because you don't want us to get mixed up in everything more than we already are. It's not as if you're doing it for personal glory. [She glances over at him.] And you haven't been doing everything entirely on your own either. You've pulled me in to help now and then...

I could have told you about him more tactfully.

[ Yusuke watches carefully, letting his hair fall in front of his face as he listens to Futaba echo his feelings back at him. ]

Thank you for understanding. My intentions were always good, but I have work to do. I know that. People have offered to help shoulder my burden and I have turned them away. You, however, refuse to be told no, so I didn't try.

You could have but...timing didn't really allow for a tactful answer.

And we're not really known for tact with each other anyway.

[It was true though. How often had they gotten on one another's nerves because of their lack of tact?]

At least I knew you always had someone watching your back. Even if that ended up being just me. But I...We need to find you a way out. I know this group needs to be taken down, but I worry about you being tied up in all of this for much longer.

Until we can figure out how to approach this differently though...You've got cover and support. As much as I can provide.

[ It is true...but this seems a lot more serious than rearranging figurines or not properly appreciating his animal puns. ]

Yuri said the same thing, that night with Adachi...

[ And last night, before Yusuke fell asleep nestled comfortably in the crook of his neck, he said that he was afraid, and angry. Even if he doesn't blame Yusuke for it, the artist knows that he has to do something about it. ]

I would not know where to start. I don't imagine asking politely to leave would get me anywhere.

I know that he agrees...I texted him. I figured if you weren't coming here until today you would have headed there...

[She shifts where she sits, turning bodily towards him--back to the arm of the couch, legs crossed in front her, and a serious look on her face.]

It's not going to be an easy thing, but I'm finding you a way out. I'm not going to just sit and wait, hoping something doesn't happen to you because their leader has some whim about loyalty. I promise whatever we do will get you out of there safely.

I must have fallen asleep before then.

[ Is it bad to tell her he spent the night there? He's really bad at this. ]

Can you really promise that? I think if anyone can do it, it would be you, but...there is a strong possibility of retaliation, if I even try. Even after Adachi was caught talking, Dooku made sure he was still on board.

Probably. Yuri said you were pretty upset...He was worried too.

[At least she already figured he was staying there? It's the surprises that hurt the most--making her reevaluate how they got here and recognizing missed chances. She can't be upset for things she expected.]

Screw Dooku. I've never failed to give you cover before, and I'm not going to start now. Just...keep a low profile, don't take unnecessary risks, and I'll keep looking for a way to get you out that doesn't end in a repeat of Adachi's situation. I'm not going to let you get hurt because of this, Yusuke.

[Her conviction is practically palpable. If anything was going to happen, she's going to make sure this is a promise she keeps.]

I know he was. He still is. I need to be better, for his sake.

[ For everyone. ]

After the raid, I intend to stay out of the spotlight. If I find anything of value there, I will be expected to share it, but after that...I will be keeping my head down. Nothing could make me do something like that again.

I promised I'd make sure he's aware of our plans too...Even if he can't help, I think it'll help...

[Look, Yusuke. She's letting one of your boyfriends in--Otabek will get that privilege eventually.]

That's probably a good plan. If I find anything that would be worth contributing that won't give them too much I'll hand it off--they might back off if you give them something to chew on for awhile...

I am not keeping anything from him...he can help. He has to, he won't take no for an answer.

[ Look urself. Otabek already knows. ]

I do not think I am under suspicion. After all the talking I have done, if I were, we would know.

Edited 2017-08-17 19:40 (UTC)

I meant if it's something his powers don't really lend themselves to. I'm not going to tell him he can't help at all.

I'm...going to keep him updated on things with Akira too...I'm still working with him and--well we never know where answers will come from.

[L O O K. She doesn't know that Otabek knows everything yet.]

Still, better to give them a good reason to leave you alone for a bit--makes it easier to avoid suspicion in the first place, right?

His skills are more suited to something like this than most. Speed, ice magic, stealth. [ Sound like anyone else you know? ] He is getting better all the time. And do not worry, I would never expect you to stop working with Akira.

Anything to help my case would be valuable.

I know...he's helping me with something at the Swear-out. Possible distraction. If we need it.

[Yeah. About that. Sorry Yusuke.]

I'll make sure you're all up to speed if I hear anything...Even if you and Akira aren't...[She sighs softly.] We need to be on the same page or this isn't going to work.

...a distraction from what?

[ Futaba pls. ]

What did he say, when you talked to him? Is he on board with whatever you're planning?

If...talking to Dooku doesn't go all that well?

[She winces slightly. Oops.]

He seemed to be...I mean it's a start at least.

Talking to him about what?

Stuff. And things...?

[Okay that...that was not going to work she knew that. Instead, she sighs and flops over, draped across the arm of the couch with her face to the ceiling.]

Don't be mad.

Akechi was talking to him without realizing who he was and kind of...got roped into possibly meeting him. And I maybe volunteered to go with him...?

I am not mad. [ He's a little mad. ] But why?

[She can tell you're mad.]

His "politics" and ideals. We haven't hammered out the specifics of our plan just yet, but...I wasn't going to let him go speak to Dooku alone.

And I wasn't going to keep that from you, so...sorry?

[ It's fine...he just sighs. Why would he expect for things not to escalate at every opportunity? ]

He came to me to tell me that Dooku reminds him of Shido, why would he want to go anywhere near him?

[Constant state of escalation.]

They were talking on the network before Dooku introduced himself...He told me it was a mistake. I don't think he really wants to, but feels he has to?

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I was going to save this icon for memes and PSLs.....eh.

OH WELL

IT WORKED SO WHATEVER

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