[Not a terrible idea, really. The less he has to think about what happened recently, the better.]
I'm sorry I didn't talk to you sooner. I was gonna try to hold off until I could find a place myself but I underestimated just how messed up I still was.
You'll be fine. If you haven't met Ryo yet, I'll introduce you guys when we get there.
[The journey's not too far, and once they arrive, Akira will lead him inside, still carrying Duo's belongings for him. Ryo has lived here longer than many, and the results are obvious, their shared home being a lot better repaired and maintained than the others around it. Even the minor damages caused by the dragon attack have already been patched up.
Tako the black cat is napping by a window, and only cracks open an eye to lazily watch them pass, before falling asleep again. Otherwise, it's just Akira and Duo around for now, so Akira looks over to him.]
Well, make yourself at home, Duo. My room is upstairs on the left, you can go ahead and have it.
He follows quietly, still leaning on uncertainty about the situation but knowing good and well that if he didn't find a place to stay soon he was going to be in bigger trouble than even the dragon attack had put him in.
The cat does get a tiny, warm smile, though. He likes animals despite never having a chance to have a proper pet himself. That will be nice.
[Akira nods.] You needed somewhere to stay and people to look out for you, and there's room here. Besides, I know what it's like to feel like you're alone.
[His parents left him, and he had to depend on the kindness of family friends instead. Paying that kindness forwards a little is the least he can do.]
You can leave whenever you want. But I'd be happier knowing you're somewhere safe.
He had to prove his worth to Doctor J before he was allowed to be taken in. Howard had really only become his friend after a long time of being useful to one another. The pilots and other people they had met during the war...
Well, he was pretty sure only Quatre and Hilde would actually bother to check up on him with any level of frequency.
He didn't not care about them, but the relationships were far, far different than the way people behaved in Chroma.
He coughed awkwardly and scratched at the back of his head, looking away as if that would somehow help.]
I'll... I can stick around. Thank you. Seriously. I really didn't know what to do.
[And now, a distraction! He fiddled with his messy, loose hair.]
[Akira smiles warmly, and he'll accept the obvious awkwardness and subject change. Just getting him to stay is enough.]
Yeah, hold on. [Ryo probably has a sharp knife somewhere, but scissors would be the safer option. He heads into the kitchen, rifling through the drawers for a pair of scissors, which he hands to Duo.]
[This place really has turned him upside down. He didn't even consider how other people interacted or dealt with their day to day life in tough situations. He had been on his own for so long after the church was razed to the ground...
Given enough time he would eventually get used to it and relax back in to something close to normalcy, even with all the things the town liked to throw at them.
He took the scissors with a thankful nod and headed for the bathroom so he could fix his hair, which thankfully given the length meant it was relatively easy. Trims were something he did himself often. A bit of water and he had the mass pulled over his shoulder, smoothing it down until he could find a spot above the singed ends to cut straight across at.]
[Akira watches, having followed him to the bathroom, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms.]
Yeah. You were lucky-- it'd be a shame to lose all that hair. [He means that sincerely. He likes that Duo is different and has long hair.] How's your injury doing?
[There's a bit of pride in the statement despite how he feels currently, and even a small lop-sided grin is managed before he sets to slowly, gently cutting the burned ends off.]
Better. Kohaku was fussing over me pretty hard about it.
With how stubborn you are, you're gonna make people fuss.
[Akira smiles wryly. He might not know Kohaku personally, but he's certainly been around Duo long enough to be unsurprised that other people are worried about him, too.]
Speaking of which -- you hungry? Want anything to drink?
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I'm sorry I didn't talk to you sooner. I was gonna try to hold off until I could find a place myself but I underestimated just how messed up I still was.
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[The grin slips a bit, his expression becoming more serious than before.]
We're roommates now, so you'll count on me if you have any problems, right? I'll be around for you.
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[Both at fault, to a certain degree. Communication clearly isn't their strong suit.
He's still not entirely comfortable with this level of friendship, but he knows if he's going to survive here he needs to get over that.]
... thanks. I appreciate it. I'll try not to be a pain in the ass.
no subject
[The journey's not too far, and once they arrive, Akira will lead him inside, still carrying Duo's belongings for him. Ryo has lived here longer than many, and the results are obvious, their shared home being a lot better repaired and maintained than the others around it. Even the minor damages caused by the dragon attack have already been patched up.
Tako the black cat is napping by a window, and only cracks open an eye to lazily watch them pass, before falling asleep again. Otherwise, it's just Akira and Duo around for now, so Akira looks over to him.]
Well, make yourself at home, Duo. My room is upstairs on the left, you can go ahead and have it.
no subject
He follows quietly, still leaning on uncertainty about the situation but knowing good and well that if he didn't find a place to stay soon he was going to be in bigger trouble than even the dragon attack had put him in.
The cat does get a tiny, warm smile, though. He likes animals despite never having a chance to have a proper pet himself. That will be nice.
As long as the cat likes him back at least.]
... are you really sure about this?
no subject
[His parents left him, and he had to depend on the kindness of family friends instead. Paying that kindness forwards a little is the least he can do.]
You can leave whenever you want. But I'd be happier knowing you're somewhere safe.
no subject
He had to prove his worth to Doctor J before he was allowed to be taken in. Howard had really only become his friend after a long time of being useful to one another. The pilots and other people they had met during the war...
Well, he was pretty sure only Quatre and Hilde would actually bother to check up on him with any level of frequency.
He didn't not care about them, but the relationships were far, far different than the way people behaved in Chroma.
He coughed awkwardly and scratched at the back of his head, looking away as if that would somehow help.]
I'll... I can stick around. Thank you. Seriously. I really didn't know what to do.
[And now, a distraction! He fiddled with his messy, loose hair.]
Uh. Question! Got any scissors or a knife?
no subject
Yeah, hold on. [Ryo probably has a sharp knife somewhere, but scissors would be the safer option. He heads into the kitchen, rifling through the drawers for a pair of scissors, which he hands to Duo.]
There's a mirror in the bathroom if you need it.
no subject
Given enough time he would eventually get used to it and relax back in to something close to normalcy, even with all the things the town liked to throw at them.
He took the scissors with a thankful nod and headed for the bathroom so he could fix his hair, which thankfully given the length meant it was relatively easy. Trims were something he did himself often. A bit of water and he had the mass pulled over his shoulder, smoothing it down until he could find a spot above the singed ends to cut straight across at.]
Surprised this wasn't worse...
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Yeah. You were lucky-- it'd be a shame to lose all that hair. [He means that sincerely. He likes that Duo is different and has long hair.] How's your injury doing?
no subject
[There's a bit of pride in the statement despite how he feels currently, and even a small lop-sided grin is managed before he sets to slowly, gently cutting the burned ends off.]
Better. Kohaku was fussing over me pretty hard about it.
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[Akira smiles wryly. He might not know Kohaku personally, but he's certainly been around Duo long enough to be unsurprised that other people are worried about him, too.]
Speaking of which -- you hungry? Want anything to drink?
no subject
[Yes he is.]
Yeah, actually. A little.