You really are... [ Whatever it is, Natsuno isn't going to finish that sentence, running a hand through his hair with a huff. Acceptance like this always throws him even if he's changed a fair bit these past few weeks, it's all too similar still. ]
It wasn't like that. He volunteered and I decided that I didn't have a reason to say no anymore.
[ Riku's come a long way to even be this accepting in the first place.
But, he's kind of happy to know that there's a change in Natsuno - something even he can see, albeit minute - by just sharing each other's company.
Huh. He's not too into prying about someone's identity, so it's probably no surprise he doesn't bother. But, something about it made him a little curious. ]
No, it had nothing to do with him. Someone else made me realize something. [ The second sentence is slow and heavy, as if saying it outloud makes it something he can't run from.
For now he stops there, he might continue if prompted and he might if not. No one could tame Natsuno's mercurial nature, not even himself. ]
[ Lifting his gaze to the ceiling, he seems entranced by the light there for a seconds. It's too bright naturally, and it makes his pupils contract. Shaking his head, he looks over to Riku with irises that have darkened to a carmine red. ]
I guess you could say...we have a lot in common. [ And then stranger still, Natsuno smiles. It's a faint thing, something that can't possibly last more than a second or two at most before it's lost. ]
[ Oh Natsuno knows, Riku. But it's hard to say something when you haven't actually accepted it yourself yet. Small steps, or something like that. And it's only because it's Riku that's he's gotten this much rather than an outright dismissal.
Inch by inch, he pushes forward. ]
I was holding myself back. But I realized that I didn't need to, if I wanted. I can be me.
[ Brushing past the follow-up to answer the original question is just his way of doing things, apparently. ]
[ Honestly, he has no idea how to respond to that at all. His expression shifts from flustered to sullen and back again, and in the end he just sighs hiding his face in ruffling his bangs. ]
Shut up...it's just-it doesn't matter. If we're going to face the witches eventually, I need to be full strength that's all.
[ Don't you dare imply anything even in the friendship category! ]
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I told you that it wouldn't happen again with you, right?
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[ He looks thoughtful, considering the other's response. He doesn't sound angry, or bothered.
Rather... ]
...It's good that you've been branching out. If you found to someone else to ask, I still can't imagine it was something easy for you to do.
[ Something like this would require a level of trust, right? That's how he saw it, anyway. ]
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It wasn't like that. He volunteered and I decided that I didn't have a reason to say no anymore.
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But, he's kind of happy to know that there's a change in Natsuno - something even he can see, albeit minute - by just sharing each other's company.
Huh. He's not too into prying about someone's identity, so it's probably no surprise he doesn't bother. But, something about it made him a little curious. ]
What made you decide that? Just him volunteering?
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For now he stops there, he might continue if prompted and he might if not. No one could tame Natsuno's mercurial nature, not even himself. ]
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...How did they?
[ ...Like, he's going to at least try asking, see where that gets him. ]
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I guess you could say...we have a lot in common. [ And then stranger still, Natsuno smiles. It's a faint thing, something that can't possibly last more than a second or two at most before it's lost. ]
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[ Like.
Riku believes that it's nice, but that wasn't really an answer, he thinks.
Well, he guesses it was, technically, but still?? ]
...I see. [ No, he does not see. ] I don't think I realized how well you must've connected with this person until now.
[ Even with what he said before. This is different than simply basic trust between two people, it seemed much more...deeper to him. ]
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Inch by inch, he pushes forward. ]
I was holding myself back. But I realized that I didn't need to, if I wanted. I can be me.
[ Brushing past the follow-up to answer the original question is just his way of doing things, apparently. ]
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And that's enough to make him just smile, raising a hand to press against his own chest, before letting it fall right by his side. ]
I'd ask who would I have to thank for making you realize that, but I think not knowing would keep it a pleasant surprise.
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Shut up...it's just-it doesn't matter. If we're going to face the witches eventually, I need to be full strength that's all.
[ Don't you dare imply anything even in the friendship category! ]