[Game 21] Epilogue

[arsgoetia]

So, you get your Philly cheesesteak, and you head back on another train, returning to New York at fuck o'clock in the morning. Maybe you get a nap on the train, or maybe you're full of yawns and misery as you head back to Sariel's house at the crack of dawn. Paz went on her merry way with wonderful promises for the future, but Hale is with you, seeming remarkably energetic.

Madison is just barely held back by Kieran, it seems, from just sprinting out the door as soon as you get anywhere near the yard. As it stands, as soon as you all make your way past the gate, there's a redhead barreling down to greet you.

Comments

[liarliarliar]

I'm here.

[if he were taller he'd press madison into his bosom. as is he will just hold onto best he can]

I came back to you. Like I always will.

[boatsights]

. . .


[bursts into tears]

[liarliarliar]

Oh...

[hugs tighter]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I worried you. I'm sorry my feelings were dumb. I'm sorry I couldn't...

I'm sorry, Maddy. But I'm here now and you're here and...

[boatsights]

[just shaking his head, holding onto him tightly]

[liarliarliar]

Ah, when we're alone properly later I'm going to cry a lot too, is that okay?

[petting Madison's hair shakily]

But you can. Can get all of your tears out now.

[boatsights]

Can I kiss you instead?

[liarliarliar]

Please kiss me.

[boatsights]

[immediately framing his face with both hands and kissing him]

[liarliarliar]

[will apologize later for this weepy kiss

for now though Kano will cling tight and kiss back, needy]

[boatsights]

[s-sure I guess we're both just kissing while crying]

[man, we have not been apart for more than like half an hour since we got reunited, probably. this was a bit stressful.]

[liarliarliar]

[when the kiss does break, hides face in Madison's chest]

I'm glad I'm small now.

[boatsights]

[breathy]

W-why?

[liarliarliar]

Because I feel safe and surrounded by so much Madison and if I was taller maybe it wouldn't seem like as much.

[boatsights]

You're. Perfect.

[liarliarliar]

[looks up at that and he wants to deny that line so much but he doesn't wanna tell Madison what his feelings are either

if i was perfect i'd have been able to help sariel]

[liarliarliar]

[hands over his face, sobbing

oh no i wanted to do this later not now]

[boatsights]

[oh. oh, oh, oh]

[quickly ushering him inside. I guess if Elli's using our room we can. use. the den?]

[liarliarliar]

[oh noooo

trying to stop, wiping at his eyes, and failing to stop]

[boatsights]

[just sinking down onto the couchbed with him, wrapping his arms around him again]

It's okay . . .

[liarliarliar]

[it's that good good sob where you can't actually talk, the kind where it's hard to even breathe

but he does calm, taking in shuddering breaths]

A..ahh....I...

Why. Why am I crying like. Like this.

[boatsights]

Why don't you talk to me about it . . .?

[voice soft]

[liarliarliar]

I don't...

I'm trying so hard. To be brave. And support. And.

And I can't.

Can't do enough.

[boatsights]

. . . Shuuya. You do so much. I—I don't know why you have such unreasonably high expectations of yourself. Why do you think you're not enough?

[liarliarliar]

I can't lose everyone AGAIN.

[boatsights]

. . .

[strokes his cheeks with his thumbs]

We know. And we don't want to lose you, either.

But there's a lot at stake.