Take Initiative.

[trustharder]

It seems things have been resolved - peacefully, if more than a little awkwardly for most parties involved. However, there's still work to do here, isn't there? Ryuunosuke shrugs after a long moment; tips his head up a bit. "Hey, Glory? Let everyone up." And apparently that's all it takes, though what that actually does isn't something that happens all at once - rather, panels slide out from the wall, forming a staircase up to that balcony they've been standing on. Mettaton doesn't really wait for the others to join them; he just leaves back through that section of wall they entered from, calling something back over his shoulder. "We've got another room to work from back here, darlings, this shouldn't take too long to work out." >Follow?

Comments

[prismbloom]

Bruce.

[ It's a lot more different, seeing him face-to-face like this. She'd admittedly wanted to speak with him--during a seance, as questionably successful as those were--but Aqua knows he's been through... hell is putting it lightly. ]

Here. [ She reaches out to steady him, her movements somewhat careful. ]

[amygdalae]

[It's a bit of a shock, hearing her voice again, even though he knows it would happen. Slowly he raises his head, squinting a little because hello, lack of glasses which makes things a bit awkward, but hey.

He lets her help him, doing his best to not put his weight onto her because that would be rude. Her hands are warm and gentle and kind, everything he remembers about her, and now that its real its only made it all the more... its better. A lot better.]

--thanks. [He manages it once he's more settled with her help.]

[prismbloom]

[ It sure is a thing, isn't it? Hearing him again. Being able to talk with him like this, but Aqua missed it so much. She's no stranger to losing people--in this case, she was the lost one, of course--but it's never any different.

She's just so happy to see him. ]

You're welcome. Do you need anything? [ He looks like he's been through hell... but, they all have, really. ]

[amygdalae]

[They have all suffered - and just because it 'wasn't real' doesn't mean their experiences are invalidated. They laughed, cried, lived and died. It was all still real, in there.

Except now it's just... more.]

I, ah. [Quietly and sounding rather unsure right now. Bruce glances down, almost seemingly embarrassed, a brief pause before he finally responds properly.] Just sit with me for a bit.

[prismbloom]

[ This is a different sort of hell. Aqua's been through more than someone her age probably should... but.

"Resilient." Funny, how spot-on that title was. ]

Of course.

[ And she helps him over to a quieter place, one with enough room for them to sit. ]

[amygdalae]

[You are a saint, Aqua.

Bruce lets her lead him over to this nice quiet spot, which is also nice because this means he doesn't have to see Mettaton and... the other person with him. Bruce really isn't up for either of them at the moment. Maybe later. Who knows.

Once they're both settled Bruce lets out a long, shaky exhale. His limbs are still pretty uncooperative but its just a matter of time - at least his head is already clearing up.]

...thanks again.

[prismbloom]

[ She just does what she can for a dear friend. ]

You're welcome, again. [ She stretches out her legs, letting out a sigh at the feeling of it. It's funny--she feels even worse than after her old training sessions. ]

It's strange, isn't it? Being together again.

[amygdalae]

It almost feels like a dream in any other situation.

[But this is real. He has to remind himself that. What is in here now, this is more real than anything else. They're real, and they're alive despite it all. It's the best he could have hoped for.]

[prismbloom]

[ She has to smile at that. ]

If this is a dream--and I'm happy it's not--then I'm not sure I want it to end.

We--well, you all--really did it.

[amygdalae]

All of us did it. Somehow.

[Hard to believe it, frankly, considering the messes they all were.

And there's a pause after that, Bruce silent for another few more moments... but before it stretches on for too long he speaks again.]

...I don't want it to end, either.

[prismbloom]

[ You know, after all the excitement... it's nice. Just talking, enjoying each other's company, in a quieter place. Aqua feels pretty drained, despite her being in stasis for two months. ]

I'm almost surprised to hear you say that. [ But then again, they've all changed so much. ]

[amygdalae]

Well.

[He starts, then pauses, as if not quite what he wants to say again. It seems to be a trend now.

...but you know what, fuck it. Aqua is a good person and she's here and... they've all been through so much. Now isn't the time for more regrets.]

I'd just hate to lose somebody like you.

[prismbloom]

[ Oh.

She immediately looks at him, and she looks surprised. More than surprised, actually, but. ]

I don't want to lose someone like you, either. Especially not after all we've been through.

[amygdalae]

[Just a soft laugh here and... okay, you know what? We're going to hug right now. And it's not even a Voldemort hug this time; a good, proper hug.

He pulls her in without warning and manages to wrap his arms around her despite how sluggish he still feels, leaning into her for a bit as he takes this hug while he'll let himself do so.]

[prismbloom]

[ She's definitely not expecting that, but she returns the hug. It feels like an overdue thing, doesn't it? But she knows Bruce is careful in pretty much everything.

Which is why it's such a surprise that he's initiated the hug. Aqua lays her head on his shoulder, but she doesn't let go, not yet. ]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce doesn't let go either, at least not that soon anyway. He needs to remind himself that this is real, that its over and they're all okay - or at least, eventually will be in some semblance of okay. It'll take a while, or a very long while, but still... they'll be okay. Eventually.

After a good while Bruce does pull back, and he feels a lot better than he had before. It probably shows on his face too.]

I'm glad you're alive, Aqua.

[prismbloom]

[ She pulls away, too, glad to see that he's--at least outwardly--doing a lot better. ]

I'm glad we're both alive, too. You know, I was very worried about you the weeks after what happened to me.

[amygdalae]

...I could imagine.

[Aqua has always been incredibly caring as well. Bruce honestly isn't that all surprised.]

I apologize for hazing worried you.

[prismbloom]

[ She shakes her head, laughing lightly. ]

You don't have to apologize. You know how much I worry.

[amygdalae]

That doesn't mean I shouldn't have worried you even more.

[A small smile crosses his face here at this point.]

[prismbloom]

[ She gives his shoulder a little nudge. ]

Well, then I suppose I can accept your apology.

[amygdalae]

Generous as always.

[The smile widens a little, and the corners of his eyes crinkle a little.]