EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE

[cooopout]

[he is just sitting on his bed in the cabin, his hands folded in his lap, looking drawn and tired]

Comments

[regretnooothing]

[Nightly drop off of too many cranes. Don't mind me.]

[cooopout]

...Eiji. [shifting a little, looking up at you] Ah--can I help you at all?

[regretnooothing]

No, it's okay. I've got it.

[turning to put it next to Ankh's bed]

... Ah, he's out?

[cooopout]

...yes.

[swallows hard, not really able to meet your eyes]

We had a disagreement. I don't know when he's coming back.

[regretnooothing]

Ooh, It was one of those.

[Setting them all nicely]

He'll probably be back after he calms down. I'm not going to sleep for a while, so do you want to come with me for now?

[cooopout]

I--

[he hesitates, and his whole body aches for a moment before he drops his eyes and takes a breath, standing up from the bed]

Eiji-k--Eiji, can I...? [and he's reaching out towards you, stepping in against you hesitantly and curling his arms loosely around you]

[regretnooothing]

[Sets the last one down before wrapping his arms back around you]

What is that bad of a fight?

[cooopout]

Oh. [softly, breathing out as your arms come around him and he hugs you back hard, just burying his face in your shoulder for a moment]

It was... not good. [this is so nice though] But not the worst. I'm just worried about you both.

[regretnooothing]

Together or apart, we'll be fine. Ankh just needs time to cool off and come back down to how he usually is. It's best to just wait until that happens.

[Rubbing a little at your back. I can see this is really stressful for you, which makes me feel bad a little ... but I'm still totally zen over this]

[cooopout]

I want you to be all right. Both of you. [his back is just one big knot under your hands]

[regretnooothing]

[Soothing and feeling around it, trying to accomplish a very lazy massage]

I'm alright. Ankh being alright will take time and a few critical feelings hits, but it's not impossible.

[cooopout]

I know. [oh god that's nice] I just don't like not really being able to help much, I suppose.

[regretnooothing]

There's nothing that really can be done. He'll do it or he'll let it all slip away. We have to give him room and space to do the option that makes him happiest.

[cooopout]

...you're right. Thank you, Eiji. [draws back a little and reaches up impulsively to touch your cheek, before he flushes and drops his hand] It's just hard to not worry, I guess.

[regretnooothing]

I know, but he's stubborn. It's best to leave him in control or he'll never stop being pissy.

[taking a step back]

I have to make a small delivery run, let's go.

[cooopout]

...you want me to come with you? [he seems perfectly up for it, just surprised]

[regretnooothing]

[Nodding]

I did ask for you to come with me.

[Taking your hand and leading you out]

[cooopout]

All right. [gripping your hand back]

[regretnooothing]

[First we go over to the multicultural captain planet cabin since my Vendorcycle is there]

[cooopout]

[sounds good!

wait am i going to be riding a motorcycle behind you]

[regretnooothing]

[No, worry not.

Putting some cell medals in and getting two Taka Cans]

...

[and a peacock can for good measure]

[cooopout]

[eyeing you curiously]

Eiji?

[regretnooothing]

Yes?

[Turning to you while stuffing the cans in my pockets]

[cooopout]

What are you planning? [tilting his head curiously, his expression lightening a little]

[regretnooothing]

You'll see when we get to the next stop

[reaching out for your hand again.