week 6, post trial

[robitussin]

[Their numbers keep falling. Three people have died already this week, with two more on the way tomorrow. With the outburst the townspeople gave them once the results came through... If anyone were feeling downhearted, it's to be expected at this point. Things continuing at their current pace is a frightening thought, after all. Like last week, the offer to spend time together or meet in a central location doesn't come.

Hawks and Dabi wait for the morning in their cells, but the rest of the tourists are free to wander about the town as they please; free to rest, to talk with each other, and to try to gather strength wherever they can. So, where does the evening find you, Cartesio?]

Comments

[relieable]

[........]

I.

[he pauses for a moment before dropping his shoulders. it's probably a bad idea to talk to Natalie about how he feels. he broke down in front of Sting, and was very open around Franciscus. and now they're both gone. if he tells Natalie how he's actually doing, something might happen to her! which is silly to think, because he's not the cause of that...

he sucks in a breath, clenching his fists at his sides. do it, Osomatsu. smile at her! tell her you're fine!]

I want...! [his eyes squeeze shut, and he turns his head away] I wanna go home already!

[robitussin]

[She can tell (or she assumes, at least) that he's near tears, and her voice continues to soften accordingly. She can't really bring herself to say it's okay or that he's going to be okay... Who knows if that's true.

Instead:]

...You're not the only one, and that means you don't have to deal with this alone.

[relieable]

[he won't cry. he did that earlier this week and it was No Fun for anyone. he's not going to put her through that. he's a grown-ass man... for now, he sighs and nods at her in agreement]

Yeah. I know. Thanks.

[robitussin]

[A beat, and then she continues with that thought.]

And not having to deal with it alone means that you can talk about it with people. Just, if you need to... You know.

[It's an offer to listen, albeit an awkward one.]

[relieable]

[it's a good offer. Osomatsu appreciates Natalie so much]

I guess... I was worried, yanno. That you hated me.

[oh. he definitely did not mean to let that slip out. dammit]

[robitussin]

[She pauses for a moment, but it's easy enough to tell why he'd think that.]

...Sorry. I should've talked to you sooner after all that.

[relieable]

[what a relief, though, to finally get that off his chest. Natalie is like the little sister he never had. he wants to protect her]

It's fine. You're talkin' to me now, and that's what matters.

[robitussin]

I'm not mad at you, either. Seriously. I was just...

[She pauses, and then finally concedes after weeks:]

Worried.

[relieable]

[ah, of course she was. she worries a lot! but it's kind of warrented, isn't it? look at where they are...]

Yeah. I know.

[robitussin]

[Somehow, it gets a half-hearted laugh.]

Was it that obvious?

[relieable]

[he lifts his head, speaking gently]

You just... Worry a lot, about everyone. [it's nice]

[robitussin]

...Yeah, well. Everyone here could probably use it.

[relieable]

[that makes him laugh. not loudly, though]

You're right! So you can keep worrying about everyone. Just... don't worry too much, or your hair'll turn grey.

[robitussin]

If that happens, I’m totally blaming you.

[She’s joking, at least.]

[relieable]

[oh! she's making a joke! that makes him laugh a little harder.

he's so relieved... that they are pals again]

I guess I can accept that!