[Please forgive him, he's still not 100% awake and he's still under the impression that you have to sleep under the trees to have That Kind Of Dream. The possibility of the communicators being the actual cause of the problem hasn't crossed his mind yet.]
[And he's not sure why Kaede would have gone up to the dome to sleep under the trees by herself? Impromptu naps in the middle of the day are one thing, but sleeping through the night? No way she would have gone up there without getting him first.]
[Plus, he doesn't remember having a dream like that last night.]
[LOOK...you can't be vague like this with him immediately after he woke up, come on. That's just not fair.]
[Though, admittedly he did think her behavior didn't quite match up with his assumption. It's not like he didn't KNOW she'd thought about that scenario before. And even if it was embarrassing, that's no reason for her to--]
...oh.
[The look of confusion fades somewhat as things finally click into place. If it was that kind of dream and he wasn't in it...yeah, that would explain why she wouldn't let him kiss her.]
[She feels guilty. Meaning...]
Um... [Wow. Okay. Not sure what to say to this, really.] S-so...what exactly...happened, then? Because if you were asleep in your room then...how did...
[Her voice is quiet, and she bites her lower lip. She really is doing her best to meet his eyes, with mixed results.]
I didn't... in the dream I didn't even think anything was wrong, it wasn't until I woke up that I realized what happened. I was still in my room, it's not like I went anywhere....
[Shuichi frowns slightly, not in disappointment or doubt but once again in confusion. This doesn't make any sense. Those are the same circumstances they'd woken up to after the incident with the piano, except for the part where they'd been under the burgundy tree together.]
That doesn't make any sense. Are you sure it wasn't just... I dunno, a really vivid um... [Are they wet dreams when girls have them too?] sex dream? Maybe it wasn't exactly the same as that other time...
[It's not said with a whole lot of conviction. Kaede may occasionally act without thinking, but she's not stupid.]
[She scrunches up her face in doubt and shakes her head.]
I don't think I'd, um, have that kind of dream about him on my own. And... there was a square marked off. I haven't talked to him yet to see if it was on his, too, but...
[She takes a deep breath, steeling herself to meet his eyes.]
I'm... I don't know how to apologize, Saihara-kun. I-if... if you don't want to be with me anymore, I'd... I'd understand, but...
[She has to look away again, even as one of her hands fumbles to take one of his. She can't promise it won't happen again, because she still doesn't know how it happened in the first place. And that just feels wrong. She can only manage a whisper as she squeezes his hand.]
I'm really sorry.
[At least. She knows better than to try to compare how she feels to a song right now. Because Shuichi wouldn't know the song anyway.]
[After a few moments of silence, his hand shifts in hers. But not to pull away, as she may have been expecting. Instead, he interlaces his fingers with hers, leaning in to press a small, quick kiss to her forehead as he does so.]
I still want to be with you. [He gives her hand a reassuring little squeeze, rubbing his thumb against the side of her index finger.]
[She goes still when he kisses her forehead, pressing her lips together in a thin, nervous line. Even for someone as optimistic and care-free as she is, it's hard not to think the worst in this kind of situation. Like he's kissing her good-bye before telling her to leave. That kind of worst.]
You do?
[It slips out as she glances up, grip tightening around his hand.] Even though I... [you know, don't make her say it,] with somebody else...?
[She was expecting disappointment at the very least, anger at worst. Unlikely, considering how passive Shuichi is, but disappointment? She was pretty sure.]
Mmm. [He nods, still rubbing his thumb against her finger.] If it really was the same as...that time with the piano, then it wasn't something you had any control over. It wasn't your fault.
[If he hadn't experienced the fantasy glitch himself, he'd probably be more disappointed in Kaede. But as it stands...he's just disappointed in the station. Because he knows just how badly that dream world could warp your sense of reality. They both thought they'd been dating for years, after all.]
I mean...you probably didn't even think we were in a relationship in your dream, right?
[She almost wants to cry. On some level, she knows it's not her fault, that she didn't really have any control over the dream. But it was still eating at her, and Shuichi being so understanding is, well...
She can't quite bring herself to kiss his lips yet, but she leans in and gently brushes her lips over his cheek.]
[He continues running his thumb over hers at the same steady rhythm. It's entirely possible that the gesture isn't meant only for her, but also for himself. Because it doesn't seem like he has any intention of stopping any time soon.]
And if you really meant to do it...you would have tried to hide it from me. You wouldn't be here telling me what happened, you'd be with...with him, [Whoever this mystery man is.] trying to figure out a way to cover it up.
[He used to do infidelity cases for his uncle's detective agency, remember? He knows how these things typically go.]
I still like you, and I care about you a lot so...even if you accidentally completed a square with someone else, I want to be with you.
["Accidentally" being the keyword there. This would be a very different conversation if she'd done it on purpose. But he knows that she didn't, that she wouldn't...]
[She strokes her thumb over his fingers and squeezes his hand tight, looking him in the eye.]
That's something I can promise. I won't ever hide anything from you. I... I like you a lot, and I care about you even more, a-and... and I really want to be with you, Saihara-kun. More than anyone.
I just... I wanted you to hear it from me. I had to tell you.
[There's the slightest twinge of guilt about hiding things. He wishes he could tell her the same thing, but...that would be a lie. He's already hiding a few things...he's been hiding a few things ever since they arrived here.]
[But it's the right thing to do, in this case. He's hiding these things because he cares about her. So even though he nods in acknowledgement, he's not going to hold her to this promise. Not so strictly.]
[Because sometimes you have to hide things, even from the people you care about. Especially from the people you care about. And he's pretty sure that's something she understands, given...well, given what happened with their plan to catch the mastermind.]
Thank you, for telling me. [He leans forward and presses his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.] And....don't beat yourself up over it too much, okay? It was just a dream, right? So even if that counts for a square...it doesn't count in the way that really matters.
[He pulls back and opens his eyes again, meeting hers directly and smiling gently.]
We're together because we want to be together. Filling squares is just...an afterthought, right?
[If it happens, cool that means they get paid on top of making love. If it doesn't happen...also cool, because they still made love and that's the part they both care about.]
[This boy is just too good to be true. When he presses his forehead to hers, she nuzzles her nose against his, just briefly.]
Yeah... yeah, you're right.
[She meets his eyes, then finally leans in to give him that good-morning smooch he'd wanted earlier.]
Can I... can I sleep in your room until they take the trees down...?
[Just in case it happens again. Even if it just was a dream, and he says it's fine, she'd still rather hope it doesn't happen again. Being curled up next to Shuichi will surely ward it off being with anyone else, right?]
[Finally! A good morning smooch! All is right in the world now.]
Of course you can. [Briefly, he considers making a joke about the fact that she's actually asking, considering how she's made something of a habit of crawling into bed with him whenever she pleases but...that seems a little tactless. So he gives her hand a squeeze instead.] Though...I would hope they're going to take them down soon, if they're malfunctioning this badly now...
[She really didn't think he'd say no, and she would absolutely just come over anyway even still. He gave her access to his room, that's basically a standing invitation as it is!!]
Mmm... I hope so, too.
[There's not even any cute baby pics of Shuichi for her to see. She does shift closer, wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling her nose against his neck.]
I wouldn't mind another dream like that if it was just us, but...
[She sighs quietly against his throat, looking at the wall over his shoulder.]
[He wraps his arms around her in turn, pressing his nose against the top of her head, closing his eyes and inhaling the scent of flowery shampoo. Huh...she showered a little while ago didn't she? He just noticed her hair is ever so slightly damp.]
[Does he want to know who it was though...that's the question. After a long moment, he shakes his head.]
No. It didn't mean anything and you don't feel that way about him so...it doesn't matter who it was.
[Okay, he's not wholly sure he actually believes that himself but...maybe by saying it out loud he can get that part of him that DOES want to know to shut up. Because it's better not to know...right? It wasn't his fault any more than it was hers. And it has to be someone she's met here whom he doesn't know. So if she tells him, it'll just color his opinion before he has a chance to really get to know the guy. And that's not really fair. So...it's better not to know.]
[Because it can't possibly be Kokichi, right? Surely she would have just said "Oma-kun" from the start, if that were the case. Nah, it's definitely gotta be someone he doesn't know.]
[You got it, Shuichi. She fucked the guy who hates pianos in an attempt to convince him that pianos are Great.
She hums quietly, then nods, closing her eyes as she keeps her arms wrapped around him. If he doesn't want to know then... that's fine. Maybe she should text Kokichi and ask him not to tell Shuichi, but that doesn't sound like something she should do. It's Kokichi's own decision what he decides to do, after all.]
Thank you, Saihara-kun.
[He's just... such a good boy. She's stupidly lucky.]
[Oh good, he was hoping that would be the case. Because then there would be absolutely NO doubt in anyone's mind that it was just because of tree weirdness and it would definitely NOT happen again because kaede would never willingly bang someone who destroys pianos.]
[So, you know...if she had to have dream sex with somebody other than himself, better that guy than anyone else.]
[Of course he wants another kiss, when does he not want another kiss? He'll even kiss back this time. And also give her a reassuring little squeeze because he really wants to be sure she knows he's not mad. Well, not mad at her, anyway. He is, admittedly, more than a little annoyed with the assholes who let the problem get to this point rather than just taking the display down.]
[But definitely not mad at Kaede.]
Mmm...if you roll over on your other side then, yes, you may.
[He wants to spoon. So sue him.]
[And also maybe go back to sleep for another hour or two.]
[She giggles quietly, brushing a hand through his hair and giving him a smile. Heck yes she wants to spoon. And maybe go back to sleep herself, since she didn't exactly have a restful night.]
You drive a hard bargain, Saihara-kun, [she teases, kissing him one more time before rolling over and scooting back against him. She still can't help but feel a little guilty, but... Shuichi isn't angry. She'll figure out how to look Kokichi in the eye later.
[He just laughs lightly in response, wrapping his arms around her once she's turned around and pulling her in close. Yes. For now, spooning.]
[He presses a quick kiss to the shell of her ear before settling himself more comfortably against her and closing his eyes. It...it doesn't really take him long to nod off again. It never does, when Kaede is next to him. He manages to get in a few more hours of sleep, but only a few. Because unlike Kaede, he DID have a very restful night's sleep, even if she woke him up early from it. So, soon enough, he's waking back up.]
[Now, normally he'd be all too happy to just lay in bed and snuggle with Kaede instead of getting up and doing anything particularly productive. But now that he's awake again...his curiosity and concern over the trees is back again. And he can't just lay there idly while there's a minor crisis like that going no. Especially since there's a chance it could happen to Kaede again or to him. She was upset enough over it happening just once...she doesn't need to go through it a second time.]
[So he gently nudges the pianist awake so that he can tell her where he's going, and ask her if she wants to come with him. To the dome, to investigate the trees. And maybe try and get a word in with whoever's in charge of that whole display. Boy howdy does he have some feedback.]
[But, in the end, she'd rather just keep sleeping. And honestly he can't even blame her. So after getting dressed and giving her a few gentle smooches along with the promise that he wouldn't be gone long, Shuichi heads out the door on his own. His destination? The fantasia dome.]
[Except...he never actually makes it there. Hell, he never even makes it off of their floor, thanks to a certain text message. He said he didn't want to know who Kaede shared her dream fantasy with, but apparently fate had other plans. Because he's finding out anyway.]
[And after one very emotionally turbulent conversation that took just about as long as it would for him to do a preliminary tree investigation, Shuichi is returning to his room. He opens the door and approaches the bed quietly, making sure not to turn on the lights if Kaede has them turned off. He's going to have to wake her, but...you know, he can be polite about it.]
[You still sleeping, girlfriend? Do you mind if he just...sits on the edge of the bed?]
[She had gotten up to turn the lights off, in fact. She'd gotten up only a few minutes after he'd left, but not with the intention of leaving. Kaede's tired, emotionally drained after spending hours dreading what turned out not to be a bad conversation at all, but it's hard for her to sleep with the lights on.
While she was up, she grabbed one of Shuichi's button-down shirts and wrapped it around herself in place of her robe. She's pretty sure he won't mind if she just... wants to sleep in something that smells like him. It's why she doesn't bother going back to her room after he leaves, either. Why would she? Here's where she feels warm and safe.
He hadn't been gone that long, it feels like, when she's gently woken up by the sound of his voice. The door had started to wake her, just a little, because unfortunately her ears are just too good to sleep through something like that, but Shuichi's voice is a comfort. She blinks blearily at him and gives him a sleepy smile, reaching for his hand.]
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diffidentive) wrote2017-11-13 11:58 am
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[She pouts, more at herself than at him. Just rip the bandaid off, Kaede. It's not going to make him feel any better to drag it out.]
I had another dream like that last night.
[It comes out in a rush, and she can't meet his eyes again.]
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[Wait, what?]
...you dreamt we had sex on a piano again?
[Please forgive him, he's still not 100% awake and he's still under the impression that you have to sleep under the trees to have That Kind Of Dream. The possibility of the communicators being the actual cause of the problem hasn't crossed his mind yet.]
[And he's not sure why Kaede would have gone up to the dome to sleep under the trees by herself? Impromptu naps in the middle of the day are one thing, but sleeping through the night? No way she would have gone up there without getting him first.]
[Plus, he doesn't remember having a dream like that last night.]
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[Jeez, Shuichi!!! That would!! Be a good dream!!!]
You... you weren't in it. I wasn't under the trees or anything, but...
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[Though, admittedly he did think her behavior didn't quite match up with his assumption. It's not like he didn't KNOW she'd thought about that scenario before. And even if it was embarrassing, that's no reason for her to--]
...oh.
[The look of confusion fades somewhat as things finally click into place. If it was that kind of dream and he wasn't in it...yeah, that would explain why she wouldn't let him kiss her.]
[She feels guilty. Meaning...]
Um... [Wow. Okay. Not sure what to say to this, really.] S-so...what exactly...happened, then? Because if you were asleep in your room then...how did...
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[Her voice is quiet, and she bites her lower lip. She really is doing her best to meet his eyes, with mixed results.]
I didn't... in the dream I didn't even think anything was wrong, it wasn't until I woke up that I realized what happened. I was still in my room, it's not like I went anywhere....
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That doesn't make any sense. Are you sure it wasn't just... I dunno, a really vivid um... [Are they wet dreams when girls have them too?] sex dream? Maybe it wasn't exactly the same as that other time...
[It's not said with a whole lot of conviction. Kaede may occasionally act without thinking, but she's not stupid.]
I mean, you were alone in your room, right?
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[She scrunches up her face in doubt and shakes her head.]
I don't think I'd, um, have that kind of dream about him on my own. And... there was a square marked off. I haven't talked to him yet to see if it was on his, too, but...
[She takes a deep breath, steeling herself to meet his eyes.]
I'm... I don't know how to apologize, Saihara-kun. I-if... if you don't want to be with me anymore, I'd... I'd understand, but...
[She has to look away again, even as one of her hands fumbles to take one of his. She can't promise it won't happen again, because she still doesn't know how it happened in the first place. And that just feels wrong. She can only manage a whisper as she squeezes his hand.]
I'm really sorry.
[At least. She knows better than to try to compare how she feels to a song right now. Because Shuichi wouldn't know the song anyway.]
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[After a few moments of silence, his hand shifts in hers. But not to pull away, as she may have been expecting. Instead, he interlaces his fingers with hers, leaning in to press a small, quick kiss to her forehead as he does so.]
I still want to be with you. [He gives her hand a reassuring little squeeze, rubbing his thumb against the side of her index finger.]
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You do?
[It slips out as she glances up, grip tightening around his hand.] Even though I... [you know, don't make her say it,] with somebody else...?
[She was expecting disappointment at the very least, anger at worst. Unlikely, considering how passive Shuichi is, but disappointment? She was pretty sure.]
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[If he hadn't experienced the fantasy glitch himself, he'd probably be more disappointed in Kaede. But as it stands...he's just disappointed in the station. Because he knows just how badly that dream world could warp your sense of reality. They both thought they'd been dating for years, after all.]
I mean...you probably didn't even think we were in a relationship in your dream, right?
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[She almost wants to cry. On some level, she knows it's not her fault, that she didn't really have any control over the dream. But it was still eating at her, and Shuichi being so understanding is, well...
She can't quite bring herself to kiss his lips yet, but she leans in and gently brushes her lips over his cheek.]
I... no, I didn't.
[Her lips twist into a brief, resigned smile.]
We were classmates, but... that was it.
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And if you really meant to do it...you would have tried to hide it from me. You wouldn't be here telling me what happened, you'd be with...with him, [Whoever this mystery man is.] trying to figure out a way to cover it up.
[He used to do infidelity cases for his uncle's detective agency, remember? He knows how these things typically go.]
I still like you, and I care about you a lot so...even if you accidentally completed a square with someone else, I want to be with you.
["Accidentally" being the keyword there. This would be a very different conversation if she'd done it on purpose. But he knows that she didn't, that she wouldn't...]
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[She strokes her thumb over his fingers and squeezes his hand tight, looking him in the eye.]
That's something I can promise. I won't ever hide anything from you. I... I like you a lot, and I care about you even more, a-and... and I really want to be with you, Saihara-kun. More than anyone.
I just... I wanted you to hear it from me. I had to tell you.
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[But it's the right thing to do, in this case. He's hiding these things because he cares about her. So even though he nods in acknowledgement, he's not going to hold her to this promise. Not so strictly.]
[Because sometimes you have to hide things, even from the people you care about. Especially from the people you care about. And he's pretty sure that's something she understands, given...well, given what happened with their plan to catch the mastermind.]
Thank you, for telling me. [He leans forward and presses his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.] And....don't beat yourself up over it too much, okay? It was just a dream, right? So even if that counts for a square...it doesn't count in the way that really matters.
[He pulls back and opens his eyes again, meeting hers directly and smiling gently.]
We're together because we want to be together. Filling squares is just...an afterthought, right?
[If it happens, cool that means they get paid on top of making love. If it doesn't happen...also cool, because they still made love and that's the part they both care about.]
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Yeah... yeah, you're right.
[She meets his eyes, then finally leans in to give him that good-morning smooch he'd wanted earlier.]
Can I... can I sleep in your room until they take the trees down...?
[Just in case it happens again. Even if it just was a dream, and he says it's fine, she'd still rather hope it doesn't happen again. Being curled up next to Shuichi will surely ward it off being with anyone else, right?]
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Of course you can. [Briefly, he considers making a joke about the fact that she's actually asking, considering how she's made something of a habit of crawling into bed with him whenever she pleases but...that seems a little tactless. So he gives her hand a squeeze instead.] Though...I would hope they're going to take them down soon, if they're malfunctioning this badly now...
[What is even going on with these fucking trees?]
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Thanks.
[She really didn't think he'd say no, and she would absolutely just come over anyway even still. He gave her access to his room, that's basically a standing invitation as it is!!]
Mmm... I hope so, too.
[There's not even any cute baby pics of Shuichi for her to see. She does shift closer, wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling her nose against his neck.]
I wouldn't mind another dream like that if it was just us, but...
[She sighs quietly against his throat, looking at the wall over his shoulder.]
Do you want to know who it was...?
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[Does he want to know who it was though...that's the question. After a long moment, he shakes his head.]
No. It didn't mean anything and you don't feel that way about him so...it doesn't matter who it was.
[Okay, he's not wholly sure he actually believes that himself but...maybe by saying it out loud he can get that part of him that DOES want to know to shut up. Because it's better not to know...right? It wasn't his fault any more than it was hers. And it has to be someone she's met here whom he doesn't know. So if she tells him, it'll just color his opinion before he has a chance to really get to know the guy. And that's not really fair. So...it's better not to know.]
[Because it can't possibly be Kokichi, right? Surely she would have just said "Oma-kun" from the start, if that were the case. Nah, it's definitely gotta be someone he doesn't know.]
[Maybe that hedgehog guy who hates pianos...]
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She hums quietly, then nods, closing her eyes as she keeps her arms wrapped around him. If he doesn't want to know then... that's fine. Maybe she should text Kokichi and ask him not to tell Shuichi, but that doesn't sound like something she should do. It's Kokichi's own decision what he decides to do, after all.]
Thank you, Saihara-kun.
[He's just... such a good boy. She's stupidly lucky.]
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[So, you know...if she had to have dream sex with somebody other than himself, better that guy than anyone else.]
You don't really need to thank me for anything...
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No, I do... I was really afraid you were going to be angry, or you wouldn't want to be with me anymore.
[Want another kiss? Too bad, he's getting one anyway, a tender, lingering one.]
Can I just... lay here with you, for a while?
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[But definitely not mad at Kaede.]
Mmm...if you roll over on your other side then, yes, you may.
[He wants to spoon. So sue him.]
[And also maybe go back to sleep for another hour or two.]
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You drive a hard bargain, Saihara-kun, [she teases, kissing him one more time before rolling over and scooting back against him. She still can't help but feel a little guilty, but... Shuichi isn't angry. She'll figure out how to look Kokichi in the eye later.
For now, spooning? Spooning.]
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[He presses a quick kiss to the shell of her ear before settling himself more comfortably against her and closing his eyes. It...it doesn't really take him long to nod off again. It never does, when Kaede is next to him. He manages to get in a few more hours of sleep, but only a few. Because unlike Kaede, he DID have a very restful night's sleep, even if she woke him up early from it. So, soon enough, he's waking back up.]
[Now, normally he'd be all too happy to just lay in bed and snuggle with Kaede instead of getting up and doing anything particularly productive. But now that he's awake again...his curiosity and concern over the trees is back again. And he can't just lay there idly while there's a minor crisis like that going no. Especially since there's a chance it could happen to Kaede again or to him. She was upset enough over it happening just once...she doesn't need to go through it a second time.]
[So he gently nudges the pianist awake so that he can tell her where he's going, and ask her if she wants to come with him. To the dome, to investigate the trees. And maybe try and get a word in with whoever's in charge of that whole display. Boy howdy does he have some feedback.]
[But, in the end, she'd rather just keep sleeping. And honestly he can't even blame her. So after getting dressed and giving her a few gentle smooches along with the promise that he wouldn't be gone long, Shuichi heads out the door on his own. His destination? The fantasia dome.]
[Except...he never actually makes it there. Hell, he never even makes it off of their floor, thanks to a certain text message. He said he didn't want to know who Kaede shared her dream fantasy with, but apparently fate had other plans. Because he's finding out anyway.]
[And after one very emotionally turbulent conversation that took just about as long as it would for him to do a preliminary tree investigation, Shuichi is returning to his room. He opens the door and approaches the bed quietly, making sure not to turn on the lights if Kaede has them turned off. He's going to have to wake her, but...you know, he can be polite about it.]
[You still sleeping, girlfriend? Do you mind if he just...sits on the edge of the bed?]
Akamatsu-san...?
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While she was up, she grabbed one of Shuichi's button-down shirts and wrapped it around herself in place of her robe. She's pretty sure he won't mind if she just... wants to sleep in something that smells like him. It's why she doesn't bother going back to her room after he leaves, either. Why would she? Here's where she feels warm and safe.
He hadn't been gone that long, it feels like, when she's gently woken up by the sound of his voice. The door had started to wake her, just a little, because unfortunately her ears are just too good to sleep through something like that, but Shuichi's voice is a comfort. She blinks blearily at him and gives him a sleepy smile, reaching for his hand.]
Mmm... good morning, again.
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