[ Defeated so easily at his own game...! Momo groans under his breath, stewing over his teaspoon of embarrassment and tablespoon of amusement. ]
It did!!! You have to warn me before you do something like that, so I can calm myself and hit you with a cool response, too...!! My heart nearly stopped!!
[ Maya blinks, then glances over at the animals. For just a second, something darkens her eyes, a glimpse of sorrow-- but then she smiles. Maybe not as strongly, but still. ]
I said goodbye to an old friend and it kind of made me nostalgic, so I thought I'd try a fresh start.
[ There it is, that blink-and-you'll-miss-it waver. Momo identifies it for what it is because he does the exact same thing when certain topics are broached; he doesn't call attention to it yet, because he's capable of treading lightly when he needs to.
This is a good time for him to hold out his hand, and to let Maya do a second coat. This time, he cheats a little: his pinky curls just enough that it semi-wraps along one of Maya's fingers.
(it's okay.) ]
Ah... it's always more fun to say "hello" than "goodbye".
[ Subtle. Honestly, it's a subtlety that surprises her, because the Momo she's been interacting with is loud and cheerful, harmlessly flirtatious. And this could also be harmless flirting, but much in the way that Momo seems to have realized that this was a painful topic, Maya realizes that it's a comforting gesture instead.
Something like support, and after a few seconds, she chooses not to comment on it and lets her finger bend towards his a little more while she works on the second coat. ]
I wouldn't call it bad. I think it was something I should have done a long time ago.
[ Back when it had first returned to her. Back when she wished it could have protected the one person who had been the biggest part of her world, when it was a tiny weight in her hands that could never replace the growing hole inside of her. ]
But we'll never meet again. I wasn't the one he needed to be with, in the end.
[ Momo's missing context. For one, he doesn't know that Maya is talking about a bunny— she really could be talking about a person, for all he knows. But if what she's making as replacements are stuffed animals, he figures that she had to let go of something, not someone.
Not that that miraculously makes things any better. Even worse is the reality that his hands are metaphorically tied; he can't do anything tactile with wet polish settling on his nails. Frustrating. ]
You think so?
[ A low hum. He doesn't want to assume, but he doesn't want to stay silent, either. ]
Even if you two can't be together anymore, I hope he remembers all the things about you that made him smile.
[ Maybe this was her plan all along. Maya's methods of comfort tended to be hugging people tightly until they just caved and accepted it, and she's certainly not speeding through the process of Momo's nails, as though she's consciously holding him at bay.
Still, she does slip her finger free after a moment in order to move on to his other hand. Nice and steady. She's fine. ]
He was a gift. [ Maya clarifies, eventually. At this point, it's been years-- she can talk about it, probably.
Even though it takes an effort to speak calmly about it. ]
For someone important. In the end, he came back to me, even if that person didn't. [ couldn't. Maya laughs, lightly. ]
But we did have a good time together, all these years! I'm grateful.
[ For someone so loud, Momo's a good listener: he employs his silence with all the patience of someone who's tread over landmines before and walked out with all his limbs intact.
The one thing that Momo isn't good at is toggling his empathy on and off. It eats at him, to know that Maya had to say goodbye to someone who she cared for; doubly so if it wasn't her choice to do so, if her hands were as tied as his are right now.
His expression doesn't sink from warm-neutral, but he can't help himself. His shoulders pitch forward, tipping his weight just enough that he can bump Maya's shoulder with his forehead. Like an insistent dog. ]
—Still. It always feels like the end of the world, doesn't it? When you think about having to lose someone. [ Momo settles for a second, eyes closed, before he pulls back up. ] I'm sorry.
[ Leave it to Momo to find a way to make that contact happen. She almost feels bad for underestimating him.
But he's not wrong. Maybe because - and she wonders if - he understands. Maya had been so young back then, when she'd had to accept the fact that her father was never coming home. That his life had been cut short because of his dream and that, even knowing that, he probably hadn't regretted a single thing. Even if it had meant leaving his family behind.
And to think, she'd thought she'd gotten used to that. That she was fine. That she was older and stronger and she could protect the bonds she'd formed and found again.
Maya does't say anything until she's finished his second hand, relinquishing it back to him as she twists the lid back on the bottle deftly and sets it to the side. That accomplished, she reaches out to ruffle his hair. Sure, he's older, but it's habit. ]
You don't have to be, but thank you. At this point, I'm something like a pro at it.
[ Her smile's a little pained, but she's trying. ]
[ What is it that people say again, about bright people and the long shadows they cast behind them? It's always trite to think about it in those terms; the reality of things is never that cut-and-dry.
Maya's fingers in his hair and the subsequent half-smile twists Momo's lungs in the cage of his ribs, because her modus operandi is his modus operandi. It's easy for him to identify, and even harder for him to chastise— still, her admission that she's gotten used to the idea of loss feels like muted devastation.
But he smiles, because Maya has the strength to smile. Even if it's misplaced, he has to give her credit. ]
—Don't get too used to things like that. The worst thing that could happen is forgetting to let yourself know when things hurt you.
[ He nudges his knee against her leg, punctuating his point with a gentle reminder that she's not alone. ]
For every time you have to say goodbye, you gotta let someone say hello to you, too. Yeah?
[ She's lucky, really. Tatsuya had it even harder, struggling to set things right in a world that no longer knew what he did until Maya's own memories had awakened. Here, she's finding that there are people who have dealt with worse, and can still reach out to others.
It would be nice if it did hurt a little less, she thinks, saying goodbye and stepping back from loss-- but that probably won't ever be the case, so Momo doesn't need to be concerned about that. ]
Mm, you're right.
[ The reminder helps, too, and she lowers her hand to let it fall back to her side. ]
Maybe at some point, the goodbyes will be only temporary.
[ Hurting, in Momo's opinion, is fine— it's only when people start to lose sight of their value as a consequence of their hurt that he starts to worry.
(He really wishes that he'd thought to get fast-dry polish before he ended up in Chroma. You'd really think he would have.) ]
Haha, come on— you're you. Even Momo-chan can't bear to be apart from diligent dreamboat Maya-san for too long!
[ Overblown, overtheatrical, but sincere. Momo laughs, but it's more of an exhale than an indication that he finds anything about this to be amusing. ]
[ Momo peeks at his nails; even despite all of this, Maya still managed to keep everything between the proverbial lines. Neat and crisp.
Momo's brows lower a little. The unspoken sentiment is what am I gonna do with you? ]
Don't worry about it! You should talk about whatever you want, whenever you want. It's like how you need to cough when you catch a cold, or you gotta blow your nose when you're stuffed up.
[ ??? ok momo ]
Besides, now I have an excuse to say hello more often. ♪ [ A light hum, as he blows on his nails again. ] More ammunition in Momo-chan's arsenal!
[ Just don't ask her for fashion advice, Momo. Ever. ]
I don't think I need you being more dangerous. [ wry, as she lifts her eyebrows. He's sure got a way with words, but it's weirdly endearing. Maybe an idol thing? ]
But challenge accepted. I'll just have to say hello even more than that!
[ Listen, who's the one with the froSTED TIPS HERE...
He literally can't believe Maya is entering the sunshine competition with him, but you know what, he totally can. It's a little conflicting, given that he wants her to Rest... ]
The battle of the hellos...! That's the only kind of war I wanna wage.
[ Otherwise, it's all about the love and peace. Here's a wink, for Maya's trouble. ] —Mind if I ask you for one more big favor, though?
[ Maya has to grin, frown lapsing pretty much immediately-- but she reaches for the bottle again to lift the brush out. Then, she scoops up the newly-dubbed Pyonkichi and with a few swift flicks, draws little lines of polish on his paws. ]
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[ why is Momo so Momo, we just don't know. She's still grinning, quietly amused as she shifts over to his other hand. ]
Did that make your heart flutter, Momo? I'm pretty smooth when I want to be!
[ Maya, no. You weren't trying. Stop. ]
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It did!!! You have to warn me before you do something like that, so I can calm myself and hit you with a cool response, too...!! My heart nearly stopped!!
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[ Right up there with "get involved with stopping cults" and "cause many a shenanigan." ]
You'll just have to train for the unexpected!
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[ Weak. He brandishes the hand Maya finished with the first coat of nail polish, blowing over his red-tipped nails with a few puffs. ]
Or maybe you should keep going, so I can get stronger and build resilience ☆
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[ And second hand done, but she's going to wait a minute for his nails to dry before Round Two. ]
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[ A hum, and he blows on his nails again. ]
—What are the cute animals for, by the way? Gonna have a tea party, later?
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[ Maya blinks, then glances over at the animals. For just a second, something darkens her eyes, a glimpse of sorrow-- but then she smiles. Maybe not as strongly, but still. ]
I said goodbye to an old friend and it kind of made me nostalgic, so I thought I'd try a fresh start.
[ the abridged version. ]
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This is a good time for him to hold out his hand, and to let Maya do a second coat. This time, he cheats a little: his pinky curls just enough that it semi-wraps along one of Maya's fingers.
(it's okay.) ]
Ah... it's always more fun to say "hello" than "goodbye".
—Was it a bad goodbye?
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Something like support, and after a few seconds, she chooses not to comment on it and lets her finger bend towards his a little more while she works on the second coat. ]
I wouldn't call it bad. I think it was something I should have done a long time ago.
[ Back when it had first returned to her. Back when she wished it could have protected the one person who had been the biggest part of her world, when it was a tiny weight in her hands that could never replace the growing hole inside of her. ]
But we'll never meet again. I wasn't the one he needed to be with, in the end.
[ This is still a bunny and not a bad break-up. ]
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Not that that miraculously makes things any better. Even worse is the reality that his hands are metaphorically tied; he can't do anything tactile with wet polish settling on his nails. Frustrating. ]
You think so?
[ A low hum. He doesn't want to assume, but he doesn't want to stay silent, either. ]
Even if you two can't be together anymore, I hope he remembers all the things about you that made him smile.
[ And vice versa. ]
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Still, she does slip her finger free after a moment in order to move on to his other hand. Nice and steady. She's fine. ]
He was a gift. [ Maya clarifies, eventually. At this point, it's been years-- she can talk about it, probably.
Even though it takes an effort to speak calmly about it. ]
For someone important. In the end, he came back to me, even if that person didn't. [ couldn't. Maya laughs, lightly. ]
But we did have a good time together, all these years! I'm grateful.
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The one thing that Momo isn't good at is toggling his empathy on and off. It eats at him, to know that Maya had to say goodbye to someone who she cared for; doubly so if it wasn't her choice to do so, if her hands were as tied as his are right now.
His expression doesn't sink from warm-neutral, but he can't help himself. His shoulders pitch forward, tipping his weight just enough that he can bump Maya's shoulder with his forehead. Like an insistent dog. ]
—Still. It always feels like the end of the world, doesn't it? When you think about having to lose someone. [ Momo settles for a second, eyes closed, before he pulls back up. ] I'm sorry.
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But he's not wrong. Maybe because - and she wonders if - he understands. Maya had been so young back then, when she'd had to accept the fact that her father was never coming home. That his life had been cut short because of his dream and that, even knowing that, he probably hadn't regretted a single thing. Even if it had meant leaving his family behind.
And to think, she'd thought she'd gotten used to that. That she was fine. That she was older and stronger and she could protect the bonds she'd formed and found again.
Maya does't say anything until she's finished his second hand, relinquishing it back to him as she twists the lid back on the bottle deftly and sets it to the side. That accomplished, she reaches out to ruffle his hair. Sure, he's older, but it's habit. ]
You don't have to be, but thank you. At this point, I'm something like a pro at it.
[ Her smile's a little pained, but she's trying. ]
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Maya's fingers in his hair and the subsequent half-smile twists Momo's lungs in the cage of his ribs, because her modus operandi is his modus operandi. It's easy for him to identify, and even harder for him to chastise— still, her admission that she's gotten used to the idea of loss feels like muted devastation.
But he smiles, because Maya has the strength to smile. Even if it's misplaced, he has to give her credit. ]
—Don't get too used to things like that. The worst thing that could happen is forgetting to let yourself know when things hurt you.
[ He nudges his knee against her leg, punctuating his point with a gentle reminder that she's not alone. ]
For every time you have to say goodbye, you gotta let someone say hello to you, too. Yeah?
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It would be nice if it did hurt a little less, she thinks, saying goodbye and stepping back from loss-- but that probably won't ever be the case, so Momo doesn't need to be concerned about that. ]
Mm, you're right.
[ The reminder helps, too, and she lowers her hand to let it fall back to her side. ]
Maybe at some point, the goodbyes will be only temporary.
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(He really wishes that he'd thought to get fast-dry polish before he ended up in Chroma. You'd really think he would have.) ]
Haha, come on— you're you. Even Momo-chan can't bear to be apart from diligent dreamboat Maya-san for too long!
[ Overblown, overtheatrical, but sincere. Momo laughs, but it's more of an exhale than an indication that he finds anything about this to be amusing. ]
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Maya's own laugh is pretty similar, more shaky noise than humor, but she's touched. ]
Diligent dreamboat, huh? It's got a nice ring to it.
... I'm sorry, though. This wasn't really what you expected to talk about today, I bet.
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Momo's brows lower a little. The unspoken sentiment is what am I gonna do with you? ]
Don't worry about it! You should talk about whatever you want, whenever you want. It's like how you need to cough when you catch a cold, or you gotta blow your nose when you're stuffed up.
[ ??? ok momo ]
Besides, now I have an excuse to say hello more often. ♪ [ A light hum, as he blows on his nails again. ] More ammunition in Momo-chan's arsenal!
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I don't think I need you being more dangerous. [ wry, as she lifts her eyebrows. He's sure got a way with words, but it's weirdly endearing. Maybe an idol thing? ]
But challenge accepted. I'll just have to say hello even more than that!
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He literally can't believe Maya is entering the sunshine competition with him, but you know what, he totally can. It's a little conflicting, given that he wants her to Rest... ]
The battle of the hellos...! That's the only kind of war I wanna wage.
[ Otherwise, it's all about the love and peace. Here's a wink, for Maya's trouble. ] —Mind if I ask you for one more big favor, though?
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But thanks for the wink that she didn't want or need! Casually, both eyebrows arch slightly, and she tilts her head. ]
Ask away.
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But, anyway— ] Mind if I take one of the animal buddies you're making? For keeps.
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[ Maya??? And she's frowning fiercely??
Except then she sighs and gives her head a quick shake. ]
I was going to give one to you anyway, but they're not done yet, so you'll have to wait. Even though you already beat me to asking.
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—I can pretend I didn't ask! Grandpa Momo's memory isn't what it used to be...
[ An exaggerated sound of half-confusion. ] Huh? Did I just say something? I can't remember at all... oh well.
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There. I've put your claim on him.
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