57 - [video of feet + action]

[blackshadow]

[ The device turns on with a clatter and...purring. ]

—Hey! Cut it out-!

[ And Tyr's very annoyed voice as he tries to shoo away the two long-hair cats that are rubbing against his legs as he stands at the kitchen counter. ]

This isn't even— Sindar!

[ And a second later, another cat is plopped to the floor with the other two. ]

I don't know how Luc put up with you...

[ He finally reaches for his device to click off the feed. And probably get back to making breakfast. ]

Comments

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[X)]

[She scratches Reinbach's ears absently, then straightens up.]

Yeah, but...You'll still miss them.

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~!

:3 ]

Yeah... I was really starting to think that they'd never leave... Or I was hoping Ted wouldn't, anyway...

[negativegate]

[♥~!!]

[She feels for Tyr so much right now. He'd made it pretty clear how much Ted meant to him.]

How long have you known that guy for, anyway?

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~!! ]

...Since I was about twelve. We just...didn't see each other anymore once the war started, and then...

[ He'd almost rather talk about being cute than this. Ted used to tease him about it, too... ]

[negativegate]

[♥~!!]

[Tyr really did know Ted for a long time, then...Rita isn't nosy enough to keep prying, and instead comes closer until their arms can brush together.]

...I'm sorry he left. [She means it, too.] But he could come back again anytime.

[blackshadow]

[♥~!]

[He keeps looking forward, but reaches his hand out to take hers. He doesn't doubt her sincerety.]

I hope he does... Luc came back before, and so did you, so it's not impossible.

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[She squeezes his hand when he does. She doesn't know the probability of Ted coming back, but it's definitely possible.]

Yeah. So just remember that. It's not like you won't see him again.

[...Not that she knows he's dead, either.]

[blackshadow]

[♥~!]

[He squeezes back tightly. He really appreciates her...]

...Right. As long as he comes back here, I'll see him again.

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[It's hard not to notice his word choice there, and she turns her face to him.]

What do you mean, as long as he comes back here?

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~! ]

[ He keeps looking ahead blankly. He can be open to Rita, he thinks, but that doesn't mean he wants to think about it. His voice drops low. ]

He died during the war... When he came here...I was really happy. I hadn't...seen him for years before...

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

He--he what? [Suddenly, Tyr's feelings make even more sense. More horrible sense. Rita doesn't know what she can say to that, when nothing can bring Ted back in his world.] Tyr...

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~! ]

[ Usually he can say that it's better when people go home, but nothing is further from the truth now. The thought makes his stomach knot. He squeezes her hand more tightly, and he wishes there was a way to make things better. Really, really wishes. His throat feels tight when he responds. ]

I miss him...

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[She grips his hand right back, feeling so bad for him. There's no way to go back now, but...It's not fair. Tyr's lost so many people.]

I know... [Saying there's still the possibility Ted could come back to the City feels a little empty right now. She holds his hand in both of hers instead.] I'm sorry, Tyr.

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~! ]

[ He doesn't even know what to say. He's held back his feelings about this for a long time, trying to forget about his world entirely.

But he has Rita with him still, he remembers. It's not as hopeless as it was during the war. ...And he doesn't want her to ever leave him, either. For now, he remains silent and just lets her hold his hand and enjoys how warm she feels. ]

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[She wishes she could make it better for Tyr. All she can think to say, after a few minutes, is-]

I know it's kind of late, but I'm sorry for all that stuff I said about him before.

[It can't bring Ted back to life or back to the City, but it's the only thing she can do for Tyr right now.]

[blackshadow]

[♥~!]

[He shakes his head.]

You don't need to say that... Ted shouldn't have treated you like that either.

...But thanks. [He gives her a small smile. She's a good friend.]

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[She's glad to see Tyr smile a little and doesn't want to ruin it, so she sniffs a little to bite back a reply about Ted being stubborn.]

Yeah, well, we can go over it if he comes back.

[blackshadow]

[♥~!]

[Rita is just as stubborn, Tyr thinks.]

Yeah, whenever he gets back...

Anyway, do you want another plate of curry?

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[Stubborn tsuns...

Rita nods and squeezes his hand again, figuring it's better if they drop the subject of Ted now. There's nothing they can do about him...]

Thanks, I already ate enough. But I liked it. Did you come up with that recipe?

[blackshadow]

[♥~!]

[So stubborn and cute...

He shakes his head. He doesn't want to keep talking about Ted either now.]

Nah, I followed a recipe I found... I can still give you it if you want to try it, though.

[negativegate]

[♥~!]

[Then Tyr fits right in too~

And Rita doesn't want Tyr to keep dwelling on it if they can help it, so her reply is a little more lighthearted.]

I don't need it when I have you to do the cooking, though.

[blackshadow]

[♥~!

It's what makes him cute and tsun~]

[Rita, thankfully, is good at getting him to stop thinking. Even though his chest still aches a little.]

You really want me to come and do the cooking for you from now on?

[negativegate]

[♥~!

Stubbornness is key?!]

[Rita will try to distract him as much as she can...]

Why not? You're pretty good.

[blackshadow]

[ ♥~!

It creates cuteness-! ]

[ He's still smiling for now. Even a little laugh! ]

I guess I could become your private chef if you wanted to hire me...

[negativegate]

[♥~!

It does! :D The fun kind~]

[A laugh! Rita definitely takes that as a good sign, and she smiles back.]

Deal.