Ehh...? [he looks back, partway turned toward the door now that he's set the chair back by the writing desk.] What if...I want more than toast, huh...?
[just sayin, Jun: he's not seen the breadth of your culinary skills.]
Mnh...Well, if it helps you remember things, then...that's fine...
[he doesn't have the energy to refuse back-and-forth, so there's no more arguing from him; he's going to trudge his way to the washroom and fall asleep in the bath.]
[Magnet stands at his side, silent for a beat. sweet, considerate Jun. that's not how you wake Manabu Yuuki up out of a dead sleep.
BARKBARK.]
D'AHH! [muffled splashing and struggling can be heard before:] I-I'll be out inaminute!
[or two. but he'll reappear, cleaner and dressed - a little extra fluffed from accidentally shocking himself in the bath thank you faithful omen who is so helpful at all times.]
[Good. While he does that, Jun takes a wet towel and wipes Magnet down a bit, trying to get most of the stink off of him. He's... not doing a great job, but he's trying.]
[Anyway the noodles are ready - there's veggies to mix in as much as he wants, along with some warm tea that's ready for Manabu. It's not much, but it's at least a hot, filling meal.]
[Jun may just want to throw Magnet in the sink for all the good the towel's doing - at least the antsy little dog is taking the effort like a champ! a fidgety, easily distracted champ, but still.
Manabu comes downstairs and ambles into the kitchen, surprised at the humble but sincere spread. he slowly sits down, leaning over to feel the steam on his face and smell.]
Uoh... It smells...really good, Jun. [and not unfamiliar; wasn't this the same kind of dish he'd made for the kid the first time around, too?]
[He'll try that later, after dishes don't need to be cleaned in it.]
... Um. Thanks.
[He fidgets a little himself before sitting down to eat.]
I figured whatever happened to you, you probably wouldn't want a heavy meal. ... You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to. And we don't have to talk about it now.
[Manabu sets to slurping up noodles with a bit more gusto than he intended; he was really goddamn hungry - more than he realized, given how exhausted he is. it helps, even if everything settling in his stomach all at once feels a bit uneasy, because it's far better than nothing at all.
he hears what Jun says, but the idea of stopping to talk when there's food to be eaten doesn't hit him until that bowl is empty and he's thrown back every drop of broth.
the bowl is set back down with a sigh, and silence fills in for a bit before Manabu actually speaks up again.]
There was some...nightmare. Or, or pocket dimension of sorts. Me and some others...we got dragged in. Dragged in through the ground? Somehow. I don't remember where I was when it happened, so I can't say I know where to avoid...
If you do-- [he folds his hands, elbows propped on the table, and rests his chin against his hands.] If...if you do, there's things you got to do. I'll...have to...lay it all out. Write it down properly. So you know. Just in case. So you're not--
[his brow pinches and his eyes close as his throat clenches really tight, prompting him to swallow.]
[Manabu starts shaking his head even before Jun's done talking, unfolding his hands and resting his head in one while the other rests on the table. Magnet hops out of his towel nest and trots off, up the stairs to retrieve what it is that's so sharply on Manabu's mind and will be back with the omni shortly.]
No, I, we...don't know if you might run into it somehow. So I need to make sure...you have the tools you need. [another swallow and some rapid blinking.] Just in case.
[his hand slips off the table to take the omni when Magnet returns,and he sets to carefully navigating it, searching a few menus. when he finds what he's looking for he goes still and tense to hold off the wave of dismay that's keen on busting through.
keep it together, Yuuki. do this first.
he wipes his face and sets both hands to the task of typing out the steps to that blood-ritual he and Vi had to do, sending that as a text file over to Jun's device, all while a couple errant tears spill out of his good eye. he's trying, man. because he has to.]
[Jun isn't very good with emotions. He's not sure what to do with Manabu's obvious distress. He watches the other for a few moments, letting him type in peace before going over and wiping the other's face with a napkin.]
[He puts a hand on the other's wrist, trying to still it for a moment.]
Manabu. Neither of us is going anywhere at the moment. You can afford to breathe. I know this place is constantly dangerous, but you need to breathe.
[the touch to his face comes as a genuine surprise, and it gives Manabu cause to sit up a bit, blinking rapidly in confusion as he looks over at Jun.
what's he saying? you can afford to breathe? he is! he--
he'd been periodically holding his breath in long spurts, hadn't he? to keep it together.
he swallows again.
thickly:] S'just that. Ryunosuke's handle...is deactivated. [the hand of the captive wrist slowly starts to curl into a fist.] He was there, too. But I--I lost track of him. And now he's...not here. He might still be-- [there] Or... [dead? gone? something. and it's ripping Manabu to pieces. it's one thing for all his loved ones to vanish to the sea without his say, but Ryunosuke was within his reach.]
... People come back here. People... don't stay dead. He'll be back.
[Ugh, this makes him wildly uncomfortable, but he feels like Manabu needs it. Slowly he moves forward and wraps his arms around the other in an incredibly awkward hug. He wouldn't do this for most people but... well. This isn't most circumstances.]
[Manabu's teeth click together as his jaw shuts tight, lips pulled back in a strained grimace as the boy makes his effort to console him.
people do come back, it's true - he's one of them who did! but...historically, none of his people do. Amara's something of a fluke, but that was Amara, and it's been months and months now...
Wu. Mako. Diluc. Childe. Kaeya. James. Ryunosuke.
his head dips into the crook of Jun's little elbow, and his fist uncurls so he can lift it and hang onto his arm, sucking a sharp, pained breath through his teeth and letting it out shakily. there, breathing happens. that's good, right?]
[the comfort is desperately needed, but Manabu can't help but feel a sickening shame for needing it at all. and from a kid who already has far too much on his plate - a kid he's signed himself up to take care of, no less! this is very backward and wrong.
Manabu chokes on a miserable sound before he can catch enough breath to swallow back down on grief, squeezing maybe a bit too tightly before he can exhale and relent, withdrawing and turning his head away. at his feet, Magnet whimpers in solidarity.]
Thank you...for the meal. [a faint nod.] You did good. I'm gonna-- [he hesitates, eyes wincing.] ...Gonna...lie down. For a bit. [because the reality is that he's no good to anyone present or missing if he's an exhausted, hollowed out wreck.]
[Magnet growl-barks his approval and solidarity with the threat, and the protest on Manabu's lips dies before he can utter it, leaving him to exhale with a feeble, defeated laugh.
as he pushes himself up to his feet:] Alright. Just tonight. [and tomorrow - but not really on purpose! he's just...gonna wind up sleeping a lot without meaning to.]
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That was nice of you... I hope...some of those others could help.
[he is quiet for a beat, then starts to push himself up off the chair, sniffing and sighing as he straightens up.]
I'm going to go clean up... Then I can...make something. [...] Dinner? What, what time is it?
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[Sort of? It went fine, mostly.]
Nuh uh. You get cleaned up and then you sit on the couch. I'll make something for you. You're in no state to take care of other people right now.
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[just sayin, Jun: he's not seen the breadth of your culinary skills.]
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[Especially before she got big enough that she could be trusted to use the stove on her own.]
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[he doesn't have the energy to refuse back-and-forth, so there's no more arguing from him; he's going to trudge his way to the washroom and fall asleep in the bath.]
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Please tell me you're alive in there? I'd hate to have to -
[No, he's not smacking people anymore.]
- to have to worry about you.
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BARKBARK.]
D'AHH! [muffled splashing and struggling can be heard before:] I-I'll be out inaminute!
[or two. but he'll reappear, cleaner and dressed - a little extra fluffed from accidentally shocking himself in the bath thank you faithful omen who is so helpful at all times.]
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[Anyway the noodles are ready - there's veggies to mix in as much as he wants, along with some warm tea that's ready for Manabu. It's not much, but it's at least a hot, filling meal.]
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Manabu comes downstairs and ambles into the kitchen, surprised at the humble but sincere spread. he slowly sits down, leaning over to feel the steam on his face and smell.]
Uoh... It smells...really good, Jun. [and not unfamiliar; wasn't this the same kind of dish he'd made for the kid the first time around, too?]
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... Um. Thanks.
[He fidgets a little himself before sitting down to eat.]
I figured whatever happened to you, you probably wouldn't want a heavy meal. ... You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to. And we don't have to talk about it now.
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he hears what Jun says, but the idea of stopping to talk when there's food to be eaten doesn't hit him until that bowl is empty and he's thrown back every drop of broth.
the bowl is set back down with a sigh, and silence fills in for a bit before Manabu actually speaks up again.]
There was some...nightmare. Or, or pocket dimension of sorts. Me and some others...we got dragged in. Dragged in through the ground? Somehow. I don't remember where I was when it happened, so I can't say I know where to avoid...
[a beat.]
Anyone talking about it? On the omnis.
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No, not from what I've heard. I... I'm glad you got out. I don't think I would have known what to even do to get out of something like that.
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[his brow pinches and his eyes close as his throat clenches really tight, prompting him to swallow.]
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[He drops his food and looks at the other in concern.]
... You don't have to tell me anything right now, like I said. Not if you're not up for it.
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No, I, we...don't know if you might run into it somehow. So I need to make sure...you have the tools you need. [another swallow and some rapid blinking.] Just in case.
[his hand slips off the table to take the omni when Magnet returns,and he sets to carefully navigating it, searching a few menus. when he finds what he's looking for he goes still and tense to hold off the wave of dismay that's keen on busting through.
keep it together, Yuuki. do this first.
he wipes his face and sets both hands to the task of typing out the steps to that blood-ritual he and Vi had to do, sending that as a text file over to Jun's device, all while a couple errant tears spill out of his good eye. he's trying, man. because he has to.]
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[He puts a hand on the other's wrist, trying to still it for a moment.]
Manabu. Neither of us is going anywhere at the moment. You can afford to breathe. I know this place is constantly dangerous, but you need to breathe.
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what's he saying? you can afford to breathe? he is! he--
he'd been periodically holding his breath in long spurts, hadn't he? to keep it together.
he swallows again.
thickly:] S'just that. Ryunosuke's handle...is deactivated. [the hand of the captive wrist slowly starts to curl into a fist.] He was there, too. But I--I lost track of him. And now he's...not here. He might still be-- [there] Or... [dead? gone? something. and it's ripping Manabu to pieces. it's one thing for all his loved ones to vanish to the sea without his say, but Ryunosuke was within his reach.]
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[Ugh, this makes him wildly uncomfortable, but he feels like Manabu needs it. Slowly he moves forward and wraps his arms around the other in an incredibly awkward hug. He wouldn't do this for most people but... well. This isn't most circumstances.]
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people do come back, it's true - he's one of them who did! but...historically, none of his people do. Amara's something of a fluke, but that was Amara, and it's been months and months now...
Wu. Mako. Diluc. Childe. Kaeya. James. Ryunosuke.
his head dips into the crook of Jun's little elbow, and his fist uncurls so he can lift it and hang onto his arm, sucking a sharp, pained breath through his teeth and letting it out shakily. there, breathing happens. that's good, right?]
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It'll be okay. There's always a chance, right? ... You're going to be okay. So is he. Things will turn out all right.
[He's not sure how much he really believes what he's saying, but it's what Manabu needs to hear.]
You got free. He will, too.
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Manabu chokes on a miserable sound before he can catch enough breath to swallow back down on grief, squeezing maybe a bit too tightly before he can exhale and relent, withdrawing and turning his head away. at his feet, Magnet whimpers in solidarity.]
Thank you...for the meal. [a faint nod.] You did good. I'm gonna-- [he hesitates, eyes wincing.] ...Gonna...lie down. For a bit. [because the reality is that he's no good to anyone present or missing if he's an exhausted, hollowed out wreck.]
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[He lets go and takes Manabu's bowl away, setting it in the sink before heading back to his own food.]
It's not a suggestion. If you try to argue with me I'll... I'll sit on you until you move.
[It's not a very strong threat, but he doesn't need it to be.]
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as he pushes himself up to his feet:] Alright. Just tonight. [and tomorrow - but not really on purpose! he's just...gonna wind up sleeping a lot without meaning to.]
Go over those notes. About the ritual. Okay?
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I will. ... Go to sleep, Manabu. ... Good night.
[He's got his own things to wrestle with in the night, but he'll at least get some sleep.]