[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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[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.]