[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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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.]