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[ It looks horrible. The scarring has stopped bleeding and closed, but it doesn't look very old - three weeks tops, which would place it during the last mission that had just ended. Perditon's Rest, a fire. Enough to give her a dull pain in her heart as empathy, but that's hardly the important thing right now. ]

Julius...

[ Her touch on his back is soft and gentle, as if she was afraid of hurting him - which is very true.

Not for the first time she feels utterly incompetent. ]

Reika?

[Julius keeps his head down, sensing her touch on his back. Her hand is warm and kind. It's difficult for him to find the appropriate words for this situation. There isn't anything left for him to say. This was his fault, really.

She shouldn't have to feel guilty over it.]

[ Words are difficult. It's something she's struggled with since young; their family didn't speak much but it was necessary for interacting with other people. She has difficulty untangling her own feelings even now - grief, tentative hope and its accompanying uncertainty. ]

... I'm sorry. I was too harsh.

[ He's been in pain for a year and she sometimes forgets that. It's so easy to just expect the old Julius from him. ]

Apology accepted. [He puts his shirt back on and buttons it together.]

I wasn't the only one hurt, you know. There were others who were in worse condition.

Sometimes I consider myself fortunate.

[ That's not the point!!

At least, that's what she wants to say; but she reins herself in. She's hurt too and would only make the situation worse. His words sting even though she knows it's not intentional. Hopefully.

It's going to be a lot more difficult than she anticipated, so she simply keeps her silence both as a sign of concession and because she doesn't know what to say. ]

[He's usually the silent type so he's not going to complain at quiet. Julius frowns in regret. There's fear in his eyes. There's no way for him to undo the past, but it doesn't make this any less awkward. Reika apologized, so why does he feel uncertain of his emotions?

While they're quiet he's sorting out his thoughts.]

[ Thinking back on what she's done, it feels like she definitely was a little impulsive - but at the same time she can't ignore her own prior experience. He looks like he's falling apart and the thought of losing her brings her more fear than anything else. It was six months last time, now a year. How long more would they be kept apart? Two, three years? That's far too long.

At least, she thinks it's something he can understand. Hopefully. ]

Julius... I'm sorry. [ Her voice is soft, uncertain. ] I went ahead of myself. But... I don't want you to get hurt. That's my only wish. I can't lose you again.

[ Not like this. ]

I want to help you. But I'm not sure how...

We'll figure out a way. You always have. [His tone is back to the supportive one he always used to use.]

I can't promise you that I'll stay out of danger. That's impossible.

[ Good, his voice has settled. She can feel the weight in her heart drop, but not by much. ]

I wouldn't expect you to, either. [ He isn't the sort to just sit idle when someone needs help. ] Please, let me accompany you. I want to be there for you when you need it.

[ Two people in a sticky situation is better than him going alone. ]

Of course. I will allow you to accompany me. It'll be just like our days in Blood, right?

[She'll be staying with him just like always. Julius still trusts Reika and doesn't mind it. What he does mind is discussing his feelings in a way that makes him uncomfortable.]

Yes...

[ That's much better. She'll have to learn to watch herself more from now on. ]

Is there a kitchen around here? I can make dinner for us.

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