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[viscontree]

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network username: julius

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[p66]

[ That's a question easy enough to answer. ]

Yes...

[ But it seems like he probably won't get it until she spells it out for him. ]

Um... this may be kind of sudden, but [ deep breath ] Julius... I really like you.

{ #anticlimatic ]

[viscontree]

You're right, it is sudden. May I have a moment to myself?

I need to think. [He doesn't want to suddenly say something that would distress her. Julius wants to find a way to state his feelings properly. ]

[p66]

[ Ah.

Well, even if he rejected her, she's fine as long as they can stay together. ]

Okay... sorry.

[viscontree]

Don't apologize, I'm simply not sure what to do in this situation.

When someone likes you is it appropriate to say you like them back?

[He's a mess.]

[p66]

[ WHY IS HE ASKING HER THIS QUESTION ]

Only if you... do like them back. Um, even if you don't, I don't mind...

[viscontree]

Then I'll say that I like you in return. I'm sorry, I'm not used to this.

[how awkward]

[p66]

[ Oh....

Instead of replying she moves to hug him, burying her face in his shirt so he doesn't see her cry. It's all very sudden, the way her vision blurs, so sudden that her first instinct is to hide it before her reputation is compromised - but then she realizes what exactly she has done, and it probably just worsens the problem.

Not that it's for immediate consideration, though. He's warm and smells nice; it takes up most of her focus. ]

[viscontree]

Reika?

[He isn't sure what to do again. Julius is really confused, all he can do is return the gesture.

He wonders if Reika's okay. ]

[p66]

[ She's emotional, more than anything else; and her standard procedure of dealing with unnecessary emotions is to hold them in until she's able to be alone. But she's not alone here, and she trusts him especially after what he said to her.

It'll be a while before she speaks, though. ]

I missed you so much...

[ Her voice is muffled but still audible. ]

[viscontree]

[He missed her too. It's been over a year since he last heard voice. Julius frowns after hearing her words. There isn't much he can do for her now.

Would patting her on the head help?]

[p66]

[ He's affectionate, unusually so, and it's something she appreciates. She calms down a little, enough to still her trembling frame.

She's content to just stay like this. ]

[viscontree]

[He doesn't really get what's going on but Reika's happy.

That's enough for him. It eventually becomes too awkward for him to remain still so he pulls away.]

[p66]

[ She can understand why he breaks contact after a while, but it restores the awkward silence between them and the room feels a lot colder without his warmth. Yet she doesn't know what to say, so she keeps the silence, unable to look ar him straight.

There's probably a lot she could have said, but words aren't coherent right now and maybe it's best to stay quiet. ]

[viscontree]

[He's quiet too for a while. Julius minds his own business, but stays close enough to Reika. It's awkward since no one's saying anything.

Is it going to continue on like this?]

[p66]

[ After a while she finally works up the courage to say something. ]

Julius...? Can you come here for a bit?

[ They've done some work in the meantime so she figures it's safe to ask. ]

Um... can I hold your hand?

[viscontree]

[He comes over hesitantly.]

Ah, of course. How's this?

[His movement is stiff, but he offers her his hand because she asked for it. Julius still feels somewhat strange.]

[p66]

Thank you...

[ His hand is warm and his skin smooth. It feels nice.

At least she's smiling now, even if it's a bit awkward. ]

[viscontree]

[He can't look at her directly. If he stays like that it should be fine.

Julius continues to read through his book attempting to keep that position.]

[p66]

[ After a while she lets go, but only to retrieve her own book to read. Since she needs both hands to organize her notes, she'll compensate for that by leaning against him a little.

Does he mind? ]

[viscontree]

[He doesn't mind, it's just hard to make eye contact like this. Julius has never been the social type to begin with.

Words aren't really needed to express how strange he feels. Since he isn't rejecting her right away, it looks like he's fine with it.]

[p66]

[ They'll probably stay like this for a long time. But she's okay with that. Any excuse to stay together is a good one. ]