You know, it sounds like you. [Very, very lightly teasing.] I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve heard you before, but this sort of… all lowercase, with the short messages. It works.
[She pauses, taking a couple bites of her own, before answering the question. This might be one of the first times the topic hasn’t felt incredibly loaded.]
I have Luz. Whether I like it or not.... [It’s fond, though. Aubrey really has to wonder what kind of person gets yelled at like that and sticks around anyway. Sunny and Kel came back, apparently, but that’s different…]
It’s been a little while, but— Oh, I should show you the new bat. And the sword. [She gestures with the empty fork, a little “just you wait” motion.] Wolf guy, Eren, got me that one. I think we’re friends, too.
[At this Aubrey’s face lights up, vaguely mischievous.] Yeah? I’ve been training with iiit… pretty much every day. Haven’t had to really use it yet, but. [Absent wave of the fork.] If I need to, it’s good to have.
[She swings it loosely in Sunny’s direction. Reminding him there are monsters here might be dangerous, but considering how they ran into each other out here…] I can defend you better now.
[It all seems like a joke to him, and that's just how it should be. He likes the feeling of joking with Aubrey again. Taking his eggy fork, he (almost, but not quite) taps each shoulder, then the top of her head. He bows his, regal and reverent. A laugh buzzes in his chest, even if it doesn't quite make it out. That tiny smile endures, though.]
[She bows her head when he does, and doesn’t look up until his pledge is complete. There’s already a laugh in her chest, and when she sees that tiny smile again, it comes out in a soft, borderline-giggling sound. When was the last time she sounded like this? When did Sunny last smile like that?]
I won’t let you down, my liege. [Anything for that smile.] Neither monster nor man shall contest us.
[It works!] Nor man-eating monster, or… monster-eating man? [Okay, not funny to some people out here, but this is between Sunny and Aubrey.]
Really, though… [She sets the fork down, then crosses an actual hand over her heart.] No matter what this place throws at us… I’m keeping my promise, and I want to keep you safe. Don’t…
[Don’t pay attention to anything I say to the contrary. I don’t want this place to force it out. Which means it probably will…]
Don’t doubt that. Okay?
he (eren jaeger) did the mash (rumbling) he did the monster (eren jaeger) mash (rumbling)
[Sunny's smile fades. He nods, staring down at his lap. His own hand folds over his heart, mirroring Aubrey's, but it's more a subconscious thing. The last two times, he pulled her hand there with his. His fingers squeeze around nothing.]
[She sort of figured that might kill the smile. It stings to see it go, but this felt… right, to bring up, then. Important. Watching Sunny mirror her hand is significant in its own way, much as the curl of his fingers tugs at her heart.
[Sunny looks ashamed. His head hangs lower. He nods.
[He wants to keep her safe, but he knows that he can't promise that anymore. He's hurt her so many times - with his own hands, or with his callous panic...
Look… I would’ve kicked me out, too. [Shame has Aubrey shrinking down, glancing away. But she forces herself to refocus on Sunny.] You don’t… need to be sorry for anything.
Edited (would it be a normal thread if I never accidentally a line) 2024-04-10 04:23 (UTC)
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no subject
[He never was the biggest eater. But it’s not lost on Aubrey that he’s leaving his breakfast at three bites; that seems new.]
I guess it is.... I feel like you miss a lot, though. Tone and stuff.
[Small shrug. She’s not judging too much; as long as he’s talking with someone, somehow. Charlene would probably be the same way.]
By the way, ah. You gonna finish that? [The food.]
no subject
at tone
anyway
[He glances at the eggs. Aubrey worked hard to make them, so he takes another bite. They're cold now...but not bad.]
you have
good friends too?
[He's wondered...worried that she might be alone.]
no subject
You know, it sounds like you. [Very, very lightly teasing.] I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve heard you before, but this sort of… all lowercase, with the short messages. It works.
[She pauses, taking a couple bites of her own, before answering the question. This might be one of the first times the topic hasn’t felt incredibly loaded.]
I have Luz. Whether I like it or not.... [It’s fond, though. Aubrey really has to wonder what kind of person gets yelled at like that and sticks around anyway. Sunny and Kel came back, apparently, but that’s different…]
It’s been a little while, but— Oh, I should show you the new bat. And the sword. [She gestures with the empty fork, a little “just you wait” motion.] Wolf guy, Eren, got me that one. I think we’re friends, too.
no subject
ive seen u
practicing
🗡️
no subject
[At this Aubrey’s face lights up, vaguely mischievous.] Yeah? I’ve been training with iiit… pretty much every day. Haven’t had to really use it yet, but. [Absent wave of the fork.] If I need to, it’s good to have.
[She swings it loosely in Sunny’s direction. Reminding him there are monsters here might be dangerous, but considering how they ran into each other out here…] I can defend you better now.
holy crap
ur going to
defend my honor?
no subject
Honor?
[She takes the fork in both hands, holding it upright like a real knight. Or at least like knights in picture books.]
Hell yeah, I’ll defend your honor. I pledge my sword to thee, Sunny [insert surname here].
[And god help her, the knight schtick may be a joke, but protecting him is a vow she will keep.]
no subject
I do...hereby...knight thee.
no subject
[She bows her head when he does, and doesn’t look up until his pledge is complete. There’s already a laugh in her chest, and when she sees that tiny smile again, it comes out in a soft, borderline-giggling sound. When was the last time she sounded like this? When did Sunny last smile like that?]
I won’t let you down, my liege. [Anything for that smile.] Neither monster nor man shall contest us.
no subject
eren jaeger: guess i’ll go fuck myself—
[It works!] Nor man-eating monster, or… monster-eating man? [Okay, not funny to some people out here, but this is between Sunny and Aubrey.]
Really, though… [She sets the fork down, then crosses an actual hand over her heart.] No matter what this place throws at us… I’m keeping my promise, and I want to keep you safe. Don’t…
[Don’t pay attention to anything I say to the contrary. I don’t want this place to force it out. Which means it probably will…]
Don’t doubt that. Okay?
he (eren jaeger) did the mash (rumbling) he did the monster (eren jaeger) mash (rumbling)
I kicked you out...
[Even for Sunny, it's a quiet voice.]
I'm sorry.
smash… :pensive:
[She sort of figured that might kill the smile. It stings to see it go, but this felt… right, to bring up, then. Important. Watching Sunny mirror her hand is significant in its own way, much as the curl of his fingers tugs at her heart.
[Then he speaks.]
You’re… [Aubrey’s own voice is quiet, searching.]
For that?
no subject
[He wants to keep her safe, but he knows that he can't promise that anymore. He's hurt her so many times - with his own hands, or with his callous panic...
[He couldn't protect anyone if he tried.]
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[Gently, she slips her hand back towards his.]
I wasn’t even thinking of that…
[This could get very, very dangerous.]
Look… I would’ve kicked me out, too. [Shame has Aubrey shrinking down, glancing away. But she forces herself to refocus on Sunny.] You don’t… need to be sorry for anything.
no subject
There were monsters...
[She could...have died...]
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There were, and we made it out fine. [She squeezes back, steady.] I shouldn’t have left you. We could’ve stayed together, and…
[He doesn’t want to hear how goddamn sorry you are.]
…We can now. We will. That’s what matters.
no subject
[They promised. He can feel the pressure on his pinky. It's just a stupid finger, easily broken. It matters all the same.
[It matters a lot.
[He nods, and brings up his other hand to rest over hers. They both squeeze down.]
Okay...
no subject
[She smiles. It’s soft and hurting and, just maybe… hopeful.]
Okay.