purrtagonist | [empatheias ic contact]

[he pauses, then asks, totally casually at not fishing at all (he's fishing)]

Which name did you give her?

[somehow, he manages to ask that without a teasing lilt to his words. possibly because the next part of the conversation is a bit more serious than Makoto's taste in romantic partners]

I hope it doesn't last as long as Haru. . . that was kind of miserable. [having to constantly worry about if Haru would return at all for months at a time sucked] I wonder if there's any reason some people get turned into crystal while others don't?

[...

...!?

you need to approach this subject carefully. it will take a good deal of skill to manage this.

...

you sense that you have the Charm and the Guts to enter this conversation without raising awareness!]

Um ... Futaba?

[the lack of teasing helps]

Haru wanted to know if I'd started dating anyone "cute" while she was crystallized. It sort of snowballed from there.

[at least that is a good lead in to The Sae Problem]

I hope so, too. I don't understand why it happens in the first place, but it doesn't seem that anyone truly understands that. It's even worse to have them happening one after another.

[OH NO]

[OH NO]

[that's actually really cute, and also, just as suspected. but he doesn't tease, he doesn't judge, and he doesn't make fun. he knows Makoto is probably a bit more awkward about this sort of thing than, say, Ryuji]

Futaba's pretty great, isn't she? [although he says that from the perspective of an older brother] Your secret's safe with me. Unless you want me to tell her.

[d'oh]

[but back to more serious things--]

I wish we could figure out why it happens, so we could actively stop it. Especially if it keeps being a problem like this.

[who are you to Oh no, president and CEO of Bisexuals"R"Us]

Well, yes, of course I know that. I've even told her that. But I think that's plenty... at least for now ...

[wait what]

It would be nice to know why. And to know if and when their status will change back.

[LOOK CAN'T HE JUST BE HAPPY HIS FRIENDS LIKE EACH OTHER. . .]

"For now?"

[he caught that]

Yeah, it would be. But until we figure that out. . . [. . .] Have you tried leaving her gifts for when she wakes up?

[there is being happy and there is asking about butts in a team meeting]

Yes? What about it?

[curses]

It would be nice ... And, no? I haven't left anything for her. I think if she woke up surrounded by strange things, she might be more upset.

"For now" usually turns into "eventually." Am I right?

[he asks so casually!! like this isn't a bit of juicy gossip he's hearing]

Haru was pretty happy to wake up next to a bunch of flowers. . .

What kind of eventuality are you looking for ...

[help this is Haru 2.0]

Yes, but Haru likes flowers? And being surrounded by them would be a comfort, not a concern.

Me? I'm not looking for anything. This is about you and Futaba.

[he won't rush her!!]

I guess your sister doesn't really strike me as a flower lover, huh.

So why even say that?

[elp]

She's not opposed to them by any means, but she's very different from Haru.

Because I want you and Futaba to be happy, that's why.

[he's seen the way Futaba's look at Makoto. clung to her in times of danger and distress. curled up against her for both safety and casual comfort]

[he has a feeling Makoto's feelings aren't so one-sided]

What sort of things does your sister like?

[asking for a friend]

It's really more of a non-issue...

[it's not a secret that Futaba likes girls and looking at girls but that doesn't mean just being a girl means she is Futaba's Type]

Besides work, you mean? Coffee, but that isn't really something to lay around. She kickboxes, but that's not exactly tangible.

Why is it a non-issue?

[still!! gently!! prying!!]

No, you're right. None of those are really good gifts to leave out for someone who is currently a crystal statue.

I'm sure you've noticed, but we have a lot going on at the moment.

[thievery, mementos, emotions, arehtei, stealing a dang centuries old legendary heart, part-time work, handling Akechi, dealing with statue after statue after statue... romance later, low key anxiety now]

Right. I've been going over there every day, but I don't do much. I've kept it tidy, anyway.

[. . . well okay, he feels that low-key anxiety, considering he's been in a state of Stress for a while himself. WHY DO YOU THINK HE'S TAKING A VACATION]

Sounds like you should've accompanied me'n Futaba to the surface.

[annnd he leaves it there. only because when he hangs up? he's doing this]

. . . here's to hoping she wakes up soon. For your sanity, at least.

[because our friends are lovely, wonderful, beautiful people, but if even one more of them becomes a statue or is sick or an acquaintance dies terribly the stress WILL fuel verens' first nuclear power plant]

I couldn't, you know that. I want to be around when my sister comes to.

[thanks... friendo... ]

Thanks, though. I appreciate it.

[C O R R E C T]

Yeah. I know.

I'll make sure to bring you back a souvenir. [. . .] And if you need anything while I'm gone, you know you can always call. Right?

With any luck, those of us here can handle things. But I will, if I need to.

[Narukami will vouch, just wait for it]

With any luck, there won't be anything for you guys to handle.

[please no more AU shenanigans or emotions going haywire or people dying thanks to DOORBELLS]

Please don't jinx it now.

. . .

Crap. Can I take that back.

[HE DOESN'T WANT TO JINX ANYTHING]

[at least! it makes! her smile!! possibly the first tension free one in days]

Don't worry, we'll be fine. We have plenty of backup.

[good!! then this interaction has been a success]

Of course. And I trust you guys, anyway. You're all pretty tough.

We've had a bit of practice getting there.

Yeah.

[his response is a bit somber, because that reminds him of each and everything thing his friends had gone through to get to the point they're at now]

That's why we all deserve a vacation, honestly.

[empatheias ic contact]

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