[ When he’s in trouble, his eyes tend to slide away - but never with Mika. Mika’s so beautiful to him, even now, the flame of his anger dazzling. Ginger couldn’t look away if he tried. ]

I understand. I know. I knew - that’s why -

[ But he can tell this is starting to spiral into something worse than anger - the candle’s tip flickering erratically against a strong wind that smells of anxiety, fear. They’re both always so weak to these things, so he knows - ]

Mika. [ He reaches out for his hand, the one wearing the ring, and doesn’t wait for permission. ] We don’t need to find it. We don’t. I would have told you, if that was a risk - and I wouldn’t have let you give it to Ahito.

The blood wasn’t for the bracelet. It doesn’t have my blood on it - it can’t be used against me.

[ Right now he has no right to ask for faith, but his expression still begs believe me, please. Believe him enough to know he didn’t go through with the original proposal because he knew if he had, Mika would be worse than upset. He’s willing, but he wouldn’t. ]