lunaecalamitas | this day should be for me

[ khun's standing next to tatara, living his best protective bf life. ]

If that guy doesn't have reinforcements, the damage so far seems to be fairly minimal. Property aside, obviously.

[ though that makes him Sus. ]

[ ...awkward. Should he say anything to Khun now that he's here? Should they just ignore one another? Crap, now he's just staring at him uncertainly. Look somewhere else! At Tatara! Yeah, that's fine, he can look there, and so he does. ]

[ obviously he notices, and even if he didn't, he'd notice someone looking at tatara anyway. ]

What?

[ Excuse him, he's allowed to look at Tatara? ]

Huh? [ Though that does bring his gaze back to Khun. ] I didn't say anything.

[ well yes, but anyone who does that is Perceived. ]

You were staring at me. So if you have something to say, just spit it out.

[ how about they just not okay ]

...I'm sorry for the scene I caused after Urianger came back hurt. [ That's it. Well, almost it. ] But I'm not sorry about the matches. Only, I figure I should have just asked for them back instead of snatching them like I did.

[ khun sighs. ]

It's whatever, I should have been able to stop you but I was too tired. [ he really doesn't mind all that much all these days later. ]

We're two people who will never see eye to eye. I'm used to making calls like that and I'm used to people hating me for them—it wasn't the first and it won't be the last.

[ Hating him for... ]

Khun, I was mad, sure, but I don't hate you?

Fine, whatever you think of me now. But it's not like we'll see each other again after all of this, so.

[ it's not particularly biting but there is a practiced indifference to it. he's way too used to cutting people off, even people he likes. ]

[ That sure is a dismissal if Bruno's ever heard one. ]

...yeah, I guess not.

[ And that, sadly, is where he'll leave it. ]

[ khun on the other hand has one more thing to say. ]

...obviously that's not now. So if you need something or have something to say, like I said before, speak up. I'm taking Tatara back with me but I can't do that until all of this is settled.

[ That doesn't inspire Bruno to say anything more than what he's already said. All he has left is a sad look and a simple, ]

I hope you and Tatara will be happy back in your world, Khun.

[ And then he turns back to the windows, trying hard to figure out what's going on outside. ]

[ Khun is pretty harsh, huh...

Tatara doesn't seem particularly hurt or panicked or worried by the conversation. He just watches with an even expression, eyes darting back and forth between them.

He knows Khun pretty well by now, and while his sharp edges are the reason why they get on so well, he knows that's not the case for everyone. So he gets from his seat and slides into one near Bruno. ]

I will be. And my time here has been really happy since I got to know people like you, Uncle Bruno.

[ He means this sincerely. And in a show of that, he extends a fist for a fistbump, an echo of when he decided to go get him a bed. ]

That's just his own way of acknowledging your apology. It's okay. [ More to ease any rough edges around Bruno than to put Khun on the spot. ] I'll always remember you, even after we leave.

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[ oh yeah they had a whole thing didn't they

Doesn't matter! Tatara waves! Hi uncle. ]

If the rest of the army hasn't shown up by now, then I don't think it will at this point.

[ Idle thought. ]

Let's just hope he doesn't have any other tricks up his sleeve.

[ hmm, he can buy that but- ]

What about when Akira is whole again? I imagine the original wizards won't be hostile, but I'm thinking more magical fallout from however that's going to resolve.

[ Tatara smiles, strangely. ]

If anything happens, we'll have twice the allies, then. I think the original wizards are strong and knowledgeable enough to help us if something goes wrong.

[ ...Because in true Tatara fashion, he's not really that worried. Something to think about only after it happens. ]

[ it might be strange but to khun it's still endearing even if he can't comprehend. but it doesn't stop his thoughts, just mitigate them a bit. ]

Alright. I just think there's got to be something else, things are rarely ever straightforward.

You might be right.

[ Tatara reaches to put a hand on Khun's arm, his expression serene. ]

But you might not be. We can think about it now, but don't get too caught up thinking in circles. I know we'll be prepared to face whatever hiccups that might come up.

[ He squeezes, and smiles. ]

It'll work out.

[ wow, how he is supposed to get lost in his head if tatara touches him like that and smiles at him? ]

...okay. [ he manages a small smile back, brushing the ring on tatara's finger with his other hand. ]

We can stay here for a while, but we should probably keep moving eventually.

[ Tatara is a firm believer in the power of Things Working Out Anyway, so he'll absorb the awkward edges of Khun's worry like a gentle, cushioning breeze. That's easy for him.

That, though, he agrees with. ]

Yeah. We can go check in on the old sage at some point, and we should probably make sure everyone fighting is doing okay.

[ Which they'll end up skipping straight to doing in a few minutes here, when that missile connects with the old sage's room. ]

I'm surprised it's taking them so long, honestly. [ he doesn't say this in a bad way, but more like "yeah they usually polish off an entire pizza by themselves, weird that they're still at it" way. ]

Hmm, yeah. Maybe the opponent's tougher than we think.

[ Very possible, considering how quickly the manor went down...

But in a half genuine, half teasing question: ] Are you worried?

[ he shakes his head. worried isn't the right word even if he is on alert right now. ]

I'll always protect you no matter what. Something like this doesn't even begin to compare to my father or the other rankers in my family.

[ perhaps the most frank conversation he had to have with himself is the reality of bringing tatara to a world that was more dangerous than the one they met in. it won't be easy, but he's committed. ]

[ Ah... He's both touched, which shows in the way his expression softens, but also that makes him realize he should probably warn Aguero about something in particular first. ]

I should tell you. [ He reaches to poke at his arm. It's probably obvious, considering his demise, but it's worth bringing up again at this point. ] They called me Homra's weakest exec for a reason. When people wanted to get at King or Kusanagi-san, they'd go for me.

People might do the same to you. I know how to keep myself safe, but I don't want it to stress you out too much.

[ He'll be fine... Probably? ]