animus_network | first ❅ video;

[It's been a while since Yukiko has been in the Tower at all - three months, give or take a bit. It shows in her face when she appears on the video feed; this isn't the face of a surprised newcomer. It's the face of someone who has explored enough to know that while she was gone, a lot of her friends have left. Her voice is just a bit shaky when she speaks.]

...hello, Tower. This is Yukiko Amagi. I was here, before, and now I'm back. I think it's been about three months. It's kind of hard to tell time when it passes on a dead world. One day blends into another after a while.

[She pauses, briefly, taking a deep breath.]

I know that there were people from the Japanese town of Inaba here before. They were my friends. I also tried sending them a message. I - I know that they're all gone. The message said 'user not found' for all of them, and so I went down to the graveyard to doublecheck. They're definitely gone.

I'll be okay, though. I know they're gone now, but I can be strong enough for all of them. I know I'm back here for a reason, and that reason must be to make sure they're saved, in the end. Really saved, not just 'saved' as in pulled here again.

...so. What did I miss while I was gone?

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[Yukiko's quick to tear up herself. She had wanted to say something on the network, but that felt too impersonal, too weird, too many other things.

Instead, she just smiles, softly, and nods.]

I'll be right there. I - I missed you.

[She couldn't not say that much. She disconnects immediately and within a few minutes is knocking at the door.]

[He opens the door almost as soon as she knocks, and then seconds after is throwing his arms around her. One hand rests at the small of her back, pulling her closer. The other ends up tangled in her hair, hair that still smells like cinnamon, just as he remembers.

He chokes back a sob and kisses her forehead, muttering against it.]

God, I missed you, Yukiko... I missed you every second of the day. I wasn't sure I could go on without you and... I just love you so, so much.

[She can't help crying herself, at this point. All that time alone, knowing how much she would hurt had the positions been reversed, she'd just wanted to see his face again, hear his voice again. Now, she is, and she pulls him closer.]

I missed you more than I can even say, Ryoji. I missed you so much, and all I wanted was to see you again. I'm so sorry that this - that it happened. I'm so, so sorry.

[Yukiko knows that wasn't her fault, that she couldn't control it, but she has to apologize.]

I love you, too. I love you so much...

D-Don't apologize... you couldn't control this. This was never your fault, and you should never feel bad. I h-hate seeing you upset. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Yukiko. I can only hope I gave you a little bit of that happiness.

[He sighs shakily into her hair, but it turns into a chuckle as he pulls away for a moment.]

I almost forgot how beautiful you were... Apparently my dreams about you weren't entirely accurate.

I know I couldn't control it, but I can't help feeling bad that it happened at all. If I'd had my way about it, it never would have.

[She shakes her head a little, then wipes at her eyes.]

...you did. You do. I'm not crying because I'm upset, it's because I'm really happy.

[...and now she's smiling and blushing and still a little teary all at once. The line wasn't needed, but it helps.]

I - I'm not. Not like this.

[But she manages a giggle.]

But you didn't have your way, and no one feels bad about it. It's okay.

[He smiles and kisses her forehead again.]

As long as you're happy with me. Because I'm really happy to be with you and see you so happy.

[He's blushing a little himself.]

You're so pretty right now that it's really hard not to kiss you.

Are you sure?

[That kiss to her forehead is awfully reassuring, though.]

I am. I'm really happy to be with you.

[She goes just a shade more pink.]

...then, why don't you?

Of course I'm sure.

[He smiles softly, glad she's okay with it. He was sure she would be, but it doesn't hurt to make sure. And then, after a few moments, he leans forward and captures her lips with his. He's still gently running his fingers through her hair, still holding her protectively. A few seconds into the kiss and he realizes they're standing in the doorway, so anyone who walked past could see, and he flushes before attempting to calmly guide her to the bed.]

[She's more than okay with it; it's been far too long, and she's missed it more than she realized. It's all too easy to let herself melt into the kiss with a soft, happy sigh. When they start to move, she manages to nudge the door closed with one foot, flushing a little bit more as she hears the latch click into place. With that done, it's easy for Ryoji to guide Yukiko to the bed.]

[Ryoji opens his eyes at the sound, and can't help but make a low sound, something that would be close to laughter if his mouth wasn't already preoccupied. He gently sits her down, rubbing her shoulders and trying not to blush himself. They're alone now. He... doesn't know what Yukiko wants to do with that privacy, but it's hard not to let his imagination go overboard, as much as he'd be happy with just kissing and cuddling.]

[They're alone now, and more than that, alone and sitting on his bed. Yukiko pulls back for just a moment, enough to catch her breath and smile warmly, if a little bit shyly. It's not just Ryoji's imagination that's going places - hers is, too. She hadn't exactly intended it, but she wasn't going to deny what she suspects they're both thinking about.

Yes, she'd be happy with just kissing and cuddling, but she can't entirely stop her imagination, either, or bring herself to think that it's a bad idea.

She giggles nervously after a second, and when she speaks, it's softer than her normal voice.]

Ryoji, I - I love you, and I missed you, and I...

[Yukiko knows no one else can hear, but she leans in close enough to whisper into Ryoji's ear.]

...if - if you want to, we can...well, you know...

[She can't say it, not in the end; she winds up letting out another nervous giggle and blushing a few shades darker. With the way she's blushing and smiling and moving to kiss Ryoji again, she thinks what she's trying to say is pretty clear.]

[When she pulls away, Ryoji can see in her expression that she's fantasizing too, and he blushes, glancing away for a second. His laughter joins hers, but he looks back when he hears her speak...

She's not... she's not seriously saying what he thinks she's saying, is she? Certainly, they're both old enough, and both in love enough... and really, if he's honest with himself, this may be one of their only chances to connect in such a beautiful, intimate way... and here she is, giving him permission to go ahead with it. He has to admit, it's very tempting.

He whispers back, smiling despite his struggles to remain calm.]

A-Are you sure that's what you want? I mean, I-I would like to, but... I want to make you feel special. However I can accomplish that...

[Yukiko is serious about it, as nervous as she might sound. She smiles and nods. She manages to sound a little more steady when she whispers back, despite her blush.]

I'm sure. I-I want this. And don't worry about that - you make me feel special just by being you, love. Don't worry about anything.

[She moves just a little closer.]

[It's hard for him not to worry, as Yukiko must be aware, but when she moves closer, he still comes forward to meet her, their lips touching once again. The hands rubbing her shoulders slowly trace the curves of her body, resting at her hips.

It takes a few moments of hesitant blushing, but eventually, Ryoji lets his fingers ghost underneath her shirt, gently massaging the skin there.]

[ooc: let's scoot this to my musebox? here ♥]

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