[You aren't supposed to scare an animal that feels like it's been cornered. But Saki was never good at holding herself back from those who are hurt.
For every step back he takes, she steps forward. Her hand curls over her chest- she isn't reaching for him or anything, but she isn't letting him get away, either.]
But you are hurt right now. And you can still heal from it.
You can still be a good person, Dazai. In fact, you're already doing it.
[He's going to keep backing up until he bounces against a wall, which stops him in his tracks. His hands are up and pressing against his forehead, like he's trying to stave off a migraine, or maybe just get control of himself? The quick breaths he's taking are a sure sign of an oncoming panic attack, one that he's trying to hold off so he can push Saki away and be alone again.
But when he opens his mouth to yell at her, nothing comes out. Nothing except a bit of tears at the corner of his eye.]
[She doesn't stop when he does, continuing to advance. Quietly, gently, she reaches out to tentatively place a hand on his shoulder.]
Dazai...
[If he reacts badly, she'll back off. She still has some sense of self-preservation. But if he allows her, she'll slide that hand around to his back, bringing him into an embrace.]
[Oh, Dazai. Her grip tightens just a little more, if unintentionally. When she speaks, her voice is soft, but it's not like that matters when they're so close.]
[It's okay, it's okay. She understands this and will keep holding onto him in silence until he seems ready to talk or let go. Her arm eases up from his back and instead goes to his hair, patting him gently on the head.
[He does let go, eventually. And when he pulls back he's already rubbing at the exposed part of his face, which is damp and red and puffy. He definitely doesn't want anyone seeing him like this.]
Ugh, I can't believe you got me to cry. That's so rude.
[Trying to retreat to comedy for safety again, whoops.]
[She lets him go, though she'll reach out to pat him on top of the head again. This series of pats is less comforting and more mildly mocking, however.]
I don't think I could outside of here. Could you imagine me crying on camera? The higher-ups would be on my ass for it for sure. I'm supposed to be a cold and calculating host, ready to kill anyone and everyone. I can't cry for the cameras.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[You aren't supposed to scare an animal that feels like it's been cornered. But Saki was never good at holding herself back from those who are hurt.
For every step back he takes, she steps forward. Her hand curls over her chest- she isn't reaching for him or anything, but she isn't letting him get away, either.]
But you are hurt right now. And you can still heal from it.
You can still be a good person, Dazai. In fact, you're already doing it.
no subject
But when he opens his mouth to yell at her, nothing comes out. Nothing except a bit of tears at the corner of his eye.]
no subject
Dazai...
[If he reacts badly, she'll back off. She still has some sense of self-preservation. But if he allows her, she'll slide that hand around to his back, bringing him into an embrace.]
no subject
That shoulder is about to get very wet, by the way. The way his body shakes with every sniffle gives that away.]
no subject
Her embrace is both gentle and firm, and she'll rub his back comfortingly as he cries. For however long he needs to, she'll be here with him.]
no subject
But in the middle of it, Saki is going to hear some rather surprising muffled words, something that Dazai probably doesn't mean to say.]
I miss him.
no subject
I know. I know you do.
I'm so sorry, Dazai.
no subject
He's never really had a chance to cry it out, ok? And it's all hitting him at once right now.]
no subject
She's here.]
no subject
Ugh, I can't believe you got me to cry. That's so rude.
[Trying to retreat to comedy for safety again, whoops.]
no subject
[She lets him go, though she'll reach out to pat him on top of the head again. This series of pats is less comforting and more mildly mocking, however.]
But you needed it, didn't you?
no subject
[He sees the mocking, Saki.]
no subject
Sorry, was that too much? I'm just glad you were finally able to cry.
You can do it more often if you need to, you know.
no subject
no subject
[After everything, she's actually a little more amenable to the idea than she would have been even a few days ago.]
no subject
no subject
I don't mind it.
no subject
Thank you, Saki-san.
no subject
Then I'll give you a break for now.
no subject
[And now he's teasing her instead.]
no subject
The pat turns into mussing with his hair about as much as one can when his hair is already a mess. Well, she tried.]
See you bright and early for breakfast, then.
[And with a light huff, off she goes. She'll be sure to drop by with hash browns and eggs in the morning however.]