With that, however, he falls silent. As he listens intently, his gaze fixes on Jake's profile, bathed in the fire's warmth and light. This time, the quiet's more than simply an understanding. With their vulnerabilities on the table, all the apologies said and done, it's closeness-- genuine and hard-earned.
The campfire jumps and sputters out sparks once, twice. At the mouth of the shallow cave in which they've found shelter, Violet shifts, tucking her legs under her pink body, then resumes her watch from a more comfortably loafed position.
Yujin straightens up, a pensive look furrowing his brow. Champion of the roundabout statement as he is, he can read that little ember of a thing between the lines. But first, he plays it off:]
You're beginning to sound like my mother.
[But Jake has been honest, so he deserves much more than just the joke. Yujin relaxes his shoulders again, his legs stretched out towards the fire once more, and looks sheepishly back at Jake.]
It isn't your fault. Or mine. Not everything can work out so neatly. [He smiles, modest. Whether this is about Emerton or something else isn't clear. It's all right: he's content leaving it alone, and he's certain that Jake is too.] You have made me far less lonely, for whatever it's worth.
[Yujin glances over at Violet, whose tail flicks lazily back and forth, then directs his gaze to the campfire once again.]
I've always thought of Stephen as-- [He pauses awkwardly, embarrassed. When in doubt, swipe Jake's future lingo.] He really is cool, isn't he? He reminds me of Kazuma's father, actually. The first man at your side when you're in need, but the very last to ask for help himself. He's a good man... I trust him. I really can be myself around him, and...
[But something else strikes him. He turns to Jake, brows knit together in concern.]
What do you mean, "ran out of time"? Have you decided to return home?
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With that, however, he falls silent. As he listens intently, his gaze fixes on Jake's profile, bathed in the fire's warmth and light. This time, the quiet's more than simply an understanding. With their vulnerabilities on the table, all the apologies said and done, it's closeness-- genuine and hard-earned.
The campfire jumps and sputters out sparks once, twice. At the mouth of the shallow cave in which they've found shelter, Violet shifts, tucking her legs under her pink body, then resumes her watch from a more comfortably loafed position.
Yujin straightens up, a pensive look furrowing his brow. Champion of the roundabout statement as he is, he can read that little ember of a thing between the lines. But first, he plays it off:]
You're beginning to sound like my mother.
[But Jake has been honest, so he deserves much more than just the joke. Yujin relaxes his shoulders again, his legs stretched out towards the fire once more, and looks sheepishly back at Jake.]
It isn't your fault. Or mine. Not everything can work out so neatly. [He smiles, modest. Whether this is about Emerton or something else isn't clear. It's all right: he's content leaving it alone, and he's certain that Jake is too.] You have made me far less lonely, for whatever it's worth.
[Yujin glances over at Violet, whose tail flicks lazily back and forth, then directs his gaze to the campfire once again.]
I've always thought of Stephen as-- [He pauses awkwardly, embarrassed. When in doubt, swipe Jake's future lingo.] He really is cool, isn't he? He reminds me of Kazuma's father, actually. The first man at your side when you're in need, but the very last to ask for help himself. He's a good man... I trust him. I really can be myself around him, and...
[But something else strikes him. He turns to Jake, brows knit together in concern.]
What do you mean, "ran out of time"? Have you decided to return home?