[ He's quiet while she explains, handing off the towel when she reaches for it; he's pursing his lips all the while, thinking it through, and when he catches a hint of irritated amusement he sighs and sits across from her. ]
Is that all... [ Like it's no big deal—but it is, and he's just... preparing himself. ] And then he used them to find the barriers, I assume, and then... okay.
[ Okay. ]
Don't talk to him again, okay? [ Like you can stop it. ] I'm going to take some precautions so nothing bad can happen to you or anyone else here. [ Because that worked the first time, eh, brother? ] Silver already knows, so I think the next step is probably to tell the Enforcers—
[ So you can get kicked out of it? Who's after that, Tsukiyama-san?
Black freezes with his spoon halfway to his lips; he sets it back down, folding his hands on the table, and looks at White. ]
...Never mind. I'm not sure even telling people about him would help. [ There's a chuckle in his mind, and he swallows hard. ] I just... I don't know. I don't want anyone to get hurt again, White. Not you, not anyone here, not the world back home... but I don't know what to do.
[She's quiet, too, looking at the bowl in front of her instead of anywhere else.]
Telling people helps. [Then, more hesitantly:] I told Silver everything a while back, actually. About all of that.
[Because it was part of her strategy to try and dissuade him from wanting to be close to her -- it didn't work, seeing as they're still dating for... for months, now. Because he trusts her even after all of that.]
He... and Junko are the only ones that know.
[...]
I think it's a good idea to tell your co-workers. They'll know to look out for anything suspicious, and that way if something does happen they'll already be aware that it wasn't you who caused it.
[Let's move off that Junko thing Fast.]
And if there's someone else you trust, you should tell them too. But he isn't going to get what he wants here, [because dying doesn't work out,] and... I'm not working with him anymore, since our deal's off. That's why I said it didn't matter.
[White's not sure, either, but that doesn't matter. She's gonna take her brother's hand and squeeze it.]
It'll be okay. He... won't let you get into serious trouble anyway, since he needs your body.
[Isn't that right?]
And there's no way I'd like them take away your feelings or crystal or anything like that. Your sister's a representative, you know? I have some amount of power. If worst comes to worst, I'll protect you, just like I used to.
[When she got over herself, anyway, and kicked the asses of his bullies. She'll try for a smile now, even if it's more than a little tired and she can feel the air around her press down with the weight of her words. Could she really?]
...You shouldn't have to protect your big brother, [ he replies after a long moment, squeezing her hand back. ] Mom and Dad told me to take care of you before they disappeared into the barrier.
[ Some help he's been. (He's been trying his best to keep her safe.) ]
But... okay. Sorry. I wish I were stronger, White. [ Again, forever, always— ] Are you tired? You must be, you should... rest for now. Take a few days off. It won't hurt.
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no subject
Is that all... [ Like it's no big deal—but it is, and he's just... preparing himself. ] And then he used them to find the barriers, I assume, and then... okay.
[ Okay. ]
Don't talk to him again, okay? [ Like you can stop it. ] I'm going to take some precautions so nothing bad can happen to you or anyone else here. [ Because that worked the first time, eh, brother? ] Silver already knows, so I think the next step is probably to tell the Enforcers—
[ So you can get kicked out of it? Who's after that, Tsukiyama-san?
Black freezes with his spoon halfway to his lips; he sets it back down, folding his hands on the table, and looks at White. ]
...Never mind. I'm not sure even telling people about him would help. [ There's a chuckle in his mind, and he swallows hard. ] I just... I don't know. I don't want anyone to get hurt again, White. Not you, not anyone here, not the world back home... but I don't know what to do.
no subject
Telling people helps. [Then, more hesitantly:] I told Silver everything a while back, actually. About all of that.
[Because it was part of her strategy to try and dissuade him from wanting to be close to her -- it didn't work, seeing as they're still dating for... for months, now. Because he trusts her even after all of that.]
He... and Junko are the only ones that know.
[...]
I think it's a good idea to tell your co-workers. They'll know to look out for anything suspicious, and that way if something does happen they'll already be aware that it wasn't you who caused it.
[Let's move off that Junko thing Fast.]
And if there's someone else you trust, you should tell them too. But he isn't going to get what he wants here, [because dying doesn't work out,] and... I'm not working with him anymore, since our deal's off. That's why I said it didn't matter.
[She'll find a way to save him herself.]
no subject
I'll... think about it. My co-workers, sure, but anyone else, I... [ ... ] There's no one else, really, I guess.
[ He hates lying to his sister, and his eyes aren't on her when he says it. ]
I'm not sure how they'd punish him without punishing me, is the thing. I'm scared, White. [ A weak laugh. ] There's no way they could.
no subject
It'll be okay. He... won't let you get into serious trouble anyway, since he needs your body.
[Isn't that right?]
And there's no way I'd like them take away your feelings or crystal or anything like that. Your sister's a representative, you know? I have some amount of power. If worst comes to worst, I'll protect you, just like I used to.
[When she got over herself, anyway, and kicked the asses of his bullies. She'll try for a smile now, even if it's more than a little tired and she can feel the air around her press down with the weight of her words. Could she really?]
Okay?
no subject
[ Some help he's been. (He's been trying his best to keep her safe.) ]
But... okay. Sorry. I wish I were stronger, White. [ Again, forever, always— ] Are you tired? You must be, you should... rest for now. Take a few days off. It won't hurt.