goldencharms | MWM

[ it takes him a moment, but he crawls under the blanket with her... ]

But you were so open about it here...

... Because it's just... so much more... I'm sorry. I—I can be better about it. I just... need some time.

Mmm-mm.

[ he shakes his head ]

It's better to be open about how you're feeling... right?? That way others can help you.

I just don't want to be a problem. Or make things worse. Or make you think like whatever you say doesn't matter.

I don't think that, though!

[ he says quickly, ]

Everyone here... they've all been really patient and kind to me. Especially you...

I just... want the best for you. I don't want to hurt you like I hurt everyone else important to me. And I've said bad things I never should've said because you said that you feel like a failure when you can't protect me and—

[helplessly:]

I love you. I shouldn't make you feel any of that.

Ruby...

[ he feels guilty. if she doesn't feel like she can express herself... given everything... a sniff ]

I'm not good at explaining m-myself... even when it's something really easy... I didn't want you to think any of that. I promise.

... I just don't want you to start hiding everything again... or... maybe not hiding, but not talking about it...

What you feel matters.

Huh...?

[ wait, no, that's not what she needs right now, even if he doesn't understand.

not talking about it...? but he can't think of what else to say ]

What you feel matters.

I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like it doesn't. So... I don't... I don't know what to do, Kalim. I don't want to be the reason you keep... taking on more blot or something. Or if I say something and it turns out to be bad, like the luck thing. I didn't realize what I was doing, and that was stupid and—

[she sniffs, holding back a sob.]

You aren't the reason...

[ he doesn't know what to say, though. everything he said had hurt her, and that wasn't what he wanted. he still doesn't want that...

he takes a deep breath ]

You wouldn't!! We're just... in a really bad situation. You make me feel a lot better, Ruby. I promise.

[weakly:]

... I do?

Mmhm.

[ he squeezes her a little tighter, reassuring. ]

Going through this alone... it'd be a nightmare. But I'm not. And not only that... You're really concerned for me too. That makes me really happy.

[... after a moment, she shifts. turning so that she can face him and bury her face on his shoulder.]

I don't know if I could do anything here without you. I just... please... tell me things? Don't... just say it's fine when it's not.

But...

[ he hesitates... ]

I'm not really lying... I don't want you to second guess... everything...

I don't think you're lying... but I want... um. I want you to talk about things more than you do. Or if something... bothers you... to say something. Like the luck thing.

... Okay.

I'll do that for you!

[ another brief nuzzle. ]

I promise.

[... one final shift, to where she's just sitting in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging.]

... Thank you.

Ehe.

[ that anxious grip on his heart loosens, enough that he can simply let it fall to the wayside... as much as humanly possible. ]

Don't worry about it. I love you too, you know.

I know.

... That's why... I'm so scared of being a problem. My mother always told me to stop being a problem when I was sick. She—she probably thought me just being sick was a problem. Maybe that's why she didn't... show up when I died... because it was asking too much to want her there.

Oh...

[ he sees to be thinking about that... ]

Hey, Ruby...?

... Kalim?

I'm really sorry about everything you went through in your past life... I can't imagine how hard that might be...

But I'm glad you told me, too.

No one should make you feel like you're the problem-- you should be allowed to be cute and carefree.

I... want to be.

I really... really do.

I think you're really cute! And not being carefree right now's ok.

When I'm feeling better, will you finish teaching me that dance...?

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