“Of course.” He smiled too. “And if there’s ever anything I can… I’m happy to help us all.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"I appreciate that a lot." She dipped her head. "The same goes here, as well. I'll do all I can to help you."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“Thank you.” Tadaaki smiled again. “I don’t know if I ever said, but I appreciate this so, so much. I’d be a nervous wreck if my family was out on their own.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
Sara nodded once more. "Tadaaki, we wouldn't hesitate to take you and your family in, even if you and Ky hadn't ever met. Nobody deserves to live in fear like that, out on their own. You're always welcome here."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“You’re very kind.” Tadaaki dipped his head. “It’s… refreshing to be around people who use their privilege for good. And you’re all very good.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"I can't take much credit--Gaius is the one who goes searching for lost people."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“You still support it.” Tadaaki shook his head, unwilling to let her refuse the compliment. “He doesn’t exist as an island.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"That is true," she acknowledged. "I thank you for that."
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
She glanced toward the door. "I ought to let you get back to your letters, now. Good luck!"
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
“Thank you!” He dipped his head. He wouldn’t be going back to his letters. It sounded like Ky needed him. “Have a nice day.”
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"You as well." She departed with a final smile and nod.
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Tadaaki watched her go, then sighed softly and gathered up his supplies then headed for the door. It was going to be a long, long snuggle session. He didn’t mind it. Not one bit. But he expected it was going to take the rest of afternoon, until he dragged her to dinner.
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
"The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that." -Karis Nemik
Tadaaki quickly stashed his things then went to Ky’s door and knocked.
She sighed and stared at the door. Had her acting really been that bad, that Sara had felt the need to send another babysitter? Who could it be? She pushed herself up to a sitting position. “Come in.”
Tadaaki pushed the door open and stepped inside with a little smile. “Hey.”
Oh. It was just him. She didn’t have to pretend in front of him. She flopped back over onto the mattress. “Hey.”
He cringed sympathetically and shut the door. Just as he expected, then. He kicked off his shoes and started towards the bed. It felt sacrilegious to get on a bed this huge and fancy. But Ky needed him. And he wasn’t going to drag her onto the floor. So he crawled onto the other side of the bed and gently hefted her into his arms, so that he was sitting with his shoulders against the headboard and Ky was curled half on his chest half on the mattress.
“Wanna talk about it?” he asked gently.
She shook her head miserably.
“Okay,” he murmured. “Take your time.”
She took a deep breath, but it was a shudder when it came out. She didn’t have to be strong here. Tadaaki could do that. It was his turn to get them through this hell — she’d take the next crisis.
Ky squeezed her eyes shut tightly, entire body starting to tremble. Tadaaki pulled her closer. Her breathing was shaky but she didn’t cry. Just laid across him, hugging him tightly.
At least Tadaaki hadn’t abandoned her. Like everyone else.
(Wanna skip? This is all I really had. I can have him drag her to dinner if you like, or we can go elsewhere I don’t really have a strong preference!)
"u and rina are systematically watering down the grammar of yws" - Atticus "From the fish mother to the fish death god." - lehmanf "A fish stole my identity. I blame shady" - Omni [they/he]
'They are afraid of nothing,' I grumbled, watching their approach through the window. 'Together, they would brave Satan and all his legions.' — Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights
