My fuck rations are depleted [October catch-all]

[neverleave]

Who: Natsuno and you
What: Monthly catch-all
When: October
Where: All around
Warnings: Discussion of murder, violence and suicide, will add as needed

Comments

[neverleave]

Yes, she started it, because she's unhinged.

Which is why I don't want anyone else on her radar. As long as she honors our agreement... please don't start something on my behalf.

[Of course, if Jinx ever fucks with Rita, or anyone else he cares about, the agreement is null and void.]

[myagic]

[She is...kind of listening to him, at least, in that she isn't running off to find and blast Jinx.

Still, something about the way he words that makes her a different kind of upset-]

On your--hey, what's that supposed to mean?! Of course I--if she messes with my friend, she messes with me! And if she ever tries to start something with you again...

[neverleave]

If she starts something again, then we'll deal with it.

["We", not "I." Earlier conversation made their scathing mark, at least.]

But for now, she agreed to leave me alone. If my stupid decision is the last of it, I'd rather let it go.

[myagic]

[She does note that use of we over I, which--good. She still doesn't like it, and she still thinks Natsuno's an idiot for gambling with throwing his life away permanently (even temporarily was still stupid), but--he already promised to never do it again, and as long as she won't be left out of the loop in the future...she'll leave it be.

Jinx will just be getting some ver dirty looks next time Rita sees her.]

...Fine, but...

Fine.

[A sigh, and then she tries to push it out of her mind. It's hard, though, after thinking he was gone, then knowing he was dead, after finding his body with Jade--]

--And what about you? Are you sure you're okay? You were--three days, I mean...

[Can he really be okay after being dead that long?]

[neverleave]

I'm fine.

[Death really isn't any different from a long sleep. Natsuno already knows how it feels. He did wake up hungry, but that was the easiest thing to deal with.]

...Well, physically.

[He wouldn't usually admit that out loud, but he's exhausted. Natsuno does make a point of not sounding upset, because he brought it on himself so while he can state the fact, he shouldn't whine about it.]

But. All of you had it way worse.

[myagic]

[She doesn't shake her head, just bites her lip and glances away instead, since she can't exactly refute what he says.]

It's...I won't say it was fine, but--you're here, and that's what matters now.

[And he's physically fine, though mentally and/or emotionally not-so-fine...yeah, that checks out. She's relieved he isn't hurt, but still--physical wounds are so much more clear-cut.

...He does look beyond tired, though. Maybe that's one thing a bit of time will help--if they have much time, considering the state of the ship right now...]

Why don't...you get some rest?

[neverleave]

[Natsuno looks down at their joint hands. He doesn't want her to leave just yet, but... he can use some rest. He feels like a piece of wet cloth wrung out over and over.]

...yeah. I probably should.

[He lets go of Rita's hand.]

Talk to you tomorrow?

[myagic]

[When he lets go, she curls her fingers into her palm, trying to retain the memory. He...should really rest, no matter how much she wants to hold on and make sure he doesn't disappear again.]

...Y-yeah. Just...try to rest, but...don't leave it too long, okay?

[She'll start worrying again if she doesn't hear from him--which is probably silly, surely he wouldn't vanish the moment she leaves his cabin or anything, but--

Rita is actually something of a worrywart when it comes to close friends.]

[neverleave]

I won't.

[That's a promise! For the next several weeks, he's going to make sure his friends know he's around and alive.]

...thanks, Rita. You rest too.

[myagic]

Good. And...y-yeah...

[She starts for the door, pauses, takes another step--and then whips around.]

Actually--I'll just crash here for a while! Jade's not here, anyway.

[Which is clearly...the only reason, right?]

[neverleave]

[He's already half melting, half collapsing on the bed when Rita turns back.]

Huh - [Oh. Was the cabin this warm a second ago?] ...yeah, sure.

[CLEARLY the only reason! Make yourself comfortable, Rita, help yourself to Jade's space. Natsuno's just gonna... quietly droop the rest of the way.

It won't be long before he conks out.]

[myagic]

[Clearly...the captain, or whoever, decided to crank the temperature in here!!

--But Natsuno doesn't protest, so both of them red-faced or not, Rita does go ahead and make her way to the couch, and then...

Maybe she watches Natsuno for a while. Makes sure he's still here, still breathing, even if it'd be kind of weird for her to be staring at him all this time...until, satisfied, she dozes off on the couch.

Yeah, find somewhere else to sleep, Jade!]