[ he's relaxing and warming up which is better than he was doing on his own. His shoulders are more slumped than before. The cold is more than enough to keep him sunk into Momo's shoulder, but the hand is not unwelcome.
He nods his head slowly. It is terrifying. ]
I do not want to die again, but even if it means dying, I do not want to be ripped apart again....
He nods his head slowly. It is terrifying. ]
I do not want to die again, but even if it means dying, I do not want to be ripped apart again....
I just... I want to be a good brother to him. I thought I could get through to him, no matter the situation, but this time...
[ This time, his brother had turned on him the way he had turned on Dextera when he arrived. Except, unlike that time, Sinistra might not have fought. If Shiho had not been there, he probably would have let his brother choke the life out of him even if it meant breaking his promise with Minato.
He lifts his head up to peek over Momo's shoulder, looking out into the cold darkness with tired, red eyes. ]
Did I?
[ This time, his brother had turned on him the way he had turned on Dextera when he arrived. Except, unlike that time, Sinistra might not have fought. If Shiho had not been there, he probably would have let his brother choke the life out of him even if it meant breaking his promise with Minato.
He lifts his head up to peek over Momo's shoulder, looking out into the cold darkness with tired, red eyes. ]
Did I?
[ Momo is just so... terribly positive. Guren is like that too, but with a meaner streak in him. They're both nonsensical. Sinistra fears, just a little, that he will fall into the same trap of believing deeply in the words of a person like this. It's what makes Minato and Estelle feel like threats in their own ways, too.
Right now, though, he's weak to it. To the idea that this person in front of him sees him as real. As capable of being something. As alive. He's wounded and Momo's encouragement is a salve.
He feels a little bad. Between the cold and his crying, his nose is running and his eyes are puffy. On his sickly pale face, he's sure it looks a mess. Losing composure in front of people feels wrong.
He's sniffling as he speaks. ]
Should I not ... be able to do more for him? Especially now?
Right now, though, he's weak to it. To the idea that this person in front of him sees him as real. As capable of being something. As alive. He's wounded and Momo's encouragement is a salve.
He feels a little bad. Between the cold and his crying, his nose is running and his eyes are puffy. On his sickly pale face, he's sure it looks a mess. Losing composure in front of people feels wrong.
He's sniffling as he speaks. ]
Should I not ... be able to do more for him? Especially now?
[ Being forced to look at someone makes it harder to rail against them. It was selfish enough to call him out here. It would be even more selfish to try and argue.
He breathes again, the way Momo had showed him before, and lets their foreheads rest together. ]
I have told him that we need to be two people now. That I want to be my own self but... when something like this happens, I think it would be easier if we were one again.
Still, you are ... you are right, Momo. You are. I can't force him, can I?
He breathes again, the way Momo had showed him before, and lets their foreheads rest together. ]
I have told him that we need to be two people now. That I want to be my own self but... when something like this happens, I think it would be easier if we were one again.
Still, you are ... you are right, Momo. You are. I can't force him, can I?
Mm...
[ He looks down between them for a moment. ]
Is there someone you were torn away from too, Momo?
[ it's invasive but he can't help but ask after that. He'll accept a non-answer if that's what's given.
He lets out a soft sigh, swallowing against a small hiccup. ]
When... when I arrived here... That was the first time we ever spoke. When we were young and I was alive, we never could even though we were side by side. I think we both hoped we could pour out hearts out easily but we have only had trouble since that day.
[ He looks down between them for a moment. ]
Is there someone you were torn away from too, Momo?
[ it's invasive but he can't help but ask after that. He'll accept a non-answer if that's what's given.
He lets out a soft sigh, swallowing against a small hiccup. ]
When... when I arrived here... That was the first time we ever spoke. When we were young and I was alive, we never could even though we were side by side. I think we both hoped we could pour out hearts out easily but we have only had trouble since that day.
Ah... I see.
[ That makes sense. Most people here probably feel that way. Why does Sinistra feel like this when the only person he could possibly miss is in the house behind them? How unfair.
He shuts his eyes as Momo wipes away the last remnants of his tears. He feels so much calmer now. It may have been a self-centered decision to ask him to come here, but it was probably a good one. ]
No. Because I was born without a heart, we could not be awake at the same time. The nurses said we would get very sick if we did. So... we only spoke in notes to each other.
[ 'A learning curve'. Right. He's still learning, isn't he? He only recently got his senses about him again. ]
What do you think your sister would do right now?
[ That makes sense. Most people here probably feel that way. Why does Sinistra feel like this when the only person he could possibly miss is in the house behind them? How unfair.
He shuts his eyes as Momo wipes away the last remnants of his tears. He feels so much calmer now. It may have been a self-centered decision to ask him to come here, but it was probably a good one. ]
No. Because I was born without a heart, we could not be awake at the same time. The nurses said we would get very sick if we did. So... we only spoke in notes to each other.
[ 'A learning curve'. Right. He's still learning, isn't he? He only recently got his senses about him again. ]
What do you think your sister would do right now?
[ Sinistra lets himself be embraced again easily. His arms tighten around Momo and he holds on. He's trying to keep steady on the shaky ground this whole ordeal has created. ]
She sounds a little.... tense but not unkind.
[ Maybe a little too intense for him or his brother. ]
I am afraid of falling.
She sounds a little.... tense but not unkind.
[ Maybe a little too intense for him or his brother. ]
I am afraid of falling.
I believe you. I would not know what is normal anyway.
[ he tried to literally murder Dextera so ... who is he to judge? ]
Momo...
[ he's genuinely touched. He finds me might just cry again from Momo's overwhelming kindness. He pushes his face against Momo's neck and gives him a soft squeeze. ]
Thank you... so much. You came all the way out here and... how do I repay this? I have no idea.
[ he tried to literally murder Dextera so ... who is he to judge? ]
Momo...
[ he's genuinely touched. He finds me might just cry again from Momo's overwhelming kindness. He pushes his face against Momo's neck and gives him a soft squeeze. ]
Thank you... so much. You came all the way out here and... how do I repay this? I have no idea.
[ It doesn't seem acceptable, but for now, he nods in agreement and hugs him quietly as the rocking motion settles him down more.
He lets out a sigh and shifts in his arms. ]
I should let you return home but... I do not want to. It's selfish, I know.
[ But still, he has to be responsible, so he starts to peel himself back. ]
If I make you stay out in the cold longer, you will get sick. So, you should return now.
He lets out a sigh and shifts in his arms. ]
I should let you return home but... I do not want to. It's selfish, I know.
[ But still, he has to be responsible, so he starts to peel himself back. ]
If I make you stay out in the cold longer, you will get sick. So, you should return now.
[ sinistra shakes his head, not quite getting that he's joking. ]
You will get sick. It is better to go home.
[ he nods this time and backs up a step before touching Momo's face with his cold palm. ]
I understand. Thank you, Momo. Rest well and good night.
You will get sick. It is better to go home.
[ he nods this time and backs up a step before touching Momo's face with his cold palm. ]
I understand. Thank you, Momo. Rest well and good night.
[ Two candy canes and two graham crackers carefully nestled in wrapping paper that's been folded over and tied with a thin strip of fabric in lieu of a ribbon. It's not an extravagant gift, but still, a gift is a gift! Jion has it carefully tucked in his pocket as he makes his way down the streets.
He wanders around enough that he has a vague idea of where a lot of people live, and he's pretty sure he's seen Momo head in this direction before ... but was it this house, or the next one over?
After a moment's consideration, he ends up surreptitiously trying to peek through the window. He feels a little bad about it, but it's just a quick look to see if he can catch a glimpse of Momo, hopefully that'll be fine! ]
He wanders around enough that he has a vague idea of where a lot of people live, and he's pretty sure he's seen Momo head in this direction before ... but was it this house, or the next one over?
After a moment's consideration, he ends up surreptitiously trying to peek through the window. He feels a little bad about it, but it's just a quick look to see if he can catch a glimpse of Momo, hopefully that'll be fine! ]
[ Oh cool, he's here! Jion raises a hand to rap at the window to get Momo's attention, but then freezes -- because he notices the weird tension in Momo's shoulders, the way his movements seem stiff. It's so at odds with Momo's usually chipper demeanor that he hesitates for a moment, and then he's caught in that posture, hand still raised awkwardly to knock at the window, giving a slight start when he sees Momo's usual smile. ]
Oh. Um, hey! I, uh. Had something for you.
[ His voice peters off as he gives a little wave with his raised hand, then drops it, trying to smile but not quite making it. ]
But um, if you'd rather, then I can ... [ 'Come back later,' he considers saying. But that doesn't feel right? There's a pause before he blurts out, ] -- I can give it to you through here! The window! Um, it won't take long.
[ He can't bring himself to demand to be let in right now, but ... something tells him just heading back right now wouldn't be the correct choice either. ]
Oh. Um, hey! I, uh. Had something for you.
[ His voice peters off as he gives a little wave with his raised hand, then drops it, trying to smile but not quite making it. ]
But um, if you'd rather, then I can ... [ 'Come back later,' he considers saying. But that doesn't feel right? There's a pause before he blurts out, ] -- I can give it to you through here! The window! Um, it won't take long.
[ He can't bring himself to demand to be let in right now, but ... something tells him just heading back right now wouldn't be the correct choice either. ]
[ Ah man, Momo looks kinda terrible. And while there's still that urge to leave and come back another time, to offer Momo that chance to tidy up and pretend he was never seen in this state ... self-care seems a bit low on Momo's priority list at the moment. Leaving would feel unethical, to say the least. ]
Ummmm ... [ Even as he hesitates, his breath fogs up around him in the cold air. Standing outside wouldn't be pleasant, despite what he said, and Jion ultimately gives a weak grin. ] Alright. Sorry, I'll head 'round to the door. Guess I should've known you'd be too nice to leave me standing here.
[ Yes, he's addressing Momo's 'mean' statement, then trotting off towards the door before Momo can retort. ]
Ummmm ... [ Even as he hesitates, his breath fogs up around him in the cold air. Standing outside wouldn't be pleasant, despite what he said, and Jion ultimately gives a weak grin. ] Alright. Sorry, I'll head 'round to the door. Guess I should've known you'd be too nice to leave me standing here.
[ Yes, he's addressing Momo's 'mean' statement, then trotting off towards the door before Momo can retort. ]
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