[The rhythm of his breathing changes at her touch, a sudden sharp inhale interrupting his most likely spiraling thoughts. Swallowing, Aqua looks at her. Takes in the state of her face.
Then he slides an arm around her and gathers her closer in.]
You're always taking care of me.
[He murmurs it into her hair. His arms are still shaking.]
[ she nearly bursts into tears again. For a moment, just a moment, she’ll hide her face in his shoulder, her breath shaking on the exhale. Loosely, she wraps her arms around his waist in return.
she thinks, for a second, about protesting. about saying something like she’s protecting her investment.
the words just do not come out. ]
Why do you say that? [ softly. ] Of course I’m going to look after you. I…
[ … ]
I just want to, [ she finishes, a little lamely. ]
[Aqua's hand comes up to cradle her cheek, like she's the one who's a wonderful prize, infinitely precious and delicate.]
...You don't know what it means to me to be needed, when I should have died, then, in the water. You don't know what it means to have someone to try to protect... even if I can't.
It'll be okay. Leon's a light sleeper and an early riser. All three of us can vouch that you were in the room last night.
Besides, it... didn't look like Ranma fought whoever killed her. No defensive injuries on--well, the arm she had left. Those bruises won't prove anything.
[Not once does it look like Aqua suspects Lortel or is trying to cover for her. The analytical look on his face is only looking for the connections to the facts he knows for truth: Lortel didn't do this.]
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then she crosses to him, carefully reaching up to touch, then rub, his back. ]
Breathe.
[ she says, with a wet face and red eyes from endless tears. ]
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Then he slides an arm around her and gathers her closer in.]
You're always taking care of me.
[He murmurs it into her hair. His arms are still shaking.]
When it should be the other way around.
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she thinks, for a second, about protesting. about saying something like she’s protecting her investment.
the words just do not come out. ]
Why do you say that? [ softly. ] Of course I’m going to look after you. I…
[ … ]
I just want to, [ she finishes, a little lamely. ]
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[Because he isn't worth it. Because he's already had so much time, so many chances, and done nothing at all to justify the price of his own existence.
Because Lortel is sweet, and bright, and hurting, and it should be on him to protect her.]
...Things like that... make others want to protect you, too. You know.
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[ as if to put a point on it, she presses a kiss to his jaw. ]
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[He rests his head softly against hers.]
You haven't at any point yet. I have to expect you won't. But you really don't understand... what you gave me, when you offered me this role. Do you?
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I don’t. Why don’t you tell me?
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...You don't know what it means to me to be needed, when I should have died, then, in the water. You don't know what it means to have someone to try to protect... even if I can't.
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… I’m happy you didn’t. That you’re here. With me.
You’ve done a better job of protecting me than you think.
[ she pauses for a long moment, considering him. considering telling him the truth.
he’s never given her reason not to trust him. ]
… I don’t think … anyone has ever … looked after me, the way you do.
[ her voice dips into softness. ]
And I’ve started to discover… that’s more valuable to me than any gold could ever be.
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[He brushes his thumb carefully across her cheek, under her wet and reddened eyes.]
You're the one comforting me now.
You were closer to Ranma than I was, weren't you? And you saw her before I did.
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[ her expression threatens to collapse--
before she seems to realize something all at once, and she glances up at him in a panic. ]
Oh, no. Wound check is going to look really bad for me tomorrow.
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[Automatically, he moves his hands to her arms, gently, as if to steady her in the face of her alarm.]
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[ rather nervously she hikes up just a small piece of her top--
--and even that is sufficient to see her skin is mottled with bruises. ]
That was on Wednesday...
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[His hands hold her more firmly.]
It'll be okay. Leon's a light sleeper and an early riser. All three of us can vouch that you were in the room last night.
Besides, it... didn't look like Ranma fought whoever killed her. No defensive injuries on--well, the arm she had left. Those bruises won't prove anything.
[Not once does it look like Aqua suspects Lortel or is trying to cover for her. The analytical look on his face is only looking for the connections to the facts he knows for truth: Lortel didn't do this.]
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Everyone's emotions are running so high...
[ she seems--is--genuinely scared. whispers: ] Zoe and Anemone are going to kill me.
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[Aqua looks her straight in the eyes with an intensity he rarely shows.]
I know you didn't do this, Lortel. You won't be dying tomorrow. You won't be dying in this damned house, ever.
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… I know, [ she manages, trying a smile. ]