thenearshore | [closed] I know that I'm not alone

[It's already early evening when Yuto arrives at Sora's temple and lightly knocks at the door. Despite his usual calmness, he looks depressed and weary. He's been searching for Yuya for the past days and didn't care much for himself. Sleeping or eating has never been his priority anyway.

And now he knows without a doubt that Yuya is gone, gone again. Or rather he has no hope anymore, that maybe his god is still around here somewhere, that if he looks long enough he might find him. Even Hajime confirmed that Yuya is no longer here.

Yuto lets a deep sigh and tries to push the negative feelings away, but without much success. He knows he has to keep moving on, he knows he still has people he wants to protect, but right at this very moment he feels nothing more but frustration, helplessness and sadness that eat his heart.

He can't face Hajime with feelings like those - that would only hurt her. And that's why he asked to stay with Sora for a bit.

And now he waits.]

[After seeing Yuto’s post Sora immediately offered Yuto a place to stick around until he figures out what he wants to do. It’s not easy facing something like this. Sora has had more experience with vanishing friends lately than he cares to think about and he knows how Yuto feels. Its times like this were friends needed to be there for each other just like Yuto was for him when Ventus left.

As soon as he hears the door Sora runs to it and Yuto might hear a little bit of a clatter from inside. When he opens the door and sees Yuto he smiles. But it wavers slightly when he notices how tired Yuto looks. Oh no...]

Come in, I’m making hot chocolate.

[As he tugs Yuto inside, Sora will also place a white long haired cat in his arms. She’s a new addition to the house lately. But cat therapy is a thing. And she might be a better companion than his hyper active dream eater right now.]

Edited 2016-11-09 22:16 (UTC)

[Hearing the noises, Yuto waits patiently for Sora. When the door open, he sees the other's smile, but only nods in the greeting and doesn't resist when Sora tugs him inside. But a cat is not something Yuto has expected, so he's obviously confused when the white cat is placed in his arms. He stares at it for a moment, before giving Sora a questioning look.]

And this is...?

[His gaze switches back to the cat and for a few more seconds Yuto seems completely lost as to what he is supposed to do now. He hesitates, then gently starts petting the cat, but even then he still doesn't understand what Sora is thinking.

Since when does Sora have a cat anyway?]

[Sora smiles warmly and heads for the kitchen where he starts to fill the kettle to boil some hot water. He then pulls out a couple of mugs and spoons.]

That's May, we got her a few days ago.

[She purrs softly in Yuto's arms when she's pet and her tail swishes languidly back and forth. She seems content where she is and meows at him.]

She used to belong to Ludger, but he went away too. She's the new god around here.

[When he's sad Sora likes to cuddle his pets. So that's why he gave her to him to borrow momentarily. She's a sweet cat, a little on the diva side and a little bossy, but what cat isn't?]

[Yuto follows Sora to the kitchen. Hearing about another person gone makes him frown. The name wasn't familiar, but it doesn't make it any less depressing. Yuto looks down at the cat in his arms with sympathy but then wonders if she even realizes she's lost someone.]

I see. [He mutters in response to Sora's words, as if feeling obliged to say something.

And he continues to pet the cat. It's kind of calming actually.]

[Sora reaches up into a cupboard on his tip toes and pulls down two containers. He places them on the counter. One's milk hot chocolate one's white hot chocolate.]

It's okay. [Sora supplies, as the kettle starts to rumble,] Someone told me that even if people sometimes leave here they end up somewhere safe. Because if this is the afterlife, the only other place to go is a better life. That's neat, isn't it?

[It's a simple notion, but it's made Sora feel better. He's lost ... a lot of people. Including his best friend, Riku. So, he had to be optimistic. Had to believe that that's true and he'd see them again someday. Hopefully it'll be a small comfort for Yuto too.]

[Yuto considers it for a few long moments and thinking about it more it actually makes sense. Because when people come back here they aren't injured or anything like that. At least he doesn't know of anyone being hurt when they end up here and Yuya definitely wasn't hurt when he came back. Oh sure, he didn't remember anything, but he was smiling like always - that's what matters the most.

That conclusion drives some of Yuto's worries away and makes him nod weakly.]

...You're right. They have to be somewhere safe... After all, they're okay when they come back... Yuya wasn't.

[Even though it doesn't make him feel any less sad or lonely that Yuya is gone, Yuto at least reaffirms himself that he should keep on hoping and believing. Besides, he's not the only one who has lost someone. So many people have disappeared lately.]

...I really need to get a hold of myself.

[He remembers that Shun wrote him he should focus on people he wanted to protect. As long as he has people like that, he can't just sit in some corner, depressed. He has to push away his feelings, he has to become stronger.]

[Sora offers Yuto another smile before nodding.]

It’s okay to feel sad, that’s part of all this too. But not letting yourself get caught up in that is really important. Yuya wouldn’t want you to be sad forever. He’d want you to be happy.

[The kettle whistles and Sora pours hot water into the two cups and starts preparing the hot chocolate. Meanwhile, May seems to start purring in Yuto’s arms.]

You’re not alone right now, Yuto. We’re all here for you and to help each other get through this.

[From what he’s seen of Yuto he is strong. He’s kind and caring and feels deeper than he lets on to others. It must hurt so much to know his friend is gone. But he hopes Yuto knows that things will be okay. This isn't the end.]

[Yuto looks down, his gaze unfocused and distant.]

...I know he wouldn't want me to be sad. He always tried to get me to smile.

[Yuya was always like that. Is.

Hearing the purring, Yuto lightly scratches the cat behind the ear.

He's not alone, he knows that. But still when he looks at Sora again there's gratitude in his eyes. Maybe "You're not alone" was what he wanted to hear the most right now?]

I'll be okay. [He says, but it sounds a little different from all the "I'll be okays" he's said to anyone so far.]

...Thank you, Sora.

Edited 2016-11-14 18:40 (UTC)

[And at that Sora smiles. Genuinely and sincerely happy that Yuto feels settled at least a little bit. He doesn't expect Yuto to bounce back immediately, that's impossible and he is a human soul, but it's the right step towards healing and staying strong. And he believes that Yuto will be okay.

He finishes with the hot chocolate and passes Yuto the white chocolate one, thinking he'd like the one with less sweetness to it.]

It's not a problem. We're friends, that's what I'm here for. If you ever need anything just ask and I'll be there.

[Yuto nods with gratitude.]

Still... I want to thank you. [Because this means a lot to him.] And... I need to say the same thing to you: remember that if you ever need help, just tell me and I'll do my best to help you.

[Because this can't work only one way.

When the mug with hot chocolate is passed to him, Yuto takes it while still holding the cat with his other arm. This is clearly not comfortable, so he quickly starts looking around for a chair to sit down.]

[He nods. He would do just that if he ever needs help. He knows he can trust and rely on Yuto. He's a good friend and a good person. His smile turns a little whimsical as he reminisces about how standoffish Yuto used to be towards Sora. Look how far they've come! Sora is really grateful for Yuto's friendship.]

Thanks, Yuto. I'm glad.

[He then laughs when Yuto has his arms full and he points to the kitchen table.]

You can set her on the table, she won't go anywhere. Looks like she loves you.

[And Sora will move to sit there too.]

Have you thought about talking to Hajime?

[And Yuto is grateful for Sora's friendship. His smile grows a bit bigger and warmer when Sora thanks him, then he remembers about the cat and the mug.

Hearing Sora's words, Yuto looks at the cat for a longer moment before setting her on the table and sitting down on a chair.]

She... does?

[He tilts his head a little. Isn't "love" a little too strong of a word? Even if the cat likes him...

That thought is interrupted though, when Sora asks his question. Yuto doesn't reply right away. He takes the mug in both his hands and stares down at the chocolate in it.]

Yeah. [He pauses for a few seconds.] She's already contacted me... I'm going to talk to her properly soon.

[But right now when he's sitting like this, feeling the heat of the mug warming his hands he suddenly feels even more tired than before.]

Edited 2016-12-03 22:56 (UTC)

[Sora just laughs a bit at Yuto when he questions about the cat. She sits when she's placed down on the chair and just watches the both of them, her tail swishing calmly back and forth.

He's glad that she's contacted him. Hajime cares a lot about Yuto and that's plain to see. He tilts his head though when he notices Yuto looking a little tired.]

Is that what you wanna do? I think it's a good idea.

[When Sora laughs, Yuto blinks at him.]

W-what? Did I say something funny?

[He can't help but blush a tiny little bit out of embarrassment that he might have said something stupid.

As for talking about Hajime, Yuto frowns a little.]

I want to talk to her, I want to meet her, but... [He sighs.] If she sees me like this, she'll worry, right?

[He doesn't want her to worry.]

[Sora shakes his head and smiles.]

Nah, it's just kind of cute to see you react to something like that. Pets warm up to people pretty easily sometimes. Especially when they can sense you might need them.

[He then nods a bit.]

She might. But it's because she cares about you, right? Worrying isn't a bad thing. It's okay to let people take care of you sometimes.

[closed] I know that I'm not alone

closed to Sora;

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"Yuya was" not "wasn't" orz

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