jelly 23, Video

[bakegarasu]

[Otoha looks flat-out exhausted when he hops onto the network.]

The creepy empty-eyed kid who barely spoke was me. Yes, there's reasons for why. People who know me probably can guess.

For everyone else, I'm... sorry.

[Ugh, that feels weird in his mouth.]

If you wanna yell at me for being freaky I'm in the greenhouse for a while.

Comments

[firewalled]

[Rich is pretty sure the fact that Otoha has adopted him makes him the furthest thing from a monster. If he was a monster, he wouldn't care so much for other people, and want to protect his city.

He's just been... in a lot of messed up situations. That much is very apparent from what Otoha says next, causing Rich to inhale sharply.]

Yeah... I mean, it's obvious that he's a monster. It's just that how he treated people doesn't determine your worth, or anyone's worth.

...I'm sorry if I'm not making sense or arguing too much. I just... I worry about you.

[bakegarasu]

... I know you do. I... worry about you, too. You're important to me.

[He's just not sure what to say. He's not sure how to make him understand.]

[firewalled]

[Rich is at a loss for words too, so instead of bothering, he just... leans in to squeeze him tight again, pressing his head into Otoha's shoulder.]

Sorry. I'm sorry...

[He just wants Otoha to take care of himself...]

[bakegarasu]

... It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong.

[He wraps his arms around Rich tightly, firmly.]

I'll keep you safe. You have any problems, you can run to me. If you need to talk, you can run to me - I'll listen, even if I don't completely understand. If you have a nightmare, you can run to me. I've got you, all right?

[firewalled]

...Okay, I... okay.

[He takes a few slow breaths, but then looks up at Otoha with a slightly desperate frown.]

As long as you promise you'll do the same if you're in trouble, okay? I know I don't look it, but I really can handle it. I want to help you. I just... want you to know you aren't alone.

[bakegarasu]

... I can only promise to try.

[That's the best he can offer. None of this is natural for him, all of this is new... it's going to take a while.]

[firewalled]

...I think that's probably all I can ask for. Thank you, though. I'm glad we can talk...

[If Rich is just patient (which admittedly, isn't one of his strong suits), he might be able to get Otoha to take care of himself a little better.]

[bakegarasu]

Of course. ... You're my brother, after all.

[firewalled]

...Big sap.

[Rich mutters, and falls silent as he leans against Otoha, just quietly watching the plants around them.]

[bakegarasu]

Yeah. Don't tell anyone, you'll ruin my reputation.

[He turns Rich so the boy's back is against his chest, just draping his arms over his shoulders and taking in the moment.]