just this once, everybody lives!

[sageprincess]

Characters: Everyone.
Setting: Anywhere.
Format: Party style.
Summary: Post-Ex Machina catch-all mingle.
Warnings: See individual threads.

[After a long, drawn out battle, the infiltration team returns to the residential portion of the Tower, weary, battered... but victorious. Some catching up is in order.]

Comments

[miseris_socios]

[He laughs a little bit.]

How are you feeling?

[floreatnoctem]

[She smiles at him, light and careful, moving her hand from his arm to pat his cheek.]

A little hopeful, for once.

[miseris_socios]

Me too. We're going to be okay.

[He lets her go and moves in front of her. Things will be all right. They can do this.]

[floreatnoctem]

It's looking like we might be.

[She bumps her shoulder against his.]

Fingers crossed, right?

[miseris_socios]

That's right. And we'll keep making our own luck.

[floreatnoctem]

You sound like Minato.

[And coming from Chidori, that's one of the highest compliments a person can get.]

[miseris_socios]

[He knows. And looking back on things, her crush is a little obvious.]

Thanks, Chidori.

[floreatnoctem]

[Honestly, how no one ever noticed is a little beyond her, all things considered.]

It's true, you know.

[She smiles earnestly for once, leaning her cheek against his.]

You've grown up a lot. I'm proud of you.

[miseris_socios]

[... He blushes a bit and looks down.]

Ah... you think so? ... Thanks.

[floreatnoctem]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't.

[She chuckles a bit, quietly, then reaches up to ruffle his hair slightly.]

You'll always be my little brother though, no matter how tall you get.

[miseris_socios]

[He nuzzles into her hand.]

And you'll always be my big sister.

[floreatnoctem]

Good.

[She leans up a bit, kissing his cheek.]

I would hate to lose such a valued position.

[miseris_socios]

[He just shakes his head a bit and laughs.]

I... I love you. Thanks for... everything you do for me.

[floreatnoctem]

[She doesn't answer- instead she just nods silently and presses her forehead briefly against his shoulder.

She loves you too, Ken.]