[049 Accidental Video] Loss

[buntails]

[This is not the Tsukino Usagi most people see. There's no bright smile, no flailing or laughing, not even that desparate bid to make the best of things

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[angle_on_it]

[He finds her, even if she hasn't given her coordinates, and didn't know she was broadcasting at all. It takes him too long in his own mind, but Sokka finds Usagi. Seeing her sitting there on the swing alone, his heart felt like it was being squeezed. Another friend gone, another friend gone, another friend gone...]

[Sokka makes no attempt to hide his approach, but as he nears her, he finds himself slowing. Usually so bright and vivid even under the worst conditions, seeing his dear friend so forlorn feels like injury added to injury.]

[He stops close behind her, hand reaching for her shoulder and voices a low and broken attempt at her name.] Usagi...

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[buntails]

[His presence is a reminder she needs right now: She is still not alone. Rei-chan is here, Michiru-san is here, and she's made friends here that aren't from her world.

But those friends from her world have been through so much with her. They're special to her in a way she can't articulate well, built through their battles, their hardships, their triumphs, their celebrations.

She acts as if she doesn't see Sokka, for just a few seconds. Then she turns to face him.]

Sokka. What are you doing out here? [She tries for a smile; a small one surfaces.]

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[angle_on_it]

[He feels like his heart is breaking a little here. There's no hiding it, Usagi, Sokka knows your pain. He steps around to give her a good look.] I've come to see you. Is that okay?

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[buntails]

[She nods, and then makes her voice work.]

Go ahead. It'll be nice to have company. [There's an open swing just for you if you want a seat, Sokka.]

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[angle_on_it]

[Pfft. Sokka isn't about to take a seat without pulling her straight into a hug. It's not anything but that -- no words accompany it -- but when he lets go, he looks a little better for it, too. He takes a seat on the other swing and doesn't swing.]

Have you been here long?

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[buntails]

[Selfish as it is, she lets herself soak up the comfort from the simple gesture. She doesn't move away until he lets her go. There's a silence while Sokka settles into his seat.

She thinks at first that he means how long she's been in Adstringendum, because that's in the front of her mind right now.]

It's been about a year.

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[angle_on_it]

[Oh, no, that doesn't do. Sokka frowns deeply and reaches across the expanse, taking hold of Usa's hand, grasping it tightly.] I mean tonight. Now. Have you been sitting here long?

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[buntails]

Ah- No. [She lets him take her hand; it's nothing romantic right now, nothing that she'd pull away from.] Just a little while. [Twenty minutes? Half an hour? Hard to say.]

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[angle_on_it]

Can I walk you home? Or aren't you ready to go? [Because out here isn't any better than in there, but at least at her house, he can try to take care of her.]

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[buntails]

I don't want to go back yet.

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[angle_on_it]

Then we'll stay here. As long as you need. [He wasn't about to leave her, and he couldn't imagine going back home just yet.]

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[buntails]

What about you? [Aang. Hadn't she seen Aang is gone, too?]

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[angle_on_it]

I don't want to go home, either. [And he squeezed her hand in response, likely needing the gesture more than either can gather.] I'll stay here with you for now.

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[buntails]

Just for now. [She knows, even with her own immaturity, that she can't hide away from her feelings forever. But she can take a short break until she's ready.]

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[angle_on_it]

For as long as you need. [He corrected, feeling that pertinent.] I won't go until you're ready.

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[buntails]

Thanks. It helps a lot.

Hey, tell me more about Aang. We knew each other here, but I still only know a little bit about all of you guys back home.