014 [action]

[codecmoments]

Dying hurt about as much as Hal imagined. It was all academic- as the blood loss became too great, the victim would start feeling less and less, the numbness pervasively coating all sensation, pain or otherwise. He never felt the felling blow of Larxene's knife, just the feeling of falling without moving

Comments

[prayforprey]

[... Can't say Roxas did much either. Still, his expression is blank as he watches the man talk to himself, fuss over his glasses, and erect his posture. All things Roxas has come to know from the humble man.

He only leans over, shielding him from the rain under an umbrella with keys printed on it, not hardly sparing a smile.]

Welcome ... Welcome home.

[codecmoments]

Hal stared up at his fellow barcoder, an easy smile settling over his face. He was always glad to see Roxas.

"Mm, I guess so." He hung his elbows on his knees, gaze tilted easily up. "Hello, Roxas. Nice umbrella. Somehow apropos. Did I miss anything important?" Like Larxene's tragic and hopefully permanent death, he didn't say by some miracle.

[prayforprey]

[It was all Roxas could really offer, anyway. It wasn't like he was about to ... hug the man. He only repeated words as he had seen them in the homes of others.]

Not particularly.

[codecmoments]

"Well, that's good." Hal leaned hard on his knees, slowly getting to his feet, carefully not to hit Roxas' umbrella on the way up. He winced in pain and spent a moment stretching out his very sore muscles. He felt like he'd never used any of them before, which... made some sense, really. He'd have to get some new nanos in him, as his were missing, run some scans...

Right. Roxas. Boy who looked even more stoic and blank than usual. Hal used one finger to lift the brim of the umbrella, just enough so if wasn't blocking his view of Roxas. "Are you all right?" he asked in a soft, worried tone.

you know fangirls everywhere just want them to hug. :>

[prayforprey]

[He remained wordless, raising he umbrella to shield them both from the downpour, only watching as obvious thoughts flickered across Hal's face. He rose his vision up at the question, quirking a brow.]

Yeah. Why?

they have fangirls? :O

[codecmoments]

"You're more closed-off than usual," Hal answered honestly, carefully taking the umbrella from Roxas, holding it for them both so Roxas wouldn't have to stretch his arm so far.

Considering what Sora said... "I'm sorry about what happened. I should have been more careful."

/fangirl.

[prayforprey]

Ah. Sorry.

[Could have something to do with the fact he's seeing one of his best friends comrades back from the dead. It doesn't really surprise him as much as it might a normal person, but ...]

Not your fault.

oic nao

[codecmoments]

"Don't apologize for that," Hal murmured. Roxas always managed to make his heart twist without even trying, that intense quiet around him very familiar.

"Partially my fault. Trust me, I was being stupid during the fight," if his foray with Larxene could even be called that. "But, hey, one good thing came out of it." He raised his now-whole and unstitched free hand, waggling the fingers. "I can get out of your hair now."

[prayforprey]

For being closed off? I thought I was supposed to.

[He pauses, examining the way Hal's hands were newly fixed, turning over the information in his mind. So ... Hal was ... leaving.]

You don't-- [He started, then tilted his gaze away. He wasn't about the just blurt something out.] ... have to.

[codecmoments]

"No, never. It's just who you are. You being more distant that usual is just as easy to read as when you're not. I just wanted to know if something was bothering you."

Hal tipped his head to the side, catching Roxas' eyes as he looked away. "You don't want me to?"

[prayforprey]

Who I ... am. [This seems to turn over a new leaf in his head, eyes going a little distant as he continues to think.]

Not ... I mean. Do whatever you'd like.

[codecmoments]

Hal just nodded, smiling indulgently. "Of course."

"Roxas," he said, keeping his voice neutral. "Do you want me to stay? I'm fine staying or moving back to my room."

[prayforprey]

Mm.

[Still, he dismisses the man's inquiry, handing the umbrella over to him and stepping out into the sound of rain as he pulls his cloak up.]

I don't care either way.

[codecmoments]

"Where... Hey!" Hal jogged to catch up with the boy. "You do so. Why do you do that, squash it down like that?"

[prayforprey]

[Pauses, blinking over his shoulder and watching as the dribble of rain ends when he comes under the umbrella again.]

There's nothing to squash down. You just like to personify your ideals on a something empty.

[codecmoments]

Hal flinched at that, deeply hurt, but pressed on. "We've discussed this. You know I don't believe that. It's not my ideals, it's just what makes the most sense. I can see you have emotions, they're just... muted, like..." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know."