[Video Post | Backdated to before Issei's return]

[truthinfortune]

[Naoto's sitting on her bed and clinging to a pillow. No, she doesn't realize she's virused. She thinks it's because Issei forgot about her that she's feeling so distraught.]

...he really did forget about us.

[She buries her face in the pillow, her fingers digging deep into the fabric.]

Comments

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

[It seems as though Ed is crashing the party, thanks to Mello bringing him from where he was having his little temper tantrum. He looks absolutely strung out and miserable.]

[With nothing to do to get that creepy feeling off of him he's forced to grab a seat and sulk.]

Hi Naoto.

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

Edward... [She seems a bit gloomy, but at least the smile she offers him looks genuine.] I'm so glad to see you.

[She approaches, wanting nothing more than to fling her arms around his neck and pull him close, but some feeling of propriety causes her to hesitate.]

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

I'd be more glad to see you if I wasn't fucking freaking out about this whatever thing that's happening. It's making my skin crawl. It's been two days. Urgh.

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

Two days? Has it really been that long? [She looks a bit shamefaced.] I've been trying to avoid the community for a bit, ever since I heard about Issei-kun...

You look like you could use a hug right about now...

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

It isn't your fault or anything.

[Edward is sulking, but he doesn't argue the point. It's just embarrassing.]

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

I know, but... I just can't stand the thought that the bonds I forged with my friends could be so fragile. That at any given moment, someone I hold dear could suddenly lose all memory of me... and the time we spent together...

[She stares at her feet, shoulders trembling slightly. She bites her lower lip.]

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

Bonds are fragile...lives are fragile.

[He looks at Naoto with a look of understanding but he doesn't offer more, he's fidgety and annoyed.]

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

[Naoto stares back at him, tears swimming in her eyes. That's not what she learned from Souji and the others. The bonds they forged were unbreakable, not by time or distance. But that didn't apply to people on the community. People like Edward and his brother. Even if Naoto and her friends from Inaba were barred from the community, they would never forget the battles they fought... the joy and suffering they shared that year in Inaba...]

Edward, I...

[Without thinking, she flings her arms around the boy, her face pressed into the hollow of his neck.]

I don't want to forget about you. Ever. And I... don't want you to forget about me, either...

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

[Edward is alarmed but he puts his arms around her to catch her, the annoyance is already fading.] Hey hey, don't cry! Girls shouldn't cry!

[He pats her shoulders awkwardly and his expression softens a little.] I won't forget you, alright?

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

[She can't speak for a moment, she's too overcome with emotion, and is desperately trying to hold back her tears. She hates crying in front of strangers, and still feels a bit uncomfortable crying in front of her friends and family...]

No, it's boys that aren't supposed to cry... [And because such masculine affectations are so deeply ingrained into Naoto, that sentiment applies to her, too.]

You promise...?

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

[Clearly this awkward hugging isn't going to help so Edward wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to him. It helps make him feel better too.]

I don't like seeing people I care for upset. Yeah, I promise. I'm not going anywhere Naoto. How could I?

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

[When Edward puts his arms around her, the effect is immediate. That feeling of aching loneliness seems to vanish. Her fingers tighten into his coat.]

Thank you, Edward. [She continues to cling to him.] Can we... stay like this? Just a little longer...?

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

[Edward holds onto her tightly and nods against the side of her head.] Yeah.

[He closes his eyes and leans against her despite himself. It just makes everything feel so much better. This virus was stupid, but the relief is genuine.] I...don't go anywhere either okay?

[He lets out a weak laugh.] I'm probably not that good to hug..arm's hard and cold.

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

[She's loathe to let go of him, and is thankful that he hasn't pulled away. She smiles against his neck, blinking back the tears which cling to her eyelashes, blurring her vision.]

Yes, you are. [She takes one hand and gently touches the shoulder port where the automail connects to his body.] It's... warm. And... you have a very gentle touch... I like it.

[Would Edward even believe her if she told him that the automail reminded her of Cordelia, her android companion, and how she could derive comfort from her embrace? Probably not... But it was true, regardless.]

[Actionspam]

[cyberelric]

[Ed sighs contently and just holds her.] Yeah I can be gentle I guess. Wouldn't want to hurt you. What kind of a brother would I be if I did that?

[Actionspam]

[truthinfortune]

[She laughs a little.]

It's amazing how well you've adjusted to the automail. A full range of articulation, and an amazingly responsive pressure-feedback system. It really is a beautiful piece of work. It feels so natural for some reason...