[private]

[righteous_pen]

((for always_ashes, right after this, so backdated a few days.))

Angela?

[Teru's home, finally. It's been a long day. A's expecting him to be back late, of course, but he knows she'll still be worried.

At least he almost has good news.]

Comments

[always_ashes]

[A knew he'd be back late, but of course, she does have a tendency to worry, so when she hears Teru's voice, she pops her head out of the bedroom before going and hugging him.]

Hey you!

[righteous_pen]

[Teru squeezes her hand in return.] I've never counted it.

[He's still angry with Mel, but he realises something now that softens his tone a bit.] ...she should at least be warned that he's come back.

[always_ashes]

[A smiles gently at Teru, and nods quietly.]

Do you think she's been staying in her room or would she have moved somewhere else...I'll try to find her, talk to her, warn her at the very least...

[righteous_pen]

You think that's a good idea?

[Although, Angela is neutral. More or less. ...rather like Sayu.]

I don't know her well enough to know where she'd be.

[always_ashes]

I don't think it could hurt...

[righteous_pen]

...I don't know what to feel about her. [- he admits, quietly.]

Do what you think is right.

[always_ashes]

I understand. You don't have to feel anything about this, but Mel is my friend...and she did something awful, yes, but...it'd be wrong to not try and help her through this.

...
It'd be wrong to try and not help Light or Sayu, either.

[righteous_pen]

[He leans forward a little, letting himself pull at his hair, just once.]

I don't want to help him. I don't want to care about what happens to him.

[always_ashes]

[A frowns in concern, gently taking the hand that's pulling on his hair, moving it away, rubbing it gently.]

But you do. And that's normal.

[righteous_pen]

It's hypocritical.

[Muttered, almost sulky.]

[always_ashes]

[A smiles at him again, continuing to stroke his hand gently.]

It's human.

But just because you feel bad doesn't mean you have to help him, especially if he's getting better...

[righteous_pen]

He doesn't need help any more.

[None that Teru's inclined, or would be allowed, to give him.]

[always_ashes]

Then you really don't have anything to worry about, love...

[Not that she'd be able to stop him from worrying.]

[righteous_pen]

He'll think he has some kind of - of hold over me again, now.

[That isn't really the main problem, but it's the one he feels able to speak about.]

[always_ashes]

But he doesn't have any kind of hold over you. We both know that....are you worried that he'll try something?

[righteous_pen]

...he always does. I just can't stand the way he looks at me.