[The sudden presence of another in her room is more than enough to instantly wake Ayumu, given that she isn't known for being a sound sleeper to begin with. At first she doesn't move, her breathing still slow and even as she listens intently for the sounds of movement, and then in an instant she slides a kunai from hiding and throws it directly toward the intruder.]
[Deserved? Homura shakes his head slightly, then lets his hands drop from Ayumu's body. Knowing that no one would be in his own apartment on his return takes away his desire to make the trip, and he lays back on her bed. What he deserves in return for his powerlessness is far from the consideration she shows him.]
[Ayumu frowns at him briefly, but first rises to her feet with the basket and moves to put it away.]
It was much as usual here during that time. A draft, and now more new arrivals- though instead of an experiment the Malnosso created a... a park of some kind, with activities. Though it's disappeared again now.
[With that taken care of, she moves back to kneel at his side, resting a hand on his forehead as though testing for fever.]
[Much as usual indeed. Although it seems that Homura has missed a great deal, none of the events stand out as being unusual in and of themselves. Even the mention of the park isn't so unlike the festivals they had experienced before. If anything, Homura is thankful that Ayumu herself hasn't been forced through any of the mental manipulations the Malnoso seem so fond of.
When Homura feels her hand on his skin, he turns his head slightly to look at her.]
[Homura moves his hand over Ayumu's when she confesses. It's likely as close as she'll let herself come to admitting she has been worried over him, and something she never would have said only a short time before. Despite everything, that makes Homura smile more honestly.]
I apologize for making you wonder, in that case. It's unfortunate that it went so far.
I'm aware. [Yet that is the problem in the end: so many things entirely out of his control, moreso than they had been centuries ago. Then Homura had naivety as his excuse. Now, he simply cannot do anything to change whatever might happen.]
Thank you. [Still, he has this. Homura curls his fingers around Ayumu's, drawing her hand down to place a gentle kiss on the skin.] And you'll stay with me, I trust?
[At that her hand does twitch slightly, as though she'd thought to draw back again but changed her mind after the initial reaction. Gentleness is still something she doesn't quite know how to deal with, especially not coming from him.]
For a time, at least. I'll need to start breakfast in a few hours.
[Homura feels the slight twinge, but ignores it. True enough, that gentle side is one he rarely shows, much the same as Ayumu herself hides her emotions. Keeping her hand in his, now held against his chest, Homura lets his eyes close. A few hours will be enough time for him to sleep, and face the truth of an empty apartment.]
[It doesn't seem like enough time to her, given the extent of the injuries she'd just patched up, but arguing with Homura about it would likely be unproductive. Ayumu merely confines her reaction to a faint sigh before settling down beside him, though she isn't entirely certain just how much sleep she'll manage before morning.]
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[She may not have been as close to Nataku as Homura clearly was, but she still... well, perhaps even liked him.]
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Would you mind telling me what else I've missed?
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It was much as usual here during that time. A draft, and now more new arrivals- though instead of an experiment the Malnosso created a... a park of some kind, with activities. Though it's disappeared again now.
[With that taken care of, she moves back to kneel at his side, resting a hand on his forehead as though testing for fever.]
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When Homura feels her hand on his skin, he turns his head slightly to look at her.]
I'm glad you're well.
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As am I.
[And there's a brief pause before she continues, with an admission somewhat more honest than usual.]
I was starting to wonder if you were going to return at all.
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I apologize for making you wonder, in that case. It's unfortunate that it went so far.
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[And she isn't pulling her hand away from his, either. Clearly she was worried, even if she won't admit to more than what she already has.]
Rest here as long as you need to.
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Thank you. [Still, he has this. Homura curls his fingers around Ayumu's, drawing her hand down to place a gentle kiss on the skin.] And you'll stay with me, I trust?
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For a time, at least. I'll need to start breakfast in a few hours.
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[Homura feels the slight twinge, but ignores it. True enough, that gentle side is one he rarely shows, much the same as Ayumu herself hides her emotions. Keeping her hand in his, now held against his chest, Homura lets his eyes close. A few hours will be enough time for him to sleep, and face the truth of an empty apartment.]
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