Hepatica [OPEN]

[eighthmelody]

Characters: Ness and probably all of the Winding Way
Content: After being MIA for a week, the shota doctor returns. Yes it's a day early, stfu
Setting: The Winding Way
Time: Morning
Warnings: Probably lots of sappiness. And beatings. Of love.

Comments

[fallingjunkyard]

When Joshua spotted Ness out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't stop the grin of silent approval from spreading across his face. Ness would be a little different, he was sure of it, but he thought that maybe, maybe, the change would be good. There was only one way to find out, really.

Turning, he lets a smirk replace his earlier smile. "Glad to see you've returned. Your belongings were starting to collect dust."

[eighthmelody]

It must have been some kind of karma that the first person that Ness would run into would be Joshua. And while Joshua was treating him the same as ever, something between them had changed. Ness just didn't know what.

"Is that all you were worried about?" He asked.

[fallingjunkyard]

Joshua laughed and took a step towards Ness, the words 'of course not' ready on his tongue though they never leave his mouth. They're only a few of the words he never allowed himself to voice.

Leaning forward, he said quietly, "Do you think I'm a worrywart?"

[eighthmelody]

Ness wasn't surprised that Joshua evaded his question with one of his own. He smiled, because that was probably one thing that would remain constant for a while, if not forever. That was actually kind of comforting. Annoying, but comforting.

"Maybe on the inside," he answered, just as softly.

[haplessmedic]

Hanatarou was sweeping up the deck (he had to make himself useful somehow), when he looked over and saw...Ness. Back safelyt from wherever he'd been.

The broom clattered to the floor, and Hana ran forward, tackling Ness in a big hug. Well, as big as someone Hana's side could manage.

"Ness! Y'you're alright!" he said as he clung to him.

[eighthmelody]

Ness took a step back when Hana tacked him, just barely able to keep his balance from the force. He smiled and lightly hugged Hana back.

"...did you miss me?" he asked.

[haplessmedic]

"Yes, I missed you, and...you...oogh!" Hana made an inarticulate noise of frustration and punched Ness in the side.

"Don't you ever do something like that again!" he said. "Y-you made Rhyme cry!"

[reaperbait]

Rhyme hadn't been up on the top deck, but she had been wandering the Way with little to do while their needed repairs finished up. She ended up on the top deck and there was Ness!

She ran up to him, punched him hard in the shoulder and then hugged him and Hana.

"You're a very bad promise keeper!" She's not really angry, because he came back, but she had been. Besides, Ness needed some payback for making her cry so much.

[cachinnusi]

While Naruto had not known Ness as well as the others, as soon as he heard the commotion on the top deck, he still decided to head up there. He was still a member of their family, and he'd still done something stupid that made a lot of people upset. Since he was back, though, he figured everything was all right now. He knew he was being smart when he said Ness could handle it, now he was just sure about it.

Still, that didn't mean Ness wouldn't have a ninja sneaking up on him. Not that he was being very stealthy, hands in his pockets as he came up behind him, as though heading somewhere else casually. He pulled one hand out and drew it back, punching him hard in the forearm with a grin. "Welcome back."

It'd be his own damn fault if he was black and blue by the afternoon.

[eighthmelody]

Unlike Hana or Rhyme's, Naruto's punch actually hurt. He rubbed the spot without a sound. Though he did grimace a little at the pain.

"...thanks Naruto," he said a bit dryly. In all seriousness, Ness did expect to be hit quite a few times today, but that didn't mean he had to like it.

[cachinnusi]

"Good to see you're alive and all. But," he pointed at him, grin spreading a little bit. Naruto couldn't help but give him warning. "If you do something dumb like that again, I'll punch you in the face instead."

And then he punched him the arm once more, for emphasis, although it wasn't as hard or in the same spot. "Don't forget the Way's your family. We all do stupid stuff, but we do it together."

[eighthmelody]

"...I'll keep that in mind," Ness answered. "I wouldn't have this ship any other way." The second punch hurt as well, but at least it was lighter. If either of them left marks, Ness would be annoyed. Then he'd heal them up.

"But this was something stupid I had to do on my own," he continued. "I'm sure you understand."

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"Ness Lakehaven, you better be glad I can't walk!"

Rikku had wheeled up on deck and spotted Ness. Had she been able to walk, she would have run over to the medic and given him what for. As it was, she settled for rolling over and swatting his hat off with the screwdriver in her hand.

[eighthmelody]

Someway, somehow, Rikku was scarier in the wheelchair than she was on her own two feet. Ness didn't know if it was her current mood or if the contraption somehow made her seem more ominous, but he backed off a little when she wheeled over to him.

He let his hat fall to the floor, glad that she targeted it rather than his face and considered it a blessing that she didn't run over it.

Or his foot.

"H-hi, Rikku," he greeted meekly.

[tiny_tinker_toy]

"You're lucky I don't run over your feet to keep you from running away again!" she mumbled.

[eighthmelody]

Even if she had run over his foot, Ness doubted she would do much damage to it. And even if she did damage it, he could easily mend whatever it was.

But it was best not to bring that up.

"...yes, Rikku," he replied.

[robotic_rank]

Claus had kept much more to himself, with Ness' leave of the ship. He had promised Rhyme he would be there for her if she had needed anything...but he hadn't even bothered to check most of the happenings on the ship.

The strange listlessness didn't seem to leave after a few days either, Ness had always been on his mind, different situations replaying over and over...but he had to believe in him. Didn't he? He hadn't expected to ever go through something like this, he thought, as he walked up on the top deck after training practice.

He also didn't expect to see Ness there.

He stopped.

"..."

[eighthmelody]

So far, Ness had been hit a grand total of five times upon his arrival, and he had hardly been back for an hour. And, he could expect a few more hits once he encountered more of the crew. But that was all right. He knew they were just worried about him.

After telling Rikku everything she wanted to know, he started to head back and almost bumped into Claus on the way.

"...hey Claus," he smiled.

[robotic_rank]

Claus' eyes were wide, as he simply stared at Ness. He couldn't put this feeling into words...relief? Happiness? A mixture of both? Whatever it was, he didn't care to give it a name, Ness was here, alive, and that was all that mattered.

He didn't know what exactly had come over him, but the next minute his arms were wrapped around Ness' shoulders, and he was crushing him towards his body in a hug. He hadn't had much experience with hugs, but he hoped he was doing it right.

[eighthmelody]

The hug caught Ness by surprise, and he just stood dumbfounded for a moment before hugging Claus back the best he could. It honestly kind of hurt, but Ness really didn't care.

"...I missed you too," he said.