(Untitled)

[pristinestar]

Characters: Red and vatheon
Location: Streets!
Time: Morning.
Style: Any.
Status: Open.

Comments

[keyword_bingo]

"Red?" Philip rested one slim hand loosely on Red's shoulder from behind, his face drawn a little in concern for his friend. He had spotted Red just a bit earlier, wandering around almost aimlessly, and he had been about to join his friend when he realized something was off. His behaviour had been atypical, enough to make Philip worry. And while Philip was not the most outgoing of people, nor even the best at comforting, he could not sit by idly while his friend was downcast.

"Did something happen?"

[pristinestar]

Red was not fully aware of how he was behaving. He just felt the need to keep moving his feet somehow, but everything he was holding back for so long had heaved him on this particular day. Regardless of how hard it was to take, but was not impossible. He was quick to perk his head up, only to realize that Philip was here beside him now.

He made a small flicker of a smile, trying to stop what was coming out from his eyes. It's embarrassing, for a growing boy. At least, that's how Red felt for that moment. A few more droplets filled those strong eyes before he moved one hand to rub against them slowly.

"... Philip," he said with a soft tone, "I'm sorry."

He didn't know how to word what happened. He'd say that America is gone, but that wasn't the case. Red didn't want to say that his best friend was gone. He's just... back home now. Yes, maybe that's the way.

"Alfred went home."

[keyword_bingo]

"I see. I am sorry for your loss, however I am confident Alfred will be without problem at home." Philip wasn't very good at comforting people. Beyond Shoutarou and Aki-chan, he had not really ever attempted to do so. And he was doubtful that Red could be comforted in the same way as Shoutarou or Aki-chan could be.

Extending a hand, he waited to help Red up. "It is hard to miss a friend."

[pristinestar]

Red nodded to that a few times. He definitely understood that. He should be happy for Alfred... He honestly is, but it's always painful to part from someone who had grown important to you. It was just yesterday that they were having their favorite meals together...

Though, he just had to remind himself of where they all are. It will be okay. Maybe he'll even see him again unexpectedly sometime. And at Philip's words, he smiled up to him softly. It really is hard, but at least he still had the others with him here. Red accepted that offered hand and squeezed it a bit.

[libraria]

Nodoka, too, has been here for a long time, but saying goodbye was never easy. She learned that from her own short disappearance; her friends had been devastated and it was the same for her when they left. It never got easier for Nodoka, but she tried her best to work her way through it and make do with what she was allowed to keep. She couldn't be greedy, not when she was blessed with so much in Vatheon

[pristinestar]

Red didn't recongize the voice at first, only because his consciousness was floating about as he just tried to straighten himself during these moments. But when he felt the touch on his shoulder, he shortly noticed that familiar voice.

"Nodoka..." he replied with a dazed gaze. But it was shortly replaced by a tiny smile and that familiar will to want to assure his friends. He lifted a hand on top of hers, then secured it in place as his smile grew a bit more.

"Sorry, I didn't mean..." he tried to continue his words, but they just trailed off completely when a few more tears felt his eyes. He lowered his head afterwards.

[libraria]

Nodoka shakes her head, settling down next to her friend. She breathes out, the cool air making a light fog appear where her breath was before she smiles at him, holding his hand lightly. After a moment of silence, she turns back to him and speaks softly.

"It's sad when the people we love go home, Red-san, but it's okay. Because they're not really gone - they never will be. Because they're always right here." Shifting, she takes her free hand and presses it against his chest lightly - right over his heart. She smiles, though she looks a little teary-eyed herself. "We'll always have our memories of them, and no one can take that away. Not forever, at least."

[pristinestar]

That was the part of him that was hurting the most right now. When Nodoka placed her kind hand against his heart, it easily made it thump quickly. His eyes widened only because of the wandering hurt in him. Her words and gestures definitely made him feel warmer, even against this cold morning. He wanted to smile, but instead the opposite expression grew against his face.

He felt so bad for showing this side to Nodoka, he wanted to remain strong, after all. Or perhaps that is the reason why the pain doubled for him. He forgot about his own feelings that built up over time... It's finally leaving him. Tears kept falling as his body trembled a bit against Nodoka's hand. She's right. And he believed it, too. He never believed that anyone here could take away their memories.

Every memory that they made here will always be with them, and that will connect everyone...

[milevincula]

A-ah, Red-san!

[Congratulations, Red, you now have one worried teacher rushing up to you.]

Did something happen?

[pristinestar]

[. . .]

[Red was still thinking things over when Negi rushed by, so his reaction was delayed.]

Ah, Negi... Don't worry, it's nothing bad.

[milevincula]

Are you sure about that...?

[Hey hey hey he has students older than you. He knows if you're hiding something.]

[pristinestar]

I'm sure.

[there's a small smile now, even as he cried a little more. America's back home, back to the place he loved and he was definitely safe now... it's nothing bad, indeed.]

I'll miss him a lot, though...

[dystopiadreams]

For once, Selphie said nothing. Her chest heaved to see Red waving...to nothing... What had happened? And to see him fall to the ground like that... It broke her heart, and she had no idea what to say. So she says nothing, just walks over beside him and crouches down with him, copying his actions, just being close.

[pristinestar]

Red felt the warm presence near him now, but he kept himself still and shed a few more tears quietly. Eventually, when his heart felt a bit better, he lifted a glance to his side where the warmth was coming from.

It's Selphie...

He moved a hand to his eyes to rub the droplets away before he let out a light-hearted laugh. He's just trying to make the mood better for both of them. He didn't mean to have her see this, after all.

"... Selphie?"

[dystopiadreams]

Selphie turned her head, just as Red had done. Her green eyes are large, almost sad as she watched her friend. She might be curled in a ball, but she still reached out a hand to help him wipe the tears away.

"Hi." She spoke only softly, and her hand moved to hold on to one of Red's, charm bracelets jangling.

[pristinestar]

Red allowed her to help him with that, his eyes fell slightly during the moment.

"I'm sorry."

And just then, he noticed it. She was wearing the charms that he gave her for Christmas... Seeing them definitely helped him feel happier just now.

"... They look nice on you," he commented as he smiled out. It's a weak smile, but it's full of honesty. He's flattered that she's wearing them.

[prominence_glow]

There's the thumping and crunching of shoes on snow before they stop in front of Red. Steam rises from the mug which is suddenly shoved beneath his face. Holding the hot chocolate is Lea, looking cleaned up for once in a waiter's uniform and with just a scarf around his neck to protect from the cold.

"If you believe it and go for it, then of course you will." He seems rather serious as he crouches down. "If these people in this city figured out a way to go to other worlds, then I bet anyone could! So if you miss someone, there's always a chance to find them again."

[pristinestar]

The mug caught Red off-guard, so his eyes widened a little as the hot steam that crawled against his face. After lifting his head and heard Lea's words, a good smile appeared on him as a faintly tearful nod was gestured at it. Definitely, there's still a chance for them to meet. Who knows, America might come back like the others. Either that, or maybe something in the future will give them a chance to meet...

"Thanks..." Red said almost happily, then reached out to accept the mug with hot chocolate. The warmth felt nice, and the sweet smell was definitely helping him calm down. He always did like chocolate.

[prominence_glow]

"That's the spirit!" Smiling again, Lea plops down besides him. Truth be told, he can't stand seeing other people be down like that. "No one wants to see you moping around, y'know."

Leaning back, he looks up at the 'sky'. He wonders... Maybe they could find a way to visit other worlds instead of getting dragged to this one...

[pristinestar]

"I'm sorry..." Red lost that smile, but he wasn't frowning at all. He just never liked troubling others, so he felt apologetic for that. He glanced a little towards Lea, watched him sit next to himself.

He slowly looked up too, afterwards. It's a cold day, but it's friends like these that help it become a bit warmer. At least he's not alone.