aiwillneversmile | dup inbox/conts

dup inbox/conts

It's Aqua. Leave a message.

[Gokudera blinks, stunned, then frowns, chews the inside of his lip, and hums in thought.]

We could. Look, it's the first time we've ever spoken face to face. If you would like to get along, we can, but I don't think either of us is ready to do so very quickly, or without putting in the effort.

So I won't push you. I'll leave the ball in your court. You make the next move. I accept your apology, and I appreciate that you look out for your family. That you made the effort to come see me here today.

I respect you, and I'm sorry if I've upset you at all. That was not my intention.

[He weighs his words more than before, but eventually:]

Talk to me if you have a problem with me, not Ruby. And don't ever talk to her about me leaving.

... And thank you.

...

[He was hoping to get some insight from Ruby, but was too emotional about it. Aqua is right, though. Hayato nods. This is one of those instances where being direct would have been the wisest move. He's caused a lot of trouble.]

Yeah, that's probably for the best.

[As much as he would rather get away from this conversation, he will try to spare Ruby a little.]

... You know, right? That our mother was murdered?

[Ruby has told him about how they lost their mother. Hayato has no idea why Aqua is bringing that up, though.]

Yes.

[Neither of them know his mother died while he was young, that having him ruined her bright musical future. He doesn't share that, though. It's irrelevant.]