[It makes him feel somewhat sheepish to hear her agree. Her words are still rattling around in his head and haven’t fully settled. Atsushi may be glad to see her cheering up, but he can’t fully relax yet.]
Then happiness can’t be finite, right? Since we’re making each other happy... So I don’t think you can ruin other people’s happiness, Makoto-chan. Being happy isn’t something you can hoard anyway. It has to be shared to mean anything.
[He follows her hand, gently brushing her cheek,] You’re worried about someone in particular, aren’t you?
[Makoto leaned into his palm slightly, she likely felt a little warm but at least she didn't smell like smoke and the smell of the drinks she'd had was washed away.]
I'm worried about you, I don't want to hurt you, or to ruin this. That no matter what it wouldn't work out. B-but there is someone, I-I didn't say anything earlier because I didn't think it was serious.
Right after we told each other we felt. Some else confessed, I told her that I couldn't return those feelings because I cared about you. I took her happiness away.
[Atsushi is an incredibly dense person sometimes, so he can't even begin to guess who Makoto might be referring to. It doesn't surprise him to think that someone else may have been interested in Makoto, though. She's kind, talented, brave... Her positive qualities shine so brightly that it's natural to be attracted to her.
His gaze does soften with concern.]
... By that logic, aren't I just as guilty? Because I took you away from her? [This train of thought it forcing his brain to do some aerobics. He knows it's not true, since he doesn't blame Makoto for the situation either.]
N-no it's not your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. I . . . I should have realized it sooner and told her before then that I really value her as a friend but that there was someone else. That I really liked you.
[Makoto felt even more idiotic about it looking back because she had cried into Vira-Lorr's lap when she'd been rejected by David, and Vira-Lorr had helped her recover when she came back to life waiting on Atsushi and Usagi.]
I don't want to hurt anyone, and I want to be happy, I want to be with you and for both of us to be together.
[It feels strange again to hear her say that. Being together with someone. Wanted. It's so foreign a concept and he still has trouble believing it's allowed. Yet he smiles shyly at her words. When imagining a world where Makoto instead pursued this other person, his feelings become more clear to him.]
If you'd wanted someone else... I think I'd be happy that you were happy, Makoto-chan. M-Maybe that's strange of me to think? But I'm sure that other person feels the same. If you're happy, they'll be happy too, so um... [He gently takes her hands, nervous. Unsure of what words are 'right' and how a proper boyfriend should respond.] ... Let's dry your hair. You'll catch a cold.
[If you're happy, they'll be happy too. Was it really that simple? Would it be what made Atsushi happy as well, if she was happy? For a moment she stands there, her hands being held in his, thinking bout it. If Reaper was right and she would wind up ruining it, it would be because she was expecting to right? Atsushi had said that he was happy, which lifted a large part of the weight from her chest, but that her happiness might help to restore the other's happiness as well. She'd been kind of childish hadn't she?
Leaning in Makoto kissed Atsushi, holding onto his hands tight. She didn't care about her hair right then, and she wasn't worried about catching a cold.]
[Replaying his words in his head, Atsushi wonders if he's messed up. Maybe he is wrong to think that way after all? And then changing the topic to her hair... That was pretty stupid of him. But before his self hatred can begin its usual cycle, Makoto has leaned in to kiss him. Atsushi closes his eyes to lightly return the kiss. There's a lot that he's still unsure about, but he has learned that kissing Makoto makes him happy. It's as grounding as her hands in his.
He barely pulls back when speaking again, smile becoming shy once more.]
... I can't cure a cold with kisses, you know. [His tone isn't scolding, but instead carries a tone of fondness.]
[Makoto just lingered there, in no hurry to move or pull further away. She leans her forehead against his smiling gently, Atsushi made her happy, and right now he made her feel like she was alright. She did feel anxious or worried anymore, though the thoughts did still linger a little. His reassurement though had done a lot to help silence them a bit, and to put her a bit more at ease.]
They make me feel better. And if not I'd still have you to take care of me.
[It started to dawn on her though she had said that she loved him, and he'd said it back in his own way. Her hands squeezed his lightly as she finally pulled away enough that she could look into his eyes.]
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Then happiness can’t be finite, right? Since we’re making each other happy... So I don’t think you can ruin other people’s happiness, Makoto-chan. Being happy isn’t something you can hoard anyway. It has to be shared to mean anything.
[He follows her hand, gently brushing her cheek,] You’re worried about someone in particular, aren’t you?
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I'm worried about you, I don't want to hurt you, or to ruin this. That no matter what it wouldn't work out. B-but there is someone, I-I didn't say anything earlier because I didn't think it was serious.
Right after we told each other we felt. Some else confessed, I told her that I couldn't return those feelings because I cared about you. I took her happiness away.
no subject
His gaze does soften with concern.]
... By that logic, aren't I just as guilty? Because I took you away from her? [This train of thought it forcing his brain to do some aerobics. He knows it's not true, since he doesn't blame Makoto for the situation either.]
no subject
[Makoto felt even more idiotic about it looking back because she had cried into Vira-Lorr's lap when she'd been rejected by David, and Vira-Lorr had helped her recover when she came back to life waiting on Atsushi and Usagi.]
I don't want to hurt anyone, and I want to be happy, I want to be with you and for both of us to be together.
no subject
If you'd wanted someone else... I think I'd be happy that you were happy, Makoto-chan. M-Maybe that's strange of me to think? But I'm sure that other person feels the same. If you're happy, they'll be happy too, so um... [He gently takes her hands, nervous. Unsure of what words are 'right' and how a proper boyfriend should respond.] ... Let's dry your hair. You'll catch a cold.
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Leaning in Makoto kissed Atsushi, holding onto his hands tight. She didn't care about her hair right then, and she wasn't worried about catching a cold.]
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He barely pulls back when speaking again, smile becoming shy once more.]
... I can't cure a cold with kisses, you know. [His tone isn't scolding, but instead carries a tone of fondness.]
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They make me feel better. And if not I'd still have you to take care of me.
[It started to dawn on her though she had said that she loved him, and he'd said it back in his own way. Her hands squeezed his lightly as she finally pulled away enough that she could look into his eyes.]
You make everything better.