dappledleaves | CICONIA: WHEN THEY CRY

[Sinclair's brow furrows and he wonders briefly, before he met Oria...how many barbs did Oria have to put up with? He feels a tiny bit of relief when Oria's face moves back because that was its own kind of distracting despite the circumstances. He wiggles over a little to make room on the bench for Oria]

...because they're not worth acknowledging? [A dry smile tugs at Sinclair's lips, even as he fidgets, rubbing his hands together. The gloves have been very effective in curbing the worst of Sinclair's habits]

Yeah.

[ Oria grins at that. ]

I usually ignore them and they get all pouty because they don't get any attention. I guess they didn't get a lot of it when they were a kid.

[ But Oria didn't ignore them this time, because of the blatant disrespect towards Sinclair. ]

[Laughing a little, despite the strain it has on his throat]

You think so? Maybe it is like that.

[Then he settles, and leans back, rubbing his throat. He's a little nervous but...did Oria want to ask? He doesn't mind telling him what he can, but...]

[ Oria will just let Sinclair know: ]

I want to ask what exactly is happening, but your neck must be fried. It's not a good idea to have you keep talking. Also, it's a good idea to keep the Selcoms off right now. So, when your throat gets better, you can tell me then.

[ Sinclair opens his mouth to say something but closes it and nods. It does hurt. But he reaches out to hold Oria's hand in gratitude]

[ Oria smiles and holds his hand with their fingers intertwined, though he makes sure to be gentle just in case if Sinclair's hands feel sensitive. ]

Let's rest a bit here. The consequences can come later.

Mm... I'm going to be in a lot of trouble, I think.

[ He squeezes Oria's hands a little, his own grip weak but there]

[ Oria too, but for Sinclair, it must be hundred times worse. Oria may have gone through the usual experiments that a gauntlet knight goes through, but he's out of that stage now. He's not supposed to be experimented on in present day--there's no good reason to. (so far)

Oria wishes he could do more--that his "protection" could extend over to Sinclair, but he knows that it won't. ]

You can contact me by Selcom when that happens...

[ ... ]

... like before.

[ Sinclair nods, his brow furrowing a little as he leans forward. He's tired]

...is that okay? My connection is always a mess.

So? That doesn't mean you suddenly don't deserve to send messages or meet up virtually. Here, you can lean on me or lie back down.

[ It must be rough for Sinclair right now, so he can offer this much at the very least. ]

[Oria probably notices the shaking in Sinclair's hands. But Sinclair nods and leans against Oria anyway]

...thanks. You're warm...

Yeah? I'm usually pretty cold.

[ For a human, anyway. But maybe he means it emotionally too.

Despite all that, he sounds and looks fond when Sinclair leans against him. He notices the shaking in Sinclair's hands, so he takes and holds them both into his own hands. He may be wearing gloves, but he's still doing this to comfort him. ]

Are you? [ Sinclair might have seen some of that, with other people. But with him, it's never been like that]

...mm...maybe I'm cold too. But you're definitely warm.

Shh.

[ Oria is embarrassed for once, but he tries not to show it by gently shushing Sinclair. His throat must still hurt, so Oria doesn't want him to wear it out by talking. ]

[ Sinclair blinks, confused and gives a tiny laugh. Ow. He'll be quiet but...]

How come only I get shushed like this?

You don't see anyone else, do you? Besides, I'm actually really fond of hearing your voice, so it would be a shame if you lost it.

[ totally. ]

[ ...? Sinclair gives Oria a confused look but he sighs a little, and pouts. He's not blushing. It distracts him from the inevitable]

You shouldn't say things like that.

Why not? It's true and I think it deserves to be known.

[ He could just confess right now and distract Sinclair big time, but... he doesn't want to. ]

[ Sinclair's brow furrows a little in confusion and embarrassment]

But there's nothing special about it?

[Ah. His throat gives another twinge]

It tells me that you're here.

[ He puts his hand over Sinclair's mouth again. ]

Take a nap. I'll be here.

...okay. [Sinclair closes his eyes, not quite relaxing, but appreciating the moment. Not much time passes by before someone knocks on the door and a vaguely familiar voice calls out.

"Hey, kiddos, you done here? I can't keep diverting them from you forever."]

[ Oria sighs. ]

You could have just said that you didn't know where we went...

[ He doesn't feel like turning themselves in just yet, if at all. Oria looks around the meeting room. There aren't any windows here, are there... ]

["Haaah, you know I don't get paid enough for that, you know? Besides they'll keep knocking down every door eventually. That kid's special."

Sinclair stirs awake, making a confused noise]

...did I hear Rodya?

Mm. Looks like the guards were covering for us.

[ Oria wants to lessen the punishment for Sinclair somehow. How does one lessen shocks that course through your body?? He knows how to prevent getting shocked by static electricity, but not something like shock collars or whatever is embedded into Sinclair that shocks him. Ugh. ]

... What do you wanna do?

...if I keep putting it off, it might make it worse.

[Sinclair draws in a deep breath]

Rodya isn't part of the Geroy Institution so...it'll be okay if I go with her.

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