[It depends on so many factors - which version of his brother is it? Does he remember this place? How much of this place does he remember? If he doesn't remember, is he from before or after the fire? Before or after he knew Callaghan did it?]
...I guess ultimately I'd want to tell him how proud I am of him. I know what he's doing back home and...I mean it, I'm proud of him.
That's a good start, [ she says, a wry little smile on her face as she takes another plate off the belt, ] though that's really best for when you want both of you crying, and him to not ask you any questions.
[ Well. At least she's honest. ]
What I meant, was... if he comes back and finds out you've been here for, six months, nine months, a year without him... two years. Four years. He'd want to know what you've been doing. The things you've focused on. The things that have mattered to you, here.
Because... even if you don't know, yet, what you really want to do... at least you'll have something to say.
[God, Ruka really knows how to get someone speechless. But he smiles a little, both amusement and mild irritation. Not serious enough to be mad though.]
True.
So is everyone I know going to get on my case about finding hobbies or...
[ He smiles, but he's tense, too — and putting it like that means it's something other people have pointed out, too. It's good to have so many people care, of course... but it's not good if it's all the same advice he can't take, or doesn't know how to. A tension like that... it's not hard to grow into resentment.
In that case... ]
... Nobody's gone through the exact same thing as you, Tadashi. So, there isn't anyone who will have a perfect answer for you, either. Nobody can force you to do something you don't want to do, but nobody can force your heart to feel something that isn't there — or take away something that is. [ Well. Ethically speaking. Because she could, but, uh, literally nobody wants that. ] If you're not willing, or you're not ready, for whatever someone else thinks might help you, it's no good to force it, either.
[ She pauses, turning her head to look him over — as always, her gaze is too heavy, too keen. Always looking through more layers than the surface. ]
[He watches her, having sort of forgotten his food because this is a heavier conversation than he'd planned on having right now - especially after his... fight? Argument? Whatever it was with Wally that left him feeling a little raw in a way he's not used to.]
It sounds like it'd be more a conversation to have over drinks.
[Is he a drinker? Is she a drinker? Who knows. The only drink he'd ever had was with Callaghan after a rough conversation so it feels apt.]
You've already given me a lot to think about, Ruka.
[ is she a drinker TADASHI... THIS SWEET SUMMER CHILD... DOESN'T KNOW SHE'S BARELY NO-LONGER AN ALCOHOLIC... this wholesome lad. ]
They have sake, you know. We can get drinks if you want drinks.
[ She says it like that, and she sees the look on his face — the focus, the way he looks at her like he doesn't quite know who he's looking at. ]
But, I suppose I should take that as a 'no' anyway. [ He's pretty evasive when it comes to himself, but it's hard to say whether it's something Tadashi is good at, or he simply isn't used to the scrutiny. ] It doesn't sound like you're ready to hear it.
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no subject
I don't know.
[It depends on so many factors - which version of his brother is it? Does he remember this place? How much of this place does he remember? If he doesn't remember, is he from before or after the fire? Before or after he knew Callaghan did it?]
...I guess ultimately I'd want to tell him how proud I am of him. I know what he's doing back home and...I mean it, I'm proud of him.
no subject
[ Well. At least she's honest. ]
What I meant, was... if he comes back and finds out you've been here for, six months, nine months, a year without him... two years. Four years. He'd want to know what you've been doing. The things you've focused on. The things that have mattered to you, here.
Because... even if you don't know, yet, what you really want to do... at least you'll have something to say.
no subject
True.
So is everyone I know going to get on my case about finding hobbies or...
no subject
[ He smiles, but he's tense, too — and putting it like that means it's something other people have pointed out, too. It's good to have so many people care, of course... but it's not good if it's all the same advice he can't take, or doesn't know how to. A tension like that... it's not hard to grow into resentment.
In that case... ]
... Nobody's gone through the exact same thing as you, Tadashi. So, there isn't anyone who will have a perfect answer for you, either. Nobody can force you to do something you don't want to do, but nobody can force your heart to feel something that isn't there — or take away something that is. [ Well. Ethically speaking. Because she could, but, uh, literally nobody wants that. ] If you're not willing, or you're not ready, for whatever someone else thinks might help you, it's no good to force it, either.
[ She pauses, turning her head to look him over — as always, her gaze is too heavy, too keen. Always looking through more layers than the surface. ]
Do you want my advice?
no subject
It sounds like it'd be more a conversation to have over drinks.
[Is he a drinker? Is she a drinker? Who knows. The only drink he'd ever had was with Callaghan after a rough conversation so it feels apt.]
You've already given me a lot to think about, Ruka.
no subject
They have sake, you know. We can get drinks if you want drinks.
[ She says it like that, and she sees the look on his face — the focus, the way he looks at her like he doesn't quite know who he's looking at. ]
But, I suppose I should take that as a 'no' anyway. [ He's pretty evasive when it comes to himself, but it's hard to say whether it's something Tadashi is good at, or he simply isn't used to the scrutiny. ] It doesn't sound like you're ready to hear it.
[ a beat. ] We can still get drinks, though.