KOTETSU

[third_alternative]

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[week 7 ; saturday]

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[ after everything that happened, he's still collecting himself. but he looks in the direction of rex, a little unsure of himself, but he approaches quietly. ]

Nice work out there today.

[ he saw how hard he was working on the bomb and all. ]

[third_alternative]

[ He looks up from his position seated on the ground, glancing at Kotetsu with mild surprise. After a moment, though, he shrugs. ]

I didn't really do much. Just slotting things together and following instructions.

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[ Actions speak louder than words, right? So he's here. Once again. ]

You did a lot. I probably would have broke the thing if I had my hands on it.

[third_alternative]

[ they do, and rex is Taking Note ]

...you know what, I can see it. You would've.

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[ There's a helpless shrug at that, but he laughs a little bit. ]

So take the compliment. I mean it. I'm glad we had you there.

[third_alternative]

[ he hums. ]

Still. All the power I had to reprogram it, and in the end we still had to just feed them to the bomb anyway.

[sponsoredby]

That isn't your fault, though. All of us tried to find alternate answers... but there weren't any. It's a little disheartening, but they came back.

[third_alternative]

Yeah, I guess.

[ he turns his head to look at Kotetsu again. ]

...so why are you here, anyway, and not with them?

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Because I wanted to see you. And I wanted to check how you were doing, at the last leg of the race.

...You heard what I said today, right?

[third_alternative]

[ looks straight ahead into the distance again because suddenly his throat is thick. ]

Yeah.

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I felt it was important for you to hear. That is was an important story I had to share.

The only story that felt right.

[third_alternative]

...the harpies accepted it.

[ the harpies that supposedly know a true story from a false one and WILL call you out on it. ]

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They did.

[ he nods in confirmation. ]

I know they're just words, but... I hoped in that context they would mean more than just that.

[third_alternative]

...yeah. [ they most certainly do. ]

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So... where do I stand with you?

[third_alternative]

[ where DOES he stand with rex now? Rex would like to know too, actually.

The letter in his pocket...the story he told...him being here right now, instead of with everyone else...it does all point to Kotetsu really, truly caring. And isn't this what he wanted? He's the one who decided to give Kotetsu that extra, final chance yesterday.

Kotetsu really does care.

And now Rex...Rex doesn't know what to do with that. He's never gotten this far before. He doesn't know how to accept this, let himself be cared about, even when he wants to.

But everyone keeps telling him to try. That he'll be pleasantly surprised. That it's worth it. And this is as certain of a chance as he'll ever get.

Rex lowers his head with his eyes closed. He takes a deep breath. ]

...we're--we're good.

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[ His shoulders relax and he looks at him with such a warm and heartfelt smile. At this point, he moves to sit down next to him, looking over at Rex. ]

Thank you for giving me one more chance. It means a lot to me.

[third_alternative]

[ he huffs a little, burying part of his face into his arms, which are propped up against his knees. ]

Yeah, well...you were so desperate. It was getting pretty pathetic. I figured I might as well throw you a bone.

[sponsoredby]

[ he reaches over and ruffles Rex's hair. sorry, bud, if you don't want that. ]

I'm fine with looking pathetic. It was worth it.

[third_alternative]

[ he stiffens a little, when Kotetsu's hand first touches his head, but then he forces himself to relax. ]

[sponsoredby]

It's fine... if you need time with this. I know it's a lot to get over. I did a lot to hurt you.

[third_alternative]

No. I, I want to. I'm just...not used to this.

[sponsoredby]

Take as much time as you need. You're stuck with me now.

i thought i already tagged this, smh

[third_alternative]

[ huffs quietly ]

Yeah, well, I'm holding you to that now, old man.

[ don't start lying now, asshole

also my paid ran out so we're all just gonna have to live with my icons ]

all good, i've been super dead on my end

[sponsoredby]

Of course. I'll make sure not to let you down this time.

[ he'll be good ... now that they're on the same footing.

and mood, i'm a ho that reupped this account. sob. ]