save_theworld | ⚹You wish to leave a message for Grit

[To say it's been an odd month is an understatement. Nothing they've come across is new here, persay- not in the hardships they've faced. It's all familiar in it's own way; death, memories. They've had these problems before.

But it's all problems that have been so much harder to face when Grit has had so much more at stake. It's amazing enough to be at the point they are now. Where looking at their personal message board in a brief break to run something back to their room only causes... a small twist, in their stomach. A brief jump of joy, a ringing undertone of sadness.

They're grieving. It's loss. They've done so much research this month that Grit can actually put a name to it, but- hey. They're determined, right? And they haven't lost everything.

There's still someone important to respond to.]

Room 4 are you okay?

[His writing is...kind of messier than usual.]

[Nope, not even gonna answer that. There's not gonna be a note in response there, Grit. But very soon, we're talking seconds after sending that note, Serif is there in the room.

And he's not gonna waste any time, for once. He's there, looks around and as he spots Grit, immediately moves over to them and wraps the kid in a hug. A hug that's about a month overdue.]

[They jump at his sudden appearance; less for the fact that he suddenly appears than the fact that he suddenly appears. It's unlike him. They do things like...meet places. Catch up eventually. Most of the time, they're waiting for him.

Something's wrong again.]

Seri-

[There are so many things that Grit doesn't expect from him.

A hug is one of them.

The first instinct that comes to mind is to tense, hands awkwardly raised up, almost as if to return the gesture, except their brow is crinkling in confusion because he wouldn't just...]

[I know you don't like promises, so it's not a promise. Just um, a thing that maybe you could try, for me? For later.

...Oh...

I know if we have time to, we could be friends. And I'd really like that.

But...

...But they're really, really scared.]

[It's amazing, how many things can go through a person in a single moment. Even half a person. They're so- scared. Because the Witch said she'd fix everything, sure, but that didn't mean Grit actually believed it.

But. But but but.

...If you do suddenly remember everything um.

Try to remember that...]

[Very nervous fingers grip at his jacket, to start. They're still waiting for the punchline, breathing coming in little hitches when he's not moving away, or making a joke, or- or--

Their smile...

Is a little wobbly.

I'd really, really like a hug, dad.]

[And it's gone fairly quickly, once hitching breaths turn into quiet hiccups and tiny fingers tug really sharp, head ducking down to press into him and hide there. What are they even feeling right now? Is that more loss? Is it anguish? Is it one of those big words that basically comes down to more trauma and more depression, or is it something else?

It's very, very possible that it's something else. It's tiny. And afraid. They're waiting for the moment it gets extinguished, a single word stuck in their throat. Grit can't put a voice to it. If they do, it might stop.

They'll wake up. Or he'll wake up. Or maybe it really is a joke, a really bad one. Or maybe they're just dead where they stand.

And yet they're still sobbing into his shirt as that tiny flame in their chest insists that it's hope.

Please. Please.

Don't not be real.]

[It wasn't a promise, technically. And the Serif that had been around all month, well, he didn't really treat it as one. But this version? That's a different story entirely.

So he holds the kid tightly, with the intensity of a promise kept. Though he does move a little, after a while. Not to end the hug, but moving one boney hand to the kid's head. It's not quite like the standard hair ruffle, it's more gentle than that, because he's pretty sure he needs to be a little careful with the kid right now.

Kid's been through a lot. Hell, the kid's always going through a lot. But the last thing he wanted was to add even more to that. So much for that, huh?]

Heya, kiddo.

Sorry I kept you waiting.

[Grit laughs.

Or maybe it doesn't really count as a laugh, because it's thick with tears and shakes their entire body. Serif's words are all the indication they need for that tiny little flame to engulf everything- they aren't going to let go, now. He'll have to bear with it.]

I'm-

[Breathe. Determination.]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I d-didn't mean to-

[Wreck everything again.]

Whoa, whoa, calm down, kid. Hey, c'mon now... You got nothing to apologize for.

Pretty sure if anyone here oughta be doing that, it's me.

No I-

[Did it. Somehow. It's a hefty responsibility, and Grit's kept it on their shoulders for the entirety of this month. Serif. Seigi. Cup. Sunny. There was a thought somewhere, to the link between people Grit had shared secrets to. About how it was the people who knew the most who were all gone.

Words. They're bad at them at the best of times. So they just shake their head.]

Kid.

[Yeah, that's the kid he knows, isn't it? Determined to feel responsible for everything. Serif can't help but sigh at that.]

It wasn't you. None of that was your fault.

If you're gonna blame yourself for all the freaky things that happen here, you're never gonna stop.

[More silence. There's a possibility that he's right, but then, he's right on more than one thing. Determined to feel responsible for everything, indeed.]

...I don't want to do this again. It's not the same.

[Nine months ago, being forgotten would have just been part of the norm.]

I don't want to be forgotten.

[Now? Things are different. People care, and maybe even Grit cares in a completely different way than before.]

I know.

[It isn't the same. Not at all.]

We're here to make sure that doesn't happen. This was... I don't know, but it didn't last and that's the important part.

[He gently rubs their head.]

We're gonna make sure you're not forgotten, okay, kid?

...That's a promise.

[...A promise. Well, when he's got that sort of integrity, how's Grit supposed to say no?

They need to check in with Seigi, later. Another talk and likely, more tears to go with it. But right now- they're feeling better than they have in a really long time.]

Okay. Um...

Can I stay with you? [A whisper, but they at least lift their head to look at him. At least they smile.] I was feeling...really bonely.

Heh.

[It's gonna take a little bit before things feel totally normal again, but they're getting there.]

'Course you can.

⚹You wish to leave a message for Grit

quietly screaming

LOUD SCREAMING

SCREAMS INTO THE SUN 1/??!?!!

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just end me.

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