[Backdated to the 13th]

[readingreinbow]

[ Early in the evening there's a knock. ]

Kisumi-san. Are you there?

Comments

[readingreinbow]

Yes.

[ Putting his hands in his pockets and following Nagisa. He has an air of 'just getting it over with' ]

[highspeedo]

[heads away from the cabin, walking for a minute or so before he stops and turns around]

Right! I'm going to go first, and then you can tell me what you think! And if it's not the same, I promise nothing will change. You'll still be you, and we'll still be us. Okay?

[readingreinbow]

Okay.

[ For once Rei is the one not really listening. He is actually making eye contact now. ]

[highspeedo]

Up 'til now, I thought there was no way you'd be interested, so I didn't say anything, but... Mako-chan is right! That's not fair to you, especially after what you did. That was really brave!

[readingreinbow]

It wasn't 'brave'! It was stupid and impulsive. I should never have given in to my base desires like that.

[highspeedo]

[SENSING AN INCOMING ANXIOUS SPIRAL HERE, so reaches out and tugs one of Rei's hands out of his pocket to cut him off]

Rei-chan, look at me.

[readingreinbow]

We can still be friends right? As long as I promise not to do that again?

[ And there's his fears laid out before he can even meet Nagisa's eyes. ]

[highspeedo]

[leans up and kisses him on the cheek :>]

[readingreinbow]

Nagisa-kun...

[ You have his full attention now. ]

[highspeedo]

"I really, really like you!" That's what I came to say. I'm sorry I made you worry! You just surprised me, that's all. You don't have anything to apologize for.

[readingreinbow]

You like me as in... you like me more than just as a friend?

[highspeedo]

Mm-hm!

[readingreinbow]

I like you too. I really, really like you. But you're also my best friend and I don't know if I'm willing to lose that.

[highspeedo]

I thought you might say something like that.

[readingreinbow]

[ That doesn't really do anything for his fears one way or the other. ]

I'm sorry if I made you worry. I was just afraid I had ruined our friendship. It means so much to me.

[highspeedo]

[noooo don't make that face]

Me, too. So... If you don't want things to change, then that's okay. I like spending time with you no matter what. Okay?

[readingreinbow]

I like spending time with you too, no matter what. And for now, maybe we should take it slow? I don't want us to rush into something and stop being friends, but I don't think I would like it if some beautiful space duchess swept you away either.

[highspeedo]

Space duchess?

[readingreinbow]

Before, you said you had a dream where you were a space duke.

[highspeedo]

Nobody's going to sweep me away! We're already married, right?

[readingreinbow]

Right. And I haven't looked up how to get divorced yet. I can always put that off until later.

[highspeedo]

Rei-chan, don't talk about divorce at a time like this...!

[readingreinbow]

[ Wincing. ]

Sorry. I just meant we... shouldn't.

[highspeedo]

Mmm... How about this! We'll try being "exclusively friends plus"! Does that sound okay?

[readingreinbow]

Does that mean I can kiss you once in a while?