psycholawgy | ic contact;

[ Oh no... Yu's brow knits in sympathy as he watches Clonco cry. He keeps smiling, understanding and kind. ]

Yeah. She's lost someone really important to her. There's a chance he could come back, but we're not sure. She needs time and all the support she can get, okay? Think you can help her out by being there for her?

[ clonco says something about helping athena out even though she doesn't want any when the girl in question goes out of her room, a blanket wrapped around her. ]

Oh, I didn't know... that you were here already. . .

[ Yu tilts his head as he spots her. Quietly, he leans over to reassure Clonco that everything will be alright. Then he stands straight and gives Athena a brief wave. ]

Hey. I'm not too early, am I? I can come back.

[ her smile is a bit uneasy, but at least she's trying to look happy. ]

Not too early, not late either. So... I guess you're just in time?

Have a seat.

[ Yu accepts her offer and heads in, toeing his shoes off at the door before taking the offered seat.

Watching her try to smile... he can tell she doesn't really want to, but he won't discourage her, either, unless she really pushes herself. Sometimes just smiling can help.

He'll pull the DVD out of his bag, smiling a tiny smile. ]

I went looking for it after you showed me the first one. I was curious.

They say sequels aren't as good as the first, [ what is this pessimist thinking. ] but I'm sure it'll be enjoyable.

[ she did enjoy the first movie! even if she was terribly upset when she watched it with caroline the first time. watching it again with yu wasn't such a happy moment, either. ]

Do you want anything to eat or drink? I think there's still some macarons in the fridge. And we have some juice, too.

[ Oof. Yu's expression doesn't change, but internally he winces. It's a total throwaway comment, but hearing Athena be pessimistic about anything...

He understands, but it's still unnerving and sad.

After a considering moment, he offers: ]

Something to drink would be great. I brought a snack, though. The results of a recent baking experiment.

[ Yu sets the DVD down so he can reach into one of the two remaining bags and pull out a tupperware container full of ... double chocolate chip cookies.

There's still the last bag with its mystery item, but he'll wait for her to join him before he reveals what it is. ]

Let me get something, then.

[ she says that, but she doesn't seem willing to let go of the blankets she has wrapped around her person just yet. it's why she shuffles to the kitchen to grab two bottles of orange juice. she takes a seat on the couch while placing the juice on the coffee table afterwards. ]

I... haven't had much of an appetite lately, but if you made it, then I have to try it.

[ He'd've offered to help, but just in case it would be better for her to try and do things on her own... he wanted to let her. The way she shuffles around catches at his heart, though.

Grief has a way of killing appetites, he knows. But he'd wanted to bring at least something, and in his opinion, his baking lesson with Ruby had turned out good results. He peels the lid off the container and holds it out for her to take a cookie. ]

Tell me what you think. I've been wanting to get more creative with my baking lately.

[ she's slow in moving, and admittedly, she finds the cookie a bit too big, but she takes one anyway. she probably won't be able to finish one, but she'll at least try her best for yu. he came all the way here for her, after all. so she takes a small bite, but big enough for her to actually taste it. ]

It's good. I think it would be better with milk, though.

[ That wins a soft laugh. ]

That's a universal with cookies, isn't it? Next time I bake, I'll bring milk with me. [ After a beat, he adds: ] You can always save the rest of that for later, too.

[ The cookie, he means. It's his gentle way of saying she doesn't need to finish it. ]

I'll hold you to that.

[ the milk, she means. it makes her smile more geniuine when she says it, too. ]

And okay. Thanks, Yu. For the cookies, for this... You're a great friend.

I'm good for my word.

[ Said lightly, gently teasing her in return. But his expression softens a little at what she says next, and for a moment his eyes search her face like he can find the answer to a question there. She's one of his first true friends in the colony, and certainly one of his best. She may not have the power of Persona, but he still thinks of her as part of his team.

His voice is warm and genuine when he says: ]

Anytime.

[ With that thought in mind, he reaches for the mystery bag he brought and holds it out to her. ]

I hope you don't mind, but I brought you something else, too.

[ If Athena reaches into the bag, she'll find... a plush stuffed cat holding a heart.

(Of course it's a cat.)

He doesn't say anything else just yet, wanting to see her reaction first. Hopefully it wasn't a bad choice... ]

[ ah...? she blinks a couple of times, trying to test if what she's seeing is real. it's a sweet gesture, really, and she does appreciate it but he shouldn't be giving other people gifts when he has a boyfriend?! (COUGHS LOUDLY)

after some awkward silence though, she ends up laughing. ]

This is for me? I don't have anything to give you.

[ Why can't he just??? Get gifts for his friends????????? Stop being so judgmental???!??!?!!

He blinks at her, wondering over the awkward silence - did he overstep his bounds? So it's a bit of a relief when she laughs. He'll shake his head. ]

I don't need anything in return. I just wanted you to have something that might make you smile.

If you're sure.

[ she actually feels at peace now. content. it makes her relax a little bit, and lord knows she needs to relax right now. ]

Thanks. [ but she doesn't mean for this. for the gift. but for everything, really. she's grateful to have a friend like yu, who's always been there for her even when she's really upset. ] I'll be sure to treasure it.

ic contact;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject