psycholawgy | ic contact;

[ as planned, athena is waiting at the lobby of the medical center, fiddling with widget while waiting! ]

Morning, Athena.

[ Here's Yu, walking up with a hand raised in greeting and a small smile on his face. He had an ... interesting day yesterday, between dealing with his burgeoning feelings for Minato and meeting up with Hiro, but he's keeping his spirits up. Well, just the idea that he's seeing Athena helps to lift his spirits, really. ]

Good to see you.

Hiya!

[ she immediately switches off the holographic screen and stands up to wave at yu. ]

How's it going?

[ He stops in front of her and props his hand on his hip. ]

Things have been pretty interesting lately, haven't they? But I can't complain. [ He'll nod his head, indicating they should head out. ] How are you?

[ she grabs her bag and walks towards the direction of the exit. time for some ice cream! ]

I've been well enough. I'm glad the ghosts are gone, and I'm slowly getting over what had happened then.

What had happened? [ He glances at her, wondering if she means something specific. ]

[ she gives yu a once over, unsure of what to say. but, he's such a nice guy and she thinks that he would tell her anything. they're friends. it's okay. ]

I died.

[ It has to be said that Yu can take a lot in stride.

The death of a girl he considers a close friend isn't one. He stops walking, staring at her.

For what it's worth, he won't make her stop. He catches back up to her, staring at her with open concern. ]

... Athena. [ His voice is soft, and full of feeling. Sympathy, sadness, heartfelt care, he packs it all into just her name. It's a question, an invitation ... but since he doesn't ask a question, he's also implicitly saying, you don't have to tell me more if you don't want to. ]

[ she stops just as well to face yu. she can hear his heart. it hurts just a little bit because of the sadness, but it's something she's used to. her expression is sombre, and she did say she was getting over it.

she definitely took it hard and refused to leave her apartment for a few days, but now... she's better. there's no other way to go but up! she's disturbed by other things. death, while it's something she absolutely feared... and still fears, is something she's working to overcome.

perhaps she should be more affected by this, but she's learned to shrug off any sadness she was feeling. she smiles at him as she puts both her hands behind her back. ]

I'm fine. [ a pause, and she remembers what her senior's taught her. ] I'm Athena Cykes, and I'm fine.

[ He can see that in her, too. In the way that she smiles, and the way she plucks up her courage. He could never ignore that. He's seen that countless times in his friends, facing their darkest fears, their darkest selves, and choosing to accept themselves and move on anyway. Acceptance ... even of that which you think can't be accepted.

Yu's expression softens, and he reaches out to grasp her shoulder. ]

I know. You're strong, Athena. If anyone can pull through, it's you. [ He lets go, tilting his hand to start them walking again. ]

Still, if you want to talk about what happened, I'm here. You're not alone. Remember that, alright?

[ oh, no. that's so touching. athena easily cries, and tears start to fall from her blue eyes. how dare you make her cry, yu narukami!!!

she tries to smile, but she can't hold back her sobs. it's not because she's sad, but her heartstrings have totally been tugged. it's great to know who her friends are. ]

You're— [ SOB. ] You're a true friend, Yu.

[ Oh no...

In the end, Yu sighs. Athena... she's so expressive with her emotions. Maybe he should have expected this...?

Without any hesitation, he reaches out, gently gathering her into his arms. ]

You've been a true friend to me too, Athena. Ever since we met. I'm grateful for you. I'm just glad I can be here for you, too.

[ o- oh... a hug????? she was not expecting that. she was stiff when yu had embraced her, but she relaxes immediately and rests her head on his chest.

and then she remembers kissing him. not just kissing him, but passionately kissing him.

and she opens her eyes wide, and she jumps away. ]

Ha ha...! Y- Y- Yes, definitely! I'm your true amiga, and you're my true amigo! Danke schoen!

[ He looks a little surprised at the suddenness with which she springs away, their passionate kiss the furthest thing from his mind. It hadn't meant much to him, after all. (Only two book kisses had, and those had been backed by other feelings.) But he respects her space, and lets her go, his smile turning a little crooked at the sprinkling of other languages. He props a hand on his hip and tilts his head a little, at least guessing that she feels awkward, though not actually clueing into the reason. ]

Sure. Come on, that ice cream isn't going to eat itself without us, right?

Yeah!

[ and she stiffly walks past yu, though at least she's smiling?!?!?!? everything's fine. she's thinking too much. and she's secretly thinking and hoping that widget doesn't blurt out what she's currently thinking. she can already be embarrassing enough, she doesn't need widget to add to what she's already feeling. ]

Oh, but I meant what I said, okay? You're a true friend.

[ Well, alright. He joins her as they resume their walk to the ice cream shop. ]

You too. [ In a weird way, he feels better about what he has to tell her now. Like... he was right to trust her. ] Just promise me you won't laugh at what I have to say. [ He says it with some humor. ]

[ being a psychology expert, she already knows that people who start with "ok, but don't laugh..." are about to tell a funny story. still, she doesn't look at all ready to laugh. she keeps her poker face on. ]

You can count on me. I'm good at hiding what I'm feeling.

[ ATHENA, THAT'S NOT HELPING!! ]

[ He gives her an odd look, and then...

... bursts out laughing, though for Yu that's a quiet sound even so. ]

That's not... you don't have to do that. It's probably a story that deserves to be laughed at, anyway... I don't want you to hide how you feel.

H- Hey, don't laugh!

[ SHE IS SO OFFENDED RIGHT NOW. ]

But if you want me to laugh at you, then I'll totally do it!

Sorry, sorry! [ A few more chuckles. ] That's just so like you. I don't want you to laugh or anything! Just ... be yourself, Athena. That's all I've ever wanted you to be.

[ He'll just lead them to the ice cream shop after that, keeping up a steady stream of safer chatter. And since the ice cream is on him... ]

What can I get you, anyway?

[ jesus christ. yu. it's unreal how you can sound so romantic. athena just stares at him for a few good moments before she starts walking again. shake it off, cykes. just shake it off. ]

A croissant a la mode!

[ you asked. ]

[ It comes naturally.

He gives her a look of some small uncertainty at that as he steps up to the counter. ]

Do you think they have that...?

[ But he places the order nonetheless, relieved when the girl behind the counter doesn't seem perturbed by it. He places his own order for a plain cup of vanilla ice cream. ]

Your tastes are pretty varied, huh?

[ she looks back at the sign from outside. not that she can read what it says now, but...! ]

I just saw it outside and thought it looked good. It's worth a try, right?

[ He laughs. ] Adventurous, too. Then again, I guessed that from a night spent camping out in the library. Too bad that didn't turn anything up, huh...?

[ Yu pays once their orders are ready and hands Athena hers. ] Come on, why don't we find a table?

Tell me about it. [ she sighs and walks further into the cafe to find a table. ] It's so difficult to find information in this place.

But I guess things like these don't come easy. It's the same back at home.

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