[ He may surprise her yet again. Vincent had been sitting down at the dividing counter and of course Aerith had been hugging him from behind because of that. Maybe he was still a little 'taller' in height than she was. But slowly he starts to tilt his upper body back; gently so she can adjust, but effectively until he can look 'up' at her. Maybe braced against her, maybe not. But now, his eyes are able to look directly at her and most of his features are revealed.
There's something gentle and perhaps concerned. Though his tone is wry. ]
Brooding is a type of thinking.
[ Then, more somberly and still more gentle. ]
It's okay not to be okay. Hearing about Midgar... can't be easy.
[ Though he doesn't know all the thoughts and feelings Aerith is experience, he at least understands, remembers, and believes he knows her horror at the outcome and cost of saving the world was a part of it. She'd said as when they first met on the Barge and he told her. ]
Would you like me to stop? [ Speaking about the future. His past. Whatever you want to call it. ] Or... I can be a good listener.
[ He never had, other than what empathy was implied toward the experience of the horror in knowing the aftermath of one's actions.
Or lack thereof. ]
Hm. I refuse. [ Not to worry. Cold bastard. ]
Aerith... [ It's really against his nature to insist. Or push. But the last time he didn't... ] It doesn't have to be me. But... everyone needs someone to listen. And I'm worried. You give too much of yourself to others. Are you taking any for yourself?
[She'll see it herself one day. One day, she'll see the damage she did herself.
And there he was...he was refusing to listen to what she was saying. It wasn't like him. Usually, he didn't push for more. Not like this. Not for her to talk.
Slowly, her hand comes up. But only to brush her hand over his cheek, and offer him a small smile.
It looks much like her usual smile. Maybe her eyes look a little more tired. A little sadder.]
Sorry to have worried you Vincent. I'll try to take better care of myself.
[ With the brush of the hand, Vincent blinks. It's probably surprise; maybe at himself for invoking that type of gesture. And that smile and maybe some of the tired sadness. With a sigh he begins to straighten himself upright once again, truly looking to turn around and face Aerith.
This time, the contact of hugs and such will probably be broken a bit. ]
I don't show it well. But I do worry about my friends. Though you're probably aware.
[ He won't deny that, there's no need to insist on what's true. Still Vincent sighs. ]
...Are you sure there's nothing I can do?
[ 'Try to take better care of myself'. How that seems to echo like something that would come out of his own mouth. Particularly once upon a time when he got flustered at being caught unawares. Just another warm spring day in the mountains... He shakes his head out to dismiss such memories and focus on the present. ]
[ He respects the politely closed door. Vincent would be selfish to insist that she talk about it now, that he was the one who could be the one there. They are friends. Family. It's enough that he cares.
And this wasn't the same as how he failed to truly reach out to Lucrecia when all the clues of her pain were right before him. Aerith is not Lucrecia, no matter how worried he is about what he perceives. Of course no more in the romantic sense than she had of him when Aerith touched his face. Just... that hidden sadness. The pain.
He nods. ]
Always.
[ And then, Vincent reaches out and seeks to envelope Aerith in a moment's hug, cloak and arms. It will not be lasting long; but he knows it's all he can do. He can only hope someone else will be there for her. ]
[She made a soft noise, surprised at the hug. She was reminded a little of how he had wrapped her in his cloak before. He did it when she first came here and was overwhelmed by the sky; he gave it so she could sleep when she overdid it when the Otherworld fogged the Barge.
But the noise was her only form of being surprised. She leaned in, hugging him back. It wouldn't be a long hug. It didn't have to be.
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There's something gentle and perhaps concerned. Though his tone is wry. ]
Brooding is a type of thinking.
[ Then, more somberly and still more gentle. ]
It's okay not to be okay. Hearing about Midgar... can't be easy.
[ Though he doesn't know all the thoughts and feelings Aerith is experience, he at least understands, remembers, and believes he knows her horror at the outcome and cost of saving the world was a part of it. She'd said as when they first met on the Barge and he told her. ]
Would you like me to stop? [ Speaking about the future. His past. Whatever you want to call it. ] Or... I can be a good listener.
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But...well.
She shook her head. He was trying to be kind, and she understood that. But...]
I need to know. If I don't, it'll be a shock when I see it.
Don't worry. I'm not brooding. And I don't need a listener.
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Then I won't hold back.
[ He never had, other than what empathy was implied toward the experience of the horror in knowing the aftermath of one's actions.
Or lack thereof. ]
Hm. I refuse. [ Not to worry. Cold bastard. ]
Aerith... [ It's really against his nature to insist. Or push. But the last time he didn't... ] It doesn't have to be me. But... everyone needs someone to listen. And I'm worried. You give too much of yourself to others. Are you taking any for yourself?
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[She'll see it herself one day. One day, she'll see the damage she did herself.
And there he was...he was refusing to listen to what she was saying. It wasn't like him. Usually, he didn't push for more. Not like this. Not for her to talk.
Slowly, her hand comes up. But only to brush her hand over his cheek, and offer him a small smile.
It looks much like her usual smile. Maybe her eyes look a little more tired. A little sadder.]
Sorry to have worried you Vincent. I'll try to take better care of myself.
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This time, the contact of hugs and such will probably be broken a bit. ]
I don't show it well. But I do worry about my friends. Though you're probably aware.
[ He won't deny that, there's no need to insist on what's true. Still Vincent sighs. ]
...Are you sure there's nothing I can do?
[ 'Try to take better care of myself'. How that seems to echo like something that would come out of his own mouth. Particularly once upon a time when he got flustered at being caught unawares. Just another warm spring day in the mountains... He shakes his head out to dismiss such memories and focus on the present. ]
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Her arms dropped, and watched him as he turned around. The cold would come again, but that was fine.
She sighed but offered a small smile.]
Right now, you are fine as who you are. The fact that you care...it's enough. More than enough.
Thank you for that.
[It was polite but a closing of the door nonetheless. She wasn't ready to talk about it.
Maybe she never would.]
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And this wasn't the same as how he failed to truly reach out to Lucrecia when all the clues of her pain were right before him. Aerith is not Lucrecia, no matter how worried he is about what he perceives. Of course no more in the romantic sense than she had of him when Aerith touched his face. Just... that hidden sadness. The pain.
He nods. ]
Always.
[ And then, Vincent reaches out and seeks to envelope Aerith in a moment's hug, cloak and arms. It will not be lasting long; but he knows it's all he can do. He can only hope someone else will be there for her. ]
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But the noise was her only form of being surprised. She leaned in, hugging him back. It wouldn't be a long hug. It didn't have to be.
It was a sign, showing her how much he cared.
Always.]