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3336 Cream Puff Way

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Are you deaf or stupid today?

[Is she trying to rile him up? Because it's working.]

You didn't mess up, you don't need to try harder, if I have to say it again then I'll pull your tail for being so stubborn.

[aigue]

[Okay that has her frowning.]

You're the one who needs to stop being stubborn. I did mess up. Monty did too, but I'm not completely blameless.

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[He reaches over and tries to tweak at her tail. Not a firm tug, he's always careful not to hurt anyone with his stupid strength, but enough to feel it.]

Want to run that by me again?

[aigue]

[That seemed like an empty threat, so when he actually does it she starts and squawks. Her reaction is purely out of surprise, leaving her staring at him, baffled.]

Did you just-??

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I warned you.

[He folds his arms, utterly unrepentant.]

And I'll do it again, every time you're idiot enough to say any of this was your fault.

[aigue]

[Normally she'd be offended. Angry, even. But with things as they are she's only shocked he actually followed through on his threat.]

Then I'll just think it.

[Because she's pretty sure he'll do it.]

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Then I'll just have to pull it every so often, to make sure I'm still telling you off for it.

[This is getting kind of dumb, but he'd rather it be dumb and perhaps get the point across, rather than it stay heavy and painful.]

[aigue]

[Okay now she is looking offended, her tail wrapping around herself so she can hold it protectively.]

You wouldn't.

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[He's not backing down, even if he can tell this is probably a bad idea.]

Do I look like the kind of guy who makes idle threats?

[aigue]

... No.

[It's the guilt that's keeping her from getting way more offended.]

But I don't think it'll make me change my mind.

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Then I guess I'll just have to stick around and show you, as many times as it takes, that I don't blame you at all.

[And if that involves tail pulling, so be it.]

[aigue]

[Okay she's starting to get flustered over this threat.]

You're more stubborn than I am.

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Then I guess you don't have a choice but to be the one who gives in, huh?

[Because he is going to use all of his stubbornness on this.]

[aigue]

I wish it was that easy.

[If this was some petty argument it would be, but it isn't. This is one of those few times when a tail pull isn't going to change her mind.]

I'm sorry I'm being difficult. This is just... hard.

[Being the reason someone she cared about nearly dying permanently is terrifying, actually.]

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...I get it.

[And he really does, he knows all too well what it's like to have guilt for the actions of others.]

That's why I'm gonna stick around, keep reminding you that I don't blame you, and maybe one day it'll sink in.

[aigue]

[Geez, she can't stop herself from hugging him again. She might also be sniffling a tiny bit.

Shut up, she totally isn't crying.]

You're far too good of a friend. I don't deserve you.

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[He stiffens up just a bit when she hugs him, he hopes one day that tensing won't be his natural reaction to something like this, but he doesn't pull away. He gently sets his flesh hand on her head, thumb stroking her hair.]

You're gonna make my head swell.

[aigue]

[This is... nice. Renart finds herself wishing they could be this close under better circumstances.]

Nothing wrong with that.

[She hesitated, then adds in a softer voice:]

I think Steve would be really proud of you.

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[He's not so sure of that, and just hearing it from someone else makes his chest ache. This isn't the time to argue that, though, he's here for her and not his own issues.]

You're gonna be okay, Renart.

[He hopes.]

You're too strong to let this pull you down forever.

[aigue]

I hope you're right.

[Because she isn't so sure. If this were a full world she'd be halfway across it by now.]

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I know I am.

[He stays still for a moment before gently disengaging from her, taking a step back.]

Now, come on, I bet you need to eat and sleep.

[aigue]

[She lets go, reluctantly. Very reluctantly.]

I don't need either, technically.

[She hasn't bothered with either, too.]

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And I don't need to sleep more than a couple of times a week, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't do me good anyway.

[He glances towards where he thinks her kitchen will be.]

I can make you something, then leave you to sleep.

[aigue]

... Alright.

[She doesn't feel like doing either, but this is the path of least resistance. And she doesn't want him leaving quite yet.

Turning, she heads into the kitchen.]

I don't know what's in the cupboards, I haven't checked.

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[He gives her a slightly disapproving look and follows her into the kitchens, where he proceeds to open all the cupboards to see what he's dealing with.]

Do you even know how to make anything?