[ el nysa ] tdm carryover(s)

[ofseraphim]

[ some of the best 'na-na'-ing around, friends ]

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[circulets]

[ Sorey's hand is warm in his.

It's strange, he thinks - Mikleo's hand is so small, but had he ever noticed how perfectly Sorey's hand fits into his own because of that? For a while while they walk, it's near distracting. Yet, at the same time... he can't help but feel soothed just by hearing Sorey's voice. He hadn't realized that he had missed it up until now.

Still, he tells Sorey about everything -- the bomb, the effects, the cure, and then what had happened after. He's relieved that Sorey had woken up after everything had happened.

When they get back home, Mikleo can't help but feel more at ease. He hasn't let go of Sorey's hand yet, not even when he turns to speak to him. ]

Welcome home.

[ofseraphim]

[ After linking hands for the transporter, they simply... never release. It's soothing; an anchor of sorts that tells him he's really here, and really here to stay, if Sorey has anything to say about it.

It comes in handy, too, providing a means of feedback while Mikleo talks about all the events that have transpired in his best friend's absence. Mention of the disease earns a concerned squeeze, no small amount of relief settling over him at the explanation of the cure.

In this moment, however, he can't help but feel he was away for so much. The sentiment doesn't abate once they're safely inside their home, either, hands still linked for some reason, which Sorey won't question. Here once more, there's another squeeze just for good measure. ]

Thanks. [ Eyes glance around before settling back on Mikleo once more. ] It's good to be back.

[circulets]

[ He feels his heart jump when Sorey squeezes that hand, looking to him for a moment before he starts moving forward. He immediately wants to start prioritizing getting Sorey back into the way things were - and that's starting with what he needs right now, which is more than likely food. ]

I'll make you some soft serve. I don't doubt that you're hungry.

[ofseraphim]

...Eager to get things back to normal, huh? [ A comment he might regret making in a second, perhaps, but it's a little too late to take it back now. ] You know you don't have to, but I'll also never turn down your soft-serve!

[ Assuming Mikleo's response, Sorey seats himself at the dining room table.

That dream he'd had -- well, he knows it wasn't a dream, it just feels like one, especially now -- makes him even more grateful for moments like this, slightly awed as he watches Mikleo work. ]

At least this place hasn't changed much.

[circulets]

You aren't saying no, are you? [ It already feels like things are back to normal, anyways. ] You've been sleeping all this time, so you shouldn't keep moving around on an empty stomach.

[ He tugs his hand away then, beginning to prepare to make that soft serve - just as he usually does. ]

I've kept it tidy all this time, anyways. [ Even all the books he's been reading - which are more or less medical-type books - are stacked neatly on one of the nearby counters. ]

[ofseraphim]

[ A shake of his head follows. ] Of course not! I've missed your cooking, too.

[ ...that 'too' was unintentional. Whoops.

The books are a new addition, however, and -- much like any book left unattended around Sorey for too long -- he's got to pick it up and crack it open. Just the one at the top of the stack, and just for a second. ] You've done a great job, from what I can see!

[ Idly thumbing through the book, it's not long before Sorey finds himself, well... a little lost, frankly. Mikleo read all this...? He's impressed. ]

Hey, Mikleo?

[ There's something else Sorey should say... ]

[circulets]

[ There's a pause when Sorey says 'too', but he doesn't have a chance to say much more before Sorey speaks again. Cleaning up... wasn't a big deal at all. Not when he didn't need to eat or sleep - and not when he wasn't here all that often to begin with... Those were minor details, though. ]

Yes? [ He stops from casting any artes to make that softserve, his attention on Sorey. ]

[ofseraphim]

[ With as heartfelt and sincere a gaze as Sorey's seemingly ever set upon Mikleo, he waits until they have clear eye contact before speaking. ]

I'm proud of you.

[circulets]

... I just did what anyone else would have done. That's all.

[ Besides, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Not when others were suffering and he could do something about it.

Still... He appreciates what Sorey is saying, nonetheless. He's sure that Sorey would have done the same thing in his own shoes. ]

[ofseraphim]

[ True enough, Sorey would have done the same. But to come here with so little to go on, lose his best friend only just after reuniting, and not simply endure but succeed in saving hundred -- maybe thousands -- of people? It's a feat. One he should be proud of.

Yet, he wants to stay humble about it, so Sorey won't push. ]

Still, you had to have learned a lot, and in a short amount of time.

[ But, not wanting to interrupt further, he'll stuff his nose into that book for a moment to let Mikleo finish. ]

[circulets]

What I learned from home came in handy. [ He moves to get a bowl, setting it on the counter. ]

But... you aren't wrong, either. Learning about medical plants in a whole other world isn't something that you can learn about over night.

[ofseraphim]

No kidding. [ A small shake of his head. ] Especially when there was still so much left to be documented whatsoever...

[ His awe over it all isn't decreasing whatsoever. ]

I'm just glad everything turned out. And-- [ should he be saying this? It sounds selfish, but ] --I'm glad you weren't affected, too.

[ What would he have done, if he'd come back and Mikleo had been sick, or dying?

Or just... gone?

The thought gives him a cold chill, jostling his shoulders faintly with a shiver. But he'll shake that off and keep right on reading. ]

[circulets]

[ Mikleo can't help but notice the way that Sorey's expression sinks, a hand moving to his shoulder in comfort. ]

... We were both fortunate. As was everyone who was given a cure. [ He pauses. ] It looks like we were able to inspire a few people, too.

[ofseraphim]

[ Easily and without thought, Sorey slides a hand over Mikleo's and presses it to him briefly as a new wave of gratitude for his best friend's safety sweeps over him.

It takes a moment, but his expression rebounds remarkably as ever. ]

I'll bet! Hey, you've already inspired me and I just got back!

[ A grin, even. ]

Looks like I've got some work ahead of me, if I'm gonna catch up to you!

[circulets]

Just don't overdo it.

[ He knows how Sorey is with books, after all. ]

Though, I do suppose we're equal now. From what I recall, I was gone for just as long as you were.

[ofseraphim]

[ There's a bit of a soft 'heh' from Sorey as his grin widens. Overdoing it might as well be second nature, especially in this department.

Mikleo's change of topic brings about a complete and total shift, however. One area in which he never intended to have a contest was in who could be gone the longest... ]

...You're right, by the way. It really does feel like only a few seconds.

[circulets]

It's almost as if time is irrelevant when you're in those pods.

[ He doesn't want Sorey to blame himself for it, though. It wasn't his fault. Not in the least. ]

But, suddenly sleeping isn't something that neither of us chose, either.

[ofseraphim]

[ The same can be said right back to Mikleo. ]

Yeah, and it's hard to tell which is really happening, sometimes. If that makes any sense at all.

[ His reading pauses as his head almost seems to swim for a moment. ]

Was it like that for you, too?

[circulets]

It was exactly like that. ... It doesn't even feel like you're dreaming, even though you are.

[ Everything you see while you're sleeping then feels real... ]

[ofseraphim]

Are we, though?

[ While you're sleeping, everything feels so real -- the emotions, the sensations, everything. Even if it's just a blink. It's disorienting in the extreme, especially to wake back up in this place. ]

It's all so real...

[ His head shakes then, as though he's trying to clear the thought. ]

...Sorry. I know, I'm probably not helping anything by bringing it up.

[ He perks then, offering a warmhearted smile. ]

Anyway, the important thing is that we're together again.

[circulets]

That isn't exactly what I mean. Even though we're sleeping in the pods, it feels like we aren't dreaming.

[ He wonders if Sorey dreamed of home, too... ]

... Don't worry about it. It almost feels as though we can find out something new if we talk about this sort of thing.

[ofseraphim]

[ It feels like they aren't dreaming; so much so, in fact, that...

Sorey has to stop himself short. Debating asleep and awake, dreams and reality, isn't... really how he wants to spend the evening, honestly. Furthermore, doesn't he owe it to Mikleo to readjust, rather than hinging on their time apart?

So, he lets that be all. Sets himself to enjoying those frozen treats he's missed, regardless of whether or not it feels like he's had the time to miss them, and gratefully enjoying whatever his best friend offers. If he says it's been six weeks, then it has -- simple as that.

Before too much longer, they're back in his -- their -- room. Whatever disease had just rampaged through the town, it seems both Mikleo and Sorey's small collection of plants both remained unaffected. As a matter of fact, they've flourished. Both of them, from the look of that well-worn hardbound journal on the nightstand. ]

Is this what you mentioned earlier?

[circulets]

That's right.

[ Mikleo reaches, taking the journal and lifting it in order to offer it for Sorey to take. ]

... It's nothing special, but it should get the point across. [ And get Sorey caught up on everything. If he hadn't woken up when he did, Mikleo would have likely kept more than one journal... ]

[ofseraphim]

[ Sorey takes the journal, notable care in his actions. ]

That's where you're wrong, Mikleo.

[ With that stern comment, he moves to take a seat at the head of his bed, reclining slightly against the headboard with the tome in his lap -- just like old times. ]

This is special. And-- [ his head shakes some ] --I can't thank you enough...

[circulets]

As long as it does what it was written for, then that's enough.

But... It really wasn't a problem. [ He wants to walk the same path as Sorey - for as long as he can - and he wants to help Sorey do the same. Just the same - the last thing he wants is for Sorey to be lost here. ]