004 Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

[Usually, Usagi would just make this a text, but this was for Rei.

She took a deep breath as she looks at the camera, her eyes red and swollen, her nose red as well. She offers a wet smile before it falls away completely.

She takes another deep breath.]

For those of you who knew her, Rei Hino went- went home.

[Her breath hitches on that last part but she gets it out without a single sob or tears. Rei would be proud. She's done her crying, though, in truth, she's likely to do more later. Usagi knows she'll see Rei again, their lives intertwined, but it doesn't make her loss hurt any less.

Usagi debates for a moment if she should say anything else, pressing her lips together, and then lets out a breath.]

I know she meant a lot to many of you and those of you who Rei loved, she loved you fiercely, I can say that with certainty. [Rei never loved by halves.

Usagi is silent for a moment and then nods. She leaves it at that, at a loss on what else to say.]

Comments

[undermoonlight]

[He doesn't feel right to invade her space, so only stands in the doorway once he's opened it. It's clear that she's been crying. Atsushi knows that he will never fully understand how she must feel. He's never been close to anyone for as long as she has. So he doesn't bother pretending that he knows what is going through her mind.]

I'm about to start dinner. What would you eat?

[Even if she's only in the mood for dessert or something oddly specific. Atsushi might not understand her grief, but he knows that she needs to eat.]

[lightthedarkness]

[When he comes in, she shakes her head, wanting to say she's not hungry, and she's not, but her stomach lets out a loud rumble. Just because she's not hungry doesn't mean she gets to forget eating. And she hasn't all day. She frowns.]

Maybe... just... rice I guess. Or miso soup. [Her stomach growled louder, clearly not content with such a meager meal.]

[undermoonlight]

Sure, I can make something like that.

[He has a few thoughts for something light but decently nutritious. This seems like the time when logic would dictate that he leave her, but Atsushi lingers at the door]

Is there anything else that I can do for you..? I'm not the smartest [book smarts or emotionally,] ... but I could bring tea or hot chocolate?

[lightthedarkness]

[She shifts, sitting up a bit and holding out her hand, wanting him by her side, if he would take it. She wanted to be alone and desperately didn't want to be alone at the same time. She only stares at the floor.]

If you go to make it... you'll have to leave. Please don't leave. [She whispered.]

[undermoonlight]

[Ah, he didn't think that far ahead. Atsushi is beginning to worry about what he can do when he notices that Usagi is offering her hand.

... Food can wait. Yeah, Atsushi really thought that. He closes the door behind him before he crosses the room, choosing to prioritize Usagi's emotions over her need for food. At least for now.

He offers his hand back, gripping hers lightly.]

I don't have anywhere else to be. I promised not to leave you, remember? [Atsushi won't be going anywhere while Usagi and Makoto are in the Trench. He's certain of that much.]

[lightthedarkness]

[As soon as he takes her hand she pulls on his, trying to get him to come and sit next to her, to cuddle with her, not unlike when she had come back from being dead and on a rampage. She sniffles and wipes her eyes.]

I know... [She was trying to be strong, she would see Rei again, she knew that. She knew it in her heart.

It didn't make this hurt any less.]

Is... does that promise... is it hard to keep?

[undermoonlight]

[It's getting easier to cuddle up with Usagi. Atsushi isn't sure if that's a good thing, since what usually drives him to drop his barriers is her being upset. But it's a useful trait right now, as he sits next to her and lets her get as close as she needs to.]

No, it's not. It's harder to leave you. Really.

[Usagi and Makoto are the reasons he hasn't gone back to Yokohama, after all.]

[lightthedarkness]

[She was glad it was harder. But she didn't want to say she was glad, because she knew how selfish that sounded. So she merely nodded, keeping a hold of him.]

Thank you.

[She whispered, wrapping her arms around his and resting her head on his shoulder.] I'm glad... you're here.