[He's never been as good as her when it comes to smiling through things when he doesn't feel it. Doubly so when she's the one involved, because she's one of the very few people left in this world that he feels like he can be fully open with. He wants to be honest with her, but maybe he should try to smile more for her too. So, the corner of his mouth twitches upward, something a little strained about it, but he's trying still.
So, here they are, with their slightly forced smiles and hands together. He keeps them close to his chest even as Thanatos drifts closer, Scott only looking at him with acknowledgment, maybe some understanding. He's not afraid of Thanatos-- he'd like to think he still wouldn't be afraid if he attacked him. Maybe he'd just be more worried about Kotone, because if her Persona attacked him, then something is wrong with her.
Resting his forehead against hers, he swallows tightly hearing her claim that he's already her strength. She... she really means it, huh? Knowing that she's relying on him too, it makes Scott want to be even better. Stronger. So she can continue to rely on him. He can do that without problem, right?]
I know it's hard for you sometimes. You mentioned about it being difficult to get up from bed, but... but I'm glad that I make it easier for you.
[As the chill from Thanatos encompasses them, he pulls her closer, his other arm still wrapped around her waist. It's not like he's trying to protect her from her own Persona, but it's just a reminder that even if death is nearby, he'll be close. To... hopefully fight it off.] I don't mind if you want to lean on me more.
[There's a hint of a teasing tone in his voice, but he's still serious.]
I think so too, Kotone. Your will to keep going. [At least it's a nice thought, so Scott's going to fully support that.]
[She sinks in against him, relishing his warmth, how solid he feels beneath her. Keeping her eyes closed, it's easy to pretend that they're in their own little untouchable bubble; that as long as they're together, they'll be fine. Thanatos might hover right behind her as a very tangible reminder of the inevitable, but in this moment, right now, they have each other.]
I lean on you a lot already, [and while she matches that lightly teasing tone, it's true! More than Scott knows, probably. For so long, she'd had to rely just on herself. Even with SEES, she wanted to be someone they could rely on, and while she relied on them in return, it was different. She was still their leader. Maybe that's why she adds,] You're the first person who wanted to share everything with me. Not just stuff about you, or me, but... both of us. Does that make sense?
[Most of SEES had wanted to talk to her about things that were bothering them. She didn't mind! She was happy to help. Some of them wanted to talk only about her -- like Shinjiro. Junpei had been one of the few who'd seemed to want to hear about her as much as he shared about himself, but he was never interested in her like that.
Maybe it's fitting that Scott isn't a Social Link, and she won't get a Persona from him. They're more than that, she's pretty sure.]
If you wanna lean on me to the point that I have to hold you up, that's okay too.
[He laughs lightly, but there's a serious note to his voice. A promise. Because yeah, if she doesn't feel like getting up at all, if Kotone needs him to carry her in some manner, then he will. Without question. He wants to be here for her, not just when they're having fun. They've established that they're both very important to each other, that he doesn't want to be with anyone else while they're here, and he's determined to show it.]
...But yeah, that makes sense.
[Isn't that supposed to be normal? Sharing stuff about himself, Kotone sharing stuff about herself?? That sort of came naturally to him, especially when they're off in their own little bubble. It's easy to talk to someone that's always accepted him, even from the beginning, before they were even friends. He won't forget the time where she just took him out for a dance, the way she smiled at him. Sure, she's nice like that to everyone, but it still mattered a lot to him.
[In spite of the seriousness of their conversation, she can't help but giggle a little bit. If Thanatos weren't behind them, she might laughingly order him to pick her up, but maybe next time. Right now, she's more than happy to have his arms wrapped around her like this. Once the giggles subside, she relaxes against him with a pleased little sigh, though her nose scrunches a bit at the kiss to her head. It's so soft and affectionate -- so like him, really.]
The good stuff and the bad stuff, right?
[If he's going to kiss her head, then she's just going to lean up and try to steal his lips again, lingering there for a long moment. Scott truly, genuinely, makes her feel so alive; like as long as they're together, things will be okay. Cupping his cheek, she tilts his head to kiss him more insistently as if making a promise with that kiss. And maybe it kind of is, a reminder that they're with each other until one or both of them is gone.
Thanatos, for his part, continues to look unimpressed, though he still hasn't looked anywhere but at Scott.]
[A slightly exasperated, but still fond laugh escapes Scott when he both hears and feels her giggle underneath him. What is she laughing about? This is totally a serious conversation they are having!! But he's come to fully understand that she has a hard time keeping the topic serious for long, inevitably turning things light between them. Sometimes frustrating, but Scott's mostly said what he wanted to say (again), and so he starts moving his hand from her back to her side to rest there for a moment.]
The good and the bad.
[Overall, she's gotten far more open with expressing herself to him, but he still doesn't mind when she silently promises things to him with a simple kiss, feeling her sincerity through their intimate contact. Is it sappy of him? Maybe, but too bad, because it's true. It really feels like she's open in these instances... and it's not like he's going to complain at all about having Kotone Shiomi kiss him over and over.
And Thanatos can just watch!! He can also just watch as he lets the hand on her side twitch before he starts tickling her. Look, even he just wants to have fun with her now.]
[She does appreciate the sentiment behind it, more than she really knows how to express. Hopefully it's clear in the way she sinks completely against him, almost daring him to hold her close enough that she won't just sink to the ground -- still, she keeps her hand against his cheek, ready and willing to hold on in case she's too heavy for him to bear. They both carry each other, don't they? And that's always been the most important thing. She's not just Scott's leader, or his guide, but his equal.
There's a little bit of a twitch when he shifts his hand, then a sharp gasp when he starts tickling her! Rude!! This time, she can't control her startled laughter as she tries to shy away from his hand, and Thanatos finally stirs into action. He's part of Kotone, and while she knows she's not in any actual danger, it doesn't him from rising up warningly, coffins flaring around them both and kicking up little whirlwinds of sand with a chill wind. There's a distinct sound of chains and a rattle of breath, even as Kotone's still laughing and trying to wiggle away from his hand.]
[Once hearing those chains, Scott reluctantly pulls his hand away from her side, allowing it to rest once more on her back as he snorts in laughter. He still believes that Thanatos wouldn't hurt him or anything like that, but best not to aggravate him too much, right? He buries his smiling face against the top of Kotone's head for a moment, his hand now tracing light circles against her.]
I think he's a little upset with me.
[He admits before looking over to the Persona that represents Death. The reflection of Kotone that shows her acceptance of her fate... but also her will to keep fighting. He likes the thought of that.] I'll take good care of her, don't worry.
[It takes another few seconds after he stops for her giggles to subside; once they do, Thanatos seems to calm as well, the cold little eddies of air ceasing to let their sandy tornados fall peacefully back to the beach. The prospect of Thanatos being upset at Scott is also kind of funny, but...
She turns around, pressing her back against Scott's chest, and reaches up with both hands toward Thanatos like she might for a (very) large dog. Thanatos leans in as beckoned, resting his metal jaw in both of her hands for a moment, though his gaze stays focused on Scott, before finally disappearing with a flicker, back into her soul where he can't try to "help" by being intimidating. She doesn't turn around completely or even move away, just tilts her head to look up at her boyfriend with a genuine little smile.]
He knows. [Still without turning around, she reaches up behind her to ruffle her fingers through Scott's hair.] He trusts you to protect me, I think.
[Only Kotone would treat the manifestation of death like this. Granted, Thanatos is a personification of her soul, so there's definitely that connection on a deep level, but it's still a little funny to watch a teenage girl pat a spirit with coffins and a metal mask. He keeps his arms wrapped around her waist as she does so, before smiling down at her with that affectionate grin as Thanatos leaves them alone.]
I don't plan on letting him down.
[Kotone isn't the only one that's willing to sacrifice her life; he's more than willing to do that for her. Of course, he plans on exhausting all other options first, because he doesn't want her to go through the pain of watching him die. Plus, he's trying to encourage the whole 'don't immediately jump to sacrificing yourself' bit. Still, he'd do almost anything to protect her, someone has to.
But enough seriousness for one day. Even he's tired of it.]
Now, where were we...
[A playful tone enters his voice as he pulls her closer to him. Yep, just going to be gross in public, they deserve it. Besides, they're somewhat hidden away still. Totally fine. Maybe Jerry will slap them with indecent exposure later--]
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So, here they are, with their slightly forced smiles and hands together. He keeps them close to his chest even as Thanatos drifts closer, Scott only looking at him with acknowledgment, maybe some understanding. He's not afraid of Thanatos-- he'd like to think he still wouldn't be afraid if he attacked him. Maybe he'd just be more worried about Kotone, because if her Persona attacked him, then something is wrong with her.
Resting his forehead against hers, he swallows tightly hearing her claim that he's already her strength. She... she really means it, huh? Knowing that she's relying on him too, it makes Scott want to be even better. Stronger. So she can continue to rely on him. He can do that without problem, right?]
I know it's hard for you sometimes. You mentioned about it being difficult to get up from bed, but... but I'm glad that I make it easier for you.
[As the chill from Thanatos encompasses them, he pulls her closer, his other arm still wrapped around her waist. It's not like he's trying to protect her from her own Persona, but it's just a reminder that even if death is nearby, he'll be close. To... hopefully fight it off.] I don't mind if you want to lean on me more.
[There's a hint of a teasing tone in his voice, but he's still serious.]
I think so too, Kotone. Your will to keep going. [At least it's a nice thought, so Scott's going to fully support that.]
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I lean on you a lot already, [and while she matches that lightly teasing tone, it's true! More than Scott knows, probably. For so long, she'd had to rely just on herself. Even with SEES, she wanted to be someone they could rely on, and while she relied on them in return, it was different. She was still their leader. Maybe that's why she adds,] You're the first person who wanted to share everything with me. Not just stuff about you, or me, but... both of us. Does that make sense?
[Most of SEES had wanted to talk to her about things that were bothering them. She didn't mind! She was happy to help. Some of them wanted to talk only about her -- like Shinjiro. Junpei had been one of the few who'd seemed to want to hear about her as much as he shared about himself, but he was never interested in her like that.
Maybe it's fitting that Scott isn't a Social Link, and she won't get a Persona from him. They're more than that, she's pretty sure.]
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[He laughs lightly, but there's a serious note to his voice. A promise. Because yeah, if she doesn't feel like getting up at all, if Kotone needs him to carry her in some manner, then he will. Without question. He wants to be here for her, not just when they're having fun. They've established that they're both very important to each other, that he doesn't want to be with anyone else while they're here, and he's determined to show it.]
...But yeah, that makes sense.
[Isn't that supposed to be normal? Sharing stuff about himself, Kotone sharing stuff about herself?? That sort of came naturally to him, especially when they're off in their own little bubble. It's easy to talk to someone that's always accepted him, even from the beginning, before they were even friends. He won't forget the time where she just took him out for a dance, the way she smiled at him. Sure, she's nice like that to everyone, but it still mattered a lot to him.
He presses a kiss to the top of her head.]
You've made it easy to share everything with.
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The good stuff and the bad stuff, right?
[If he's going to kiss her head, then she's just going to lean up and try to steal his lips again, lingering there for a long moment. Scott truly, genuinely, makes her feel so alive; like as long as they're together, things will be okay. Cupping his cheek, she tilts his head to kiss him more insistently as if making a promise with that kiss. And maybe it kind of is, a reminder that they're with each other until one or both of them is gone.
Thanatos, for his part, continues to look unimpressed, though he still hasn't looked anywhere but at Scott.]
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The good and the bad.
[Overall, she's gotten far more open with expressing herself to him, but he still doesn't mind when she silently promises things to him with a simple kiss, feeling her sincerity through their intimate contact. Is it sappy of him? Maybe, but too bad, because it's true. It really feels like she's open in these instances... and it's not like he's going to complain at all about having Kotone Shiomi kiss him over and over.
And Thanatos can just watch!! He can also just watch as he lets the hand on her side twitch before he starts tickling her. Look, even he just wants to have fun with her now.]
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There's a little bit of a twitch when he shifts his hand, then a sharp gasp when he starts tickling her! Rude!! This time, she can't control her startled laughter as she tries to shy away from his hand, and Thanatos finally stirs into action. He's part of Kotone, and while she knows she's not in any actual danger, it doesn't him from rising up warningly, coffins flaring around them both and kicking up little whirlwinds of sand with a chill wind. There's a distinct sound of chains and a rattle of breath, even as Kotone's still laughing and trying to wiggle away from his hand.]
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I think he's a little upset with me.
[He admits before looking over to the Persona that represents Death. The reflection of Kotone that shows her acceptance of her fate... but also her will to keep fighting. He likes the thought of that.] I'll take good care of her, don't worry.
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She turns around, pressing her back against Scott's chest, and reaches up with both hands toward Thanatos like she might for a (very) large dog. Thanatos leans in as beckoned, resting his metal jaw in both of her hands for a moment, though his gaze stays focused on Scott, before finally disappearing with a flicker, back into her soul where he can't try to "help" by being intimidating. She doesn't turn around completely or even move away, just tilts her head to look up at her boyfriend with a genuine little smile.]
He knows. [Still without turning around, she reaches up behind her to ruffle her fingers through Scott's hair.] He trusts you to protect me, I think.
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I don't plan on letting him down.
[Kotone isn't the only one that's willing to sacrifice her life; he's more than willing to do that for her. Of course, he plans on exhausting all other options first, because he doesn't want her to go through the pain of watching him die. Plus, he's trying to encourage the whole 'don't immediately jump to sacrificing yourself' bit. Still, he'd do almost anything to protect her, someone has to.
But enough seriousness for one day. Even he's tired of it.]
Now, where were we...
[A playful tone enters his voice as he pulls her closer to him. Yep, just going to be gross in public, they deserve it. Besides, they're somewhat hidden away still. Totally fine. Maybe Jerry will slap them with indecent exposure later--]