expiationnet | text; un: shades

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text; un: shades

[Scott's been feeling all kinds of ways since returning to Aldrip. A little off his feet? Not upset exactly, not when he remembers everyone important to him, but it's still a lot. Kind of weird that he's actually older here than back home, and that's not mentioning suddenly getting almost two years of memories shoved inside his head that he completely forgot about until now. But he's trying. A part of him wants to just lie on the bed with Kotone and just take more time to himself, but he figures that he should say something to his friends.

Maybe focusing on them will help. Better than thinking about Alex or how Apocalypse sort of ruined everything back home.

He breathes in, fiddling with his tablet. Something in him wants to change his username from 'shades' to 'cyclops,' but maybe not right now.]

hey, i'm back now. sorry if i worried anyone. a lot happened, like, back home. yeah i went home and came back. i'm okay though.

[None of that sounded super awkward, right.]

if you wanna meet up, i'll be at the diner. you're paying though.

[ooc: Scott's back from his canon update and just Dealing with Stuff. Totally open to threading Scott meeting others in person! Also, he'll be back in regular clothes for the time being, but he will be wearing his visor for now.]

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...I know.

[Her feelings really are in a tangled knot, huh? Numerous, overwhelming, Scott understands how that is. It's how he often feels when he thinks about certain things here, sometimes feeling on top of the world, other times hurting so bad he doesn't want to get up. It's a mess, so fucking hard to deal with sometimes, but Kotone's always supported him with how he felt. It's only natural that he does the same for her.

He brings his other hand up to lightly cup her face, while still supporting her head with the other, as he gently brushes his thumb across one wet cheek.]

It's okay feeling all this, don't forget that. Don't apologize-- I got you.

[She sniffles again and wipes her nose with the back of her hand, trying to at least contain that. It's funny, almost, how their roles have almost reversed, huh? It feels like usually she's the one holding him when it's all too much, a thought that brings a fresh surge of tears to her eyes again. It's not that she doesn't know that she'd be able to move on, eventually, from him being gone. It would hurt so, so much, but she knows she can do it. She's had to do it before. It's that he's here, with her, and she doesn't have to struggle through every day with that yawning emptiness clawing at the center of her chest.]

You're so strong, [she manages finally, though her voice still breaks and tears still fall in spite of her attempt at laughter.] Really.

[Another mighty sniffle, and she makes to step back, wiggling her hand toward the box of tissues on their dresser. Their dresser, just like this is their room, the room she shares with him. The life here in Aldrip she shares with him.]

[Scott doesn't refute her words, but that's because...]

I'm strong because of you and everyone else. So, let me take care of you. [An honest thought that Scott feels on a daily basis, but he tries not to admit it that much. Even for him, it borders on something that's too mushy. However, if there was any moment where he should be fully open and honest, it's now. It's always easy with Kotone anyway. Partly because he trusts and loves her, but because that's what they promised each other anyway.

He remembers their exchange of words, something that was made over a year ago on that rooftop. So many things they've shared together on the roof, huh? No wonder it feels like their 'spot.'

Scott watches as Kotone tries to reach for the Kleenex, and as if sensing what her host really wants to do, Phoenix flies over to the tissue box before grasping it in her little talons. With a small 'coo,' she flies back to the two teens and dumps the box in Scott's hand, which the teen will offer Kotone with a small smile.]

Phoenix agrees too.

[Phoenix... fresh tears well up at how kind the bird is being to her, and she huffs another laugh along with it as she takes a tissue from the box in Scott's hand. To think she'd been so wary of Phoenix when she'd first appeared, but now the bird really feels like she's part of the team. Kotone blows her nose, ducking her head a little so Scott doesn't have to see and feeling a little silly even so. Nobody likes it when girls cry, but Scott's weird anyway, so it's probably fine.]

She stayed with me almost the whole time you were gone, [she admits, giving Phoenix a grateful, if watery, smile once she looks up again.] It's how I knew you weren't in Aldrip anymore.

[And that there'd be no point ripping the city apart looking for him. She still feels guilty deep down for not being able to rescue Ryoji in time when Bondrewd had captured him; if something happened to Scott after all that, she'd burn the city to the ground to try and find him.]

...I'm really glad you're back, [she adds more quietly, sniffling back the rest of her tears and pulling out another tissue to wipe her eyes. Her chest aches with all the emotions she'd been holding in, but it's okay because he's here now. She doesn't have to hold it in anymore.]

Did she now?

[Scott turns his head slightly to look at the preening bird, wings spreading as if to say 'yes, I took care of the girl while you were gone!' Praise her! Admire her!! He only rolls his eyes, somehow understanding the slightly spoiled behavior she's exuding, although there's no hiding his appreciation for Phoenix. If she really watched over Kotone while he was gone... he definitely owes her a lot of treats.

Phoenix makes a happy and self-satisfied 'coo' in response.

But he soon returns his attention back to Kotone, head turning back with that easy smile. Not that he's a frowny grumpy jerk when dealing with others, but it really comes so easy when it's just the two of them. And Phoenix, of course.]

You're the person I wanted to see the most.

[He admits as he lowers himself just slightly, before placing a kiss on top of her.]

[She manages another laugh, wiping away a few more tears. She knows that can't be true; she knows there's no way he remembered her while he was gone. It's a thought she tries to push away before it can summon up a fresh wave of tears, because it's not his fault. She knows he means it now, and that's enough. He's enough.]

How long was it...? For you?

[One more sniffle and a blow of her nose, then she jams the tissue into her pocket as if with that motion alone she could stop herself from crying. That is enough crying!!]

Are you older than me now? [and she tries for another tease, trying to to recapture their usual banter.]

Just a couple of months. Really, I've been gone longer from my world in comparison.

[So, honestly, he's older here in Aldrip. Then became younger when he returned home, then got almost 2+ years added to his age when he returned?? It's so weird; time stuff is weird!! Although, in a lot of ways, he does feel older-- maybe more experienced is the right word? All those memories of her and everyone else, of everything they've faced, are now building on everything he's dealt with back home. It's a lot. Not in a bad way. It's impossible to say that, when he's with her right now.

A warm breath exhales against her hair, Scott just fully taking her in again. Wanting to remember this moment just as much as everything else.]

And no one is older than you. [He smiles against the top of her head, the tease in his voice clear as he wraps one arm around her back.]

[Her laughter is as startled as it is amused, and she pokes at his side in search of a place in his armor where she can still get him. Rude!! Also-]

I thought boys liked older women!! [she protests, laughing again even as a few more tears escape her best efforts.] Dating their teachers and stuff!!

[At least her laughter is outpacing her tears now as she tries again to find somewhere to pinch him. C'mon, its cheating to wear armor like this!! But if it means she gets to keep him close, she'll deal with the armor. Although...]

You should let everybody know you're back. [She wiggles, just enough to press a kiss to the bit of his neck left exposed by the armor.] Let them know you're okay.

[He snorts, a laugh catching in his throat as she tries to poke him in his side to no avail. Her attack is thwarted... what is she going to do now? Scott's grin spreads further against her hair, barely stopping himself from sniffling as they ease into this easy banter. It's like he never left, huh? Of course, he didn't want to leave her to begin with.]

What kind of tv shows and movies do you watch, Kotone? [He can tell that she's still crying though, just not as much, but it prompts him to start rubbing her back in reassurance. They can joke and tease each other like this, but he doesn't want to stop comforting her. As much as she needs it, he'll happily give it.]

What if I just want to spend the rest of the day with you?

[It almost sounds like a joke, but there's something in his tone that suggests that he would actually rather spend this day with her. He'll tell everyone that he's back tomorrow, that's okay, right? Even if it's not really okay, he doesn't really care too much.]

Rio's friend Kenji!! [she protests with another laugh, because hey, it's not TV! It's real life!!

But then he says he might want to spend the rest of the day with her, and she smiles, tucking her chin in against his shoulder. It's a nice thought, even if she knows it's not the right one. That he actually means it really does mean a lot to her as she wipes the last of her tears from her eyes.]

You could. But you know everyone really missed you, so you won't.

[There's a fond, quiet confidence in her voice, even as she gazes up at him. She'd like nothing more than to spend the rest of the day in his arms, maybe curl up in bed beside him and just listen to the sound of his heartbeat. But that would be way too selfish, and after everyone helped her in spite of their own pain, she can't keep him all to herself.]

[Scott bites his lip, because he really just wants to stay with her right now. He of course misses his other friends and he truly wants to see them, but Kotone is the person he loves the most and can't they just be selfish?? Isn't that okay? He knows that she wants him to do the 'right' thing, but maybe for him, that's just spending more time with her.

Maybe he can make some sort of compromise, because not telling his friends that he's back is kind of a dick thing to do. Kurt's probably worried, amongst others. Scott sighs, his other arm wrapping around her in a hug.]

I'll send a message, say I'm back.

[He relents, but.] I'll also mention that I just want some time alone with you today.

[Her smile softens in response, because he does really love her, doesn't he? Not that it was in doubt, but that even after months of not seeing his other friends, he still wants to spend time with her and her alone is still mind-boggling.

She really is lucky, isn't she? To have someone like him in her life once again. Leaning up, she presses another gentle kiss to his cheek.] Okay.

[If that's really what he wants to do, she won't argue. She knocks a hand against his armored shoulder, sniffling back the last of her tears.] After you send it, can I hug you without your armor, then?

[There's no hiding Scott's own relief, his smile growing when she relents. This is what he really wants and he's sure their friends will understand. He'll get them lunch or something later ~~or make everyone grab him lunch--~~.] Okay.

[He repeats warmly, breath leaving from him in a small laugh. He's so lucky that she's still here. Yeah, only gone for a week, but anything could've happened in that timeframe. He knows this. It's why he really just wants to take this single day to be with her. No one else, just the two of them.]

Don't like the armor that much after all, huh? [His smile grows, but he nods, easily agreeing to her request. Honestly, it's harder to feel her in this uniform, so just hugging her again without all that extra padding? Hugging just like they used to? Yeah. He wants that too.

With one low sigh, he slowly pulls away from her, only so he can get started on sending a message to their friends and pull his outfit off. Of course, Scott can't stop himself from gently wiping one tear from the corner of her eye, still looking at her like she's the world to him.]

Not for hugging!

[Even as they part, she's not quick about it, letting her fingers trail across his uniform until she's too far back to easily reach him. She can at least get one more tissue, wiping at her face before blowing her nose one more time. Now that she has the time and the space to get a better look, it is a handsome uniform -- though maybe that opinion is influenced by the warmth of his smile, the gentle brush of his thumb against her skin making her heart swell in her chest.]

I love you, [she says quietly, the genuine sentiment shining in her eyes. Even if she still can't see his, and can see even less with his big metal visor, he's still her Scott. He still loves her, even after how long it's been for him.

But okay, enough sappy stuff!! Let her get the tissues out of the way and actually take a look at all of him in his armor, clasping her hands behind her back and skipping around to get a better look.]

I love you too.

[He returns simply, like it's a fact of the universe. As cheesy as it sounds, it really holds true to Scott. Loving Kotone is just a thing he does, no ifs or buts about it. He might have returned home, bonded with Jean just a little more, but... he honestly just loves the girl in front of him. Jean will always be important to him, he will always have her back, but the moment he returned here, that romantic interest pretty much vanished.

It's a lot, honestly.

But as she busies herself with a tissue, Scott finds his tablet and starts work on composing a message. Look, the faster he gets this done, the faster he can just spend more time with her. He'll just quirk one eyebrow at her when she continues to skip around him, but for the most part, Scott just decides to let her be. She's just being cute.]

[Is it just the suit, or does he look more fit? He said it's only been a couple of months, but maybe it's the way he carries himself that makes him feel even more mature than he was already. He must have been through a lot back home, huh...?

Her hands fall to his shoulders as he starts typing, following the curve of his biceps and then up and along his shoulder blades. It's definitely protective armor, but it fits him really well! Her hands trail down to the small of his back, then lift for just a moment.]

It really is a good uniform! [she compliments, right before smacking his butt. It's right there! No imagination required!]

Edited 2025-03-21 11:40 (UTC)

[As her hands slide to his shoulders, they reflexively ease beneath her grip, and probably delaying his response because it's pretty hard to concentrate like this. What?! He'd like to see anyone else try to remain composed when the girl you love very much is exploring you like this. They were separated for the first time since they really got here (well, if you don't count the time she died), so... he's happy to let her take him in again.

He's not sure if he's really more muscular, since he's already been training here, but he's certainly gotten more perspective. He's a X-Man and--]

Kotone!

[His voice jumps to a higher pitch, accompanied by a squeak that he will forever deny making. Phoenix tilts her head from her spot on the bed, before making a noise herself that sounds a little bit like a laugh. What a funny sound her host made!

But yeah, Scott certainly felt that smack, armor or not.]

[Her laugh is loud and unashamed, only redoubled by Phoenix's own little noise of amusement. It's good to know she can still get to him like this, even with whatever's happened to him back home! Still laughing, she wraps her arms around his waist and leans up to rest her chin on his shoulder, peering down at the message he's composing as if she's completely innocent.]

What? I was trying to decide what my favorite part of the armor was!! [she teases, kissing his cheek the best she can from this angle. It means she's all but hanging off his shoulders, but she trusts him to not to let them fall.] I think I found your weak spot, Mr. Summers~

[Uh-huh, innocent his ass. Just like the part she slapped.

Still, Scott slowly recovers, his cheeks just slightly red from not only her action, but just how she wraps her arms around him again, chin on his shoulder in a manner that makes him feel comfortable-- like she alone is the home he's found here. He really loves her, so much. Even when she teases him like this, maybe especially so.

What happened to writing his message again? Don't worry about it.

He doesn't let them fall, stance steady as she continues to hold him. He'll never let her fall-- well, unless he wants to see her faceplant into the bed or something. But not right now.]

That's so cheating. [He laughs though, hands paused still on his tablet because he really can't help but just press their faces together, despite the somewhat odd angle.] It's like finding the weak spot in your battle armor.

[Which. He still can't believe that something like that counts as armor. How is it protecting her at all????]

[She giggles at the reminder of her high-cut armor, letting her arms slip down to make it easier for him to get back to typing his message. It's best not to question how armor in Tartarus works too much -- besides, it was just funny to see how the boys reacted when she wore it! Even if it's only Scott who would see it now, that's more than enough.

For now, she just drops back down to the bed, sitting and waiting for him to finish up so he can join her.]

We could trade! [her eyes sparkle with the obvious tease.] I could wear your armor and you could wear mine!

[Wouldn't that be a sight? Scott in thigh-high metal heels and a metal bikini... hilarious. It's hard not to laugh herself at the sight, and it's only literal years of teasing him that keeps her from bursting out laughing early and ruining the joke of a section.]

What-- me in a bikini?

[His voice takes on something a little higher pitched, with Phoenix snorting a laugh and snuggling against Kotone's side. Don't worry, she's just keeping this space warm.

Kotone's really making it hard to complete this message though. Scott's had to backspace and rewrite stuff multiple times at this point, because it's either full of misspellings or it just doesn't make sense. Honestly a part of him is tempted to just post something like that to everyone, but he knows that he would make everyone just be even more worried about him. And that's really not what he's going for.

But really, it's super hard tying out 'I'm back, don't worry. See you guys tomorrow' or something among those lines!]

Y-yeah, you'd like something like that. [He's trying to tease her back, despite his flushed cheeks.]

[Kotone's fingers immediately find purchase in Phoenix's feathers again, stroking her as a reward for playing along with the joke. Good birdie!!]

I think I'd rather see you in nothing! [she fires back, a giggle escaping her lips in spite of her best efforts.] So hurry up!! Change clothes!!

[Finish that message, Mr. Summers! Your girlfriend is waiting to cuddle with you!!]

[Scott thinks that he should be rewarded that he even managed to finish the message at all, the mutant not bothering to proofread it before hitting the 'send' button. Really, it's a miracle he got that far. But with that done, he haphazardly tosses the tablet on his desk before he starts tugging at his gloves, pulling them off and also throwing them behind him as he starts working on his uniform. Yeah he's making a mess, but he doesn't care!!]

Geez, so bossy.

[But has he ever wanted to take off his uniform as quickly as now? Not really. Not even when he was all sweaty and gross after a training session. Kotone sitting on his bed with that teasing smile is more incentive than like. Anything ever. It's probably more comical than anything else with how quickly he tugs his X-Men suit off, even as a lithe body that's she probably still very familiar with is revealed out in the open. He definitely has muscle definition now, but it wasn't like he was slacking off in Aldrip either.

It's not long before Scott's just standing in compression shorts with his armor scattered on the ground. He'll pick it up later. Scott starts climbing on the bed next to her, before he smirks and lightly tackles her down, arms wrapped tight as he laughs. Yes, this is much better, hugging her like this. Their bodies being able to be pressed so closely together without his uniform in the way.

Luckily, Phoenix got away just in time, she's going to her nest, thanks.]

[She feels her own tablet buzz in her pocket when he sends that message, but she doesn't bother to read it, just tossing her tablet aside. While he's stripping out of his uniform, she'll at least get herself out of her farm overalls, adding them to the pile of armor on the floor that she'll eventually ask him to pick up. Nothing fancy underneath for her, just shorts and a long-sleeve shirt that she'll eventually pull a skirt up over, but for now, as long Scott wants to stay with her, she'll just be happy not to get farm dirt on (more) of him.

It's fun to watch him strip, though, her eyes tracking every movement, studying his form to see if there's anything different about him -- or maybe just wanting to memorize every inch of his skin, holding this memory as close as any other. As simple as it is, he's back, right here with her, and she doesn't want to take her eyes off him for a second.]

You like it, though~ [she teases when he calls her bossy, laughing again -- and then laughing even more when he tackles her down to the bed, immediately scooting back with him atop her so she can tangle her legs with his and wrap her arms around him once again. Sorry yet again to Phoenix!! But this, right here, is the happiest she's been in recent memory. Her fingertips trace meaningless patterns up and down his bare back as she smiles widely enough that her cheeks hurt.] Comfy?

[It's official, Kotone could be wearing a barrel and he'd think she was cute. The farm overalls is honestly no different because he's not normally attracted to the farmer look, but seeing her there, dressed in just shorts and a long-sleeve shirt? Yeah, now she's like... super cute. Look he's having a hard time with words, let alone thoughts!!

It's why he wants to do nothing else but wrap his arms around her as he buries his smiling face against her neck, their bodies easily slotting together like nothing has changed and to him, it hasn't. Honestly it just reinforced how much he loves her, more than anyone else. Right now, he doesn't think he can love anyone as much as her. Just him and Kotone, like this... and not think about the future.

They have the present, this moment, just for them. Breathing her in, feeling her fingers move across his skin, with his own hand reaching up to gently undo the hair that's held up in a ponytail.]

Very comfy. [He agrees, voice filled with sentiment and undisguised affection.] This much better for you too?

text; un: shades

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