[Closed to Ankh and Eiji]

[dreiwuensche]

Not late into the morning, Hina waits by the entrance to G-Block for Eiji. She'd be going down there by herself right now if it weren't for him telling her not to.

She's also carrying a small bag of candy that she picked up from the shop.

If Shingo is really alive again, this is her chance to apologize. But more importantly, it's a chance to reconcile. They can be a family again...

...can't they?

Comments

[birdinhand]

He raised a hand and let it rest at around Hina's waist. He brought his head down and rested his cheek against the side of her temple. Ah, yes, this felt right. Hina's hugs never failed to make him feel better. And even in prison, she still smelled the same.

After a long moment, he was less stiff, and brought his arms around her to return the hug more properly.

[dreiwuensche]

Hina grinned wider and tightened her grip around Shingo.

Maybe a little too tight.

Oops.

[birdinhand]

Nevermind the strangling sounds coming from Ankh right now. Okay maybe he forgot about that part.

[yokubo]

"H-Hina-chan!" His eyes widened and he ran over, waving his hands at her to stop. "You're squeezing too hard!"

[dreiwuensche]

"Eek!" She let go and took a step back. "I'm so sorry, Shingo!"

[birdinhand]

"Right... I remember that..." He dropped onto the edge of the bed, rather like deflating. He was a little dazed, but not hurt.

[yokubo]

"I guess you forget how strong you are sometimes, huh?" He smiled sheepishly at Hina, but then turned his attention to Ankh.

"You're okay, right?" Part of him still expected Ankh to tell him to shut up for even asking.

[dreiwuensche]

Hina rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "Sorry..." she said again.

[birdinhand]

He shook his head. "It's okay. You just caught me by surprise." He got back on his feet an scratched at the back of his neck.

"I wonder if there's any coffee ice cream..." that was the same as drinking coffee, right? Come to think of it.

He grabbed Eiji and put him in a headlock. "Don't think I forgot about our deal!"

[yokubo]

"H-Hey!" He protested, trying to pry himself out of Ankh's grip. "I didn't, I promise! Just let me go!"

[dreiwuensche]

"Hey, hey, it's all right!" She put a hand on Ankh's arm. "And you need to eat something besides ice cream, Shingo. Sweets all the time aren't good for you!"

[birdinhand]

He released Eiji. "I'm usually too hot. The popsicles and ice cream bars take the edge off. Fire for a Branch of Sin is a pain."

[yokubo]

He exhaled a sigh of relief.

"So that's why you like them so much?" That actually made sense, but it still seemed to him like having sweets all day would make you sick. He must have gotten used to it fast...

"Um, by the way. Should I still call you Ankh?"

[dreiwuensche]

Was that true? Hina pursed her lips in thought. She would have to look up some recipes for other cold foods, then...

[birdinhand]

"Yeah," he said to Eiji. "For now. Using any other name might bring up too many questions for other people." And he didn't really want other people sticking their nose in.

[yokubo]

"Ah, that's true." He nodded. "So it'll be like a secret between the three of us?"

[dreiwuensche]

That was going to be weird, but it made sense. "All right, uh, Ankh. I'll remember that."

[birdinhand]

He looked over at Hina, a little unsure. "If we're alone..."

[dreiwuensche]

"I'll still call you Ankh then!" she insisted. "Otherwise I might slip up in public. I mean, unless you don't want me to."

[birdinhand]

He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

He glanced around awkwardly. Normally people would apologize here, right?

[yokubo]

Eiji was feeling a bit awkward too. It was nice to not be fighting for once, but it was really strange at the same time.

"Um..." He looked to Hina and then Ankh. "Was there something you wanted to say, Ankh?"

He kind of seemed like there was something particular on his mind.

[dreiwuensche]

At least it was better than it had been.

Hina glanced from Eiji to Ankh, tilting her head.

[birdinhand]

But he reconsidered that. "You should go," he abruptly turned back to Hina. "Before you get in trouble."

[yokubo]

Maybe Ankh would apologize some other time...

"I'll take her back." He offered. "She'll be safe with me, so you won't have to worry then."

[dreiwuensche]

Hina looked a little disappointed, but she didn't argue. "Okay. I'll see you again soon, all right... Ankh?"