[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 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?"

[birdinhand]

He nodded to Eiji. "Yeah."

"Maybe for lunch?" He hesitates a moment before his hand settles on her shoulder.

[yokubo]

He probably looked like a doofus and Ankh would probably tell him to knock it off, but the gigantic grin on his face wasn't going to fade away anytime soon. He couldn't have been more happy to see the two of them together again. Even if it wasn't perfect, it was a start. A new beginning, even.

Eiji decided he'd just wait for Hina by the door. He didn't want to interrupt them.

[dreiwuensche]

"That sounds great!" She leans forward to hug him again, mindful of her strength this time.

[birdinhand]

He was still a little quietly confused as to what to do, but he accepted Hina's hug. "Go on, Hina," he finally said.

[dreiwuensche]

She pulled away and nodded. "Right. Oh-- I almost forgot." She held out the bag of candy she'd brought down with here. "Here you go. You still need to eat more healthily, but it was on sale, so..."

[birdinhand]

He took the bag and looked it up and down. He nodded after a moment. "Right."

After another moment. "Be careful, okay?" He looked a little like he was embarrassed to say it.

[dreiwuensche]

"Right!" And she went to stand over by Eiji. "We'll be fine, Ankh. You take care too, okay?"

[yokubo]

Eiji noticed the air of embarrassment to Ankh's response, but it just made him smile more. It was so strange to see him that way, but it felt good too. For the first time in a long while, things almost felt right.

"See you later, Ankh." He said with a grin and moved to leave the room, but stood back enough that Hina could go ahead of him.

[birdinhand]

He just nodded to her, and looked away, pushing his hand into his hair again.

This was probably going to be a big pain in the ass. Hopefully it was going to be worth it.