[In spite of himself--it's certainly the wrong response in this situation--Kazuma finds a soft smile emerging on his face. There is something ridiculous about this, isn't there, about them arguing over who isn't allowed to be injured.]
I suppose I can't fault you too much for that... I'd likely have done the same thing, were our positions reversed.
[Then, though, he forces himself to sober. What Ryunosuke has just shared deserves a serious response, though Kazuma finds himself at a loss for one. It's difficult to really comprehend the reality of Ryunosuke's grief, when Kazuma himself had spent the time completely unaware anyone had existed to miss him. And then everything afterward had happened so quickly...
They've already had this conversation, but Kazuma suddenly feels like the scope of it is only hitting him now that he's come close to losing his partner in turn. Ryunosuke mourned him for nine months. And that might be the one part of that whole disaster that wasn't Kazuma's fault, but he's inexpressibly sorry for it anyway.
(Something else that will be fixed if-- his traitor mind whispers, but he shuts that down before it can form.) Instead, he runs his thumb across Ryunosuke's knuckles both as a comforting gesture and as a way to distract himself, and not for the first time feels grateful that Ryunosuke is too clueless to really register the intimacy of it.
There really isn't anything he can think to say, so he steadies himself by taking a long, slow breath.]
Well. If we can't keep each other from danger, perhaps we ought to focus on better preparing ourselves for it instead. [There's no better distraction than having a goal, after all.]
[Well... He's mostly clueless. The knuckle brushing honestly catches him a little off guard with how tender and intimate it feels, which does at least distract him from his moment of guilt... But the tradeoff is that he can feel a dangerous blush threatening to rise to his cheeks.
Ryunosuke latches on to Kazuma's suggestion quickly, using it to quash down a flustered reaction.
(Later. He can wonder about what the heck this means later.)]
Aaaactually... I was going to suggest the same thing. [He grins awkwardly.] I kept thinking during that fight, how I really wished I hadn't let myself go so long without any kenjutsu practice...
[The effect on Kazuma's mood is so immediate it could be considered comical. For a beat, he just gawks at Ryunosuke in surprise, and then shores up so completely it's almost like he hadn't been moping at all. Letting go of Ryunosuke's hand, he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms to fix Ryunosuke with a knowing look.]
That's a very good idea. Your technique does need work. [Not that he was observing Ryunosuke during the fight or anything.] If you're to wield Karuma, you must be a worthy practitioner of the art. The way of the katana deserves your respect, Ryunosuke Naruhodo!
(Mingled relief and disappointment mutter at each other in the deeper recesses of Ryunosuke's brain, when Kazuma lets go of his hand. EXAMINE. THAT. LATER...)
That reaction is kind of comical, but in a way that makes Ryunosuke feel incredibly fond. It... Also makes him worry just a bit, wondering what he's gotten himself into by suggesting this. But the important thing for now is that it cheers Kazuma up, which cheers Ryunosuke up in turn.]
Haah, alright, alright, point well taken... Although we'll have to wait until this heals up before we can really get started, I'm afraid. [He lifts his injured arm slightly, wincing.] I wonder if that replicator device can make us a couple of practice swords--?
[He breaks off, blinking, and then glances around the infirmary with an increasingly anxious expression.]
W-wait. Karuma... Where is it? It, it didn't get left behind, did it?
[Kazuma probably wouldn't have mentioned it by name like that if something HAD happened to it, but Ryunosuke can't help but grow a little bit panicked. HIS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SWORD--?]
You only just now noticed it was gone? You're its trusted guardian!
[Okay, he's kidding, and his glare lacks real heat; Ryunosuke understandably had reasons to be distracted. Kazuma can't risk his best friend feeling guilty anyway, so he lets a grin fully spread across his face.] Don't worry, Professor Mikotoba took it back to your quarters. We'll still be using practice swords, though. You have a long way to go before you can wield Karuma in battle. [Disregarding the fact that he already did... Kazuma raps a knuckle against Ryunosuke's forehead, but so lightly that it barely even makes contact. He's still wary of contributing to Ryunosuke's injuries even slightly.
Then he stops short, as if something just occurred to him.] Oh--here. [He turns, and reaches behind him to where the bread has been sitting ever since Finn brought it.] Knowing you, you'd be starving even if you hadn't been asleep for days. Finn brought it from Kokonose. Might be a bit stale by now, unfortunately.
[Genuine horror momentarily passes over Ryunosuke's features, but then Kazuma grins. and he slumps dramatically. Seriously? Don't scare him like that, asshole...
And then Kazuma's off and chattering away before Ryunosuke can give him grief about the joke anyway. Not that he's inclined to stay annoyed for very long. Food's an excellent distraction, too. He's just smiling along while Kazuma talks at him, but his stomach gives a loud, very audible growl when he sees the bread.
He hadn't even realized how hungry he was, up until this moment.]
Oh, yes!
[He sits up and takes it right away, clearly thrilled.] Stale doesn't bother me. And besides, Kokonose-san's cooking is always top-tier. You can't go wrong--!
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I suppose I can't fault you too much for that... I'd likely have done the same thing, were our positions reversed.
[Then, though, he forces himself to sober. What Ryunosuke has just shared deserves a serious response, though Kazuma finds himself at a loss for one. It's difficult to really comprehend the reality of Ryunosuke's grief, when Kazuma himself had spent the time completely unaware anyone had existed to miss him. And then everything afterward had happened so quickly...
They've already had this conversation, but Kazuma suddenly feels like the scope of it is only hitting him now that he's come close to losing his partner in turn. Ryunosuke mourned him for nine months. And that might be the one part of that whole disaster that wasn't Kazuma's fault, but he's inexpressibly sorry for it anyway.
(Something else that will be fixed if-- his traitor mind whispers, but he shuts that down before it can form.) Instead, he runs his thumb across Ryunosuke's knuckles both as a comforting gesture and as a way to distract himself, and not for the first time feels grateful that Ryunosuke is too clueless to really register the intimacy of it.
There really isn't anything he can think to say, so he steadies himself by taking a long, slow breath.]
Well. If we can't keep each other from danger, perhaps we ought to focus on better preparing ourselves for it instead. [There's no better distraction than having a goal, after all.]
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Ryunosuke latches on to Kazuma's suggestion quickly, using it to quash down a flustered reaction.
(Later. He can wonder about what the heck this means later.)]
Aaaactually... I was going to suggest the same thing. [He grins awkwardly.] I kept thinking during that fight, how I really wished I hadn't let myself go so long without any kenjutsu practice...
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That's a very good idea. Your technique does need work. [Not that he was observing Ryunosuke during the fight or anything.] If you're to wield Karuma, you must be a worthy practitioner of the art. The way of the katana deserves your respect, Ryunosuke Naruhodo!
[Is this a lecture now.]
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(Mingled relief and disappointment mutter at each other in the deeper recesses of Ryunosuke's brain, when Kazuma lets go of his hand. EXAMINE. THAT. LATER...)
That reaction is kind of comical, but in a way that makes Ryunosuke feel incredibly fond. It... Also makes him worry just a bit, wondering what he's gotten himself into by suggesting this. But the important thing for now is that it cheers Kazuma up, which cheers Ryunosuke up in turn.]
Haah, alright, alright, point well taken... Although we'll have to wait until this heals up before we can really get started, I'm afraid. [He lifts his injured arm slightly, wincing.] I wonder if that replicator device can make us a couple of practice swords--?
[He breaks off, blinking, and then glances around the infirmary with an increasingly anxious expression.]
W-wait. Karuma... Where is it? It, it didn't get left behind, did it?
[Kazuma probably wouldn't have mentioned it by name like that if something HAD happened to it, but Ryunosuke can't help but grow a little bit panicked. HIS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SWORD--?]
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[Okay, he's kidding, and his glare lacks real heat; Ryunosuke understandably had reasons to be distracted. Kazuma can't risk his best friend feeling guilty anyway, so he lets a grin fully spread across his face.] Don't worry, Professor Mikotoba took it back to your quarters. We'll still be using practice swords, though. You have a long way to go before you can wield Karuma in battle. [Disregarding the fact that he already did... Kazuma raps a knuckle against Ryunosuke's forehead, but so lightly that it barely even makes contact. He's still wary of contributing to Ryunosuke's injuries even slightly.
Then he stops short, as if something just occurred to him.] Oh--here. [He turns, and reaches behind him to where the bread has been sitting ever since Finn brought it.] Knowing you, you'd be starving even if you hadn't been asleep for days. Finn brought it from Kokonose. Might be a bit stale by now, unfortunately.
1/2
And then Kazuma's off and chattering away before Ryunosuke can give him grief about the joke anyway. Not that he's inclined to stay annoyed for very long. Food's an excellent distraction, too. He's just smiling along while Kazuma talks at him, but his stomach gives a loud, very audible growl when he sees the bread.
He hadn't even realized how hungry he was, up until this moment.]
Oh, yes!
[He sits up and takes it right away, clearly thrilled.] Stale doesn't bother me. And besides, Kokonose-san's cooking is always top-tier. You can't go wrong--!
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It's... Gone rock hard. Teeth jarringly hard, really.
Ow???]
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Well, now that Ryunosuke is awake, Kazuma feels more comfortable leaving his side, so...]
...Let me get you something from the kitchen.
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Ah... Thanks, partner. That would be swell. Ow...