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[abovefate]

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[abovefate]

Yes.

[ brushing his bangs out of his face ]

I'm really glad we met here.

[fallingleaf]

Mm, me too.

[ of course, his bangs go right back where they were-- but he sighs softly. ]

Honestly, I just care more if you reach out, than if you kiss me goodnight or greet me with a smile in the morning.

[abovefate]

I'll try.

These things just don't come natural to me. I'm used to being on my own.

[fallingleaf]

I can be persistent.

[ another glance upwards ]

[abovefate]

[ flicking his forehead ]

I've noticed.

[fallingleaf]

[ he laughs at that ]

Mm... I suppose it's better you already know then.

[abovefate]

It suits you.

Maybe it's a family trait.

[fallingleaf]

[ he pauses, looking a little thoughtful at the mention of family, and sighs, closing his eyes. hiding his face. ]

[abovefate]

Oh? What's with that reaction?

[fallingleaf]

Thinking of an unpleasant exchange I had recently.

And missing my family. I'm sure you know that I am the last Kaedehara.

[abovefate]

I snuck in to mess with some of your belongings held by the Tenryou commission, so yes. I do know.

Does it feel lonely for you?

[fallingleaf]

[ that doesn't surprise him, and so, he doesn't comment on it. ]

... Sometimes, yes.

I do miss my father, and the servants I grew up with occasionally.

[abovefate]

What was it like? Your family.

[fallingleaf]

[ he thinks about this for a moment, and exhales a breath he didn't realize he was holding when he decides to speak. ]

My mother died when I was born, and so it was always just my father and I. I could see from a young age how much my father struggled with trying to revive our clan. But with the Isshin art lost, it was only a matter of time.

[abovefate]

... Mm. And you don't intend to revive it now, do you.

[fallingleaf]

...

[ he frowns, and closes his eyes, maybe he will just not answer that.

even though the fact that he made a promise echoes in the back of his mind. ]

[abovefate]

I was trained in it.

That's also why it was so easy for me to ruin it.

[fallingleaf]

I shouldn't be surprised...

Unfortunately, my skills as a blacksmith are lacking. [ a long pause ] But I made a promise to revive it.

[abovefate]

... mm.

If they're lacking, then I can teach you. But I should warn you that I'm not going to be kind about it.

If you decide to follow this path, then I suppose I owe you this much. But it's not like following the past suits you.

[fallingleaf]

I see...

And yet, I struggle with it every day. All the things I wish could have been done differently. The things I wish I had said, and wish I knew.

Wishing I hadn't been so naive.

[ he sighs heavily-- back to hiding his face. ]

[abovefate]

Is that what you think? That you'd been naive? Why? Did you fight with your family?

[fallingleaf]

Many times I tried to convince my father to let me take on more of his burden, actually.

He never allowed it.

[abovefate]

Isn't that because he loved you?

[fallingleaf]

Mhm.

I see that now.

[abovefate]

Don't parents always want their children to follow their own path or something ridiculous like that? You knew him. You would know.

What would you have done differently, if you could have?