eren only returns from his own day walk (and konoha program) as the day ends, finally finding it easier to walk as long as he isn't thinking about it, just as instructed. just like walking, although the echoing phantom sounds of extra hooves hitting the floor behind him made his ears swivel, getting back to the apartment was easier enough. in fact— with armin no where in sight and considering he's returned home, maybe it might be a good idea to change housing and go somewhere smaller. maybe less city-bound. he'd get to that soon enough when met with stairs, clopping halfway up them about a half hour after mikasa had and—
there's a crash. he's fallen all the way down with one slip up responsible. ]
[Her own ears flicked at the sound of hooves. Taking an awkward step back to turn around and look. Konoha? Was that her? Had the Jinba followed Mikasa to help her after the earlier mess. Then she hears the clattering, the hooves skidding along the floor and something heavy falling.
For a moment, Mikasa was still. Lips pursed. Then she broke into a trot, ears pricking as she went to the source. Stumbling as she came to stop.]
Eren? You're like this too? [She took a few steps closer, then stopped. Giving him space to get up.] Are you okay?
[ one of erenâs ears swivel first, then came his head, ]
Mikasaâ [ so she was in the same predicament. after so many falls and figuring out his own ways to get up, eren knew he just needed a moment to gather his bearings and measure his space. with that out of the way, he inhales, pulls the momentum of his torso backwards before swinging forward. hands pushing off the ground, he soon had his front legs loudly clambering to straighten, followed by the wobble of his hind limbs. it took a start to find his balance, but he no longer fell. ] I just stepped up wrong.
[ ah, actuallyâ he heard trotting. he takes the time to look her up and down; her coat, her hooves, and the lovely little pastels. ]
[She tilted her head at him. Taking a wobbly backstep when he started to stretch his front legs out. Flinching when she bumped into a wall. Her fluffy tail giving a little lash, like that could brush the wall away... It did nothing.
Her nose wrinkled at the comment.] Sometimes... [Sometimes she was fine, sometimes she stumbled and forgot how her legs worked. But her frown smoothed out soon enough. It wasn't important, they'd both been struggling with this.]
I woke up like this...[It wasn't her week, she'd been ill then this.] I had help getting down before. [Mikasa turned slightly, looking back down the hall she'd come from. A soft sigh slipping out. Brow furrowing once more.]
... Have you seen Armin? His phone doesn't seem to be working. [There was nothing when she tried and she hadn't seen him since before she'd gotten on the train.]
[ he gestures with a circling gesture with his finger, but it does eventually fall flat when armin is mentioned. well, they're going to have to talk about it, even the rather bad news. ]
I haven't seen him. [ he hands fall to his sides. ] Anywhere. I tried looking, but, [ his tongue clicks. ] they said it's a waste of time if he isn't here anymore.
[One of her hooves scuffed at the ground in unease. Swallowing. Giving a small nod. Her staying down.]
...Just like that? [It was so sudden, she wasn't sure what to say about it. She had heard rumors about people who disappeared. From the people who'd been to other worlds before, it sounded unbelievable. But it made as much sense as them just showing up here.] I hope they're right... [That he was back home where he was safe. That he'd not been like her, ill and compelled to go to the water. But blue gem people could breathe down there, couldn't they?
The silence dragged. Almost mournfully as Mikasa lifting her head.]
I'd hoped he'd have some ideas about how to handle this...
[She shrugged, waving a hand at Eren's horse butt. Armin was smart, he'd have known the logistics of getting two large horse people around the stairs and apartment... But he wasn't there to ask.]
[ the silence urged eren to take her hand just as the heaviness of their lightweight mourning reared up. well, it wasnât mourning, armin wasnât deadâ but unlike what mikasa thinks, eren knew what he was going back to. it sets an unease in both his guts now, churning uncomfortably and icing cold despite the tame weather outside and the temperature in the building. a mixture of fear, of guiltâ should be even tell her?
his hand squeezes herâs tighter when he decides not to. ]
I had an idea. [ with a tug, he starts wanting to lead her back outside. ] I saw Konoha today, at the park.
[She returned the squeeze. Her small hand in his larger one. Armin... He'd be alright, he was smart. It was fine... And if it wasn't, there wasn't anything she could do to change it. She was stuck here. Mikasa's face crumpled slightly, eyes squeezing shut. Then she took a breath, squared her shoulders as her face smoothed out and looked back to Eren.
Following him, almost bumping into him as she tried to get as close as she normally would have.]
I called her earlier... What did she say? [Mikasa had spent most her time focusing on where her feet went.]
[ their flanks probably do bump and their legs possibly (very possibly) knock into one another and cause some mild blunders, but nothing bad enough enough to have eren on the floor. they just had to adjust to the size of them, now, maybe some extra space in between their torsos to give their new bodies room, but he still holds fast to it. he covers her hand near completely once it reached around to stroke the back of hers with a thumb that felt thicker. they were scales starting from his cuticles. ]
What do you think of a farm? For us? [ that's where he wanted to take her, in fact, leading them out through the sliding door frames large enough for the both to walk through. ] She said that in exchange for work she has a place to stay there, and if we make enough money— We can get land for ourselves. You'll have space for your garden, and, we . . .
[ they could leave these cramped spaces, and most of all, which is what's coloring eren's cheeks . . . they could have an actual home. they could make one, just for them. ]
[The minor bumps weren't enough to make Mikasa stumble. Nor was the scales, those only got a look and a dull blink. A horse with scales? Mikasa thought she was odd, but at least she knew what a unicorn was. Though the paler hair had been confusing.
But the mention of something that was their's? That made her trip slightly. Her own cheeks flushing as she paused, keeping ahold of his hand even if she didn't keep up with him. Her lips parting as she licked them, swallowing, a slight nervous sweat starting to break out as she tensed.]
Um... [The noises kept coming. Awkward little hums and mumbles of half words as she tried to work out how to respond.]
[ like married-people ourâ at least, eren had always seen a couple living together as a sign of commitment. theyâd all been thrown into one space for convenienceâs sake, they were lost as is and would be better off sticking together where the territory was alien. but this . . . it was indeed a serious invitation from him, marked by the dry swallow that came before he spoke. ]
Our home.
[because the apartment didnât feel like it when she asked him, those few days back in the dense forestâ I want to go home. ]
[Mikasa slowly started to follow again, giving a small burst of speed to catch up. Almost running into him as her front legs awkwardly slowed to match his pace. Her mouth opening, mouth feeling so dry as she thought on his words.]
Home...[For her, home. True home was the people, as long as she had her precious people, the location wasn't that important. She wanted two things, only two things, but those things always felt so far away. Her precious people and their safety.]
I... I'd like that... [Then she turned her head. White fuzzy ears folding back as she built up the courage to turn back and meet his gaze.]
[ i'd like that. well, ah— there it was. his moment of vulnerability has morphed into courage and reaped approval, one that makes eren's qilin body radiate heat until his own hair sparks like the embers from a dead pyre snapping to life. his own ears, long and equine in nature, also fold backwards to accompany the redness bleeding onto his face. ]
I know that we can go back to Paradis and we don't know when, [ that was a truth they could never escape from, much less control, it's where they were born, raised and where they were meant to be, but eren thought more about it. he'd have to face fate either way, but was there truly any hurry to walk back onto that path? eren confessed that he didn't. if he could, he'd stay far away from it, but that's not how things worked, that's not how he worked, to an extent. ] I just . . .
[ he makes sure to pull her hand closer to his front, to face her fully. his tail, without realizing much, had already encircled her with the prehensile, fuzzy tip. ]
[WHY WOULD YOU TAKE HER HAND AND START FIRING-!? Mikasa stilled at the flickering flames, her pastel tail flicking. As her eyes watched the embers on instinct, her head dipping as she swallowed. Not meeting his gaze for a moment, her head only lifted to watch their hands entwine.]
Worthwhile..? [Her hand clenched, fingers tightening around his. What exactly did that entail? Mikasa had always thought just being together was worthwhile, during those peaceful moments. Slowly...Oh so slowly, she lifted her head to look at him. Her face still flushed, still gentle as she looked up at him.] You mean...just us...Away from this noise?
[A nice, quiet place. Where Mikasa didn't tense at the strange noises that made her wonder if danger was nearby. A place where they could step out the front door and it was still just them.]
[ anyway, i started blasting— (no he's just really emotional right now). and to that, he pats his hair and mane off quickly with a free hand, uttering a quiet: ]
Sorry— [ but lifting his head higher over her's out of sheer height, from this angle (from any angle really—) she was just . . . gorgeous. his heart kept skipping and he failed to continue on naturally, even his, hm, equine package starts to gradually hang and he's feeling a little, no, plenty self-conscious, why didn't he grab a skirt or something—?! his hind legs buckle and hide it, and hopefully, she's close enough that she doesn't notice. it's a shame that everyone else on the trip to emerald park might. ] Just— Just us.
[ it's because he's thinking about what they could do in all that silence. subtly, he picks up the pace. he doesn't want her to notice. please don't look. ]
[In Mikasa's eyes, Eren's diginity was maintained. While their sides weren't seamlessly close together, there was no way for her look between them and spot the dangling dong. Unless she had to lean her torso down and look underneath them, she wouldn't notice.
So he got a little smile, her eyes creasing as she looked up at him. Before shyness overwhelmed her and she averted her gaze.]
Are you sure... [She spluttered slightly, realising how those words could be taken. Her gait uneven for a moment as she absently sped up to match his pace. Her mind was too busy thinking about how to reword it.] I don't think I could do the water pipes and stuff... [Electrics. Little things that they didn't have back home. Things that they didn't really need, but would be nice. She quite liked the bath and shower with hot water on demand.]
[ please just don't look at his boner. augh— and as they walk he can . . . he can feel it just flop about, hit his belly every time he felt a spark in the way he would admire her glow from cheeks to horn. by now, they've made it to the start of emerald park, its vast green carpets in a wide open expanse meant for play, for long walks or just hanging around. they had to take one of the many designed paths to where he wanted to take her, but he starts toward it anyway.
maybe he should just start thinking about all of that plumbing instead of the hard on! that way, it'll go away, and the passing children can stop pointing and asking their gem parents why the horse man has his— ]
Leave it to me, for once. I'll figure it out. [ she doesn't have to lift a finger with all the details. he'll get it fixed. he'll call people who work with that stuff, and he'll pay for it. ] What else . . . Would you want? In our house.
[ eren makes a face as they walk, caused by another bump against his belly that makes his tail thrash and his hoof stomp, even kick back to get rid of the position even though he wouldn't escape so easily from it. ]
[Mikasa was happily oblivious to his predicament. The blushing? Well she was blushing too, flustered by his...She wasn't sure what. Proposal? That thought only made her flush more. The giggling and points of the children? Well, they were stumbling. Not as often as they had before but it was still probably a sight.
She frowned at his words, though the effect was lessened by her red cheeks and pout.] If we're doing this, we're doing it together... [They would both pay. It was theirs, a joint effort. Not just him. His question unanswered for now. Too busy thinking.
The unicorn kept walking, unintentionally moving ahead as Eren paused to thrash around. It only took her a second to realise and stop in her tracks. Her head turning to look at him, her own tail giving a little swish. A flurry of pastels covering smooth white fur. Blinking at him.]
What is it? A fly? [That was normally why horses kicked out when nothing seemed to be there, wasn't it?]
[ oh, no she couldn't go ahead, she couldn't, that run the risk of her seeing—! as soon as mikasa got a lead during eren's miffed kicking, his legs jolt in sudden surprise to catch up to her at all costs. please don't see— ]
Y-yeah, a fly. [ maybe she wouldn't realize he's lying if he was already red? his ears were taking on another shade, though, and he doesn't seem to be wanting to make eye contact. he did want to do something himself for once, but maybe it can be . . . chores? or something? she was right about the proposal being a together thing, so in his haste to change the topic and reach the fields: ] We'll figure it out, then. Together.
[She didn't complain. She'd had so many moments of slowing down since she'd changed like this. It was too hard to wall, little things like stepping from the kerb, took a lot of concentration. Mikasa just summed up his little lapse and speed up as him having one of those moments. That he'd been more focused on the fly than walking.
Nothing more.
But she nodded as he gave in, that smile turning to him.] Yeah... Together. [Gentler than her previous scolding. She slowed once they reached the grass, so she could adjust to the softer ground. But she regained her balance enough to turn to him again.]
Why did you want to come out here? Or is it in case you fall over.
[ it wasnât lying if it was omittingâ the first plan was still in process, eren just so happened to trot faster to it to avoid showing his equine boner to every single passerby in sight. his paces into the grass are lighter, even gentler as he minds the weight he throws onto the little blades the best he could. ]
Well, um, [ he gestures forward, still holding her hand and swinging it up halfway to their torsoâs before it slid down. ] this is where weâre going to live, so . . .
[ the wind, the quietness compared to the city, and look at that . . . a vast horizon of green, peppered with the farmlands already present, far enough from each other to give each property plenty of privacy. ]
[Stealth boner was stealthy, for it'd still gone undetected. Mikasa's gaze had moved away from him in favour of looking at the rolling fields and woodland.
Though she didn't share his care for the grass. She just walked. Though if one looked close enough, they'd find the grass her hooves landed on was just a little greener than the rest.
Then he spoke and her smile slipped. Falling into a frown as she turned her narrow eyes to him.]
...Are you already looking at plots?
[The warning Eren wasn't needed. Her low tone was enough.]
[ his fluster shows in the frown he wears and the body heat he gives off. his ears, for what itâs worth, are free of any apparent flushing when currently floppy, furry and rimmed with brilliant scales (his tail cracks, though, like a whip).
at least heâs heavily distracted from his bonerâ it should go away in due time. ]
. . . But if you wanted, to look, [ he gestures, and wordlessly closes his sentence up without exactly finishing. ]
[That got her to pause. Her head slowly turning to stare at him in that judging look. Eren...
She just silently left him to stew in her gaze for a moment. What was the plan here? Just a walk where there'd be fewer people to look and laugh at the stumbling jinba? But she sighed. Her head dipping as she slumped.]
I don't want to go back to the shared house yet... [The apartment they'd been living in this past few months. Though that wasn't an answer. The slow step forward was-
Then she paused again, frowning at him.] Did you get something caught on your leg? [And was dragging it along? Yes. That was her thought. That he'd just managed to get tangled on a branch.]
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đ!
eren only returns from his own day walk (and konoha program) as the day ends, finally finding it easier to walk as long as he isn't thinking about it, just as instructed. just like walking, although the echoing phantom sounds of extra hooves hitting the floor behind him made his ears swivel, getting back to the apartment was easier enough. in fact— with armin no where in sight and considering he's returned home, maybe it might be a good idea to change housing and go somewhere smaller. maybe less city-bound. he'd get to that soon enough when met with stairs, clopping halfway up them about a half hour after mikasa had and—
there's a crash. he's fallen all the way down with one slip up responsible. ]
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For a moment, Mikasa was still. Lips pursed. Then she broke into a trot, ears pricking as she went to the source. Stumbling as she came to stop.]
Eren? You're like this too? [She took a few steps closer, then stopped. Giving him space to get up.] Are you okay?
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Mikasaâ [ so she was in the same predicament. after so many falls and figuring out his own ways to get up, eren knew he just needed a moment to gather his bearings and measure his space. with that out of the way, he inhales, pulls the momentum of his torso backwards before swinging forward. hands pushing off the ground, he soon had his front legs loudly clambering to straighten, followed by the wobble of his hind limbs. it took a start to find his balance, but he no longer fell. ] I just stepped up wrong.
[ ah, actuallyâ he heard trotting. he takes the time to look her up and down; her coat, her hooves, and the lovely little pastels. ]
Youâre walking well enough.
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Her nose wrinkled at the comment.] Sometimes... [Sometimes she was fine, sometimes she stumbled and forgot how her legs worked. But her frown smoothed out soon enough. It wasn't important, they'd both been struggling with this.]
I woke up like this...[It wasn't her week, she'd been ill then this.] I had help getting down before. [Mikasa turned slightly, looking back down the hall she'd come from. A soft sigh slipping out. Brow furrowing once more.]
... Have you seen Armin? His phone doesn't seem to be working. [There was nothing when she tried and she hadn't seen him since before she'd gotten on the train.]
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[ he gestures with a circling gesture with his finger, but it does eventually fall flat when armin is mentioned. well, they're going to have to talk about it, even the rather bad news. ]
I haven't seen him. [ he hands fall to his sides. ] Anywhere. I tried looking, but, [ his tongue clicks. ] they said it's a waste of time if he isn't here anymore.
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...Just like that? [It was so sudden, she wasn't sure what to say about it. She had heard rumors about people who disappeared. From the people who'd been to other worlds before, it sounded unbelievable. But it made as much sense as them just showing up here.] I hope they're right... [That he was back home where he was safe. That he'd not been like her, ill and compelled to go to the water. But blue gem people could breathe down there, couldn't they?
The silence dragged. Almost mournfully as Mikasa lifting her head.]
I'd hoped he'd have some ideas about how to handle this...
[She shrugged, waving a hand at Eren's horse butt. Armin was smart, he'd have known the logistics of getting two large horse people around the stairs and apartment... But he wasn't there to ask.]
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his hand squeezes herâs tighter when he decides not to. ]
I had an idea. [ with a tug, he starts wanting to lead her back outside. ] I saw Konoha today, at the park.
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Following him, almost bumping into him as she tried to get as close as she normally would have.]
I called her earlier... What did she say? [Mikasa had spent most her time focusing on where her feet went.]
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What do you think of a farm? For us? [ that's where he wanted to take her, in fact, leading them out through the sliding door frames large enough for the both to walk through. ] She said that in exchange for work she has a place to stay there, and if we make enough money— We can get land for ourselves. You'll have space for your garden, and, we . . .
[ they could leave these cramped spaces, and most of all, which is what's coloring eren's cheeks . . . they could have an actual home. they could make one, just for them. ]
It can be our spot.
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But the mention of something that was their's? That made her trip slightly. Her own cheeks flushing as she paused, keeping ahold of his hand even if she didn't keep up with him. Her lips parting as she licked them, swallowing, a slight nervous sweat starting to break out as she tensed.]
Um... [The noises kept coming. Awkward little hums and mumbles of half words as she tried to work out how to respond.]
O-our?
[Like..married people our??]
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Our home.
[because the apartment didnât feel like it when she asked him, those few days back in the dense forestâ I want to go home. ]
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Home...[For her, home. True home was the people, as long as she had her precious people, the location wasn't that important. She wanted two things, only two things, but those things always felt so far away. Her precious people and their safety.]
I... I'd like that... [Then she turned her head. White fuzzy ears folding back as she built up the courage to turn back and meet his gaze.]
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I know that we can go back to Paradis and we don't know when, [ that was a truth they could never escape from, much less control, it's where they were born, raised and where they were meant to be, but eren thought more about it. he'd have to face fate either way, but was there truly any hurry to walk back onto that path? eren confessed that he didn't. if he could, he'd stay far away from it, but that's not how things worked, that's not how he worked, to an extent. ] I just . . .
[ he makes sure to pull her hand closer to his front, to face her fully. his tail, without realizing much, had already encircled her with the prehensile, fuzzy tip. ]
I want it to be worth while.
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Worthwhile..? [Her hand clenched, fingers tightening around his. What exactly did that entail? Mikasa had always thought just being together was worthwhile, during those peaceful moments. Slowly...Oh so slowly, she lifted her head to look at him. Her face still flushed, still gentle as she looked up at him.] You mean...just us...Away from this noise?
[A nice, quiet place. Where Mikasa didn't tense at the strange noises that made her wonder if danger was nearby. A place where they could step out the front door and it was still just them.]
cw for horse dong, i am sorry
Sorry— [ but lifting his head higher over her's out of sheer height, from this angle (from any angle really—) she was just . . . gorgeous. his heart kept skipping and he failed to continue on naturally, even his, hm, equine package starts to gradually hang and he's feeling a little, no, plenty self-conscious, why didn't he grab a skirt or something—?! his hind legs buckle and hide it, and hopefully, she's close enough that she doesn't notice. it's a shame that everyone else on the trip to emerald park might. ] Just— Just us.
[ it's because he's thinking about what they could do in all that silence. subtly, he picks up the pace. he doesn't want her to notice. please don't look. ]
We can build a place from scratch.
YOu're not
So he got a little smile, her eyes creasing as she looked up at him. Before shyness overwhelmed her and she averted her gaze.]
Are you sure... [She spluttered slightly, realising how those words could be taken. Her gait uneven for a moment as she absently sped up to match his pace. Her mind was too busy thinking about how to reword it.] I don't think I could do the water pipes and stuff... [Electrics. Little things that they didn't have back home. Things that they didn't really need, but would be nice. She quite liked the bath and shower with hot water on demand.]
And there's money...
[Thinking of the more practical parts of this.]
i'm not
maybe he should just start thinking about all of that plumbing instead of the hard on! that way, it'll go away, and the passing children can stop pointing and asking their gem parents why the horse man has his— ]
Leave it to me, for once. I'll figure it out. [ she doesn't have to lift a finger with all the details. he'll get it fixed. he'll call people who work with that stuff, and he'll pay for it. ] What else . . . Would you want? In our house.
[ eren makes a face as they walk, caused by another bump against his belly that makes his tail thrash and his hoof stomp, even kick back to get rid of the position even though he wouldn't escape so easily from it. ]
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She frowned at his words, though the effect was lessened by her red cheeks and pout.] If we're doing this, we're doing it together... [They would both pay. It was theirs, a joint effort. Not just him. His question unanswered for now. Too busy thinking.
The unicorn kept walking, unintentionally moving ahead as Eren paused to thrash around. It only took her a second to realise and stop in her tracks. Her head turning to look at him, her own tail giving a little swish. A flurry of pastels covering smooth white fur. Blinking at him.]
What is it? A fly? [That was normally why horses kicked out when nothing seemed to be there, wasn't it?]
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Y-yeah, a fly. [ maybe she wouldn't realize he's lying if he was already red? his ears were taking on another shade, though, and he doesn't seem to be wanting to make eye contact. he did want to do something himself for once, but maybe it can be . . . chores? or something? she was right about the proposal being a together thing, so in his haste to change the topic and reach the fields: ] We'll figure it out, then. Together.
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Nothing more.
But she nodded as he gave in, that smile turning to him.] Yeah... Together. [Gentler than her previous scolding. She slowed once they reached the grass, so she could adjust to the softer ground. But she regained her balance enough to turn to him again.]
Why did you want to come out here? Or is it in case you fall over.
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Well, um, [ he gestures forward, still holding her hand and swinging it up halfway to their torsoâs before it slid down. ] this is where weâre going to live, so . . .
[ the wind, the quietness compared to the city, and look at that . . . a vast horizon of green, peppered with the farmlands already present, far enough from each other to give each property plenty of privacy. ]
I wanted us to get a better look.
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Though she didn't share his care for the grass. She just walked. Though if one looked close enough, they'd find the grass her hooves landed on was just a little greener than the rest.
Then he spoke and her smile slipped. Falling into a frown as she turned her narrow eyes to him.]
...Are you already looking at plots?
[The warning Eren wasn't needed. Her low tone was enough.]
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[ his fluster shows in the frown he wears and the body heat he gives off. his ears, for what itâs worth, are free of any apparent flushing when currently floppy, furry and rimmed with brilliant scales (his tail cracks, though, like a whip).
at least heâs heavily distracted from his bonerâ it should go away in due time. ]
. . . But if you wanted, to look, [ he gestures, and wordlessly closes his sentence up without exactly finishing. ]
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She just silently left him to stew in her gaze for a moment. What was the plan here? Just a walk where there'd be fewer people to look and laugh at the stumbling jinba? But she sighed. Her head dipping as she slumped.]
I don't want to go back to the shared house yet... [The apartment they'd been living in this past few months. Though that wasn't an answer. The slow step forward was-
Then she paused again, frowning at him.] Did you get something caught on your leg? [And was dragging it along? Yes. That was her thought. That he'd just managed to get tangled on a branch.]
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No— Let's just go that way!
[ the more he tries to hide it, the more it looks less like a branch that was caught around his legs and sort of . . . hanging, and . . . ]
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and done?
and done!