honored_one | IC Inbox; UN: yourgirlfriendsboyfriend

[He's so still as Gideon talks, taking it all in. The strongest of all sorcerers in a pretty pathetic state, sopping wet and looking thoroughly defeated. But not only are these all things he needs to hear, it's all things he's not used to hearing. Who else in Gojo's life before this has ever cared enough to say they fucking cared about him? Who else, up until arriving in Folkmore, has really cared about Satoru Gojo the person, not just Satoru Gojo the sorcerer? Probably none, other than maybe the subject at hand.

He's definitely guilty. That's what's eating him up inside, the feeling that this is all completely his fault even if it isn't; the idea that his inaction in the past has made it so there's no fixing the present of future. Especially after seen that future and what it holds for them.

He did say he wanted to fix things going forward, several times. Can't go back on that. If that's all he can do, then that's what he'll do, even knowing Geto may still not accept it. There's no other way about it.

Just how Gojo's not used to hearing anyone say these sorts of things to him, similarly he's not good at saying them, either. Which is a big part of the problem, really. Gideon can see him struggling to form words in the face of all this terrifying sincerity.]

... Thanks, Gid. I mean it... it is my fault, because in that year between us I had... left him alone. ["You left me long before I walked away from you."] Even though that hasn't happened to this version of him yet, I guess that... he's still feeling it.

[This looks almost painful for him to admit.]

[ Face journey for the myriad. It shouldn't be that big a deal to hear someone cares for you, but Gideon grew up eighteen years without ever hearing it. It's one of the reasons she makes sure to say it, even when it makes her an enormous sap. Because she's not so lonely and isolated anymore. Gideon can handle saying it without hearing it back. That won't wreck her. She understands how scary it is. Sometimes you got to hear it enough before you can say it yourself. ]

You're welcome. Got your back, bro.

[ Zero surprise on the "it is my fault" train. Gideon doesn't know whether it is Gojo's fault or not. She's not sure what 'left him alone' means exactly, but as someone who would get in a fuckton of trouble just to hold Harrow's attention, someone used to being ignored and left alone by almost everyone in the Ninth House, being left alone can be a shitty shitty thing. Especially by your person. ]

Okay. [ Gideon scratches her head. ] Are you leaving him alone here?

[ Obviously not all the time. They have neighboring apartments. They share a wall. Gideon knows it's not all the time. They live together. Gojo started up his gaming dojo. He's far more social. Is the problem that whatever this is... is repeating? ]

[It's definitely a vicious cycle, the damage between them causing them to drift apart all over again.]

He barely wants to leave the building, it seems. Sometimes he goes on errands, things like that, but... I've tried, and he gives me a "whatever you want to do" sort of non-committal answer. I think the only other people he sees besides me are Nanami and Alluka.

[He shrugs helplessly.] I know he's... recovering from what happened to him right before he got here. But he worries the shit outta me.

Some people are homebodies, I get that, but that doesn't sound normal or healthy. [ Gideon blows out a large huff of air. She really doesn't know this guy well. That makes it harder to judge. Even when Harrow thought the world was fake, she still did research at Thoth. ]

What I wonder is... is he really recovering or is he just drowning in it?

[ Gideon gives Gojo an intense stare. A 'come on dummy you can get this' stare. It's right in what he said before. It makes the answer to Gideon obvious. It explains the whole damn fight. Not exactly how to heal, how to recover, how to fix things... she wishes that were so obvious. Step number one, however.

Come on Gojo. ]

[Drowning, of course, just as they both are, drifting apart as they sink.

And Gojo is leaving him alone, all over again.

He doesn't have to say anything. Gideon can tell from the look on his face, repressing anger and anguish, that it's clicking into place.

He needs Geto to talk to him, and the only way that's ever going to happen is if he talks first.

He doesn't answer, just lets out a deep breath through his nose, hand on his face. God, he's tired. He's been tired long before he ever even arrived in Folkmore.]

[ Congratulations, Gojo, you've taken a step on the journey of bettering yourself. It's something to be proud of, but as it points toward all the massive heavy work to come getting out of the hole he's only been digging deeper in Folkmore, Gideon gets why he can't be happy about it.

Gideon pulls Gojo close, hugs him, and transforms her bottom half back into being a sea serpent so she can easily hold them both up in the water. For a moment, nothing is on him. She has him entirely. ]

You can do it, friendo. It gets better. It just has to get awkward, uncomfortable, and vulnerable first.

[That's a feeling that's very unfamiliar, no one ever doing or being able to do such a thing to him before. His initial knee-jerk reaction is to pull away, but he doesn't. He lets it go.

Baby steps.

He sighs thinking about how he's even going to get started talking to Geto, but maybe the words would come in time. Hopefully in not too long of time, either. He lets out a long, deep breath, eyes closed, but there's a slight, sad smile on him.]

Yeah... maybe I ought to drag him out here so he can dunk me a few times too, huh.

[Good to know he's still himself after all that, hopefully.]

[ Gideon chuckles. There's something immensely satisfying about dunking Gojo. even beyond the fun of surprise dunking someone in general. The fact he's so powerful and so able to stop it if he has a single moment to think. It's all in good fun, the kind of fun everyone ought to have, including the most poooooooooowerful sorcerer. (Plus if hearing about her dad's threesome taught her anything, it's that no one is untouchable, so the sooner people know that the better). ]

10/10. I'd highly recommend dunking you to anyone who asked. Your face was priceless.

[ Gideon undulates them over toward the docks. ]

What do you say we get something to eat? Vasilisa's isn't too far from here. Really weird menu. Good food.

[When did he last sit down for a good meal, and not just shoving something fast and terrible into his gullet? That sounds good right about now.]

Ah... yeah. Alright. So long as they don't mind a guy coming in with soaking wet sneakers coming in to sit down.

[He'll even let himself be whisked along to the dock, easy as it would be for him to do it himself. He speaks up after another quiet moment as they reach it.]

Dinner's on me. Thanks, Gideon.

When it first opened, no one who found it had shoes. It's not a judgy place. Technically, it's in Exile, so at worst Exile itself might loom at you. That wouldn't be over the dryness of your clothes. Swamps don't worry about that.

[ Gideon lets go of Gojo to climb up onto the dock. She pulls her shirt away from her and squeezes it a little. ]

You said sneakers. You got a way to get rid of the rest of the water off us? That and food. You know a way to a girl's heart.

[He pulls off one of said sneakers, and dumps the water from it onto Gideon's lap.]

Huh-uh. I'm gonna let you think about the consequences of your actions.

[Says the world's biggest consequences with a grin.]

[ Gideon bursts out laughing. There's no way she can get Gojo back. After dunking him not once but twice in the ocean, he definitely has that ability of his up. He'd expect reprisal for pouring water out on her. That's fine. It will come when he doesn't expect it. ]

You say like it's the first time I've been soaked to the bone. [ Gideon snorts. She does pull her shirt all the way off though, leaving her abs and biceps showing as she squeezes it out really hard. It's her own kind of flex.

The bottom half though, sigh, is what it is. She empties her shoes onto the dock before lacing them back up. ]

Lunch is still on you.

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