(This is uncomfortable and there's a twitch in his hand, as if he would hold onto her if he could but he relaxes himself once more, steels his heart, reins in his thoughts, and try to keep that perfect mask in place,)
I'm sorry, Hikaru. (Truly,) But... I made a promise... to my parents.
[Yeah, she felt that, and it shows on her face how deeply her heart twists in her chest.
Will you still believe in me? Tomorrow, when I...
...]
What kind of promise?
You don't have to tell me it exactly... or at all, if you can't. I... I know Shuuya-kun couldn't do that either - couldn't say why he had to act the way he did.
But... when something so important makes someone with such kind eyes look so sad... even saying a little, I think, is better than saying nothing at all.
(This time, he's quiet for a long time, looking away as he tries to find the right answer for this sort of situation. The answer that provides just enough to let him escape but to hopefully satisfy her,)
I'll tell you a secret. It won't mean much to you now. And even if I wanted to explain, there's hardly enough time.
(He gives her a soft tug, a signal to come closer and leans in to whisper in her ear. It doesn't matter if they're already alone and no one else is around. It's a secret, something he's carried with him for a long time,)
She seems... a tiny bit surprised by it? Less than he might expect. More importantly, a million questions immediately enter her head. Why would he have a fake name? What does that have to do with his promise to his parents? What did that have to do with anything?
Her mind briefly flickers to Ferio, to him hiding he was a prince to keep his own sister safe.]
...
I won't tell. I promise I won't.
But...
Is... that part of why you look like you're hurting? Because your promise means you... you think you have to lie to everyone?
The forehead flick, of all things in that fucking tag, makes her look like she's about to cry more than anything else. Is it about him refusing to say anything? Perhaps not, though that does get her to flinch, just subtly.
...
Her words are thick on her tongue as she holds up one of her hands, letting her pinky extend. She's shaking.
And, at least for the moment, she can't meet his eyes.]
He recognizes this. Something he'd heard of but never really got to do until he came here. He looks at her pinky, small and shaking. Really, how can he say no?
(He's never been cruel) (Perhaps too aggressive, maybe a little selfish) (But he's never been cruel)
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[Her hands tighten against his, her smile sincere and gentle.]
You just told me to let myself be a burden, didn't you? Can't I ask you the same thing?
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I'm sorry, Hikaru. (Truly,) But... I made a promise... to my parents.
(Another half truth.)
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Will you still believe in me? Tomorrow, when I...
...]
What kind of promise?
You don't have to tell me it exactly... or at all, if you can't. I... I know Shuuya-kun couldn't do that either - couldn't say why he had to act the way he did.
But... when something so important makes someone with such kind eyes look so sad... even saying a little, I think, is better than saying nothing at all.
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(This time, he's quiet for a long time, looking away as he tries to find the right answer for this sort of situation. The answer that provides just enough to let him escape but to hopefully satisfy her,)
I'll tell you a secret. It won't mean much to you now. And even if I wanted to explain, there's hardly enough time.
(He gives her a soft tug, a signal to come closer and leans in to whisper in her ear. It doesn't matter if they're already alone and no one else is around. It's a secret, something he's carried with him for a long time,)
"Claude von Riegan" isn't real.
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She seems... a tiny bit surprised by it? Less than he might expect. More importantly, a million questions immediately enter her head. Why would he have a fake name? What does that have to do with his promise to his parents? What did that have to do with anything?
Her mind briefly flickers to Ferio, to him hiding he was a prince to keep his own sister safe.]
...
I won't tell. I promise I won't.
But...
Is... that part of why you look like you're hurting? Because your promise means you... you think you have to lie to everyone?
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(Flicking her forehead now,)
I'll tell you what. I love a good story. Bring me one this upcoming week and I'll share one in return.
(An open offer to make up for the fact that he isn't answering any more questions today.)
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The forehead flick, of all things in that fucking tag, makes her look like she's about to cry more than anything else. Is it about him refusing to say anything? Perhaps not, though that does get her to flinch, just subtly.
...
Her words are thick on her tongue as she holds up one of her hands, letting her pinky extend. She's shaking.
And, at least for the moment, she can't meet his eyes.]
...Do you promise?
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He recognizes this. Something he'd heard of but never really got to do until he came here. He looks at her pinky, small and shaking. Really, how can he say no?
(He's never been cruel)
(Perhaps too aggressive, maybe a little selfish)
(But he's never been cruel)
Closing his eyes, he hooks his pinky with hers,)
... I promise.