[ hmm. leo's definitely still off, and nazuna's brow furrows, just a little noticeably. he looks him over for just a second, deciding, before he takes a step forward into the room proper, making his way across towards his chair.
he stays standing close by, then holds his hands out. they're low, near his hips. he's not entirely sure if this is the right thing to do, but it's not the nito way to do nothing, when someone's feeling down. ]
it's probably nazuna's way of distracting him, of wanting to cheer him up, and leo hesitantly takes the offered hands, letting himself stand with a weak grin. he's trying.]
Yeah, I am~. What sort of dance are you good at, Nazu? The only sort I can do is breakdancing.
[ weak is better than nothing. it's time to do his niichan best and be a cheering squad to pull leo right out of this funk. ♪
he pulls leo up and scoots back a little, walking backwards through his room to pull him back out to the living room and make a little more space, answering his question. ] Hmmm... well, the obvious things. Idol choreography, sure, but I was classically trained when I was a kid. Jazz, ballet, tap, ballroom...if you can name it, I can probably do it. Tap and ballroom were my favorites, though, especially the foxtrot.
[ he squeezes leo's hands where they're connected. ] A good nii-chan's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve, you know. ♪ Is there something you're interested in?~
[jesus that's a lot. nazuna's a lot more amazing than leo could imagine, discovering this new information about his friend, and he feels his mind ease, what headache he'd gotten from his bad mood starting to relent. nazu and kuro always had this effect on him.]
Anything's fine~. Teach me your favorite, though, the foxtrot. I've seen videos of it and it looks fun. ♪
[fast paced enough that he can let loose, with music he can get behind. lots of spins and swings. he likes it.]
It is, it is~! I'm glad you picked it. [ nazuna's in full teacher mode, now. he's lighting up a little, because this is his element, his favorite place to be. so! he turns to square up to leo just a little, taking his hand to put it on his back, and stretching their arms out, gently linking their hands of the other arm. his fingers flex, rolling gently against leo's, and he settles into the position like riding a bike. ]
I think it's a little easier to learn to lead, so we'll start with that. All you're going to do is take two steps forward... [ and he steps backwards with him, mirroring. ] Then one to the left--and then close your feet together.
[teaching is always a mistake, he gets too close to the person he likes and his heart throbs painfully in his chest. miai taught him circus tricks. nazuna's teaching him to dance. both require a kind of intimacy, of closeness, of touching...
leo's body is attuned with rhythm, though, so it's not hard to pick up despite his distracting thoughts and stuttered pulse, and he nods as he follows. two forward, one left, then close.]
Mmhmm~. Is that it? It's such a simple dance. ♪ It looks a lot more impressive when professionals are doing it though, huh, since they take wider steps and put it to song.
[ it's rare for nazuna to have an upper hand over leo in anything that isn't...balancing a checkbook or being an overtly responsible young man, so he looks a little mischevious, repeating the steps with him a few times in their living room. ]
Of course that's not it! Every dance starts with building blocks...~ Since you're a beginner, I have to start slow. ♪
[ that teasing tone stays in his voice. since you're a beginner. he might be riling just a little, as he follows the steps around the apartment. one, two, three, four...~ ♪ ]
[leo's never one not to take the bait, so he pushes the steps, picking up the pace as he feels comfortable, and his eyes twinkle with a matching glint. one, two, three, four..~ ♪]
You should know that I pick up things pretty easily, Nazu, callin' me a beginner is an insult. ♪ I've got this down pat, don't I~? More, more, teach me more. ♪
It's like when you play music. [ it's something nazuna has always thought was amazing, when it came to leo and playing. this is the only place where he's ever really been able to recreate anything similar, to flex the creative muscles he'd loved to work when he was younger. ] Once you have the basics down, you can add anything you want.
Here, let's switch-- [ and he'll take forward steps this time, one, two, open, together--then on the open, give them both a spin. back to the regular rhythm again, another few steps, and he does it again, a double turn.
dancing is, and has always been, fun. it's something he forgets about, sometimes. ] There we go!♪
[it really is alike to it, and leo lets nazuna switch so he can show his stuff; he laughs when he's turned once, twice and lets nazuna continue his lead, content to follow. it's easier than being in charge.]
Foxtrot's the one where they go between the legs, right? Think we can do that too? Maybe not here, but is that possible for us?
I don't think I could lift you, but you might be strong enough to lift me....we're not doing it here, though.
[ not that nazuna loves being lifted, but in dances, it's at least a little different. his specialty has always been performances with a lot of height to them, after all, and he purveys the living room over leo's shoulder when they take another turn. there's enough space for a shoulder glide, maybe?
well, in a second. as they finish their phrase, nazuna takes a step back and removes his hands from his, but it's only a second. with a quick- ] Wait right there! [ he scurries off for a minute and goes to turn on the speaker. the tune that plays through is quick paced and cheerful, and nazuna hurries back over, and offers his hands. ] Ready? Let's have a little fun~!
Oh, I've graduated to music already~? I'm all for it, Nazu! ♪
[so he'll take nazuna's hands and
he'd been content to follow, sure, but the music (as music always does) lights a fire in his heart and he steps for the lead, funk obviously forgotten the moment their hands join again; he's always open to let nazuna switch and show him some moves, he can allow that, but he's taken by the song. ♪]
I think you ca--whoa! [ it shouldn't surprise him that much, but leo taking the lead startles a yelp out of nazuna, and he squeezes his hands tight. over their years of friendship, nazuna's gotten to know many different sides of leo--the angry one from before, the placid one, the sleepy one, the sad and drunk one--but this one is his favorite. this is leo, lit up by music and smiling.
that's the great thing about music. you don't really have to know what you're doing for it to be a blast. he lets the seriousness of the teachings step away and allows leo to sweep him off, just like always, laughing and keeping up with the pace of the tune like it's nothing.
he lets leo keep the lead, spins dutifully under his arms when directed, and goes right along with the flow. ~ ]
[it's nice, it's fun, and it's exactly what leo needs; it comes to a point where he's just spinning with nazu, though, and he has to wind down their dance even while a new track lingers, dizzying and a little flushed at the exertion. music, music, music -- it's his lifeblood, everything he lives for and loves, it cheers him immediately and lets him relax.
nazuna looks nice, too. very kissable. which he's not going to do, even if nazuna might let him since it's private now. he'll just sway slowly like he did yesterday, catching his breath, squeezing nazuna's hands with a grin.]
[ by the time they spin around that last time, nazuna's giggling. he can't help himself, whirling around their living room, going along with his whims. it's really fun, improvisation in a way that nazuna hasn't done in ages, and he laughs openly and loudly at a particularly big spin, an unya! melting into laughter when he gets brought close again.
he's panting just a little too when they stop, catching his hand against leo's chest on his shirt, fingers curling against the fabric. the sway is easy and familiar, and nazuna's smile is golden and wide, as the tension from the apartment has finally seemed to fade away. ]
Nihii.. ~ [ the music fades to background noise, and nazuna returns the squeeze with his other hand. ] Pretty good for a beginner. ♪
[everything about leo's expression is soft and warm, fondness bleeding into the way he leans closer to rest their heads together. this is nice. this is... surprisingly fine, actually, just standing and swaying and being close.
it's a thought he comes back to fairly often with nazuna, ever since he'd confessed his woes, drunk and lonely. it's the same as he feels with kuro, and yet... not..? he can rest on them both, lean on them without hesitation, trust them to listen
but he and kuro are brothers in arms, so to say. shareholders of the same kind of burden. nazuna is something of the same, he guesses, he ran away too, but it's different enough.
ah, thinking so much reminds him of how miai is. he shakes his head, nuzzling nazuna a little in the process. eskimo kisses.]
Thanks for the lesson, bunny. I'm always havin' fun around you. ♪
[ there. that's better. nazuna wasn't entirely sure how well this was going to go, so to see leo smiling and warm like that makes him happy, warms him to his core in a way that has nothing to do with feelings or anything of the like. more than anything, he's invested in leo's happiness, having been close to him for this long.
(he's had memories of leo since, and he has to wonder if the other nazuna feels the same way. if he's ever been caught up and swept away by everything that leo tsukinaga is. when he finds out, he won't be so surprised.)
he tolerates the nickname, even, nose wrinkling a little at the eskimo kiss, much like a rabbit. ] Don't get too cocky, there's still a lot to learn.
[ ...but. he leans forward a little to return the small nose nuzzle, then pulls away, embarrassed. ] ...you're welcome. [ [baka] ]
[fireworks shoot off in his chest and he lets go of nazuna's hand to embrace him properly, burying his face into his shoulder with a happy hum. he doesn't care how he seems right now, nazuna is important and good and helped soothe him, he's gonna let go of that punkish persona he throws around so much and just
be
leo, who likes this boy so much and wishes he could show it more than he does. who is well-behaved at his core, who wants to get along with others, who knows his shortcomings and ruminates on them far too much. he tightens his hug.]
Do you think I oughta apologize to Mitzy? And Rittsu? It wasn't right of me to snap at them like that, no matter what was goin' on.
[ oh... nazuna freezes a little at first when he gets hugged, his hands hovering awkwardly for just a second, before he relents and drops them against leo's back. when he starts talking, he rubs his back, feeling that familiar twinge of fondness for one of his oldest friends. ]
Mm... that's the right thing to do. [ a pause, and his voice lowers a little, remembering their current third occupant. ] And to Kasachin, too. I think he was more upset than anyone.
[ but nazuna isn't going to guilt leo about it. there's no point. he knows that he did something wrong just fine, after all--personas and acting or not, nazuna does know at least some of the leo underneath that.
he keeps rubbing his back for the moment, lifting his chin to rest it on leo's other shoulder and closing his eyes. ] ...you don't have to now. Maybe tomorrow. Mizukichin especially might just want to be alone. [ aka that boy can hold a grudge jfc ]
[hnnnnn tsukasa. he's still here, too, probably heard the music and laughter, and he wonders what his brother thinks of him. leo knows that the groupchat became a more... hostile place since he was invited in, and maybe
he should leave it?]
Me and Mitzy get along fine when we're face to face, if you wanna believe it. [it's weird.] Well, lately anyway... I invited him to sing with me and everything, you know? We sound good together. But when we talk like that, in front of everyone in the chat...
[it goes to pieces. he sighs, turning his head so his quiet words aren't muffled.]
I don't get it, Nazu. I don't, and I'm wonderin' if it was such a good idea for Tsuka-tan to invite me in the first place.
[ oh leo... his heart squeezes for him, and nazuna keeps his grip warm and comforting, rubbing leo's back. ]
Don't say that. You have these memories as much as the rest of us do. [ one of his hand slides up to curl into his hair, instead, and nazuna starts stepping backwards towards the couch, to sit them both down. ] Mizukichin...I think this is hard for him, that's all. I think he was pretty close to the other Leo.
[ he's not sure whether he means the one in the other life, or the one that was keito's resident. ] It's not fair to you or him, and it's just going to take time. [ these words feel kind of empty, though. nazuna wishes he could just fix it, but this has to be the two of them.
plus...they're both reactive, but he's nice enough not to say that, probably. ]
[he follows like a child, clinging to nazuna and not wanting to leave. it's like he's drunk, but he hasn't had a single drink. being vulnerable is... terrifying, even if it's not the first time with nazuna, even if he's comfortable with him.]
I know. I know, I know, but it's not like I have to be in that chat to share them with everyone. And... they were definitely close, in our memories. That Leo was inspired by Mitzy-- um, by Sena.
[just to make a clear difference between the two. inspired enough to confess such a thing boldly, that, in essence, sena was his happiness, was his life.
the memory colors his cheeks again and he leans against nazuna as they sit on the couch, the music background noise. hhhh.]
Ah~. I just wanna delete that entire thing from everyone's memories, you know~? I acted so disgracefully in front of Tsuka-tan, too... I don't want my little brother to be disappointed in me, but he definitely is.
[ there we go. he's fine with the clinging--it puts him immediately into good big brother mode, and nazuna gets comfortable, sliding his arm around leo and moving the other hand up to stroke his hair, comforting and gentle. familiar. ]
Life's not that easy, though. [ he tips his head to rest on top of leo's, looking up at the ceiling as he thinks of the proper thing to say. ] ...and that's part of being an adult, you know? It's important that we face up to it when we've done something wrong.
[ not that nazuna can really talk... but if there's anything he can do, he can at least give advice. ] I think that...what happened was going to be inevitable, eventually. You guys have been butting heads a lot--and it wasn't just you, either.
Mm. I think if Mitzy's wasn't so uptight on that rule of his, we'd get along better... Even if it might make things difficult to search through, what's wrong with being friends? Making each other laugh and getting off topic? Nothing, right?
[it's his biggest issue with sena, and obviously the biggest issue that keeps coming up.]
Maybe... we'd use to more, too, outside of our memories. It'd be nice to plan things together. To get to know everyone else. I'm not wrong for wantin' that sort of place, am I?
[ pfft--well, he won't argue that mizukichin's uptight...
it's such a simple desire, though, that it makes nazuna's heart squeeze, just a little. they might all only be connected by retrospec and this bare thread of memories, but...he has a point. just because they're not the same people in their memories (for some, lucky for some, not so much) doesn't mean they can't just... be friends.
nazuna squeezes leo's shoulder. he could bring it up to mizuki, probably. the atmosphere they're building could end up oppressive at this rate. his tone stays soft, though, and he doesn't belay that to leo at all. ] ...I don't think you're wrong, Leochin. I think we need to find a happy medium, that's all.
[ a pause, and he hums, patting leo's shoulder. ] And I think you need to stop being provoked so easily. [ again. ] And so does he. But that's easier said than done.
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he stays standing close by, then holds his hands out. they're low, near his hips. he's not entirely sure if this is the right thing to do, but it's not the nito way to do nothing, when someone's feeling down. ]
...are you still interested in learning to dance?
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hm.
it's probably nazuna's way of distracting him, of wanting to cheer him up, and leo hesitantly takes the offered hands, letting himself stand with a weak grin. he's trying.]
Yeah, I am~. What sort of dance are you good at, Nazu? The only sort I can do is breakdancing.
[it's. his specialty, here. that dance.]
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he pulls leo up and scoots back a little, walking backwards through his room to pull him back out to the living room and make a little more space, answering his question. ] Hmmm... well, the obvious things. Idol choreography, sure, but I was classically trained when I was a kid. Jazz, ballet, tap, ballroom...if you can name it, I can probably do it. Tap and ballroom were my favorites, though, especially the foxtrot.
[ he squeezes leo's hands where they're connected. ] A good nii-chan's got all kinds of tricks up his sleeve, you know. ♪ Is there something you're interested in?~
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Anything's fine~. Teach me your favorite, though, the foxtrot. I've seen videos of it and it looks fun. ♪
[fast paced enough that he can let loose, with music he can get behind. lots of spins and swings. he likes it.]
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I think it's a little easier to learn to lead, so we'll start with that. All you're going to do is take two steps forward... [ and he steps backwards with him, mirroring. ] Then one to the left--and then close your feet together.
Got it?
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leo's body is attuned with rhythm, though, so it's not hard to pick up despite his distracting thoughts and stuttered pulse, and he nods as he follows. two forward, one left, then close.]
Mmhmm~. Is that it? It's such a simple dance. ♪ It looks a lot more impressive when professionals are doing it though, huh, since they take wider steps and put it to song.
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Of course that's not it! Every dance starts with building blocks...~ Since you're a beginner, I have to start slow. ♪
[ that teasing tone stays in his voice. since you're a beginner. he might be riling just a little, as he follows the steps around the apartment. one, two, three, four...~ ♪ ]
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[leo's never one not to take the bait, so he pushes the steps, picking up the pace as he feels comfortable, and his eyes twinkle with a matching glint. one, two, three, four..~ ♪]
You should know that I pick up things pretty easily, Nazu, callin' me a beginner is an insult. ♪ I've got this down pat, don't I~? More, more, teach me more. ♪
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Here, let's switch-- [ and he'll take forward steps this time, one, two, open, together--then on the open, give them both a spin. back to the regular rhythm again, another few steps, and he does it again, a double turn.
dancing is, and has always been, fun. it's something he forgets about, sometimes. ] There we go!♪
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Foxtrot's the one where they go between the legs, right? Think we can do that too? Maybe not here, but is that possible for us?
[being about the same height and all.]
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[ not that nazuna loves being lifted, but in dances, it's at least a little different. his specialty has always been performances with a lot of height to them, after all, and he purveys the living room over leo's shoulder when they take another turn. there's enough space for a shoulder glide, maybe?
well, in a second. as they finish their phrase, nazuna takes a step back and removes his hands from his, but it's only a second. with a quick- ] Wait right there! [ he scurries off for a minute and goes to turn on the speaker. the tune that plays through is quick paced and cheerful, and nazuna hurries back over, and offers his hands. ] Ready? Let's have a little fun~!
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[so he'll take nazuna's hands and
he'd been content to follow, sure, but the music (as music always does) lights a fire in his heart and he steps for the lead, funk obviously forgotten the moment their hands join again; he's always open to let nazuna switch and show him some moves, he can allow that, but he's taken by the song. ♪]
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that's the great thing about music. you don't really have to know what you're doing for it to be a blast. he lets the seriousness of the teachings step away and allows leo to sweep him off, just like always, laughing and keeping up with the pace of the tune like it's nothing.
he lets leo keep the lead, spins dutifully under his arms when directed, and goes right along with the flow. ~ ]
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nazuna looks nice, too. very kissable. which he's not going to do, even if nazuna might let him since it's private now. he'll just sway slowly like he did yesterday, catching his breath, squeezing nazuna's hands with a grin.]
... How'd I do?
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he's panting just a little too when they stop, catching his hand against leo's chest on his shirt, fingers curling against the fabric. the sway is easy and familiar, and nazuna's smile is golden and wide, as the tension from the apartment has finally seemed to fade away. ]
Nihii.. ~ [ the music fades to background noise, and nazuna returns the squeeze with his other hand. ] Pretty good for a beginner. ♪
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[everything about leo's expression is soft and warm, fondness bleeding into the way he leans closer to rest their heads together. this is nice. this is... surprisingly fine, actually, just standing and swaying and being close.
it's a thought he comes back to fairly often with nazuna, ever since he'd confessed his woes, drunk and lonely. it's the same as he feels with kuro, and yet... not..? he can rest on them both, lean on them without hesitation, trust them to listen
but he and kuro are brothers in arms, so to say. shareholders of the same kind of burden. nazuna is something of the same, he guesses, he ran away too, but it's different enough.
ah, thinking so much reminds him of how miai is. he shakes his head, nuzzling nazuna a little in the process. eskimo kisses.]
Thanks for the lesson, bunny. I'm always havin' fun around you. ♪
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(he's had memories of leo since, and he has to wonder if the other nazuna feels the same way. if he's ever been caught up and swept away by everything that leo tsukinaga is. when he finds out, he won't be so surprised.)
he tolerates the nickname, even, nose wrinkling a little at the eskimo kiss, much like a rabbit. ] Don't get too cocky, there's still a lot to learn.
[ ...but. he leans forward a little to return the small nose nuzzle, then pulls away, embarrassed. ] ...you're welcome. [ [baka] ]
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be
leo, who likes this boy so much and wishes he could show it more than he does. who is well-behaved at his core, who wants to get along with others, who knows his shortcomings and ruminates on them far too much. he tightens his hug.]
Do you think I oughta apologize to Mitzy? And Rittsu? It wasn't right of me to snap at them like that, no matter what was goin' on.
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Mm... that's the right thing to do. [ a pause, and his voice lowers a little, remembering their current third occupant. ] And to Kasachin, too. I think he was more upset than anyone.
[ but nazuna isn't going to guilt leo about it. there's no point. he knows that he did something wrong just fine, after all--personas and acting or not, nazuna does know at least some of the leo underneath that.
he keeps rubbing his back for the moment, lifting his chin to rest it on leo's other shoulder and closing his eyes. ] ...you don't have to now. Maybe tomorrow. Mizukichin especially might just want to be alone. [ aka that boy can hold a grudge jfc ]
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he should leave it?]
Me and Mitzy get along fine when we're face to face, if you wanna believe it. [it's weird.] Well, lately anyway... I invited him to sing with me and everything, you know? We sound good together. But when we talk like that, in front of everyone in the chat...
[it goes to pieces. he sighs, turning his head so his quiet words aren't muffled.]
I don't get it, Nazu. I don't, and I'm wonderin' if it was such a good idea for Tsuka-tan to invite me in the first place.
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Don't say that. You have these memories as much as the rest of us do. [ one of his hand slides up to curl into his hair, instead, and nazuna starts stepping backwards towards the couch, to sit them both down. ] Mizukichin...I think this is hard for him, that's all. I think he was pretty close to the other Leo.
[ he's not sure whether he means the one in the other life, or the one that was keito's resident. ] It's not fair to you or him, and it's just going to take time. [ these words feel kind of empty, though. nazuna wishes he could just fix it, but this has to be the two of them.
plus...they're both reactive, but he's nice enough not to say that, probably. ]
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I know. I know, I know, but it's not like I have to be in that chat to share them with everyone. And... they were definitely close, in our memories. That Leo was inspired by Mitzy-- um, by Sena.
[just to make a clear difference between the two. inspired enough to confess such a thing boldly, that, in essence, sena was his happiness, was his life.
the memory colors his cheeks again and he leans against nazuna as they sit on the couch, the music background noise. hhhh.]
Ah~. I just wanna delete that entire thing from everyone's memories, you know~? I acted so disgracefully in front of Tsuka-tan, too... I don't want my little brother to be disappointed in me, but he definitely is.
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Life's not that easy, though. [ he tips his head to rest on top of leo's, looking up at the ceiling as he thinks of the proper thing to say. ] ...and that's part of being an adult, you know? It's important that we face up to it when we've done something wrong.
[ not that nazuna can really talk... but if there's anything he can do, he can at least give advice. ] I think that...what happened was going to be inevitable, eventually. You guys have been butting heads a lot--and it wasn't just you, either.
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[it's his biggest issue with sena, and obviously the biggest issue that keeps coming up.]
Maybe... we'd use to more, too, outside of our memories. It'd be nice to plan things together. To get to know everyone else. I'm not wrong for wantin' that sort of place, am I?
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it's such a simple desire, though, that it makes nazuna's heart squeeze, just a little. they might all only be connected by retrospec and this bare thread of memories, but...he has a point. just because they're not the same people in their memories (for some, lucky for some, not so much) doesn't mean they can't just... be friends.
nazuna squeezes leo's shoulder. he could bring it up to mizuki, probably. the atmosphere they're building could end up oppressive at this rate. his tone stays soft, though, and he doesn't belay that to leo at all. ] ...I don't think you're wrong, Leochin. I think we need to find a happy medium, that's all.
[ a pause, and he hums, patting leo's shoulder. ] And I think you need to stop being provoked so easily. [ again. ] And so does he. But that's easier said than done.
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