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[ Nanami watches him go, and keeps listening to the water flow through the pipes to the shower, where the other two are obviously talking. She's still turning things over in her head, and not sure what to think about first.

So she decides to think about something else entirely. Sometimes walking away from a game is the best way of beating it, after all. She picks up her plate and wanders over to Komaeda's living room to look at the map of Verens, examining it closely to see all the little streets and alleys on the island.

So much to figure out. So many intricacies...

She notices the journals but leaves them alone for now. Instead, she idly picks up one of Komaeda's huge books and flops down onto the couch with it, setting her plate aside. She flips through the volume, losing herself in the details of the Arehtei, and before she knows it, she's drifting off...

Yep, she forgot to drink her coffee, and keeping odd hours will do that to a person, former AI or not. ]

[ It takes him a few minutes, but those few minutes are worth it before Hinata comes back, fully clothed. He has a towel around his neck and he immediately notices-- ]

O-Oi, Nanami. Wake up.

[Komaeda leans on the back of the couch, his eyes sliding shut. He's a only little tired but, it's that blissful sense of contentment that's really threatening to put his lights out.

He's fully dressed in the outfit he wore on Jabberwock. The chain on his hip rattles as he sighs.]

She must have forgot to drink her coffee.

[He opens one eye, while resting his chin on his palm. With an effort of thought he reaches for her mind.

Nanami, we're ready now. He lets a softer, friendly affection twist in lazy circles through the connection. Komaeda lets his eye settle on Hinata as he whispers.]

Do you want me here for this...or shall I go wake myself up? [He points to the exercise room just across from the couch.]

H-huh...? [ She hasn't gotten used to telepathy yet, so sometimes she forgets that it's a thing, and particularly that it can be used the way Komaeda does. It means that when she wakes, she wakes with a careful smile. ]

Oh... Already? [ The time seems to have flown. She's not sure how long it's been since she got here. She looks up at the two of them, and rubs her eyes. ]

Mm... okay. Your breakfast is on the counter... [ She blinks. ] What did you want to talk about?...

I think it would be better if you heard this too, Nagito.

[ He has to remind himself that they're on a first name basis now. It's hard, considering that he's just so used to calling him by last name. Hinata looks at her with serious eyes, pressing his lips together. Although he's trembling slightly, he swallows things hard. ]

I... I don't know how much you'll understand it. But I want you to listen anyway, Nanami. For the longest time, back on the island... I didn't realize it at the time, but. I loved you. No, 'loved' isn't right-- I still love you, Nanami. But... I also love Nagito, too.

Does that make sense...?

Edited 2016-07-12 23:38 (UTC)

[ Her heart hammers in her chest, and her mouth goes dry. What strange physical reactions emotions can bring, she thinks. A soft moss begins to spread across Komaeda's floor, not that she really notices it. She puts a hand to her chest. ]

Hinata-kun...

[ Her eyes flick suddenly to Komaeda, who's also watching her intently. They're both waiting for her to react. But how should she react, in a situation like this? What's the right answer?

She swallows. ] You two have... known, for a little while, huh? And here I am... I guess I'm a bit taken by surprise...

[ She's flattered -- and some part of her thinks that it's more than she could have hoped for: but there's one thing wrong about this. She suddenly turns her gaze on Komaeda. ]

But... that wouldn't be very fair to Komaeda-kun, would it? I don't know... you know me and dating sims, maybe this actually isn't all that uncommon... but I hadn't heard of it, and...

[ She remembers what she said earlier. ] If you two can't take care of each other, there's no reason for you to be together, is there? So... can you do that, Hinata-kun? With your attention divided?... Because...

If you can't... [ The moss glitches away, and the room feels a bit colder, but Nanami swallows and presses on. ] Then I don't really have any business here... do I?

[This is his cue. Komaeda slips around to join her on the couch. He doesn't make eye contact with Hinata as his heart is suddenly far, far too loud. She'd pretty much outlined his fear as precisely as if she drew it on a page. But while holding Hinata close to him in that shower, and even before that.

What he'd done to throw Enoshima away from focusing on her...He glances down at his left hand, remembering how for an hour he'd sat in the dark with one hand entirely inhuman until the feelings of those memories settled. He clenches it and faces her.]

You haven't heard of a relationship like that because they're uncommon. But it isn't just one person extending bonds to two people. It's...

[He reaches for her hands and gently takes them in his.] Those connections span between all three people. While I do think Hajime and I could work out as just us.

...I'm not about to make him choose and to be honest with you. [He looks off to the side, to where he'd caught the moss growing and then back at her.]

I never cared what society thought of me and my decisions anyway. Why don't we both take care of this unruly mess of ours, and each other too.

[He smiles, just for her something soft, a little hopeful, and very real.]

But in the end, the decision is yours. Whatever you decide, we'll be here with you on this glimmering road to the future.

Nanami.

[ His voice is serious as his eyes burning red as he goes closer to her, gently pressing his hand gently on her cheek if she allows it. He pours affection, shown as bright electricity as his hair turns white. ]

I didn't want to admit it. I was scared... that maybe, I'd lose you again. I don't want to. When you died, I was devastated. It hurt. I couldn't stand it.

[ He smiles, his expression soft. In fact, Hinata looks like he's about to cry. ]

I promised you that I'd teach you about the world. I can do that. No, we can, together. It might be difficult and people might give us weird looks, but I don't care. I'm not going to choose between the two of you. You're both too different to compare the pros and cons. Nagito's changed so much. And Nanami -- I want to protect you. I want to hold you close and never let you go. Because I'm afraid if I do, you'll disappear again.

I was even scared of telling you this because I make mistakes. I was frightened of rejection. I'm still shaking a little. I want to make this work. After all, you're real... you've always been real to me, no matter what. I'll be by your side, alright?

[ Nanami gasps, half-hiccup and half-sob, and then what else can she do but throw her arms around them, a tight double-hug to show a fraction of how much she cares about both of them, how grateful and how fond, her emotion pouring forth in real light and warmth, everything quiet around them, no sound in her ears but the boys' breathing and heartbeats.

After a while she can finally speak, breaking that silent embrace. ] It's true that I was always going to be looking after both of you, especially here. I always wanted to, since I met you... at every turn where it seemed like I couldn't... it was like the world was darker, held less meaning, maybe. And here... where I was given another chance to, how could I give that up?

[ She sniffs and buries her face in first one shoulder, then the other. ] Real or gone... I'm here for you both. As much as I can be. I don't... know much about love, but... I think I know that. [ She hugs them a little tighter, but the warmth and closeness is never painful for her.

Pure and simple, it's peace. Some worry for the future, some tears, some happiness overspilling -- it all balances, with these two. This, she knows. ]

[He lets out the breath of air he'd been holding and wraps his arms around both of them. His chest feels so warm he's a little terrified he might catch fire and there's entirely too much touching. But, that's okay. He'll get used to it.

He fists the back of Hinata's shirt with a shaking hand. He'd been so scared that this wouldn't work. He cares a great deal about Nanami and loves Hinata. It's very possible in time he'll come to love Nanami just as much. No. He's pretty sure that's going to happen.

At some point.

He leans into Nanami, rubbing her back. She had looked out for them. Now they would do what they couldn't. Protect and look out for her. His hand clinging to Hin- Hajime slips around to grasp his hip and pull him a little closer.]

Well, with that settled I'll definitely have to invest in a much larger couch! This one is comfortable but ahaha, with three people we can only sit.

[He's only had a night of cuddling but he's already addicted to it. It's really, really nice. He really hopes this is all bad luck, if only so he knows nothing awful will come crashing to try and take this warmth and life from him.]

You don't need a larger couch, Nagito. If you do that, I won't be able to make Nanami sit on my lap.

[ He is one hundred percent serious about that. ]

...Um. Ah. Nanami? Do you mind if I ask you something else first?

[ He's blushing like crazy and while this is really comfortable, he feels like a balloon that's about to burst. ]

I-- I want to kiss you. ...Can I?

[ The first comment makes Nanami blush. The request just makes her blush more. ]

W-wait... [ She finally pulls away from the hug, reluctantly. But: ] Will this work?

[ She flops down onto Hinata's lap. It's a little bony, but overall pretty comfortable. And now there's more room on the couch. ] Huh. I guess it does.

[ Science completed, she finally looks up at Hinata and nods.

And yet, even as she finds Hinata's hand with her own small one, to hold and keep her steady, her other reaches for Komaeda's. ]

[Komaeda meets her halfway, lacing their fingers together. He shifts on the couch so he can see a bit better and to support her. While he thought he'd be uncomfortable with the idea...actually it just makes perfect sense and he's breathing a little faster.

He lifts his head to catch Hinata's eyes, and opens a mental connection. Relax. But he doesn't interfere any further than that.]

[ S-Shut up! You're the one who has to watch anyway...! Basically, you're not helping, Komaeda. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest nervously, licking his lips before he takes a breath in... then out. ]

Um... if I mess up, just tell me, Nanami.

[ He admits that meekly before leaning in for the kiss. Here goes nothing...! ]

Okay... !

[ Not that she would really know how one can mess up kissing. Maybe if you had bad aim? Or if you kissed someone after eating a lot of onions or something...

Right, kissing. It was happening.

Hinata's lips are pressed against her own before she knows it. She doesn't do much in response except press back with her lips, just enough so that their lips sort of mold together and fit well. A small smile tugs at the edge of Nanami's lips, and she squeezes Hinata's hand gently.

This is really nice..., she thinks, loudly enough to be heard. ]

[ Hinata gives a gentle reassuring squeeze in response, smiling back at her as he parts his lips to deepen the kiss. He just can't get enough of her, and honestly, he wants to kiss her as much as he can so that he can remember it, make sure that it's real.

When he has to catch himself, he parts his lips from hers, but really, he's not seeking to end this just yet, as he affectionately peppers some kisses along the side of her neck, before saying in embarrassment mentally to her, S-Sorry, I got a little greedy there. I really wanted to kiss you in other places...

At least, before he stops and just breathes out heavily, pressing his forehead against hers. ]

I... really love you, Nanami. I'll repeat it as many times as you want.

It's okay...! [ She likes hearing him in her mind. It makes her smile, even as she deepens the kiss with him.

She gives a little sigh as his lips move elsewhere, eyes half-lidded. Before she knows it she's rubbing foreheads with him, the emotion almost too overwhelming. The room is filled with light, and not all of it is coming from the windows or the fixtures. It's just hanging in the air, isolating the three from their surroundings.

She may not know much about love, but if this affection, this closeness, this more-of-anything-she's-ever-felt-before-in-her-life is love? She's feeling a whole lot of it and wants to feel more.

Quietly: a secret only he and Komaeda can here. ]

I love you too, Hinata.

[ And this time, she's the one leaning in for the kiss. Because she's here to stay. No matter what. ]

[He politely clears his throat. It's been a little difficult to watch once they got into it but, the smile on his face is smug. They're his. His.

He focuses his thoughts, sending them both Now, I know you've waited forever for this. But will you permit me to cut in? ...if you're alright with me kissing you, Nanami.

His love sweeps into the connection, like the tide coming in. He's inwardly reeling just how much this has done for the damage in his heart. It won't cure everything but it does enough he doesn't feel quite as afraid.]

[ She feels his presence in her mind like the surf washing over her. There's a distant sound of gulls in the enlightened room, maybe a beach just beyond their sight.

It's calm, and it combined with Hinata's emanating tangible love makes her so happy. She smiles into her second kiss with Hinata, and as she breaks away from him she gives him one more quick kiss. As if she's parting somewhere, one last goodbye.

Not that she's going anywhere. Instead she tugs on Komaeda's hand to pull him closer, and in turning towards him she leans on Hinata. Her dazed, love-filled look would look sleepy to someone who only knew Nanami in passing. But if she was sleepy, it would be a very happy dream.

Come here... please, she doesn't even have to think, but she does so anyway, smiling all the while. Arm circled around Hinata.

This is an activity they can all three engage in. ]

Edited 2016-07-13 05:38 (UTC)

[ He can't help but pause, his face heating up as the words that pierce his mind causes his scarlet red eyes to shoot wide open matching the flush in his cheeks. He can't believe what he's hearing.

Is this a dream? Surely he has to pinch himself to make sure, since Komaeda actually offered to kiss her... and he gets to watch? He isn't sure if he'll be able to take it. ]

[He'd argue with Hajime that this is exactly why he needs a bigger, more comfortable couch. But Nanami has her hand on his arm and he's pulled off balance. He grabs Hinata's thigh to keep from toppling off the couch. That would have been a great way to start this connection.

As you wish. Komaeda gently cups the side of her face and marvels at the soft texture of her hair on his fingers. His control slips; pale, star-like white flowers carpet the floor of the house, spreading out and emminating a soft comfortable glow. Gold dragon scales ripple about him before he shuts his eyes when his forehead makes contact with hers.

He needs to calm down. Dimmly he's aware that he's approaching that limit of what he can handle all at once. This has been a difficult week for so many reasons. It takes a moment to get himself under control.

Komaeda draws back enough she can see his face clearly and tips his head to the side, leaning in. If Hinata's kiss had been desperate and full of his love. His is gentle, and clearly asking for permission to venture further.]

[ Ah! The three are almost on top of each other now, Nanami holding Komaeda with her other arm. When their foreheads connect, she lets out a gasp as the golden scales briefly pass from his skin to hers -- but they're gone in an instant, before she can blink. She would squint at the brightness in the room if she weren't already doing so from the emotion she's feeling, and she's just conscious enough of it to know that it's her causing that light.

Komaeda's kiss is gentle, and she imitates it, getting to know how he feels and how he tastes. If it's permission he wants, he has it; her mind is open to them both, and it's full of love and inviting. ]

[He takes his time, exploring her lips in gentle surges. It's as much to let her adjust to the difference, and to let himself keep steady. Like he'd expected, he has to show her what little he knows about kissing.

It doesn't bother him in the slightest. It's alluring that they'll learn from one another. His heart settles, no longer thudding so fast that it would be a problem. Komaeda breaths in through his nose and deepens the kiss at last, letting himself finally surrender to it.

His hand on Hinata's thigh travels up his stomach and over his chest, fisting the fabric. He has to protect this. The feelings, the care two people are giving him without asking anything of him but the same.

All he's ever wanted is right here and if someone dares try to take it he'll make them pay. This is...something that makes his hopes feel like they could do anything. Even carve paths through the poison of the world below.]

[ Watching them kiss like this didn't feel strange at all; being that observer actually made his heart pound more, nearly leaping out his chest as he licks his lips, nervous as he watches intensely, a small groan passing through as Komaeda fists the fabric of his shirt. ]

O, oi...!

[ She's leaning on Hinata's chest at the same time that she's tasting Komaeda, getting to know his taste and his touch. Sighing into him and holding him, gently rubbing his back as he did earlier, experiencing the two of them as fully as she can.

The light begins to fade as she pulls out of the kiss for air, smiling at the boys. She's so happy that she can barely stand it. ]

Hmm... how about if... I stay with you two for a little while today... if that's all right?

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