mazeofrelationships | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's late at night and Yu is waiting up for Naoto to come home. He knows she's been having a rough time with her current case and he wants to check to see if she's alright. Right now he's sitting at the dining room table, homework spread out but not paying attention to it. He keeps looking at the door, instead.

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It has been a long case. Serial murder always is, but when the target is children, it makes a terrible situation worse. The latest body had been found, and Naoto had spent a few extra hours at the morgue, both trying to contain her rage and tears at the situation, and examining the body again. There had to be something she was missing.

So, by the time she comes home, she is drained in every way possible, and it shows. "Yu? Why are you up? Don't you have an exam tomorrow?"

"That doesn't matter," Yu says, closing his book and heading over to give her a hug. "I was waiting for you, I had a feeling you would need me to."

She sighs deeply, nodding. "Multiple murder is awful, but when it is children, it is intolerable." Also, the latest victim reminded her of Nanako-chan, and it was bringing back memories of one specific day in the hospital.

"I should not keep you from your studies, Yu. I will go to bed in a few moments."

"I already studied enough," he assures her. "Right now, I am not worried about that.

I'm worried about you."

She clings to him, burying her face in his shoulder. "I should not be as invested in this case as I am. I cannot let myself be this emotional, but it is terrible, the things this monster does."

She's shaking a bit. "I have to catch him."

Yu rubs her back as he holds her close. "You will," he says quietly. "You always do."

Somewhat melting into his arms, she nods. "I know I can, I simply wish I could do so faster."

"Rest tonight. It'll give you a fresh look on it tomorrow."

He's going to insist she rest as much as she can.

"I do not know if I even can. My mind is racing and I can't seem to calm down."

She sighs, shaking her head. "I might perhaps watch some TV or read a book."

"It's okay if you can't sleep," Yu says. "But please at least rest. We can curl up on the couch together, perhaps."

"No, Yu, you need your sleep before your exam." She sighs, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "I will go to bed with you, and get up when you are asleep. Do not worry about me."

"It is an easy one," he says to assure her. "I won't blow it, even if I don't sleep much."

"Still." She sighs. "If you are certain. I would certainly like to spend some time with you."

"Completely certain," he promises, and presses a kiss to her forehead.

"Alright. Do you know what is on tonight? I so rarely pay attention to what is on television."

She smiles a bit sadly, walking over to the couch, and curling up a bit, tucking her knees up to her chest.

"I'm not sure," he says. "Why don't we put on a favourite dvd?"

He pauses. "Have you eaten much today?"

"That works." She shrugs. "I... well, to be honest, I don't think I've eaten since yesterday. It has just been that busy."

"Do you think you can hold anything down?" Yu asks, running a hand through her hair and petting it.

"Possibly some miso soup?" She sighs. "Nothing too heavy. I'm just too worked up for much more than that."

"Then I'll make you some." Yu glances over to the kitchen, and then back to her. "Will you be okay, alone for a bit?"

"I am perfectly fine, I promise."

Naoto shakes her head, kisses him on the cheek and goes, sitting down on the sofa and turning on the TV to channel surf.

"Alright."

He goes in the kitchen and cooks for her, bringing the soup out carefully when it's done.

She smiles at him, a bit less brightly than usual, and reaches out for the soup.

The TV is playing an infomercial for some supposedly-exciting kitchen knives.

"How about we put in your favourite movie? That has to be better than this."

Yu moves to get the dvd.

"Probably. Sorry, there just isn't much on at two in the morning."

She points at a particular fifties-noir detective movie. "That one's always good. I can rant at stupid detectives instead of worrying about my own life."

Yu picks up the movie and puts it into the dvd player, sitting next to her once it's set up.

"C'mere," he says, and pulls her close.

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