[...he has a few questions about that bird, but they can wait.]
That sounds good to me. I'll see you soon.
[Izuku grabs a few things from his room before heading out, but it doesn't take too long to get from Flavo to Bluo and see Dextera standing outside one of the houses.]
[ dextera has been practicing looking normal, but the sad reality is that his face is just kind of naturally sad, and he's a little too tired to try and make himself seem completely fine now that they're seeing each other properly.
he raises his hand in greeting, relieved to see that izuku seems okay despite it all. nothing bad happened to him, then? really? that's good.
dextera himself is physically unharmed, his color is in tact, but there's something a little distant about his expression—he's giving it everything he's got not to think about his guilt, lest he break down into pained sobs in front of sweet, innocent izuku. ]
[Dextera should know better than to think he's off the hook. As soon as Izuku's close enough, he gives Dextera a very obvious once-over for injuries. Though he finds none, there's something about Dextera's expression that doesn't sit right with him.]
You look...tired. [That's not quite right, but it's close enough. Izuku's brows draw together in concern.] Are you sure you're okay, Dextera-san?
he’s mute, so there is the exciting benefit now of the fact he can just get away with not saying anything! still, even the stiff way he responds isn’t right—he’s tense, and there’s a moment where he doesn’t know what to do and the tears threaten to break through in his brief weakness.
but then he’s blinking, and he’s fine! nothing is wrong with him, so he tilts his head and invites izuku inside. ]
[ oh? really? dextera takes the notebook, simply blinking at it at first, but then he realizes what the goal must be—and he parts his lips slightly, but of course no sound comes out.
he shakes his head! he can’t have this! that isn’t to say he doesn’t want it, but notebooks are in such short supply?! ]
Oh! You're worried about it not showing up because of the whole color thing, right? Don't worry, these are all from my world, so they should work just fine!
[ or not! but it's such a sweet misunderstanding that dextera can't really be frustrated about it. he tilts his head, gratefully, and he decides that it's okay to use maybe one little part of one little page to write this message on. ]
It's yours.
[ if there were other utilities like this to use, maybe dextera wouldn't mind it, but! but!!
well, he's clearly already claimed it in a way, so all izuku has to do is push just a little harder and dextera will have no choice but to accept it thoroughly. it is useful to be able to say something. ]
[A smile tugs at his lips, realizing Dextera's already accepted the notebook in a way, even if he doesn't realize it yet.]
It was mine...that means it's up to me if I want to give it away, right? I have some more notebooks I can use. And I think... you need it more than I do.
[Izuku smiles at him hopefully.] Will you take it? I-I know you're probably used to getting your point across another way, but words are...important. [A few heartfelt words can change someone's entire perspective. He should know.] If you have this, you'll have a backup...another way to communicate when you feel there's something that needs to be said.
[ dextera breathes slowly, deeply, his grip tightening around the notebook and pen. if izuku has others... and he really doesn’t mind it...
it’s a nice, thoughtful gift that dextera never expected to receive, especially in the wake of all of this that’s happened in the forest. his chest tightens, tears brimming in his eyes, and he nods as he quickly writes something else down with a few of those tears hitting the paper. ]
dextera shakes his head, trying to assure izuku that it's nothing wrong, it's nothing he did—this just happens sometimes, and the extremity of emotion that he's felt in the past couple days is too much for his weak heart.
he takes a deep breath, but even writing is hard when he's feeling so many feelings. ]
[Izuku sniffles at Dextera's wordless reassurance and then the dam breaks. Somehow, they both ended up standing here, tears leaking out of their eyes. It's nothing new, for anyone who knows Izuku, but it's been a while since someone else has cried with him like this.
But!! It looks like Dextera's trying to tell him something? All Izuku can do now is just wait for him to get his message across. He just has to be patient.]
[ this is... so sad. this is so sad, and so pathetic, that they’re both standing here crying over a notebook.
of course, it’s a little more than just a notebook—they’ve both been dealing with a lot, in their own ways, and crying now is a great catharsis for all that, but this certainly was the catalyst.
hand shaking, he manages to write out something after all. ]
There are so many things I want to say.
This means everything to me.
[ and he goes back to meaningfully underline his thank you, where izuku can see it. ]
[This is..so much more than Izuku had expected. Part of him had wondered if he was being silly as he walked over to Dextera's house, if the notebook would be well received at all.
And now, here they are, crying together.]
Y-you're welcome. [Izuku wipes the tears away with the back of his hand and beams.] I was really hoping it would be useful to you.
[ dextera cries often, out of pain, but crying from happiness or relief is still a new one to him—he closes his eyes, forcing himself to inhale deeply as if that can dry his tears from the inside out. he’s fine. they’re both fine.
izuku is a good kid, and dextera nods in response to his statement. it will be useful—he can tell that already. ]
I hope I can repay you.
[ and then, he folds it closed, not wanting to waste the pages. the pen is slid onto the coil of the notebook, and he sighs, touching the cover. ]
[ friends? is that what they are? acquaintances, surely—but perhaps they’ve had enough interactions by now to be friends. this notebook sealed the deal, and dextera finds that his eyes are brimming with tears all over again.
he looks away, fingers tightening on the notebook. he wants to repay izuku, but... friends... ]
[Seeing the fresh tears in Dextera's eyes makes Izuku step forward, lifting a hand uncertainly, like he isn't sure what he's supposed to do to help.]
U-unless you don't what to be? [It's still so uncertain to him, sometimes, when it comes to friendship. Just because there are people who don't mind being around him now doesn't mean that he should just assume others would be the same. Izuku wants it, of course, but he doesn't want to burden Dextera if that feeling isn't reciprocated.]
[ dextera absolutely, definitely wants to be friends. how could he turn down such an earnest question? he’s new to friendship too, but he’s learned that it can be good. it doesn’t have to hurt or be scary, to get close to people.
so he nods, quickly, taking izuku’s hand insistently to express just how much he wants to see this friendship blossom. ]
[It's a surprise when Dextera takes Izuku's hand in his, but rather than pulling away, Izuku simply tightens his hold. They're holding hands! That means they're definitely friends now.]
Friends. [Izuku says out loud, smiling gently at Dextera.] So don't worry about repaying me or anything. As long as you like it and think it's useful, that's all that matters.
[ friends. there's a long pause where dextera doesn't seem to do anything, or even react with his face to that statement... and then he relaxes slowly, without letting go. then, even more slowly than that, a shy smile comes to his face.
he nods once again, and closes his eyes in silent acceptance. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Yes, for you!
I'm definitely sure...which house are you in?
no subject
[ he realizes a moment later that that probably doesn't help much, and using a mobile landmark is a bad idea, and so he sends a follow-up message. ]
I'll meet you outside, if that's all right.
forum --> action
That sounds good to me. I'll see you soon.
[Izuku grabs a few things from his room before heading out, but it doesn't take too long to get from Flavo to Bluo and see Dextera standing outside one of the houses.]
Dextera-san!
no subject
he raises his hand in greeting, relieved to see that izuku seems okay despite it all. nothing bad happened to him, then? really? that's good.
dextera himself is physically unharmed, his color is in tact, but there's something a little distant about his expression—he's giving it everything he's got not to think about his guilt, lest he break down into pained sobs in front of sweet, innocent izuku. ]
no subject
You look...tired. [That's not quite right, but it's close enough. Izuku's brows draw together in concern.] Are you sure you're okay, Dextera-san?
no subject
he’s mute, so there is the exciting benefit now of the fact he can just get away with not saying anything! still, even the stiff way he responds isn’t right—he’s tense, and there’s a moment where he doesn’t know what to do and the tears threaten to break through in his brief weakness.
but then he’s blinking, and he’s fine! nothing is wrong with him, so he tilts his head and invites izuku inside. ]
no subject
Once they're inside, Izuku holds out a blank notebook and pen.]
Um...here! These are for you!
no subject
[ oh? really? dextera takes the notebook, simply blinking at it at first, but then he realizes what the goal must be—and he parts his lips slightly, but of course no sound comes out.
he shakes his head! he can’t have this! that isn’t to say he doesn’t want it, but notebooks are in such short supply?! ]
no subject
Oh! You're worried about it not showing up because of the whole color thing, right? Don't worry, these are all from my world, so they should work just fine!
[...or not.]
no subject
It's yours.
[ if there were other utilities like this to use, maybe dextera wouldn't mind it, but! but!!
well, he's clearly already claimed it in a way, so all izuku has to do is push just a little harder and dextera will have no choice but to accept it thoroughly. it is useful to be able to say something. ]
no subject
It was mine...that means it's up to me if I want to give it away, right? I have some more notebooks I can use. And I think... you need it more than I do.
[Izuku smiles at him hopefully.] Will you take it? I-I know you're probably used to getting your point across another way, but words are...important. [A few heartfelt words can change someone's entire perspective. He should know.] If you have this, you'll have a backup...another way to communicate when you feel there's something that needs to be said.
no subject
[ dextera breathes slowly, deeply, his grip tightening around the notebook and pen. if izuku has others... and he really doesn’t mind it...
it’s a nice, thoughtful gift that dextera never expected to receive, especially in the wake of all of this that’s happened in the forest. his chest tightens, tears brimming in his eyes, and he nods as he quickly writes something else down with a few of those tears hitting the paper. ]
Thank you.
no subject
[As soon as the tears start falling, Izuku panics and begins tearing up himself in response. He can't help it!] Please don't cry!
no subject
dextera shakes his head, trying to assure izuku that it's nothing wrong, it's nothing he did—this just happens sometimes, and the extremity of emotion that he's felt in the past couple days is too much for his weak heart.
he takes a deep breath, but even writing is hard when he's feeling so many feelings. ]
no subject
But!! It looks like Dextera's trying to tell him something? All Izuku can do now is just wait for him to get his message across. He just has to be patient.]
no subject
of course, it’s a little more than just a notebook—they’ve both been dealing with a lot, in their own ways, and crying now is a great catharsis for all that, but this certainly was the catalyst.
hand shaking, he manages to write out something after all. ]
There are so many things I want to say.
This means everything to me.
[ and he goes back to meaningfully underline his thank you, where izuku can see it. ]
no subject
And now, here they are, crying together.]
Y-you're welcome. [Izuku wipes the tears away with the back of his hand and beams.] I was really hoping it would be useful to you.
no subject
izuku is a good kid, and dextera nods in response to his statement. it will be useful—he can tell that already. ]
I hope I can repay you.
[ and then, he folds it closed, not wanting to waste the pages. the pen is slid onto the coil of the notebook, and he sighs, touching the cover. ]
no subject
It's a gift--you don't have to repay me for it. Helping each other is what friends do.
no subject
[ friends? is that what they are? acquaintances, surely—but perhaps they’ve had enough interactions by now to be friends. this notebook sealed the deal, and dextera finds that his eyes are brimming with tears all over again.
he looks away, fingers tightening on the notebook. he wants to repay izuku, but... friends... ]
no subject
U-unless you don't what to be? [It's still so uncertain to him, sometimes, when it comes to friendship. Just because there are people who don't mind being around him now doesn't mean that he should just assume others would be the same. Izuku wants it, of course, but he doesn't want to burden Dextera if that feeling isn't reciprocated.]
no subject
so he nods, quickly, taking izuku’s hand insistently to express just how much he wants to see this friendship blossom. ]
no subject
Friends. [Izuku says out loud, smiling gently at Dextera.] So don't worry about repaying me or anything. As long as you like it and think it's useful, that's all that matters.
no subject
[ friends. there's a long pause where dextera doesn't seem to do anything, or even react with his face to that statement... and then he relaxes slowly, without letting go. then, even more slowly than that, a shy smile comes to his face.
he nods once again, and closes his eyes in silent acceptance. ]