yoon's palace

[strawsandals]

I thought I told you to leave me alone.

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[strawsandals]

[ He is surprisingly quick to hug her back. He doesn't really think he worked hard at all; standing in front of Aerith felt like second nature, like something he should just do in that moment with the knowledge he had. Still, he can't help but start crying. He's so glad they're both alive. ]

I'm just glad...it worked out...

[gardenful]

[ He really is a lot like Nanaki. So fierce and yet so sensitive at the same time, turning into the kid he really is the moment he's allowed to be vulnerable. ]

So am I. I couldn't have asked for it to work out any better.

[ She rests her hand on top of his head, a small gesture of comfort. ]

[strawsandals]

[ If he reminds Aertih of Nanaki, then she reminds Yoon of Yona – fiery in her resolve, gentle when it comes to matters of the heart. If Yona is his best friend, then Aerith feels like someone he looks up to.

And knowing that is inspiring, but in the moment, it's crushing him. ]

M-me too! And...and if you – if you died because of me, I –

[ He would have never forgiven himself for it. ]

I'm sorry...I'm really sorry...

[gardenful]

But you protected me. That's what matters here, you know.

[ Even if it felt all too familiar to her for reasons that she really can't explain, reasons that she really doesn't want to look into too deeply. ]

We're both alive.

[strawsandals]

....

[ She's right. He can't and shouldn't keep moping over it. They're alive and he is grateful for that. ]

Yeah. You're right.

[ He wipes his eyes with the back of his wrist. ]

You know...I saw what you did for the people in my village. I know they weren't real, but I'm not going to forget that. ... Thank you for that, too.

[gardenful]

No need to thank me. It's what we should do, even if they're not real.

[ Not helping someone in need... whether or not they're figments of some sort of magic, she can't stand by and let them suffer. ]