the autumn harvest festival

[zodionmods]

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[bloodypawn]

[Although usually not one for these types of things, it's a distraction that Zero is willing to welcome. He doesn't particularly feel like being at his apartment right now. Especially not when he still can recall how she smelled upon his return. The memory fresh as it is embittering, upsetting, even though he knows it wasn't actually Yuuki's fault.

He takes a few minutes to consider the food, initially apprehensive, as others are. Eventually, though, even if not especially hungry, he takes a couple of things and heads a bit away from the mingling groups. His back leaning against the trunk of a large tree as he settles down on the ground.]

[trappedinresin]

[Quiet and uncertain she lingers a distance away, watching him not really nibble at the food he's gotten for himself. The pit in her stomach continues to churn, heart heavy and aching.

Still he looks just as miserable as he did last night.

Fingers fisting into the skirts of her dress, she look down, gaze hard on the earth beneath her feet. It still hurts so much to see him like this. Disgust and horror still flow through her and she blinks away the few stray tears that fill her eyes.

I have to talk to him.

Wiping them away, she gathers her things from the table beside her. Tentative, and uncertain she approaches, coming from the side of the tree instead of head on. Back against the cool bark, she slides down until she, too, is sitting upon the ground. With her free hand, she pushes one of her items around the tree and to her other side, where it rests beside his lap.

A small, but pretty bouquet of flowers; purple hyacinth, beautiful different colors of primrose, followed by several pink and red roses.

I'm so sorry, Zero. Please

[bloodypawn]

[There's no reason for him to be surprised. He knew she would find him at the festival, no matter where he was located; he knew she'd approach

[trappedinresin]

[Since before sitting down next to him Yuuki had tried to prepare herself for any number of different reactions he could give her. So while the words all but tell her to leave him alone, the tone is much softer than she had allowed herself to believe it would be.

That's not to say the entire situation doesn't hurt, though. In the end, whatever anger and frustration Zero feels comes from the fact, too, that he is hurting as well.

Quiet a moment, she stares at her feet. Now that she's here in the moment she isn't sure what to say. None of this is her fault. A part of her wants to scream and shout and tell him to stop. It isn't as though she ever wanted this, either. It's not a decision she made on her own. But at the same time guilt weighs heavy on her conscience, twisting her heart painfully.]

You promised to take me to the festival. Because you never came over again, I thought instead that I'd just go and find you.

[She stares into her lap then, and she draws a breath. She feels ridiculous, uncertain what to say or how to respond

[bloodypawn]

[Emotion - thick, cloying, relentless - sticks with his heart at the back of his throat like a blocked drainpipe. It's never tasted so foreign before. So terribly and uncomfortably new.

Even though it's all so pointless to feel... isn't it? (I know I'm being irrational.)

He knows she's right, too. (I did promise that...) Even if, for that moment, hearing her say so leaves his chest aching; as if he had been the one who let her down by being so upset. As if he broke that promise, even when having no intention to. He knows just how much she enjoys these events. He knows how she'll want to try any number of the different games and rides, take in all of the campfire stories while trying to carefully prevent any of the melted marshmallow and chocolate from getting her fingers and clothes sticky, and sample the wide variety of foods, while playfully attempting to get him to maybe share a dessert (or two, or three) before going back for more

[trappedinresin]

[Drawing a breath, she wordlessly shakes her head, swallowing thickly. Her throat is tight, emotion choosing now to well up. Fierce, she bites back the salty liquid that stings the corner of her eyes. It's after a moment of trying her best to keep her emotions in check that she finally responds.]

No...

[At the brush of his hand, her fingers automatically meet his the rest of the way, curling tight within his.]

He didn't.

[Another restriction of her throat, and she licks her lips, trying her best to keep her hand still.]

Physically, I'm okay, Zero...

[bloodypawn]

[Like she had, his fingers instinctively curl within hers, a tightened grasp. He can feel the heavy thud of his heart at the back of his throat, and in between his ears. A nod.

Hating this place comes a bit easier, now.]