[there's a beat, where it feels like denji's thoughts are solidifying into something, but then he speaks up]
I've done plenty wrong, before.
But...fightin' for someone I don't wanna die doesn't feel bad, y'know? That's why I'm not all sad or mad about it or whatever. There's lotsa worse ways or reasons I could die.
[he can't help but smile, because it's very entertaining to watch rita be flustered instead of her usual brash confidence
but he nods when she finally admits it (and also thinks nice because of course he does he's terrible actually)]
If you're gonna come tomorrow, then don't worry about me or whatever—take care of her, okay? No matter what I say, she's gonna think this is all her fault. Then after it's all done, you both go on one of those dates [in some super cute outfits].
[but under the terrible stinky boy, his posture visibly relaxes]
Thanks, Rita...that helps my head out a lot...
...oh! [he digs around in his pocket and pulls out 5 vouchers, putting them on the table] Hold onto these for me, will ya? And if I get thrown into some lava or space or whatever they're all yours to use. [to get everything figured out]
Well, you don't gotta worry about that. Never made a habit of gettin' my ass kicked for charity and not plannin' to start now.
[he flashes her a peace sign, then pets pochita for a moment
it was a nice break, like a vacation most of the time
he doesn't quite look at her, and when speaks up again, he sounds tired and further away as if the effort of pulling things out of his head is wearing him out]
Y'know, I've done this...a hell of a lotta times. Fought. Died. Et cetera. More than I can count, I guess.
But...it's not fightin' that scares me—hasn't since I was a kid, really.
...it's you, and her, and the rest of everybody that's been nice to me for no reason.
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he turns around when he hears rita and grins, swinging out a chair for her to sit on and patting it]
Was wonderin' when you were gonna speak up. C'mon in.
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I... I don't know how the hell it ended up being you. It doesn't make any sense!
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[I hate this.]
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I've done plenty wrong, before.
But...fightin' for someone I don't wanna die doesn't feel bad, y'know? That's why I'm not all sad or mad about it or whatever. There's lotsa worse ways or reasons I could die.
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You never tried to hurt anyone. You... you've always just been helping. More than you know, even.
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But...thanks for bein' mad for me. Makes me feel kinda...good?
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--I mean... ugh. [I hate this week.]
Just when you got the pooch back, too... [giving pochita a kinda sympathetic look.]
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I'll leave figurin' out how to fix everything to you and the other smart people.
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her voice comes out a bit strained and choked when she answers.]
We will. I... we're close. I promise we'll figure it out.
When you see Manwol... tell her we got her letters. And that I understood what she meant. And-- thanks.
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Yes, ma'am.
...guess it'd be pointless for me to ask you not to come watch tomorrow, huh?
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[And it's kind of my fault for not finding the real culprit in time... What the hell was I doing?]
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[he reaches out and squeezes her shoulder as her thoughts head in that direction]
Well, then can I ask you a different favor instead?
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Huh? Sure, what is it?
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Like...that stuff from before wasn't a spell or whatever? Or at least, wasn't just a spell?
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N-no, it wasn't a spell. I mean, I don't know that we're actually together, officially, but...
... I guess I like her.
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but he nods when she finally admits it (and also thinks nice because of course he does he's terrible actually)]
If you're gonna come tomorrow, then don't worry about me or whatever—take care of her, okay? No matter what I say, she's gonna think this is all her fault. Then after it's all done, you both go on one of those dates [in some super cute outfits].
Okay?
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I-- yeah, I got it. I won't let her get away with thinking it's her fault. I'm gonna be there for her for as long as she wants me there.
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[but under the terrible stinky boy, his posture visibly relaxes]
Thanks, Rita...that helps my head out a lot...
...oh! [he digs around in his pocket and pulls out 5 vouchers, putting them on the table] Hold onto these for me, will ya? And if I get thrown into some lava or space or whatever they're all yours to use. [to get everything figured out]
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[and with the vouchers on the table, she hesitates... then takes them.]
... I'll put them to good use. If I have to.
But, whatever happens tomorrow... you better not go down without a fight. If I think you tried to throw the match, I'll never forgive you.
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[he flashes her a peace sign, then pets pochita for a moment
it was a nice break, like a vacation most of the time
he doesn't quite look at her, and when speaks up again, he sounds tired and further away as if the effort of pulling things out of his head is wearing him out]
Y'know, I've done this...a hell of a lotta times. Fought. Died. Et cetera. More than I can count, I guess.
But...it's not fightin' that scares me—hasn't since I was a kid, really.
...it's you, and her, and the rest of everybody that's been nice to me for no reason.