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[wrecked_egg]

Shiro's busy right now!

Leave her a message, maybe?

Or just come find Shiro! Bye!

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[wrecked_egg]

She's smiling again, or still, maybe, a soft look that's meant entirely for him. After all, he's the only one that makes her feel like this. Like things are just right. "You are safe with me," she tells him softly. "I won't let anyone hurt you again." He doesn't need it, maybe, her protection, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to keep him safe.

[credere]

"We'll look after each other," he promises. It doesn't matter that they can both take care of themselves and then some. Certainly in his case, nobody has ever really wanted to protect him, not truly.

[wrecked_egg]

It's not about being able to take care of themselves, she thinks, or how strong they are; her blood and his magic. It's about the fact that no one's ever taken care of them, before, or wanted to. That's what matters, what makes it different.

"We will." Shiro nods in agreement as they move slowly, after a moment leaning forward the slightest bit and resting her forehead against Credence's shoulder.

[credere]

After a moment, Credence wraps his arms lightly around her waist, holding her - closer than he's ever been with a girl, at least for longer than a few moments' hug.

He can stay like this with her, swaying gently to the music, until the end of the song.

[wrecked_egg]

It'd be nice if they could stay here forever, she thinks; here in Credence's arms, where she can hear his heartbeat in his chest, feel his arms wrapped around her. It's closer than they've ever been, and it feels right. Like something she's going to miss when they have to stop. And eventually, they do; the song ends, and the people around them are applauding as the band wraps up, at least for the moment. Reluctantly, Shiro lifts her head, looks at Credence.

"This is--I'd like to do this again, sometime. It's--really nice."

[credere]

"Yes, it is." He takes in a shallow breath. "Back on the Barge, we...we'll find a way to do something like this again."

[wrecked_egg]

"Okay." It's enough to make her smile, the idea of doing something like this again, the idea that maybe the future isn't a terrible thing, if there is one at all. The reassurance that they'll be back on the barge soon, which she's never been able to not let herself believe, but which has been--concerning, lately. Especially after that talk with the Authorities.

Impulsively, she leans in again, and this time it's to do something else she's never really done--to properly hug Credence, something which seems so easy for a lot of people, and yet never quite manages to be easy for her. It isn't a long hug, she'll pull away if he seems uncomfortable, but--if there aren't words for how she feels right now, maybe this will help.

"Thank you." For all of this, for trying again, for making her feel like she's something special.

[credere]

There isn't even a brief, uncertain stiffening; he just puts his arms around her, a little tighter, and holds her for those few moments. It feels very good.

"Thank you," he echoes, and he knows she'll understand.