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[aididitmyway]

Hi! You've reached Ruby Hoshino, but I wasn't able to answer. Just leave a message and I'll get back to you ASAP!

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[aididitmyway]

[She turns red and glances away.]

Yes! I mean! I wouldn't say it if it weren't true! And that's kinda why it hurt so much anyway even though you wouldn't have known that... but!! You're always super nice to me and you care and you always make sure I'm okay and—I feel safe around you. And. Um. I mean, I like having sex with you too! But that's not the only thing I love about you.

[bakudan_bambino]

[He hurt her even more than he thought! Hayato feels like the worst kind of person! He doesn’t want to reject Ruby, though.]

I’m glad… I just… didn’t expect it!

[He moves closer, takes a hand from her so he can embrace Ruby.]

[aididitmyway]

[THE OPPOSITE INTENDED EFFECT...

But he catches her by surprise, and after a moment, she wraps her arms around him and hugs him, tightly.]

Why not!? Do you want to know how many times I've wanted to say it before but haven't?? I just don't want to get in the way of you and Tifa! But! Seriously, I do!

[bakudan_bambino]

I don't want to get in the way of you and Hubert! D-does he know?

[Oh no. He just worked things out with Aqua, but if he has to face Hubert, he thinks he's just going to break apart. Hayato's nerves cannot handle it!]

I believe you... You're always very nice and caring towards me, too...

[aididitmyway]

He knows! He knows, and it's okay.

[She pulls back to kiss his cheek.]

So don't worry, okay? I know it's way easier said than done, but it's fine. I promise. I just! I care a lot.

[bakudan_bambino]

I haven't even spoken to him since the last time we were together...

[And is it just because Ruby was there? No, but maybe but probably not. Hayato's still trying to figure out how it's okay. She loves him! He's been an asshole! Hayato's a professional at worrying, and he's avoidant when he's emotional.]

I'm glad... Thank you for telling me...

[He absolutely does not think he deserves Ruby's love.]

[aididitmyway]

I'm telling you for a reason. [She presses her forehead against his.] And that reason is because that's what made me want to have things work out. I wasn't sure how to do it until after I talked to Aqua and Hubert, but. . . it means that you're worth it to me.

[bakudan_bambino]

[He stares into her eyes when she presses close.] You weren’t sure how to tell me?

[aididitmyway]

Not really. And I don't want to get in the middle of you and Tifa or anything! It's like, girl code!

[bakudan_bambino]

I have a lot of partners. [More than just Tifa.]

That doesn't bother you?

[aididitmyway]

No. I mean... that's just kind of how it is here, isn't it?

[bakudan_bambino]

Well, yeah? I mean it doesn't have to be like that...

But it is for me. It only feels right to be honest with you.

[UNLESS IT HURTS HER FEELINGS]

[aididitmyway]

[JUST GIVE HER SOME TIME TO LEARN CONFLICT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYTHING IS GOING TO FALL APART FOREVER!!!! PROBABLY!!!]

I... I appreciate honesty. Seriously. I don't... like lying. But even if I know it doesn't have to be like that, it doesn't change that I do have feelings, you know?

[bakudan_bambino]

[Regardless of how much time passes, he's going to assume that any upset he feels will upset her. Hayato is going to worry. It can't really be helped.]

Yeah.

I don't really understand any girl code... but it's cool that you've cleared things with her.

[He wonders if he should tell his other partners, or if he's going to be going against some of their wishes by spreading himself thinner.

If they even care... Not like they all tell him about their partners... Hayato looks a bit lost in thought as he mulls over what his next move should be.]

[aididitmyway]

I mean! I... I still kinda need to talk to her about it, so it's not like it's totally cleared... I just don't want to get in the middle of you guys, since I was the one that told her to tell you. Um.

[But she sits back and glances away, a bit awkwardly.]

So... I mean, I guess... I guess we're okay now, right?

[bakudan_bambino]

What was she supposed to tell me?

[Was Ruby expecting Tifa to confess on her behalf?]

Yeah.

[aididitmyway]

No, no, I mean—I was the one who told Tifa to confess how she felt about you!

... But I'm glad. I don't... like fighting with you.

[bakudan_bambino]

Ah. I see.

I was not fighting with you. I was venting about your brother to you instead of just addressing something that was bothering me.

[aididitmyway]

Well... it still... kinda felt like a fight. Either way, I don't like that feeling. I like this a lot more.

[bakudan_bambino]

Hey I’m not gonna leave you, Ruby. You can’t scare me off by being a good sister, and we can disagree without fighting, yeah?

[He reaches to tuck her hair behind her ear, smiling softly at Ruby, doing his best to show her he is not upset at her.]

And I like this feeling, too.

[aididitmyway]

[After a moment, she nods... and then throws herself back on him, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a kiss on the cheek.]

Yeah... also I'm really glad we figured it all out before Valentine's Day, I made chocolate for you.

[bakudan_bambino]

[Hayato hugs her back with a nice tight squeeze.]

…

Can I eat them off of you?

[aididitmyway]

Mmm... I think I can make that happen. I actually brought them all just in case, I know you're probably gonna be really busy on the actual day, and if everything worked out... I was gonna give them to you!

[And it worked out, so he may as well get them~]

[bakudan_bambino]

When our shifts are over? Today?

[He’s getting excited. Honestly so many bad things have happened lately he feels like some chocolate will cheer him up.]

[aididitmyway]

Sure, after our shifts are over! It's something to look forward to~

[And she's so, so thankful her shift isn't gonna last too much longer.]