[Private Level 2 to basically everyone Tachibana knows well]

[triggerhappytraitor]

Sayoko--

This world's Sayoko is here. Alive.

[[There might be a bit of a note of panic in his mental voice]]

She saw me. Recognized me...!

....and she's a Pillar.



[[Anyone who comes looking will find him in the garage, sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, Garren hovering worriedly at his side.]]

Comments

[vrepit_no]

That's because we care. And are the last people to judge you.

[Now there's a surprise... He's never seen Garren without the helmet. But the bond between pogemon and slammer is beautifully clear, and it catches briefly under Shiro's breastbone. He needs to spend some time with Gilmore and the gang.]

[Tachibana's protest makes him snort.]

Oh no. Whatever shall I do. Peanut butter crumbs are my nemesis. I'll melt and shrivel away and need to be carried in a jar. Cookie. Eat it. You want me to taste test for you? Even Garren had one.

[triggerhappytraitor]

[[And yet always the first people he worried about judging him...

Another amused huff escapes, Tachibana's shoulders lifting slightly with the sound]]

Later. Let me rest a moment.

[[He so rarely ever rests that it feels... odd to request it. But for once, he feels like he can. It's a feeling he hadn't really had since...

A long, slow breath leaves him as he finally is able to place it. Those timid moments in Sayoko's office, the later, more relaxed ones where the exhaustion had just crept up on him, luling him to sleep even as Sayoko was speaking. Even those in between times when he had arrived to find her room empty, but her coat still hanging up.

It was that same feeling. This is somewhere safe. Safe because someone who cared was there, or would be there soon. Someone who cared that he didn't have to pretend for...

Slowly, another small knot of tension eased from his shoulders.]]

[vrepit_no]

[Shiro's voice softens and drops to a murmur as he tucks his chin down next to his friend's head.]

Sure. Take your time. Not going anywhere.