maskormenacelogs | since the last time we danced

Entry tags:

since the last time we danced

WHO: Kasumi Goto + Duv Galeni
WHERE: Secret Lair of Goto
WHEN: Very beginning of November
WHAT: Kasumi returns from yet another month of disappearance
WARNINGS: none!

[ With knowing and being in any way involved with Kasumi Goto comes the reality that she is liable to, at any moment, disappear off the face of the earth. Usually it happens when something's gone wrong, and--

The Normandy crew having been trimmed to half its previous presence over the last few months certainly feels like something that has gone wrong.

Two years, almost two years that Kasumi's been in this place and each time someone she gets attached to gets ported out doesn't get any easier than the last. That this time it was Garrus, whom she'd really come to see as a loyal friend, and Joker, who was a little less so but had the crappiest version of their dimension to go back to, hits pretty hard. Kasumi is a nostalgic person at heart. That won't ever change about her. She'll dwell on the past and think fondly of it as much as she will lament it. It takes her a conscious effort to remember time and time again that, no, the answer is not to clam up and cut everyone off, but--

That doesn't mean that she doesn't sometimes feel like she just needs a break from everything for some time. And that's what October was.

It speaks to the lessons she's learned while here, at least, that she had the forethought of actually letting people know she would be away this time around, which isn't much but it's more than she would have done before, when she would have disappeared without a warning. This time the remaining crew members knew. Friends knew. Duv knew. "Hey, Duv. Just letting you know that I'm heading out of town for a bit. Need a bit of me time. Try not to have too much fun without me."

By the time she returns at the very beginning of the next month, things have changed a bit. It's been a month since a few natives have developed their own powers and it's changed the scenery of things a bit. It certainly has in Maurtia Falls. None of it matters at the moment, though, because right now Kasumi just wants to wind down and get readjusted to being back home (and, god, is it still a weird feeling to consider that this flat in Maurtia Falls is now home, has been for a long time, that she's beginning to wonder if she'll ever see the apartment she and Keiji used to share on Illium ever again).

She also doesn't feel like being by herself. With Garrus no longer a hop, skip, and a jump away and not wanting to get any wires crossed with Jacob or to interrupt Shepard or Kaidan or Ken, she messages Duv.

(And, well, she wants to see him. Specifically. For reasons.) ]

Hey, Duv. I'm back. Are you busy? If not, want to come over? And if you are, want to come over anyway?

[ It takes her another moment or two of contemplation before she sends a second message: ]

I want to see you.

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[ A month without Kasumi had been surprisingly dull even with the ongoing... issues this place routinely had. Something was missing, a someone who needed space and despite the feeling of lost he has during his personal time, he honors it. His communicator remains within reach and in the duller moments, he holds it in his hand as he stares absently.

Would she contact him when she returned? Or would she fall victim to the porter, long before he'd get to speak with her again. With the comings and goings of various imPorts, the concern always lingered and Kasumi Goto's sudden departure does little to assuage them.

But he has to trust that she'll return home, as much of a home as this place has become for them. She's been here far longer than anyone else he's spoken to and selfishly part of him hopes she remains. Probability states one of them is bound to leave the other at some point, but with the hell she has to return to and his own recent battle with past demons returning, he feels he can ask the Nexus for a break for them both extended or otherwise.

He's working late at a library when he hears his communicator buzz. His brow furrows as he reaches for it and his heart skips a beat when he realizes that yes, he's not misreading the name on it. Duv allows himself a moment to collect himself when the second message buzzes in. A small smile spreads as he fumbles over the letters. Damn, why can't his fingers move faster? ]

I'll head your way. Have you eaten dinner? I can grab something.

[ He keeps the communicator in sight as he packs his belongings, ready to leave as soon as he can. It was about time he left for food and he can't think of anyone better to share it with. ]

[ The greatest irony of the situation is that even while she was away, Kasumi found herself staring absently at her own communication whenever she wasn't out and about doing god knows what. Wondering if she should break her own rules and send a picture or message or something but--

It doesn't matter anymore. She's back, and she finds herself smiling at the response she receives. A very Duv response indeed. She's not surprised at all that he responds so quickly even with how late it is. ]

I haven't. Surprise me?

[ So much for lady's choice with her first meal back. Though Duv realizes there's no way for him to tell how long she's been around before she decided to contact him. ]

As you wish. I won't be long.

[ Not when he knows Kasumi is here and wants to see him. His food order (to-go) is placed on phone as he heads to Maurtia Falls. Sushi and miso soup. Simple and with vegetarian options that suited him fine. He carefully balances their order as he arrives at her front door.

It's with a deep breath that he knocks. Nervous, he can't believe he's actually nervous to see her. Had much changed in the time she'd been gone? ]

[ it is a mystery ]

See you soon.

[ When the knocking comes and Kasumi pads her way over from her couch to admit Duv into her apartment, he'll find that not much has really changed. Maybe her hair's gotten a bit longer, but it's not apparent in the way her hair is currently tied into a loose bun on top of her head. Her appearance is relaxed, a black long-sleeved shirt hanging loosely off her and equally black pants. Her lips with their signature dash of purple spread into a small smile at the sight of him. ]

... Hi.

[ His breath catches in his throat when he catches sight of the smile. A good sign and one that fills him with relief and eases the anticipation that had been building. She's there, safe and as beautiful as ever.

He returns it with a small smile of his own and holds up the bag containing their food. ]

You look well. I hope this will suffice for an entry fee.

[ She takes the liberty of taking the bag of food away from him--

If only so she can step in closer, lean in and plant a kiss on his cheek. When she pulls away, she looks completely satisfied with herself. ]

Now you can come in.

[ And that's all she says before she turns on her heel and leads him through the door, tossing him a playful glance over her shoulder as she does so. ]

[ The kiss catches him by surprise and his smile grows wider as he watches her step away. Perhaps that saying about distance making the heart grow fonder wasn't an exaggeration after all.

His hand rests on the top of his satchel as he steps inside and closes the door behind him. ]

I thought you would appreciate sushi from a familiar place. [ Namely the one down the street from her. ] I ordered your usual.

[ The door locks automatically, probably, because of course it does.

When Kasumi reaches the small table in her kitchen area, she sets to unpacking the bag of food, and there's no hiding the smile on her face when she sees that Duv had, indeed, gotten her usual order correct.

He really is a sweetheart. ]

I do appreciate it, thanks. It's like you read my mind.

[ A beat, then she says, carefully, ] It's good to see you, Duv.

[ Oh good, so his memory hadn't failed him. He nods as he stands by what's slowly becoming his usual seat at the table.

There's no hesitation in his reply, ] I missed you as well, Kasumi. Did you find what you were looking for while you were away?

[ Because needing 'me time' had been vague enough for him to know it was more than a simple trip away. ]

[ Good... question...

There's a brief pause as she's pulling out the last packages of food from the bag and Kasumi looks almost reflecting, but in another moment their spread of food for the evening is complete and she gives a slight shrug of her shoulder. ]

You could say that. I wasn't looking for anything in particular-- just time.

I'm glad you found that, [ he answers simply though he's watching her intently. Time away from it all and he knows if he had done something to contribute to that need, she would have told him or not invited him at all this evening.

He lets the silence linger for a moment as he finds a seat at her table with his food. ]

Any plans now that you've returned?

[ She isn't really thinking when she answers, ] Try not to think about who the next person to leave is going to be.

[ But as soon as she says it, her lips shut, drawing into a thin line for a moment, and then she just sighs. ]

Sorry. Didn't mean to drop that on you.

[ Ah. And suddenly everything falls into place. He hesitates for a brief moment before lightly resting a hand on her shoulder. ]

I'm sorry. A friend departed?

[ She casts a glance down at the hand on her shoulder, and-- then she reaches with her other hand, resting her fingers on his. ]

Yeah. Two of them at once, actually. Remember Garrus? He's out. And our pilot, Joker. I don't think either of them were particularly happy here although--

Although I know Joker's situation at home was somehow worse than everyone else's.

So there's that.

[ He leaves his hand there as a small sign of assurance. It's all he can truly offer. ]

And you're certain they've returned back to their own Nexus?

[ With the way the governments here are... It's a possibility not quite as bad as what awaits them at home, but still is one he'd rather not introduce. ]

I'm-- not sure, actually.

[ She's always just assumed that the Porter would just put whoever's gone back to where they came from after leaving this place. She knows Duv and his-- well, she's not sure they're his friends but the people from the same Nexus as he is are working on a way to find out and harness that but...

She's been here almost two years. She's not very optimistic about it. ]

But there's no way for us to really find out. Not like we can shoot them a message and ask about it. If we could the rest of us would have an easier time dealing with it.

No, we can't, [ he agrees quietly. The somber truth of the matter and he has his own reservations about the work the ragtag group of researchers is doing back at the Residence.

A moment of silence passes as he considers her. Help, he wants to help, but what can he do for a problem he can't solve? There's not much he can offer her beyond his support. He watches her for another moment before he reaches to wrap an arm lightly around her, bringing her in closer for a hug. ]

If there's anything I can do, no matter how small-- [ He cuts himself off there. She called him when she came back into town, something he's more grateful for than he can express.

He only hopes that she'll continue to call. ]

[ Oh.

Somehow Kasumi hadn't expected Duv to pull her in for a hug, but when he does, she settles into it almost immediately, letting herself exhale through her lips, not realizing she'd been holding her breath, and her arms wrap around him in turn to pull them closer to each other.

It's November and it's getting colder in Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, especially in a loft in an older row home like Kasumi's. But in Duv's embrace, it's warm and she feels safe. She rests her head against his shoulder, or as close to his shoulder as she can get given the height he has on her but her fingers grab fistfuls of the shirt on his back anyway when she responds, ]

I know. You always want to help, Duv.

Just... stay, please. [ She means stay, like this. But she would be lying if she said she didn't also mean that she wants him to avoid being Ported out as though either of them have any control over it. ]

[ His heart had been caught in his throat, wondering if he had been too sudden, too demanding during a difficult time for her. As soon as she's pulling him towards her, he relaxes and the hand on her shoulder goes to stroke her hair.

Duv hasn't done much good in the world to beat back the demons of his past, but moments like these make him feel as if that doesn't matter. Not here and now.

He practically murmurs into her hair, ] As long as you want.

[ No matter how long she wants him to stay, it's a promise he intends to keep. ]

[ The sound she makes against him is a content, relieved hum at his answer; not that she was expecting him to refuse given that he'd already made it all the way out here just to keep her company despite his busy schedule. ]

Good, [ she murmurs it into him, ] Thanks.

I'm just tired of saying goodbye to people who won't remember me.

[ If only he could do more. It's not as if he could offer reassurances that he won't be taken away as the others had, that seemed to be left to the whims of the government or porter depending on who one thought was in charge of imPort's movements through universes.

He holds her close, not stilling the movement of his hand. ]

I'll do everything in my power to remember. [ She's been one of the shining lights of his time here. Even if he needed to get a damn chip installed in his brain, he was going to remember her. ]

[ It's silly, she knows, to feel so happy at that promise when she knows neither of them have any control over their own memories of this place. But she doesn't pull the feeling away, instead reveling in it.

She makes another sound against him, this time more of a grateful hum as she silently enjoys the feeling of his fingers carding through her hair. In time, though, she'll respond, ]

I'm glad. I don't want to forget you, either.

[ It's probably thanks in large part to him and the crew of the Normandy that she hasn't just withdrawn into becoming a hermit again. ]

[ So long as she's not moving away, he'll continue. Their food could get cold for all he cared. ]

If there's anything else I can do... A standing offer. I always have my comm with me. [ As if she didn't know already with the speed in which he replied to her. Like a damn schoolboy. It's a badge he'll wear. ]

[ That garners a grin from her, even with her face still buried against his shoulder, and in time she chuckles. Because, he'd be right, she already knew from how quickly Duv responded to her call tonight. How quickly he always responds to her calls.

How on earth did she end up with someone like him?

(The answer is Mabel Pines. But she'd like to keep things poetic.)

She pulls away from him slightly, if only so she can shoot him a knowing, playful glance, her lips curled into a smile more typical of the thief. ]

Even though you're a serious academic with a real teaching career now?

[ He lets out an amused huff at that. ] My students have their own time with me. I do have office hours.

[ And really, most of them contacted him through email anyway which meant he needed his comm device even more.

The hand in her hair slides down to rest on her shoulder and he motions with his other to the table. ] To dinner?

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since the last time we danced

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