Crobot

Return (Re-boot) | 1x1 |

As Mattie sighed and relaxed in his arms, Nicholas let out his own heavy breath. He realized they were standing in an awkward position, Nicholas supporting most of Mattie's weight as her exhaustion and intoxication kicked in. His legs were beginning to feel like jelly -- he had walked a long ways to get here, having no vehicle because his main transportation was flying. But it wasn't exactly a good idea to fly through a city and land in front of an apartment complex, so he had resorted to walking. He hadn't realized how achy his legs were, even after training.

So, with one quick movement, he swept his arm underneath Mattie and picked her up like a child, cradling her. "You need to rest after all that crying," he said. He began to walk toward the living room, which seemed to be connected to the miniature foyer and kitchen, and then sat Mattie down on the couch. He sat beside her, kicked off his shoes, and pulled her into a cuddle.

Return (Re-boot) | 1x1 |

The exhaustion radiating from Mattie's being was seeping into Nicholas, although her meltdown seemed to be curbing. He felt more peaceful. He felt relief that she was finally calming down, whether from acceptance, exhaustion, or intoxication. The smell of alcohol invaded his nostrils, but it wasn't something he couldn't handle. She lightly began brushing his arm with her fingertips, and this familiar feel of physical contact only relaxed Nicholas even more. For a moment, his eyes slipped closed. Then she spoke.

"I'll be safe," she mumbled. The second the words left her lips, Nicholas lightly tightened his arms around her in an almost protective embrace. She said, "I can fly so much better than three years ago. I'm stronger and...so are you."

It was true. Nicholas knew he was stronger, and he could tell that she was stronger. At least physically. He remember that the last time they were together, these roles were reversed. Mattie was the protector. Nicholas was a wreck. Now, he was holding her, trying to be her rock after not being there for her for so many years. She sounded so tired. Like she'd given up. He carefully slipped his hand under the back of her shirt and caressed her wing softly, the one that had previously been so terribly damaged.

"Your feathers grew back," he muttered into her hair. The wing felt almost completely repaired. There was a roughness along where the tear had previously been, but it was mostly covered by small, growing feathers. He withdrew his hand and held her again. "I'm not going anywhere this time. Whatever comes next, we'll face together. Okay? I promise."

Ban the Person above you

Banned for Dance Dance Revolutionary.

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-381

Men vs. Women Race to 1000

-379

Ban the Person above you

Banned for banning me for banning Steven Universe :U

Ban the Person above you

Banned for STEVEN UNIVERSE

Return (Re-boot) | 1x1 |

The hold that Nicholas had on her was limp now, allowing her easy freedom if that's what she wanted. She was in an awkward position between her side and her front facing him, so he adjusted her to view her face. At the moment, she looked a wreck. Face wet and red and already swelling from crying, hair frazzled as if it was radiating the negative energy. All in all, Nicholas noticed that she just looked tired. Mentally exhausted. He gathered that her mental and emotional exhaustion was his fault, and it broke his heart. It was never his intention to hurt her so badly.

Inevitably, she questioned his return. In truth, Nicholas hadn't prepared an answer. There was, of course, an actual answer -- but it wasn't one that he wanted to face immediately. It wasn't one that he wanted her to face immediately. It was one that could be put off for at least a couple of months, he figured. So all he could do was stare for a moment, grimace as if he were in pain, then hold her against him, forceful enough that she wouldn't see his face at the moment.

"There's a reason," he said. His voice was finally cracking. It was all finally wearing him down. "I just don't want-- I don't...want...to worry about it right now. Things...have changed. A lot. So much."

It was true, at least, for him. Nicholas was going on to be twenty seven years old in a few months, but his face was rugged and toughened with the remains of battle scars and worry lines. Even his personality had changed -- he went from being a weak, helpless, nerdy coward to an independent, hardened man. His muscles had grown from his training. He'd lost so much weight.

"I know you can take care of yourself," he said. "But...I just want to make sure you're safe through anything that happens and...I just...love you, Mattie."

Return (Re-boot) | 1x1 |

"Mattie!"

Nicholas did not expect Mattie to burst into tears like that. He did not expect her to break down. It didn't register in his brain when the alcohol spilled onto the carpet, only that Mattie was turning to leave again and he didn't want that to happen. He reached out and grabbed hold of her wrist, firm but not tight. He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her, trying to get her to be still.

"Mattie," he said again, "Stop, stop. It's okay. It's okay. I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. Please, just breathe."

Return (Re-boot) | 1x1 |

It felt better once he'd gotten out all of that initial anger from his rude greeting. Before he could bother to speak up again, Mattie was already pleading her case to him. Her emotions, her rage -- and man, did it show. As she spewed out all of the hurt and anger she'd obviously been letting simmer inside of her for the past three years, Nicholas stood straight, arms crossed, fists clenched, jaw tightened. He stared at her, forcing his eyes to stay dry. Forcing his expression to remain stoic. It took most of his emotional and mental strength not to shoot back every reason and every excuse, every good reason and every good excuse he had. He was biting his tongue so hard that he could taste blood.

Mattie finished with an order for him to leave. At the moment, that was not going to happen. In a few minutes, that might happen. But he was not going to leave with her so exaggeratedly angry with him. Maybe it wasn't as exaggerated as he thought, but he wasn't going to let it continue to boil over like this. He could hear the growl in her voice. He could hear the pain. And that almost broke him. Almost.

"It's not your fault," he said. His voice was calm and steady, with only a underlining of shakiness. "I know it's my fault. I left you. While you were hurt, no less. I didn't tell you why. I just...left. I know. It seemed right at the time, and in the long run, it was for the best. I'll be able to explain it all. I know it won't excuse a thing. It won't excuse the pain you or I have felt these past three years. You're not the only one that hurt. There were times that I just wanted to say screw everything, screw our safety--" he choked over his words, throat drying. "--screw our safety and just...be together again. I couldn't do that. I saw what Jacob did to you. I wasn't going to let that or something worse happen again. He didn't want you. He wanted me."

Heat was pooling to the front of his face and he could feel his pulse throbbing in his neck. For a brief moment, his eyes slipped closed and a heavy breath was drawn.

"I don't know how I expected you to react when I came looking for you, and, well, found you. I really didn't know how you were going to react. I just didn't. I didn't come for sex, Mattie. I didn't...to be honest, I didn't even come for anything sexual. I have not even had sex since-- well, I mean, you know, in the simulation. That's just-- that's not the point. The point is that...that's not what I'm here for." He pinched the bridge of his nose, scrunching his eyebrows together in irritation, before composing himself once again. "I don't-- God, I don't want to tell you everything about why I'm here yet, I just wanted to enjoy finally being able to see you again before we had to go and...before...before everything. Just. Before everything went to hell. If everything goes that way. I just want you to be safe. That's all I ever wanted. I didn't mean for it to hurt anyone so bad. I know that sounds screwed up. I know that's not what it seems like. I know it did hurt you. But I couldn't come back. Not after I'd already left. Not after I'd already led him so far away from you."

He stopped there and began to chew on his lip. He looked away from Mattie and shook his head slightly, then shrugged his shoulders.