[ It's a tight fit, but Tatsumi knows how much Mayoi favors dim, enclosed spaces. So he slides himself into the closet, pulls the door closed behind him, and then crouches down to better speak with Mayoi. His ankle twinges a little at the movement, but he ignores it.
He reaches out to pick up the tray of Mayoi's concoction, lifting it just far enough for him to catch the scent of the contents. The unmistakable odor of valerian root jumps out at him immediately, along with the gentler scent of chamomile. A sleep aid, then. He sets the tray back down.
His normally serene expression clouds at the sight of Mayoi's tear-streaked face and the self-loathing in his words. He stays where he is for the moment, but only because he fears reaching so far into Mayoi's haven before he's ready will only upset him further. ]
You know, Mayoi-san, I think if you offered this to Hiiro-san and told him it would help him sleep, he would accept it gladly.
[He practically holds his breath, waiting for a judgement and sentence that never comes. Instead, he gets soft, understanding words that he thinks he does not deserve, and Tatsumi's patience in helping him find a way to express himself in a way that does not give into his dark urges.]
[It's a little too much for him right now and he sucks in a breath, only for him to choke out a sob a moment later, bringing his hands to his face.]
....Would it...? Would it...? Would he accept such a thing from me...?
[Of course he would, but right now he can't see it. Can't see that the obvious solution here is to just go and confront someone face-to-face instead of resorting to his quieter, worrisome habits.]
I don't know if it would even help... I've never seen him struggle to sleep like this. I don't know what else to do.
[Tatsumi offers his hand, much in the same way one does to a volatile stray, and Mayoi sees it at reaches his own hand out like the skittish cat that he is sometimes. Once he's made contact, though, he takes it in both hands and greedily holds it close to his chest.]
...I-I'm sorry. Tatsumi-san is being so kind and patient with me, but I feel rather undeserving of it right now.
[He takes a shaky breath.]
These ...These things that keep happening, I wish I could be the one to shoulder it instead of him. I would gladly do it, Tatsumi-san.
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He reaches out to pick up the tray of Mayoi's concoction, lifting it just far enough for him to catch the scent of the contents. The unmistakable odor of valerian root jumps out at him immediately, along with the gentler scent of chamomile. A sleep aid, then. He sets the tray back down.
His normally serene expression clouds at the sight of Mayoi's tear-streaked face and the self-loathing in his words. He stays where he is for the moment, but only because he fears reaching so far into Mayoi's haven before he's ready will only upset him further. ]
You know, Mayoi-san, I think if you offered this to Hiiro-san and told him it would help him sleep, he would accept it gladly.
no subject
[It's a little too much for him right now and he sucks in a breath, only for him to choke out a sob a moment later, bringing his hands to his face.]
....Would it...? Would it...? Would he accept such a thing from me...?
[Of course he would, but right now he can't see it. Can't see that the obvious solution here is to just go and confront someone face-to-face instead of resorting to his quieter, worrisome habits.]
I don't know if it would even help... I've never seen him struggle to sleep like this. I don't know what else to do.
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Of course he will. The situation is dire enough that something like this would be merited.
[ But that's not really what Mayoi is asking, and Tatsumi knows it. So he gives those words a moment to sink in, and then he continues. ]
And he would be grateful to know that you've struggled so much to help him. He's a good kid, and he loves you, Mayoi-san.
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...I-I'm sorry. Tatsumi-san is being so kind and patient with me, but I feel rather undeserving of it right now.
[He takes a shaky breath.]
These ...These things that keep happening, I wish I could be the one to shoulder it instead of him. I would gladly do it, Tatsumi-san.