[He knew that, obviously. It's part of what's made him so determined not to act so much like himself when he's around her - because she's such a good kid. He's looked at her and seen the things that seem bright, the same sort of blinding goodness that he's seen in his little brother, but she's different. Jyushimatsu is stronger than the sum of Ichimatsu; he doesn't need anyone's protection. And as good a kid as Ren is, Ichimatsu is sure that she doesn't need his, either; she must have so many people far better suited for the job looking out for her already. Good people attract that sort of want in others.]
[But, she likes cats. Sometimes she feels like she needs a safe place to hide. Sometimes she's felt ghosts, and maybe she's spent some time in a lonely place. He doesn't know for sure; he's only picked up a few things. But in the end, if it's true, those are things Ichimatsu can understand.]
[Mostly, he'd be worried about her ending up like him. That would be something worth protecting her from, something more insidious than murder-monkeys or ghosts. But she touches his hand again and he stares down at her tiny fingers, and he knows there's no way that'd ever happen. She'd never end up down that path.]
[She's just too good.]
[And like Jyushimatsu, like Ren, good people see the dying flickers of good in others that no one else would ever bother looking for. Good kids are always reaching out, always coming to find you, just because maybe you were nice to them a few times. It's such a waste, he can't help thinking, uncurling his tail to let it withdraw back beneath his sweater. It would be so much better for all the good people in the world to just put themselves ahead of others for once. But he knows they never will.]
[So, maybe... he's a little bit glad for this after all.]
[If she's going to reach out to people like him no matter what, then Ichimatsu doesn't mind being one of them.]
[A bit shakily, he reaches his other hand over and rests it atop hers in turn, a crooked smile winding across his mouth. He's utterly embarrassed by the physical contact, and his heart nearly stills in his chest when he registers the honorific attached to his name. A red tint furiously washes over his face, and he gives a low, rumbling chuckle that shakes him down to his stomach.]
[Why is he letting her sit here, reassuring him?]
... don't thank me. You're the one doing me a favor, remember?
...
Sometimes... even if you have someone else... e-even if you have cats... you feel lonely anyway, right? Has that ever happened to you, Ren-chan?
no subject
[He knew that, obviously. It's part of what's made him so determined not to act so much like himself when he's around her - because she's such a good kid. He's looked at her and seen the things that seem bright, the same sort of blinding goodness that he's seen in his little brother, but she's different. Jyushimatsu is stronger than the sum of Ichimatsu; he doesn't need anyone's protection. And as good a kid as Ren is, Ichimatsu is sure that she doesn't need his, either; she must have so many people far better suited for the job looking out for her already. Good people attract that sort of want in others.]
[But, she likes cats. Sometimes she feels like she needs a safe place to hide. Sometimes she's felt ghosts, and maybe she's spent some time in a lonely place. He doesn't know for sure; he's only picked up a few things. But in the end, if it's true, those are things Ichimatsu can understand.]
[Mostly, he'd be worried about her ending up like him. That would be something worth protecting her from, something more insidious than murder-monkeys or ghosts. But she touches his hand again and he stares down at her tiny fingers, and he knows there's no way that'd ever happen. She'd never end up down that path.]
[She's just too good.]
[And like Jyushimatsu, like Ren, good people see the dying flickers of good in others that no one else would ever bother looking for. Good kids are always reaching out, always coming to find you, just because maybe you were nice to them a few times. It's such a waste, he can't help thinking, uncurling his tail to let it withdraw back beneath his sweater. It would be so much better for all the good people in the world to just put themselves ahead of others for once. But he knows they never will.]
[So, maybe... he's a little bit glad for this after all.]
[If she's going to reach out to people like him no matter what, then Ichimatsu doesn't mind being one of them.]
[A bit shakily, he reaches his other hand over and rests it atop hers in turn, a crooked smile winding across his mouth. He's utterly embarrassed by the physical contact, and his heart nearly stills in his chest when he registers the honorific attached to his name. A red tint furiously washes over his face, and he gives a low, rumbling chuckle that shakes him down to his stomach.]
[Why is he letting her sit here, reassuring him?]
... don't thank me. You're the one doing me a favor, remember?
...
Sometimes... even if you have someone else... e-even if you have cats... you feel lonely anyway, right? Has that ever happened to you, Ren-chan?