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[He goes still at the hug, because let's be real, it's been years since he got one of those and he absolutely didn't expect one now.

The expression of surprise doesn't fade when Terry actually explains his concerns, and he stares at Terry for a moment in silence as he takes that in.]

...They get damaged?

[He had no idea. Then, each time he died, the snake spirit--]

... Yeah.

[ He quietly breathes in. ]

The reason why you can't immediately summon your Persona after you die is because they need time to rest to recover enough to come back out again. But they never fully recover. The damage lasts. If you stack too much of it, your Persona can't handle any more of it and break.

[ He looks at him in the eyes. ]

You're worth something good to someone out there. Someone cares about you, even if you deny it. That's their feelings and you can't really change that. Someone will be sad if you throw your life away, no matter how much you apologize for it beforehand.

[ He's trying his best not to get into lecture mode, even though he's getting dangerously close. He'll just keep doing his best. ]

If you think you're weak, I'll help you get stronger. If it's lack of planning, you can ask your friends. [ ... ] You have them here. You have friends. The Black Cats were made for a reason, remember?

So... let's try harder together, okay?

[This is... incredibly troubling news, and his head dips down as he absorbs it, not meeting Terry's gaze.]

...Even if they care about me, they aren't... always better off with me there.

[But it's a quiet argument, dropped quickly enough in favor of the rest.]

I want to be stronger, but even when I try, I never get any better. Is it... really worth it? [To keep trying.]

[ Terry lowers himself to look up at Sasuke's face, even if he decides to look the other way after he does this. He holds onto Sasuke's hands now, as if trying to seem reassuring. ]

If you stop trying, you won't get better at all since you stopped. But if you continue to try, you have a shot, right? People... always strive to be better. I...

[ ... ]

I left this place, returned to where I was, and fought a war with a bunch of other demigods. I was one of the weakest, but I still tried my best. I was the only one who made it alive out of the group. You don't have to be the best at something to be better than before. You don't have to be the best to be good at something. That's why you have time to learn more about new things and do your best to improve. Maybe you'll learn something good about yourself in the meantime. You can always learn more things about yourself by watching other people too.

It's always worth it, Sasuke.

[He doesn't look at Terry until the last part, head snapping up in his surprise.]

You're... the only one left?

[Just what had happened while he was out?]

There were just a handful of people left in my city that survived, but they were humans. All the demigods died except me, so yeah... I guess I'm the only one left. Not that I mind... I could finally stop thinking about politics and stuff regarding that.

[ He remembers it so clearly, even though it's been so long. It's one of the few memorable things he knows.

Also he's getting the feeling that his words aren't reaching Sasuke if his reactions are anything to go by, so he'll try a little harder. ]

But that's not the important thing! I'm trying to tell you that efforts matter! You matter! I care about you--if I didn't, I wouldn't be here, talking to you like this!

[But talking about himself is hard. He's looking away again.]

I...

[He trails off, still not knowing what to say. How do you respond to someone caring about you? It's not something he ever learned once his mother had passed.]

It's just... hard to think that way. Even if people care about me--

It's... easy to think of all the things they wouldn't have to worry about without me.

Of course it's easy. It's easy to slip into that mindset, but you know what, Sasuke... I still remembered you after all those years. Shouldn't that count for something? It may be the easy way, but don't you want to try a little harder? To make it feel like you deserve to be happy too? Because you do. People are going to worry about you anyway, because people do that for everyone. You're always going to be loved and cared about by someone, and I bet it would make them happy to see you happy too.

[ He doesn't know the circumstances of Sasuke and his deceased mother, but he thinks this rings true for most situations anyway. ]

It can be hard, but we'll always be there to help you. Or at least, I would.

Edited 2019-10-29 03:58 (UTC)

They could forget. [A pause. And slightly more guiltily:] I could make them forget.

[It's something he knew enough to try to pursue in the worst case scenario, even. To effectively erase himself from the minds of others, so there couldn't be any problems because of him anymore.

But that's not the answer Terry is looking for, is it? He slowly releases a breath.]

I'll... try. And I'll try not to... disappear, either.

Good!

[ Here's your second hug, Sasuke. He'll even squeezehug for good measure and sway him a little side to side. ]

As long as you make the resolve to, I'm completely fine with it. I know you can do it, Sasuke. You try hard when you can. I believe in you.

[HE IS BEING HUGGED I GUESS. There's a noise of surprise at the squeeze, and he just kind of lets them sway.

Terry believing in him... Well, that makes one of them, he supposes. But he'll nod, something Terry might feel more than see with their proximity.]

I'll do my best.

Yeah, that's the spirit.

[ Terry lets go and ruffles Sasuke's hair. The kettle is blowing, so Terry goes back to make the tea. Chamomile tea smells good, and the smell is filling the kitchen space as soon as Terry pours the water into the mugs with the tea bags. ]

We'll wait for them to cool a little and then we can drink them.

[He raises a hand to smooth out his hair once Terry's done ruffling it, but other than that he seems content to stay leaned up against the counter, head down.

He is now physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.]

Thanks. [But now that it's starting to steep, he can actually smell...] Chamomile?

Yeah! It helps with sleep. I thought it's worth a try... you're okay with it, right?

[ He starts running his fingers through Sasuke's hair, because he also heard this helps people sleep. ]

[This is so much physical affection??? Which is nice, but also a little too awkward to be entirely soothing, especially with zero sleep messing with his general inhibition.

He'll sit through it anyway though because he is still a doormat.]

Yeah. Thanks for making it.

[ Terry looks over at Sasuke and laughs a little. ]

Are you embarrassed? It's okay!

[Quickly:]

I'm not embarrassed.

[He's definitely embarrassed.]

[ Terry just smiles at Sasuke without saying anything and keeps stroking his hair. Just relax and drink the tea. ]

[He is never going to relax at this rate.

But he'll be good and drink his tea and try to get some shut-eye, even if said shut-eye is really more just laying there with his eyes closed for a prolonged time.]

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