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[duderaider]

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[incontrovertible]

( he's right. and all thirty-six were at the ready and in Hell when he needed them. )

You can, Nate. You can regret it. But, you can't undo it. You can't go back. You stepped up. And it wasn't enough. But, you're here now. You're alive.

( Again. )

I'm here.

[duderaider]

[okay, maybe he does regret it -- maybe just a little. he's not going to admit that out loud, however, because for all that it cost him his life and terribly, he's still ashamed to admit to that regret]

Yeah.

[a beat]

Yeah, well. [he really doesn't want to do that again. ever] I appreciate it. [and her touch, at least, has helped quell the little demon-shaped butterflies in his stomach]

[incontrovertible]

( he doesn't have to be. but he also can be ashamed. )

Nate, you can be be what ever you want to be. Regretful. Sad. Five bottles in. As long as you remember you're not alone. Literally. We're all on this boat. But, also, figuratively. Because, you aren't.

[duderaider]

[he's silent for a moment, before softly, almost hysterically:] I really don't wanna be alone.

[and he knows she said he wasn't, but -- stay, Caroline. please stay. he needs someone, right now. he's not handling any of this well, at all, and he needs someone]

[incontrovertible]

( He won't be. But, she doesn't say that, she only turns him around so she can properly embrace him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling Nate close. She's not going anywhere. She is standing right here. They... will take care of these bottles eventually, that's the anal side to her that speaks up when one of her feet knocks against one. But, comforting Nate is more important. )

[duderaider]

[the will take care of those bottles eventually. for now, he just drops his head into her shoulder, eyes stinging as they slide closed. he's not going to cry. men don't cry. he's just going to hold her -- or be held, maybe -- until he can get his shit together. it may be a minute]

[incontrovertible]

( he could cry. men can definitely cry. if he doesn't want to, he doesn't have to. there are no requirements to this shoulder he's leaning on. )

[duderaider]

[nope, toxic masculinity strikes again]

[that in mind, after sometime and without crying, he finally starts to pull away] Okay. [a beat] Okay, uh. I'm good, I think. [not that he's pulled away more than not burying his face in her shoulder]

[incontrovertible]

Okay.

( She stops the circular motion of her hand as he leans back. )

That's here any time you need it.

[duderaider]

[he lets out a shuddering sigh of a breath, when she stops rubbing his back] Yeah, I -- yeah, I might take you up on that, sometime. [because he's still not okay, even if he's got his shit together again, for the moment]

[incontrovertible]

Well. That's the good thing about sometime. That ambiguity works in everybody's favor.

( AKA, she's not about to push. )

Some days it doesn't feel like it, but it is going to be okay.

[duderaider]

Yeah.

[he wishes he believed that, right now. he's also not about to argue, however. he doesn't really have the energy for it, the heart. maybe later. maybe later he'll feel better]

Yeah. Anyway, uh. You wanna -- I think I wanna go inside.

[she's welcome to join him? at least he's not going to be drinking anymore?]

[incontrovertible]

Yeah. Sure. Let's go inside. I will let a demon inside know there's a cleanup on deck 11.

( She rests a hand on his lower back as she accompanies him back inside. )

/scene?

[duderaider]

Great.

[and arm still around her, he'll half-lead, half-let himself be guided back inside]