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[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[It's been a while.

Amidst the patch of grass and a few trees that appear is Ryotarou. He's got his back up against a tree and has an open book in his lap. A bike leans against the other side of the tree. Every now and then, he looks from the pages up to the starry surroundings as if to confirm something, but is for the most part absorbed in his reading.

The scene is actually extremely calm and peaceful compared to all the last times he's shown up on the Plane. Of course, when he finally decides to shift, the tree apparently takes that as an offense and promptly drops an apple on his head. One hand automatically goes up to the new owwie while Ryotarou squints up at the tree sourly.]

How did it fall out like that...?

Comments

[aint-no-wiener.livejournal.com]

Maybe it don't like the book your readin'.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[—whoawhatisthat]

... E-eeeeh!?

[lamb_of_gold]

...Ryotarou?

[aint-no-wiener.livejournal.com]

Man, you humans. Not one a ya ever seen an alien before, have ya? Lucky for you, ToeJam's a kind brother. Coming in peace an' all that. So whatcha readin'? If it's 'bout massacring trees that'd pro'ly explain the apple beaning you in the head.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

It's about stars...

[So confused. ;; The alienthings he usually runs into don't.. quite look like TJ.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

... Mu-san.

[contract_star]

[La dee da Hei is just wandering around and oshi-]

2/god i don't even know

[contract_star]

[What...]

3/ :|

[contract_star]

[Hei stops abruptly and stares.]

4/ >_>

[contract_star]

[It can't be. It's not possible.]

You...

5/ you made him sad your horrid person

[contract_star]

[It's got to be a nightmare or the Plane fucking with his head again or something, right? Ryotarou can't be back. People don't come back. Misaki didn't come back.]

6/ getting close now

[contract_star]

Ryotarou...

7/okay fine i'm DONE

[contract_star]

[Hei swallows hard. He feels faint. This is a dream. A nightmare. Right? It must be. Things like this...]

...I kept the journal.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou only looks up once Hei speaks, to see the Contractor staring at him. Attempt at speech, then finally when he seems to have wound down, Ryotarou looks... sad. A bit confused, but mostly sad and maybe just a bit guilty.]

Hei-san...

[contract_star]

Are you real?

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Now he looks more confused and surprised at the question.]

Why wouldn't I be?

[damnfinecoffee.livejournal.com]

[Ianto stares for a moment, then swallows, forcing himself to keep his voice steady. He still can't quite believe Ryotarou's really here again, even though he's sitting right in front of him.]

I think Newton might've solved that mystery a few centuries ago.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[He looks over to Ianto, then gives a small headtilt. He feels kind of awkward coming back after so many months, but... better late than never, right?]

Perhaps... but it was just fine up there on its own before it dropped.

[contract_star]

You were gone. You were gone for...

[He falls silent, staring hard at Ryotarou.]

How...long has it been for you?

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Takes a moment to think about that. Time travel has kind of messed with his internal clock, but he still keeps track.]

Around my birthday is when everything was happening, so it's been—four.. months...? No, wait... [He shakes his head a little.] Five months, give or take.

[A thought occurs to him.] What about you? ... How long has it been?

[contract_star]

Five months...that's about how long it's been for me.

I thought you'd...I thought you were gone. Disappeared.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Things... they all started coming together. I didn't really have time...

[Which is a dumb excuse, considering the properties of the Plane, but it's true. Ryotarou hadn't even thought about coming around for a breather, not until just recently. He looks away, down at the grass around his feet, and picks at a few of the blades absently. Some extra guilt piles itself on, since he really had disappeared for a short while, too.]

I'm sorry.

[contract_star]

[Hei shakes his head.] You're back. That's what's... [The weight of it finally starts to dawn on him. He can't help a smile.] You're really back.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[The tone of voice catches his attention and he glances back up. He gives a small smile back.]

Yeah... I am.

[contract_star]

[The smile broadens.] Welcome back, Ryotarou.