"Oh, it's just. I've been thinking a lot lately about you, and a few things. Mainly you mentioning your father and it being Jubei.

But then your mother. You seemed to think phantom was... well, her. Are you truly the child of two of the legendary heroes?"

+possible.

Upon one check, he'd note that she had already passed out, a soft sigh, he couldn't just put her in the bed, now could he. He would simply accept his fate and find a spot, one of her pillows in tow, laying down with her, pillow beneath his head.

"Good night, Kokonoe."

+be something he'll get too often, he still enjoys it when he can, and he'd make this most of this time.

A quick glance down to her every now and then while transporting her, making sure she wasn't in any discomfort, small adjustments to his arm and hand to make sure she was as comfortable as +

A bit of a smug smirk adorned his face as she got quiet rather quickly in his careful embrace, the soft tap of her tails on metal as he walked with her were welcomed, as was the general contact, feeling her this side and it's not maintenance.

He could get used to this. Though, he knows it may not +

"Would you like to try that again without nearly passing out?"

A sigh, making his way towards her room, rumbling steps echoing throughout the empty lab, holding her against his body.

"Can't have you randomly passing out."

"Noted. You do not hang."

Slowly turning her to face him, light glinting off his glasses.

"You haven't been to bed in nearly 86 hours, that must be changed."

"...I believe you. But I still worry. If I don't, who would? You shut nearly everyone out but me, Kokonoe."

He knew he was special, he knew he had... feelings for her. Something drove him to care so deeply for her.

"That may be, but you still bash your head into a wall until either you or the wall collapses."

A soft clear of his throat and adjusting of his glasses.

"I merely... care about your well-being is all."

"I. No, it's not that. I just don't want you overworking yourself again."

A slow turn of his head, gaze falling upon her.

"Last time you went on a bender, you didn't wake up for three days, and I had to constantly explain that you were, in fact, still alive."

"Ah. Right."

The usual reprimanding from his superior and savior, a curt nod as he made his way to his usual spot, and took a seat, glasses adjusted.

"I do hope you don't keep me waiting here all night."

He said, having experienced said wait times prior.

"Noted. Tager out."

The second the call dropped, he would make his way to the coordinates and get back to base, the second he was, he would announce himself.

"Kokonoe? I'm back. Sorry I took so long."

+trusting your doctor, Kokonoe. If I didn't, well. Then things would be weird."

Peering at her, feeling the warmth and weight of her against him, a nod.

"Just try not to fall asleep. I fear you won't awaken for a month this time."

+But he even he knew to never say it. He'll give her that but of peace here.

But he knew that he had said and done the right things, he noticed every little change in how she reacted, how her body shifted, even seeing her face go pink. A soft snort of amusement.

"There's nothing strange about +

Maybe there was something amiss with his programming, maybe that last rough landing jogged out some of her teachings, either way, he's happy to be near her. And grateful she's a little too out of it to push back.

Sure, he did miss her. She's his team, something he hasn't had in a long, long time.+

+having fun. What kind of... partner would I be if I objected?"

He hesitated to put a label on them, but was fine with his choice, her tail gently tapping against him reassuring of everything, soon looking off into space.

"I appreciate you. I trust you. I'm very sure of this, Kokonoe."

+sorry. I'd rather be fully sure that I'm okay that trust myself."

Relaxed. Something he hadn't been able to do in quite some time, but he felt safe here with her, rather amused by the reactions she had to his statements.

"You get your fix, and I get fixed. I'm not going to complain about you +

"You're the only that I could truly trust to do anything correctly, especially with such sensitive internal wiring."

A deep breath, eyes locked on her, feeling her hand in his was rather nice, his large thumb gently stroking the top of her hand.

"I've learned from you that it's better safe than +

+little misadventure, Kokonoe."

@gravitonrage.bsky.social

+scanning around them falling onto her again, a large hand, palm up, was offered to her.

"It's been quite a while since you and I have really been near one another, too long, if I'm honest. I know that I'm fine, but I would like to schedule a checkup with you after you and I have finished up with+