Hadriel Inbox

[theweakhavepurpose]

INBOX This is... this is Deputy Pratt of the Hope County sheriff's department... art credit code credit

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[unphase]

[she blushes and there's a sheen of happy tears in her eyes] Okay. I'm giving you a count of five and then I'm going to hug you. One . . . two . . . three . . . four . . . five.

[and she goes in for a hug]

[theweakhavepurpose]

[Oh no. He backs up, but he has nowhere to hide. It's happening. The hug is happening.

Oh jeez what does he do? Where do his arms go? Oh this is awkward. He doesn't like this at all.]

[unphase]

[it's happening, but it's brief and she pats him on the back gently before letting him go]

That wasn't . . . so bad. Was it?

[theweakhavepurpose]

[he looks a lot like a dog that thought it was going to the park and ended up at the vet instead.]

I guess.

[unphase]

[yeahhhhh, she sees that look]

You don't seem convinced.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Try again when I've been away from the cult for a few years.

[unphase]

[totally unperturbed] Okay, I can do that. You think five years might be enough?

[theweakhavepurpose]

Probably.

You're gonna mark your calendar aren't you?

[unphase]

[she clasps her hands behind her back and sways in place a bit, looking a bit impish]

I might. Maybe. Probably.

[theweakhavepurpose]

That important huh?

Just don't sneak up on me. Should be fine.

[unphase]

Yes, it's that important.

[and she holds a hand up] I swear that I'll warn you of all incoming hugs.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Text me a reminder a few days in advance so I can mentally prepare.

[He might be kind of serious here.]

[unphase]

[she wrinkles her nose slightly] Texts are so impersonal. I'll call you. Or video chat you. That way, you can get a good idea from my tone of voice and my face what kind of hug to expect.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Wait.. are there different types of hugs?

Do I need a hug manual?

[unphase]

They're different because the emotions behind them are different! There's a normal, friendly hug, there's a "I'm glad you're all right" hug if one of us has been in danger, there's "goodbye, but I'll see you soon," there's "I platonically care for you a lot," there's--too many to mention!

[theweakhavepurpose]

[For someone who was very much a ladies man prior to the cult he is woefully ignorant about hugging. Probably why all his one-night stands didn't turn into actual relationships.]

I think I'm going to need a flowchart for this.

Which kind am I getting?

[unphase]

[she didn't have any real friends until she joined the Legion, so she learned about hugs as she went]

Right now? Probably the platonic hug.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Alright. I'll keep that in mind.

I'll learn this shit eventually. I swear I used to be a normal fucking person who wasn't .. you know.. like this. It'll come back. Probably.

[unphase]

[she smiles reassuringly]

I'm sure you will. It'll take time, but you'll get there. And in the meantime, I'll be there.

[theweakhavepurpose]

Yeah. Working on it.

But thanks. It's.. helping. Having you around.

[unphase]

[she looks touched. and it's all she can do to not hug him again]

Really? Thank you! That--that means so much to me.

[theweakhavepurpose]

[He can sense that. His "CAUTION HUG INCOMING" alarms are going off. But he manages to hold his ground.]

Well... it's true. I'm kind of a mess, and you've helped a bunch by you know... not letting me be a complete disaster.

[unphase]

[her eyes brim with sincerity]

I've never believed you were a complete disaster.

[and yes, there is a hug incoming, but she's going to ask permission first]

...can I hug you again?

[theweakhavepurpose]

Yeah. I guess you deserve another one.

[He braces for impact, but not as rigidly as he had before.]

I kind of am a dumpster fire, so you know.. thanks for dealing with that for a whole year.

[unphase]

Good.

[she goes in for a tight hug, hooking her chin over his shoulder.

and at his words, she pats his back gently] We're friends. You don't have to thank me for being your friend.