Come back, come back to Me 4
He didn't go after her.
And that was because he knew.
He knew exactly what it was like to have to sort through your own emotions while having nothing against that you knew cared. He knew what it was like to think running away was the only safe choice. He knew what it was like to know that you'd have to go back soon. He knew what it was like to know the ones who care are freaking out over you.
Oh, yes. He knew well.
But he also knew what it was like to miss the one you truly only ever loved.
He did now, at least.
She finally understand.
Why Joe ran...it was all clear to her know.
She cared so much for him...it hurt how much she did. But it was that strong passion that kept her away from him. She wouldn't risk him, Marvelous, or anyone with her emotional state.
"I am enough trouble as it is..." she gazed out across the little forest where they'd find Joe.
There was only one person who would think to check there. When she heard footsteps behind her, she took in a shaky breath.
"Oi," his voice spoke, and she made space for him on the log.
"Where is she?" the captain kept mumuring, jerking the wheel and ignroing the many protests from his crew. He had to find her...then he'd find his best friend.
It'd been harder on the heart than he'd let on when his first mate had left so suddenly. When he'd returned, he had a feeling Ahim would need her space for maybe a night. But it'd been a week, and she hadn't even left so much as a note. That was understatable, but it was even more frustrating.
"Ahim..." he just shook his head, then mumured, "Joe, don't let her be hurt when we come pick you guys up."
The two of them sat in silence for quite a time, the light rain dripping off the leaves onto their heads.
"You know you have to come back, ne?" his voice was slow and steady, like the thunderclouds ahead.
"Hai," her voice was quick and frightening, like the lighting tapping above at the underbelly of the storm.
Silence.
"Ahim...you don't have to come back now...if you don't want to,"
"Eh?"
"Marvelous, we goin' find them," Luka was worried sick for her friend and little sister figure, demo..."your worrying isn't helping anything."
"Shut up, women!" he threw a dart at her, missing on purpose, but she clammed up after that.
Hakasae could only smile as the dot blinked on.
"Are you sure?" she was clutching his jacket around her shivering upper torso.
"Hai," he tucked her Moterbite in his back pocket, "take all the time you need. You know the number when you need me to come find you."
"Thank you, Joe-san," turning, she quietly vanished into the darkness.
He was silent and still for a moment, and that's when the Gallen's shadow covered him. Sighing out softly, he took the lowered rope and hid her Moterbite in a tree on the way up.
And of course he had reason to litterly take her off the map.
It was because he knew.