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[Maruki explains before Oda has time to be confused by the little piece of paper. He's glad his friend made it anyway. It's something he can keep to commemorate a moment they haven't had yet.]

Maruki...

You have to be the most thoughtful person I know.

[ He's quick to wave his hands in front of his chest, shaking his head as he laughs. ]

No! Don't say that. I just thought it would be something fun and different for us to do. And hopefully a more successful sort of different than this bar...

Knowing this place, we may have to fight off a sea monster...

[It's a joke, but his voice is idle as he says it, observing the little drawing Maruki made for him. He takes out his wallet and carefully slips it inside, taking time to position it where it wont be crushed or folded.]

Thanks, Maruki. I'd never gotten so many gifts in my life than I have since coming here. This is special.

[They all are.]

[ He can tell just from the way Odasaku tucks the slip of cardstock away, careful and tender. Maruki beams at him, reaches over to ruffle a hand fondly through his hair. ]

You deserve them all! I'm only sorry I couldn't get a reservation for tonight, but that just means we'll get to spread your birthday celebration out.

[Oda's hair is ruffled - not very often that that happens. It makes him look a bit shocked, and then he awkwardly reaches over to do the same to Maruki.]

Well. I can't complain about that. [He could. Some would, but he won't.]

When do we go?

[ Oh, he's pleased as punch to have his hair ruffled back. Do it again! ]

A few days from now was the soonest I could book a spot. Assuming you're free, of course. I'd say we could bring drinks there too, but we don't want to get seasick!

[Catch Oda smoking on the boat.]

No drink necessary. I'll quit being free that day and do this instead.

[ Catch both of them smoking on the boat. ]

Excellent. I can't wait!

[ Another sip of the drink– is it starting to make his tongue numb? It kind of feels tingly... ]

I want to do more things like that. With you, and in general. There's more to this reality than what we take advantage of, you know?

[Oda nods, sipping his own drink.]

I've thought the same thing before. If you're going to get out more anyway, take me with you.

[It seems kind of like something someone with a new lease on life would say. Oda has to wonder just how much Maruki's trip home changed him.]

Hey, Maruki...

How have you been feeling since you got back?

[His tone doesn't really betray concern. It's more a curious question.]

[ It's the fact that there's no concern in that question that catches Maruki off guard. Oda asks simply because he wants to know, not because Maruki's been acting in a way that would worry him; he has to tell himself that before he answers, soothe an anxiety before it begins to form. ]

How have I been feeling? Ah...

[ He takes a few seconds to genuinely consider it. Odasaku deserves more than being told he's fine.

He deserves the honest answer, complicated as it is. ]

I'm so happy to be back, but it only highlights how... lonesome my circumstances were back home. So in the end, even though I'm glad to be here... I still feel rather melancholy about it all. Isn't that strange?

[Oda could say "no" or he could say "I don't think so" or any number of similar things, and they'd all be true, but instead he says:]

I understand completely.

[Completely.]

What I have here...despite everything... It's more than I'd ever ask for back home. When I look back on my life...

[He shakes his head.]

I get it.

[ Odasaku understands, completely. Relief washes over him in a warm wave. Being understood by a dear friend is a gift in and of itself, and one he doesn't take lightly. ]

Then I'm glad that we both have this chance. I'm glad we have each other.

[ And then he laughs, thin and strained, and waves one of his hands awkwardly through the air. ]

I'm sorry. I'm also feeling more sentimental now that I'm back.

[Oda shakes his head.]

You don't need to apologize.

[He's sentimental too, really, just not in the most obvious of ways.]

I'm glad too. I missed you.

[And isn't it a wonderful thing to be missed? To two lonely men, certainly.]

[ It warms Maruki all the way through, head to toe, right down to the depths of his soul. To be remembered, to be missed–

How did his distorted heart ever manage to convince itself that he didn't care about such things?

He leans his shoulder against Oda's. ]

You don't have to miss me anymore. I'm right here. [ A beat, and then he laughs, bright and genuine, and raises that drink to cheers. ] And soon you'll be stuck on a boat with me! Ah, maybe we'll get stranded like Robinson Crusoe...

Let's hope not.

[But, the glasses are clinked nonetheless, a toast without any need for words. Oda's ever-hidden smile flickers on his lips before he takes his drink.]

For now...

Tell me what else you've been up to.

ic inbox for labyrinthum

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HE'S TOO OUPPY

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CRIES WE CAN WRAP.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ODAS..........

this tag may not sound like a wrap but it is - oda just wants stupid small talk