[It feels like her fault and the more she replays the whole series of events the more thoroughly she can pick out things that were her fault. She wasn't caring enough, didn't make their breakup clear enough, she shouldn't have been so aggressive - that sort of thing.
But that's wrong. The logical part of her knows that Boxer is right. An even more thoroughly buried part of her knows that Chris has probably always had issues of his own. The conscious part just drags her body up and goes to hug him.]
Didn't get this name 'cause I always went for the straightforward tactic.
[In other words if his size didn't make it such a pain he'd still be a lethal fighter. Boxer closes his eyes and leans into the kiss and his burrlike soon-wife.
Wish this job was already over, because I want to cuddle the hell out of you right now.
[.... They probably shouldn't since a good amount of her apartment still needs transporting to Boxer's place or the storage place Nariko ended up going with. But these are extenuating circumstances, and isn't emotional and mental health more important than anything else?]
I love you.
[And now a real kiss, because Boxer really was great and as far as Nariko is concerned he shouldn't have been forced to deal with this in the first place. The fact that he did just makes him even greater in her eyes, though she hadn't even thought that possible before now.]
[He allows himself to sink into that kiss. After a run-in like that, it's nice to...well, take a moment for yourself. He indulges in said moment, eventually pulling away when he feels less tense.]
But I really want to get this done...then we can relax for the rest of the day.
[Rather than just doing a few boxes at a time and stopping for an hour Nariko will actually help pack up her apartment so they can be finished before two in the morning.]
[He gives Nariko a quick peck before they go their parting ways to work on their respective tasks. It'll all be worth it when they get to be lazy pigs. And they won't be there until two in the morning! How about two in the afternoon though?]
[Packing is so fucking boring, she's not going to know where any of her crap is despite meticulous labeling because she'll spend the unpacking process screaming at cardboard boxes. When they're finally done her apartment looks like a barren wasteland. There's no residual fluff, it doesn't even feel bittersweet it's just ... It is what it is. She doesn't answer him right away, just stares at the now empty living room, her utterly barren kitchen.
She's going to get married. And live with her fiance.]
[Ah. Having a bit of a moment, Nariko? He patiently waits through the unintentional hesitation, but he can get a read on what she's thinking when she speaks up. Boxer closes the distance between them and hugs her from behind, offering no words to comfort her--there's not a whole lot to say, and he's not a man of wasted words. He just allows his huge, thick arms to wrap around her waist and hips, planting a kiss on her shoulder.]
[At first she doesn't even necessarily know why she's upset, but it's almost as if the safety cocoon that Boxer makes just by holding her brings it all out. Even though she doesn't love Christian, and doesn't miss him? They really did spend a whole huge chunk of their lives together. Even before they'd become an official couple they'd been friends through her last year of college.
Leaving the apartment was like leaving behind all those memories, that whole version of herself. It wasn't a bad thing, she knew it was for the best! But goddamn did it ache like a bitch.
After the worst of it gets out and she's left to soft hiccups Nariko turns in place to hug him.]
Don't leave me. [Which is impractical and silly and not a thing that can be promised. But sometimes she just needs to hear the impossible while knowing it's impossible.]
[Ah, well...he didn't mean to make her turn on the full waterworks, but it seems like she's okay so he'll let her go through the paces, just...being there for her. Holding her.
I won't.
[And that's exactly what he'll give her.]
I know I said I was proud of you earlier, but I really am. It takes strength to move forward.
[Yeah well, if she's gonna cry she might as well go for the gold there. Besides, the holding does well for her internal process here and when she speaks again the worst of it has passed. She does sort of laugh, though.]
I probably should have done it a long time ago.
[She kisses her favorite spot on his jaw. Which is actually all of it.] I'm ready.
[To go, and never see this place, to ease into the right, next chapter of her life.]
[He lets her go--only then does he realize how long he'd held her, because he needs to stretch his arms out a bit before lifting himself up into his wheelchair.]
Your choice on where we go.
[Here's your chance to indulge in some comfort food for a post-cry chaser.]
[Hot things are comforting when you've made important decisions and left behind toxic influences! Let it be known that she will regret not picking a place with ice cream or pie or cake. She will wake up later on tonight upset at missing her opportunity to eat something fattening without any residual, self-imposed guilt!!!
But, hey, being an adult who lives in the moment is hard sometimes.]
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[Nariko lapses into silence again, choosing to just watch Boxer exist. It's a lot more calming.]
Did I do this? [That's worded kind of badly.] I mean, do you think he's this way because of me?
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You can't take responsibility for another person's actions, Nariko.
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[It feels like her fault and the more she replays the whole series of events the more thoroughly she can pick out things that were her fault. She wasn't caring enough, didn't make their breakup clear enough, she shouldn't have been so aggressive - that sort of thing.
But that's wrong. The logical part of her knows that Boxer is right. An even more thoroughly buried part of her knows that Chris has probably always had issues of his own. The conscious part just drags her body up and goes to hug him.]
... You were really cool, though.
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[He sits up when she hugs him, making the gesture easier for her. He turns his head to look at her.]
Really? You think so?
[He wasn't trying to be cool, conflict resolution is one of his job responsibilities, but...hell, if his girlfriend thinks so...he'll take it!]
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[...] Granted, that might have ended horribly.
[To say the least.] But, still. You were very Adult-like.
[And for his troubles Boxer is awarded a very sincere kiss on the cheek. And a fiancee that's turned into a burr.]
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Didn't get this name 'cause I always went for the straightforward tactic.
[In other words if his size didn't make it such a pain he'd still be a lethal fighter. Boxer closes his eyes and leans into the kiss and his burrlike soon-wife.
Wish this job was already over, because I want to cuddle the hell out of you right now.
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[.... They probably shouldn't since a good amount of her apartment still needs transporting to Boxer's place or the storage place Nariko ended up going with. But these are extenuating circumstances, and isn't emotional and mental health more important than anything else?]
I love you.
[And now a real kiss, because Boxer really was great and as far as Nariko is concerned he shouldn't have been forced to deal with this in the first place. The fact that he did just makes him even greater in her eyes, though she hadn't even thought that possible before now.]
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[He allows himself to sink into that kiss. After a run-in like that, it's nice to...well, take a moment for yourself. He indulges in said moment, eventually pulling away when he feels less tense.]
But I really want to get this done...then we can relax for the rest of the day.
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[Such Adult.]
Alright, let's power through it.
[Rather than just doing a few boxes at a time and stopping for an hour Nariko will actually help pack up her apartment so they can be finished before two in the morning.]
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[He gives Nariko a quick peck before they go their parting ways to work on their respective tasks. It'll all be worth it when they get to be lazy pigs. And they won't be there until two in the morning! How about two in the afternoon though?]
Want to go out for lunch?
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She's going to get married. And live with her fiance.]
Y-Yeah.
[What was she agreeing to, again?] Yes! Sorry.
[Just ignore the tears, Boxer.]
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Leaving the apartment was like leaving behind all those memories, that whole version of herself. It wasn't a bad thing, she knew it was for the best! But goddamn did it ache like a bitch.
After the worst of it gets out and she's left to soft hiccups Nariko turns in place to hug him.]
Don't leave me. [Which is impractical and silly and not a thing that can be promised. But sometimes she just needs to hear the impossible while knowing it's impossible.]
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I won't.
[And that's exactly what he'll give her.]
I know I said I was proud of you earlier, but I really am. It takes strength to move forward.
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I probably should have done it a long time ago.
[She kisses her favorite spot on his jaw. Which is actually all of it.] I'm ready.
[To go, and never see this place, to ease into the right, next chapter of her life.]
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Your choice on where we go.
[Here's your chance to indulge in some comfort food for a post-cry chaser.]
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[Hot things are comforting when you've made important decisions and left behind toxic influences! Let it be known that she will regret not picking a place with ice cream or pie or cake. She will wake up later on tonight upset at missing her opportunity to eat something fattening without any residual, self-imposed guilt!!!
But, hey, being an adult who lives in the moment is hard sometimes.]
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[It's not what...he expected to hear, but...hey, he really has no argument against it.]
Huh. Sure.
[And off they go!
She might be pleasantly surprised when he directs her towards the sundae shop nearest his apartment on the way back...]