[ dolph blinks, a little off-guard by the change in topic but not fussed either way. he barely remembers what he wished for. it must have come true by now, with the life he's leading. ]
[ That bright, beaming smile turns shy beneath Dolph's pride. It's the sort of reaction he wants, craves, but he still can't help but get a little self-conscious – there's the impulse to try to explain himself, make that goal sound less selfish than it is.
But he doesn't need to, does he? Not with one of the people who's tried so desperately to get him to look out for himself. ]
You're sure?
[ Maruki has never lacked for conviction, but still– it helps, hearing the reassurance from someone who knows him as well as Dolph does, to feel their belief in him. ]
[ no hesitation there. he's always believed in maruki's capability, his potential. what maruki does with it is up to him, but he's heartened by this choice. moving forward, tentative and terrifying as it may be, is always what they're meant to be. as people.
[ It's no small thing, to have someone who believes in him so fervently.
It's no small thing, to return to a place where he's loved so much.
He can't stop smiling. His face hurts for it. It wasn't long ago that he was shattering to pieces in front of Akira, so certain that if he couldn't be allowed to die in that moment, he would live without ever smiling again.
It's too much joy to hold all for himself. He has to let it spill over, to share it with Dolph, with everyone he can. ]
I won't let you down.
[ Laughing, Maruki unwraps an arm from around him to flex, as if there's really anything to show for it. ]
I was gone for months, from my perspective! Do I look any different? More gray hairs? A muscle or two?
Were you expecting some magical growth spurt? Aren't you as old as I am?
[ still, he will skeptically glance over, curious as well. it's not as though dolph will ever truly age. every birthday, every year is just playing in the dream, as if such things are true. still, the feelings matter.
but no, maruki looks more or less the same. dolph shakes his head. ]
[ He's laughing as he slowly spins around, arms outspread as if he were showing off an outfit, so Dolph can get a good look at him.
Truly, not a thing has changed. The singular thing that has isn't visible, between the high collar of his button down shirt and how fluffy the back of his hair is; a scar on his nape that one would have to be seeking out purposefully in order to find.
When his rotation stops and he's facing his best friend again, any coy jokes about being as tall as the Tokyo Skytree fall by the wayside. It's not the time or place. Really, he's just happy to see him... ]
Did I miss anything exciting? Ah! How's married life?
[ Fine, he won't poke at the blush, but he'll let his hand rest on Dolph's shoulder, squeezing affectionately. ]
I can imagine how strange it is...
[ And before–
Before, Maruki would have told him, so long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me.
Perhaps in some dusty corner of his changed heart, minuscule and locked away as it is, that's still true. There is a part of Maruki that will always strive for the people he loves to feel nothing but radiant joy. That existed long before his distortion did; it can't be rooted out, and moreover, he would never want it to be.
But the little time he was away has made it so that the rest of his heart can only express this instead: ]
I'm so glad, though. And when I find myself struggling to aim for that same happiness... I'll look to you.
[ Not as a guide, but as an example of all the beauty and joy still possible in the world. ]
[ dolph probably knew what maruki would say. so the words that come through are a pleasant surprise, but more than that, they feel like they've arrived. out of the looking glass, back into the world. perhaps they have grown up. they'll be a little different now, the reflection may seem a little askew. but what does it matter?
they're still friends.
dolph smiles and leans in to press a kiss to his forehead. ]
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Sure. What did you wish for?
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I wished I could find my own happiness. To learn how to live for myself.
[ With a second chance at life, it's the first chance Maruki has ever had to put himself– well, first.
He smiles up at Dolph, eyes sparkling. After everything they've talked about, he hopes that makes his best friend proud. ]
no subject
it's something. tangible hope, like an apple in the hand. he squeezes maruki's shoulders, proud. ]
I'm sure you will.
NOT LIKE AN APPLE.... WEH
But he doesn't need to, does he? Not with one of the people who's tried so desperately to get him to look out for himself. ]
You're sure?
[ Maruki has never lacked for conviction, but still– it helps, hearing the reassurance from someone who knows him as well as Dolph does, to feel their belief in him. ]
no subject
[ no hesitation there. he's always believed in maruki's capability, his potential. what maruki does with it is up to him, but he's heartened by this choice. moving forward, tentative and terrifying as it may be, is always what they're meant to be. as people.
and they are. they're people. full fledged. ]
You can do it. I know you can.
no subject
It's no small thing, to return to a place where he's loved so much.
He can't stop smiling. His face hurts for it. It wasn't long ago that he was shattering to pieces in front of Akira, so certain that if he couldn't be allowed to die in that moment, he would live without ever smiling again.
It's too much joy to hold all for himself. He has to let it spill over, to share it with Dolph, with everyone he can. ]
I won't let you down.
[ Laughing, Maruki unwraps an arm from around him to flex, as if there's really anything to show for it. ]
I was gone for months, from my perspective! Do I look any different? More gray hairs? A muscle or two?
no subject
Were you expecting some magical growth spurt? Aren't you as old as I am?
[ still, he will skeptically glance over, curious as well. it's not as though dolph will ever truly age. every birthday, every year is just playing in the dream, as if such things are true. still, the feelings matter.
but no, maruki looks more or less the same. dolph shakes his head. ]
You look the same to me.
no subject
[ He's laughing as he slowly spins around, arms outspread as if he were showing off an outfit, so Dolph can get a good look at him.
Truly, not a thing has changed. The singular thing that has isn't visible, between the high collar of his button down shirt and how fluffy the back of his hair is; a scar on his nape that one would have to be seeking out purposefully in order to find.
When his rotation stops and he's facing his best friend again, any coy jokes about being as tall as the Tokyo Skytree fall by the wayside. It's not the time or place. Really, he's just happy to see him... ]
Did I miss anything exciting? Ah! How's married life?
no subject
F-Fine, I guess. I don't think anything's really changed.
no subject
Don't mind Maruki reaching up to poke at his flushed cheek. It's cute! ]
I suppose that's how you know you were doing things right beforehand, if it isn't a drastic change.
[ Still, though... ]
You're happy, then?
no subject
I think so. Still feels weird to say but . . . yeah.
no subject
I can imagine how strange it is...
[ And before–
Before, Maruki would have told him, so long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me.
Perhaps in some dusty corner of his changed heart, minuscule and locked away as it is, that's still true. There is a part of Maruki that will always strive for the people he loves to feel nothing but radiant joy. That existed long before his distortion did; it can't be rooted out, and moreover, he would never want it to be.
But the little time he was away has made it so that the rest of his heart can only express this instead: ]
I'm so glad, though. And when I find myself struggling to aim for that same happiness... I'll look to you.
[ Not as a guide, but as an example of all the beauty and joy still possible in the world. ]
no subject
they're still friends.
dolph smiles and leans in to press a kiss to his forehead. ]
I'll be here.