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Post by England on Aug 5, 2010 10:37:28 GMT -5
That made Cái pause nervously - napkin still held against his shirt (and oh boy, Yao would freak because he was pretty sure the tea would leave a stain) - as conditions were rarely a good thing. Especially from someone he just met... even if he did trust the guy really well.
"Err... what is it?" he peered up from under his bangs, trying to gauge what was going to be said by the others facial expression. He really hoped it wasn't something bad because he really had no idea what the other was thinking. And he really wanted to be able to trust Afonso.
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Post by Portugal on Aug 12, 2010 1:27:45 GMT -5
Smiling still, he reached across the table to rest his hand on top of Cái's head, before ruffling the dark hair. The action was so familiar, like something he had done countless times in the past. Even if this was only the first time he had met the young Asian. It was almost a fatherly action.
"The one condition is that you don't keep things bottled up. If you feel overwhelmed, stressed out, upset, anything, come to me. I'll listen until you get it all out." Because Afonso did not like what he saw in the others eyes. It looked like the boy was shattering before his eyes, and he wanted to do nothing more then protect him. "Can you do that?"
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Post by England on Aug 18, 2010 19:06:54 GMT -5
For a long moment, Cái was floored just by Afonso ruffling his hair. It felt... it felt like he'd done it before, so warm and familiar that Cái couldn't help but smile back. Was... was this what his father was like? Was that what the motion felt achingly familiar to?
"S-seriously?" he stuttered, a warmth that had been growing slowly in him towards the european man practically burst into bloom. And... while it would probably be hard opening up to someone - even if he'd felt like he'd known him far longer than he could possibly remember - he could do it. He could. And he would. Something deep inside him didn't want to disappoint the older man.
"I... yes. Yes, I can!" he forced those silly, sappy tears down. He was happy - there was no reason for him to cry.
.... there was also no reason for him to feel as if he'd finally come home, but there it was.
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Post by Portugal on Sept 5, 2010 18:30:06 GMT -5
Afonso could only smile wider. And it was so odd to feel so happy by the agreement. He had only just met Cái, and yet...
"Well then, when your done we'll get going." Though a sudden thought came to mind. Afonso chewed his lip almost uncomfortably. Maybe... Maybe going right away wouldn't be the best idea? "We can go to your old ship to get your things, if you'd like."
And if Cái didn't want to return, to just go straight to La Madre Maria... Well Afonso had plenty of money saved away. He could always easily buy the boy some things.
He almost laughed at how fatherly that last thought was.
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Post by England on Sept 10, 2010 20:20:49 GMT -5
Nodding enthusiastically, Cái quickly chugged the dregs of his nearly cold tea and stuffed the last of the snacks in his mouth. He stood, chewing an oversized mouth full of food, fully intending to head back to the ship and hope that Yao wouldn't be there - and wouldn't question why he was there to pick up his stuff and leave.
But that was the thing - what stuff was worth a confrontation? He had some clothes (that Yao had bought him...) and that was really all it was. His knives were up his sleeves as per usual, he didn't carry much money in his room. Other than that... it was just guilt at leaving. Did he care enough that he couldn't just vanish without a word? Was he really all that close to his saviour and crew mates?
"... let's just go to your ship." he mumbled after swallowing. Yeah... he was guilty. But... if he went back and told them what was happening... he wouldn't be able to leave. He could send a message to them later... after he was on board the new ship and miles away.
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Post by Portugal on Sept 19, 2010 20:15:33 GMT -5
"Don't choke." He chuckled at Cái, half reminded of a chipmunk. Rising to his feet he fished his wallet out of his pocket, setting down enough for their meal and a tip. He glanced at the boy silently, sighing a little. Afonso could sense the slight change in his posture. Guilt probably for leaving the ship. It was something the Portuguese man knew well.
Instead of commenting it though, he offered his hand to Cái, smiling in what he hope was a encouraging way. "We have a radio on the ship. If you want, you can contact your old ship anytime."
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Post by England on Sept 21, 2010 21:12:42 GMT -5
"Eh?" he blinked, startled that Afonso could read him well enough to know that he was feeling so poorly. Flushing faintly and looking away, Cái paused, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. "That... that'd be great. Thank you." His smile may have faltered, but he really did mean it. And he would feel a lot better having distance in between the apology.
Taking those first few steps towards a new life was oddly liberating. Yes, there was the guilt, but... he felt so much better. It wasn't that he was running away from his problems - well... yes he was, but he could look for his parents no matter where he was, right? - it was... it was that obligation he felt towards Yao, he guessed. While having the man help him find his family was all well and good... he felt so bad at the same time, imposing on the other man when he clearly was trying to find his family as well. And that jealously he felt towards him at the same time, having found even one of his family was harsh.
Distance seemed so inviting. "Lead the way?"
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