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[Anya's in the middle of humming some tune that had been stuck in her head since dance practice ended. Her mood is sky high. As far as she's concerned, she gets to spend the night with two of her favorite people in the whole world. There's no one that Anya loves more than her mother, and Yato is the closest possible second. She also knows that the two of them love her just as much and over the years, Anya's mother has had a fondness for Yato that's led her to give him special treatment that almost borders the same flexibility that Anya has.

On nights like this, there's nothing but love in the house.

Still, she catches the look on Yato's face and tilts her head. Her bag is left at the side as she immediately opens her arms to him.]

Yato? Is everything okay?

[To which Anya's mother startles gently, turning from her task to look over her shoulder at her daughter and she blinks.

"Anya, you brought a friend home? Hmm, that's fine - would you set another place at the table then?"

... and that's what makes Anya's expression turn from worried to confused, her arms still open to Yato. For a moment, she's stunned enough that she can't quite find the words she wants in English, her head a mix of sad, jumbled Russian instead.]

[ Anya's words are a crushing relief -- as much as Ms. Vasilieva's words are a biting disappointment. Though he already realizes what's happening, the clues so helpfully supplied by his hallucinomemories, each reminder is a twist of the knife.

Hugging Anya can be as routine as a handshake. This time it's something he needs, and he sees the confusion on her face before wrapping her up in a tight, desperate embrace. Ms. Vasilieva might find it a strange thing, but Yato is painfully aware that it doesn't matter. The moment her attention turns elsewhere, she'll forget that she ever noticed him, the same way she's forgotten about him three times already. His voice wavers. ]

I don't think I can stay for dinner tonight.

[ Food is hardly the most important thing. It's everything else that usually comes with it, slipping like sand between his fingers as he watches. ]

[Anya's mother flashes her a confused, briefly concerned expression - to which Anya just barely manages to muster up a sheepish smile so that her mother doesn't worry. She turns away and forgets immediately.

Anya doesn't though - instead she wraps her arms around Yato automatically, giving him an even tighter hug than usual even though she doesn't understand. Why doesn't her mother know who Yato is? He's been a family friend for years. Just weeks ago she'd been the one to tell her, "Don't forget to look after Yato's scrapes before they get infected." Yato is family.

Which is why she won't let him run away. Instead of answering him, she turns her head away just to call out - ]

Mama, Yato is not feeling well... He will borrow extra room for a little bit.

[To which Anya's mother turns back - again seems surprised to see this 'stranger' in her house - but agrees. They've always been the type of family to leave their door open to whoever might need it. She spares a brief: "Of course, I'll leave an extra portion out. Feel better... Yato?"

She's still confused, definitely, but Anya merely offers her mother a smaller smile before pulling away and tugging Yato's hands over to the extra room that had been his not too long ago.]

... оставаться? Stay? Please? Explain to Anya....

Edited 2017-06-08 05:38 (UTC)

[ Yato closes the door behind them. Little gestures like that probably won't be necessary anymore, but he still likes to have a sense of privacy. He looks down at Anya, words lumped in his throat. He understands what's happening on a fundamental level, but formulating it into words for someone else to understand is a draining thought. ]

It isn't just her. Everyone is forgetting. They can't see me, either. It's just like in my memories.

[ They talked briefly about this before, when Mikoto forgot about Retrospec. Mikoto... the first he realized had forgotten.

Yato isn't a defeatist. He believes more than anyone (possibly barring Anya) in his own ability to make things work. But the totality of his failure every time he tries to remind someone of himself is so thorough. So swift. Crushing. He is beginning to understand why, in his memory, he felt so doubtful of a girl who promised she would be an exception. ]

I don't think it'll be much use trying to get her to remember. I'm sorry, Anya.

Sorry? To me...?

[There's a lot that she's confused about - but Yato apologizing to her is probably one of the biggest ones. What does he have to be sorry for?]

Bина... It is not your fault. Yato... [The way she says his name is slow, sad even as she automatically takes both of his hands in hers and squeezes them reassuringly. As if to say that she won't go, that she knows who she is, and if it makes him feel better - ] I will not forget. I will not let go.

[That's something that she considers fact. But - ]

Другие люди... The others, we will find answers. They do not want to forget. I am sure.

[ It is literally his fault, he wants to say. He's the direct cause of tonight's dinner being one person emptier. And the rational side of him reasons that Anya and her mother will be just fine without him, because he's far from being the only person they invite to eat with them. He doesn't have to feel guilty over this. The Vasilieva table will always have someone else to fill his seat.

They'll be okay without him. That's what hurts the most.

Anya's hands are warm and comforting, but he doesn't have the strength to squeeze back. Right now, he doesn't think they'll find the kinds of answers Anya will be looking for. ]

And if they do forget?

[ What difference will it make? ]

Hапоминание. I will remind them.

[What other answer could he expect to hear from her?

It's automatic and firm because - Anya can't imagine a world without Yato. The very thought of it manages to concern her deeply. What would she do without him? She doesn't want to think about it. A world where she forgets him is unacceptable and it makes her cling onto his hands more tightly, immediately.]

Yato, Yato, Yato. Anya will say again and again - Шеф-повар. Yato is a good cook. Pежиссер. Yato is a good producer. Bажный! Yato is important...! As many times as it takes.

[ Fact: Anya is the best at hyping up Yato, even when the person she's hyping him up to is also Yato. Existential ponderings aren't her forte, but neither really are they his. Everyone else in the world can forget and he might still be content, as long as he has Anya to think of him.

He doesn't hug her so much as wilt until his cheek is pillowed comfortably in her hair. What an awkward state of being... ]

Then that's enough for me. There isn't a person in the world who could overlook Anya.

[ And if they do he'll kill 'em?? ]

[Yato is absolutely an awkward state of being.

But Anya giggles faintly even as she lets go of his hands, gently amused and endeared as ever as she reaches up to give him a hug that he doesn't quite give her. It's important for him to know that no matter what, she'll always be reaching to keep him in a place close to her.]

Does Yato think so... [He always thinks way too much of her but - ] Then I hope that is true, because then they will have to listen to me talk about Yato.

Bластный... It will be so much that they will say "Anya, no more about this Yato, we know enough" and that is how I will know that I did a good job.

You'd commit social suicide for me? Awww! That's so sweet!

[ He can feel the hug coming, and he immediately returns it by squeezing her to him as tight as can be, cheek still nested on her head. ]

And of course I'll do the same! Talking about Anya is my favorite pastime. [ Technically it's even his job?? ] I'll talk about you so much that they'll be hearing your name in their dreams! But not too much.

[ because there will be a point at which he'll have to kill those people too ]

Not...?

[what do you mean, Yato....

but still, she giggles faintly even as he gives her that hug and she embraces him easily. she won't be the first one to break this hug, nope. if this is what yato needs from her, then she'll give him whatever he asks.]

Mm, okay. Cделка. Then that will be our trade and our promise. I will talk about Yato so much that everyone will always be reminded. And I will never forget, because Yato is very important to me.

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