And the Skies Turned Gold (Reboot) // OxO // Closed

"Oh, well, it's not a bad change. Not at all. Besides, for me to blame it on you would be stupid. I landed us here, more or less," Tohru replied, giving a light smile, "Things are just a little unclear right now, is all. I guess they weren't before, either. All of this has just made me stop and think. Doubt I could've lived my whole life- or a long life like that anyway."

"I'm glad I didn't turn you in," Tohru admitted, "I've actually been ruminating on that a lot. I mean, I already think you're a wonderful person, and that's part of it. But thinking about how they regarded you, versus how I see you now… it's something else, really."

"Like, I know you said they wanted you as a Resistance pawn. And you're absolutely right. But in hindsight, it makes so much more sense now. I just never really thought about it until we met," Tohru replied, "I never really thought about how little they cared for you as a person. As a living, sentient being. It's sad. I considered joining them at one point in my life, too. Again, glad I didn't. I think I've made a few good decisions, when they've really counted."

"I mean, you convinced me, more or less," Tohru said, "but just know, I don't regret my decision at all. It's even more depressing the more you think about it. There's no right side, it seems. But at least, not having joined them, I know I'll never have to take up arms against my family. And I'll never have an obligation to hand you over."
He sighed sadly.
"Did I ever tell you they supported the Empire?"

"None of them necessarily fought for the Empire, but they've poured in a lot of funding. Well, except my older brother. He works as an officer. It never sat right with me," Tohru explained, "I made some money behind their backs and bailed before they could throw me out themselves, or worse. They were very… controlling, to say the least. A lot of my media consumption was very strict growing up. Lots of propaganda and the like. Most of the anti-Empire stuff, I stumbled upon on accident."

(It's real projecting your issues on your OCs hours 😔)

"It's fine. It's not like I was ever hurt for it or anything. And it's not like I was someone who suffered under the empire. I could've shut up and stayed loyal, but it was my choice to seek out new information and ultimately leave my family. We all leave our families at some point- though I suppose most of the time, those ties aren't broken forever."
Tohru shook his head.
"I'm glad I was able to obtain the knowledge to escape."

"Oh, well… I'm used to hunting down criminals and deadbeats. And seeing as you are neither of those things," Tohru replied, "it was definitely different from my usual work. I'd consider myself a vigilante, of sorts. I always liked the idea of dealing justice, so I mean… I wouldn't take just any contracts. And of course, I thought I was doing the right thing by handing you over, until you spoke up."

"There's no need to thank me," Tohru laughed, "You talked yourself out of this one, plus I was high on nerves, to say the least."
He had paint all over- even a little on his face, somehow, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Yeah, we did a good job," Tohru agreed, setting his brush down and stepping back to look at the walls.
"Hm, maybe take a quick coffee break, and we can get back to it shortly?"

Tohru leaned up against the counter, watching the other intently.
"Oh yeah. So I've been kind of thinking about the night we met, before everything went down. Where'd you learn to dance? You seemed to have a pretty good handle on it, even after a few drinks."

"Well, I was stone cold sober, and still tripping over my feet," Tohru joked, "so consider me impressed."
He shrugged.
"Although… I never had much reason to learn."

"Even easier to not go to parties and clubs in the first place," he laughed, "Though I assume you enjoy that kind of stuff a lot more than I do."

"Fair enough," Tohru said with a nod, "I guess my day-to-day was a bit more action-packed than I'd have liked. No energy to actually go out often. Though you'd think I'd at least learn some skills to blend in at those kinds of places."

"That makes sense," Tohru said, "Although in hindsight, my life has been a lot more lonely than I realized. I probably should get out more, huh? Especially now that I'm not putting my neck on the line for work."

"Heh… yeah… probably. We should go out some night, just to unwind," Tohru suggested.
He almost corrected himself, almost took it back. He was worried it sounded too much like a date.