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...I thought about it. But that isn't really fair to you. Happy Hanukkah? Sorry I've been weird about it.
It's like Christmas, but it lasts for eight days. And there are candles and stuff.
...That might be good, yeah.
...That might be good, yeah.
Yeah, me and Mabel are half Jewish. But we still do Christmas.
[Dipper follows Ken inside, glad to have this conversation somewhere not out in the open. Even though Jaime Reyes' face is still everywhere.]
I just thought... it'd be a nice boyfriend kind of thing to do? But then I got really nervous and stupid.
I just thought... it'd be a nice boyfriend kind of thing to do? But then I got really nervous and stupid.
I didn't say it was stupid. Come on, look.
[He waits until Dipper is paying attention before leaning over and pulling off his hoodie (it's red today, oddly; another gift from a friend a long time ago) so Dipper can see that he's wearing that shirt he gave him a couple days back.]
It was a nice thing to do. But I'd like it if I can properly thank you?
[He waits until Dipper is paying attention before leaning over and pulling off his hoodie (it's red today, oddly; another gift from a friend a long time ago) so Dipper can see that he's wearing that shirt he gave him a couple days back.]
It was a nice thing to do. But I'd like it if I can properly thank you?
[He can't help but smile when he sees Ken wearing the t-shirt. At least one was well-received.]
You don't have to get me stuff in return or anything. I'm just happy to know you like the presents.
You don't have to get me stuff in return or anything. I'm just happy to know you like the presents.
I'm nothing if not cautious, Ken. [LIES.] But I promise you that I will be careful.
I've only ever gotten presents for Mabel, so I'm not much better.
Nothing! They're very... stylish.
[For all Dipper knows, Minato's the one who put Jaime's face on all the pillows in the first place.]
[For all Dipper knows, Minato's the one who put Jaime's face on all the pillows in the first place.]
Dude, don't say that! I'll like it no matter what! I mean, you liked my dumb gifts...
I won't. I promise you that I'm not going to go out and terrorize Tetsuo.
[He speaks confidently, without a trace of hesitation or deceit in his voice. Of course he's not going to contact Tetsuo immediately. He needs to assess the situation, first.]
[He speaks confidently, without a trace of hesitation or deceit in his voice. Of course he's not going to contact Tetsuo immediately. He needs to assess the situation, first.]
[Now that wasn't what he expected. Edgeworth raises his brow, not bothering to hide his surprise, and wonders about the story behind this. Is he talking about a friend? Somebody he had a fight with? Or does the bad blood run deeper than that? Ken may be young, but he's no stranger to darkness, and he can't help but wonder how serious this situation is. Then again... he's young. At his age, the most mild of problems can feel like a complete disaster. He shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet.]
I won't ask you anything else. But, whatever happened between the two of you, I hope that you're able to work through your problems.
I won't ask you anything else. But, whatever happened between the two of you, I hope that you're able to work through your problems.
[He brings up his hands and links them, fingers weaving through each other as he leans back in his seat. The hero on the scene is shown punching an enemy that'll appear later in the season, a picture of bravery and justice and fairness and all the things Ken wished he felt more confident about having. Heroes are not real. But he wished he could emulate some of their values, sometimes.]
... I'm not confident. I think it'll be arrogant, to think that I could turn things around for them just like that. One word of forgiveness -- even if I don't think there's anything to forgive anymore -- doesn't... it doesn't change what happened. The two of us can't go back, anymore, just like everyone else. And I hurt them a lot, and I know they worry. [He's rambling. He's managing to keep himself somewhat vague, but he's rambling, because he'd sat on these thoughts and feelings all day and Edgeworth had always listened to him patiently, calmly, with critical, logical responses. Even if nothing Ken's seeking now is very logical. He bites his lip momentarily.] But even if it's a small difference, I have to make it. For me, for them... I'm sure that's what would make my mother feel at ease, too, if she's watching somewhere.
But thank you. And... thanks, too, for not pressing.
... I'm not confident. I think it'll be arrogant, to think that I could turn things around for them just like that. One word of forgiveness -- even if I don't think there's anything to forgive anymore -- doesn't... it doesn't change what happened. The two of us can't go back, anymore, just like everyone else. And I hurt them a lot, and I know they worry. [He's rambling. He's managing to keep himself somewhat vague, but he's rambling, because he'd sat on these thoughts and feelings all day and Edgeworth had always listened to him patiently, calmly, with critical, logical responses. Even if nothing Ken's seeking now is very logical. He bites his lip momentarily.] But even if it's a small difference, I have to make it. For me, for them... I'm sure that's what would make my mother feel at ease, too, if she's watching somewhere.
But thank you. And... thanks, too, for not pressing.
[While Ken speaks, Edgeworth turns his gaze back to the television set. It's not because he doesn't care. It's not because he's trying to give Ken his space, either. It's because it's the best way he can think of to cover up the blind, terrified panic that has infested every fiber of his being. This conflict spoke of something far more serious than Edgeworth imagined, and - oh dear lord, it involves his mother, too. Just what is he supposed to tell Ken?! He's used to burning bridges, not mending them! Though...hrm. He knows very little of forgiveness, giving or receiving it, but he has some experience with putting his anger aside when a case is on the line. Perhaps he might have something to say after all]
This place...
[He purses his lips together for a moment, gathering his thoughts]
This place has a way of forging strange alliances. Sometimes we're forced to work side by side with people we dislike, or even hate, just to make it through the day.
[Finally he looks at Ken, his expression calm, but serious]
Perhaps you won't be able to turn things around with words of forgiveness. But perhaps you won't need to. If you can establish the groundwork for a truce, then the realities of our new home will do the rest of the work for you.
This place...
[He purses his lips together for a moment, gathering his thoughts]
This place has a way of forging strange alliances. Sometimes we're forced to work side by side with people we dislike, or even hate, just to make it through the day.
[Finally he looks at Ken, his expression calm, but serious]
Perhaps you won't be able to turn things around with words of forgiveness. But perhaps you won't need to. If you can establish the groundwork for a truce, then the realities of our new home will do the rest of the work for you.
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