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"ricky, none of us want to listen to that right now."
because of course they didn't. when did they ever want to hear what she had to say outside of the warehouse?
mischa hummed beside them, tracing shapes on the back of his hand. "you're being quiet, Зірко моя."
ricky shrugged, leaning into their partner. her hands itched in her lap, but they held them still in favor of closing their eyes.
mischa shifted, wrapping an arm around his partner. "this is unlike you." he stated flatly, "are you okay?"
ricky forced their muscles to relax. mischa was always gentle about it, wasn't he? not like ocean or noel who brushed her off so aggressively.
she began to sign. 'i just don't feel like anyone wants to listen to me now. since we got out the hospital.'
mischa let out a breath, and ricky folded their hands back into their lap. "has ocean been a-" he cut himself off, adjusting his language , ricky assumed, "has she been mean?"
ricky shrugged again. 'no worse than normal. its just a combination of everyone, i think.' she grabbed one of his hands, intertwining their fingers.
mischa nodded, running his free hand through their hair. "would you.. want to talk to me?" he cleared his throat awkwardly. "will listen."
by god ricky was in love. she had fallen hard in the first place, watching him sing for talia of all things, but the more time they spent with him the more butterflies seemed to appear in their stomach.
she was almost tempted to start naming them. she couldn't escape the constant fluttering somehow making her nauseous and sleepy at the same time.
they picked absently at a sticker on their wheelchair- a lion skull- given to her by penny a week after the accident.
'i don't want to annoy you, or anything. i know z-o-l-a-r isn't quite for everyone'
mischa chuckled, shaking his head. "Зірко моя, is not for everyone, but it is for me, okay? i enjoy zolar."
ricky felt their stomach flip. they didn't want to overstep.. but he was offering, wasn't he? she decided she would name the biggest butterfly natalia. in honor of the girl who arguably opened their eyes to the wonderful man they could call their boyfriend.
she began to sign, starting slow. if he wanted to back out, he could. instead, he leaned forward, gaze trained on their hands.
she bit back a smile, and sped up, starting to sign more intently. more excitedly.
mischas gaze softened, now watching both rickys hands and their face. she might not do it often, but whenever they really got excited about something, especially like this, mischa couldn't help but feel honored.