[Audio]

[watersacrificed]

[A deep breath can be heard before Aqua starts to speak.]

Does anyone know how long Jim--Captain Kirk has been gone?

[When she speaks, it's clear she's doing her best to stay calm and concern, but there are notes of sadness there. She's holding back.]

Comments

[Action]

[watersacrificed]

[She gives him a slow nod, still trying to control her emotions. The even and controlled breathing was helping, but each breath she takes makes her lower lip quiver. Her hand continues to hold his in a tight manner. No matter how hard she tries to keep everything inside, she can't.

Aqua begins to lean on him, pressing her head against his shoulder. A tear slides down her cheek. It's followed by another until she's sobbing quietly against Koizumi. Later, she'll apologize for getting his shirt wet with her tears, but for now all all she can do is cry.]

[Action]

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

[Koizumi sees her walls crumbling even before they fall completely, but he knows there's nothing more he can do to help her right now, so he leans his head on top of hers and just holds her tightly, rocking gently back and forth.

He doesn't notice his shirt getting wet, and if he did he wouldn't care. It was a small price to pay for whatever little comfort he was able to give her by being here. He would tell her not to worry about it later - changing shirts is not exactly a chore.

He stays like that, quiet and uncomplaining, for as long as she needs.]