Pepper closes her eyes in relief when he responds; at least she's found him. She can help if she's with him, if she knows where he is and can look him in the eye. It's definitely not the hardest step, but it's a critical prerequisite for anything else she can offer.
At the door, Pepper dismisses the armor and sports only her street clothes when she enters. Her movements are cautious, as though Gene is a skittish animal - which isn't the worst comparison, really. Worry is clear on her face as she takes in his disheveled state, her heart sinking. She'd expected things to be bad, but it's not the same to imagine something and see it in front of you, weighting down your best friend like a cloak of despair. It only reinforces her determination to help him get through this, however long that takes. If their places were reversed, and it was Bakura who had vanished-- well, she'd be a complete wreck, too.
"Hey," she says softly, stepping out of the doorway and towards the bed. The old mattress gives under her weight when she perches on the edge of it next to Gene. She opens her mouth and promptly closes it. There are a thousand things she wants to say and not one of them is quite right.
It's probably too soon for hugs, so Pepper reaches over and lightly rests a hand on Gene's arm. He can pull away if he wants, but at least he'll know she's here for him and she's real and maybe that contact is more important and more comfort than words. Plus, it gives him less to argue with.
no subject
At the door, Pepper dismisses the armor and sports only her street clothes when she enters. Her movements are cautious, as though Gene is a skittish animal - which isn't the worst comparison, really. Worry is clear on her face as she takes in his disheveled state, her heart sinking. She'd expected things to be bad, but it's not the same to imagine something and see it in front of you, weighting down your best friend like a cloak of despair. It only reinforces her determination to help him get through this, however long that takes. If their places were reversed, and it was Bakura who had vanished-- well, she'd be a complete wreck, too.
"Hey," she says softly, stepping out of the doorway and towards the bed. The old mattress gives under her weight when she perches on the edge of it next to Gene. She opens her mouth and promptly closes it. There are a thousand things she wants to say and not one of them is quite right.
It's probably too soon for hugs, so Pepper reaches over and lightly rests a hand on Gene's arm. He can pull away if he wants, but at least he'll know she's here for him and she's real and maybe that contact is more important and more comfort than words. Plus, it gives him less to argue with.