[ME] save forever for me

I shouldn't laugh, but I know I'm a failure in your eyes

No sooner has Ronin been able to catch a breath with his husband and daughter when there are yet more people to greet - and though it's been a long time since he'd been anything like cordial with Hotaru, he offers her a warm nod and raises his imaginary glass in turn, since he's not yet been able to grab something for himself. (For the best, to be honest, because as he's about to find out tonight, he's quite capable of getting very merry again).

But then their names hit the air from a familiar voice, and gods, it's with mingled joy and grief that the Knight looks around for Amalia, a breathless laugh on his lips as she swoops in with hugs and kisses for the three of them. Aoife's cackling giggles echo distantly in his ears as he looks the Archangel over, the words I'm so sorry, I didn't know tight in his throat but refusing to escape ad ruin the moment. "I'll find you later," he tells her warmly instead, his voice a little rough, and when she's off again to see others she'd missed, he exchanges a sad smile with his husband.

Casting his gaze across the crowd enough to catch Noah and to offer him a nod in greeting, it's as Hadama approaches with a tray of cupcakes and a wink that Ronin all but sighs in relief. "It's good to see you," he tells the Tidebreaker. "Thank you." Pleased to have something to do with his hands if it isn't drinking himself silly, he instead samples one of the cupcakes (sharing it with Aoife, naturally) and offers a bite to Remi as he watches the gentle chaos of the party start up in full swing.

"There are so many people to see," he says softly, "but you know, I could just as easily stand here and enjoy this for hours, too."

RONIN