[ It's Richie's abject misery, ironically, that seems to cut the tension between them. Bridges whatever invisible gap of proper social etiquette there might be when paying respects to the (un)dead. He walks up to him, hands hidden in his pockets, until he's within arm's reach.
...He's not exactly the hugging type. Akira gives him a look up, a look down, and a faltering smile. ]
[ Richie looks terrible. An actual zombie. (Akira's never been happier to see him.) He reaches up and pinches his own fringe, strangely reticent even for himself.
...He then reaches over and tugs on Richie's bangs, too. Who's the Moptop, now. ]
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...He's not exactly the hugging type. Akira gives him a look up, a look down, and a faltering smile. ]
Beep beep.
[ He hasn't forgotten. And more importantly, ]
It's true.
[ Richie looks terrible. An actual zombie. (Akira's never been happier to see him.) He reaches up and pinches his own fringe, strangely reticent even for himself.
...He then reaches over and tugs on Richie's bangs, too. Who's the Moptop, now. ]
...Welcome back.