swordhandled | PCs with Gerome

[ In spite of all their arguments, Owain still wishes that they can have some sort of conversation that doesn't end with them walking away from one another angry. While not especially close, Owain does know Gerome well enough to at least have some sort of idea of where to find him. It takes far longer than he would have liked, but Owain eventually comes across the section of forest that Gerome is currently brooding in. He sees him before he can hear him, but he can at least tell that he seems to be... talking to something?

Or someone, really. He's pretty sure both Gerome and Aunt Cherche would kill him if he referred to Minerva as a "thing". But either way, it's enough for Owain to stop and reconsider his original plan to call out to Gerome. Would... it be rude to listen in? Perhaps. Most definitely. But Owain wants this insight into how Gerome is when there's no one else around him. He slows down his pace, instead stepping lightly in the snow as he walks closer, like how his father taught him. He's careful as he makes his way closer and closer until the only thing keeping Owain from being seen is the tree that stands between them.

He gets there too late to hear the start, but he hears enough to know that Gerome is talking about him, talking about them. Owain pokes his head slightly out to watch Gerome as he continues to speak to Minerva. He's... not used to hearing him speak like that. Even when they're not fighting, Gerome speaks with such a rough voice it's a wonder that he's not hoarse every day of the week. No, it's soft, pensive.

His hand trails along the bark of the tree as Owain speaks very softly: ] Gerome.

[ It's easier to sneak up on Gerome when he's lost in thought. For all he boasts of his senses and training, they mean very little when he's distracted. That's why he misses the sound of footsteps (however light) and Owain's hand trailing down the tree bark. He nearly misses the voice, too. Fortunate for him it came during a pause in his musings.

Even more fortunate, Minerva raised her head in Owain's direction. He grits his teeth together and quickly turns to face the tree Owain is hiding behind. ]

You— [ His voice is guarded again. Moreso than the last time they spoke, in fact. ] How long have you been hiding there?!

[ Owain didn't mean to disturb him, so he's caught unaware when Gerome finally notices his presence. He steps out from behind the tree, blushing very slightly in embarrassment. He raises a hand in a very meek greeting before he brings it to his mouth, slightly coughing to clear his throat. ]

Ah, just recently...

[ He shuffles awkwardly in place ] You were talking about me, about Lucina and Cynthia.

I... [ He wants so badly to refute that. Then he closes his mouth. That's not enough context, but, perhaps, it was only the tail end...?

It could be worse, but he can't help the way his face warms. ] Forget what you heard! Those words were for Minerva's ears, not yours.

I'm sorry to have heard them, but that doesn't change the fact I did.

[ He takes a deep breath and looks at Gerome. ]

Let's try talking again, Gerome.

No. [ Immediate reply. No one could have ever seen this coming. ]

Honestly, I should have expected that--

[ here's a twist ] I'm sorry, for some of the things I said yesterday.

[ It's a nigh-imperceptible difference but Gerome's frown relaxes into his default expression. Which... is also almost a frown. ]

You are?

I am. I shouldn't have brought your parents up during our... conversation yesterday.

... I cannot speak of what you should have done. It was said, neither of us can change that. However... [ A pause as he struggles to find the words. ] ... you spoke from the heart. Nothing you said to me was without purpose, and that dedication to your beliefs may be your strength.

It would not be right of me to expect you to apologize for it.

Hm, except... [ he trails off slightly here. for once, he's trying to find the right words to use here as well. ] You still haven't accepted the fact we met our parents once more, have you?

... We will never see eye-to-eye on this topic, Owain.

We may not, but let me try to understand you, Gerome.

There's no point in understanding.

There is if it keeps us from arguing every time we talk.

[ A pause as he considers this. ]

... Very well. I'll give you three questions, all of which I will answer with as much clarity as I can muster. [ Another beat. ] Do not make me regret this.

I'll stick with my previous question as my first one: you haven't accepted the Uncle Frederick and Aunt Cherche that we met in the past as your parents, have you?

It's complicated. [ Immediate regret. He wants to leave it at that, desperately so. Unfortunately, he made a promise of sorts to answer clearly. He shifts his gaze to the tree behind Owain. ] I accept they are the same in many ways. ... No, perhaps it is more than simply "many". They—are identical.

[ Saying that does seem to pain him. ] We are the ones displaced in time, the trespassers on a history we had little choice but to disrupt. My thoughts on this remain in discord, but there is one thing I know. Fate was averted for them. Lucina, Robin, Chrom, everyone... even you, played a part in that. I have no choice but to accept it as reality. ... Gratefully accept.

[ He opens his mouth as if to say more only to close it a second later. ] Next question.

[ owain is quiet as gerome speaks. he nods along, finally glad to have a clear answer from him on this subject. it's... somewhat strange to him, all things considered, but knowing gerome, it's starting to at least make a little sense. he's a little more careful with his question. ]

You don't want to intrude on their lives anymore than we already have?

[ this question is easier. since he doesn't see a need to elaborate, he relaxes considerably. it may be difficult to tell because of the armor and his typically rigid posture but, yes, he was extremely tense. ]

That's part of it.

[ owain knows that he's going to regret wasting his third question on this, but he just has to know ]

And you don't plan on being a part of their lives at all, after we return home, do you?

I am a solitary man, Owain. No matter what my feelings for them are or what theirs are for me, nothing will change that. ... Nor will it change that as I am now, I am a mere year younger than my mother. [ She can't raise him and he can't ask her to play a part for him that doesn't fit. It's better for her and his father to dote on the child they do bear.

For him, that would be more satisfying than trying to dote on him. He's already a lost cause. ]

Edited (a rephrase killed a sentence) 2018-11-28 06:10 (UTC)

--I know you said only three questions, but I am going to ask another.

Would you listen to what I have to say?

No. [ swiftly again. then, he does something unthinkable. he smiles. ] Because now it's my turn.

[ the smile drops. ] Why the interest in my affairs?

[ oh no he got a smile!! he's going to treasure this memory for life ]

We may not have talked much prior to returning to the past, something that I do share in the responsibility of, but I do have to say that I do consider you family. Your father, he was more than just a retainer for my mother and Uncle Chrom.

He was like an uncle to me too. So, I'm worried about you.

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the amount of times i swap between caps and all lower case secretly kills me btw

like all these threads