PCs with Gerome

[swordhandled]

[ some threads are nsfw ]

Comments

[swordhandled]

[ he stiffens at first, but when he feels gerome return the hug at least, owain allows himself to relax again. he's definitely warmed up at least since their time outside. ]

A burden... something I never want to be.

[maskarang]

Good. Let that be your incentive to live. [ he hates all of this too much to stay like this for very long. as soon as he's certain he won't yell at owain again out of anger, he pulls back enough to look him in the eyes. ]

You forced me to speak. Now it's your turn.

[swordhandled]

--What do you want me to say? [ he'll give him anything he asks for right now, tbh ]

[maskarang]

Everything. [ this was the actual worst time for owain to be so giving ]

[swordhandled]

The fear. It was nothing I've ever felt before.

[maskarang]

[ gently. do you need him to hold you more, he guesses like. he will? he is already here. ] Go on.

[swordhandled]

[ he's still holding on, but not because he needs it ] Like I said, it was completely out of my control. I have plans, ideas, on what I can do in every situation in battle. How can I parry a blade, how to dodge an Elthunder, how to confound an enemy...

But here? If one or two more had voted for me?

[maskarang]

... Or if a number decided your fate instead. The miscount may have altered the verdict, but until that moment you had a one in six chance at death. [ he can't read meta so he doesn't know owain doesn't need to be held. he would let go otherwise.

also, he subtly tightens his grip and pulls owain closer. ]

[swordhandled]

That's true. I feel that's far closer than I've ever been to death. [ but he's glad that gerome is tightening his grip ]

[maskarang]

Absurd when you consider all we've lived through. The frenzied town may pose a greater danger than the mafia. [ good. and he will just not think about any of this very hard because they were both afraid and that's all he needs to know. ]

[swordhandled]

Who would have thought that we could die because of a sick game instead of failing to stop Grima?

[maskarang]

I've thought the same thing ever since the trial.

[swordhandled]

But it seems we're truly stuck here... And, speaking truthfully--?

[maskarang]

—yes?

[swordhandled]

Even if we could leave, I wouldn't.

[maskarang]

Nor would I. Running away would be the mark of a coward. [ A beat. ] But I expect your reasons are more altruistic. You won't abandon anyone in need.

[swordhandled]

That's right... I couldn't leave anyone here, not if they could still die. Not if I could help do something about it.

[maskarang]

I thought as much. [ he smiles and this officially becomes the point where the hug has lasted too long. pulling away now. ]

[swordhandled]

But even if your reasons aren't as altruistic as mine... I'm glad that you would stay as well.

[maskarang]

[ a thoughtful "hm" as he tilts his head down and to the side. ] ... May I ask you a question?

[swordhandled]

Ask away.

[maskarang]

Will you stay with me tonight?

[swordhandled]

[ a pause and then a slow smile ]

Yeah, I will.

[maskarang]

[ with that settled, he starts picking himself off the floor. he offers his hand to owain again. ]

[swordhandled]

[ taking his hand and pulling himself up ]

Will you actually get some sleep tonight?