daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

... alright, [ Yu breathes, more relieved than he thought he could be. More relieved than maybe he should be. He doesn't need anyone to tell him what he can be, does he?

But Ardyn's absolute faith in him - as if it's so obvious that of course Yu can be a leader, too - warms a piece of his heart he hadn't realized he'd let go cold.

The line of his shoulders straightens, adjusting along with the shift in his mindset. He'll nod, once or twice, and smile, barely there. ]

Alright, [ he repeats, with more strength. ] Then that's what I'll work toward.

[Ardyn's expression brightens slightly, pleased with the answer. Pleased with Yu's spark of motivation, quiet thing that it may be. With time, perhaps it'll become a flame proper -- but for now, Ardyn is glad for what shines right now, and he smiles.]

I believe it to be an admirable goal. You have my support, of course, as always.

[And, of course:] My door is always open if you need to speak about this, or strange abilities, or memories, or even the most mundane of things, Yu. I'm glad you visited today.

I know. [ Softly: ] I'm glad I came, too.

[ Yu gives his head a small shake, as if to clear it. This has all been ... a lot. And he hasn't forgotten: ]

How have you been, uncle? I should have asked.

[Ah, but Ardyn had almost forgotten, enough to where he blinks a bit in surprise before leaning back into his seat with his usual grin.]

Well enough, though I suppose it's worth mentioning that I find myself with my own set of... ah, strange abilities. Nothing quite as [dramatic? intense?] eye-catching as yours, though. [A wave of a hand, almost dismissive; he doesn't want to worry Yu.]

I can heal physical injuries now with my touch alone.

[ Just.

Wow.

Stares at Ardyn in shock, before blinking and looking deeply thoughtful. ]

That's an incredible power. How do you feel about it?

[One might expect another flippant response from Ardyn. And it's true that while his words seem to be airy and frivolous, the sentiment behind them is oddly heavy.]

I honestly don't know how to parse it just yet. [He doesn't want to show worry on his features, not in front of either of his nephews, and so his brows knit only faintly. The smile, almost apologetic now, remains.]

It's an extraordinary power, with the ability to help others if necessary. [Or, you know, if his nephews get stomach aches...] But I have a memory associated with it. Healing the sick... taking a strange ailment into myself, letting something dark live there.

[Not something he likes to dwell on. Not in company, at least.] So its consequences are something I wonder about, from time to time.

[ Yu, with faintly furrowed brow, simply listens. Silent, but obviously attentive, given the way his shoulders shift slightly as Ardyn explains the dark side of his power.

Once Ardyn finishes, Yu is quiet for a few moments longer, letting his gaze fall to his lap as he thinks. ]

... whatever happens, we'll be here to support you.

[ Looking uo at him again, full of a quiet but solid conviction. ] If your power turns out to be dangerous, we'll do everything we can to help you. These memories that we all have... whatever they mean, they don't have to determine who we are now.

[ A beat, and: ]

We'll keep you safe.

[ Yu loves his uncle. Loves him, truly, the way only family can love family - the way family should love family. Yu has never had someone like Ardyn in his life before.

It's about time he started repaying the kindnesses that Ardyn has shown him. ]

[When Yu speaks, it isn't exactly what Ardyn had expected to hear.

It's not that he believes sympathy and understanding to be beyond Yu (the opposite is true, he knows), but it's odd how something twists within him upon hearing those words. He was the one who was supposed to offer support, not the other way around. His own uncertainties were not to be unfurled before his nephews, because they needed not to focus on him, but only the well-being of themselves. He loves them enough, as well, to make this a priority.

It's a rare moment that passes, the sort where he doesn't know how to reply to that. The mask of disaffectedness slips for a moment, replaced by sincere surprise and... well, gratitude.

These memories that we all have... whatever they mean, they don't have to determine who we are now.

He's said this much to others before. Having the words reflected back to him feel ten times more poignant, for some strange reason.]

We'll keep each other safe. [He looks at Yu with a lingering of a smile.] That's only fair, right?

[ His heart's in his throat as he watches Ardyn consider his words. Did he say the right thing? Was it too much? Not enough? Is it strange, to offer such sentiment to his own uncle? But Ardyn is his own person as much as he is family, needing looking after the same as everyone else. Even if Yu isn't the best-equipped person to do that, there's no reason not to try, is there? Ardyn might want him to be happy, but the feeling is so powerfully, unwaveringly mutual.

It's when he sees gratitude in Ardyn's expression that he relaxes, though only slightly. He'll nod his head, huffing through his nose, and smile very faintly. ]

Alright. You've got a deal, uncle.

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