daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

[Every word of what he said, he believes. That Ardyn will gives his all for those he worries for, and yes, for those he loves. That he will spill everything within him for the sake of others, even at a detriment to himself, because he cares. He cares so much, and he wishes for Dante to be nothing short of happy, and to not be plagued with the doubts that these memories try to suffocate him with. Like the man he remembers, the one before the spite, the healer who took the illness of others and made the burden his own. The proverbial sin-eater, and so he would do the same in this life as well — fighting for someone else’s peace of mind, doing everything humanly possible to make sure that this darkness does not consume Dante in the way that he fears.

Whether or not he expected his words to cause this kind of reaction in the other, there is no sign of judgment nor surprise from Ardyn. He merely scoots closer on the couch so that he can lean over and pull Dante into a one-armed hug, letting him cry for as long as he needs to. If this is the comfort he can bring right now, then so be it.]

It’ll be all right.

[He isn't expecting Ardyn's touch, but by this point Dante's way past any instinctual response he may have normally had. He lets Ardyn draw him in, shoulders slumping forward and tension draining out of him slowly, some little part of him still confused even after what the other had told him. This... this isn't what's supposed to happen to guys like him. Guys like him are supposed to end up alone, isolated like he'd said so many months before.

He doesn't cry for more than a minute or so, rubbing his eyes as he might if he had a headache to wipe any tears away even if he knows that Ardyn knows. But he doesn't pull away just yet, taking a certain sort of strength from Ardyn's hug, trying to take stock of the feeling so that he can recall it when his confidence flags again, this sense of something stable in a sea of uncertainty. Because even while he can't believe in his own strength, his own ability to come out victorious of that potential darkness, Dante can believe in Ardyn's resolve, in the other man's certainty that he is loved.

"It'll be all right." Maybe... maybe he can believe that.]

Yeah.

[His eyes fall shut again as Dante nods, taking a deep breath and releasing it to try and find some sense of what's normal in all of this. He straightens up, glancing toward Ardyn, and while he still may not be entirely confident in what he's saying, the fear is gone from his eyes at least.]

It'll... it'll be okay.

Thanks, prof.

[If the fear is gone, which Ardyn can see that it has dissipated, then that's a step in the right direction. It means that he's provided some small amount of comfort, a seed that's been planted and perhaps can flourish and grow into something steadier and more grounding the future. With his help, he thinks, maybe they both can manage it.

Releasing Dante, he just gives him a tired, but certainly fond smile.]

Of course.

[He exhales softly, letting the moment settle for a bit longer before he gazes about the apartment.]

Now then, how long has it been since you've eaten something substantial, hm?

[The moment is over. Dante groans, running his hands through his hair.]

I don't think I want to answer that question.

[Dante please.]

And yet I'm asking it anyway. [Brow arch.]

Why are you asking when you already know the answer?

[He's just going to... keep avoiding the question, sorry Ardyn ¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

Because I have the hope that you'd still make the attempt to take care of yourself.

[This is less disapproving than it is lined with concern. Ardyn lifts himself off of the couch, making his way towards the kitchen.]

What do you want? Let me prepare something.

[There's a part of him that wants to be defensive--to snap back at Ardyn and make him drop the topic, but he already knows it wouldn't work. Ardyn's proven time and time again that he won't let Dante drive him off. It's one of the reasons Dante trusts him so much! If anything, there's a larger part of him that feels abashed, that wants to explain to nip any potential disappointment in him in the bud.]

I've been sleeping. I kept... waking up last night.

Freya made sure I sat down and ate something yesterday. [He thinks. The entirety of that last fight is kind of a blur.] I just haven't today. I finally managed to get to sleep around 9 this morning.

[Just don't ask him about before that; look, he's been doing his best okay]

[He doesn't need to ask about before that. Not now, for there's a time and place for everything. All Ardyn needs to see to is that he's taken care of, while he's here -- and that maybe he won't need to rely on whatever methods took place prior from now on out because of it.]

I know what it's like to be unable to sleep like a proper human being. [Boy does he.] All the more reason why you need to keep your energy up by way of food.

[Don't mind him as he makes his way to the fridge and opens it up. What you go in here, Dante?]

[He's not going to argue any more. Instead, Dante's just going to take a deep breath before dragging himself up and off the couch again, slowly following Ardyn into the kitchen. It's pretty clean for the most part, though... sorry, Ardyn, there's not going to be a ton in the fridge. He's been gone for three weeks, what did you expect? He had to get rid of all the perishable food he'd had. There's still a few staples, though: bread, milk, eggs, cheese, and the freezer contains a few packages of frozen meat or vegetables. It's about what you'd expect from a guy that's been living on his own a few years so idk run with it it's all good]

I'm guessing you're not gonna let me tell you you don't have to.

[So he's just going to lean up against the counter, since it's pretty obvious that'd be a losing battle!]

Ah, you know me all too well.

[That's a yes, then. He knows he doesn't have to, but he wants to, and Ardyn can be stubborn, especially when it comes to aiding others.

There's not much in the fridge, but this doesn't surprise him. It's enough to work with something, even if that something ends up being a breakfast in the afternoon. Easy enough, with bread and eggs... or actually, he thinks, maybe an omelette would suffice.

At any rate, Dante's free to watch as he gets everything ready, crossing here and there in the kitchen.]

Indulge me, why don't you? It's not like I get to do this very often.

[Cook for someone else, he means!]

[There's something really strange about watching his law professor in his kitchen, pulling out ingredients and rifling through his cabinets. Dante watches with a sense of bemusement, staying right where he is, but when Ardyn speaks he shakes his head with a halfhearted snort.]

Is that so? Prompto told me a while back he came over to your place for dinner all the time.

[Had he said he had dinner there multiple times a week? Or just that he went over to hang out?

...eh, it's not that important right now, anyways. His point is made.]

"All the time" is a bit of a stretch, and cooking is not always involved. [Sometimes it's take-out that Prompto is already bringing over.] But I mean cooking for someone who needs the extra bit of help, for whatever the reason might be.

[There's something even more satisfying in doing it for someone else's sake. To add that small bit of comfort back into their lives, making them forget about (if even for just a second) whatever ails them.

He continues working, in the midst of beating eggs for the omelet itself now.]

You should join us.

[He's taken off guard by that.] --what?

[Sure, Prompto had said that Dante should come over himself, but he hadn't really considered the idea all that much. He's never considered that someday he might be a part of all that, that someday he might be accepted in such a way that makes him feel like it's okay if he doesn't have all the answers, like it's okay if he sits back and relaxes and listens instead of having to run the show himself.

Like he can be the young man he is, struggling to figure out his place in the world, instead of having to constantly be on guard and pretending he knows it all already.

It sounds...

It sounds really nice.

At any rate, it might be evident to Ardyn if he happens to chance a glance that Dante doesn't quite know how to handle this invitation, surprised by how casually it was thrown out there.]

I mean--

Okay. Sure.

Edited 2017-09-25 19:19 (UTC)

[Turning his head to catch a view of Dante in his periphery, it's impossible not to notice the way the offer has flustered him. Yet knowing what he does about the young man -- about how much of a connection with friends and family and those who sincerely care will aid him -- he certainly only finds a quiet pleasure in seeing that kind of response.

He doesn't comment on his surprise. He merely continues with both the conversation and his cooking, as if it was nothing to truly be surprised about.]

Good. I'll be sure to let you know when the next one is. You can always show up earlier; I'm sure you and Prompto can find something to entertain yourself with in the meanwhile. Or better yet, even lend a hand with dinner.

[That being said, a minute or two more and the omelet will be done! It'll be neatly put on a plate, and after digging around for a fork, he will present it on the kitchen table for Dante-- or whatever nearby flat surface happens to work.]

[It's almost a weird feeling at first: the smallest curve of his lips, the slightest pseudo-chuckle that makes his body shake. Man, as much as he'd deny it if someone tried to call him on it, the idea of going over to Ardyn's place and being dumbasses horsing around with Prompto and hanging out... it's really, really tempting. It feels normal, a world apart from everything else that's happened recently.

The sound escapes him and for what seems like the first time since sometime in mansion hell, there's a smile on his face, wistful as it is.]

Yeah... we probably could.

[As Ardyn sets the plate down on the table (a small two-person affair in a nook in the corner), Dante makes his way over to gingerly sit. He has no appetite still, but the food smells good at the very least!]

Thanks, pr... [The word dies on his lips; it feels strange to call him "prof" here, for a reason he doesn't yet realize. It's wrong, but...] ...thanks.

You can get something for yourself too, if you want.

[And with that being said, he's gonna go ahead and turn to his food? Ignore him, Ardyn, he's not so much of an idiot that he's going to refuse to eat. Get yourself something!]

RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

this book hurts me

i'd say you deserve it but i played myself too, this entire thread hurts

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keywords relevant tbh

good

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