daemonized | RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

[ They're all but vibrating with it: discontent and anger and frustration and confusion and resentment and fear; an existential jumble of emotions they've never really learned how to deal with. Their fearless, direct nature had its benefits, they functioned well enough, but it made them shallow and childish when it came to any level of social complexity. Normally, being a rude wretched beast got them out of these conversations, an easy defense mechanism like an irritated cat swatting at ankles and fingertips. ]

I liked things just fine the way they were.

You know that's unreasonable. To expect that things won't eventually change.

[But of course they know. Ardyn gives Pitou more credit than that, despite the hissy fit they were throwing right this very moment. He knows that, and yet it's going to be rather difficult to climb this wall of discontent and frustration that's been tossed up in front of him.

He loops back around to something Pitou has already told him.]

What "rules" do you think have altered?

[ Why are they even still talking to him? They hadn't spent this much time talking to Grell, although they were also not going to bitch her out to her face like this. Whatever that signifies. ]

What I can do, where I can be!

[ So catlike. Someone else will want more time with her and Pitou doesn't want to concede it. That's their couch to scratch. Something easy and physical to own up to, whereas when it comes to their feelings, Pitou practically speaks in tongues on that front. ]

How I'm supposed to deal with you. And if you tell me it's all the same, I'm throwing that coffee in your face, you understand a basic social hierarchy.

[ For someone who is not the most socially functional, they sure do feel strongly about hierarchy, it's one of their oddities, something they put entirely too much attention in to, even if they then go on to disregard it. Much like their insistence that Nature would win out the day...

It's like there's an animal in there, still watching the human world with the wilderness on its mind. ]

[If someone is going to disengage from this conversation first, it won't be Ardyn. But that doesn't mean the man won't lean back in his chair, exhaling as listens. Wondering if this is a futile conversation that's just going to go around in circles, because Grell is their friend, and if she didn't manage to calm them down, what chance does he possibly have?

Well. A stubborn streak to lean on, if nothing else.]

How you're supposed to deal with me? [He gestures with his hands as he speaks, brought on by how surprising that statement is to him.] Refrain from throwing coffee in my face, but I would've thought you'd treat me similarly as before. The same snide comments, the inclination to call me a hobo and potentially dress me to your standards one day.

[Ardyn believed that their whims surely wouldn't bend because of an engagement, goodness no.]

Don't tell me that's subsiding.

Of course it would, you fucking twit. You think I'm going to treat my friend's husband that way?!

[ Oh. Well. At... least they've finally admitted Grell is their friend??? Also that her decision as to keep a longterm partner has meaning.

And that Pitou is put out that they have to be nice now.

No, we know that's really only a tiny little piece of the whole fit.]

What, then? You're going to strain smiles in my direction from here on out?

[A painful, torturous fate. A small part of the whole or not, Ardyn feels as if this needs addressing.]

That'll be equally terrible for the both of us.

[ Pitou gives him a narrow, suspicious look. They don't think actually think that they -- as a couple -- will continue tolerating their antagonism. It was one thing during the 'courtship', something that could be idly laughed off or complained about, but upon cementing themselves into the relationship things like Pitou instead began to look like an issue to be solved.

Maybe they've been treated that way more than once, is this some knee-jerk hatred for all the people that have started out understanding only to slowly lose their patience. Maybe it was a badge of honor to wear out their patience -- When Pitou didn't care about them. ]

Don't pretend. It's irritating.

I'm not pretending. Give me credit where it's due.

[This might be a conversation that runs lopsided, heated on one side and slightly exasperated on the other, but Ardyn is not being facetious for a change. He is not being patronizing or saying things just to please them. Every word is sincere, and yes, that includes the part where he expects Pitou to treat him exactly the same as before. It was a given?]

Don't feign politeness at me when I'd be able to see right through it. Can you imagine the level of trite conversations it'd produce? I'd much rather prefer you calling me terrible names.

You say that now.

[ Wow do you need to also promise to love your fiancee's friend for the rest of this relationship too....... Jesus christ, Pitou. ]

And I don't say it lightly.

[Pitou...]

I mean it. Do I look like someone who'd force you to be polite for my sake? I don't even think Grell would want that.

I didn't think she wanted this! So that shows how much I know.

[ Pitou slams their hands down on the table between them, standing up, leaning in with that just furious, wide-eyed look on their face. ]

I'm done talking about this.

[ Well. He'd tried. And in his trying he got a big old mouthful of how troubled this little human is under all those mean smiles. Maybe didn't expose what all that trouble is, but certainly made it clear that Grell had done something that helped them in it.

Pitou stuffs their hands in their pockets angrily and walks away from him, shoulders hunched. ]

[There are two things that Ardyn will always respond to: when that blasted bleeding heart of his tells him that there's still a problem that needs tending to, and when his own stubbornness spurs him forward.

And so:]

Pitou-!

[He stands with a flourish of exasperation, but he will make an attempt to follow them. Even if it amounts to nothing.]

What can I do to make it right?

[You know, other than call the whole thing off.]

Die!

[ That's what. ]

Be reasonable.

[GOD.]

[ FLIPS HIM OFF. WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE. ]

[SIGH. PITOU.

Well. He did try. Perhaps they just need time to cool down and sulk a little longer. So is his thought as he eventually allows them to depart.]

RECOLLE IC CONTACT.

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