I Really Can't Stay-

Aresenn · 11-05-2023, 12:04 PM

Theres that laughter again, that is so addictive. And while doesn't so readily pair it with his own, he does offer her a gentle grin. Though as her grin fades, as does his own. What if the hero can't be a hero? Then what? He wanted to ask, but could supersede the confines of the bottle that he kept his fears tightly bound in. He wouldn't unload that on her- he couldn’t. Besides, he was certain that the kind of conversation unpacking that would lead to would in the end be an endeavor for a solution. And he didn't want that. He just wanted to be- to be with her and this moment and forget about all the other complexities life had to offer him.

They continue their conversation, both of them lost in their thoughts. Aresenn couldn't help but come to the haunting realization of just the amount of his life that he had to hide from her. But he had to. In fear of what she would think of him if only she knew. But as she answered his subtle demand that she not resist the decisions he might make with a brightened round of laughter, he could feel the tension immediately begin to crack. Allowing his half-sided grin to return with the glimmer of amusement in his amber gaze, he offered her a gentle nod. "If I have to baby sit you on a manner, then I certainly will. And don't think for a minute I'm not above holding you down." His tone sank ever so slightly as his words trailed off while he held her eye contact for a few more moments. Allowing his grin to spread a bit further, he narrowed his eyes a bit before continuing. "But I would prefer it if it didn't succumb to that.” Aresenn finished- while he was most certainly serious in his playful threat, the sound of levity was still present in his voice.

When he answered her casual interest in the happenings of his life, it was clear that whatever she had been expecting, hadn't been the reality of the matter. He could see the surprise flash across her expression. It took her several moments to process, before something more accepting spread across her features. He couldn't tell if it was forced or genuine, but he would certainly take whatever he could for now. As she expressed her happiness for him, he nodded, allowing a half-sided smirk to return once again. However, when she pressed for more, it was he who became surprised. Taking a moment to collect himself, he cleared his throat before answering her. "Well. We haven't exactly sat down and figured out the mission statement yet. It's mostly just Sephiran and his family. A few stragglers like myself here and there.” Aresenn explained all at once. But he couldn't help but think about what was going through her head. How could he possibly have taken up with that monster? Because he's a monster too.

Shanking away the thought, he felt compelled to continue. More about himself rather than Sephiran's soon-to-be band. Maybe she could understand. "You know, I'm not really close to my family.” Aresenn started, looking away from her then as he steered their conversation to something a little more personal. "Not that I don't care for them, or wish them ill. I just didn't feel much investment from them, and in return, I didn't invest much in them myself.” His attention fell to the ground before him, as if he had taken interest in something that was there. Though, truthfully, there was nothing there. In a flash, he looked back up to her then. Offering her a tired grin as he went on. "I know you probably think him to be a monster, and to be fair- I certainly wouldn't want to get on his bad side-“ He cut himself off on a couple of occasions, trying to orient the words as they rolled off his tongue, but doing so unsuccessfully. "Seph is more of a brother to me than my own, I guess I'm trying to say.” He finally concluded, looking her over for any semblance of recognition. After a few moments of silence, he continued. "So when I say that I'm loyal to my family, it's not necessarily blood that I'm talking about.” When they had met each other in Auster, Andromeda had spoken about her distance from her family a bit then ... he wondered if that had changed at all. Maybe she would understand better than he had thought. After lingering in another extended pause, he moved to complete his thought, but a bit more slowly. "When it comes to the question of my commitment to him and the life he wants to live, I hope that comes to mind as well.” Aresenn finished, allowing his to trail off once again. He knew there would come a time- if not already- that she would ask herself why. Perhaps that might ease some of it.

"Andy" & "Aresenn"

Code by Sea

Thread Move Log
Thread		Forum	From	To
1.	I Really Can't Stay-	Mile-High Woods	11:48 AM, 10-08-2023	10:47 PM, 01-01-2024

Login
Username:
Password:	Lost Password?
	Remember me