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It's at least worth trying. I guess I do want to build a proper relationship with them.

... Fox is leaving, by the way. He's graduating as well.

You were only gone a few days. Imagine how Taisho would be if you were gone a week.

[He rubs the bridge of his nose before tucking his legs up and pulling Five in his lap to hold him.]

But even though you will miss him, 'tis a good turn of events. Though it is a hard concept to convince one's heart.

Not as good as it could have been. He's taking Hell road so he won't abandon his lovers that are still stuck here, in some other shows.

[ he's letting Emet pull him into his lap, and again he wraps his arms around his neck, just sighing ]

But violence never suited him and as much as I will miss him, you're right that it's good news. Did I ever tell you before? Back when I arrived he was the one to provide me with points to get my first memory. It meant a lot to me at the time and it still does.

Fox aside Taisho has been ... complicated, for lack of a better words. I had another argument with Kaguya and Ao was delivered on our door after having just been killed.

Then of course I found out about my siblings. Today has been rough.

You are terribly fond of Taisho. If you were not, worries about them falling apart would not be on your mind. And I knew you were fond of Shu, but it seems Fox is not far behind.

And that was kind of him. And for as dysfunctional as this unit is, I do enjoy them. You all are just too stubborn for you own good.

[He kisses the top of his head.]

Rest then. Give yourself a moment. All of these can be tackled in the morrow. Non of them insurmountable. Your chief focus should be on ensuring you say goodbye to Fox properly. And then after bonding with your siblings.

Sometimes I really feel like I shouldn't be fond of them. It does make things complicated.

[ He lets his hand run through Emet's hair at that, taking a moment to just enjoy this - the physical closeness, being affectionate with him. It's relaxing in his own right and already he's starting to feel some of the weight drop off his shoulders, just at being able to share it with him. And despite that— ]

But we're not going to rest.

[ It's all he says before he reaches for his phone and makes a couple purchases ]

We got the paint and I purchased the rest of the necessary tools. No better time than the present to take care of it.

Neither of us would be having this conversation if we didn't care far too much.

[It's nice, isn't it? Having just a warm, safe space. Where complications just seem to evaporate for just a moment.

Wait, what!]

.....

.....

I suppose that also counts as mindless.

Your company does calm me down but I'm feeling restless and a nice evening of sweet words and touches isn't going to cut it today, so.

We're starting on this project.

This also means we will not be able to spend the night in my room once we're done painting. We'll sleep in the garden, and if you want anything more comfortable than a tree to sleep against you're going to have to send me points for that.

[ a pause, then he leans in to give him a quick kiss on his lips - keeping it soft and brief ]

It was your idea, so no complaining.

[He just sighs as he takes of his jacket and vest to avoid getting paint splatter on them.]

I would accept that as a challenge.

[He does smile at the kiss.]

But even I will admit I've been more sedentary than usual. And as you so eloquently put, it was my idea. As for the comment, I can nap anywhere. I imagine you are the same.

[Though he does look a bit concerned.]

Are you running low?

Only because I've been neglecting doing or taking part in lives, it's nothing I can't catch up on.

[ he's also going to get off of him entirely and take off his jacket, setting it aside ]

I've purchased paintbrushes and sheets, so we can cover ... everything we need covered. Wait here. The paint is over there.

[ He'll point toward where he stored it last time, when they got it. And with that, he'll leave Emet to go get the rest from Taisho's box ]

And now you have siblings to dote over.

[He just shakes his head and wires Five 1500 points once he leaves. He owed him for the scars anyway. But he has his sleeves rolled up and starts moving anything away from the walls when he returns.]

Now there's a touching sight. My fiancé actually working.

[ He hopes the teasing is enough to deflect any potential embarrassing comments from the fact he's absolutely calling him his fiancé. ]

... Thanks for the points. I'll return them as soon as I start earning them back.

Get your quips in now before I have paint on my brush or you might find your hair dyed this color. Besides you can't even reach half the items in this room.

[He is kind and does not comment one way or another on the use of the term. He finds it endearing, but Five has had a hard day. He'll tease him about romantics later.

Instead, he will just tsks at him.]

Keep them. The last thing I want is for you to stress yourself out more, my dear.

As undoubtedly dashing as you are I don't need you to be my prince charming and rescue me from Hell poverty Hades, I can manage my funds.

[ But he's going to hand him the paintbrush ]

You'll start with the tall areas for obvious reasons.

It isn't all charity. Some are for the scars. And I actually had points. A rare occurrence indeed!

[Though he offers little more complaints as he paints the room. He'll also double check a few time which one is the accent wall because the colors are similar enough that he gets them mixed up. Good thing Five will perfectly remember which one was from dreams and which one was from Ideal Worlds.]

I haven't actually removed all of them yet.

[ Which he supposes he should have told him before but It Didn't Seem Relevant. He'll just drop that in the middle of painting and yes, fortunately for him Five remembers which one he pointed out as the correct one and will point him to the correct one each time ]

I've talked to Thancred and Noah, by the way. About what happened with Elidibus, and how you aided them. You were worried about it, weren't you?

Now you can. And you should. There is not reason to bear them.

[He minds a little, but he just assumes Five had other point priorities. Not a terrible thing.

But for that last comment he does receive a genuine glare.]

You are supposed to be relaxing. Why would I care what either of them have to say?

I wasn't going to relax for the rest of the day and I thought at least it would savage some of it.

Neither of them really know anything of value, it's second-hand information from their Champion. But you weren't physically there to help. It seems they simply ran into your device, as you suspected.

Even if you don't care for what they have to say, I didn't want you to keep wondering whether your memories have been tempered with. I do understand how unpleasant that thought is and I don't want you to experience it if I can help it.

Am I forgiven or are you going to keep glaring at me?

I do not trust them. Not either of them in the slightest. I will understand the reasoning for it without them.

[He breaks his gaze turning his head. He doesn't want to be mad at Five, but unpleasant thoughts are bubbling to the forefront of his mind.]

You have done nothing wrong that needs any amount of forgiveness.

[ he did not expect it to go this badly, so he is visibly surprised, and a little concerned. ]

Maybe, but it seems I just succeeded in making your day just as bad and I didn't want that.

[ he's going to set aside his brush in favor of reaching for Emet's hand, lacing their fingers together ]

Should I have left it alone?

I know that was not your intention. You simply wish to aid, to support. The intentions are appreciated.

[He does flinch marginally before relaxing into the grip. Squeezing reassurance even.]

I don't know. At times I have trouble facing Lahabrea for he used the same word of comfort, 'forgiven'. He bears no ill will, but I do feel as if I have betrayed him. His trust. His hope.

... I think you're never really going to stop feeling like that.

Because you hurt him.

[ he doesn't think softening the blow would help here, so he won't ]

And you're not the type who doesn't take responsibility.

Which is why I will not take the account through any but my own eyes. The Scions could never understand my purpose or my heart. I would not trust their word.

And I owe him the entire truth. It is the least I can do.

[ he squeezes his hand again at that, and then just uses it to pull Emet into a hug ]

I need to understand I can't solve everything. I'm sorry for discounting your feelings like that. I should have known better.

But for all it counts I don't think you betrayed him. And I'm here for you regardless of how you decide to go about finding out the truth.

[He puts his brush down and kneels so he can lean into the embrace better.]

Oh, do not. Such brazen behavior is why we are as close as we have become. You come from a place of kindness, of concern. How can I be anything but charmed when you try?

The trouble is I know my own inner thoughts. I would not want Elidibus to suffer, to struggle alone. And considering our abilities, our flaws when fear takes our hearts, I cannot discount it. And if those thoughts became manifest into action, it is nothing short of betrayal.

And I can see myself making the same choice again.

[ he'll kiss the top.of his head then, taking a few moments to consider the words ]

Can it truly be considered betrayal when you were trying to protect Elidibus' heart? If you were to meet him here, what would you say to him?

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