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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?

[Well, that second question does bring wetness to the corners of his eyes.]

Can we ... not?

Of course.

[ He sighs and brings a hand to wipe the tears away, kissing his cheek and then just holding him close ]

We can talk when you're ready. And it's fine if that's a thousand years away.

Is there anything I can do for you now?

[Denial is a fine coping mechanism. He whispers as quiet thank you and apology to Five as he holds him close.

And for a few long moments he says nothing, but he does eventually break the silence.]

There is a room that still needs to be painted, and I'm suddenly feeling terribly lethargic.

Then we'll save the painting for tomorrow.

[ there is a pause as he considers something, and then- ]

Anyone taller than me will be weightless

[ And just like that, he'll pull Emet up and adjust his position so he can carry him to the bed ]

[He was going to make a quip about learning to fake cry to get out of chores, but --- oh! He feels surprised, silly, and slightly endeared at being picked up.]

I will be fine.

You will be. But I don't mind if you're not yet.

You've been so focused on helping me get through this rough patch, and I really appreciate it. But as usual. We can simply learn how to move forward together.

[ he'll release the common law once they're both laying on the bed ]

I love you and I'm here for you.

Edited 2020-09-18 01:29 (UTC)

[He props himself up on one elbow.]

I know you are. There was never any doubt. But outside of Lahabrea, I do believe you are the only one who understands how truly deep this wound goes. Even if I had not played an unknown part in it. You sought to heal it. Do not put the burden on of my mood upon yourself.

Except for your terrible timing, but we've known that was a flaw since we first met.

[Trying to be flippant as he pets his the back of his hand.]

Thank you, always, for caring when others do not. It seems to be your special gift. At least to me.

I did ruin whatever mood we managed to achieve earlier. You're right I should be working on timing.

Edited (english bothered me) 2020-09-18 11:38 (UTC)

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