[He sighs in a huff then adjusts facing them so he can reach up, cup both their cheeks and look at them in turn.]
Had I asked for this or were it simply that you needed space that would be one thing. But this...
Ah, what am I to do with you both? You are sweet, endearing and considerate.
But this is not what I wish. I love you both. I may be a foolish and possessive old man but do not think my little bit of jealousy is enough to warrant this. I know you mean to try to reassure me in your own way, but reassure me of this; that you will not try something of this sort again. I will not find you, Five sleeping alone when you would be here. I will not find you, Hades trying to cater to what you think I wish while ignoring your own wants.
Please add endearing and as I said before, fussy, to your list of old man traits.
[He kisses his palm before leaning back taking Lahabrea's hand in his own and putting his other on the small of Five's back. He imagines their time traveler is a little uncomfortable being caught in this.]
And if I didn't know you better this would sound like an invitation for a night of romance for three.
But jesting aside, I want to spend time with you. I do believe there are some topics we alone need to work through. And it is not a lack of trust for Five or Vergil or any of the others we have grown close to. We simply need to speak.
But perhaps I can relinquish that it has to be at night before bed.
[ Hades is right their time traveler is absolutely uncomfortable with this, the situation is awkward and embarrassing, having Lahabrea cup both their cheeks like that doesn't help, and if he could he would have left, as he just made clear. And then he mentions a night of romance for three and the look he gives him is probably one of those he enjoys earning out of him ]
—Adorable as your jealousy is, Lahabrea, I didn't decide to sleep in the Coffee room because of that.
I simply thought it would be best for you to work through these aforementioned topics alone, and my presence obviously prevents that. I'm not so fragile that I can't handle one night on my own.
[He also gives Emet a look at the "night of romance" comment, sighing in exasperation and dropping his hands, though Emet already has one captured.]
Yes. We do have things to discuss just the two of us. But if you are here in Baritones despite that, Five, it means you do not wish to be in Taisho. And since neither of you gave me a better explanation before I will not hear excuses now.
You would be sleeping here tonight already if you were not trying to be considerate towards me, I think.
So you may both cease. If we are talking fragile, none of us are that. Yet it does help each of us to be in one another's presence. That is irrefutable. So I will hold with no nonsense.
I can answer the question easy enough. Taisho is being Taisho.
[Really that should be enough explanation as he rubs Fives back before finding him a blanket. And yes, he's absolutely thrilled with the look both of them are giving him.]
It seems you are sleeping here tonight. We'll do our best to not keep you up. Lahabrea has been recently freed of bedtimes and I imagine he's quite mad with power.
No apologies necessary. Honestly while I am vexed I am also endeared. I am aware you both fret about my well-being. How could I not be charmed? But I will not be having with anything that involves exclusion, no matter how voluntary.
Now. Since I assume that is settled, of course you prefer the company Five. Really! Both of you.
[He shakes his head and squeezes Emet's hand and then retrieves his from the hold, crawling over them to his usual spot.]
I would ask what happened. I thought it was just Vergil who feuded with Kaguya.
Kaguya and I fight frequently, actually. It shouldn't be too surprising, given that Vergil's experience with Taisho isn't too different from mine.
Our latest discussion has been due to the fact she expressed a desire to be able to force graduation upon her family and other people, including Shu, who I care deeply about.
[ he sighs ]
But I understand she literally just saw her daughter die horribly, so. Though this morning I was ready to tell her to screw herself along the rest of the Unit I have reconsidered now that I have calmed down.
I'd told her that it scared me. Being left behind, Shu specifically graduating, since she brought him up at Fox's graduation. Which does make me think this thought had been on her mind for a while, and not just today, with her daughter's death. And I am still upset. But my disappointment and hunger are no reason to give up entirely.
[ a pause as he thinks over Lahabrea's question, and then he shakes his head ]
To be honest I hadn't meant for this to ... well. Get this much of attention from you. It feels as though you're constantly picking up the pieces and pulling me back from my worst thoughts, and I know things aren't easy for either of you.
I appreciate it, but — ... I simply do not want to take too much from you, I suppose. To answer your question your company and affection is way more than I could ask for.
[He tilts his face down, lips to his knuckles a moment before returning to leaning his chin there.]
How shall I put this?
Even if I did not like you personally, Five, and I do very much love you, I am invested in your well-being.
But since I do like you, do love you dearly, it is not taking from me to lean on me. I will not speak for Hades because I can hope you already understand this between each other. But for myself, that is what is means to be friends. I consider it neither a chore nor a hardship to do what I can, and do greatly like to feel as if I am helping at all.
Obviously my company and affection is free for you at any time. And I do not expect to solve all your troubles, nor trample your independence. But do not hesitate to actually reach out should you think of something that you need, or even simply want. In this instance or any other.
[ He says that like he doesn't mean the opposite, because of course he's grateful ]
But fine. Given my newfound appreciation for physical comfort and my recent inclination toward clingy, I shall take it a step further and admit that right now, a physical reminder of your presence beside me wouldn't be bad.
I will sleep between you two. And since you're both so intent on focusing your energies on me, I expect you to shower me with attention and care.
[ Despite the demanding declaration it does still embarrass him to stay between the two of them and explicitly ask for affection but he can tell in this case, being sincere was the only way to handle this ]
I am still going to stab you both if you say anything about this to anyone else. Including Vergil. He can't be trusted with potentially embarrassing information.
[ he knows it's obvious even under normal circumstances, but now he can't even pretend. He did need this, though, and it doesn't sink in fully until he's there between them, with his guard down and more vulnerable than he's comfortable with. ]
... well. I did ask for help when I needeed it so the sleeping quarters issue aside, I'd say I'm showing remarkable improvenent.
[ they are both so unfair. But he is tired, still, and having them both take care of him feels nice. He simply closes his eyes once he's encouraged to, and it doesn't take long at all for him to fall asleep ]
[He pets Five's hair softly to avoid not waking him, checking his dreams to ensure they aren't full of fire and death before addressing Lahabrea quietly.]
He's worried about you. I'm worried about you. And yes, I know you don't want to hear it, but that doesn't make it any less true.
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Re: 297 late
[He sighs in a huff then adjusts facing them so he can reach up, cup both their cheeks and look at them in turn.]
Had I asked for this or were it simply that you needed space that would be one thing. But this...
Ah, what am I to do with you both? You are sweet, endearing and considerate.
But this is not what I wish. I love you both. I may be a foolish and possessive old man but do not think my little bit of jealousy is enough to warrant this. I know you mean to try to reassure me in your own way, but reassure me of this; that you will not try something of this sort again. I will not find you, Five sleeping alone when you would be here. I will not find you, Hades trying to cater to what you think I wish while ignoring your own wants.
Am I clear or must I go on?
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[He kisses his palm before leaning back taking Lahabrea's hand in his own and putting his other on the small of Five's back. He imagines their time traveler is a little uncomfortable being caught in this.]
And if I didn't know you better this would sound like an invitation for a night of romance for three.
But jesting aside, I want to spend time with you. I do believe there are some topics we alone need to work through. And it is not a lack of trust for Five or Vergil or any of the others we have grown close to. We simply need to speak.
But perhaps I can relinquish that it has to be at night before bed.
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—Adorable as your jealousy is, Lahabrea, I didn't decide to sleep in the Coffee room because of that.
I simply thought it would be best for you to work through these aforementioned topics alone, and my presence obviously prevents that. I'm not so fragile that I can't handle one night on my own.
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Yes. We do have things to discuss just the two of us. But if you are here in Baritones despite that, Five, it means you do not wish to be in Taisho. And since neither of you gave me a better explanation before I will not hear excuses now.
You would be sleeping here tonight already if you were not trying to be considerate towards me, I think.
So you may both cease. If we are talking fragile, none of us are that. Yet it does help each of us to be in one another's presence. That is irrefutable. So I will hold with no nonsense.
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[Really that should be enough explanation as he rubs Fives back before finding him a blanket. And yes, he's absolutely thrilled with the look both of them are giving him.]
It seems you are sleeping here tonight. We'll do our best to not keep you up. Lahabrea has been recently freed of bedtimes and I imagine he's quite mad with power.
[And then he kisses Lahabrea's hand.]
And my apologies for upsetting you.
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Freed from bedtimes, really? Now that's quite the progress. And Here I was all worried about him.
But since you're insisting so strongly ... I suppose I do prefer company.
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Now. Since I assume that is settled, of course you prefer the company Five. Really! Both of you.
[He shakes his head and squeezes Emet's hand and then retrieves his from the hold, crawling over them to his usual spot.]
I would ask what happened. I thought it was just Vergil who feuded with Kaguya.
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Our latest discussion has been due to the fact she expressed a desire to be able to force graduation upon her family and other people, including Shu, who I care deeply about.
[ he sighs ]
But I understand she literally just saw her daughter die horribly, so. Though this morning I was ready to tell her to screw herself along the rest of the Unit I have reconsidered now that I have calmed down.
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I can only imagine what hearing such a plan would be like.
[All the more reason for five not to spend the night alone?? He sighs and doesn't say that.]
Well, do take your time, even if you have calmed and can understand her upset, such a train of thought is... Vexing, to put it as mildly as I may.
Is there ought we might do, other than be here? I do worry for both you and Vergil.
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[ a pause as he thinks over Lahabrea's question, and then he shakes his head ]
To be honest I hadn't meant for this to ... well. Get this much of attention from you. It feels as though you're constantly picking up the pieces and pulling me back from my worst thoughts, and I know things aren't easy for either of you.
I appreciate it, but — ... I simply do not want to take too much from you, I suppose. To answer your question your company and affection is way more than I could ask for.
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[He tilts his face down, lips to his knuckles a moment before returning to leaning his chin there.]
How shall I put this?
Even if I did not like you personally, Five, and I do very much love you, I am invested in your well-being.
But since I do like you, do love you dearly, it is not taking from me to lean on me. I will not speak for Hades because I can hope you already understand this between each other. But for myself, that is what is means to be friends. I consider it neither a chore nor a hardship to do what I can, and do greatly like to feel as if I am helping at all.
Obviously my company and affection is free for you at any time. And I do not expect to solve all your troubles, nor trample your independence. But do not hesitate to actually reach out should you think of something that you need, or even simply want. In this instance or any other.
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[ He says that like he doesn't mean the opposite, because of course he's grateful ]
But fine. Given my newfound appreciation for physical comfort and my recent inclination toward clingy, I shall take it a step further and admit that right now, a physical reminder of your presence beside me wouldn't be bad.
I will sleep between you two. And since you're both so intent on focusing your energies on me, I expect you to shower me with attention and care.
Is that better? Now get to it.
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We can hardly say no to such a declaration, can we?
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[He takes Emet's hand and then scoots over to make room for Five between them.]
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I am still going to stab you both if you say anything about this to anyone else. Including Vergil. He can't be trusted with potentially embarrassing information.
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[He pulls Lahabrea close wrapping his arms around them both, resting his head on Five's.]
Vergil would like being stabbed. What do you threaten him with?
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[He scoots closer, draping his arm across both of them.]
Your very secret desire for companionship shall remain secret.
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... well. I did ask for help when I needeed it so the sleeping quarters issue aside, I'd say I'm showing remarkable improvenent.
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And we will be here when you wake and as you dream. Allow us to take care of the remainder, Five Hargreeves.
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Good night, you two.
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He's worried about you. I'm worried about you. And yes, I know you don't want to hear it, but that doesn't make it any less true.
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