altimit | catch all >> october

[ There's a pause. He remembered that? He's still thinking of it? It brings Fandaniel up short for a brief breath of time, only a moment, and it leaves him inclining his head to one side, peering up at Hector quizzically. ]

You... actually want me there?

[ Because surely all that talk about getting out of here and visiting was all pretense to getting in one another's pants which, admittedly, doesn't take much pretense to begin with, so, perhaps not. ]

And if your desire to live out there, in that world, does not come to fruition? What then? What happens when you finally realize we have been abandoned to this place instead?

[ Hector meets Fandaniel's gaze with a little smile, the best he can muster considering...everything, really. Of course he remembered. Of course he had flashes in his mind of driving him through the trees to a scenic mountain top, where they could watch the sunset. Just like he did with—

And so to his question, he nods readily. He's a man of his word. ] Of course.

[ But his sentiment is quickly put to the side—Fandaniel continues with his questions.

Hector's brows twitch into a frown. There is...admittedly, a very real possibility that the other man's what-ifs are going to come to pass, but Hector has a very, very hard time accepting that. There's a little bubble of frustration in him. How can anyone give in so easily? ]

There has to be another way. [ He avoids the questions entirely. He sits firmly in the little sliver of hope he didn't know he had. ] We'll figure this out. We just—we just need to remember that we're in this together.

[ Unwillingness to accept other possibilities. Frustrated by it, even. Insistent regarding finding a way, some way, any way. Yes, Fandaniel anticipated this response. Why, it's only human, is it not? ]

I do not ask you to cease searching for an escape, dear Hector.

[ He gives his hands a comforting squeeze, although the smile he offers the man does not quite reach his eyes. Instead, those are intent, sharp, watching him closely, so very closely, as though he desired to commit every little emotion that crosses his face to memory. ]

I only ask what you will do if this way out never reveals itself to us. Please, consider it.

[ Hector tilts his head at that smile. One of his own tugs at his lips but never quite forms. He's worried, he's grieving, he's upset, he's frustrated. To give in and just...give up seems wrong. It feels wrong.

He gently pries a hand away to scrub it over his face, offering him a moment to let all his emotions swirl in him, and a moment to find his composure. ]

I...admit, Fandaniel, I'm having a hard time accepting that would ever happen, because part of me is always going to cling to the hope that we will.

[ He drops his hand again to place it back in Fandaniel's grasp, and the conflicting feelings are obvious on his face. ]

But we...we can't keep living like we are now. It's too chaotic and too dangerous. We'd have to build something new, from the ground up, so that everyone stays out of harm. [ The light in his eyes wavers at the thought—it's hard to tell if he's motivated or disheartened by the prospect. ]

If that happens...would you help?

[ Build something new, yes, yes, that was precisely what he was trying to say Lily would do, and yet! He won't say that, though. He won't rattle Hector's cage like that, although his smile becomes much more genuine when he asks him that.

If that happens, would he help? A question Fandaniel already has an answer to. It's what he's wanted from, well, from when the idea itself felt like it could become real. ]

If it happens, I will be by your side helping every step of the way. You should have known that already. If this is to be our home, I want to shape it in a way that would make us all safe and happy.

[ Is this the first time he's seen a genuine smile out of him? Hector blinks; they've been on relatively good terms (lol), but he thinks this might be a first. And you know what? Fandaniel's kind of cute when he smiles like that.

Anyway. ]

That makes me happy to hear, Fandaniel. Truly. [ His tone is sincere to match the genuine hue in Fandaniel's smile, though he can't quite muster a smile of his own. ] I'd thank you, but...that there's no way out isn't a foregone conclusion yet. There's still hope.

[ And he's still tired.

His hands slip from Fandaniel's as he unfolds himself over the tatami, the rush cold on his back. He stares blankly at the ceiling.

[ Fandaniel lets him go, watching him lay himself out on the tatami mats, and once he does, he'll shift over closer but he won't reach out again. Instead, he simply asks, ]

Would you like to sleep? I have the potion for it.

A potion?

[ He sounds like he wasn't expecting that. His eyebrow raises briefly, but...why would he take the easy way out, when he can go the route he normally resorts to in a situation like this? ]

Nah. [ He says, straining as he rolls over to grab the flask of sake. ] I'll just knock myself out.

[ Were there cups to share...? Sorry, Funny Dan, you're getting Hector at his (near) worst, and so he takes a big swig from the flask itself. ]

If you wish to take your time with it, very well.

[ Mr. Funny Dan won't stop him. Hector is an adult and he's allowed to make adult choices, even if they are poor ones. Besides, the deep sleep potion would have put him out for a whole 24 hours. Perhaps he would have needed that... or perhaps he would have panicked at seeing how much time was lost.

It varies from person to person. Regardless, Fandaniel will remain and even wave the inn's NPCs down for a second carafe of sake as well as some food for himself. At least one of them is going to soak up that alcohol with something edible. ]

I'll take care of you until you're sober again.

[ As he downs the last of the first carafe, Hector gives a hoarse little laugh. He feels the burn, but not the kick yet. Soon enough, though. Soon enough. He won't be awake for much longer (unfortunately, he knows what he's doing). ]

You're so sweet. [ He means this sincerely, despite the way he doesn't look at Fandaniel, despite the way his tone is laden with upset, despite the way he's already reaching for the second carafe. And that, too, is going to go down just as quickly.

It won't be long before he's out, whether genuinely asleep or unconscious hardly matters. He's going to feel awful when he wakes up (or so he thinks), and maybe that's just the thing he needs. ]

[ And Fandaniel will simply allow him to drink his way too quickly through far too strong sake for this. It's better that he passes out in the inn at the hot springs, though, as it has its own effect attached: to soothe the nerves and anxieties of those who rest here. Hector will have a peaceful rest, sleep or blackout-drunk-turned-sleep, and Fandaniel will stay with him, just as he said.

Once Hector is out, he carefully moves him around to slide a pillow under his head and pull a blanket over his body, and that's that. He will eventually retire himself to the room's futon, which would have been a better option for passing out but, well... at least the mats aren't uncomfortable. Sleep tight, sad drunk Hector. Tomorrow will still be terrible. ]

catch all >> october

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