[ In turn, Dion lets himself be herded away from people giving them scornful looks. The cardinal sin of being too noisy in the library has been committed, and retreat seems reasonable. ]
I knew not whether you were busy, but I would be remiss not to make you aware of it.
[ He couldn't call it a second life. Clearly revival is not optional for them, but if the cost might be points alone, it's well worth it. So far, Aurora has reliably delivered on purchases. He doubts this would be an exception. ]
Nothing is a certainty. The same holds true of what we might face. If the possibility exists that in some worst-case scenario it means some piece of you isn't taken away instead, that is reason enough.
[ None of them can know with absolute certainty. Dion hopes they never find out. But he is sure of his reasoning, and quiet as his voice is with respect to his surroundings, he's unmistakably earnest. ]
[ Vax is stunned for a moment, unable to respond. He knows others are in the habit of asking Aurora for many things, including castles to live in. Vax has always been stubborn about it, treating boons as if they're bait dangled by their jailer to tempt them into submission. And yet, he can't be mad at Dion for this. Not when his intentions are so sincere. ]
I've never.. been gifted anything like this before. Not as big as.. that. I don't even know how to thank you.
[ Well, Vax would kiss him if he thought for a moment Dion might accept it. ]
[ Dion's reasons feel at least a little selfish. He cares for Vax, so naturally he doesn't want some unknown toll to be taken from him if anything deeply unfortunate does happen. With any luck it will never prove necessary, but at least the provision is there if it comes to it. ]
You needn't thank me for something I simply wished to do.
[ And here Dion is, none the wiser that such a thing might even be considered. Sure there was that time when he was mini-primed, but he tells himself he shouldn't ascribe meaning to it that may not be intended.
His sureness all but evaporates in the face of Vax's question though, suspecting how his answer is going to be received. Plain as his unease is on his face, there's little use pretending. ]
[ A thing was very much considered as Vax briefly stared at Dion's lips. Of course he should thank Dion. If not with some kind of action, then at the very least with his words. Yet again, Dion has proven what a kind and caring person he is.
But Vax's thoughts are derailed when Dion admits he did not secure a pass for himself. ]
You WHAT?!
[ A book, titled Silence is Golden comes flying over the shelves and Vax shields himself with his arm. It nearly hits but clips a shelf and lands on the floor, instead. ]
How can you ask for a pass for me and not for yourself?
[ Someone else needs to learn some library etiquette as well, it would seem. Guess they just got fed up with Vax's noise.
Even if Dion grew up in a life of serving his country, Vax won't accept that excuse. With an exasperated smile, one hand moves from his shoulder to cup the side of Dion's neck, his thumb passing a gentle stroke against Dion's jaw so he has the prince's full attention and not that book on the floor.
He looks straight into Dion’s gaze with his hazel eyes. ]
But I care about what happens to you.
[ A sigh follows. ]
Can I.. give it back to you? So you'll be protected?
[ The touch effectively captures Dion's attention, unaccustomed as he is to it. He's reluctant to hold eye-contact, not wholly sure what might be found in his expression, but he does.
He's also quite still for a few moments that seem longer than they are, until that question comes.
And then he knows what his face is doing: frowning at the very thought. ]
That is as I suspected. You've always been skeptical of all this, and I do not blame you.
[ One reason Dion had thought it a practical provision is that he couldn't imagine Vax had ever concerned himself with such a purchase. Dion wasn't all that different, though he'd simply not asked for anything because he didn't think he had a need to.
Their reasons are different, but the result wasn't so much. ]
[ This is not like it was months ago when they just met and were each looking for someone. They know each other well by now, and Vax doesn't collect debts from his friends, either.
His thumb passes one more brush along Dion's jaw before his hand withdraws. ]
But like I said, I don't want anything to happen to you, either. You're just lucky you thought of it first.
[ With a half-smile, Vax stoops to pick that book up off the floor. ]
[ He muses, very nearly lifting a hand to touch that side of his jaw, but the weight of the book he's holding stays him. The result is little more than a shift of his grip on the book.
It may have been luck that he'd crossed paths with Mayuko early on and learned about how death was treated in this place. Not just this place, some other world she'd been summoned to before.
What must it be like for this to not be the first such occasion. ]
It surprises me that anyone would treat a book so carelessly.
[ That's the concern, of course. He's seen how Vax handles himself; it's doubtful that even someone with actual aim would have hit him. ]
[ Maybe Vax should also mind his language in the library, along with his volume.
Vax gives the cover a little dusting with his hand, then sets it on the shelf next to him. He's sure it'll find its way home. Doesn't look like that interesting of a book, anyway. ]
So, what were you reading?
[ Before Vax suddenly interrupted Dion's pleasant library trip. ]
[ Vax can only suppose Dion never took time to himself. Even when his men had a night off, he was probably hard at work with those documents and such. ]
And now you can read, cook, and waste time with anyone you like, including me.
[ Vax smiles again and turns his gaze to the row of books shelved beside them. ]
[ Dion turns his eyes back to the shelves as well, though he'll check out just the one book. ]
Time with you is not wasted.
[ Make a comment like that, and a sincere answer is inevitable.
It's true that he can spend his time however he decides now, as daunting as that can be at times. Missions break that up, though if Aurora never opens another vent again, it will be too soon. ]
[ Vax smiles a little, looking at the bookspines without reading the titles. Mostly, he hopes to disguise the bit of warmth on his face by looking down at them. ]
I like.. spending time with you, as well.
[ Dion has been a great support, and he's already taught Vax so much. ]
[ Vax looks over as he's nudged and smiles at his friend. The small nudge or a pat he gets on his shoulder sometimes is proof to Vax that Dion has come a long way.
Maybe over time, he'll become more relaxed around others, too, and open up a bit more. He doesn't have to be so polite all the time, but if he were to change too much, he wouldn't quite seem like himself, either. ]
Well, I do like the cooking. And I'm getting more interested in the books, too. Speaking of which, did you want to check that one out? I'll walk back with you, if you're headed to the apartments after.
I think I shall give it a try. Should it prove interesting, I can let you know.
[ If it proves a good read, it would only be natural to share that with Vax. It's good to hear that he's been enjoying reading, knowing he too has struggled with filling the time between missions. ]
And this was my only stop for the time being.
[ Just collecting another book to read, as one does. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 01:04 am (UTC)I knew not whether you were busy, but I would be remiss not to make you aware of it.
[ He couldn't call it a second life. Clearly revival is not optional for them, but if the cost might be points alone, it's well worth it. So far, Aurora has reliably delivered on purchases. He doubts this would be an exception. ]
Nothing is a certainty. The same holds true of what we might face. If the possibility exists that in some worst-case scenario it means some piece of you isn't taken away instead, that is reason enough.
[ None of them can know with absolute certainty. Dion hopes they never find out. But he is sure of his reasoning, and quiet as his voice is with respect to his surroundings, he's unmistakably earnest. ]
I'd rather you remain as you are.
[ Whole. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 01:28 am (UTC)I've never.. been gifted anything like this before. Not as big as.. that. I don't even know how to thank you.
[ Well, Vax would kiss him if he thought for a moment Dion might accept it. ]
What about you? You're also protected, right?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 02:02 am (UTC)You needn't thank me for something I simply wished to do.
[ And here Dion is, none the wiser that such a thing might even be considered. Sure there was that time when he was mini-primed, but he tells himself he shouldn't ascribe meaning to it that may not be intended.
His sureness all but evaporates in the face of Vax's question though, suspecting how his answer is going to be received. Plain as his unease is on his face, there's little use pretending. ]
I...hadn't thought about it.
[ Because of course he didn't think of himself. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 03:36 am (UTC)But Vax's thoughts are derailed when Dion admits he did not secure a pass for himself. ]
You WHAT?!
[ A book, titled Silence is Golden comes flying over the shelves and Vax shields himself with his arm. It nearly hits but clips a shelf and lands on the floor, instead. ]
How can you ask for a pass for me and not for yourself?
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 03:50 am (UTC)But he doesn't avoid Vax by lingering on it.
How can he ask for such a thing for Vax and not himself?
Easily. But he doubts that answer will satisfy. ]
I am less concerned with myself.
[ Which may not sound the best, if Vax hadn't known what sort of position Dion had grown up in. What the shape of his own duty was. ]
It doesn't come naturally to me.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 04:04 am (UTC)Even if Dion grew up in a life of serving his country, Vax won't accept that excuse. With an exasperated smile, one hand moves from his shoulder to cup the side of Dion's neck, his thumb passing a gentle stroke against Dion's jaw so he has the prince's full attention and not that book on the floor.
He looks straight into Dion’s gaze with his hazel eyes. ]
But I care about what happens to you.
[ A sigh follows. ]
Can I.. give it back to you? So you'll be protected?
[ Is that possible? ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 04:15 am (UTC)He's also quite still for a few moments that seem longer than they are, until that question comes.
And then he knows what his face is doing: frowning at the very thought. ]
Even if you could, I would not accept it.
[ Stubborn? Stubborn. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 11:16 pm (UTC)I guess I owe you another debt.
[ One he intends to repay. ]
Perhaps I can make the request for you. I've never asked Aurora for anything, so I must be due for a gift of some kind.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 11:20 pm (UTC)[ One reason Dion had thought it a practical provision is that he couldn't imagine Vax had ever concerned himself with such a purchase. Dion wasn't all that different, though he'd simply not asked for anything because he didn't think he had a need to.
Their reasons are different, but the result wasn't so much. ]
Neither do I consider this a matter of debt.
[ Because of course he doesn't. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-06 11:58 pm (UTC)[ This is not like it was months ago when they just met and were each looking for someone. They know each other well by now, and Vax doesn't collect debts from his friends, either.
His thumb passes one more brush along Dion's jaw before his hand withdraws. ]
But like I said, I don't want anything to happen to you, either. You're just lucky you thought of it first.
[ With a half-smile, Vax stoops to pick that book up off the floor. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 12:36 am (UTC)[ He muses, very nearly lifting a hand to touch that side of his jaw, but the weight of the book he's holding stays him. The result is little more than a shift of his grip on the book.
It may have been luck that he'd crossed paths with Mayuko early on and learned about how death was treated in this place. Not just this place, some other world she'd been summoned to before.
What must it be like for this to not be the first such occasion. ]
It surprises me that anyone would treat a book so carelessly.
[ That's the concern, of course. He's seen how Vax handles himself; it's doubtful that even someone with actual aim would have hit him. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 01:10 am (UTC)[ Maybe Vax should also mind his language in the library, along with his volume.
Vax gives the cover a little dusting with his hand, then sets it on the shelf next to him. He's sure it'll find its way home. Doesn't look like that interesting of a book, anyway. ]
So, what were you reading?
[ Before Vax suddenly interrupted Dion's pleasant library trip. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 01:32 am (UTC)The question prompts him to glance down at the book, as though reminding himself what it was again. He turns it over to show the back cover to Vax. ]
I was debating whether to try it, actually. The premise seems interesting enough.
[ But Vax can surely make his own judgement regarding whether this is the case. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 01:56 am (UTC)Hmm. Sounds like it might be good. Assassination and romance? Quite the combination.
[ That reminds him, he needs to finish the rest of that spicy novel he borrowed from Dion last time. ]
I've never seen anyone consume as many books as you do.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 02:02 am (UTC)[ As is the way of these sorts of stories, but if Vax agrees it looks interesting, it seems worth a try.
He turns the books in his hands, then shifts it to one side. ]
The hazard of too much unstructured time, I suppose. Before all of this, I hadn't much time to read anything but missives and documents.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 03:39 am (UTC)And now you can read, cook, and waste time with anyone you like, including me.
[ Vax smiles again and turns his gaze to the row of books shelved beside them. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-07 03:55 am (UTC)Time with you is not wasted.
[ Make a comment like that, and a sincere answer is inevitable.
It's true that he can spend his time however he decides now, as daunting as that can be at times. Missions break that up, though if Aurora never opens another vent again, it will be too soon. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-08 02:04 am (UTC)I like.. spending time with you, as well.
[ Dion has been a great support, and he's already taught Vax so much. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-08 02:29 am (UTC)[ It's a mild tease on his part, words light as he nudges Vax's side with an elbow.
But he does appreciate hearing it. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-08 03:29 am (UTC)Maybe over time, he'll become more relaxed around others, too, and open up a bit more. He doesn't have to be so polite all the time, but if he were to change too much, he wouldn't quite seem like himself, either. ]
Well, I do like the cooking. And I'm getting more interested in the books, too. Speaking of which, did you want to check that one out? I'll walk back with you, if you're headed to the apartments after.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-08 03:51 am (UTC)[ If it proves a good read, it would only be natural to share that with Vax. It's good to hear that he's been enjoying reading, knowing he too has struggled with filling the time between missions. ]
And this was my only stop for the time being.
[ Just collecting another book to read, as one does. ]