[ 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. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
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. ]