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[twin_blade]

Um, right.

*BEEP*

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[oblige]

I'll leave something outside the door.

[ Dion takes a right-hand turn midway down the hall, which shortly leads to the bathroom. When he turns the light on, it's well-furnished, much like the rest of his apartment.

It was another way for Dion to occupy himself between missions. ]

Here.

[ Dion offers over the stacked towels and robe, trusting that Vax can take it from here. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax can't help but notice the apartment Dion chose is bigger than his own, which is quite small by comparison. It suits Dion, though, and he's taken the time and care to make it into a home, unlike Vax.

The items offered are accepted with his thanks before he enters the bathroom and closes the door. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion had thought all of the apartments the same until he'd visited Vax's, in truth. He'd picked the first one he entered on this floor, caring more for the height than anything else.

With one of Vax's needs seen to, Dion moves right along to the next order of business. He goes to his room and selects some sleepwear that he thinks should be comfortable for his friend. True to his word, he leaves it neatly folded outside the batroom door before he heads to the kitchen. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax spends an ample amount of time in the bathroom. Mostly, he's letting the hot water relax him, which makes him feel a lot better. Tired, too, but there will be a chance for sleep soon enough. He loses track of time a little, and finishes up, turning off the water and drying himself. A little glance out the bathroom door allows him to find the clothes that were left, so he brings them in and gets changed. Once he's done, he leaves everything as tidy as possible, opting to also wear the robe for added warmth.

With his armor carried in one arm, he exits the bathroom and walks barefoot down the hall and to the living area again. He can already smell the food before he gets there.

As for himself, Vax might look a bit pale, but there's also a warm flush from the hot water on his skin. His hair shines blacker, as it's still damp, and it isn't tied back neatly, so it frames his face. Only the tips of his ears peek out from between the strands. ]

Uh, thanks for letting me use your stuff.

[oblige]

[ Dion would say that Vax needn't thank him, but he has a suspicion that it wouldn't serve a productive end. He thinks instead to say something else. ]

I'm glad they can be of use.

[ And that Vax accepted his offer. He couldn't be certain that he would, but it comes as a relief after seeing his friend in such a state.

The meal he's prepared is a simple one, making some additions to a soup he'd prepared the night previous while heating it back up and sandwiches to accompany. His hope is that these won't be too much for Vax's stomach after however long he hasn't eaten.

Since it didn't take long to prepare, Dion has the table set by the time he sees Vax. He seems more himself now, though Dion doesn't recall having seen his hair down before. ]

Please, have a seat. I hope you don't mind something simple.

[ He doubts Vax would. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax goes to the table to sit. By now, it feels like he's had enough meals here to have his 'spot' at the table, always opting for the same chair.

Vax does look a little more like himself, loose hair aside. It's not something anyone sees often, as he generally has it pulled back behind his ears. Though he's not a true elf of Syngorn, it's still a habit to keep his hair neat to some degree like most elves, despite the life he leads. ]

Something simple is best. Thank you for preparing it.

[ He takes up his spoon to taste some of the soup first, going slow as he samples it. ]

I'm.. sorry to have worried you. Again.

[ The last word is said with a touch more regret. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion in turn takes his usual place, after setting down a glass of water for Vax. While he'd usually offer other options, it seems best to stick with something mild.

No sooner does he sit down than that comment comes, and he shakes his head. ]

You needn't thank me so much, nor apologize. I'm given to worrying.

[ He'll not deny that he was worried about him. They both know the truth. Dion doesn't hold it against Vax, especially not given the circumstances. ]

It's quite unavoidable.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax frowns a little down at his bowl of soup. ]

It's not the same thing. There's worrying for no reason, and then there's this. Or doing enough stupid shit you feel like I need a death pass to cover my ass. Like in the tomb.

[ It's not that he isn't grateful to Dion for that pass. He's extremely grateful, but Dion shouldn't have to put up with all this. ]

So yeah, I do need to apologize. And to thank you.

[oblige]

[ Dion folds his hands primly on the table, since this easily takes priority over dinner. ]

If you recall, that was well before that tomb. I did so because I thought you particularly willing to endanger yourself for others.

[ As Vax did in order to help him during the fog. Dion strongly suspects he truly wouldn't have left him behind then, despite that they didn't know one another well at the time. ]

Regarding this occasion, it isn't as though I've not worried others after someone was sent home. I'm in no position to view your grief as something you should be sorry for.

[ It worries him, yes, but that was something he could act on. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax stares down at his soup, moving his spoon around a little. It's good, he just struggles to have an appetite amid their conversation.

When Dion says he's worried others in the same situation, Vax glances up. ]

You mean Joshua? You were that upset?

[oblige]

I know what he returned to.

[ He smiles ruefully, but it's a brittle thing thaf doesn't reach his eyes. It crumbles away all too quickly. ]

What he didn't return to, rather. [ His eyes slide to his glass. ] And I was alone in that knowledge, so there was naught for it.

[ He couldn't tell Clive, not when he was so distraught over Joshua's disappearance to begin with.

Dion accepts his own fate, but he'd wanted more for his friend. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax nods a little in understanding. It makes sense that Dion would be upset knowing that Joshua was going back to nothing. ]

If you knew that things turned out differently, and he was going back to live a long, happy life... would you still be upset?

[oblige]

[ Dion looks Vax's way again. He doesn't need to think deeply on that question. ]

I would miss him, and he is the finest champion my world could ask for, but...it would be different. If he were safe and happy, I would be glad of it.

[ How could he not be? Life had afforded Joshua so little, yet he was such a kind, warm person. He always had been.

Dion would be grateful if Joshua had the sort of life he'd deserved. ]

Not to mention, he'd be spared Echo's nonsense.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax smiles ruefully to himself as he stirs his soup. He might get around to eating it at some point. ]

Well, aren't I an unbelievable prick, then.

[ Because he's miserable, even though Vex has gotten everything he wanted for her. Aside from marrying Percy, but it could be worse. It's not like Vax hasn't sacrificed for his sister more than once to give her a chance at something better. Losing her just wasn't part of that logic for some reason. ]

[oblige]

Joshua and I did not grow up together, nor are we related. We met but once as children, and again when he sought allies nigh two decades later.

[ It's hardly the same as a sibling one grew up with. That was one reason Dion hadn't said anything the last time Joshua disappeared.

Clive was entitled to his grief. Dion didn't think he had that right. ]

I think it unfair to compare my response to yours in such a way.

[twin_blade]

[ Perhaps it's different because he and Vex are family. Clive was broken after Joshua left, too. ]

I was surprised to learn that. You speak of him as if you've known him your whole life.

[ At least, that's the impression Vax got. Joshua seems to be very dear to Dion, despite the large gap between their meetings. ]

[oblige]

Do I...?

[ Dion sounds genuinely curious as he asks this. He's never thought about how others might characterize the way he speaks of Joshua, nor how he himself would, for that matter.

For his part, he feels he simply speaks honestly. ]

I would say it's more that we understand one another. None of the others have as much in common as he and I do, in my world. I felt less alone for that, however briefly.

[ Life hadn't afforded them the time to really know one another. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax nods a little. ]

You do. Though you never spent much time together, you seem to think highly of him. His character. And his.. appearance.

[ Dion is quite poetic, actually. Though he might argue he's just speaking as he naturally does. ]

The first time you spoke of him, I... thought you had feelings for him. The romantic kind.

[oblige]

[ Dion picked the wrong time to take a sip of his water. As is in-keeping with his luck, that comment comes along just in time to make him sputter.

He takes time to recover from that surprise, running a hand over his chin to wick errant water away. At least it buys him a little time to think about how to respond to that. ]

All I did was describe him...

[ Okay, not enough time to think. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax blinks a few times, then can't help but smile a little at Dion's reaction. Is he really that surprised anyone would think that? Guess so.

He looks down and takes another taste of his soup. It's getting cold, but it's still good. ]

I've heard bards describe people in fewer words.

[oblige]

I had hoped that being detailed would increase the odds that someone would recognize him.

[ Which is to say: Dion views what he said about Joshua as absolutely factual. Vax has met Joshua, so surely he knows that Dion's description of him is accurate.

If only Vax knew Dion just got increasingly more detailed the more people he spoke with. It extended to apparel and how he wore his weapon, eventually. ]

It didn't avail me in the end, but I was unaware we had the means to capture images at the time.

[ He sure has pictures of Joshua now, though. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Dion is as agile with words as he is in the air, no doubt. Vax wonders if Dion is just stating the truth of the matter or if he's avoiding something. It could be both. ]

So I was mistaken, then? He doesn't interest you in that way?

[ Vax asks the question as delicately as he can manage. He didn't expect to be talking about this tonight, but here they are. ]

[oblige]

[ This isn't a topic Dion had expected to discuss either, and it's obvious. His eyebrows pinch together, evidently giving this question deeper consideration than might be necessary. ]

When first we met I was taken with him, but I don't believe he knew it. Not that it would matter if he had noticed, our positions being what they were.

[ They were both princes, and Joshua was presumed dead not long thereafter.

When they met again, it was hardly the time or place for such things. Dion had long been in a relationship, and he never has known what Joshua does or doesn't incline toward.

It had never seemed appropriate to interrogate the matter. Even less so now that Joshua has forgotten his prior stay, and Dion needs to recalibrate his demeanor around him in ways he hadn't expected. ]

Do you ask because you've taken an interest in him?

[ That would be a reason to ask, wouldn't it? ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax thinks it's a question that requires serious consideration, so he's glad Dion is not simply dismissing it. What Dion describes sounds like a childhood crush. The thought is cute, so Vax can't help but smile a little. ]

What about now? You've reunited and circumstances are different here.

[ Dion doesn't have the weight of responsibilities he had back home. Given the result of their final battle, Dion and Joshua seem free to explore whatever they wish now.

When the question is turned on him, Vax laughs softly. ]

No. I mean, he's cute, but no. I just.. want to see you happy, is all. You deserve it.

[ Vax lifts his spoon out of his bowl to make a point. ]

And don't say you're already happy, that's not what I meant.

[oblige]

[ Circumstances are wildly different here. So much so that now Joshua doesn't remember his prior tenure in Etraya and Dion's present is his future.

It's kind of Vax to wish him to be happy, though the form this has come in surprises him. ]

That isn't an avenue I think it productive to traverse.

[ He shrugs, though the thought seems no less leaden for it. Dion hasn't given consideration to such things and he thinks it for the best. There was a brief time when he may have wondered, but he had not asked and never could now.

He may not have, had the opportunity remained to do so, anyhow. ]

I must admit I didn't expect to be asked about such things.