[ unsurprisingly, it's returned immediately. his movements are a little stiff just because this week's been a mess but the affection's pretty obvious. ]
I think I always knew it was going to be difficult, but remembering that you guys were waiting made it easier to keep going.
Believe me, I think it's gonna be hard to find anyone from our side who isn't just as relieved you guys made it back. [ they have all...missed friends... ] I knew you guys could see a lot of the public spaces on your side, but I have been wondering about things where you were.
[ holding up both hands like he's in agreement. okay. we will leave behind sexy rats.
instead, he grins. ]
We got a dog park a little while ago. Plus a lake and lots of birds and a playground and stuff. [ he gestures to the park as a whole. ] That's not even counting the biomes, too.
Well...you could always ask. I bet I could tell you if it's true or not. [ this could also be because shoma's nosy about what the deceased think in case he's missed something on this side, but it's fine. this is clearly for innocent motives. ]
Wait, he has? [ he doesn't seem surprised, but he does sound curious. ] I think it's one of those things you could ask if you really wanted. What's the worst they'd do, say no or not answer?
[ it's possible he just thinks rodya doesn't answer what she doesn't want to and margaret's...margaret. ]
Fair enough. I imagine things are a little complicated for all of you, even knowing why these things happened. But some people like the distractions. [ ideally, people would get along a little better with time and understanding but also. murder is murder.
also stop looking at him. ]
...Dion, you remember I'm permanently stuck like this for now, don't you? [ this isn't an answer, but it's a reminder. ]
I do. I apologize if it was a cruel question. [ ... ] But I do think many of us believe our circumstances preclude us from such relationships, and yet... it is remarkable how bonds might persist.
...no, it's not really a cruel question. I get why you'd ask. Just because my body's not aging doesn't mean the rest isn't. [ which is his way of saying "obviously i have thought about this, i am eighteen years old." but he focuses on their walk, seemingly heading for the dog park first. ]
I...already know how things are going to go if I pursue what I want. The odds aren't great. [ a wry smile. ] But at this point it's almost stupid not to just to get it over with. Maybe someday in the future something else could happen but circumstances and people at home aren't nearly as kind. So I doubt it. [ ... ] It's nice to think about though, I guess. What it'd be like if the outcome were different.
[ he returns shoma's smile with a sympathetic one of his own, settling a hand back on his shoulder to squeeze carefully ]
If it is plaguing you to keep it silent, then I do believe it is best to be forthright. You have survived much more than a foray into romance. [ still, he shakes his head ] But I would not be so quickly pessimistic...
However things may play out, you are still beloved.
It's not really pessimism when I know exactly how she is. [ it's like a gentle correction, but he's pretty sure of this. he does appreciate the support though. ] But...that's a good way looking at it. There's been a lot that's happened here that's been worse than trying to tell a girl I like her. I got through all of that. And in the end...there're a lot of people here I still care about, too.
[ so at least he can fall back on that, he thinks. being here in a place where so many people actually are kind to him and care about him will never not surprise him, but he's grown much better at accepting it and returning affections. but...moving onward. ]
...what about you though? You have to have someone waiting for you somewhere, don't you? [ like. dion is objectively (to shoma) still a very good person. he'd be fucking shocked if this dude was single. ]
dion seems rather pleased by that response, just nodding his head. ]
Still, I wish you the best of luck. Should you need company in the aftermath, I am more than willing to spend it speaking with you.
[ he's here for you!!
to answer shoma's question, ] Ah, as for myself... I am most fortunate to have someone indeed. It is not a connection I expected to make here, and yet, as I said, these bonds persist.
Thanks, I appreciate it. [ he says, as a dude who is fully aware that his luck is shit when it comes to this and has quietly decided he may just lie in the dirt elsewhere when the inevitable happens and not harsh anyone else's vibes.
especially when... ]
Wait, really? [ he's not that surprised considering lucien and viktor are themselves, but he's also a little surprised because he would think being dead would make things difficult. ] That's...good. I'm happy for you. [ a pause. ] I mean you are happy, aren't you?
[ the implication is there but just making sure my guy. ]
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I think I always knew it was going to be difficult, but remembering that you guys were waiting made it easier to keep going.
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he huffs softly ]
We had the utmost faith in you. Though it was difficult to watch you all continue to undergo hardships... I am glad we have been reunited.
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Ah, did the rats pique your curiosity?
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The rats, the clubs, the...egg lab? Some things stopped making sense after a while.
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... I have never thought of rats in a sexual manner before. [ vaguely haunted look ] It was unpleasant.
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...Dion, you just opened a lot more questions for me that I'm not sure I want to ask.
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[ SHAKES HIMSELF AWAY ]
It seems the new spaces on this side are much more pleasant, at least.
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instead, he grins. ]
We got a dog park a little while ago. Plus a lake and lots of birds and a playground and stuff. [ he gestures to the park as a whole. ] That's not even counting the biomes, too.
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Alright, I can admit I am envious. [ looks around ] Perhaps the other side was not as tolerable as I was lead to believe.
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I think...you guys did the best with what you had. But nothing's stopping you from seeing everything now. We could explore a little if you want.
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[ they walk!! ]
I am curious to know what I have missed. Those on the other side did quite enjoy gossiping about you all, though I doubt much of it holds any truth.
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Well...you could always ask. I bet I could tell you if it's true or not. [ this could also be because shoma's nosy about what the deceased think in case he's missed something on this side, but it's fine. this is clearly for innocent motives. ]
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It was mostly speculating on romance. [ thoughtful ] For example, Gregor and Rodya. Yuri often came up as well.
[ just all the limbuses ]
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Of course it was. [ he seems to think this is funny. ] If it's any consolation I don't think any of them are dating each other.
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True, as Gregory has taken another partner. [ he pauses ] I often wonder about Margaret and Rodya, but it doesn't seem my place to ask.
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Wait, he has? [ he doesn't seem surprised, but he does sound curious. ] I think it's one of those things you could ask if you really wanted. What's the worst they'd do, say no or not answer?
[ it's possible he just thinks rodya doesn't answer what she doesn't want to and margaret's...margaret. ]
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...
looks at shoma ]
What of you, Sir Shoma? Have you sought to pursue romance?
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also stop looking at him. ]
...Dion, you remember I'm permanently stuck like this for now, don't you? [ this isn't an answer, but it's a reminder. ]
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I do. I apologize if it was a cruel question. [ ... ] But I do think many of us believe our circumstances preclude us from such relationships, and yet... it is remarkable how bonds might persist.
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I...already know how things are going to go if I pursue what I want. The odds aren't great. [ a wry smile. ] But at this point it's almost stupid not to just to get it over with. Maybe someday in the future something else could happen but circumstances and people at home aren't nearly as kind. So I doubt it. [ ... ] It's nice to think about though, I guess. What it'd be like if the outcome were different.
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If it is plaguing you to keep it silent, then I do believe it is best to be forthright. You have survived much more than a foray into romance. [ still, he shakes his head ] But I would not be so quickly pessimistic...
However things may play out, you are still beloved.
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[ so at least he can fall back on that, he thinks. being here in a place where so many people actually are kind to him and care about him will never not surprise him, but he's grown much better at accepting it and returning affections. but...moving onward. ]
...what about you though? You have to have someone waiting for you somewhere, don't you? [ like. dion is objectively (to shoma) still a very good person. he'd be fucking shocked if this dude was single. ]
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dion seems rather pleased by that response, just nodding his head. ]
Still, I wish you the best of luck. Should you need company in the aftermath, I am more than willing to spend it speaking with you.
[ he's here for you!!
to answer shoma's question, ] Ah, as for myself... I am most fortunate to have someone indeed. It is not a connection I expected to make here, and yet, as I said, these bonds persist.
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Thanks, I appreciate it. [ he says, as a dude who is fully aware that his luck is shit when it comes to this and has quietly decided he may just lie in the dirt elsewhere when the inevitable happens and not harsh anyone else's vibes.
especially when... ]
Wait, really? [ he's not that surprised considering lucien and viktor are themselves, but he's also a little surprised because he would think being dead would make things difficult. ] That's...good. I'm happy for you. [ a pause. ] I mean you are happy, aren't you?
[ the implication is there but just making sure my guy. ]
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