[It was for this reason that she liked him as much as she did. His caring and gentleness with her when it was needed, and his normal carefree and quick to tease smile when he was happy... all of it was a good mix. And despite his outburst when Gem came to town, right now? She felt safe. That she could believe his words, that he meant them. They weren't empty.
Yeah, he was a daemon. He was a war daemon, one that loved fighting and death and making his enemies dead. He loved all of that... but he also didn't just have empty words to give her to make her feel better. He respected her. And he does things like this, to help comfort her. The loose grip on him tightens and she nods against him.
He's right. Those feelings, despite having gone nuts over, was what helped to bring him out of that rampage. She mumbles a thank you against him and sighs, hoping to relax a little.]
[Feeling her nod and grip tightening,and hearing that mumbled thank you makes him wonder if she really believes what he said or if she still needs to think it over more. He's not sure, but he's going to hope that she did believe him and just presses his lips against the top of her head for a light kiss, similar to how he did back in that flower field when she had fallen asleep in what feels like ages ago now.
He doesn't say or do anything much more, just continues to hold her closer and lightly strokes the back of her hair in a soothing manner.
It is hard to believe that someone like him could really be this gentle and kind to someone else. He's never been truly mean to anyone, unless killing in cold blood counts and his brother is automatically excluded. But he's never been this close, shown this much affection, or opened himself to allow someone to take comfort in him like this before. Nor has he ever felt such a strong desire to protect anyone like this. Out of duty and loyalty, even as friends, sure. But this is more personal. Just seeing her so upset actually makes him feel bad, and while he can be empathetic to others, this is different. Again, it's going on a deeper, more personal level than just simple understanding.
Most of all, he doesn't like how she blames herself for something that he takes responsibility for. It's just another reminder that if he had a stronger will, hadn't been so indecisive and just accepted Eizen's advice, things might not have gotten so bad. He needed to become stronger, to—
Stop worrying about the little things.
...Ugh. He just had to hear his brother's voice now of all times. But that's just what happened, wasn't it? If he wants to protect her, to make her not feel like this again, he was going to have to continue strengthening himself.
And he really does feel that way. Regardless of what ends up happening between them, whether they continue down this path or have to part ways, he wants to be able to protect and keep that smile he unknowingly fell for.]
[Once she's calmed herself enough, really knocking out any negative thoughts with his words to dispel them, she moves away from him just enough to look up and smile. It's not one of her blinding smiles that likely give her sparkles and sunshine around her, no. It's more subdued, more grateful than happy, but it's still there. A smile that he caused, no less!
But like this, when he's gentle and caring? It feels as if there is no daemon side to him. Just a human with a strong and competitive side, and then a strong and caring side. Who he probably was before his anger and jealousy got the better of him and invaded his being to turn him slowly into the daemon he would become much later in his life. Seeing this side after seeing so much of his normal behaviour and demeanor is nice. A side only she sees and knows, she doesn't have to share with anyone else, maybe? Maybe, maybe not, but she'd like to think it's like that.]
Thanks, Pupperou. I think I'm feeling a little better.
[It may not be her brightest one, but it's a smile no less and he returns it with one of his own warm ones. Even when she uses that silly nickname, which just makes the corner of his mouth twitch just a little in some amusement.]
Anything for my princess. [A little tease, but he also means it...cheesy as it might sound without the context.] I can stick around if you need me to. Or get you something if you want.
[He doesn't have to stay with her if she doesn't really need or want him to (and he partly may be more willing to leave so he could go visit a certain someone), but he doesn't want to leave her until he knows that she'll be all right. ...And he's kind of comfortable, so he's in no real rush, someone's impending doom notwithstanding.]
Princess, huh... [Well, it makes sense with the princess kitty she has from him. It gets a chuckle out of her at least.] I guess I'm a little thirsty, but that's really it. [Maybe a little tired from being upset.]
...but I wouldn't mind it if you stayed for a little while.
[He's actually surprised by the hug, or rather that clingy aspect to it, as if not wanting him to leave. Her words after just adds to it, and there is a very real moment where he almost moves back so that he could wrap his arms around her and kiss her.
Very real.
But he restrains himself and instead just gives her one of his usual grins.]
Be back before you know it.
[And then he's up because apparently Serah being vulnerable and actually wanting him around has a huge effect on him that he didn't realize until now.]
[In fact, while he's gone she'll just have the puppy knight in her hands for that extra comfort to see when he gets back. Sure, she has Mog and he's a comfort, but having Rokurou here too... that's even better.
But boy, even if he's not gone for long, it feels like a long time...]
[Once he comes back it almost feels like the room brightens up. When he addresses the plush, she smiles a little more.]
Of course I do, why would I get rid of them? You gave them to me, and... they're really cute.
[She takes the glass in a free hand and drinks... uh... quite a lot... of it in one go. Being upset over things dehydrates you a lot, ok? When she finally pulls the glass away, she looks up to him and kind of wiggles the plush at him.]
I guess it reminds me that I have a great knight to make sure I'm all right.
[...Girl, does he need to get you another glass— He can't help but be a bit surprised by how much she drinks, but if she's all right then...
...He'll just scrunch his nose when she wiggles the plush before he reaches out to gently take it from her hands, once more sitting next to her.]
Yes, you do. And he's here now so—[He'll just waggle the plush in front of her face in return before booping its face against her nose and then putting it back alongside Princess Kitty over there.]—let's let this little guy take care of his princess while I take care of mine.
[What a charming yet cheeky grin as he straightens back up to look at her. His arm isn't around her, but it is positioned behind her, hand resting against the bed.]
[He gets even more of a smile and giggle when he takes the plush from her, and while he doesn't put his arm around her, the glass goes on to the bedside table and she leans against him and lays her head on his shoulder.]
I'm still a princess, huh? Guess I'll have to amend some stuff for Helisium this year. But not all of it.
[Not surprising, who this is. When she leans against him, he'll adjust his arm so that it is around her, glancing down at her as a half-amused grin forms.]
Should I try and match? Be your "shining knight in armor"?
[Yeah, he can't help but laugh a bit towards the end of that.]
It doesn't seem like something you'd be interested in. There's no swords. [Just saying that makes her smile a little more; she knows that wouldn't be the only reason that he wouldn't be interested, but!] But you don't need to match me, only if you want to, I guess.
Really? I must have missed you there, I just remember the paintball part and seeing you there.
[Where he was the scariest daemon ever!! But at least this year it should be different. Should...
She looks up at him when he mentions that he'll surprise her when it comes to what he goes with for the masquerade part of Helisium, with a curious head tilt. Just like a cat... :3]
[She smiles and nods, laying her head back on to his shoulder to get comfortable.]
I'll have to think about it, then. But probably around... seven, but where...
[She trails off with an intent to actually think about it, but... she doesn't respond back after that. The curse of too comfy of a almost boyfriend: comfy enough to fall asleep. Her arms around him loosen almost completely, and it doesn't take much for her to be out after all of that upset and sad so this is probably a good thing. Just a little nap is all.]
[He had just been relaxing against her, listening to her voice when he realizes it's starting to trail before it ends completely. After waiting another moment, he turns his head a little to get a better look, and...sure enough, she had fallen asleep. Again he's reminded of that night out in the field, when she had been so upset and eventually fell asleep on him. At least this time the circumstances are...a little better. He'd rather she never get upset at all, but that's just a pipe dream.
For now he just lets her doze, sitting there in peaceful silence as a thumb gently strokes her arm. Then after starting to feel a crick in his back, he contemplates what to do. He could set her down and leave her be—she has Mog so she wouldn't be completely alone. But he doesn't really like the feeling of just disappearing on her like that. He's also in no real rush, so he could stay around. For all he knows this could be just a little nap.
What really makes his decision is remembering how she had clung onto him a little before he left to get her water, and how she seemed to brightened when he returned. It was basically a parallel of he had been around her when he was at his lowest.
So after a few more moments, he carefully moves them both so that they're both lying properly on the bed. Of course he has to move those silly plushies, but he does it so they're tucked in a corner. After that, he just makes himself comfortable, lying on his side to face her with his head propped up on his hand and the other gently stroking her hair and face before settling over her waist. Only afterwards does he settle in to just keep close to her, thinking over what he should do later. He's pissed at Eizen for sure, but whether it's because he made Serah upset or how it happened, with it involving his own malevolence, or what is something for him to figure out.
But for the moment he just sighs and closes his eyes, opting to not think about it until he has to deal with it later, until he eventually drifts asleep for Serah to find whenever she wakes up.]
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Yeah, he was a daemon. He was a war daemon, one that loved fighting and death and making his enemies dead. He loved all of that... but he also didn't just have empty words to give her to make her feel better. He respected her. And he does things like this, to help comfort her. The loose grip on him tightens and she nods against him.
He's right. Those feelings, despite having gone nuts over, was what helped to bring him out of that rampage. She mumbles a thank you against him and sighs, hoping to relax a little.]
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He doesn't say or do anything much more, just continues to hold her closer and lightly strokes the back of her hair in a soothing manner.
It is hard to believe that someone like him could really be this gentle and kind to someone else. He's never been truly mean to anyone, unless killing in cold blood counts and his brother is automatically excluded. But he's never been this close, shown this much affection, or opened himself to allow someone to take comfort in him like this before. Nor has he ever felt such a strong desire to protect anyone like this. Out of duty and loyalty, even as friends, sure. But this is more personal. Just seeing her so upset actually makes him feel bad, and while he can be empathetic to others, this is different. Again, it's going on a deeper, more personal level than just simple understanding.
Most of all, he doesn't like how she blames herself for something that he takes responsibility for. It's just another reminder that if he had a stronger will, hadn't been so indecisive and just accepted Eizen's advice, things might not have gotten so bad. He needed to become stronger, to—
Stop worrying about the little things.
...Ugh. He just had to hear his brother's voice now of all times. But that's just what happened, wasn't it? If he wants to protect her, to make her not feel like this again, he was going to have to continue strengthening himself.
And he really does feel that way. Regardless of what ends up happening between them, whether they continue down this path or have to part ways, he wants to be able to protect and keep that smile he unknowingly fell for.]
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But like this, when he's gentle and caring? It feels as if there is no daemon side to him. Just a human with a strong and competitive side, and then a strong and caring side. Who he probably was before his anger and jealousy got the better of him and invaded his being to turn him slowly into the daemon he would become much later in his life. Seeing this side after seeing so much of his normal behaviour and demeanor is nice. A side only she sees and knows, she doesn't have to share with anyone else, maybe? Maybe, maybe not, but she'd like to think it's like that.]
Thanks, Pupperou. I think I'm feeling a little better.
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Anything for my princess. [A little tease, but he also means it...cheesy as it might sound without the context.] I can stick around if you need me to. Or get you something if you want.
[He doesn't have to stay with her if she doesn't really need or want him to (and he partly may be more willing to leave so he could go visit a certain someone), but he doesn't want to leave her until he knows that she'll be all right. ...And he's kind of comfortable, so he's in no real rush, someone's impending doom notwithstanding.]
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...but I wouldn't mind it if you stayed for a little while.
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He gives her one last comforting rub of her arms before he pulls back to stand.]
Let me go get you some water.
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[Before he leaves though, he gets a tight hug, almost a cling. She's glad he's here, and is almost reluctant to let him go, even for a moment.]
Be quick?
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Very real.
But he restrains himself and instead just gives her one of his usual grins.]
Be back before you know it.
[And then he's up because apparently Serah being vulnerable and actually wanting him around has a huge effect on him that he didn't realize until now.]
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But boy, even if he's not gone for long, it feels like a long time...]
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...Yeah, he can't help but look at the little plush in her hands. Hope it knows it's going back on the pillows.]
Still have those, huh?
[He's noticed them before, but never really commented until now.]
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Of course I do, why would I get rid of them? You gave them to me, and... they're really cute.
[She takes the glass in a free hand and drinks... uh... quite a lot... of it in one go. Being upset over things dehydrates you a lot, ok? When she finally pulls the glass away, she looks up to him and kind of wiggles the plush at him.]
I guess it reminds me that I have a great knight to make sure I'm all right.
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...He'll just scrunch his nose when she wiggles the plush before he reaches out to gently take it from her hands, once more sitting next to her.]
Yes, you do. And he's here now so—[He'll just waggle the plush in front of her face in return before booping its face against her nose and then putting it back alongside Princess Kitty over there.]—let's let this little guy take care of his princess while I take care of mine.
[What a charming yet cheeky grin as he straightens back up to look at her. His arm isn't around her, but it is positioned behind her, hand resting against the bed.]
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I'm still a princess, huh? Guess I'll have to amend some stuff for Helisium this year. But not all of it.
[Had to look the part and all.]
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[Not surprising, who this is. When she leans against him, he'll adjust his arm so that it is around her, glancing down at her as a half-amused grin forms.]
Should I try and match? Be your "shining knight in armor"?
[Yeah, he can't help but laugh a bit towards the end of that.]
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[A thoughtful hum.]
I'll just surprise you.
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[Where he was the scariest daemon ever!! But at least this year it should be different. Should...
She looks up at him when he mentions that he'll surprise her when it comes to what he goes with for the masquerade part of Helisium, with a curious head tilt. Just like a cat... :3]
A surprise? No hints?
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Nope, you'll just have to wait and see. Although if you wanted, I could pick you up and escort you there.
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[She's said many times that it isn't that long to wait, so!!]
But... hm. I may already by there, though, so... would it be easier to just meet me there?
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I'll have to think about it, then. But probably around... seven, but where...
[She trails off with an intent to actually think about it, but... she doesn't respond back after that. The curse of too comfy of a almost boyfriend: comfy enough to fall asleep. Her arms around him loosen almost completely, and it doesn't take much for her to be out after all of that upset and sad so this is probably a good thing. Just a little nap is all.]
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For now he just lets her doze, sitting there in peaceful silence as a thumb gently strokes her arm. Then after starting to feel a crick in his back, he contemplates what to do. He could set her down and leave her be—she has Mog so she wouldn't be completely alone. But he doesn't really like the feeling of just disappearing on her like that. He's also in no real rush, so he could stay around. For all he knows this could be just a little nap.
What really makes his decision is remembering how she had clung onto him a little before he left to get her water, and how she seemed to brightened when he returned. It was basically a parallel of he had been around her when he was at his lowest.
So after a few more moments, he carefully moves them both so that they're both lying properly on the bed. Of course he has to move those silly plushies, but he does it so they're tucked in a corner. After that, he just makes himself comfortable, lying on his side to face her with his head propped up on his hand and the other gently stroking her hair and face before settling over her waist. Only afterwards does he settle in to just keep close to her, thinking over what he should do later. He's pissed at Eizen for sure, but whether it's because he made Serah upset or how it happened, with it involving his own malevolence, or what is something for him to figure out.
But for the moment he just sighs and closes his eyes, opting to not think about it until he has to deal with it later, until he eventually drifts asleep for Serah to find whenever she wakes up.]