[ next week because thorns is already on one this week. he doesn't icly know there's an ooc limit.
it's difficult, because he knows their problems aren't solved, and there's the chance they'd just revert to how things were. but even if it hurts to try, that pain is worth it if it's for elysium. ]
[ For what it's worth, Elysium actually seems to be thinking about the question instead of immediately trying deflect it with a 'not really,' closing his mouth when it instinctively opens to form the sound. He closes his eyes for a brief second, then shifts just enough for his hand to find Thorns' bangs, brushing them aside gently. ]
… I'm not as close with anyone as you might think I am. There are people I worry about more than others, but you're still my best friend. There isn't really a comparison.
[ Read: in a place where they are constantly forced to make hard choices, there is one thing Elysium has always reminded himself of. If he is ever forced to choose between people, he isn't someone who can afford to consider a third option. Not here, not in this situation.
[ he's not sure how he feels about that, coupled with not knowing exactly what elysium means. but he can understand the general message of what elysium's priority is, for better or for worse. ]
Mm. [ ... ] Remember to work towards your happiness, too.
The sleeping arrangement has been no sleep, but Elysium has been coming and going from the room so they are technically still roommates. He looks away. ]
well, he was trying to playfully joke that he will get his revenge while elysium sleeps (via balding), but he realizes it may have not come across as teasing. ]
... You do so much for me, Elysium. I want to do something in return.
[ Thorns calls Elysium others' pillars, but Thorns is his, and that alone already means more than he knows how to name. Still, he understands Thorns wants something more tangible than that.
[ If Thorns is still looking his way, he can catch the expressions that flit across Elysium's face over the span of a few seconds: surprise, then consideration, then something like joy before he lets out a soft laugh. ]
… I wouldn't be surprised if it's already unlocked.
[ He glances over to the box he'd left for Thorns the other day. Has he opened it yet? ]
Is yours still by the river? I can—um, we can go pick it up together later.
but seeing elysium look so genuinely happy brings relief for thorns; his best friend had been running himself ragged, so it's nice to see him relaxed. ]
We can. You still have to stay with me, anyway.
[ he says this, but if elysium genuinely had to go somewhere thorns would not stop him at this point, they already had their talk. but it's nice.
[ Stop. He ducks his head, embarrassed, and drops down beside Thorns. ]
… Wow. Look at you, being all honest with me.
[ It takes him a second, but then his arms slip around Thorns and he buries his face against his chest. ]
We're napping. Just to make sure the box is really open by the time we get there.
[ When you cannot physically run (distance-wise) but you can physically run (consciousness-wise)… He is, unfortunately, approaching the upper threshold of how much emotional openness he can process. ]
things can be difficult when you're both private for different reasons. but then you can get past it. maybe not every time, but enough times that you can try to make it work.
he shifts just to get more comfortable and close his eyes. it's getting easier to get used to this. ]
And it's up to you if you want to play it our or not, but if you're leaving the box up to me it'll contain something stupid. Like the signed autograph Thorns got him during Heart of Surging Flames. ]
they can wake, where thorns has to go through several phases of remembering he currently has one arm to the fact that elysium is here. thorns pats him. ]
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[ next week because thorns is already on one this week. he doesn't icly know there's an ooc limit.
it's difficult, because he knows their problems aren't solved, and there's the chance they'd just revert to how things were. but even if it hurts to try, that pain is worth it if it's for elysium. ]
Is there anything else you need to tell me?
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… I'm not as close with anyone as you might think I am. There are people I worry about more than others, but you're still my best friend. There isn't really a comparison.
[ Read: in a place where they are constantly forced to make hard choices, there is one thing Elysium has always reminded himself of. If he is ever forced to choose between people, he isn't someone who can afford to consider a third option. Not here, not in this situation.
That is why Thorns is kind and he isn't. ]
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Mm. [ ... ] Remember to work towards your happiness, too.
[ whatever that means to him. ]
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[ "I'll be happy when you get out of here." ]
… Be sure to keep that one necklace on you. I worked hard for that.
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he sits up so he can look at him. ]
You're impossible.
[ the tone is fond though. ]
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Do you still have that one ring we got a while back, too? If you do, I changed my mind. Don't give it to anyone else. It's yours.
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down he goes. ]
You should keep it. You get into more trouble.
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No.
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Explain.
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I don't want to. I don't think I can say it any clearer than that.
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Then I need something in return.
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I'll consider it.
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[ well. in theory. no idea what the sleeping arrangements had been like the past few nights. ]
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The sleeping arrangement has been no sleep, but Elysium has been coming and going from the room so they are technically still roommates. He looks away. ]
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well, he was trying to playfully joke that he will get his revenge while elysium sleeps (via balding), but he realizes it may have not come across as teasing. ]
... You do so much for me, Elysium. I want to do something in return.
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He goes quiet for a few more beats. ]
What did you have in mind?
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Help me unlock the box again.
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… I wouldn't be surprised if it's already unlocked.
[ He glances over to the box he'd left for Thorns the other day. Has he opened it yet? ]
Is yours still by the river? I can—um, we can go pick it up together later.
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but seeing elysium look so genuinely happy brings relief for thorns; his best friend had been running himself ragged, so it's nice to see him relaxed. ]
We can. You still have to stay with me, anyway.
[ he says this, but if elysium genuinely had to go somewhere thorns would not stop him at this point, they already had their talk. but it's nice.
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[ The world's shittiest excuse, but okay. ]
We'll see how tired you are of me after, heheh.
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I haven't gotten tired of you yet and it's been how long?
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… Wow. Look at you, being all honest with me.
[ It takes him a second, but then his arms slip around Thorns and he buries his face against his chest. ]
We're napping. Just to make sure the box is really open by the time we get there.
[ When you cannot physically run (distance-wise) but you can physically run (consciousness-wise)… He is, unfortunately, approaching the upper threshold of how much emotional openness he can process. ]
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things can be difficult when you're both private for different reasons. but then you can get past it. maybe not every time, but enough times that you can try to make it work.
he shifts just to get more comfortable and close his eyes. it's getting easier to get used to this. ]
Wake me up if you're up first.
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And it's up to you if you want to play it our or not, but if you're leaving the box up to me it'll contain something stupid. Like the signed autograph Thorns got him during Heart of Surging Flames. ]
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they can wake, where thorns has to go through several phases of remembering he currently has one arm to the fact that elysium is here. thorns pats him. ]
Morning.
[ it's probably not morning. ]
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