week 5, tuesday

[vigilantics]

[ sometime in the evening, steph is going to track belph down to drag him somewhere.

the lounge. she's dragging him to the lounge. ]

Let's have a drink, my friend.

Comments

[axilium]

[dryly,]

Yeah, I get that a lot.

[...]

I'm really tired, Steph.

[vigilantics]

You're not here alone, Belph. I really, really mean it when I say I'm here for you.

[ she loosens her hold enough so that she can back away and look at his face. ]

I know that I don't really understand it all, but you're important to me. You don't have to always smile when you don't want to.

[axilium]

[that's what terrifies him. he already pushed away the last person who might've been there for him—the impulse to do the same here is strong.]

I think I'd probably go insane if I didn't.

[vigilantics]

[ well, that's an unhealthy coping mechanism. ]

... okay. But, you know, if there's something upsetting you then you don't have to lie and say you're fine to me. Just say you don't want to talk about it.

[axilium]

[belph has, like, one healthy coping mechanism amidst a variety of unhealthy ones.]

Not much of a difference between the two.

[vigilantics]

I mean, I will very happily force you to talk to me instead.

[ she won't hesitate? ]

[axilium]

... Ha. I can't win against you, can I?

[vigilantics]

Nope. I keep telling you that I'm annoying, don't I?

[axilium]

[... honestly, steph is so much like her at times that it's a little jarring.]

I guess stubbornness comes with being a hero.

[vigilantics]

... yeah, honestly.

[ it's not always a good thing alas. ]

Anyway, you like it.

[axilium]

I suppose it's an endearing character trait.

[vigilantics]

All of my character traits are endearing.

[ that's debatable. ]

[axilium]

[he just raises an eyebrow.]

[vigilantics]

[ she nudges him lightly, before bending down to pick their glasses back up. ]

You know you love me.

[axilium]

I suppose I have some modicum of positive feelings aimed in your general direction.

[vigilantics]

[ she rolls her eyes, but then smiles. ]

I love you too, Belph.