Oceans and Merfolk

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Comments

[takesitall]

[And Vasha takes the hand.]

If I need to get away for a bit, can I...?

[Stay with you?]

[ignoranceisblight]

Of course.

[He squeezes Vasha's hand.]

Any time you need it.

[takesitall]

Thank you.

[He just steps a little closer.]

Mama said you were looking out for them?

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods!]

Making sure they'd be safe here and everything... I can properly guard everyone now.

[takesitall]

Thank you. I owe so much, Veritas, I'll never be able to pay it back.

[ignoranceisblight]

Vasha, you're my best friend, you don't owe me anything. And the rest of the pod's basically my family now, too.

[takesitall]

Still.

[Nope, hugging Veritas tightly. They can follow his sister shortly.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[He signals to Parisa that they need a moment as he hugs Vasha back, just as tightly.]

[takesitall]

You got me out. You got me my pelt back. You took care of my family. Veritas, I...

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas pulls back a little to look at Vasha.]

[takesitall]

...can I give you my pelt?

[It's not necessarily romantic, sometimes it's just a sign of platonic devotion. And Vasha needs time to recover, but even if Veritas says "no" he wants the other to know how much he adores him.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas gasps a little when Vasha asks that.]

If... if you really want to, then... I'd be honored, Vasha.

[takesitall]

Then...tomorrow or the day after. I need to keep it with me for a bit to reconnect, but after that.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas thinks for a moment.]

Keep it for the rest of the week--or maybe longer--and then you can give it to me after that if you still want to. It's probably better for you to keep it for longer after four years of it having been taken, right?

[takesitall]

Probably, but--mm. I'm still going to want to, even a week from now. Just so you know.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods.]

Just as long as you'll be okay. And if you ever need it back at all, just take it back as you need it. Obviously.

[Yes, it's obvious, but one can't blame Veritas for wanting to make sure Vasha hears it said plainly.]

[takesitall]

If I give it to someone, it won't hurt me like it being stolen. Don't worry.

[ignoranceisblight]

I just want to be sure. You're really important to me, so...

[takesitall]

I know. Thank you.

[ignoranceisblight]

Of course.

[A quick, tighter hug.]

Let's go catch up with Parisa so we can get a look at that house?

[takesitall]

[Vasha nods and they catch up to follow his sister to Veritas's new house. It's a nice little thing, two bedrooms and plenty of space for Veritas's books and other trinkets. The pod's village is a short fifteen minute walk away and the ocean is nearby. It's nice and cozy. There's even a spot for a garden, if Veritas wants.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas is touched as he takes everything in.]

... It's perfect... thank you, Parisa! And tell everyone else I said thank you, too!

[As he pulls her into another hug.]

[takesitall]

[She returns the hug with a laugh.]

Of course. We had help from those strange twins and the flotilla they travel with, admittedly.

[ignoranceisblight]

It still means a lot. Thank you.

[takesitall]

You're family, Veritas. We take care of our family.