refractures | wenis / astolfo pc

[ We could enjoy the rest of our lives together.

They give his hand a squeeze at that, since it's obvious that didn't happen. ]

It must have been wonderful.

[ They will slow their gait. ]

It was.

[ There's no shred of doubt in those words. ]

I love, the world... despite everything. It's a world that he lived and died in and to me, that's...

[ Important. The second most important thing in his life. ]

[ They stop at that and feel something warm in their chest at those words. ]

I think it's amazing you have something that you love so much. [ It's beautiful even, but they aren't going to voice that part out loud. They will lean their side into him. ]

How did he pass?

[ Seodore seems to hesitate in answering—not because it reminds him that he died, but something else. ]

... Natural causes.

[ They aren't surprised that's the answer, but it's still a sad one. The idea of watching the most important person to you grow old and die, while you're still left behind.

Letting go of his hand to hug him. Maybe it's not difficult for Seo, but Astolfo does feel sad for his loss. ]

I'm sorry, Seo. [ It also brings another question up and out without thought ] How old are you really then? Super old?

[ He's being hugged and doesn't know how to feel. He doesn't like questions like these. He never did. It takes a while for him to actually answer Astolfo. ]

I'm a 25 year old human.

[ He isn't trying to distract away from it, but the hesitation is telling on it's own. They will nod. ]

Okay, you're a 25 year old human. [ Their tone of voice is the normal without any hint of doubt. ]

Do you want to talk about something else?

[ Even if it's the end, and this may be the last chance to hear everything about him, they will still give him an out. ]

[ Astolfo is so nice, and Seodore sometimes wonders if he doesn't deserve it, like with all the affection that he also receives. But the thing is, Seodore Riddle is also a selfish person. His values are selective, which makes him look like a hypocrite. ]

Of course I do.

[ He already showed his dislike for the topic, after all. ]

But I know you don't truly want to, because you're curious and want to know more.

[ But that's just what being a person is. ]

[ He can be selfish as much as he wants with them. They are there and planning to stick by or to him until they can no longer ]

I do! I have been known as curiosity in human form. Someone who does as they pleases for as long as they want.

[ They want to know everything about Seo. To ask him a million things and hear him talk until he loses his voice or they both get tired. However... ]

You're more important than satisfying what I want.

[ They will give him a grin at that. ]

If you want to keep giving me more and more, I will take more and more. I can also give more and more if you want as well.

[ At that, Seo pauses. ]

It couldn't have been more than a month, but you really feel that strongly about me? That's too much devotion towards a single person.

[ Astolfo who decided they would risk everything for Sieg after just meeting him. ]

I'm an all in kind of guy. We also went through something different from what's considered normal.

[ While that is true, it has Seo thinking for a moment. From his entire time spent with Astolfo, they really are just... like this, huh. Like in Therion's words, he can't believe [Astolfo] is real. ]

If you keep latching onto people that strongly, you'll get yourself into some shitshow, y'know.

If I do, then I do! It isn't like I'm not already dragged into something like a shitshow with the wars anyways.

[ They really don't care good or bad what happens to them. ]

I only have a physical form for a short time, so I will give it my all while I still can. If I fail then I fail.

... Life truly is different when you're only living for a brief moment.

[ He still isn't used to this sort of devotion. It almost feels unconditional. ]

I really wonder how it was me despite my behavior throughout all this, but... I trust you. I trust your words.

[ If only he could meet other Servants to realize just how much of an outlier is ]

Do you want me to tell you?

[ All he has to do is ask, but they are happy he trusts them. ]

[ He already gets the sense that Astolfo is an outlier in so many ways and wonders if it's the moon curse at it again. How much of it is Astolfo's core personality and which is affected by the curse? Despite his curiosity, he still trusts them anyway. ]

Yeah. I hope you didn't expect me to say no~

[ He'll just have to see if there's moon cycles next time they meet up.

If there is a next time ]

It's because of your behavior and everything I've seen and the things I haven't seen yet. In the beginning, it was because you were a lot of fun.

It changed though! The more I got to see, the more I found myself just wanting to stick near. Maybe it's the way you tried to take care of others, regardless of the reasons. Maybe it's because of the moments where you were worried about me. You have all these cute expressions and funny face.

I just find the more I see of you, the more I wind up liking. Even earlier, when you're talking about your husband and the world you cherish, I found myself liking you more. You're very beautiful, Seo. Even the part that would be satisfied with your life if you wind up dying for real or the parts that are frustrating.

[ He looks partially wistful when Astolfo says all that. The other parts are surprised despite everything. He could say Astolfo has bad taste jokingly, but that doesn't seem appropriate right now. Seodore was so fixated on his own goals and desires that being told that he's beautiful or anything similar shocks him to the core.

Of course he doesn't show his emotions outwardly to that extent. ]

Liking something that frustrates you... sounds like quite a commitment, no?

[ Astolfo is different from Rumeld. They're different from Welt and yet, there's a warm feeling that turns bittersweet, because he doesn't allow himself to feel those things ever again. Not since he passed. ]

I really have never met anyone like you, Astolfo. Take that as a compliment. You're someone that I'll remember, no matter what happens to me.

[ There's a quiet laugh at his words. They already know there's no changing his mind or his path. There's no changing his heart at all, but that is also another thing that makes him beautiful and very human. ]

It helps you're cute and I like cute things. [ Their tone playful. They will lean up to press a kiss against his cheek. ]

You're someone I want to remember. You, Sieg, and the feelings I have here. I want to hold on to them even when it all gets wiped from me. [ Between their evaporation of sanity and getting summoned in the future... they want to hold on to this. ]

[ The cheek kiss is cute and there's a bit of color on his normally pale cheeks. It's really too bad that Seodore hates being recorded in any way, or they could have made vlogs together!!! What could have been!! He looks over at Astolfo and holds their other hand. Now they're holding both hands! ]

... Here.

[ He holds out one of the cigarettes from the pack that was brought from "home". ]

Whether your memories will be wiped or if this cigarette will disappear from existence, I want you to hold onto it until you can no longer remember.

[ As Seodore said before, these cigarettes are basically the embodiment of his existence. Perhaps exaggerated, but there's a sliver of truth in it at the very least. ]

[ It is so bad! They could have taken cute pictures together and Seo is looking good with that color on his cheeks. He can have both of their hands.

Though what he does next surprises them. The cigarettes which seem so important to him and were part of who he was. The same ones he seemed regretful smoking them when he didn't have access to the rest of them. Taking the one, and just going to smile warmly at it. Another something special to hold on to as the curl their fingers around it gently as to not crush it and bring it close to their chest. ]

I will! [ Maybe it'll be weaved into the story of Astolfo to be part of the trump cards they already have or maybe they will only be able to treasure it as long as they have this form. That would be fitting in it's own bittersweet way, but they are eternally optimistic. Maybe they can hold on to it even beyond then!

They will carefully put it in their pocket. Tomorrow, they can give him their tamagotchi for him to take care of, but today there isn't anything of equal value they could give. Lance would be dangerous and the horn is unfortunately linked to events.

The only thing they can offer is the very thing they gave from the start without any expectations or strings. Just their affection. ] Ah, I want to kiss you.

[ It surprises himself in what he's just done. He always wears gloves and avoids pictures to not leave any traces of himself behind. If Heroic Spirits are powerful by being known, Seodore is the opposite. And yet, he leaves a piece of himself with someone else. It's unheard of.

But he thinks Astolfo deserves it. That's how fond he is of them. Even if Astolfo will get their memories wiped and perhaps go through the same cycle of war again and again. The dead cannot rest and Seodore actually hates that. The dead should stay dead and the living should live with all their might. The thought makes him squeeze both hands for a moment until he's broken out of his thoughts with Astolfo saying that they want to kiss him.

... ]

Didn't you just...

[ It was a cheek kiss. You fool. ]

[ He gave a piece of himself to a Heroic Spirit that may keep it with them forever. If only they knew the full scope of what he did.

Shifting their hands to slide their fingers in-between each of Seodore's gloved ones as they shake their head. Astolfo is known as the one Servant that lacks any restraint or reason. That usually did what they wanted when they wanted to. When it came to Seodore who would always be so surprised anyone would want to stick by him without anything to gain but his company, they showed some restraint.

Their time is limited though. ]

Just take this as me doing what I want, Seo. [ Without expectations or hope attached. This is purely because they want to in the moment. Standing up on their tiptoes as they lean forward to press their lips against his. ]

[ He shouldn't be surprised, but he is. Perhaps it's because he didn't expect Astolfo to actually go for it.

Astolfo is always beyond reason and restraint. That's why Seodore understands what they do. Love, is also beyond reason and restraint. It takes many forms. All those unreasonable logical fallacies come for Seodore when he's kissed. Perhaps it's unsurprising that Seodore doesn't return it and merely stands there to eventually part them. ]

Truly... a one of a kind.

[ He doesn't say anything about the feelings involved, because he knows. Astolfo should too. If it's unsaid, perhaps there's nothing to accept nor reject. ]

[ There is no surprise on their features when he doesn't return it. They already knew that's how things would go, and went for it anyways.

They smile again as they part, not feeling any regret or embarrassment at all. ]

Yeah, that's me. The one and only Astolfo. [ They will give his hands a light tug before they start taking slow steps backwards. There won't be words said on the kiss or what feelings that may or may not be there.

Seo can let them walk into something like a moron if he wants, they'll keep walking backwards while pulling him along. ]

We still have time, Seo. Is there anything you'd like to ask while you have the chance?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject