realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

[Hmph!!!]

You have always been surprisingly independent despite your sermons on friendship.

[...]

And hard-headed.

I don't think you only have to be one way or the other, you know.

[it's not mutually exclusive!] Some things are better on your own, but... most things, it's better to have your friends with you.

...Like right now!

[Jfc Stahn you never change.]

You are being unnecessarily sentimental again.

It's not sentimental... it's just the truth.

[don't be so dramatic about it.]

It is sentimental, as you always are.

[SO THERE.]

...When was the last time you traveled this way?

It's not.

[he disagrees!]

The last time...? I don't know, maybe sometime last year?

[Huh.

He nods along vaguely, thoughtful.]

I was simply curious, that is all. I was not sure how often you make this trip.

Not too much! Usually we can get everything from Cresta or Darilsheid if we need it.

[he pauses, and then explains:]

Yunie came down with something pretty bad last year, and we couldn't wait that long for a delivery to be brought into town... so I went alone to Aigrette to get the medicine.

... I see.

[It makes sense. And it paints the picture of Stahn that he'd really always imagined with this orphanage--doting, kind, warm and sunny, but also so fierce in the protection of his charges.]

If such a thing ever happens again... I would like to assist in that.

[It'll give him a reason to pick up his sword again and practice, and get back into fighting shape.]

I'd like that.

[it's a very sincere, subtle statement. he would like that, because he wants to embrace the time he has with judas. and fighting alongside him sounds even better.]

I don't usually go that far, but I go to Darilsheid at least once a month... you can come with me then too, if you want.

[His expression lights up a bit, before he can even stop it to steady himself and pretend like he doesn't care as much as he does.

But even if he pretends, and even if things are different now... it's still his home.]

... Yes, well. I suppose... if you require company, it would not be too much of a hardship to come along.

[He'd really, really like that, in other words.]

[...stahn catches that. he absolutely catches it, but all he does it smile warmly—he won't call judas out on that.]

Mm... I don't really like traveling alone anyway. If it's a short trip, sometimes Kyle will come, or even Loni when he's around. Usually, I have to go alone though, so I would like that.

[judas is absolutely always welcome to keep him company is what he's saying here.]

It is not as though I am otherwise needed elsewhere, so... that should be fine.

[He will absolutely go with Stahn anywhere at any time--he'd drop anything to do so.

But especially to go to Darilsheid.]

Mm-mm! It'll be nice. I know Darilsheid's not what it used to be...

But we both have a lot of memories there, huh? [it would be nice, even if it's in a slightly melancholic way, to be able to revisit some places with judas again.]

...Of course we do. Even with how things have changed...that is only to be expected.

[Though Judas is...still not sure how to feel about all of said changes.]

It would've been nice if they could have gotten the rebuilding effort done properly by now. Who knows... maybe things will change for the better.

[he sincerely hopes that, and not just for judas' sake.]

... Perhaps.

[He's trying really hard to not dwell on his past connections, though, so--]

Even if they haven't, it is not as though it should matter to me.

Cresta is your home now, but... it doesn't mean that something like that can't be important you too. It's okay.

[though he knows judas won't admit it so easily, and that's why stahn adds:] Even if it just stays between us.

[........ well.

It's a pretty good deal all around. Judas just hesitates, before he sighs faintly and glances away.]

I suppose if I do not agree now, you will just keep pestering me about it.

Mm, you're right about that.

[he won't deny it.]

I mean it, though. Just us... I don't mind keeping things that way. [which gives judas full reign to not hold back; even rutee won't be privy to this if he doesn't want it to be that way.]

It is not as though I need you to keep secrets for me. I have done just fine on my own.

[But...admittedly, he thinks it's kind of cute.

Stahn's argument is that they can have a secret boys club..... no one else allowed.

What a kid.]

I know. I'm just letting you know that if you want to share those secrets... you can trust me with them.

[he is like a kid in some ways, but most of it is just stahn wanting to assure judas that he's thinking of these things, and that judas telling him something doesn't mean he'll run off and tell rutee.

he tells rutee most things because he's all about keeping lines of communication open, and because they both worry about judas just as anyone would worry about their family. but stahn also knows how judas is, and he wants to make sure he never forgets that they're still best friends first, no matter what he chooses to admit aloud.]

It isn't...a matter of trust.

[He says that immediately, shaking his head quietly. He... trusts Stahn with everything. He has no secrets left, honestly--he told Stahn everything already.

But...

Well, Judas or Emilio or not, he's still also Leon.]

I simply... well, it isn't anything like that.

[He's just embarrassed to be caught being sentimental.]

Okay.

[he responds, simply and quietly.]

I trust you, so I won't push. But just like when your wrist was bothering you, or when you think about Chaltier...

[he offers a warm smile, nodding his head.] I'll be here.

... I know.

[It's admittedly quietly, but heartfelt. Judas knows that Stahn will always be there. He was never concerned about that. But it does make him think, and when he does...]

But even so, that had not been my intentions in remaining here.

[Not so Stahn could support him, but rather--]

I had wanted to be here for you.

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