realpolitik | Leon Magnus | Stahn Aileron

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.

You—

[judas, what?

that response gets a surprised look from stahn, because he honestly didn't expect such a truly sincere response.]

... I was not there before, when everything happened.

[When Barbatos showed up. When Stahn sacrificed everything for his family.]

Now that I am here... I do not intend to make the same mistakes.

You didn't make mistakes. You did the things you felt were right.

[stahn still believes that. even if his actions had hurt back then, even if he'd missed leon every single day for those eighteen years—he doesn't want judas to feel he should have regrets for not being able to prevent what happened.]

You're here now... and I know you'll do everything you can to make the best choices. [for their family. not just for himself or for stahn, but for everyone. judas has grown a lot, and stahn recognizes that.]

Edited 2016-06-25 02:30 (UTC)

Even so, there's no denying that my choices were what led to me not being here. Whether that would have made a difference or not is difficult to say, but...

I would like to believe I would have been able to do something.

[Anything.

Even if it meant throwing his life away in Stahn's place...that would've been fine.

Though of course, he doesn't say that.]

So now, I must be certain to make up for that.

[at least he's smart enough to not say anything so foolish.]

I know you know this but... you being here is enough. And everything else you did... you've made up for it more than enough times now.

[It's not enough. Just being here--it isn't enough.

But being here and knowing that if anything like Barbatos happens again, he'll have to go through him...?

That's enough.]

Don't concern yourself with it. It isn't as though I'm discontent with the situation as it stands.

I don't think it's that easy. To not concern myself with it, I mean—

[he can't help it. he's always been pretty involved with everyone else around him, but judas is family. he's a best friend.

so of course, he's concerned with it in his own way.]

I know you're not unhappy with things, but I don't want you to feel like you need to do anything more for me.

... That isn't something you can control.

[That he feels like he needs to do more for Stahn--that's a Judas problem, and a Judas problem it will remain. Even if Stahn wants to... he just can't change that.

It's just something that can't be stopped.]

I know. But it doesn't change that... I still don't want you feel that way. Like you need to something.

[he won't try to force judas to change his mind on sway his feelings.]

I just... wanted you to know that.

[...]

I know.

It is not as though I ever expected you to hold anything against me. You are...too foolhardily kind for that.

Ah...

[he lets out a bit of a sheepish laugh, ruffling his hair a bit.]

Maybe that's true but... I don't think you can blame me for that much.

Did I say I was?

[No...that's just Stahn being Stahn.

And Judas has always loved him for that, and will always protect him for that as well. He's his best friend, and now his family, and that can't be ignored.]

No... I guess not...

[okay, maybe being called out about it in that way makes him feel even more sheepish—ridiculous as that may seem for a 37 year old man.]

Then there is no need for you to concern yourself with it. It is fine as it is.

[And he'll constantly want to be doing more.

...Anyway.]

Perhaps we should pause soon for lunch.

[it's a good enough segue, and he understands what judas is going for here. so he brightens up a little, nodding his head.]

Mm, that's a good idea. Fighting gets me pretty hungry.

[Unsurprisingly.

Dryly, in return:]

Everything gets you hungry--but yes, that will work.

Mm!

[he's got a healthy appetite and that sure hasn't changed.]

What should we eat?

Whatever is simple and quick. I do not intend to linger long. We still can cover a large distance.

[Some things never change.]

That should be easy enough... do you want to just stop now? The area looks pretty clear!

That should be fine.

[TIME TO SIT IN THE GRASS and have a picnic. Just like old times, really....]

Okay!

[stahn's pretty quick to plop down and stretch out before even thinking about the food situation because... it's pretty relaxing, honestly.]

This feels great...

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