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[finalgambit]

Aventurine;

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[finalgambit]

What's there to get?

[bsod]

Everything?? Why you even like me in the first place?

[finalgambit]

I liked our back and forth. It felt... different, casual... but with a hint of malice, because we still had beef with each other for one stupid reason or another. And then in the pizzeria... that whole debacle just, didn't you think it... the whole experience... [ brought us closer together? even if only a little bit. ] And you're easy to talk to. At least I think so.

[bsod]

[ Something in his chest twists when Aventurine suggests he liked the banter, the rivalry, even the bit of malice.

Why did he have to be brought here to find this? ]

I... [ A laugh. ] I really don't get you.

[finalgambit]

...you don't need to get me. [ ... ] But [ he hesitates, ] you shared something about yourself with me, so how about I do the same?

[bsod]

No, I guess I don't.

[ Only time will tell if he actually comes to understand the way Aventurine ticks. ]

... If you want. This doesn't have to be a sharing session.

[finalgambit]

...it'll check off another box on our rom-com trope bucket list. [ maybe. he doesn't know much about these stupid romance movies, but he figures there's some trope about the rich and the poor. he might be loaded now, but it's not like that was always the case... ]

Did you ever notice my brand and, no, I'm not talking about the one this place gave me. [ he tilts his head slightly. ]

[bsod]

[ They already made it past the third act misunderstanding so it should be smooth sailing from here, right? ]

That one? Yeah, I've seen it. Why?

[finalgambit]

[ he stops fidgeting with his tie,
something he's been doing this entire time... wups. ]

Do you know what it says? [ he takes vox's claw and moves it over it, so that he's covering it. ] ...someone paid just sixty red copper coins to put a brand on me, put me in chains, only to throw me to the gallows so they could bury me in golden sand...

[bsod]

Someone... bought you?

[ Probably not too different from the concept of a soul deal, and he won't pretend that a lot of people who make such deals are treated any better.

He traces the mark on Aventurine's neck with a finger, mindful not to prick skin or draw blood. ]

How'd you end up where you are now?

[finalgambit]

...yeah. I'm rare. I'm from a planet called Sigonia, and it was annihilated in an attack, so I may very well be the last of the Avgins. And you can tell because of our eyes. [ that's part of the reason he wears sunglasses. ]

My " master " made us all fight... threw us into an arena...

I killed all the others and then... then I killed him. [ his smile broadens and he almost laughs. ] I was found by the IPC and I gambled my life for a position, because what did I really have to lose? Nothing. I literally had nothing.

[bsod]

[ What a weird feeling, to feel a bit bad for someone else. It's been a long time since he's had any sort of sympathy in him. ]

That's quite the rags to riches story you've got there. No wonder you're so "all or nothing" all the time.

[finalgambit]

…mm, [ he snakes an arm around vox, tugging him flush against him. if they’re not going to kiss, then they can at least cuddle… this position is compromising enough, so they might as well do something with it. ] like I said, I haven’t got anything to lose. If I do die, then I’ll just get to see my family again. I’m not afraid. And if I win, well, then I’ve accomplished whatever I’ve set out to do. To me… all the gambles I take are win-win.

[bsod]

[ He tenses for a second, not expecting the move, but he settles a second later. He's not used to being all touchy feely with people. ]

That's a hell of a way to live. From one gamble to the next.

[finalgambit]

...that's got to mean a lot coming from a demon, hahaha. [ he buries his face in vox's chest, shutting his eyes. ] Is this a trope? ...spilling the details of my backstory and my addiction, so you can try to fix me. A shame there won't be any of that. Need to keep the drama train running strong.

[bsod]

[ Vox isn't sure what to do with his hands for a second. Finally, he rests one on Aventurine's shoulder. What is happening here? ]

I'm not here to fix anyone, Aventurine. Not you, and certainly not me.

[finalgambit]

It was a joke. Relax.

[bsod]

Mm. I wouldn't pursue a career in comedy, in that case.

[ This is weirdly cozy. ]

[finalgambit]

[ rolls his eyes. ] I didn't plan on it.

[ the movie has finally ended, and everything has wrapped up into a near little package. hooray. there's a few moments of silence and then a blood curdling scream. oh, were you comfortable, well get fucked the both of you, because there's some horror movie playing now. it does pump the breaks... so it's not at a 10 the entire time. ]

This is my first time in this place. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. [ gives vox a sidelong smile. ] Especially for an impromptu date.

[bsod]

[ Jokes on you, there are bloodcurdling screams happening like all the time in the streets of Hell. It's a nice little reminder of home. ]

It could stand to be like... a hundred times cleaner. And this isn't a date.

[finalgambit]

I think most places here could... [ he just laughs. ] I'm glad we ran into each other. I needed this.

I needed you.

[bsod]

[ It's a good thing Aventurine is snuggled up to his chest so he can't see the look on Vox's face. Being needed feels like such a punch to the gut he can't find any words for a very long moment. His fingers flex against Aventurine's shoulder, holding on. ]

... Yeah, me too.

[ To which? Yes. ]

[finalgambit]

[ and he's glad for it too, so vox can't see the blush that creeps across his face. look, they may just be friends, but it's not like he gets this to this many people. ]

[bsod]

[ They're just gonna sit here like this, huh? At least until exhaustion finally takes its toll — it's been a long day, but perhaps everything that happened feels a bit lighter now.

Yeah, he's definitely falling asleep. ]

[finalgambit]

[ he's falling asleep too.
this is too nice a feeling not to... ]