Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

[sumarusfinest]

The wonderful thing about the Nexus is that it's usually fairly easy to find the regulars because of their preferred spots for lounging about the forum. This makes Katsuya's current task all the more convenient as he makes his way from the stall of the Velvet Room.

The suspect had to be around here somewhere. Always lounging about and starting fights with the resident magi of the Nexus. He finds what he's looking for in a blonde man working on a small glass device on one of the many Nexus couches, a cup of coffee sitting next to him.

"I need your assistance in regards to a case of the utmost importance. Your cooperation would be...appreciated."

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

Times like this, her somber nature seems much more appropriate. Hers was a world of horror stories wrapped up in primary colors. It's not the first time or the last she'll hear something like this. It's not anywhere near the worst, either. But he gets all her quiet attention and a warm hug that doesn't waiver.

"You're so brave," she whispers when he seems to be finished.

[sumarusfinest]

"I would go so far as to say foolishly stubborn." He chuckles lightly but returns the hug all the same. "But I'd do it again."

He knows he would. For his home. For his family. And now..

"I'd fight hell and gods for you Verity. Though judging by the sound of it, you'd probably be right there with me thanks to all your training." She told him once that she wouldn't be left behind to be protected.

And it's not like he was safely able to keep his loved ones out of any fighting before this either. He's used to having them as comrades in arms.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Kind of the same thing," she points out with an amused tone.

The promise is bittersweet. There are no gods, no hell to fight for her. Most of her life was spent drifting through the world, and now she doesn't even have a world to drift through. "I'd be where I'm most needed."

Just like last time; she didn't argue with him about her staying back to help with the wounded while he went to fight. She didn't like it, but she didn't argue. How selfish would it be to try and prioritize her feelings over the good of the group?

"It's not likely there'll ever be a need to do that anyway."

[sumarusfinest]

"Perhaps not. But it's important to me to realize that it's true."

How could he not have seen this for as long as he did? The sheer depth of his feelings is staggering to him. It had been right, telling her finally that he had developed feelings for her. They've only grown stronger since.

He leans forward, touching his forehead to hers.

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's good to be self-aware," she agrees. This isn't the big romantic revelation to her that he might be hoping for. She feels that way about all her friends. She did (try to) fight a thunder god (unsuccessfully) once. She was prepared to unleash Ragnarok to free Loki if she had to. Fight demons? Whatever. Nyarlhotep? Bring it on. He's got nothing to say to her she doesn't already know about herself.

She closes her eyes when he leans forward, expecting a kiss but not disappointed with what she gets. "But I still hope it never comes up."