[There's an expression in his eyes that is mingling with the anger: disappointment and sadness. Part of him been hoping that it was by chance he found out about this after he left. But...no, the logical part about him knew it'd been far too short a time apart for that to be likely.
He had intentionally kept him in the dark. He had left him with no idea what was to come.]
You should've said something. Anything. Even if it was a risk, a little hope would've been better than...
[ he would’ve been a liar that took not only his heart, but his hopes, dreams and hand. if he were free from this bond at least in some, whether from its abolishment or just time mending the hole . . . ]
It’d hurt less.
[ or. so he thought. and maybe it was true, but. it didn’t happen, in their case. ]
[ was he just saying that now because he was here, or would he have changed his mind if his wrist blew off and thought that he just went of and— dropped dead?
erebus doesn’t know and it tires him to think of possibilities that didn’t exist anymore. ]
It’s not just you I wanted to spare.
[ he wanted . . . to definitely spare himself, too. because if it didn’t work at all, at least he could try, ah. he didn’t know. get over it. get over not being able to have a mate or even act like it when the feelings were there and would never be reciprocated. it was like trying to stick an insect together with a dog. It’s unnatural and doesn’t work and would just hurt him day in and day out.
because a human wouldn’t “love” him, as humans say when they find themselves in a pair. he’d grow aggravated to be seen as nothing more than an important companion, frustrated that every aspect of feelings wouldn’t be met, and the only one susceptible to his ire would be the one closest to him.
erebus doesn’t elaborate, but he’s still, and decides to look elsewhere. ]
[Eleos takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Erebus was...stubborn and immature. It's no wonder his human form looked as young as he did. It was easier to hide your age as a dragon to a human who knows very little, but here? Yeah...it's clear Erebus wasn't any older emotionally than he was. ]
It wouldn't have spared you either.
[He knows that. Erebus would've come to regret how he acted eventually had it not worked. In Eleos mind, it would'be been more understandable if they had tried to make things work, and then only got their separate ways as a last resort. But Erebus never gave him that option. He decided for both of them and didn't listen to a word Eleos had to say.
But there was time to address that later. ]
So...you're human now? And you're okay with that?
[Nothing Erebus has ever done has given Eleos the impression that Erebus wanted to be a human. Ever.]
erebus lets his eyes set on a closed window. who would want to stay human? he was tied up, he was trapped and away from the wind, away from fresh air and the wildlife and probably the farthest he’s ever wanted to get from eleos instead of closer. ]
It’s weird. [ . . . ] I’ll get used to it.
[ it doesn’t feel like the right time to say “want to run away with me and turn into a dragon?” he has to mend the bond that feels fractured. ]
[It was easy to tell that no, Erebus wasn't happy being in a human form. It doesn't exactly surprise Eleos, being human was a definite downgrade from being a dragon. You're smaller, weaker, you're forced to rely on others.
Was Erebus really willing to live a life out like this for his sake? Wouldn't he come to resent him one day?]
...Will you be able to turn back? If you don't get used to it?
[ said with a tiny huff, wordlessly saying you know me. he wouldn’t let anything trap him, much less eleos. there was one conclusion that shifts his ideas: eleos and this bond was no reason to be trapped. not any more. ]
. . . How long do we have to stay here?
[ using “we” was a good start to getting untied, maybe. ]
[Well Erebus seems unconcerned about that, which gives some relief to Eleos. Sure, maybe there was a chance Erebus just hasn't realized he can't turn back, but for now- he's going to try to be optimistic about it.
He couldn't see Erebus being foolish enough to do a ritual that was permanent after all. Not with what was at stake.]
Well...you're still pretty weak, seems you didn't eat or drink for awhile. If you tried leaving, you probably wouldn't get far before you collapsed again.
[ aaaagh, hisses erebus in his usual protests, but at least he isn’t moving against the binds. ]
They put fabric on me.
[ the real reason: he was the one that was scared, if his reddening ears and tomato cheeks are anything to go by. but explain to a dragon that nudity is forbidden in public? explain!! ]
It’s hot—
[ he mutters this, and shifts uncomfortably on the bed, unaware that it’s his flustered lying that’s making him burn. ]
[Yeah that hissing sounds way less intimidating when it's coming out of a human mouth. ]
That's because humans wear clothes when we're among others. Going without them around someone else is seen as ... i-intimate? [His cheeks turn a little pink as he thinks of how to explain in dragon terms] Like with our, um, mate.
[nailed it]
They're loose fitting robes. They shouldn't be that hot.
[he reaches over though, to put his hand on his forehead to check for a fever. And once he does that, without really thinking about it, his hand slides down to touch his cheek, thumb rubbing gently against the skin.
It's...a very strange sensation. Even though he looks so different now, Eleos can't shake the feeling of familiarity from him. No matter the form, he knows Erebus. ]
[ now it isn’t even apparent if mate talk is what makes him complete his transformation of peachy to red face, or if it was already well underway to begin with. his cheeks are burning further into color, almost an embarrassed purple because hey, that’s what he feels about you, dude.
but there’s no fever, he just feels hot and his human face is burning, burning and prickling his skin. ]
What’re you—
[ doing, what’s wrong with my head, he’d protest, but soon eleos’ hand is on his rosy cheeks instead, thumb tickling him, and what else— it tickles his belly, the very core of it.
it tumbled and give him that feeling. the sickness feeling. his breathing escalates from the nose and his eyes are wider— blue, bright and while not in reptilian slits, they still . . . carry the vibrancy his dragon eyes did.
he likes the touch. he likes it. his sickness only has one cure and there isn’t any other way around it. he wants to touch his hand, he wants— to feel what it’s like too, and when restraints hold him back from doing so, a spark of irritation flares in his chest.
damn. it. damn it . . .
because he’s caught staring at eleos and. doesn’t move away in the slightest.
his head wobbles a little, as if thinking twice, before whatever he was thinking before gives in. eleos’ hand would feel the weight of erebus’ head into his palm.
this made up for any weird thing being a human entailed. ]
[It's such a little thing, Erebus moving the weight of his head into his palm. A small gesture, compared to anything else. But in a way, it's enough to have something switch in Eleos's brain. A realization that makes his own green eyes widen with awe.
He knew he wanted to stay with Erebus, but he never thought about in what capacity. Simply staying by his side, being free- that had been the goal. But now sinking in was the desire for more than simple companionship. They were meant to be together in every capacity.
They weren't just bonded together. They were mates. As that fact sunk in, the tattoo on his arm grew a little more.
He kept his hand on his cheek, brushing the skin with his thumb. His mate, his dear Erebus. Even with their relationship a little strained, he still knew he'd never leave him.]
I’d want to. [ and truth that holds certain humor he doesn’t realize, as erebus wrinkles his nose: ] Somewhere less stuffy.
[ it reeked of human! everywhere he looked, all he could smell was human (to be fair, he’s smelling himself the whole time). his eyes glance to eleos and his hand, finding that the mark has pulled up further— had it been the proximity? erebus’ gums were beginning to taint with the stretching mark of his tongue. ]
[it's a half-hearted argument at best, no real bite to it. He hesitates a little at the question. not because he's unsure but...]
..I-If you'll have me.
[erebus had left him once already, there's still a tinge of worry it might happen again.]
I mean, this village is nice and the people here are really kind. But...
[He bites his lip and his wings shuffle a little, slightly nervous as he thinks of how to say it. It's a little more complicated than just "I want to be with you", even if that fact was true.]
but— okay. here we go. his heart is skipping and there’s a lump in his throat (he can almost feel beating in it), having a hard time in swallowing it down. he’s nervous, but he’ll take it. ]
I want you with me. That’s why I’m here, [ a glance down, because he can’t quite sit up. ] like this.
[That gets Eleos to duck his head a little. But if erebus looks carefully, there's a smile on his face. The first smile he's had since Erebus came to the village. Heck, probably the first one since they parted ways.]
[ was that relief pushing the knot in his throat down? it was, but it doesn’t cease the tumbling butterflies in his stomach and rising up as a fluttery ache (note: it doesn’t actually hurt at all).
eleos is smiling. he’s pretty sure the last time he saw a smile was when they were in the water those weeks back. his own lips start doing the same thing, wrinkling his cheeks and bringing something too warm tone upset about. ]
Alright.
[ his diet ends up all over the place— he wants meat, but gets sick when he wolfs it down raw. bowls are eaten out of like a. well. beast. but he behaves enough to be set free. he doesn’t scare people with snarls or hisses, but he watches them with an intense stare if they come near him, and watching until they leave him. level up. he gets stronger the more he eats, and walks on two legs better than how he came in.
erebus always keeps a close eye on eleos, wherever he wanders, his eyes follow.
and if it’s out of his site’s range, he physically follows him. ]
[The days pass. Eleos does what he can to nurse Erebus back to full health while also helping with his village duties. The progress gets slowed down whenever Erebus forgets not to eat meat raw, so they end up staying more than a week. Even if he wasn't planning to stay, he still felt he owed it to the villagers who looked after him. So he helps with chores, heals who he cans, and teaches them skills he'd pick up from his home village.
The villagers are a little unnerved by Erebus's intense stare, but they get used to it as the time goes by and Eleos explains that he's with him. the days go by peacefully. They're given food and other supplies in payment of Eleos's work. While being honest about plans to move on once Erebus recovers, they are told that they'd be welcomed to stay if they ever change their mind.
All this time, Eleos appreciates Erebus staying near. He takes his hand often, and sleeps against his chest at night.
Finally, the day comes when during one of his examinations, Eleos says the words they've both been waiting for]
Everything looks good...you should be fit to travel.
healthy, standing tall and nearly radiating with revitalized energy, erebus pulls at the collar of the tunic he wears, pants mostly left untouched and— at least give him the freedom of going about barefoot. finally, fresh air (as fresh as it gets when you’re in a human village). finally, they could actually go somewhere.
finally, erebus feels slightly better. his chest warms up so much when eleos sleeps there that he can’t find it in him to actually sleep. his fingers felt the little pull of tangling after so many times that eleos did it. he softens. he feels more confidence, he feels alive.
and what better thing to do, when like this, than to officially court? he’s impatient to leave, and pushes eleos along from behind. ]
Let’s not waste anymore time.
[ he’s the one to try it this time: his hand grabs eleos’, and off he goes into the bustling village they’d have to plow through to get to the forest edge. he’d probably . . . never get that sort of closeness with claws? he would, in a different dragon way, but— again, this was different. different and accepted by his standards.
he isn’t just leading him, though— the handholding shifts constantly, allowing erebus to bump shoulder to shoulder with eleos. first the right side, then the left. a bump or two is normal, but bumps become more apparent as brushes, and brushes soon extend to dragged out rubs. akin to, like, flexing, probably. ]
[Shoes was probably a battle Eleos gave up on, so yeah Erebus is barefoot. It was easier than having the dragon cry that he couldn't feel his feet all the time.
And before he can really react, Erebus is dragging him along outside the village. He makes a little noise of surprise, and he should probably object. but honestly? There's a part of him excited too, something inside of him that's been aching to get out of this human village.
He didn't belong there. He couldn't explain why, but ever since he was given his true name, some part of him felt like he didn't fit in anywhere but in the wild, at Erebus's side.
He keeps close to Erebus, bumping and rubbing him back as he can. It's only pragmatism that makes him start to question]
H-Hey, wait. Where are we going?
[since from his viewpoint, they are just wandering off into the woods!! explain erebus!!]
[ if he can even find the woods, he doesn’t remember getting to these parts. and not that it was an excruciating priority! it was, just— they'd get there eventually. this was the most important part.
but erebus is tall, and eleos might be too small to maintain his balance completely once erebus starts— bumping into him with more force. witness him? witness him and how hard he’s trying.
he might not have his tail, his wings or his horns, but he makes it work with his arms; they curl and slip away from his hips, would pull up his arms as he would briefly flare his wings, knock his head into eleos with enough force to create sound (ow), and just look like he’s. positively rocking whatever it is he thinks he’s doing.
he doesn’t give a shit when it comes to whoever happens to be walking by and. staring at the predicament. ]
[Well Erebus you are trying your best to be cuddly and romantic, but it sure is awkward and clumsy. It's a good thing those arms are around him, because otherwise he might fall over from those bumps. And his wings? Ruffle a little unhappily at being flared away.
The head knock actually gets an "ow" out of him, just a mild one.
He still doesn't pull away though. More just tries to adjust their balance so Erebus doesn't all over the place]
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[There's an expression in his eyes that is mingling with the anger: disappointment and sadness. Part of him been hoping that it was by chance he found out about this after he left. But...no, the logical part about him knew it'd been far too short a time apart for that to be likely.
He had intentionally kept him in the dark. He had left him with no idea what was to come.]
You should've said something. Anything. Even if it was a risk, a little hope would've been better than...
[he swallows]
You made me think you wanted rid of me.
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[ he would’ve been a liar that took not only his heart, but his hopes, dreams and hand. if he were free from this bond at least in some, whether from its abolishment or just time mending the hole . . . ]
It’d hurt less.
[ or. so he thought. and maybe it was true, but. it didn’t happen, in their case. ]
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[He shakes his head, swallowing]
Don't do that okay? Don't...hide things from me thinking you're sparing me pain. It just hurts all the more.
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erebus doesn’t know and it tires him to think of possibilities that didn’t exist anymore. ]
It’s not just you I wanted to spare.
[ he wanted . . . to definitely spare himself, too. because if it didn’t work at all, at least he could try, ah. he didn’t know. get over it. get over not being able to have a mate or even act like it when the feelings were there and would never be reciprocated. it was like trying to stick an insect together with a dog. It’s unnatural and doesn’t work and would just hurt him day in and day out.
because a human wouldn’t “love” him, as humans say when they find themselves in a pair. he’d grow aggravated to be seen as nothing more than an important companion, frustrated that every aspect of feelings wouldn’t be met, and the only one susceptible to his ire would be the one closest to him.
erebus doesn’t elaborate, but he’s still, and decides to look elsewhere. ]
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It wouldn't have spared you either.
[He knows that. Erebus would've come to regret how he acted eventually had it not worked. In Eleos mind, it would'be been more understandable if they had tried to make things work, and then only got their separate ways as a last resort. But Erebus never gave him that option. He decided for both of them and didn't listen to a word Eleos had to say.
But there was time to address that later. ]
So...you're human now? And you're okay with that?
[Nothing Erebus has ever done has given Eleos the impression that Erebus wanted to be a human. Ever.]
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erebus lets his eyes set on a closed window. who would want to stay human? he was tied up, he was trapped and away from the wind, away from fresh air and the wildlife and probably the farthest he’s ever wanted to get from eleos instead of closer. ]
It’s weird. [ . . . ] I’ll get used to it.
[ it doesn’t feel like the right time to say “want to run away with me and turn into a dragon?” he has to mend the bond that feels fractured. ]
I need to make it count.
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Was Erebus really willing to live a life out like this for his sake? Wouldn't he come to resent him one day?]
...Will you be able to turn back? If you don't get used to it?
[...]
I don't want to trap you.
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[ said with a tiny huff, wordlessly saying you know me. he wouldn’t let anything trap him, much less eleos. there was one conclusion that shifts his ideas: eleos and this bond was no reason to be trapped. not any more. ]
. . . How long do we have to stay here?
[ using “we” was a good start to getting untied, maybe. ]
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He couldn't see Erebus being foolish enough to do a ritual that was permanent after all. Not with what was at stake.]
Well...you're still pretty weak, seems you didn't eat or drink for awhile. If you tried leaving, you probably wouldn't get far before you collapsed again.
Also...you kinda scared half the village.
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They put fabric on me.
[ the real reason: he was the one that was scared, if his reddening ears and tomato cheeks are anything to go by. but explain to a dragon that nudity is forbidden in public? explain!! ]
It’s hot—
[ he mutters this, and shifts uncomfortably on the bed, unaware that it’s his flustered lying that’s making him burn. ]
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That's because humans wear clothes when we're among others. Going without them around someone else is seen as ... i-intimate? [His cheeks turn a little pink as he thinks of how to explain in dragon terms] Like with our, um, mate.
[nailed it]
They're loose fitting robes. They shouldn't be that hot.
[he reaches over though, to put his hand on his forehead to check for a fever. And once he does that, without really thinking about it, his hand slides down to touch his cheek, thumb rubbing gently against the skin.
It's...a very strange sensation. Even though he looks so different now, Eleos can't shake the feeling of familiarity from him. No matter the form, he knows Erebus. ]
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but there’s no fever, he just feels hot and his human face is burning, burning and prickling his skin. ]
What’re you—
[ doing, what’s wrong with my head, he’d protest, but soon eleos’ hand is on his rosy cheeks instead, thumb tickling him, and what else— it tickles his belly, the very core of it.
it tumbled and give him that feeling. the sickness feeling. his breathing escalates from the nose and his eyes are wider— blue, bright and while not in reptilian slits, they still . . . carry the vibrancy his dragon eyes did.
he likes the touch. he likes it. his sickness only has one cure and there isn’t any other way around it. he wants to touch his hand, he wants— to feel what it’s like too, and when restraints hold him back from doing so, a spark of irritation flares in his chest.
damn. it. damn it . . .
because he’s caught staring at eleos and. doesn’t move away in the slightest.
his head wobbles a little, as if thinking twice, before whatever he was thinking before gives in. eleos’ hand would feel the weight of erebus’ head into his palm.
this made up for any weird thing being a human entailed. ]
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He knew he wanted to stay with Erebus, but he never thought about in what capacity. Simply staying by his side, being free- that had been the goal. But now sinking in was the desire for more than simple companionship. They were meant to be together in every capacity.
They weren't just bonded together. They were mates. As that fact sunk in, the tattoo on his arm grew a little more.
He kept his hand on his cheek, brushing the skin with his thumb. His mate, his dear Erebus. Even with their relationship a little strained, he still knew he'd never leave him.]
Would we go somewhere? Once you've recovered?
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I’d want to. [ and truth that holds certain humor he doesn’t realize, as erebus wrinkles his nose: ] Somewhere less stuffy.
[ it reeked of human! everywhere he looked, all he could smell was human (to be fair, he’s smelling himself the whole time). his eyes glance to eleos and his hand, finding that the mark has pulled up further— had it been the proximity? erebus’ gums were beginning to taint with the stretching mark of his tongue. ]
You’d . . . Come?
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[it's a half-hearted argument at best, no real bite to it. He hesitates a little at the question. not because he's unsure but...]
..I-If you'll have me.
[erebus had left him once already, there's still a tinge of worry it might happen again.]
I mean, this village is nice and the people here are really kind. But...
[He bites his lip and his wings shuffle a little, slightly nervous as he thinks of how to say it. It's a little more complicated than just "I want to be with you", even if that fact was true.]
I think I belong out there, not...here.
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but— okay. here we go. his heart is skipping and there’s a lump in his throat (he can almost feel beating in it), having a hard time in swallowing it down. he’s nervous, but he’ll take it. ]
I want you with me. That’s why I’m here, [ a glance down, because he can’t quite sit up. ] like this.
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Okay.
[He'll look at him making eye contact]
Then once you're better...we'll go. Together.
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eleos is smiling. he’s pretty sure the last time he saw a smile was when they were in the water those weeks back. his own lips start doing the same thing, wrinkling his cheeks and bringing something too warm tone upset about. ]
Alright.
[ his diet ends up all over the place— he wants meat, but gets sick when he wolfs it down raw. bowls are eaten out of like a. well. beast. but he behaves enough to be set free. he doesn’t scare people with snarls or hisses, but he watches them with an intense stare if they come near him, and watching until they leave him. level up. he gets stronger the more he eats, and walks on two legs better than how he came in.
erebus always keeps a close eye on eleos, wherever he wanders, his eyes follow.
and if it’s out of his site’s range, he physically follows him. ]
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The villagers are a little unnerved by Erebus's intense stare, but they get used to it as the time goes by and Eleos explains that he's with him. the days go by peacefully. They're given food and other supplies in payment of Eleos's work. While being honest about plans to move on once Erebus recovers, they are told that they'd be welcomed to stay if they ever change their mind.
All this time, Eleos appreciates Erebus staying near. He takes his hand often, and sleeps against his chest at night.
Finally, the day comes when during one of his examinations, Eleos says the words they've both been waiting for]
Everything looks good...you should be fit to travel.
[We can go]
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healthy, standing tall and nearly radiating with revitalized energy, erebus pulls at the collar of the tunic he wears, pants mostly left untouched and— at least give him the freedom of going about barefoot. finally, fresh air (as fresh as it gets when you’re in a human village). finally, they could actually go somewhere.
finally, erebus feels slightly better. his chest warms up so much when eleos sleeps there that he can’t find it in him to actually sleep. his fingers felt the little pull of tangling after so many times that eleos did it. he softens. he feels more confidence, he feels alive.
and what better thing to do, when like this, than to officially court? he’s impatient to leave, and pushes eleos along from behind. ]
Let’s not waste anymore time.
[ he’s the one to try it this time: his hand grabs eleos’, and off he goes into the bustling village they’d have to plow through to get to the forest edge. he’d probably . . . never get that sort of closeness with claws? he would, in a different dragon way, but— again, this was different. different and accepted by his standards.
he isn’t just leading him, though— the handholding shifts constantly, allowing erebus to bump shoulder to shoulder with eleos. first the right side, then the left. a bump or two is normal, but bumps become more apparent as brushes, and brushes soon extend to dragged out rubs. akin to, like, flexing, probably. ]
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And before he can really react, Erebus is dragging him along outside the village. He makes a little noise of surprise, and he should probably object. but honestly? There's a part of him excited too, something inside of him that's been aching to get out of this human village.
He didn't belong there. He couldn't explain why, but ever since he was given his true name, some part of him felt like he didn't fit in anywhere but in the wild, at Erebus's side.
He keeps close to Erebus, bumping and rubbing him back as he can. It's only pragmatism that makes him start to question]
H-Hey, wait. Where are we going?
[since from his viewpoint, they are just wandering off into the woods!! explain erebus!!]
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but erebus is tall, and eleos might be too small to maintain his balance completely once erebus starts— bumping into him with more force. witness him? witness him and how hard he’s trying.
he might not have his tail, his wings or his horns, but he makes it work with his arms; they curl and slip away from his hips, would pull up his arms as he would briefly flare his wings, knock his head into eleos with enough force to create sound (ow), and just look like he’s. positively rocking whatever it is he thinks he’s doing.
he doesn’t give a shit when it comes to whoever happens to be walking by and. staring at the predicament. ]
The woods, eventually.
[ he’s being vague, but.
listen, ]
I need you to answer me, first.
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The head knock actually gets an "ow" out of him, just a mild one.
He still doesn't pull away though. More just tries to adjust their balance so Erebus doesn't all over the place]
Answer you?
[But there hasn't been any questions]
Answer what?
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not that it pops his confidence, but he does!! mildly deflate in front of eleos, a toothy smirk falling into equal question. ]
. . . What do you think I’m doing?
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Trying to walk and be affectionate at the same time...?
I mean, I know you're still a little clumsy on two legs...
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