[ Very abruptly, the many long months of watching Emet-Selch dodder about his room, tending to this or that, looking everywhere but him, make perfect sense. Not disinterest, not disgust. He's simply flustered. How ridiculous of both of them - that Viktor hadn't seen it sooner, that someone like Emet-Selch could be thrown off kilter by someone like him. The most dignified, collected man Viktor has ever known besotted by a silly adventurer. How delightful.
More surprising, even, than this realization, is the one he has right after. Relief, obligation, discomfort, all the things he usually feels when faced with someone so smitten are absent. And in their place, excitement - the desire to draw out more, to linger in this feeling. An impish grin climbs across Viktor's features, as wide as it is troublesome. Emet-Selch slicing little rounds of bread might as well be the most fascinating activity in the world for how intently Viktor watches him.
He listens, struck by how readily Emet-Selch answers him, too used to probing questions being gently swerved around, turned into lectures. This, though, feels raw, especially for how plainly it is relayed. That wicked smile on his face shrinks by measures, and as Emet-Selch pushes the assembled amuse-bouche into his hand, Viktor reaches out the other to light fingers on his forearm. ]
You were brave. [ He closes his fingers around his sleeve, squeezes lightly. ] 'Twas a bad end, aye, but your intent, your willingness to act- there is nothing f-foolish about wishing to preserve life, no matter what rules or duty tell us. [ He hangs, just a moment, and then his serious expression fades with a soft laugh. ] It p-probably does not mean much coming from me. I doubt you have known a version of me that cared much for laws or regulations.
[ What little he'd come to know of Azem before calling Hades back, subversive behavior seemed to number among his most defining traits. Viktor takes a careful bite of the assembled tidbit, chews twice, and hums his approval, his earlier seriousness swallowed up in sunshine-y joy. Mouth still full, he picks at the salty slice of meat to get a look at everything assembled beneath. ]
no subject
More surprising, even, than this realization, is the one he has right after. Relief, obligation, discomfort, all the things he usually feels when faced with someone so smitten are absent. And in their place, excitement - the desire to draw out more, to linger in this feeling. An impish grin climbs across Viktor's features, as wide as it is troublesome. Emet-Selch slicing little rounds of bread might as well be the most fascinating activity in the world for how intently Viktor watches him.
He listens, struck by how readily Emet-Selch answers him, too used to probing questions being gently swerved around, turned into lectures. This, though, feels raw, especially for how plainly it is relayed. That wicked smile on his face shrinks by measures, and as Emet-Selch pushes the assembled amuse-bouche into his hand, Viktor reaches out the other to light fingers on his forearm. ]
You were brave. [ He closes his fingers around his sleeve, squeezes lightly. ] 'Twas a bad end, aye, but your intent, your willingness to act- there is nothing f-foolish about wishing to preserve life, no matter what rules or duty tell us. [ He hangs, just a moment, and then his serious expression fades with a soft laugh. ] It p-probably does not mean much coming from me. I doubt you have known a version of me that cared much for laws or regulations.
[ What little he'd come to know of Azem before calling Hades back, subversive behavior seemed to number among his most defining traits. Viktor takes a careful bite of the assembled tidbit, chews twice, and hums his approval, his earlier seriousness swallowed up in sunshine-y joy. Mouth still full, he picks at the salty slice of meat to get a look at everything assembled beneath. ]
This is so good?