[ He expected as much, since Ryuji seems to be mostly bravado and hot air. But he can appreciate his anger, though it pales to his own wrathful nature.
Maybe it's misdirected. Or maybe he has done something to earn this sort of lashing out. Whatever the case is, he's having to suspend his conflicting emotions, setting them aside because of his inclination to take care of others, if he cares about them.
He wonders if he's being foolish, or if he's just desperate to become attached to someone, to tether himself to this world. ]
No. I know you've got a good heart and if I'm your friend, I believe you wouldn't wish any harm on me. [ He's being truthful. He withdraws his hand after a moment, having figured that the gesture itself was enough to convince him of his sincerity. ]
Ryuji...
Could you tell me that you love me? Do you think you could come to appreciate me as a person, for all my flaws and my strengths?
Or am I just a storybook hero that you foolishly became infatuated with... Are you starting to realize that maybe I'm not the man you thought I was -- or wanted me to be.
[It's an intensity to which Ryuji couldn't have predicted, not by a long shot, but it feels... very much like Achilles in general. He's not a candlelight that shines dimly in a dark room, but a wildfire that takes the entire forest in the blink of an eye and spreads quicker than the wind can carry it. Ryuji falters, for a second, because he doesn't know how to answer that question. And it sucks, really, because that immobility is what had originally made him keep reservations about becoming his Master to begin with. It's the same pang of warning feeling that prickles all over his skin.
But, in the same way that he's kept back a step from moving forward, it irks him that he had said some things in his anger that he regrets being brought to light. Ryuji laments the insult he slinged at Achilles- was it fair that he called him a faerie tale? A nursery rhyme for the Grecians of old, and a pain in the ass for kids who have to read thousands of lines of prose for school and not actually appreciate the realness behind the Achilles? Here he is, in all his glory, his rash, dumb, fierce glory, and Ryuji's eyes cast downward for a beat.
Love? He isn't even sure if he's capable of that. How unfair is that to Achilles.]
I uh... I don't know... how to love, really, so don't ask me that sorta thing. I've never been with a person to know what that feels like.
[It always comes off strange whenever Ryuji has to talk about his inner emotions. He always feels like he's not smart enough or eloquent enough to get the point across, an eternity of flaws laid into each of his words like he knew they'd come to bite him in the ass one day. But if anything, he's looking at Achilles- earnest as ever, unable to lie to him. Ryuji doesn't lie. It's just not a part of who he is. Achilles doesn't know that yet, but the demand to answer honestly was never necessary to begin with--]
Yea... I mean, you got the foolish part right, at least. 'M sorry for reducing you down to a story... I was just angry.
But... [He cups his hand against his neck, feeling a pit at stomach growing. He should choose his words carefully so that he doesn't give off the wrong impression.] Everyone's got their thing, y'know? Their Achilles' heel. But nobody wants to love a diamond. It's the flaws that make us who we are, for better or worse. And yeah. I guess...
I guess you're kinda like my own Achilles' heel, y'know?
[ Ryuji... He's dodging the question, avoiding giving him a direct answer and steering completely off topic.
It's cute. Achilles smiles despite himself. But he's still hurt. He isn't sure how long it will take before he believes Ryuji doesn't think of him as just a character from a silly legend. ]
Then, if I mean anything to you, you should believe in me. [ Is this reasonable...? ] And trust me.
I don't want to made a fool for loving someone who might actually think so little of me.
So... y'know Noctis was gonna punch me in the face, right? The fact that I asked you to come save me... yeah, okay, dumb idea, I get it... but you did. It's not like I don't believe in ya.
[Sits there, rubbing the side of his face.
God, can he stop using the word love? It feels so weird hearing it come out of another person's mouth.]
If you want a direct answer, I thought I kinda gave it to you. A few times. I don't know what it is about you, but I'm weak around you.
And dude, stop saying that word. It's really weird in my culture.
[ SQUEEZING HIM TIGHT. He isn't as gentle with men as he is with women. ]
Your friendship honours me. I'll cherish it. [ Very genuine.... and sincere. Please appreciate.
He'll let go eventually, letting Ryuji slip away from the cage of his arms so he can look at his face more clearly and smile. He feels touched... ] Do you feel better?
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Maybe it's misdirected. Or maybe he has done something to earn this sort of lashing out. Whatever the case is, he's having to suspend his conflicting emotions, setting them aside because of his inclination to take care of others, if he cares about them.
He wonders if he's being foolish, or if he's just desperate to become attached to someone, to tether himself to this world. ]
No. I know you've got a good heart and if I'm your friend, I believe you wouldn't wish any harm on me. [ He's being truthful. He withdraws his hand after a moment, having figured that the gesture itself was enough to convince him of his sincerity. ]
Ryuji...
Could you tell me that you love me? Do you think you could come to appreciate me as a person, for all my flaws and my strengths?
Or am I just a storybook hero that you foolishly became infatuated with... Are you starting to realize that maybe I'm not the man you thought I was -- or wanted me to be.
Answer me honestly.
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But, in the same way that he's kept back a step from moving forward, it irks him that he had said some things in his anger that he regrets being brought to light. Ryuji laments the insult he slinged at Achilles- was it fair that he called him a faerie tale? A nursery rhyme for the Grecians of old, and a pain in the ass for kids who have to read thousands of lines of prose for school and not actually appreciate the realness behind the Achilles? Here he is, in all his glory, his rash, dumb, fierce glory, and Ryuji's eyes cast downward for a beat.
Love? He isn't even sure if he's capable of that. How unfair is that to Achilles.]
I uh... I don't know... how to love, really, so don't ask me that sorta thing. I've never been with a person to know what that feels like.
[It always comes off strange whenever Ryuji has to talk about his inner emotions. He always feels like he's not smart enough or eloquent enough to get the point across, an eternity of flaws laid into each of his words like he knew they'd come to bite him in the ass one day. But if anything, he's looking at Achilles- earnest as ever, unable to lie to him. Ryuji doesn't lie. It's just not a part of who he is. Achilles doesn't know that yet, but the demand to answer honestly was never necessary to begin with--]
Yea... I mean, you got the foolish part right, at least. 'M sorry for reducing you down to a story... I was just angry.
But... [He cups his hand against his neck, feeling a pit at stomach growing. He should choose his words carefully so that he doesn't give off the wrong impression.] Everyone's got their thing, y'know? Their Achilles' heel. But nobody wants to love a diamond. It's the flaws that make us who we are, for better or worse. And yeah. I guess...
I guess you're kinda like my own Achilles' heel, y'know?
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It's cute. Achilles smiles despite himself. But he's still hurt. He isn't sure how long it will take before he believes Ryuji doesn't think of him as just a character from a silly legend. ]
Then, if I mean anything to you, you should believe in me. [ Is this reasonable...? ] And trust me.
I don't want to made a fool for loving someone who might actually think so little of me.
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What are you looking at me like that for?
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[Sits there, rubbing the side of his face.
God, can he stop using the word love? It feels so weird hearing it come out of another person's mouth.]
If you want a direct answer, I thought I kinda gave it to you. A few times. I don't know what it is about you, but I'm weak around you.
And dude, stop saying that word. It's really weird in my culture.
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Maybe they haven't quite reached resolution, but this is good enough. ]
I hold all my friends dear to me. [ Is that so weird in his culture? Strange.
He reaches out, running his hand over the top of his head and pushing his bangs back. ] That includes you.
I'm sorry for the pain I've caused you.
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Friends?
Oh.
He blurts it out quickly, because it's the first thing that pops into his head:]
You think... what we have is friendship? [Ryuji.exe has failed to launch]
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[ This... hurt puppy look. ]
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No! I mean. Yeah, we're friends, dude.
[System message
You don't have enough guts to continue]
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Anyway, Achilles is trying to hug him now. ]
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Your friendship honours me. I'll cherish it. [ Very genuine.... and sincere. Please appreciate.
He'll let go eventually, letting Ryuji slip away from the cage of his arms so he can look at his face more clearly and smile. He feels touched... ] Do you feel better?
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Please do it. It's preferable to this embarrassing situation.]
I dunno 'bout that, I think you broke... a rib...
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You should eat more and build up some bulk. Then I can hold you even tighter.
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I have been tryin' to bulk up. [Look at that muscle mass! Approximately 3 inches in diameter, a bicep to behold.]
Aw... man, that's... uh. Yeah that's some good motivation right there. [Does he get sarcasm?]