Lazy Man's CMO 2018

[bloodand]

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[founderinglight]

[Okay, good. Brother and cat successfully settled.

Izunia watches them for a moment as Verity settles in to get pettings, a slow and gentle purr starting up as she curls up on Ardyn's lap. Then he slips into the bathroom, dimming the lights there as well, and returns with a damp cloth.]

Here, at least wipe your face.

[And don't mind if he just settles in right next to you to check his phone, Ardyn.]

[scourgingstars]

[He took a minute or two to wipe away the lingering dust and dirt from Angelgard, along with whatever traces of scourge still remained.]

[Then he slumped against his brother's shoulder, one hand resting on Verity.]

[founderinglight]

[No answer still. Presumably has his phone in his Armiger like a dumbass. Izunia types out a quick update - "Handled for now. He's in my room." - before shoving the phone in his pocket and leaning against Ardyn in turn.]

You're okay. I'm so, so sorry.

[scourgingstars]

...m'sorry too.

[founderinglight]

You -

[A pause, in which the only sound is cat purring.]

...I won't say that you didn't do anything wrong, because I'm still incredibly angry at you for not ever telling me. But you didn't do anything that merited that.

[scourgingstars]

Didn't want...you involved. Didn't want you to worry.

[founderinglight]

I worried anyway, you royal coconut. That's what brothers do.

[scourgingstars]

...sorry.

[founderinglight]

Can't change it now. We'll just have to do better next time.

[He wraps an arm around Ardyn's shoulders.]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn settled a little more comfortably against his brother, wiping at his eyes with his free hand again.]

...not hallucinating?

[founderinglight]

Not hallucinating.

[Solid, firm agreement.]

Or dreaming, or anything of the like.

[scourgingstars]

Hard to believe. You sure?

[founderinglight]

Oh, you think that's hard to believe, you haven't seen anything yet.

[It's a gentle tone of amusement that speaks of Izunia being just a bit more relaxed, because he doesn't joke around with anyone except the people he trusts.]

I'm very much sure.

[scourgingstars]

...

[He dropped his head back onto Izunia's shoulder, exhausted but with no ability to sleep.]

Alright. I'll trust you.

[founderinglight]

Mmm. Just rest for now; I can start filling you in on the truly mad parts when you're less exhausted.

[He checks his phone again with his free hand and settles in.]

...If I fall asleep, don't wake me. I don't take to being suddenly awakened well, these days.

[Ardyn Tenmyouji you're shitting up the network constantly, check your fucking phone.]

[scourgingstars]

...can't sleep anymore. Won't bother you.

[founderinglight]

It's okay. Just rest.

[Snuggle up with your brother and the purring kitty.]

[scourgingstars]

[Which he seemed entirely grateful to do, not sleeping exactly but curling up beside him and starting to relax, unnatural yellow eyes sliding closed as he did.]

[founderinglight]

[Conversely, as they settle in, Izunia's anxiety grows, fluctuating enough at a level of Too High that there's no way he's going to get any sleep right now.

Because it's Ardyn. It's his brother. But at the same time, it's...

He scratches at Verity's ears and keeps constantly flicking the screen of his phone off and on, as though he could possibly miss a message.]

[scourgingstars]

...what's wrong?

[founderinglight]

Just anxiety.

[Does he even remember? He probably doesn't. Izunia isn't sure how much he wants to tell right now.]

Even if I know consciously that you don't want to hurt me, there's still a part of my brain that's screaming that you're a daemon.

[scourgingstars]

...m'not a daemon.

[They both knew that was a lie, but it was one Ardyn had to hold on to for now.]

Don't want to hurt you.

[founderinglight]

[Izunia is not good at holding onto lies, even for Ardyn's sake, so for right now he just... lets it be, even as he hates himself for it.]

Even so. I don't think I'm going to get any sleep any time soon.

[scourgingstars]

...

[Ardyn didn't say anything to that, clinging to his brother a little more tightly.]

[founderinglight]

It's alright. I'm not going to leave you alone. Even if I have to go somewhere else to sleep, I'm only going to leave you with people I know I can trust who won't hurt you. Okay?

[The arm around Ardyn pulls him closer.]