Lazy Man's CMO 2018

[bloodand]

 You know what this is, you know what you're here for, etc, etc. Drop who you're looking for in the topheader.

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[founderinglight]

[That's fine. Izunia's got the skinny buff, he can handle it.

Luckily they don't run into anyone else on their way down to room eleven by virtue of handwave, potentially because it's late in the evening. Izunia has to slightly juggle Ardyn to punch in his key code, but soon the door slides open and they're greeted by -

A meow?]

Vee, darling, back in with you.

[scourgingstars]

...you have a cat?

[founderinglight]

Why is this always so surprising to everyone?

[There's the faintest hitch of a hesitation before everyone. Who knows what that might mean?

Izunia sweeps inside with kitty following after - the lights in his room are still fairly bright, but as soon as he can get Ardyn settled on the couch he'll go dim them down.]

Her name is Verity and don't be fooled by her size, she's still something of a baby.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn rubbed at his eyes once the lights were turned down, the worst of his injuries and the resulting miasma having finally faded. He blinked a few times, trying to find something to focus on and settling on the cat in question.]

...she's cute.

[founderinglight]

[Said kitty is currently sniffing investigatively at Ardyn's feet, tail held high and twitching just a little at its very fluffy tip. This dad smells funny, is he friend?]

She's very good company, though a bit demanding of attention. It's probably only a matter of time until -

[Hop! Up Verity goes, apparently having decided that yes, this is a friend. She climbs into Ardyn's lap without an ounce of fear and bonps into his hand.]

- until she starts to demand affection.

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn flinched at the sudden motion, but gradually relaxed as Verity bumped against is hand.]

[...A little hesitantly, he carefully started petting her.]

[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.]