( the apology is elaborated on, which has the effect noctis undoubtedly wanted. kaladin, astonished to the brink of tears, feels safe. he's no longer alone, shouting in the dark. he's listened to, validated, and reassured.
it's wonderful... why does it make him so sad? )
Yes They're okay My mother and father and my little brother
But my friend Rock
( kaladin forces himself to breath through his nose and out through clenched teeth. )
I know it hurt him to do what he did Being a pacifist was his pride and he killed with a bow for my sake I'm worried about him
I worry a lot of the time I worry about you and the rest of our comrades too This shouldn't be a weight on your shoulders Noctis Your apology is accepted and appreciated but what I bring from my world is my own Please don't let it control how you act around me
[ Both of his parents are still alive, then. It fills Noctis with an unexpected sense of relief... though what blindsides him more is the way his throat suddenly tightens at the mention of a younger brother. Why? Is it a well-intentioned envy that Kaladin has something he's always wanted? Or... is that a pang of fondness at imagining someone as firm as Kaladin softening in the presence of a little sibling, like Gladio had with Iris? ]
Good
Idk your friend but I've got a couple close ones too. Idk if it helps but I'd get more pride from helping them than most other things. So if he's like that too he made a hard choice but the one he wanted to
Nice try though thinking I'd change around you in the first place lol. I'm gonna be me, don't worry about that. Trust me you fixating on that's the last thing I want
( alone, his melancholia would convince him it's his fault rock broke a commitment; if he'd been stronger, he would've been the one to finish amaram and save his friend from this crisis.
kaladin's grateful for noctis' perspective. he was hoping to hear it, and it's shared in a way that's easy to understand and difficult to refute. with that need now met, he feels... better. )
I feel the same way It's hard to get out of my head sometimes I sometimes convince myself of things that aren't true
For what it's worth I do trust you Our interactions have been authentic and I doubt you have the patience to pretend you're someone you're not Not for long anyway
I'd like to hear about your close friends You must miss them
Like how you just convinced yourself that I have no patience when I've patiently dealt with you a ton already
[ The mood is heavy, deservedly so, but they both have earned a few lighter statements here and there. Right? Especially when the alternative is admitting that he knows very well what it's like to hide his real personality. And that he's better at it than he wants to be. ]
Thanks though. Tbh I feel the same way about you
And my friends would probably yell at me to be more careful or smth because they're overprotective and annoying all the time
And you've got yourself a deal In fact I swear it Once you tell me each of their names it'll be more official
( and it's as binding as any other oath he's sworn with syl present to hear it. )
All we have to figure out now is how to leave It's probably tied to the kaiju but it's hard to focus on alternatives with so much downtime People are starting to notice I have no hobbies Besides exercising and work-related things
My list is long It encompasses all the men Most have a tattoo on their foreheads If you see someone with that description let me know They answer to a gesture You cross your wrists together and say bridge four and they'll know you're one of us
[ Friends? Kaladin has been far freer with that word than he has. Why is it that he feels he's forcing that bond onto him too quickly when it comes from his mouth instead of Kaladin's? ]
The guys I was mentioning. It's part of it, and gets us excited about beating each other
Dissing = disrespecting
Anyway I'm looking into getting some fishing poles so better gear up for it sooner than later 🎣🎣
Maybe I can grab you your own permanent rod if you're really into it?
( yeah, that pause was literally audible to kaladin. he smiles a small, unpracticed smile. )
Friends don't let other friends use crappy fishing poles I don't have to be really into it to consider it a worthwhile investment of my time I'll get the permanent one You choose a date for us to meet up
Edited (can't remember when he learned "LOL" SMFH) 2025-01-30 23:32 (UTC)
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it's wonderful... why does it make him so sad? )
Yes
They're okay
My mother and father and my little brother
But my friend
Rock
( kaladin forces himself to breath through his nose and out through clenched teeth. )
I know it hurt him to do what he did
Being a pacifist was his pride and he killed with a bow for my sake
I'm worried about him
I worry a lot of the time
I worry about you and the rest of our comrades too
This shouldn't be a weight on your shoulders Noctis
Your apology is accepted and appreciated but what I bring from my world is my own
Please don't let it control how you act around me
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Good
Idk your friend but I've got a couple close ones too. Idk if it helps but I'd get more pride from helping them than most other things. So if he's like that too he made a hard choice but the one he wanted to
Nice try though thinking I'd change around you in the first place lol. I'm gonna be me, don't worry about that. Trust me you fixating on that's the last thing I want
no subject
kaladin's grateful for noctis' perspective. he was hoping to hear it, and it's shared in a way that's easy to understand and difficult to refute. with that need now met, he feels... better. )
I feel the same way
It's hard to get out of my head sometimes
I sometimes convince myself of things that aren't true
For what it's worth I do trust you
Our interactions have been authentic and I doubt you have the patience to pretend you're someone you're not
Not for long anyway
I'd like to hear about your close friends
You must miss them
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Like how you just convinced yourself that I have no patience when I've patiently dealt with you a ton already
[ The mood is heavy, deservedly so, but they both have earned a few lighter statements here and there. Right? Especially when the alternative is admitting that he knows very well what it's like to hide his real personality. And that he's better at it than he wants to be. ]
Thanks though. Tbh I feel the same way about you
And my friends would probably yell at me to be more careful or smth because they're overprotective and annoying all the time
You'd fit right in with them
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I'm supposed to be patting you on the back for that
I feel like you're complimenting me but it sounds like an insult
If that's your relationship with them then that's good
Those seem to be the best kind
( ... )
I'll try not to let them down
Or you
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I wanna say it's an insult but not even close. That's just how we mess with each other
[ ...]
tbh you're right, I miss them a lot already even if it hasn't been that long. We've just gone through a lot together. So let's make a deal
I won't let your guys down and you won't let mine down. I'll make sure you get back to them safe and sound
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( gentle bullying... for flavour )
And you've got yourself a deal
In fact I swear it
Once you tell me each of their names it'll be more official
( and it's as binding as any other oath he's sworn with syl present to hear it. )
All we have to figure out now is how to leave
It's probably tied to the kaiju but it's hard to focus on alternatives with so much downtime
People are starting to notice I have no hobbies
Besides exercising and work-related things
What do you do when you have a few hours free
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Gladio
Ignis
Prompto
Those are my friends. I'm expecting a list back
Hobbies are more complicated tho. And ps figuring out the mystery of some kaiju doesn't count. I'm into things like
Fishing, gaming, comics, training up
Those are all legit yk, you could try some of them with me if you're man enough
1/2
My list is long
It encompasses all the men
Most have a tattoo on their foreheads
If you see someone with that description let me know
They answer to a gesture
You cross your wrists together and say bridge four and they'll know you're one of us
Otherwise
Adolin and Shallan
2/2
Are you kidding me
I may only familiar with a couple but I'm man enough to fish and train
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[ ... ]
Wait I guess that's not gonna make sense to you. Crossed diagonally? Will Adolin and Shallan know it too?
And yeah that's not the hard part. Are you man enough to do them with ME, aka to be outfished outgamed outtrained and still have fun doing it
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Yeah exactly like that
They'll definitely know it
But if you're issuing me a challenge right now then you can consider it accepted
For a guy who hates to be underestimated you sure like to underestimate me
Is that a part of the fun
1/2
I always diss my
2/2
The guys I was mentioning. It's part of it, and gets us excited about beating each other
Dissing = disrespecting
Anyway I'm looking into getting some fishing poles so better gear up for it sooner than later 🎣🎣
Maybe I can grab you your own permanent rod if you're really into it?
no subject
( yeah, that pause was literally audible to kaladin. he smiles a small, unpracticed smile. )
Friends don't let other friends use crappy fishing poles
I don't have to be really into it to consider it a worthwhile investment of my time
I'll get the permanent one
You choose a date for us to meet up
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So we're friends already huh
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You really need me to say it again
Yes we're friends
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Maybe
Whatever forget the fishing rod, I'll pick it up for you
Expect a text this weekend
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Yeah well
Don't expect me to drop everything at a second's notice
Give me at least a few hours
I could be working and I don't want to skip out
Until then
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24 hours Kal, I promise
And if smth comes up and it turns out to be less just practice saying no to me
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it does more than solidify their friendship. it surprises him, and it hurts sweetly; only those closest to him call him kal. )
Okay
Thanks
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And thanks for reaching out again. Ik you didn't wanna talk about it but for what it's worth I'm glad you did
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Thanks for listening