[ Yves hits a lot of targets right on the mark; a marksman to rival Claude's own ability with the bow. And again he finds himself absolutely stupefied by the level of attention and detail being paid to him. It's lovely, and sweet, and he's not so coldly rational that his face doesn't feel a little warm, and his pulse a little quicker.
But there's also a little bit of sorrow, and he sighs a little. ]
You left out all the unsavoury parts.
[ Claude isn't lacking for self-esteem, and he isn't one to self-flagellate, but he doesn't want to be painted as a tragic hero either. ]
so yves lightly pinches and pulls claude's cheek here, even as he feels that sorrow. he raises a brow almost in challenge. yves has a tendency to keep things sweet, yes, but he can see the request for what it is. ]
Fine. You've self-admitted that you're petty! You're moody and opinionated even though you don't share what half those opinions are so I have to guess what you're mad about. You're secretive and distant and prone to going off on your own even after I nagged you about letting me tag along. You're not used to mourning people even though you have so many lives in your care, and feel awkward about showing emotion or vulnerability. You've made choices that have cost people their lives, and felt you were in the right until people confronted you about it. Even if I do believe that your heart is always in the right place, I'm not so blind that I don't see the ways you can be frustrating.
[ and then to lighten the mood: ] You still haven't given me a real gift even though I've told you I obviously wanted one and even gave you one, hoping you'd remember! You're a flirt and a tease that makes me look tame even though you're not actually looking for anything! And somehow, you're still shy? How?
[ GOD
and despite all this, yves's emotions don't change. maybe they grow more somber, more serious at first, but the affection and loyalty don't fluctuate or dip. he stops pulling at claude's cheek, just leaning forward enough to rest his forehead against claude's, annoying and persistent in his own way. a gesture that speaks to his greedy desire of don't get caught up in your head, look only at me. ]
You are imperfect and I still love you. Exactly as you are.
[ HEY... HIS CHEEK... despite asking for this Claude looks a little affronted, though it's not really genuine. ]
I'm not that moody. And what's wrong with wanting space?
[ He's actually a little frustrated with himself. Was he that easy to read? He supposes it's probably a good thing, considering how he wants to be better understood, and more open with his friends.
But it's still a little novel to be so perceived. Confusing. A little tense like he's waiting for an attack. ]
But alright. I'll concede that you've proven your point.
[ the only attack he's getting is when yves kisses his cheek in a playful, teasing way before pulling back to give him space again ]
You're being a little moody now.
[ given all these little feelings flitting in the space between them, but yves is clearly just still having a great time. he feels his point has been proven and his feelings understood, and as long as that's the case, he's content.
and just to get ahead of claude worrying about any weirdness between them: ]
You're one of my best friends, Claude. I'm happy with that.
[ There is a spark of embarrassment. He's not even a bottom, why does he have to feel like this. Feeling flustered and confused... Still unsure how they got to this point.
Yves seems at ease and unbothered, but Claude can't help the worry. He doesn't want to hurt him. Doesn't want to disappoint him. Doesn't want to fail to meet expectations. ]
I see.
[ But he's not going to play games or put on a facade, and if Yves is happy with their friendship, then he'll just have to believe him. ]
I'm glad that you told me. [ Even if he's been o_o about it. ] I wish that I could wholeheartedly return your feelings, but I... I don't think I'm there.
[ claude you are so funny and awkward and yves loves you so much. even with his words, that doesn't disappear. there's no disappointment because he never expected anything. claude is too wonderful for someone like him, and he knew that long before he closed the gap between them. someone with such a wide worldview couldn't have time for someone as small as yves.
yves holds claude's hand back without hesitation, a little burst of happiness just from the touch, to not be reviled for his brief (and now halted) advances. a rejection, if it's this warm, is still a comfort. ]
The fact that you even wish you could is more than I could've dreamed of. [ even now yves feels like a hideous monster—so for claude to be so sweet to him feels so lucky ]
You don't have to be anywhere. [ gently, because he can feel some of that worry ] Ever. I told you because all I want you to know is that I love you. Without conditions or expectations. That if I could choose anyone, it'd be you.
I don't even think one conversation will be enough to express how much you mean to me... but I hope it'll open your heart to trying to understand even a little.
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no subject
But there's also a little bit of sorrow, and he sighs a little. ]
You left out all the unsavoury parts.
[ Claude isn't lacking for self-esteem, and he isn't one to self-flagellate, but he doesn't want to be painted as a tragic hero either. ]
no subject
so yves lightly pinches and pulls claude's cheek here, even as he feels that sorrow. he raises a brow almost in challenge. yves has a tendency to keep things sweet, yes, but he can see the request for what it is. ]
Fine. You've self-admitted that you're petty! You're moody and opinionated even though you don't share what half those opinions are so I have to guess what you're mad about. You're secretive and distant and prone to going off on your own even after I nagged you about letting me tag along. You're not used to mourning people even though you have so many lives in your care, and feel awkward about showing emotion or vulnerability. You've made choices that have cost people their lives, and felt you were in the right until people confronted you about it. Even if I do believe that your heart is always in the right place, I'm not so blind that I don't see the ways you can be frustrating.
[ and then to lighten the mood: ] You still haven't given me a real gift even though I've told you I obviously wanted one and even gave you one, hoping you'd remember! You're a flirt and a tease that makes me look tame even though you're not actually looking for anything! And somehow, you're still shy? How?
[ GOD
and despite all this, yves's emotions don't change. maybe they grow more somber, more serious at first, but the affection and loyalty don't fluctuate or dip. he stops pulling at claude's cheek, just leaning forward enough to rest his forehead against claude's, annoying and persistent in his own way. a gesture that speaks to his greedy desire of don't get caught up in your head, look only at me. ]
You are imperfect and I still love you. Exactly as you are.
no subject
I'm not that moody. And what's wrong with wanting space?
[ He's actually a little frustrated with himself. Was he that easy to read? He supposes it's probably a good thing, considering how he wants to be better understood, and more open with his friends.
But it's still a little novel to be so perceived. Confusing. A little tense like he's waiting for an attack. ]
But alright. I'll concede that you've proven your point.
no subject
You're being a little moody now.
[ given all these little feelings flitting in the space between them, but yves is clearly just still having a great time. he feels his point has been proven and his feelings understood, and as long as that's the case, he's content.
and just to get ahead of claude worrying about any weirdness between them: ]
You're one of my best friends, Claude. I'm happy with that.
no subject
Yves seems at ease and unbothered, but Claude can't help the worry. He doesn't want to hurt him. Doesn't want to disappoint him. Doesn't want to fail to meet expectations. ]
I see.
[ But he's not going to play games or put on a facade, and if Yves is happy with their friendship, then he'll just have to believe him. ]
I'm glad that you told me. [ Even if he's been o_o about it. ] I wish that I could wholeheartedly return your feelings, but I... I don't think I'm there.
[ He just takes one of Yves' hands. ]
no subject
yves holds claude's hand back without hesitation, a little burst of happiness just from the touch, to not be reviled for his brief (and now halted) advances. a rejection, if it's this warm, is still a comfort. ]
The fact that you even wish you could is more than I could've dreamed of. [ even now yves feels like a hideous monster—so for claude to be so sweet to him feels so lucky ]
You don't have to be anywhere. [ gently, because he can feel some of that worry ] Ever. I told you because all I want you to know is that I love you. Without conditions or expectations. That if I could choose anyone, it'd be you.
I don't even think one conversation will be enough to express how much you mean to me... but I hope it'll open your heart to trying to understand even a little.