yves & claude

[noirges]

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[noirges]

So I got the blanket for nothing...?

[ pout pout pout ]

[midway]

[ Sighs! And rolls onto the blanket. ]

[noirges]

[ laughs! content

and he'll go to sit next to claude. he'll hold off on the wine for now, threading his fingers through claude's hair lightly as he looks down at him ]

What's on your mind...?

[midway]

[ Uwoh. That's nice. ]

Not much, for once. Just another long day.

[ Eyes closed. ]

I think most everyone is emotionally drained.

[noirges]

[ cute... yves will just keep doing that then in little repetitive strokes ]

Mm. Yeah. I think this is only going to get harder every week.

[ the more they all care about each other... ]

[midway]

[ Very much relaxing like a cat being pet. ]

Are you planning to make yourself a target every week as well?

[noirges]

[ pouts even as he keeps petting this lil claude kitty ]

I didn't even offer anything this week...

[ . . . ]

I'm trying to explain now. So it's less scary or surprising to people.

[midway]

Seems like it worked.

[ Even if he got votes this week. ]

I'm just worried one week that you'll be the convenient option when we have no other answers.

[noirges]

... I trust you all with me. Whatever comes for me, even though I'm trying to live. Or exist—whatever this is.

[ he's really trying to do better, but he can see how sad people get about the idea of voting for him

he's trying to want to live, even if right now it's only for others ]

If I say sorry to worry you, will you tell me to stop apologizing again?

[midway]

No, I'm not in the mood to dole out any lectures.

[ He is a relaxed house cat right now. ]

[noirges]

[ yves laughs and then just shifts so he can join claude properly on the blanket, tucking in next to him and pillowing his head against claude's good shoulder ]

Then I'll just say it'll be fine, and I'll do my best to stay here with you.

[ and he'll lift his hand to resume carding through claude's hair again anyway ]

[midway]

[ He can snuggle if he likes. Yves really unlocking Claude's preferred type of physical affection... Having his hair played with. ]

"It'll be fine"... a strange attitude to have after days like this.

[ This isn't pointed at Yves' survivability in particular, just that they're kind of helplessly caught in a cycle of murder and execution. ]

[noirges]

[ yves likes all physical affection but that's because he's easy. even as he idly keeps playing with claude's hair, he hums thoughtfully ]

Well... I want to believe the angels will find the souls we're looking for.

Everyone is going to have heavy hearts tonight, for one reason or another... but we do have to keep going. So I'd rather believe that everything will be fine in the end, rather than not.

[midway]

You're right, and I'm glad you're keeping your spirits.

[ Sounding sleepy, but still thoughtful. ]

I'm sure you'll lift the many of those heavy hearts.

[noirges]

I'll do my best.

[ it really is his turn to be reliable after last week ]

What about your heart, Claude?

[midway]

Mine's feeling a lot better with you petting me like a stray cat at least.

[noirges]

[ laughs! but also he's still doing it ]

Why are you a stray? Too rebellious and freedom-seeking?

[midway]

I don't like the idea of being owned. Is that strange?

[ o:? ]

[noirges]

No, I don't think so.

[ to a degree he does think it suits claude ]

But if you ever want a warm home to curl up in or to steal food scraps from, my door's always open for a visit.

[midway]

A warm home, huh...

[ Man, what is that like. ]

I can't say it doesn't sound nice.

[noirges]

[ laughs quietly ]

Then there you go. Stray and explore as far as you'd like, kitty Claude, but there'll always be a loving place waiting for you.

The least you deserve, after how hard you work.

[midway]

[ kitty claude... ]

I don't know that I work any harder than anyone else here.

[noirges]

[ ? ]

Do you have to?

[ it is not meant to be a comparison. hard work is still hard ]

[midway]

No, but you did make it seem like I was special.

[ Fake pouting. ]

[noirges]

[ help! yves laughs and lifts himself up just enough so that he can see claude's expression easier ]

You are special to me.

[ imagine not being embarrassed to say this so plainly while cuddling with your straight pal under the stars on the beach ]

But that's true whether you're working hard or enjoying a break or taking a well-earned nap. It's not based on effort, though I do admire your work ethic.