If he's left a bit struck by the comment, it shows in the way Ravus is quiet a long moment. His only initial response is an owlish blink that betrays the surprise in hearing such a kind sentiment. It's not that he doesn't believe Ardyn is incapable of it, because he wouldn't be giving Ardyn these sorts of chances otherwise. But that perhaps he hadn't expected to hear it towards himself.
Ravus knows he has never been enough. It's not with self-pity or wallowing, but in the fact that one man could never hope to accomplish everything he'd tried to do. He'd doomed himself to failure, but couldn't force himself to stop either. The paradox of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. But that is Ravus as he sees himself. A concept, a goal, a shield. As a person? He's never been quite as sure, and offering this sort of vulnerability to Ardyn makes his heart do funny things in his chest.
So perhaps he's a bit smitten. Can he be blamed after the gentle shock of his first kiss?
"Perhaps you are already showing your supposed lost charm," Ravus says, voice dipping low and appreciative. "I will try to hold fast to that kind sentiment. If not for myself, then because you have asked it of me." And with that kindness, Ravus offers his own back. The addition of, whatever it may be, 'you need only ask it of me.' For he has always been the sort to find satisfaction in the service of others. Dangerous and damning? Perhaps. But what else can he do?
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Ravus knows he has never been enough. It's not with self-pity or wallowing, but in the fact that one man could never hope to accomplish everything he'd tried to do. He'd doomed himself to failure, but couldn't force himself to stop either. The paradox of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. But that is Ravus as he sees himself. A concept, a goal, a shield. As a person? He's never been quite as sure, and offering this sort of vulnerability to Ardyn makes his heart do funny things in his chest.
So perhaps he's a bit smitten. Can he be blamed after the gentle shock of his first kiss?
"Perhaps you are already showing your supposed lost charm," Ravus says, voice dipping low and appreciative. "I will try to hold fast to that kind sentiment. If not for myself, then because you have asked it of me." And with that kindness, Ravus offers his own back. The addition of, whatever it may be, 'you need only ask it of me.' For he has always been the sort to find satisfaction in the service of others. Dangerous and damning? Perhaps. But what else can he do?