Oh, the world is dark

[berriedmemories]

WHO: The XVs mostly
WHAT: figuring out timeline bullshit and living arrangements
WHERE: A set of cottages by the river
WHEN:end of 2024
WARNINGS: blanket CW for depression (Noctis), suicidal ideation (Ardyn, Cor, Ravus), and general PTSD from a bunch of men that've been through hell. See subject lines for specifics

SUMMARY: The gang's all here and then some! Now what? What do you mean you don't remember..... anything I expect you to? Bahamut did what now?

Comments

[errant_knight]

Ravus doesn't want him to regret it. Not for all the embarrassment it might cause Ravus himself here. Because he's going to cling to that small, impossible to know hope the way he has always clung to small, impossible to know hopes. With unyielding, iron-willed desperation that keeps him going.

It takes him a long moment to force his breathing steady. Counted as he holds them, then releases in a soft shudder. Until it's quieted again. Until the grief finds a measure of peace within itself. There is so much mourning to do, and Ravus isn't sure it will ever be done, but with a new bit of context, the overwhelming nature of it feels... Not smaller, but as if one day, it could be managed. Today isn't that day, obviously, but he's grateful in the now all the same.

Ravus doesn't lift his head from Gladio's shoulder. He's too tired.

"Thank you," he says, voice roughened a bit. "You don't owe me such comfort, but it means more than I can express."

[swordlily]

"Comfort isn't something you make people who are suffering earn," is all Gladio says in return. But he shifts his shoulder, moving his arm out from underneath Ravus' lean to loosely drape it over the man's shoulders.

"Iggy's gonna yell at me for getting you all worked up before we've even gotten you back home."

[errant_knight]

The loose equivalent of a sympathic hug nearly does Ravus in again. He does manage to keep his breath from hitching, but only just. So instead of falling apart one more time, he simply nods, and glances over to where Ignis stood off too. If that let's him lean a little more into Gladio, he doesn't make mention of imposing.

"It's only fair you get chastised too." Some semblance of humor? Maybe. Even on a good day it can be hard to tell with Ravus, but now of all times especially. At least the next thing he huffs out, almost lightly, might make it easier to discern: "No good deed goes unpunished, isn't that right? Err, or so I've heard, anyways."

[swordlily]

"So you've heard, huh?" Gladio smirks at him, moving the shoulder underneath Ravus to jostle him ever so slightly. "Guess you might have to start doing some good deeds and find out firsthand."

He looks back to Iggy. "Anyway...think you're ready to head back now?"

[errant_knight]

"Hush you," Ravus fires back, having to look away from that smirk. He knows he's being teased, and... he thinks he appreciates it. Anything to dull the heartache. At the question, though, Ravus nods. They shouldn't linger, he shouldn't wallow.

"I am. Good deeds to do and all that."