Sprace: Nero

[perfectpower]

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[perfectdistance]

[ A laugh, warm and affectionate. It's just the two of them in this room, he doesn't have any reason to keep his walls up. ]

You're the most stubborn guy I know.

[ Which is somehow as annoying as it is comforting. ]

[perfectpower]

[Awww, Bradley loves seeing this side of Nero. He's usually smiling, but this one is a warm one.]

Guilty as charged.

[He's leaning in a bit to bump shoulders with Nero. These are his favorite kind of nights.]

[perfectdistance]

[ He'll keep their shoulders together, allowing himself the feeling of camaraderie it elicits.

Nero doesn't deserve it, but he also can't help taking what's offered.

After all, his life is Bradley's to do with what he will. ]

Do me the favor and keep yourself safe while we're out here?

[perfectpower]

I'll do what I can.

[No promises, but he'll try.]

'sides, we're both on this mission. You'll be right there the whole time to see that I'm being safe.

[perfectdistance]

Yeah, so don't go disappointin' me?

[ Bradley will get yelled at otherwise. ]

We need to finish everything up back home.

[ And then Nero can finally die. ]

[perfectpower]

[Stop Nero is never dying.]

Wouldn't dream of it. I can't leave you hangin' like that.

[They have a promise after all, and they can't keep that promise if Bradley dies.]

'sides, it sounds like a pretty easy mission. We're just delivering some stuff. Apparently we're seeing different worlds too, maybe we'll find the sage's world while we're out here.

[perfectdistance]

Appreciate it.

[ Please, he's promised you his life. He won't run away this time. ]

Earth? I'm pretty interested in seein' it if we could. Plenty of people seem to be from there too.

[perfectpower]

Me too. It'd be nice to see the place the sage calls home.

[He wants to take Nero on a date somewhere nice too. He deserves it.]

Maybe this'll be more like a vacation than work, who knows.

[perfectdistance]

[ If Brad asks, Nero won't turn him down. Not after the promise. ]

Wouldn't go that far. Work always feels like work. We'll have to see how it actually pans out.

[perfectpower]

Yeah. Apparently we reach places on Mondays, so it's not that far away.

[Taking another sip of his wine now.]

The free drinks are good at least, yeah?

[perfectdistance]

Just a couple days.

[Sips]

Not as good as Shylock's but that's a high bar.

[perfectpower]

All wizards set a high bar. Nobody here's gonna be able to beat your cooking.

[perfectdistance]

Haha, aren't ya biased?

[perfectpower]

Of course I am. I love your food.

["I love your food"]

But everyone else'll try it and agree with me.

[perfectdistance]

[ A soft laugh. ]

Riquet would probably agree with you.

[perfectpower]

And he's right for it.

[Leaning in a bit more, but trying to be sly about it.]

If I stay the night will you cook breakfast for me?

[perfectdistance]

[ Just a little wine tipsy, not pulling away. ]

What am I gettin' outta that? You're getting breakfast and I get...?

[perfectpower]

Big strong arms keepin' you warm all night. A reminder of something from home.

[He's resting the side of his head against Nero now.]

And I'll chase away your roommate if they show up.

[perfectdistance]

How can ya just say that shit? I don't need to be protected.

[ He puts his wine down and links their fingers together in the privacy of the room. ]

[perfectpower]

[He is not deterred because Nero is a tsundere. If Nero was truly bothered, he would shove Bradley right out that door and the evening would be over. So he'll link hands with him and stay right there.]

You don't need anything I have to offer. You're strong and independent, you can handle everything on your own.

[He's grown so much since their bandit days. It makes Bradley like him even more.]

But you like it when we cuddle up on cold nights, don't you?

[perfectdistance]

[ If it was towards the beginning of being in the manor together, he would shove Bradley away and lock the door behind him. They've gone through centuries, and Nero's never really and truly hated Bradley.

Even when he was locked up, it was always something complicated.

A laugh, warm and affectionate. ]

It's not even that cold here.

[ Still not a no. ]

[perfectpower]

But it can be warmer.

[He pulls up their linked hands and kisses the back of Nero's.

Brad has always enjoyed wooing Nero like this. It's about the only time he's subtle and gentle.]

[perfectdistance]

[ He's really gotten bold... but then again, Nero's not kicking him out. ]

You're a real charmer when you actually try.

[perfectpower]

[Being a little cheeky, he gives Nero a wink.]

I have my moments.

[perfectdistance]

[Laughs.]

I'll let you have them... sometimes.