[CLOSED]

[subtract]

Who: Add & Jakob
Where: The Near Shore
When: June 17th
What: Prayer #18
Warnings: Feels.

Sora had at least convinced Add to try apologizing to Jakob over leaving him to another god, but the act of apologizing for a broken leg plus three weeks of cold silence would be... difficult. He's still not even sure where to start, what to say, what to bring... but as tempting as it is to keep putting it off, what ends up happening is the complete opposite. It's been quite some time since they've last received a prayer, after all.

The trip to the Near Shore is as awkward as he expects, though he at least spares Jakob enough words to tell him where they're going. And it'd be so, so easy to just tack on a by the way, I'm sorry for being such an ass, but that might come off as too apathetic, and the more he thinks about it the more nervous he gets, like what if Jakob is so upset he really doesn't accept Add's apology and he's only serving him now because he has to, or—

Ugh, he really needs to get this over with before it drives him crazy.

He fakes a cough, trying desperately to think of some way to break the ice. Just say something, damnit. Say anything.

"The... tea you left the other day was... nice." He didn't drink it. It's still sitting on his desk. Maybe Jakob didn't notice and this won't be the worst attempt at small talk ever.

Comments

[gentilitea]

At least Jakob doesn’t flinch at the mention of the broken leg. He rubs the tears away with the back of his sleeve and nods briskly when Add begins talking business. But something isn’t adding up here. It’s not that he can only vaguely grasp at whatever the fuck Add is talking about, and it’s not even that emphasis on the word, “unusual.” If he can recall his master from his previous life he’d have a better grasp of what Add had been hinting at—somewhat—but as it is Jakob merely frowns, considering what little he understands of the situation.

“I will master any task you set of me, of course.” That goes without saying, but a little reminder never hurt anyone, right? Jakob’s still reeling from his weakness at the zombie incident himself. “However, this…intervention you’re suggesting…” He hesitates, before venturing, “Will it guarantee your safety?”

Despite all his efforts to appear stern, there’s a chink in his expression once more, a pleading look in his eyes, already haunted by the extremes Add would go through to attempt any one thing. Or avoid his problems outright.

[subtract]

"... It will guarantee your safety," he answers with a bitter smile, "but if you really want to keep me safe, you can't do that if you're dead, can you?"

Double dead. Close enough. The sentiment is the same, even if he'd rather his shinki look out for himself. Somehow he ended up using the same tactics that worked on Roxas... how does he keep ending up with these stubborn selfless types?

"Keeping me in line used to be Roxas' job," he mutters, feeling a little wistful at the thought. How long has it been now? Already a month...? "Until we find him again, you'll have to pick up his slack. I don't trust anyone else to do the job correctly."

[gentilitea]

He has to fight the urge to shudder at the implications of all that, but if nothing else, Add’s words strengthen his own resolve to protect this troublesome master of his. More than being the point of his own existence, this…this is something their Roxas would have wanted.

So he forces his expression to remain neutral if not outright submissive, as he puts his hand to his chest and gives Add a rather formal bow.

“As you command.”

[subtract]

The bowing thing is still a little too weird for him, but he knows better than to make a fuss over it now. Asking Jakob to be less butler-y might as well be asking him to grow an extra arm...

Add fakes a cough, using the time Jakob is spending bent over to finish rubbing his face dry. He's still not sure how he feels about all of this, if letting Jakob stay with him is the right choice or not, but knowing that Jakob at least wants to stay has lifted his mood considerably. Even if it ends up being the wrong choice... it feels good to know that he's wanted, even in this small way.

He turns towards the temple, expecting his shinki to follow.

"Let's go home. I could... perhaps use some tea."

[gentilitea]

He totally would grow an extra arm if Add wanted him to, don’t even.

“Of course,” he replies, swallowing down that feeling of guilt before his god might be blighted. He takes a few steps further than Add, to properly open the door for him as a butler would, but before he does, he adds, with a sigh:

“And I’m sorry for implying that I would serve you anything other than the finest brew.” You had to go and make him feel bad for that sewage water quip earlier damn you damn you damn you—

“I will do my best to behave myself from now on.”

[subtract]

He stops, a little surprised at Jakob's sudden apology. He only stares for a moment, though, before breaking out into another grin.

"Oh? I thought that was an honest confession before. In that case I'll consider not throwing it out the window this time, kekeke."

It's good to have things back to normal.

[gentilitea]

Good to know some things never change. Jakob’s already got the door nice and open for him, but the moment Add opens his big mouth his promise to do better is suddenly flung out the window:

“Why you—”