flatteries | ic ✗ inbox

ic ✗ inbox

leave a comment here, mostly for

voidtreckerexpress in-game shenanigans but anything else will be appropriately labeled.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

After the successful signing of the Union Declaration, the work hasn't at all stopped or slow down for a certain Mister President. In fact, it's only gotten ten times busier, given the amount of paperwork, public appearances, and state visits required of the momentous task ahead of his government.

Though he's not as invincible as the public assumes. He feels the exhaustion seep in his bones, to the point where his usual work ethic gives up on him entirely. Finally, he makes the decision to ask for three days off before a long diplomacy tour up ahead. And it's a decisive call from Inigo, really, that gets him to come home early that Friday afternoon, though he arrives to an empty house with a dinner table full of covered food and a bunch of envelopes in a stack. Bills, he assumes. A note folded by the middle crease sits nicely by his usual seat: 'Please eat! Just went to see Will, be back in a bit!'

Though 'a bit' turned out to be a couple of hours later. Inigo will enter the house with Roland still seated on the table, relaxed by all means, but with furrowed brows reading a long piece of paper...He turns his head if Inigo calls, raising a hand in greeting though half of his attention remains on the open letter. What was it?

"Hey, pup. I'm home. Guess who got the weekend off?" He says, pleasantly. An open invitation to sit with him for a minute. "Is Will doing well at summer camp?"

Edited 2020-10-13 14:21 (UTC)

"Father!"

Roland may hear the sound of a bag being unceremoniously dropped onto the floor with little care before he even fully turns his head. And once his head is turned, he'll just see Inigo running right at him, wrapping his arms around the seated man's shoulders in a tight hug. A moment later Inigo presses his lips to Roland's cheek for a quick affectionate kiss. It's maybe a bit too enthusiastic of a greeting for a teenager Inigo's age, especially when greeting a parent. Maybe it would be more suited for a kid Will's age, but Inigo doesn't care. He is much too happy to see the man to care.

Inigo laughs happily. "Really? The whole weekend?" He finally lets go after a moment to let himself drop down on the most nearby chair, his full attention aimed at Roland as he asks the question. It's a bit of a surprise - Inigo is well aware just how busy Roland seems to be right now in particular - but a nice one.

Nice enough that so far it completely manages to distract him from the paper Roland is holding in his hands.

"He's doing great, of course! The other kids love him, but that's to be expected. You should've told me though that you had the whole weekend off, we could've gone seen him together!"

The kiss to the cheek is part of the Inigo affection package, Roland realizes straight away. Part of how he's adjusted to a brand new world, even if the level of modernity oftentimes befuddled the teenager; from centralized plumbing to the roving death traps he likes to call cars. But it's welcomed in this house, especially after his biological son was discharged after years of confinement. Inigo was like pure sunshine, lighting up their humble abode with a cheer neither Crane has felt in a long time. There was little adjustment to that relationship too; Will feeling shy at first, maybe even jealous that Roland had adopted on an adventure without him, but it was Inigo's natural charisma that won the boy over in a short amount of time. They made a cute little unit that Roland wouldn't trade for anything.

So if his cheeks grow warm after Inigo props himself down, Roland can't be blamed. After everything they've been through, this was nothing short of a miracle. To be reunited, to remember one another as if no time has passed at all.

He clears his throat somewhat, his smile turning into an easy, more casual grin. "That's good to hear. And hey, I wanted it to be a surprise." The paper in his hand is set down on the table momentarily, so he can focus on meeting Inigo's enthusiasm. "We can call him tonight and see what we can do before my little vacation is up."

And speaking of that -

"So listen. I was thinking we could use these next three days to help you get acquainted with all this." Roland makes a lofty gesture, signaling pretty much everything. A primer on the modern year, so to speak. "But uh, pup can I ask something first? I'm not mad or anything, just curious," And he's learned enough about how Inigo might jump to the worst possible conclusion such that he's addressed it before it can even begin to take root in the young teen's mind. The paper on the table is once again, read with a strange level of amusement that might look out of place, until Roland finally asks as if holding back a smirk:

"Why did you buy three smartphones and two tablets the other day? Heh."

Inigo won't be too familiar with the concept of a credit card statement, but Roland is taking it with humor and stride.

Inigo seems giddy about the prospect of being able to get the three of them together already. Sure, it's partially since he enjoys company, and the more, the better-- but he's also definitely thinking of Will. It's been a bit easier for him to see Roland by now, somewhere between him no longer being confined to a hospital and Inigo pushing those two together any chance he gets, but Inigo still figures it can't hurt to make sure Will gets to see his dad as often as possible anyway.

It only feels natural to him to take care of the younger boy as much as he can. Inigo is very unused to being the big brother, considering how much he's been the baby brother hiding behind his big sister for most of his life, but at least it means he has an example, an idea of what a good big sibling is like. Ever since that realisation it's been easy to spoil Will, to see him as often as possible, even when he's away from home.

His brain may already be buzzing with ideas while he's popping out the contact lenses that make his eyes match - Roland had insisted that it'd be fine somehow, but the last thing Inigo wants to do after the man graciously allowed him to stay in his world and even officially adopted him is cause any problems for mister president over here.

But that's all interrupted by that last question. Inigo looks up at the other, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Huh?" The names are still foreign enough to him that he needs to think for a second what Roland is talking about, but slowly it all comes back to him. "Oh, I-- wait, how do you know? Did the store clerk contact you?"

Yeah, credit card statements are far beyond Inigo's current knowledge of modern day society.

"I mean.. he was very helpful! He told me that I could just take it all along after I showed him your card! I wasn't aware that the people from this world were so kind that they would give these things for free to a total stranger."

Roland instinctively reaches for wet wipes, an open pack sitting on the small table next to Inigo. It's fast, seeing the opportunity to gently remind him to clean your hands before you touch your eye, now!, so that it feels like one fluid motion before he's sat down in front of the teen again. Listening intently to every word, every little nuance despite believing him wholeheartedly even before he begins to explain it. Roland's allowed Inigo all the freedom the modern world could grant him the moment he was oriented enough to do so. Granted, it was an adventure teaching Inigo how to use public transportation, how currency worked, and even giving him the extension to Roland's own credit card was a whole new world for the boy. But the wonder in his face when he discovered something new, or made a new friend out of a kind stranger, was irreplaceable.

Not to mention, introducing Will to Inigo. It almost brought him to tears, despite how shy it initially was. The awkwardness, inevitable. It was worth it, in the end. There's a fondness to Roland now that he can't place, though one look at his pup's eyes is enough to tell him that he knows quite well what hole has been filled in their lives. However long Inigo chooses to stay in this world, he'll cherish it with his son.

"Heh. Okay, here's today's lesson in Modern Day Craziness." He drags the legs of the chair closer to him, his wallet whipped out seconds later from his pants back pocket. The black credit card, sleek and smooth in his hands, is waved once as if in emphasis. "Remember when I gave you the other card that looks just like this?" Roland starts, patiently, the long paper abandoned completely on the table.

"This is called a credit card, pup. It's...it's like a form of money, here. Let's say you wanted to buy an apple, but you didn't have any bills or coins. But you had a credit card. You could use this," he waves again. "To pay first, then you'll get that," he nods to the paper he left behind. "At the end of the month with the total amount you owe people you've used the card on. Makes sense? It's like an uh...I'll get back to you later with the money, card."

He slips it back into his wallet and leans his elbows on his knees, watching him close to see if he understood. "I should give you your own, so you can learn how it works better. Did you really need that many gadgets, though? What for?" A tilt of the head, finger to the chin. Of all the modern day things Inigo seemed to gravitate towards to the most, it was the smart devices. Maybe being young and good with gadgets was a universal thing?

It's a good thing that Roland is here to think of the little things. Inigo may slowly be starting to adjust to the bigger things of this odd, odd world, but there's so much to think of all the time that it's easier to forget the little things. Like the fact that he can't just pop out his lens like that, for example. Especially since he hasn't washed his hands yet. So he takes the wet wipe, using it to help him get the lens out while he listens to Roland's explanation.

By the time Roland is gesturing at the paper, Inigo is done, gaze now aimed at Roland, full of attention.

"I see," he says. Though you never know for sure just how much of that Inigo understood, since he says he understands even when it's his own weird mental construct of what's really going on..

.. like right now.

"Still, it's amazing that they trust you to get back to them with the money later." It's a fairly neutral observation, but a moment later he starts smiling brightly, giving Roland the most innocent look ever. "I suppose it's since everyone knows you're an incredible reliable person, father!"

Because clearly that's how it works, right. After all, Roland is the president! Everyone knows how amazing he is! There's just heaps of faith beaming off Inigo right now.

"And.. oh! The salesperson kept going on about how amazing the cameras were on those, so I just had to get them! Wouldn't it be nice to be able to record things?" Since that's a luxury Inigo never had back home. His entire childhood only lives on inside of his own head, memories being the only thing that keep his dead parents alive in his heart. "And then I felt kind of silly only getting them for myself, so I figured I should share with you and Will as well!"

"Something like that, sure. But thank you, pup. As always, you think much too highly of me."

He recognizes that explaining the process of acquiring a credit line to even get approved for a credit card is something Inigo might not need to know urgently, so it's set aside. For now. He does, however, make a strict mental note to open Inigo's own bank account, and to at least apply for a secondary card for him to own so he can have a stronger stake of independence in this new land. Protective as Roland is of his children, Inigo is not a young child, not anymore, and has been through more than he can surmise out of any youngin. He deserves that reward, however superficial it may be. Will too, would enjoy the same perk as soon as he reached the right age. Thirteen might do, Roland thinks offhandedly.

On to the actual exciting stuff though - and it's obvious as to what it is when Inigo reacts the way that he does. Lights up the room, the sun setting somewhat, casting a nice orange glow that pales in comparison to his energy. Even in another world, as modern as it is, he remains kind. Thinking of Roland and Will, of sharing the gifts they take for granted. Like keeping memories alive in gadgets.

"Well, that settles it then." He stands from his seat, and claps his hands once, loudly. The credit card bill will be paid for in the morning, and won't be questioned if it meant Inigo was able to learn something about the world throughout its purchase. And of course, he and Will got new phones out of it too. A plus, but not the point. "Why don't you show me these new toys of yours and let's spend day one of the vacation teaching you all about it? Taking photos, posting them...It's easy! I'm sure you have the eye for it."

He will either wait in the living room for it, or come with Inigo to get it. Regardless, Roland's got a plan for the pup!

"Alright!" He smiles, clearly excited. Inigo may not always enjoy learning, and he certainly isn't a book kind of person in the slightest, but for some reason he's never really found any lesson about the modern world he has now found himself in dull. Maybe it's since all of it feels more like discovery than learning, or maybe it's since the things he encounters are all just so interesting. No matter whether it's Roland teaching him like today or Will kindly and helpfully explaining something really obvious to any normal person from this world to his medievally-challenged big brother, he always does his best to take in all of the information with a smile.

And so he's already off right after Roland says those words to grab the devices from where he left them in his room. There must have been some running involved - evident not from Inigo himself, since he doesn't look tired or out of breath in the slightest by the time he reappears in front of Roland, but more evident from just how quickly he arrives in the living room. The teenager hands Roland a phone. It looks to be one of the newest models, with a bright yellow backing, like the sun.

"Isn't it so neat how these come in so many pretty colours? Obviously I liked the purple one too, but I got that one for you since I know you like that colour! So I thought I'd get this one for myself instead. It kind of looks like Jumblie, right?"

He observes the item in question with a keen eye. It's even newer than Roland's own phone, though of the same maker. The yellow color indeed, gives him a similar impression. The world around him has changed significantly since his time hopping voids and dimensions, and perhaps for the better. Though he'll never forget the things he's experienced; the life he's led. He touches the back of the phone with a hint of fondness, though he'll say just as much. "It does. I'm sorry I can't see her anymore, but at least she's still talking to you." Unable to manifest in the first world, but surviving in Inigo's heart, bond unbroken by the trip made from one existence to the next. "And don't worry, you can have the purple one if you want. I know that's your favorite, too."

With a decisive press of a button to the side, the phone lights up, a half-bitten logo on the screen. It will take some time to load up completely, so Roland leads the two of them to sit on the couch, throw pillows thrown to the side to give space. "I think you already know, but just in case, you turn the device on and off here." He points to the button and shuffles a little closer to Inigo so he has a better view of the interface. The phone shows its main screen, squared buttons in every color and design pre-installed.

"Okay. Inigo, how much of this are you already familiar with? Can you refresh my memory? I don't want to overwhelm you." Roland hands the teen the phone and rests his chin against the top of his hand, elbow on his knee. He would be referring to the applications, and the overall use of the phone itself. He would be a bit more ashamed that he's forgotten Inigo's modern technology progress, but if he were to be honest himself, he's not too good at it either, basic functions aside.

Inigo easily follows over to the couch, flopping down on it while still holding onto the device. A smile on his face, just grateful to be able to spend time together with Roland like this - even if they're doing something as mundane to most normal people as checking out this phone together. But considering Inigo never even imagined anything like this beyond the train, being able to sit together with a loved one like this, every single moment of it feels special.

Maybe that's part of the reason why he seems to think that Roland's shoulder is prime free real estate, since once they're properly seated there and the older man leans his chin on his hand, the boy leans sideways to rest against the other, his head moving to lie on Roland's shoulder.

Sure, he knows to be a bit more proper when being in public with Roland, considering his status and all, but it can't hurt to be as clingy as he can be in the privacy of their own living room.

"I know some things already!" He says, with no small amount of pride. "I know that you can use this to call people, or send them texts. Just like the ICPs back on the train."

Thankfully he has those as a comparison, or the whole idea of phones would be a lot wilder..

"And I know you can take photos with it, since the man at the store informed me of that. And!" He starts, just excitedly rambling at this point, his head still not leaving Roland's shoulder, "I looked at other people who were using theirs while I was out, and I noticed you can set this screen to any photo you want! Can we take a photo together? I want to set it to show that!"

Ideally it should be a photo of the three of them, Will included, Inigo thinks. But he can just make that happen the moment Will comes back from summer camp. He'll get the three of them together.

"Good start."

He doesn't mind the affection, never did on the train and won't start now in the modern world. Will is still trying to figure out how to adjust to his developing relationship with both of them too, but Roland's noticed he's easier on Inigo, hugging his arm and asking to be carried from time to time even after Roland reprimands him that he's already a ten-year-old and doesn't need to be carried at all. And so whatever Inigo does is already taken for what it is, warm and inviting, as Roland leans a little closer to reciprocate. Happy that his once empty house is now bustling with life thanks to the two at his side.

At the comparison of technology too, he chuckles. It's a close parallel. But what Inigo is talking about, Roland thankfully, still knows how to do using the phone. "Ah, you mean changing the wallpaper? Yeah, we can do that." He'll move his fingers against the screen, slowly though, so Inigo can see which icons he's pressing. The "Camera" icon on the bottom bar, and it shows the back camera and the adjacent kitchen unit they just emerged from.

"So, if you want to take a picture with a bunch of people, or even just yourself with no one around to help, you can do this. I believe kids today call it taking a selfie. Press this - " And Roland switches the camera to the front now, so it shows his face and Inigo's close up. He extends his arm forward to give them a better angle, but honestly, he's not artistic enough to make it look attractive. The lighting, catching them in all the wrong angles. It's simply utilitarian to take the selfie in such a manner, but all those details fly over Roland's head. He clicks the camera button on the screen once, no warning at all, and hands the phone back to Inigo.

"Like that. Easy, right? We can set it as your new wallpaper."

Would this be a bad time to inform Roland that Inigo has most definitely piggybacked all across the summer camp grounds before going back home.. Sure, Inigo also knows that Will doesn't need it anymore at this point, that he's getting better and more healthy by the day, but Inigo's heart is very weak. All he needs is one tug on his sleeve and he is more than ready to do anything for his new little brother.

But back in the present Inigo isn't stuck in thoughts about that at all. No, instead he's concentrating, making sure to remember what buttons Roland is using so he can replicate the action by himself later. He's sure to want to make a lot of pictures of just about everything, after all. This house. The plants outside. The streets filled with those odd cars, the people and their bright clothes, the tall buildings, the sun up in the sky, each and every single one of them so new, yet fond to Inigo.

The selfie function, too, is new. Inigo stares at the screen with wide eyes as he sees himself and Roland appear on it, and before he knows what's going on, Roland is already handing back the phone to him.

"Huh?"

Wait, did he already take the photo? Inigo glances down at the screen, finding the photo on display.

His jaw just about drops to the ground, and Inigo picks the phone up with one hand just so he can dramatically wave it in the older man's face, seeming distressed.

(But dramatically distressed. He seems upset, sure, but in that way toddlers can be upset and be entirely okay again 5 seconds later.)

"Roland-- F.. Father! This won't do! I look absolutely dreadful on this photo!"

ROLAND HELP IT'S A DISASTER.

"Hm?"

Roland quirks an eyebrow up at him, the space granted between them as Inigo flails about with the phone in his hand. He tries to peer back unto the screen, seeing the selfie he took, but not really registering how Inigo comes across as 'dreadful' in it. If the teenager's distress is of any indication however, Roland must have done something wrong. He scratches the back of his head and asks for the phone back, zooming in on both of them. Certainly, they could have smiled a bit more, he thinks. Maybe...Inigo thinks he looks bad because of the overhead lighting? Yes, that must be it.

"Oh, uh. Hold on." He hands Inigo the phone back and stands to switch on a nice industrial looking lamp behind the sofa. Really useful for reading at night, but would otherwise cast a very yellow-tinted light especially now that the afternoon was slowly moving towards dusk. Roland sits himself down again and tries to resume his position, shoulder-to-shoulder with Inigo. "Does that work? Let's take another one."

So now the problem has switched from Roland being the one to take selfies that have absolutely zero angle, art direction, or thought behind the click; to Inigo being the one to take the photo yet is completely washed out by harsh, back lighting giving their faces more shadow than complimentary light.

Clearly, Inigo the Invincible's job is being called into action once again!

Okay. At least this time Inigo is smiling on the photo! That's an improvement.

.. or at least, he would be, if he could see his smile more properly underneath all those shadows! There's a bit less freaking out now, but Inigo still gives the screen a huge pout as he waves the phone in Roland's face to try and show it off to him.

"You made us look like criminals!" Or at least masterminds plotting something nefarious. Disney movie villains, if Inigo had any idea of the concept of Disney.

"Father, I thought you were an expert. Don't you need to have photos taken all the time as president? Don't people ever ask to take a photo together with you?"

There's no way he wouldn't know how to make a photo at all, right?

.. Or worse, maybe Roland has been giving all his adoring ~~subjects~~ fans these terrible, terrible photos with them to remember him by!

Edited 2020-10-24 20:43 (UTC)

Roland is once again, caught in a bit of a flustered little pickle. Not only is Inigo quite right on the money about the state of his photos, he also can't seem to outwardly admit that other people took the selfies and he never really got the hang of the angling of a phone camera to be flattering. Certainly he had little to no practice at the whole thing. He makes a couple of noises of very, very slight distress as he wonders what to do; studying the brand new phone in his hand like it will hold the answers.

There are filters, blur and beauty face options, even stickers. Maybe some of these might help...? Roland shakes his head but is determined not to disappoint Inigo. It's the simplest of tasks! Surely he could figure it out? Trying for a third time, Roland makes the decision to sit back a little bit more against the back of the couch, giving Inigo more of the foreground. He definitely looked better in hi-definition! The selfie cam back on, he makes a gesture for him to come in closer so he can take another photo, only this time he makes a couple of changes. For one, there's a very distinct glitter filter that only remains on the frame because Roland isn't sure how it got there in the first place.

Secondly, he further extends his arms forward so that the angle is tilted from above instead of below, hopefully eradicating the initial problem. Finally, when the proximity is just right, Roland tilts his head a bit to gently knock against Inigo's temple, a warm smile gracing his face.

"Why don't you help me take the photo this time? Help me hold the phone up, then I'll click. Ready?"

Maybe he just wanted an excuse to bond with Inigo. He didn't really need the help per se, but there's something sweet about doing the task together anyway. Call him sentimental; right now, he may not even deny it.

.. Ah.

Ah! This is cheating! This is definitely cheating!

Because despite all his fussiness about it a moment ago, there's no way Inigo could mind a photo if it'd turn out bad as long as Roland is doing this. Just the way he's smiling, the way he leans his head so lightly against Inigo's own.

It's too much for his heart. Inigo is way too attached to the man to not be fully thrown into heart-attack-induced docility by all of this. Rather than complaining about the glitter filter or anything else, he just blushes slightly, before doing exactly what Roland is asking for - helping to hold up the phone, and waiting for the other to press the button to take the picture.

Once it's happened, Inigo still lingers in their current position for a moment, as if to indulge in it, before finally moving the phone closer to look at the photo.

His gaze is so soft as he looks down at the screen. It almost looks like he might just cry, even if he doesn't.

"This one is better, father." He says, a bit more softly now, running his thumb across the screen before finally managing to tear his gaze away from it enough to actually look at Roland. "I don't ever want to forget this."

It's why this dumb photo means so much to him. It's like physical proof that even if something may change in the future, even if things may get worse somehow, maybe since Inigo's luck is just that bad.. This moment will have existed. The extreme fondness he feels for his adoptive father eternalized.

"Yeah? Then let's make it your wallpaper. So you can see it any time you want." Roland reaches one arm over Inigo and pulls him close again, a hug and a ruffle of hair. His fingers find the Set to Wallpaper option easily enough, and just like that, Inigo's new phone now houses a shiny new Home Screen.

Even after the photo op is all said and done, Roland takes his time and lingers. He's missed a lot. Between his adventures in another world and the time he should have spent keeping his family together in his first life, Roland barely had time to stop and smell the roses, always rushing from one place to the other like it meant something. In the end, even if the nuke was reversed and he was here at peace, he'll never forget the price to be paid. He won't forget that all of it was for naught, and that the worst part was never allowing himself to soak in every small moment granted to him. Inigo too, would often bring him to think about the future. How long would he stay in this world, with him? Would Naga take him somewhere far away when the time was right? Was this a world Inigo could make a name for himself, could stay in until he grew old?

Roland immediately pushes the thought back and thinks that it might be too soon for things like that. He was letting the moment pass him by again; Inigo just got settled. He needs to enjoy that for what it was. And so, in affection, Roland touches his nose against the crown of Inigo's head and plants a soft kiss there before pulling away, catching his eye. The Brand is still there, proof that magic was what brought them together for a new beginning.

"Inigo, always know that as long as you're here, you'll always have a home with me. Okay? With us."

It just had to be said. Before the day was done and he moved on to sillier things, playing with Inigo's phone and showing him the new features of the modern world.

Having already been softened up a moment ago, these little gestures of affection get to Inigo even more than they usually would. It's just all so sweet, and Inigo doesn't even know where to start expressing his gratitude about just how open Roland is with that affection. Pulling him close, planting little kisses in his hair. It's not any sort of affection Inigo ever had from his father back in his future, but it's familiar enough to what his mother always did.

And considering how every single memory he has of his mother, all the affection shared with her, is still so important to him, he treasures all of these tiny moments between him and Roland so much.

Especially since he never knew for sure if he'd be able to get here. There was the chance he'd fall in the battle with Grima, or that the Outrealm Gate somehow wouldn't be able to connect to Roland's world - the first world, his original world - but none of those bad possibilities came to pass.

He made it. He's here. And..

"I want my home to be here," he says. A little softly, but who needs to speak up loudly with how close the two of them are right now? "With you. And Will."

Sure, at first Inigo had been worried upon arriving here. That maybe he somehow wouldn't fit in. That he may interrupt something between Roland and his actual son. But both Roland and Will have been so consistently friendly and affectionate with him, more and more so with each day, that it's hard to feel like he wouldn't be welcome here at this point.

"Everything is still strange, and I'm still trying to get used to so much, but.. I've been so happy since I came here. I don't think I've worried about a single thing the past few days."

Which is super, super wild when you're Inigo and worry about everything, okay.

That alone could make anyone's heart grow ten times bigger, but in Roland's case, it only validates how glad he is that Inigo already feels like he can settle his roots in the modern world. At the time of Inigo's reappearance in this world, Roland was uncertain about how he would adapt. Though the 21st century was far more stable than Ylisse had been before Inigo and his friends saved the future, it wasn't one without its own fair share of horrors. Many of them even lay beyond Roland's control as president. And Inigo, sweet and lovely as he is; would he be alright dealing with such a cruel and harsh reality of a different nature? Where people could hurt you, manipulate you, control you?

He shakes his head. Overthinking would get him nowhere. Right now, he's heard what makes his soul soar, and that's Inigo's desire to stay where he is. With Roland, with his son. The acceptance that he's been wondering about, fearing for, finally realized. The only challenge now was to make sure Inigo wouldn't be making a huge mistake. To make him just as happy as he wants to make Will - both of them family now, both of them deserving of all the privileges he could offer.

He keeps close, lingers against Inigo with gentle strokes of his hair. "I want you to stay with us too, pup. We'll do everything we can so that you can live a good life here. Do what makes you happy, be with people who make you happy." Roland pulls away again, just to look him in the eye, sincerity rolling off of him in waves. In this world, he no longer retains his youthful visage. It made him apprehensive to think Inigo would not recognize him, or see him as he once did on the train. Crows feet slightly wrinkling the corners of his eyes, a more pronounced line against his mouth. Hair shorter, black luster losing some shine, but the grays streaking the sides of his hair. Would Inigo still treat him the same?

It's not a question that deserves the time of day. He knows the answer, now.

"So you gotta tell me if there's something we can do for you that we might not think of, all right? Promise me, Inigo." He touches his shoulder, an ask for affirmation. No hiding here; Roland's plea is simply to let him help his adopted son be the best person he can be in this brand new dimension.

He laughs a little.

"Well, my standards aren't too high, you know.."

Which is true. Despite having grown up as a prince, Inigo sure isn't too picky. Maybe it's since his parents were relatively down to earth, or maybe since it's not like he was very old and used to it already before it all fell away. Spending years and years sleeping on the cold ground and eating whatever you can find doesn't exactly make you someone who only requires the best of the best.

And really, Inigo already has all he does require. Just simply being here with Roland like this, with Will.. that's enough. It has taken away his one fear that kept lingering with him on the train - the fear that one day the train adventure would end and he'd be alone.

But he's not. He's got a place where he can stay. Somewhere where he's welcome, even. Roland probably has no idea of the sheer impact of those simple words. I want you to stay with us too. The idea of belonging somewhere, of being wanted.. It's so much. Almost too much. It's all Inigo ever wanted.

As he contemplates it for a moment, he ducks his head, trying to deal with the wave of emotion it makes wash over him before looking back at Roland.

"I think I'm already really happy as-is. I know I'm still trying to get used to everything, but that makes everything kind of new and exciting at the same time." He sucks in a breath. "I mean, if there's one thing I could ask for.."

He glances at the phone's screen, seeing the photo now set as its wallpaper.

"Since you have the weekend off, um.. could I maybe sleep with you in your bed so we can cuddle again before sleeping?" His pinks are slightly pink as Inigo brings it up. They did it on the train before, so it's not like it's new or odd to them, but.. Inigo can't help but worry. Maybe it was something Roland was only okay with because they were on the train. That, now Roland has returned to looking his proper age and they're both in his world, he might feel like Inigo should be acting more appropriately for his age - not a teenager who still likes to cuddle with its parent for warmth and comfort.

But Roland doesn't want to give Inigo the barest minimum. He doesn't want to set that standard - of his old life just trying to survive, happy not because they won but because he got to sleep soundly for a night without the Risen coming for them. That chapter of Inigo's life in an apocalyptic halidom is over. Roland wants him to start again; in the prophesized future Inigo's always been afraid to envision.

And it stands true to form that despite the promise of the world by Inigo's feet, the only thing he wishes from Roland is to sleep by his side like he used to ask of him a long time ago. The thought in itself is heartwarming, but the sincerity of the request just makes him feel like no matter where Inigo is, no matter how much he'll grow up, he'll remain the same boy he once saw on that platform once upon a time: kind, generous, strong in every way that counts. A heart that beats gentle and true.

Roland's eyes crinkle in delight. He doesn't laugh often, but when he does, it's soft and breathy, like he's unused to the sound. But it's endearing all the same. "That's all you want? Heh. Not a problem, pup. That bed's way too big for just me anyway." Could even fit Will in there, if he wanted! The more the merrier, right? He also remembers something else; something that might just be the cherry on top. Roland pretends to dust off Inigo's shoulders before he nudges his chin carefully with his fingers. For a second, he's forgotten what he actually wanted to show Inigo on his brand new phone, but this is something he does want Inigo to hear.

"Wanna know the best part?" Roland says. "This time, we won't fall asleep together then wake up alone." No cabin magic to whisk you away as soon as the train decides its morning. None of that to hold them apart. "You'll still be there at dawn. I'll still be there at dawn." This, Roland means in more ways than one.

It's a thought that's crossing Inigo's mind as well, even without Roland mentioning that part about Will out loud. Surely it'd be nice to do together with him too - especially since Will seems to love their company so much. Especially since Will had to sleep all by himself, so far away from his father, so often before. There's the tiniest worry in Inigo's mind that the kid may find it odd, since Inigo is quite a bit older than him, but.. he knows Will is so kind. So softhearted. He wouldn't judge Inigo that easily, right?

They'll have to try it out sometime. Once Will is back from summer camp. They'll find some time to squeeze in for it, even with how busy Roland is. Inigo will make sure of it. As much as he adores Roland, as much as he can't even express in words how glad he is that the other is willing to view himself as his father even now, filling in the gap of the father Inigo lost so long ago - he would never want to keep Roland all to himself. If anything, Will deserves it even more than him, so Inigo will forever keep trying to find ways for all of them to share in this happiness.

It's a thought for later though. Right now he just smiles at Roland's easy agreement.

And at the older man knowing exactly what to say to soothe Inigo's heart. To iron out all the wrinkles of fear in it.

This time, the good things won't end so fast.

"And you won't have to go anywhere either." Because if it isn't a train calling them away, then it could just as easily be one of Roland's presidential duties. "So that means plenty of time for after-sleep-snuggles in the morning."

His cheeks are a little rosy. Not out of embarrassment this time, though. It's just sheer happiness. His hold on the phone tightens a little bit.

"I never thought things would turn out like this."

Could he have imagined it, during any of those times when he was lying on the ground wide awake in the future, trying to sleep but failing with the constant threat of the Risen looming over him? That one day, instead, he would have a spot where he would belong, just the way he is, without any mask. Accepted for his soft and somewhat childish self.

Roland lets loose a chuckle and ruffles his hair again, affection that comes easily when they're in the privacy of a shared home - Inigo's home now, too. He wants to be here. "After sleep snuggles, huh? That's new for me. All right. Just know I wake up pretty early, okay?" And that admission is only to warn Inigo that if he gets up at the crack of dawn, Roland will do his best not to wake him too.

He settles back down and sits comfortably again, legs crossed and his own phone out of his pocket out of habit. A slight frown on his face as his notifications show 17 missed calls and texts already, which he ignored out of respect for the vacation he asked for. Though his fingers itch to check what work was waiting for him, it's Inigo's words that jolt him to reality. Roland glances to his side, the earnestness in Inigo's voice making him feel even more guilty for absentmindedly checking his phone as if he wasn't interested in what he wanted to show Inigo in the first place. Roland felt the same, too. What did either of them expect after that adventure on the train, anyway? To never see one another again? What good was the promise of holding each other's hands through the dimensions if the void itself controlled where they went, where they go?

More than that; there was the uncertainty of his nation. Would he have doomed Inigo by taking him to a world that was fraught with the same peril, the same ruin, as Ylisse? If his luck had turned out any differently, Roland wouldn't have forgiven himself for dragging him into another version of the end of days. But look at them now, here, a roof under their heads, Inigo's exploration of a new reality lending them both a second chance to start anew. It's a sentiment that moves Roland to take one of Inigo's hands to hold, the one that wasn't holding his own phone, fingers interlocked as his other hand cancels all the notifications that he missed. Swiped to the right, as if they were never there. He won't doom his new family like this. Won't make the same mistakes that drove them away the first time.

"It's like a dream, isn't it? Too good to be true." He grips Inigo's hand. "But I won't accept anything but this, now. Thank you for finding us again, Inigo. For finding me." He then shows him the screen of his phone, instructional almost. Presses the menu button, and out comes a plethora of other icons lined up nicely, by alphabetical order. More apps.

"Speaking of finding...Can you go to this page on your phone too? I've got something here that you'll enjoy. I'm sure of it." He's patient, watching closely in case he presses something else. Just the menu button - with the complete lineup of pre-installed programs! Shouldn't be too difficult, since he's already gotten a grasp of the basic functions, calling and texting.

Honestly, Inigo still isn't the best at handling phones with one hand. It'll come in due time, surely, but he's still a little too new to this level of technology to be entirely comfortable with operating it yet. Sure, he can press the menu button fine with one hand, but scrolling through the list of programs that appear with one finger, immediately curious, is harder.

But he's still attempting to do so one handed anyway. Because he refuses to let go of the hand Roland is holding right now, especially after what the other said. It feels like it ties him to reality, reminds him that this truly is real. That it's not a dream. Roland is right here by his side, living and breathing. Older than before in appearance, but so very recognizably Roland all the same.

"This page?" He asks, glancing from Roland's phone over to his own to see if it's the same. It looks similar enough. "What should I be looking for?"

"That's right." He won't mind the pace in which they discover this together, won't mind that the sun slowly sets on the living room, bathing the room in an almost orange haze. It feels intimate, like he finally belongs in this space. Will the only piece missing, but just the fact that he's healthy enough to go out without Roland by his side is a celebration in of itself. Maybe Inigo did wish everything back for his sake, Will's health included? Was this Naga's doing too?

He won't wonder too hard on it. Roland would rather not look a gift horse in the mouth.

"So you can swipe left and right like this," He demonstrates with his thumb, moving across home screens, back and forth for Inigo to study. "To navigate around the phone. You don't have to use your thumb either, any finger will do." Just in case he has to point that out too! Pun intended. "Then try finding this, it should be pre-installed." Or at least, that's what his interns told him. The app in question looks like a red square with a shape in the middle. The name: UTube. ~~We stan off-brand!~~

He had to get a whole crash course on all the trending apps and innovations, you know! His goal is to make sure Will and Inigo had the most to do in this second chance, this second life. Make them happy, in every which way, even if it's just to keep up with technology Roland's never been too keen on immersing himself in.

< au!modern-world; non-game > nobody look thanks

this is a hidden thread

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject