vapour | LL PT. 2

This me has people who care about me, seems like the better deal.

Fair enough. Sam has a better deal back where I come from, though.

[Looks him up and down pointedly]

Are you sure about that?

And why are you asking that? [ and looking at him like that while doing it. ]

Are you really that much happier than him, I wonder.

Monsters are meant to be useful not happy. We're well enough content with having a purpose.

A monster? What makes you a monster?

What makes anyone a monster other than war?

A few things, but I'm not asking about just anyone. I'm asking about you.

War technically still but also the Abyss, in my case.

Calling yourself a 'monster' is a bit extreme, isn't it?

I'm just repeating what the world says outside my country.

But don't misunderstand, I don't need or want pity. I don't need someone to see me as something other than a monster. What's really wrong with being a monster in the end, anyway? Someone always has to play the role of foil for the "good guys" to look good.

—and I would rather be seen as a monster than never seen at all.

Edited 2025-12-26 11:41 (UTC)

Oh chill out, I’m not pitying you. ‘Monster’ just seems extreme when at worst you’re just kind of a dick.

[Reaches out to pinch his side with the hand not cradling his drink]

Now I'm only kind of a dick?

[ ew—ack! Swats at his hand. It gets a puff of his cheeks though. Jewel's getting way too comfortable! ]

[Reaches up to poke at his cheeks instead]

Uh-huh, right now you're not so bad. There's not much I can do about it if Sam wants to co-exist with his vision self. We could get along if you stopped trying to get rid of him and instead looked at time share options or whatever.

Who says he wants to coexist with me?

Even if I stop trying to get rid of him, I'm still taking him from you. Is it fine then?

That depends on a lot of things... Of course it's not "fine", but...I don't think you're wrong for wanting to be seen and exist too.

You're definitely a pain... but, I get it. It's just unfortunate it's impossible for us to find a satisfying compromise.

Why is it impossible?

Because you haven't had enough drinks to do anything but make me feel even less convinced letting him stick around for you is an ok idea.

Edited (Freudian slip oh Childe's part oops) 2025-12-31 19:57 (UTC)

What would convince you it's a good idea?

I already told you, my dear. And you already told me.

[ excuse him, he's going to drink because he is suddenly convinced that Jewel will take him in endless circles if the other thinks he can get him to break from the repetitiveness. And who knows maybe the idol is onto something. ]

I care about him and he cares about me.

[Sits up on his knees, turning to rest his chin on Childe's shoulder]

I could care about you too.

Do you now. [ Childe lets his fingers play with Jewel's hair thoughtfully before letting their tips run along his jaw almost affectionately. ]

Whatever spark is between you two will fade once this boat ride is over. You'll be whisked away by your other friends and your half-hearted search for what will make you happy while knowing you can't risk it. He'll follow after you silently, he doesn't have the agency your other friends do, but his loyalty to you will dim as reality sets in that he simply will never be able to give you enough. He'll turn back to his old ways and by the time you realize someone is missing you won't be able to find him anymore.

You are a very cute couple as star crossed lovers, though, if it's any consolation.

...I'm not just going to abandon him once the boat docks.

19:20

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