Emotions or images, drawn with a single line [CLOSED]

[curruid_coinchenn]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and close CR
When: After his resurrection
Where: Around Aefenglom
What: Bittersweet reunions and meetings for everyone!
Warnings: Depression, check tag headers for specifics


[ 1. Back to work ]

[ Not even a day later, Berserker is back at work at the Sly Seadog. Nothing is different, at least that's what he tells himself. The truth is a lot is different. There's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he's forgotten something. Even more pressing is the weakness he feels. His strength has been sapped, leaving as he was when he first arrived in Aefenglom. It's obvious to everyone that something isn't right when he struggles to deal with a problem customer. This was second nature to him on any other night, but now he needs help to bounce someone.

Frustration builds in him until the bartender makes him sit at the bar for a few minute. The dragon hangs his head as he accepts the drink. It's only as he looks up that he recognizes someone familiar. Annoying... ]

What? I'm fine...I'm just taking a break.

[ It's a lie. ]

[ 2. Harbor ]

[ After the incident at the Seadog, Berserker takes a walk. Some fresh air will clear his head, won't it? It'll at least distract him from the buzzing in his brain and how weak he feels. He makes his way towards the docks, where the stray dogs and cats congregate. They're used to seeing him around – and expect food from him. He's not empty-handed as he takes a seat, offering some food scraps to the dogs.

One of the cats crawls into his lap and makes itself at home there. Berserker seems more peaceful, at least, to the point he doesn't immediately notice he's being watched. When he does notice, he doesn't look up. ]

It's calm tonight, isn't it? They're not squabbling for scraps the way they usually do...

[ It's a friend. It's okay to vulnerable, isn't it? ]

[ 3. Wildcard ]

[ Got an idea? Did we plot something out? Drop me a starter or PM/discord me glitzkrieg#0673 ! ]

Comments

[piromare]

( what he sees in front of him isn't so what he would call gentle. he would call it concerning first. there's certainly something off: it might be a lack of confidence or not projecting that strength he's familiar of--- but he doesn't want to think that it's either of those things. not yet, anyway. )

So are you saying they're not hanging around you for anything other than... you needing their company?

( sure, berserker might be their pseudo-caretaker but his words ring with something that makes the pit of his stomach feel heavy. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

Right...I knew you weren't stupid.

[ Does he really want to spell out what happened to him? Not really. He's been dealing with the fallout for a few days now and it hasn't gotten any easier. Reactions to the fact he died had ranged from overwhelming relief he was alive again to anger that he'd died at all. Lio...Well, Lio doesn't strike him as the type that would try to take a swing at him for dying. ]

Let's just say that it's been rough since everyone shared a dream.

[piromare]

( condescending or not, if berserker wanted to explain why those animals wanted to act as the dragon's way of overcoming whatever his situation was or is... well. he would, right? but this muted version of someone he saw as strong, proud, and dangerous just feels wrong. it feels bad.

but he's sure it's not berserker's fault.

lio can't help but feel sympathetic, regardless of what's happened to cú, and that's why he takes the potentially bold action of leaning into the dragon. barely letting his wings touch the other as he does so. he's thankful for the little bit of info that the other man provides. )

Don't worry. You don't have to explain any more than you want. ( because that's what berserker would probably do anyway. saying it just reinforces it.

a pause, and then lio smiles. )

They like you.

[curruid_coinchenn]

They like me because I feed them.

[ Any other time, he would probably rebuke Lio's actions. Right now, though, he almost welcomes the touch. It's not the same as the touch of his bonded (which he and they definitely needed), but it's pleasant. It reminds him that people, for some reason, care about him. That he's still here.

Berserker lets himself lean against the harpy. ]

But I wonder...I wonder if they can sense death. Or rather...those who recently died.

[piromare]

( ah. well, that explains it. doesn't take him long to read in between the lines. neither of the possibilities are good: either he or someone he was close to died. and while lio could easily ask a more direct question and allow his truth detection take the reins, he... doesn't want to know.

berserker may not be his bonded. but he is a friend, and someone he can trust.

the silence chills him to the core, though the reciprocation of something affectionate gets him to stir. just enough so that he could clear his throat not let his breath be taken away by something painful. )

I'm sure they can. But they knew you'd come back, right? That's why they're happy to see you too.

( and not just for the food. right? right. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

I don't know if they knew, but...I showed up empty-handed and they were happier than ever to see me.

[ He shrugs. But he is curious...most of their meetings have been for sex. What their sharing right now is a very different sort of intimacy. ]

...Why did you stop to see me? Curiosity?

[ Because he can't understand the idea of people caring about him still. ]

[piromare]

( lio would never admit that the sex wasn't good--- and he also didn't have much to compare it with. but he certainly will use it as a point of reference for as long as he lives here.

but he pauses when he's asked that question and lio thoughtfully hums as he reaches out to stroke one cat that passes by him and keeps moving. )

I like being with you. That's all.

( of course there's more, and after a quiet pause: )

You're a fighter, right? So am I. Maybe not for the same reasons, but you're still strong all the same. And I want to be that too.

( he shrinks and fits himself into the dragon's side, enjoying the warmth. )

[curruid_coinchenn]

You're not going to get stronger by being near me.

[ His tone is surprisingly gentle. There's no need to chastise Lio for this. If he were to be honest with himself, he'd admit that he likes the company and the comfort. Until then, Berserker is content with being a little prickly about it. ]

[piromare]

( a soft and thoughtful hum, as lio tilts his head and nudges his forehead against berserker's jaw. )

I don't know about that, but even if I don't get stronger? I'm still appreciative of your presence.

( as a friend, and as one of the first he met. )