[IC] Misc. Open Post

[curriculum_fictae]

For various overflow, misc. threads that don't fit on the comms they're for, etc.

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[curriculum_fictae]

… And then they’d find out. Ah.

[ He would argue more but. Well. His own mum. ]

[hijoperdido]

Yeah. Yep.

[Just motions for him to go ahead of him back through the portrait door before closing it up behind them.]

Look, like I said, things are fine like this, they're better. Better for everyone, so better not to think too much about it.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He does so carefully, ducking his head to get in. ]

I still don’t think this is better for you. I - if I could manage to bring you back with me somehow, I’d take you to my bakery.

[hijoperdido]

Yeah, well. I'm sure it's a very nice bakery because you seem very nice but it's, I'd rather stay here with my family and all.

[curriculum_fictae]

Right, right. Of course. If it were a choice between my husband and here, of course I’d go back to him.

[hijoperdido]

Well, I mean, yeah you're- You're married. Husband, you said right? Yeah, you're married, of course you'd go to him, you don't even know this place or this family.

[curriculum_fictae]

No, I don’t.

[ A pause. ]

But if he came here I wouldn’t care if we stayed here instead. I’d miss my bakery, of course, but I’m sure I could manage something in town too.

[hijoperdido]

Hm. Well. That's great, then. He should come here then, you seem pretty insistent on staying however long.

[He's just gonna set the plate on the table, sitting himself in front of his own made-place setting and gestures for Martin to come sit.]

Look, it, i-i-it doesn't matter anyway. Everything's been fine so far.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin sits across from him, then, and preps the tea with his borrowed supplies. Even like this, it’s a great cup of tea. ]

I just - I know you say that. And you’ve probably adjusted. It may even be fine. But are you happy, Bruno?

[hijoperdido]

[He pauses mid-passing out arepas to split between them. Looks up at him, then down at the paella and slides a fork to Martin's side of the plate.]

Doesn't matter. The family's happy, village is happy.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He takes it gratefully and begins to eat. Rubs at his eyes a bit. Eye connection’s cut, so fortunately he’s not blind, but his vision does wobble for a second. ]

That’s not the same as your happiness. It’s - it’s okay to want your happiness.

[hijoperdido]

Look.

[His tone firms at that, staring him down seriously.]

There is nothing I can do to make this family happy. And. And if I can't do that, then. They just- I'll just get blamed for more bad stuff happening around. So if it's that, or live back here where I can still be here? Then this is fine.

[And stuffs half an arepa in his mouth to munch on.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ God. He knows that look. FEELS that look. Feels every part of that really. He knows there’s no arguing really, and that he’ll only make Bruno feel worse.

But he aches so badly, seeing both himself and Jon here. He just eats arepas silently for a moment. ]

I … I understand. Before my life went to hell, I’d have done the same. Was doing the same.

[hijoperdido]

[He 'hm's while he finishes that one. Gets a bite of paella to think over.]

Well. You got lucky.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That -

God, he can’t help it. What a bitter laugh that is. ]

I did get lucky. Eventually.

[hijoperdido]

I'm just lucky to have these guys here with me.

[Just. Tears off a tiny bit of arepa to share with a couple of rats that came up. He's just. Annoyed now.]

But you did get lucky eventually and that's better than no luck at all.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Martin shoots him a look, realizing that reaction. ]

… Yes. Yes, it. It is. I’m sorry.

[hijoperdido]

[He waves one hand.]

Ah, it's fine. It's all right, here, try my hermana's cooking, it's great. [Nudging the plate closer to him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He takes it, then, and carefully nabs a bite. ]

She’s the one who -

[ Oh. He flushes a bit, colour going back into him as he looks a bit more energetic. ]

… That’s very good.

[hijoperdido]

[For probably the first time, he smiles for real; it's small and easy to miss but it's there.]

Yeah, she's- She's a great cook.

[curriculum_fictae]

I - god. Yes. I mean I assume that’s magic I can’t replicate, but good lord I want that recipe.

[hijoperdido]

Paella? That's easy, but she's just really great anyway.

[He takes his spoon and nabs a bite.]

I mean I can get you a recipe though.

[curriculum_fictae]

I’d like that very much.

[ He continues to eat contentedly. ]

[hijoperdido]

[Just a slow creeping smile before he digs into the huevos.]

Then yeah. Yeah, I'll get that for ya.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Are you making a friend Bruno?? How does that feel.

Martin returns the smile, bright and warm. ]

Thank you, Bruno.