[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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[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.

[hijoperdido]

[It feels REALLY weird. A human friend. How novel.]

Y-yeah. Of course.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He continues to take small, pleased bites. ]

Do you have books back here?

[hijoperdido]

Um. A few, yeah. Mostly stuff I grabbed when no one was looking.

[He gestures to the small stack on a barrel in front of the arm chair.]

[curriculum_fictae]

May I look through them?

[hijoperdido]

Uh...

Sure?

[There aren't many, mostly just some old story books Abuela had carried with her.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah, yeah. He sees that immediately just sorting through them. ]

Not much for entertainment back here, I see.

[hijoperdido]

Kinda make my own entertainment. Just, y'know.

[curriculum_fictae]

… You only have yourself and the rats to help?

[hijoperdido]

Yeah. I mean, who else am I gonna ask?