I told you, you were brave

lord help anyone who stands in my way; for I am not merciful, and i am not kind
and i am not afraid to make you wish that i was

Giving him enough time to think about how he’d felt during that time, the butcher finds that it’s much easier not having to explain it to him — and gods, if that wasn’t such a similar statement to his involvement with dating Flora. There was no feeling aside from being friends, certainly nothing protective and overwhelming as his thoughts of Danta as they bloomed within him time and time again. Even if it doesn’t seem unreasonable to have these feelings, they certainly feel it.

And as Danta’s fingertips trace the back of his hand, he twists it beneath the Maverick’s hand, opening his own — an offering of sorts for Danta to take his hand. “What if that changes?” He asks slowly, as if his tongue doesn’t particularly want to move the way he needs it to in order to formulate his thoughts. “What if someone else swans in here able to promise you everything you could ever want?” A huff of a laugh leaves him, mirthless just as before, shaking his head and tilting it back as he closes his eyes with a soft sigh. “I would not even blame you.” It isn’t like he has much to offer anyway, aside from familiarity.

And that, in his experience, was not enough. Not if he didn’t provide in other ways.

Astaroth

say your prayers now