LOREN
Abasi had said so downstairs. However, that didn’t mean that Loren listened or believed it. However, even though he normally deflected compliments, even he couldn’t say that it wasn’t flattering to hear that the other man thought the summoner was attractive. Apparently, all he needed was a bit of makeup and a little bit more of a pep talk. Turning to face Abasi, the Launceleyn smiled, one of those rare smiles that made him look like a different person entirely. ”Thank you. I guess I’m attractive then.” For a brief moment, he actually believed that.
As the other man continued, Loren’s smile faded, though remnants of it lingered in his eyes. He could see that Abasi was also looking at himself in the mirror, and the summoner felt he owed it to the other man to return the compliment. ”Well. As I said downstairs, you’ve got nothing to worry about in the looks department either.” While it felt weird to be saying that—especially in his own bedroom and especially after a whole season of turmoil—it also felt right.
However, the Launceleyn still hadn’t answered Abasi’s question. ”I guess I’ve never really cared about my appearance. And very few people have found me attractive.” Loren wasn’t being self-deprecating, he was just speaking truthfully. Indeed, though he’d shared his features with his twin, Neron had always been the charming and attractive one; in contrast, the summoner had been the shy, reticent one, too obsessed with doing the right thing (though what he’d thought the right thing was had obviously changed) to worry about anything else. That didn’t mean he wasn’t made of the same base material though. Which meant he could be attractive. Maybe all he needed was a reminder of that.
As the other man continued, Loren’s smile faded, though remnants of it lingered in his eyes. He could see that Abasi was also looking at himself in the mirror, and the summoner felt he owed it to the other man to return the compliment. ”Well. As I said downstairs, you’ve got nothing to worry about in the looks department either.” While it felt weird to be saying that—especially in his own bedroom and especially after a whole season of turmoil—it also felt right.
However, the Launceleyn still hadn’t answered Abasi’s question. ”I guess I’ve never really cared about my appearance. And very few people have found me attractive.” Loren wasn’t being self-deprecating, he was just speaking truthfully. Indeed, though he’d shared his features with his twin, Neron had always been the charming and attractive one; in contrast, the summoner had been the shy, reticent one, too obsessed with doing the right thing (though what he’d thought the right thing was had obviously changed) to worry about anything else. That didn’t mean he wasn’t made of the same base material though. Which meant he could be attractive. Maybe all he needed was a reminder of that.
But don’t be weary if it’s broken
Families are like that—
they’re split up and always torn.
