caughtinanetwork | [Video] - You can blame it all on me

[It's been over a week and Zelos still hasn't been able to locate Zelda. He'd even tried Shizuo's place again but found it empty, his texts to the blonde coming back as undeliverable. He had to conclude that he'd somehow left the bubble. Fine, good for him, but that still left Zelos in a jam. He had no idea where Zelda was and now he had the additional good and bad news that he'd need to impart. He's certain Zelda will miss Shizuo..

So he makes a network post.

His expression is not one of his usual jocularity or even the irritation he normally uses to cover up any uncomfortableness. No, he actually looks downright remorseful, not to mention weary. His body may not need sleep but his mind certainly does and he hasn't gotten enough of it for awhile. It looks like he's spent at least a little of that time he could have been sleeping packing instead; a small travel bag is visible in frame behind him and the room is bare save for the furniture it had initially. There aren't even any roses in the vase on the bedside table anymore.]

[First part: Open, but filtered away from both Links (they can't see)]

Hey Vatheon. I know a lot of you know Zelda and I need your help. I know she's probably fine but we had a bit of a spat and I haven't seen her since. If you could just let me know if she's alright if you have seen her and that I'm sorry and need to talk to her, I'd appreciate it. You don't have to say where she is, I just wanna make sure she's okay. Thanks.

[Second part: Closed, filtered only to Zelda]

Look, I've packed up and I'll get out of here so you can have the house to yourself again. I shouldn't have meddled and I'm sorry for that. You do need to know, though... Shizuo's gone. I think he left the bubble, I can't get a hold of him via SFC or anything. He told me about Link, the other Link, before he disappeared though. I guess I'm sorry about that too. It's hard seeing someone you're that confused about...

Ahh, I'm rambling. [He runs a hand back through his hair and lets out a slow breath.] Just... lemme know you're okay and I'll get out of your hair after that.

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Perhaps. I've been rather foolish too, though. I should have explained myself to you.

[She's smiling as she places her hand on the crown of his head, but it's bittersweet. She should have told Shizuo, too. She should have told Link before trying to send him back. Zelda does so many things without ever telling people the reasons, finding it too painful to explain herself... or fearing that she'll fail and disappoint them.

Maybe she can learn to be a little more honest while she's in Vatheon. She runs her hands through his hair lightly, not saying anything else. She can tell that he's embarrassed, and now does not seem to be the time for a confession of familial love. Zelda thinks it silently instead.

I love you.]

[He swallows everything down, getting a hold of himself enough to pull back and step aside to allow her entrance to the house. Really, he's just not certain he won't break down completely if she keeps running her hand through his hair like that. It's soothing and comforting and that scares him.

That same jaunty grin he always has creeps it's way across his face as he motions for her to come in.]

No kidding. You could have saved both of us a lot of grief, y'know! And now I have to do all this unpacking too, what a pain.

I will endeavor to be a little more transparent from now on, then.

[She lets him pull away from her, lifting the box of Shizuo's things and taking them into the house. The princess sets them down in the living room, then turns to Zelos.]

Zelos... the charm I gave Shizuo against dark magic isn't here in Vatheon anymore. I think that it's with him.

[It takes Zelos' sleep deprived, sluggish brain a moment to process what that might mean and he blinks twice blankly before realization dawns.]

How could he manage to take it with him? Did you put any other magic on it?

I didn't.

[She smiles at him, almost as brightly as she used to smile when she was a child.]

But that means that this place isn't infallible. This doesn't have to be the end, we don't have to be at its mercy. I am not sure how it happened, but I will discover why. I promise.

[That smile...

It's like he can't look directly at her, instead momentarily focusing on the tip of her left ear, still listening but less likely to be affected by her expressions or reveal his.

Though he's having a bit of a hard time controlling his mask at the moment. Damn I really need to sleep...

He smiles back at her, somewhere between fake and genuine. He's not even sure he knows.]

If anyone can find a way, it'd be you! Just don't work yourself too hard.

I'll remember to sleep.

[She looks up at him, trying to reign in a scolding expression. Had Zelos slept? Probably not. He'd probably spent the last week much like she had, immersed in whatever she could find and refusing to sleep for fear of dreams filled with guilt and regrets.]

And remember to remind you, as well. Shall I play that song? Truthfully, I'm rather tired too.

[Busted! Not that it wasn't totally obvious anyway. Still, the amount of relief he feels just at hearing her suggest it, how good it sounds makes him want to refuse.

That urge to protect himself from further emotional distress, the want to convince himself he doesn't care that much, that he can fool himself into thinking that she's just another of his hunnies that he treats how she wants to or needs to be treated to make her feel special, looms large in his psyche. He doesn't need her, he's doing her a favor. She does look tired, after all. All this stress about not one Link but two must be bothering her something fierce and she needs someone to lean on. He's here, he's a very capable shoulder to cry on, so why not? He can handle it.

He can definitely handle it.

He can totally, unquestionably handle it.

Yup.]

Sure, you look beat.

I'll be up in a little while, then. I've been out in the forest all week, I do not think that you want to be near me for an extended period of time unless I get cleaned up first.

[She raises her hand in a wave, then heads directly for the downstairs spa.]

Is that where you've been? No wonder you smell!

[He grins obnoxiously after her as she heads into the bathroom but lets it fade after the door shuts, shaking his head and making his way upstairs to his room. He's exhausted. Even the touch to the coral hadn't quite been able to alleviate the drained feeling he'd developed over the last week. He'd had to spend a great deal of effort in being around Raine and Lloyd to hide it from them; in hindsight it shouldn't have even been a big deal. So Zelda had needed some time alone. So what? He'd been a real idiot, panicking like he had. She's a big girl. She can take care of herself. And he can take care of himself too, damnit. He didn't need her.

But maybe I want her. The thought drifts in unbidden as he kicks off his shoes and removes gloves and coat. Not want in the carnal way, but more... want her around, want to be able to turn around and share a thought on a whim, even if he's aware it will only cause a roll of the eyes or an irritated expression. And maybe he wants to tease her about her face when she gets really serious, the little crinkle between her eyebrows when she's concentrating hard enough that nothing exists but her and whatever mind numbing book she had her hands on at the time.

And maybe it's nice just to sleep beside someone with no expectations for once in his life.

He hits the pillows head first with a heavy sigh. She may be back, fight resolved and everything back to normal, but things still feel complicated. He still feels like he should leave, that he's just going to do it again and drive her away and this is only prolonging the inevitable screaming match that'll only end in pain for both of them.

But he can't now, not with Shizuo gone and those Link guys expecting all her attention. She'll need support; he can't abandon her.

So maybe just until this blows over...

Then I'll... move in with Lloyd or something... that's a good...

plan...

...

Zelos is already sound asleep by the time Zelda makes her way upstairs.]

Edited 2012-04-08 07:27 (UTC)

[She turns and swats at him playfully for his remark, but doesn't seem genuinely upset. No, she's more relieved than anything. He's still treating her normally, he's still acting like Zelos even though she'd made him feel like she was going to abandon him. Zelda's a smart woman, she can work out the general reason he was angry that she wants to find a way home.

She doesn't spend a long time soaking, but she does make sure to clean herself thoroughly before heading up to her room in a robe and changing into a light night dress. Picking up her harp, she heads into Zelos's room. The princess can't help but smile when she sees him curled up on his bed, already asleep. He looks like a child like this, and she can't help but want to care for him. The complicated frown on his face worries her a little and she reaches out to smooth it before sitting next to him and playing a lullaby for the both of them, a promise for dreamless sleep. Within moments she's drifted off next to him.]

[Video] - You can blame it all on me

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