thirsted | SALTBURNT

Could I ask you a favor? I'm moving out of my room, but it's taking a while and I can tell it's very disruptive to Lincoln. Could she stay over for a few nights?

[ Oh— ]

Of course, yes. You're welcome to stay, too, if you'd like.
We use the other room as a study, you'd have it to yourself.

[it's kind, and koby's head is in a spot where kindness almost undoes him entirely. he has to stop, inhale, exhale, fight off the immense knot of emotion that's been choking him all day.]

Thank you. That's very generous. My boyfriend is gone, so, I need to Be somewhere else. [not in that room. not alone.]

[ Instantly, cold seizes Astarion's nerves. He's thought, of course, of what he'd do if Gale were to disappear. Or rather, he's thought of the prospect, and refused to entertain it further. ]

If you're going so far as generous, then I must insist you stay with us. I'll clear a shelf for you.

[ Not an I'm sorry, when the point is that Koby doesn't want to think about it — or rather, will think about it on his own time, at his own pace. ]

Do you need any help moving Lincoln's things?

[it isn't an ask, it's a demand, and koby feels the corner of his mouth tug in a reflexive, fond expression, one that feels unnatural on his solemn, withdrawn face.]

Maybe carrying them. There are more boxes than I imagined. It'll take me some time, I think, to pack everything, so I won't say no. I'm staying with someone for a couple days, but I don't want to wear out my welcome, so Maybe then. I won't be a bother? I don't take up much space.

You wouldn't be a bother even if you took up an entire room.
And, frankly, I doubt a couple of days would wear on anyone.

[ Considering the circumstances. ]

I'll be over to help you carry things, then, once you've finished packing.

[koby considers mustering up a joke, something light, something that matches astarion’s benevolently glib reply. it falls short somewhere in his head, somewhere in the knot of hurt beneath his ribs, and he lets it go.]

I don’t think I have nearly enough things to take up an entire room. But thank you. I mean it, both of you.

[preemptive apologies for being unpleasant, depressing, a weight that’ll drag everyone else down – also die in that tangle, likely for the better.]

Lincoln’s very particular about how things are packed, but it shouldn’t be too long. :)

[ Astarion can sense it, he thinks, pulsing between the pixels that spells out texts that aren't quite innocuous, per se, but play down what he imagines Koby to be feeling. Contained, controlled sadness hiding a whirlpool. But this is— the best he can do. What he would want for himself, were their roles reversed. ]

As is her right as a sophisticated lady.
I'll wait to hear from you. Take as long as you need.

[astarion has it pegged exactly -- koby isn't sure how, but he's grateful for it, for the escape in the casual, congenial air of the conversation. it doesn't jostle the hurt, the ache too deeply, it allows a facade that keeps the teeming grief at bay.

so, by way of thanks, he doesn't text again (he has a packing task to attend to), but he does send one thing more:]

[IMAGE ATTACHMENT]

SALTBURNT | inbox.

@koby

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject