IC; Duplicity Inbox

[redrighthanded]

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[massrez]

[ He's quiet for a moment longer, clearly thinking about his answer with some measure of deliberation. When his gaze lifts again, it's as solemn as it is earnest. ]

Jacob mentioned that that...wasn't how it was meant to be. Being on that end of things.

He spoke of how gentle you could be.

[redrighthanded]

[ Of everything he's expecting to hear from Anduin, that offer is probably at the bottom of the list, well below 'maybe I can hit you in the face' and 'you need to buy all of my drinks from now on, and also do my laundry'. He blinks, shocked into silence. ]

You.. what do you mean?

[massrez]

[ He hesitates, though not from uncertainty. If anything, he seems to be trying to make certain he says this correctly. ]

I feel if amends are to be made, it could be done by...

[ Replacing the memory of that night with something better. Allowing that night to be the exception rather than the rule. Taking control back, for the both of them.

How to say all that? ]

...by doing things correctly.

[redrighthanded]

Doing things correctly. [ Hellboy repeats the words like he wants to make sure he heard them right, his drink forgotten as he studies Anduin. He's still not used to the idea that anyone wants to do anything like that with him, let alone someone he's already hurt so badly, and in such an intimate way. ]

You'd want to.. uh..

[massrez]

I realize it's not the most orthodox solution.

[ The blond lifts his chin slightly. ]

And it is not a demand. Rather, an offer. The choice should be yours as much as it is mine, given that we were both rather short on choices at the time.

[redrighthanded]

All right.

[ That doesn't feel like the correct answer, but Hellboy can't think of another one. He rubs his jaw uneasily with his fingertips. ]

Can I think about it?

[massrez]

Of course.

[ Anduin's smile draws bright once more. ]

Think of it as nothing more than an alternative to, ah. Punching you.

[redrighthanded]

[ He grunts at that. ]

I'm more used to the punching.

[massrez]

[ Is that preference or learned, he can't help but wonder.

While Hellboy is certainly built for strength, and must make for an impressive fighter even when in his own right mind...was that a choice or reactionary on his part? ]

I understand. And I appreciate your indulgence, as unusual as my request might seem in comparison.

[redrighthanded]

[ Hellboy waves off the gratitude, letting out a breath as he leans back in the booth. ]

I've had worse offers. Just kinda.. [ He scratches his bristly jaw with a stone fingertip. ] Not used to getting them from guys who look like you.

[massrez]

Like me?

[ That could mean any number of things.

Anduin doesn't want to presume, but the tone of the question is a curious one just the same. ]

[redrighthanded]

You know. [ Hellboy clears his throat, picking up and putting down his beer bottle. ] Good looking guys.

[massrez]

Oh.

[ That. Was not one of the answers he'd considered. Young, perhaps. Human. Associated with the divine, not...

Not necessarily his perceived appearance. Anduin clears his own throat in turn. ]

I see. That's...um. Thank you?

[ Light, but he's clumsy on this side of things. ]

[redrighthanded]

[ That response, gracious as it is, just makes the heat in Hellboy's face feel more intense, his frown deepening as he realises he's said the wrong thing. He narrows his eyes at Anduin, then lets out a short breath and shifts in his seat, sliding out of the booth and hauling himself to his feet. ]

Look, I oughta go. Thanks for the company. Sorry for the.. everything else.

[massrez]

As I said, there's nothing to apologize for.

[ Rising as well, Anduin gives another polite bow of his head. ]

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I truly hope this is not the last we'll see of one another.

[ That's what he does, after all. Hope. Hope that in the end, that something good can come of this. Even if Hellboy still needs time. ]