unheiring | Stick Bones Inbox

[livio is pretty damn sure he struck a nerve with the wine-haired stranger, before... so he gives it a little time, then goes looking for him. the usual places people need, he checks first. the inn kitchen, the shops... maybe the treeline, again. if that doesn't work, he may end up knocking on doors whose occupants he isn't familiar with.

whatever the manner, surely he'll find the guy eventually. and when he does, he puts a hand up in one-half awkward wave and one-half placating gesture.]

Uh -- hey. Would you hear me out for just a second?

[Funny, how you find things when you least expect it. See, Luca isn't in any of those places, or at least not when Livio comes around. However, when he returns to working on the school, and when he just so happens to stumble into the library, he'll find one Luca Aurelius at a table (full size, thank you). His head is currently cradled within an arm, hair strewn out everywhere but -

the moment he hears heavy footsteps he's alert. Blinking sleep from his eyes as he brings a handful of fire into existence, maybe, but awake nonetheless. The flame disappears the moment he realizes it's Livio in front of him. Strangely enough, he doesn't seem too irritated to see the man. In fact, his brow just... quirks.]

Yes?

[maybe he should have thought of this sooner, instead of giving up and putting it off for later, but... hey! they're here!

despite his plea, livio doesn't know what to say for a good moment...]

Right... I wanted to say I'm sorry. I think I... came on strong? Or... forceful, or something.

[He could laugh at the man. Though the words had struck a nerve, it was not Livio's fault for saying them. In fact...]

You were neither. You were nothing. [He shakes his head.] It needed to be said. My own desires do not trump anyone else's.

[When he smiles it's grim. Hollow.]

If anything, I should thank you for the reminder.

[the forced smile isn't lost on him, but it's hardly his place to comment.]

You don't have to thank me. I probably could've handled it a lot better. I should've.

[he should avoid talking in circles, though, so...]

... I'm Livio, by the way. I'd say welcome to the Grove, but actually... I'm sorry you got dumped in the Grove. [it sucks here.]

You were worried. Wanting to protect others is a virtue.

[Not to mention a virtue Luca once held beloved to himself. How could he ever hold it against Livio?

In any case, he gives a short nod to him.]

Luca Aurelius. [A beat.] There are... worse places to be.

You don't have to make excuses for me, y'know. That isn't why I came to apologize. [as if he knew luca was here, specifically.]

Worse? Well, shit, Mr. Aurelius, I'd hate to see that.

It's not an excuse. [His tone takes a much sharper turn.] And I'll thank you for not making assumptions about me.

[He forces his shoulders, which had bunched up toward his ears, to relax.]

Perhaps you would. But it's not a competition. Nor do I intend for it to be.

[livio is a dumb bitch, and doesn't understand what exactly he assumed, but he lowers his head in deference anyway.]

Right... sorry.

[... Why does this man have to look like a kicked puppy. Ugh.]

I was blinded by my own fury. I needed to be grounded and you did that. That is all there is to it.

[well... at least liv is now pretty confident that luca will tell him if he has any further issues with him, so...]

Okay. I... guess I'll let you get back to your nap. Sorry to disturb you.

I wasn't -

[He trails off. They both know he's been caught. All he can really do is give a wry little smirk.]

Never mind. Go well, Livio. And... [A pause.] Thank you, for checking in.

Stick Bones Inbox

around town, sometime between luca's arrival and the snuggle thread

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