sealeted | .duplicity inbox

I mean, I'm not going to get jealous or anything. You don't have to restrain your sex life so it's just for me, Master. The city is too big. Go out and have new experiences. I meet girls all the time.

[and he does absolutely nothing with them. judging by him slacking so badly, this month.]

[When she swallows, there's a miserable twist to her lips.]

...do you seriously feel like I... just use you for that?

[no. he doesn't. his sardonic grin mellows out and his expression is almost blank.]

Like I said, it would be smart if you did.

[but she doesn't. she said she can't.]

But that's what I'm useful for here, isn't it? Since there isn't a Holy Grail War or some other threat against my Master. Nothing besides poverty and shitty government, anyway.

[She seems to droop more and more each word, and by the end of his little, biting self-recrimination she looks wilted. Hurt, almost, thought it's hard to pin down how much or why, given the fact that she's just staring down her empty plate.]

...oh. I-I see. I...

[She looks around for the waitress, expression calm but eyes suspiciously bright.]

I think... I think, maybe, it's time for the check. And I—want to change my poker bet.

[he has half of a tart and his chocolate piece of pie but he doesn't need it. besides, he was planning on boxing the chocolate and leaving it in her fridge.

the look in her eyes is suspicious, indeed. especially after the woebegone one he had just seen on her a second ago. Robin raises an eyebrow at the change but flags down the waitress, just the same. he asks for the check and a small box. while she's off printing a check and gathering something to put his leftovers in, it gives him a couple minutes alone with Hakuno so he can ask,]

What do you want to change it to?

I don't—

[She takes a breath, and her voice is a little thick. A little shaky. She blinks a little more often than she usually needs to.]

I don't want to be the type of Master you think will just use you like a tool.

[she's not. he knows she's not.

but if he's her Servant, that's what he's supposed to be. her voice is thick and it's with emotion. so much that he immediately feels guilty.]

Yeah. I know. You want to be relied on as a Master. I remember. And I know your relationship with Nero was a hell of a lot different from mine and Dan's, too. She's completely devoted to you whether she knows it or not and you're emotionally attached to her. I never expected you to do the same with me but I know I've warned you that it's not a good idea to attach yourself to me, Master. Having fun together is great and I like hanging out, I just don't see the point investing yourself into me.

I've had more Servants than just Nero. And I've care about their well-being just as much as her, and you're no different.

[It's frustrating. It's so, so frustrating. How does she get through to him? It's that Green Archer, after all. She has come to learn that he's... evasive by choice, not just tactically. A joke, a tart tongue, a change in subjects; there doesn't seem to be any end to just how many tricks he'll pull to dodge a question if he really wants to.

It feels like they're having separate conversations, sometimes.]

...I'm just that type of person, I suppose. The type that gets invested quickly.

[he's no different. she'd cry and mourn over him if he left? does she want to court him? would she look so wrecked if he suddenly forgot the time they spent together?

he will accept that she has a point about having more Servants than just Nero. there are always Tamamo and Altera. the other Servants she talked about before. Assassin, too, for a time. he knows Hakuno cares, she cares too much.

but caring about someone's well-being is different than what Hakuno has shown Robin when it comes to Nero. she didn't just care about Nero, she loved her. he saw how Nero affected her.

Hakuno can't love Robin. he is different.]

Yeah. [he sighs, heavy in his chest.] I kinda figured that, too.

[the waitress returns, setting down the check and the box. Robin thanks her quietly and begins putting his leftovers in.]

So? What's your wager? Upgrading a nap to a sleepover?

[She nudges her own remnants in with his, shameless.]

You take the nap while wearing the Regalia. With me loaded up.

[since it's going to one place, he doesn't fight it.

actually, he stops moving altogether.

he remembers how it felt last time. if she's in the Regalia while he takes a nap, she's bound to see things about him and his past that he doesn't want her to. meaning, he HAS to win this round of poker.

since she had shown him what the ring could do, they haven't used it. they haven't needed it. if anything, he kind of forgot she had the thing. out of sight, out of mind.]

If change my wager, will you change yours again?

You're a person who only trusts his own opinions and experiences, so that's my bet.

[It's the only way to give him a firsthand experience with her motivations and feelings.

...Still, it's a pretty big hike in the stakes.]

Since I changed mine, you're free to change yours.

[it's fine. her feelings for him aren't that strong. he'll just be proven right in how she cares about him. like she cares about everyone. he's not special. he's not like Nero.

what he's dreading is Hakuno getting the same treatment from him. his feelings, his struggles, the things he thinks about on a day to day basis.]

It was worth a shot.

[he sighs, closing the box slowly once all their leftovers are inside. with everything settled, they're free to leave.]

No, I guess I'll keep mine the same. [and pray luck decides to do him a solid, this time.]

You're fine with just the private garden?

[When Secret Gardens are on the table?

How optimistic, Robin Hood. She nods slowly and stands once everything is taken care of.]

Well, if you're sure.

[if he wins, he won't have to worry about it. if he loses, he's screwed. changing his wager when she won't is pointless. and making his wager to stop prying into him or stop getting so close...

but don't think he's going to play fair, Hakuno.]

I guess you could say that my curiosity about it was piqued too much. I can't think of much else.

[Robin stands too, box in hand.]

...well, if you're sure.

[A repetition, but a resigned one as they wander back into the evening air.]

I'm not sure what else I have to offer that you'd actually want that... well, isn't open to you already.

Yeah. I figured that.

[and she says what was on his mind anyway.

that Hakuno would likely give him what he wanted if he ever asked. the one thing that she won't, he uses in a bet.

... he's terrible.]

Nice night out. You're not gonna ask me to carry you home again?

I'd hate to make you feel I'm using you for that.

[Her tone is soft, and her pace isn't particularly angry or heavy-footed. But those are some mighty prickling words.]

...besides, I'm not stuffed this time. Might as well walk off a good snack, right?

[if she's not using him for something then why even--

he sighs but follows obediently behind her like a shadow.]

You ate three decently portioned pieces and you call that a snack...

[He'll find out when he loses.]

I do. I wasn't kidding about the feasts, back in the Moon Cell.

[... how is she so slender then?]

Meaning it's completely normal for you to eat like a glutton, huh? Like a king would eat.

[Data and magic.]

Well, the other option is telling Nero and Tamamo I don't want to eat their food, so...

[the Magic and Data diet.]

As if you'd say that.

Right. Thankfully, there's Altera and whoever else is around day to day to help me out.

[Karna and Medusa have their shops, but they always at least accept leftovers. She has no idea if they actually consume them, though.]

[Altera the Titan woman who was supposed to destroy everything.

reminds him of someone.]

If she was a giant lady before, she probably has to stomach to fit a feast in without any problem.

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