a family dinner for family announcements of a celebratory kind

[softlyfalling]

Who: Shrike Nero Jason Glory Raven Vergil
Where: Olive Garden
When: a convenient time

[ when you're here, you're family!!!

also shrike made some... well, the shape leaves something to be desired but the red velvet macarons taste right and there's a dish of chocolate-dipped cherries and strawberries also. ]

Comments

[selfpreservationist]

... well. Ironically, this time it was I who didn't understand his feelings...

[rollplayinghouse]

...Well, you do tend to assume the worst, when things are ambiguous.

[selfpreservationist]

I do?

[he does.]

[rollplayinghouse]

Obviously. That's why I have to be totally unambiguous with you.

[selfpreservationist]

... he said--he said he loves me.

[his voice catches on the last syllable, looking verklempt]

Of course I wouldn't have believed that unless he told me directly...

[rollplayinghouse]

...He said it to me too. Well, I told him I already loved him as family no matter what, and he said he loved me too. I was surprised to hear him say it, but... mm, well, I'm... used to reading it into the actions of people who won't use the word, I guess.

[fusses a little, shifting closer]

Why wouldn't you believe it without hearing it? You can see it when he shows he cares, right?

[selfpreservationist]

[he looks a bit humbled, embarrassed]

I... haven't dared to hope, before. That he could ever... I know it's foolish of me, but I couldn't help it.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Mm. Well, I guess "not daring to hope" is what I mean by "assuming the worst." You should give people a little more credit... and give yourself a lot more value.

[selfpreservationist]

... I'm trying. You... help with that.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Good. I'm really glad.

I hope Vergil does, too.

[selfpreservationist]

... he's certainly... changed my mind on a number of things.

Anyway, you know how shy he can be. So I'd like to just... keep this a secret, between the three of us, for now. Cosmo also knows, though.

[rollplayinghouse]

Mm, of course. That's fine.

[selfpreservationist]

[wraps his arm around her shoulders loosely, leaning down and pressing his face to her hair for a moment]

[rollplayinghouse]

[relaxes, leaning against him]

I love you.

[selfpreservationist]

I love you, too.

[rollplayinghouse]

You're the only one it's this easy for me to say that to, you know.

[selfpreservationist]

I hope... it comes more naturally to you with others, in time.

[rollplayinghouse]

Doing it with you helps. I'm working on it.

I mean... I did say it to Vergil.

[selfpreservationist]

... good. I think... he's not used to hearing it, either.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Yeah. That's why I made myself actually say it. I figured, it was best to... be unambiguous... with him, too.

[selfpreservationist]

He'd never suspect, otherwise.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Well, he certainly knew he was important to me already. But... sometimes it's hard to attach that word to a feeling unless you've heard someone else do it.