[Liem cannot miss the meaning behind Set's gift; behind the inscription, and the hand sliding warm against his palm. It is so terribly, heartbreakingly sentimental, this promise of togetherness, although the distance Liem has put between them has nothing to do with defending the home of anyone yet living. He has done so little to deserve such sentiment; it makes denial threaten to well up in him again, to cast off this temporary thing and its hidden barbs. Even as he tries to accept it instead, to let the feeling settle within him, it feels slippery, as if it will slide loose and disappear at the first opportunity.
For just a brief moment, he squeezes Set's hand.]
I don't know how long I will be away for.
[From home, as Set puts it. He does not know that he is going to return at all. There are too many evil truths jumbled up in his head, ones that had lunged up from the depths to assail him when he'd thought them long since put to rest. He cannot return with them haunting him like this.
But it is a painful thing, to begin to put down roots, only to be plucked and called elsewhere.]
Thank you, Set. It is a lovely gift.
[He does not expect to wear the piece often, considering its departure from his usual style, but… perhaps now and then, if the occasion demands. After a moment's thought, Liem strips the rings from his hands one by one, until the only one left is an engraved golden band. The discarded rings and earrings he puts in another drawer, one that fairly glitters with the jewellery he's collected in the half-year he's spent in Kenos. The man clearly likes his sparkle — but tonight he is content to go mostly without. The only thing he takes out of the drawer before closing it is a pair of simple golden stud earrings, the same glossy gold as the one dangling from his left ear.]
Would you like one?
[Liem knows he at least will feel naked without something in his other ear.]
no subject
For just a brief moment, he squeezes Set's hand.]
I don't know how long I will be away for.
[From home, as Set puts it. He does not know that he is going to return at all. There are too many evil truths jumbled up in his head, ones that had lunged up from the depths to assail him when he'd thought them long since put to rest. He cannot return with them haunting him like this.
But it is a painful thing, to begin to put down roots, only to be plucked and called elsewhere.]
Thank you, Set. It is a lovely gift.
[He does not expect to wear the piece often, considering its departure from his usual style, but… perhaps now and then, if the occasion demands. After a moment's thought, Liem strips the rings from his hands one by one, until the only one left is an engraved golden band. The discarded rings and earrings he puts in another drawer, one that fairly glitters with the jewellery he's collected in the half-year he's spent in Kenos. The man clearly likes his sparkle — but tonight he is content to go mostly without. The only thing he takes out of the drawer before closing it is a pair of simple golden stud earrings, the same glossy gold as the one dangling from his left ear.]
Would you like one?
[Liem knows he at least will feel naked without something in his other ear.]