aefenglom | text; un: berserker

[ The answer doesn't come right away, and when it does, at least appears slightly more composed for Waver. He doesn't know how to feel. Only empty... and sad.

And he can't even imagine how much worse it is for Berserker, losing a Bonded. Again. ]

It's okay, Ciarán. I'm not angry. I understand this is very hard on you.

Thank you. I'll come by this evening.

[ It's marginally better than the last time he lost a Bond, but that's a low bar. It still feels like a part of him was ripped away, just without the bonus of kidnapping to go with it. ]

just let yourself in. i'll be around.

[ Waver has a key, but he knocks first, just to alert Berserker that he's about to come in. When he opens the door, the silence greets him; or rather, it's fair to say that the silence left behind where Flat's voice should have been is all there is now.

He sighs. ]

...hey. I'm here.

[ The house feels empty without the force of chaos within it. Berserker lays on the couch, looking just as empty; his hair's a mess, he's still dressed in his work clothes from the previous day, and it looks like he slept in said clothes. He's slow to acknowledge Waver, slower to actually get up. On top of everything else, their last meeting was ... awkward and that's still hanging over them. ]

...I can see that. [ Pleasantries aren't really in the cards. ] I can show you his room...As I said, you can take whatever you like. You can probably make more use out of it than I can...

[ Waver bites back the retort that he instinctively wants to shoot back. He was only trying to be mindful of Berserker's space.

...but no. It's not fair to expect Berserker to be aware of niceties now of all times. ]

All right. Thank you.

[ Waver answers instead, politely and without fuss.

It's been a while since he properly spoke with Berserker. He used to go for drinks sometimes after work, but it's been a while since that too. There's a distance between them that suddenly feels even colder and more uncomfortable now that they're in the same place again, and in these vulnerable circumstances no less.

Waver just follows him when Berserker moves to show him. He doesn't comment on the state of the dragon's appearance. ]

[ They should talk about the distance between them sometime, but now doesn't feel like the time. Berserker is unlikely to ever want to talk about it, though, so it may never be the time.

He lingers in the doorway to Flat's room, the dull ache in his chest turning into a sharp knife in his heart. It looks like the room has been unoccupied for a few days, maybe a week or more. After the incident in Flat's dream, he hadn't been home -- he'd grabbed a few necessities and left. Everything else remained: his jars of god knows what, his experiments, his notes, and more. ]

...Even if you weren't "his" professor, you were still important to him.

...thanks.

[ Waver doesn't really know how else to answer that. He nods, stifling a sigh, and makes his way into the room gingerly. What a mess.

It feels so empty. ]

I'm sorry. I might... need some time. Y-you don't have to leave or anything, I just mean...

[ He glances around, helplessly. There's a lot, and he plans to start sorting through it. For some reason, it feels like his responsibility now. ]

I think I'll be here for a bit.

[ Berserker tries not to focus on what's in the room -- or, more accurately, what isn't there. It's empty without the force of chaos that used to inhabit it. It hurts worse to see it. He almost boarded the room up when he felt his Bond break in a fit of grief. ]

...Do you want me to help you?

[ To sort through it all. Maybe it would help the dragon, too. Maybe putting a final cap on Flat's presence will ease the pain. ]

[ Waver looks surprised for a moment. He hadn't expected Berserker to offer. Or ask.

Then, he nods. ]

If you like. We can do it together.

[ It doesn't make it easier, but it does make the room feel a tiny bit less empty. For now. ]

text; un: berserker

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