|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat May 21, 2022 7:53 pm
When Nelson finally got home, he was exhausted…again. He was exhausted and unhappy and sick to his stomach and he hated it.
Feeling this way was…so much against what he wanted to feel. What he wanted to do. How he wanted to be.
He swallowed, staring blankly at the wall of his living room, wishing that Xander would knock on the door. Wishing he could call his sister for advice. Wishing…he had someone. Anyone.
And then, the face of his newest General floated into his mind, and Nelson hesitated, drawing out his phone and sending Ashanite–Damian a quick text message.
Quote: Hello…this is Nelson! Um…Gismo? Look, I’m sorry to be a bother…but I’m…feeling horrible and lonely and I just can’t do it…I know you’re busy and…don’t want to deal with a weepy idiot…but…
He meant to backspace on the text, to just forget about sending it, but he managed to somehow hit the “send” button and watched as his shameful message went into the void of his General’s phone.
For a moment, Nelson felt a sick horror wash over him, and hurried to send a second message.
Quote: Forget I said any of that! Please! I didn’t mean any of it…I’m fine! Really!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 3:56 pm
It was a rare day that Damian actually took off from his Negaverse duties long enough to lounge around his rather nicely-furnished apartment. It was no penthouse, or anything, but it was in a nice, modern building with an elevator, it did have its own balcony, and it was quite large, and lounging on the couch with a book near the big living room windows was a nice little pleasure.
The tone of a text chime from his phone made him blink, and he tucked in his bookmark, setting the book aside. The list of people with his number wasn't long, and so he assumed it was probably something important.
It was.
He sighed. Poor b*****d--Nelson was clearly used to hiding his needs from other people. Damian....could certainly relate to that.
Quote: I told you I was available for whatever you needed, didn't I? Come over, here's my address.
Simple, to the point, and he sent his address over to make the point that he was entirely serious. Then, he pushed himself off the couch. Best to make himself slightly more presentable for company; nothing too extensive, but he did swap lounging sweats for slightly nicer pants.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 4:08 pm
Nelson ended up staring at the text for several long moment, unsure if he was being serious or if there would be another message that Damian would send, laughing at him. Saying it had been a joke…that…that he was kicking Nelson out from under his Generalship and…when it didn’t come, he swallowed hard and got up, putting the address into his phone and heading to the location without another thought.
If this was real…it…no. It was real. Damian had been serious and now Nelson was going to go over and…and what?
Maybe he’d just take his starseed for good measure and put him out of all of this grief…truthfully?
…The idea didn’t sound so terrible.
He shuddered at the direction his thoughts were moving and hurried up, arriving at his General’s apartment in about fifteen minutes and knocking on the door lightly, hesitantly.
“...D-Damian? It’s…it’s Nelson…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 4:46 pm
The knock came as Damian finished retying off his braid; his hair had started to come loose form the casual one he'd thrown it into that morning, but he wanted to look slightly less lazy, and he didn't want Nelson to freak out about interrupting him while he was relaxing.
So, he tugged his hair into place, strode up to the door, and opened it, beckoning Nelson in. The apartment was big, with an open kitchjen/dining/living area, and though it looked a little under-lived-in, there were still touches; a cookbook open on the kitchen island, chairs askew, books on the coffee table that were not so much "artfully stacked" as "left there for later."
"Come in," he said, beckoning. "Have you eaten dinner yet? I can make something for us, and we can talk."
God, Nelson looked like a mess. This was probably one of those moments where he needed to be careful, and kind, and empathetic, if he wanted to keep Nelson with the Negaverse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 6:23 pm
Nelson made his way inside, hesitating slightly, but looked around with some interest. “...You have such a beautiful home, Damian…Thank…thank you for inviting me over. I. I haven’t eaten yet but…I’m really not hungry. I…”
He rubbed his face, hoping to get rid of the ever ready tears before he started just bawling once again. “I ran into Nectaris again tonight. Sylvite.” Drawing in a breath he continued. “And then I left quickly and…ended up in my ex’s brother’s office and just. Cried on him like an idiot…he didn’t know it was me of course but…god he and I haven’t even talked in months? A-a year? I don’t…don’t even know anymore. It’s been…a long time…but. I just…feel…”
Nelson made an effort to swallow, moving deeper into the apartment and perching on the edge of the couch, hesitating.
“...I just feel really bad…like...n-not to...sound...dramatic...but if I ran into that senshi who keeps trying to kill me...I don't think I'd bother to fight...”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 8:05 pm
"Sit," Damina gestured at the kitchen island, with its cute comfy barstools. "I haven't eaten either, so I need to make dinner anyway. Is there anything you particularly like? Or don't like?"
He was, at least, fairly in command of his kitchen, and he moved into it thoughtfully, but he didn't start pulling things out. And he listened, as Nelson told him what was going on, and rather than getting started on food, he moved next to Nelson, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"You've had an awful day. Running into your old General...that can't have been easy." He reached up to brush some of Nelson's hair away from his face with his free hand. "Stay here tonight, please? And if you still feel this way in the morning, we can talk it out. But I want you here, and I certainly don't want you to let some idiot Senshi kill you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 24, 2022 5:14 pm
Nelson looked at the hand on his shoulder for a moment, and then looked up to Damian, frowning slightly, half confused by the invitation, and half…hoping that it was one issued in truth..not just a cruel joke.
“I…I’d r-really like to stay the night. If you…If you mean it. I…I’d have to run home to get some things but…if…I mean…”
His cheeks turned a little pink and Nelson ducked his head swiftly. “...We could have a sleepover. Like…watch bad movies and eat…stupid…snacks? I can…I can pick up some snacks on my way back too…”
Unless, it was just to watch Nelson and make sure he didn’t…jump out of the window or something…that. Could be the case too.
But.
He had always loved the nights that Xander had stayed over. It was easier to talk at night. Guards were down, and when you were just…having fun...life seemed a little better knowing that you weren’t alone.
“...But um…if that…if that isn’t the case, then y-yes I’ll stay…but…I’m…not a danger to myself…if…if you’re afraid of that…I promise…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 24, 2022 6:44 pm
Damian nodded. "That sounds good to me," he said. "Go home, get whatever you need, and come back."
It would be nice, to spend a whole night with someone, even if Nelson wasn't a lover. There was a certain...loneliness, to Damian's existence; it often really, truly did feel like an existence. rather than a life. An empty space that he was trying to fill in whatever way he could.
Having someone sleep over sounded like it might make things a little more full, and vibrant.
"Even if you don't think you';re a danger to yourself. I'd like to spend time with you. Get to know you, out of uniform."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 24, 2022 6:51 pm
Nelson gave a small, almost eager smile and nodded. “...Then…I’ll be back soon…if you…want to make…soup and…grilled cheese for dinner? That would go well with lots of snacks, I think…” He pushed himself to his feet and felt a little bit better. At the very least a little more hopeful, which was…something he wasn’t really expecting.
Hesitating for a moment, Nelson moved to Damian and hugged him, tightly and quickly, squeezing with a disproportionate amount of strength than the aura he projected. “...Thank you. Seriously. I…I’ll be back soon, Damian.”
And then he hurried away. It was a tough job, getting snacks and pajamas…but it was better than anything else he would have done tonight…and he wouldn't have to be alone.
…And Damian seemed as though he wanted to be friends...and honestly? Nelson needed that. Badly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
