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[altusimperius]

tell him how pretty he is

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[keenly]

"The only way you're going to make anything up to anyone is actions, not words. Anyone can say words. But being genuinely thoughtful? Making a real effort not because you're expecting absolution, but because that's the right thing to do. 'Cause trying to get peoples' forgiveness is still self-serving. That's why people wouldn't want to hear it."

[altusimperius]

Taking in Colin's words, Benedict nods silently, his head making a slow descent towards the table until his forehead is resting on it. His shiny black hair curtains his face perfectly.

[keenly]

Awwwwwww. Completely unable to resist, Colin reaches out to brush his fingers through those shiny locks.

"It could be worse. You were really unhappy before, weren't you?"

[altusimperius]

"It's going to take so lonnng," comes a whine from beneath the hair.

[keenly]

"I know." Just petting his hair now. "Maybe don't look at the whole road. Look at the next step."

[altusimperius]

Still looking miserable, Bene finally lifts his head enough that he can rest his chin on the table instead, folding himself over completely with his arms crossed at his middle.

"What's the next step?" he mumbles, "licking Byerly's boots?"

[keenly]

“Definitely not,” Colin says quickly. “Just do a good job because it needs doing. Eventually he’ll come around.”

[altusimperius]

Though he rolls his eyes, Benedict nods again (which is difficult to do with one's chin on a table) and simply lays his head down, because now he's here and it seems like the thing to do.

"Anyway." He pushes his bowl away, so he's not staring at it. "Are you still going to live in Alexandrie's house while she's away?"

[keenly]

“Um. I don’t live with her, she lives in her husband’s house. She just offered to lend me the flat she had with her sister because I, um. Was. Having difficulty living in the Gallows because it used to be a Circle.”

A somewhat embarrassed widening of his eyes.

[altusimperius]

"Oh. ...yeah."

Finally lifting his head, Benedict purses his lips sympathetically.

"I don't blame you." At least his worst experiences have taken place underground, out of sight; it makes the memories of them all the darker, but at least he doesn't have to be reminded constantly.

[keenly]

A one-shoulder shrug.

"Lots of Circle mages manage to live here."

[altusimperius]

Inclining his head slightly, Bene gives Colin a look that's difficult to interpret.

"Then I mean," he says conversationally, "you could always come back."

[keenly]

There's a beat before Colin looks back at him. Is Bene saying he wants to spend more time together? ...At night?

There are two things he does not want to do: get false hope, and end up locking himself in a closet again. Not that living in Lexie's flat has cured his numerous issues, but at least when he freaks out, he has an entire apartment and not just a closet.

"Well. I don't have to spend every night in the flat. Or go home as soon as I finish work."

[altusimperius]

Even if he hadn't meant it that way before, it's possible Bene does now. He smiles sheepishly, a bit of additional color rising in his cheeks.

"I mean, my arrangement is hardly conducive to..." He waves his hand, "visiting, unless you want Marcoulf listening to everything we say. But there's, there's places around the Gallows."

[keenly]

"Lots of empty rooms." Now Colin is starting to blush as well. Is this a terrible idea? Yes. Is it going to get him hurt? Almost definitely. Will he do it anyway? Probably.

[altusimperius]

"That's true."

Maker, how'd they get here? ...how long has it been?

"I mean, I-- have to go back to work, but." He glances furtively at Colin. Meet later?

[keenly]

It has been a long time, and that might be part of why Colin is nodding his head with a smile.

"I get off at six," he says. As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he's blushing harder. "Um. So, um. Meet you at your place, and we can...go somewhere."

[altusimperius]

Nodding and stupid-smiling in return, Bene gets to his feet. "Six," he agrees, and turns to go back toward the stairs, with one little glance behind him at Colin as if to make sure he's still there.

HEHEHEHEH