He has enough sense to start collecting the fallen flowers from his hair, making sure not a single petal touches the floor. They're cradled gently in one palm, and it's this and listening to both of them chat which immediately occupy his mind. Their banter making him realize that his initial thoughts on what it feels like to be in between them is still correct to this day. He's lived a solid life so far - a full, busy life - but how much of it was already on the job? How much of his actual passions was he able to pursue before the stark reality crashed in? Before he had to evolve as a young senator, a newly-wed husband, then without much preparation...a father to an infant son.
Tidus's words ring in his ears - you're not that guy, not here, not on this train. They're meant to be uplifting, freeing. Just like Tidus, who earns himself a pointed look when his hobby is to have Roland stand in as a training dummy; or Inigo who's trying his best to discover new facets of himself, one thing at a time. Can he do the same? Is he allowed to? Is this permission they're granting him, getting him gifts, listening to him, caring about the small things even when they don't seem to be too relevant to why they were even brought together?
The model figurine excites him. Is he allowed that feeling, too?
He stays quiet for the most part, until Inigo finishes speaking and the flowers that fell from his hair are all salvaged. Somehow. He'll offer it back to Inigo with a sheepish look - or as sheepish as Roland can be - with an apology under his breath. If he would still be willing to do it, he'd sit there and wait. Won't move this time!
"Whatever the case...I'll make sure to be available for when you want to do something new. Or find new avenues to have fun. I promise." He nods, but the motion is small. Soft Roland was weird, if only because it's so alien to see. But how could he repress this when the gifts in front of him, the gestures offered to him, are probably some of the nicest things he's ever received in kindness for as long as he can remember?
no subject
Tidus's words ring in his ears - you're not that guy, not here, not on this train. They're meant to be uplifting, freeing. Just like Tidus, who earns himself a pointed look when his hobby is to have Roland stand in as a training dummy; or Inigo who's trying his best to discover new facets of himself, one thing at a time. Can he do the same? Is he allowed to? Is this permission they're granting him, getting him gifts, listening to him, caring about the small things even when they don't seem to be too relevant to why they were even brought together?
The model figurine excites him. Is he allowed that feeling, too?
He stays quiet for the most part, until Inigo finishes speaking and the flowers that fell from his hair are all salvaged. Somehow. He'll offer it back to Inigo with a sheepish look - or as sheepish as Roland can be - with an apology under his breath. If he would still be willing to do it, he'd sit there and wait. Won't move this time!
"Whatever the case...I'll make sure to be available for when you want to do something new. Or find new avenues to have fun. I promise." He nods, but the motion is small. Soft Roland was weird, if only because it's so alien to see. But how could he repress this when the gifts in front of him, the gestures offered to him, are probably some of the nicest things he's ever received in kindness for as long as he can remember?