"Heh. I'll try." As if he has to tell Inigo his penchant for forgetting to take it easy, but it's said in jest; an inside joke that they're both guilty of regardless of how many times one reprimands the other. And as Roland dips his own biscuit into the brew for a second time, his mind starts to focus on such an imagined reality. So far away, just out of his reach, with only stubborn hope to fuel him further. He hasn't forgotten what they talked about then. Inigo's promise to help, even as he makes the greatest sacrifice of his own...
...Roland's been playing plenty of pretend, recently. An indulgence he's not had time nor the chance to dive into in years. What if he keeps going? What if he continues to dive deep, with Inigo in hand? They deserve to lose themselves in it; the dream of better days to come. Inigo, most of all.
He breaks the silence with a thoughtful hum. The biscuit in his hand breaks apart in the coffee, but he pays it no mind. When he speaks, he's aware of what he's about to say. The danger of it, the idea that he might be staking a claim to something he has no control over. But it doesn't matter.
"What if you and I started something together?" Roland says, holding his cup as if he is about to take a sip, meeting Inigo's eye with a light side glance. "A charity. Or an organization. Once you get acquainted with things, of course...Technology and all that stuff." He drinks, but the taste isn't bitter enough to distract. "We could make a place where kids get fresh starts. A place to belong. You're already so good with people."
It sounds vaguely like a promise. What was Roland doing? Was this not the same scenario which made Yuki's departure all the more painful for him? Unkept words left to rot in the back of Inigo's heart, never to be fulfilled? He doesn't know what strikes him then, but Roland tries to chuckle it off, shakes his head and sets the mug down a little more carefully than he should have. Too quiet, as if in apology.
"I'm being silly. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..."
It's a half-hearted sentiment. Roland can already see it, if he closes his eyes long enough. Inigo would be fantastic at welcoming them, kids of all ages, of all walks of life. So much love in his heart to share; so gentle in all things he does without losing the fire that makes him so worthy to rule should he want that too. But this kind of dreaming can hurt him, so Roland retracts. Just in case.
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...Roland's been playing plenty of pretend, recently. An indulgence he's not had time nor the chance to dive into in years. What if he keeps going? What if he continues to dive deep, with Inigo in hand? They deserve to lose themselves in it; the dream of better days to come. Inigo, most of all.
He breaks the silence with a thoughtful hum. The biscuit in his hand breaks apart in the coffee, but he pays it no mind. When he speaks, he's aware of what he's about to say. The danger of it, the idea that he might be staking a claim to something he has no control over. But it doesn't matter.
"What if you and I started something together?" Roland says, holding his cup as if he is about to take a sip, meeting Inigo's eye with a light side glance. "A charity. Or an organization. Once you get acquainted with things, of course...Technology and all that stuff." He drinks, but the taste isn't bitter enough to distract. "We could make a place where kids get fresh starts. A place to belong. You're already so good with people."
It sounds vaguely like a promise. What was Roland doing? Was this not the same scenario which made Yuki's departure all the more painful for him? Unkept words left to rot in the back of Inigo's heart, never to be fulfilled? He doesn't know what strikes him then, but Roland tries to chuckle it off, shakes his head and sets the mug down a little more carefully than he should have. Too quiet, as if in apology.
"I'm being silly. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..."
It's a half-hearted sentiment. Roland can already see it, if he closes his eyes long enough. Inigo would be fantastic at welcoming them, kids of all ages, of all walks of life. So much love in his heart to share; so gentle in all things he does without losing the fire that makes him so worthy to rule should he want that too. But this kind of dreaming can hurt him, so Roland retracts. Just in case.