[This whole time, Caviar thought he was thinking about how Sparkling felt. At least how he felt when experiencing that cruelest death imaginable. He'll never get the scene out of his head, the way Sparkling broke down in his arms after admitting he died, the ragged shape he was in when the captain found him at the bottom of the stairs. The poor thing was a mess and he didn't even know his death was just that tragic.
He huffs, his upper lip curling in frustration as he can't bring himself to look Sparkling in the eyes. His ears pin back against his head as hard as they can as he just thinks about how badly he wants to rip up the person who harmed his friend. So he stands there, quietly fuming as a vampire talks to him in a manner very few would get away with.]
[Sparkling isn't sure what he was expecting Caviar to say, but when it's to agree...he deflates. He feels that anger and frustration ebb away, leaving him feeling depressingly hollow and worn-thin. He doesn't want to feel like this ever, EVER again, but he knows that's not going to be a guarantee.
He closes a bit of the gap between them, his chest heaving a bit despite having no need to catch his breath at all.]
I know you want to protect me. It means so much to me that you do.
But I have to see to it that you are protected, too.
[Sparkling suddenly says, struggling to keep his shoulders from trembling. He can't let Caviar ruin himself this way. Sure, he will have to kill at some point...but not like this. Sparkling can't bear it.]
[Caviar was all well in good to just keep standing there, huffing and pouting over not being able to murder some guy who did them wrong. Instead, his ears perk up at Sparkling once again just being...so incredibly open towards him that he can't help but quit the tough guy act and finally turn back towards him.
Oh... What a lad...
He notices the way he trembles, the way he steps closer yet not all the way, and the captain sighs. Lowering his head, he opens his arms wide, inviting him in for the hug. If this were over anything else, Caviar would have probably just engulfed him again like he did before, but seeing how it's HIS fault Sparkling got so upset as to use a new icon talk to him in such a way, he'd rather leave it up to him if he wants it or not.]
[Honestly, Sparkling wouldn't have blamed him too much if he didn't say anything else. He would have been fine with letting the Werewolf continue on his way without further argument, so long as he kept his promise to not kill Kaito. So it's...a surprise, but not an unwelcome one, when he not only stays, but actively offers himself up once more to be a pillar for Sparkling when he needs it most.
So, in the end, it's hard for Sparkling not to cross the rest of that distance between them to hug Caviar, enveloping the other with his massive wings.]
I'm...sorry I yelled at you. Today has just been...I've been overwhelmed, and-
[Oh the relief when Sparkling takes him up on his offer, the captain instantly wrapping his arms around his friend as he feels his own body wrapped within his wings. Caviar's larger paw hands now mean he can cradle the vampire's entire head as he holds it close, stroking him gently with his thumb. Ears that were once pinned back in anger now start to droop in shame.
Wow, he really didn't consider Sparkling's feelings, huh? Here he thought he was being the big damn hero, but Sparkling must've been suffering the entire time he was having his little online spat. He's supposed to be a respectable captain, and here he is letting his feelings get out of hand. One might excuse this behavior due to monster-related changes, but Caviar was never one for excuses. Influences or not, he should take responsibility for his actions.]
Shh, what are you spoutin'? You got nothin' to be sorry for...
[He exhales, closing his eyes because that's really not something he admits to much, being tired. Weak. Needing a break. His own ears droop a bit as Caviar holds his paws against his head, leaving him feeling a bit less like he needs to carry all of this weight he feels burdened with today.]
Nah, lad. [He continues to hold onto him, suddenly going from a creature people had to get out of the way of to an obstacle people have to walk around. Caviar can't say he cares about being in anyone's way right now.] If anything, I should be thankin' ya for keeping me from makin' a huge mistake.
[As good as the revenge might feel in the moment, Caviar just knows he'd be wallowing in guilt for the rest of his life soon after. A part of him probably knew that from the start, but Kaito's unsympathetic handling of the whole situation just filled him with something he's never felt in his entire life. ...And believe him, he's been outraged plenty of times working in the Republic, this was just...different.]
If anyone's sorry, it's me for makin' you have to deal with all this nonsense when ya SHOULD be back takin' it easy.
[Man at this point, it's not like Sparkling can be made any more of a spectacle than he has been already. He can deal with a few humans being inconvenienced, they have legs that work. In the meantime, he'll let his head rest against Caviar's shoulder for a minute, taking that time to let his nerves settle. He is a bit light headed from shouting, forgive him.]
It's alright. I was already out anyway, to be honest with you. I had ended up leaving the bar to go for a walk to clear my head...it was easier than dealing with being tempted to check what was being said.
[Caviar keeps rubbing the back of Sparkling's head, looking around until he finally spots a tree. Obviously not the most exciting tree in the world, but it'll do.]
Say, why dontcha take a break and turn into a bat real quick? Go rest in that tree. When everything's said and done, I'll come back for ya and I'll take ya home. We can finish your walk together.
[Sparkling slowly lets his eyes slide over to look at the tree in question, reluctantly leaning his head back a bit even while still mostly wrapped up in Caviar's arms.]
...alright.
[It takes him a moment, mostly because he doesn't want to move just yet, but after a few seconds he poofs into his bat form and flutters up into the tree boughs, choosing a lower hanging limb to hang from that's clearly visible from the ground so Caviar will be able to find him again. Not that he's difficult to see, with his bright white fur standing out against the leaves.]
[Caviar can only nod, he's not really in the mood to get cocky and go on about how he doesn't have to be careful, he's Captain Caviar Cookie after all! ...the look in his eyes may suggest it, though.
But he's in a hurry again. Not only does he have to race against time, but now he has to stop at a store or two while formulating his new plan. Murder may be off the table, but he can at least come up with something memorable...
He'll be gone for some time, but not nearly as long as one might expect from someone heading into a fight. With Sparkling's scent pretty much engraved into his memory by now and the bat's bright, sparkly fur, the captain can't help but wag his tail when he sees that his friend stayed put. The look on his face may be dead serious, but there is no hiding that happy puppy tail.
When he makes it to the tree, he casually tosses an empty jar of peanut butter in the nearest bin. Murderous thoughts are fine when you're angry, but Divines forbid the captain ever litter.]
[If Sparkling wasn't so worried, he might have had half a mind to doze off in that tree. It's at a weird time of day for him, and he's exhausted even if it weren't...so instead of dozing he's sort of just spacing out by the time the Werewolf returns, his ears swiveling in his direction.
He carefully rights himself on the branch before reaching out with his wingtips to pull himself onto Caviar's paw, wiggling into the middle of his palm with a little squeak.]
I covered 'em in peanut butter and stuck him in a tree!
[See, Sparkling? No murder whatsoever! He only had to hit him once, too! Caviar just looks SO proud of his lack of killing a teenager, his smile couldn't get any wider. Sparkling may see it for all of a second or two before he moves his paw over towards the top of his head for the sleepy vampire to rest on.]
[As much as Caviar loves to complain about how weird hair is in general, there is no denying that his is, in fact, very soft.
But enough about what a great bed he makes, he's far too proud of himself to keep quiet on this one.]
It's how ya get the bird seed to stick. [Duh.] Figured if I can't eat him, then he can wake up to a bunch of critters snackin' on him. Just...not in a lethal way, for my mate.
[With Sparkling safely snuggled up, Caviar's going to end this night with a nice stroll back to The Grapevine. He feels like they deserve it.]
[You know, that...is utterly riduculous, and because of that it's something Sparkling has little trouble believing Caviar actually did. More importantly, it's harmless...more of a prank than an actual punishment. Sparkling almost wishes he could see the outcome, but he trusts Caviar when he says that it was worth doing.
He doubts Kaito will appreciate it all that much, but perhaps it has taught him a valuable lesson about what he puts on the internet...]
There's no need to apologize, Caviar. I know you were just looking out for me when I couldn't look out for myself.
[He stretches his wings out a little, laying flat across the top of his hair.]
When we get back to the Grapevine, I'd like to make you a new drink I've been working on. Vodka, with grapefruit and lime juice, and a salted rim. It's called the "Salty Dog".
[With Sparkling taking over the majority of his head now, he might feel the way Caviar's ears perk and twitch at this news. He slows down, even though he's proud of his silly little prank, a part of him still feels as though he doesn't deserve any sort of reward thanks to his earlier behavior.]
That...are ya sure about that? It's an awfully kind gesture for someone who almost...y'know...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 04:46 am (UTC)[This whole time, Caviar thought he was thinking about how Sparkling felt. At least how he felt when experiencing that cruelest death imaginable. He'll never get the scene out of his head, the way Sparkling broke down in his arms after admitting he died, the ragged shape he was in when the captain found him at the bottom of the stairs. The poor thing was a mess and he didn't even know his death was just that tragic.
He huffs, his upper lip curling in frustration as he can't bring himself to look Sparkling in the eyes. His ears pin back against his head as hard as they can as he just thinks about how badly he wants to rip up the person who harmed his friend. So he stands there, quietly fuming as a vampire talks to him in a manner very few would get away with.]
Fine.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 04:52 am (UTC)He closes a bit of the gap between them, his chest heaving a bit despite having no need to catch his breath at all.]
I know you want to protect me. It means so much to me that you do.
But I have to see to it that you are protected, too.
[Sparkling suddenly says, struggling to keep his shoulders from trembling. He can't let Caviar ruin himself this way. Sure, he will have to kill at some point...but not like this. Sparkling can't bear it.]
You are all I have left.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:01 am (UTC)Oh... What a lad...
He notices the way he trembles, the way he steps closer yet not all the way, and the captain sighs. Lowering his head, he opens his arms wide, inviting him in for the hug. If this were over anything else, Caviar would have probably just engulfed him again like he did before, but seeing how it's HIS fault Sparkling got so upset as to
use a new icontalk to him in such a way, he'd rather leave it up to him if he wants it or not.]no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:12 am (UTC)So, in the end, it's hard for Sparkling not to cross the rest of that distance between them to hug Caviar, enveloping the other with his massive wings.]
I'm...sorry I yelled at you. Today has just been...I've been overwhelmed, and-
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:23 am (UTC)Wow, he really didn't consider Sparkling's feelings, huh? Here he thought he was being the big damn hero, but Sparkling must've been suffering the entire time he was having his little online spat. He's supposed to be a respectable captain, and here he is letting his feelings get out of hand. One might excuse this behavior due to monster-related changes, but Caviar was never one for excuses. Influences or not, he should take responsibility for his actions.]
Shh, what are you spoutin'? You got nothin' to be sorry for...
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:31 am (UTC)[He exhales, closing his eyes because that's really not something he admits to much, being tired. Weak. Needing a break. His own ears droop a bit as Caviar holds his paws against his head, leaving him feeling a bit less like he needs to carry all of this weight he feels burdened with today.]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:41 am (UTC)[As good as the revenge might feel in the moment, Caviar just knows he'd be wallowing in guilt for the rest of his life soon after. A part of him probably knew that from the start, but Kaito's unsympathetic handling of the whole situation just filled him with something he's never felt in his entire life. ...And believe him, he's been outraged plenty of times working in the Republic, this was just...different.]
If anyone's sorry, it's me for makin' you have to deal with all this nonsense when ya SHOULD be back takin' it easy.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 05:54 am (UTC)It's alright. I was already out anyway, to be honest with you. I had ended up leaving the bar to go for a walk to clear my head...it was easier than dealing with being tempted to check what was being said.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 08:06 pm (UTC)Say, why dontcha take a break and turn into a bat real quick? Go rest in that tree. When everything's said and done, I'll come back for ya and I'll take ya home. We can finish your walk together.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-15 11:59 pm (UTC)...alright.
[It takes him a moment, mostly because he doesn't want to move just yet, but after a few seconds he poofs into his bat form and flutters up into the tree boughs, choosing a lower hanging limb to hang from that's clearly visible from the ground so Caviar will be able to find him again. Not that he's difficult to see, with his bright white fur standing out against the leaves.]
Please be careful, Captain.
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 05:39 am (UTC)But he's in a hurry again. Not only does he have to race against time, but now he has to stop at a store or two while formulating his new plan. Murder may be off the table, but he can at least come up with something memorable...
He'll be gone for some time, but not nearly as long as one might expect from someone heading into a fight. With Sparkling's scent pretty much engraved into his memory by now and the bat's bright, sparkly fur, the captain can't help but wag his tail when he sees that his friend stayed put. The look on his face may be dead serious, but there is no hiding that happy puppy tail.
When he makes it to the tree, he casually tosses an empty jar of peanut butter in the nearest bin. Murderous thoughts are fine when you're angry, but Divines forbid the captain ever litter.]
Well, I took care of it.
[He holds up a paw for Sparkling to climb onto.]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 05:47 am (UTC)He carefully rights himself on the branch before reaching out with his wingtips to pull himself onto Caviar's paw, wiggling into the middle of his palm with a little squeak.]
I see...did it go...alright?
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 05:51 am (UTC)I covered 'em in peanut butter and stuck him in a tree!
[See, Sparkling? No murder whatsoever! He only had to hit him once, too! Caviar just looks SO proud of his lack of killing a teenager, his smile couldn't get any wider. Sparkling may see it for all of a second or two before he moves his paw over towards the top of his head for the sleepy vampire to rest on.]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 05:59 am (UTC)Caviar......]
W....why?
[Why?
Oh, he's on his head now. His hair is so soft...don't mind if he just immediately nests here.]
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 06:09 am (UTC)But enough about what a great bed he makes, he's far too proud of himself to keep quiet on this one.]
It's how ya get the bird seed to stick. [Duh.] Figured if I can't eat him, then he can wake up to a bunch of critters snackin' on him. Just...not in a lethal way, for my mate.
[With Sparkling safely snuggled up, Caviar's going to end this night with a nice stroll back to The Grapevine. He feels like they deserve it.]
And...I'm sorry if I made you worry...
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 06:20 am (UTC)He doubts Kaito will appreciate it all that much, but perhaps it has taught him a valuable lesson about what he puts on the internet...]
There's no need to apologize, Caviar. I know you were just looking out for me when I couldn't look out for myself.
[He stretches his wings out a little, laying flat across the top of his hair.]
When we get back to the Grapevine, I'd like to make you a new drink I've been working on. Vodka, with grapefruit and lime juice, and a salted rim. It's called the "Salty Dog".
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 06:33 am (UTC)That...are ya sure about that? It's an awfully kind gesture for someone who almost...y'know...
no subject
Date: 2022-11-16 06:38 am (UTC)[He explains, his voice quiet as Caviar makes his way.]
Mixing drinks is one of my favorite things to do, while yours is drinking them. Am I wrong?