Good Friend or More? | Vinzent + Abel | Segway Car

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “Yeah… I wouldn’t rob but… I’ve… Always hated cops… So, having to pretend to be one instead of having a choice is not fun.”

Abel doesn’t comment on that but BOY will Vinzent hate meeting Kore. Meet the family! His Aunt is a Corrupt Cop! Fun Times.

(Though funny enough with the Mafia Connections and Ultimately NOT being close to Kore- he’s ALSO admittedly- Not Fond of Cops)

Vinzent Mayer Maybe without realizing it, Vinzent’s hand went reaching for Abel’s. But right as he went close, he stopped.

Even if Vinzent didn’t notice- Abel did. Boy Did He.

At first he averted his eyes- driven far more by his guilt and shame to believe that he Should reciprocate. He has complicated feelings with everything he’s been dealing with. He doesn’t. Like thinking complicated things through.

Ordinarily he really… Would ignore it. Take no part in it. It just… Doesn’t feel good to do so to Vinzent, though.

So for a moment he lets their pinkies touch before he goes back to eating. Needs both hands for that, sorry Vinzent.

It. It is Something, though. A Gentle… Affirmation maybe? Whatever word it is I’m looking for.

Either way he’s not fully in the right position to offer more yet. Unless Vinzent wants to deal with him going on another self deprecating tangent. The things he thinks he deserves right now don’t really Range towards anything Positive.

“…” He isn’t sure what to say- Though. He did… want to talk to Vinzent about what Jack Said- He just… has to… figure out… How. “I think… The cat lied to us about our numbers.” He’s being quiet- like he thinks the cat will interrupt him- even though Jack wasn’t stopped when he told. “Not sure. But.” He doesn’t want to just SAY his plan- in case it freaks Vinzent out or anything.

Since.

… Well. Even Jack wasn’t totally positive it didn’t kill you with the blackhole comment. Abel can’t say he’s fully sure but a chance to go home is a chance to go home. So long as Marius at least knows where he is.

Regardless. He takes his glove off, letting Vinzent see the number if he wants. A nice Simple little number that might honestly be surprisingly low as far as some people might be concerned.

“I don’t think there’s a risk in showing if you don’t plan to hurt anyone.” He says, knowing he’s Never planned to hurt anyone he’s hurt.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus Abel doesn’t comment on that but BOY will Vinzent hate meeting Kore. Meet the family! His Aunt is a Corrupt Cop! Fun Times.

(Though funny enough with the Mafia Connections and Ultimately NOT being close to Kore- he’s ALSO admittedly- Not Fond of Cops)

Boy, will he not be fond of Kore, indeed! (And they can agree on that at least. The not being fond of cops… Although Vinzent doesn’t exactly know.)

Abel Lazarus So for a moment he lets their pinkies touch before he goes back to eating. Needs both hands for that, sorry Vinzent.

It. It is Something, though. A Gentle… Affirmation maybe? Whatever word it is I’m looking for.

That was enough. Much more than he expected. Honestly, Vinzent expected nothing. But yeah, he doesn’t want to hold Abel off on eating. At least, it won’t be awkward to want to stay close for now? Even without holding Abel’s hand. His presence is enough, being near him is enough.

Abel Lazarus “…” He isn’t sure what to say- Though. He did… want to talk to Vinzent about what Jack Said- He just… has to… figure out… How. “I think… The cat lied to us about our numbers.” He’s being quiet- like he thinks the cat will interrupt him- even though Jack wasn’t stopped when he told. “Not sure. But.” He doesn’t want to just SAY his plan- in case it freaks Vinzent out or anything.

“… Hm?” He looked at Abel with full attention, listening to what he said… You know, thinking about back then, the only time Vinzent found his own number changed once was around the time he was on the island. Then… Nothing else, even after occasionally checking it… Something happened, he knows. He remembers what he likely did to have his number change just once, even if the memory is kinda faint now.

He’ll look at Abel’s number.

Abel Lazarus “I don’t think there’s a risk in showing if you don’t plan to hurt anyone.” He says, knowing he’s Never planned to hurt anyone he’s hurt.

And Vinzent too, with Abel’s affirmation, he took his glove off after nodding, to show his own number. He trusts Abel far more than anyone else as far as he’s concerned. It’ll be only to Abel that he has finally show his number and it’s fine. Abel would also notice the gold ring on Vinzent’s thumb. Huh, so that’s where he has kept Abel’s ring.

His own is… Also surprisingly low as well.

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer His own is… Also surprisingly low as well.

Abel looked at their numbers for a moment. Comparing them. He also notices the ring on Vinzent’s finger.

It’s nice. Definitely.

His own number has had… At least a little range. It did get quite low at some point- but with how infrequently Abel checks he only noticed it being higher once then it was suddenly back at his starting number. He has no other frame of reference. No ideas to go off of other than knowing what made it rise that one time.

He needs to figure that out.

With time, though.

Abel closes his hand and pulls it back to start eating again but he doesn’t put his glove back.

“I don’t know anything for sure but I just don’t… Believe the cat.” Hardly a. New take on things, though. “I think there’s other ways off. Somehow.”

But he doesn’t know how Else to talk about that without bringing Jack up- so he has to let it drop for now. Instead he lets another silence happen.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus “I don’t know anything for sure but I just don’t… Believe the cat.” Hardly a. New take on things, though. “I think there’s other ways off. Somehow.”

“Yeah… Me neither. I’ve noticed how strange it was the cat claimed one thing, but I saw it in another way.”

Vinzent took a little while, closing his hand definitely, but not putting his glove back just yet. He was in thought at the moment.

…

There wasn’t much to talk but… Maybe… Just to still stay on good terms. He’ll cherish the good memories they made a while ago though, and maybe one day… They’ll get to make some more, right?

Perhaps if he says something about it… Eh, let’s get ahead anyway. It’s nothing big. Just… Sweet.

“… Do you remember, back when we did each other’s hair? I’d like us to do that again once… We get over this stupid activity-whatever this nonsense is. Well, me at the moment. Or just… Not necessarily that, doing the hair, but… Anything to have a nice time to spend together for a little while, you know?”

Quite honestly, Abel might be the only one Vinzent will let touch his hair without any problem.

In any case, he took hold of his own glove, rubbing his thumbs on it but still not putting it back yet. Weird how he got used to it pretty fast that taking it off feels a little odd…

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “… Do you remember, back when we did each other’s hair? I’d like us to do that again once… We get over this stupid activity-whatever this nonsense is. Well, me at the moment. Or just… Not necessarily that, doing the hair, but… Anything to have a nice time to spend together for a little while, you know?”

Abel looks over at Vinzent for a long moment, like he’s thinking.

“There’s… Some store up there that. Has Pins and Hair ties and stuff.” He’s talking about Claire’s. I wanna put him in a Claire’s. Who wants a piercing /j

“I could probably buy some- If you’d like your hair out of your face.” It’s an offer to do it now! Or later.

Which ever Vinzent might prefer. Maybe the silly cop hat won’t sit on the braids. Abel wouldn’t know. He finishes eating and cans the trash.

“If you’d like.” It’s among the more peaceful things he might have gotten to do in here. Everything about his face and neck considered. Especially since I’m. Sure more of his neck bruise is visible with the outfit change.

“Maybe it’ll be easier to catch someone. I know… My Aunt usually has her hair up for work.” That’s it. That’s as much as he’s going into Kore. He’s only implying her job (unless he already told Vinzent and I forgot he did who knows at this rate.)

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus “There’s… Some store up there that. Has Pins and Hair ties and stuff.” He’s talking about Claire’s. I wanna put him in a Claire’s. Who wants a piercing /j

Don’t give Vinzent more ideas- He has already 6 piercings at least– /hj

Abel Lazarus “I could probably buy some- If you’d like your hair out of your face.” It’s an offer to do it now! Or later.

“… Yes, please! It’ll be nice!”

Abel Lazarus Especially since I’m. Sure more of his neck bruise is visible with the outfit change.

Vinzent especially noticed the neck bruising and tried to hide his worry, but a simple glance at Abel’s neck and Vinzent’s expression definitely turn sad. What happened…? But he didn’t voice it, because… Abel is fine now. He’s alive. He’s here.

Abel Lazarus “Maybe it’ll be easier to catch someone. I know… My Aunt usually has her hair up for work.”

“…” Vinzent nearly wanted to say “Hold on it for me. Until I’m done with this task and out of the uniform.” but… That was pretty tempting. And why not now?… His initial thought has been put aside, a smile on Vinzent’s face.

“I would like that, yeah! I think it’ll help.” He really wanted it at this moment, so why should he be putting it for later?

Abel could see that Vinzent’s eyes did light up. He’s genuinely looking forward to this. … Meaning he has to put actual effort in his role, urgh. He’ll… Live. He’ll live. But for now? A little fun activity to spend time with Abel won’t hurt!

Abel Lazarus That’s as much as he’s going into Kore. He’s only implying her job (unless he already told Vinzent and I forgot he did who knows at this rate.)

I think Vinzent might have been told that? But it’s been a long while ago, so I’d say it’s a fuzzy memory at this point. Like he vaguely remembers some details but not quite!

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “I would like that, yeah! I think it’ll help.” He really wanted it at this moment, so why should he be putting it for later?

Exactly! Plus. You know- it’s close time and he can just Ask Abel to do it Again another time Too! Extra Extra Time!

Abel points up at the… Let’s go with Haire’s. I can’t see the full fake name and this is what I have. “You can. Pick what you like for pinning it up. Maybe not all of it is your style exactly-” He’s guessing. “But It’s… Hair stuff.”

Some of it isn’t too pink and sparkly sometimes!!!! Sometimes.

Abel stands and shifts his bag on his good shoulder before offering Vinzent a hand up. Up to Vinzent if he just keeps holding.

“I can. Try the same braids if you want- but.” He looks a little awkward. “I can’t promise it’ll be as strong even with pins.” Considering how badly he’s been Treating his shoulder. And All. You bothered getting yourself a sling and still can’t even use it properly, huh? “I can do other hairstyles too. I’m not… The best at overly complex ones, though.” Basically if Cain hasn’t asked for it enough for Abel to remember the steps- he has No idea how to do it. You think he actually bothers with his hair past his ponytail most of the time? Hah.

“What ever you’re thinking.” He’s ready to head up if Vinzent is!

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus Exactly! Plus. You know- it’s close time and he can just Ask Abel to do it Again another time Too! Extra Extra Time!

Yayyy! We are winning all around!

Abel Lazarus “You can. Pick what you like for pinning it up. Maybe not all of it is your style exactly-” He’s guessing. “But It’s… Hair stuff.”

“Yeah, I’ll most likely pick neutral accessories at least or if not, we’ll find a way so my hair can hide some of it! We’ll arrange with what we have, don’t worry!” Sometimes, and that’s the some accessories they can look for.

Vinzent waited until Abel was ready and took his hand as he got up. He doesn’t mind keeping the hand holding a little longer. It’s nice.

Abel Lazarus “I can. Try the same braids if you want- but.” He looks a little awkward. “I can’t promise it’ll be as strong even with pins.” Considering how badly he’s been Treating his shoulder. And All. You bothered getting yourself a sling and still can’t even use it properly, huh? “I can do other hairstyles too. I’m not… The best at overly complex ones, though.” Basically if Cain hasn’t asked for it enough for Abel to remember the steps- he has No idea how to do it. You think he actually bothers with his hair past his ponytail most of the time? Hah.

“What ever you’re thinking.” He’s ready to head up if Vinzent is!

“The braids were really nice and I loved it, but for now, for the sake of simplicity and practicality right now, I won’t mind a simpler hairstyle. Like.. A low bun, or something like that…!” Maybe this will be just a perfect excuse for Abel to run his fingers in Vinzent’s hair in the meantime once they’ll get to it-

Vinzent gave a nod to Abel that signaled he’s ready to head up as well!

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “The braids were really nice and I loved it, but for now, for the sake of simplicity and practicality right now, I won’t mind a simpler hairstyle. Like.. A low bun, or something like that…!” Maybe this will be just a perfect excuse for Abel to run his fingers in Vinzent’s hair in the meantime once they’ll get to it-

This works for him. Buns are easy to do.

He leads Vinzent up to the Haire’s ™ and it certainly is…….. Not Either of their personal tastes exactly- But there’s definitely at least some things that work out in Vinzent’s favor. Otherwise I’m not sure Scene kids would love this place so much.

“Pick out anything. I’ll pay for it.” Vinzent’s getting the rich boyfriend perks early. I’m jealous.

Abel wanders off to look at things himself- maybe grab some hair pins? He’ll see. Either way it gives Vinzent time to pick out what he likes.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Haire’s ™ time!!

Oh no, it’s generally definitely too tame for his tastes but, as far as basics go? This was still plenty to mess around with. Plus, there’s more possibilities even with simple items. So overall? This was still a good thing that this shop exists.

Abel Lazarus “Pick out anything. I’ll pay for it.” Vinzent’s getting the rich boyfriend perks early. I’m jealous.

“Gotcha, thanks a lot!” He’s getting it early, good for him!! <3

Imagine that he’s still in his mall cop uniform because no way am I drawing a new set of sprites just for this car, and his bruised nose. ~~Plus I got a surprise treat for the rest of y’all… Depending on who saw it early.~~

Okay so… What would Vinzent likes, or rather, needs… He’d definitely need hairties. Perhaps in neutral or dark colors, that would be perfect… He doesn’t even care if it’s black or white, he refuses to pick flashy colors that won’t match with his new clothes.

… Okay, that was tougher than he thought, maybe… Maybe just purple hairties will be fine. He likes purple actually. It’s one of his favorites colors. Blue is fine too. Alright, just these two sets. That’ll work. After an attentive search for anything else that might catch his interest, which let’s be honest: nothing else was really appealing to him. Tot Hopic was far more suited to his tastes, but anyway! Some wins, some losses! Vinzent went to meet Abel when the other was ready as well!

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer Some wins, some losses! Vinzent went to meet Abel when the other was ready as well!

Abel didn’t really grab more than hair pins. but with the style of this place…….

Nothing else could be expected.

Either way he paid and lead Vinzent to some bench nearby so he can sit behind him and fix his hair up.

“I have… A lot more available to do this- hopefully it might help keep your hair out of your way while you… Try to catch someone else.” He gestures for Vinzent to sit in front of him on the floor so he can reach easily. “I have a brush too finally. If you want.”

Leaving it out there.

“Is there. Anyone else you’re going to try to catch? I don’t really. Think you’ll have to make it violent so maybe aim for someone who won’t initiate the violence?” Except- looking at the list of who’s on which team. Abel is the only one with a fight under their belt that he Started so.

… Huh yeah Abel might have been the only one on that team who might have hit one of the cops for trying. It’s for the best he didn’t end up doing this against anyone else.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent thanked Abel once again for paying for the hair accessories. He followed Abel and sat in front while waiting for the redhead to help him with his hair. This… was really going to be fun. Relaxing and fun.

“A brush is great too! I think I’m getting sick of always untangling my hair with my fingers.” He jokes, but really thank you for the brush.

“So, feel free to take your time, I’m in no immediate rush.”

At Abel’s question of who else Vinzent is going to try to catch… There’s not a lot of options, huh. After some thoughts, he hummed.

“… Honestly, I don’t want to challenge Arty, nor Haruka. R.N.A. is… Way too tall, and they have the costume that make it more difficult, Taran, well… i just talked to him not too long ago in the previous car… So… All in all, my best bet is probably Dexter. Ideal? No, but… He’s the one I’d feel the less terrible to try to catch. Maybe Taran too, but still. I’d prefer to attempt to catch Dexter. I’m aiming for no violence, you’re right and I’m going to stick with that.”

I’m not sure how much Vinzent will know by the time he talked with Matsu, so I’ll leave it in the air for what he Actually knows ™.

Abel Lazarus

Abel sets about brushing out Vinzent’s hair- taking care to be gentle. Technically it’s not good to brush dry hair or whatever but it’s not like there’s much to be done about that. Unless Vinzent is about to dunk his head in a water fountain.

“Yeah…” All things considered maybe he. Is glad he wasn’t one of the cops with this particular line up. He’d feel way too guilty. Like how he feels guilty for getting Vinzent jailed!

He’s never going to win is he?

“I talked to Dexter earlier. He might be the easiest to play this with without either of you ending up in jail. He’s. Nice.” He doesn’t seem to hate Abel, which he appreciates! Since. Uh. The fit… He threw…

He shakes his head gently as if that’s effective in clearing it but he still looks troubled if Vinzent looks back at him at any point.

“… Do you think the object of these cars is just going to keep getting worse? I feel like they’re getting more and more embarrassing.” Losing his things. Having the denizens running from him… Stealing food… He sighs. “I’d… Just like an office car or something. I think that would be nice.” For him and him alone. Really.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus Unless Vinzent is about to dunk his head in a water fountain.

But is there a water fountain? Otherwise, he would have, but oh well!

Abel Lazarus He’s never going to win is he?

Neither will Vinzent…

Abel Lazarus “I talked to Dexter earlier. He might be the easiest to play this with without either of you ending up in jail. He’s. Nice.” He doesn’t seem to hate Abel, which he appreciates! Since. Uh. The fit… He threw…

He shakes his head gently as if that’s effective in clearing it but he still looks troubled if Vinzent looks back at him at any point.

“Alright, sounds good to me, thank you. I think that should work.”

Vinzent did notice the troubled look as he glanced back at Abel, getting him to worry.

Abel Lazarus “… Do you think the object of these cars is just going to keep getting worse? I feel like they’re getting more and more embarrassing.” Losing his things. Having the denizens running from him… Stealing food… He sighs. “I’d… Just like an office car or something. I think that would be nice.” For him and him alone. Really.

“I… Don’t know, but it’s possible, huh. I’ll still try to find what’s the least embarassing thing and maximize on that, but still…”

Well.

“An office car wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Technically, an office also has computers, of which Vinzent can work with! They could just vibe together-

“Obviously, I wouldn’t want to talk your ear off but… I’d like if we just hang out together too there, like sometimes talking while working… I wouldn’t mind showing you more of my art, hehe…”

Maybe this is also an excuse to draw Abel’s pretty face more-

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “Obviously, I wouldn’t want to talk your ear off but… I’d like if we just hang out together too there, like sometimes talking while working… I wouldn’t mind showing you more of my art, hehe…”

Honestly an office car would only Highlight the ways Abel is very…. Unhealthy in his work ethic. At this current point in time he might honestly become hard to even talk to around his way of zoning in. Desperate to focus on filing papers instead of…

But Abel thinks his work ethic is healthy currently! So he’s not going to point out that he will neither sleep nor talk much in that hypothetical car.

“It would be… A lot more relaxing than this car has been.” He sets the brush aside and pulls his hair back to twist it into the bun. “It would be nice to see more of your art.”

The hairstyle is fairly simple- so he finishes it up easily.

“… I just… Hope nothing is a repeat of the island.” He still looks troubled. Still looks… Like he’s thinking of something else. “Ideally.”

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus Honestly an office car would only Highlight the ways Abel is very…. Unhealthy in his work ethic. At this current point in time he might honestly become hard to even talk to around his way of zoning in. Desperate to focus on filing papers instead of…

SUPER FAIR. We gotta hope for the best-

Abel Lazarus But Abel thinks his work ethic is healthy currently!

No!!!!

Abel Lazarus “It would be… A lot more relaxing than this car has been.” He sets the brush aside and pulls his hair back to twist it into the bun. “It would be nice to see more of your art.”

Vinzent was patiently waiting as Abel does his hair, but still talks.

“Definitely. And I’d be happy to any time!”

Abel Lazarus “… I just… Hope nothing is a repeat of the island.” He still looks troubled. Still looks… Like he’s thinking of something else. “Ideally.”

At this… Vinzent sighs. Yeah, honestly, it hasn’t been great. We could have a beach episode without the added trauma thank you very much- Once it was done, the artist turned to Abel to thank him, with a smile. At seeing his face however, Vinzent’s own expression wasn’t happy either. While he can’t read Abel’s thoughts, it was close enough to guess what it would be about.

“Me neither. It was… Just awful.”

A pause as he looks at Abel’s face.

“… Hey, you know what would be nice too…? If there was some sort of like… Flowers shop or something, so I could show you how to make flowers crowns? This isn’t an absolute want nor need, but just an idea that could be fun! Anything to keep our hands busy while we spend time together…! I wouldn’t mind showing you some fun stuff so we don’t spend our times doing nothing but waiting, you know?”

It’s not a lot, he thinks. But still better than… Just sitting your ass in a office for hours either. Hey, anything that’d beat the stupid trauma dump island and this dumb mall car. (Although, he was still appreciative of his new clothes, that eventually he will show off to Abel. Eventually.)

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “… Hey, you know what would be nice too…? If there was some sort of like… Flowers shop or something, so I could show you how to make flowers crowns? This isn’t an absolute want nor need, but just an idea that could be fun! Anything to keep our hands busy while we spend time together…! I wouldn’t mind showing you some fun stuff so we don’t spend our times doing nothing but waiting, you know?”

Abel kind of resets himself by rubbing his face. Like he’s trying to remove the expression but it’s ultimately not very effective. It does. Lead to Vinzent seeing his silly white man smile, though.

“I’m. Not sure about any flower shops, but there were flower crowns already made in the Haire’s.” He isn’t the most invested in learning how to Make flower crowns but he’d learn to have something to Do probably.

“There’s. Probably an office supply store around. I might end up doing something in there later.” Give himself something to do in potentially Worse Cars. He’s so. Yeah.

“… If. There is a flower store. My father did often talk of flower meanings.” Pretty sure I made it canon Abel picked those up from him. Almost positive! “I might be able to tell you some.” Play it down. Yes of course. Never reveal how much of a romantic you are, Abel. Revealing you love watching Titanic certainly didn’t already do such.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus Abel kind of resets himself by rubbing his face. Like he’s trying to remove the expression but it’s ultimately not very effective. It does. Lead to Vinzent seeing his silly white man smile, though.

Excellent-

Abel Lazarus “I’m. Not sure about any flower shops, but there were flower crowns already made in the Haire’s.” He isn’t the most invested in learning how to Make flower crowns but he’d learn to have something to Do probably.

“Ah, you’re right… Still, if anything more artistic piques your interest for a bit, I can try to teach you a bit how!”

Abel Lazarus “There’s. Probably an office supply store around. I might end up doing something in there later.” Give himself something to do in potentially Worse Cars. He’s so. Yeah.

Yeah.

“It’s not… A bad idea.” Vinzent might still be worried if Abel goes overboard but, we’ll see when we’ll get there <3 Maybe Vinzent can get more supplies even if he has already his notebook because you never know-

Abel Lazarus “… If. There is a flower store. My father did often talk of flower meanings.” Pretty sure I made it canon Abel picked those up from him. Almost positive! “I might be able to tell you some.” Play it down. Yes of course. Never reveal how much of a romantic you are, Abel. Revealing you love watching Titanic certainly didn’t already do such.

“Yeah, if there’s one! Hehe, I’d love to hear about it any time you want! Don’t hold back if you wanna tell what you know, okay?”

Vinzent was debating, but ultimately decided to brush Abel’s bangs a bit out of his face. It wasn’t hindering his face, but it was an excuse for Vinzent to just run his hands in Abel’s hair for a bit. Although, it was really nice to be able to talk to him like that. He did want to just stay like that for many more hours spending time with Abel, but ultimately, he knew at some point, he had to finish his stupid as hell task if he wanted to wear his cool clothes he found. And this car, while it had some good things, it was still not super. But right now? There’s no real rush, he’ll get to the point when there will be time. Just now? It was still just as important to spend more time with Abel.

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer Still, if anything more artistic piques your interest for a bit, I can try to teach you a bit how!”

It might take a while for him to take Vinzent up on this- He’s just not very artsy. His only artistic interest is. Slightly Music. Choir will give you Something- and if he put effort in he could be decently talented in more than just choir- but Vinzent isn’t precisely… Well versed to help him with this.

Vinzent Mayer Vinzent might still be worried if Abel goes overboard but, we’ll see when we’ll get there <3

Oh don’t worry. I can see the future. Abel will work himself into a fever the MOMENT his favored coping mechanism becomes Truly available. It’s inevitable, unstoppable, and Downright concerning to watch. It’s like the world ceases to exist when he has paperwork to file or meetings to schedule. He cares about two things then. His Uncle and his work. His work makes his uncle proud, His uncle allows him to work. It’s the moments he can most forget anything with his life isn’t ideal.

But escapism isn’t healthy to the extent Abel uses it.

Luckily Actual Office supply stores won’t exist. Just stationary stores. He’ll be fine for now.

Vinzent Mayer Don’t hold back if you wanna tell what you know, okay?”

He looks at Vinzent for a moment before nodding. It’s still something to get used to, casual displays of Actual Care.

Either way he’s. Fine staying for now. Allowing it. Perhaps it’ll scare him later, but. For now he’s in need of it even if he wants to burry his conscious awareness of that fact. How long before he ruins things with Vinzent like he has with Viper? Who knows.

He’ll never know.

But he wishes he’d had longer with Viper before he did ruin it.

So maybe he’ll let himself have what he can while he can, yeah?

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus but Vinzent isn’t precisely… Well versed to help him with this.

Unfortunately he is not, but he’d like to try it someday. But right now? Right now? He knows he doesn’t have a good musical ear. All he know is he enjoys music but telling instruments apart by sound without any visualization is his greatest bane. If he’s lucky, he might recognize video game music at best. So… Not absolutely hopeless but, close to it. That said, he did think about wanting to serenade Abel- Which isn’t for any time soon. Perhaps he should get some pointers from someone who’s better versed in music too, particularily to keep his little project a surprise for Abel, if Vinzent ever goes ahead with it.

Abel Lazarus But escapism isn’t healthy to the extent Abel uses it.

IT IS NOT!!! Vinzent will be SO WORRIED. He’s so glad stationary stores only exist right now.

Abel Lazarus He’ll be fine for now.

He better-

Abel Lazarus So maybe he’ll let himself have what he can while he can, yeah?

Vinzent appreciated the nod, and still stood with Abel for a little longer. Pushing Abel’s hair behind his ear, before placing it back where it was… Gentle displays of affection. Not a kiss yet. But just to show the redhead how much Vinzent really cares about him. Then slowly, his hand moved to hold Abel’s for a little while. He knows he has to go finish his task but… At the same time, he didn’t want to. He just… Wanted to stay. As long as possible… But… If he goes, and finish the task, then he could always spend time with Abel again. Perhaps this will be better than stalling for way too long, for his own benefit.

“I… Still have no rush, but I do wanna try to get out of my stupid costume as soon as possible so… After however long you want to stay, we could part ways? I don’t mind staying a little longer right now! Just that… I’m sure we’ll get to talk again after I get out of the clothes… Maybe you’ll be the first to see what I picked for my new clothes, hm?~”

A little teasing tone was there at the end. But he didn’t want to keep Abel around for nothing for so long. It’s alright if they’ll meet later. There’s occasions to talk again.

“… Thank you again for helping with the hair, I really appreciate it.” This time, it was with a gentle smile.