Abel Lazarus “… I know. What you were thinking- but. You… Didn’t have all of the context. Neither did Ito.” He’s quiet for a moment. “I was mad at her. Without… Thinking about the whole thing I punched her. I should have known better- but.” He sort of waves a hand. “I’m… Working on that. Either way- I… Put her into fight mode. She didn’t want to hurt me but she thought I’d kill her. I reminded her of something awful.” It… was only fair she did that to him. He firmly believes that.
… Abel is right. Matsukaze only told him what they saw. Is Vinzent a little disappointed that Abel punched Viper first? Yes. It made him recall that Viper said he started it first. … However.
“… That explains much more… But… Still… You nearly died. I just… I don’t know. … Thanks for filling in the blanks, even if I don’t approve of what you did first… So… Be more careful, please. I don’t want you to die.”
That last part was quieter, but Abel could hear if he pays attention. Vinzent’s still a bit mad at Viper for that. But he’s not … He doesn’t know. All Vinzent knows is Abel is extremely flawed, yes, but… He didn’t… Hurt Vinzent many times like Viper did. And Abel is not Viper, who’s being unpredictable a lot of times. Anyway.
“But… I’m glad you’re working on that. I promise to try to help you to work on your flaws if it comes back. Because I want you to be better. I’ll make it a note to remind you if you fall back on your old habits. Is… That okay? I want to try helping you holding yourself accountable… So you can improve yourself more.”
Abel Lazarus “… I don’t hold that against her. I’d rather that fight not be something that’s getting used against her because it’s… Not indicative of Her. It’s. Something I’m working on with her and not something I’m comfortable having someone else… getting involved in without even talking to me directly about it.” He was the one who nearly died, after all. He feels… Like that’s important. His part of this is important.
“… Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m sorry, I got really scared and mad at the same time. But, yeah. I won’t bring it up anymore. I’ll let it be.” He’s trying to respect Abel’s wishes, after all. Abel’s his own person, and Vinzent knows he can work it out by himself. But the worry still lingers…
Abel Lazarus “… I don’t. Think it’s that- but I don’t know everything that’s happened between you both. I can’t say I know what she’s always thinking but… I think that that… I think bringing that fight up just put her back into fight, especially… Since you knowing her name is Related to… The problem.” Vague to avoid Explaining, since it’s not his place. “It doesn’t Excuse her actions, though.”
“Knowing her name was fully accidental, I promise. Not on purpose. I don’t… Plan to do shit with that information, especially since she has a fucking knife. Even if I’ll remember her name for a long time. I’ll always call her Viper. If. That’d get her off my case. And because… I want to make the distinction between her younger self and now. Perhaps it is easier for me. And of course I’m not going to bring up her kid self at all unless I’m asked about that.”
Vinzent sighs, and nods to the last part. He’s glad Abel thinks it’s inexcusable. But you know, at least… Abel did explain more that’d fill in the blanks that Vinzent had about Viper. He understands a little more. And he will try to be more mindful, mostly to not get stabbed, strangled or something.
“I promise I won’t bring up that either.”
Abel Lazarus Abel takes a deep breath. “… I’m not. Going anywhere.” Not by choice at the very least. It’s not really like he ultimately has control over whether he gets… To live or not.
But he plans to… Either survive or die getting home if getting to zero might kill him. Which isn’t info he plans to share with anyone. “So, don’t worry about me.”
“… Thank you. Can… You hold me, again for a bit? If anything…”
He reached out. This time, it’s just… Really to avoid feeling alone. He knows fate can be unpredictable, but so as long as Abel can try to not die, then… Better than nothing. Vinzent doesn’t want to die either, so he’ll do his part to try too.
