#rhys3

[mindful-mateo]

@rhysdasior

Mateo had not said nor would he say 'I told you so' but he definitely thought it, privately, when he wasn't with Rhys. It seemed like not so long ago the two of them had had a conversation about how it was risky to get so involved with Roland. Rhys had just wanted to ride it out, supposedly knowing that it would end eventually, but given the way he was moping (and yes, he was absolutely moping regardless of what Rhys would say) around because of Roland's disappearing act Mateo had been right in thinking it had already been too late. Still, he hated to see his friend suffering so he was there for him, as always, the strong shoulder to lean on. He'd invited Rhys to his suite for supper (if Mateo cooked for him Rhys usually would eat, he'd learned over the years), drinks, and just a general time to hang out and either be distracted or talk about it or both.

Everything was almost ready, most of the dishes just waiting to be served, and he heard the knock on the door. Rhys was punctual but Mateo had expected no less. He walked over and opened the door, smiling gently at his friend. "Hey, come on in." He stepped aside so Rhys could walk in then pulled him into a brief hug. "I won't ask how you're doin' but I've got booze, food, books, and movies to distract you. Whatever you need, mano."

He drifted back to the kitchen to get everything on plates. Over the years, he'd introduced Rhys to a variety of traditional Guatemalan dishes and he knew which ones were Rhys' favourites so he'd included those now. He knew not to put portions that were too big on Rhys' plate but he still gave him a bit of everything and carried the plates to the table. "Help yourself to whatever you want to drink." He'd gotten out a small array of alcohol, from a few different wines to some harder stuff. It wasn't a huge collection but he had a few bottles and figured Rhys could indulge (or overindulge, if he wanted) on whatever struck his fancy. It was a Friday night and Mateo intended on keeping Rhys here overnight since he wouldn't have to get up for work in the morning and he could probably use the company. Better than thinking of him sitting by himself with nothing better to do than miss the asshole vampire who'd dropped him like a hot rock.

[councillor-roland]

closed starter for @rhysdasior when: shortly after Roland was attacked

Roland had wasted no time after he'd been revived from his brief death. The rune was unfamiliar to him so he'd sketched it quickly, taken a picture, and texted it to Rhys to ask him what it was for, seemingly just because he was curious. He was often curious about magic so no doubt Rhys would think nothing of it. Once he got an answer from the witch, he'd gone to the council and reported what had happened and the few meager details he'd managed to gather. Undoubtedly, the news of his attack spread through the castle even while they were meeting about it and by the time he left the council chambers Roland was fairly certain Rhys would have at least heard about it. Over the last month or so, the two of them had spent quite a lot of time together. It had begun on the balcony of the restaurant that night they'd first really met and had continued since then, with Roland paying frequent visits to Rhys' office and Rhys just as often finding himself in Roland's suite. Roland enjoyed these flings as long as they lasted, as long as they were interesting, and Rhys had yet to become uninteresting. In fact, Roland had found himself all the more interested in the witch as time went on but such infatuations for him were normal and he was happy to go along with whatever feelings they brought up until they inevitably faded.

In this particular moment, after having done his duty, all he wanted to do was find Rhys. Not only because no doubt the witch would be worried but because...because Roland was much more shaken than he'd let on to the council and there was no one's presence he found more comforting right now than Rhys'. He sought out Rhys' heartbeat, the one he'd become so familiar with, and followed the sound of it. He didn't bother going back to his suite to change though there was a hole in his shirt, even if the one in his chest had already healed. There were probably leaves on his back, possibly even in his hair, and while he normally hated to present himself as anything but perfectly put together there were more important things than appearances at the moment.

With the aid of his super senses and his speed, he found Rhys quickly and appeared rather suddenly in front of the witch. "There you are." He smiled a little, though it was strained, pulled him into his arms and kissed him.

[romanticatheartt]

Okay so who wants bald rhys?

<Bald Rhys3

GIMME👺🫴

[grayfischer]

Status: closed for @rhysxcalvin​ Location: the gym

    Not even two weeks in, and Grayson had already done a handful of new, good things. He’d worn fitted pants, and a colorful, stylish top. He’d signed up for a cooking class. And now, he found himself looking a bit nervously at the gym equipment, and then back to his neighbor and old friend with a bit of a frown. “I don’t even know how any of these machines work,” Grayson admitted sheepishly, moving over to the matted corner where they could begin warming up. Gray knew how to stretch, so he started with that, nervously peeking out of the corner of his eye to copy what everyone else was doing. “P-please don’t laugh at me, or, like... let me die.” 

[councillor-roland]

"I'm going to complain, you know I will. I hate doing things slowly unless it's really worth it and this hardly feels worth it. But I'll...try, I suppose." Roland made a face since the whole thing sounded unpleasant and like it would take far too long but Rhys seemed to think it was very necessary. He probably knew more about it than Roland did so Roland would just have to trust him. It was true that Roland very much disliked being told what to do in just about every circumstance and it often made him want to do the exact opposite. Apparently, it couldn't be helped, though. That was annoying but he would have to get used to it, at least according to Rhys. He was still going to complain about it, though, that was practically guaranteed.

Rhys didn't look very happy and Roland supposed he had a right. Roland wouldn't have been very happy if someone had come into his suite and begun criticizing his aesthetic decisions or decor. It was the general lack of both that Roland found particularly disturbing here, though. There was no personality! No personal touches really at all and it was just so...sad and horrible because of it. Rhys' explanation did nothing to soothe Roland's horror at the state of things. "But isn't this, for all intents and purposes, your home? Where you relax, get away, all those things? No wonder you spend so little time here when it's so...empty. There are no comforts!" That was clearly particularly horrifying to Roland. Rhys tried to divert them back to what they'd come to do and Roland sighed. "This is a very pressing matter, too. We'll have to do something about it at some point." Or maybe Roland would just do something about it. Looking around once more with a slight shudder, he made his way into the equally depressing and empty bedroom and sat down on the bed. "Come, then. Lay on hands or what have you. The horror of these barren accommodations can only distract me for so long." They were very distracting but he supposed he might get over it eventually.

“Given your current state, you’re not going to be in the mood for anything I have to say, so don’t worry about it for now. We’ll go over it again when you’re feeling a little less awful. We’ve got plenty of time. It won’t be an instantaneous process, either, so the more you pace yourself, the better. And don’t complain about that. It’s an unavoidably integral part to a very mandatory process.” Naturally, Rhys expected nothing less than complaint given the fact that he’d once again requested Roland to pace himself and had basically instructed him not to whine about it. He’d learned very quickly that the councilman didn’t take lightly to being commanded to do anything but given the circumstances, there weren’t many other options available to the witch right now. Fortunately, all other lines of debate seemed settled for the time being as both parties were more focused on restoring Roland to full health. Everything else rightfully paled in comparison. 

All hopes of Roland’s recovery were stilled the moment the commentary began and Rhys stopped dead in his tracks as he exhaled slowly, keeping his back to the vampire to hide the exasperation that washed over him immediately. Given the current circumstances, Rhys was under the impression that they had far more important things to be focusing on, but apparently that wasn’t a mutual belief. He turned sharply on his heel to face Roland with an unimpressed stare, folding his arms across his chest as the complaints continued. There was no point in interrupting; when Roland went off on a tangent, there was no stopping him. It was always best to simply let it pass. “It’s got a roof and structurally sound walls. Can’t ask for much more. I’m barely here, Ro. I don’t need it to be a carbon copy of The Ritz. It’s just a temporary living space. That’s enough for me.” He moved to lean against the wall as Roland wandered around the space, his gaze following every movement made. “You can criticise it all you like once we’ve done what we came here to do. There are more pressing matters to be focusing on right now, not that I should have to remind you of that.”

[romanticatheartt]

you’ve got someone 👻 feeling hot 🥵❤️‍🔥 AND bothered 🫠🤤 send this to 5️⃣ other FOXY 🦊🦊🦊🦊🦊blogs➡️ 👩‍💻 before midnight 🕛 falls 🍂🍁🍂 or the vanserra brothers 🧑🧑🧑🧑🧑🧑🧑 won’t 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️ be visiting u 2 nite 🫦🤫😳😳😳😳😳😳

yknow I need them to keep me warm tonight😫

I HAD A FKN JUMPSCARE WHEN I SAW YOUR PFP OMFG💀💀💀 You seriously used <bald Rhys3 as your icon I'm crying😭

And it's not midnight here it's 7am... but I'll send it djjdjdjfjfjgodod

I need Lucien to visit me and more, I need to take my chance with daddy fire D😫

[mindful-mateo]

Mateo had taken on the role of the responsible friend early on between the three of them, both due to inclination and because someone had to and it clearly hadn't been Byron or Rhys. Given his own issues with his powers, he'd always been less willing to cut loose than the other two so as the relatively sober one in the group, he tried to make decent calls and keep them all at least relatively safe. It gave him the reputation of being the stick in the mud but everyone had always made it home alive and that was the important part. Mateo laughed a little at the promise of the performance, raising his glass to accept the mock toast. "At least he was good for something, then." The wine was clearly loosening his lips but it wasn't like Rhys was under any illusion that Mateo liked Roland. There seemed no reason to keep his feelings back now that they were split up.

"I'll see what I can do. But it's not all you've got going for you, don't be like that." Mateo dismissed that line of thinking with his tone. Rhys had a lot more going for him even if the vampire had deserted him. Hopefully he could find someone else who'd appreciate it better now that he wasn't distracted. "It was a bit of a steep learning curve but I think I got the hang of it, yeah. I'll be more prepared next heat week, anyway." He chuckled and nodded. "Definitely more inclusive in terms of that." Mateo waited for a heated diatribe or rant about Roland...and was disappointed. He nearly groaned at Rhys' restraint and shook his head. "Dios mio, mano, you can't even vent about him properly! I didn't want details I wanted you to let out all your hurt and anger but clearly you need more wine for that." Given that their first bottle had run low, Mateo got up and got another one, ushering them into the living room to continue. He might not have gotten Rhys to rant much about Roland but he did at least get him to have a good night and that had been the whole point anyway. For a little while, at least, he could forget about that selfish vampire and just have fun.

END

Throughout the history of their friendship – Byron’s presence included – Mateo always had been the nice one. He’d also been the one to herd them both away from continuous bad decision making on nights out that always managed to spiral out of control in one way or another. Mateo had been the voice of reason time and time again. If it hadn’t been for him, Rhys dreaded to think where he’d be today. Instead of biting back a playfully snarky response, Rhys raised his glass in a mock toast to Mateo’s tireless efforts and took a generous sip as he fought to keep the smile from his face. “It’ll be the performance of a lifetime, don’t you worry. I’ve spent enough time around Roland to pick up a few tricks when it comes to histrionics. It’ll be worth the wait, I’m telling you.”

The relieved smile that blossomed across Mateo’s face put Rhys at ease instantly and he nodded as he listened. “And don’t go light on the details, either. Being all up in your business is all I’ve got going for me now.” It was strange to think of Krovs as a safe haven of any kind, especially as he was fortunate enough not to suffer through any kind of heat, but he could understand where Mateo was coming from. “Sounds like you adjusted quickly enough. It’ll be good for you to have that kind of outlet. It’s a little more inclusive than London ever was in that aspect, huh?” Unsurprisingly, Mateo was more than ready to discuss Roland-related matters and Rhys tried not to groan at the invitation to delve a little deeper. Downing the remainder of his wine, Rhys gave a heavy sigh as he chucked his empty glass from one hand to the other. “There’s not much to say, not really. Things didn’t work out. Can’t afford to be too torn up about it, though. Y’know, ‘cause he’s still my boss– or one of them, anyway. It is what it is. It was nice while it lasted but it clearly wasn’t meant to be anything more, just like you and Seth said.” Setting his glass down, Rhys folded his arms across his chest with another sigh. “Sorry I can’t give you any more exciting details. He lost interest while I got too invested too quickly. That’s all there is to it.”

[mindful-mateo]

"No reason you shouldn't be. Easy enough to make sure you are, with your magic." Mateo supposed something could happen to Rhys' magic but it seemed unlikely. Rhys had done a pretty good job, at least lately, of keeping himself in decent health and even cheated around eating with his magic which was less good but still apparently useful. It was probably one of the only reasons Rhys was even still alive so Mateo couldn't denigrate it too much. Still, he did his best to get food into him, like tonight and that had gone down well enough. The judgmental look shot his way didn't intimidate him at all and he just grinned at the following comment. "Oh I absolutely do. And I am the nice one, it's how I've put up with you for so long." He kept grinning and sipped his wine, knowing Rhys would take that in the teasing spirit it was meant. The witch didn't think much of himself and Mateo usually didn't encourage that but good-natured banter was usually outside of that. He doubted Rhys would take it to heart given the nature of the whole exchange. The thunderbird laughed at the grudging acceptance. "I'll take it. It better be a good performance, though. I'm expecting you to pull out all the stops."

Apparently, he'd taken the reaction to his withholding gossip a little too seriously as Rhys made clear when he'd finished his apology. Mateo looked at his friend, smiling in relief as the witch soothed away the slight misunderstanding. "All right, if you say so. But I will keep you more updated from now on, at least, you deserve that." He chuckled as Rhys decided he didn't need the list. "Thanks, I guess. Heat week was definitely the most active but it's both weird and kind of nice to be in a place that's so...open about all that." It was very bizarre having to adjust to it but Mateo finally thought he was starting to get used to that being the way of things around Krovs. He snorted at the shoulder pat and took another sip of his wine just as Rhys kept going. Ah, there it was. Mateo figured this would come up at some point. "I'll see what I can do. But tell me more about that. Let it all out, yeah? You know you want to." If Rhys couldn't vent to him then who could he vent to? He bet there was a lot of venting about the councilman in there and Mateo was ready and willing to hear it. It wasn't like he'd ever liked or trusted Roland so hearing Rhys complain about him would do them both some good, at least that's what he figured.

With Mateo’s trust finally gained, Rhys gave a sigh of relief and tried to push all Raiden-related thoughts to the back of his mind for the time being. For tonight at least, he didn’t want the tribrid to take up any more space in their conversations. Dealing with him in the daytime was testing enough. The look he was shot mere moments later had the witch shrinking in on himself and he gave a sheepish laugh as Mateo’s questioning grew in its intensity. “Two hundred, yeah. God willing, anyway. So long as I’m in reasonable health.” There had been a point where thirty had seemed an impossible age to reach; Rhys hadn’t necessarily planned his life past his late teens at one point. When he’d surpassed his own expectations, he’d had to rebuild his life and mentality entirely. To find himself in the present – alive and as well as he could be – was always mildly bewildering if he focused a little too hard on it. Whilst two hundred was still a considerable while away, it didn’t make the thought of having to endure existence for another century and then some any easier to process. Fortunately, the days where it felt best to put a stop to things sooner than planned weren’t quite as frequent as they had been in his youth. The darker days remained, naturally, but at the very least, they were slightly easier to shake himself out of nowadays. A laugh left the witch as he listened, fixing Mateo with a judgmental look for a moment. “You wanna see me grovelling that bad? Psh. And people think you’re the nice one. Unbelievable.” Of course, the remark was entirely playful – Mateo had been his lifeline for as long as Rhys could recall at this point. “But yeah, sure, deal. Fine. Guess I’ll survive or whatever just so you can enjoy a little performance at the end of it all.”

Rhys frowned lightly as Mateo rushed into an apology but restrained himself from interrupting to clear up the crossed wires. He certainly hadn’t meant his earlier remark in a genuinely irritated fashion; as with all their gossiping sessions, it’d been entirely lighthearted but given the residual tension from the Raiden discussion, Rhys couldn’t blame Mateo for coming to such a conclusion. “Hey– hey, it’s all good,” he reassured, his expression softening as he gave the thunderbird a warm smile. “You’re enjoying yourself, that’s the main thing. I’m glad to hear it, trust me. It’s about time. Don’t apologise for dragging your heels on offering a little insight.” As Mateo continued, Rhys stifled his laughter and settled instead for simply watching the thunderbird in fond amusement. “No, no. I don’t need the list. You can keep that between you, God and whoever else you’ve decided to grace with your dick. Congrats for really getting into the swing of things, all natural urges aside.” Leaning closer to lightheartedly pat Mateo’s shoulder in an extension of his congratulations, Rhys took a steady breath and finally broached the elephant in the room. “At least one of us is getting some, huh? My regular dick appointments haven’t been taking up half as much time as they used to. Next time you bed someone, do it for me, yeah? Call it charity or something.” 

[mindful-mateo]

"Good." That's all Mateo could really ask of Rhys if Raiden was going to be so unpredictable. It was just part of his life now, being concerned about Rhys' well being. It was something he'd signed up for when he became Rhys' friend and all things considered he didn't really mind. Did he wish Rhys wasn't involved in so many messes and didn't go through so many crises? Sure, but since his friend did and keeping him as a friend was well worth all the stress, Mateo had basically just learned to take it in stride. "You might not like it but both are pretty accurate." The banter, for example, was one of the definite perks of the friendship. Mateo snorted in disbelief. "I'd hardly call myself less fortunate but if that's what makes you feel better. And we both know that's only publicly the Dasior way." Mateo was very familiar with Rhys' family at this point and they were...not the best, to put it as kindly as possible. "All right. I'll trust you."

Mateo gave Rhys a look at the mention of not making it into his nineties. "Please, what's your natural lifespan supposed to be like 200? 250? You should easily make your 90s. In fact, I personally intend to see to it if only for the groveling and being told I'm right. So yeah, absolutely deal." Things turned somewhat less jovial moments later as Rhys' reaction to the news was the expected one of betrayal and outrage. "I didn't think it would be....this, admittedly. Like, I didn't know I was going to be so interested long term or that it was going to keep being a thing. I barely had my head on straight considering I got here during heat week. But you're right, I'm sorry. I should've told you." Mateo could admit when he was wrong and he generally was sorry he hadn't shared the gossip like they usually did. He laughed a little in spite of himself as the next question. "No, no, nothing else. Just Finn. My life is boring outside of that, I swear. Unless you need to know who all I did hook up with during heat week? Pretty sure I've mentioned everyone worth mentioning." They seemed to be sidestepping the whole Roland issue but if Rhys needed Mateo to talk more about his life to avoid venting about his...did he even count as an ex? His...former attachment then Mateo was happy to distract him that way.

“I’ll do what I can, promise.” All things considered, it was the least he could do. Over the years, Rhys had put Mateo through far too many stressful situations when it came to the matter of managing his well-being and though this time was no different, Rhys knew the importance of quelling any concerns as soon as he could, especially when someone like Raiden was involved. Thankfully, their playful back and forth took priority over fretting over the tribrid and Rhys was more than happy to shift his focus to something a little more lighthearted. “Perfectionist is slightly better, I guess. It’s still not great.” Rhys’ smile widened as Mateo’s laughter filled the space between them. For a split second, he could almost fool himself into thinking that everything was fine for once, that things were as carefree as they had been when the two of them would waste away afternoons in one another’s company just like this well over a decade ago now. “Anything to help the less fortunate. It’s the Dasior way. Supposedly.” At Mateo’s rightful insistence, Rhys held his hands up in defence and offered a solemn nod. “Swear on my life. I’ll be early and everything. Just wait and see.”

Rhys chuckled at the unmistakable glint in Mateo’s eye as the discussion shifted to the fascinating topic of Mateo’s trysts with one familiar in particular; it’d been a minute since he’d seen Mateo express so much interest in another. Surely the thunderbird couldn’t expect him to not delve as deep as he possibly could? “Pretty bold of you to assume I’ll make it to my nineties, extended lifespan aside. If I do, I’ll be sure to grovel and tell you just how right you were. Sound like a deal to you?” The sight of the wince wasn’t particularly reassuring – not that it had any right to be given the bombshell that followed. Rhys blinked at him in disbelief for a moment before a frown settled into place alongside the betrayal of their sacred gossiping promise. “The first week? And you didn’t say a word?” The defence that was provided did little to soothe the devastation of Mateo’s withholding but frustratingly, it was a valid one. “I mean… yeah, but you know I’ll always make time for you. Especially if it’s something like this.” Pursing his lips into a disapproving pout, Rhys turned his attention to topping up his glass a little further and took a sip as he reflected on the scant details supplied. “Is there anything else you’ve been keeping from me? I don’t think I can take another betrayal from you, so choose your next words wisely.”

[mindful-mateo]

Mateo nodded. "Do that. And feel free to send me some kind of short 'he's here' text when he shows up randomly, just so I know to check in after a while." It might have seemed like overkill to someone else but Mateo didn't think they could be too careful when it came to Raiden.

"Right. Of course. That's not control freak behaviour at all." Mateo continued teasing. If Rhys was going to double down he was going to rib the witch for it. "How about perfectionist? Do you like that better?" He laughed as Rhys dished it back, promising a plaque and everything. "Sure, why not. Might as well get recognition for my main marketable skill." Rhys seemed very committed to their meet up the following week and it was good to see him laugh and smile like that so Mateo went along. "You better. You've made promises now so be sure you keep them."

Mateo chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Definitely spry. Very spry, even." There was a bit of a mischievous glint in his eyes as he said that. He nodded and sipped his wine, agreeing with the whole assessment of things being different for those of the supernatural persuasion. He snorted at the compliment. "Well, thank you. Wait until you get to my age. I'm sure you'll be just as attractive." Rhys' looks shouldn't fade that much in fifty years or so given his lifespan was extended, though not to the point of immortality. "They never let me get the senior's discount at stores. Don't believe me when I say I'm 94." He joked, figuring it might get another laugh out of Rhys and that was the general goal of the evening. At least Rhys finished his cookie before pouncing on the blowjob information and Mateo had the decency to wince. "So, you're gonna be pissed, but it was the first week I got here?" He paused for the undoubted outburst of disbelief and outrage at not being immediately informed. "In my defense, that first week here was a lot and you had...a bunch of stuff going on." Rhys had had Roland going on and that was really the only thing they'd talked about for endless amounts of time even before Mateo had gotten here. It was a slim defense but it was something, at least. Hopefully that would temper Rhys' reaction at least a little.

Rhys nodded reassuringly, determined to convey the strength of his conviction through gesture seeing as words weren’t quite sufficient enough on their own. “Sure, sure. I mean, I can send you the vague outline. Raiden tends to just… show up half the time, sometimes on the scheduled day, sometimes not. It’s a perpetual guessing game of when my office is going to be tainted by his presence.” The words left Rhys quietly even in the safety of Mateo’s suite – it was always safer to assume that anything could be overheard at any given time and the last thing Rhys needed on top of everything else was having Raiden overhear that. 

“It’s not that I’m a control freak,” doubling down likely wasn’t the smartest choice if he wanted to dismiss the claim entirely but Rhys couldn’t let it go quite that easily. “I just… like to make sure things are done correctly. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Despite the fact it was meant to be a defence, the amusement in Rhys’ tone was enough of a sign to show he wasn’t actually affronted by the teasing. If anything, Mateo couldn’t have been more correct. “I’ll get one made up for you. One for here, too. You deserve a little recognition. How else is everyone gonna know how good you are at putting books in order?” As always, the teasing was nothing but lighthearted and as far as gifts went, Rhys saw no reason why they’d be frowned upon. The knowing look he was given in response pulled a bright laugh from the witch within seconds and he shot the sweetest smile he could muster in response, feigning complete ignorance to it. “Don’t worry. I’ll go the whole nine yards for you, make it all memorable and everything. It’ll make up for all the other attempts.” 

Rhys made a quiet noise of agreement as Finn’s trial was momentarily focused on, the entire ordeal still surprisingly fresh within his mind despite all the time that had come to pass since then. “Yeah. He’s pretty spry for eight hundred, right? Then again…” he gestured loosely with a hand as he searched for the right words. “Demons, immortality, all that stuff… it’s just part of the deal. Then again, it’s not as if you look your age, either. You’re one of the best-looking senior citizens I’ve ever met.” He listened intently as Mateo went on with his semi-reluctant elaboration, his eyes widening in sheer delight at the added comment half-blanketed by a cough. However, he wasn’t raised in a barn, so he had the decency to finish his cookie and take a much-needed sip of his wine before delving deeper into that wonderful little insight. “When was this? This life-changing blowjob, I mean? How long have you been keeping that from me for? I never keep those details from you.”

[mindful-mateo]

Mateo sighed but nodded his reluctant agreement. "I have all the faith in the world in you I just don't trust Raiden." That was hardly a surprise, Mateo didn't trust any of the councilmen. Rhys was smart and as careful as he could be and that would just have to be enough for now. "You better. Send me a schedule of the sessions, too, just so if I don't get a text from you I'll know to come look."

The expression on Rhys' face, momentary as it was, just earned him a look from Mateo until the amusement was back and Mateo's smile returned as well. He chuckled as Rhys sought approval for enjoying his title and Mateo shook his head, chuckling and sipping his wine. "Enjoy it all you want, I'm just sayin'. Also, no it's not bad at all. You should be proud of it. Who wouldn't like seeing their name on a plaque when that's the reason for it?" Granted, it wasn't like Rhys didn't have a title back in London but Mateo knew this was different. This hadn't been granted to him from his family this had been earned on his own merit and through his own talents. The thunderbird understood how that was different and saw no reason Rhys shouldn't enjoy it. "You're right. It wouldn't be." Mateo gave him a knowing look but smiled again after a moment, laughing as he lifted his glass for the mock toast. "Pretty sure we're the only ones trying but good on us."

They were back onto dissecting his interest in Finn and there was no real point in resisting anymore. At least Rhys was answering some questions for him, too, so it wasn't just an interrogation. "I remember you telling me about that, yeah." The thought of Finn being on trial for that kind of thing was kind of dizzying. It didn't exactly fit with the demon he knew but he was aware he didn't really know Finn all that well all things considered. Mateo was also a little surprised to hear about how old Finn actually was and he blinked a couple of times as he absorbed that information. "Damn. No kidding. Never would've guessed he was that old, for the record." Not that it really mattered when it came to supernatural folks. Tactfully, he chose not to bring up Roland at all. They were having a nice time, there was no need to ruin it. At least Rhys took a cookie, that was good. Any time he could get Rhys to eat it always felt like a small success. The cookie didn't stop him from asking more questions for very long, though, and Mateo shrugged, looking at his wine glass. "He's charming and fun. Tends to catch me off guard, not that that's hard to do, but it's just...nice, I guess? Helps that he also gave me the best blowjob of my life, too." He half covered that statement with a cough but he was sure it was loud enough to be heard, grinning at Rhys before he sipped his wine. "Been a little infatuated since then, not gonna lie."

“Not a chance. I’m not putting that kind of stress on you. And don’t go asking Seth, either. Just have a little faith in me and let me deal with the rest, ‘kay? It’s all gonna be fine.” If he said it enough, Rhys hoped it’d manifest into a certain truth. So long as he kept Raiden occupied and held his tongue, there would be nothing to worry about. It was his mess to deal with and he had no intention of dragging anyone else into it alongside him simply for the sake of their safety as well. “I’ll text you after each session just so you know I’m still breathing. That’ll suffice.”

The assessment was more accurate than Rhys was willing to admit but that didn’t prevent the witch from pulling a face at it regardless, mildly affronted for only a fraction of a second before his amusement cut through and in record time, his smile was as bright as it’d been moments before. “Don’t have to point out the obvious, just let me enjoy my fancy title for a minute. Is it bad that I still feel a little glimmer of pride whenever I pass by the office and see my name engraved on the plaque?” There was an almost childish innocence to his tone for a moment, as if he were quietly seeking approval to… well, to feel, apparently. Even if the title that awaited him back in London – should he choose to return on a permanent basis – was equally as steeped in prestige in its own right, he’d heard it time and time again since childhood and it had long since lost its glamour in his mind, merely acting as a sobering reminder of the expectations weighing heavily on his shoulders the minute he stepped foot in Mayfair again. “Deal. I promise it won’t come to that, though. Wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me to miss out on a date with you, would it?” He smirked as he held Mateo’s gaze for a moment before taking another sip from his glass, somehow managing to feel accomplished. At least he’d have no Roland-related excuse to have to prepare this time around. As the conversation shifted to more professional measures, Rhys nodded sagely as he listened to Mateo’s spin on things and raised his glass in a playful mock toast. “Exactly. So long as we’re trying, nothing else really matters.”

Rhys was delighted to watch Mateo concede to the inevitable. If there was gossip to be discussed, there wasn’t a chance Rhys would leave it alone until he could glean all he possibly could. He nodded intermittently as Mateo explained, not wanting to interrupt whilst he was willingly offering up valuable information. The thunderbird’s surprise coaxed another light laugh from him and Rhys nodded. “Mmhm. D’you remember the whole ordeal with the assassination attempts on the Council? I was called up to speak at Finn’s trial. Did a little digging on him beforehand. We haven’t really spoken one-on-one, though. Never moved in the same circles ‘round here.” The second round of questioning pulled another laugh from the witch and Rhys eyed Mateo in vibrant amusement, deliberately dragging out the pause simply for entertainment’s sake. “He’s just over eight hundred if I’m remembering right. He’s got a fair few years on you.” Not that Rhys had any room to talk given the age gap between himself and Roland– even himself and Mateo, all things considered. He’d only just turned nineteen when he’d first made the thunderbird’s acquaintance, after all. Still, it wasn’t as if it mattered. The lines were always a little more blurred when it came to preternatural situationships. Dropping his attention to the container, Rhys plucked a cookie of his own from it with another nod of thanks and cut his questioning gaze back to Mateo as he took a bite, contemplating what to grill him on next as he swallowed. “What is it about him that’s got you all giddy, though? You’ve clearly developed some amalgamation of feelings for him. No one gets that flustered over a little prying if there’s nothing going on.”

[mindful-mateo]

Rhys seemed determined to brush it off but Mateo knew he would be worrying about it. He'd have to do some research about protective measures against really old tribrids. It was specific, but he was sure he could probably find something. Research and knowledge usually helped ease his mind. "I might actually hold you to that. At least then I'd know the second you were in danger." It would also likely stress him out more but he'd be willing to carry it to make sure Rhys was okay, or at least ultimately okay. It wasn't like Rhys hadn't been stressing him out in some fashion for basically the entirety of their friendship.

"Because you're a bit of a control freak, obviously." Not truly but Mateo would tease him about it. Rhys was just very particular and stubborn and liked to have things done a certain way, especially when it came to work. Rhys' reaction to the ribbing was a little more dramatic than Mateo had been expecting but he watched in amusement anyway. "Okay, I'll hold you to that. And if Friday hits and I haven't heard from you I'll come to your office and drag you to lunch. Deal?" If they weren't going to make a definite appointment this seemed like the only way he could ensure Rhys kept that promise, at least lately. Mateo wasn't really that put out about it it was just that Rhys had said multiple times he'd visit him in the library and had only really done it when Mateo made all the arrangements. He deserved to be teased for that. "I don't really expect a lot of professionalism here, considering, but you and I can do what we can to add to it a bit. At least the library can be organized and a relatively safe space." Heat week aside, anyway. Anything apparently went anywhere during heat week and Mateo was not immune to that.

"I'm not even really..." It was hopeless so Mateo gave up protesting about it. They were clearly going to have this conversation so he might as well get used to it. "We met during heat week when I first got here. So...a few months? But it's really only been a few times." The thunderbird was a little surprised when Rhys seemed to know Finn though he shouldn't have been given the size of the castle. "Yeah. You know him?" He was curious in spite of himself. "Older men? Wait, how old is he?" It wasn't like it had ever really come up. It wasn't terribly surprising if he was older than he looked, almost everyone here probably was but the fact that Rhys felt the need to comment on it made him wonder just how much of a gap there was. He finished his cookie and pushed the container towards Rhys.

Even if it was a little jarring to discuss the protocol surrounding another near-death experience, Rhys knew it was important to put some kind of measures in place. In a feeble attempt to keep the tone light, he waved Mateo’s words away with a dismissive exhale. “I’ll enchant a life alert pendant for you or something, don’t worry.” Whether that was a feasible idea or not, Rhys couldn’t be sure, but it seemed a morosely fitting joke if nothing else. He wouldn’t dream of putting Mateo through the stress of having to carry something like that around with him; he knew he stressed the poor thunderbird out enough without needing to add minute-by-minute updates on his state of consciousness to it all. He didn’t miss the strained edge to Mateo’s smile and though it wasn’t pleasant to know that he’d once again been the source of it, there was little he could do to reassure him when the reality of the situation was that Raiden could kill him in a single hit if worse came to worst, but if all went well, hopefully they’d never have to dwell on it again. Or, at least, that’s what Rhys had been trying to tell himself. 

A laugh of agreement left Rhys as they moved to less depressing ground. “You and me both. Why’d you think I applied for Head of the department?” Whilst he still answered to the Council, he didn’t have to be bossed about by some insufferable egotist, he could simply be one. (At least during office hours.) He cringed as Mateo brought up his significant lack of presence and withered under his gaze from across the table. “I’m sorry!” Covering his face with a hand, Rhys gave a pitiful whine of regret before forcing himself to sit forward to hold Mateo’s gaze. “I’m sorry. I really am. I promise I’ll stop by sometime next week, yeah? I’ll text you beforehand– we could grab lunch together or something?” It was the least he could offer after so many failed plans over the past few months, but it was a start. “You have? Oh, look at you. It’s good to know you’re adding a little professionalism to the place. Castle’s in dire need, I’m telling you.” With everything being as chaotic as it had been as of late, Rhys had almost forgotten how uplifting a little lighthearted bantering could be for the soul. Once again, Mateo had come in clutch at just the right time. 

The look shot his way coaxed a delighted chuckle from Rhys, the spirited glint in his eyes speaking volumes as he listened without interruption. “That doesn’t change anything, but I’m glad you’re putting yourself out there. How long have you been intermittently gracing him with your presence for?” It was practically Rhys’ duty to delve as deeply into the subject as Mateo would allow; he had to make sure this newcomer was good for the thunderbird. He was a delicate one in his own way and if harm came to him in any capacity, Rhys wouldn’t hesitate to raise hell against anyone foolish enough to sink so low. Still, he kept it light. Tripping into territorial behaviour wouldn’t be beneficial when Mateo was finally making another connection again, even if it was just a casual arrangement for now. Rhys had topped up his glass before the thunderbird had even begun to reply, the roll of his eyes acting as enough of an agreement, and he set the bottle down to pluck his own glass from the table to take a measured sip as he studied Mateo closely. His brow rose as a name was finally uttered but he didn’t say a word in response at first. Finn stood out in Rhys’ mind as part of the perplexing set of circumstances that led to finally making Roland’s acquaintance outside of the Council Room – and what a decision that had turned out to be. “Winchester?” Rhys grinned, swirling the contents of his glass as he eyed him playfully. “Since when did you have a thing for older men? You dark horse, you.”

[councillor-roland]

"Now you're laughing at me." Roland sighed, in response to Rhys' chuckle, feeling vaguely petulant but still too tired to do much more than complain a little. He could've made much more of a fuss and might have in a difference circumstance but it was too much effort right now. At least Rhys did settle beside him, if much too carefully for Roland's liking. In spite of being told not to move, he doubted he could do too much harm so wrapped his arm around Rhys and pulled him closer, giving him a slight look. "I repeat, how dare you." It was hard to be too angry when Rhys was smiling like that, though. He rolled his eyes, more or less fondly, as Rhys checked in again and reached up to toy with his hair lightly.

"It's not a feeling I'm used to but it's far from overwhelming." He smiled a little wider at the permission. "Well, how can I resist then? Yes, you're most definitely overthinking it. Quiet that pretty head of yours and just stay with me." Roland leaned over and brushed his lips over Rhys' forehead then settled back and closed his eyes, wrapping his arm a little more tightly around Rhys. He would just rest here for a time, grateful for Rhys' presence. He wouldn't have wanted to be alone.

END

Despite it all, Rhys chuckled softly at the response given. It was probably a little unfair to kick him while he was down, but in Rhys’ defence, he’d taken well enough to the magic that a little verbal sparring was merely par for the course. And he was delightful without a running commentary accompanying his presence. For a second, Rhys almost forgot how maddeningly stubborn Roland could be from time to time. Not that he wasn’t equally as guilty of such an offence, but still. With no adverse side effects or shortcomings being immediately apparent, the witch felt confident enough to assume that Roland’s physical discomfort was finally fully alleviated and the light tug that followed served as sufficient proof of such a fact. To deny Roland such a simple request would have been cruel, especially seeing as he’d been surprisingly well-behaved throughout the ordeal, all scathing commentary pertaining to his accommodation aside. Rhys tentatively settled beside him as gently as he possibly could so as not to disturb the magic whilst the last of it settled into Roland’s system. He turned his attention to Roland’s aura again simply for his own peace of mind before finally focusing on Roland properly, a small smile of adoration settling as he got comfortable. “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true, cher. Is this… okay? Not too overwhelming? I need you to let me know if anything feels too much or… not right in general. You seem to be doing okay though, so feel free to tell me I’m overthinking everything as per usual. I’ll graciously accept it just this once.”

[councillor-roland]

It was almost surprising that Rhys didn't try to argue against Roland since the witch was absolutely terrible at taking compliments. Roland showered them on him anyway in the hope that sheer exposure would make him at least start to accept some of them. Maybe it was working since Rhys just seemed to accept this one and that was quite a pleasant change. It was hard not to smile when Rhys did since it lit up his whole face and Roland smiled as well at least until he was annoyed and ranting a little. As far as his rants went, it was positively brief. He could have gone on for much longer, considering, but he was tired and he wasn't used to that, just another thing that was wrong that he didn't like. In spite of Rhys' gentle tone when he responded, Roland scoffed loudly and just managed to listen to the rest of the advice without interrupting. "Talk? And say what, exactly? I lived it, you've watched it twice, I don't think describing the event in excruciating detail will do either of us any good. I appreciate the support but aside from going over it again until we're both sick of it, I wouldn't know what to say. I was staked, it was terrible, I feel cold. There. Am I cured? No, obviously not." Roland failed to see how talking would help given that slightly longer rant but maybe he just couldn't fathom doing it at the moment, so soon after it had happened. Maybe in a calmer moment with a little distance he'd be able to do it but he remained quite skeptical.

Of course Rhys didn't think it was worth it for Roland to say anything to his father but Roland disagreed. He would very much like to verbally eviscerate the man, his mother too for good measure. "Then I'd happily waste it if only to make him feel awful for a moment or two, as he rightly deserves." Rhys was surprisingly willing to just do magic rather than explain it to death. Granted, Roland had usually asked to be treated to such information but apparently the situation didn't warrant that and Roland was glad of that. He blinked at the invitation to Rhys' room where he, in fact, had never been before. They were almost always in Rhys' office or his suite for their more intimate encounters but he was curious in spite of himself. He even chuckled a little at the mention of it being 'not as glitzy'. Few suites were as lavish as his own. "I'm sure I could handle it." Rhys' office was well put together, after all, neat and somewhat minimal but not terribly off putting. Roland assumed his room would be somewhat similar. Letting out a breath he closed his eyes for a moment and finally pulled away from Rhys, though he slid his fingers down his arm and clasped his hand for a moment. "All right. Lead the way, cher." He didn't bother buttoning up his shirt or reclaiming his suit jacket. It was Krovs, after all, so it wasn't like it mattered and he was too tired to fuss about such things at the moment.

The praise made Rhys’ heart flutter in his chest the second it was uttered. Accepting kind words in any form was usually an impossible task for the witch. The immediate urge to refuse them was ever-present. Yet somehow, for once, he didn’t struggle to offer a brief nod of grateful acknowledgement in response this time around. Whether it was due to the fact that he was simply glad to still have Roland here after the attempt on his life or because he was finding himself slipping further and further into territory he’d long since sworn himself away from for the sake of avoiding hurt and disappointment further down the line, Rhys wasn’t entirely sure. Now wasn’t the time to analyse the bigger picture, though. Remaining firmly in the present was what mattered most, especially given the vulnerability still rolling off the vampire in waves. He leaned into Roland’s touch with a smile, a light laugh following as the affection he felt for the other dared to jeopardize the professional front that needed to remain in place given the circumstances. Fortunately, the huff of frustration from the councilman quickly snapped Rhys out of his daze and he braced himself for whatever fast-paced monologue was about to be hurled his way. Given everything that had happened, Rhys could understand that tensions were obviously running a little higher than usual and that fuses would be considerably shorter; at the very least, he was glad to have enough knowledge of Roland’s mannerisms by now to know what to expect with the slightest gesture or sound. “You talk about it,” Rhys replied softly, his tone nothing but gentle. It was a delicate situation and it needed to be approached with the utmost care and patience; what Roland lacked in such a department, Rhys possessed in abundance. When it came to certain individuals, anyway. “You don’t have to sit and dwell on it by yourself. You don’t have to do any of this on your own. You talk about it, process it gradually and learn how to move past it. It’s easier said than done, but it is doable. Even if it feels like it’s impossible right now, I can promise you from firsthand experience that it’s more than manageable.”

Despite their plans to visit London at some point in the future, Rhys was still reluctant to do so if there was even the slightest chance of Roland crossing paths with any of his family. It was practically an inevitability regardless of the time of year and given the clear displeasure both in Roland’s expression and his tone, it would go as poorly as Rhys feared it might. Whilst a small part of him would be amused to watch Roland deliver more than a few home truths to both his parents, it was more trouble than it was worth. “It’s not worth it, Ro. Really. You’d only be wasting your breath on him.” Typically, most discussions surrounding magic between the two of them included a lengthy lecture from Rhys beforehand so that all possible bases could be covered. Now, however, Rhys was happy enough with Roland’s permission alone, no further elaboration required. If it meant alleviating Roland of some of his suffering, no further discussion was necessary on the ins and outs of things. “It’d probably be for the best, yeah. Would you be okay with heading to my accommodation? It’s considerably closer than your suite and I don’t want you pushing yourself. I know it’s not as glitzy as you’d like, but there’s a bed and a guarantee of peace and quiet. Quite honestly, that’s all you’ll be needing.”

[councillor-roland]

"If you say so. But surely twice is enough. You don't need to put yourself through it anymore." For once Roland didn't react to what could have been interpreted as a slight against him because Rhys obviously didn't mean it that way. Not that that particularly fact had stopped him from being offended in the past but this situation was already fraught. They'd argued a little already, Roland had no wish to do it anymore at the moment. He just wanted to be with him, to hold him, and to try and put all of this behind him. That affectionate look on Rhys' face was a large part of the reason. Roland never really got tired of seeing that expression or being looked at like that, one could even say he craved it at this point. It didn't occur to him, at least at the moment, that that was dangerous, that this whole thing between them was starting to become much more than he'd intended. There was no room for that right now. "Can't it be both? We were smart enough to offer you the job and lucky that you accepted it." He reached up and brushed his thumb over Rhys' cheek lightly, smiling a little. The short lived smile slipped away and he let out a huff of frustration. Patience. Piece himself together slowly. Work through it. The advice was the same but it was no less annoying. He wasn't good at that. He got mired in things or he ignored them hard enough that he could function as normal. Processing wasn't exactly his forte. It felt like he'd only just clawed out of the pit of despair Alix's death had sunk him into, he'd had merely a few decades of being more or less back to normal and now this? It was maddening. "And how do I do that? Do I just...sit with this feeling and dwell on it because seems like a terrible idea. Yet you don't seem to want me to ignore it or push it away so what's left?" He was clearly irritated though less with Rhys and more just with the situation in general.

Rhys kept saying the same thing and Roland wanted to throw his hands up in frustration, to pace around, but instead he just scoffed and held tighter to Rhys. That at least felt a little better. Some of his frustration faded for a moment as Rhys explained why the magic would work differently. He had a very low opinion of Rhys' parents and everything he heard about them just worsened it, this being just one more black mark against the witch's father. He shook his head in disgust. "Such a prize, your father. I'd like to give him a piece of my mind." Never mind that this had happened years ago, it was still unacceptable. In spite of all Rhys' explanation, this magic at least sounded like a shortcut to getting better and that's really all Roland needed to know about it. He doubted that was Rhys' intention but Roland was going to use it that way anyway. "Yes, yes, that sounds fine. I trust you, cheri. If you say it can help, I believe you. Should I sit down or something?" It sounded like it was going to help not take a lot out of him but Rhys was the magic expert, not him, so maybe he would need to brace himself.

“You could have, yeah. But that wouldn’t have been sufficient. For the sake of paperwork alone, I need exact details. Recollection from memory so soon after such a traumatic event alone isn’t always enough. It’s possible that small details could be omitted accidentally. Not that I’m doubting you, but it’s a necessary requirement.” Roland had been through enough. Making him recall every second of the attack in perfect clarity would have been asking too much of him and Rhys didn’t wish to extend his suffering any further. Witnessing it himself was a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. It also helped to understand exactly what they were up against now that the attacks were occurring closer to home and whilst the M.O. was identical to the one implemented in Portugal and Spain, keeping on top of things remained paramount. Rhys’ expression softened into one of unwavering affection as Roland once again reiterated his devotion to the role required of him. He made a good point and in the moment, it was difficult to disagree even if he wanted to. “Not lucky,” he replied dismissively, a shrug of his shoulders accompanying the response. “Just smart enough to hire someone who knows what he’s doing.” As admirable as Roland’s efforts to return to some sort of normality were, it was painfully clear that he was in no state to do so just yet. The mental wounds were still too fresh. “Self-serving though it may be, guaranteeing your complete and utter safety is more important to me than anything else right now. For the time being, it’s important you focus on gradually piecing yourself back together. It won’t be an instantaneous process but I know I needn’t tell you that. Have a little patience. In time, everything will be as it once was. I promise.”

Rhys listened carefully to each word that left the councilman, nodding now and then in sympathetic understanding. It wasn’t an easy process; coming so close to death took a toll no matter how resilient one typically considered themselves. Rhys knew that firsthand. To lose yourself so entirely, to linger on the verge between life and death… it was a harrowing experience and it often felt impossible to come back from. You came back transformed somehow and never usually for the better, not at first. “I understand,” he replied softly, wholly empathetic to Roland’s plight. “But you’ll have to be patient, Ro. There’s no other way around it. Trying to rush through it or pushing yourself past your limits will only extend the healing time required. You’ll do more damage to yourself trying to brush it off or repress it. You really do have to pace yourself, as frustrating as it’ll be at times.” Rhys’ expression shifted to mild discomfort for a moment as Roland rightfully threw his words back at him. It was a valid point, after all. “The difference here is that the one utilising his magic on you genuinely cares about you. My father’s usage was to protect the family legacy, not his son. It was the bare minimum. Sure, the physical wounds were healed. That was the most important thing at the time. It was the mental side of things that kept me so disconnected– cold. With a little purification magic thrown in there too, body, mind and spirit will be nurtured properly. It’s typically reserved for cleansing one of the effects of dark magic; curses, corruption, that sort of thing. In this instance, though, I think it should help take away the cold afflicting you. Is that okay? I know it probably sounds like I'm dragging things out, but I need to make sure you're okay with all the magic that's gonna be in your system for a while."

[councillor-roland]

Rhys actually interrupted him for once which wasn't the norm. Roland was much more prone to interrupting but Rhys' sarcasm apparently couldn't wait for him to finish. He narrowed his eyes at the comment, glaring slightly. "Don't scold me when this is all so...unfamiliar." He didn't particularly feel like being lectured or scolded or whatever else Rhys might want to subject him to verbally at the moment. At being told not to throw a tantrum, the glare intensified. "Don't speak to me like I'm a toddler." It was more than a little sharp but Rhys deserved that considering the circumstances. The orders were bugging him even if Rhys was ultimately trying to help. He could've gotten much more upset about it but Rhys happened to be right. He was really too tired for that, or for an argument, so he left it just at the glaring and the sharp words. That would have to be enough.

The horrific state of the suite gave him a little energy, though, at least enough for him to complain about it at some length though obviously Rhys continue not to appreciate his comments. "I'm not overthinking it I'm just observing how....sad the state of this place is. I think we're going to have to have a serious conversation about how you need to take better care of yourself, starting with this barren hovel." Rhys acted like he was the unreasonable one but really this place couldn't possibly be called a home. Shelter, maybe, and that's all Rhys claimed he wanted but that wasn't really living and Roland intended to change it. Rhys agreed, probably just to get him to shut up, but it pleased the vampire nonetheless. "All right. Don't think I'll forget, though. We will most certainly be coming back to this topic."

Rhys wanted him to lie down so Roland obliged, noting that the bed at least wasn't terribly uncomfortable. That was something. At the suggestion to relax, he tried to do that, tried to ease the tension out of his muscles and smiled a little at the breathing comment. "Pointless indeed." He agreed, though the fact that it was so quiet and he was less distracted by the suite meant he paid more attention to that hollow cold in his chest. The smile widened a little at the kiss and he settled back to let Rhys quite literally work his magic. It didn't take long to feel it, the soothing warmth that flowed from Rhys' hands into his chest, slowly thawing and seeping into that cold space to eradicate it. He let out a breath and nodded. "Yes, it's fine. It feels good." It was difficult to describe but the warmth was a good feeling and it helped him relax. He glanced at Rhys when he said he'd add in a little more magic which added more of a tingle to the whole feeling, not in a bad way just somewhat strange. Apparently, he needed to not move though he didn't particularly appreciate the comments that followed but he still squeezed Rhys' hand when he took it. "How dare you suggest I'm more charming when I'm silent. You of all people know how well I use words." He pouted a little and gave Rhys a look but tugged on his hand slightly. "Lie down with me." He normally would've just pulled Rhys to do it but he'd been instructed not to move and in this instance he was inclined to follow the directions since Rhys was so sure it would help.

“Yes,” Rhys replied sarcastically, interjecting before Roland had a chance to finish. “Of course, this is all wholly unnecessary. I only suggested it to torment you further as you clearly haven’t been through enough in the space of one afternoon.” Shooting a stern glance in Roland’s direction as his voice trailed off, Rhys let his words hang in the air between them and hoped that Roland would at least attempt to factor a little logic into his comprehension of the situation. If he was going to whinge and whine, he could take himself and his problems elsewhere. “Don’t throw a tantrum now. We both know you don’t have the energy for it. You’ll only make yourself feel worse. You can complain as much as you like once we’re all finished here.”

It seemed as if he still had some complaint left in him after all. Stifling the urge to roll his eyes for what would have likely been the millionth time in Roland’s presence by now, Rhys watched on in muted exhaustion as the councilman rattled off a dozen unimportant observations. The only plus side to any of the ranting was that it seemed to outweigh the side effects of his suffering for a moment and fleetingly provided a glimpse at Roland’s usual self. At the very least, things weren’t as dire as they could be if Roland still had enough energy in him to launch into such a passionate speech. “I don’t necessarily consider it home, so it doesn’t bother me. As I said, it’s got a roof and walls. That’s enough. It doesn’t have to be more. It does the bare minimum for me and that’s all I need it to do. That’s all there is to it. For once, you’re the one overthinking things here.” Evidently, this wasn’t going to be something that Roland would let go. The thought of him attempting to change anything in here was a nightmarish one, but if agreeing to it meant getting this topic of conversation finished with, it was a necessary evil. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. We’ll discuss it another time, okay?” 

He watched Roland settle into place before stepping closer to gently encourage him to lay down properly. It wasn’t a necessary requirement but Rhys had been taught to always make the individual in need as comfortable as possible before imbuing them with magic of any kind, especially when it came to matters of healing. “I know it’s the least relaxing thing in the world to be told to do so, but I’d like you to relax as much as you possibly can. I’d tell you to keep your breathing slow, but… well, we both know that’s pointless.” Laughing softly to himself, Rhys leant down to press a kiss to Roland’s forehead before straightening up to gently rest both hands over the now-healed injury and allowed his restoration magic to properly flow through, a comforting warmth soon radiating through to seep into Roland. Regardless of how much it’d likely take out of Rhys, knowing that it would restore Roland to his prime and rid him of the chill that haunted him was worth the consequential dip in power for an hour or so. “That feel okay?” He murmured softly, tentatively tearing his attention from his work for a second. “If it’s too much at any point, let me know.”

As the last surge of magic settled into Roland’s system, Rhys took a small step back and steepled his fingers as he scanned his gaze over the councilman carefully to get a better read on his aura. So far, so good. “I doubt you’ll need it now, but I’ll throw a little purification magic in as we discussed, just for good measure. Might as well cover all the necessary bases while you’re here.” It was done with a simple flick of his wrist – there wasn’t need for any theatrics, not when such a miniscule amount was required. The restoration magic alone would provide more than enough aid. “Let it settle for a few minutes. Don’t move, just let it do what it needs to. If you decide to start launching into another gesture-filled monologue, you’re only gonna prolong it.” Moving to perch beside him, Rhys reached out to take one of Roland’s hands in his, giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze. “That being said, you’ve been a wonderful patient. I’m surprised by how charming your bedside manner is when you’re not talking.”