[ fair, that's one of the major things that makes bradley different from nero. brad needs to socialize and make connections - the bigger his circle, the better. if he could establish a wizard-only empire he would, but apparently they're the only wizards here so that's not gonna be possible.
what is possible is plan b, one that nero might be more open to. but starting a family at an unfamiliar place would have to happen after they know how permanent this is, if people ever come back, what's the condition for staying… there's too many unknowns. but one thing brad learned in the gang is to always be ready to face the loss of your loved ones. of course he misses mitile. of course he worries and wants to take him from mithra and figaro's clammy hands as soon as possible. he knows nero's going through the same for riquet, too. but in his mind brad's telling himself to get over it.
his eyes follow nero as he takes the plates. ]
There ain't other wizards here, but there's other stuff. [ dragons, apparently? and whatever lilia is. ] We could still band with 'em.
He sends the gathered plates and food away to the kitchen; the plates to clean themselves up and put themselves away, and the whatever leftovers there may be to settle on the oven, for him to take care of himself later.
His gaze is following the plates, not Brad. He misses the gang, but it brings back unpleasant memories of Brad being reckless. )
( It's Nero assuming gang is the foremost thing on Brad's mind... and having a family of his own, as a unit, with Brad, hasn't even occurred to him yet, despite basically having that in some clumsy way in practice, back at the manor.
What better influence could they get than me? Don't you want our kids to be confident? Strong? For two experienced wizards like us to have their backs if they're ever in trouble?
[ please. he'd be the best dad and nero would be the best mom. there's literally no question in his mind. the only thing he didn't mention is that he'd be okay with stealing kids too but he figures nero can infer as much anyway. fantasizes about it, even. not happy kids in happy families, of course, but, you know. ]
[ talking to nero is like stroking a balloon with your hands which could pop any second but never does, it just remains stressed and deflating forever. but thankfully brad will blow him nice and full again :) ]
I think that's more than enough. You'd be like a mom or somethin'.
( He says, but he... doesn't really mind. It snaps him out of his impending negative spiral, and distracts him in a way that's fairly positive. )
... I'd take care of 'em as one of my own. I mean— it's not like they'd actually be ours, but... ( Letting that "ours" slip, because who else would he parent with? His heart knows his answer. ) I'd put in that level of care. 's what they deserve.
Was that not what you were getting at?? What the hell??!
( NERO STANDS UP!!! BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO STAND FOR THIS (wait)— Anyway, he seems like he's about to escape to his room (that Bradley crashes anyway, so it's not much of an escape, but). )
Look, like I said, just forget it, I don't know what the hell you're talkin' about anymore, but if I see a kid in need a help I'll help 'em, and you do the same, all right? Okay, we got this clarified, we're done talkin', that's it.
[ he senses nero about to leave the conversation, so he steps around the table and grabs his arm. ]
You meant somethin' else, didn't you? Like real parents.
[ believe it or not, that phrase was very difficult for him to say. wizards becoming parents is taking a huge gamble for heartbreak, especially since it's likely their kid will be human and have the lifespan of a hamster. but… he thought about it in prison, and now that the topic is out there and not just in his head, it’s a little scary.
( As always, he stops when gripped - not meeting Brad's eyes, especially when he continues.
Like real parents. He hadn't thought of it in so many words, but... that's basically what they were both getting at, right? But being a parent as a wizard is...
He exhales, a wry smile on his face. Their thoughts are in alignment, and he can tell from Brad's tone of voice. Guess they were both edging toward the subject, but didn't want to say it. )
... 's better if we keep our distance. Yeah? ... Less painful.
[ his grip grows harsher for a second before loosening, then releasing him. ]
. . .
[ he's uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. thoughts he never wanted to surface in front of nero are suddenly bombarding him from every direction, but... there's a sense of peace knowing that they're both on the same wavelength as always. kids, huh... not just an army, not just a group of people that follow him, but an actual family.
the one thing bradley wants the most in the world. the reason he kept the gang his father made. all for this one simple wish. ]
...Nero.
[ for a second, he doesn't move. he doesn't even look at nero, busy contemplating his own thoughts. slowly, he brings a hand to the back of his head, rubbing his neck; his ears redder than usual. ]
'S not like it's impossible, is it? The humans here don't care that we're wizards, and they've never tried to kill us, so we ain't got no reason to start a gang yet [ yet. ] What I'm sayin' is that shouldn't stop us from takin' in some of the brats nobody wants for ourselves. Doesn't have to be a gang [ yet ], we can just grab 'em as they are, right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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what is possible is plan b, one that nero might be more open to. but starting a family at an unfamiliar place would have to happen after they know how permanent this is, if people ever come back, what's the condition for staying… there's too many unknowns. but one thing brad learned in the gang is to always be ready to face the loss of your loved ones. of course he misses mitile. of course he worries and wants to take him from mithra and figaro's clammy hands as soon as possible. he knows nero's going through the same for riquet, too. but in his mind brad's telling himself to get over it.
his eyes follow nero as he takes the plates. ]
There ain't other wizards here, but there's other stuff. [ dragons, apparently? and whatever lilia is. ] We could still band with 'em.
[ he doesn't specify what sort of band, though. ]
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... What, like a gang?
( what else is there,
He sends the gathered plates and food away to the kitchen; the plates to clean themselves up and put themselves away, and the whatever leftovers there may be to settle on the oven, for him to take care of himself later.
His gaze is following the plates, not Brad. He misses the gang, but it brings back unpleasant memories of Brad being reckless. )
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. . . Why not?
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He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. )
... You should know how I feel about that.
( Thinking about Brad risking himself.......... )
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[ catch his drift, pardner? ]
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—Kids?
( Not put off??? Not put off at all... but surprised (even though he really shouldn't be), because... )
I mean... That's kinda like...
( ... a family........? with brad ??? (??!) )
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[ free real estate, nero!! ]
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... I mean, if they're not bein' attended to by nobody...
( Brad can see his brain whirring... Neurons firing... babystealernero.jpg activating... )
... It's a dangerous place. But that means you gotta be a good influence on 'em too if we find any, you hear me?
( scolding brad but also!!! yes, he is board )
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What better influence could they get than me? Don't you want our kids to be confident? Strong? For two experienced wizards like us to have their backs if they're ever in trouble?
[ please. he'd be the best dad and nero would be the best mom. there's literally no question in his mind. the only thing he didn't mention is that he'd be okay with stealing kids too but he figures nero can infer as much anyway. fantasizes about it, even. not happy kids in happy families, of course, but, you know. ]
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Come on. You know what kinda trouble you get into.
( He picks up his glass, gaze falling into it... Kids, huh... )
... I dunno what I can do for 'em besides look out for 'em and feed 'em, but... I mean, if I can do okay enough by 'em it might be fine, but...
( Confidence gauge depleting... )
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I think that's more than enough. You'd be like a mom or somethin'.
[ meant as a high compliment, of course. ]
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( He says, but he... doesn't really mind. It snaps him out of his impending negative spiral, and distracts him in a way that's fairly positive. )
... I'd take care of 'em as one of my own. I mean— it's not like they'd actually be ours, but... ( Letting that "ours" slip, because who else would he parent with? His heart knows his answer. ) I'd put in that level of care. 's what they deserve.
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. . . “Ours”?
[ no, no, he's not gonna let that go, smirking. please elaborate. ]
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—Look— Shut up—
( HE PLEADS THE FIFTH )
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No, I like it. I never thought about it like that, y'know.
[ eichi telling wataru he's never been in love‐ ]
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... 's not like I'd raise 'em alone. So... 'course it'd be "us" doin' it.
( And therefore technically those kids would be "theirs," )
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In a gang, you mean?
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Weren't we just talkin' 'bout you and me??
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[ ????? ]
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You know what, it's fine, forget it—
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Hey, hey, Nero . . . You're talkin' about keepin' kids of our own, aren't you? Like, yours and mine— without a gang and stuff . . .
[ like……… a family………… ]
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( NERO STANDS UP!!! BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO STAND FOR THIS (wait)— Anyway, he seems like he's about to escape to his room (that Bradley crashes anyway, so it's not much of an escape, but). )
Look, like I said, just forget it, I don't know what the hell you're talkin' about anymore, but if I see a kid in need a help I'll help 'em, and you do the same, all right? Okay, we got this clarified, we're done talkin', that's it.
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[ he senses nero about to leave the conversation, so he steps around the table and grabs his arm. ]
You meant somethin' else, didn't you? Like real parents.
[ believe it or not, that phrase was very difficult for him to say. wizards becoming parents is taking a huge gamble for heartbreak, especially since it's likely their kid will be human and have the lifespan of a hamster. but… he thought about it in prison, and now that the topic is out there and not just in his head, it’s a little scary.
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Like real parents. He hadn't thought of it in so many words, but... that's basically what they were both getting at, right? But being a parent as a wizard is...
He exhales, a wry smile on his face. Their thoughts are in alignment, and he can tell from Brad's tone of voice. Guess they were both edging toward the subject, but didn't want to say it. )
... 's better if we keep our distance. Yeah? ... Less painful.
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. . .
[ he's uncharacteristically quiet for a moment. thoughts he never wanted to surface in front of nero are suddenly bombarding him from every direction, but... there's a sense of peace knowing that they're both on the same wavelength as always. kids, huh... not just an army, not just a group of people that follow him, but an actual family.
the one thing bradley wants the most in the world. the reason he kept the gang his father made. all for this one simple wish. ]
...Nero.
[ for a second, he doesn't move. he doesn't even look at nero, busy contemplating his own thoughts. slowly, he brings a hand to the back of his head, rubbing his neck; his ears redder than usual. ]
'S not like it's impossible, is it? The humans here don't care that we're wizards, and they've never tried to kill us, so we ain't got no reason to start a gang yet [ yet. ] What I'm sayin' is that shouldn't stop us from takin' in some of the brats nobody wants for ourselves. Doesn't have to be a gang [ yet ], we can just grab 'em as they are, right?