TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

[erkumods]

TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

00. Arrival This time, you come out of the water, the Nameless Island's own inherent energy drawing people in. It's like being suspended between realities and abruptly pushed from behind through a rift in dimensions. It may make you sick, or that might be the motion of the ocean, lifting you to the surface and carrying you to shore. Waterlogged and covered in sand, new arrivals will be greeted by robots who welcome them with towels and bracelet devices. The A5 card is already loaded up. Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see. Most of the buildings are abandoned and in dire need of repair, and beyond the city lingers a thick fog that obscures much of the wilderness from view. Wander too far into this fog, and you will find yourself mysteriously looping back to where you began, your memories of what you were doing and how you got there erased. With that in mind, it may be wise to stake your claim on a rundown apartment, a tent on the beach, or a bed in the “comfortable” barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. Laid Bare Basics There is a new addition to the scenery at the beach, and everyone is welcome! Especially new arrivals, who will be ushered to the recently-established Laid Bare Spa, where (provided they don't slip away from the bots' helpful grasp) their uncomfortably wet, sandy clothing will be stripped away and they will be lovingly pampered by the cold metal hands of the resident robots. Long-time Islanders and newbies alike are welcome to enjoy such amenities as hot and cold baths, sauna rooms, scrub-downs, thorough whippings with birch brooms, skin treatments, massage and energy work, and more! All rooms are thoughtfully decorated with tasteful murals of naked and disrobing bodies. Maybe you'll see someone you recognize?! (Maybe you'll see... you?) Islanders who happen to find their clothing mysteriously missing are welcome to borrow a Laid Bare branded towel to cover up with on their way home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. Tattoo to You, Too The Augur understands that sometimes, it's difficult to find a partner to indulge you in those favorite Auspicious Acts - especially for new arrivals, but surely even long-time residents could benefit from a little assistance now and then. That is why ever-benevolent entity has gifted Her precious Islanders with tattoos which feature their most secret, urgent, and/or shameful of desires! (Even if that desire is to simply complete a Bingo.) The tattoo may be a picture or a word, and it can appear anywhere on the body. At first it is pleasantly warm to the touch, like a soft glow of light on your skin. It soon becomes apparent - through either robot advice or a notification on your communication device - that your task is to find a match for your tattoo and complete the depicted act with that person. The longer one goes without completing the act, the more the tattoo seems to heat up, until it feels like it is burning into your skin. Take too long, and the tattoo may become permanent. Otherwise, the tattoo will fade within hours of completing the Auspicious Act. [ For TDMers: feel free to select any favorite kink for this prompt! If you complete a kink that doesn't appear on your card, you may switch one square for the completed kink. For current players: by participating on (tagging into) this TDM, you may switch one kink into your card (it must be the kink in the toplevel prompt you responded to). ] ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. Creepy Crawly Caterpillar Crawl Are you on the hunt for credits? Then have the robots got a task for you! The 'bots of the Nameless Island are recruiting Islanders to go bug collecting in the caves, crevices, and hollowed-out logs of the wilderness. The quarry? The (shudder - literally, the robots will shudder) doom-summoning harbinger bug. They describe these creepy creatures as fat, fuzzy, and rainbow-colored, with long, fluffy antennae that look like rabbit's ears. The robots describe these critters as so dangerous that Islanders should only hunt them in pairs. Should your team return successful, you both will be rewarded very handsomely for every caterpillar caught! The bugs are typically very docile and seem to enjoy soft pets, judging by the cooing and squeaking noises they make (especially to scritches behind their "ears"). Poke or disturb them however, and they may bite! Body parts bitten by angry caterpillars will swell up cartoonishly, and can only be treated by having someone else suck the venom out. Good thing you're traveling with a partner! The 'bots strongly recommend against keeping these little buggies as pets, but they're not your dad. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

02 Because obliviousness is fantastic and because Catnap is broken if you think about it for 2 sec

[idratherbeasleep]

This doesn't make any sense. Linhardt stares at his wrist. Almost everything else that's happened here makes at least some sort of vague sense, even if Linhardt can't translate what he's learned into terms most other people from Fodlan will understand.

But how does he even have a tattoo? Even if the Augur can give him one, he clearly wasn't conscious for the process, so shouldn't it have healed when he slept? Linhardt sighs and looks over his notes again. No. This doesn't make any sense.

One of the few advantages to using paper instead of the bracelets or a computer is that paper can be balled up and thrown in frustration. Just to make it clear that he is Not Amused by the Augur's subversion of his basic biology, Linhardt calls up a gust of wind to throw the paper at the speed he feels conveys his frustration.

The balled-up piece of paper bounces off someone's head, because of course it does. Goddess, that's not what he needs. A conversation. Wait. That's.

He actually stands up from his nap-and-study space to walk over to the head of bright hair that Linhardt is certain can't be who he thinks it is. Is it?

It is. That's Caspar. Well. Should he be glad or upset? Linhardt isn't entirely sure. After a second, he settles on: if Caspar has to be kidnapped, he's glad they're sharing the situation.

"As much fun as it is to watch you hit yourself, I don't think that's going to fix the situation." He announces his presence with the usual shake of his head, though he does reach out a now glowing hand to ease the redness around the tattoo on Caspar's neck even if he can't do anything about the underlying irritation.

"I took a nap and this still hurts." Linhardt shows his friend his own matching tattoo, "Is this what it's like to be you? You wake up aching all the time?"

No wonder others didn't understand his love of a good nap: Linhardt always woke up feeling rather amazing aside from the lingering drowsiness. Papercuts, hangnails, any of the bruises or muscle pain he's sustained if Caspar's dragged him into training... they all melt away after a proper sleep. Other people still hurt when they wake up? Linhardt had known this, but feeling it is something else entirely.

"Oh, I probably should have said hello and gotten information on your Fodlan first." Because while Linhardt will absolutely ignore etiquette, he rarely ignores good data collection opportunities.

Linhardt really is glad to see Caspar. A Caspar. Any Caspar. He can't imagine any Fodlan in which they aren't themselves.

[funsizedfistfights]

Admittedly, this is really still very strange, and all things considered, Caspar was beginning to grow a little distressed that not everyone seemed to be there. Some general understanding of the situation was not going to stop him from at least trying to enjoy the good parts.

One of those good parts has just arrived.

"LINHARDT!" It is actually a huge relief to see the man who Caspar would consider his very best friend. He's used to his fussing, but his face still scrunches a little at the feeling of the healing magic on his neck. "Buddy! You're here!" It's comforting, and Caspar despite his infinite ability to simply exist in any situation, would have to admit he had been getting a little worried. "What are you talking about? I wake up feeling great most days. All that training you know? What's going on? What do you mean my Fodlan?"

The whole flurry of questions pour out and bounce off of his sleepy friend. He doesn't wait for answers, simply lifting him off his feet in a tight hug.

"Don't warp me this time okay? I won't squeeze too hard, promise!" He's squeezing too hard.

[idratherbeasleep]

So many questions and no time to answer. That's Caspar for you. The enthusiasm is familiar and comforting in a way that Linhardt can just now admit that he missed; so many others can be either too maudlin or too pretentious for his taste. But Caspar just... lives. That's what they have in common. So Linhardt can't be too upset about his feet suddenly resting on air; Caspar is simply following his own desires much as Linhardt follows his own.

"Caspar," He gasps out, "Breathing. We've discussed this. I need to breathe."

But if he wants to squeeze him a little less, the hug would be nice. Enough that Linhardt leans into the contact, resting his head on Caspar's and wrapping his arms around his shoulders. It's uncomplicated. A rarity both in Fodlan and in Erku.

"I'm glad to hear you sleep well. You know I heal myself in my sleep, this is the first time I haven't. It's horrible. The tattoo hurts."

As for what he means about his Fodlan... Linhardt hums. How to explain and ensure Caspar won't take off running on another tangent.

"What do you know about how and why we're here?"

[funsizedfistfights]

"Oh- sorry bud." He releases the vice grip just slightly (he's not done hugging though), opting to swing Linhardt from side to side instead. At last, when he's satisfied, Lin is finally placed back down and released to be faced with a beaming Caspar once again.

The smile fades when he mentions the pain though, and he holds out his hand.

"Let me see it? Mine is kinda driving me crazy too. I know you're not supposed to itch it but it's really annoying. Maybe we can get you some ice somewhere for it?" For better or worse, he's easy to lead around a conversation. "Oh yeah I mean... kind of? I admit I wasn't super listening but they said something about like. Intimacy? Which is- hah I mean not exactly my area but I don't know. It's kinda weird, right?"

[idratherbeasleep]

He allows the swinging. Just once. It's a special occasion, after all, when the one person you can always stand to be around shows up on the magical kidnapping island of erotic activities. And of course, said person being Caspar, he has not listened to a single word since he's gotten here.

Linhardt sighs. That sigh. The sigh of 'you can't always rely on me being around to explain things for you'. The sigh that Caspar counters with 'you can't always rely on me being around to protect you' and somehow ends up with him working. Ugh.

The man holds out his wrist for Caspar to examine although again, really? Linhardt is a healer, what are you going to see? Although now that Linhardt is looking again...

"Ours match. I wonder if others have the same tattoo. Or if they have different tattoos."

Right. Back to Caspar's complete inability to listen.

"Essentially we've been placed here under the assumption that we'll perform certain erotic activities in return for life necessities. It's very weird, Caspar. It makes no sense." And not in the fun way where Linhardt would follow up that sentence by babbling about his theories. In the way where Linhardt is looking into his best friend's eyes completely betrayed by the world because how dare it not make sense? How. Dare. It?

[funsizedfistfights]

He knows that sigh. He knows it so well. It's like the whole conversation doesn't need to even happen because they both know how it will go in the end. A win for Caspar, as he would count it.

He takes Linhardt's wrist carefully in his hands, tipping it this way and that as he examines it very carefully.

"They match. That's kinda cool. Like friendship tattoos. Just wish they didn't hurt. Also I'd probably pick something cooler like an eagle with a skull or something like that. Yeah..." He stops to daydream about that briefly before going back to the matter at hand which is looking very closely at Linhardt's wrist.

"Yep." He says decisively before pulling it up and pressing a very firm kiss to it. It worked when they were kids, and he knows it certainly won't make the pain go away but at least maybe it will make him feel better.

"Haha, that's really weird and a little- no, VERY creepy. Do they like... watch or whatever?" Whoever they are. "Wait- Lin you haven't like. You know. Done it, have you?"

[idratherbeasleep]

"Caspar, even if I could get a tattoo, what in Sothis's name makes you think I would ever agree to having that tattoo include an eagle and a skull?" Linhardt shakes his head fondly because of course Caspar would think that would look amazing. And maybe it would, on Caspar. On him, it would simply look absurd.

He can't help but laugh when Caspar kisses the tattoo like he did when they were children and Linhardt fell. Goddess, he'd missed this. With Caspar he didn't have to choose between being taken seriously and having a sense of humor. Or of making mistakes. Caspar was the person he could be the most human around, and the realization makes him actually step forward and initiate a brief, understated hug of his own.

"They must keep watch somehow. Perhaps through the bracelets." That would be his first guess.

"Yes, I have." Linhardt raises an eyebrow at Caspar; how hard did you work to never hear anything? Then again, maybe in other Fodlans his habits were different. He can't imagine he would be as stressed in the other Fodlans. That's an uncomfortable thought, so Linhardt ignores it.

"Why?"

[funsizedfistfights]

"Uh, cause it's cool?" Caspar laughs in that way that says he knows he's being silly but he's going to do it anyway. The hug he gets is a little bit of a surprise, and he knows better than to squeeze the life out of Lin this time. He must be really not feeling well, it's rare he really initiates like that. Caspar just smiles and pats his back.

"Uh- oh. Wow. Yeah? For real?" His voice is actually a little unreadable. Maybe he's a little sad he missed such a milestone in his friend's life. "So who's the lucky... girl? Guy? Person?" He tries to roll with the punches, as he would.

"N-no reason just like. Wow you know? Crazy. Little weird to imagine but I'm sort of getting used to weird." Wouldn't Linhardt fall asleep in the middle of things? He ponders the funny thought. "Never thought you had interest in that kinda stuff I guess. Since you know... not naps or books?" He knows Lin isn't that simple, but he surely tried to project that.

[idratherbeasleep]

He'd just... missed Caspar. That is all. Linhardt lets the hug linger but then steps back, having let it say what he wanted it to. "Ah, yes, that's true. If it's cool." What other reason does Caspar need?

Linhardt looks at Caspar. He's acting weird. His voice has gone all flat. That's definitely some version of upset. Now see. This. This is why he never talks about these things with people he knows! They, things end up in situations he doesn't know what to do with.

"Here or in general?" Because Linhardt can't help it; he has to make sure they're on the same page so he can control what Caspar knows. "And you forgot magic, that also sustains my interest."

[funsizedfistfights]

Yes. If it's cool. It makes perfect sense. The Rule of Cool is unspoken.

"Wait what? What do you mean in general?! Wait you were doing stuff and you never told me?" Caspar actually has the audacity to pout. "I thought you would let me know if you were like... dating someone or whatever! Lin, buddy. What the heck?" Apparently Linhardt didn't get the memo that Caspar was to be privy to every aspect of his life. "I would have taken you out for drinks or something to celebrate."

"Well hey, that's okay. You're being safe about it right?" He lowers his voice, very serious for a moment. Just for that moment.

"Anyways, look. Here, I don't have a real gift but I hope this will do." He rummages in his pocket for a second before producing an owl feather, ordinally given by the professor, but he has plenty. He shoves it at Linhardt affirmingly.

[idratherbeasleep]

Wait, what? What is happening right now? So Caspar is upset... because Linhardt didn't tell him he was taking people to bed? Is that something he was supposed to tell people about?

"So you would have told me? Why?" Is this normal? How many people was he supposed to tell this to? "I wasn't dating anyone." That he would have mentioned, of course. That's a social relationship. Which wasn't what Linhardt had been doing, "Was I supposed to be celebrating?"

He doesn't even dignify the safety question with a response. Instead he shoots Capsar that look that says 'I'm the Healer, remember?'

Except wait. Linhardt's hands fumble around the feather so it doesn't fall to the ground.

"Caspar, are you giving me a gift because I had sex?" He just has to make sure he understands what's happening right now.

[funsizedfistfights]

"Uh, yeah I would have told you! I tell you everything!" He gives Linhardt a friendly jab in the side. "Oh so you were just like. Messin' around or whatever? I guess that's slightly less of a big deal. I thought you had hooked up with someone." He looks a little relieved.

"Anyways you can keep the feather. Also celebration of our new tats I guess! And yeah I mean it's still kinda a milestone isn't it? Didn't know you were already doing that kinda stuff you sly dog, you!" He laughs a his own joke(?) and gives Linhardt a very overstated wink.

[idratherbeasleep]

"No, I have, I mean that's-" Why were the words gone? Until two minutes ago, Linhardt had been completely unaware he'd done anything wrong and he's still not entirely certain what it is, but it feels wrong. This unknown thing, "Caspar, you're acting upset and pretending you're not. I've known you long enough to tell."

Already? Weirdly, of the two of them, Caspar was more serious about the rules. Maybe this is just one example of that?

"Do you disapprove, is that it?"

[funsizedfistfights]

Ah. Caught. Go figure, he really can't get anything past Linhardt.

"Well. I mean I'm not like. Upset or- I mean not really I just kind of thought you know we would have like. You know if you're just doing that kind of thing as friends or something maybe you would have like asked me unless that's weird. Is it weird? I don't know. Maybe that is weird. Haha wow. Some vacation!"

Did he really just say that? The tattoo on his neck is itching again and he slaps it nervously.

[idratherbeasleep]

Why are they still standing up? This feels like it's suddenly become too important of a conversation for that, so Linhardt reaches out to take his friend's hand and simply sits down in the grass, pulling Caspar down with him. He keeps his hand on Caspar's sleeve to prevent him from slapping himself again.

"Caspar. Since when has something being weird prevented either of us from doing it?" Be logical.

"I wasn't aware that you found me attractive," Linhardt explains. Then he sighs because while that's the easy reason, Caspar of all people deserves the full reasoning. Also, how has this happened twice?

"I wasn't." He pauses, "I think we may need to circle back. Do you remember how I mentioned different Fodlans? If you'll indulge me for a moment, can you tell me which house Professor Byleth led, and which house we were in at the academy?"

[funsizedfistfights]

He allows himself to be tugged down, this is totally normal. He's used to his part-time duty as Lin's stand-in pillow. He plunks down next to him and fixes Linhardt with that all-too-sincere gaze.

"I guess nothing. Haha oh like- remember the time with the noodles? Oh man. Seteth was so mad." He pries his attention back to the matter at hand. "So you don't think it's weird? I mean, I guess as long as it doesn't change anything." The comment about finding him attractive gets an admonishing cluck out of the shorter man.

"UH. Excuse me? Caspar to Lin, hello hello! Do you see these?" He points at his own face, like that's supposed to be very obvious, "I have eyes? In my head? And despite rumors I have half a brain! Of course I do! You're beautiful, bro. If anyone said otherwise they'd be lying or Hubert!"

Oh ok serious talk again, he had got caught up in himself again. He puts on the focused face.

"Ok yeah, I do remember you said that..." He's used to Lin's what-ifs, so he doesn't really consider the implications. "Well, yeah- Professor lead the Blue Lions house. You and me started in the Black Eagles, but the Professor was really cool and let us join his class."

[idratherbeasleep]

Yes, sitting down is much better. Because yes, he does remember the time with the noodles and how angry Seteth was, but Seteth always considered him a disappointment (along with 86% of the academy's residents), so Linhardt isn't sure why Caspar is bringing that up now? Oh. Oh.

Because he's uncomfortable and rambling. Yes. That's a habit Caspar has.

"I don't know if it's weird. Does it matter?"

Doesn't change anything. Right. This is Caspar and he's uncomfortable. Linhardt sighs and shifts around so he's resting his head on Caspar's shoulder, which is helpful because it means he's not looking at Caspar when he goes bright red and it means he has a shoulder to press his face into. He's still not used to people just saying things like that.

"So that's why you reacted so strongly when I suggested cutting my hair that one time. Yes, I think Ferdinand is more Hubert's type."

This isn't his Caspar. Linhardt doesn't know how to feel about that. He's glad, because he's coming to the realization that his might be one of the Fodlans with the rockiest future, but also sad. He still misses his Caspar.

"In my Fodlan, the Professor led the Black Eagles. We remained with Lady Edelgard."

[funsizedfistfights]

Caspar easily accommodates to let Lin get comfortable. This is nice and comforting and familiar. Just the same, sleepy friend he's had since he was a kid.

"There's no need to get all bashful about it." He laughs as it seems the blush didn't escape him. Being able to read your best friend like a book goes both ways, after all. An assuring hand smooths over the mage's back.

"Yeah, well I mean. of course you can do what you want it's your hair, but I do think it's really nice like this." He tilts his head, "Oh, is he? I was just meaning to say that Hubert has no taste." Perhaps a little mean of him, but it was low-hanging fruit.

"Oh. That's so strange. So things happened differently for both of us then, but we're both here now. We remember some of the same stuff, clearly. Like the noodles, and me telling you not to cut your hair. We stayed with Edelgard though... huh. Crazy." He doesn't actually seem to bothered, though he is quiet for a period of time while he mulls over the information.

"Things must have gone really differently then. Are you okay? She didn't make you fight a bunch did she? I guess it doesn't matter too much though. We're both here and you're still my friend right? We have the important things that are the same. I mean- not to say the war wasn't important but just... I guess I'd rather not let a war define me or you. You're still my best friend Linhardt, who is super cool and smart and very good looking." He nods firmly, smacking a fist into his open hand. "That's what matters. I'd never hurt you, and I know you wouldn't hurt me."

[idratherbeasleep]

"I'm not bashful," Linhardt retorts, wrinkling his nose, although he does lean into the touch. Caspar is somehow a presence that manages to be at once chaotic and comforting. A comforting tornado. He yawns, "I'm just not used to people saying things like that to me."

Oh, that's right. Not his Caspar. Linhardt smiles, this time it's a conspiratorial smile. The smile of a friend with information to share, "Well, of course Hubert has no taste. He drinks coffee and likes Ferdinand. They bring each other gifts. It's absurd but it keeps them out of my business."

Now it's Linhardt's turn to go quiet. Is he okay. Caspar's the first person who's asked. No, he's not, but was he this way when he arrived or is it because of what he's learned since?

"Yes, of course we're still together and still friends. Of course I wouldn't hurt you."

He's still quiet, sitting against Caspar for several moments.

"I was going to explain, but I think the answer to your question is no. I'm not okay."

[funsizedfistfights]

"You are so bashful! Look at that!" He gives Linhardt's cheek a playful tug before slinging an arm around him. "Well that's kind of a crime isn't it? I figured people'd be telling you that kinda stuff all the time."

He's delighted by the gossip on Hubert and Ferdinand too, so much so he slaps his knee.

"Get outta here! Seriously? Gifts? No way, no way! Hubert and Ferdinand! That's hilarious! I can't even imagine. Oh wow." The mirth dies down a little though, when Linhadrt goes quiet again. He's used to silence around the man, but there are different types of silences. This is the heavier kind. He doesn't pester, just lets him have his moment to think.

"Yeah?" The tone immediately dropping from jovial and his smile fades. "Aw Lin. I'm sorry. I can't really imagine what you've been through. I'm glad we're together in the Fodlan you come from. I hope I'm nice to you there, too." Slowly he flops back, letting Linhardt rest against his chest. "If you wanna talk about it you can. I won't force you though, but I'm here for you, you know. No matter what. I'll do whatever I can to help fix things, or just listen if that's what you need. Heck, I might even let you talk me into a few naps. But just a few."

[idratherbeasleep]

"I am not." Something about being around Caspar reverted Linhardt to being around nine years old. Bashful. He isn't bashful. Linhardt makes a grumpy sound and swats at the hand on his cheek, "The only time I was called beautiful in Fodlan was that one time back in the academy where you started a fight with him afterward."

And Caspar had been the one who'd wanted to go to a tavern to begin with!

Linhardt smiles; his Caspar had the same reaction to Hubert and Ferdinand. And he definitely will need to relay the information he'd gotten from Lorenz to Caspar at some point in the future.

But for now, he'd rather lie next to Caspar, using his friend as his personal pillow as he has for years. It's comforting to lay his head on Caspar's chest and listen to his heartbeat. It's a consistent reminder that Caspar is alive.

"A few naps." Linhardt reaches out and touches Caspar's forehead as though he's checking for a fever, "Are you certain? That's a generous offer."

Then he sighs; he can't hide things from Caspar. Not personal things. Caspar's too earnest, and while Linhardt knows Caspar won't prod him, he also knows Caspar will worry until he tries to explain. And perhaps he'll end up with a collection of owl feathers.

"You're always nice to me, Caspar. I just constantly feel as though I'm going to get something wrong, and someone is going to die. Not just on the battlefield. I don't know how to train healers without the Church's teachings, and I don't know what to tell the soldiers who can't sleep or who wake up screaming."

"Our supply lines are constantly on the verge of failing, the war is taking such a toll on the people... and Edelgard wants to start another one against the Slitherers afterward. Against people who can turn a city into Ailell in under 10 minutes? While tripling our administrative area and trying to repair a war-torn continent?"

There are no good decisions to be made. Is he even doing the right thing by involved? But what's the alternative?

"I'm not seeing anyone, and I'm not." He sighs, "Caspar, I find strangers to take to bed because I just want to do something that's good sometimes. To make someone happy, to have a positive influence on the world."

It sounds pathetic. No. It is pathetic.

"I don't know if your Linhardt is doing the same thing. He may not be."

[funsizedfistfights]

"You so are, and he totally had it coming." Caspar says this very matter-of-factly, almost a little proud of that incident. "The guy was doing it in a creepy way and not a complimentary one."

The hand on his forehead earns a brief laugh from Caspar.

"I know, I know, it sounds crazy but I care about you that much, so just appreciate it." He usually had a hard time sitting still, but if he was going to nap for any reason, Lin would be it. He did have somewhat of a pacifying effect on Caspar.

Everything else comes as a surprise. His smile fades again as he listens.

"Lin..." Ah, there's that pit in his stomach that he doesn't like very much. "Lin that's terrible." Quietly, he's glad that things didn't turn out that way for him, that he did end up turning against the empire in the end, but that does very little for poor Lin. "The way you say that, it makes it sound like you're a hostage." Not so much in the literal sense, but you don't have to be in chains to be stuck in a situation. Honestly, hearing the whole admission makes him want to cry.

"I don't think he is. Me and him are traveling together, he's writing a book I think." There's no judgement in his voice though. War, regardless of how it turns out, is ruinous in so many ways. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have the nightmares sometimes, too. Everybody did, that's just how it was. You kill people, and you don't forget that. It breaks his heart knowing that Lin was made to though.

He pulls the slender man closer, tightly hugging him.

"I'll stay here then, with you. I think you need me more than he does right now. Don't worry, no matter what I'll look out for you."

[idratherbeasleep]

"Yes, he was rather annoying." And therefore it had been satisfying to watch his tune change when he'd realized they weren't random students. Generally, Linhardt isn't very fond of their positions, but once in a blue moon they end up useful, "I much prefer it when you say it."

"Believe me, I'm honored." Caspar never stayed still, even when people dared him to. Linhardt's friend was a chaotic bundle of energy, and he isn't any more likely to change than Linhardt is. But sometimes they compromise.

A hostage. Linhardt smiles, but it's not a particularly happy smile, "I suppose in a metaphorical way. Hostages of our own decisions." Because leaving would be even worse; to let the consequences of their actions fall on the people of Fodlan instead of on himself. Linhardt may be a coward, but he draws the line at getting others hurt.

But more importantly, the war is over for Caspar. His smile turns warm, "I'm glad for you. Is it odd to say I wish I could read his book? Or would it be my book?"

He would be more than content to continue that line of discussion, but Caspar knocks the wind out of him with his declaration of protection, "Thank you, Caspar. That's nice to hear." It's honest, to the point, and sincere, "I'm sure your Linhardt will be fascinated by all of this."

"Although he might judge me for not figuring out this tattoo problem more quickly." Linhardt leans back on Caspar's chest and holds up his wrist again, "I fear I'm not representing the Linhardt collective very well right now." He gives his friend an encouraging smile, to say 'I'm okay, thank you for listening'.

[funsizedfistfights]

"I think you two would get along." It's funny, imagining the meeting of two Linhardts. Caspar entertains that thought for a while. Two Lin's would be great, actually. The more the better. One could sleep while the other keeps him company... or maybe they'd both sleep. Either way, Caspar presses his cheek into the top of Lin's head. "He'd probably have a billion questions for you. I wish you could both be here, but you're sorta the same person so...?"

"Well, maybe we can put our heads together. It's a feather right? And like... this place wants all kinda funny business." He struggles a moment but can't seem to put the pieces together. "Well we have a feather! Actually we have two!" He produces another owl feather from seemingly nowhere. Byleth had a habit of giving them to him for lack of anything else.

He stares at it intently, and it's clear from the expression in his face he's already lost the plot or lost interest in whatever it was he was tryin to work out in his mind.

"Hey are you still ticklish?" He doesn't wait for an answer, he just dives the feather into the crook of Linhardt's neck.

[idratherbeasleep]

"Oh, I agree. I would love to meet myself from other Fodlans. We could conclusively answer the question of how much of a personality is derived by one's experiences." Because of course that's what the group of Linhardts would do. What else would they do?

...

Guide Caspars, apparently. Because oh dear. Linhardt badly hides a smile as Caspar shoots past what Linhardt is suspecting is the correct conclusion. Then he's looking at a feather and now there's one near his neck.

"No, Caspar. No." Yes, Caspar, he is still ticklish. And now he's squirming away from you.