[ Duval agreeing and just asking like that is unexpected if he's being honest. Shigeru was expecting to get put on red and ignored but he actually gets an answer?! What the hell?! ]
If that's fine with you, then yes, in person would be best.
[ Shigeru has been thinking about what to say to the other the entire time walking to the destination they agreed upon. He can see that Duval and Kenta have made up and he knows how much Duval means to Kenta so this...this for Kenta mostly but the rest of the house too. ] I-I was going to say sorry for-for punching you that day. But that would be disingenuous on my part.
[ Shigeru admits that he lost his shit but with his own trauma it was kinda expected? But that's not entirely Duval's fault so he does deserve an apology, sorta. ] I know how much Kenta means to you and he means a lot to me as well so...I think going forward we should try to find some common ground. I-I still can't forgive you for what you did to him, even though you've both made up, but I know how much he cares about you and how much you mean to him so...so take this as a peace offering. You can come to the house to visit if you ever feel so inclined, and you can even stay over if you like, there's a guestroom for you to use if you ever want to. You can even come over for dinner whenever you like too...
[ He doubts Duval will take up the offer but Shigeru is putting it out there regardless!! ] I know that this is probably a long shot too, but if you ever want to talk I'm a pretty good listener. So-so that's all I wanted to say.
[Duval considers Shigeru carefully. The way he looks him up and down is purely analytical. Sharp.]
You know, I understand that Kenta would like for us to get along, but you don't have to force yourself. I clearly make you uncomfortable. [Uncomfortable might not be the right word for it. Or maybe that's putting it too simply. Duval doesn't know the reason behind it, after all. He knows nothing of Shigeru's trauma and how personally what he did to Kenta affects Shigeru.]
Our feelings for Kenta is all the common ground we need, so we just need to remain civil towards each other. Which... no matter what you think of me: that is something I'm capable of.
[He holds no ill will towards Shigeru. Towards anyone, really, except for Owen and witch hunters.]
[ It's not the right word for it. Shigeru's trauma is so very deep and the fact that Duval was capable of doing such a horrible thing to someone he supposedly cared about just makes it even more wrong. Shigeru huffs and looks away, arms crossing over his chest as he nods. ] Fine. That's...fine.
[ It's not entirely okay but at this point, he doesn't see any other choice in the matter. ] If it's for Kenta's sake then I'm more than willing to do that.
[If Duval doesn't look fully convinced, it's because he's not.]
If it... eases your concerns any, I have no reason to hurt Kenta or anyone else again. [And if it looks like he's struggling to talk about this, like Shigeru figured he would, it's because he is. But it's for Kenta. For Kenta.]
I told you before that it was for my sister. That she didn't want me to do it. When she died, I disrespected her and Kenta's wishes, and their bodies, and I'm not going to do it again. I don't want to hurt Kenta again.
[After a quiet moment, Duval twists his fingers in the pleats of his skirts.]
That being said... I don't entirely trust myself to not hurt him again, either.
[ The glare that Shigeru gives Duval as he just straight up admits that to his face is something to see. Shigeru doesn't normally bristle at people but that admission makes his hair stand up on end. ] You. You only got a second chance because of Kenta. If you hurt him again you know what the consequences are, Chipp made that clear on his end. But I'll also make it clear. If you hurt Kenta like that again I won't go easy on you either.
[ Does Duval even know what Shigeru's powers are? Disintegrating a person's body isn't the most pleasant of things, plenty of monsters back home know that well. ]
[Likewise, the look Duval gives Shigeru is also something to see. But it's less of glare and more of an "well duh" kind of curl to his lips.]
This is exactly why I told you so. I expect you to keep your word.
[He doesn't want to hurt Kenta, but he's terrified he will. He's all sharp edges, always has been, but now he's volatile and out of control of his emotions. Reconciling with Kenta has helped Duval regain his grip, but it's still unsteady. Weak.]
[ Duval is such a confusing person and it shows in Shigeru's reaction to his own statement. ] F-Fine. I will.
[ He doesn't want to hurt Kenta either but if it comes down to it Shigeru will do what he thinks will keep Kenta safe. ] But I hope for Kenta's sake it won't have to come to that.
[ Duval used confusion it's super effective. Shigeru huffs and just...looks away briefly. He is so damn confused?! ] W-Well. It's not like I would ever leave them or anyone for that matter like that. Purple is my friend also so-so of course I'd help them!
[ Shigeru would never deny anyone medical care, even if it was Duval. ]
Why. Why did you...send them to me though? I. I don't really get it. You. I don't really get you.
[ Such a confusing man you are Duval. Doing such a horrible thing to your best friend that Shigeru wanted to actually do physical harm, and he did, and yet Duval still vouched for him and even sent Purple to him like it's no big deal?? ]
Because they needed a doctor, and I trust your capabilities as a doctor? You've done well looking after Kenta and Petal, after all. What's not to get?
[It's like there's more to Duval than one big, terrible, awful decision!]
I'm not so petty that I would let someone I care about suffer rather than send them to someone I dislike, but can cure them.
I don't even dislike you. I respect you, and you weren't wrong to... want to hurt me on Kenta's behalf. I don't hold that against you. The same goes for Chipp.
I-I don't know. I just thought that after everything you'd...find someone else since I-I lost my temper that one time. [ A doctor should not really be physically harming people!? But here we are. ]
I see. Well, I'm glad I could help them, Purple I mean. But also Kenta and Nen. I would never do anything to hurt them. [ Shigeru says as he looks at Duval uncertainty in his eyes but he's getting more and more used to his...oddness. ]
You...respect me though? [ A frown. ] You're really confusing, you know that?
I-I don't know how to put it. It's like you're not what you seem which makes it confusing to get a proper read on you. And-and that's what makes me wary of you... [ Hm. Since they're being 100% honest right now. That's how Shigeru feels. ]
[ He really is. He overthinks things way too much but that's to be expected of Shigeru at this point!! ]
A-Anyway, um, I-I guess I'll leave you to it. Thank you for being willing to meet with me. [ So much awkward in this bad boy right now. ]
Oh! Right before I forget. I-I also wanted to say that...you can stop by the house to visit Kenta and Nen if you want to. I know Kenta has been going to your place so-so if it's easier on him to not make that trip it's probably better to just go to the house instead. Especially once it gets colder outside.
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If that's fine with you, then yes, in person would be best.
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Just to talk, that's all.
to action!
Very well.
[And wherever they decide to meet is where Shigeru will find Duval. Standing him up won't do either of them any good, after all.
He's still looking a little prickly, but... that's also just Duval's constant state of being.]
Well?
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[ Shigeru admits that he lost his shit but with his own trauma it was kinda expected? But that's not entirely Duval's fault so he does deserve an apology, sorta. ] I know how much Kenta means to you and he means a lot to me as well so...I think going forward we should try to find some common ground. I-I still can't forgive you for what you did to him, even though you've both made up, but I know how much he cares about you and how much you mean to him so...so take this as a peace offering. You can come to the house to visit if you ever feel so inclined, and you can even stay over if you like, there's a guestroom for you to use if you ever want to. You can even come over for dinner whenever you like too...
[ He doubts Duval will take up the offer but Shigeru is putting it out there regardless!! ] I know that this is probably a long shot too, but if you ever want to talk I'm a pretty good listener. So-so that's all I wanted to say.
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You know, I understand that Kenta would like for us to get along, but you don't have to force yourself. I clearly make you uncomfortable. [Uncomfortable might not be the right word for it. Or maybe that's putting it too simply. Duval doesn't know the reason behind it, after all. He knows nothing of Shigeru's trauma and how personally what he did to Kenta affects Shigeru.]
Our feelings for Kenta is all the common ground we need, so we just need to remain civil towards each other. Which... no matter what you think of me: that is something I'm capable of.
[He holds no ill will towards Shigeru. Towards anyone, really, except for Owen and witch hunters.]
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[ It's not entirely okay but at this point, he doesn't see any other choice in the matter. ] If it's for Kenta's sake then I'm more than willing to do that.
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If it... eases your concerns any, I have no reason to hurt Kenta or anyone else again. [And if it looks like he's struggling to talk about this, like Shigeru figured he would, it's because he is. But it's for Kenta. For Kenta.]
I told you before that it was for my sister. That she didn't want me to do it. When she died, I disrespected her and Kenta's wishes, and their bodies, and I'm not going to do it again. I don't want to hurt Kenta again.
[After a quiet moment, Duval twists his fingers in the pleats of his skirts.]
That being said... I don't entirely trust myself to not hurt him again, either.
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[ Does Duval even know what Shigeru's powers are? Disintegrating a person's body isn't the most pleasant of things, plenty of monsters back home know that well. ]
Don't screw it up for Kenta's sake, and your own.
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This is exactly why I told you so. I expect you to keep your word.
[He doesn't want to hurt Kenta, but he's terrified he will. He's all sharp edges, always has been, but now he's volatile and out of control of his emotions. Reconciling with Kenta has helped Duval regain his grip, but it's still unsteady. Weak.]
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[ He doesn't want to hurt Kenta either but if it comes down to it Shigeru will do what he thinks will keep Kenta safe. ] But I hope for Kenta's sake it won't have to come to that.
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[A beat. He's about to potentially confuse Shigeru even more.]
Ah... one more thing. Thank you for taking care of Purple.
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[ Shigeru would never deny anyone medical care, even if it was Duval. ]
Why. Why did you...send them to me though? I. I don't really get it. You. I don't really get you.
[ Such a confusing man you are Duval. Doing such a horrible thing to your best friend that Shigeru wanted to actually do physical harm, and he did, and yet Duval still vouched for him and even sent Purple to him like it's no big deal?? ]
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Because they needed a doctor, and I trust your capabilities as a doctor? You've done well looking after Kenta and Petal, after all. What's not to get?
[It's like there's more to Duval than one big, terrible, awful decision!]
I'm not so petty that I would let someone I care about suffer rather than send them to someone I dislike, but can cure them.
I don't even dislike you. I respect you, and you weren't wrong to... want to hurt me on Kenta's behalf. I don't hold that against you. The same goes for Chipp.
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I see. Well, I'm glad I could help them, Purple I mean. But also Kenta and Nen. I would never do anything to hurt them. [ Shigeru says as he looks at Duval uncertainty in his eyes but he's getting more and more used to his...oddness. ]
You...respect me though? [ A frown. ] You're really confusing, you know that?
needed a new icon just for this
No, I don't know that? I really don't understand what is so confusing about me.
it's adorable
But...thank you, I guess?
[ So much confusion going on right now. ]
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You're welcome?
[SO MUCH confusion.]
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A-Anyway, um, I-I guess I'll leave you to it. Thank you for being willing to meet with me. [ So much awkward in this bad boy right now. ]
Oh! Right before I forget. I-I also wanted to say that...you can stop by the house to visit Kenta and Nen if you want to. I know Kenta has been going to your place so-so if it's easier on him to not make that trip it's probably better to just go to the house instead. Especially once it gets colder outside.