datadiving | CALL ME OUT 2020 EDITION

if youre sure please dont get hurt just for me

[He's not worth it, he thinks.]

If you insist on getting between me and my love, then I'll have to remove you myself.

[Salvador considers his magical prowess nothing to sneeze at, and although Gershom would certainly be distressed about anything particularly brutal happening outside his door, well, all the more opportunity for Salvador to reassure him that he'll keep him safe.]

Generally, if someone refuses to open their door to you, I think you're no longer allowed to call them your love. Or any variation of that.

[ He finishes putting on his gloves. Fiddles with them. He's just watching, and waiting. ]

Lover's quarrel. Nothing our love can't overcome.

[They're meant to be, so anything that stands in the way of that is only a minor obstacle.

His move, is it? Well, Salvador is nothing if not confident, and he'd like to get this nuisance out of the way so he can turn his attention to Kuni again. Which is why he opens with a tiny gesture, a flick of the wrist, and a blast of magical fire to the face.]

[ It would be a nuisance if a fire started outside Gershom's apartment, but he doesn't want to get scorched, either. He opts to extinguish it with a spell of his own, instead.

Rather than use magic for countering, he decides to gamble on the assumption that Salvador, like many liches, has very little physical ability to speak of. So, he flips a knife into his hand and lunges, aiming to punch Salvador in the jaw with the hilt of the weapon, to add some extra weight. ]

Edited 2020-01-26 08:04 (UTC)

[Physical labor is for people who can't pay other people to do it for them. Of course he doesn't have much ability, and he takes that hit to the jaw painfully hard and staggers backward.

But it's not enough to keep him from casting again, and this time the bolt of lightning is from point-blank range. Better be really quick on the extinguishing it this time.]

[ He takes the hit. He's had worse, and pure magic is easier to deal with than some of the more physical things he's encountered. It's painful, of course, but it's not strong enough to throw him off. ]

[ He takes advantage of that stagger to lunge forward again and deliver another blow, aiming to get him either on the floor or against the wall. His expression is blank and focused, and he doesn't bother talking. ]

[Ekkehardt successfully kabedons Salvador.

Salvador, pinned and well aware now that he won't physically shake Ekkehardt off, spits in his face.]

How mature of you. [ He puts a hand on Salvador's shoulder, the one connected to the hand Salvador was using to cast. Letting his glamour melt away.

His eyes burn, intensely. ]

Leave and never return, or I'll take this arm. We'll see about the rest.

[Another lich. With that and the resemblance in glamour appearance, Salvador's sure he has a type.]

...If I must.

[He has absolutely zero intention on keeping his word and staying away, but a tactical retreat seems wise for now.]

I'm not asking. [ His voice is chilly.

He digs his hand into the bones of Salvador's shoulder so hard that it hurts, and it doesn't stop hurting once he releases it. He steps back, watching him intently. ] Here's a reminder for you to keep your word. Now leave.

[Wincing at the pain, and somehow wincing and scowling at the same time, Salvador turns and leaves without another word.

Time to chug Tylenol and think of another plan.

But that's something Ekkehardt can be concerned about later. More immediate: another text.]

is he gone

Yes

I convinced him to leave. It's safe for now.

[A minute passes with no response before the door unlocks, and cracks open. Gershom's voice, slightly quivering.]

I've already asked a lot of you today, but, could you...?

[Come in and stay with him for a bit. He wants a hug, but he can't ask for one.]

[ He doesn't miss that quiver in Gershom's voice. ]

If you want me to stay, I will.

[ He waits for Gershom to open the door before he steps inside. After the time he's had with Salvador, he's even more conscious of any gestures that might be taken as too threatening. ]

[Gershom opens the door enough to let Ekkehardt in. He's always wary of opening it too much, in case someone passes by and catches a glimpse of his face, but today especially he's nervous.]

Thank you for that. I-I'm sorry I had to ask you to step in...

[There wasn't anyone else he could have asked, but he still feels guilty for bringing Ekkehardt into it.

He's shaking.]

[ ... ]

You should sit. [ He puts a gentle hand on Gershom's back, guiding him to a chair, or a couch, or somewhere he feels comfortable sitting. ]

You don't have to apologise. If you're in trouble, I'm happy to assist.

[Oh, right. Couch sounds good. He sits, gripping onto the cushion.]

...He was reading my own poems to me through the door.

[Gershom doesn't know why that scared him even more.]

That's inconsiderate of him, using your work against you like that.

[ It's easy to forget Gershom is technically vastly older than he is, at times like this. Sometimes it seems like Gershom would like nothing better than to hide himself away forever, as best he can.

It pains him more than he has the ability to put into words.

He puts his hand over Gershom's, falling silent. He doesn't know what else to say. ]

[Gershom turns his hand over to grip Ekkehardt's, fingers interlaced.]

I thought he would've moved on by now, if he was still alive.

[A literal thousand years is a long, long time to hold a torch for someone who told you they never wanted to see you again.]

[ Oh.

He looks at their interlaced fingers for a long moment, before he curls his fingers, holding on a little tighter. For Gershom's reassurance - he doesn't need any - but it's a nice feeling. ]

He seems to be in denial about how you feel about him. It's a pity. You don't deserve to be hounded like this.

[It's a good feeling, and the reassurance is welcome.]

I thought I was clear about telling him I didn't want to see him again...

[He manages the tiniest of smiles.]

Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you.

CALL ME OUT 2020 EDITION

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