The squeeze of his hand was returned with a gentle one of his own, as if to confirm that Odin was there in front of him. It all felt like a dream to him, and Zero was afraid of waking up. He hadn’t felt like that in a long time, but sometimes he felt as though the life he was living now was just some kind of fantasy and he would be back on the streets when he finally woke up. But the warm hand in his was definitely real.
“Oh? I wonder if that darkness of yours will help you. I won’t go easy on you. I’ll be sure to make you fluster so much, you’ll reach your limit.”
Just as he was doing now. Zero let out a fond chuckle, though, clearly just teasing his companion for the light mood. The light banter between them made the outlaw feel good, happy even. It was rare that he could find someone who could counter his words in a unique way, yet here was Odin doing exactly that.
It felt a little different than usual, though, as if Odin was truly showing Zero the real Odin ( even if that name wasn’t truly his real name ). It seemed as though their trust and friendship was getting somewhere, truly. It made him feel special, in a way. It certainly felt as though progress was being made, which is probably what Leon also wanted for his two retainers.
The elder male was hardly an open book, preferring to keep himself closed to those who were picking him up for the first time. Maybe just this once, he could allow his partner to take a closer peek inside.
The outlaw hardly flinched when the male stepped on his foot, though a shocked expression was on his face as Odin grabbed his hand. It was a light grip so he could pull away if needed, yet Zero did not do that. He allowed Odin to hold onto his hand. His gaze shuffled away slightly from his, suddenly feeling a tad more shy. Once he started to speak, Zero found courage in himself to look towards him once more. The last word that left his tongue held something that the outlaw could easily sense. It’s as though Odin felt himself unworthy of saying these words to him. That wasn’t right; the fact that it was coming from someone that was always by his side, like Leon, just made him feel calm.
“Master Leon is rather wonderful, isn’t he? Taking us two in… Ah, but that’s a conversation for another day. I do appreciate your words, Odin. It means a lot to me that you look towards me fondly, despite what’s happened in the past between us.”
There’s more he clearly wanted to say, and it showed on his face. Intimacy and affection like this just didn’t go well with him. He’s not used to it and yet, he found himself gazing into Odin’s eyes once more with a soft look.
The world is warm on the edges when he focuses on where they’re connected by their hands, on the gaze he receives from Zero because he’s pretty sure no one has ever looked at him so fond or so sweet (besides his own mother, but that didn’t quite count). Nothing has ever made him feel like this, besides maybe a childish crush when he was young and trying to escape the reality of war. He wilted a little under that single blue eye, slightly nervous.
He was counting this just to be another one of those moments. Not that he would use Zero to escape anything, but he was telling himself these feelings were fleeting, just bound to the ball. He knew they weren’t - knew he’d felt the weight in his chest and was sure that it really did exist after he’d been woken up on his birthday from a deep sleep and a gift in his lap. Odin wore it now, the pendant tucked underneath his robes for safe keeping.
He cleared his throat, willing his smile back.
“Of course it will! The darkness has never failed me, a Hero of Ages and a mage fit for the all encompassing hold the darkness has on him. But you best be prepared, as well, for the darkness is none gentle when it decides to take effect.” He lets go of Zero’s hand to raise his own, customarily covering part of his face. An hold habit. “It will protect me from reaching my limit, though you may be wary of your own.”
Odin feels as if he should be telling him more, yet he figures this has been enough for one night. It isn’t so much that he has a problem with opening up (lest he wasn’t comfortable with someone, that is), but he can’t just spill all his secrets in one night. Besides, he was sure there was a better place than here for them.
He takes his hand once more, though, raising it and releasing his opposite to settle on Zero’s hip, instead. Odin brightens under his words despite the heavy feeling that hung over his head, because even after being taken in and earning Leon’s trust, he knew where his true place really was, especially when slated to leave one day.
He breathes just fine though when he inhales, because those are thoughts for another day and in private, where no one had to see the conflict on his face while lost in thought. It was easier to push those thoughts aside even now, in this fantasy of theirs, in a place where he wasn’t sure he could leave as easily as Nohr (and maybe that was a good thing).
Odin tugs Zero’s hand lightly, head tilting slightly.
“It is, and I’m glad. You know I ... do not think I could not feel as such, especially in a land as vile as this where those from Nohr make it feel more like home than it probably should. I did not think you would ever like me, honestly, so I’m glad I have become a little more tolerable, at least.” He laughs, then, adjusting his step and winking. “Though, I would say it’s about time for me to lead. You know, because that’s what a prince is supposed to do.”
