You do not need luck to survive, Lighter. Not when you have me. ( a good ol' throwback from vivian to lighter for funsies ! )
He doesn't immediately focus upon the words made to inspire warmth, reflect devotion and place herself in the stalwart cove they've molded into their own. It's weight, precious and surefire that makes a more grim note of his life billow from the depths of his mind. The Champion holds with contemplative silence amidst this survey of a Hollow ahead of them. Somehow, the irony isn't lost that she always places authentic threads in places where a more dark sarcasm is elicited out of bad habit. "Vivian--"
A pause follows, exactly what does he want to say before they throw themselves into the glories hidden by the unstable nature of the Hollows? Being met with this level of faith felt like a goddamn farcry from what he believed he deserves. No amount of victory, right choices or even the bottom ends of an alcohol filled cup could give him an escape from their face.. no, no no, that's not it. It's the debilitating guilt that aches to enact a price befitting of the glory his old troupe basked in with him, an inexperienced but hotheaded soul set as their lead.
How their smiles, grit and even tinges of their jealousy in wanting to experience the journey by his side led to the current day. Once again, someone found themselves inspired by this supposed light he carries. As the aching howls of Ethereals rumbled within the distance, even now, the silent heartbeats of a mutating presence felt like corroded oil against some unseen film upon his form, a chaotic melody that ached to assimilate him into it's entire lack of promise. Lighter found certainty that the Hollows loved trying to slot and fit into these cracks of his heart.
Little did it know, the counter remained in a refined stance by his side, those blood red eyes facing him with pristine conviction.
"Never been a fan of that more unseen note of fate? --Can't say I blame you, Vivian." He relents, unconsciously reaching forth to let his gloved hand smooth briefly upon her fingertips, only to secure it in a gentle grasp.
A proof of humanity.
"Sometimes I can't help but think that cosmic joke is out there, just waiting to happen. That unseen something in the shadows, but time and time again, you've always found yourself insistent on.. Not exactly bringing things to light, but making things our own." Appreciation found itself enriching his tone as that inner strength continually pumped with each vibrant heartbeat. A better glance at the vampiress and her earnest eyes, the unmoving note of her legs to the forwardness of her body language, it explained it all to him.
Give it another chance. You can do better as both an ally and taking the lead.
"Just as I always got your back too. We're in this together, and in that same way we'll be seeing any motley band of trouble crushed before our eyes." A more surefire squeeze is offered in kind, their palms touching, fingers briefly interlaced as the affection of such an action is tempered into a silent declaration. Haphazard as their beginnings may have been, what they hold now can never be sawed down by doubt.
"So let's show luck how it's done."
@proxiism