[ It seems that his presence is somewhat working too, at least. Squalo watches him, and he's about to ask him what he's done -- because nobody could cause Dodger to be in such a state other than Dodger himself -- when he speaks up again. ]
[ Oh. ]
[ Squalo never thought they were a good match -- the kid didn't seem at all into suffering and murder from what little he's gotten to see of him -- but not even that long ago, Dodger claimed to be happy, and Squalo let it go, endorsed it, or pretended to at least. ]
[ But the two tings weren't mutually exclusive. Love and death were so closely intertwined, weren't they? There's every chance that Dodger did feel what he claimed, and then destroyed it with his own hands anyway. ]
[ Just how life goes, sometimes. ]
[ No couple could ever come close to what Squalo feels for Xanxus, of course, but for the sake of empathy, he tries to imagine himself in Dodger's shoes. Words aren't enough. ]
[ He reaches out, carefully, wary of any sudden increase in temperature again. If allowed, he'll slowly pull the other man's hands out of what's left of his hair, rest a hand on the back of his head and pull him close until his face rests somewhere against Squalo's upper chest, and just hold him for a little bit. ]
[ Hopefully it's what he needs. ]
[ Of course, silence never lasts with Squalo around. Rather than giving the other man an I'm sorry or whatever cliche bullshit which he would hope the not-hug already conveyed, he strokes his hair with a small smile. ]
[ It might feel... a little more soothing than a mere touch would, but nothing quite so unnatural that it'd draw attention. ]
oops its my only hug emote one of them is a honorary xx now
Do you have any on you?
[ It seems that his presence is somewhat working too, at least. Squalo watches him, and he's about to ask him what he's done -- because nobody could cause Dodger to be in such a state other than Dodger himself -- when he speaks up again. ]
[ Oh. ]
[ Squalo never thought they were a good match -- the kid didn't seem at all into suffering and murder from what little he's gotten to see of him -- but not even that long ago, Dodger claimed to be happy, and Squalo let it go, endorsed it, or pretended to at least. ]
[ But the two tings weren't mutually exclusive. Love and death were so closely intertwined, weren't they? There's every chance that Dodger did feel what he claimed, and then destroyed it with his own hands anyway. ]
[ Just how life goes, sometimes. ]
[ No couple could ever come close to what Squalo feels for Xanxus, of course, but for the sake of empathy, he tries to imagine himself in Dodger's shoes. Words aren't enough. ]
[ He reaches out, carefully, wary of any sudden increase in temperature again. If allowed, he'll slowly pull the other man's hands out of what's left of his hair, rest a hand on the back of his head and pull him close until his face rests somewhere against Squalo's upper chest, and just hold him for a little bit. ]
[ Hopefully it's what he needs. ]
[ Of course, silence never lasts with Squalo around. Rather than giving the other man an I'm sorry or whatever cliche bullshit which he would hope the not-hug already conveyed, he strokes his hair with a small smile. ]
[ It might feel... a little more soothing than a mere touch would, but nothing quite so unnatural that it'd draw attention. ]
That... took longer than I expected.
[ #NAILED IT ]