Work Text:
Finally, a chance to relax.
Adol slouched down onto the couch in the Dandelion's basement, sighing as his body made contact with the leather; his head dangled on the edge of the couch's rear. The last few days had kept him so busy, between chasing rumors to figure out what was going on in the prison and helping out operating the bar, he hardly had any time to sit down and just take a moment to himself. The young man rubbed his hands across his face as a way to de-stress physically.
With everyone else in the basement occupied doing their own thing, Adol pulled out his journal to doodle a little; he had been getting the itch to sketch a few landscapes they encountered recently. He let his mind wander to such a place to envision what to draw, and went to work shortly after. The view of the city atop the church's chapel was the first that came to mind. The breeze on your face while looking down to see the city bustling with life; such views were always so calming for him. Being able to slow down and simply enjoy the world's color and vibrancy was a vast difference compared to his constant moving around and jumping into danger.
He let his hand seamlessly begin sketching the base of each building beneath; rough boxes with windows for now. Minutes turned into an hour or two and before he knew it, what was meant to be a basic sketch turned into a detailed recreation of the city view. Cracks on building walls, hair and faces on the people below. As the young man admired his now in depth drawing, a voice rather close behind him could be heard.
"Damn you detailed that pretty nicely."
Adol nearly jumped out of his own skin from hearing a voice so close without even realizing someone was there. He quickly turned with a scowl on his face to greet whoever it was. Credo chuckled at the face, patting the swordsman's shoulder a couple times before walking around to the other side of the couch and slouching down next to him. "Was wondering when you were gonna notice."
Adol rolled his eyes and reminded the knight how quiet he walked which made it rather hard to notice him walking up; especially if the person's back was turned. He then asked how long Credo had been there for, and why he didn't say something to get his attention.
"Ten minutes, give or take. I was gonna say somethin' but you seemed really zoned in on finishing that drawing. Besides, it was kind of memorizing to sit back and watch." Credo folded his hands behind his head and leaned back into the couch. "How many years have you been drawing anyway? You're pretty talented."
The adventurer's gaze drifted to the floor as he tried to remember when he started. It had been years, at least fourteen. He couldn't remember how long ago he started drawing, it was just always something he did. Sketching and journaling went hand in hand most of the time for him.
" At least fourteen? Talk about dedication," a small smile appeared on the knight's face as he spoke. "Aside from painting I used to draw as well. Though I haven't since the orphanage burned down."
Credo never liked to talk about his past, understandably so. Though Adol had a hunch most of the reason was because he never let himself grieve properly, and any mention of past transpires hit him like a brick. Which he didn't mind, whenever Credo finally felt safe to talk about it was good enough for him. He suggested they draw together sometime, perhaps after the whole monstrum ordeal was over.
"Kah… maybe. We'll see." For a moment, Adol could've sworn he saw a twinkle in his friend's eyes at the suggestion.
It was nice to see Credo's stoic and asshole-ish demeanor slowly trickle away the more time they spent together. He knew the demeanor developed out of survival instincts, Adol only hoped one day he would feel safe enough to drop the act completely around him.
After a few moments of silence, the knight cleared his throat, his gaze averting the one he was about to talk to. "So, Adol. When was the last time you dyed your hair?"
The young swordsman blinked in surprise. What an oddball question, one he wasn't expecting from Credo. Nevertheless, he let him know his hair hadn't been dyed since Adol first broke out of prison a couple months ago. He simply hadn't had the time to even think about re-dyeing it.
"Sounds about right.." Credo scratched his nose with a finger. "I noticed a couple days ago some of your red hair on the back of your head started showin' again. So I got you something," Without another word, he reached into his pocket and dropped a bottle of black dye into his companion's lap. "Can't have you get caught and sent back to prison again now can we?"
The adventurer didn't know how to react to it, other than gawk at the bottle as well as Credo. He let him know it wasn't needed, he could've easily gone to get his own dye.
The knight waved away any and all objections, refusing to take the gift back.
"No take backs; You need it. " Credo scoffed, he'd be damned before Adol refused to let himself have gifts. "If anything, take it as thanks for giving me those glasses. If I have to accept gifts, so do you." His voice was stern, yet caring. He cared about the adventurer but never knew how to express it.
Adol smiled, his expression softening. He thanked Credo, letting him know how much he appreciated it. Having the dye now gave him something to do that evening, which he was thankful for.
"Yeah yeah, but don't get used to it," the knight retorted. He then quickly stood up before the moment got too mushy and straightened his jacket. With that Credo nodded towards the young adventurer and left without a word; leaving Adol with a giddy smile as he watched him walk away.
Moments later deep sounding laughter in the distance could be heard, Dogi's voice following after. "He's a keeper Adol, you two were meant for each other."
Adol grumbled, telling off his friend for that statement.