Chapter Text
In the living room, a faint light illuminated the modern furniture. Thorold adjusted his jacket in front of the mirror while Asriel sat on the sofa, holding an empty glass. He looked visibly troubled, although the sarcastic smile never left his face.
"So, tell me," Asriel began as he leaned back. "What's all the fuss about? Are you giving someone another chance who doesn't deserve it?"
Thorold looked back at him from the mirror while adjusting his tie. "Don't start, Asriel. We met at the studio. We didn’t talk much, but she’s very beautiful."
Asriel snorted sarcastically. "Well, if your standards are that low, maybe it’ll actually work."
Thorold turned around and sat next to Asriel to put on his shoes. "You know, if you love criticizing others so much, maybe you should take a look at yourself sometimes. For example, why do you keep messing with Marisa?"
Asriel just waved him off, but it was clear he didn’t want to let go of the topic. "I'm not messing with her. I just can't stand that she always wants to control everything. It's like the whole world is her little playground."
"Of course, because you never want to control anything," Thorold remarked as he slipped on his shoe. "You’re always so... cooperative, right?"
Asriel's eyes flashed, but instead of snapping back, he reached for the wine bottle on the table and poured himself a drink. "This woman is a tornado. You can’t exist next to her."
Thorold smiled and leaned back. "I think you enjoy it."
Asriel paused in the middle of his motion and looked at Thorold over his glass. "Excuse me?"
"You know you enjoy it. All the arguments, all the drama. If Marisa weren’t there, you’d make something up. You’re the one who gets involved in all the nonsense, then complains."
Asriel didn’t respond immediately. He just took a sip of his wine and then set the glass down. "Honestly, I don’t know why I do it."
Thorold laughed. "Because you love challenges, buddy. And Marisa is a challenge in every way. She’s beautiful, smart, and completely drives you crazy. And somehow, you find that attractive."
Asriel just mumbled something under his breath, but he didn’t deny it.
"But let’s face it," Thorold continued, "she's a bit scary, isn’t she? That woman is like a bloodthirsty lion. Anyone who gets in her way is done for."
"I’m not afraid of her," Asriel replied, though there was some defensiveness in his voice.
Thorold looked at him and smiled. "No, you're not afraid. You just spend every night wondering how to avoid another conflict with her while already preparing for the next big battle in your head."
Asriel sighed as if trying to stay emotionless, but eventually, a smile appeared on his face. "Maybe you’re right. But that doesn’t make it any easier."
Thorold stood up and adjusted his jacket. "Nothing worth it is easy, old man. Now I have to go. Try not to start an argument if she calls."
"Only if she starts it," Asriel replied, but the familiar mischievous gleam was already in his eyes.
Thorold headed toward the door, but before stepping out, he looked back. "And try not to drink too much."
"I’ll just take a nice, warm bath."
Asriel just waved at him as he poured another glass of wine. "Good luck with the date. If, by some miracle, it goes well, don’t forget to tell me about it."
Asriel grinned as he shut the door behind him, and Thorold continued getting ready.