noreasonneeded | IC/Overflow Post

You will always be young to me.

[And sometimes that will bother people she is close to. Watching themselves age while she doesn't.]

But I'm not an enemy. One of my students lives in one of your flats, she was telling someone how it's the only place her mom could afford, but that it's nice.

I could be ancient at heart.

[It doesn't really bother him. While not quite as long-lived as Stella, Grisha can live for centuries. He's gotten used to the idea that Nina and Jesper might age much slower than him going into adulthood. He also doesn't really see himself living to old age given his lifestyle, but that's a topic he tends to avoid.]

Ah. Remind me to put a clause in my housing contracts against outside compliments.

[He's not serious.]

I'm no hero, Stella, and I don't want to be. Meeting needs and providing people opportunities inspires loyalty. It's just good business sense.

... and I've been homeless.

I think you might be.

[She always suspects it's more than just business. There are plenty of people doing truly heinous things in the name of business, and then there is Kaz having affordable housing.]

I have too. There were times when women weren't allowed to rent or buy on their own. And times when I didn't want to live with anyone.

[She knows how rough it can be on the streets. Between artists she could sometimes find herself with nowhere to go.]

You didn't live on Olympus prior to your human family's adoption?

I did for a long time. But eventually I couldn't stand Olympians. There was too much drama. I decided to stay on Earth full time.

And I probably could have just gone running home, maybe I should have, but I didn't feel like I belonged there anymore.

Sounds like that was rough.

I'm sure it was rough for you as well. We just have a bit more in common than it might appear at first.

I was fine. I can take care of myself.

Being fine doesn't mean it was easy.

I'm not saying you can't take care of yourself. You don't need to be so defensive with me, you know I'm not going anywhere.

I'm sure it isn't for many people.

No defensiveness, just an honest answer. I'm sure it would have been rougher, if I couldn't take care of myself. But I could, so it's fine. I'm not really one to wallow in the past.

[She crosses her arms over her chest. Because he has clearly dealt with everything in super healthy and reasonable ways.]

Yes, I've noticed. You're barely one to acknowledge it. Which is fine, everyone deals with things differently.

[He certainly hasn't, but he's not one to readily acknowledge it.]

Indeed. Many musicians bank their entire careers upon putting their torrid lives to a lively beat.

Maybe you just need to write a song. Tell me all the pertinent information in a nice little package.

Wylan is the songwriter in our group. Though he's not usually keen on performing in public.

I could get you to write a song. Might not be good, but it would exist.

Nah. As I said, that's Wylan's area of interest, not mine. I'm fine leaving it to him.

You don't give an inch do you?

How do you put up with my and my incessant desire to get to know you?

You know things about me. You learned something about me right this very moment. You learned I don't want to be a musician.

I could have guessed as much.

You are equal parts amusing and infuriating. And I still really enjoy your company.

Equal parts are better odds than most give. Your tolerance is noted, and your company's good to have around, too.

I found something for you at an antique market.

Are you trying to olden me up with antiques?

You know you don't have to get me anything.

No, I'm trying to woo you with antiques. Very different.

I know, but it make me think of you.

[It's a ornate antique padlock that is supposedly very hard to pick.]

These are pretty rare so you've probably not practiced on one before.

I have not, and I always like new ones to work with. It's appreciated. I befriended a lock and safe maker under the guise of a rich mercher's son always on the quest to upgrade his father's security to get easy access and practice with what most are using these days.

That's brilliant, but I'd expect no less.

Let me know if this one is as difficult to pick as people claim.

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