school: nier

[shaft]

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[shaft]

[ He listens patiently to what Nier has to say, pushing himself up so that he's sitting again. ]

And... that makes you a bad person? [ He takes one of Nier's hands in his own. ] I think you've done a lot of good, and not just here. And all the good that you've done might not erase the bad, but the reverse also holds true.

I probably can't even convey to you how much I think of you, but I know you deserve the world. [ He squeezes his hand. ] You've got a good heart, Nier, and you're a better man than many others I've met.

[amain]

[ Nier is apprehensive, not wanting to get out of this makeshift bubble, but allows him to take his hand. The touch makes him want to be happy and to shove the truth under the rug, like the past meant nothing. ]

Claude… [ Thank god it is not think week. ] I stole the dreams of many—for myself and those I loved.

On my journey for revenge, I pushed humanity to the brink of extinction. True humans will die out because of my actions. I knew that.

[ The bad can’t be erased he said, so here it is. Is Nier really better? Does he really deserve the world? ]

[shaft]

[ He looks a little puzzled. ]

You knew...? [ He'd thought it was a surprise to him, but he supposes that Nier could have continued his journey even after learning the truth.

So he killed True Humans - like the girl from the ship. It would be easy to say that Nier had just been killing monsters, but he's already proved that he doesn't think that's the case.

Stupidly, he asks this instead, ] Would you kill everyone here for them too?

[amain]

... I learned it later, but it doesn't change all I've done. It didn't stop me.

[ It was too late by then. It was too late to stop, to go back, to change anything. He doesn't want when he learned the truth to color the story. Does it matter that he thought of them as nothing but monsters until the end? No. They're dead. That is the point. ]

If things were different, I'm sure I would be able to.

[ The underlying answer is no. Not with how people are here and how this system works. ]

[shaft]

[ He thinks about it for a moment, wondering what he should say, and how he can offer some comfort. ]

I don't know if I can judge whether what you did was right or wrong. Those monsters may have been human, but they were still a danger to all the people who lived in your world. Perhaps the cost of saving them was too high but- that's not for me to say.

But it doesn't make me think any less of you. You were dealt a terrible hand in a terrible circumstances. I can't blame you for wanting to protect what happiness you could find.

You're not a bad person.

[amain]

[ Nier is quiet, rendered speechless. It was never about him being bad or good, but more if they're willing to accept him as he is, with the worst parts of him and his dark history attached. People here are too kind... They keep making excuses for him. Or maybe they're right. He had so little control over his life.

A sigh. ]

There's nothing I can say to make you think otherwise?

[ He should draw his hand back, but instead he holds on. Maybe a little tighter, too. ]

[shaft]

There might be, I'm not a saint. [ He answers wryly, before shaking his head. ] But I doubt you'd be cruel enough to say any of it.

[amain]

… Cruel words, huh. What would they even be?

[ He’s trying his luck as a joke, with mild curiosity. ]

[shaft]

[ He thinks about it. He has pretty thick skin in general, so... ]

I guess something about how you couldn't like me because of my dirty blood.

[amain]

... That's awful and also stupid. Why would anyone say that?

[ Yeah, Nier would never say something like that. ]

[shaft]

There are plenty of intolerant people in the world.

[ Nier should know that. He's probably seen plenty of terrible things. ]

[amain]

[ He has seen discrimination in different ways in his world. It was horrible—difficult for him to understand. ]

Yeah.

[ Nier sits up and pulls Claude into a hug with his free arm. ]

[shaft]

[ He just laughs and pats him on the shoulder. ]

Don't worry, I have pretty thick skin. It doesn't bother me anymore.

[amain]

You shouldn’t need to have a thick skin...

[ No one should treat Claude, or anyone, so poorly. He gives Claude a small squeeze in this hug. Grumbles. ]

I’d have a word with anyone that says those kinds of things to you.

[shaft]

[ Nier is so cute, and Claude does appreciate his reaction. It's new, and welcome.

He squeezes him in return. ]

It's all right. I haven't heard anything like that in years anyway.

[amain]

Good.

[ How many times is Claude going to think Nier is cute. He gives a small nuzzle, content enough with that. ]

You remember what I said weeks ago, right? When I was badgering you about your fake dating.

[ now space jam is real ]

[shaft]

[ He looks at him, puzzled. That had been a loaded conversation. ]

That any woman would be unlucky to date me?

[amain]

[ PLEase. YOU MAKE HIM SO TIrED. HOW DO YOU JUST DRAIN HIM OF HIS ENERGY. He shakes his head?? ]

... I should ask why that's what you recall first. [ This one: ] You are lovable.

[shaft]

[ You willingly suffer through this, Nier. I have no sympathy.

But he just smiles, he was teasing. ]

Yeah, I remember. And then you bit me like three times.

[amain]

[ ............. in the smallest voice: ]

Did I do that?

[shaft]

Yeah, and then Caleb asked me about it in trial.

[ Amused. ]

[amain]

[ The trial Caleb asked him to verify things. Nier frowns as he pulls away from the hug. Unamused. ]

Right. I remember now... For some reason, you felt excited over the bites.

[shaft]

[ Sure. Nier had to remember that. He hates emotionshare week, even now. ]

Mm.

[ He's not elaborating. ]

[amain]

[ He arches his brow, knowing enough. ]

Want to tell me something, Claude?

[shaft]

[ Stop. Claude just shoves him, looking back across the campus to hide the colour crawling up his neck. ]

I'll pass, thanks.