[Jasper clenches his fingers into his palms, mirroring Hendrik for a moment as he scratches the bridge of his nose. Only instead of leaning back he angles forward, one finger now twirling in his hair. It is flicked away as he straightens his back. His voice holds itself together in face of unindentified emotion.]
Hendrik, I have lost my love of anticipating tomorrow - but that hardly suggests I cannot enjoy the present. Our accord is all that offers me any sort of peace. It has a future no matter where we are so long as we stand together.
[Both hands steady his plate and progress towards straightening his cutlery. It is simple enough to tackle Hendrik's observation without troubling himself - and he answers swiftly.]
We are fundamentally different in most regards. That hardly means we cannot work together.
[Jasper drinks from his glass. It saves him from answering for all of a second, but the need to respond is staring him in the face. He frowns and realises that need is staring off to the side. Or wherever Hendrik now finds himself looking.
What a prickly predicament they find themselves in, he thinks. He extends his hand across the table; palm facing the air, ready for a simple touch or even a handshake.]
You have always been stubborn. But it speaks volumes that you realize it.
[The movement out of the corner of his eye draws Hendrik's attention back to Jasper, and he looks at the table, where his hand rests. He gives it a pensive look before pulling his hand up and resting it on top of the other man's.
He says nothing for a long moment, his expression downcast despite looking at Jasper.]
[Fingers move together, finding strength in unity. Differences that were once a divide are now set aside in favour of moving forward. He watches his friend look at him in misery and discovers he dislikes the sight.]
It is a pity that we have lost so many years. Still, plenty lie ahead.
[What Hendrik agrees to is left unsaid, his eyes straying down to their clasped hands as Jasper strengthens his hold.
He needs to remind himself to stop looking for those similarities. Needs to remind himself that they are very different people -- not just in capability, but in their thoughts and hearts. If they still had any similarities between them, they wouldn't be where they are now.
With his free hand, he reaches for his beer and takes a long swig.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Hendrik, I have lost my love of anticipating tomorrow - but that hardly suggests I cannot enjoy the present. Our accord is all that offers me any sort of peace. It has a future no matter where we are so long as we stand together.
[The less he speaks of Erdrea the better.]
no subject
I see. So we are fundamentally different in that regard.
[He hasn't 'lost his love' for thinking about the future. Hoping for the future. Even if they both live for others.]
no subject
We are fundamentally different in most regards. That hardly means we cannot work together.
no subject
[He tries to swallow a sigh.]
I suppose I do not understand... Or I have been unwilling to accept our feelings have diverged so much.
[Even though that fact is right there in his face.]
no subject
What a prickly predicament they find themselves in, he thinks. He extends his hand across the table; palm facing the air, ready for a simple touch or even a handshake.]
You have always been stubborn. But it speaks volumes that you realize it.
no subject
He says nothing for a long moment, his expression downcast despite looking at Jasper.]
Apologies.
no subject
[Fingers move together, finding strength in unity. Differences that were once a divide are now set aside in favour of moving forward. He watches his friend look at him in misery and discovers he dislikes the sight.]
It is a pity that we have lost so many years. Still, plenty lie ahead.
no subject
[What Hendrik agrees to is left unsaid, his eyes straying down to their clasped hands as Jasper strengthens his hold.
He needs to remind himself to stop looking for those similarities. Needs to remind himself that they are very different people -- not just in capability, but in their thoughts and hearts. If they still had any similarities between them, they wouldn't be where they are now.
With his free hand, he reaches for his beer and takes a long swig.]