ruffian | ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴘᴏsᴛ.

[ Meanwhile, Gallagher is more than happy to keep the conversation going since Sunday is sticking around. He's surprised, of course, because he fully expected the man to leave as soon as he's had his fill of cake and drink, but this has been pleasant. It's not everyday the two of them have a chance to simply just talk, so he might as well take advantage of it.

He takes another sip of his drink, the smile on his face never quite fading, but there's something more subdued about it now. ]

Hm. If it were me, I guess I'll call this one "The Last Sunset," or something like that.

[ His drinks have always had that sort of theme, like an ending he's just waiting for to happen. ]

How simply poetic and yet melancholy.

[Once again, Sunday doesn't find himself a person who might understand the deeper intricacies of drink mixing but he does enjoy finding the deeper meaning behind names and words.

He picks up his drink and takes a small delicate sip from the straw.]

Are you anticipating the end to something, Mister Gallagher?

[ A genuine question deserves a sincere answer, but Gallagher finds that difficult to do. As someone who's always surrounded himself with lies, sidestepping the truth is easier than leaving himself vulnerable.

Sunday has always been perceptive, however, so if he calls him out on it... ]

You're looking too deeply into it. It's just a name.

[ But it's obviously more than that. ]

[A curious answer, of course. Sunday can tell that there is something deeper to it. Simply by the tone of Gallagher's voice or the way he thinly smiles.

He has a small urge to use the Harmony. Perhaps he could make Gallagher tell him what this meaning truly is and if his assumption is correct. After all, he doesn't like it when others keep things from him...

But he refrains. His eyes lower, almost glowering (pouting) at Gallagher for not saying so.]

If there is one thing I may understand about you is that you are much deeper than you let others believe you to be. You are a secret standing.

You think so? I feel like there's not much to know about me.

[ Sure, there are plenty of things Gallagher can't say, but he figures there isn't much of a point in sharing things that don't belong to him. Not that he can say that out loud, so he can only hope Sunday understands. Maybe if the other man pushes for more, then...

He'll just have figure out how to keep sidestepping. ]

I'm just an old Hound without fangs, after all.

[It's slightly irritating, to be sure. Sunday is used to knowing the answers to the questions he has. But Gallagher has always been a question left unanswered. It makes him direly curious, and perhaps that's why he lingers for as long as he does. Why he's particularly drawn to this messy man.

A part of Sunday wishes to know all of his secrets. To own them, or to own this man.

He lets out a soft sigh.]

So you would say. Although, all old dogs have their stories...

[It comes down to the fact that Sunday wants to know more about Gallagher.]

[ It's not like Gallagher can't read between the lines. While it takes a while for him to get there, the realization does dawn on him that maybe Sunday does want to get to know him better. That's why the other man insists that he must have more stories to tell, that's there more than meets the eye beyond the amalgamation that he is.

He wonders if it will be alright to share parts of him that he wants to be known, even if it might jeopardize his very existence. ]

Why do you wanna hear these stories so badly?

[ Maybe he just wants to hear Sunday confirm it too, that he wants to get to know him beyond the facade called "Gallagher". ]

[His eyes flicker back up to the other man, perhaps a little danger in his eyes. Sunday hates to admit a weakness or a want. Although he lets out a soft sigh.]

Is it so terrible to want to know more about you?

[He looks away. Fine, don't tell him anything, he'll be tsundere about the whole thing.]

Keep it to yourself, then.

[ Sunday's reaction earns a small smile. It has Gallagher reaching out to caress the man's face, coaxing the other to look at him again. If Sunday doesn't, he won't stop until he succeeds. ]

Come on, don't be like that. I just wanted to hear you tell me why.

[ There's a warm feeling in his chest, simply from the confirmation that Sunday wants to know more about him. ]

What do you want to know? If I can, I'll answer it.

[It might take a few futile tries for Gallagher to actually get Sunday to turn his head to him. But Sunday only resists because he's clearly being stubborn for his own reasons. Sunday is used to getting what he wants, after all.

He'll finally follow Gallagher's touch and he looks at him again. And Gallagher's reward will be the slight brush of soft feathers aganst his fingers.]

Do you have dreams? Beyond all of this.

[ When Sunday finally looks at him, there's a small smile on Gallagher's face that's ready to greet him. It's another one of those sad ones; genuine enough, and yet not entirely happy. Resignation is the closest thing to describing it.

He trails his fingers along the man's wing, delighted by the brush of soft feathers against his skin. ]

All I've ever wanted is for Penacony to be safe. To have all Dreamchasers be as happy as they can be.

[ A beat passes, and his hand drops back to his side. ]

It's been a while since I've dreamt of anything for myself. Wouldn't even know what I'd want.

[Sunday carefully studies Gallagher's face. That handsome jawline, the subtle emotion in those reddish brown eyes. Gallagher is handsome in many ways. Even when there's something sad in his expression.]

Then we have the same wish.

[Because despite all of Sunday's desires, all of his convictions and thoughts... He too only wants Penacony to be safe and for everyone to be happy. That is why Sunday's plans must...

Sunday watches Gallagher carefully.]

Then whatever it is that you're doing, for Penacony or for your own... When it's all said and done... [Quieter.] Come find me.

[If Gallagher won't dream for something for himself... He could dream for Gallagher. Be his.]

[ There's a split-second where surprise colours the entirety of his features. What Suday murmurs to him so quietly is something he didn't expect from the man, let alone be offered to him so easily. His expression softens, another rare thing since honesty is far from what's usually seen on his face. ]

... I just might, when it's all said and done.

[ It's the closest to a promise that he'll ever get when things aren't guaranteed given what he is. Who he is.

He looks directly into Sunday's golden gaze, sunset eyes searching for something. ]

Will you come to me if I can't go to you?

[ Again with the cryptic statements. ]

[The response is cryptic, much like all of Gallagher's enigmatic ways... It makes Sunday frown slightly, although he doesn't take his amber eyes off the other man. His gaze instead turns slightly narrow and dangerous...]

I will. If you do not come to me. I cannot promise I'll be happy that you hadn't kept your word, though. If I have to keep it for you...

[But Sunday doesn't like not getting his way. If he wants Gallagher. He will have him, even if he has to find him, himself.]

I will find you.

[ That earns a small huff. ]

If there's anyone who can do it, it'll be you.

[ And he means every word of it. He has no doubt that Sunday will find a way to drag him back even if it isn't possible. A part of him takes comfort in that thought, because it's the only lifeline he has. It's enough to give him hope, so his smile grows less rueful. ]

But I don't like the idea of making you unhappy, so I'll try and avoid that.

[Sunday watches the other man carefully.]

Please do try. While I know you like your stories and your uncertain endings...

[They are very much opposite when it comes to that. Sunday dislikes how Gallagher keeps everything so open-ended. While Sunday would rather control the endings...

Therefore, he'll be sure to find Gallagher.]

I will make sure of it.

[ Sunday's words are comforting in ways that he could've never expected. Perhaps it's because this is truly the first time someone is promising to prioritize him over anything else. He wonders, if both he and Sunday met under much different circumstances— how much happier would they be? ]

... Sure. It's a promise.

[ He means it, too. If there's a way to keep his promise, he'll find it. ]

Was there anything else you wanted to know?

[If there had been different circumstances... If Sunday hadn't been gripped with the idea of the perfect order and of protecting everyone's dreams no matter the cost... If things had been simpler, what would they have been like?

It's hard to tell what will happen from here. But perhaps this little promise between them will mean something in the future. A promise to find one another no matter what endings they get. If dreams continue or if they end...]

I believe you've satisfied my curiosity. At least for now.

[ Their little promise is something Gallagher would like to hold onto. It's rare for him to be selfish, too focused on making sure that Penacony remains safe, just as the Watchmaker would have wanted. ]

Alright. If you think of something, you know where to find me.

[ His head tilts. ]

Are you busy for the rest of the day?

[He will gently tuck that promise away to think on later. When he's faced with choices that are pivotal for him to make... And later, when Sunday falls from grace.

For now- It's a simple night in a bar with quiet music, drinks and questions.

He glances back at Gallagher.]

There are a few items I need to take care of sooner than later. Did you have something else in mind?

[ When all is lost, Gallagher will remain right here, waiting for Sunday whenever he needs him. It's a promise he'll do his very best to keep against all odds— it doesn't matter what he'll have to sacrifice to make it happen.

He shakes his head, offering a smile instead. ]

Nah. If you're busy, I wouldn't want to keep you. Was just gonna ask if you wanted to stay a while, but I can wait for next time.

[ There will be always a next time, for now. ]

[Sunday's gaze lingers on Gallagher before he looks away with a soft look hiding on his face.]

Tomorrow night, then.

[That's when he could come by again...]

[ Gallagher perks up like a puppy who just got a treat, before his expression softens too. It's clear that he's pleased with this statement. ]

Tomorrow night it is. I'll store the cheesecake for you, unless you want something else to eat.

[ If it's something he doesn't know how to make, he's sure he can figure it out. Probably. ]

The cheesecake will be fine. Perhaps tomorrow can be more of a dinner between the two of us.

[He moves to stand, smoothing out the sleeves of his jacket neatly. Did he just tell Gallagher it will be a dinner date? Yes. Maybe he did.]

[ That gets his attention like nothing else. His tail would be wagging like crazy by now, if he had one. ]

A dinner with the radiant Sunday. This old Hound is honoured. Any requests for what you'd like to eat?

[ Since he's assuming Sunday wants a cooked meal! He'll pull out all the stops, if he has to. He wants to impress the other man. ]

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