[ perhaps their contrary natures make for nipping back and forth into the soft parts that they thought they had hidden. Barbatos curls back and tries to cover up, and Morax knows he's tapped on something sore.

but he doesn't feel bad, nor does he regret it. foundations are not built on flimsy alliances, they're built on strong bonds between people. if he's to be close with Barbatos, then there are certain truths they both must face.

after a moment, he says: ]

Very well, I will come to you when I'm feeling lonely.

[ even through all of that flutter, he still did listen. ]

Though if you still wish to sing plainly, I've heard tales of your ballads.

[ that was certainly not how Barbatos' meant, but he can also turn a phrase and make a joke. the thought of Barbatos deliberately busying himself to be petty is kind of funny. ]