[he could keep going, but you know what, maybe this time, he'll just. shut up.
it kind of proves his point, doesn't it? he'll fight dirty to get any advantage, even in this. sure, it's him actively trying to sabotage himself, but he'll still do it.]
[he’s quiet. Like all the air has went out of him. The words vaguely land, but it’s like hearing them through water. But he’s not entirely looking at Griffin— and then a touch too long, his vision focuses and he’s back in this moment.
And there’s a defensive glare on his face, defensive and dark.]
[— fuck. Even if Griffin doesn’t notice, Jason does. He’s never been there when Griffin transforms before. He’s always just... caught the tail end of it, or the brunt of that creature’s fury. He knows that if Griffin’s in Avante, there’s less chance anyone gets hurt.
Except maybe him.
A negligible loss, honestly. He could replace his clothes one more time.
But he’s quiet. Griffin’s point is sinking in. Things he’d explained away— just. Shit. He hasn’t thought about them in the interim, or when he did them. Just impulsive shit he’d done for his— friend, mostly. Except for one of those. Hedonism was a demon thing, right? Even if it wasn’t something he was totally comfortable with.]
[Because by Jason's own definition, rivals just fight. It couldn't be that. They were friends, they were rivals, they were... what else, if not what Griffin assumed?]
[As much as Griffin might've been braced for a response, there was no part of him that was prepared to hear that. He jerks back, stunned - eyes wide with hurt.
Nothing.
You're nothing.
Whatever part that could've dealt rationally with that answer was suffocated in its crib as a a rush of fire swept into his vision, burning all around him. He was staring straight ahead and couldn't see anything. Not even the silver hair that was falling past his eyes, now. You don't matter. You're not wanted. You're not worth it.]
[His clothes tear like paper as the bestial form he's taking grows in size, wings sprouting and tail extending to the brutal sound of flesh and bone. Griffin staggers and falls, no longer recognizable as anything human.
Screams turn into howls as his head rears up again, and a griffin lunges at Jason, fangs bared.]
[The attempt to push him away earns Jason aggressive barking - whereupon the griffin immediately pushes his full body weight (which is surprisingly light?) onto him and lies down.
[The griffin isn't moving. It lays his head down in its claws and gets comfortable. Not sleeping, just-- it's lying down time now. No one's allowed to leave. They're just gonna stay here, where it's safe.]
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This is from the fucking Game and you know it.
[DON'T YOU DARE USE IT AGAINST HIM TO PROVE SOME KIND OF POINT!!]
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it kind of proves his point, doesn't it? he'll fight dirty to get any advantage, even in this. sure, it's him actively trying to sabotage himself, but he'll still do it.]
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You're my rival. My equal.
You don't get to pull a bitch move like chickening out when I've seen you TRY.
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And there’s a defensive glare on his face, defensive and dark.]
What the fuck are you talking about?
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His voice starts to crack as fangs start coming in, but he hardly even notices the change now]
Don't pretend you haven't! What the hell was making food, or-- or letting me do things to you or just being there if it wasn't TRYING?
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Except maybe him.
A negligible loss, honestly. He could replace his clothes one more time.
But he’s quiet. Griffin’s point is sinking in. Things he’d explained away— just. Shit. He hasn’t thought about them in the interim, or when he did them. Just impulsive shit he’d done for his— friend, mostly. Except for one of those. Hedonism was a demon thing, right? Even if it wasn’t something he was totally comfortable with.]
Some of that was because we’re friends.
[finally, dragged out of him.]
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You let your 'friends' pass out on you and stroke their hair.
[You know how stupid that sounds, right]
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[he looks annoyed.
He has no good excuse for the last part. He could lie convincingly, though.
If he really wanted to.
And he was halfway considering it.]
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[Because by Jason's own definition, rivals just fight. It couldn't be that. They were friends, they were rivals, they were... what else, if not what Griffin assumed?]
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Me fucking with you, or getting my kicks.
1/2
Nothing.
You're nothing.
Whatever part that could've dealt rationally with that answer was suffocated in its crib as a a rush of fire swept into his vision, burning all around him. He was staring straight ahead and couldn't see anything. Not even the silver hair that was falling past his eyes, now. You don't matter. You're not wanted. You're not worth it.]
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Then he's just doubled over, screaming in pain. His bones crack and break as thousands of feathers sprout from his split skin.]
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Well.
He fucked it all up.
It wasn’t worth it, but it’s done.
And if Avante didn’t hear it before, they definitely did now.]
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Screams turn into howls as his head rears up again, and a griffin lunges at Jason, fangs bared.]
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Shit.
Fuck.
[he can feel his phone vibrate]
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GET BACK HERE
The griffin's jaws snap again, this time trying to snag his jacket, the hem of his shirt, whatever.]
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kind of like he knows he deserves whatever happens next.]
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and sits on him.]
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why.
he shoves him off]
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Any attempt to move will be met with growls.]
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you know what?
yes. let shrike deal with this. he was done.
but he just stares at the dog, his expression annoyed and hardened.]
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he knows you remember, Griffin.
and he's not sorry for anything.]
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He's not giving up without a fight, fuck you.]
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but someone's here with emergency jerky ]
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