There's something immensely comforting about someone he trusts telling him what to do. He regrets drinking first, but he doesn't regret finally reaching out to Gladio.
"Alright," he agrees, and it's not long before he's finished and paid the tab.
The offer of an arm isn't something he expects, or is entirely familiar with. He stares a moment too long, eyes tracing from the arm to Gladio's face and back.
Then he shakes his head slightly and loops his arm through. He feels a little ridiculous. But, he always does when someone is seeing to him rather than the other way around.
He smiles in return. "That it is." And already doing a lot more for his mood than any of his self-medicating attempts. "I fear I don't always have the option for company, though."
Basch flushes, but his arm is through this man's; what is he so afraid of?
"Yes," he says, glancing at Gladio. He's rewarded with an encouraging smile, and, gods, are those butterflies in his stomach? "I feel a fool for fretting over it for so long and not simply telling you. This was not the reaction I expected."
"Fear of rejection is pretty much a constant in most people," Gladio says with a shrug. "Makes you nervous, makes it harder to decide on things, or commit if someone can say no. I get it too."
"You don't believe in the old dog new trick wisdom?" he asks, but he's smiling gently. He's learned a lot this past year or so. Perhaps Gladio is right. He'd never thought he could do something like this, and yet, here they were.
He knows he does. Points are something that are on the tips of swords and he has plenty of those. Okay, that's the joke had, in his head so he doesn't seem silly, and he smiles at Basch.
"I try to. But I have faith in you too. You're not so old that you can't choose to change. And you've got an open mind, which helps."
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"Alright," he agrees, and it's not long before he's finished and paid the tab.
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"Come on. Let's distract you."
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Then he shakes his head slightly and loops his arm through. He feels a little ridiculous. But, he always does when someone is seeing to him rather than the other way around.
"I am already quite distracted. Thank you."
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The amount he's fixated on Gladio knowing he isn't usually like this probably IS the drink though.
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It isn't that simple, of course, but he smiles anyway. "Guess I'm out of practice."
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Because it can be that simple, once in a while.
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"I'm glad that you enjoy that about me.
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"I'm glad you're here."
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And he smiles like he really appreciates that potential.
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"Yes," he says, glancing at Gladio. He's rewarded with an encouraging smile, and, gods, are those butterflies in his stomach? "I feel a fool for fretting over it for so long and not simply telling you. This was not the reaction I expected."
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Anyone can learn it. Gladio'd had no choice but to learn it.
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It's so easy to talk to Gladio. Basch doesn't feel like he ends up in some strange place without knowing how he got there.
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"I try to. But I have faith in you too. You're not so old that you can't choose to change. And you've got an open mind, which helps."