[ their new lodgings is no gautier estate or castle fraldarius, but like, they've had much, much worse before they ended up here. besides, felix is here with him and it's enough for sylvain to consider this home, for the time being. he's still kind of riding the high from the bar, with all the music and the drinks and everything else that came with it. he thinks if he was still nineteen and determined to destroy himself in every way possible, he would've appreciated it more, maybe try to stay even longer. but as outgoing as he's always been, he still had his limits, still had a point where things got overwhelming even for him. maybe it's the war; maybe he's older now, or maybe it's both. those five years spent on the frontlines felt a little like dog years, really, and maybe it's finally starting to catch up to him.

but one thing is for certain: nothing comes close to the simple pleasure of just standing side by side with felix, studying these bright little toothpick swords beneath the glow of the kitchen light. sylvain watches him pick up one, sees the tiny change in his expression that belies his interest despite what he says, and sylvain feels inexplicably pleased with himself. not that he had any doubts, when it comes to felix, but it's nice. it's always nice seeing him interested in something. ]

No idea, I kind of lost count. [ he chuckles as he shifts to lean his hip against the counter once he's done rearranging, giving felix a little more room to check out the rest of his collection. ] And I didn't steal them. I mean, the glasses were empty and they were just sitting there, you know. It would've been a shame if they got thrown out.