[Which answers one of his unspoken questions from earlier, how long, and also lends some insight into why, perhaps, the current calm between his parents is so fragile and so precious. They've had it out so many times by now that to some degree they're both weary of it, and yet they're nowhere near close to arriving at a resolution.
But eventually, it's Vlad who brings the moment tapering to a soft conclusion, turning his head to kiss his wife and reaching to rest his hand for a moment or two atop his son's head, as though he is still just a child and not a man. It's bittersweet, but not altogether surprising when he rises and politely excuses himself; she could tell that the longer they all stayed together, the more and more difficult it became for Vlad to hold his tongue back from demanding answers from his son.
So he'd left, it seems, because even in his formidable temper, he'd been loath to rekindle the fighting, himself.
Thus Vlad leaves them alone, excusing himself on some pretense, and removes himself from the parlor to go fume or brood or preoccupy himself until he can stand to maintain his calm again. And then it's just the two of them, now with more room on the couch and a little less heat between them to share.]
no subject
[Which answers one of his unspoken questions from earlier, how long, and also lends some insight into why, perhaps, the current calm between his parents is so fragile and so precious. They've had it out so many times by now that to some degree they're both weary of it, and yet they're nowhere near close to arriving at a resolution.
But eventually, it's Vlad who brings the moment tapering to a soft conclusion, turning his head to kiss his wife and reaching to rest his hand for a moment or two atop his son's head, as though he is still just a child and not a man. It's bittersweet, but not altogether surprising when he rises and politely excuses himself; she could tell that the longer they all stayed together, the more and more difficult it became for Vlad to hold his tongue back from demanding answers from his son.
So he'd left, it seems, because even in his formidable temper, he'd been loath to rekindle the fighting, himself.
Thus Vlad leaves them alone, excusing himself on some pretense, and removes himself from the parlor to go fume or brood or preoccupy himself until he can stand to maintain his calm again. And then it's just the two of them, now with more room on the couch and a little less heat between them to share.]