Pausing at the compliment, Dante sniffles and nodded before heading out of the office quickly to hide his sudden tears. Maybe it was his heightened emotional state but as something as simple as being called a good person sent him into sobs when he was alone in the elevator. He had to get his shit together once out of it, though, and went as far as to send a feigned smile to the guards by the door as he stepped into the heavy snow.

He had become well acquainted with the liquor store by the company, sadly. He rarely brought alcohol back to the office unless it was to celebrate a good release but he had never been so pathetic as he bought a pack of beer, all the while looking at his phone every now and then with the thin chance of actually getting his text at the least. It only made his frown grow once placing the pack on the counter.

Once finished, he was left sniffling and wiping both the snow and tears from his eyes from under his bangs. He moved as quickly as he could back to the safety of his company, his nose red from the cold and his hard sniffles.
 
The moment he noticed that Dante had been crying, Karius almost mentioned it, as he would normally do with anyone else. He had a habit of saying whatever was on his mind, but in this instance, he managed to rein himself in a little. He didn't want to upset Dante by emphasising his emotional state, so, somehow, he forced that instinct back and reached for a beer with a grateful nod.

"...It's getting cold out there, huh? You know, if it gets really cold, my limbs will just, like, drop off. It's kinda rad, actually. I'll just be sitting on a park bench and, bam, I've lost an arm," he piped up as he cracked the beer open. He would never admit it, but he was doing his best to cheer the other up, as was evident by how much he was talking. He never talked this much, not even to Dante, but he had never seen the man this upset before. "...Or an eye, you know? My eye once popped right out when I was reading, that was... traumatising for the lady opposite me on the bus, so... at least you don't have to deal with that."
 
“Oof, and it didn’t hurt?” He questioned quietly, silently grateful for the other trying to distract him. Popping open his own beer skillfully with his long nails, he took a seat in the chair adjacent and leaned back to at least relax himself. He was the complete opposite of a masculine person and he was completely content with it but there was something about Dante leaning back with a beer staring up at the ceiling that didn’t really match his feminine personality.

“You just stitch it back on, right?” He confirmed as he took in the other. Sure, the man wasn’t very conventionally handsome even to monster standard but that didn’t matter to Dante, even if it creeped others out a bit to see exposed flesh. There was plenty of questions he had for the zombie that he chose to keep quiet for the sake of not being rude, of course. “I never asked you but what do you do in the day? I mean, you seem like someone who isn’t afraid to adventure out a bit though it seems I’m pretty bad at judging people’s character.”
 
"What do I do? Nothing, really. I don't go out much. People don't really like me. I think it has something to do with my appearance. I probably scare a lot of people-- it's why I like working at night. Nobody's going to stare at me or bother me, it's peaceful. I just... hang out in my apartment, I guess. Maybe I'll go for a walk with my hood up, sometimes I need to venture out the city to pick up... food from my friend. It's not that interesting," he explained with another shrug, immediately discounting a lot of the activities he got up to. He had no reason not to tell Dante about his hobbies and his other jobs, but he didn't think it was remotely interesting. Not as interesting as talking about stitching his own limbs back on, at least. Contrary to what most people thought, he really didn't mind talking about it. Hell, he found it amazing, rather than embarrassing.

"Yeah, just stitch 'em right back on," he grinned, unable to stop the sudden smile from appearing, absently tracing over the stitches around his wrist. "...It's not pretty, but I'm not pretty either, so it's fine-- although I could find myself someone to date if I tried. There's someone for everyone, even weird zombies like me who have to stitch themselves together."
 
I think you’re pretty,” He cooed with his own small smile before leaning forward to set his head in his hand. “In fact, I find you to be incredibly handsome. Sure you’re not some conventional human or whatever but I find your uniqueness very handsome. If you looked, I’m sure you’d find someone. Besides, you’re close enough to a human that you’d probably score some cute girl pretty easily.” He reassured before chugging back the can like a pro.

“... I wanna see it some day, you stitch yourself back together. Is that rude? I don’t mean to be, Ah... I guess I’m just curious,” he admitted with a nervous laugh. “If you want to ask me anything, I’ll gladly answer, yeah? Don’t want this to be one sided or whatever.”
 
Even though he made a habit of avoiding people and keeping to himself, he wasn't so intent on it that he cast everyone out of his life... and doing that when he worked a few jobs was impossible anyway. He had heard a few weird questions in his time, as well as several requests, but hearing Dante's did catch him by surprise. He wasn't offended in any way, and he didn't even find it that weird. He just hadn't expected Dante of all people to be the one intrigued in him like this. In many ways, it just made him like his boss a little more than he already did.

"...Alright. Why are you so upset about that human abandoning you? You didn't date him long. Wasn't he afraid of getting physically intimate? It's just what I've heard," the zombie yawned, not letting it be known just how he got his hands on that information. He didn't even go searching for it, nor would he ever be that eager to get his hands on gossip. He just ended up being the one who knew the most about people, even though he was the one person who actively tried to avoid getting involved in things.

"I'm not saying he wasn't nice. I met him once, he seemed alright. I just didn't think it was that serious to warrant you crying over him. Plenty more fish in the sea, yeah? That's what they say. Besides, you're conventionally attractive. It's easier for people to like you than it is for them to like me, I'm sure you'll be fine in the dating world, Dante."
 
“I... I dunno, I just thought he was the one, you know? I’m sure that’s cheesy,” he answered with a nervous laugh, though it was clearly strained and riddled with sniffles. “Sandra always said I was a hopeless romantic. It’s just - he was the only person who openly approached me and said he liked me. He went out of his way to get into fashion for me, you know? Plus... he was super humble and that isn’t something I usually see. Just... I’m gross, you know? You’re cute and human-like but I’m not subtle.”

Letting out a groan, he rubbed his face with another sniffle as he grew more emotional, especially with the alcohol in his stomach now. It was embarrassing, the whole situation, and he’d realize it eventually.

“I just thought he really liked me. We were going to go to my place tonight and have dinner together, did I do something wrong? Was I too pushy? I just-“ he began to babble, his voice wavering as the urge to sob emerged again. “I’m sorry.”
 
"...I shouldn't have brought it up, it's my fault," he quietly admitted, moving to grab his second beer of the night, just to fill the awkward silence that had occurred. He couldn't help but to ask about Xavier to settle his curiosity, not reminding himself in time that it would only cause upset; something he was actively trying to distract Dante from.

In the end, after five minutes of tapping at his laptop quietly with an awkward frown, he turned back to his boss with a firm nod. Stitching himself back up was never that easy, especially if he only had one hand to do it with (as was often the case) but he was willing to go through the effort if it cheered the other up a little. So, having decided on that plan of action, he gestured for Dante's attention before easily breaking through the stitches around his left hand and tugging it clean off. It was gruesome, but he figured Dante was alright with it. After all, he was talking to him without grimacing at the sight of Karius, and not many people could do that.

"It's pretty easy, I just stitch it back on and... it'll work fine," he promised, fumbling in his back for his needle and thread to stitch himself back up, while offering up a quick smile of reassurance. "I can't feel pain, so it doesn't hurt or anything. I think it's pretty cool. My Dad always used to entertain me as a kid by, like, stitching his head on backwards or whatever, I found that hilarious-- we have to develop a humour about it, y'know?"
 
“You don’t feel any pain?” He confirmed, clearly taken aback by the sight not so much by the actual sight but moreso the fact that it was so sudden. Watching the other quietly, he held out his hand with a wary smile.

“I can stitch you back up, if it helps. I sewed my own clothes since I was a child, I know how to make a simple stitch,” he reassured before wriggling his fingers expectantly. “No offense to your stitch job but it isn’t very pretty. I can make your stitches look nice and neat if you’d like, yeah? As for the lack of pain, I would think you’d have more piercings and whatnot. It’s a good opportunity.”
 
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"Who's to say I haven't got tattoos and piercings? There's a lot you don't know about me. I'm willing to tell you whatever you want to know. Like I said, I make exceptions for you because you've been accommodating, kind and understanding. I'm willing to be a little more... talkative with you, Dante. All you have to do is ask," he pointed out, setting the needle down once the offer had been made. He didn't really care how messy the stitches were, having come to terms with the fact he was never going to be model material, so what did a few ragged stitches matter? However, having them done neatly would at least hold them in place better, rather than them be loose and get torn up.

"If I felt pain, I wouldn't tear my hand off for you. I don't feel it. I can feel other stuff, just not pain," he explained slowly, tapping his fingers against the table whilst patiently waiting for his other hand to be reattached. "The no-pain thing comes in handy, obviously-- that was a shit pun. I can't do jokes. I'm not a funny person. I'm 'unemotional', right? That's what everyone around here thinks of me-- it's okay, Dante, I'm well aware they're freaked out by me."
 
“Well, in their defenseyou don’t really interact with a lot of the others,” he reminded as he kept his many eyes on the severed hand, his lips pursing tight in hopes to offer proper stitching. After all, this was a bit more important than some fabric.

“Maybe you should work in the morning one of these days? I mean, I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you - implying they would. People are nice, yeah? I think it might be good for you.”
 
"People are so nice that they scared your boyfriend off. That doesn't give me tremendous amounts of hope that they'd be nice to me, if they can't even give that human a chance. He seemed nice-- he looked polite. I look a mess, I doubt they'll really want to get to know me. And I don't want them to try, I like being by myself here at nights. I talk to the cleaners, and the night guards. It's... that's plenty for me," he admitted casually, his eyes locked on the other's handiwork in genuine fascination at how neat the stitches were. He knew they would be pretty, given the man was a designer, but it still took him by surprise. Hell, even his own mother couldn't sew him up this neatly.

"It's real nice. Probably too neat for me. I have this whole 'undone' thing going on, but... it's cute," he smiled quietly, wriggling his fingers the moment his hand was reattached. "...Maybe I'll come in early, in the future. It depends, I guess."
 
“I mean, do you,” he replied simply as he proudly took in the near stitches with a wide smile. After all, he hadn’t been able to be completely involved in the actual production process in awhile so doing something as simple as stitching was pleasant.

“Either way, you’re a lovely worker and person,” he praised. “If you want to come to work in the day, have at it. You get your work done no matter what, yeah? Look, I know I’m a hypocrite but just... don’t let other people make you feel bad about yourself,” he insisted before offering a squeeze to the other’s shoulder only to pop open another can.
 
"I don't feel bad about myself. It's their fault if they can't see past my appearance. It's entirely on them. I'm comfortable with who I am. Just because I don't think I'm pretty doesn't mean I'm insecure; it's factual. I'm not a looker, Dante. And I'm fine with that. Beauty's subjective anyway. Someone out there might be into guys like me. In fact, I know there is. My love life isn't uneventful," he drawled slowly, moving his attention back to his laptop and the beer, just to take a moment away from looking at Dante. He was finding it strange that he was talking so much, and admitting things he never would normally admit, but the combination of alcohol and his respect for his boss apparently led to the zombie becoming something of a conversationalist.

"If they're mean to me, I can accept that. Not everyone's nice in this company, that'd be unrealistic," he confirmed, finally glancing back at the other. "...I'll think about it, okay?"
 
“Wait, what do you mean your love life isn’t uneventful?” He quickly questioned with a curious tilt of his head. “Ooh, are you keeping a cute girl from me? Why~? Is she cute? Are you together or is it one-sided? Oh, don’t worry if it is! I’m sure you can turn on a nice charm~” He cooed , his attention immediately locking on that subtle fact.

“Oh, you can’t just drop that bomb and not tell me more, that’s just cruel. Look at me, going on about how much I fucking hate myself when you’ve got a proper relationship under wraps,” he urged with a wide grin. “I love it~!”
 
"Is that who you imagine me with, a cute girly-girl? Go on, I'm interested. What sort of person do you think my current partner is? It's not all that serious at the moment, but I see it heading that way-- so I'm curious. How do you imagine my partner to be?" He asked after a moment or two, his own interest taking hold after hearing just how interested Dante seemed to be in his love life. He didn't necessarily mind talking about it, even if he wasn't entirely sure what he had; it wasn't a relationship, but he didn't feel like he was single either.

"They work here, you know. The person I'm... sort of seeing. Not that I'm going to tell you, I'd rather leave you in the dark and enjoy seeing you try to figure it out for yourself."
 
“That’s hardly fair! Don’t go dropping a bombshell like that and leave me hanging!” He whined with a pout as he leaned in forward, truly taking in his employee. While he was probably the first to prove the whole stereotype wrong, it wasn’t ridiculous to assume that whoever the zombie was with would be like him, right?

“Ah... quiet, I would assume? Like, quiet and burly - an Orc? Are you dating an Orc? Ah... Vanessa down in receiving is an Orc, are you two together? If you don’t say I’m wrong I will pester her and you’ll have that blood on your hands,” he warned before easily crushing the next can with his hand.
 
"I know Vanessa, she's lovely. But no, we're not together-- does this really interest you? I would have thought me taking my own hand off would be more interesting, but you seem far more intrigued about something as mundane as who I'm having sex with," he sighed, turning to face him properly once shutting his work laptop. He had only just started work for the night, but getting anything done was impossible, and Dante wasn't exactly pushing him to continue his work. He seemed more interested in talking and getting to know Karius, which the zombie was genuinely okay with. He didn't usually goof off from work, but he didn't mind cracking open some beers with Dante. It was surprisingly nice for him, in fact.

"His name's Lyle. He works in the social media department. He's loud, extroverted, short and I wouldn't say he's particularly muscular. He likes dancing and he drags me to his stupid classes every Saturday night. He likes cocktails and he's taking Mixology classes. He has five cats, both normal and monster ones. We started dating when I came into work in the day to collect some papers I needed and he spilled coffee down me accidentally. We went out that night and had tacos at this tiny restaurant. What else do you want to know?" He drawled slowly after the onslaught of information, rubbing his throat. He wasn't used to talking, let alone talk so much all in one go. Despite that, he couldn't stop the small smile pulling at his lips, reaching for another beer.

"...It's more of an open relationship right now. He sleeps with other guys, and I'm fine with that. I enjoy his company, but I'm fine with him enjoying the company of others. It's casual, and it works for us, I suppose."
 
“Oh, Karius, that’s wonderful!” He gushed with a wide grin before leaning back, his grey cheeks growing a bit rosy. “Not what I was expecting, to be honest. Like I said, I’m not very good at judging people, so... but that’s fantastic! Ah, you two are complete opposites but I suppose opposites attract? Oh my gosh, not to mention I thought you were straight. Maybe that’s why I can’t find anyone stable,” he teased with a snort.

“So... an open relationship? And you’re cool with that?” He confirmed after a pause. “I wouldn’t be but I’m a needy brat. I’m glad you two have a good dynamic~! Now I’ll keep quiet about this to the others if you want me to,” he insisted with a firm not.
 
"It just works for us, I suppose. If he decided tomorrow that he wanted to be serious with someone else, it wouldn't bother me too much. I never went into it thinking we were going to be together the rest of our lives. It's... just casual, something fun. You want a relationship, that's completely different to how I am right now. I don't get too close to people," he shrugged, leaning back in his chair. If it was possible for him, he knew he would be blushing profusely at the talk of Lyle and their relationship status. Even if he couldn't blush, he still turned his head away, focusing his attention on the ceiling above.

"I don't mind you telling everyone, maybe they'll realise I'm not a monster and that I'm capable of feelings and whatnot. I find it hilarious that they think I'm so cold and unapproachable. I guess it's my fault for not... socialising with them and correcting their assumptions. But you can tell people if you want, I'm sure Lyle won't mind. He's pretty relaxed about that sort of thing."