#*worms

I wouldn't necessarily say "better" because I don't believe in moralizing ships, ( or other things that can seem bashy) but yeah, irl Chozen is 100% a knight in shining armor. And if Daniel were my friend I'd tell him the choice is obvious.

He had the most extreme 180°.

He went from anger and shame on sight, (he didn't even give Daniel a chance. He walked out of that cab and went "I'm going to destroy this boy" and then engaged in a very heterosexually aggressive hand shake.

He literally tried to KILL Daniel. I think of all of his rivals Chozen is the one Daniel had the most effect on. He rewrote the entire path of Chozen's life.

Chozen was so angry, and stuck in his ways, determined to show strength through entirely the wrong methods, and he was humiliated.

It took years for him to recover, it was a shock to his entire system and rewrote his personal beliefs.

But ultimately he made the very hard decision to actively try to be better. He took that shame and guilt and used it for something good. Like. Wow. That's growth. King behavior.

And he stays away from Daniel out of a sense of what? Respect? Penance? Only to, when he finally meets him after years, be a giant lovable troll.

He tries so hard to put Daniel at ease. (After the initial, well meaning prank.)

He is open and vulnerable with Daniel which is something most people aren't. That's a huge sign or respect I think. He doesn't take himself too seriously, but he does take Miyagi Do seriously.

Daniel calls him up over seas and goes "my ex is in town I need help" and Chozen boards the next red eye flight to show up looking fine as hell.

Like. The lyrics to Glory of Love. Which is such a beautiful sing about damiko, also works for danzen and damikozen. He will literally "fight for your honor."

He is ride or die. He has no chill. He will fight armies (literally. Mike's "army" of innocent movers lol) for Daniel, a man who he is fully aware is entirely capable of looking after himself.

At the same time he has no chill he's also just a goofy little dude, always putting Daniel at ease. He instinctively knows how to help it seems. He sees Daniel going down a path of self destruction and goes "no. I've done this. You're not going to. You're stronger than this. I'll help you. "

Even looked up from the glass cage holding a blueish sentient worm on a string. He had settled a small paperback book in it and the worm was figuring out the best way to turn the pages.

"They each show similar personality to who they are created from." Even responded and joted something down on a clipboard.

"How curious." Lauriam hummed and walked before the cages. "Is number 4 sick?" He stopped before a golden worm who looked entirely miserable.

"I believe he's having trouble sleeping."

"Ahh, an easy fix." Lauriam smiled softly down at the worm.

"Please do not mess with my experiments." Even huffed but there was no bite. He made no move to stop Lauriam from wandering over to number 11's cage and opening it.

"You're observing their personalities." Lauriam responded as he gently scooped up the pink, fluffy worm. "You be good and help him sleep now."

The pink worm stayed pliant in his hand as he was carried past other worms to be set on top of the blond, chilly one. He promptly smooched his head and laid on top of him.

The blond worm accepted the warmth and fell right asleep.

"There, much better." Lauriam whispered as he closed the lid. "Now, with him taken care of, let's take care of you."

Even looked at him for a few seconds before he set his clipboard down. "You're probably right; I should sleep."