This whole thing is such a raw deal. Barely remembering someone should at least mean you don't get so messed up when you think about maybe-ruining a relationship.
There's that, yeah. But there's also the part where I'm not even sure there's anything to address.
[ Takes out his phone to pantomime a text. ]
"Hey, Art! I know we don't know each other that well, mostly because I've been avoiding you, but FYI that last memory we bought together like two weeks ago has me really confused. I don't know if dating is even something I really do, and I'm definitely not sure I want to date you, but I just thought I'd let you know I'm deliberating. Hope this doesn't make anything weird between us!"
[ For a few seconds, he's just. Acutely aware of all the effort he put into dressing up for this little outing, every time he's been both encouraged and discouraged by Venti's attention. ...At least if it had turned out he just didn't know how to present himself well at all, he could get a makeover or something.
And so, for his not!date with Art a few days from now, he tries harder. Because that's embarrassing, but it's not physically impossible, like actually asking Art directly. ]
[ Shuts his eyes for a moment. Just — recalibrating. Then he pushes off the counter and comes over to take a closer look. ]
I mean, I don't pay as much attention to his earring as you. [ Clearly, since he thought there might be more than one being worn in a rotation or something. ] But I think it'll look good on you.
[ Not... acknowledging the other thing you said directly, but. He appreciates it. He'll probably say as much later, like, in the afterglow. ]
[ He slips it on, unpracticed -- he has to give in and use a mirror to get the job done, but then the earring dangles there, making a faint twinkling sound when he moves. ]
Thank you, Mr. Lupine, for the excellent job well done.
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outofoffice) wrote2021-04-18 11:57 pm
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
That blockhead just needed character development before he could figure it out.
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
You — sorry, what now?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
He critiqued my rhyme scheme and said nothing else about it.
1/
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ And if it hadn't, obviously, worked out okay in the end, he'd be a lot sorrier. ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Don't be sorry. I love him because of who he is, not in spite of it.
Anyway, take it as a lesson -- shoot your shot, for you can't possibly be shot down as hard as I was.
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Pretty sure my apology stands unless it didn't hurt.
[ And if it didn't hurt, well. Good for you, frankly envious, but. ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
I was overdramatic in my youth.
[ BECAUSE HE'S NOT DRAMATIC NOW, CLEARLY ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
This is where I say I'm sorry again. You get that, right?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ And his shoulders are curving in a tiny bit. ]
—Three years must not sound like anything to you, huh?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
But it's a long time for you, and that's what matters in this context.
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ A little bit clipped. ]
This whole thing is such a raw deal. Barely remembering someone should at least mean you don't get so messed up when you think about maybe-ruining a relationship.
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ And eye contact is officially canceled forever. ]
...It just feels — so stupid.
[ Of all the things to be afraid of. ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
We know what's important to us, deep down. And clearly your bond with him matters, regardless of the form it takes.
So I'm guessing you're worried you might lose him if you tried to address feelings stronger than friendship?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
There's that, yeah. But there's also the part where I'm not even sure there's anything to address.
[ Takes out his phone to pantomime a text. ]
"Hey, Art! I know we don't know each other that well, mostly because I've been avoiding you, but FYI that last memory we bought together like two weeks ago has me really confused. I don't know if dating is even something I really do, and I'm definitely not sure I want to date you, but I just thought I'd let you know I'm deliberating. Hope this doesn't make anything weird between us!"
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Well, I certainly wouldn't go that route, no.
But you should make a decision once you reach the results of that deliberating.
1/
—Yeah. I know.
[ For a few seconds, he's just. Acutely aware of all the effort he put into dressing up for this little outing, every time he's been both encouraged and discouraged by Venti's attention. ...At least if it had turned out he just didn't know how to present himself well at all, he could get a makeover or something.
And so, for his not!date with Art a few days from now, he tries harder. Because that's embarrassing, but it's not physically impossible, like actually asking Art directly.]Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ unless you finished doing that and he just didn't notice because he was too busy wallowing ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ He winks at Lupine and holds up an earring. ]
But, beat you to it! What do you think? Is it fitting?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
I mean, I don't pay as much attention to his earring as you. [ Clearly, since he thought there might be more than one being worn in a rotation or something. ] But I think it'll look good on you.
[ Not... acknowledging the other thing you said directly, but. He appreciates it. He'll probably say as much later, like, in the afterglow. ]
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
[ He slips it on, unpracticed -- he has to give in and use a mirror to get the job done, but then the earring dangles there, making a faint twinkling sound when he moves. ]
Thank you, Mr. Lupine, for the excellent job well done.
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Heh. True enough.
[ Smallest beat. ]
...Still looking to try something — binding?
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)
Re: 491 (nsfw-ish)