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[flyingsolos]

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[flyingsolos]

After I hit--

... So then, you really are a masochist!

[ Not the thing to take away from that, Rion. ]

[purrtagonist]

[so anyway he's letting go of her hand and walking away now]

[flyingsolos]

I was kidding! Akira!!

[ romance is alive. ]

[purrtagonist]

[ALIVE AND WELL]

[fortunately at no point was he ever going to leave, so as soon as she calls out his name, he pivots on his heel to return to her]

Why was that the first thing that popped into your head?

[. . . reaches for her hand again]

[flyingsolos]

[ aaaaand she takes a step back, hands held out in front of her. ]

You're just going to distract me if you hold my hand again, and you were the one who just said that this just started for you after I punched...

... You...

[ Wait. ]

[purrtagonist]

. . .

[waits patiently for her to get it]

[flyingsolos]

....

[ She's just hiding her reddening face in her palms. And, muffled-- ]

That was so casual, hold on--

1/2

[purrtagonist]

[GOD]

[just]

[p-presses his hand against his mouth and laughs, light and breathless]

[purrtagonist]

[but he composes himself quickly afterwards, fingers slipping into his pockets, head canted to the side as he watches her with a fond expression]

I want to take you to dinner.

[ah]

[except then something a little conflicted cuts through that fondness]

But I can't do that just yet.

[flyingsolos]

[ ... Ah. He means it this time, doesn't he?

Rion slowly lowers her hands, taking a deeper breath. The look on his face... well, she won't ask. Instead, she nods. ]

It's fine. If there's something you need to do, go for it. The only thing I was planning to do was tell you. I wasn't expecting anything else.

[purrtagonist]

[there is also the fact that he literally cannot take her to dinner on Struxta because ALL THEY HAVE TO EAT IS GRAY STUFF, but it's fine. she gets his meaning, even if he's being coy with words]

[he'll tell her why. maybe not this instant, but he will. she'll deserve to know either way, regardless of what he does. for now. . .]

. . .

I can't believe you beat me to it.

[sheepish]

[flyingsolos]

[ He wouldn't have made a face like that if he'd really just been concerned about the lack of dining spots here. There's more to it than that.

But that's a topic for another time. Instead, Rion just grins. ]

You said it yourself, I've liked you longer. Did you think I was the type who'd wait?

[purrtagonist]

Well, no, but it's not like I'm the type to wait either.

[and yet!1 you drag your feet, you get beaten to the punch, Joker]

[flyingsolos]

There's still something on your mind, right? I think that'd make anyone at least pause a little.

You're just going to have to accept that I was faster this time.

[purrtagonist]

[huffs a little, but at this point it's more for show than actual irritation]

Dang.

I need to step up my game.

[flyingsolos]

No, I think you're fine as you are.

[ he's already dangerous. ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . there's something sweet about what she says that makes his heart skip a beat in his chest. which, he thinks, is the very first time he's been cognizant of that happening while around her. sheesh]

Oh.

[huh. . .]

Thanks.

[his gratitude is actually pretty sincere]

[flyingsolos]

... I should be the one saying thanks, for hearing me out. Not that I thought you wouldn't, but...

[ confessing is incredibly nervewracking, even for her. Not that she'll say that. ]

[purrtagonist]

It's nervewracking.

[she doesn't have to say it for him to get it. after all, he has been in her position before]

. . . but I'm glad. Ah, I mean. . . I'm glad you said something.

[flyingsolos]

Even if I didn't stand a chance, I would have said something-- I mean, unless you were already with someone.

Though I really thought you would've figured it out, even if I didn't. I don't just offer my shoulder to any random friend, you know?

[purrtagonist]

[a soft snort]

No, but I could see you offering your shoulder to Kou.

[and they're the most obvious platonic besties he's ever seen. so, like. ya know]

[flyingsolos]

I love Kou-kun.

[ Oh. Well. Okay. ]

But this is the guy who turned down an autograph in the first two minutes and then kept turning down opportunities to be seen with a cute girl in public, so even if I offered, he'd probably go sleep against a wall anyway.

[purrtagonist]

[. . . SNORT]

That uninterested?

[or maybe he's just into guys? Akira gets it]

[flyingsolos]

Or he's into guys.

[ Yeah, she's saying that. ]

I don't think he even knows which one it is yet.

[purrtagonist]

That was my next thought.

[JUST GONNA ADMIT TO IT]

. . . well, at any rate, when he figures it out? I'm sure he'll tell you.