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[flyingsolos]

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[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.

[flyingsolos]

... That's only fair. He's the first one I talked to about you, too.

And he supported me. Kou-kun's really amazing, isn't he?

[ THIS DEADPAN GUY SUPPORTING A GIRL'S CRUSH. ]

[purrtagonist]

[oh]

Huh.

[huuuuh]

He's the first person I told about you, too.

[god bless Kou and his endless patience for this]

[flyingsolos]

[ ... poor Kou. ]

Actually, that makes sense. I thought he seemed weirdly confident that you weren't mad at me...

[purrtagonist]

[POOR KOU]

Thaaat would be why-- wait, did you really think I'd be mad?

[he thinks, out of the two of them, Rion was really the one who had the right to be angry]

[flyingsolos]

Well, not exactly mad, but-- not really into the kind of person who'd punch you in the jaw? For making a joke?

[ Like most normal people?? ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . resists making a "actually it's kind of cute" joke. . .]

I'm into people who aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

[oh]

[flyingsolos]

[ ... oh.

There's a long pause as Rion searches his eyes for a minute, incredibly flustered but doing her best to try to look like she's not.

Yeah, he's absolutely dangerous, and with a breathless laugh that's largely at herself, she flaps one hand at him in a "shoo" gesture. ]

That's enough making me blush for today. I need to get back to practicing.

[purrtagonist]

[is it bad that he isn't quite ready to end this conversation yet. . .]

[but he does think it's fair that she request a little bit of space. his response wasn't a rejection, but it wasn't a complete acceptance, either]

Sure, sure. You really looked like you were getting better.

[. . .]

Be careful out there, okay?

[flyingsolos]

[ He's got things to think through. She doesn't think he'll get that chance if she keeps him here any longer, even if she'd selfishly like to drag this out a little more.

It's probably for the best, she thinks, and extends one fist out to him. ]

Sure thing. If I don't talk to you before then-- you be careful too, okay?