[ You know, he should really have learned by now that his friends aren't gonna put up with his bullshit, but he still finds himself surprised by Rion calling him out so swiftly. She didn't even hesitate for a second.
But then...of course she didn't. Rion has been there for him before, and as much as he might like to pretend like things are okay, they...aren't, and it's obvious.
Abruptly, he puts up both hands, palms out in defense. ]
Okay, okay, I yield! Please don't kick my butt. [ And then, with a sigh: ] It's...you're not gonna like what you hear, though.
[ Still, it takes him a moment longer to formulate his thoughts, to actually figure out how to say what he needs to say. Is it better to make it easier on himself and tell it bit by bit, or rip off the bandaid all at once? Gods, he doesn't know. He's never done this before.
He runs a hand over his hair, glancing away to some corner of the room. ]
Um, s-so...a few days ago...Alisaie and I, w-we...we kissed.
[ There's the first part of it. He can still hardly believe it happened himself, though it's obvious that this story isn't headed somewhere he likes. ]
[ She doesn't ask any questions, though he can tell from her expression that she's surprised. Yeah, he's still surprised, too. It took a chocobo birthday cake to get them there, but that's a story for another time.
His shoulders dip as he continues to play with his hair. ]
It happened kinda suddenly, and I didn't wanna...freak her out or anything, so I waited until the next day to ask her out. But when I did, she...
Rion would be the first person to admit that feelings are complicated, since she knows it so well. Akira reassuring her that he liked her, but there were feelings of his own that he had to work through first.
So for now, she doesn't immediately flare up that someone as sweet and endearing as Prompto could get turned down after he'd already been kissed, but she does reach up to grasp his hand with both of hers and bring it away from his hair. ]
[ Rion taking his hand makes it harder for him to channel his anxious energy somewhere, but that's for the better, really. Her hands are warm and reassuring around his, telling him it's okay that he's talking about this, no matter how much he might worry about being a burden on her.
She's here for him. It's okay. He can do this. ]
...Yeah. She told me...she told me we couldn't date because we're from different worlds, but...
[ But could that be all there is? Alisaie had told him she wished her answer could be different, that she did want to be with him, but their difference of worlds had never been an issue for him. If they could find something truly special with each other, then it would be worth the risk, wouldn't it? ]
[ Rion's expression stays somber, even as she gently squeezes his hand. A reason like that... honestly, if it was anything else, maybe she could get indignant, but-- ]
Kou-kun asked me about that, when I realized I liked Akira. And Akira and I talked about it, too. It's... scary, liking someone but knowing that there's probably going to be a time where you can't see them anymore, and it's definitely important to talk about.
... So my advice is, if you really care about her, just keep doing what you're doing. Let her know that you're thinking it through and you want to respect her feelings, but also make her see that being with you honestly might be worth that risk. And besides, if Astoria's using us to help her out with different worlds, who's to say there isn't a way for us to see each other again when we're all done here?
But hiding in your room with ice cream is just running away, Prompto. And you're awkward and dorky, but you're not a coward.
[ ...She's right. He knows she is. If...if there's any sort of future for him and Alisaie that's more than just friendship, then it's probably better they have this conversation now, than further down the road, when standing on opposite sides of the issue could hurt even worse. It's a very real fear. Friends had disappeared and gone home, Ignis had disappeared and gone home, and losing those connections hasn't been easy, either. Has he stopped to consider just how greatly it might affect him if it was Alisaie who went home?
He knows his answer — he's too much of a hopeless romantic for that to change. But still, maybe if he spends more time actually considering that instead of feeling sorry for himself for being rejected in the first place, he'll know what to say when he finally goes to talk to Alisaie again.
After a long moment, a breathless laugh shuffles out of him, and he manages a crooked smile. ]
Guess I don't need all the calories going right to my thighs, anyway. [ And then, more serious: ] So...you guys decided it was worth the risk, huh? To give it a shot in this place.
[ The more perspective he can gain about this, the better. ]
[ It's nice to know that someone he trusts and looks up to has faced this issue before, and that she has come out of it with an optimistic outlook. It would be worth the risk, wouldn't it? He's sure of it. The trouble will be if Alisaie doesn't agree, and if he makes his case and she doesn't...
Well, that's that. But now he's in too far to back out without giving it a shot first. ]
Y'know, I didn't think about it like that...but there's gotta be some way we can all hang out when this is all over, right? I don't want to say goodbye to any of you guys.
[ He's made such wonderful friends here, whether he deserves them or not. ]
I think it's going to make her feel bad if you make it really obvious that you're avoiding her.
So yeah, maybe. Just don't stick to the topic too long-- let her know you want to respect her feelings and just do what you've always done up until now. Be your adorable Prompto self!
[ That's...probably true, now that he thinks about it. Alisaie might be a little prickly at times, but she's made it clear time and again that she enjoys spending time with him. He probably isn't sending the best message by avoiding her, but he just...needed time.
Or maybe that was just an excuse. Frankly, he's terrified to see her again, but...this can't go on any longer, either. He knows what he needs to do. ]
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But then...of course she didn't. Rion has been there for him before, and as much as he might like to pretend like things are okay, they...aren't, and it's obvious.
Abruptly, he puts up both hands, palms out in defense. ]
Okay, okay, I yield! Please don't kick my butt. [ And then, with a sigh: ] It's...you're not gonna like what you hear, though.
[ But he really does need to talk about it. ]
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[ Which is entirely true. But, mollified, Rion stares up at him with her arms folded over her chest.
Okay. Fire away. ]
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[ Still, it takes him a moment longer to formulate his thoughts, to actually figure out how to say what he needs to say. Is it better to make it easier on himself and tell it bit by bit, or rip off the bandaid all at once? Gods, he doesn't know. He's never done this before.
He runs a hand over his hair, glancing away to some corner of the room. ]
Um, s-so...a few days ago...Alisaie and I, w-we...we kissed.
[ There's the first part of it. He can still hardly believe it happened himself, though it's obvious that this story isn't headed somewhere he likes. ]
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There's obviously more to this, so for now, she only nods to let him know she's still listening and following along. ]
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His shoulders dip as he continues to play with his hair. ]
It happened kinda suddenly, and I didn't wanna...freak her out or anything, so I waited until the next day to ask her out. But when I did, she...
[ He sighs, shaking his head. ]
She...turned me down. So...that's that, I guess.
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Rion would be the first person to admit that feelings are complicated, since she knows it so well. Akira reassuring her that he liked her, but there were feelings of his own that he had to work through first.
So for now, she doesn't immediately flare up that someone as sweet and endearing as Prompto could get turned down after he'd already been kissed, but she does reach up to grasp his hand with both of hers and bring it away from his hair. ]
Did she say why?
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She's here for him. It's okay. He can do this. ]
...Yeah. She told me...she told me we couldn't date because we're from different worlds, but...
[ But could that be all there is? Alisaie had told him she wished her answer could be different, that she did want to be with him, but their difference of worlds had never been an issue for him. If they could find something truly special with each other, then it would be worth the risk, wouldn't it? ]
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Kou-kun asked me about that, when I realized I liked Akira. And Akira and I talked about it, too. It's... scary, liking someone but knowing that there's probably going to be a time where you can't see them anymore, and it's definitely important to talk about.
... So my advice is, if you really care about her, just keep doing what you're doing. Let her know that you're thinking it through and you want to respect her feelings, but also make her see that being with you honestly might be worth that risk. And besides, if Astoria's using us to help her out with different worlds, who's to say there isn't a way for us to see each other again when we're all done here?
But hiding in your room with ice cream is just running away, Prompto. And you're awkward and dorky, but you're not a coward.
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He knows his answer — he's too much of a hopeless romantic for that to change. But still, maybe if he spends more time actually considering that instead of feeling sorry for himself for being rejected in the first place, he'll know what to say when he finally goes to talk to Alisaie again.
After a long moment, a breathless laugh shuffles out of him, and he manages a crooked smile. ]
Guess I don't need all the calories going right to my thighs, anyway. [ And then, more serious: ] So...you guys decided it was worth the risk, huh? To give it a shot in this place.
[ The more perspective he can gain about this, the better. ]
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But I don't want to believe there's only one answer to a problem.
[ So they'll see where things take them. ]
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Well, that's that. But now he's in too far to back out without giving it a shot first. ]
Y'know, I didn't think about it like that...but there's gotta be some way we can all hang out when this is all over, right? I don't want to say goodbye to any of you guys.
[ He's made such wonderful friends here, whether he deserves them or not. ]
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[ Like. Super offended!! ]
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Hah, as if! I'll be comin' around to visit so often you'll be beggin' me to go home after awhile.
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[ He chuckles again, before his tone grows a bit more serious once more. ]
So...you think I should take to her again? Has it been long enough? It was only a few days ago...
[ Bear with him. He has no idea what he's doing in this situation. ]
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So yeah, maybe. Just don't stick to the topic too long-- let her know you want to respect her feelings and just do what you've always done up until now. Be your adorable Prompto self!
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Or maybe that was just an excuse. Frankly, he's terrified to see her again, but...this can't go on any longer, either. He knows what he needs to do. ]
Heh...wouldn't think of bein' anyone else.
[ A deep breath. ]
Thanks, Rion. I...I needed this chat.
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[ But she says so affectionately, squeezing his hand before she finally lets go. ]
But you're welcome. No more wallowing, okay?
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[ Just one last pity party and then he'll be a new man! ]
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