Because Tidus is staring at him, slightly gawking at this logic that Inigo apparently thinks is sound. It just happens to have one bed, but is meant for not-couples too. Doesn't Inigo know the romance stories are always about two friends sharing one bed!?
But Tidus doesn't want to make Inigo feel bad. And he knows as well - it's Inigo. Inigo, who doesn't actually mind the idea of cuddling up to people; Inigo, who... maybe they do this where he's from. Though there's a vague recollection of a conversation on Nion where... didn't he say the opposite? But Tidus's memories are too mudled, now not the time he wants to just sit there in silence. His mouth closes, if with a small sound, uncertain coming out of his throat.
How to approach this. How to say this. ]
It's just, where I'm from... it's couples who share a bed, you know? [ Please listen to how gentle and reassuring he's going for here. ] And - would you really wanna share a bed all the time? Wouldn't it be... too much?
[ Weird, he wanted to say, but let's not right now. ]
[ It's an uncertain answer. Not because Inigo isn't sure of the answer himself. He knows that if it'd be too much for him in any way, it'd be too much in the sense that his heart would pound like a maniac every single night.
But weird? Or embarrassing? That sure isn't it. He knows he absolutely loves the idea of having a shared bed, of having a warm body next to him every night. It means always having the reassurance of not being alone, so clearly right next to him.
No, the problem lies in the fact that Inigo knows that Tidus doesn't necessarily share that sentiment, and it makes the worry that was already present in his heart all the time start to show up on his face, no matter how gentle the other is being about this.
Because Inigo can already feel the rejection hanging in the air. ]
I.. don't think it'd be bad. It's not like we'd be sharing one tiny bed, after all. And it's a chance to-- [ He cuts himself off, shaking his head, looking more troubled when he speaks up again. ] Do you really hate the idea of it that much?
I don't hate it! [ That comes out, without Tidus needing to think; rather, there's only the need to throw that word - hate - out of this conversation, to not let it sit there while Inigo is visibly becoming so disheartened. But then he needs more to actually come out of his mouth, which- ] I... it's...
[ Okay. Pause. He exhales, tries to walk this thin line between explaining himself and not offending Inigo. ]
It's nothing to do with you - I don't mind sharing room with you, you know? We do it, no problem. [ Please remember that! ] It's just, you know... you'd be stuck with me, the whole time. And wouldn't you want some privacy once in a while? [ He runs a hand through his hair, knowing that technically Inigo just answered that, but he's frazzled, sighing. ]
I've never thought about it before. Sharing a bed with someone-- permanent, like. [ 'Cause he's done it temporarily plenty of times, sure. ]
[ This is what happens when you try to have this sort of talk with a medieval guy who has no idea about the myriad fanfics out there with the two guys have to share one bed trope, bro.
They take any little sign as rejection.
Even now Inigo's shoulders are already starting to droop a little as he listens. Trying really hard to not let himself get fully disheartened here - Tidus says it has nothing to do with him, and surely.. okay, hopefully he isn't lying about it? - but it's hard. ]
But don't we have even less privacy in our current room?
[ This is the point he was trying to make, bro!!
The bed sharing thing is just a nice plus in Inigo's world. ]
I like Rose, she's nice! We have had a few good conversations. But.. sharing a room with only two people is easier than sharing one with four, right? Especially with how small the cabins are. [ Terribly small. Sometimes his wyvern pal falls off his bed and immediately blocks the entire space between the bunks. ] We'd have some space just to ourselves.
[ Sure, technically the four-person rooms have less privacy have a double would, but Tidus imagines that the perks of being on a top bunk and getting some privacy is a lot more than sharing a bed with a guy. ]
Sure... [ But- does he really have a good argument to make? When the discomfort comes from a place he can't really explain, no better than he already has. And that trying any more would just make Inigo look all the more like a dog left out in the rain.
ugghhhhhhhhhhhh. He leans an elbow on the table next to him, hand burying into his hair. ]
Can you let me think about it? Just for today.
[ please let him get over his dumb masculinity hang-ups. ]
[ Not that it makes Inigo look any less like a puppy in the moment, mind you. Because the fact that he felt okay with the idea instantly, yet Tidus seems so incredibly hesitant about it, sure doesn't feel good.
It feels a little pathetic. Look at him, being the desperate one in comparison. Maybe Tidus is thinking about that dumb awkward moment they had, back at the end of the last mission.. ]
It's.. It's fine if you really don't want to, you know? I'll understand.
[ Not that he wouldn't be sad about it.
But he'd understand. ]
I know-- the bed's probably the problem. [ For Tidus, anyway. ] But we'd have our own space, just with someone we trust.
[ Not having to worry about suddenly having murderers as roommates, with how randomly the train dumps people into rooms. ]
We could decorate it without having to take anyone else into consideration. And.. um.. well, at the end of the last mission you did say it's hard to find privacy on the train for.. certain things... [ H-HAHA. IT'S COOL. HE'S NOT DYING FROM NERVES ON THE INSIDE AFTER SAYING THAT. HE'S NOT IMPLYING THEY SHOULD DO ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, BRO.
[ Privacy. There's a noise, a word he trips over, a gulp in his throat; head turning away with a warmth rushing to his cheeks, and Tidus stares at the table but doesn't really see it, the device left glowing a soft blue.
The hand he'd been using to mess with his hand now rubs at the side of his neck. Tidus looks once down the aisle to search for any watchful eyes, but he doubts anyone heard them.
He takes a couple of seconds, before- ]
I'm not saying no, [ he starts slowly, ] I just- [ how to explain it? ] --It's a me thing. It's not like I have a problem with you, I've just... never thought about sharing a bed with someone. I just wanna sit on the idea.
[ He returns his gaze onto Inigo, awkward as it is, his lips pressed together. ]
I need a little time. Okay?
[ Please? sits under that, a request, a hope for understanding. It's nothing personal, it's nothing to do with Inigo. It's something he can't explain any better than he's tried to.
Is he being weird? Maybe - but then he just needs time to deal with it. ]
[ Truthfully, he just feels more awkward. It's how it usually goes. You say one thing, and then two seconds later regret ever having spoken up in the first place. He should just have taken his leave a moment ago, instead of trying to explain himself more and just making himself look like an idiot in the end.
No matter how much Tidus doesn't mean it personally, there's no way Inigo's anxieties and insecurities won't latch onto this sort of thing to drive their usual points home.
It feels nauseating, but Inigo quickly masks it with a smile. It's not too overly excited, since that wouldn't be believable, so he does leave a bit of the awkwardness in it as he lightly laughs. ]
Don't worry, I understand. Take all the time you need. I'll-- uh, I'll see you at dinner?
[ Of course Inigo's going to go off and feel weird about it. Why wouldn't he? But, before he can- ]
Wait! [ Not so fast, buddy. ] I got you something! And that thing we talked about.
[ You know. The thing! But that isn't getting explained first before - with a squeeze of Tidus's eyes - he makes appear in the hand he holds out a bracer, intricately designed, with a bottom opening with cords to be tied.
Seeing that it's what he wanted, Tidus shifts forward on the bench he's sitting on to come closer to Inigo, holding it out. ]
It's a bracer, like the shield I got for Roland! I mean- it's got magic in it. Protection magic.
[ Bro, why you gotta do this? Why do you drag him back the moment he's trying to bounce out of an awkward conversation?
But there's no way he can just walk away when Tidus got him something. Especially when it's something that may prove important during the upcoming mission, for all they know. So even though it's with the most reluctant feeling in the pit of his stomach ever, Inigo keeps his feet from wandering off, instead backing up and taking a step closer to Tidus again, staring at the bracer.
It.. does look nice. ]
.. thanks. [ He takes it, turning it over in his hands for a moment. ] How does it work? I mean.. Do I just put it on, and the protection magic starts to work?
[ Look, he has no idea about this stuff!! He's magically challenged!! ]
[ no you're going to stay here so Tidus can try and make you leave feeling less bad!!! by throwing gifts at you, of course. ]
Yep! [ But onto the actual questions, which has Tidus making a motion at his forearm, as if sliding the bracer on. ] It's got a haste spell too. Try it. You'll feel the effects instant! Long as it isn't, you know, busted.
[ Which it better not be, but Tidus is smiling as he says it, playful, watching Inigo expectantly.
Come on bro, let the warm feeling of magic come over you...!! ]
I'm not planning on letting it get broken! [ It almost sounds like a protest, especially when Inigo is saying it with that tone. The tone he always uses when he's at the edge of throwing himself headfirst into one of his usual tantrums.
But this isn't that. It's not born out of anger, or annoyance, or some sort of flustered poutiness.. More than anything, it's a promise. Tidus got him it, after all. He's been careful to not let Reno anything ruin his shield either!
But after he says the words, he is already moving to slide the bracer onto his arm.
...
Oh. Oh. That does feel different, enough so that Inigo glances at it in surprise. He's felt the familiar haste magic before when Tidus cast it, but it's so weird and different to have it come from something he can just put on. He looks interested, yet surprised at the same time. ]
That's so odd.. [ He actually pulls it off and then puts it back on, just to feel the difference. ] I didn't even know this was possible.
[ Apparently he's forgotten his soft dick anxieties for the moment.
No promises about what will happen once he leaves, but right now? His mind seems pretty occupied. ]
No need to wait for me to throw the spells on, right? [ He's watching Inigo, his own concerns in Inigo's mood slipping away some to pay more interest in the reactions he can see on display before him; leaning with an elbow on the side of the table, remembering too how it feels for him to use such equipment. ]
We got a lot of stuff like this on the road, through shops. It was funny the first time I started using them too, but they really helped. Took me a while to remember the name of these - but I wanted you to have one, for sure. You and Taiki.
[ To make sure they were safe, at all times - that extra reassurance. His arm drops off from the table as his shifts his weight against the soft padding of the cushioned seat. ]
Taiki told me to keep one too. So, I guess we'll be matching!
Of course he did. [ There's nothing exasperated about the statement, like there may have been under different circumstances. But when it's about Taiki, of course there's nothing but fondness to be found in Inigo's tone. If there's anything like Taiki, it's that the guy somehow wants to protect the two of them as well, no matter how much effort they're putting into making sure he's safe. ]
But I'm glad you got him one too. He can use it. [ Especially haste. As long as Taiki can just quickly get out of a situation that's threatening to be really bad to him.. ] .. well. Not that I can't use it.
[ Inigo already knows it's going to be super helpful during the next mission.
Even though, now he's done with fitting the thing, the memories of a few moments ago start slowly coming back, making him feel a bit more awkward with thanking Tidus so genuinely. ]
You bet'cha you will. You can wear it with the shield - no reason you can't have both, right? [ Just one over the other, if there was any use for the shield.
But there's a pause, a place for silence to fill in now; a perfect place to move on, and Tidus easily has the subject for that. It's as he hinted before, if not exactly well: ]
Oh yeah, and I got that stuff. [ Again, the best way to start. But he's lowering his voice, waving a hand in that way he does (for no reason). ] To put into the food! There was a lot. [ And as soon as he begun to speak quieter, he's back to normal voice. ] You still wanna try it? I'll try making them tonight.
[ At least Inigo does realise what stuff Tidus makes, steering them away immediately from a really awkward - and hijinks-worthy - misunderstanding. Maybe it's since he's being a bit more serious right now, and is actually activating and using that single braincell he's got in his head. ]
Ah.. Well, sure!
[ He smiles a little, waving one hand dismissively. ]
I'm not sure if tonight will be good, it kind of depends.. [ You know, on whether or not he'll have to go cry somewhere if Tidus ends up turning down his idea and he will feel like a major loser.
But he's planning on keeping it a bit more vague than that, hoping the smile is enough to keep Tidus from thinking too hard about what he might mean by that. ] But we'll definitely try it out sometime soon, regardless!
[ Can he make his escape now.
Is this the time.
Because he's so freaking awkward and there's only so long he can keep that up. He swears to Naga, if Tidus bought anything else, he's going to scream. ]
Oh! [ Oh?? ] Sure -- later! I'll see you later too? For food? Or something?
[ Whatever, you know? Whatever either of them have going on, but hey, Inigo doesn't seem as bad as he did earlier. So Tidus feels fine letting him go, that maybe he just has something he needs to get to. Hey, he might have plans wit Taiki, and it's better to see the guy out and about on a platform day than wanting to hang out in their cabin.
But this is Inigo's chance to escape and be free, with one bro watching him curiously, but not scrutinising him. This is the face of an oblivious puppy bro, who thinks everything is good and fine. ]
Inigo thought this moment would never come. And while he's not sure he's being fully convincing here, he at least manages to hide the anxiety enough for Tidus to not give him the weirdest goodbye.
He'll take it. ]
Yeah, of course!
[ Now he just has to survive until dinner without dying.
Haha.
No biggie.
Inigo gives Tidus a last smile before turning to walk out of the carriage - without even thinking of where he's heading yet, really. Maybe he's just going to find some room to breathe and try to calm down first. ]
Tidus isn't sure he made Inigo feel majorly better, but he figures the thoughts about sharing a room - or, rather, overthinking about what Tidus's answer will or won't be - won't return immediately to the guy. A pal can hope anyway, and whichever way he's going, Tidus will give him some peace and return to fiddling with the device; wanting to remember how to use it himself, and to find the best way to set it up for when he gives it over to Roland.
It's not what keeps him busy until dinner - that would be spending way too much time in the kitchen, hanging out in the games carriage, and then ending up in the training gym for a couple of hours. But, when the call comes over the speakers for dinner, Tidus makes his way over soon after, a shower delaying him from immediately getting there.
But, he's given the proposition some thought. His eyes scan the dining car when he first enters, wondering if he'll see Inigo and if he's grabbed him a plate, before knowing if he'll have to go and get his own food.
brooooo did you get him food even if he might be late broooo ]
Because even though Inigo has been antsy all day now, he knows that's not Tidus's fault at all. In fact, no matter what Tidus's answer will end up being to the whole thing, nothing about it is the other's fault. Inigo knows that his anxiety is just born from his own dumb insecurities, if not just from how hard he constantly is on himself.
So there's no way he's going to punish Tidus for how dumb Inigo's own brain is. Hence why Tidus will find him sitting there at the long dining table with two portions of food.
And no, it's not all just for Inigo himself. Please, he's not the food fiend here. ]
Took you long enough. [ He says once Tidus has gotten close enough to be within earshot, shooting a small smile at him.
Nervous? Who's nervous? Haha, bro, it's cool, he's as cool as a cucumber. ]
Tidus's expression brightens when he spots Inigo and the seat that's been saved for him, along with the food. He strides on over without any suspicions that it's actually being saved for Roland -- get out of here own man, this isn't your thread!! -- and gets on in, picking up his cutlery. ]
You wanted to sit next to me stinking? [ Please!! He did this as a favour for all. ] Sometimes I worry I'm losing muscle... I'm not fighting as often as I did back in Spira, and I don't have the same exercise routine as back in Zanarkand!
What do you think? [ He's already stuffed some tuna steak into his mouth, but he doesn't need both arms, extending the one on Inigo's side, turning it, wearing a short-sleeved shirt. ] Do I look like I'm getting soft?
[ Fellas, is it gay to ask your bestie if you're getting soft?
Perhaps it is, just a little, because Inigo definitely chokes on his food the moment Tidus says that. Please, bro, don't say that like you're actually aware of the fact that he's constantly staring at your muscles?! This is dinner time, not call out time!
Inigo pats himself on the chest a few times, managing to get the bite of food down, before wheezing out a: ] Sorry, swallowed it wrong.
[ Because that's clearly all that was. Not a moment of gay panic, nope siree.
He coughs once or twice, making sure his throat is back to normal before he speaks again. ]
But no, you look fine! Seriously, where would you get any other idea? Just compare your arm with mine. [ It's not like Inigo doesn't have muscle - especially in his arms, considering all the swordfighting - but he's not exactly the type to do situps either. ]
Your arms are good! [ Please, bro, are you being down on yourself? Tidus better not hear a bro being down on himself, giving his upper arm a squeeze. ] You've got the right stuff for swordfighting! And for dance, too. You look great!
[ But there's a pause, followed by a sigh, and Tidus pats at his belly. ] I don't wanna end up getting chubby 'cause I'm stuck on this train, you know? I've been eating a lot more cake since being here... ugh.
[ Even though he's been watching it...!! ]
Tell me- [ he starts, speaking a note lower; awkward and stilted, taking a moment to get out: ] I...feel okay, when you-- in bed?
[ This situation is getting rapidly more ridiculous. Because Inigo definitely didn't mean to fish for a compliment there, he was just trying to say that of course there's a difference between Tidus who tries to build muscle on purpose and Inigo who doesn't!
But before he can even say anything to that, there's Tidus complaining about getting chubby, of all things, and then him phrasing that question in that way..
Sure, Inigo knows what he means, rather than what it might sound like to others, but he still can't help but feel a little incredulous at Tidus trying to avoid using the word 'cuddle' of all things. ]
What, do I need to tell you that you have a hot body again?
Pah! [ PAH, THAT'S WHAT HE SAYS. He turns away from Inigo and shoves some tuna steak into his mouth, a sulky unimpressed look wearing itself onto his face. He might feel a little nice about Inigo just calling him hot like that, but...! ]
I'm being serious. [ Serious, Inigo! ] Ugh, it doesn't matter. I used to have to worry about it all the time...life's so different now.
[ How can he make Inigo understand his sports lifestyle that even took over how he ate and exercised? Truthfully, he knows he's been lax about it, hasn't really worried himself that much about it either... but sometimes. Sometimes he can't help but wonder!!
But, with barely his food swallowed: ] You better not grab at anything when we're sharing a bed.
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blitzcheer) wrote2020-04-28 11:07 am
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Because Tidus is staring at him, slightly gawking at this logic that Inigo apparently thinks is sound. It just happens to have one bed, but is meant for not-couples too. Doesn't Inigo know the romance stories are always about two friends sharing one bed!?
But Tidus doesn't want to make Inigo feel bad. And he knows as well - it's Inigo. Inigo, who doesn't actually mind the idea of cuddling up to people; Inigo, who... maybe they do this where he's from. Though there's a vague recollection of a conversation on Nion where... didn't he say the opposite? But Tidus's memories are too mudled, now not the time he wants to just sit there in silence. His mouth closes, if with a small sound, uncertain coming out of his throat.
How to approach this. How to say this. ]
It's just, where I'm from... it's couples who share a bed, you know? [ Please listen to how gentle and reassuring he's going for here. ] And - would you really wanna share a bed all the time? Wouldn't it be... too much?
[ Weird, he wanted to say, but let's not right now. ]
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[ It's an uncertain answer. Not because Inigo isn't sure of the answer himself. He knows that if it'd be too much for him in any way, it'd be too much in the sense that his heart would pound like a maniac every single night.
But weird? Or embarrassing? That sure isn't it. He knows he absolutely loves the idea of having a shared bed, of having a warm body next to him every night. It means always having the reassurance of not being alone, so clearly right next to him.
No, the problem lies in the fact that Inigo knows that Tidus doesn't necessarily share that sentiment, and it makes the worry that was already present in his heart all the time start to show up on his face, no matter how gentle the other is being about this.
Because Inigo can already feel the rejection hanging in the air. ]
I.. don't think it'd be bad. It's not like we'd be sharing one tiny bed, after all. And it's a chance to-- [ He cuts himself off, shaking his head, looking more troubled when he speaks up again. ] Do you really hate the idea of it that much?
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[ Okay. Pause. He exhales, tries to walk this thin line between explaining himself and not offending Inigo. ]
It's nothing to do with you - I don't mind sharing room with you, you know? We do it, no problem. [ Please remember that! ] It's just, you know... you'd be stuck with me, the whole time. And wouldn't you want some privacy once in a while? [ He runs a hand through his hair, knowing that technically Inigo just answered that, but he's frazzled, sighing. ]
I've never thought about it before. Sharing a bed with someone-- permanent, like. [ 'Cause he's done it temporarily plenty of times, sure. ]
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They take any little sign as rejection.
Even now Inigo's shoulders are already starting to droop a little as he listens. Trying really hard to not let himself get fully disheartened here - Tidus says it has nothing to do with him, and surely.. okay, hopefully he isn't lying about it? - but it's hard. ]
But don't we have even less privacy in our current room?
[ This is the point he was trying to make, bro!!
The bed sharing thing is just a nice plus in Inigo's world. ]
I like Rose, she's nice! We have had a few good conversations. But.. sharing a room with only two people is easier than sharing one with four, right? Especially with how small the cabins are. [ Terribly small. Sometimes his wyvern pal falls off his bed and immediately blocks the entire space between the bunks. ] We'd have some space just to ourselves.
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Sure... [ But- does he really have a good argument to make? When the discomfort comes from a place he can't really explain, no better than he already has. And that trying any more would just make Inigo look all the more like a dog left out in the rain.
ugghhhhhhhhhhhh. He leans an elbow on the table next to him, hand burying into his hair. ]
Can you let me think about it? Just for today.
[ please let him get over his dumb masculinity hang-ups. ]
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[ Not that it makes Inigo look any less like a puppy in the moment, mind you. Because the fact that he felt okay with the idea instantly, yet Tidus seems so incredibly hesitant about it, sure doesn't feel good.
It feels a little pathetic. Look at him, being the desperate one in comparison. Maybe Tidus is thinking about that dumb awkward moment they had, back at the end of the last mission.. ]
It's.. It's fine if you really don't want to, you know? I'll understand.
[ Not that he wouldn't be sad about it.
But he'd understand. ]
I know-- the bed's probably the problem. [ For Tidus, anyway. ] But we'd have our own space, just with someone we trust.
[ Not having to worry about suddenly having murderers as roommates, with how randomly the train dumps people into rooms. ]
We could decorate it without having to take anyone else into consideration. And.. um.. well, at the end of the last mission you did say it's hard to find privacy on the train for.. certain things... [ H-HAHA. IT'S COOL. HE'S NOT DYING FROM NERVES ON THE INSIDE AFTER SAYING THAT. HE'S NOT IMPLYING THEY SHOULD DO ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR, BRO.
IT'S OK. THIS IS FINE. ]
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The hand he'd been using to mess with his hand now rubs at the side of his neck. Tidus looks once down the aisle to search for any watchful eyes, but he doubts anyone heard them.
He takes a couple of seconds, before- ]
I'm not saying no, [ he starts slowly, ] I just- [ how to explain it? ] --It's a me thing. It's not like I have a problem with you, I've just... never thought about sharing a bed with someone. I just wanna sit on the idea.
[ He returns his gaze onto Inigo, awkward as it is, his lips pressed together. ]
I need a little time. Okay?
[ Please? sits under that, a request, a hope for understanding. It's nothing personal, it's nothing to do with Inigo. It's something he can't explain any better than he's tried to.
Is he being weird? Maybe - but then he just needs time to deal with it. ]
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[ Truthfully, he just feels more awkward. It's how it usually goes. You say one thing, and then two seconds later regret ever having spoken up in the first place. He should just have taken his leave a moment ago, instead of trying to explain himself more and just making himself look like an idiot in the end.
No matter how much Tidus doesn't mean it personally, there's no way Inigo's anxieties and insecurities won't latch onto this sort of thing to drive their usual points home.
It feels nauseating, but Inigo quickly masks it with a smile. It's not too overly excited, since that wouldn't be believable, so he does leave a bit of the awkwardness in it as he lightly laughs. ]
Don't worry, I understand. Take all the time you need. I'll-- uh, I'll see you at dinner?
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Wait! [ Not so fast, buddy. ] I got you something! And that thing we talked about.
[ You know. The thing! But that isn't getting explained first before - with a squeeze of Tidus's eyes - he makes appear in the hand he holds out a bracer, intricately designed, with a bottom opening with cords to be tied.
Seeing that it's what he wanted, Tidus shifts forward on the bench he's sitting on to come closer to Inigo, holding it out. ]
It's a bracer, like the shield I got for Roland! I mean- it's got magic in it. Protection magic.
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But there's no way he can just walk away when Tidus got him something. Especially when it's something that may prove important during the upcoming mission, for all they know. So even though it's with the most reluctant feeling in the pit of his stomach ever, Inigo keeps his feet from wandering off, instead backing up and taking a step closer to Tidus again, staring at the bracer.
It.. does look nice. ]
.. thanks. [ He takes it, turning it over in his hands for a moment. ] How does it work? I mean.. Do I just put it on, and the protection magic starts to work?
[ Look, he has no idea about this stuff!! He's magically challenged!! ]
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Yep! [ But onto the actual questions, which has Tidus making a motion at his forearm, as if sliding the bracer on. ] It's got a haste spell too. Try it. You'll feel the effects instant! Long as it isn't, you know, busted.
[ Which it better not be, but Tidus is smiling as he says it, playful, watching Inigo expectantly.
Come on bro, let the warm feeling of magic come over you...!! ]
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I'm not planning on letting it get broken! [ It almost sounds like a protest, especially when Inigo is saying it with that tone. The tone he always uses when he's at the edge of throwing himself headfirst into one of his usual tantrums.
But this isn't that. It's not born out of anger, or annoyance, or some sort of flustered poutiness.. More than anything, it's a promise. Tidus got him it, after all. He's been careful to not let
Renoanything ruin his shield either!But after he says the words, he is already moving to slide the bracer onto his arm.
...
Oh. Oh. That does feel different, enough so that Inigo glances at it in surprise. He's felt the familiar haste magic before when Tidus cast it, but it's so weird and different to have it come from something he can just put on. He looks interested, yet surprised at the same time. ]
That's so odd.. [ He actually pulls it off and then puts it back on, just to feel the difference. ] I didn't even know this was possible.
[ Apparently he's forgotten his
soft dickanxieties for the moment.No promises about what will happen once he leaves, but right now? His mind seems pretty occupied. ]
no subject
We got a lot of stuff like this on the road, through shops. It was funny the first time I started using them too, but they really helped. Took me a while to remember the name of these - but I wanted you to have one, for sure. You and Taiki.
[ To make sure they were safe, at all times - that extra reassurance. His arm drops off from the table as his shifts his weight against the soft padding of the cushioned seat. ]
Taiki told me to keep one too. So, I guess we'll be matching!
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But I'm glad you got him one too. He can use it. [ Especially haste. As long as Taiki can just quickly get out of a situation that's threatening to be really bad to him.. ] .. well. Not that I can't use it.
[ Inigo already knows it's going to be super helpful during the next mission.
Even though, now he's done with fitting the thing, the memories of a few moments ago start slowly coming back, making him feel a bit more awkward with thanking Tidus so genuinely. ]
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But there's a pause, a place for silence to fill in now; a perfect place to move on, and Tidus easily has the subject for that. It's as he hinted before, if not exactly well: ]
Oh yeah, and I got that stuff. [ Again, the best way to start. But he's lowering his voice, waving a hand in that way he does (for no reason). ] To put into the food! There was a lot. [ And as soon as he begun to speak quieter, he's back to normal voice. ] You still wanna try it? I'll try making them tonight.
Might be a good way to end today.
[ Being a platform day, and all. ]
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Ah.. Well, sure!
[ He smiles a little, waving one hand dismissively. ]
I'm not sure if tonight will be good, it kind of depends.. [ You know, on whether or not he'll have to go cry somewhere if Tidus ends up turning down his idea and he will feel like a major loser.
But he's planning on keeping it a bit more vague than that, hoping the smile is enough to keep Tidus from thinking too hard about what he might mean by that. ] But we'll definitely try it out sometime soon, regardless!
[ Can he make his escape now.
Is this the time.
Because he's so freaking awkward and there's only so long he can keep that up. He swears to Naga, if Tidus bought anything else, he's going to scream. ]
I really should get going right now though.
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[ Whatever, you know? Whatever either of them have going on, but hey, Inigo doesn't seem as bad as he did earlier. So Tidus feels fine letting him go, that maybe he just has something he needs to get to. Hey, he might have plans wit Taiki, and it's better to see the guy out and about on a platform day than wanting to hang out in their cabin.
But this is Inigo's chance to escape and be free, with one bro watching him curiously, but not scrutinising him. This is the face of an oblivious puppy bro, who thinks everything is good and fine. ]
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Inigo thought this moment would never come. And while he's not sure he's being fully convincing here, he at least manages to hide the anxiety enough for Tidus to not give him the weirdest goodbye.
He'll take it. ]
Yeah, of course!
[ Now he just has to survive until dinner without dying.
Haha.
No biggie.
Inigo gives Tidus a last smile before turning to walk out of the carriage - without even thinking of where he's heading yet, really. Maybe he's just going to find some room to breathe and try to calm down first. ]
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Tidus isn't sure he made Inigo feel majorly better, but he figures the thoughts about sharing a room - or, rather, overthinking about what Tidus's answer will or won't be - won't return immediately to the guy. A pal can hope anyway, and whichever way he's going, Tidus will give him some peace and return to fiddling with the device; wanting to remember how to use it himself, and to find the best way to set it up for when he gives it over to Roland.
It's not what keeps him busy until dinner - that would be spending way too much time in the kitchen, hanging out in the games carriage, and then ending up in the training gym for a couple of hours. But, when the call comes over the speakers for dinner, Tidus makes his way over soon after, a shower delaying him from immediately getting there.
But, he's given the proposition some thought. His eyes scan the dining car when he first enters, wondering if he'll see Inigo and if he's grabbed him a plate, before knowing if he'll have to go and get his own food.
brooooo did you get him food even if he might be late broooo ]
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Because even though Inigo has been antsy all day now, he knows that's not Tidus's fault at all. In fact, no matter what Tidus's answer will end up being to the whole thing, nothing about it is the other's fault. Inigo knows that his anxiety is just born from his own dumb insecurities, if not just from how hard he constantly is on himself.
So there's no way he's going to punish Tidus for how dumb Inigo's own brain is. Hence why Tidus will find him sitting there at the long dining table with two portions of food.
And no, it's not all just for Inigo himself. Please, he's not the food fiend here. ]
Took you long enough. [ He says once Tidus has gotten close enough to be within earshot, shooting a small smile at him.
Nervous? Who's nervous? Haha, bro, it's cool, he's as cool as a cucumber. ]
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Tidus's expression brightens when he spots Inigo and the seat that's been saved for him, along with the food. He strides on over without any suspicions that it's actually being saved for Roland -- get out of here own man, this isn't your thread!! -- and gets on in, picking up his cutlery. ]
You wanted to sit next to me stinking? [ Please!! He did this as a favour for all. ] Sometimes I worry I'm losing muscle... I'm not fighting as often as I did back in Spira, and I don't have the same exercise routine as back in Zanarkand!
What do you think? [ He's already stuffed some tuna steak into his mouth, but he doesn't need both arms, extending the one on Inigo's side, turning it, wearing a short-sleeved shirt. ] Do I look like I'm getting soft?
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Perhaps it is, just a little, because Inigo definitely chokes on his food the moment Tidus says that. Please, bro, don't say that like you're actually aware of the fact that he's constantly staring at your muscles?! This is dinner time, not call out time!
Inigo pats himself on the chest a few times, managing to get the bite of food down, before wheezing out a: ] Sorry, swallowed it wrong.
[ Because that's clearly all that was. Not a moment of gay panic, nope siree.
He coughs once or twice, making sure his throat is back to normal before he speaks again. ]
But no, you look fine! Seriously, where would you get any other idea? Just compare your arm with mine. [ It's not like Inigo doesn't have muscle - especially in his arms, considering all the swordfighting - but he's not exactly the type to do situps either. ]
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[ But there's a pause, followed by a sigh, and Tidus pats at his belly. ] I don't wanna end up getting chubby 'cause I'm stuck on this train, you know? I've been eating a lot more cake since being here... ugh.
[ Even though he's been watching it...!! ]
Tell me- [ he starts, speaking a note lower; awkward and stilted, taking a moment to get out: ] I...feel okay, when you-- in bed?
[ You know???
Cuddle me, bro?? ]
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But before he can even say anything to that, there's Tidus complaining about getting chubby, of all things, and then him phrasing that question in that way..
Sure, Inigo knows what he means, rather than what it might sound like to others, but he still can't help but feel a little incredulous at Tidus trying to avoid using the word 'cuddle' of all things. ]
What, do I need to tell you that you have a hot body again?
[ Said in the most dry possible way. ]
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Bro!!!! ]
Pah! [ PAH, THAT'S WHAT HE SAYS. He turns away from Inigo and shoves some tuna steak into his mouth, a sulky unimpressed look wearing itself onto his face. He might feel a little nice about Inigo just calling him hot like that, but...! ]
I'm being serious. [ Serious, Inigo! ] Ugh, it doesn't matter. I used to have to worry about it all the time...life's so different now.
[ How can he make Inigo understand his sports lifestyle that even took over how he ate and exercised? Truthfully, he knows he's been lax about it, hasn't really worried himself that much about it either... but sometimes. Sometimes he can't help but wonder!!
But, with barely his food swallowed: ] You better not grab at anything when we're sharing a bed.
[ And he'll continue to eat. Let that sink in. ]
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