continuations

[tenebraecious]

Comments

[mind_blown]

... Yeah, let me level with you-- as plain as I can.

I wasn't expecting what happened. By all rights? I should have been pissed at you, but I wasn't. And I sure as hell wasn't expecting you to kiss back.

I just didn't know what was going on. That's all.

[tenebraecious]

[and she lasted about a minute for not keeping her hands together, slow as she holds a finger thoughtfully]

It was — Nice. To be kissed. I was unaware for a moment.

[mind_blown]

... That's why?

[he edges away from the wall, and closer to her.]

[tenebraecious]

[glancing at him then down again]

As far as I can discern. Does it trouble you?

[mind_blown]

No. It's just surprising.

[tenebraecious]

[genuinely surprised herself]

How so?

[mind_blown]

Well, there are a couple of reasons. Number one is, well. I'm kind of an asshole. You could do better.

But number two, I guess I thought that you had-- options?

[how does he explain this well...]

I guess... I don't think you'd have any trouble getting kissed-- even if you only wanted to be kissed by people who genuinely cared.

[tenebraecious]

[even while her cheeks are coloring, holding her hands firmly, no fidgeting]

I disagree, with how you view yourself and your assertion that you do not care. And whatever my options are, you were the first to attempt without invitation.

[mind_blown]

...

[he finally looks more firmly at her, offering something of a smile at that.]

You could probably be mad at me for that.

[and he edges slightly closer.]

[tenebraecious]

[staying firmly where she is, what are you going to do huh!!!!]

I am not. I was only uncertain of your reasons.

[mind_blown]

[he can be perfectly respectable!!! he just!! doesn't want to be so distant. when she's still charming him.]

... You ever get a dumb impulse? It's a little like that.

[tenebraecious]

Mine are only to scale buildings, wield spears, and clear an entire card of bingo. But I can understand the sentiment.

[mind_blown]

Weild spears?

[it's light when he asks-- but it's the only one he can't quite square with the rest.]

[tenebraecious]

Where I come from, it is dangerous to venture too far without the means to defend yourself. Someone saw that I was taught well.

[mind_blown]

Ah.

[he weighs this for a moment...]

... Sounds less like an impulse than the other two. And more sensible.

Impulsive would be learning how to climb buildings because why not.

[tenebraecious]

Here, there are no daemons. There are, however, those who would scale buildings. To me, the latter seems a more sensible skill to learn given the circumstances.

[mind_blown]

Well, most people will point out the stairs.

But it's a pretty learnable skill.

1/2

[tenebraecious]

Mm, and I hope to learn it. With a proper teacher.

[tenebraecious]

[sighing]

Truly, I would like to enjoy your company, whatever form it may arrive in. Still, I hold onto that wish. But I cannot— No, do not want you to restrain yourself, so our friendship would be fraught, Jay. I do not fear this, only trust that it would.

[mind_blown]

Lucky for you, I remember being a teacher for stuff like this. I don't remember what kind of teacher I was, but I'm sure we can work something out.

As for our friendship....

[he considers this for a moment.]

Nothing's gotta be fraught. Nothing has to be anything.

[tenebraecious]

[softly starts to object then just — stops herself]

. . . No, I suppose not.

[mind_blown]

... I'd rather it not. Be fraught. Maybe it just is what it is.

[tenebraecious]

Mm, and whatever it will be is our choice.

[carefully holding a hand out to him]

[mind_blown]

[he just considers that, and slowly reaches our his hand to take hers, thumb running lightly over her knuckles.]

I'd like that.

[tenebraecious]

[holding lightly at first then squeezing]

As would I. —Thank you, Jay.