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[ UGH.

Why can't he quit you, Tidus. Why.

Because it's quiet in the upper level of the car, thankfully no one happening to linger there just this once, as if they were out to specifically block their activities. And Inigo can't deny that he's curious enough about the routine to want to try it out, even though Tidus is just acting so heh about it.

He holds out a hand.

Looking so pouty. ]

Give me the magazine.

[ YES, HE'LL DO IT, YOU FOOL. Stop looking so smug about it! ]

You're cute when you pout.

[ Tidus can't help himself, passing over the magazine as he makes the jest, the victor in this moment. Studying the area to find a place that he can stand amongst the jumbo pieces and give Inigo room (and somewhere to sit that isn't the floor--no go).

But have fun, bro. Is it okay if he's standing, arms folding, waiting and watching in (gleeful) anticipation? Because he is. ]

[ It's so not okay.

But Inigo is slowly realising this is just the reality he has to accept. The one he has to live with. The one where Tidus is standing there and looking at him like that. It makes his heart pound inside of his chest, much too shy for this, as he fumbles with finding a good spot to put up the magazine, since he can't really dance and hold it at the same time.

With how much his hands shake with worry, it takes a few times before it's finally standing upright, leaning against something, but Inigo manages it. He takes a few steps backwards, testing to see if he can still see the schematic steps from that distance.

It's a little shakey, but then he starts moving. It's a pretty simple sequence, probably included for beginners - thankfully. Something that looks a little like this. And since the level isn't too high, it's not too hard for someone use to dancing like Inigo to follow the instructions off the bat to form a pretty fluid dance. ]

This is so odd.. It's nothing like anything I've ever done before. [ He mumbles.

Mostly to himself. Because apparently - for the best, in this case! - he's gotten so caught up in the dance that he hardly notices Tidus's presence anymore for a moment. ]

[ This dancing is so not for him.

It's so... delicate. Oddly so. There's no better way that Tidus can describe it to himself as he watches the motions that Inigo makes, from the way he holds his legs, points out his toes and waves out hands and arms. It's a little clumsy in some movements, but nobody is expecting perfection from a style neither of them knew about ten minutes ago.

The dance doesn't have to be for him. The better question is, is if it's for Inigo. ]

You wanna try again, see how it feels a second go? [ He offers the suggestion, no tease or other inflection in his voice. It seems the most reasonable route to go: get a better feel for it, judge it with a few more practices. ]

[ Inigo jumps a little bit, like the way Tidus speaks up suddenly reminds him that he isn't alone here in the room. His cheeks are a little pink because of it as he glances between Tidus and the magazine. ]

I.. um. I'll try it again sometime later.

[ When no one is watching. Because he sure feels ridiculous trying to adjust to this whole new way of dancing right in front of someone else's salad, and that feeling is so overwhelming that it keeps him from being able to even do as much as form an opinion on the dance.

Look, bro, just let him get off scott free this time. Especially since he's being honest - to a point where he has to grab the magazine and hold it in front of the lower half of his face to cover up the blush - when he speaks up. ]

It's a little much right now.

[ When you're trying to ~~drag screaming and yelling~~ nudge a guy out of his comfort zone, you can forget just how shy he can actually be. This is that moment, with half of Inigo's face guarded by a magazine showing a ballerina in the stages of the dance he just did.

Tidus submits this time, a tiny breath giving way to a smile. ]

Okay.

[ With that said, he walks over to Inigo, coming to a stop before him. And after a second, Tidus opens his arms - and makes a gesture with a hand for Inigo to come in. It's time for this, bro. Just less pointing, and more finger flapping.

One hug is your reward. Just don't let him crush the book against your face, and Tidus will wrap his arms around him, being sincere about the offer. Saying after- ]

You did good.

[ Although Inigo should be able to see it coming the moment Tidus steps closer towards him, he's too caught up in his own flustered feelings to really consider what's about to happen.

Which means he only realises this is a hug until Tidus opens his arms like that. Inigo peeks at him from half behind the magazine - almost comically so, especially with that shy look in his eyes, like a baby animal - but then quickly lowers the book once the arms start wrapping around him.

And then he immediately melts into the hug. This definitely isn't a brohug. Inigo is feeling way too soft for that now, which means this is definitely the warmest and coziest of hugs, especially when Inigo moves his arms - trying to angle the magazine in such a way that it won't get all crumpled up - to hug Tidus in turn.

.. maybe dancing in front of someone else isn't so bad when he gets a hug as a reward for it. ]

T-Thanks. [ A beat. ] Sorry for still being.. you know. [ You know. ] Like this about it.

[ It's just hard to conquer when he's been shy all his life, and when this - more than anything - drags that back up. ]

I'm trying to be better.

You're fine, you're doing good. I'm really proud of you, man!

[ There's nothing half-assed here, from the tight embrace of Tidus's arms around Inigo's shoulders, the sincerity in his words. A happiness in his chest ready to soothe the apologies and insecurities that leave Inigo's lips. ]

You've come a long way, you know? Before you wouldn't dance, and now - you even let me watch. [ Sometimes. ] You're getting better all the time.

[ He pats him on one of his shoulders, a tickled hum behind his mouth. ]

You're amazing.

[ It's like directly basking in the rays of the sun after having been suffering a downpour. Tidus's words are so, so bright in the face of the dark thoughts that haunt his own mind.

You're amazing.

Words he can't find himself agreeing with in any way, but he doesn't want to refute them. Not right now, with Tidus's arms around him, with his cheeks burning. The support overwhelming. ]

Well, that's thanks to you supporting me too.

[ It's not a total deflection of the compliment, but he just wants to give credit where it's due! Would he even have started to dance on the train if Tidus hadn't encouraged him to?

Inigo doesn't move out of the hug, but he does pull his head back enough so he can look at the other. His expression shy - but with a small smile slowly breaking through. ]

It's kind of hard to feel like I can't do it when you're telling me so much that I can.

Oh yeah? So my nagging's getting through.

[ He can joke back himself, his arms loosening to allow Inigo that room to move, but they're still hanging comfortably around his shoulders, allowing Tidus the space the grin a full face back at Inigo. ]

But I can't take all the credit, all of this is still you. And you listening to me! [ But, more importantly- ] One day, you're gonna dance as proud as you should.

[ Because he can dance well, Tidus will fight that - but even so, he still needs that extra nudge. That belief in himself, to make him shine all the more. ]

That day still feels kind of far off.

[ Since he can hardly dance in front of even one person without feeling all flustered about it. But Inigo knows that this kind of improvement doesn't come all at once. That it comes with small steps. And that it doesn't help that the very first hill is the hardest for him to get over, considering what exactly makes him nervous and shy about it in the first place. ]

But-- I won't give up. I'll keep trying. [ Even when it's hard.

Inigo lingers for a moment, but then finally fully steps back, letting Tidus's arms drop off him. ]

You can keep the ferret magazine with you for now if you want. [ If he wants to read lifestyle-y things! ] You know, as a reward for being my #1 supporter.

[ His arms fall back down to his sides, an empty feeling in the space of where Inigo just was, though Tidus takes a step back too to match his. Eyes glancing over to where he deposited the magazines, nearly forgotten completely that he doesn't remember for a second what Inigo's speaking about. But he sat them by one of the oversized chess pieces, when he realised he'd need his arms and hands to give one (1) bro a hug. As a treat.

But his thoughts might be elsewhere, that mind of his doing its own thing as he slips a look at Inigo, smile widening in a mischievous, unspoken secret. ] Hey, [ he says as if for attention, then he moves himself, as if getting in position.

And then he gets on his tippy toes, and starts to lift out his arms....wherever they feel the most comfortable and balanced, as he slowly raises his other leg back - his hold wavering for it, and a hop made as small careful noises leave him ('ahhh.... hah! mmmm-'), trying to do his best ballet pose.

Tidus looks at Inigo, small 'hm? hm?'s for his approval, while he wobbles, trying to get his limbs to stay in place.

look, inigo

look

he can be a ballerina too...!!!! ]

[ That little 'hey' does instantly get Inigo's full attention.

Not that it means he realises what Tidus is doing. Especially not at first. The initial look he throws his friend's way is more curious than anything, but then it slowly shifts into baffled when Tidus starts moving his arms and legs like that. What is this? Some sort of game of charades? Is he supposed to interpret this? Because that may take a while, just saying.

Maybe it's the wobbling that finally makes things click in Inigo's mind. Oh. Oh, that's what Tidus is doing here!

It finally makes a smile appear on Inigo's face, and he puts down the dance magazine to step over towards Tidus with empty hands. Intentionally so, since it means he can put his hands on Tidus's arms, gently guiding them to a slightly different position. ]

I think it looked more like this.

[ His hands linger, and he smiles from up close now. ]

Think you can manage to stay this way?

How long? My leg's already cryin' to come down.

[ He won't lie, he's not that prideful, this pose is hard to hold. He's an agile guy, but he's less about holding poses standing still than he is putting his weight on his hands.

But Tidus might try to hold it for a few more seconds if that's what Inigo's asking, face turned to meet his, waiting on his answer. ]

You make this look easier than it is!

[ Inigo sure wasn't trembling as much as he is right now...! ]

I could say the same about you when you're in the water, you know.

[ When Tidus is just swimming around like a fish, when Inigo has barely reached "can move by himself in the water without immediately drowning" levels so far.

And though Inigo does move his hand from Tidus's arms to the leg to help hold it up, it's easy to feel here just how much Tidus is shaking from trying to hold the pose. So Inigo's hand doesn't linger long there before he drops it. ]

But it's fine, just let it go! You have nothing to prove here, do you? [ Famous last words when said to someone who is notoriously easily challenged, Inigo. ]

[ For once, he's not going all out on competitive mode. Is it something about the void? Are the colours aligned? They wouldn't be able to see from upstairs, but Tidus lowers his leg, giving it a shake and then following it with the other, having a bit of a hop in place as he lets loose his limbs.

Still- ]

Hold on! I gotta pull off one of the moves you did, right? Before we go!

[ Why? Because Tidus said so, and that's how his mind works. ]

You did this...-- [ he floats up both his hands and arms delicately on one side, brushing the air, and then repeats it on the opposite. ] And over here... And then...!

[ And then he picks his foot back up, but this time bends it inward, and does a twirl, even remembering to hug the air in front of him. Though he does spin a little too fast, torso leaning forward - but he catches himself, foot coming down. Fists resting on his hips. ]

Impressed?

[ And have a cocky grin. ]

[ Inigo stares at it, letting Tidus just do his thing. And while Inigo definitely seems amused as he watches his friend with his typical boundless energy, there's something about his stare that's almost surprised too. Or maybe unsure.

It shows more in his reaction afterwards. The way his head dips, a brief laugh escaping from his lips before he looks back up again at Tidus. ]

What, are you saying you want to start trying to dance ballet too?

[ By some small miracle - it's not like he knew it either before now, after all - it seems Inigo has stumbled into the right pronounciation of the word instantly. Maybe it's that natural dancing talent. ]

Or are you trying to cheer me up? [ There it is, the source of the slight bafflement. It's Inigo trying to figure out what Tidus's intentions behind this are, if there are any. But at least he's honestly admitting to it here. ] I can't tell.

[ --He maybe got carried away there, didn't he? His limbs coming back down into place, a finger scratching at his cheek ~~like a proper true anime protagonist~~. Tidus laughs lightly, sheepishly, a guy caught in a silly act. ]

Well...! I wanted to make you laugh at first, [ he admits, ] but then I thought I'd do some moves and support you, show you you can dance wherever you want! But er... I guess it looks goofy when I do it.

[ Or like he might be making fun of Inigo...

He picks up the two books from where he dropped them, ignoring the light warmth of his cheeks. A grin replacing any silly feelings. ]

Alright, dance over! Where should we go next?

...

[ Inigo looks like he still wants to say something. And for a moment it seems like he might not, like he'll just go along and suggest for them to move on.

But then he takes a step closer towards Tidus, putting a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it a little. ]

It doesn't look goofy. [ Or, rather-- ] You know, the most important thing about dancing.. It's not technical skill, or anything like that. It's about the feelings you instill in other people when they see you dance.

[ Inigo's voice sounds more even as he says it, less flustered. Like he really means it. Like he's always believed as much, even though his idol - his mother, of course - is an incredibly skilled dancer on every level. ]

So in that sense, you're a true pro.

[ Because Tidus makes him happy. With his silliness, with his willingness to join in when Inigo feels shy and insecure. ]

[ Geez, now he feels goofy for sure. In a not-so-bad way? But here Inigo is calling him a pro over dancing, being so sincere, and how can't he feel both touched but undeserving of that?

So he sets it aside with a wide smile that bursts into a small laugh, knocks a friendly fist to Inigo's shoulder, the grin returning. ]

I'll tell that to my friend sometime! He's the best dancer I know - he just needs that extra nudge to show it to the world.

[ He slings the arm of that same friendly hand around Inigo's shoulders, before he can think to get awkward or shy. Allowing him the chance to not have to respond to Tidus's praises. ]

C'mon! You wanna try a VR game? Sneak off with Jumblie for a few private dance sessions? What you up for?

[ ?? ]

You have a friend back home who's--?

[ Oh.

Apparently Tidus seized hold of their collective braincell right there and then, because Inigo sure let the obvious fact that Tidus was talking about him go right over his head, didn't he.

Inigo's cheeks do get a bit pink, but he gladly accepts the opportunity to be able to think of something other than dancing and the way that flusters him for a moment or so. ]

L--Let's go play a VR game. [ Which is still kind of confusing to him, but still less embarrassing than dancing. ] Your pick.

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