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[ This is one of those moments where Inigo feels that it'd be great if his head didn't constantly overload with thoughts and worries. Is he doing too much here, too little? Is he making Tidus feel like he has to overcompensate with these smiles and excitement, or are the emotions coming from him genuine? Usually he'd assume the latter with Tidus, but considering their awkward conversation only a moment ago--

Does he address it? Does he ignore it? Which is worse? As long as he doesn't pick one, both feel awful, but the moment he'll pick one, it will feel extra awful and turn out to be the worst possible choice, he feels.

His heart is beating a thousand beats a second in his chest as he finally turns his head to look at Tidus, trying really hard to hold back the instinctive 'are you sure you want to do this?' before he actually asks it.

Instead he holds out his hand, taking a hold of the bottle if he can while sitting up. ]

Sure, let's drink. [ If only the mead was strong enough to make them forget their dumb awkward moment just now.

Maybe they can pretend, even if the anxiety in Inigo's chest doesn't agree. He pretends it isn't there and smiles. ] If you think you can handle it, that is.

[ He laughs conspiratorially-like, passing over the bottle and gets into a cross-legged state facing Inigo, a hopeful jitter to Tidus's shoulders that he's picked the right direction. The bag is sent back to the nowhere it came from. ]

Can you even get drunk off that stuff? [ Tidus is here for a challenge - even if that challenge is alcohol - but he has to wonder. Though, it does always have that old sharp taste after the sweetness... Still! ] How much did you used to drink back home anyway?

[ Did Inigo have time for that? Tidus never imagines him having much time for anything that isn't fighting - which, he isn't sure how far that is. ]

More than you.

[ Definitely not as much as he's pretending to.

After all, there was no alcohol left in the future - and even though he's had some ever since returning to the past, there was still plenty of fighting there that didn't exactly leave a whole lot of time to sit down and drink. It's not really something you can afford to do when you often have to make sure to be prepared for battle at any given time.

But that feels so depressing. This answer feels better, especially when he can't afford to let the conversation take another tumble into anything sad or negative.

Inigo opens the bottle up and raises it to his lips, taking a chug out of it before handing it back to Tidus. Look, why bother with glasses or anything when you could be ~~indirectly kissing your bro~~ just sharing a drink underneath the stars? ]

Enough to have a taste for it.

[ Please, as if Tidus has a glass.

There's a cocked brow, amused yet curious; not exactly wondering how true Inigo's statement is against his own drinking history, but what that means for Inigo's in general. But, not too deeply.

He takes the bottle as it's passed, humming shortly after Inigo speaks. All Tidus remembers about the drink is that it's sweet; a little too sweet for him, but fine for times like this. Times of enjoying another's company - and that company usually being Inigo.

His head tilts back and lets the alcohol go down, grimacing around the bottle, but not too much. It's sweeter than Tidus remembers, but he was prepared, taking enough of a chug to bring his chin back down with a sigh.

He wipes his mouth on the back of his hand. ]

Tastes like candy. [ Perfect for Inigo. ]

What's next after this? [ Heh- ] We gonna try some drugs?

[ That's what all guys hanging out and drinking do, right. ]

[ It's true that the drink is perfect for Inigo. He can taste its sweetness even as he watches Tidus drink, even as it has already mostly gone down his own throat, no longer in his mouth, ready to be enjoyed.

It makes him long for it again enough to hold his hand out. Please bro, he wants another chug. It's so good. Maybe the sweetness can help him get rid of the tight awkward knot in his stomach.

But while he's reaching out, grabby hands and all, he blinks at Tidus. ]

... Drugs?

[ Please, Tidus, you expect him to understand that joke? ]

[ Wow bro, just take it! Inigo doesn't need to long for it for too long, Tidus handing it over as soon as Inigo shows an interest; but his brows raising, along with the edges of his mouth, at Inigo's confusion.

Oh. ]

You didn't have any of that back home? [ Really? Actually, better question: How does he explain this? Tidus laughs a little, realising the situation he's gotten himself in. But maybe there's some word confusion here, that he's not making himself clear, and Tidus rolls a hand as he thinks. ]

You know, like... stuff that you take that makes you feel good! Or just plain ol' funny. [ What a seller. But Tidus is grinning at his own description, not unaware of how unhelpful it must sound. ] There's all kinds you can get! I've only had some once, in food, but...

[ And what was his experience with it? But right now, he doesn't even care, shrugging as he figures, without thinking for long: ]

I'll get us some, if you're curious.

[ Inigo finally has the desired bottle in his hands once more, but just as he's raising the bottle to take another gulp from it, he realises he's actually way too invested in what Tidus is trying to explain to him here, and can't really focus on the drink.

Mostly since his description is so weird. Inigo is trying to understand it, but it's as if there's a crucial piece of information he's still missing. His brain really is trying though. It's a lot to try and imagine what this 'drugs' thing is after going through a straight up emotional rollercoaster. ]

You mean.. like sugar?

[ That makes him feel good.

And there's all sorts of food with sugar in it.

Inigo has no idea how accurate this comparison is, but it's what it sounds like to him. In which case.. sure, he'd love to try it! Sugar is great. ]

No nononono, [ he hurries to interrupt with a laugh in his throat. ] Think about - alcohol. You know, how alcohol in drinks makes you feel funny? That kind of funny. But everything's different, it depends on what you take.

[ Not that Tidus is Mister Drugs over here, but anyone from Zanarkand knows that! So many drugs, and so few Tidus was ever willing to take. No smoking for these pro lungs!

He clicks his fingers though, pointing at Inigo as a lightbulb goes off in his head. ]

Aha! Remember how that liquid-y sweet thing from Jema'grethy made you feel all relaxed? Drugs are like that - recreational drugs.

...

Uh-huh.

[ Inigo looks entirely unconvinced. But it's just that every comparison Tidus is making just makes the mental image more murky for Inigo, since he has no idea what the other is talking about to begin with. It's a little bit like sugar, but with the effects of alcohol? But at the same time it's like the vulcano syrup?

That's a lot of things to try to combine in his head, especially when Inigo is working with so very few braincells to begin with. ]

I think I'm going to have to see this first. [ Before he fully believes it. What if this is yet another cruel Tidus trick! ] .. you're not just making a joke, right?

I'll buy some, [ he concedes, reassures, whichever of the two. ] But if I do, you've gotta try it. Okay?

[ It's no surprise why Inigo might be wary of Tidus, wearing a grin big on his face; thinking about introducing this to Inigo, how he'll react. How will he react? It's been forever since that one time... but why not just be young and dumb?

Oh, is this going to a time. ]

We can even share it. With friends. [ A beat, and he tips his head aside. ]

Mmm, I don't know what Taiki would think about it though...

[ Or is he being too cautious about the guy? Probably. ]

Don't give it to Taiki until I've tried it first.

[ Look!! Inigo generally trusts Tidus more with Taiki than he trusts the other guy with Inigo himself, but you never know. And while playing very gentle pranks on Taiki may be fine, they both know their friend is very sensitive. There's no way Inigo is just going to let him have anything before he himself knows what it's like.

And even then they'll have to figure out how it may clash with his kirin nature. Thinking about it, Inigo doesn't think he's ever seen Taiki drink either.. ]

It might break him for all we know. [ And do you want to have that on your hands, Tidus? ]

I wasn't thinking it'd break him, [ that's maybe going a little too far, ] but we can ask him. Maybe he's got something like it back home. You know, some people have it for anxiety or aches or- something like that. I'm pretty sure.

[ Actually, he's not that sure at all, but also is?? Is that right? Whatever, it's safe!! Except- ]

You just don't want to take too much. But like you wouldn't alcohol. So even if you stick some in a full plate of cookies, you can't eat the whole plate. [ And maybe he's grinning suggestively at Inigo. maaaybe. ]

But we can share some with Senku and Gen and Roland, if they want some!

[ Inigo is also very unsure. After all, Taiki doesn't eat meat, and he can't go near battles.. And while this is different - sounds different? - Inigo knows some people on the train get real weird about drinking, so maybe that's also something that tiptoes the line for Taiki..

Well, Inigo guesses asking their friend can't hurt him, at least, so he won't protest that part. ]

.. do you think they'd like some?

[ No, wait, more importantly-- ]

Do you think they know what that stuff is?

[ Oh, that's a thought. Tidus pauses to consider it, quiet until- ]

They might have something...similar. I'll just show them it and explain what it is. [ Right? It doesn't have to be more complicated than that. ... Tidus's brain can't think of a way to make it any more complicated anyway.

So he just shrugs eventually, piping up a smile. ]

Won't know if you like it if you don't try it, right?

[ Doesn't get more complicated than that! ]

[ He slowly nods..

Until a realisation seems to hit him. ]

Tidus.

[ Bro. Dude. ]

Do you remember how Roland got all.. odd when we started talking about drinking? [ Bro, what if he gets that way about this drugs thing too? Bro!!! ]

[ Tidus's expression is blank for a moment.

...

... before the realisation dawns on him that Inigo's right, and that look - mostly reserved for Roland, or is it better reserved for the train? - drags down on his features, a soured face thing with a protruding bottom lip. ]

Ugh, oh right. [ Right. ] Well... we won't tell him 'til they've been made.

[ ... ]

Or never. He can't stop us, anyway. He can have one or not, simple as! I'm buying 'em!

Maybe never is for the better.

[ Please, he just really doesn't want a lecture from Roland about it! What if he makes that 'I'm not mad, just disappointed' face again? Inigo may just cry. Cry while being high as heck on an edible. It'll be a total disaster. ]

.. unless. [ Don't mind Inigo here as he momentarily turns into unless rat at a sudden realisation, turning towards Tidus. (Though still with a respectful distance.

The post-sex-talk awkwardness still lingers in that.) ]

Unless we can find out in a sneaky way what he thinks about that stuff before we offer it to him!

[ Tidus is considering this idea. Look at the way he's got his gaze aside, thoughtful, his arms crossing as he doesn't hold the mead bottle.

...

...

... ]

How about we skip that and give him one without saying?

[ He's half-serious, but look at him present it like a good idea. ]

[ Look at him present that as a good idea when it's actually the worst idea.

In fact, Inigo starts sputtering before Tidus has even fully finished that last word. ]

W-What do you mean, without saying? He might get so mad afterwards!

[ PLEASE, SOME OF US ARE DADDY'S BOYS. ]

Or he'll chill out for once! A whole day doing nothing but feeling relaxed? Roland could do with a day like that!

What a great idea, Inigo!

[ Yes, 'a great idea, Inigo'. Why not, why don't we fluster this boy some more, grinning wide and looking pleased while doing it. ]

Tidus!

[ He really shouldn't be falling for it this easily, especially when Tidus has that expression on his face he always has when he starts about these sorts of things, when he's trying to goad Inigo into having this sort of dramatic reaction.

But with how flustered he already is about this whole idea, he can't help it. He reacts before even a single thought crosses his brain, whines and all. ]

You can't do that! You're going to make him mad at us! Come on!

[ This! This is exactly what Tidus wanted to see. Is this what one would really call 'lifting up' Inigo's mood? But it's nothing like it was before, that Tidus feels comfortable slapping him arm across his shoulders, giving the other guy a light nudge, a laugh fresh from his mouth. ]

What! Isn't life more fun with a lil' danger in it? A lil' danger called getting the old man mad? Huh?

[ Heheheh! ]

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cw: drug talk i guess, next we need rock 'n' roll

i can't believe you brought up drugs on 4/20 blaze it

eat weed erryday

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