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No!

[ But despite the answer, Inigo does release his hold on the poor otter after another moment or two. Not necessarily because Tidus told him so, but mostly because he's worried about actually ripping the toy.. Even with as whiny and dramatic as he's being here, he doesn't actually want to go that far.

But at the same time as he lets go, he also scoots backwards on the bed, no longer being as close to Tidus. ]

Y.. you know, you can just tell me if you don't want to hug me! I will just sleep here [ - he's dramatically pointing to the very edge of the bed, this is very important information - ] if my presence bothers you that much!

[ DUDE.

BRO.

DOES HE NEED TO CRY?? ]

As if you'd stay there! You'd be making noises and sad eyes all night if I really left you there!

[ Tidus knows it - they'll be in bed and puppy eyes will just radiate from Inigo's entirely being. The utter sadness will be so palpable, and Inigo will be like death the next morning.

All because he didn't get any physical affection off Tidus at night.

But also, it's true that Tidus isn't much of a hugger here, so after defending his dear Inigo Junior, without Inigo Senior going after it, he sits it on his lap, then holds it out to the guy. ]

Wanna hug Inigo Junior?

[ Tidus truly just knows Inigo too well, doesn't he.

Enough so that he ought to recognize the expression on Inigo's face right now too. All pouty, like an oversized kid, slowly crossing his arms across his chest to complete the sulky look. ]

Why would I want to hug my replacement?

'Cause no one likes a jealous guy.

[ Tidus knows too, that there's only so far he should push this. And getting that whole huffy act is good and well. He takes the doll back, giving it a look, a slight tilt. ]

Was wondering what to do with this guy. I guess I should keep it. I'll put him up with...what's the name? Meenerva? Moinora?

[ He points up to their wyvern friend. It's not like they talk about her often, so he's doing his best to remember the name! ]

They can be pals.

.. Minerva.

[ It's still a little sulky, but there's zero offense at Tidus not remembering the name. It's true - Inigo doesn't mention it nearly enough for the other to actually be able to remember it in the first place.

And for what it's worth, Inigo does try to calm down. Letting out a breath. Trying to let the huffy energy fade, though it was only there because Tidus was teasing him in the first place. ]

How did you get that one, anyway?

[ Tidus, of all people, does not seem like the type to take back a plush animal from Aquafir.

.. not even if it's to tease Inigo with. ]

Minerva, [ Tidus repeats after Inigo, rather pleased it was close enough. See, Inigo! He listens! And his eyes go down to the otter as Inigo asks after it, deciding after a second to sit the little guy on Inigo's folded arms.

There we go. Now his face is near Inigo's! ]

Wei Wuxian gave me him. Don't know why - unless he feels bad 'cause I said I don't have any family around.

[ There's some humour in that, ridiculous, but Tidus doesn't care one way or another; at least, he's not going to take it seriously. ]

He doesn't know I already have you around if I want something to hug.

[ 'Cause that's what you get plush toys for, right. ]

[ PUTTING THIS LITTLE TEMPTING DEVIL SO CLOSE TO HIM, HUH. There's no way Inigo can fully resist that, especially when its little face is so cute. Not that he moves to hug it - not yet, perhaps? - but he does at least pick it up with both hands, giving it a glance over while Tidus is talking. ]

Yes, you've got that covered.

[ After all, Inigo is like an infinite hug machine. He never runs out. It'd be easier for Tidus if he did run out at some point!

But that's not the main point here, and he puts the little otter down on his lap so he can glance over at the other guy. ]

.. was he really that worried though about you not having family around? That just sounds like he's about to get the shock of his life at the rest of the train. [ After all, just how many of them do have family around from back home? ]

[ There's the laziest of shrugs. ] Who knows? He's an odd guy. [ But it's said lightly, with some fondness in it. He could add more, about how the subject even came around, but it doesn't really interest him to keep talking about.

So he leans shoulder to shoulder against Inigo, eyes on the otter, Inigo's hands in view. Sighs in a grumpy way, and wiggles his arm some for the incoming grumping: ]

It's gonna be mission time again soon. [ Siiiiiigh. Siiiigh, Inigo! ] What do we wanna bet it'll be? Another weird city?

Weird? I thought that word would be reserved for me when it comes to those places! [ Sure, it's not like Inigo doesn't know that neither of those places were exactly Zanarkand either, now he's actually seen the place in an illusion, but they still come so much closer to that place than they ever would have to Ylisse.

Still, Inigo doesn't quite sound grumpy as he says it. His voice is still light, a faint smile on his lips. ]

I think it'd be nice to go somewhere slightly more understandable again for once.

[ Oh Irivar, how he misses you. Not the awkwardness of losing people and having trouble with his friends, or the feeling of getting pummeled by Reno, sure.. But the place itself was pretty great. ]

That shouldn't be too tall of a request, should it?

Understandable, huh? [ If he were taking this more seriously, he might know what that is. But even as he looks back at every place in his mind...

He raises his hand between them, starts to give a finger as he goes back: ]

So we've got a mission with a giant sand fiend comes outta nowhere and crabs attack an island, a pile of orbs fall out from the sky from space and attack everyone; everyone catching a magical cold and also, there's a dragon on a mountain...

Tell me when I reach the one that makes sense?

[ Heh heh. ]

[ Inigo leans a little towards the side, towards the spot where there's no Tidus - though it's just so that he can noticably bump his shoulder into Tidus when he moves to lean back to that side, letting out a laugh. ]

You know what I'm hearing?

[ Especially considering that at least half of them aren't things that are as familiar with Inigo.. ]

I'm hearing, 'wow, Inigo, missions sure are much worse when you aren't around!' [ Granted, it's not like Inigo's presence or lack thereof has any bearing on the actual mission tasks, but.. ssh. It makes for good joke material here. ] Naga's punishing you for thinking other teams are more fun than being with your pal. By giving you.. space orbs.

[ Wow, bro, don't take his leaning post from him--! Oh, it's back. ]

You had the space orbs too! [ Excuse you! ] You guys just never saw them being orby. And, remember? First mission, we were both together! And I think when we were together on that second mission, someone -- [ He starts pointing a finger in Inigo's direction ] -- made me drop my food when I came over!

[ yeah, remember THAT, INIGO?? ]

I'm starting to see a pattern in all these missions.

[ A disturbing pattern! ]

[ HIS POINT STILL STANDS, BRO. If they were less orby, then they weren't orbs anymore! Doesn't count! But much more importantly, and hence why he actually voices that part out loud-- ]

Are you still going on about that? [ Dude.

Dude! It was just food! They still ate! ]

How much food have you had since that day? And how much of it was dropped just because you're a little startled by a hug from your pal, huh? [ It was definitely not just a hug. ]

More like a giant someone latching onto me from behind!

[ Look, look! He's opening his arms wide just to show a recreation of Inigo on that day, grabbing him behind!! ]

I'm gonna remember that! I still make sure to see you aren't sneaking up at me from behind. I know what you're like!

[ Nevermind the event of him grabbing Inigo from behind that probably started this. No siree. ]

If you're going to put it like that, you just make me want to do it more. [ Beware, Tidus. Watch your back, always.

Even though Inigo is definitely punished too if he ever does it, judging by the sheer amount of whining Tidus will release about it, even months and months after the fact. ]

I can't believe that we constantly have to deal with huge monsters and other inconveniences, and all you think about is a simple touch from one of your best pals.

[ You're so weak, Tidus. Natural selection is going to catch up with you, bro. ]

"Simple"? You trying to push me over, and carry you? [ On his back?

But all of this is feigned offence, incredulity. He shakes his head, making a huffy noise of exasperation. ]

Okay, sure, if you put it like that - I'll try a simple touch on you one of these days. Right now, I'm thinking... [ Hmm, platform day - what does he want to do on a platform day?

He gets onto his feet, turns to Inigo. ]

How about some training? Swords and grav-con?

[ So Tidus can practice cool flips? ]

[ Inigo's face basically lights up the moment that Tidus says he'll try a simple touch on him. What is he going to do? Is he going to hug him? A romantic backhug?! A friendly jump-on-the-back-hug?! The possibilities are endless!

.. but then Tidus speaks up again with the total opposite of what Inigo was expecting, dashing his hopes in a single shot. Inigo hangs his head as his expression drops all the way back. ]

How is that a simple touch? [ Whiiine. ] That's just work!

I said later! [ 'Simple touch' later, Inigo! Tidus waves a hand. ] I wanna do something, move! C'mon, it's way too early to be sitting around in here.

[ Look at him, Inigo, he's starting to do a light jog on the spot! ]

I'll even set up the dance coaches if they sound more fun. Don't you wanna burn some energy too?

[ Sometimes you just wanna go, Inigo! ]

[ Some of us weren't made for fitness, Tidus.

Though it's the mention of the dance coaches that seems to quiet Inigo's whining - for the moment anyway - and instead make him look more like he's considering this option. ]

I guess we could do a few rounds with the dance coaches.. [ That's definitely more fun.

Sorry, swords. ]

.. and then I can get the simple touch afterwards? [ Why is he so invested in this. ]

[ Inigo just wants a hug, doesn't he.

But when they keep saying 'simple touch' - or when Inigo's the one to say it this time - Tidus has it in the back of his throat to ask what a simple touch is in his mind, to turn it southward, implying in nature.

...And that's tempting to ask now, but he decides against it, leave it to see if Inigo would be in the mood after. ]

Deal. Alright. But I call when we're done! No simple touching 'til I say so.

[ If he will be, too.

(As if he isn't already considering the showers, for this.) ]

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