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[ Tidus wants to tell Inigo to calm down, but he's not sure if to - is it worth it, or is this actually a serious problem? His brain is trying to wrangle with this situation, but...

He folds his arms, tilts his head, mouth askew and brow knitted close. ]

Yeeeeahhh. [ Yeeeeeah. ] But, isn't marriage a big deal where he's from? He's not going to jump into it without thinking about it. That's why I told him to meet us later. He's gonna get over the joke or keep it up.

[ He waves a dismissive hand at 'keeping it up'. ]

Wouldn't he be more offended if we actually took him serious? It's gotta be a joke.

[ Right? ]

[ Don't worry.

Inigo's brain is the ultimate expert in making everything a serious problem. ]

But what if he's offended because we didn't take him seriously enough?! [ Inigo throws his arms up in the air in a helpless gesture, but at least it also means that he's spinning to actually face Tidus, rather than showing the other guy his back half of the time. ]

Jingyi's a good guy, and he's.. definitely more than just a little weird, sure!

[ If this whole situation proves anything..

.. it's that exact fact. ]

But I don't want to hurt him!

[ This is very difficult to think about. Either it's the most elaborate joke, or they're believing that Jingyi is into them enough to go through with marrying them. Or think Jingyi would be stubborn enough to marry them?

What kind of logic is any of this. It's so overthinking, it threatens to make Tidus's head hurt. ]

Okaay... [ Which is definitely why he's continuing to drag words out, slowly - to give him more time to consider his words. ] Well, we should meet him at dinner. And... talk about it?

[ ...ughhh. ] But- why would he be serious about it?! Do you think he wants to marry us? Why would he? We've known each other- I dunno. A month? How does that make sense?

I don't know! [ If he did, this all would have been so much easier.

And with how strong his emotions - read: mostly panic - still are at the moment, it's really hard to not come across as agitated. It's not like he wants to argue with Tidus, and he's not even actively trying to do so here, but he can't help but give that sort of question a pretty heated response.

.. though then again, the emotion on his face seems closer to despair than it is to anger. ]

But he feels strangely about all that stuff to begin with, doesn't he? Didn't he get all worked up at the idea of people dating without marrying in the end? Maybe this is just like that too!

[ Not that Jingyi is dating him.

Or.. wants to date them?! By Naga, this situation is just way too much for a person who gets as easily worked up about these topics as Inigo. He feels so close to crying right about now, even though he's trying to not let that dam burst. ]

So does he want to marry us?

[ Tidus isn't taking the heated answers personally, and if the situation was somehow different, he would be in Inigo's same position. But this is too confusing in a specific manner - about marriage, someone wanting or pretending to want to marry them, and it's too baffling to get him stressed as it is Inigo.

But he knows neither of them know the truth - it's too perplexing, and Inigo's threatening to get upset, so Tidus brings out his hands to gesture reassuringly, to bring their emotions down. ]

Look, I don't really get what's going on - I really think this has got to be a joke, you know? I don't know how else to spin it! But he's our friend, so we'll see him when he said. Okay? It'll be alright. We'll work this out, and everything will be fine!

[ Because why wouldn't it be? How couldn't it? Tidus had to believe something so - baffling would ruin their friendships. ]

[ Inigo really wishes he could have that sort of confidence. In general, sure, but especially in this situation. Because Tidus can say that everything will be fine so easily - or in a way that seems easy to Inigo, anyway. And yet Inigo himself is standing here, still feeling panic completely having seized up his heart.

At least it seems to calm down Inigo's agitation somewhat. Enough to make him stop moving in panic. But it's perhaps that exact lack of movement and the way he stares at Tidus that makes Inigo look even more like he's about to burst into tears, even though no water is appearing in his eyes just yet. It's the way his face looks and his body language, really. ]

I don't know how else to spin it either.. [ He admits.

Because this doesn't feel like it's just Jingyi trying to help him out, in his.. very, very weird Jingyi ways. And why else would he be serious about something like this? ]

But would he really look so serious if he was just making some dumb joke..? [ That doesn't feel right to him either. Inigo really wishes Jingyi could have been a little more clear about this before just peacing out, because nothing is worse for social anxiety than doing exactly that. ]

He could be the kind of guy who doesn't take a challenge lying down - even marrying?

[ Tidus suggests it with humour, the pull of a smile on his face - coming over to where Inigo now stands in a block of his own anxiety, worries, fears. Hands taking rest on his shoulders, eyes finding his look at him, head tilting if it needs to, to encourage its gaze. Come on, buddy. Look at him. ]

It's gonna be alright, [ he repeats, softer, but no less sure. ] Whatever's waiting - I believe it. We'll be honest - we'll be ourselves.

[ They'll take it seriously. ...or, whatever exactly works better for certain anxieties. There's a huff of amusement as he adds, playfully, ]

A meal with a pal and dressing up some doesn't sound like a bad dinner, don't you think?

[ It's a little like coaxing a particularly shy animal to come out of a hole it's dug, huh.

But it works. It's the small gestures, the tenderness with an edge of playfulness surrounding it all. Inigo is still feeling majorly anxious, there's no doubt about that, but he does at least raise his gaze enough to meet Tidus's own. No longer hiding it, even if it makes her worry in his gaze very obvious.

And while it seems for a moment that Inigo might speak up and say something, he instead moves further in after a moment of staring. Wrapping his arms around the other's back, burying his face against Tidus's shoulder. Just for a moment. Just to soak in this comfort. Sorry, bro. ]

As long as it doesn't turn horribly awkward. [ It's a sentence very much muffled against Tidus, with how much Inigo seems like he's practically hiding himself against the other from the world.

But he seems to regain at least a slight sense of dignity a second later, peeling himself off the other, rubbing with the back of his hand at dry eyes. Sucking in a breath. ]

.. sorry for getting so nervous about it. I just.. I really didn't expect him to get so serious all of a sudden. But maybe it will be alright, like you're saying..

[ Inigo is really hoping for it, even though he's still having a hard time believing it. ]

[ He's here to give comfort, so as Inigo seeks it, drawing in and holding him, Tidus deny it to him. The moment that Inigo's body is close, bringing his arms to envelop around the other's shoulders before he pulls away.

A smile waiting for him, his arms not entirely leaving where they've come around Inigo. ]

'Course! [ Tidus encourages at first; then, with a few seconds lingering, allowing thought. ] And, wellll, what's the worst that can happen? We end up married-

[ A beat, the gaze that had lifted coming back down, ready to meet Inigo's. ]

You think you and Jingyi can make dragon babies? You're part dragon!

[ Please

let this ridiculous gamble pay off well ]

[ Inigo isn't too sure if his nerves have been adequately soothed enough to be able to fully joke around - at least not without a care.

But at the same time it's really hard to ignore just how much Tidus is doing for him here, and he doesn't want to reject all that effort. Especially when this entire situation must be awkward for Tidus too.

So even though it's a very unsteady smile, he does try to smile a little bit at the other, the nerves only tugging at its edges. ]

Even aside from how accurate or not accurate the 'part dragon' thing might be, did you forget we're both guys? [ Going to be difficult to make babies that way!! ]

[ It doesn't backfire in his face, so, that's a positive, right? Tidus simply huffs at the minor detail of two guys being incompatible, moving to the bed to bring out the suitcase with his nice clothes in it. ]

You're telling me Naga can't make you both a baby if you wanted one? I believe in Naga. Making a baby's gotta be easy for a god.

[ The suitcase appears, and he opens it, peering at the half-folded clothes inside with hands on his sides. ]

Hmm... I wanna look good, but not "You wanna marry me" good.

[ Head turning, he grins at Inigo. Eh? Eh?? ]

You always look nice.

[ Inigo says it casually, like it's a throwaway compliment. Or maybe it just lacks energy because he's still pretty nervous.

It's a bit more shoved down compared to a few moments ago, but it shows in the little things. In the way Inigo sits down on the bed, grabbing a random item of Tidus clothing from the suitcase, which makes it very obvious that his hands are currently shaking. ]

.. might want to go with something that covers you up a bit more than the usual though. [ No shorts, bro. ] People from that world seem to like all those long, flowing robes.

[ From the outfit purchases from back home he's seen from them - but also by the kind of clothes they happen to pick up during missions or other train stops. ]

[ Good thing that Inigo attaches onto the long, flowing robes in that definition of covering up more than usual, or Tidus would have some remarks about how uncovered Inigo usually thinks he is. Shorts are not scandalous wear, alright.

So he scoffs, chucking out the plain shirts to the side. Acting casual, normal, not making any mention of how Inigo may or may not be speaking. ]

I have not got robes. ...jeans'll be nicer than wearing my train pants. [ He'll pick out the first pair of those he has, setting them to the side, but not as close to the t-shirts. ] Hey, you wanna wear that flowery outfit I picked for you? Too flashy?

[ Can't use a 'you always stand out' to make him consider it? If they're throwing out compliments. ]

[ His mouth opens, and yet it seems like Inigo hesitates in actually talking for another moment. Like he's thinking about what he wanted to say - perhaps thinking better of it, or hesitating.

Then he shakes his head. ]

I don't think I should look too different from the usual.

[ He's using that 'I' there - if Tidus wants to dress up, he should go right ahead! Inigo isn't too sure how to feel about the idea himself yet. ]

I'm just going to feel guilty while I'm there. Why dress up to feel guilty? [ Sorry to drag the conversation back down, dude, but Inigo just couldn't figure out a way to explain it that wouldn't otherwise be an 'I'm too shy to wear it' cover up excuse that Tidus would just tackle with his usual confidence.

So it's easier to be honest about it, rather than try to talk around it and go in circles. ]

[ Tidus seems to think himself, standing there, not with any frown or tugged mouth, but more thoughtful than that. Then, he discards the jacket he'd picked up in his hand back onto the mess of other clothes in the suitcase, and goes to take the free seat beside Inigo.

And there, he rocks himself to nudge Inigo at the side, head tipped slightly after, against Inigo's. ]

Anything I can do or say to make you feel better 'til it's time to see him?

[ And not have this be the dreadful wait it's inevitably likely to be, for Inigo? ]

You're already doing enough.

[ It doesn't sound like a lie, nor does it really sound strained. Perhaps it's still a little bit awkward, everything considered, but Inigo does seem to be entirely honest about the words all the same.

His hand moves to briefly pat Tidus's thigh now the other is sitting next to him like that before it moves back onto Inigo's own lap. ]

I don't think this feeling is going to go away until after we've talked to him. [ It's definitely a much more honest admission than he would have given a long time ago - but at this point it only feels natural to be honest with Tidus about at least most of his emotions. ] .. but I'm sure I would've felt even worse if you weren't here, you know.

[ It was worth a shot, despite Tidus already recognising this was the likely outcome. He wonders if to kiss the guy - if fooling around might be the answer here, to reach over and squeeze his leg and then dip it lower-

But considering what's waiting for them, that might not be the right course of action.

He lets go of a breath, nothing resigned or the sort; just a noise as he stands back up, a small hum before he says, going back to the clothes- ]

How about we hang out with Taiki 'til then? He's probably drawing - wanna learn how to draw a glass?

[ He's getting back to eyeing his clothes; not wanting to put too much effort into it, and by his choices, being limited to little effort, too. Shirts and jeans? Shirts and jeans. ]

[ It's true that Taiki is yet another calming influence. It's most likely the best Inigo can do, while he knows that the feeling won't fully go away - having the two guys around who can probably put him at relative ease the most under the current circumstances.

So he nods, even managing to smile a little at the other. ]

Did he try to teach you how to do that? [ Inigo figures that he isn't the only one who showed up for Taiki's painting lessons, after all. Tidus is definitely the type to be right there as well, just to support their important friend. ]

Blitzball! [ Why does he sound smug announcing that. Who knows, but he does, swinging a smile before hiding it behind the shirt he strips off. Time to put on a clean one. ]

I figured it had to be easy to draw, right? It's a ball! But art's a pain. You know how something looks, but it won't come out right!

[ Bro, why is art so fussy? How can drawing a ball be so fussy? ]

[ Ah. It appears that Inigo has found the one cure for not getting way too awkwardly turned on by Tidus taking off his shirt.

Anxiety. Anxiety is the cure. Because his body is way too focused on the way it rushes through his veins to really kick in the default bodily reaction towards this sight, even though Tidus is sure standing there without his shirt on while he's changing outfits. ]

Drawing anything is hard.

[ And that's coming from an art boy! Just.. not the right kind of art boy. ]

You have an entire idea of what it's going to look like in your head, but then you put the pen on the paper, and it ends up looking nothing like what you were thinking of. [ At least, that's how it feels for him. Every single time. ]

Yeah! And I know a blitzball. I know where every air pod is between each bump, you know? I know the size of 'em! So why can't I draw one on paper? It's stupid.

[ You've heard it here folks: art is stupid. Tidus puts on the new shirt as easy as he took off the other, slinging on after the button one, leaving it as it is.

He then turns to sit, grabbing the jeans, and making the swap over from shorts. ]

I think I like the art where you're making something in 3D better. Like origami? Or anything where you're moving it around. Drawing's too... flat.

For me, anyway. [ You know. Nothing against their bro Taiki!! ]

I mean.. you know what I prefer.

[ Does he need to say the d-word out loud? He doesn't have to, right. Let's keep this d-word unsaid, so this conversation doesn't turn totally embarrassing. Especially when Inigo is feeling nervous to begin with.

He'll even aid in that fact by shaking his head and saying something more for Tidus to reply to. And maybe something more to try and take Inigo's mind off the terrifying reality that's rapidly approaching him. ]

But anything is at least a little easier than drawing, I suppose. [ So he understands prefering 3D works of art over drawing or painting. ] Did you make sculptures with the kids? I saw them playing with clay earlier in the month.

I had a small spin on the wheel. [ A small, small, spin. He shifts to let him pull up the pants, tugging them at the waist and then doing up the button. ] It's okay. ...it's a lot more fun letting it get all wobbly and making a mess though.

[ Tidus, a kid at heart always. Never not throwing smiles Inigo's way, getting back onto his feet. ]

We can dance together sometime. [ You know...! ] If you don't mind a guy with two feet.

[ Now it seems that Tidus is pretty much getting done with changing his clothes, Inigo rises to his feet as well, rather than remaining seated on the bed. Like he's showing Tidus - without having to verbally draw awkward attention to it - that he's about as mentally prepared as he can be to head out there for a while until they will have to face the music at dinnertime. ]

I feel comfortable with you. That's much more important than anything else to me when it comes to a dance partner. [ It's admitted with a small smile. A little awkward due to the nerves, but genuine all the same, a familiar fondness in it. ] I danced together with Devero before.. a few months ago. But it's really awkward when you aren't really close to your partner.

[ ... ]

Erm. In my case, anyway. [ Inigo knows that it's just because he's a shy worrywart..!! ] So I'd never mind dancing together with you if you'd ever feel up to it, you know.

[ He wants to make sure that Tidus would want it too - especially since it'd be pretty different from the workout kind of 'dancing' they usually do together. ]

[ Is Inigo sure it wasn't because Devero's a good-looking guy? A fact that Tidus teased Inigo over when he heard about their dancing escapade when he originally heard about it. But he'll leave that out for this time. ]

I'm up for it! [ Tidus assures. ] It's different - and I'm always dragging you into my things. It'll be different for you to come up to me and go, 'Hey, Tidus, we're going dancing today!'

[ He includes swinging and arm and hand in a 'let's go!' motion. ]

Put me in my place, tell me what I'm gonna do! [ There's some playfulness, the tone then easing. ] So - you ever want company, you can ask me too.

[ If that wasn't clear by now. ]

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