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[ 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. ]

.. I will.

[ Under normal circumstances, Inigo definitely would have made a joke about that thing Tidus said about putting him in his place. Maybe he'll remember it another time and make a joke about it then, but right now Inigo definitely isn't in the mood for it.

Even though he's still trying hard to smile. Maybe trying to slip a bit more back into his usual habit, since these nerves are just way too bad to put on such public display - though he at least isn't smoothing it over with a big smile and jokes, but instead just with a small smile and more calm than he'd usually be displaying at a moment like this. ]

Then I'll take charge now. [ He says, opening the door and stepping into the hallway. ] Let's go find Taiki.

Yes, sir!

[ He stands proper for the moment, legs coming together and back straightening. A pose gone after a second, as Tidus loosens up and walks through the open doorway, giving Inigo a friendly slap on the arm.

But there they can go, to find Taiki and his arts and soothing presence, until it's time to find Jingyi, and the proposal that awaits. ]

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