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Yes.

[ He's well aware the true answer is 'absolutely not'. But he's still going to try it, yes. What else can he do in this kind of situation? Just admit his dumb feelings? That's laughable.

Inigo turns back towards the sink, though he isn't going at it quite as intensely anymore when he starts cleaning it again. ]

Someone's got to do it, right? Besides, I don't think I really have anything to contribute to that discussion. All that talk about blood seemed rather.. strange. I'm probably missing some odd modern thing or another again.

So you weren't up here feeling bad about that day we were talking about, right?

[ Tidus could join in, but this is a boring chore. And it's a chore he plans to drag Inigo out of sooner or later, depending on how this goes. ]

'Cause you know Roland or me didn't mean anything. Even if he used that end of discussion kinda voice.

[ Which Tidus even mimics--or goes for something close to it--before he even says end of discussion. Making light of it, 'cause it doesn't need to be serious. ]

That was just me riling him up! And Rol getting too serious. He weren't mad.

[ Inigo smiles a little. It's forced, but if Tidus wouldn't already be as onto him as he already is at this point, it'd be believable. Especially since Inigo manages to time it right as Tidus does his little Roland impression, like it's a natural reaction rather than Inigo trying his hardest to make himself seem as unbothered as possible while he works. ]

I do know neither of you meant anything. [ That does sound surprisingly genuine. Because Inigo means it. He knows neither Tidus nor Roland is mad at him. He knows - even just from Tidus's reaction back on that day - that Tidus doesn't resent him for making him heal Gerome at all.

Inigo's mind is fully capable of feeling guilty over it entirely by itself, without needing anyone else to get mad at him. ]

So why are you worried enough about it to come look for me?

[ That's not the real question here. And they both know it.

The real question is whether or not Tidus will let Inigo weasel himself out of this one or not. ]

[ So Inigo knows, and maybe that's true. He manages to put Tidus on the spot, where he has to figure out the words he wants to say. Looking up, head tilting, and a nod while he leans his hands onto the side of the steel sink, placing his weight on them. ]

'Cause I think -- I'm getting a little better at telling when something's up. So even if I don't get what it is, I can come over and figure it out.

[ Either with difficulty, or--who knows? He might get lucky. Tidus looks from the steel shelving above their heads to Inigo, an amicable expression worn--friendly, pleasing. ]

You gonna make it easy and lemme know?

[ Whatever words Inigo may have expected to hear in return, it sure wasn't any of this.

So it surprises him. Enough so that Inigo actually puts down the sponge he was using to scrub the sink and instead fully turns towards Tidus. Maybe he should feel worse about his act not always being super believable - and he kind of does, but.. at the same time, there's an odd nice feeling about his friend caring enough to come look for him over it.

You gonna make it easy and lemme know, Tidus says, and Inigo already knows he's much too weak to displays of friendship like that to not tell him. His cheeks colour slightly with shame. ]

I still feel guilty over that day. [ He admits, actually managing to look the other in the eyes as he says it. ] I know that you didn't really mind it, but it still wasn't right for me to just drag you around multiple times while you were already tired.

[ It's only now that his gaze drops. ]

You're a very important friend to me, Tidus. And you.. you deserve better than that. It made me feel as if I was just using you, and that isn't right.

[ With Inigo actually stopping and turning to him, Tidus looks at him, though keeping leaned where he is. Doesn't expect him to hold out as long as he does with his gaze on it--but he doesn't think any less of Inigo when it drops.

His expression only warms by the end, and Tidus barely waits to speak. ]

Hey. If it were me coming to you, would you feel that way? That I was using you? [ No way-- there's no way Inigo could or would think that, and Tidus won't let him. ] You were panicked, worrying about your friend! It's not like you can call someone--and I told you you can rely on me. And you did.

[ There's nothing else to it, or there shouldn't be. Inigo just has to trust it. Actually believe it. ]

I'm always here if you need me, Inigo. And I know I can count on you too.

I know.

[ Though he seems a little embarrassed as he says it, it doesn't sound like he's lying either. He knows he can count on Tidus. That Tidus would help him out if he needed it, that the other would have his back if they were fighting together. ]

But I think I took it a little too far. [ He glances to the side and frowns before finally looking back at Tidus. ] And I know Glorfindel was.. definitely exaggerating.

[ It's not like Tidus literally passed out or anything! And Inigo still isn't sure how the other even knew. Did the elf happen to see him helping Tidus back to his room or something? ]

But you still were tired, and yet I dragged you out of bed early the next day too without thinking. And that wasn't even an emergency! And..

[ His voice trails off, and the bridge of his nose wrinkles into a pout. Not an annoyed one though, just sad. Just mad at himself and his own idiocy. It's matched by the faint hint of an embarrassed blush on his cheeks. ]

Um, I could give you a hug.. But I'm not sure that would make up for it..

Stop worrying about it!

[ Like that's a startlingly revelation of an idea Inigo has never had, but what else is there to say, to suggest? Hugs are Inigo's thing, but for Tidus, moving off from the side of the sink, keeping himself facing the other guy- ]

You don't need to make up for anything! I don't care, so why should you? If you really need to do something for me...!

[ ...Ah, now he has to think. He idles about on his feet, thinking. ]

You can... [ ah! ] Buy me a book! You wanna know what Roland likes?

[ You think he would have been worrying ever since the freaking last mission if it was that easy to stop, punk?!

But Inigo knows he's right though. He just needs to stop worrying about it when Tidus is telling him it's okay, but it's.. so hard to stop being so hard on himself. Instead Inigo just lets out a very deep sigh, rubbing the sides of his head as if he can somehow massage the worry and embarrassment out of there that way.

It's not really working. ]

A book? [ He at least does reply, though his usual cheery tone is nowhere to be found. ] Wait, what does buying you a book have to do with Roland?

'Cause I got no points! [ He folds his arms, matching close to the same tone as Inigo. ] Plus, there's something going on between you two... but anyway, he'll know I had something to do with it. He likes a sport they call rugby.

[ Is he simply going to throw out a suspicious line and tone like that at Inigo and give it no more place in his explanation? You bet he is! ]

You can say it's from the both of us. Take a read of it first if you wanna. He used to watch it back in his world. You can bond.

[ It's okay Tidus, you can tell him you touched booties with Roland. He won't judge.

Though honestly, it doesn't seem that suspicious to Inigo. Tidus likes sports. They even played sports! So Tidus and Roland probably talked about the sports Roland liked? It makes sense to him when he connects it in his head like that, and at least all that thinking is slowly dragging Inigo further away from the worries he was fussing about a moment ago. ]

Alright, I'll buy it. And tell him it's from us both. [ There's a look in his eyes like he's thinking that lasts a moment or two, before he slowly speaks up again. ] .. Do you want to know what's going on between us?

[ Since he felt the need to say he was suspecting something out loud! ]

[ He makes a gesture like a shrug with a hand spreading out, a slight tip of his head. ]

Up to you. You two get along, so it doesn't matter more than that to me. [ Plus... ] Roland's a nice guy. He's someone you can learn stuff from if you wanted to. I figured you were just getting along well with him.

[ Ah. He nods his head. ]

Plus, he's involved with a kingdom now, right? So...that's something you both can connect with.

[ And that's not so bad. ]

[ In any other conversation, Inigo may have ran with the opportunity to tease Tidus, treating to tell Roland the nice things he said about him that don't involve the words 'old man' even once. But this is a little more serious than that, and Inigo rubs the back of his head, thinking. ]

Yes, we've spoken about those sorts of things already. It's.. nice, getting to learn about his point of view on things. The closest I've gotten to discussing those sorts of matters with people is with lord Gyousou.

[ But that's not the important point here, not really what he's thinking about. Surely Roland wouldn't mind if he told Tidus, right? And considering how often the three of them end up hanging out together, it'd be better if Tidus found out now than at some awkward moment. ]

But he and I are.. [ Geez, why does it suddenly feel so hard to put it into words! Surely Tidus won't tease him about it, right? He'll realise Inigo is being serious here? ] I told him a while ago that I.. kind of see him as a fatherly figure. And he said he'd see me as a son while we're here. So..

[ His voice awkwardly trails off, and he - obviously embarrassed - makes a vague hand gesture. ]

That's what's been going on.

[ This could be going anywhere, from Tidus's point of view. The embarrassment, nervousness, whichever it is--it's obvious, but it's also Inigo, so Tidus doesn't take it too seriously. Roland's teaching him something maybe; maybe something...kingly, or whatever like that. Or some other subject. Who knows?

But if Tidus had to take a guess--what comes out of Inigo's mouth wouldn't be it. Evident by the confused, uncertain look on his face. ]

Uhh, so...

[ --Did he hear that wrong? Actually, he had to, right? So Tidus chuckles lightly, pushes an amused smile onto his face. ]

You don't go calling each other pops and son or anything, do you?

[ No way--that's silly. ]

[ Inigo is slowly starting to feel that this conversation, even though it would still be awkward with other people, is upped in difficulty about three levels just by the sheer fact that he's trying to have it with Tidus. ]

I-- No! I.. I wouldn't even use that word!

[ Look, he may have called Roland father once or twice in an emotionally desperate moment, okay? What are you going to do, judge him?! ]

He just.. comforts me. Easily. And he's very supportive, and sweet, and.. [ The more he tries to explain, the more he can feel his cheeks burn up. It sounds dumb, even to his own ears, but it's just true. ] .. it's just what I expected having a regular father to be like.

[ The last words are a little more quiet. More vulnerable. Because Inigo is - at this point - well aware that neither of them ever really had that. A regular father. ]

[ oh so he would use daddy?? Okay no, not the important part here.

Because there's something far more important here, yet--as Inigo speaks, Tidus can't understand. What he's saying, implying. It's so-- it's not what people do, is it? Inigo says they don't call each other son and pops, and yet Inigo just said: I.. kind of see him as a fatherly figure. And he said he'd see me as a son while we're here.

The confusion, the smile, draws off from Tidus; replaced instead by uncertainty. ]

Are you sure... [ He stops. Thinks, or tries. ] You're-- not gonna get hurt, are you? Inigo.

[ Was this okay? But he's never been here, he's never seen this happen before, and a 'proper father figure'--what would he ever know about that? Or ever want someone to come along and play that role.

But Inigo did. ...and was it alright? To indulge? ]

[ Out of all the responses Inigo could have expected, this one wasn't quite at the top of his mind.

It shows too. In the way he peeks over at Tidus, half-surprised, half-cautious, like he's not sure what to think of that response. After the initial surprise, it feels.. kind of sweet? Is Tidus worried about him..?

It leaves Inigo quiet for a moment, his mouth moving but no words flowing out until a few seconds later. ]

.. that's the nature of this place, isn't it? [ His tone is still quiet, but it's a little less embarrassed now. His cheeks are still faintly pink, but his tone is more serious. After all, he's not worried about Roland hurting him. If there's any part clear of Inigo's mental image of the other, it's that Roland would never hurt him. But.. ] You get attached to people, and then they disappear. I'll probably get hurt eventually. It's not like it'd be the first time.

[ Like the image of Yuki leaving that still feels seared onto his eyelids, burned into his heart everytime he thinks he's gotten over it---

He smiles. It's tiny. ]

But even so.. at this point I already regret doing a lot of things. I'd rather not add regrets about not doing things on top of that. Even if it's just for a little while.. I'd like to be happy.

[ And that is something the whole arrangement with Roland sure makes him. That he knows. ]

[ Was this really the same...?

Even if it was temporary, well--they both know what it's like to lose parents. That's an added weight, different; placing that role onto Roland and mimicking that loss... and what if something did happen to the guy? It's not a scenario Tidus wants to really consider, and it isn't that alone which makes him feel off, but... ]

If you're sure, [ is what he says eventually. Brow still drawn in a worried fashion, concerned, not fully behind the idea. He wants to say more, but anything he can say -- I just want you to be okay, I don't want you to get hurt -- is making it sound like Inigo's doing something terrible, repeating what he just said. He doesn't want to not support Inigo... ]

You don't agree, huh.

[ It's so obvious. It's written all over Tidus's face, and it's pretty clear to Inigo that he's not even trying to hide that. Or he's just really, really bad at hiding it.

Not that it stops Inigo from smiling. It's the same sad smile as a few moments ago, but he doesn't drop it, even as he says that, even as he releases a breath. ]

I guess if I don't doubt my own decisions for once, someone else will do it for me. [ Which sucks. Because for once he hadn't hesitated. For once he just went for something that felt so right, without his dumb insecurities and hesitations holding him back like they usually do.

Only to be confronted by them all over again in the form of another person. And it's not like he blames Tidus, he knows the other is probably just worried (it's better than assuming Tidus thinks he's a total weirdo, though that's a possibility too, he guesses), but it still kind of stings. ]

That's not it--

[ It jumps out of his mouth, as defensive as it is guilty, or more so the former. But it wasn't untrue, was it? Still--it didn't feel fair. Tidus takes in a sharp breath, frowning, brow dipping as he looks away. Conflicted. ]

I'm just worried, that's all! If this makes the two of you happy, great! [ He brings his hands together, making a motion like crushing something inwards, fingers shaping it like a ball. Why?? Who knows. ]

But this train-- [ ugh-! ] I don't trust it one bit, and you already-- [ --lost someone important.

But Tidus doesn't want to say that, so he looks away, waving out his hands and sighing loudly. ]

A dad's a... lot! It's not just another person.

Not just another person..?

[ Inigo repeats the words, and slowly his tone changes. It was calm a moment ago - with tons of undertones, sure, but it was still mostly even. But it changes now. There's something near-incredulous about his tone, like he can't process what he's hearing.

He gets what Tidus is trying to say. They both have a complicated relationship with the whole idea of a father, each in their own way, but complicated all the same. It really isn't just another person, but that's-- that's not-- ]

Do you think that's what everyone else here is to me..? Just another person? Do you think you're just another person to me?

[ Inigo takes a step closer towards Tidus and away from the sink, the sponge long forgotten. ]

Tidus, do you have any idea how often I've been lying wide awake in bed here because I'm terrified of people disappearing, just like Yuki? [ His voice raises in volume - thankfully it's just them in the kitchen, but still - and hitches a little as he grows more emotional. It's much too late to shut the dam again, to form any kind of barrier between his mouth and his heart, emotion long taken over. ] Do you know how many times I've woken up from an awful nightmare where this time you left, or Roland, or Taiki, or Gerome, or--

[ His cheeks are red, but rather than embarrassment, it's just plainly him being unable to contain the upset, the outpouring of emotion. His eyes are watery, though no tears fall. ]

Everyone means so much to me! Everyone is important! Who cares if I call them father, or friend, or anything else? I'm still so damn scared every single day that I'll suddenly lose them!

[ He reaches out, his hands latching onto Tidus's hoodie, dragging the other closer towards him. ]

You're 'a lot' to me, Tidus! We're.. I.. Aren't we practically best friends? [ The upset was covering most of the vulnerability in his tone earlier, but now it slips through, clear as day. ] Y.. You can call me an idiot if you wish, but I know I would be devastated if you ever disappeared without us getting to properly say goodbye..!

[ Tidus isn't expecting this reaction. Nothing close to this, not even scratching by it, and so it comes as a surprise. He doesn't have a second to think of where it went wrong, what more he said than the words that Inigo repeats. And-- he didn't mean it like that. Surely Inigo knew he didn't mean it like that? But then he's stepping closer to him, and Tidus doesn't take a step back when he does-

but he does flinch when the hand comes for him, yanks him in, leaving Tidus in wide-eyed disbelief. Stunned, lost; not knowing what to say, his hands held at his sides. ]

I... [ Slowly, pathetically- ] I'm sorry, Inigo...

[ What else was there for him to say? To express? It didn't matter what he meant or thought, and more how upset Inigo was, the tears trailing down his cheeks. He came all this way to cheer him up, and here he was, doing the utter and complete opposite.

Tidus doesn't move back or away. He stands in place, just a pitiful look on his face. ]

[ It would have been a lot easier if Tidus had shouted back at him. Or even if Tidus had made some dumb joke that dismissed everything Inigo said. Getting hurt even after his own outpouring of hurt would be one thing to deal with.

But this look on Tidus's face is too much to bear. It's as if Inigo didn't realise just how much he was throwing all of his worries out there. Everything that he's been cropping up for ages, ever since the first time he had his heart broken when he watched Yuki walk away, not even turning back at him one last time. Maybe this was going to happen at some point or another though. It was an inevitable. Inigo couldn't expect to be able to keep that hurt to him forever.

Except now it came out in the worst possible way.

Inigo's expression shifts to shocked as what he's done slowly dawns upon him, and his grip on Tidus's hoodie gets lighter, though he still doesn't fully let go at first. Instinct dictates he should try to laugh it off. Play it down.

But he can't. Tidus looks so much like a kicked puppy. He can't. ]

No, I'm... I'm sorry.

[ He finally lets go. ]

I shouldn't have raised my voice at you. It's not.. It's not like any of this is your fault.

[ Tidus shakes his head, but it takes a moment for him to speak. There's something he wants to say than to leave it there, to simply brush it away, move on like they could. That inspired feeling from Inigo--he never wanted that, and truthfully, he's reminded that sometimes...he just does this to the guy, without meaning to. Because they're different, 'cause he doesn't take seriously the things Inigo does. ]

I know it's a gamble, getting close to people here. They can just disappear--people who mean a lot to you. I hope they're going home to good places, but... I'd miss them too. I'd miss you especially, Inigo. [ And he looks up at him, though he wasn't particularly avoiding Inigo's eye. Just looking elsewhere as he speaks. ]

I guess I'm the one worrying too much. I know if it was me, I... well. [ He tips his head, pulls a mirthless smile. ] It would be hard to lose a dad twice.

[ That time, he does avoid Inigo's eye. Lets it linger on the tiled flooring in a quiet second or so. Lifts it back up with a quiet sigh. ]

...I told you, before--there was a reason why I didn't want to get with Yuna, right? Back when I told you about Spira and Sin.

[ A conversation he didn't want to have at the time. Asked Inigo to drop it. ]

[ There are so many things he could say. That it's unfair of Tidus to say something like I'd miss you especially when Inigo is already feeling so emotionally vulnerable. Or that it'd be hard for him to lose a dad twice too, but that it feels like if he's already carrying along the pain of Yuki's loss still to the best of his ability, he can bear more on top of that.

But before he can say anything, there's that last thing. And Inigo remembers. They had a handful of conversations like that, right? Much earlier on. When Tidus would talk about something from back home, and Inigo would try to dig a little depeer before being stopped. ]

.. yes. [ So he dips his head into a slight nod. Recognition in his eyes, but the earlier vulnerability leaves a hint of worry. ] Do you.. Are you sure you want to talk about it?

[ He doesn't want to force Tidus just because he feels sorry for what was basically just Inigo upsetting himself, mostly. ]

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