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[ I don't want you to think bad about yourself, Tidus says, and Inigo's first instinctive thought is that it's way too late for that.

That thought is too pathetic though. Too self-indulgent in the worst way possible, and of course he doesn't voice it, instead leaning against Tidus. His hold tightening the tiniest bit when Tidus continue speaking. When he talks about having lost his father a second time. Inigo doesn't bother to question the why or the how, not wanting to dredge up painful memories for Tidus.

Instead he just keeps on holding him, mumbling, like it's meant for no one's ears but theirs: ]

I'm so sorry, Tidus.. You've endured so much.

[ He knows it isn't the main point here. That Tidus probably doesn't want to make it all about himself, but this is just how Inigo works. It's so much easier to address things about someone else, to try and comfort them, than it is to think about his own issues.

But not addressing those at all when Tidus is clearly trying also wouldn't be right, so he continues. ]

But this is.. too late. It's not like I can change the way I feel about him. Just like how I can't change the way I already care for you so much as my friend. [ It doesn't matter if Roland is his father, or Tidus just his friend - when Inigo thinks about it, he doesn't think that the loss of either would actually be all that much lighter than the other. What does a word mean when Inigo's dumb, over the top feelings run this deep for everyone? ]

I just.. [ Now he too is glad that Tidus can't look at his face. ] All my life.. I've just seen people die. I kept losing almost everyone I cared about.. and even when I go home, I'll be all alone again soon after.

[ When he'll have to vanish into the night, off to some other place or just to nowhere, to leave the spot free for the new Inigo.

His head lowers, mumbling into Tidus's shoulder. ]

I just don't want to be alone while I'm here. [ So he latches onto everyone deeply instead, caring way too much. ]

[ There isn't a lot he can do, is there.

Even now, maybe, there was some part of him trying to push. To say that this was going to be a problem, him and Roland playing family, but trying to frame it in the gentlest of ways without making it so negative as to put Inigo on the defensive. To put him in the wrong.

But there's nothing else Tidus can do. There's nothing more he can say. He wants to ask after Inigo's sister, but now doesn't seem the right time. Instead, he wishes he could give some kind of better comfort to Inigo, some lasting comfort that wasn't just hugs or meaningless words.

Except, he doesn't know what that is. This was just the way the world was sometimes. A lot of the times. ]

Inigo...

[ Tidus presses his fingers gently into Inigo's back. ]

Sorry.

[ It was all he had to give. ]

[ As they grow quiet for a moment after Tidus's last 'sorry', Inigo still lingers in the hug. Quietly. Without replying to it. He's just trying to soak up the last hint of comfort from it.

And maybe emotionally preparing and steeling himself, trying to pull his mind back from where it was a moment ago. Maybe he's spilled a little too much here to Tidus, huh, between his upset outburst earlier and his dumb rambling now. He was just trying to apologize for something he felt guilty about, how did they end up here?

When Inigo pulls away from the hug, he's smiling. Like there's not a single worry on his mind. As if everything that got them up to this moment never happened.

Is he aware this is probably going to look dumb? Like too much of a moodswing? Sure, but he can't impose anymore than he already has, so this feels like the best thing to do right now. ]

Hey, why are you saying sorry to me? You've had such a rough time too, with everything with your father, and then that whole thing with Yuna.. [ He's keeping it vague on purpose, despite Tidus having told him at least more details than that - but he doesn't want to drag them back down into heavy talk.

Inigo reaches out, grabbing Tidus's shoulder and squeezing it briefly before pulling his hand back again. ]

You must have a lot on your mind. If you ever think there's anything I can do at all to help regarding your situation with Yuna, just let me know. Or if you need to talk about anything else! I'm here.

[ Tidus knows what that smiles mean, that it's probably the only direction their conversation can go. Or the way to end it, whether or not with the same level of cheer that Inigo gives it. He smiles back nevertheless, smaller, though it does grow a little more. ]

I know, Inigo. You're a good friend. Me and Yuna--we're gonna be okay. We talked about it. We're gonna make the best of our time together.

[ He rubs the back of his head. ]

And I think we talked a lot already just now. [ ... ] But if you ever wanna talk about your father too, or your family, you can too. I know I joked about your sister and the dancing before... [ Eheh. ] But I like getting to know about you. You should tell me more sometime.

[ Inigo's glad to see that smile. He really doesn't know how to deal with Tidus when he gets more quiet. Because no matter how much he whines about Tidus's teasing, or his jokes, there's a part of Inigo that actually enjoys the banter. Just. Not in the moment.

But Tidus being sad, or in pain.. that's harder. Especially when Inigo can't just somehow solve it. Can't magically make things better. So he clings onto that smile, onto those words. We're gonna make the best of our time together. ]

.. Alright. I believe in you two. You obviously like her so much, so.. that means something. [ That will have existed, will have meant something, even when Tidus and Yuna will have to say goodbye. ]

As for me..

[ His voice trails off, and he pulls his hand through his hair in that way he sometimes does when he gets nervous. ]

There's a lot of things I'm not great at talking about. To anyone. But.. I could tell you sometime. [ He's already told Tidus more than he's told anyone, after all. Even though there's still some major details missing. ] If you really want to know. I just don't want things to change between us.

Why would they change? [ It's more disbelief than a question, an unconvincing possibility. ] I don't think there's anything you could share that'd change our friendship. You're you! I trust you.

[ If Inigo liked the return of some of Tidus's enthusiasm before, it even quicker comes back in that assertion, none of it forced. Inigo is Inigo, so Tidus is doubtful he's going to learn anything about the guy that'd get him to think differently. He folds his arms. ]

It'll be fine!

You better not take that back, you got it?

[ His tone is a little lighter as he says it, slightly more joking. Because Inigo doesn't want to be the one to drag down the mood now, and.. well, it's hard to not at least smile a little in the face of such unwavering belief radiating off Tidus. It's nice, knowing someone has that much faith in their friendship - especially when said friendship is so important to Inigo. ]

If I turn out to be some sort of evil swamp monster, I still expect you to be my friend!

You're doing bad on the evil part then! [ He gives Inigo a friendly slap on the arm. Swamp monster? ehhh whatever!! ]

C'mon, how 'bout we get out of here and doing something fun? Unless you really like cleaning all on your own.

[ He heaves a dramatic sigh, slowly managing to fall back into the usual antics. ]

It's called winning your trust so I can strike when you least expect it! [ Geez, Tidus! It's as if you've never heard of an evil plan before! ]

But.. sure, let's go do that. I could use an actual distraction.

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