time5kip | INBOX 2

…it didn’t feel right to keep it from you, and he let me know that. I guess I had been worried about making things even more complicated. [ moves off him and takes a seat beside him. ]

But, ah, after this maybe we can get a drink instead of going to the aquarium. [ he needs to calm his nerves, since he’s feeling all sorts of frazzled from the confession. ]

Well considering I'd planned on not telling you anything it isn't as if I would have gotten offended.

But a drink does sound good.

…no, maybe not, but Emet said that people have kept you in the dark before, and I don’t want to be one of those people. It’s not like I don’t trust you, and this is something that’s probably best put out in the open.

My father mostly. A bad habit I managed to pick up despite the limited amount of time we spent together. Who would have thought. Childhood years really are formative.

[ is he stalling with irrelevant information? Maybe. ]

But he is right. Not knowing would probably hurt in the long run. Though knowing, well. Makes things awkward. A little embarrassing considering I am far older than you.

[ sets a hand in between both of five’s legs and leans in, bringing them nose to nose. ] Don’t be embarrassed, sensei, I have a type, and I like older men.

[ oh. That's cute. ]

Well I was more talking about my awkwardness to this, but I'm glad to hear you admit it out loud.

Though Zhongli doesn't seem that much older than you.

No need to be awkward around me. I’m not going to judge you… tease, absolutely, but I won’t judge you.

Heh, yeah, he looks good for his age. [ over 5000. ]

[ Really looks good for his age! ]

That's not much better. ... Alexander said he'd help. I told him about what you said, about dying—

I realize I should have kept it to myself but the fact I made you a promise like that was the biggest indication that I do have ... feelings. For you.

Sure it is. [ chuckles. ] …ah, I’m surprised he didn’t mention that when we spoke, but… [ /// ] that’s very sweet of the both of you. I’m not sure what you’ll be able to do, but the thought alone means a lot.

[ gently bonks their foreheads together. ] I don’t know when I developed feelings for you, probably because I kept telling myself, no, it’s fine, it’s nothing, …

[ finally gets up, offering five a hand. ]

[ He'd like to keep his cool but if he's entirely honest the more he thinks about it the more terrifying it gets. What if it gets worse. But at this point he's already going to get heartbroken when they inevitably part ways in any case so it's not like it's going to change.

He'll take his hand, though ]

Sounds like we're both emotionally well adjusted.

[ squeezes it! doing his best to be reassuring. ]

H- Hah... I think we're going better than most given our lack of experience.

... Fair enough.

Come on. You promised me a drink.

I have a bar back in the dorm now. I want to show it to you. [ starts heading back inside. ]

[ he's not going to let his hand go so good luck enjoying the walk back with handholding ]

Didn't think that'd be in your style.

[ he doesn't seem to mind, and in fact tugs five closer and loops his tail around his waist. ]

What? A bar? [ steps into the elevator and hits the wild city button. ]

Yeah. I mean, I know you like to drink, obviously. That's how this whole thing started to begin with. But getting a bar in your dorms didn't seem like something you'd care about.

I think you’ll see why as soon as you see it. It’s not your typical bar. [ brings five into his room and grins as he approaches the door. ] It also came with a delightful pet. [ pushes the door open and motions for him to step inside. ]

Well that explains it a little better.

[ he's going to take his time to admire the place, maybe a little awestruck ]

It does suit you.

I haven’t spent much time in here yet, but I also don’t really enjoy drinking alone. [ he strolls up to the glass to look at the fish. ] But it’s also pretty calming and I love the view… [ crooks a finger at five. ] Besides your average assortment of fish… [ he starts look around and if five squints he’ll be able to see a dark shadow swim by, but when it loops around the entire place goes dark for a few seconds. ] it’s got a little something special.

That's not a little something special Tartaglia, that's creepy.

It is not! I’m going to see if I can’t feed it. [ bodies… ] Anyway. I still need to pick out a name for it, but let’s get our drink on. [ heads to the bar and moves behind it. ]

[ he's going to follow, staying a little close ]

I'm pretty sure it's the kind of thing my brother used to summon from his stomach but you know. What do I know. Adorable.

…what. He could summon creatures from his… stomach? [ going to mix them both a strong drink, leaning against the counter as he slides five his own. ]

Creatures from another dimension, yes. Typically it was just a bunch of tentacles from his stomach and they would kill everything in sight.

[ wtf… ] Was that his ability?

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