Inbox for Songerein

[threebetrayals]

WIP

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[book2thehead]

I see.

[Wanderer might get the distinct impression that Heizou is focusing on stirring the tea in his teacup solely to keep himself from looking the other in the face.]

...Are there other perks you like?

[threebetrayals]

Obviously. Your intelligence, for one.

[book2thehead]

That's a perk?

[threebetrayals]

I said it was, didn't I?

[book2thehead]

That seems like less of a perk, and more like a feature, no?

[threebetrayals]

Features can be perks.

[book2thehead]

[He chuckles a little, finally taking a sip of his tea.]

I suppose that's true... You being pretty is a perk~

[threebetrayals]

[He scoffs.]

I'm not pretty.

[book2thehead]

[He turns a fond smile on him at that.]

No? I think you're very pretty, Wanderer~

[threebetrayals]

[Another scoff, but...]

Is that why you like me?

[Said casually, but Wanderer is clearly a bit on edge as he asks it.]

[book2thehead]

That's not the only reason. Like I said, it's a perk~

[He turns his attention back on his tea, sipping at it carefully. And eventually he adds, very quietly-]

...It's kind of hard to explain.

[threebetrayals]

As in you can't explain it, or you won't?

[He just. needs to know. Maybe.]

[book2thehead]

[He lets out a very soft huff, back to stirring his tea and watching the way the liquid swirls. It might not be all that obvious, but... he's nervous.]

As in... I feel like I shouldn't. Like if I try, you'll run away.

[threebetrayals]

I'm asking, aren't I?

[book2thehead]

[Another little chuckle.] That you are.

[He goes quiet for a second, just stirring his tea while he tries to figure out the best way to put this into words.]

...People don't really like me. I've told you that before, haven't I?

[threebetrayals]

...I don't remember.

[He thinks he might have? But if he did that was a while ago.]

[book2thehead]

[He smiles a little.] That's okay.

[Because he's telling him now, anyway.]

It's because of what I do. The other doushin are all fine, but it's not like any of us are friends. We get along, and we're friendly enough, but I know how I am. If I got too honest with them they'd just get annoyed with me and leave. That's how it always is, so... I keep my distance from most people. It's safer that way.

It's... different with you. [With Venti, too. But this isn't about Venti-] I keep pushing to get to know you better and no matter how annoying I get you always let me come back. And it's kind of fun, like we're playing a game that's just for us. It makes me feel... a bit special, I guess. It makes me wanna play with you all the time.

[threebetrayals]

[Oh.]

It's not a matter of letting you come back. I don't let people do anything. [He pauses, and then softly:] I don't let humans do anything. You just do. I've never been able to stop them. Especially the ones I like.

[Wanderer, despite everything, is still too damn soft for humans. He's just softer than usual for Heizou.]

...you're not wrong about it feeling like a game with you, though. Most people would have tried to make me less of an asshole already. You don't. You like it.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou looks back up at him with a soft smile. He's still feeling kind of nervous and vulnerable, but also... a little hopeful, maybe?]

You're not an asshole, Wanderer. You're just sharp around the edges. It makes you protective of anyone who gets past it. I don't see anything wrong with that.

[threebetrayals]

I'm an asshole, Heizou. I have spent nearly five hundred years being an asshole.

[Just an asshole with some squishy bits.

He gives up hiding in the kitchen and goes to sit next to Heizou.]

There's maybe three people who don't mind, or that I'm not an asshole to. You're...one of them.

[book2thehead]

[He likes those squishy bits. They're Heizou's favorite.

As soon as they're sitting next to each other, Heizou gives Wanderer a little nudge with his knee.]

Is Venti one of the others?

[threebetrayals]

Yes, and I still don't know how.

[He huffs, but he nudges Heizou back.]

He's just like that.

[book2thehead]

[Heizou just chuckles a little, back to sipping his tea.]

Yeah, I'm not quite sure how he does it either. Just part of being the god of freedom, I suppose~

[threebetrayals]

He's the worst. [He is not.] And I still say you're a masochist.

[Back on more familiar footing.]

[book2thehead]

And you're still a sadist~

[Heizou playfully sticks his tongue out at Wanderer for a second.]

Oh, maybe that's why I like you so much! So you can forget about all that other stuff I said~