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[kaidont]

[Seeing Kaido at Teeter's isn't exactly a rare thing.

What's more rare is to see him at Teeter's alone, fairly more drunk than usual (and with his resistance, that means he's drunk quite a lot), and looking generally cranky and miserable.

He's sitting in a corner, Floette conspicuously absent, and drinking some cocktail the barman suggested because why the fuck not, yeah?

Hopefully none of his friends will show up or notice he's there by which I mean, go troll him]

[[Depending how much he trust you, he might not breach the actual subject that's been bothering him, but feel free to bother him all the same]]

Comments

[kaidont]

[.... sigh]

Look, Mari, I'm sorry. I just needed--a one day pity-party, I guess. I'll go back to not being a complete waste of space tomorrow. Promise.

[His voice is more subdued than you'd expect, and he even looks up at you, eyes kind of pleading, to try and be convincing... you probably know him well enough to tell he's being avoidant out of fear, not pride or stubborness]

[maright]

[The sternness in her expression softens at that look. She puts a hand on his shoulder- she was more concerned than anything else in the first place, and now it's plain in her voice.]

You're never a waste of space, Tadashi. But if there's something that's bothering you this much... even if it's something I can't help with, surely telling someone would be better than just keeping it all to yourself.

[kaidont]

[He nods]

.... hey, can I ask you something? You don't have to answer if you don't want to.

[He's aware it could be painful]

[maright]

Of course.

[kaidont]

... how'd you know he was the right one? Even after you'd been friends for so long?

[maright]

[...Oh. Well, she certainly wasn't expecting that. She threads her fingers together as she thinks; it takes a few moments before she can answer.]

It's... difficult to explain. He just... was always there for me. He understood the bad parts of me and accepted them. And being with him made me very happy. [The words aren't coming easy- even as long as it's been, this is really the first time she's talked about this to someone. But she still smiles, a little.] Honestly, my feelings for him had changed before I even knew it.

[kaidont]

[He nods... back then he'd never understood it, had always thought it was always a matter of him being cooler or something, and it hadn't helped with his stupid decision-making and bravado.

... but now he gets it. And he kinda feels bad, not just for bringing it up, but for finally getting that feeling himself when you had to give it up]

Thanks... sorry to bring it up.

[maright]

It's alright. [She had to figure out how to talk about him sooner or later. It might be easier after... well, now wasn't the time to think about that.]

...So should I assume this is about a romantic problem?

KAIDO YOU TSUNDERE

[kaidont]

[ >_> ]

Maybe.

[maright]

Hmm, I see. Is it anyone I know?

[kaidont]

[Sooooooooooooob]

Remember how I said "even though you'd been friends for so long"?

[maright]

[Someone she knows who's been a friend for a long time? But she hasn't noticed him bringing anyone around or spending time with someone in particular, except for...]

...Atsuro?

[kaidont]

[Yeah he's burrying his face in his crossed arms on the table.

YEP]

[maright]

[...Well! That's a surprise. But knowing that does make it easier to understand why he's upset- it's even his first crush, no wonder he's not sure what to do. She smiles reassuringly and pets his hair.]

You have good taste- he's a very sweet boy.

[kaidont]

Well yeah he is--kind of the problem...

[maright]

How so?

1/2

[kaidont]

Well--I'm not nice like him, or smart or creative.

D'you really think someone like me can actually make him happy?

[kaidont]

... plus, I wouldn't put it past him to be too nice to say no.

1/2

[maright]

Of course you can make him happy, you already do. You've been a very good friend to him, and it's obvious he likes spending time with you. You're selling yourself far too short.

2/2

[maright]

And that's... well, it's a possibility, but I doubt it's that likely. I don't think he'd want to lie to you about how he feels. If you approach him honestly about it, I think he'd want to do you the same courtesy.

[kaidont]

[... yeah okay the second part makes sense]

... thanks.

[maright]

[She smiles and gives his hair a quick affectionate ruffle.]

It'll be alright. Whatever his response, you two are close enough that you should be able to work through it somehow.

[kaidont]

Mmmm.

[Having your hand in his hair still flusters him, but... it's nice. And he's glad he can enjoy it now. You might eeeeven notice he unconsciously curled his neck into it slightly]

.... y'know, I still don't get how he's still single.

[maright]

I suppose he's had other things on his mind so far.

[kaidont]

Yeah he has.

But--I've been around him a lot and I never saw anyone try.

It's like they're all blind.