zerotohiro | Some Legends Are Told, Some Turn To Dust Or To Gold [CEREALIA INBOX]

[ That's it exactly. Yang might have known, but there's something important about being the intervention in a reciprocated crush fest. Ruby would have said something if Hiro hadn't, she knows that.

But right, this first, and her gaze turns sharp. ]

First and foremost-- I happen to like you a lot, Hiro, but if you ever hurt her in any way, I'll make sure you regret it so hard that it'll take Baymax a month to finish diagnosing you.

... Not that I think it'll happen, but I'd tell that to anyone who was dating her.

[He doesn't exactly waver under Yang's glare, but it's more what she says that bothers him.]

I'm pretty sure I could punish myself way, way worse than you ever could if I ever did anything to hurt her. [It's very quiet but he's firm about that. The idea of doing anything to hurt Ruby is one that upsets him a lot, truth be told, even if he's worried he might do just that someday on accident.] I can't promise I won't ever hurt her, but I'm going to do everything I can to try and make sure it never happens.

[Promises can be easily made and just as easily broken. "Nothing bad will ever happen." "I'm always going to be here." Things that can be said and at the time well meant, but things that can just as easily change. He looks away from Yang then, giving Naoki a curious look.] Did you have to go through this when you started dating Yang?

[Naoki's listening, his expression unreadable but those yellow eyes of his focused. When Hiro turns to him, he blinks as though he wasn't expecting attention to be placed on him before he chuckles.]

Of course I did. From her friends.

[A moment and he adds:] A relationship is a big deal. There are a lot of ways someone can be hurt, a lotta ways you make yourself vulnerable. So, people are bound to worry. Even more so if they're family. [He probably thought something similar to Hiro at that time, that he would do his best to make Yang happy.]

And siblings always have to say this sort of thing-- especially when they're older.

As for how I feel, personally... [ Yang smiles then, almost wistful. ] You guys are going to do things at your own pace, and as long as you're comfortable with that, it's fine. If there's stuff you're unsure of, you can talk to me or Naoki about it too.

Ruby's happy, and that's really all I need.

[He makes a face at the word "relationship", if only because it sounds a lot more intimidating than it actually is, but his expression quickly shifts to something a little more unreadable when Yang starts talking about siblings.]

I haven't even told Tadashi. [It's mumbled under his breath but it's out there. How can he? Tadashi has a lot going on. Hiro figures he can tell him later when the time's right, whenever that is.] I don't know what dating really means, and I don't think Ruby does either so…we'll figure it out. [Right? Please say yes.] That's pretty much all that matters to me, too.

[There's still a lot going on in that big brain of his that he doesn't quite know how to tackle, but "I have no idea what I'm doing" covers it pretty well.] Any other ground rules I should be following?

[Yep, Hiro sure has no idea what he's doing, and the face he made hearing "relationship" hammers that in a little more. Naoki's not actually going to say that he also wasn't certain from the beginning, but he does think it.]

I'm sure you were gonna anyway, but make sure to talk and listen to each other. [...] That's less ground rules than advice, though. It's easier to figure things out when you're on the same page. Nothing wrong with you guys deciding yourselves what dating is for you.

[YANG'S THE ONE WITH THE RULES, Naoki's along for the ride.]

Just don't keep her out too late, okay?

[ When all is said and done, Yang really is just a concerned big sister. ]

[At least that gets him to relax and he grins at both of them. Those are things he can definitely do (or, mostly do. Telling Ruby some things is entirely out of the question right now.) and he trusts Ruby to know the same. He wants to make this work. It's weird. It's almost the same kind of want he felt when he wanted to get into SFIT, wanted to save the world. It's the same want that means he's going to throw himself in as hard as possible and force the world to bow.

That aside though, he ducks his head with a sheepish grin.]

I think your definition of late is probably different than mine. And anyway I think we're already on the same page. Talk to each other, listen to each other, and don't set anything else on fire. I think I can handle that. [A beat.] Did you guys really have to use the intimidation tactic just to tell me things I already knew?

Absolutely.

[Without hesitation, and punctuated by a nod. He wanders his way over to stand with Yang, though, instead of standing like he's about a second away from interrupting Hiro in the case of a potential desperate dash for the door.]

It's a time-honoured tradition, we're not gonna be the ones to change it. [Such an authoritative tone...]

[ Thanks for the assist, boyfriend. ]

Yep, what he said. It's tradition. You'll get to do the same if your brother dates anyone, too.

Can I maybe hire you two to do it? [He's only sometimes intimidating, guys, come on...] And like that'll happen anytime soon anyway.

[There's a pause.] ...thanks though. Both of you. She's pretty lucky to have you guys looking after her, too.

Yep, she is. [ She'll admit it. ] But Ruby's pretty tough on her own. I'm pretty sure the two of you will be fine.

Buuut we're not for sale on brotherly talks.

Yeah, sorry about that. That's all yours.

[YOU'LL MANAGE, HIRO but he's grinning. Seems like he's pleased at the thanks...]

[A pause.] Yeah, good point. Ruby's usually pretty good at snapping me out of it anyway. [Whatever "it" is.] …and she doesn't know you guys are telling me all of this?

No, she knows. Not about Naoki... but enough to tell me not to scare you off.

[Naoki grins, bringing his hand up to his mouth in a sad attempt at covering it.] Anyway, if this was enough to scare you off, we'd really have to wonder.

[He's teasing now since the hassling is mostly done.]

Gimme a break. It takes way more than that to scare me off. You're gonna have a hard time getting rid of me at this point.

Who said I wanted to get rid of you?

You looked totally spooked earlier, though.

It felt like you were gonna run away for a second, too, [Naoki adds, very helpfully.]

I was not! Quit exaggerating. [But judging by the fact he's starting to blush slightly both of those are definitely true.] ...just don't tell Ruby, okay?

My lips are sealed. Ruby never told me what kind of talk she had with Naoki, either.

[Naoki smiles at that.] I won't tell her either. Sometimes you wanna look cool in front of who you like, huh?

[NAOKI'S MORE OR LESS GIVEN UP ON THAT BUT YOU KEEP DOING YOUR BEST, HIRO]

Well don't tell her that either. [So yes. He absolutely wants to look cool in front of her because he's 14 and awkward and Ruby's the greatest.] Can I ask you guys a question though? [He turns serious suddenly.]

It gets...easier, doesn't it? Like less weird to think about the longer you keep doing stuff like this.

Oh, yeah. I mean, I never thought it was weird when we started dating, but Naoki was pretty shy and awkward at first.

[ It was adorable, though. ]

Thanks, Yang, that's just what I want everyone to know.

[HIS REP. His cool rep... Just kidding. He doesn't have a cool rep once somebody gets to know him. Naoki mock-sighs, one hand on his hip, but says:] Like Yang said--it wasn't weird, it just took getting used to. You get more comfortable with each other.

Then, before you know it, it just feels natural.

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