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

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.

[There's a look toward Naoki that almost says something akin to "it was sort of obvious", but that's only because of a conversation or two he's had with Ruby. Still, the advice is solid even if he's unsure and he scrubs a hand over his face.]

As long as she still likes me while we're figuring it out, I guess I can handle that. [He peers at them between his fingers.] Maybe I should just be glad I didn't have to fight you two so I could date her.

[ Yang just... sort of makes a face at the mention of "fight". Maybe she's reliving the talk with Naoki's demons. ]

Yeah, uh... I thought about it, but I'm pretty sure Ruby would be mad if we took it that far.

[Should've never asked for their advice, Yang. Demon advice is worst advice.]

You thought about that, Yang? [HE NEVER HEARD THIS.] Anyway, I wouldn't have wanted to make you fight me, Hiro.

[He's very well aware of his own, uh, overpowered state.]

Can you not? [Training with Yang is one thing. Fighting her is a whole other. But he blinks at Naoki, tilting his head curious.]

You don't think I could handle your demons? [It's a very innocent question here, don't judge him.]

[ Yang just offers a guileless shrug, but she'll let Naoki field the question. While also grinning, because ah, yes. Go ahead, boyfriend, let him know. ]

[Oh... Oh, Hiro. Naoki looks over at Yang with a helpless smile before shrugging his own shoulders.]

Probably not. Long's the weakest out of all of them, and he's still really strong.

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

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