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[chokuto]

UN: 火
𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐓 / 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎 / 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 / 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 / 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖
𝟖♣ ( 𝑬𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝑳𝑼𝑩𝑺 )

Comments

[chokuto]

[That response is... kind. He should have expected it from Tseng, for all he has come to know about the man, but still it lights a warmth in him, like a tiny candle flame. Sharing his story is not something he does often — people either already know or don't care to learn more — but he sees he made the right decision here, at least.]

I trust you.

You're asking complicated questions. Honestly, I don't know. I should, but it's difficult to consider the context of my life from that perspective. Do you?

[nonvoting]

I'm glad. I trust you too.

I don't think so. I don't like the feeling of disempowerment that comes with it. I prefer to take responsibility for my choices, and for the outcomes of those choices. To blame it on fate would be to deny myself that agency.

I'm not sure if that makes sense. I'll ask a less complicated question, next.

[chokuto]

[Tseng does have a point — it's difficult to look at the history of his own past and think that all of it was fated to happen. Perhaps certain details, such as his connections to others, but beyond that... He doesn't think so.]

I don't mind complicated questions from you.

But, go ahead. What's next?

[nonvoting]

What is your favorite food?

[chokuto]

Okaka onigiri is good. It's an easy meal, and filling enough on its own.

Fish is something you can reliably catch in the wild, so it's a convenient choice when you're on the move and looking for a water source, and it's not difficult to prepare either.

I also like tomatoes.

[Did you enjoy this very thorough answer?]

[nonvoting]

[ yes it was perfect ty. ]

I remember the onigiri. That was the flavor you chose when you brought me breakfast.

Do you like eggs?

That isn't one of my questions. I just want to make you breakfast one day.

[chokuto]

I like them, though I haven't had any in a while.

[Cy is a lazy vegan, or something]

You aren't doing it because I did it for you, are you? I wouldn't want you to feel like you owe me breakfast. I don't make food for people out of obligation.

[nonvoting]

[ a pause. ]

Is there something about... the way I speak with you or behave towards you that makes you feel as though I view our relationship as transactional?

If there is, I want to correct it immediately.

[chokuto]

[Ah.]

No. Sorry.

It's not you — consider it my own bad habit. I'm not used to this.

[nonvoting]

It's all right. I don't ever want to make you feel that way, and if I do, I want you to tell me—but I also can't fault you for finding it difficult to accept my affection, sometimes. Ramuh knows I struggle too.

Because it bears repeating: I care about you, and I enjoy spending time with you. I don't think I owe you breakfast, but I would nonetheless enjoy eating breakfast with you.

Please let me make you tomato eggs sometime. I think you'll like them.

[chokuto]

[He's seen how far Tseng has come just in the short time they've known each other, with regard to expressing that affection, and it warms Sasuke now as he reads over those words.]

Ramuh? Who is that?

But yes, I'd enjoy that too. You can make me tomato eggs if you insist. Let me know if I need to pick up any ingredients.

[nonvoting]

Ramuh is a deity from my world. He is most often portrayed as a sage, and is invoked in situations relating to wisdom and emotion.

[ such as when you're struggling to explain to a cute boy that you like him, smh. ]

You can bring the tomatoes. I have everything else.

[chokuto]

I see. Are you a spiritual person?

Okay. I'll bring some fresh from the Conservatory.

[nonvoting]

I think a certain amount of spirituality is expected given the nature of life and death in my world, but I would not describe myself as religious. I respect the deities, but I don't follow any one particularly.

I would like that very much. Just let me know when you have a morning free, or a night you'd like to spend here.

[ tseng doesn't expect that sasuke will take him up on the offer to spend the night, though. ]

[chokuto]

That makes sense. I would probably say something similar for myself.

[what if you are descended from the alien deity that created your world... Anyway.]

I will. I suppose I should stop feeling like an imposition coming to your suite.

[nonvoting]

[ what is he going to do with you, sasuke... ]

You should absolutely stop feeling like an imposition coming to my suite. As if I haven't been trying to convince you to come over more often for weeks...

[chokuto]

[it's just how he is???]

I know. I'll work on it.

[nonvoting]

[ he's so cute tseng wants to bite him ]

Take your time. I'll continue coaxing you until you're comfortable.