tfln overflow.

[brokenparadox]

(continuation from here!)

Comments

[innermonologues]

A little bit I guess...

[brokenparadox]

[Squall, this look? This look that you're getting?

It's the one that says Noel will sit here and stare at you until you just come out with it.]

[innermonologues]

[ He frowned and turned his head away. This isn't something you just ask. It's embarrassing, but he knows that Noel won't drop this now. ]

[ Awkwardly he moves closer to Noel, still keeping his eyes anywhere else but at him. ]

[brokenparadox]

[... Okay, that's progress but they've sat close to one another before so he doesn't have any reason to be particularly alarmed by this.

Also, no, not dropping it, sorry!]

[innermonologues]

What would you say... if I told you I didn't particularly hate what happened.

[brokenparadox]

[He would say that was the last thing in the world he expected to hear, considering how this conversation just went down.]

I'd say that's a pretty big relief. I'd hate to be a terrible kisser.

[Humor is a defense mechanism.]

[innermonologues]

Real cute, Noel.

[ He gives him a raised eyebrow. ]

[brokenparadox]

[Okay, okay.]

I'd be surprised.

[And that's the honest, true answer.]

[innermonologues]

Then... I guess I didn't hate it.... It shocked me... and I'm not sure what the proper reaction would be, but... it wasn't bad.

[brokenparadox]

[Oh, well then.]

I think usually people say 'I don't return your feelings' or 'I feel the same, lets maybe make out', I don't really know either.

[Literally in the two singular cases of romance, Noel has slowly realized his feelings until they just seemed completely and utterly normal.]

But I think it's also 'proper' to sit and think about. I'm not sure it has to be any one, certain thing. As long as you're happy and I'm happy then nothing else would really count.

[innermonologues]

I... think I'm happy?

[brokenparadox]

It's probably better to be sure.

[This is directly working against the goal he prefers - which is a hell of a lot more cuddling and making out, but Squall's comfort is higher than anything else.]

[innermonologues]

I guess that makes sense... but maybe we should wait until you've brushed your teeth.

[ There was an awkward silence before he looks at Noel. ]

That was a joke. The teeth brushing thing.

Sorry about the pause, the holidays got to me!

[brokenparadox]

[Wait, was it really that ba- ... This smartass.]

Look at you, killing me with your sharp wit.

You're just fine <3 I know how holidays can be

[innermonologues]

It's not really all that sharp right now. Too early.

thanks <3 !

[brokenparadox]

It was enough to convince me for a second. [And he can usually detect the sharpest forms of sarcasm in the world because Noel is occasionally full of that himself.]

But just to be clear ... You're saying that more kissing might be something that happens in the future.

[Don't let him get his hopes up for nothing, Squall. Lay it all out here.]

I hope you had a good time!

[innermonologues]

[ His cheeks heat up a bit. ]

That's what I'm saying...

It was quiet but yeah it was nice! I hope yours went well too!

[brokenparadox]

[Noel is hungover, the world is still kind of spinning and damn is he starving but you know what?

You know what?

Fuck all of that, because the sun might as well exist in his smile, Noel's so bright.]

I think you've made me the happiest guy with a hangover!

Mine was pretty good too

[innermonologues]

Is the news that exciting?

[ he gives Noel a puzzled look. He's pretty sure this was the happiest he's ever seen Noel. ]

Good to hear!

[brokenparadox]

For people who like kissing? Yes. And obviously kissing someone you like is a lot better than doing it with someone you don't really feel anything for.

[And considering that Noel had spent time last night being involved with people mean to act as replacements for the real source of affection, yes, this is great news.]

[innermonologues]

If you word it like that it's kind of embarrassing.

[ He glances over at Noel before looking away again. ]

[brokenparadox]

A bad kind of embarrassing?

[He would stop if it was really that bad!]

[innermonologues]

Not really. Just... embarrassing.

[ It's okay Noel. He just doesn't know how to handle feelings. That's what happens when you push feelings aside for years and years. ]

[brokenparadox]

I can probably handle that.

[As long as it wasn't the kind of embarrassing that left Squall feeling painfully vulnerable (more so than usual when talking about his feelings), then it was manageable. They'd both have to get used to this, Noel's elation didn't erase that his one successful relationship ended with a death.]

[innermonologues]

...

[ It wasn't really much, but Noel really seemed excited and it'd feel like kicking a baby chocobo to not give in or something. He moves closer and reaches out to cover Noel's eyes with his hand. Then he leaned in and kissed his forehead softly before pulling away and quickly looking off to the side. He never moved his hand from his eyes though. ]