fiddlestick | aefenglom IC Inbox

[Well this gets his attention. He'd never turn down spending time with Rean, so it's an easy answer]

Sure! I can make myself free.

Where'd you have in mind?

[Oh boy, here we go. Hopefully this place isn't some awful place that Elliot never wants to set foot in again; Rean knows he's Dangerous when it comes to musical things.]

There's a restaurant that holds dance lessons. The Tune & Saloon, maybe you've heard of it? I managed to get us spots.

The complimentary dinner after is supposedly pretty good, too.

Edited 2019-10-21 03:15 (UTC)

Oh wow! Yeah I've heard of it! It's supposed to be pretty popular with locals.

I always wanted to check it out! But I thought it was more of a date spot?

[Elliot Craig: Idiot.]

Getting tickets wasn't that hard, thankfully. I just had to get there a little early.

[...................... ouch.

He probably brought this on himself, but seriously? Both of them? This is what he gets for actually trying to do stuff. Eventually he wants to spend alone time with all of Class VII, but his bonds have helped him through so much. He wants to pay them back for that somehow.]

... I mean, if you're comfortable calling it that, I don't mind at all.

[Elliot was about to respond to the first part of the message when

That second part comes in. ]

[What did he just read-]

Edited 2019-10-21 03:41 (UTC)

[REREADS IT.

THEN REREADS IT AGAIN.

READS IT OUT LOUD TO HIMSELF NOW. ]

[Holy crap holy crap holy crap this isn't a dream is it???

Nope. He just pinched himself, definitely still awake and the message is still there.

Holy crap this is not a drill ]

[CRAP HE NEEDS TO RESPOND. DEEP BREATHS CRAIG. DEEP BREATHS. YOU CAN DO THIS.]

No no! I'm comfortable calling it that if you want to!

I just didn't realize you felt that way.

[He has no idea how much Elliot is freaking out, but he can sort of guess.]

It never felt like the right time, but I guess that's just an excuse.

Throughout all the stuff we've weathered together, you've never said you had enough. You've never left me behind or given up on me. And you were the first friend I made at Thors. I... don't know if I ever told you that. So, from my first day there, I knew I wasn't alone.

I'm glad I met you and I'm proud to be your partner, Elliot. I'm sorry I never said anything sooner.

[Aidios, this is really happening. To Elliot, it feels like a dream, even if all signs point to otherwise. It's pretty easy to pick up through the bond how happy he feels. It's like it's Zemurian-Christmas and someone gave him the gift of an entire music store levels of happiness going on.]

Hey, don't apologize! I could've been a lot more direct too you know.

[Since hitting on him and serenading with music was apparently not obvious enough]

And honestly I could say the exact same thing about you, Rean. I was really nervous when I started at Thors, but you were always there for me from day one. You helped me in so many ways and you never gave up on me, even when I'd given up on myself.

I couldn't see myself saying I've had enough, not with you. I'm so happy and proud to be your partner.

[He has to stop himself from gushing more, because he certainly could. He's got two years worth of material saved up here. But...yeah. Maybe don't come on too strong before the first date]

I just hope you still feel proud after I step on your feet during the dance lesson.

[That sure is a lot of happiness floating through the Bond, but it makes Rean happy too, like a flower turning toward the sun. He still has a lot of anxiety and he's not quite sure what he's doing, but he's hopeful for the first time in a while.]

How could I ever give up on you? You're the one who stitched us all together at the end of each mission. You're pretty amazing for putting up with all of that.

[Plus, Elliot's never done anything wrong. But Rean knows that part of that feeling must stem from his love of music instead of a military life. Still, hearing that Elliot is proud of him too... That means a lot. Considering Rean started off here walled up from everyone and going feral because of it... well, he wouldn't be surprised if Elliot had gotten sick of him at that point. Rean was tired of himself.]

I can handle it. Even though I took lessons, I barely remember any of it, so we're pretty much the same.

[Anxiety is a pretty normal emotion for Elliot, so he doesn't question getting it from Rean. Asking someone, especially a close friend, would be pretty nerve-wracking. Besides, picking up on that feeling of hope was a lot more notable. It's been awhile since he's seen that sort of spark from Rean.]

Well, you're the one who got me to the end of each mission. And I never minded healing you guys. I mean, I didn't like you getting hurt, but ... it did make me happy that I could be useful to you and everyone else.

[He'd always worried that he'd be someone useless, frivolous ... like how some people viewed music. But thanks to Rean and the rest of Class VII, he come to realize that wasn't the case for him or music.

As for Rean, well yeah, "getting sick of him" had never crossed his mind. Even when he walled himself up and gone feral - he didn't tire of him. ]

Hehe, well then I guess both of us shouldn't wear anything open-toed. Maybe whoever steps on the other's feet the most has to pay for the drinks?

Edited 2019-10-28 13:25 (UTC)

[It's quiet, like Rean is, but it's happy.]

I understand that part... but you know, I never felt like you weren't pulling your weight. Not once. We were all there to learn and get stronger.

I hope you've learned not to sell yourself short by now.

[... He can't imagine Elliot showing up in peep toed heels, but at the same time, it wouldn't surprise him.]

I think that's a good compromise. Fair warning, though: it's probably going to be me buying.

[Anyway--]

I'll swing by the house and pick you up before it starts. How does that sound?

Ahaha, it's a work in progress some days ... but I'd like to think I've gone at least a little better about it.

[Look just give him time to figure out how to walk in heels without dying and a whole new world will open up]

We'll see about that! And that sounds great. I'll be ready!

[before he signs off]

Oh, and Rean? I'm proud of you. I know it can be pretty nerve-wracking to put yourself out there like this...so I'm really proud that you did. [He knows Rean's got issues with his own value and self-worth, so for him to try to pursue someone he liked? It's worth being praised for what it was. ]

[It really is a big step. Granted, anything even remotely romantic is extremely tentative for Rean, as he's still learning to trust himself and facing his own feelings... But he set this up all by himself. That has to count for something, right?

Elliot being proud of him is the kind of thing that makes him blush. Imagine his feathers fluffing, if you will, while he rubs at his cheeks.]

I'm... really happy to hear that. Thank you.

See you soon!

[Well, now he has that to scream silently about until the date.

At least he's not late. Dressed in a long black coat over a button up and a dark red vest to match the red in his wings, he's already making more effort than usual. He adjusts some cufflinks awkwardly and wonders if this is too fancy... But he'll be fancy dancing so maybe...?

He crosses his arms as he waits by the gate, thinking.]

[That's really cute Rean. Elliot is smiling to himself as he reads the text response back, sending back a quick "Yeah, see you soon!" before he signs off for real to get ready. He may have another moment of freak out in private, because holy crap this is actually happening and not some dream like usual.

Elliot shows up not long after Rean, just a minute late after the designated time. Enough time to make it a little more relaxed, but not enough to cause Rean undue anxiety. He knows the place is a bit fancy and this is a date, so he's wearing the suit and tie he usually wears for when he plays at weddings- just minus the actual jacket so it was just the vest and dress shirt. Maybe if he had more time he would've picked out something new, but ah well. At least he tried to do his hair up nicely with a ribbon.

When he spots Rean, he smiles and approaches. It's a relief to see he had the same idea with the outfit]

Hey Rean! You're looking great tonight.

[It's not that different from usual greetings he's done, but there's something a little more sheepish in his smile because holy crap this is actually happening]

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