voidtreckerexpress

Entry tags:

(open)

Who: Inigo, Tidus (aka the two shared braincells duo) and you!
Where: The standard coach
When: Horseshoe 17
What: Inigo and Tidus are handing out free stuff because Tidus is the train's official sugar daddy.
Warnings: Probably nothing, will edit if necessary.

---

Hey guys, forget about that public breakdown the other day. Today Inigo is on the ICP with a big smile, seeming as cheerful as ever. It's fine. It's cool.

"Good day, everyone! Tidus and I brought some things back with us from Irivar to share with everyone. So why not come over to the standard coach and see if there's anything you'd like to take with you, hm? We have quite the selection! Oh, and.. erm, Taiki, Roland, Bryn and Della.. If you could make sure to come see us, we'd appreciate it! Otherwise I might have to send Ti--"

Before Inigo can even finish the sentence, there's an offscreen obviously very Tidus-y voice calling out, "Inigo! Ask for Sakura too!"

Inigo huffs, turning his gaze to the off screen source. "I was getting to that!" (No he wasn't.) Apparently he accidentally pulled his ticket off the ICP as he starts moving away from it too, because the feed just cuts out. Just come get some sweet stuff.

---

Their set-up in the standard car is a simple, if messy, one. They have a few of their offered freebies on the same table they occupy, each guy facing the other, sat by the wall. From the immediate front, fragrant bags sit no bigger than a palm, a variety of scents better to tell when held to the nose. Whetstones sit stacked mostly on top of one another, and then a cluster of hair ribbons and circular hair ties behind them. Behind the bags are a few scent oils--basically, perfumes, if not very big. There's a few to choose from, but...

...not as many as there are the soaps, which take up a half of the table in their choice. It's like a lush shop here of choice, different colours and sizes.

And Inigo and Tidus? Sit there, either playing cards or fiddling through the paper craft book available from the art supplies where the old library used to be.

A chalkboard sits balanced, with the words 'FREE 2 TAKE' written in big letters. In case you missed the public announcement.

1:
Come up, and have a look. Ask about what they've got.

2:
Or while you're here, maybe you can help Tidus, who pipes up to ask-

"Hey, quick question. How long 'til you're comfortable hugging someone?"

(ooc: as a note, all threads on this will be threeways! please enjoy trying to handle both teens at once. you can't seperate them.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This is a disaster.

There's just too much happening. Inigo's hands disappear under the table, just so he can hide how much they're shaking as he can feel the anxiety building within him. As he can feel the familiar chorus start. Look, you hurt them both. Why are you always ruining everything, Inigo? Why can't you interact normally with someone for once? It's right there, at the back of his mind, like clockwork. And it only gets more intense the more they talk. Especially once Senku speaks, and just keeps going, and then he's gone.

Ruined it. He ruined it all again. Inigo's face starts growing dangerously pale, like he's either about to faint or throw up, not even looking at Tidus as the other sits behind him. Instead he just stares at the now closed door of the carriage, unable to tear his gaze away.

When he finally manages to do so, it's just to put his face into his hands instead. Frantically trying to calm himself down before he has a nervous breakdown on the spot. He can't. Not now. He's still handing out things with Tidus. Not to mention that he has to address what Tidus said as well. Giving himself flack for being an awful, awful friend can always happen later. Take deep breaths. Calm down.

By the time his face raises from his hands, Inigo is still looking very pale, but he's trying really hard to keep it together here. C'mon. One problem at a time.

".. I'm so sorry, Tidus. I really didn't mean to make you feel like you were weird. It's true that I sent Roland your way, but it's just.. I know it's really dumb, but I thought you might realise you'd enjoy a hug from him, since it's so different than me hugging you.. I didn't think things would end up that way." Then again, maybe he should have anticipated it, given how things often go when the three of them are near each other, but still..

His speech sounds a little weirdly stilted, but that's what you get as a side effect of trying really hard to keep yourself together in the most stressful situation possible. Not to mention the whole Senku deal is still weighing heavily on his mind too, but if he has to address both at once, he may just expire.

"So I'm sorry for making you doubt yourself. You're really not weird, Tidus.. If anything, I'm the odd one. My friends back home are all very much like you when it comes to hugs. Most of them, anyway. So you're normal."

It's an absolute disaster.

He should have seen Senku going, but he hadn't, not in that way. Senku was a straightforward guy just to him, but there was obviously more there. Just like any of them--like the three of them, and trying to navigate people and their own issues.

...which he probably really didn't get to be included in compared to them, but. Man, he knows his thing about hugs can't be as bad as how they're handling people.

But really, maybe it's better like this: for them both to have the distance, and to decompress. Was it better though for Inigo though, to be left alone? With the way he was about affection, and having people near.

He can see to Senku later, Tidus figures. For now, he waits at Inigo's side. For him to give himself time, to do what he needs to calm. If just for a moment, but hopefully for more. Just as long as he doesn't do or say anything to send the other guy spiralling. Letting him speak, but then putting a hand on his shoulder, dipping his head near his.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I don't think you're weird, you know? How about- this. Neither of us are weird. So let's just forget about it for right now, okay?"

Let them meet in the middle. None of this was worth some dumb feelings over hugs. Tidus never wanted Inigo to get hurt over it, or so torn up.

"I know this sounds like bad timing, but... you wanna take a five minute breather in a hold that's kinda like a hug?" Fondly, gently: "I hear they're great for when you're feeling upset. You don't need to do anything. Just relax."

There's such a duality about hearing Tidus say those words. Even ignoring the way Tidus is putting it all in a way that is so very, very typically like him, it means so much to hear them from him. Especially considering they were talking about the whole hug topic to begin with.

But while Inigo is touched by it, at the same time he can't help but feel guilty. He made Tidus feel bad. He made Senku feel bad. There's no way he deserves a hug (or a hug-like hold, whatever, Tidus!) right now. He's not a good person. He shouldn't be treated that way.

Inigo feels his eyes sting, but despite the fact that he can feel them getting glassy with tears, he doesn't let the tears fall. It's just another thing he doesn't deserve, being able to let himself cry, being able to let it all out. He is definitely looking right at Tidus though, making the state of his eyes - especially with how close the two of them are right now - very obvious.

"I-- I should apologize to Senku though.."

"You can," Tidus replies. "You will. But not right now -- does it need to be right now?"

He was sure that Inigo would be stubborn. How could he accept taking this time for a hug, after an event like that? But it's better than what it could be, and Tidus is glad for how ever more reasonable Inigo is being than a few minutes ago.

But he won't let him miss out. And with his reassurance given, Tidus leans in, resting his other arm on the back of the couch for balance as he tucks himself in against Inigo, the hand on his shoulder wrapping around. Into a hug-like hold - but hey, there's no real hugs here.

"Well, if you're not having a hug-like hold, I'll take it," he jokes. Trying to make things seem less heavy, to do anything to keep it from spiralling. "Five minutes. You wanna count down on your SCA, or we doing it in our heads?"

But for what might verge on silliness, he does - after a beat - add, "Remember - we don't need to hurry."

It's okay.

Does it need to be right now?

Inigo doesn't answer. Not out loud. But it does feel like it should be right now. Senku looked hurt-- or so Inigo thinks, anyway. It's hard to tell with Senku, but calling yourself broken can't be a great experience for anyone. And should Inigo just let the other wallow in that feeling, rather than trying to set it straight as soon as possible?

Then again, can he even set it straight? It's like something goes wrong no matter what he does. Like he's always just hurting people. It's like clouds form in front of his heart more and more, and even as he feels Tidus's arm around him, the other squeezed against his side, Inigo doesn't move. Maybe it's this whole talk about hugs in the first place, but he isn't moving to touch the other in return in the slightest. Instead Inigo's hands rest on his lap, balled up to fights so tightly that his knuckles are white.

He hurt Tidus too. Like an idiot. And yet the other is doing all this for him.

It's not right. He isn't worth it.

Inigo bends his head, and this time he can't stop the tears from spilling, running hot across his cheeks. His sobbing audible. At least that's one promise he isn't breaking right now - he is showing Tidus his hurt rather than closing himself off, though it might not be entirely voluntary here.

"You-- You shouldn't be so nice to me after I hurt both you and someone else."

Edited 2020-10-10 07:41 (UTC)

"You're my friend. What friends don't butt heads once in a while?"

Though, this couldn't be called that. But maybe - surprise as it might be - he doesn't always think about his words, and the heart of what he means is apparent. And he continues, not moving from his place or his gesture, not even when he thinks he might hear another person entering the coach.

He tugs his arm around Inigo tighter instead, protectively.

"If you really hurt me - you know, all this stupid stuff, I would've talked to you straight. Yeah? It's just a misunderstanding." A misunderstanding on both their parts. A misunderstanding now on their intentions. "I never thought you were weird. I was just... curious."

Tidus is rubbing his hand now, down from Inigo's shoulder to his back. A soothing gesture, meant to help. "It's different for everyone. It really was a dumb question," he admits with a light chuckle. "...and hey - you're not the only one who likes a hug once in a while."

For whatever that statement will mean, or get through to Inigo, or slowly persuade him more. Or maybe it doesn't matter, if they stay like this either. Inigo letting himself cry, and him being there, letting him. His back being his cover.

"You're my friend," he says - because he wants to.

Inigo sniffs, and he raises a hand, rubbing at the tears on his face as he lifts his head again. It's hard to not feel at least a little reassured with the way Tidus talks, with how he rubs his hand against Inigo's back. And although he can't help but still feel guilty at how kind of a treatment he's getting from the other despite everything, Inigo tries his best to dig his way back out of his mental hole again, slowly nodding.

"You're my friend too, so.. d-do make sure to really tell me if I ever hurt you. Because I don't want to do that. Ever." Even with all their dumb bickering about at least a thousand things by now, there's never been a single part of Inigo that ever really wanted to hurt Tidus, that even genuinely considered it beyond grumpy 8 year old kid mumbles about how he was going to yeet Tidus out into the void.

He swallows, and when he continues, his voice is softer. Even though there isn't anyone in here with them right now, Inigo still doesn't want anyone walking in to overhear this. Not when he isn't sure whether Tidus wants others to know.

"Besides.. If my father had actually been around, and if he had acted the way your father did.. I don't think I would have liked hugs very much either." So he gets it. Why it's weirder to Tidus. Inigo has absolutely no idea how he even would have survived a father like that, really - maybe it's why, despite him obviously hurting too at times, Tidus always seems so much stronger than Inigo himself in his eyes. Because he was capable of dealing with that. "Guys don't hug a lot where I come from either, you know..? All my friends always told me to cut it out. So I-- I really see where you're coming from. In multiple ways. I just whined so much about it since I didn't want you of all people to think I was strange too. You're too important to me for that."

"I had a mother too, you know." There's humour to it, the framing that Inigo puts on his family life, but he gets why. All he knows about his family - his old man - is the story shared on that beach. Awkward stories of a dad's fame following you around; an awkward boy trying to find his own name, his own life.

But, it wasn't always like that. "She used to hug me. I wasn't totally deprived. I think even my dad must've... once or twice. When I let him," a heavier joking note. "It's just one of those things - like other guys. A... guy thing, you know? My old man was a lifetime ago."

Well...two of them. But here was the one he was in currently, people getting upset over hugs, and Tidus couldn't put that all on Inigo. Listening to him now, he realises more how dumb it is. To care, to think about. He thinks they've been in this spot before maybe, even.

"Listen to us. We're so worked up worrying what the other thinks, we're making a big mess out of everything! How did we even do that? And about hugs?"

He pats at Inigo's back. "This is so dumb."

A guy thing, you know, Tidus says, but Inigo actually has no idea what he means by that. Maybe it's since he was raised without his father really being in the picture since he was so often away from home, fighting battles and trying to somehow smooth things over. Or since his male friends were occupied with just about anything but notions of manliness, or since his female friends were all much rougher than any of them.. but Inigo honestly has no idea what these guy things Tidus talks about are like.

But maybe it doesn't matter. It's exactly like Tidus says. They're dumb. They're just being dumb right now.

He slumps a bit in his seat, head leaning sideways so it can rest on the other's shoulder.

"We do that with everything though." Even the whole mission deal. If you'd stop thinking about the deeper hurt underneath it, it really was just another case of both of them trying to think just a bit too hard about the other.

Inigo mumbles. "Is that normal? I don't know. I've never had a best friend like this before."

Tidus huffs lightly, puts on the offence. "You calling me a special kind of dumb?"

But he knows Inigo isn't, tone too jovial to be mistaken otherwise, another small huff following that fades into a chuckle. He notes however, that the air between them, that wallowing and the grief seems to be soothing. It's not as heavy or as pained when Inigo speaks, or when neither of them do.

His hand slips to rest on Inigo's shoulder, to hang there instead.

"But I don't mind. A few stupid moments for all the rest? Sounds like a good trade to me." He lets his head lull against the other's, his body relaxed. Content.

Things do seem to be getting a bit better. If not just for the way Inigo doesn’t immediately freak out at the first joking part, actually manages to see it for the teasing it is. He’s just quietly taking it in.. Tidus’s presence so close by, those latter words he says that manage to hit him straight in the heart.

“Thanks for putting up with it,” he softly says. Sure, Inigo tries to be a good friend, a good person, but he’s also well aware that he can be more than a little much to deal with at times. And apparently to Tidus those moments of being a bit much are tolerable enough to get to have the rest..

One hand stays on his lap, but the other moves to casually rest on Tidus’s thigh. Not holding it, but just lying there, slight contact.

“Just.. know I’m glad to have you with me here, okay..? Hugs or no hugs.”

It’s not even him saying anymore that Tidus doesn’t hug him - he knows by now that the other does, really knew it all along down in his heart. It’s more just Inigo saying that, despite any and all whining, he doesn’t mind adjusting to any level Tidus is comfortable with at any given moment.

"Let's leave the hugs aside for now," he says fondly, to put that subject away. It might've not meant anything, but he didn't want to think about that, what a small part it was in relation to the rest of their friendship. After all- "It's only hug-like holding for today. ...and," he assures, a note more serious, "I know - we're a lot more than one thing. You don't forget it either."

A promise, a telling; but a point Tidus knew he didn't have to be forceful. They both knew, even if there were times when their own brains or communication broke down, and maybe they weren't too sure. But it'd be a rare instance undoubtedly - there's no way that anything like the first day of the mission would happen again.

Tidus doesn't rush to ask, fine with keeping some silence between them, sitting like this. But he wants to know, so eventually, he asks, "You feeling better?"

Inigo almost sputters a protest. That the hugs thing isn't his point, that what he wants to say is--

But then Tidus seems to already have picked up on the very point Inigo was trying to make before even a single word can leave his mouth. Which is a good thing, since it means he can remain resting against Tidus without moving to protest a thing. Since Tidus knows. That despite their dumb bickering or joking, their friendship can't be shaken. It's like somehow their dumb misunderstanding and subsequent making up during the mission only made it more solid. Inigo knows that he'd be there the second Tidus would need his help with anything at all, no matter whether the other would verbally request it from him or not.

It's what he's musing silently on as they sit there like that, only shaken out of the thoughts by Tidus's words.

"A bit," he softly answers, more honest than he usually is. But it'd feel unfair to lie in a situation like this. "I'm still going to feel dumb for a while."

Even if he does sort things out with Senku. His dumb social mistakes tend to haunt him for a long while.

".. the hold helps, though."

"Good!"

Cheery as the remark, Tidus gives a hearty slap to Inigo's back to go with it, to be a contrast to Inigo's more mild mood. It's a good for the hug-- we mean, the hold helping, than the rest. Which neither of them can do anything about. Sometimes, you just had to sit and deal with your own dumb until it finally settled. Tidus knew that.

"You'll be fine. So will Senku! Say-" But in questioning what might help, Tidus withdraws some from their embrace, so he can look at Inigo properly. Man to man! "How about I go find him, and you go hang out with Roland in the meantime? Make sure he isn't growing older by sitting around being a bore." With an emphasis on the bore.

"We both know he's got nothing better to do anyway -- guy likes to act busier than he is. And I won't be long."

With them having moved enough so they can look at each other, Inigo stares at Tidus for a moment, like he's thinking about something. Mostly about Tidus's intentions. He isn't entirely sure if Tidus is consciously doing it, but.. it sure seems like it. Making sure Inigo isn't alone while he's still feeling dumb and insecure, huh?

The appreciation for that small thoughtfulness makes him unable to turn down the proposal, so he nods.

"Alright. I do suppose I should make sure he hasn't been skipping out on any meals under the pretense of work again.."

Though he does feel a little bad for Tidus going after Senku first, like he's the clean up crew here. But Inigo doesn't protest it, not while he can't trust himself to not say something dumb again.

"You know a few things about skipping meals too, don't you."

There's a poke to Inigo's shoulder, not enough force to be a jab, and Tidus's posture and jest is too clear for it to be anything but teasing. Also a reason to say, once he starts to withdraw out of the seat, "I'll get something from the kitchens before I get back. I bet the guy's either in the library or his room."

Roland anyway - who knows about Senku. But he's standing now, arms on his sides as he thinks. Moved to the side to give Inigo to room to crawl out when he's ready.

"You wanna take Gibbs with you?"

Guilty as charged.

Maybe that's exactly why Inigo doesn't reply to the teasing remark. Because he can't really bring anything in against what's just plain truth, no matter how teasingly said. Instead his mind is already moving on, also thinking of where to find Roland-- he's pretty sure the other is going to be in the library even before Tidus brings up the same suggestion.

"Huh?" By the time he climbs out of the booth he looks a bit surprised though. Subdued, due to his current mood, but it's visible in his eyes. "Are you sure? You don't want him to stay with you?"

"He's not going to get to do anything with me," Tidus replies, in same instance he asks in his head, 'You mind?' to the higgledy within. And in the answer, 'Comfort for a friend brings comfort to oneself!' --

-- comes the magical lights that blossom from his chest, and out pops the high higgledy, grand crown and all, a twirl and sashay in place. Lively as always, while Tidus will just... tug at his shirt, as if trying to cover up (???).

"That'll stop being weird one day." So he says, but his face speaks otherwise...

"It's not that strange, is it?" Inigo replies, but it's a rather distracted kind of reply. He isn't even looking at Tidus for the moment, instead his full attention turned towards the higgledy. Can you blame him, they're so cute..

And since he's used to doing as much with Jumblie, he'll try to pick Gibbs up to carry him. It's comforting. (For him, anyway.)

"Hey, Gibbs. Are you up for looking for Roland?"

Gibbs has no issues with being picked up, squeaking even as Inigo comes over to him, arms open wide and - for such a wet thing - his being warm with a comforting aura.

'Young soul, I am always ready to search for our friends and comrades. Hiig!'

"Hey hey, let's not call Roland any of those things, yeah?" He folds his arms, tilts his head with a faux-haughtiness. "He'll get some funny ideas."

Oh no.

Oh no. Tidus's higgledy also enjoys hugs! This is the discovery of the century! Maybe it's dumb that of all things, it's Tidus's newly invented Hug-Like-Hold and the hug of a higgledy that end up cheering him up a bit. Inigo sure looks happy as Gibbs graces him with that wet hug, anyway.

"I don't know, Tidus. I kind of like this side of you." They are supposed to be attuned to their hearts, or something like that, right? So it isn't too much of a surprise to Inigo that Jumblie likes to hug with him, but this.. "It's more straightforward."

Like openly admitting Roland is his friend. Cute.

HLHs, Hug-Like-Holds, available from a Friend Near You.

Tidus just pahs at the implication there, shaking his head as he takes a half-turn toward the direction he plans to go. "Don't know what you're talking about. Gibbs is his own higglester! If he's your new best friend, then you're welcome to him!"

His voice raises in pitch, that fake-pretending not to be bother but he is-type act. Finally turning fully around, a sulky "Bye" before he starts to walk off.

Friendship ended with Inigo and Gibbs. Now...Senku might be his new best friend?!

Usually Inigo would be a tad more worried about Tidus's reaction.

But considering how sweet and gentle Tidus was about the whole deal just now, when Inigo was at his most upset.. Inigo is sure things will be alright between them. That his heart will slowly calm down overtime today as well. Hopefully enough to be able to talk to Senku later too, maybe.

So instead he just glances down at the higgledy in his arms, smiling slightly.

"He'll be alright, right?" A mostly rethorical question, but still.. "I'll bake him something again sometime to thank him. You're really lucky to be bonded to such a great guy, Gibbs."

He squeezes the higgledy a little before turning to walk off in the opposite direction.

"Come on, time to go find Roland."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(open)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject