001 ☀ Stahn Aileron, Otome Yanagiya

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[he nods, and nothing seems particularly hidden or dishonest about his response. he's definitely come a long way since cerealia—he's had a lot of time to think and recover. he can handle situations a bit more healthily because he has more support, and that makes this all much easier for stahn.]

Yeah... I mean, I think so. It's still kind of hard sometimes, but I'm doing my best. [he's just not always good at expressing all the things in a way that's conducive to being understood.]

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It's never really something that becomes second nature, especially when it's something you're still trying to adjust to. Even I have problems talking about things that bother me.

[ SHE REALLY DOES. ]

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I guess it would be too easy if it was like that, right? If things like that just got easier...

[he's come to terms with that part too, at least. he's definitely improved, but it's a work in progress.

...though it's definitely significantly easier with some of the worst hurdles having been overcome already, at least.]

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Well, it's the things that cause the most difficulty that tend to be the most important. Unconsciously, we recognize that, and we kind of act to avoid burdening the people we care about with it. But at the same time, I think we both would want to know if someone we cared for was having problems.

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[her words make a lot of sense. of course they do—it's otome. she's smart and she understands these things. of course she would have a good grasp on this sort of thing.

much better than he does, especially.]

Yeah. I... definitely want to know that. I can't help anyone if I don't know something is wrong at all.

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Exactly! And it's the same with anyone who worries about you.

So, if you ever need a listening ear, you know where to find me.

[ She'll be here!! ]

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I know... you've always been around to listen when I need it, Otome.

[she's the best mom.]

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That's what family does! If I couldn't do that much, I'd be pretty ashamed of myself.

[ It's a duty she takes seriously. ]

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I know... I've never had to worry about that, and I know I never will, either.

[she's the best mom, it's okay.]

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This also includes any and all romantic woes you may have.

[ For the record. ]

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I know... Well, I kind of hope that won't be something I have to bother you with.

[though it's probably inevitable, if only because leon is leon. there'll definitely be some kind of stupid conflict at some point.]

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It's your first relationship, isn't it? There might be times when you've got questions.

[ tactfully not saying BECAUSE YOU'RE DATING CAPTAIN DIFFICULTY. ]

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Right... I guess something like that might happen, huh?

[how2relationship, we just don't know. even if stahn is hoping they don't run into too many roadblocks.

though he is indeed dating captain difficulty, so that's kind of a loaded hope.]

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It likely will... even the most seasoned adult can find themselves faltering at times like those.

[ It was just how things were. ]

STARES INTO THE SKY, WHEN DID I LOSE THIS NOTIF

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Yeah, I guess that's true. I've seen it happen to other people before, but...

[is he laughing a bit awkwardly? of course he is.]

I don't even know what would be left for us to argue about at this point, though.

IT'S FINE

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Mm... the more mundane things, probably? Stealing the blankets at night, or sleeping in too long, or not picking up after yourself...

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That doesn't really sound much different than things Leon usually yells at me about anyway...

[especially the sleeping in too long.]

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Well, there you go! In a sense, you've already gained experience.

[ He just needs to put a romantic slant on it. ]

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Oh. But that doesn't really seem too tough. It's pretty normal for us... Leon always argues about little things anyway.

[it's kind of their thing. he's not even sure how a romantic slant gets put on that.

...maybe because stahn doesn't realize that they've basically been like a married couple for a long time now.]

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At this point, it's probably more natural than anything... you might have been dating before you even realized it. [ Well, siblings do this too, but they'd never had that sort of vibe. ]

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Dating... before we realized it?

[well, this is absolutely what it is, but stahn doesn't even understand this as a concept. explain, mom!]

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Mm... basically, your bond has been so tight that you began doing things couples would do, without thinking of it in any sort of romantic light. I imagine because of that, things feel natural for you, even if your relationship's officially changed.

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I... didn't really think about it like that. That couples... really do the same kinds of things we were.

[of course he didn't, because all stahn ever really considered were then notes of romantic feelings, and things like the physical affection that come with it.

he knows how he feels about leon, but it's not like he ever really considered it that way. that romance and friendship have a fine line and that what they did was so on par with that.]

Do you really think that's how I am with Leon, Otome?

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From what I've had the chance to see for myself... [ dryly. ]

Very much so, yes.

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[huh.]

I really had no idea... I wonder how long it's been like this for...