hauntedking | [KENOS] IC Inbox

...I haven't really had any sort of dates or courting, though.

[ Eh? ]

[ There is only one appropriate response to this and it is dumbfounded staring.

Well, that and— ]

How?

I mean - there was Kaeya for a brief time, but... he's gone and I haven't really had any opportunity or... well. Desire? And no one's expressed interest.

[ Well, he did sleep with Link, but he doesn't really count that because, uh, weird aphro shenanigans. ]

Is that strange?

Well... Yes and no? I'm just stunned no one's tried, I guess.

[ He wouldn't call his casual flirting trying, exactly. ]

But if no one's got your interest, it makes sense enough if you're not going on real dates.

[ Real is the qualifier here, since they do have their outings he calls dates and in those cases the word bears no weight. ]

I just... haven't really thought about it, I suppose. I've been busy with... everything else.

[ He laughs. ]

...thinking about romance hasn't exactly been my priority.

I'd imagine it isn't anyone's.

[ He'd told Byleth something of the sort, when he'd admitted he carries his mother's ring around. At the time, he owed the other mercenary one thing about him that no one else knew, and that was all he could think of. ]

But just so you know, you've got a lot to offer, yourself. And I don't mean the whole king bit.

Oh? Do I?

[ Now he's a little amused - and flushed. ]

Should I ask?

Good question. Can you take what you dished out?

[ His smile is ever so slightly sly around the edges. ]

Of course. It would be shameful of me not to.

[ It isn't the first time Yuri has told him such things. Previously, however, it was over Communion.

Will it be different, hearing such things from someone looking right at him? ]

You cut a dashing figure. Anyone with eyes can see that. You're gallant. You're kind. I know you've got a sharp wit.

[ He could say plenty more, of course. ]

As a bonus, though this is a matter of personal preference, your eyes happen to be my favorite color.

[ Well, congrats Yuri. He's blushing again. ]

...that last part I was not expecting.

[ There's a low laugh. ]

And for some reason that's the one that makes me blush.

[ Sure, Yuri can't see the one eye. Dimitri himself said this place decided to plant his Shard right there. But still. ]

Oh yeah? [ It's cue for him to lean again, propping his chin on the heel of his hand. ] Maybe you like the idea of being a favorite?

[ Teasing, of course.

But Dimitri is one of his favorite people. ]

It's a little new to me. But... it isn't unpleasant.

[ Understated, as always. ]

[ Here he was playing and Dimitri took it to heart.

What is he to do with this king? ]

It's not the only distinction you've got with me, but...

[ Yuri may as well admit as much. It might help Dimitri's confidence, and that would be worth being a little more forthright. ]

It is a lovely color, like the sky on a clear day.

I'm happy to hear that it brings you joy to see it, then.

[ His reply is soft. ]

No - not just happy. I can't say what it is. But the fact that you can see that in my face...

[ He trails off thoughtfully. ]

[ That it brings him joy? Yuri hadn't quite meant to convey such a sentiment, yet he finds himself reticent to correct Dimitri.

It's not that he's wrong, exactly, but the word is strong. Direct. Yuri is painfully direct in some matters, but when it comes to sentiment... ]

Was it an odd thing to say?

No, I don't think so. It's just not something I'd heard before.

Well, just so long as you don't mind it then.

[ Yuri, he just said it made him happy and...something else. ]

Well... no, I don't mind it at all. In fact, it's rather pleasant.

Well, in that case, maybe I ought to tell you what I think about your looks more often.

[ A beat. ]

Tits aside, of course.

[ Surely Dimitri already knows how he feels about those. ]

[ Dimitri almost does choke on his tea. ]

My - what?

[ So it works every time.

Forgive him as he smothers a chuckle. ]

I mentioned them before, though that was some time ago.

[ And far more important matters followed since. Yuri simply remembers damn near anything to do with his people, and Dimitri counts. ]

[ Dimitri shakes his head and then laughs. ]

...I think you're the only person who's described it like that to me.

There are worse legacies to leave.

[ But he's smiling, because it got a laugh out of Dimitri. ]

Hopefully you'll leave more behind, in the end.

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