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[hauntedking]

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[wolfish]

[ Perhaps, Yuri thinks fleetingly, some of the things he says around Dimitri make better sense now.

He doesn't quite know what he could have done to earn Dimitri's esteem in turn, but the thought does bring a small smile to his lips. ]

I'm glad you think so.

[ It's a pleasant thought, though he can't quite find himself agreeing that he deserves all of that. Still, he's grateful that Dimitri believes it, and that faint smile is still there when he manages to look him in the eye again.

It's a small thing, so oddly frail compared to his usual confidence, but it's there. ]

Everyone's a bit of a tall order though.

[hauntedking]

Well, I can amend to "most people" if you think that would be better.

[ Dimitri jokes a little, glad that the awkwardness is starting to drain out of the room a little. ]

[wolfish]

[ If nothing else, the humor seems to strengthen his smile. ]

Might be a little more within the realm of possibility. Slightly.

[ Just slightly. ]

[hauntedking]

We'll see about that. I might make it a new goal of mine.

[ The awkwardness has passed, but a part of Dimitri wonders if he should bring it back up. If he should try to clarify what he meant.

Or maybe he needs to think about it because maybe he's not so sure himself, in the end. ]

[wolfish]

[ Emotional vulnerability is like treading water for Yuri. He'll readily latch onto the solid ground that banter represents...

Even as he finds himself unsure why a few choice words from Dimitri had gotten to him so. ]

A goal, huh?

[ He considers that for a beat with a soft hum trapped behind closed lips. ]

It's difficult to picture what that'd be like.

[ But then, he's simply grateful to have such things from Dimitri. ]

[hauntedking]

Clearly all I need to do is elucidate on your positive qualities every chance I get.

[ OK, now he gets to tease a little. ]

[wolfish]

[ Jest though it may be, Yuri grimaces all the same. ]

You wouldn't...

[ His expression eases soon after, because— ]

I think all that'd do is give people funny ideas.

[hauntedking]

Correct ideas, you mean.

[ Look! He can joke! ]

[wolfish]

[ Oh Dimitri... Yuri sees his angle, and he doesn't want to walk them back into the awkward place, but— ]

If you actually went around singing my praises, people might just think you were taken with me.

[ He phrases this carefully, as it is after all just in humor. ]

[hauntedking]

[ He doesn't quite sputter but he does look a bit abashed. ]

Would that be a terrible thing?

[wolfish]

I— [ He pauses, thoughtful frown tugging at his lips. ] You know what "taken with" means, right?

[ Surely Dimitri does, but then shouldn't he agree that it would be troublesome for others to misunderstand him? ]

[hauntedking]

Of course I know what it means.

[ He murmurs, half-laughing, his gaze fixed on his half-empty teacup for a moment. ]

But - that wouldn't offend me. The idea of it.

[wolfish]

[ Yuri doesn't quite know how to respond to that. His first thought is that Dimitri could do better, but he has the presence of mind not to blurt that out. ]

My reptuation may not have followed me here, but... Might cost you a date or two, people thinking that.

[hauntedking]

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

[ Eh? ]

[wolfish]

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

Well, that and— ]

How?

[hauntedking]

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?

[wolfish]

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. ]

[hauntedking]

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.

[wolfish]

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.

[hauntedking]

Oh? Do I?

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

Should I ask?

[wolfish]

Good question. Can you take what you dished out?

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

[hauntedking]

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

[wolfish]

[ 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.

[hauntedking]

[ 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.

[wolfish]

[ 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. ]