[Snek] IC Inbox

[pyrighteous]

“This is Hunter! I don’t understand the human custom of instructing people to leave messages after a beep, but here it is! Beep!”

Comments

[neonleon]

primetime: thanks ur the best omw

[And about two minutes later, Leo's usual blue portal opens up on Hunter's balcony and Leo steps out to stand at the window. But he's a lot more nervous than usual.]

[pyrighteous]

[ As promised, the window is open! and Hunter immediately gets up to greet him. ]

Leo! Hey, you made it.

[neonleon]

Yeah, 'course.

[Just. Kind of struck looking at Hunter again. Those changes he grew into do so much for good for him.]

Thanks.

[pyrighteous]

[ Isn't he? Not that he was ever bad looking, but health and rest look good on him. He's not just a scraggly beanpole desperate for survival any more. Fewer Casey Jr. vibes.

Anyway he blinks. ]

Do I have something on my face?

[neonleon]

Uh- [Quick, be suave and charismatic, your natural charms.]

Yeah, your - good looks.

[Nailed it.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter goes kind of pink. ]

Oh. Uh - I mean, that's good. I got taller huh?

[neonleon]

[ACTUALLY NAILED IT????]

Yeah. Taller, and I dunno. You just look happier.

[pyrighteous]

... I am happier. It's been a busy year, but a good year.

[neonleon]

You told me about most of it, it sounded good. I'm - really glad it's working out for you there.

[pyrighteous]

[ He nods. ]

I can't wait to show you one day. You'll love the University in particular.

[neonleon]

[Oh...]

...After all that, you still want me to go with you?

[pyrighteous]

Uh, yeah? Even more now that my world isn't a mess any more.

Or. Well. The good kind of mess now.

[neonleon]

And it would be like. Super weird or anything?

[pyrighteous]

Why would it be?

[neonleon]

[Leo watches Hunter's face for a second before sitting right on the floor, leaning back against the side of Hunter's bed.]

Because- I'm. [oooh boy this is tough. He can't help the nervous tick rubbing at the back of his neck.] I-i know. You don't really care about my whole... Situation. [Gesturing to all of himself.] But I'm not. Human, not even anything close to looking like a human. And- And I'm kind of an acquired taste because of it? You could be dating anyone here, or back at the Boiling Isles without any problem, but. Here you chose me. I just... don't wanna make it hard..

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter just ... blinks slowly? Maybe that's not the best response? But it's a very genuine confusion as he tries to parse what it is that Leo's worried about. ]

I mean - ninja skills are kind of unusual? But the forests are still pretty dangerous, and you can fight stuff there if you want.

[ Clearly this is what Leo is worried about, ]

[neonleon]

[Leo looks up at him from where he's sitting, a little confused himself. Normally obfuscating and pivoting is how he intentionally avoids answering difficult questions he doesn't want to think about. But he knows that's not Hunter's M.O. and is genuinely confused by what Leo's saying.

He smiles a little, reaching his left good hand for Hunter's. Come down here, tall boy.]

Sure. I'll fight 'em all.

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter takes it gladly? Still confused. ]

That's ... not what you're worried about, is it.

[neonleon]

No, it's not.

[He looks at their hands like this. His big three fingers and Hunter's more slender five.]

Hunter, you ever wonder what I'd look like if I were human?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter automatically shifts to take Leo's fingers, adjusting to the difference in grip. ]

Oh. Uh - with round ears and less green and more hair?

[neonleon]

That's the general idea, yeah. Something you ever think about?

[pyrighteous]

I mean, sometimes? Sure? But I've also pictured you as a palisman so.

It'd be pretty neat, right?

[neonleon]

[As a palisman..........]

...I think so. Used to think about it a lot, like - if I'd look like what I thought dad looked like, or like my hero Lou Jitsu, or some rando off the street.

[He shrugs.] Then I stopped thinking about it, didn't bother me much. And now I'm thinking about it again.

[pyrighteous]

How come?

[neonleon]

[Hunter, you are truly too good for this world. Leo does not deserve you.]

Because I wonder if I'd be less anxious about making stuff hard with you if I looked like a human.