[Oooh. Being complimented feels so nice. He's not used to this. Usually any compliments that he receives are more like bars being set: Things that other 'Yuuto' did well, so they become expectations he needs to meet quickly. But this... Nen has no other 'Yuuto' for reference.
This compliment is his and his alone.
His belt tail is starting to wag again, expressing a feeling that he has no words for. As his mind stops reeling quite so badly, Yuuto steps forward and meets Nen's eyes earnestly.]
I think that you're really smart too, Nen! And kind! You have a really good heart. I like you a lot!
[If compliments make him feel good, then he obviously needs to share them.]
will i never not be emotional over these tags? no. never.
[ OH YUUTO... Nenonen's not sure what they did to provoke such a response from him, but they're happy they did it. Yuuto's eyes meet theirs, and though Nen blinks...that same almost-smile forms on their face as they take a moment to enjoy how bright and vibrant Yuuto looks.
he should look like this more often. ]
I like you a lot too, Yuuto. You are one of the people I like the most.
[ And that's saying something from Nen. Almost everyone falls under the same "I like" category; being a step above that is a Big Deal for them. Preferences is still a thing they are learning and Yuuto has already made it. ]
[ Well heck, they make shakes with nutritional supplements?? Why has no one told Nen before now? They cannot nod fast enough to the offer, eager to take a sip. It's got that familiar chalk-like flavour that all protein powders have...but it tastes like peanut butter, too.
Nen takes two full slurps of it before they hand it back. ]
It is delicious. I want one.
[ Nen has a whole shake but they have their new month stipend!! They can splurge....it's fine. ]
[For Yuuto, picking things that are nutritionally balanced or otherwise ‘healthy’ is a safe bet. He never knows what the last Yuuto has declared to be his favorite flavor, but he can always claim to make a choice because it’s healthy.
But he is genuinely glad that Nen not only enjoyed the smoothie, but took the conversation bait.]
We can get you some smoothie ingredients like these at the grocery store, hm? Let’s go! [And he’ll happily lead the way!]
[ Yuuto is unfairly good at distracting Nen... He almost always knows the perfect segue to distract Nen into another topic of conversation. Yes, there are times they get stuck on something and won;t let it go...but the idea of being able to make their own nutritionally-supplemented shakes is too important a discovery to ignore.
[As much as Yuuto wants for Nen to branch out with their food, he also wants for them to be healthy. If they’re having trouble with solids, then nutrients are important…
So he nods in agreement.]
I don’t know much about nutrient powders, but we can find some! Do you know a lot about those things, Nen?
I know the optimal balance for someone my size... And what would be best for me an as Essenceborn. My nutritional requirements are very similar, but I need to account for the higher viscosity of my blood. I need to keep my blood pressure within a certain threshold and diet helps with that.
[ When you have nothing to do but read for decades on end while stuck in a time loop and there's an abundance of medical reports on you...well. You pick up a thing or two. ]
My body is not made up of 60-55% water like most humans. Instead, it is closer to 52%.
[All of this makes sense to Yuuto… Except that he doesn’t know what ‘essenceborn’ means. He assumes that it may be the reason that Nen lived in a tower to begin with.
He doesn’t notice himself reaching for their hand. Every time that he remembers that, Yuuto feels intensely lonely for Nen. There probably isn’t enough time, or enough handholding, to make up for what he imagines they went through. But he can start showing love now.]
I see. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about keeping a body healthy. I figured that when I died, it’d be from being stupid.
[… hm.] Can you um… teach me? If it’s not miserable.
I don’t really know how to take care of my sister here.
[ The second his hand reaches theirs, Nen takes hold of it. They don;t even need to think of it. With Yuuto it just feels...well, normal. Nen would accept the hand of anyone who reached for them like that, but they'd still be aware of it. Wonder about it.
With Yuuto, it's more like a familiar habit. Something pleasant--and not just because of the brief pleasantness that shoots through them at the contact a la Ellipsa. ]
[The shared contact feels nice, though Yuuto does briefly surprise himself with how easily he took Nen’s hand. Connecting with them is grounding.
It isn’t until Nen repeats the request that Yuuto worries he is overstepping. Tau is his sister. He should be able to protect her himself. Is he a failure if he needs help?
… Slowly, timidly, he nods.]
Ahhh if it’s too much then I can do it myself, of course, um… just. Tau is still young. I want to make sure she grows into a healthy and happy young lady.
[if nen is tau’s mom then are they also yuuto’s mom???]
[ yes. Yuuto is adopted son and best husband question not the implication in those words. Nen is KEEPING HIM.
And also giving his hand a light squeeze. They've never had any siblings, but the desire to look after someone is one they understand quite well. Nen doesn't even have to ponder his request; they just nod. ]
I don't mind. I will help you raise Tau. I like her. We will keep her "hale and hearty."
[Between the returned squeeze of their joined hands and how immediately Nen answers, Yuuto cannot help but brighten. His smile is a touch more shy than usual, since he isn't performing it in order to minimize his darkness. Yuuto is genuinely relieved.]
Hale and hearty... If both Tau and you could live that way, then I would do anything. Please, instruct and use me as necessary to accomplish that. [normal people say these things, right? They're arriving at a grocery store and Yuuto is all set and ready to be used, apparently.] I want to help you too... Maybe if I learn more about your body [more normal things to say,] I can learn to make you delicious and nutritious meals!
[ That's what Nen's brain translates all that into. The idea isn't as unsettling as having to go to the research centre; Yuuto is the exact opposite of everything Nen pictures in a researcher, scientist, or doctor. He's bright, sunny, sweet, and is incredibly concerned with Nen's well-being and happiness. Even his inquiry comes from wanting to cook for them. ]
What about you? You need to be healthy too, Yuuto.
Nen had a whole thing in their mind about that first comment, but then Yuuto goes and mentions that and Nen can't help but give him a short once-over from head to toe. And wonder: ]
How do you detached from your...body? Like surgery?
Yuuto stops, gripping the cart anxiously, but otherwise keeping his expression as calm as possible. And then, without missing a beat:]
There are at least 50 variations of potato chips that I am aware of, so the two of us may be able to get very busy. [this is his bribe. nen cannot leave him, even if he is weird, because they have 50 potato chip flavors to go through.]
[ OH NO, YUUTO... Nen can feel the way he stiffens with their hand on him like that, but his expression keeps him from giving the game up entirely.. ]
It's okay. You do not need to be normal. You only need to be "you." That is what Chipp told me.
[ Nen doesn't worry a lot about being 'normal' by conventional standards (shocking, i know), but they do know that they aren't like other people. So it's fine if Yuuto isn't, either. Nen likes him just the way he is. In fact-- ]
[These moments still feel strange… But it’s a really nice strange. To Nen, Yuuto is just any other person. He isn’t a secret that needs to be hidden in the back room of his family’s house. He isn’t a replacement. He isn’t a liar. He isn’t an empty existence, who reflects the needs and expectations of others.
He’s Yuuto.
Slowly, shyly, he takes their hand.]
Heh… Nen. I love you, you know that?
[Yuuto can say this easily, because in his head he knows it is platonic.
He puts both hands back on the cart.]
Let’s get groceries. Then I’ll show you the stars, okay?
[ Well...heck, guess there's all sorts of firsts here. Yuuto gets to be himself, and Nen...gets told "I love you" for the first time in their life. Yuuto expresses it platonically, and that's just as well; Nen's never had a crush or been in love anyway. The most they've ever dealt with love is hearing how much someone "loves coffee" or "loves going to the beach."
So it's new. Surprising. Nenonen winds up blinking and looking down at their joined hands... ]
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This compliment is his and his alone.
His belt tail is starting to wag again, expressing a feeling that he has no words for. As his mind stops reeling quite so badly, Yuuto steps forward and meets Nen's eyes earnestly.]
I think that you're really smart too, Nen! And kind! You have a really good heart. I like you a lot!
[If compliments make him feel good, then he obviously needs to share them.]
will i never not be emotional over these tags? no. never.
he should look like this more often. ]
I like you a lot too, Yuuto. You are one of the people I like the most.
[ And that's saying something from Nen. Almost everyone falls under the same "I like" category; being a step above that is a Big Deal for them. Preferences is still a thing they are learning and Yuuto has already made it. ]
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Yuuto grins and nearly lets his mouth get ahead of him;]
You too! I can’t wait to be together for… [Ah.
He changes the topic.]
Here! Do you want some of my protein shake? It has peanut butter too, but there’s some protein powder mixed in too.
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[ Well heck, they make shakes with nutritional supplements?? Why has no one told Nen before now? They cannot nod fast enough to the offer, eager to take a sip. It's got that familiar chalk-like flavour that all protein powders have...but it tastes like peanut butter, too.
Nen takes two full slurps of it before they hand it back. ]
It is delicious. I want one.
[ Nen has a whole shake but they have their new month stipend!! They can splurge....it's fine. ]
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But he is genuinely glad that Nen not only enjoyed the smoothie, but took the conversation bait.]
We can get you some smoothie ingredients like these at the grocery store, hm? Let’s go! [And he’ll happily lead the way!]
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Nen follows him. ]
Yes! I want to buy all the nutrients.
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So he nods in agreement.]
I don’t know much about nutrient powders, but we can find some! Do you know a lot about those things, Nen?
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[ When you have nothing to do but read for decades on end while stuck in a time loop and there's an abundance of medical reports on you...well. You pick up a thing or two. ]
My body is not made up of 60-55% water like most humans. Instead, it is closer to 52%.
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He doesn’t notice himself reaching for their hand. Every time that he remembers that, Yuuto feels intensely lonely for Nen. There probably isn’t enough time, or enough handholding, to make up for what he imagines they went through. But he can start showing love now.]
I see. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about keeping a body healthy. I figured that when I died, it’d be from being stupid.
[… hm.] Can you um… teach me? If it’s not miserable.
I don’t really know how to take care of my sister here.
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With Yuuto, it's more like a familiar habit. Something pleasant--and not just because of the brief pleasantness that shoots through them at the contact a la Ellipsa. ]
You want my help with Tau...?
[ DOES THIS MAKE NEN A MOM-- ]
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It isn’t until Nen repeats the request that Yuuto worries he is overstepping. Tau is his sister. He should be able to protect her himself. Is he a failure if he needs help?
… Slowly, timidly, he nods.]
Ahhh if it’s too much then I can do it myself, of course, um… just. Tau is still young. I want to make sure she grows into a healthy and happy young lady.
[if nen is tau’s mom then are they also yuuto’s mom???]
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And also giving his hand a light squeeze. They've never had any siblings, but the desire to look after someone is one they understand quite well. Nen doesn't even have to ponder his request; they just nod. ]
I don't mind. I will help you raise Tau. I like her. We will keep her "hale and hearty."
I read that in a book.
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Hale and hearty... If both Tau and you could live that way, then I would do anything. Please, instruct and use me as necessary to accomplish that. [normal people say these things, right? They're arriving at a grocery store and Yuuto is all set and ready to be used, apparently.] I want to help you too... Maybe if I learn more about your body [more normal things to say,] I can learn to make you delicious and nutritious meals!
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[ That's what Nen's brain translates all that into. The idea isn't as unsettling as having to go to the research centre; Yuuto is the exact opposite of everything Nen pictures in a researcher, scientist, or doctor. He's bright, sunny, sweet, and is incredibly concerned with Nen's well-being and happiness. Even his inquiry comes from wanting to cook for them. ]
What about you? You need to be healthy too, Yuuto.
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Uhhh no no. I mean, just... I want to know more about you, s-so... so I can make you happy?
[It's embarrassing to say it now, because he does wonder if it comes across as 'studying people.' Yuuto lowers his head slightly, smile sheepishly.]
And I'm okay! I can't get sick and I can always disconnect from my body if it gets painful.
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Nen had a whole thing in their mind about that first comment, but then Yuuto goes and mentions that and Nen can't help but give him a short once-over from head to toe. And wonder: ]
How do you detached from your...body? Like surgery?
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... Uh. I was joking! No way I'd do something like that? [he's... gonna grab a grocery cart as a distraction.] Do you like potato chips?
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.........
[ Nen just lays a hand on his shoulder. Consolation. But without the letting go, so it looks more like a declaration when they say: ]
You are weird. I have never eaten a chipped potato.
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Yuuto stops, gripping the cart anxiously, but otherwise keeping his expression as calm as possible. And then, without missing a beat:]
There are at least 50 variations of potato chips that I am aware of, so the two of us may be able to get very busy. [this is his bribe. nen cannot leave him, even if he is weird, because they have 50 potato chip flavors to go through.]
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It's okay. You do not need to be normal. You only need to be "you." That is what Chipp told me.
[ Nen doesn't worry a lot about being 'normal' by conventional standards (shocking, i know), but they do know that they aren't like other people. So it's fine if Yuuto isn't, either. Nen likes him just the way he is. In fact-- ]
I like that you are weird.
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… Actually. He can’t imagine Nen being malicious.
That concern dissolves into trust and he sighs, only now realizing how much stress he had been hiding.]
… I. I’m glad.
[And he smiles shyly,] I’ll keep being weird then? If it’s really okay… I’m kind of bad at being normal sometimes.
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[ And it's not as if Nen is any better at it than he is. Yuuto's far, far better at it by all accounts.
It's fine if he wants to be that, but it's also fine if hes himself, too. That's the one Nen likes after all: Yuuto's Yuuto. ]
...You are fun all the time, actually.
[ Nen lets his shoulder go, and lays their hand atop his instead. ]
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He’s Yuuto.
Slowly, shyly, he takes their hand.]
Heh… Nen. I love you, you know that?
[Yuuto can say this easily, because in his head he knows it is platonic.
He puts both hands back on the cart.]
Let’s get groceries. Then I’ll show you the stars, okay?
1/2
So it's new. Surprising. Nenonen winds up blinking and looking down at their joined hands... ]
2/2
That's a whole lot of like. Nen squeezes his hand and nods. ]
Yes...!
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