[ 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... ]
[Yuuto's belt sways with happiness. Nen didn't reject his love! This love, which belongs to no other Yuuto...
He can't help but be greedy and selfish.]
Okay! Between your list and mine, this should be easy as cake! Ah, and the nutrient supplements, fresh fruit for smoothies, maybe some rice or porridge to help ease you into solids... [Grocery shopping is so much more fun when he's thinking about spoiling Nen. He'll gladly take them through the entire store if they want and explain anything that looks weird. Yuuto will even try to trick them into letting him pay the grocery bill!]
[ YUUTO YOU SMOOTH CRIMINAL... That probably works if he's good enough about distracting Nen with something at the till. If he doesn't though Nen will insist! They want to be able to help him just as much as he helps them...but of course, again: that depends on how well he distracts them.
Especially now that by the time they finish at the grocery store and Nen is carrying their one (much lighter) shopping bag with both hands, they have stars on the brain. ]
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no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
... 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?
no subject
.........
[ 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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
… 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.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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...!
no subject
He can't help but be greedy and selfish.]
Okay! Between your list and mine, this should be easy as cake! Ah, and the nutrient supplements, fresh fruit for smoothies, maybe some rice or porridge to help ease you into solids... [Grocery shopping is so much more fun when he's thinking about spoiling Nen. He'll gladly take them through the entire store if they want and explain anything that looks weird. Yuuto will even try to trick them into letting him pay the grocery bill!]
no subject
Especially now that by the time they finish at the grocery store and Nen is carrying their one (much lighter) shopping bag with both hands, they have stars on the brain. ]
How many stars do you think we will see?