[Idia likes to think he's got pretty good pattern recognition, but there's absolutely no way he could have predicted this. A mouth against his, a hand at his jaw, over and over again. Even playing back the footage in his head, it's hard to pinpoint moments that could have indicated that he was someone that anyone wanted. Honestly, he has to be dreaming, right?
It was Cater first. Wasn't it always? Idia had kept those delusions of being with Cater Diamond at arm's length, but they'd been there for a long time just out of reach. Even fantasizing about what it would be like to feel his hand in his felt too self-indulgent. So color Idia surprised when he learned what those lingering glances of Cater's meant all along, that he'd been thinking much the same, and now he knows how nice his mouth feels when-- okay, okay, never mind that. Enough of that.
Least of all, Idia couldn't have imagined liking this-- the real thing. Not that he'd say so outright. But it's a lot to wrap your head around, especially when you add an extra (3rd) dimension to the equation. It doesn't feel as horrible as he thought to be around someone regularly, intimately. Maybe he could get used to this. Maybe Idia Shroud can be domesticated after all.
And then Leona Kingscholar kissed him. On the mouth, mind you. It all happened so fast and Idia's brain could barely keep up. But he kissed him back, didn't he? More than that. And-- well-- he's not sure how to handle this. What do you do when you're only kind-of-sort-of seeing someone (maybe) who also doesn't want to talk about what This is? Idia's a completionist, sure, but that's just greedy.
.... Right?
Honestly, the idea of even looking Cater in the face(s) is eating him alive. He almost leaves him on read even though the "come over" text makes his heart do a flip. But maybe he's greedy after all. All he's thought about today is crawling into Cater's lap like a dog fed once who keeps coming back for more. God, could he get any more pathetic?
After all that inner turmoil Idia paces toward Cater's room, hands in his pockets and shoulders at ear-level. And a callout like that only raises his hackles higher.]
[things had been a little more obvious to Leona than perhaps either of the two others had thought it would be, namely because it wasn't difficult to catch their scents intermingling.
it'd.. been an adjustment, certainly, for Leona, back when he and Cater had first started their coy little back and forth. he'd gotten himself used to the idea his scent wouldn't be the only one on Cater's body, so he'd just make his experiences the greatest, clearly. but things had evened out, both in Cater's appetite becoming more focused and in Leona accepting his own deep want. futile, stupid want he'd always known about deep down and all, but hey— Leona's a disappointment as it is, so what was one more stupid flaw in him?
it hasn't felt like a flaw, anyway, when he's been intimate with either of them. it'd felt like something he deserved. so confronting Cater about it had been a simple matter, as soon as it was clear they were on the same page.
and as far as Leona's been concerned, if it's all going to come crashing down sometime anyway, why not squeeze it for every drop it's worth?
anyway, the cool thing about empty clubrooms is that they usually still have a teacher's desk in them just in case there's ever the need to use it as a classroom, and Leona's made himself so comfy. leaned back in the chair with his legs propped up on the desk, he's practically hidden behind his sandals until he speaks, crossing his legs the opposite way as he continues;]
Ahahaha, my bad, my bad. Though, you might give me a complex that you're worried about being seen with me, or something. JK!
[Totally, totally, kidding! Why would that even be a concern of his at all when all of this is really no big deal and not at all world-shattering?
Anyway!
With Leona's presence revealed and Idia's on-guard body language on full display, the Split Card that had been waiting on the inside of the door promptly shuts it behind Idia, all smiles, and slides in front of it. Don't worry about it.]
So, Leona and I were talking--actually.
[He glances at Leona, hopping up to sit on the edge of that desk beside those lounged legs.]
Do you think he should take a seat for this? Yeah, why don't you sit down first, Idia.
Oh-- Ha-- Well-- If you're talking (ohmygodohmygodohmygod) you don't need me around. I'll just--
[About-- FACE! Idia whips around and immediately comes face-to-face with Split Card Cater, who looks obscenely smug about this situation. Being bullied by someone that hot just adds insult to injury.]
[the question on the tip of everyone's lips is probably still— why Idia, when it comes to Leona? why indeed.
and it's that idiot, moron face of his going so stupid in times like this. that's the reason.
Leona clicks his tongue and slowly, lazily gets to his feet, sauntering over to the other two like there's absolutely no reason to hurry. and there isn't. Leona trusts Cater to handle Idia.]
Now, now. Don't go trynna jet on my account.
[with a smug smirk of his own, Leona leans his arm on Cater's shoulder, peering at Idia.]
[The Split Card, in fact, takes Idia by the shoulders and is immediately whirling him around to guide him over to that seat that Leona vacated. Nice and warm for you, Idia! Being in the hot seat has never been so literal or appealing at the same time before.]
You kinda got this look on your face like you got caught foolin' around behind someone's back, LOL.
[Which is exactly what happened, sort of. In the loosest terms. Cater's teasing, of course--because if there was anything to actually worry about, would the two of them look so annoyingly impish about this whole setup?]
("Don't be shy"? Do you even hear what you're asking me right now??? Do you even know me at all???)
[Idia is honestly too flabbergasted to even speak. It's an uphill battle for him in general, let alone under The Conditions(tm). He allows himself to be maneuvered, mostly because he's stunlocked and, really, what else can he do outside of puny physical resistance?
Frantically, he looks between the rock and the hard place he's caught between. Oh he so hates this.]
Behind-- ha-- Me? That's not--
[This is not a sentence, as you can tell. God his mouth feels dry. Is it hot in here?
He's freaked out, in part because he's historically seen himself as a loyal guy. It would take an army to pry his hands away from his kami oshi and now here he is between his ??? romanceable options ??? in the most confusing position possible. This is doing a number on his sense of self, let alone his already extreme social aversions.]
You're gonna turn the man inside-out at this rate.
[crossing his arms, Leona rolls his eyes, but the look of amusement doesn't leave his face. it's almost like he's seconds from telling Cater to double his efforts.
surprisingly mercifully, though, he adds;]
Relax.
You're not in trouble.
[so very much not in trouble that Leona can't exist—]
[His arm loops around Leona's waist while the Split Card gooses Idia's shoulders playfully. Well, as fun as it was to watch him squirm, Cater didn't actually want to dangle him over the ledge of full mental collapse for too long. And, anyway, it wasn't as if Idia wasn't going to continue having adorably stressed reactions even when they got to the point.
Really, Idia was going to see all of it as unreasonable bullying regardless of what they did here, wouldn't he?]
Soooo, you've probs figured out that we wanted to untangle the whole we're all kissing each other thing.
[Oh this is way, way overstimulating. It's just as it says on the tin-- clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here he is. The Split Card's touch at his shoulders has him even more tense. Things can change so quickly-- this was relatively welcome only a few days ago.
Well, if there's one thing that can supersede some of this anxiety, it's petulance. Of course, he's still sweating a little as he says,]
"In trouble"? [Idia scoffs.] What, are you gonna--
[at first, Idia's little face journey is amusing. aaand then all too quickly, the doubt starts to creep in. Leona's not exactly holding Cater by the waist in return, though the fact he hasn't leaned away is indication he's fine with it— it's only the way his slowly waving-tail hugs Cater's ankle while Idia stresses that could indicate any change in Leona's stress. was this a stupid idea? was this a dumb move? he isn't about to let it show on his face, but he's wondering—
Idia finally makes his second statement and Leona puts his fingers to his temple, grumbling as if a blessed with a brand new headache.]
All that brain and not a single thought in your head...
What part of that was hard to understand?
[is it Leona? is Leona the stupid one for kissing stupid people?]
[Really, this level of complete and utter obliviousness was impressive. Cater really had thought he'd laid it out plainly enough. Was this just denial? Had kissing him been so traumatic that Idia had completely blocked it out of his memory or something? What did this mean?! He sputters, blinking.
Okay, okay. Focus. Redirect.]
You know, it's like... if A + B = C and B + C = A then A + C = B. It's basic girl math.
[Or something.]
You and I made out, You and Leona made out, Leona and I have absolutely made out. So...
[Actually, no, maybe he shouldn't leave Idia to try and fill in the blank here.]
[Every observation Cater makes has Idia sinking lower in his seat. Guys his age are supposed to brag about this sort of thing and Idia's always hated those guys. Now he's one of those guys and it's embarrassing!! The whine trapped in his throat is slooowly slipping out. The flames of his hair flicker increasingly more pink.]
You both have-- [Maybe they can say it but Idia can't seem to get the words "made out" to fall off his tongue.] Since when?
[Idia is suddenly very tuned in to Cater's arm around Leona's waist. See, that's the part he was missing. It's-- not an unwelcome image but it has him feeling insane. The thought of the two hottest people he knows (has kissed!!) swapping spit is going to make him combust. It's definitely jealousy he's feeling but he doesn't know which direction it's going. Everything's all tangled up, Cater was right about that much.
And then Cater says that and Idia's hair erupts in a brilliant pink flash.]
You can't just-- say that sort of thing right to my face!! You're jumping to crazy conclusions-- the numbers are off!! Your math makes no sense!!
...am I the only one that was actively imagining a threesome? No? Just me?
[Not everyone can be wildly and unabashedly horny, Cater. Take a cold damn shower and revisit reality.]
Yeah, uh...Leona and I were sorta kinda already...
[There's not really a label for it, so Cater just twists two of his fingers together. Like that totally paints the picture.]
But, I mean, obvi I've always had my eye on you, so when we happened I was kind of over the moon about it, and I had no idea that Leona went after you after that, too...until like, what, a half hour ago? What a day, am I right? #theendingwillshockyou
["Him, you, and me." It sounds so intimate that Idia's not sure he's going to hyperventilate or be sick. His heart is doing something crazy right now, though, so he'll probably be dead soon no matter what. Was bound to happen at some point.
He rolls his eyes.]
Geez, we get it. I'm a loser with a negative CHA stat and for some reason that does it for you. Haven't we been over this enough? If you wanna talk the transitive property, that makes you a loser, too.
[Leona's not the only one who's surprised, but Idia resents being told so.
He also resents having to talk about this. Not sorting out the particulars with either of them has been his saving grace. It's freed up some brainspace to devote to upping his head game (read: learning what to do with that crazy tongue of his).
And then there's Cater, who's seemingly trying to kill him with that "always had my eye on you" line. Idia swallows down that feeling.]
That was only "obvi" to you, actually. Am I on a dialogue loop, now?
[It's no small relief to Idia that they're clearly not mad that he's been fooling around with them both, but it's still a confrontation. Perhaps the most uncomfortable, anti-Idia confrontation imaginable. This could have been a DM....]
[Leona'd already been avoiding looking at either of the others since Cater started speaking again, pushing down his own feelings about it, too. putting words to the fact what was going on between him and Cater was undefined, the implication that perhaps Leona was opportunistic about it all, treating what was Cater's as if it was his as well— without ever calling Cater his, too. like the jealous, spiteful person he really is.
Idia's not wrong to call him a loser, for a lot of reasons. so Leona doesn't contest that bit.
but he has to roll his eyes when Idia mentions it wasn't obvi—]
Sure was obvious to me,
[he grumbles, shaking his head.]
All of it, by the way.
It's tougher than you morons make it out to be to get your scents off each other.
[which is why the convergence did seem smarter, before Leona realized how this conversation was actually going to go.]
Haha...ouch. It's like you're trying to hurt my feelings, or something. Really harshing my vibe.
[No, he should've really known. Idia didn't see himself the way that Cater saw him, and wasn't he always calling him a normie and grumbling about how he didn't get him at all, as if Cater couldn't hear him? As if he wasn't right there, expressing interests in his fandoms. Finding little things that reminded him of Idia and getting them for him. Trying, at every turn, to just spend time with him.
Cater absently draws his arms back to himself, fiddles with a lock of his hair. Man, he really fucked this whole thing up, didn't he? The method with Idia was typically just to brute force your way into his space if you wanted it, but now that they were here and this topic was the way that it was, he was feeling...well, pretty insecure.]
[Oh, so he knew all along. That's fine. That's great. Idia's just been sliding into Leona's lap and kissing him like he's dying and all the while Leona's inner monologue is about how he can smell Cater all over him. Yeah, that's no big deal at all.
... No, it's definitely a huge deal. Idia actively rejects conceptualizing that the people he's fucking (haha god what even is his life) recognize that he wants them. Like, talk about cringe. Now you tell him that Leona's been rotating around the idea of him fooling around with 1-5 versions of the hottest twink on campus... Is a memory wipe still possible?
All of this amounts to a pained and weary groan crawling up Idia's throat.]
And now's when you say something? Does everyone know about my prospects but me? [Sighs.] Come on...
[Cater's wilting by the second but Idia can't imagine why. Although he's grown to recognize that Cater is a multifaceted person who might be more #relatable than previously thought, that doesn't mean he understands what's going on in there. If that was the case, he'd be all too aware that he's a harem protag.]
[Leona's pretty well known for not minding watching others squirm, but the vibe really is harsher than he'd like it to be for this. as it turns out, maybe he isn't so fond of the sight of an insecure Cater as one would think— and perhaps this isn't quite the misery he anticipated putting Idia through, either. he shifts his weight from one foot to the other, rubbing the back of his neck as these two punks wilt before him.]
You sure are bitching a lot for a guy who's gettin' so damn popular.
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effortaverse) wrote2026-01-15 08:34 pm
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It was Cater first. Wasn't it always? Idia had kept those delusions of being with Cater Diamond at arm's length, but they'd been there for a long time just out of reach. Even fantasizing about what it would be like to feel his hand in his felt too self-indulgent. So color Idia surprised when he learned what those lingering glances of Cater's meant all along, that he'd been thinking much the same, and now he knows how nice his mouth feels when-- okay, okay, never mind that. Enough of that.
Least of all, Idia couldn't have imagined liking this-- the real thing. Not that he'd say so outright. But it's a lot to wrap your head around, especially when you add an extra (3rd) dimension to the equation. It doesn't feel as horrible as he thought to be around someone regularly, intimately. Maybe he could get used to this. Maybe Idia Shroud can be domesticated after all.
And then Leona Kingscholar kissed him. On the mouth, mind you. It all happened so fast and Idia's brain could barely keep up. But he kissed him back, didn't he? More than that. And-- well-- he's not sure how to handle this. What do you do when you're only kind-of-sort-of seeing someone (maybe) who also doesn't want to talk about what This is? Idia's a completionist, sure, but that's just greedy.
.... Right?
Honestly, the idea of even looking Cater in the face(s) is eating him alive. He almost leaves him on read even though the "come over" text makes his heart do a flip. But maybe he's greedy after all. All he's thought about today is crawling into Cater's lap like a dog fed once who keeps coming back for more. God, could he get any more pathetic?
After all that inner turmoil Idia paces toward Cater's room, hands in his pockets and shoulders at ear-level. And a callout like that only raises his hackles higher.]
Hey, you don't need to shout...
[Girl what if someone hears you????]
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[things had been a little more obvious to Leona than perhaps either of the two others had thought it would be, namely because it wasn't difficult to catch their scents intermingling.
it'd.. been an adjustment, certainly, for Leona, back when he and Cater had first started their coy little back and forth. he'd gotten himself used to the idea his scent wouldn't be the only one on Cater's body, so he'd just make his experiences the greatest, clearly. but things had evened out, both in Cater's appetite becoming more focused and in Leona accepting his own deep want. futile, stupid want he'd always known about deep down and all, but hey— Leona's a disappointment as it is, so what was one more stupid flaw in him?
it hasn't felt like a flaw, anyway, when he's been intimate with either of them. it'd felt like something he deserved. so confronting Cater about it had been a simple matter, as soon as it was clear they were on the same page.
and as far as Leona's been concerned, if it's all going to come crashing down sometime anyway, why not squeeze it for every drop it's worth?
anyway, the cool thing about empty clubrooms is that they usually still have a teacher's desk in them just in case there's ever the need to use it as a classroom, and Leona's made himself so comfy. leaned back in the chair with his legs propped up on the desk, he's practically hidden behind his sandals until he speaks, crossing his legs the opposite way as he continues;]
Everyone in the room can hear ya just fine.
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[Totally, totally, kidding! Why would that even be a concern of his at all when all of this is really no big deal and not at all world-shattering?
Anyway!
With Leona's presence revealed and Idia's on-guard body language on full display, the Split Card that had been waiting on the inside of the door promptly shuts it behind Idia, all smiles, and slides in front of it. Don't worry about it.]
So, Leona and I were talking--actually.
[He glances at Leona, hopping up to sit on the edge of that desk beside those lounged legs.]
Do you think he should take a seat for this? Yeah, why don't you sit down first, Idia.
1/2
Oh no. Oh no, no, no!]
2/2
Oh-- Ha-- Well-- If you're talking (ohmygodohmygodohmygod) you don't need me around. I'll just--
[About-- FACE! Idia whips around and immediately comes face-to-face with Split Card Cater, who looks obscenely smug about this situation. Being bullied by someone that hot just adds insult to injury.]
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and it's that idiot, moron face of his going so stupid in times like this. that's the reason.
Leona clicks his tongue and slowly, lazily gets to his feet, sauntering over to the other two like there's absolutely no reason to hurry. and there isn't. Leona trusts Cater to handle Idia.]
Now, now. Don't go trynna jet on my account.
[with a smug smirk of his own, Leona leans his arm on Cater's shoulder, peering at Idia.]
Have a seat, Radish Sprout.
Get comfy.
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[The Split Card, in fact, takes Idia by the shoulders and is immediately whirling him around to guide him over to that seat that Leona vacated. Nice and warm for you, Idia! Being in the hot seat has never been so literal or appealing at the same time before.]
You kinda got this look on your face like you got caught foolin' around behind someone's back, LOL.
[Which is exactly what happened, sort of. In the loosest terms. Cater's teasing, of course--because if there was anything to actually worry about, would the two of them look so annoyingly impish about this whole setup?]
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[Idia is honestly too flabbergasted to even speak. It's an uphill battle for him in general, let alone under The Conditions(tm). He allows himself to be maneuvered, mostly because he's stunlocked and, really, what else can he do outside of puny physical resistance?
Frantically, he looks between the rock and the hard place he's caught between. Oh he so hates this.]
Behind-- ha-- Me? That's not--
[This is not a sentence, as you can tell. God his mouth feels dry. Is it hot in here?
He's freaked out, in part because he's historically seen himself as a loyal guy. It would take an army to pry his hands away from his kami oshi and now here he is between his ??? romanceable options ??? in the most confusing position possible. This is doing a number on his sense of self, let alone his already extreme social aversions.]
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[crossing his arms, Leona rolls his eyes, but the look of amusement doesn't leave his face. it's almost like he's seconds from telling Cater to double his efforts.
surprisingly mercifully, though, he adds;]
Relax.
You're not in trouble.
[so very much not in trouble that Leona can't exist—]
Well.
This time, anyway.
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[His arm loops around Leona's waist while the Split Card gooses Idia's shoulders playfully. Well, as fun as it was to watch him squirm, Cater didn't actually want to dangle him over the ledge of full mental collapse for too long. And, anyway, it wasn't as if Idia wasn't going to continue having adorably stressed reactions even when they got to the point.
Really, Idia was going to see all of it as unreasonable bullying regardless of what they did here, wouldn't he?]
Soooo, you've probs figured out that we wanted to untangle the whole we're all kissing each other thing.
1/?
Well, if there's one thing that can supersede some of this anxiety, it's petulance. Of course, he's still sweating a little as he says,]
"In trouble"? [Idia scoffs.] What, are you gonna--
...
2/?
3/?
4/?
"All"?
...
"Each other"?]
5/5
What are you talking about?
[He's going to look way stupid for this, probably, but Idia knows he's already way out in the cringe zone as it is. Besides, he's fucking clueless.]
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Idia finally makes his second statement and Leona puts his fingers to his temple, grumbling as if a blessed with a brand new headache.]
All that brain and not a single thought in your head...
What part of that was hard to understand?
[is it Leona? is Leona the stupid one for kissing stupid people?]
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Okay, okay. Focus. Redirect.]
You know, it's like... if A + B = C and B + C = A then A + C = B. It's basic girl math.
[Or something.]
You and I made out, You and Leona made out, Leona and I have absolutely made out. So...
[Actually, no, maybe he shouldn't leave Idia to try and fill in the blank here.]
The natural conclusion then is a threesome.
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You both have-- [Maybe they can say it but Idia can't seem to get the words "made out" to fall off his tongue.] Since when?
[Idia is suddenly very tuned in to Cater's arm around Leona's waist. See, that's the part he was missing. It's-- not an unwelcome image but it has him feeling insane. The thought of the two hottest people he knows (has kissed!!) swapping spit is going to make him combust. It's definitely jealousy he's feeling but he doesn't know which direction it's going. Everything's all tangled up, Cater was right about that much.
And then Cater says that and Idia's hair erupts in a brilliant pink flash.]
You can't just-- say that sort of thing right to my face!! You're jumping to crazy conclusions-- the numbers are off!! Your math makes no sense!!
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yeah, no, he's the biggest idiot here.]
Alright, alright. The conclusion's a few steps shy of that, actually.
[Leona sighs, lowering his hand to his hip.]
The numbers are just what he said, though. Him, you, and me.
[Leona can sooo salvage his own comfort here by being a smug shithead. so he does.]
You're not the only one who's been busy, Shroud. Still surprised you have it in you.
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[Not everyone can be wildly and unabashedly horny, Cater. Take a cold damn shower and revisit reality.]
Yeah, uh...Leona and I were sorta kinda already...
[There's not really a label for it, so Cater just twists two of his fingers together. Like that totally paints the picture.]
But, I mean, obvi I've always had my eye on you, so when we happened I was kind of over the moon about it, and I had no idea that Leona went after you after that, too...until like, what, a half hour ago? What a day, am I right? #theendingwillshockyou
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He rolls his eyes.]
Geez, we get it. I'm a loser with a negative CHA stat and for some reason that does it for you. Haven't we been over this enough? If you wanna talk the transitive property, that makes you a loser, too.
[Leona's not the only one who's surprised, but Idia resents being told so.
He also resents having to talk about this. Not sorting out the particulars with either of them has been his saving grace. It's freed up some brainspace to devote to upping his head game (read: learning what to do with that crazy tongue of his).
And then there's Cater, who's seemingly trying to kill him with that "always had my eye on you" line. Idia swallows down that feeling.]
That was only "obvi" to you, actually. Am I on a dialogue loop, now?
[It's no small relief to Idia that they're clearly not mad that he's been fooling around with them both, but it's still a confrontation. Perhaps the most uncomfortable, anti-Idia confrontation imaginable. This could have been a DM....]
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Idia's not wrong to call him a loser, for a lot of reasons. so Leona doesn't contest that bit.
but he has to roll his eyes when Idia mentions it wasn't obvi—]
Sure was obvious to me,
[he grumbles, shaking his head.]
All of it, by the way.
It's tougher than you morons make it out to be to get your scents off each other.
[which is why the convergence did seem smarter, before Leona realized how this conversation was actually going to go.]
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[No, he should've really known. Idia didn't see himself the way that Cater saw him, and wasn't he always calling him a normie and grumbling about how he didn't get him at all, as if Cater couldn't hear him? As if he wasn't right there, expressing interests in his fandoms. Finding little things that reminded him of Idia and getting them for him. Trying, at every turn, to just spend time with him.
Cater absently draws his arms back to himself, fiddles with a lock of his hair. Man, he really fucked this whole thing up, didn't he? The method with Idia was typically just to brute force your way into his space if you wanted it, but now that they were here and this topic was the way that it was, he was feeling...well, pretty insecure.]
This is hard for me, too, you know?
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... No, it's definitely a huge deal. Idia actively rejects conceptualizing that the people he's fucking
(haha god what even is his life)recognize that he wants them. Like, talk about cringe. Now you tell him that Leona's been rotating around the idea of him fooling around with 1-5 versions of the hottest twink on campus... Is a memory wipe still possible?All of this amounts to a pained and weary groan crawling up Idia's throat.]
And now's when you say something? Does everyone know about my prospects but me? [Sighs.] Come on...
[Cater's wilting by the second but Idia can't imagine why. Although he's grown to recognize that Cater is a multifaceted person who might be more #relatable than previously thought, that doesn't mean he understands what's going on in there. If that was the case, he'd be all too aware that he's a harem protag.]
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You sure are bitching a lot for a guy who's gettin' so damn popular.
Lighten up.
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