school: nier

[shaft]

Comments

[shaft]

[ People hook up in murder games? Remember Gojou? ]

I... don't really know what to say to that. [ Nier is too genuine and nice for Claude to interact with. ] As capable as I believe you are, it's hard for any of us to feel safe in this place, isn't it?

[amain]

[ i erase him ]

The keywords are “a little safer.”

[ He’s aware… There’s not much he can do on Thursday nights. ]

[shaft]

Nier...

[ He goes silent for a moment, thinking it over.

Then, eventually, ] Are you in love with Kainé?

[amain]

[ ??? ]

Where did that come from?

[shaft]

I've been curious for a while. Might as well ask while we're being honest.

[amain]

We're just friends, but... I actually never thought about it.

[ nier, an idiot, a fool ]

How would you be able to tell?

[shaft]

[ ... Claude has never been in love, so he's just going to do his best. ]

I think it's when you always want a person around. When their happiness is your happiness, and their pain is yours.

Uh... you want them to be happy and safe and loved. [ ... ] You think they're beautiful? And your heart beats faster around them?

[ Steadily getting less sure. ]

I suppose you'd want to kiss them, probably.

[amain]

[ Nier stays quiet and listens, though he has his doubts. ]

... For someone who has never been in love, you're doing well in trying to explain it.

[shaft]

There's only a million books about it.

[ shut up ]

[amain]

I always find reading them weird because you can say a lot of these apply to friends? For example, I like having you around, I want you to be happy, I don't want you to be in pain, and I want you to feel safe and loved, too.

The only difference is my heart doesn't beat faster around you and I don't think I want to kiss you.

[shaft]

I'd say that's fairly crucial difference. [ Claude discriminates against asexuals boo ]

Of course, there is platonic love as well.

[amain]

[ claude is an olde? Anyway, Nier is thinking about how he feels about Kainé. It's kind of complicated and awkward, but... Hm. He'll keep that to himself. ]

Yeah, I'm familiar with that.

[shaft]

It's none of my business.

But it's something to think about.

[amain]

[ The deadest fucking stare. ]

"None of my business" and yet you asked, anyway.

[shaft]

You seem like the type of person that needs a push.

[ he's right ]

[amain]

I'm not sure if I want a push from you, but thanks.

[ He gives Claude a hug with one arm. This is for more than just his deflect wingman strategy. ]

[shaft]

[ Claude really doesn't understand Nier, why is he hugging him.

But he accepts it, and puts an arm around him too. ]

A polite way to tell me to mind my own business, I'm guessing?

[amain]

You're my friend, so you can always ask.

[ It's that simple. A small squeeze in the hug before he falls back. ]

This is for earlier.

[shaft]

[ ... He just sighs, ruffling Nier's hair. ]

Don't mention it. You're my friend too, you know.

[amain]

[ Hey! He gently bats Claude's hand away, then ruffles his hair in return. ]

It seemed like I did need to mention how small things like words or simple gestures can help someone.

[ Sometimes it's a type of forgiveness. Sometimes it's a type of salvation. ]

[shaft]

Oh?

[ Stop that. He's not a child. ]

Was I not good to you before?

[amain]

[ Nier isn't a child, either. They are about the same age. He gives Claude a pat on the shoulder. ]

No, you've always been kind to me. [ Hello? ] Let's get some hot chocolate. I don't like the cold.