[William sounded sleepy. Kaz had to physically bite his tongue before he blurted out "nevermind go back to sleep". No. Don't chicken out]
Sorry. I mean, for waking you. Or, not. No, shit, let me start again. Okay. [Right] So, um, today, Leon texted me with... he said, uh, so, no, wait. What I mean to say is, did Leon talk to you yesterday or... recently-ish?
Sorry. I mean, for waking you. Or, not. No, shit, let me start again. Okay. [Right] So, um, today, Leon texted me with... he said, uh, so, no, wait. What I mean to say is, did Leon talk to you yesterday or... recently-ish?
Oh? Lots of things, huh...
[Kaz trailed off awkwardly. How should he lead into it? Or should he just utilise his usual lack of tact and say it outright? Geeze, why did this have to happen? Why did he even ask stupid Lion-O if he told William? He could've just continued on with blissful ignorance and let William handle the awkwardness of it all!]
Ah, fuck it. [Lack of tact it was. C'mon, if he could punch out an immortal, invincible demon, he could tell William that this whole thing was a big misunderstanding of epic proportions] William, was, was one of those things about- about me having a crush on you?
[Kaz trailed off awkwardly. How should he lead into it? Or should he just utilise his usual lack of tact and say it outright? Geeze, why did this have to happen? Why did he even ask stupid Lion-O if he told William? He could've just continued on with blissful ignorance and let William handle the awkwardness of it all!]
Ah, fuck it. [Lack of tact it was. C'mon, if he could punch out an immortal, invincible demon, he could tell William that this whole thing was a big misunderstanding of epic proportions] William, was, was one of those things about- about me having a crush on you?
Uh . . . not a lot? I never really thought about it before.
[Well, this isn't what he expected. He sips his beer, watching William attentively. Hmm . . . ]
[Well, this isn't what he expected. He sips his beer, watching William attentively. Hmm . . . ]
Oh. Yeah.
[Kaz couldn't help but sound a bit mystified. If anything, he felt embarrassed - well, even moreso than when he called up. Here he had been, expecting to do an awkward explanation that would most likely culminate on him hiding under his bed for the next century, but instead he got this.
He wasn't complaining, but it left him a bit wrong footed. The script he had created in his brain went 'poof']
Like, there's no way I'm interested in you. [Wait, did that sound a bit insulting? Kaz quickly backtracked] N-Not because you're not my type or anything! In fact, I think you're really pretty but, uhm, you know, like, for one, you're straight, so it wouldn't work out anyway. Eh. Not, that I'm hoping for that - working out, I mean, just... ah, I'm gonna shut up.
[Kaz couldn't help but sound a bit mystified. If anything, he felt embarrassed - well, even moreso than when he called up. Here he had been, expecting to do an awkward explanation that would most likely culminate on him hiding under his bed for the next century, but instead he got this.
He wasn't complaining, but it left him a bit wrong footed. The script he had created in his brain went 'poof']
Like, there's no way I'm interested in you. [Wait, did that sound a bit insulting? Kaz quickly backtracked] N-Not because you're not my type or anything! In fact, I think you're really pretty but, uhm, you know, like, for one, you're straight, so it wouldn't work out anyway. Eh. Not, that I'm hoping for that - working out, I mean, just... ah, I'm gonna shut up.
[There was a long pause on Kaz's end of the line]
...don't worry about it. [he sounded a little calmer now] I mean, that nickname was, um, a little inappropriate. Like, I don't mind winding people up, but, if it made you uncomfortable, well, I probably deserved that.
...don't worry about it. [he sounded a little calmer now] I mean, that nickname was, um, a little inappropriate. Like, I don't mind winding people up, but, if it made you uncomfortable, well, I probably deserved that.
[Another pause, if only because Kaz was beginning to feel confused - well, even more confused]
So, out of curiosity, why... why did you let me call you it for so long? And why did you blow up then? Like, what changed? If, if you don't mind me asking.
So, out of curiosity, why... why did you let me call you it for so long? And why did you blow up then? Like, what changed? If, if you don't mind me asking.
An impression... oh, when he thought we were gay together?
[Classic tactless Kaz. He seemed to realise how thoughtless his words were, because he cleared his throat abruptly]
Um, sorry. Er, so, do you want me to stop using it, then? The nickname? In case people... do that. Get that impression.
[Classic tactless Kaz. He seemed to realise how thoughtless his words were, because he cleared his throat abruptly]
Um, sorry. Er, so, do you want me to stop using it, then? The nickname? In case people... do that. Get that impression.
Yeah . . . ?
[Wait, there's really only one place this can be going. Leon sits up even more, frowning thoughtfully.]
So, what, you're his reincarnation? Is that it?
[Wait, there's really only one place this can be going. Leon sits up even more, frowning thoughtfully.]
So, what, you're his reincarnation? Is that it?
Heh, yeah. Having thick skin is kind of a requirement in politics.
[There was a pause, one where Kaz was obviously thinking something over. He did like the nickname, and he was used to it now - future husband. Really, if Kaz was ever going to be tied to someone, William would be near, or even on top of, the list, just because of how compatible they were. But he wasn't serious about it, and he did see how it'd cause misunderstandings]
Well, to be honest, I still want to use the nickname, but I don't like making you uncomfortable. Teasing you, and winding you up, yeah, but... how about this? You can be future husband in private, and in public I'll call you William?
[There was a pause, one where Kaz was obviously thinking something over. He did like the nickname, and he was used to it now - future husband. Really, if Kaz was ever going to be tied to someone, William would be near, or even on top of, the list, just because of how compatible they were. But he wasn't serious about it, and he did see how it'd cause misunderstandings]
Well, to be honest, I still want to use the nickname, but I don't like making you uncomfortable. Teasing you, and winding you up, yeah, but... how about this? You can be future husband in private, and in public I'll call you William?
[Kaz let out a nervous sounding laugh - both at William's huffiness at being an object of teasing, and the thought of Kevin ever finding out about this whole... misunderstanding. Kaz doubted he'd be able to find a hole deep enough to hide from the angel in that sort of scenario]
Haha, ah, um, thanks. T-That you don't find me repulsive or whatever. I mean, I wouldn't... [he suddenly sighed] I wouldn't blame you if you did, though. I'm not even human, so, that's, like, understandable grounds to be freaked out when someone implies you're involved with that kind of stuff.
Haha, ah, um, thanks. T-That you don't find me repulsive or whatever. I mean, I wouldn't... [he suddenly sighed] I wouldn't blame you if you did, though. I'm not even human, so, that's, like, understandable grounds to be freaked out when someone implies you're involved with that kind of stuff.
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