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[notsolomon]

This is William Twining. I shall reply to your message at my earliest convenience. Thank you. ***BEEP***

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[babermetrics]

[He falls into step beside William. It's a nice day, but it basically always is here under the dome, so he's not sure why he even still notices—but he does. Maybe it just feels nicer to be out with a friend.]

So you're for-real not mad at me about that whole thing, right?

[notsolomon]

[He twitched a little, but didn't break his stride.]

Why would I be mad? It is just an honest misunderstanding. A very big misunderstanding.

[babermetrics]

Heh, yeah, of course! You're a hundred percent right! I was just tryin' to help anyway, so it's not like I did anything wrong . . . I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I did!

[Aw yeah. Validated. He slings an arm around William's shoulder as they walk, cheerful and companionable.]

It's like it never happened!

[notsolomon]

Yes it never happened. At all. It was just an unpleasant blip that I will forget until I turn nineteen, when it will haunt me just like my seventeenth birthday does.

[There is so much sarcasm there. Totally.]

But no, let's forget about it. For real.

[babermetrics]

You better mean it . . .

[Sigh. He nudges William's side again, letting his arm drop after a few more steps.]

I would've been pretty upset if I messed up your friendship or whatever.

[notsolomon]

He and I are fine. And we sorted it all out. It wasn't his or your fault in any way. It was all me.

[His big mouth really got him in a mess this time. And he's having this conversation with someone whose good qualities do not include tact unfortunately.]

I am not that unreasonable.

[babermetrics]

You didn't really do anything either . . . so it's all good. Don't blame yourself! 's all cool! Heh, I just—I mean, you know I wasn't trying to like, diss on you, right? When I said that stuff?

[notsolomon]

I would think you would come up with better if you were trying to 'diss.' And like I said, I am hardly worried over it.

[And now there's a long pause before he decides to venture a little question.]

Are you bothered by it?

[babermetrics]

What, you mean if you guys really had been dating?

[He glances over at him as they walk, unsure he's parsing that right, but otherwise unbothered. Totally had gay friends before! Totally!]

[notsolomon]

Yes. Or anything relating to that. I just ask because you keep bringing it up.

[But well the fact that Leon doesn't seem bothered is a relief.]

[babermetrics]

H, hey, no I don't, what else was I supposed to think when he was callin' you that? —But I don't care! I seriously don't. If you were it'd be 100% cool with me! It ain't any of my business, y'know? I've known guys who were like that before.

[He is the pinnacle of sensitivity. But he's trying.]

[notsolomon]

Yes, trust me. I understand why you were confused. I just didn't... want you to think I was lying to you about something like that. Or hiding something.

[So now he just feels extra guilty]

[babermetrics]

Heh . . . I mean, it ain't like it wouldn't make sense to hide it, so . . . it's cool! But you weren't! I think!

[notsolomon]

No of course not. I am not dating anyone or engaged, so it is a non-issue.

[Oh god he needs that coffee, like now.]

[babermetrics]

[They've got to be there soon, right? Leon's beginning to feel a mighty need himself.]

Really? I mean . . . I figure that's probably the kinda thing that's pretty obvious even if you're single, right?

[notsolomon]

Yes it is very obvious I would imagine.

[And omg, there it is. Now hopefully they will forget all about this conversation and can talk about anything else. Anything.]

[babermetrics]

You okay . . . ?

[Aw yes. He steers towards the entrance once he notices where they're headed.]

C'mon, I didn't invite you out to make you look like that! We can totally change the subject!

[notsolomon]

I am fine.

[He laughs a little then because yes, this isn't why they came out. At lest he is pretty sure this isn't why.]

But, I will buy for you this time.

[babermetrics]

What, really? You tryin' to butter me up? I'll take it!

[He leans harder against William's side for a moment, laughing, before heading up to the door of the cafe.]

[notsolomon]

I can't have you thinking I am stingy or anything like that.

[What if Leon told someone about his cheap friend? Where would William be then.

But in they go and the moment they are at the counter he orders.]

Café au lait and one of those lemon muffins, please.

[babermetrics]

[He orders a coffee and a roll of pepperoni bread. Not a thing he's ever had before, but damn, how can you go wrong with pepperoni and bread and cheese? You can't. After William pays and he's heading back to the table, he looks back over at him and smirks:]

Dude, you are stingy.

[Fondly, though. And then he amends it:]

Not as stingy as "Kaz," though.

[notsolomon]

[He sips his coffee, rolling his eyes at the word stingy. He's just pragmatic.]

No one is as stingy as Kazuya though. I think he's added to our food bill, with how much Kevin ends up cooking for him.

[Not that he minded, but it was like he had acquired a cat without meaning to.]

[babermetrics]

You don't all live together though, right? But you live with Kevin?

[Hmm. He hums thoughtfully, lifting his own mug. Too hot to drink much of yet . . . ]

[notsolomon]

Yes, it is just the two of us. Kazuya just like to visit through the window. He's known Kevin longer actually.

[It sounded so weird even now. But it's better than just teleporting into the room.]

[babermetrics]

Man . . . I'm like 50% totally put off by that and 50% kinda jealous, that weird?

[He's pretty relaxed about admitting it, though, weird as it may be, working slowly on his coffee.]