[It wasn't the sudden change in demeanor when Yoshimitsu donned the mask again that got a reaction, no, no. Takame stood still with his same blank stare at the theatrics. He's known the man long enough to be accustomed to that. And Zhian for all her temper and strong heart could scarce hold a conversation without concealment of her own.
No, what brought on a rare change in expression, one where his brows shot up in surprise is at that confession. He was aware enough of common terms used to know the intended meaning. That there were feelings had for him.
And yet for a long while he stood in silence.]
... Me? Y... me?? [Said lifting a hand to his chest, as if to emphasize his point and his confusion. On impulse, he could only say how he really felt himself.]
Why not? Takame, you're a fantastic person- [He pauses briefly.] Even if you never laugh at my jokes.
[The plucky ninja lets out a hearty chuckle.]
But more than that, you're reliable and kind. While you sometimes have a temper, you're the only person who makes me feel safe.
[It's much easier for him to confess this behind a mask but Yoshimitsu's love for the dramatics is currently taking a backseat. He stares at Takame with a smile hidden under his mask, content to voice his feelings.]
It's fine if you don't feel the same way. I just...wanted to tell you.
[Just in case the opportunity never comes again.]
People come and go too frequently for me to stay silent.
... [The shock on his face faded to a somber frown with each compliment given. And the reminder of how frequently people can leave did nothing to relieve it.
Some manner of warmth inside of him clashed with his upbringing. His necessity to drown out all emotion. What good was emotion for someone who was destined to live in the shadow of the Empire. Even worlds away that shade presided over him.
He tried to be kind, positive like Hina. But he knew it was but an act. A mask of his own he wore so others would not stray from him or be afraid of him. A lie. Something simmered in his chest, something that wanted to make him feel... relief at the confession. But as it was all that stood over him was guilt for lying to someone he'd grown so close to.
A person like him, if he can even be called a person, didn't deserve the relief, nor the affection of such a good man.]
... You have me mistaken for someone more deserving of such kind words. [He swallowed hard. Like he could drown the feelings welling inside him that way, but it only made his face flush more. They're harsh words towards himself to be sure. But it's not a rejection.]
[Is he, though? Is someone who helped to subjugate his own people then years later be unable to learn anything of a dangerous intangible weapon his old affiliation was developing deserving of love?
Someone who would still be with the Empire had the hands of fate turned only slightly differently and knew that fact well?
Who still can barely think on his past or the emotions he rarely if ever feels without averting the subject?]
I am not so sure. [He wanted to be deserving. Desperately tried to be. Still not a rejection, the clash of his mind and heart prevented that much.]
[His fist clenched at his side. He knew he was giving cause for alarm, being extremely vague. He doesn't want to lie to Yoshimitsu, but he didn't want him to know either. Or for anyone to know, it was bad enough how Cehd'ra found out.]
... Forgive me. There is... much I've chosen to keep hidden. Much I would prefer not to share. ... At least not now. [Which at least implies there's a future for them. If only for the man's kindness, he wanted to share something. And he didn't want him to leave, either if the tentative step forward he took was any indication.]
But I will understand if that is not acceptable. [If the feelings declared just went away then and there.]
[That's quite a substantial "if". If he could have helped it, no one would know. But the tension in Takame's shoulders certainly faded when that subject was dropped.
When had he become so tense?
The other question proposed gave him pause, though. Were they...? He didn't want Yoshimitsu to leave, the thought of him leaving made him tense all over again, but. Is this what that feeling was?]
... This is all new to me, I'm afraid. [Not comforting words, but again not a rejection. But...] I've never felt this towards someone else before. [There's still hints of worry in the way his hands shuffled into his pockets. Namely how frequently people seem to disappear in this realm. And the fact that he remembered nothing of it that time he left. But Yoshimitsu seemed just as aware of it and yet still willing to try. He took another step forward.] I confess I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.
[As Takame takes a step forward, so does he. Yoshimitsu smiles up at him without a hint of uncertainty in his gaze. He's just happy, grateful if anything. Even though Takame hasn't answered his question yet, he can tell that the man is interested either way.]
I would say you should follow your heart but I'm not even certain.
[His gaze softens some.]
This is so strange, isn't it? It's a riddle neither of us can solve alone.
[He hasn't answered yet, if only because he doesn't fully understand what he's feeling and why it's so overwhelming. The idea is something Takame had witnessed before, people courting and having long term partners but it was always second-hand. Never something he expected to actually feel or have. He's had a number of bed mates, still does here, but none that he could call a partner.
As enticing as the idea of being romantically by someone's side felt, he'd always dismissed himself as unworthy of it, someone like him who only felt a mild spark on a good day.]
Indeed... [It was unsettling how much he wanted to act to understand this feeling.]
This realm seems to favor those who take many partners, but what I feel with you... is... ["Intimidating, far stronger than I."] different than what I feel with them. [They arrived in this realm near the same time, knew well its ways. Takame doubted Yoshimitsu would miss his implication.]
I... may never truly understand it, but... [A pause, trying to find the right words. He went silent for a moment. Then took one more step forward. One step at a time, as Zhian always told him.]
I would like... to try. [Another pause.] With you.
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no subject
No, what brought on a rare change in expression, one where his brows shot up in surprise is at that confession. He was aware enough of common terms used to know the intended meaning. That there were feelings had for him.
And yet for a long while he stood in silence.]
... Me? Y... me?? [Said lifting a hand to his chest, as if to emphasize his point and his confusion. On impulse, he could only say how he really felt himself.]
... Why?
no subject
[The glowing eyes of his mask dims a little.]
Why not? Takame, you're a fantastic person- [He pauses briefly.] Even if you never laugh at my jokes.
[The plucky ninja lets out a hearty chuckle.]
But more than that, you're reliable and kind. While you sometimes have a temper, you're the only person who makes me feel safe.
[It's much easier for him to confess this behind a mask but Yoshimitsu's love for the dramatics is currently taking a backseat. He stares at Takame with a smile hidden under his mask, content to voice his feelings.]
It's fine if you don't feel the same way. I just...wanted to tell you.
[Just in case the opportunity never comes again.]
People come and go too frequently for me to stay silent.
no subject
Some manner of warmth inside of him clashed with his upbringing. His necessity to drown out all emotion. What good was emotion for someone who was destined to live in the shadow of the Empire. Even worlds away that shade presided over him.
He tried to be kind, positive like Hina. But he knew it was but an act. A mask of his own he wore so others would not stray from him or be afraid of him. A lie. Something simmered in his chest, something that wanted to make him feel... relief at the confession. But as it was all that stood over him was guilt for lying to someone he'd grown so close to.
A person like him, if he can even be called a person, didn't deserve the relief, nor the affection of such a good man.]
... You have me mistaken for someone more deserving of such kind words. [He swallowed hard. Like he could drown the feelings welling inside him that way, but it only made his face flush more. They're harsh words towards himself to be sure. But it's not a rejection.]
no subject
[Yoshimitsu asks as he slowly lifts off his mask. He peeks at Takame now, his confusion bare to see.]
Why do you say that?
[He's feeling a little braver now if the mask is off. Still, the eyes of his oni mask retains its peculiar ethereal glow.]
You're deserving of love, aren't you?
no subject
Someone who would still be with the Empire had the hands of fate turned only slightly differently and knew that fact well?
Who still can barely think on his past or the emotions he rarely if ever feels without averting the subject?]
I am not so sure. [He wanted to be deserving. Desperately tried to be. Still not a rejection, the clash of his mind and heart prevented that much.]
no subject
Why not?
[There's still ample amounts of confusion in his tone but he's trying to comprehend Takame's oddly sullen expression.]
Takame, what's on your mind? I don't believe I ever seen you so conflicted before.
[To say the least, he's a little worried.]
Have I offended you?
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[His fist clenched at his side. He knew he was giving cause for alarm, being extremely vague. He doesn't want to lie to Yoshimitsu, but he didn't want him to know either. Or for anyone to know, it was bad enough how Cehd'ra found out.]
... Forgive me. There is... much I've chosen to keep hidden. Much I would prefer not to share. ... At least not now. [Which at least implies there's a future for them. If only for the man's kindness, he wanted to share something. And he didn't want him to leave, either if the tentative step forward he took was any indication.]
But I will understand if that is not acceptable. [If the feelings declared just went away then and there.]
no subject
[He lets out a sigh of relief. For a second there, Yoshimitsu was certain he offended the poor man.]
Your secrets are your own to keep but if you ever feel like sharing, I'll be there to listen.
[The ninja grins up at Takame, his dark gaze fill with cheer and mischief.]
So, I take it that the feelings are...mutual?
no subject
When had he become so tense?
The other question proposed gave him pause, though. Were they...? He didn't want Yoshimitsu to leave, the thought of him leaving made him tense all over again, but. Is this what that feeling was?]
... This is all new to me, I'm afraid. [Not comforting words, but again not a rejection. But...] I've never felt this towards someone else before. [There's still hints of worry in the way his hands shuffled into his pockets. Namely how frequently people seem to disappear in this realm. And the fact that he remembered nothing of it that time he left. But Yoshimitsu seemed just as aware of it and yet still willing to try. He took another step forward.] I confess I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do.
no subject
I would say you should follow your heart but I'm not even certain.
[His gaze softens some.]
This is so strange, isn't it? It's a riddle neither of us can solve alone.
no subject
As enticing as the idea of being romantically by someone's side felt, he'd always dismissed himself as unworthy of it, someone like him who only felt a mild spark on a good day.]
Indeed... [It was unsettling how much he wanted to act to understand this feeling.]
This realm seems to favor those who take many partners, but what I feel with you... is... ["Intimidating, far stronger than I."] different than what I feel with them. [They arrived in this realm near the same time, knew well its ways. Takame doubted Yoshimitsu would miss his implication.]
I... may never truly understand it, but... [A pause, trying to find the right words. He went silent for a moment. Then took one more step forward. One step at a time, as Zhian always told him.]
I would like... to try. [Another pause.] With you.