Zavien
I'm going to change the world,
Despite having been an unofficial 'spy' for awhile, Zavien is the least secretive person, his expressions holding subtitles that put his thoughts on broadcast. So when Kai finally admits that he and Flora are dating, the widened pinch of his eyes says more than it's meant to. It's not just shock or surprise, but a level of unease for what the news might do to his friend.
He doesn't say anything for a time, watching the cascade of emotions fall across the man's face. It's hard because he can see the happiness, glimpses the joy that Flora brings him, and Zavien refuses to smother that, but he can't not think about the equal measures of heartbreak Koa might go through when he finds out, the devastation that would only further cripple his hope for finding love. Although he does his best to offer a feeble smile and a muttered, "Congrats," the circumstances are making it hard to celebrate a good thing.
That doesn't mean he thinks it's his place to drop that particular bomb, even if he plans to be fully present for the aftermath. Zavien shakes his head, trying not to look like he's disapproving or reprimanding, sincerely hoping that their relationship is worth tearing apart his family and being unable to wish the situation upon anyone. "I'll do my best to avoid it, but if Koa asks me the question directly, I'm not going to lie to him." It's one of the lines he refuses to cross when it comes to the people he cares about, and the quiet set of his shoulders says as much, willing to give Kai grace and understanding up to that point.
Regardless, he's grateful when the man breaks the moment, standing to renew the steam like it might force them to sweat out the nerves. But then he goes and asks those teasing questions that nearly have him jolting in his seat. "Wha-Wedd- No, no. We're not at that point." Considering they'd only just managed to cross that physical line into sex, he doubts a wedding is in the near future. Not to say he doesn't want to marry her - he's already said he loves her and would probably drop to one knee right now if he thought she'd say yes- but when he sometimes questions the strength of her feelings for him, it plants seeds of confusion that make him hesitant to believe she's at that same point.
Trying not to appear too thrown by the questions - and failing - Zavien smiles, tapping a finger against the wood as he shifts in his seat. "Maybe one day."
He doesn't say anything for a time, watching the cascade of emotions fall across the man's face. It's hard because he can see the happiness, glimpses the joy that Flora brings him, and Zavien refuses to smother that, but he can't not think about the equal measures of heartbreak Koa might go through when he finds out, the devastation that would only further cripple his hope for finding love. Although he does his best to offer a feeble smile and a muttered, "Congrats," the circumstances are making it hard to celebrate a good thing.
That doesn't mean he thinks it's his place to drop that particular bomb, even if he plans to be fully present for the aftermath. Zavien shakes his head, trying not to look like he's disapproving or reprimanding, sincerely hoping that their relationship is worth tearing apart his family and being unable to wish the situation upon anyone. "I'll do my best to avoid it, but if Koa asks me the question directly, I'm not going to lie to him." It's one of the lines he refuses to cross when it comes to the people he cares about, and the quiet set of his shoulders says as much, willing to give Kai grace and understanding up to that point.
Regardless, he's grateful when the man breaks the moment, standing to renew the steam like it might force them to sweat out the nerves. But then he goes and asks those teasing questions that nearly have him jolting in his seat. "Wha-Wedd- No, no. We're not at that point." Considering they'd only just managed to cross that physical line into sex, he doubts a wedding is in the near future. Not to say he doesn't want to marry her - he's already said he loves her and would probably drop to one knee right now if he thought she'd say yes- but when he sometimes questions the strength of her feelings for him, it plants seeds of confusion that make him hesitant to believe she's at that same point.
Trying not to appear too thrown by the questions - and failing - Zavien smiles, tapping a finger against the wood as he shifts in his seat. "Maybe one day."
but today I'll just be a mermaid.
