[ Is it really ruined? Well, if the merchant wanted something spicier than a dusting of pink on Shez's cheeks, maybe. ]
Aw, is it heartfelt confession time? I thought the pastries were enough.
[ The joke isn't really meant as a jab at Byleth -- it never is, not in any ill intent -- but more like an attempt at dismissing the awkward side of the emotional impact. The Shez who became his first friend wasn't really him, and despite how solid their bond has grown over the months, there was still so much he was keeping from Byleth out of fear of losing him entirely. Surely enough, there was never going to be a good time to bring up the fact Shez had to kill both the Ashen Demon and the Blade Breaker of his world, and then... how would he react to it? He may be calm and rational on the outside, but the truth is he feels things more strongly than most.
(He knows he should trust in Byleth more. To have faith in their bond, but it's still too soon.)
In the meantime, there are things he won't speak of, but still wants to show, actions and gestures somehow more comfortable between them. So Shez turns to face him in full, basket of treats hanging from one arm as his free hand cups the side of Byleth's face, nudge him to incline his head just so and make up for their height difference. Like this, he can tilt his own head up, lean in closer until...
(As he does, so does the merchant, looming over his own wares with wide eyes and bated breath. This has to be--)
... until their foreheads knock together, gentle and fond. Their lips may not press together, but Shez's surely shift into a smile. ]
You're a wonderful friend, too. I'm very happy I got to know you.
[ (. . .)
(Is this a new treat up for sale? Nah, it's just the merchant keeling over with his face diving straight into a (now dutifully empty) platter, the clanking of bone on metal almost as loud as the sound of his shipper heart's last hope nuked to death.) ]
no subject
Aw, is it heartfelt confession time? I thought the pastries were enough.
[ The joke isn't really meant as a jab at Byleth -- it never is, not in any ill intent -- but more like an attempt at dismissing the awkward side of the emotional impact. The Shez who became his first friend wasn't really him, and despite how solid their bond has grown over the months, there was still so much he was keeping from Byleth out of fear of losing him entirely. Surely enough, there was never going to be a good time to bring up the fact Shez had to kill both the Ashen Demon and the Blade Breaker of his world, and then... how would he react to it? He may be calm and rational on the outside, but the truth is he feels things more strongly than most.
(He knows he should trust in Byleth more. To have faith in their bond, but it's still too soon.)
In the meantime, there are things he won't speak of, but still wants to show, actions and gestures somehow more comfortable between them. So Shez turns to face him in full, basket of treats hanging from one arm as his free hand cups the side of Byleth's face, nudge him to incline his head just so and make up for their height difference. Like this, he can tilt his own head up, lean in closer until...
(As he does, so does the merchant, looming over his own wares with wide eyes and bated breath. This has to be--)
... until their foreheads knock together, gentle and fond. Their lips may not press together, but Shez's surely shift into a smile. ]
You're a wonderful friend, too. I'm very happy I got to know you.
[ (. . .)
(Is this a new treat up for sale? Nah, it's just the merchant keeling over with his face diving straight into a (now dutifully empty) platter, the clanking of bone on metal almost as loud as the sound of his shipper heart's last hope nuked to death.) ]