[ In all fairness, there is a lot more pretending involved in this act than just closing their eyes to surrounding spectators and one strict merchant very intent on being judge and executioner for their unconventional romance crimes. There's pretending that Byleth doesn't almost ruin it all again with his monotone delivery, and that it doesn't make Shez more prone to laughing in response than feel seduced-- or that Byleth would even need to be a beautiful woman sprawled out naked on the bed in order to have the desired effect, as though Shez didn't want to kiss him exactly for who he is, oddball and all.
(There's pretending not to be upset over having to pretend this is all for the sake of a bargain, over needing an excuse to kiss his oblivious fool of a boyfriend in public because the idiot doesn't even realize the true nature of their relationship. The one small mercy that comes from Byleth being such a terrible liar is that at least Shez can be sure he's not pretending not to get it.)
Still, there's no lie in his smile, or the gentle bumping of foreheads in encouragement, or even the soothing motion of a thumb rubbing circles on Byleth's cupped cheek, or in any of steps he takes, no matter how big or small, to ensure the guy is comfortable with him, that he doesn't break this trust some other Shez started building; that Byleth is always happy with him, even if it doesn't openly show on his face. That right there may be the only reason why the ever impulsive and hot-headed Shez could pull off his earlier speech so convincingly: because none of it had been just an act. ]
No need to ask me twice.
[ None of it. Not the utmost importance of their friendship, and not his genuine want for his unconventional boyfriend, either. And so, when he closes that gap with a soft press of lips to Byleth's, it's with the hope that his true feelings will shine through and reach their audience, if not the object of his affections himself. ]
no subject
(There's pretending not to be upset over having to pretend this is all for the sake of a bargain, over needing an excuse to kiss his oblivious fool of a boyfriend in public because the idiot doesn't even realize the true nature of their relationship. The one small mercy that comes from Byleth being such a terrible liar is that at least Shez can be sure he's not pretending not to get it.)
Still, there's no lie in his smile, or the gentle bumping of foreheads in encouragement, or even the soothing motion of a thumb rubbing circles on Byleth's cupped cheek, or in any of steps he takes, no matter how big or small, to ensure the guy is comfortable with him, that he doesn't break this trust some other Shez started building; that Byleth is always happy with him, even if it doesn't openly show on his face. That right there may be the only reason why the ever impulsive and hot-headed Shez could pull off his earlier speech so convincingly: because none of it had been just an act. ]
No need to ask me twice.
[ None of it. Not the utmost importance of their friendship, and not his genuine want for his unconventional boyfriend, either. And so, when he closes that gap with a soft press of lips to Byleth's, it's with the hope that his true feelings will shine through and reach their audience, if not the object of his affections himself. ]