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Ralsei frets nervously around his room. Today is the big day! Kris had invited him along with the others on a group trip to the new amusement park Cyber-World. They'd apparently gotten some free tickets from a friend of their brothers? Ralsei was very excited, and more than a little nervous if he was being honest. When Kris had first invited him, he thought for a second that maybe it was just going to be them together, but Kris quickly added that Susie and Noelle were coming too. Which is fine!!! Ralsei loves to hang out with his other friends too! It certainly eases his nerves a little, knowing it won't be just him and Kris... Though part of him felt... a little disappointed? Maybe? Ralsei tried not to dwell on it.
There was just one problem, Susie was supposed to pick Ralsei up an half an hour ago. Ralsei paced nervously around his room for what felt like the hundredth time. Had this all been a prank? Maybe they just said they were inviting him so he'd get his hopes up... Just as his anxiety was beginning to peak, he heard a loud honk outside his window. He peaks behind the curtains and sees Susie leaning out of her car window, blasting her car horn as she looks pointedly at Ralsei's front door. Ralsei decides he needs to hurry outside before the neighbors start getting irritated. He tries to brush out any stray wrinkles in his favorite dress as he heads to the car.
"Get in nerd, we're already running late."
Susie grunts as Ralsei hops into the backseat.
Susie is driving and Noelle is riding shotgun, which she seems especially pleased about, while Kris and Ralsei are in the back.
"Hi Noelle! Hi K-Kris!" Ralsei gives a soft greeting with a little wave to Noelle, and an embarrassed glance at Kris. Noelle is wearing a simple cotton dress, which Ralsei thinks suits her well, and Kris is wearing their usual sweater and jeans. Kris gives Ralsei a slight smile.
"Hi, Ralsei." They say in their usual quiet tone. It's a fairly chilly day outside, but Ralsei suddenly feels very hot. He tries to distract himself with some idle conversation.
"S-so um, Susie! I didn't know you had a license!" he pipes up.
"She doesn't." Kris softly mutters with a grin. Susie gives an indignant snort in response.
"Oh shut up Kris. I've got a license on me!" a brief pause, "S'not *MY* license but I've got one!" She lets out a loud wheezing laugh. Ralsei feels a deep pit of dread open in his stomach. Noelle seems to have similar concerns, but she's too focused on Susie's laugh to care. Ralsei feels a comforting pat on his knee, and looks over to see Kris give their best reassuring smile.
"Relax. Susie is... good driver. Only crashed once." They mumble the last part under their breath. This is not reassuring.
"U-um Susie maybe you should s-slow down... You're speeding..." Noelle stammers through gritted teeth. The poor girl is shaking like a leaf.
"Like hell! We've gotta make up for lost time! I wanna get to the roller coasters as fast as possible!!! Susie exclaims through a wild chuckle. She presses her foot down harder on the pedal, which had already been pushed to the limit. This is going to be an interesting day, Ralsei supposes, as he leans forward to hug his knees.
Surprisingly enough they make it to the park in one piece. After getting through the front gates, Susie immediately dashes to the scariest looking rollercoasters, much to Ralsei and Noelle's Horror. She tries to goad them onto one that seems to just be two roller coasters on a slope colliding into each other, with a person standing almost directly in between them. Ralsei felt the name of the ride was rather crude. An hour or so passes like this, Susie attempting to get Ralsei and Noelle on a terrifying looking ride and them both completely refusing. Kris seemed particularly taken with a carousel that was spinning way too fast. Ralsei could tell Susie was starting to get annoyed riding all the coasters by herself, but suddenly a wicked smile crosses Susie's face as she points out a ride.
"How about that ride then huh? Should be more your speed Ralsei." She let out a low chuckle as Ralsei turned to see what she was pointing at. The Tunnel of Love. Ralsei broke out into a sweat, suddenly his scarf felt tight around his neck.
"O-oh no I d-dont think-" As Ralsei begins to object Susie cuts him off.
"Oh c'mon toothpaste boy. We all know you wanna ride it with Kris." Ralsei gives her a horrified look and sinks his face lower into his scarf. Susie just shrugs. "Don't gotta be embarrassed 'bout it Rals. Kris wants to ride it too, right Kris?" Ralsei blushes deeper and shyly looks over at Kris, their expression unreadable.
"I-Is that true, Kris?" Ralsei asks softly. Kris flinches and fidgets with their hands for a moment, before silently nodding their head. "O-Oh! Then of course I'll ride with you Kris! Susie, will you and Noelle be-" Ralsei is interrupted by a strong hand on his back pushing him towards the ride.
"NOPE NOW GET ON THE RIDE DUMBASSES. BYE." Susie shouts as she runs up to Noelle, grabbing her arm and pulling her away. Ralsei watches as Noelle's expression turns from shock to delight as Susie runs off with her. Well. At least those two are having fun. Ralsei feels a tap on his shoulder, Kris nods their head in the direction of the Tunnel of Love, indicating that they should get on before more people get in line. Ralsei gives Kris a nervous smile as he walks beside them, his heart pounding in his chest. He's going to ride the Tunnel of Love??? With Kris?????? This feels like both a dream come true and an absolute nightmare all at once. Ralsei has been aware of his feelings for Kris for a while now, but this is the closest he's ever gotten to doing anything even remotely romantic with them. The butterflies in his stomach only intensify when Kris gives a small smile back. This is going to be the death of me, Ralsei thinks to himself, but maybe this wouldn't be such a bad way to go?
As Kris steps into the swan boat Ralsei can feel himself begin to shake with nervous energy. Kris gently takes his hand and helps him into the boat, making sure he doesn't stumble. Ralsei's heart rate skyrockets at the touch, it's a wonder he's even still conscious at this point. He sits on the seat across from Kris. The seats aren't wide enough for two people, at least without being squished together, Which Ralsei doesn't think he could handle. There is a moment of unbearable silence as cheery music begins playing out of the speakers. As the boat begins to move along the tracks hidden underwater, Ralsei decides he needs to speak up.
"U-um Kris. I-I wanted to thank you for inviting me along with Susie and Noelle." Kris tilts their head to the side, and gives Ralsei a slightly confused look. "W-Well I mean... I know I'm not as fun as Susie is, or as close to you as N-Noelle is... So I was surprised when you asked me to come along. I worry a lot that um. That I'm boring and not fun to be around haha..." Ralsei gives a weak little laugh and looks downcast before continuing. "I-I didn't really have any friends where I used to live. People would... bully me for being so short and meek... and a crybaby..." Ralsei looks up at Kris, who is still gazing at him, before continuing. "B-but you don't treat me like that! Susie doesn't either... well. maybe she does... but I know its hard for her to express her emotions clearly... a-and um. What I mean to say is... it means a lot to me Kris... to be your friend." Ralsei smiles at Kris warmly, trying to show how appreciative he is. Kris is silent for a long moment, they seem to be considering something. Ralsei starts to worry he said something wrong. Maybe Kris doesn't think of him as a friend after all? Slowly, Kris stands up and moves to the other side of the swan, gently sitting down beside Ralsei. Suddenly Ralsei is having trouble breathing again. Kris is really close to him right now and he can feel their leg brushing up against his own. He can't bring himself to look at Kris, his face is on fire. He stammers out a short string of unintelligible noises, thoroughly embarrassing himself even further. Kris shifts slightly and looks down at Ralsei, who looks as though he is trying to fold up into a ball.
"You okay?" they ask softly. Ralsei looks down at his feet and tries to ignore the blush burning at his cheeks.
"S-sorry Kris I've just... never been this close to someone before... I'm a little... nervous haha..." Ralsei steals a glance over at Kris, who seems perfectly content, or maybe they're just good at hiding their discomfort? "Y-you don't seem nervous though... this must be pretty normal for you... you're so cool after all... I'm sure you're close to a lot of people!" Ralsei squeaks. For some reason the idea that Kris is used to being close to others makes him a little sad. Kris hesitates, then shakes their head no. They reach over and gently grab Ralsei's hand, they bring it up to their chest. "K-kris w-what are you-!" Ralsei's protests peter off as he realizes how nice this feels. Kris' chest is warm. Their sweater is so soft... and... Their heart is pounding. It's beating almost as fast as his own. He peeks up at Kris' face to catch a blush on their cheeks.
"It's not... normal. For me either." they mutter quietly. Ralsei feels his cheeks burning harder than they ever have before. He is now acutely aware of how close they are to one another, and that Kris is still clasping his hand to their chest. He cant stop gazing at their face, a gap in their bangs revealing their crimson eyes. Ralsei can clearly make them out for the first time while this close up.
"...Beautiful" he thinks, and Kris' blush deepens. Oops. Had he said that out loud? Now it's Kris' turn to look away, trying desperately to hide their face from him, to not let him see them blush. Ralsei feels the swan boat wobble a little due to the shift in weight, but right now he doesn't particularly care. All his fear dissipates and is replaced by a growing desire. He wants Kris to look at him again, with those piercing but gentle eyes. He attempts to reposition himself closer to Kris, standing to try and get a better look at their face. Without thinking, he leans forward and puts a hand on Kris' thigh, their face shoots back to Ralsei with a look of barely muted surprise. Ralsei is jolted out of his trance.
"A-ah s-sorry I wasn't- I didn't mean to-!" He pulls back a little too quickly and the swan shudders and wobbles, knocking Ralsei off balance.
He almost falls backwards onto the other side of the boat, but Kris shoots up and quickly catches him. One arm clasped around Ralsei's back and the other on his shoulder. Ralsei has the wind knocked out of him for more reasons than the fall. Kris is holding him so tight... and they're so close!!! Kris has hugged him before but... it wasn't like this... well maybe it was a little like this? Its hard to tell, Ralsei's nerves are always so jumpy around them. Kris' face is only inches from his. He can feel their sharp inhale as they realize how close they're clutching Ralsei. "So cute." Ralsei thinks to himself, "They're just so cute!" He decides to bite the bullet. He wants to see how Kris reacts.
"Y-y-you're re-really... cute... Kris..." Ralsei manages to stammer out, fighting back the urge to just leap off the swan and into the water below. Kris' eyes widen, just for a second, and then they smile and pull Ralsei even closer. Ralsei lets out a small bleat as Kris pulls him close.
"Ralsei."Kris murmurs.
"Y-yes Kris?" Ralsei answers. He can smell Kris' peppermint toothpaste. Their heartbeat is so loud Ralsei can't distinguish it from his own. Kris leans forward, and gently moves their mouth over to Ralsei's left ear.
"You're cute too." they whisper. "I like you." Ralsei shudders, he would have collapsed without Kris' firm arms keeping him steady. He inhales deeply before saying,
"I-i-i l-li-" He's cut short by a blinding flash of light and the music of the tunnel of love beginning to fade out. "w-wait did-did that take a p-picture of us!" Ralsei jumps back, panic grasping his heart as the tunnel opens back up to the park. Sure enough displayed on an LCD screen near the exit is a picture of Kris embracing Ralsei, a mischievous smile painted on their face and eyes looking directly at the camera. Now Ralsei really wants to jump off the ride.
As Kris steps off the swan, they reach back and offer their hand to Ralsei, who hesitates before accepting it. Kris pulls Ralsei up with a surprising amount of strength. Ralsei absentmindedly wonders if Kris has any muscles, they've never let anyone see them without long sleeves... His face flushes at just the thought and he tries to think about literally anything else. Like how Kris is still holding his hand. That's pretty nice. Kris doesn't let go of his hand as they walk up to a small kiosk with a sign that reads, "PICTURETH BOOTHE". The man working the kiosk interrupts Ralsei's thoughts with a jarring proposition.
"Helloeth lovestricken worms! Would thoust like to purchasest thy pictureths? Only twentyeth dollars!" The strange man asks in a faux chipper, and very loud, voice. Ralsei is still trying to parse what it is he just said when Kris says,
"Three please." and holds out three twenty dollar bills.
"K-kris!" Ralsei pipes up, "Those are way too expensive! A-and besides they're.... embarrassing..." Kris gives him a small smile in response, which sends shivers through Ralsei's body. He relents and bashfully looks away. Ralsei would let Kris do anything if it meant he could see that smile... As the man hands over three copies of the photo, Kris makes another small smile while looking them over.
"Worth it." they say quietly. They hand one copy to Ralsei. Ralsei tucks the photo into his dress pocket as he tries to hide his blush under his scarf. Kris smoothly intertwines their fingers with Ralsei's once more, and he quietly prays they'll never let go.
As they walk quietly through the park, still hand in hand, Ralsei wonders aloud.
"Kris, why did you ask for three pictures? Is the other one for your f-family?" The prospect of Kris showing that picture to their parents is both exciting and terrifying. Kris shakes their head no.
"...For Susie. Made me promise. In exchange." They reassure.
"In exchange...? Exchange for what? Ralsei asks. Kris just makes another soft smile at him, and winks.
"...Secret." Kris looks away, humming something to themselves. Oh gosh... was this all just another one of Susie and Kris' pranks? Had they tricked Ralsei again? Was any of that... real? ...No, Ralsei supposes, of course none of it was real. Why would Kris ever like someone like Ralsei? Kris was smart and funny and brave. And he... he was just a boring meek nerd, too scared to get on a roller coaster. It was all just a prank. Though this one felt especially cruel. Ralsei quietly slips his hand away from Kris' and looks downcast at the ground. Counting the cracks in the pavement to keep himself from crying. It wasn't enough though, and Ralsei felt his eyes welling with tears. "Stop crying you loser. This is why nobody likes you, why everyone ends up ignoring you in the end. Crybaby." He can't stop the hot teardrops from spilling over, he buries as much of his face in his scarf as he can, desperate to hide his misery.
"Ralsei...?" He hears Kris quietly ask, concern in their voice. Ralsei had stopped walking and couldn't prevent the oncoming anxiety he felt deep inside him, threatening to completely spill over. "Ralsei." Their voice is closer now, but Ralsei cant see through the tears, he doesn't want to look at Kris right now. He can't let them see him like this. He hiccups slightly,
"S-sorry!" he says a little louder than he intended, and he starts running away.
"R-ralsei! Wait!" He hears Kris yell after him. Oh no. Their voice sounds more panicked than he's ever heard. He really messed up this time. He's always messing up. Why couldn't he just take a simple prank? Why does he have to be such a loser.
Ralsei runs until he finds a small bench area that seems empty. He sits down for a moment to catch his breath and rub his bleary eyes. He sniffles softly to himself for a few minutes, attempting to regain some composure.
"I'm such an idiot... I really thought they might like me." He
mutters, tightening his grip on the hem of his dress.
"You thought who might like you?" Squawks a familiar, somewhat grating, voice. Berdly is standing over him, cotton candy in one hand, a cheap plastic lightsaber in the other.
"O-oh!" Ralsei begins frantically wiping his fur of tears, the last thing he needs right now is for Berdly to make fun of him. "H-hi berdly! I'm just taking a little rest! I've been walking all day haha." He forces out with a big fake smile, hoping to get out of this conversation as soon as possible.
"What's wrong Ralsei? Did something happen? Are you hurt?" Berdly says, the usual bravado and self righteousness missing from his voice. He kneels down in front of Ralsei, searching for possible wounds. Oh. He seems actually... concerned??? Ralsei doesn't really know what to think of this.
"U-um no im not hurt... ph-physically h-haha..." Ralsei mutters the last part under his breath, but Berdly catches it. He stands and puts a wing on Ralsei's shoulder.
"Listen Ralsei. I know we aren't exactly friends or anything but, as a True Gamer, I cant just ignore someone in need... it would be ungamerly of me to not rez you when you're down..." Ralsei isn't sure about half of that sentence but Berdly seems to be genuinely worried. "So tell me, what happened? The least I can do is lend an ear hole!" Ralsei hesitates, he can feel tears welling up again.
"I- i thought that um. K-Kris confessed to m-me that they l-l-liked me but... I think i-it was just one of their and S-Susies pranks..." He manages to stammer out, as he begins to sob once more. "I w-was so h-happy but n-now I feel like I c-cant b-breathe..." He hiccups and sniffles, he feels pathetic right now. Berdly considers this for a moment, clearly unsure of what he should be doing.
"I, er, I am sorry to hear about that." Berdly thinks to himself that it sounds a little odd though. "May i ask a question?" Ralsei gives a small little nod. "Are you absolutely sure it was a prank? It doesn't- er... forgive me if this is out of line but, it doesn't really sound like something kris would do? Maybe???" Ralsei blinks and looks up at Berdly
"W-why do you think that? K-k=Kris is always pulling p-pranks..." he asks, his throat hoarse. Berdly looks to the side... "Oh Angel... I'm really about to... compliment Kris... humiliating... But I can't just leave goat boy hanging... he needs my wisdom right now!" he swallows his pride, just for a moment.
"Er- listen. I er, I don't know Kris as well as the otherse. They're not really suitable material to be *MY* friend... but I have grown up with them. Kind of? And er- They seem... lonely... Always sulking and creeping and generally being a big-" He stops himself, "Focus, Berdly!" "My point is that, once you moved to town they've seemed happy??? Certainly more outgoing... and well. It erm." Urk. Berdly clears his throat. I guess it kind of makes me happy to see them... doing so well. Don't tell Kris I said this but, I don't think they're a mean person. I don't think they'd pull a prank like that. Call it a gamers intuition! Kris is also a gamer, one of the *very few* things I respect about them, so I can just tell these sorts of things... it's part of the gamers creed..." Berdly ends his rambling diatribe with a short cough and an embarrassed glance away. Ralsei is stunned by Berdly actually being pretty cool right now??? He's starting to get worried that he might have overreacted. He tends to immediately assume the worst possible outcome when it comes to matters involving himself.
"Berdly... thanks. I think people are wrong about you! You're actually very kind when it matters..." Ralsei gives a soft smile to Berdly, genuine this time. Berdly is a little taken back over the goat boy's last comment, do people think he isn't kind and benevolent??? Upon seeing Ralsei's smile directed at him, he blushes and starts backing away.
"Well, er, yes, of course I am!!! I'm me after all!!! Y-you've fallen for my trap!!! My kindness and humility trap!!!!!! S-see you later, NERD!!!!!!" After sputtering for a while longer, he simply turns and wavedashes away, a flushed face betraying his words. Ralsei giggles and is suddenly overcome with exhaustion. His eyes are sore and he can feel a headache forming. But he needs to push past that! He wants to find Kris right this second! He needs to apologize for running away and being a big crybaby. As he stands up and straightens out his dress, he turns to head back the way he came, when he suddenly hears a voice calling for him.
Kris suddenly rounds the corner, they look out of breath. As soon as they see Ralsei they dash towards him and hug him tight, picking him up slightly off the ground.
"K-Kris?!?!" Ralsei squeaks, more than a little flustered by how tight Kris' arms are wrapped around his waist. He can hear Kris' labored breathing, had they being running this entire time? They're sniffling and their breaths are uneven. Oh. They must have been crying. "Kris?" Ralsei murmurs softly, pulling back slightly to wipe a tear from their cheek. "Are you alright?" Concern peaking his voice a little.
"Sorry." they manage to say quietly in-between small gasps.
"W-why are you sorry? You didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one who ran away!" Ralsei assures, caressing Kris' cheek softly. Kris pulls away and turns their head to the side, blushing.
"I shouldn't. Have confessed. Scared you. Probably hate me now..." They mutter, their voice is barely audible over the sounds of the park around them.
"...Huh?" Ralsei hesitates, "I thought... it was a prank? I thought you and Susie were playing a trick on me... making me think you liked me and getting a photo of my reactions... That's why you bought a copy for her, right? Ralsei inquires, embarrassment creeping across his face. Kris turns their head and gazes into Ralsei's eyes. They shake their head no.
"Not a prank. I." They look down, and clasp Ralsei's hands in their own. "I like you. Ralsei. More than a friend." Their voice is raspy and small, but its the most beautiful sound Ralsei has ever heard. Their voice is like music to his ears. He leans forward and touches his forehead to theirs, having to stand on his tippy toes to do so. Their noises are almost grazing and Ralsei can tell Kris is shaking.
"I didn't get to respond back in the tunnel but... Kris look at me." Ralsei whispers. Kris looks into his eyes, their crimson meeting Ralsei's emerald. "I like you too. M-much more than a friend. I have for a while now, actually." Kris turns a deep shade of red, Ralsei can tell he probably looks similar. Kris says something but it's lost in the noise around them. "What was that? I couldn't hear you Kris." Kris glances away from Ralsei's eyes for a moment, then looks back with a newfound confidence.
"Be my boyfriend." they say, then realizing it sounds more like a command than a question they restate, "I mean. Do you want to be. My boyfr-" Ralsei cuts them off by tilting his head, leaning closer, and quickly kissing their lips. Kris' eyes widen so much Ralsei thinks they might pop out. Ralsei is red as a beet.
"D-d-does that answer your ques-" Kris cuts Ralsei off this time by placing a kiss of their own, but this one isn't so quick. Ralsei allows himself to become lost in it for a while, letting himself melt into the feeling. He's not exactly sure how long they stood there in each others arms exchanging kisses, but it was long enough that people passing by began to stare. "K-kris! People are staring!!!" Ralsei stammers in between a kiss.
"And?" Kris says. They don't stop. Ralsei pulls away and looks down bashfully.
"C-can we um. Can we w-wait until we g-get back to your h-house? T-to do this..." He is so embarrassed right now. He cant believe he said just said that!!! Kris cups Ralsei's chin and gives a mischievous smile
"Sure. My place then." They wink. Ralsei is going to explode. Miss Dreemurr is going to kill him. He is not a good influence!!! Kris lets out a quiet chuckle, one that tears Ralsei from his thoughts. Hearing Kris laugh is rare and always delightful. Ralsei savors the unfamiliar noise as they both smile, and begin to walk down the road to find Susie and Noelle.
Hand-in-hand.