recolle | [Closed] I Can't Stop This Feeling...

WHO: Vaan and Penelope
WHERE: Vaan's Apartment
WHEN: March
WHAT: A talk that needs to happen.
WARNINGS: Alcohol, maybe language.

Penelope Raban wasn't stupid or unobservant, not by any stretch of the imagination, especially when it came to Vaan. She knew something was off, and she had a general idea of what it was. He hadn't been himself since that secret video, and she wasn't going to go prying or anything, but the looks she got from people that knew them both were a clear indicator that yeah, something was up. And that yeah, she needed to talk to him. So that's what led her to head over to his place completely unannounced. It's not a recording day for either of them, and he'd definitely gone right home after class, so this is definitely the best plan.

She's gone a little dressier than usual, because it's cold and because she figures that this could be one of those really difficult talks. She's also got food. And good cider. His favorites to boot, since she hopes that it can drag out whatever's bothering him.

His doorbell rings, and she waits patiently out in the hallway, leaning against the far wall just out of sight of the peephole so she can surprise him.

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Vaan hadn't really meant to act different, but it was inevitable given it was like walking on eggshells, waiting to see if she'd the video yet or not. It looked like any one of his streams, only it had him admitting his feelings toward his best friend, something he never quite planned to tell her. Ever.

So, when he heard the knock on his door, he didn't need to look in the peephole to know who it was. He could be wrong and it could be some salesperson, but something told him that wasn't the case tonight. He even debated on acting like he wasn't home, but she'd just know. He sighed and dropped his highlighter into the crook of the textbook, shutting it and the notebook sitting next to it, pen inside and stood up from his desk. He tapped the screen of his laptop briefly to pause the music as he made his way to the door, unlocking it and opening it.

The sight of the Wonder Woman sweater had him pausing a bit, cracking a small grin from the corner of his mouth. "Hey, Pen. No crime fighting tonight?"

"No crime," Pen replied with a little smirk, holding up the container of food and the six pack of bottles. There was definite mischief in her eye, but also concern. If he knew what he was looking for, anyway.

"I hadn't seen you in two days. At least. I got lonely and figured I'd come by, make sure you were alive. Brought your favorite cider and wings. Unless...you're not into that tonight?"

"I didn't know I was until now," He replied, shaking his head and opening the door wider to let her in. He scratched at the back of his neck. "I didn't really realize it'd been a couple days, sorry 'bout that."

They did see each other every day, didn't that? Vaan hadn't thought about it until now that she mentioned it. And with his favorite food and drink? Pen was definitely up to something, but he couldn't deny it was also sweet of her at the same time.

"How're you holding up?"

She steps inside and heads right to the kitchen, setting things down before she answers him. She knows something's bugging him, it's just...obvious to anyone that really knows him. And it's a little troubling, seeing him like that. She hates seeing anyone feel down, and a guy who was the closest thing she had to family left? Well, unbearable.

"I'm okay. I mean, well as can be. That stupid video's mostly been taken down, thankfully. And no more paparazzi."

She turns around and hops up onto the counter, sitting there and looking down at him.

"What about you?"

He shut the door and followed her into the kitchen, leaning on the counter opposite of her and crossing his arms and he listened. Well, it was good that things settled down for her. While there was no paparazzi to harass him now, his followers weren't quite as nice. They hounded his Twitter and the comment sections.

"Same, I guess," He shrugged, crossing his arms. "I don't think I've seen mine around either."

It's one of those moments where he wondered if it had been a good idea to be so open on the internet now. He pushed himself off the counter and went to the bag of food, opening it to start sorting it. "Can you get the plates?"

"Sure," Pen replied, twisting and pulling some plates down from the cabinet before dropping to the floor. There was definitely something bugging him, and she could tell. his body language, that shrug, all of it sort of made her worry.

Maybe she shouldn't, but as she set the plates out and got out bottle openers and napkins, she couldn't help but wonder all the more what it was that had him so...on edge.

"Is your video taken down too?"

"Dunno," He said, bringing the wings over to the plates with a pair of tongs to use. Not that it mattered, their fingers would get sticky with the spicy sauce eventually. "But I haven't seen it much."

It's really difficult not to just spill the beans on the video itself. It's clear she hasn't seen it yet, but she would find out eventually. It'd probably be best if it was from him but... he couldn't just say it. Not now.

He went back to get the cups. "Let's not think about that right now, though. How're your classes going?"

Pen blinks, looking down at the food with a little hint of concern to her jaw, but...food first. Drinks first. Then she'd ask. That's probably best, and maybe it's a little scuzzy of her, but this dodging is really troubling.

"Classes?" She shrugs and pops the top off of two beers, passing him one.

"Classes are fine I guess. Aced my test in advanced Python. How about yours? Any issues?"

Picking up her plate, she headed towards the table, taking a long pull from her beer and letting the warm spice wash over her.

Vaan took the bottle and sat at the table, setting it down so he could get himself some wings to dig into first. Beer is fine, but wings were better.

"Not really, just boring mostly. Only really doing Biology and Astronomy this semester," He replied. "Got my own test coming up next week so I've been studying up on that."

He didn't like dodging as much as her, but he couldn't help it right now. He finally drank from the beer himself, taking a couple gulps before going back into the food. "I still can't seem to pick a major though, and I know it's coming up soon."

"Good on the test, and there's a few months yet. You just have to settle by start of fall term. No pressure there," Pen nodded again, taking another swallow before turning her attention to the food.

Her own was of the sweeter variety, marinated in golden honey mustard, and when she picked it up and took a bite more than a little sauce dribbled down her chin, causing her to break into a weak giggle. Grinning she dabbed at it with a finger, which...of course...got more sauce from her fingertip on her chin.

"...Hah, wow. Pass me a napkin, because I'm apparently a mess tonight."

It was spring time so he had time, he hoped he'd figure it out soon. Vaan licked his fingers clean before grabbing the napkin, chuckling a bit himself.

"I guess so," He said, handing it to her. Honestly, she was cute like that. Which only reminded him of what had him so upset before and his smile fell a bit. He focused on his food and drink once more. "It happens to the best of us."

She took the napkin and wiped it clean. And then scrubbed at her face a little before finishing off the wing. It was weird, because something about his expression told her this was more significant for him than just simply sticky sauce on her chin.

"How's the beer? Want another?"

Since she was nearly finished with her own, and figured he might be getting close too.

"Hm? Oh, no, I'm good for now, only half way through this one," Vaan answered, he was a little more focused on his wings. What could he say? They were one of his favorite food, after all. "I'll another later. Want me to get yours though?"

"I got it," Pen said, hopping up and grabbing a second. She grinned a sort of lopsided grin at him and popped the top off.

"So...you ready for summer vacay?"

[Closed] I Can't Stop This Feeling...

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