forum "You DO like me!" "I don't think 'like' is the right word." "You tolerate me." "Maybe." one on one

Started January 29, 2021 by @cryptic-glitch

tune

"I meant with a girl, Lin," she said wryly, looking at him, slightly amused.

"Ohhhh…" Lin flushed lightly, finally understanding what she meant. "I… yeah, I guess you wouldn't have to worry about that, then."

"You are charmingly aloof, I can tell you that much. You're lucky I like you or I wouldn't be so patient."

Lin rolled his eyes a bit. "I'm a little slow sometimes, I'll give you that. And… not great at interacting with other people. What should I do if you're busy trying to… um… 'get laid'?"

"Be cute like you always are, I guess. Make a friend. And tell me if they try to make any moves you don't like. I will swoop in like a heroic pirate to defend you."

"Ah… alright." Lin flushed a bit and toyed with a lock of his hair. "Should we have a safe word or something? A code word? Something for me to say if I need your help?"

"Why are you blushing? And code word is. . . Michael Jackson." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Well, I dunno, I just… don't know how to be 'cute'. And I'm worried what people might try with me…" He sighed, fidgeting with his hands nervously.

"You're cute all the time. You're being cute now. And if you don't want to go I won't make you go, Lin."

"I am?" Lin asked, seeming a bit confused. "And I'm okay! I… I can go. We have the code word and everything, so I should be okay, right?"

"If you're okay with it." She studied him. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll be fine… is it time to go in yet?" He asked softly, turning his dark eyes out the window.

"Are you alright, love?" She reached toward him slightly, then pulled her hand back.

"Yeah, I'm alright. Why do you ask?" He asked, looking back at Orion with a contemplative hum.

"You seem. . . distraught." She dropped her hand and turned her gaze away from him.

"Just a little nervous… I've never been in a bar before." He shrugged and toyed with his sleeves. "I don't wanna do something stupid."

"I'll stay with you until you feel comfortable. I'm sure you won't do anything stupid. You can woo anyone you choose. Stupidity is not something you need to worry about."

"Ah, alright… I mean, I'm not sure I want to 'woo' anyone, but… should we get out now?" He asked, reaching for the car door.

"Sure." She put her phone in her back pocket and her wallet in the other back pocket, clambering out of the car.

Lin nodded and got out of the car with Orion, keeping close to her as they approached the bar. "How do we get in without immediately getting kicked out?"

"Ask politely? Let's cross that bridge when we get there."

"Alright…" Lin followed Orion closely, trying his best not to look nervous. He hesitated before pushing on the door when they got to the bar.

"Just relax," she said to Lin. "Chill out. Deep breaths. . .or something."

Lin nodded a bit and drew in a deep breath as he pushed open the door. He walked in with Orion, looking around at the people inside.

She grabbed his hand and said, "Who do you want to talk to?"