I am an expert host! An expert on the image of others, and how to connect them with true love!
❰ more gesticulating as he flails his forearms up and down wildly, trying to convince zuko that this is simply a misunderstanding! a very vulgar misunderstanding! ❱
I'm an expert on nothing else, I swear to you! ❰ oops, accidental self-own. ❱
Based on experience! That's what I'm asking you for! Your expert experience! I've only ever loved one person, and it was a girl I've known since childhood — I don't know how to love a boy, especially if he loves someone else! But obviously it's possible! How do you do it?!
I don't have any idea what you're truly asking me how to do, but I'll let you know that I can offer no advice on anything that would require an audio censor or mosaic overlay!
❰ he's really hung up on the fact that zuko thinks he's a sex fiend. ❱
At all! How does it even make sense to be attracted to every person on Earth, Zuko? He's fed you vicious lies! I'll put him in the corner for a whole week for this stunt!
Is that what they've told you about me? I am not desperate, nor have I ever been. The love and adoration I receive is not bought, and it is not a necessity in order for me to live. It just can't be help that I am naturally beautiful and charismatic.
[ It is. But it isn't, either, he just insults people by accident... doesn't that just make it more sincere!? ]
Look. [ He sighs, shaking his head, lowering his defensively gesturing hands back to his lap as he finds his angle. ] ...My sister has this friend back home. Ty Lee. She's an identical septuplet. All six of her sisters look just like her. She told us she felt like she was just part of a matching set all her life, and so she ran away to join the circus. Now she gets fawned over by boys all the time and eats it up like it's the most natural thing in the world! [ He's not gonna lie, even understanding more where it comes from, it's still annoying to be around. ] But— ...that's not a bad thing. She just needs the attention. Everyone needs attention... But when you didn't get enough— sometimes you need more. In different ways.
[ Zuko didn't get enough attention, either. What started out as a hot defense has turned strangely poignant and personal, even if he's deflecting by throwing poor Ty Lee under the bus who ain't even here. ]
So— what I'm asking is... ...is that so wrong? And if it's not— where's the line?
[ Also, clearly he's still not fully convinced Tamaki's not just covering up. He already told him he's not the type to kiss and tell, after all. And why would the twins lie? Hikaru's very good in his delivery. Zuko trusts him.
❰ in truth, tamaki gives zuko a lot of leeway. he likes the guy. he's a good brother-in-law! so the annoyed tone leaves pretty quickly as he yet again absorbs the dialogue zuko throws at him. ❱
It's not at all a bad thing to want attention. It's a natural part of existing — who would want a life where no one perceives you, let alone fawns over you on occasion? ❰ he shudders at the thought. ❱ If it's you that wants the attention, Zuko, I will say that I think you can get it from someone who isn't essentially telling you their heart is already set on another person.
And what about him? What if he needs the extra attention more than I do?
[ He is dejected by this, uh, very logical response. Tamaki's giving him straight talk and he appreciates it... even though it's not what he wanted to hear, he realizes now. Maybe a part of him was hoping that the guy who seems so especially worldly and well-versed in this stuff — even though Zuko's wildly misinformed — would tell him something unexpected. But it seems the rules are the same across the board, even for people who love everyone, as Hikaru put it... ]
❰ despite tamaki's grandiosity, he's still a straight shooter when it matters most. even if his advice or read might be off, if he thinks what he has to say is meaningful and necessary? he'll say it. ❱
Quite frankly, his need for attention doesn't much matter to me based on how this scenario sounds very one-sided. But if you're insistent that you must take care of him, you can give him as much attention as you want.
❰ tamaki sighs, still thrown off after finding out zuko thinks he's a sex addict. the more details he receives about zuko's situation, though...zuko's really into this guy, for whatever reason. that's how love is, but this relationship doesn't seem so destined to tamaki. and that's what matters most, not fostering love between people when it seems like someone will be hurt. ❱
If you insist on continuing this thread with him, just remember that your happiness and fulfillment matter. If those needs aren't met, then it's not a relationship worth this much effort.
[ This wasn't what Zuko was expecting to hear, and he scowls into his own lap thoughtfully, flicking the lighter flame off and on again. ]
...Have you ever fallen in love with someone who didn't love you back, then? N-Not that that's what this is with Gokudera, uh— I'm not in love with him! He's my best friend! But— ...are you speaking from experience?
[ He ventures a glance up, nervous to hear this answer, too. ]
Despite what Hikaru or Kaoru — or both of them have told you, I've never been in love with someone. I have an appreciation for the affection of others, and a want to make sure they're happy and cared for, but to fall in love is an extremely different state of mind.
I speak from my own understanding of the human heart — and of, in this case, what I consider to be common sense.
[ Flat face. But Tamaki's words do help. Not at all the way he'd expected or hoped they would, but still help all the same. He sighs, flicking the flame on again to fidget with his lighter as he processes all this, staring into it thoughtfully. ]
If you've never been in love, then— what's the grey area? Is there one? Between friendship and something else, if not love exactly? Is it just— the moons...? Since Hikaru and Kaoru lied to me and you're not, uh— like that... How do you deal with that, then? The moons and all. This place hasn't confused you?
[ He's not sure if he wants to know the answer in detail, clearly still uncomfortable talking about sex, but he's curious about Tamaki now. If Tamaki's not some polyamorous pansexual promiscuous sex fiend with endless friends with benefits as the twins have given Zuko the impression he is... then what? The way he's talking now makes him sound virginal and pure and maybe like he's guided only on principle, lacking experience even more than Zuko himself, potentially? Or is it just that he's never been in love because sex doesn't require love for him? Zuko's only recently met someone who said he had emotionless sex with total strangers, which was a ground shaking concept to him, one he'd never want for himself, he thinks. But somehow, that's not at all the vibes Tamaki is giving him... ]
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❰ more gesticulating as he flails his forearms up and down wildly, trying to convince zuko that this is simply a misunderstanding! a very vulgar misunderstanding! ❱
I'm an expert on nothing else, I swear to you! ❰ oops, accidental self-own. ❱
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[ Oh no oh no oh no ]
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❰ he's really hung up on the fact that zuko thinks he's a sex fiend. ❱
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[ Oh no, oh no oh no oh no...
He wants help! Help him!!! He just bared all for nothing!!! ]
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but it figures this is a twin scheme, but to up the ante so severely! they're reached a new low! ❱
I have never had one lover! In my life! The twins are prankster beasts who have found a way to get the best of me!
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[ They upped the ante all the way up. ]
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At all! How does it even make sense to be attracted to every person on Earth, Zuko? He's fed you vicious lies! I'll put him in the corner for a whole week for this stunt!
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[ Is he saying that's what he thinks of you, Tamaki...?! grjhskndf ]
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Is that what they've told you about me? I am not desperate, nor have I ever been. The love and adoration I receive is not bought, and it is not a necessity in order for me to live. It just can't be help that I am naturally beautiful and charismatic.
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[ It is. But it isn't, either, he just insults people by accident...
doesn't that just make it more sincere!?]Look. [ He sighs, shaking his head, lowering his defensively gesturing hands back to his lap as he finds his angle. ] ...My sister has this friend back home. Ty Lee. She's an identical septuplet. All six of her sisters look just like her. She told us she felt like she was just part of a matching set all her life, and so she ran away to join the circus. Now she gets fawned over by boys all the time and eats it up like it's the most natural thing in the world! [ He's not gonna lie, even understanding more where it comes from, it's still annoying to be around. ] But— ...that's not a bad thing. She just needs the attention. Everyone needs attention... But when you didn't get enough— sometimes you need more. In different ways.
[ Zuko didn't get enough attention, either. What started out as a hot defense has turned strangely poignant and personal, even if he's deflecting by throwing poor Ty Lee under the bus who ain't even here. ]
So— what I'm asking is... ...is that so wrong? And if it's not— where's the line?
[ Also, clearly he's still not fully convinced Tamaki's not just covering up. He already told him he's not the type to kiss and tell, after all. And why would the twins lie? Hikaru's very good in his delivery. Zuko trusts him.
...Zuko should not trust him. ]
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It's not at all a bad thing to want attention. It's a natural part of existing — who would want a life where no one perceives you, let alone fawns over you on occasion? ❰ he shudders at the thought. ❱ If it's you that wants the attention, Zuko, I will say that I think you can get it from someone who isn't essentially telling you their heart is already set on another person.
❰ yeah, he's not forgetting that bit. ❱
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[ He is dejected by this, uh, very logical response. Tamaki's giving him straight talk and he appreciates it... even though it's not what he wanted to hear, he realizes now. Maybe a part of him was hoping that the guy who seems so especially worldly and well-versed in this stuff — even though Zuko's wildly misinformed — would tell him something unexpected. But it seems the rules are the same across the board, even for people who love everyone, as Hikaru put it... ]
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Quite frankly, his need for attention doesn't much matter to me based on how this scenario sounds very one-sided. But if you're insistent that you must take care of him, you can give him as much attention as you want.
❰ tamaki sighs, still thrown off after finding out zuko thinks he's a sex addict. the more details he receives about zuko's situation, though...zuko's really into this guy, for whatever reason. that's how love is, but this relationship doesn't seem so destined to tamaki. and that's what matters most, not fostering love between people when it seems like someone will be hurt. ❱
If you insist on continuing this thread with him, just remember that your happiness and fulfillment matter. If those needs aren't met, then it's not a relationship worth this much effort.
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...Have you ever fallen in love with someone who didn't love you back, then? N-Not that that's what this is with Gokudera, uh— I'm not in love with him! He's my best friend! But— ...are you speaking from experience?
[ He ventures a glance up, nervous to hear this answer, too. ]
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Despite what Hikaru or Kaoru — or both of them have told you, I've never been in love with someone. I have an appreciation for the affection of others, and a want to make sure they're happy and cared for, but to fall in love is an extremely different state of mind.
I speak from my own understanding of the human heart — and of, in this case, what I consider to be common sense.
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[ Flat face. But Tamaki's words do help. Not at all the way he'd expected or hoped they would, but still help all the same. He sighs, flicking the flame on again to fidget with his lighter as he processes all this, staring into it thoughtfully. ]
If you've never been in love, then— what's the grey area? Is there one? Between friendship and something else, if not love exactly? Is it just— the moons...? Since Hikaru and Kaoru lied to me and you're not, uh— like that... How do you deal with that, then? The moons and all. This place hasn't confused you?
[ He's not sure if he wants to know the answer in detail, clearly still uncomfortable talking about sex, but he's curious about Tamaki now. If Tamaki's not some polyamorous pansexual promiscuous sex fiend with endless friends with benefits as the twins have given Zuko the impression he is... then what? The way he's talking now makes him sound virginal and pure and maybe like he's guided only on principle, lacking experience even more than Zuko himself, potentially? Or is it just that he's never been in love because sex doesn't require love for him? Zuko's only recently met someone who said he had emotionless sex with total strangers, which was a ground shaking concept to him, one he'd never want for himself, he thinks. But somehow, that's not at all the vibes Tamaki is giving him... ]