"One of these old songs I heard a ways back made a pretty poignant point in regards to this: the greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return. Personally I don't think it gets truer than that. If you spend all your time being afraid, when do you ever get to do the things you want to do? I believe it's worse to give in to fear all the time and cut off from what very well make you happier. So what if you both get hurt because it ends up not being everything you imagine? You grow, right?"
Another shrug, hand reaching for another roll.
"It goes one of two ways: it works or it doesn't. If it works, it's amazing, all rainbows and sparkles and magic, right? Awesome. But what if it doesn't work? Okay...then here's how that scenario pans out: Declan likes you, you like him, you try things, it doesn't work out. Declan is a really genuinely good guy, so on his end, he just keeps loving you, even if just platonically as a friend. Then the rest is on you and how you handle it. You can run off and never look back; that's totally an option for you with your particular set of skills. Or you can be mature about it, break things off, and still have a solid and loving relationship. Realistically, everything works out either way you take it."
"Personally, I'd just drop all the preamble and politics and you both be natural. If you guys get heavy, deal with it at your own pace. But I think you're being unkind to yourself, Aoba. Being different doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy, and being you doesn't mean you don't deserve Declan. If even some part of you actually wants it, I think you guys are grown ass enough to handle it, and you owe it to yourselves to try. I mean shit, how many people can say they literally crossed oceans of time and space to meet each other? It's disgustingly romantic, even you have to admit."
no subject
Another shrug, hand reaching for another roll.
"It goes one of two ways: it works or it doesn't. If it works, it's amazing, all rainbows and sparkles and magic, right? Awesome. But what if it doesn't work? Okay...then here's how that scenario pans out: Declan likes you, you like him, you try things, it doesn't work out. Declan is a really genuinely good guy, so on his end, he just keeps loving you, even if just platonically as a friend. Then the rest is on you and how you handle it. You can run off and never look back; that's totally an option for you with your particular set of skills. Or you can be mature about it, break things off, and still have a solid and loving relationship. Realistically, everything works out either way you take it."
"Personally, I'd just drop all the preamble and politics and you both be natural. If you guys get heavy, deal with it at your own pace. But I think you're being unkind to yourself, Aoba. Being different doesn't mean you don't deserve to be happy, and being you doesn't mean you don't deserve Declan. If even some part of you actually wants it, I think you guys are grown ass enough to handle it, and you owe it to yourselves to try. I mean shit, how many people can say they literally crossed oceans of time and space to meet each other? It's disgustingly romantic, even you have to admit."