IC Inbox - Metaheroes

[forceforlight]

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Comments

[mostdangerousbird]

That exchange with Kon in the group text. It crossed a line.

[forceforlight]

I mean, he probably shouldn't have asked Kon if it was flirting straight out like that. Or teased you about it.

[mostdangerousbird]

It’s a ridiculous assumption to make. Kon’s right. He’s allowed to compliment people.

I got Jason to back off, but it’s still weird.

[forceforlight]

Yeah, I get that. And Kon is definitely allowed to compliment you. Or anybody else he wants to.

Though. Do you want to talk about why it's bothering you so much?

[mostdangerousbird]

Because it’s wrong, and I’m in a precarious position.

[forceforlight]

Which position is that?

[mostdangerousbird]

The one where we share a studio apartment and I try not to make it weird? I told him and the others in the summer. I mean I came out.

[forceforlight]

And what was his reaction? I mean, it's Kon. I doubt he handled it badly. You wouldn't still be living together if he had.

[mostdangerousbird]

He was fine. Great, actually. I lead with having a boyfriend, so that helped.

There’s more to it, but I can’t violate his privacy.

[forceforlight]

You mean the fact that he's bi, too?

[Tim. Tim, why do you do this to yourself?]

[mostdangerousbird]

You knew?

He told you before me?

[forceforlight]

Tim. Detective? Remember?

[mostdangerousbird]

Investigative. You’re not a sexuality detective.

[forceforlight]

No, but I can connect dots when I see them.

What I'm saying is that, no. Kon didn't tell me. I worked it out for myself.

Look. Come over. I'll make you tea and I have some fresh pastries and we can talk more.

[mostdangerousbird]

Getting Jason to stop being annoying isn’t really a talk.

[forceforlight]

Much easier to get you to come here and pet Haley than it is to get Jason to stop being annoying.

[mostdangerousbird]

I just need a plan for how to handle it if Kon decides to make me his compliment of the day again. I don’t want to upset the balance.

[forceforlight]

[Why are you like this, Tim? Oh, right. Chasing affection through childhood so you can't recognize it when it's trying its best to bite you.]

You could just compliment him back? Just say thank you and bask in the glow of it? Actually admit your feelings and see where it goes?

[The last is erased before sending because there are limits over text.]

[mostdangerousbird]

[ He recognizes physical affection. Hugs, hair ruffles, kisses. Different levels of affection for different people. ]

Realistically, I can’t. That’s not how we interact. How I interact. I’ll tell someone that they did a good job or reinforce positives if they’re down, but I don’t walk into a room and tell someone that red looks good on them.

Not unless I’m pretending to be someone else.

[forceforlight]

Then just accept it and say thank you. Say something nice about his cooking or something else if the time comes up naturally, rather than feeling you have to force a compliment in return. That's kinda how the rest of us do it, anyway.

[mostdangerousbird]

I can’t do that if the natural escalation is for it to be interpreted as flirting. Because apparently friends can’t compliment each other.

[forceforlight]

Tim. Jason was being a little shit and teasing you. Most people don't consider it to be flirting. Just chalk it up as Jason being Jason.

[mostdangerousbird]

[ He can’t even explain without addressing the issue. This is pointless. ]

Fine.

[forceforlight]

[There's more to say. He can't say it over text.]

Get over here. Your niece is missing her favorite, most permissive uncle.

[mostdangerousbird]

[ Mistake. Now he’s on Dick’s radar. ]

Where’s here?

Does Haley want bar food?