livestage | BARTENDER

That's not-- don't be silly, that won't be a problem.

...it'll work out yeh. Yer gonna be happy together so the rest will work out.

[as he drinks a beer]

...

[ SETS THE NETTLE DOWN, so he can look at him properly. Also takes the beer. ]

You already know him, I'm pretty sure?

That's good...

[ FRAMES NETTLE'S FACE WITH HIS HANDS AND SMOOOOOSHES ]

i think im having a panic attack

Yup. C'mon.

[ PICKS HIM BACK UP WE'RE GOING TO THE ACIDIA PRIVATE ROOM ]

Don't throw anything away for me.

[ Puts him down once they're inside, then plops cross-legged on the floor ]

How many people've I dated since we met?

No idea?! I ain't know what ya do when I leave...! I hope ya dated lots?? Ya deserve lotsa dates!

I know this is dumb I KNOW THIS IS DUMB I KNOW I AM DUMB

[ Reaches out to tweak both his ears at the same time ]

My point is, plenty of 'em have come and gone, and it made no difference for us. So much that you didn't even notice. That's not gonna change.

And besides, I made a commitment to you first. Taking care of you is my priority.

[deep sigh. closing eyes]

I know. But that's scary too. Cuz I don't wanna get in the way of things that make ya happy.

Yer the kindest guy I know. I want ya to have a life fulla love.

It'll....

[truthed up

cant say itll work out he doesnt believe that]

What happens will happen no matter how I feel about it though. So ain't no reason for me to get in knots. Sorry.

Ya ain't dont nothin' wrong.

[ Wraps an arm around him ]

You're not getting in the way of anything. And I love you regardless of every other factor in my life, unless I suddenly drop dead or something.

... But I know everybody in your life's failed you. You got no reason to believe me when words are cheap. So I'm just gonna prove it, okay? Just gimme the time to do that.

Ya got loads of time.

...ugh this is weenie shit im on the weenie train this is so cringe can we pretend this aint happened

[leaning into him though so at least theres that]

[ KISSES THE TOP OF HIS HEAD OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO ]

Too late! I know Nettle worries he'll be displaced so I have to spend EXTRA time telling him I love him!

In fact, maybe I'll tell him I've always wanted kids so bad, ever since I was a teenager, and I dated around so hard because I wanted to fulfill my dream, y'know? And it just never worked out, and I started to think it never would, and then all these brats tumbled into my life and I realized I can have kids with or without romance after all, can't I? Isn't that the best possible outcome?