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The plan is simple.
Step one: Approach Blackquill.
Step two: Ask his availability.
Step three: Ask him out.
It is a very simple plan that even the simplest of minds could understand.
Nahyuta has overthrown a government, has gone undercover on stealth missions, has carried out operations under the rebellion where one wrong move meant death.
And they cannot ask this damn man out.
Through no fault of their own, of course! After all, they’re Nahyuta Sahdmadhi, prosecutor who stole hearts and condemned sinners. A king regent fit for repairing the country with a steady stream of both politicians and turned-away potential suitors both in and out of the office. This is something that they are more than capable of doing.
“What is this, failure number ten?” Klavier asks as Nahyuta drags themself into his office and flops down onto the one whole normal chair he has.
“Nine, and I don’t wish to talk about it,” they snap as they mope.
“No need, Apollo already told me.”
“I didn’t think that Miss Newman was going to be there,” they whine.
“And I’m pretty sure Simon wasn’t expecting tea all down the front of his sweatshirt at the cafe.”
“I’m going to die.”
“You’re not going to die.”
“I’d like to. Death would be a kinder fate than having to live this down.”
Klavier at least looks sympathetic as Nahyuta sinks further into the chair and groans. Despite tripping on stairs, being interrupted in the hallway, a guard interrupting in the prosecutor’s lobby, and a handful of other such mishaps which include Nahyuta having to go to the hospital for an injury? This one is the most embarrassing.
“You could always just serenade him outside of his apartment.”
“I would draw far too many eyes.”
“The office, then?”
“And listen to a lecture from our shared boss about office fraternization and how it should be kept outside of the office? No, but thank you.”
“I could serenade him-”
“No, no music. Please.”
“Hey, just a suggestion,” Klavier says as Nahyuta pushes themself out of their seat. “Where’re you going?”
“To barricade myself in my office and pray. I worry I’ve passed in my sleep and I’m suffering through the hell of failing to ask someone out on a date.”
“That’s not an actual hell in Khura’in, is it?”
“I don’t know- why do you think I’m praying?”
“Good luck.”
There’s a flutter of wings as Nahyuta makes their way back to their office. An extended arm reveals none other than-
“Taka, have you come to revel in my failures too?”
Taka scratches at his beak.
“So you have,” they conclude as they give him an affectionate scritch. “Well, at least I don’t have to deal with laughter. I doubt you care much for judgement.”
He blinks at them and cocks his head.
“...well, you probably do, but I’ve at least won you over, right?”
Taka bonks his head against Nahyuta’s cheek.
“I suppose I have. Now, if I could just win over the man who you find your company well spent besides me…”
Nahyuta’s words die in their throat as they open their door. Simon is standing in their office, eyebrows raised.
“I didn’t realize that spilling tea down somebody’s front was a way to win someone over, Sad Monk.”
“You’re-”
“In your office? Yes. I figured I should probably come in.”
Nahyuta’s face is red hot as Taka flaps over to perch on Simon.
“I- why are you here?”
“Well, you didn’t exactly stick around long enough for me to say anything to you.”
“There was a reason for that,” they grumble.
“I figured, which is why I came here. Are we done speaking in a circle, or shall we go around a few more times?”
If Nahyuta didn’t already find this man’s face charming, the smug look upon it might change their mind otherwise.
“We can be done.”
“Good.”
Simon sits down in front of their desk. Nahyuta sits in their own chair, ignoring the flickers of anxiety as they do so.
“I really am sorry-”
“If I had a penny for every apology that’s fallen from your lips today, I could retire. You don’t have to do it anymore- I’m not melting.”
“I’m sure the last thing you wanted on your day off was for me to quite literally run into you.”
“It brings excitement. Athena complains my life is too boring anyways.”
Taka pecks at Simon’s hair. Simon huffs at him.
“Anyways, you’re in my office?”
“I’ve heard from too many mutual acquaintances that you’ve been trying to ask for my hand in an evening out.”
Nahyuta grimaces. “Who sold me out?”
Simon goes for his phone. “A moment, if you will.”
“Of course.”
They wait patiently as he looks.
“Out of our shared social network? Our boss did not inform me of such today.”
“Oh.”
Simon at least doesn’t look upset, which is probably good.
“Well?”
“Hm?”
“I figured you might like an attempt at asking me properly.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Then beg.”
Nahyuta blinks at him. Simon slaps his palm against his face.
“I… do not know how to respond to that.”
“Athena is a bad influence- that’s instinctive, Nahyuta, I didn’t even think about it.”
“I… see.”
“Let’s pretend that didn’t happen.”
“I can do that.”
Taka screeches. On the bright side, it at least cuts through the awkward tension now in the office.
“So…”
“So…”
Nevermind, it’s back. Simon’s lost all potential gusto he had with his slipup, and Nahyuta’s about ready to bolt out of the office.
They have this, though.
Hopefully.
Simon probably wouldn’t have come here if he wasn’t going to at least give them a chance.
“What does your schedule look like in the near future?”
“Boring, apparently.”
“Could I tempt you into something slightly less boring?”
Simon hums.
“Depends.”
“On?”
“If you’re going to drench me in another beverage, maybe something room temperature?” he jokes.
“Nevermind, I’ve decided I don’t want to ask you out,” Nahyuta huffs as they stand. “Please leave.”
“You wouldn’t kick me out.”
“Nope, I am, and I’m doing it right now. Out.”
Simon chuckles to himself as he stands. Is he wearing heeled boots? Nahyuta isn’t sure. Usually he doesn’t seem so intimidatingly tall. They’re about the same height, Nahyuta thought.
“I’m free tomorrow afternoon,” he hums, smirking.
“Then we can figure something out then, now get out of my office before I make you,” they threaten in return.