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Tri had only just appeared in Circulus’ life again, but that didn’t mean he had ever forgotten how much better he made it. How his little laughs or glances in Circulus’ direction had made it seem like nothing else mattered except this geometralien.
Tri said it was ‘just for the show,’ but something else had shown in his eyes when he said that to Circulus. Not that Circulus wasn’t guilty of that same ‘look’ himself, anyways.
Circulus stepped out of his room with a sigh. The mansion was unbearably empty at the moment, still unfurnished. He looked around with a frown. They’d have to go furniture shopping soon.
Tri walked down the hallway, as if he was about to go visit Circulus, only to be met by his presence in the hallway. “Circulus! I was just looking for you,” He chimed, the comforting sound of Tri’s voice not failing to bring a small smile to Circulus’ face.
“Have you done the challenge planning for episode 2 yet?” He inquired, his head lilting to the side a few degrees. Tri always did that when he asked a question, Circulus had noticed that a while ago, back when they hung out as kids in Geometralia.
“If you haven’t, I was gonna ask to help,” Tri smiled, offering help was really the only way he knew how to flirt. Every other method he tried ended up in him just putting a mask of oblivion on and screwing everything up.
Either way, why would Circulus like someone like Tri in any other way than platonic? He didn’t even have arms, for goodness sake. Sometimes he wondered if Circulus only stuck around because he saw Tri as some friendless charity case.
Somewhere in his head, Tri knew that wasn’t true. Circulus just wasn’t that kind of person. But it never stopped Tri from wondering that maybe Circulus never cared in that way. That it really was just show business.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Circulus’ reply, “Oh, I haven’t quite gotten to do the challenge planning yet… Thanks for reminding me, Tri!” He smiled, “And by the way, I would love to, uhm, have your help with the planning.”
Awkward silence filled the air. God, why was the silence always awkward and not casual, or comfortable?
Words and scenarios filled Circulus’ head, but none of them were really coherent. Maybe he was just doomed to never end up with Tri, maybe their personalities clashed too much to actually work.
That was how the universe seemed to make most things happen, anyway.
Things seem hopeful for a bit, and suddenly, your dreams are crushed, like a fly underneath a swatter.
“...This silence is far too awkward.” Tri said, ironically awkwardly. Circulus let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Thank goodness someone had said it. He was afraid he might’ve exploded under the tension if it lasted too long.
“It really is, isn’t it?” Circulus laughed. Laughed like he hadn’t in so long, like they still hung out every day, sitting around in the grass, kicking a ball (sadly games like catch weren’t playable without arms,) or just talking.
Tri smiled at Circlulus. Soft enough to make his soul melt a little bit. What had he done to deserve someone as perfect as Tri in his life?
“Circulus, you look like you’re about to explode. What’s wrong?” Tri questioned, slightly amused. He put a (geometralien magic) hand on Circulus’ arm in an attempt to comfort the circle.
“It’s nothing, really.” Circulus reassured Tri with a small wave of his hand. Tri gave him an incredulous look. “Okay, maybe it’s something.” Tri smiled. Anything that gets this triangle to smile makes him happy too. Is that a weird thing to think about someone?
God, he hoped not, because then Circulus is an absolute creep.
“You know, telling people what’s going on in your head has been proven to help.” Tri shrugged, peeking an eye open to look at Circulus, who was looking right back at him. He coughed and fumbled back into a regular position. “But, I mean, if you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to tell me.”
Circulus seriously considered that offer for a good second. But the longer he didn’t tell Tri, the worse it’d be when he got rejected.
But how does someone just tell their best friend they’re in love with them? It’s not like he had much experience in that area of… expertise?
“Okay, just know that I don’t have much knowledge in how to go about this,” Circulus warned Tri, hoping to at least make the tension not as unbearable once he (inevitably) got rejected. Tri gave him a look as if to say ‘go on,’ so he did.
Circulus sighed, “I kind of, may or may not have been in love with you for the past 3 or so months and not told you,” Circulus blurted, “Please don’t hate me?” He tried.
Tri blinked at him for a second, and then tried, and failed, to suppress a giggle, “Circulus, I could never hate you! Goodness, you’re so dense sometimes… I really like you too.” He gave Circulus a warm look, his gaze softening as he looked at Circulus.
Circulus did the mental equivalent of a blue screen.
“I– What? Seriously?” He asked, almost incredulously, his gaze landed on Tri’s face, his warm eyes looking back at him, like a hug he could never fully give, a stupid smug smile covering his mouth, nonetheless genuine.
“Of course I’m serious, Circulus.” Tri laughed.
Maybe Circulus wasn’t so tragically doomed to never end up with Tri after all?
Maybe.