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Green didn’t feel jealous when it came to White. Why would they?
They were happy when White had things that made them happy. They didn’t take issue to them having friends who weren’t them, even if their friends were single and startlingly attractive. Because White was always so tender and loving with them when they were at home, so what they did when they were away from home was their own business.
They also just didn’t think that jealousy was something they experienced particularly often. Disappointment, sure, when someone had something they didn’t, but they were able to swallow that down and be happy for the other person that had what they did. They were usually good at finding the positives of situations, or at least ways that they could spin things around in order to sound more positive.
A lot of the time people thought that this made them saintly, though they didn’t exactly see it– they knew they weren’t going to have everything go their way in life, and they were grateful for what they had. They just thought… Why waste their time worrying about something like that when they can focus on the things that made them happy instead? Even though people continued to use that describing word even when they finished talking, that was the way they kept operating about their life, and it didn’t cause them any problems.
Sometimes, of course, this does not work out in the way that they thought.
From the get go, Green knew that their partner was very famous. They weren’t particularly bothered by it, though they and their whole family were very interested in catching little glimpses into that lifestyle. They just meant to say that it was not a deal breaker that they had countless people who knew their name and face on the internet, especially when it was only positive things and they were making their profit off of it in part.
But there were times where this could become complicated. Where people wouldn’t exactly understand where the boundary was between acceptable and unacceptable, and keep crossing over it while encouraging other people to do the same. They weren’t worried that White wouldn’t be able to take care of themselves or anything like that, but they were subtly worried about the way that it made them feel.
Green and White had gone out for brunch. It was White’s idea, this environment being a far cry from the kinds of places that Green found themselves in. But apparently they’d heard good things about it, and their apparent fear of missing out dragged the pair of them to one of the tables near the side of the restaurant.
That itself had been fine. Green had come to accept White’s offer for expensive food, and had been able to cast a glance down the menu without feeling copiously guilty. But the things that had happened afterwards made them feel all sorts of strange.
Their waiter had approached the table, holding a tablet over their hand and eyeing White. Green, at first, thought it had something to do with the fact that they looked more confident among the two, so just glanced at their temple.
“I’ll be taking care of the two of you today.” They’d spoken, but they continued to watch White as if that only applied to one of them, “If you don’t mind me asking, are you White from TV?”
“Oh, gosh.” White played up their own flattery, one of their hands cupping their face, “See, this is why I don’t go anywhere too public. I just can’t help getting recognised! But yes, that’s me.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet you.” The waiter declared, professionalism be damned. At that point, Green was still smiling, appreciating the attention that their partner was receiving, “You look so much nicer in person.”
Hm? That gave Green a little bit of pause.
Was that something people usually said to others? They weren’t really able to tell.
They decided to just leave it be for now.
“I’m sure.” White commented smugly, “Cameras do dry my face out a little bit. And they don’t always capture my good side.”
“I think you have two good sides.” Green commented lovingly.
The expression on White’s face appeared to become more genuine, though no less spoiled, “Awww. Thank you.”
As if they didn’t already think it. White was one of those people who said things for the sake of having people disagree with them, and basically fishing for compliments wherever they could. Unfortunately, Green was the fish. The way fish moved kinda reminded them of the way that worms moved, flopping their bodies around to propel forwards– anyway, what they mean to say is that the worm farmer always ended up falling for it hook line and sinker.
Maybe they just liked complimenting their partner whenever they could, also.
The waiter had finally turned their attention to Green, as if only then noticing they were there, “Who’d you bring with you?”
“This is Green.” White spoke, gesturing one of their hands to their partner, “My lover.”
Green had to try not to laugh. Lover? It sounded so old fashioned, but they liked it.
Apparently they were the only one amused.
“I didn’t know you had a partner.” The waiter had commented, “Are they famous, too? I don’t think I’ve heard their name before.”
“No… I’m a worm farmer!” Green chirped, excited, “For now, at least. I’m working my way up to being the captain of my own ship.”
“Maybe when that happens, things’ll change.” White commented thoughtfully.
“Ooh…maybe.” Green hummed dreamily. It wasn’t a decisive reason why they wanted to be a captain, but that definitely would be nice.
“I didn’t think you’d date a farmer.” The waiter eyed Green, “That doesn’t sound like the kind of person that you’d be into.”
That didn’t settle right inside Green.
How would they know the kind of person White would be into?
And was that really true? Were they really someone White wouldn’t be interested in?
Maybe they could see it. They knew that White was a completely different person before they set foot on the Skeld, and maybe the public’s views on them hadn’t changed with White’s own.
But what if they had? What if they knew all the change that White had done for themselves, and they still thought that White and Green were incompatible for each other? What would that mean about the way people saw their relationship then?
What would that mean about them?
Green looked down, idly playing with their cutlery.
“The heart wants what the heart wants. I quite like the farmyard endeavour.” White shrugged. They didn’t seem to be taking the same issue to what was going on than Green was, and it briefly made them wonder if maybe they were overreacting about the whole thing.
“It just surprised me. I thought someone like you would date someone fancier.” They spoke, “Seriously, you look so dressed up.”
White laughed against their hand, “Nothing different than usual. I always try to go out looking as put together as I can.”
“Well, it’s working.” The waiter responded amusedly, “You must have a lot of competition.”
Oh. Green realised that they were being looked at when they said that.
Why would they say something like that?
“I don’t know, really…” They murmured, forcing a smile onto their face, “No one that I’ve seen.”
“Hah.” That earned a snicker out of the waiter, for whatever reason, “Well, you need to keep a tight grip on that one. Or someone will snag them up from right under your nose. You’d be surprised.”
“Right, right.” Green answered, awkward for as much as they tried to sound normal.
That wasn’t something they wanted to think about. And this really wasn’t something they wanted to talk about.
They didn’t know why they were upset. It sort of felt like their relationship was being treated like it didn’t matter, just because it wasn’t what was expected.
But it did matter. It mattered a lot to them. So why was this person so adamant that this wasn’t the way things were meant to be?
And why were they so bothered? They knew how things actually were. Knew White’s feelings on the matter. But something about this whole thing was getting underneath their skin. Trapped there, no matter how much they tried to force it out with positive thoughts.
Didn’t people do that as part of their job? If they knew White had money, then maybe they were just playing up the theatrics so that they could get more money as a tip? But if that was the case, then why were they dismissing them so much? Why were they being so forward, whilst trying to push Green away?
Why did they feel like they were having something taken away from them? Why couldn’t they stop thinking about it?
Reminding themselves of why they were here did help to slightly dismantle the thought that they were losing some of White’s favour. They could have asked anyone, and yet they explicitly chose to pick them.
But this wasn’t able to dismiss the idea that people around them believed that there were better options out there for them. Someone who was a lot more conventionally attractive than Green was, someone who was more formal, someone who was less loud but just as bold.
Someone like… that?
Were they flirting with White just now? Was that meant to be flirting?
Green suddenly felt something simmering under their skin a little more, something they did not entirely recognise, as they stared at their lap as though the patches on the knees had betrayed them.
They just wanted to be done with this. For them— maybe more so White— to be left alone, whatever their intentions were.
Was that too much? Overbearing, maybe? They just felt off about this whole thing, treated like they were invisible as their partner was being overtly advanced on.
Just… just move on!
Oh, but they can’t say that. So they didn’t. They didn’t say anything, whinging quietly.
“Anyways.” The waiter moved their tablet around to the front of them, raising their other hand, “What can I get you? Have you decided upon what you want to order?”
“I think I’m done.” White responded, with a little click down of their menu against the table, “What about you, dear?”
“Hm?” Green flicked their eyes up. Right— they were still part of this conversation, however pushed out they were, “Oh– Yeah. I’m done.” They muttered.
In turn, the pair of them put in their orders. The waiter stood there for a few moments as they tapped the details into the machine, then promptly turned their back after offering a smile that they were sure was aimed to White more than it was aimed at them. That didn’t exactly make Green feel any better about this whole situation.
Maybe they were overreacting. They were always aware that going along with White’s date sights would bring some confusion. Worm farmer with a nepo baby? That wasn’t a combination that people tended to see a lot. So they were sure that this was probably just a natural response, but even so, this didn’t dismiss the way that it made them feel a little picked on. And a little upset.
“Can we get a new waiter?” Green whispered to White, “Like, are we able to get a different waiter?”
Their posture was slumped, as though they were embarrassed to make such a request. They covered the side of their mouth with one of their hands, concealing their lips from the rest of the rest of the people. Something they could only express to White.
“A different waiter? Why would we need that?” White asked, obliviously, not having entirely caught on to their partner’s change of mood, “Sure, they’re a little chatty, but they haven’t shown us bad service yet.”
“It’s just… eh… urh…” Well, somewhat express. Green actually wasn’t sure how to answer that. They weren’t sure what it was. The waiter was making them feel… things? Something? How were they supposed to word that without sounding like they were complaining for the sake of complaining, “Mmmm… nothing. Nevermind.
“I’ll see what can be done.” White answered, going to attract the attention of one of the staff members. Really? Just like that? It hadn’t even mattered?
They supposed it probably didn’t. Green had seen the way that White spoke to other people sometimes, and they didn’t always agree with it. But they didn’t need rhyme or reason to have things go their way.
At least they could try to keep their emotions inside of them. They didn’t think any of their options were particularly ‘good’— they didn’t want to be rude to the person waiting on them, and they didn’t want White to be either if they found out how Green felt. Maybe if they just tried to move long from it, then they would be fine by the time that brunch was over.
They were okay. They were fine!
… they were not fine.
Even after White had put in the request, and someone else in turn had brought out their food, Green was still thinking about what had happened. The way that the previous waiter had interacted with White, even when the new one had been considerably less chatty and had far less recognition in their eyes. The atmosphere had changed and everything felt lighter, so they had gone back to talking normally, listening to White telling them about their work issues as they sawed at a pancake White told them they might like. And they did.
Even so, they weren’t able to get rid of the weird feeling that was buried between their ribs, where their heart was. It ached at them all throughout the brunch, even once they had finished out and stepped into the fresh air.
A love issue, no matter how much they tried to insist that nothing here was out of the ordinary or a cause for concern. Perhaps that was just them trying to make themselves feel better.
Either way, they don’t particularly feel like themselves as they walk back. They felt sore, like the whole thing had been physically painful for them– did they really look that bad of a partner for White? And even if it was just a joke, was there at least some truth in it somewhere?
White had noticed relatively quickly. They glanced over as they were walking back in the direction of the car that was waiting outside for them and noticed the constipated look on Green’s face, their eyebrows raising.
“What is it?” They asked.
“Nothing.” Green murmured, but in that moment it sounded a lot more like a grumble.
“Greenie.” White tried again, their voice softening, “Did I upset you with the food thing again? I thought you wanted to go out this time.”
“I said it’s nothing!” They held their hands up, getting moving a little faster, “Everything’s great! No complaints from me!”
They just needed to get to the car. Then they would be able to go home and hopefully move on from this whole thing there.
But their emotions, their pent up frustration, was practically radiating off of them, and White didn’t have to be great at emotions to understand that their partner was lying.
They watched their partner as they continued to– ahh, hell– grumble under their breath, their arms swinging stiffly at their sides, “They can just say whatever they want to you because it’s part of the service… doesn’t matter anyways…”
“Huh. Is this about the waiter?” White was finally able to narrow down. Green stopped mid stride, but they were still buzzing with their emotions.
“What waiter? Hah… I don’t know anything about waiters.” Green laughed, but it came out far more forceful than they had originally anticipated.
“Well you were just… mumbling about…” White trailed off, raising up one of their hands.
“Agghhh… why do they think they get to talk to you like that?!" Green exclaimed suddenly, their hands clenched into fists. White blinked, their surprise dotting gradually into their eyes, “Being all cheeky with you while I’m… right there! And they know I’m right there!”
“Is there something I have to do to make people realise we’re actually together? Do I need to dress up more? Do I need to be louder about it? Why won’t people get it that you’re my partner?”
A beat passed between them. Green’s heavy breathing slowly began to even out.
“I’ll do it! I’ll put on nicer clothes, and I’ll comb my hair back! I’ll…” They took another moment to catch their breath, their expression turning sad, “Am I not good enough to be your partner?”
Green looked at their partner with big eyes, and began to notice the look of endearment on their face.
“What? What is it?” They questioned, wavering only slightly.
White began to smile cheekily, acting like they more than Green did.
“Greenie…” White cooed, “Are you jealous?”
Green stared for a long couple of moments.
“Huh? Jealous? Why would I be jealous?” Green spluttered, blinking their eyes.
“Because you thought a fan was trying to take me away from you.” White answered, and Green was stumped. Was that really it? And had White been able to figure that out?
“I… how do you know that?” Green sounded dazed, almost bewildered, as if they weren’t the one currently going through the emotion.
“You practically told me yourself.” White answered, “Besides, you wanted me to get rid of the waiter. You’d only do something like that if they were bothering you.”
White stepped a little closer to Green, cupping their face affectionately, “Greeeen.”
Oh. Oh that voice. The voice that White put on when they were so awe struck by something, but also had to be serious. It sounded a little like the tone of voice that a person used when talking to their beloved pet, and Green almost craved it from them.
“You know you’ve got nothing to worry about,” They spoke tenderly, “I don’t want to be with anyone other than you. Besides, they’re just a fan. What do they know?”
“I think you’re perfect the way you are.” They kissed right underneath their partners eye, “Maybe you’ve got a couple little quirks about you, but I wouldn’t change those about you. Except for the fact that you’re so self deprecating.”
They pressed against their partner’s touch, “I’ll… I’ll work on that. I didn’t think about it like that, I just thought… maybe they’re right.”
“They’re not.” White stated firmly, with minimal room for argument, “Besides, do you think I’d run off with someone I barely knew?”
“Maybe not them but… someone else, maybe?” Green contemplated aloud, “I just don’t want to lose you because they’d be a better partner.”
“Green. Who was it that remembered my eating habits?”
“...me?” They guessed.
“And who was it that tried to include me in things I’d never been a part of?”
“Is– is that me?” Green wondered again.
“So why would they be worth more of my time than you?” White concluded, “You’re going to have to get used to it. I’m yours, and I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.”
Green placed their hands over White’s, beginning to giggle, “Okay. I’m sorry.”
“None of that.” White shushed them, harrumphing, “Only ‘I understand’s will be accepted.”
Green giggled a little harder, “Okay, okay.”
“Nope.”
“Heyy–”
“Nope!”
“Alright! I understand!” They squealed relentingly.
“Good.” White let go of their partner’s face, “We’re on the same page.”
“I, for one, actually think it’s sweet that you got jealous over me.” White mentioned smugly as they continued their commute to the car, “Fighting for me like that… whoof. I feel like the protagonist of a love triangle romance.”
“Shouldn’t it be more like a line?” Green wondered.
“I don’t understand the geometry behind it either. Just let me have this.” White stage whispered, leaned in their space, “It’s romantic nonetheless.”
Green watched them preen, and deadpanned, “I think we should find another word for it.”
“Nope! You were jealous, and that’s the end of that.” White snarked.
Ugh, whatever. Green couldn’t argue with them.
Maybe Green had been right. That they didn’t have anything to worry about.
White didn’t indulge any of that, when they were too busy pouring out whatever they could into their partner. When Green made them far more like themselves, and less like a persona for entertainment. Regardless of who they were.
They went home feeling a little more secure that afternoon. Their relationship had been there to stay.