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The moment the question leaves your lips, Riddle's choking on his tea.
Epel jumps up from his chair and is by his boyfriend's side in less than a second, firmly patting his back to better help him expel the tea stuck in his windpipe as the redhead's teacup goes clattering down onto a small, matching plate.
"Now what 'n tarnation gave you an idea like that?!" Epel exclaimed, his surprise ripping open a hole big enough to allow his thick accent to escape into his words.
"Don't act like I told you to take your own head or something!" You huffed, your cheeks warming with your growing embarrassment, "..And do I really need a reason to want my boyfriends to show a little affection towards one another?! I mean, it's not like I proposed the two of you make out or something...if you aren't up for that yet."
Epel's look borders judgement now. You sigh.
"Look it was just food for thought, okay?" You mumble, "We're all into each other, but you two rarely ever show your interest in one another and I can tell you want to so I thought a kiss could be a good way of finally breaking the ice.."
"We show plenty enough interest in one another on these weekly dates..." Riddle begins, now fully recovered from your unintentional attempt on his life, "Furthermore, we haven't properly stepped out of the beginning stages of our relationship and kissing at this point in time would be inopportune to say the least—"
"—But Epel has kissed me plenty of times and none of those times felt very 'inopportune'," You retort. Riddle pauses for a moment, whipping his head over to look at the purple-haired boy beside him the next, "What?"
Although less graceful with his indignation, Riddle wears his coat of shock similarly to how Vil fashions his shawl of fury at times and it makes it hard for Epel to tell the two apart. He grows tense under his gaze and, like he would whenever he'd get into it with his housewarden, goes on the defensive.
"How was I supposed ta' know there were steps to this?! I just did what felt right at tha' time!" He says, his expression hardening as he adds, "It ain't a crime to wanna kiss my frickin' partner!"
And to his surprise, Riddle doesn't chew him out or reprimand him and blow this out of proportion like he expected him to. Instead, he watches as his words settle into him slowly and an unknown realization hit him, causing his shoulders to dip and his expression to sour into a pensive one.
"..So all this time, I've been unknowingly falling farther and farther behind..." He mumbles to himself, but Epel's able to hear it due to how close he still is, "I've tried to coordinate my actions based on what's recommended from the research I've done, but I now see that all it has done is leave me out of loop in my own relationship."
"Th- That's not true!" Epel butts in as he forced himself back into his 'proper' way of speaking, "Just because we ain't lockin lips— I- I mean, kissing...doesn't mean anything!"
And upon realizing what's happening, you add, "Yeah! Like I said, it was just a personal suggestion of mine to take when you feel ready! Just because me and Epel have done it, doesn't mean you have to feel pressured to do the same."
"I know that," Riddle reaffirms, "I know...but I've only taken to this pace because I assumed it was the rule of thumb that needed to be abided. I would've been less uptight otherwise."
"Uptight is fine!" You push, "There's nothing wrong with taking things slow if that's what makes you feel comfortable — er, look, just forget I said anything about this, alright? Let's just continue the tea party." And continue you inevitably did albeit with great hesitance from Riddle.
Days passed like the wind, leaving the conversation a slight blur in the minds and hearts of you and Epel. Riddle never let it go, instead allowing it to simmer at the back of his brain until your next date — which spurred him to pop the fated question towards the end of it..in his own way, "It's been long enough now and I think I'm ready to take the next step with you — both of you. I'd...like to kiss you two if you'd be fine with that."
He didn't technically kiss Epel as Epel moreso kissed him ( something about manliness and whatnot ) but it didn't ruin the experience for him. In fact, the tiny, pleased smile that clung to Riddle's face when they parted told you of how enjoyable of an experience it truly was for him.
( You're unsure whether or not doing this helped them become more comfortable with showing affection towards one another, but at the very least you're satisfied in knowing how much they enjoy doing so and how damn good they look doing it )