[ He actually listened? Wu honestly wasn't expecting that. If this was Mako, he probably would have grumbled and stormed out, but Bolin isn't his brother ]
Buddy, I don't think any different about you. I promise. Not knowing something is the first step to knowing something!
It's a really good question. I... don't really know? Which isn't helpful. But I do know that you're a great guy who deserves a great guy or gal, one who really likes you for you. But I guess... I guess it's good to ask? Ask what they mean by it if they're not clear. Like with Lance, you could ask what that kiss meant. Or with Ryan, you could ask what being stage boyfriends means, although, I can't promise that Ryan would answer that in a way that makes it any less confusing--
But you can also ask me! Or Mako. I wish I'd known what you thought about stage boyfriends, I honestly thought you were joking around, too! I'm sorry about that, buddy, I should have been looking out for you better.
[ Boy is he frustrating. Wu turns to him with a flat expression ]
Yes in a friend way! You look out for me. I know you do. So let me do that, too. And Ryan is my friend, and he's kind of a jerk, so I should have seen this all-- this.
[LOOK UR TOUCHING A WHOLE LOT OF HIS ISSUES RN. But also it’s kind of amazing he’s gotten away with not talking about any of this for so long. Curse you paleblood siren.
He is feeling all kinds of ways and honestly? A little blindsided. He just wanted to gossip about Mako and Wu being happy and now it’s all about him and his poor relationship with… relationships.]
Sorry, I’m sorry. No hackles, okay? I just don’t like feeling like I’m a burden.
Just, listen, [as he rolls back onto his side and rests his free hand on Wu. Whatever is closest. Arm? Shoulder blade? He needs to recap and diffuse.]
I really appreciate that you care. I’m trying not to be defensive, I agree with everything you’re saying. I have no idea what I’m doing and I need to get better at seeing these things sooner. I want to. I promise. I guess I have some work to do on knowing my boundaries, huh.
The last thing I want is you feeling like this is your fault or even Ryan’s when it’s mine.
[ Wu lets out a breath. Okay. He wants to keep pushing but maybe that was enough for one day. He can't just make Bolin change all at once. He doesn't want him to change, exactly. He wants him to, yeah ]
That's just it! Knowing your boundaries. And I know, I know it's not my fault, but it still doesn't mean I can't look out for you!
[ And he's going to tell Ryan he was being an asshole, for good measure ]
Well same goes for you. But buddy, trust me when I say I can handle it. I haven’t had a single relationship that didn’t end in disaster.
..which sounds pathetic but I mean it like it’s a good thing right now. Never mind. Im gonna cry that out later.
The point is, that I will be okay. I’ve probably been overreacting about this whole.. dudes.. and me.. thing, all of it. You know? I’m just gonna let it go and move on.
[ Wu watches him as he says all of that, and he nods. He gets it, that Bolin probably can't talk more about this right now, but it still aches. It aches because he cares about Bolin and wants him to be happy. They're basically family, and Wu has never had a family he cared about like this. It's novel and exciting and hard, and he surged forward to tackle Bolin in another hug, squeezing him tight. The calming effect of his magic hugs washes over them both ]
[Ngh that feels so nice. He wasn’t expecting a hug but Bolin accepts it whole heartedly, wrapping Wu up tight in return and letting the comfort wash through him.
When he speaks next, it’s soft and warm, if not a little emotional.]
Thank you. I know I will. Thank you for being here.
[ Easier than talking and, really, he's here to see Bolin's place. A normal thing to do, a thing he can do without trying to pry into Bolin's insecurities.
He lets Bolin go with another little smile, and settles in to watch something on their Omnis. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 01:17 am (UTC)Buddy, I don't think any different about you. I promise. Not knowing something is the first step to knowing something!
It's a really good question. I... don't really know? Which isn't helpful. But I do know that you're a great guy who deserves a great guy or gal, one who really likes you for you. But I guess... I guess it's good to ask? Ask what they mean by it if they're not clear. Like with Lance, you could ask what that kiss meant. Or with Ryan, you could ask what being stage boyfriends means, although, I can't promise that Ryan would answer that in a way that makes it any less confusing--
But you can also ask me! Or Mako. I wish I'd known what you thought about stage boyfriends, I honestly thought you were joking around, too! I'm sorry about that, buddy, I should have been looking out for you better.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 01:31 am (UTC)[He looks back over, brows knit.]
I know it’s Mako’s thing but you don’t have to make it yours. Unless you mean in the friend way where we all look out for each other.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 01:40 am (UTC)[ Boy is he frustrating. Wu turns to him with a flat expression ]
Yes in a friend way! You look out for me. I know you do. So let me do that, too. And Ryan is my friend, and he's kind of a jerk, so I should have seen this all-- this.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 01:54 am (UTC)He is feeling all kinds of ways and honestly? A little blindsided. He just wanted to gossip about Mako and Wu being happy and now it’s all about him and his poor relationship with… relationships.]
Sorry, I’m sorry. No hackles, okay? I just don’t like feeling like I’m a burden.
Just, listen, [as he rolls back onto his side and rests his free hand on Wu. Whatever is closest. Arm? Shoulder blade? He needs to recap and diffuse.]
I really appreciate that you care. I’m trying not to be defensive, I agree with everything you’re saying. I have no idea what I’m doing and I need to get better at seeing these things sooner. I want to. I promise. I guess I have some work to do on knowing my boundaries, huh.
The last thing I want is you feeling like this is your fault or even Ryan’s when it’s mine.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 02:12 am (UTC)That's just it! Knowing your boundaries. And I know, I know it's not my fault, but it still doesn't mean I can't look out for you!
[ And he's going to tell Ryan he was being an asshole, for good measure ]
I don't want you to get hurt if I can help it.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 02:18 am (UTC)..which sounds pathetic but I mean it like it’s a good thing right now. Never mind. Im gonna cry that out later.
The point is, that I will be okay. I’ve probably been overreacting about this whole.. dudes.. and me.. thing, all of it. You know? I’m just gonna let it go and move on.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 02:32 pm (UTC)You'll figure it out! I know you will.
no subject
Date: 2022-01-14 07:31 pm (UTC)When he speaks next, it’s soft and warm, if not a little emotional.]
Thank you. I know I will. Thank you for being here.
[Helps when you have so much good support.
A beat. Then two.]
Do you wanna watch something?
no subject
Date: 2022-01-15 12:42 am (UTC)[ Easier than talking and, really, he's here to see Bolin's place. A normal thing to do, a thing he can do without trying to pry into Bolin's insecurities.
He lets Bolin go with another little smile, and settles in to watch something on their Omnis. ]