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“Why don’t you want to go on the adventure?!”
You hesitated, knowing you didn't have a good enough reason for the ringmaster hovering above you.
“Um- I just… don’t feel like it?” you tried, smiling sheepishly. “Can I stay here today. Please?”
You spared a glance behind you where Zooble was already sitting comfortably on one of the couches in the common area.
Caine huffed and crossed his arms. He grumbled something about how unfortunate it was the circus now had “two Negative Nellies” as he began leading everyone else through the portal.
It wasn’t that the adventure today sounded bad—at least, not any more than usual. But you’d finally worked up some courage to talk to the resident mix-and-match toy, and you didn’t want to miss your chance.
As soon as the others were gone and Caine had vanished, you ventured towards the couches. Zooble was flipping through a magazine, not even bothering to look up at you when you sat beside them.
You cleared your throat. “Hey.”
Their eyes flicked to you, then back at the magazine.
“Hey,” they replied, voice dry.
Maybe this would be harder than you thought.
You and Zooble hardly ever spoke, and it wasn’t for a lack of trying. They never went on the adventures and they mostly kept to themself. But you were terribly interested in them, as little time as you’d had spent with them. It was that mystery that you drew you to them, their attitude, their undeniable... chillness, so to speak.
“No adventure for today?” you started as casual as you could manage.
Zooble rolled their eyes and turned their page. “I never go on the adventures.”
“Yeah! I noticed.” You awkwardly smiled and moved a little closer. “So. Whatcha reading?”
Zooble looked up again, one of their antennae twitching. You swallowed thickly.
“Nothing good,” they sighed as they set the magazine down. “Caine doesn’t exactly know how to make the best reading material.”
You laughed a little too loud for something that wasn't supposed to be funny, then quickly clamped your mouth shut.
“Right…” you continued, hoping to cover up your embarrassment with more conversation. “Well, your parts look extra cool today!”
They hummed. “Thanks?”
You pointed to the star on their chest. “Like, that’s different. You weren’t wearing that one yesterday.”
“Yeah, I change my parts often.” They brushed off your compliments with a shrug. “Get used to it.”
“Oh.” You frowned.
Before you could say anymore lame quips, they rose from the couch.
“I’m going to go to my room now-”
“Wait!” you exclaimed, the word slipping from your mouth.
Zooble stopped. They stood there, staring at you, and you stared at them. And they stared back at you.
“…Yeah?” they asked and crossed their arms, clearly not looking forward to what you were going to say next.
You winced and quietly hoped you didn’t completely blow your shot already.
“I’m- uh, sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” you explained. You turned your head away, unable to look them in the eyes. “I think you’re really cool and I wanted to hang out. That’s all. Is- is that weird to say?”
After a beat of silence, Zooble sat next to you and your gaze drifted up to met theirs.
“Is that why you were acting so funny?” they stifled a laugh. “I thought you were trying to annoy me.”
“No! No.” Your face warmed. Were you really that bad at flirting? “I like you, Zooble. I wouldn’t-”
They waved their hand dismissively. “Okay. Water under the bridge.”
They didn’t have a mouth, but if they did, you imagined they would be smiling.
“But I appreciate the honesty.” They patted your shoulder and your heart fluttered. “I’m down to hang out. I was thinking of switching it up, actually. If you want, you can help me pick out some new parts.”
“Yeah, absolutely,” you agreed, a bit breathless.
As you both stood, you looked them over and you couldn’t help but smile.
“For the record, I think you look good with any parts."
You instantly regretted it upon realizing what you said. But Zooble didn’t seemed creeped out this time. Instead, they turned away and they blushed.
“W-Whatever,” they grunted, but you could hear the twinge of bashfulness in their voice.
You considered that a victory as you both started walking to their room. Maybe you weren’t so bad at flirting after all…