#Cherie'li has no idea how to confess or ask someone out help him

[transcredwaters]

Thinking about how they have all the qualities you'd like in a partner

Seeing this other side to Cherie'li - or, more accurately, what was inside his shell - took some time for her to get used to.

It wasn't that he was cruel - and nevertheless Tsumugi wouldn't even give him the time of day if he was ! - quite the opposite really. Seeing how he cared for his niece, the gentle tone in his voice even as he chided his older brother for not taking proper care of themselves. . . There was a loving, sweet and caring young man under that roughed up shell, making everyone assume he was a brooding loner who bit at hands that fed. 

Not to forget how passionate he was for his craft. Strange, to her, that he'd hide such, aside from those he worked with, but her heart would burst over it every time.

He'd oft come to her with a wide smile under his face, throwing goggles to the side as he proudly presented to her his latest creation - ranging wildly from upgrades to his weaponry, to mechanical wonders she thought she'd never have even been able to see had she not left home. She couldn't help but adore his sense of wonder and the ideas that came forth from such.

But above all else she held close to her heart that he trusted her enough to come out of his shell. To let her follow along and see what few others did.

This was a man of wonder and love. And this was the man she'd fallen head over heels for.

Thus far Tsumugi never spoke up; can't blame her, when she never knew the feelings were there until now. Now, when the two sat in silence, having just waved a goodbye to Naruho and Dhael.

It was Cherie'li who spoke first, breaking the silence with a concerned question.

"Is something on your mind, Mugi ?"

The answer was met first with a wild shake of the head. "OH, nay, nothing is- well, I guess there's. . . Well." she glanced up to the other, seeing the confused look in his eye, and responded by kicking her legs.

A huff escaped Cherie'li, as he looked to the skies, observing the clouds turning pink as the sun set. "You get this look in your eyes when something plagues you. No matter if it's good or bad. . . . Whatever it be, your eyes will fog over, and you stare several yalms forth."

She puffed up - and then a warmth spread across her cheeks. Not aided by a quiet comment of how she always responds as such when called out.

Was she really being that obvious ? Had Cherie'li noticed before she even did that she was catching feelings ? Nay, perchance it was just a coincidence and he was worried about something else.

"Don't take this the wrong way. . . the last thing I mean is to come off as rude, but-" Cherie'li paused, trying to choose his words wisely, and gently. "Are you, perchance, seeking more than a friendship between us ?"

Oh, shit.

"What I mean by asking is. . . I am as well."