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I'm a hidden identity, for now. But that doesn't mean that it's safe. And that worries me. Which I don't intend to put on your shoulders. Though I thank you for the question.

[Sephiroth nods.] My offer stands, should you get into trouble.

[He can totally stab some people for you.]

Perhaps coming here can be some respite.

[Well that's quite the offer. David offers the man a soft smile right back.]

I almost think I might have reached the lower level of friend-tier with you, if that's an offer you'd make. Mostly only my friends offer to do a violence for me if I need it.

But you're not wrong. This is... strangely peaceful for me. Even when I'm completely overwhelmed by your sword skills. Though it felt like you were going easier on me today. You in a good mood?

[Look, they're allies! He's a soldier! Offering violence is easy.

But he is in a good mood, so he's going to let it stand.]

Hm.

I am, though I hardly think I went easy on you. [He doesn't realize his remarks were kinder, and he did nick David.]

[Yeah, but it matters to David, because his background is different.]

Speaking as the someone who was at it this long and can still breathe, you were a bit easier than normal. And I felt encouraged by your comments. But maybe I'm just getting to the level of 'almost passable'

[His comments were encouraging? Weird. Well, he can't be too complimentary now.]

You have improved since we began.

[There's a slight hesitation.]

...in exchange- [Since this was meant to be an exchange] -there is something I was meaning to ask you.

[He smiles happily at the information that he's improved. That mattered to him, a lot. But he looks shocked to have an exchange asked.]

You're always welcome to ask me things, Sephiroth. Even favors will be considered without needing them to be paid back.

It isn't a favor.

When I knew you before, you mentioned being acquainted with some aromantic individuals. Is that still the case?

[Talk about eyebrows reaching for the sky. He'd mentioned that, had he? Why would he have mentioned it? Very intriguing. Well, better not to speculate when the guy is right there and David's already got one sluggishly bleeding cut on his face that Balthier and Tommy will probably both lecture him about.]

Yeah. I knew them before I came here, so I would still know them.

[Buddy, if you want the cut taken care of, just ask. Sephiroth hasn't offered because it seems minor.]

Were they... ever uncertain of it?

[See, as Sephiroth has never offered before, David hasn't realized the man's magic includes healing. He literally doesn't think of it.]

Of course. Identity, be it gender, sexuality, or even preferences for romance, can be hard to pin down. Asking questions isn't wrong. Finding the old ways you understood yourself is natural. I've had those questions before myself.

[He could have... bandaids. He doesn't seem like a bandaid person, does he?]

You've questioned your interest?

[Yeah, he doesn't. And they aren't near David's bag which absolutely has medical supplies that he should get to.]

Of course I did. Back when I was a teen there was... there was a lot said online about guys who liked both men and women. Mostly that we didn't exist. That we were just either straight guys that were bored with our partners, or gay guys who were greedy for attention. It made me question myself for a while.

...you had feelings, and debated the nature of them.

Of course. It wasn't an easy time in my life, to figure it out. And it's harder for people who are Aro and Ace I think. Because they have this whole question of whether they ever are attracted to people in one way or another or if they are just someone that's, like, Demi, which means they just need and want the right person to feel that thing.

That is the cultural consensus, is it not? That the right person would inspire such feelings.

Yeah, because culture is always right.

[Yeah, he's absolutely rolling his eyes.]

No, the 'right' person doesn't exist for everyone. Someone who is asexual isn't going to feel sexual attraction to people. Which doesn't mean they won't have sex. Just that the sorts of things someone like me would experience just aren't things they experience.

...I understand that, about sex. But can one perform romance in the same way, without feeling it?

Of course they can. One can perform anything, show any sort of affection, even if they aren't inherently drawn to it for its own sake.

[Why should that be a barrier? Some people are good parents without having a single parental instinct or desire. People can partake in sex without feeling the rush of need and desire others do. And people can perform romance even if they aren't drawn to it.]

Or so I assume.

...it seems, perhaps, dishonest.

[Is it? He does care for Loki. He doesn't think it's romantic, but if it's of an equivalent strength, does it matter?]

[Well, he doesn't know that it's like that at all.]

Whoever this person is, do you like the time you spend with them?

[Sephiroth blinks, but... okay, it's not like he even tried to pull the "asking for a friend" bid.]

...I would not have questions, if I didn't.

[Genius here, Sephiroth, and would you be so invested in this situation if it wasn't personal?]

Are they pushing for labels for it, for you?

[Sometimes a line of questioning can be personal but hypothetical!]

No. Quite the opposite. He said it was my choice.

[But something told David it wasn't true here. Especially since he had theories about Sephiroth and Loki.]

If he doesn't care about the way you describe yourself, and you are happy with what you have, maybe the labels don't matter. Maybe the way you should define yourself is as accepting something that makes you happy rather than any labels someone like me might offer.

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