TN A-another reason?
TN You don't have faith in the goodness of my heart, Y/N?
You shake your head. If you weren't certain before, the anxiety in Tian's voice has solidified your hunch now.
Y/N You changed your mind as quickly as you caught it.
Y/N Usually, you're pretty set on whatever you do.
TN It was a slip of the moment! I am human, after all.
TN Please, linger on it no more. It's... embarassing...!
Tian's words trail off. Even with that hand covering her face, you can tell she's more than a little flustered. You step away from the plushie and towards her.
Y/N I'm sorry. I don't mean it in a bad way.
Y/N I'm just curious. You were going to get it, weren't you?
Y/N Don't you want it for yourself?
TN Heh! The scaled specimens are not my type, dear friend.
TN In fact, this one is just fuzzy enough not to render me panicked.
TN If I were to purchase one of these fine fellows, it would be a magnificent aquatic bird.
Y/N So, why a dragon?
TN Why, I was wondering the same thing! You tell me, Y/N!
TN You're the one who was so vigilantly trying to -
Her other hand slaps over her mouth. But she didn't move the previous hand, so she just ended up slapping herself with both hands.
TN Ignore me! Running my mouth... heh...
Y/N ...
Y/N You wanted it... because I wanted it?
She turns around so you can't see her face. Yet, you can see her nod slowly.
Y/N I didn't think you cared about my opinion that much.
TN Don't speak so lowly of yourself, friend.
TN There are few things I put in as high regard as your thoughts and feelings.
Y/N That's... really sweet of you.
Y/N So, were you trying to see what the appeal was? Since you don't like dragons?
TN ...
TN Yes.
TN Yes, precisely!
Hands on her hips, she laughs triumphantly.
TN It was a matter of perspective! Personal growth!
TN That is the beauty of life, no? Taking hearty leaps outside of your comfort zone?
TN Yes... that is exactly what I aimed to achieve.
TN I knew you would understand, Y/N.
Now apparently comfortable enough to face you, you see a familiar glowing, yet smug expression on her face.
Y/N Now I know that's definitely not the reason.
TN A-ah, that's...!
Y/N But if that's not it, what could it be?
Y/N It'd be a lot easier if you just told me the truth, Tian.
Y/N I don't like seeing you jump through all these hoops.
Her mouth thins, and for a moment, you wonder if she'll dash away again. However, she sighs and slumps her shoulders.
TN You are... perceptive, dear Y/N.
TN I knew I couldn't keep up the act around you.
TN It is a blessing and a curse, to be known so well.
TN Yes, I admit it.
She clutches her chest and kneels. You look around, but the only witness is that same dragon plushie sitting nearby.
TN I had no intention of meeting you here, like this.
TN But when I saw you wandering about the store, I couldn't help but...
TN Trail behind, like your most devoted follower!
TN I saw you hone in on that beast. I saw what you overcame to conquer it.
TN And in my haste, I sought to capture it first.
TN I was so thrilled by staying in waiting, and excited by catching it successfully -
TN And, admittedly, the plush fur was quite nice to the touch -
TN That I lost touch with my original goal. I stayed far longer than I should have.
TN You should have never spotted me. Foolish... it was utterly foolish of me!
Y/N As much as I appreciate your dramatic flair (like always),
Y/N That still doesn't tell me why you wanted it. Enough to run away.
You had never considered that Tian could be cruel. But the longer she danced around the answer, the more your doubts grew.
Y/N Did you just... wanted the satisfaction of taking it from me?
Tian jolts to a standing position, looking stunned.
TN No! No no, my dearest Y/N, that wasn't it at all!
TN It was because you appeared dead-set on it that I must purchase it!
TN Ah - I mean -
TN I wasn't - I wouldn't want you to feel such sorrow, never!
TN But it was necessary, you see. I had to - er, I...
TN Heh... heh heh! Heh heh heh!!
TN Why can I not say it aloud? I can feel my pulse thrumming in my ears!
TN Y/N, do you know that you are the cause of this?
TN You are what makes these hardy legs stumble, this eloquent mouth stammer?
She's been taking small steps towards you. Then, she holds both your hands in hers, her face burning as red as her iconic scarf.
TN Do you understand now?
TN Why I fail to tell you, even when I try desperately to?
Y/N ...
Y/N Tian... were you...
Y/N Going to buy it... then give it to me?
She shuts her eyes and nods, as if prepared for a scathing rejection. You squeeze her hands.
Y/N Okay.
Y/N That was... a roundabout plan, for sure...
Y/N But getting to the goal in an unconventional way... that's what you do best.
Tian's eyes flutter open, and she stares at you incredulously.
TN You... you aren't upset?
TN So, truly, you don't see me as worthless scum?
TN A nitwit who cannot succeed in anything that she aims to do?
Y/N That's really harsh.
TN Heh, well, I have heard many an acerbic word in my lifetime.
TN I am not so dull as to expect otherwise when I fail so spectacularly.
Y/N No, Tian, I don't think that of you.
Y/N And I'm sorry that... there were others that did.
She exhales, her shoulders relaxing. Then, they stiffen again when she looks down at your jointed hands. Seems like she forgot what they were doing.
TN N-no need for apologies.
TN I've known for a long time what life I was born into.
TN And I've overcome any sensitivity to negativity and doubt.
Y/N Wow.
TN Yes, it's incredible. I am a beacon of stamina and morale.
TN And it isn't as if these detractors have nothing but filth flung my way.
TN They provide love as well. That is what I must hold onto.
TN It is all you have left at the end of the day.
Though you haven't been personally acquainted with Tian's family, the Zhou enterprise is a lofty one to carry. Though all three sisters have found their own careers separate from their parents' business, Tian has kept the closest contact with them.
Y/N I understand.
Y/N I've heard impressive things about your family.
Her face lights up.
TN Yes! They are my pride and joy.
Y/N Isn't that what parents usually say about their children?
TN What's the difference? Blood is blood.
TN Would you like to hear about them?
She lets go of your hands, grabs one of the medium-sized plushies, and sits down, gesturing to you to do the same. You weigh the potential consequences of getting caught by an employee and scolded for getting merchandise dirty... but you do the same.
Y/N Your father's the business head, right?
TN Yes. CEO, Chunjie Zhou.
TN A genius. His mind is without peer, truly!
TN He made certain we were educated well. I still adore academia to this day.
TN It was only through his discipline and rigor that I have achieved anything.
You nod, swallowing your disagreement. Interrupting her would only grind the entire conversation to a halt.
TN It's why I admire Vera so much. There is nothing she cannot overcome.
TN Alas, every time I mention it, she strikes at me!
TN Perhaps one day, I will grow a full immunity to their venom. Heh heh.
TN And our mother! The esteemed Tingyan Hong.
TN A spiritual woman. Though I do not follow her exact philosophy,
TN It is a beautiful tapestry of cultural traditions.
TN Her wisdom, too, must be highlighted.
TN My dearest Cheng takes after her in that regard. Such a worldly young woman.
TN The depths of their minds, hearts, and souls are truly a sight to behold.
TN Heh...
TN I am lucky that they are mine, and I am theirs.
You reach over and grab her hand. She startles but then squeezes yours back.
TN N-not that I don't have room in my heart for you too!
TN And this winged friend of yours.
Y/N ...
Y/N You know, we don't have to spend 50 dollars on this thing.
Y/N Let's just go somewhere.
TN You wish to spend the day... with me?
Y/N Yeah.
Y/N Also, we've made a big mess here, so if you could put that Value to use...
Tian ends up carrying you bridal-style out of the store. You complain once she puts you down, but secretly, you don't mind it. Not at all.
THE END
(Ending 3/20: Something In Return)
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡