"Uhh... do you need help with something?" a tall, spiky haired elezen youth approached the sulking blonde miqo'te who was curled up on the floor in his room.
"Why.. why! Whyyyyyy!" Laris repeatedly yelled as he thrashed around on the ground like a child, completely ignoring the elezen's question.
"HEY!" the young elf got down on his knees in front of Laris and tried to get his attention once again.
"Oh! hello Zaren, i didn't hear you come in.. sorry about that bud." Laris continued. "As you can see, im clearly having quite a dilemma here, haha.. it's kind of embarrassing though."
"What's the problem? you're adorable and funny. I don't see anything to be worried about." Zaren smiled.
"You really mean that?" Laris was gob smacked.
"Of course! I always take notice of people with potential, like whenever i look into a mirror for example." Zaren combed back his light brown hair with his hand and grinned.
"Do you even know why im all worked up right now?" Laris asked with a confused look on his face.
"Duh. It's boy issues." Zaren replied immediately.
"Am I really that readable? huh..." Laris said as he looked down at the ground.
"Don't be like that Larry, A sad face doesn't suit you. That's why i'm showering you with compliments and giving you my attention." said Zaren, while he patted Laris on the back.
"But... aren't you always hanging out with girls? How could you possibly help me with boy issues?" Laris asked and let out a long sigh.
"I may be young but i've had plenty of experience when it comes to love. Also, i admit i'm still having trouble figuring myself out.." Zaren looked away.
"Oh.. i see.. well for some people it takes a while. I'm sure you'll get there someday." Laris smiled at the elezen in front of him and continued. "I've always liked guys ever since i could remember, so its hard to relate to your issue, i'm sorry..."
"Huh, now you're the one giving me advice and reassurance. heh." Zaren laughed.
"I know we haven't talked much since i'm new to the free company, but i'd love to have you as someone i can rely on. That would make me really happy. You can trust me." Zaren smiled at the miqo'te.
"I'm so happy! I've never had anyone rely on me before!" Laris jumped up off the ground with joy.
"Does the members of your company really feel like they can't trust you?" Zaren asked.
"I dunno. I'm always getting lost and letting them down though. I'm just.. really incompetent compared to them.." Laris replied, as the smile on his face quickly faded.
"How about you try and mentor me? I need to be decently trained as a monk in order to travel to Ishgard and become a machinist. It's my dream!" Zaren's eyes lit up with excitement.
"But i told you that i'm incompetent.. why not ask Robyn? she's also a monk and one of my best friends. You'd get there faster with her help!" Laris suggested.
"No, i wanna go on an adventure with you Laris. We can learn stuff together! Besides, i'm quite smart for my age so this could benefit you." Zaren replied. The elezen boy clearly wasn't going to give up on the miqo'te, no matter how much he doubted himself.
"So are you also still gonna miraculously help me with my issue with guys?" Laris said as his face beamed with joy again.
"I'm sure i will, and you'll help me too, in more ways than one. I just know it." Zaren then put his hand out in front of him for Laris to shake it but the miqo'te couldn't contain his extravagant amount of happiness and leaped onto the elezen boy for a hug, knocking Zaren to the ground.
"Oh, i'm s-so sorry to interrupt!" a soft, anxious young girl's voice was heard as she slammed the door shut and bolted back to her room.
"Who was that?" Zaren asked.
"I'm pretty sure that was Juria.. I wonder why she ran away? I mean, we aren't doing anything weir- OH.." Laris' eyes widened as he saw Zaren beneath him, laughing.
"You really are completely clueless, aren't you?" Zaren chuckled as Laris let go of the elezen and retreated to his bed while hiding his red face.
"I'm gonna hit the sack if you don't mind.. i'm wrecked!" Laris stretched and yawned.
"Alright, Larry. By the way, try not to miss me too hard while i'm gone okay? I can't wait for you to start mentoring me in the morning!" Zaren grinned and left the room.
A few hours past and the young miqo'te pulled his sheets over his head in frustration.
"Argh! What is this! Why does my heart feel like its being crushed even though I was so happy today?" Laris attempted to recollect the events that occurred before he went to bed. "Zaren.. what is the deal with that guy? No one has ever treated me like that before." Laris sighed loudly. His heart began beating loudly as he came to a sudden conclusion.
"Does... he have feelings for me?! Do i have feelings for the new guy? Oh god, what if he doesn't swing that way after all and i'm just being ridiculous? I can't mess this up!" Laris screams and begins to panic.
"Hey, be quiet and get some sleep! Everyone in this entire building can hear you, idiot!" Gaius yells from his room. A faint chuckle can be heard from inside Robin's room.
"I wish Gaius would take notice of my screams.." Paris muttered to herself.