#what are we calling their polycule????? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sir-subpar · 1 year

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What do we call this? (Ringo x Saizo x Arrow)

Relationship: Ringo x Arrow x Saizo

Summary:

Arrow's been thinking about how Ringo and Saizo have started treating him differently, flirting with him, cuddling him... Surely that's because they're friends, right?

Aka: Arrow can't seem to fathom that it's possible for people to like him back, so Ringo and Saizo spell it out for him.

*Author Note: I recently bought Soul Hackers 2, I wouldn't say it's my favorite game, and I don't think it was worth the high price, but I do like it! I especially like these 3 characters. It's a gorgeous game, and the story so far is interesting. I think the crew should have just made it a movie. I haven't finished the game yet, so there shouldn't be many spoilers here, but I don't know. It's "post canon", but I'm kinda making it up here as I don't know how the game actually ends yet.

With the world saved, and the apocalypse prevented, things went back to normal.

Well, as normal as they could be, anyway. Arrow, Milady, and Saizo were all still summoners, and Ringo had decided to stick around instead of returning to Aion.

So, now Arrow had basically a sentient, humanoid supercomputer as his safehouse roommate and travel partner. He wasn't complaining though, Ringo made good company.

Ringo's presence wasn't the only thing that changed, Saizo decided to spend more time with the two of them as well, and occasionally Milady joined in, but not too often if it wasn't battle-related.

Not that it bothered Arrow much, it was still hard for him to get along with her. Saizo was much easier to get along with, thankfully.

Speaking of Saizo, Arrow had noticed a bit of a… shift regarding him.

One thing that was clear about Saizo, was that he was kind of a flirt. Though thankfully not pushy or too inappropriate, it took Arrow some getting used to.

"Looking good, Arrow."

"Are you Cupid's Arrow? Because I think I'm in love."

Arrow hadn't thought that much about it at first. After all, Saizo flirted with Ringo and Milady too.

They were heading out for some relaxation time and drinks. Walking through the city, there were puddles everywhere from last night's rainstorm. With that post-rain smell, and the neon lights of the town reflecting off the remaining water, it was a pleasant day for the four of them.

After waiting for the crosswalk to be cleared of vehicles, Saizo stepped off the sidewalk and halted. He turned around and delicately set his white jacket onto a muddy puddle.

With a slight bow, and one arm behind his back, he held his free hand out, palm up towards Ringo. A small toothy smile on his face.

Ringo may not have been an expert on humans, but she knew exactly what Saizo was doing. She gave him a knowing but still friendly smile, and took him up on his non verbal offer. Her hand in his, she lightly stepped on the soaked jacket, and walked towards dryer ground. He gave her a quick spin before letting go of her hand, the act gaining a light giggle from Ringo. Once their hands were no longer linked, he turned back to face Milady with the same smile, and offered his hand to her.

Which was met with a punch to his gut.

Saizo let out an "OOF!" and doubled over, his hands on his now injured abdomen. The air forcibly knocked out of him, he stumbled.

Arrow wouldn't be surprised if it ended up bruising.

Milady sauntered past all of them, not batting an eye and leaving them a bit shocked. Despite her attack on Saizo, the man stood straight again and composed himself. He smiled again, even if it was slightly strained.

He faced Arrow, and, much to his surprise, held his hand out to him. Just as he did for Ringo and Milady.

Arrow hesitated, not so much out of discomfort as much as out of… confusion? Maybe just shock? For whatever reason. Arrow just hadn't expected to be treated the same way.

The same way Saizo treated people he was interested in.

Arrow couldn't ignore the heat rushing into his cheeks at that idea. Unsure of what else to do, he placed his hand on Saizo's palm. Gloved fingers curled around his hand in a gentle grip. Saizo gently tugged Arrow's arm, guiding him over the puddle, letting him step on his jacket.

Arrow wasn't ready to admit it, but it made him feel… special. Saizo taking the time to do this, letting his own jacket be ruined for the sake of being charming to the others, it felt nice.

Arrow took a bite of pizza, sitting back on the couch in his safe house. The others were out doing their own missions, giving him time to think things over. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that this strange "shift" wasn't just with Saizo, but Ringo as well.

Ah yes, Ringo.

The one who brought him back from the dead when they first met. WWhat a memorable day that was.

When the world was saved, he expected her to return to Aion, what with her discomfort with her physical form and all. He didn’t expect her to stay, or want to stay. Looking back, it seemed silly to think that. She was naturally curious, and she liked being friends with the whole gang. It made sense that she wouldn’t want to abandon the people she spent so much time and effort protecting. Honestly, Arrow was glad she stayed. He got used to her being around. She kept life interesting. Sure, he wished she was a little less reckless sometimes, but if she were, would she really be Ringo anymore?

He learned a lot from her, and she from him. That was probably one of his favorite things about spending time with her. Even if it did result in him having an existential crisis sometimes.

It wasn’t always something big like Devil Summoning, sometimes it was something as small as baking, or gardening. There were so many human experiences that Ringo hadn’t tried before, and there was a part of Arrow that was excited to show her. She made some of the most mundane human things sound amazing, in a way, it reminded him of how intricate the world was.

Arrow hadn’t seen Ringo in almost an hour, she took off randomly and just disappeared. It made nerves twist in Arrow’s gut. Where had she gone? Why? What if something was wrong? It was freezing outside, ice and snow everywhere. What if she got hypothermia? Or frostbite?

He wasn’t sure if she could suffer from those things, but if she could pass out from exhaustion, it wasn’t weird to think of it as a possibility, right?

Bundled in his winter attire, he opened the door and let the freezing air rush over him. He quickly shut the door behind him, not letting the heat escape. A gray sky stretched endlessly above him, small flurrying flakes of snow softly fell around him, coating everything it touched. He could see his own breath, brief clouds that disappeared in seconds. He looked at the ground below him, completely blanketed by white, he noticed faded imprints in the snow. Their shape wasn’t a solid silhouette, as snow began to fill the holes, but he could tell they were most likely made by high heels.

That’s probably a good lead.

He followed the trail, his own boots leaving fresh prints in the snow, he could hear the frozen water crunch beneath his feet with every step. The prints lead him through the wooded area around him, as he continued, the prints got more and more defined.

Eventually, he spotted a clearing in the trees ahead of him, a weeping willow stood before him, all the wispy leaves and branches frozen over, icicles hung from each branch, he felt like he was watching a waterfall that had been frozen in time, completely still. As he got closer, he noticed a warped but familiar green reflection.

He stepped into the clearing, Ringo mere feet in front of him. Her head tilted back, and she held her hands up high.

He sighed. Looks like she wasn’t hurt, that was a relief, but what was she doing? Was this all she had been doing this whole time? Just standing out here?

She stood in her usual attire, her suit top, flashing green jacket and shorts, the longer strands of her hair waved in the breeze.

He approached her, standing by her side, she looked up at him, her magenta eyes wide with what he assumed was either surprise or intrigue.

“What are you doing out here?” He quizzed.

She looked up towards the sky again. “I feel strange.” was all she said.

Arrow raised a brow at this, “What do you mean?”

“I can’t stop shaking,” she held her hand out to him, “My hands, they’re stiff, I can’t feel them as much as usual. And my skin has developed an unusual texture.” She avoided eye contact, “I think something is wrong.”

Upon closer inspection, Arrow confirmed that she was, in fact, trembling. Her usually pale cheeks were much more red, and there was a considerable amount of snow in her hair. Her legs were covered in goosebumps. His eyes widened a bit.

“You’re cold.”

Ringo tilted her head, looking up at him with questioning eyes.

“Your body, it’s reacting to the cold weather, trying to warm up.”

He gently gathered her hands in his, they felt like ice themselves. He cupped his hands around her’s, and held them up to his lips. He began to puff warm air onto them. The same hands that had brought him back to life, that healed him when a bullet had violated his skull, that held a sword and tore demons asunder… seemed so delicate now in his own hands.

“You just need to warm up, and you'll feel better.” Arrow reluctantly pulled away for a moment and removed his outer jacket. He was glad he wore layers.

He draped it across Ringo's shoulders, it was large on her, the thick fabric practically drowning her. Unfortunately it still didn't cover her legs, so she was still going to be cold, but it was something, at least.

"There, that should be better. Now, why don't we head back and-"

"No."

Arrow chuckled at the memory. Ringo was stubborn, and she made the decision to fool around in the snow. When he had suggested going inside again, she grabbed a clump of snow and smashed it into his face. And thus, an intense snowball fight began.

It took a while before they returned to the safehouse. He swore it must have been over an hour.

"Jeez, I can't even bring you home without you causing trouble, can I?" He said as he made hot chocolate for the two of them.

Ringo laughed from her spot on the couch, curled up in a blanket.

"You're just grumpy 'cause you lost." She teased.

"Am not." He rolled his eyes.

"Mmm… doubt it."

Arrow brushed off the light teasing, and sat next to her, he handed her a warm mug of hot chocolate. She took a sip, then snuggled up into his side. Forcing a chill to run through his body at the physical contact. Like he just hugged a glacier.

"Ah! Y-You're C-cold-!" He protested.

"You mentioned that earlier."

He tried to wriggle away, but to no avail. She only gripped him tighter.

"Yeah, but now you're making ME feel cold!"

"And you're making me feel warm. It seems we're at an impasse."

He tried to squirm away again, but it proved useless.

"W-Well will you at least share the blanket?"

They stayed bundled up on the couch for the rest of the night, after they warmed up, he actually found himself falling asleep. As strange of a day that was, he looked back on it with fond memories.

As he thought more about the two Summoners, he realized he felt that "shift" again.

He noticed the shift wasn't just in the others' behaviors, but his own too.

Saizo started flirting less with Milady. (probably a smart choice), and more with Ringo and him.

Ringo also began flirting a bit.

Now that felt weird.

It somehow felt even weirder when they would both flirt with him.

Surely they were just playing around, trying to get a reaction out of him, they didn't mean anything by it, right?

… Right?

As soon as he had that thought, he felt a sharp pang in his chest. Like a small needle just jabbed his heart.

What the-?

Why did he have that reaction? Was he… hurt by that? Why would he be upset? It wasn't his business whether or not his friends were attracted to him. Even if… he was maybe drawn to them.

He was pulled from his train of thought when he heard the clicks of the safe house's front door being unlocked.

Saizo held the door open, Ringo trotting past him. The two were in the midst of a light hearted conversation, laughing and joking before they noticed Arrow on the couch.

Ringo jogged up to him first and plopped onto the couch right next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder.

She was so close to him.

"Hey, why the long face? Did you miss us or something?" She asked, lightly teasing him.

Always.

Before Arrow could reply, Saizo settled in next to him in his usual laid-back way, with one leg crossed over the other, leaning back on the couch.

Arrow couldn't help but be surprised when he felt something lightly tugging his hair. A quick sideways look revealed that Saizo was playing with it. Grasping the ebony strands, he very gently twirled them around his finger.

"Aww, Arrow, are you feeling lonely?"

Arrow wasn't able to ignore the warmth rising in his cheeks. Or the sudden pounding in his chest.

Why was he so nervous? It wasn't like they were bothering him, right? He… didn't dislike it when they did things like this. But every time they did, there was a part of him that just remembered that it didn't mean anything. It wasn't real.

His muscles tensed, especially in his chest.

Did he want it to be real? To be touched and have it mean something? If he asked for that, wouldn't it put Saizo and Ringo in an unfair spot? Wouldn't that be asking too much from them?

But if they kept playfully teasing him, and he kept wanting it to be 'real', would he still feel this way?

Every time Ringo or Saizo held his hand, leaned on his shoulder, messed with his hair, it was jarring, but when they stopped he immediately craved their touch again.

He didn't want to keep feeling good for a few seconds, only for reality to barge in and remind him that his feelings were irrelevant.

"Arrow! What's wrong!?"

He jumped, wide eyed.

Ringo's magenta colored eyes met his own. They were full of shock and concern. Her brows knitted together, focussed and tense.

"H-Huh? What-?" He tried to speak, but his voice was uneven. Shaking.

Suddenly he heard Saizo's voice interject.

"Arrow, why are you crying? What happened?" His voice asked, ever so delicately.

Arrow brought his hand to his eyes, rubbing them. His fingers turned damp. Saizo was right.

How long had he been crying? How did he not notice?

He tried to find his voice.

"I-I'm sorry- I don't- I just… I'm sorry, I don't have the words.."

Ringo grasped his hand.

"Can you tell us what happened?" She questioned.

"Yeah," Saizo added, "Maybe we can help?" He wrapped an arm around Arrow.

There it was, that feeling again. They were touching him, and he prayed they wouldn't let go.

He wanted…

No, he needed…

"What are we?" He murmured, but since both of them were so close, they could still hear him, as evident by their shocked and confused faces.

"What do you mean?" Ringo asked.

Arrow avoided eye contact with either of them, instead his eyes glued themselves to the floor, his brows knitted together.

"I mean… how do you feel about me?"

Both seemed taken aback. Ringo quickly shook her head a few times, as if trying to see if she was malfunctioning. Saizo's eye widened, briefly freed from the curtain of green hair that usually concealed it.

"Isn't it obvious?" Ringo began.

"We're crazy about you, Arrow." Saizo answered.

Arrow's face took on a dubious expression.

"We love you, Arrow. We thought you knew that." Ringo added.

"In what way though?" He asked.

"Arrow… what brought this up?" Saizo questioned as he put a hand on Arrow's back. His laid back posture was lost.

Arrow avoided eye contact with either of them.

"Please, just…" Arrow let out a shaky breath and clenched his fists, desperate not to lose his composer more than he already had, "..just answer the question.." He pleaded, voice barely above a whisper.

The two green haired summoners exchanged a look, then refocused on Arrow. Ringo carefully grabbed Arrows arm, one hand on his upper arm, the other resting on his shoulder.

Saizo was the first to answer.

"Well. I can't exactly speak for both of us, but I know how I feel. I mean, I thought I made it pretty clear that I find you pretty attractive. I don't just mean looks, either. I do have feelings for you romantically."

Saizo's lips curled up, exposing his sharp teeth in a goofy, nervous smile.

Ringo nodded at his words, she held her fingers to her chin, like she always did when she was analyzing something.

"I'll admit, I'm still inexperienced in these types of feelings as I haven't exactly been 'human' for as long as you two have, but from what I understand, I have similar thoughts towards you as Saizo does," she shot Saizo a small smile.

"It would be a lie for me to say that I haven't imagined us bonding in a more romantic setting."

Arrow looked into Ringo's eyes, her magenta irises seemed like they were tugging at his soul, trying to bring him back to reality. Like when they first met, but different...

He glanced to his right, at Saizo. Saizo's blue eye peered through the green hair that usually acted like a curtain. Shielding the beautiful opal-like iris from the world.

They both looked so earnest… but if that was the case, then why…?

"I thought you two liked each other?"

"We do." Saizo said.

"But we also like you." Ringo finished.

"Look, Arrow. If you don't feel the same way, that's alright-" Ringo began, but Arrow shortly shut it down with:

"It's not that! I just…"

The greenettes leaned in, both hanging on his every word.. They really liked him?

"Why me?"

Both seemed taken aback. Ringo in particular gave him a look like he said something really stupid.

"Really Arrow? Come on. There's so much to appreciate." She began.

"You're loyal and helpful…"

Saizo then decided to jump in.

"You're always looking out for people, even when they aren't all that kind to you."

"You work hard. Everything you do, you do it with your best effort." Ringo added with a smile.

"You ground us when we're lost, you make everything seem simpler. When things get overwhelming, you're the one who makes it easier to handle."

"You're kind."

The two kept taking turns listing different qualities. Arrow couldn't help but turn bright red. There was never a moment in his life where he'd been complimented this much.

His face became even redder somehow when they started complimenting his appearance.

"It certainly helps that you're smokin hot." Saizo said shamelessly, which was met with a face palm from Ringo. Saizo gave a defensive shrug. "What? It's true!"

"Yes, but you could phrase it better." She replied, trying to be serious, but both men could see her struggling to hold back a smile.

"Okay then, how about I get more specific?" Saizo scooted closer, his leg against Arrow's, and he held Arrow's hand. He brought it up to his lips, and gave a gentle kiss to his knuckles.

"Arrow, you are beautiful. Allow me to be a bit superficial for a second, but honestly, you are." Saizo used his free hand to comb through Arrow's hair.

"Your hair is so soft," Saizo's hand moved down to cup his cheek, "Your face is honestly just very nice, your eyes are like a golden amber, so warm and welcoming."

"I love it when you smile.."

Ringo decided it was her turn to make some observations.

"You're so warm," she maneuvered onto his lap, (her legs extended onto Saizo's as well, since she sat sideways) and wrapped her arm around him. "I love holding you, and I like it when you hold me too."

"We adore you, Arrow." Saizo said, deciding to get closer, he nuzzled the side of Arrow's head.

Arrow's breath hitched. He started trembling.

Arrow was sure his blood pressure was through the roof. He must've been as red as an entire tomato garden. If he got any more flustered, he was sure his head would pop.

"Okay okay! Y-You can stop! I get it!" He yelled flustered.

"I…um.. I love you guys too." Arrow looked at their smiling faces. Priceless, beautiful smiles.

"So… do we.. Should we be romantic then? The three of us?"

Ringo shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Saizo smiled. "In down if you two are."

"Have either of you… well I guess Ringo probably hasn't, but have you guys ever been in a poly relationship?"

Ringo shook her head.

Saizo shrugged. "Nah, but I've always been open to the idea."

"It's alright, we'll figure it out as we go. No need to scare ourselves over it." Ringo chimed.

Saizo beamed. "Yeah, we can just do what feels right to us."

"So, what do you say, Arrow?" Ringo quizzed. "Wanna go out with us?"

Arrow turned his head away for a moment, but made no effort to get away from them. He closed his eyes.

He could feel the warmth of Saizo's hand as the man's fingers intertwined with his own. The feeling of Ringo sitting in his lap, with her arm around him wasn't lost. He felt so warm.

The felt the sparks within him again, but this time, no jabbing in his heart.

They loved him. They loved him.

He couldn't help but sniffle a bit, tears returned to his eyes. This time, however, there was no shame.

He looked back at the two, and grinned.

"Yes, I'd love to."

Ringo threw her hands into the air. "Nice!"

Saizo's toothy grin welcomed him. He gripped Arrow's face and kissed his cheek.

"There's the smile we love!"

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