Kim seemed to like playing along, and he played along well.
All the smiles, the genuine commentary, the way he messed with Aodhan's hair? It was different, a pleasant experience that the boy was slowly relishing in. Not to mentionβ
"I'm always up to spending time with you."
βthe older gryffindor was just so nice. He really couldn't put his finger on anything, almost wasn't sure if he wanted to, but could tell there was something going on within his stomach. A strange tickle, faint yet lingering, that was akin to what one felt on the way up a rollercoaster. Was Kim making him nervous? Anxious? No, that wouldn't do at all. Better to ignore it.
So, the successful topic change indeed came as a blessing. The youth was able to zero in on his acquaintance's lack of familiarity with the franchises andβwell, he allowed himself a small show of dramatics. Small, because having his eyes widen and jaw go slack was incredibly tame compared to what he should have done.
"'What are those?'" he echoed, betrayal practically dripping from his tone, "'What are those?' Are you for real?"
A multitude of possibilities entered Aodhan's mind then. For instance, was he being lied to? Getting messed with? Or did Kim simply lack a childhood? Goodness, that last option was almost too depressing to consider. So, he chose to be more... optimistic for the time being.
"Y'know, you're a real good actor. No wonder you're in charge of the Drama Club. What's next? You'll say that you've never heard of Dragon Ball Z?" At this idea, the young wizard laughed. Nice and funny! What a great combo his roommate had going on.
"Seriously though, that is what you meant, right? Unless you're talking about fencing when you say duels, or..." he trailed off, quiet for mere second before a lightbulb finally turned on in his head, "Wait! Do you mean with wands?"
In a magic school with talking portraits and giant squids hiding in the lake, Aodhan had indeed found a way to default to everyday items. How lame. No wonder Kim saw fit to tease him by acting confused.
