Victor trying to court you but in actual bat ways.
He was at least conventional about it at first. Instead of trying to gift, well, bugs or dead animals, he asked around to find out your favourite snacks and such to leave where he knew you'd find them. Always with a little note signed with a small bat doodle to know it was him.
Some bat breeds cover themselves in a strong scent to court a potential mate, but being as he was a hybrid, he wasn't going to just do it the way the winged creatures would. He went about it with cologne, maybe using a bit too much. It didn't have the effect he wanted when Prism scrunched her nose up, trying to fan it away with a hologram, "Damn, dude... Are you trying to gas the whole place with that stuff..."
No matter what he tried, it didn't go as planned. Malevola caught him one day to talk, saying, "Have you ever thought about just... Asking them out?"
Now, you'd think for a Harvard graduate, it'd cross his mind at least once. You'd be wrong. He overthought it so much that he forgot the whole... Human aspect of it all.
He was visibly anxious when he called you to ask if you wanted to hang out for a while. Pacing around outside the SDN building, idly messing with his shirt collar as it rang a couple of times before you picked up.
"Hey, Vic, what's up?"
Fuck you weren't making this easy, and you haven't even done anything...
"Yo-!" He cringed at himself, really? That's what he started with? He cleared his throat before he continued, "I was just gonna ask if you were going to be busy tonight? Or if you wanted to... Hang out or something. Maybe. I'm fine with whatever-"
"Hey, c'mon, you know you're free to visit my place whenever," you had that playful tone you always had with him, you felt so... At ease with him. "Maybe some movies or something? I don't mind ordering takeout- just... Not with a dead rat or roach. Preferably."
He caught himself before he laughed, "No- I'm- I won't do that in your apartment, I'm not that much of a fucking animal, damn."
Hearing you laugh on the other end of the line, he had to force himself not to squeak. He was down so bad...
"I'll be over in ten, sound good?"
"Sure, gives me time to put on some actual clothes. Been basically laying around all day in pajamas."
The thought had his breath catching in his throat, "Nah, don't worry about that, you don't have to change just for me."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
He heard you hesitate, then, "Why do I have the feeling you must want to see me in something other than work clothes for once?"
Damn... Busted...
"Would you be mad if I said that's exactly it?"
"Hmm, no," he could practically hear your smug smile, "if you can keep yourself together."
Oh, you were mirroring his little flirts back at him... That's a dangerous move, but he loved it.
"No promises."
—
Victor did at least get a couple of things to bring over, getting you a few of your favourite things, and standing there like a lovesick fool outside your door after he rang the doorbell.
Only two minutes before you were there, still in comfy clothes. Your eyes darted between his dopey smile, and the things he held in his arms. Snacks and a couple of drinks.
You rolled your eyes but the smile said positive things as you moved out of the way to let him in. "You do realize I got some takeout on the way here, right?"
He shrugged a shoulder as he brought the snacks over to set on the kitchen counter, bringing the drinks over to the coffee table, "Think of it as a gift."
You hummed as you watched him go around, coming back to join you on the couch. He didn't have his tie on, a couple of buttons undone, sleeves rolled up. More comfortable.
"You've been doing that a lot lately, I've noticed." You sat next to him, barely glancing when his arm propped against the back of the couch. "And so have the others, they won't shut up about it."
"Trust me, they won't leave me alone either," he mumbled to himself before shifting to twist the cap off the soda he got himself.
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
He could tell you were just about to ask something about what he said but shrugged it off instead as you got to the drink he knew you liked. He kept looking over in the corner of his eye — maybe having solid eyes helps in the long run.
His heart was pounding, he had never been this nervous about anything in his life... All because he couldn't get the guts to ask you out.
He spoke at the same time you did, "Can I ask you- no you first- what-"
Both of you snickered to yourself, and he sat up a bit, "You go first, mine can wait."
"Are you sure?" You looked almost as nervous as he felt, but you sighed as he nodded for you to start.
Hesitating for a second, you fidgeted with the label on your drink, "Is there a reason you've been, I dunno, acting weird lately? Usually you're so... Boisterous, I don't think I've ever seen you so quiet before."
His ear twitched, his head lowering for a second. He kept acting as if he was going to say something but kept catching himself.
"I didn't mean it as a bad thing-!" You added quickly as an apology, "It's just... Not you, y'know? I'm just worried there's something wrong."
His foot tapped a couple of times, his thoughts racing.
Fuck it.
"There's nothing wrong, per se, it- I-" a crusted sigh squeaked out as he ran a hand down his face, "Why is it so hard to just fucking say this, fuck!"
He saw your confused expression, your head tilted just barely to the side. He had to just say it.
"I-" He sighed. "I like you, okay? I have for... Way longer than I'd like to admit because Mal's been on my ass about just asking you out but I just... I could never get the words right. And clearly, actions didn't do shit either, fucked that up too..."
He slumped back against the couch, a huff leaving him as he got a short sip of his soda. "You've got my head all messed up, I... Usually I can go in, get shit done, talk a big talk, then go on. I'm a negotiator, and a damn good one- like I could get some guy to sell me his house without even trying, but... Asking someone out?" He huffed a snort, "Wasn't exactly in the curriculum at Harvard, and it's not like I had that much experience on the streets with it. Not with," he vaguely gestured to himself with a flick of his ear, "this."
A long silence felt between the two of you, longer than he'd like.
Maybe he said too much...
Did you even like him?
There's no way, right? C'mon...
"Vic."
He looked over, a surprised squeak slipping out when he was met with your lips on his. His eyes were wide open, the realization hit him then as he closed them, his free arm pulling you in closer.
He pulled back as you did, and if his cheeks were visible under his fur, he'd be as red as a ripe tomato. A faint purr sound was heard, he didn't even notice it until you were trying to hold back a smile.
"What- oh." He tried to hide it by clearing his throat but gave up on it. It gave away what he couldn't put into words.
"So that's what all those little notes were for, huh?" You mused, sitting back against the arm of the couch to face him. "All those notes, leaving me my favourite snacks, hell... You even managed to find my favourite games and merch for them. That's honestly impressive."
He squeaked again when you leaned in, "And all that, because you couldn't just say you had a crush on me?"
"It's way past the crush stage, if I'm gonna be honest," he nervously let out a short laugh, "Mal said that if I didn't get the balls to make a move, she'd do it for me."
"Should've let her, I'm curious what she would've done."
"Trust me, you don't want to know."
You hummed, moving over closer to rest your head in his shoulder, a short but quiet noise from him as he tensed up for a moment. Though he soon relaxed into it, using his free arm to pull you close again.
There was a moment before, "So... I'm gonna guess you like me too, or-"
He was quickly shut up with another kiss, you pulling back with a deadpanned look, "Yes, you dumbass. A Harvard graduate and doesn't even pick that up."
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