i should probs sleep but buddha knows i could talk about dragon husbands until i lose my voice
the beginning of their actual dating relationship always gets me bc for oliver, etienne is already someone dear to him (he would be less so inclined to admit it at this point but it is too late, etienne has already infiltrated family xmas photos, thanks mom) that he didnt consider him to be a potential partner--not that oli hadnt considered it and would maybe admit that etiennes alright on the eyes, but esp as a colleague and family friend that oliver just doesnt expect etienne would also want or indulge that sort of relationship between them
and like i can easily see oliver honestly mistaking etienne inviting oliver to dinner as just another work dinner to tidy up a case or something and when oliver realizes what he’s done when etienne shows up looking fine n fresh he feels so! foolish! and honestly i think oliver would have to like
actually say that he needs to consider it bc it puts them in such a delicate spot in their careers as a conflict of interests, and especially politically since theyre not only govt but also from families of power and repute? the last thing oli wants to do is compromise the integrity of the force and their families but
like.... normally oli will take the safest option when its a matter of other ppl but for etienne? he actually wants to take the risk and instead of playing it safe this time he instead starts to consider, alright, how can we make this work RATHER THAN JUST turning down etienne which at the time seems like the more logical option at the time all things considered
and so when oli just gives into etienne their relationship is just so casual and playful and light and its super cute that oli is hung up over how he feels so rude abt the dinner thing that he spends a lot of time trying to make it up to etienne somehow (not even in a romantic way like a wow im a shitty friend) but its not like etienne is mad or anything lmao.... and neither of them rly notice it (maybe sumire does) but being around etiennes influence already starts to soothe olis heart slowly (at least till meir rears his nasty head) ugh im cryin...










