[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjk2LjAwODA4MC5WbWx1WTJWdWRBLCwuMA,,/bonwick-weaver.regular.webp[/img][/center]

[color=teal]Location:[/color] Boca Catalina, Aruba
[color=teal]Interactions:[/color] Viktor [@FunnyGuy]
[color=teal]Mentions:[/color] Daphne, Will
[hr]
As Viktor listed off what he wanted to eat, Erin reinforced the paper plate with another, then a third after thinking about it for a moment. She listened intently as Viktor spoke while she loaded up the plate, nearly dropping a bell pepper when he outright said he and Daphne were sleeping together. She blushed and glanced at Vincent, who nearly choked on the water he was sipping. While he had been with the team long enough to know that Viktor was [i]painfully[/i] literal most of the time, those were still the last words he expected to hear so blatantly.

The couple were quiet as Viktor continued, explaining what had happened between himself, Will, and Daphne at the water front. Vincent, after catching his breath, [color=teal]"That explains the glare you gave him."[/color]

Meanwhile, Erin was in thought as she filled the first plate. As she nudged it toward Viktor and reached for another, she slowly said, "I'm taking a guess by saying this, but would it be safe to say that this is the first time you've been in a relationship? Or at least in such a serious one?" She waited for Viktor's reply before she continued, "I won't say I'm an expert on relationships or anything. I've only dated a couple times and...well, my parents would rather I study something 'worthwhile' like [i]law[/i] or [i]business[/i] or goddamn [i]politics[/i] than the intricacies of interpersonal relationships." When she paused to collect herself, Vincent found himself surprised at the venom in her voice when she spoke about her parents. He knew she wasn't on the best terms with them, but he hadn't had a chance to ask her for specifics.

[color=teal][i]I'll try to ask her about them later,[/i][/color] he thought, rubbing Erin's back comfortingly as she continued, "To say that how you felt wasn't normal would be dismissive. Your feelings matter and it's good that you've already told Daphne that you wanted to talk. Just don't forget that when you do, her feelings matter, too. She might not realize that you felt hurt when she got close to Will, so make sure you keep that in mind when you talk. Don't go into the conversation heated or else you can end up pushing her away. Calmly talk to her about what happened, how it made you feel, and go from there."

After a few moments, she looked in Viktor's eyes and added, "Opening your heart to someone is scary. You have to make yourself vulnerable to someone and that requires an amount of trust. You have to trust that she won't intentionally hurt you and she has to do the same for you or else your relationship won't last. You do trust her, right?”