Hime made me do this.
Kio/Hime essay that is basically just an extended answer to the relationship meme. Shut up.
Kio and Oscar: What the Fuck, Yo?
In the beginning, the relationship was so, so simple.
...okay, it really wasn't, but that's besides the point. What was simple was Kio's feelings for Oscar, because they didn't really go past "Hey, he's hot" and "Hey, he's really hot but kind of an idiot". That, my friends, was before they got together. But maybe I should start from the actual beginning. Because that will probably make infinitely more sense.
How It All Started
So. Kio first really met Oscar back in mid/early January, and that was when Oscar was aged (there was one very short conversation before that, but it doesn't count). Now, this was not the most conventional place for a relationship of any kind to start, mostly due to the fact that Oscar had aged into Soubi, who is basically the unrequited love of his life. As that point, Kio, shallow as he can be at times, became immediately interested in Oscar. As he said to Rikuou at the time "At this point, I'll take what I can get". Because yes, Kio is desperate for attention from Soubi (especially in camp, since Soubi isn't actually here, and probably will never be here), and Oscar-as-Soubi was a pretty nice substitute, since he was getting attention (!!) Bonus points came when Oscar went back to normal and he was still hot! And still kind of looked like Soubi!
After this, there was about two months of what Kio assumed was one-sided flirting. He'd tease Oscar, and innuendo at him, and generally be a slight nuisance. He was still attracted to him, and sort of disappointed that he never got the chance to draw him naked, dammit. The way Kio treated this relationship was basically the same way he treated all his other relationships. Honestly, at this point, there was nothing really special at Oscar. He was a hot friend who was sparkly and shiny, and Kio was clingy because that's how Kio is.
I think it was March back when actual, mutual feelings started developing. There was a string of events that ultimately lead to Kio and Oscar getting together, the first of which was Kio's genderswitching. This is where I as a player, and subsequently Kio, got the first inkling that it may not be one-sided after all (Oscar giving in and carrying girl!Kio back to Boys' 17 in his moment of "womanly distress"). Soon after, there was the thing where Oscar transformed into a turtle. At this point, Kio started playing the mother-hen, as he does in canon to people he cares about. He generally nagged and picked at the problem and was sort of unhelpful at the same time. The more he likes someone on an emotional level, the more likely he is to overreact to something concerning said person, over even the most trivial things. So he felt it was his personal responsibility to take care of Oscar at that point. And he did. Against Oscar's wishes, even. This is when Oscar started taking over the role of replacement Soubi in Kio's life.
The last event that was a factor in bringing them together was the handcuffing and the aftermath. There was a lot of bickering here, so emotions were running high, and I think that's what lead to Oscar's eventual confession. This... pretty much through Kio for a loop, because replacement!Soubi was now doing everything that he'd always wanted actual!Soubi to do, but knew would never happen. So Kio said yes, not because he was in any sort of love with Oscar, but simply because, well, he couldn't think of any reason to say no to him.
It started off as a very casual relationship, at least from Kio's point of view. Not much changed except that he dropped the "friends-with-benefits" thing with Rikuou, which he really didn't mind, because it's not like he's stopped flirting entirely. Kio also made a point, very early on, to inform Oscar that yes, he liked him, they were together, all that fun stuff, but he was still in love with Soubi, and he was honest about that, at least.
I originally said that the relationship was silly and would probably last no longer than a month. ....HAHAHA, wow, that sounds really ridiculous in retrospect. Mind you, I was expecting a Soubi, but... yes. And the relationship is obviously not on the strictly "casual" level anymore, and if there were absolutely no other influences in Kio's life (his family, Soubi, etc) I would say that he'd be in it for the long-haul. But this is not the case!
I don't think Hime or myself intended this thing to turn out this way. I certainly didn't expect it!
Feelings D:
Kio cares about Oscar; probably more than he should, even. To demonstrate this point, here is a diagram showing what Kio cares about:
So Oscar just isn't in the "other people" category anymore, which... well, it's actually a pretty big thing, since everyone else sort of inhabits that category. It's not love, but it's probably the closest Kio will ever get to it, considering Soubi and the fact that this is inside of camp, which Doesn't Really Count, as far as Kio is concerned.
What this means is that Kio gets genuinely upset when something happens to threaten their relationship, and not just play-upset like he gets with a lot of other people. With Oscar, Kio's dramatics are real, and not a product of his constant need for attention (because Oscar will give him that attention, anyway). He gets jealous, acts in ways that actively defy logic, and all-around sort of tries to force himself into Oscar's life (a prime example being invading Cabin 10); these are all things Kio does to people he really cares about. It's the little things, too: the tendency to be more open with Oscar, getting more flustered around him, talking about him a lot even when he's not around and when the other person probably doesn't care... that sort of thing. When Kio really likes something, he's very focused on it. Oscar is currently taking up that position in his life, because he's never really had anyone like this before. Someone who he likes and, surprisingly, likes him back enough to want to be in a relationship that isn't just silly or completely casual. It means a lot to him.
But to what extent are Kio's feelings towards Oscar a result of him starting off as a replacement Soubi? A frightening amount, actually, even if it's on a level that Kio tries not to notice and refuses to recognize. But with dear Hime-chan recently aging into Sou!Oscar again, and with Sou!Oscar's insistance that they keep away from each other for a couple of days until he turns back... well, Kio started thinking, and the thoughts weren't exactly too pleasant. Because for the first time, he's starting to notice what Oscar's been suspecting all along; that his entire attraction to Oscar is basically a byproduct of having such strong feelings for Soubi. For the time being, Kio is trying to actively ignore the issue, and taking the stance of "well, it's just because I'm attracted to that type of person, right?" Riiight, Kio.
So, in conclusion, Kio is a bastard.
The Eventual Breakup. That WILL Happen Eventually. Probably. Most Likely.
I think at this point, there is only one thing that can break them up for good. And that's Soubi. More specifically, if Soubi ever showed up at camp.
If/when that happens, Kio will be so excited and so happy that all other issues will be placed on the backburner. And with thought processes like "Soubi Soubi Soubi Soubi oh look food Soubi", there leaves little room for Oscar. And we all know how Oscar is with attention. :x That being said, Kio probably wouldn't see a problem with this and be baffled at the relationship's sudden end. But... yeah, it would end, and I think I've said that from the beginning.
...please don't let this discourage anyone from actually apping Soubi.
Kio and Oscar: What the Fuck, Yo?
In the beginning, the relationship was so, so simple.
...okay, it really wasn't, but that's besides the point. What was simple was Kio's feelings for Oscar, because they didn't really go past "Hey, he's hot" and "Hey, he's really hot but kind of an idiot". That, my friends, was before they got together. But maybe I should start from the actual beginning. Because that will probably make infinitely more sense.
How It All Started
So. Kio first really met Oscar back in mid/early January, and that was when Oscar was aged (there was one very short conversation before that, but it doesn't count). Now, this was not the most conventional place for a relationship of any kind to start, mostly due to the fact that Oscar had aged into Soubi, who is basically the unrequited love of his life. As that point, Kio, shallow as he can be at times, became immediately interested in Oscar. As he said to Rikuou at the time "At this point, I'll take what I can get". Because yes, Kio is desperate for attention from Soubi (especially in camp, since Soubi isn't actually here, and probably will never be here), and Oscar-as-Soubi was a pretty nice substitute, since he was getting attention (!!) Bonus points came when Oscar went back to normal and he was still hot! And still kind of looked like Soubi!
After this, there was about two months of what Kio assumed was one-sided flirting. He'd tease Oscar, and innuendo at him, and generally be a slight nuisance. He was still attracted to him, and sort of disappointed that he never got the chance to draw him naked, dammit. The way Kio treated this relationship was basically the same way he treated all his other relationships. Honestly, at this point, there was nothing really special at Oscar. He was a hot friend who was sparkly and shiny, and Kio was clingy because that's how Kio is.
I think it was March back when actual, mutual feelings started developing. There was a string of events that ultimately lead to Kio and Oscar getting together, the first of which was Kio's genderswitching. This is where I as a player, and subsequently Kio, got the first inkling that it may not be one-sided after all (Oscar giving in and carrying girl!Kio back to Boys' 17 in his moment of "womanly distress"). Soon after, there was the thing where Oscar transformed into a turtle. At this point, Kio started playing the mother-hen, as he does in canon to people he cares about. He generally nagged and picked at the problem and was sort of unhelpful at the same time. The more he likes someone on an emotional level, the more likely he is to overreact to something concerning said person, over even the most trivial things. So he felt it was his personal responsibility to take care of Oscar at that point. And he did. Against Oscar's wishes, even. This is when Oscar started taking over the role of replacement Soubi in Kio's life.
The last event that was a factor in bringing them together was the handcuffing and the aftermath. There was a lot of bickering here, so emotions were running high, and I think that's what lead to Oscar's eventual confession. This... pretty much through Kio for a loop, because replacement!Soubi was now doing everything that he'd always wanted actual!Soubi to do, but knew would never happen. So Kio said yes, not because he was in any sort of love with Oscar, but simply because, well, he couldn't think of any reason to say no to him.
It started off as a very casual relationship, at least from Kio's point of view. Not much changed except that he dropped the "friends-with-benefits" thing with Rikuou, which he really didn't mind, because it's not like he's stopped flirting entirely. Kio also made a point, very early on, to inform Oscar that yes, he liked him, they were together, all that fun stuff, but he was still in love with Soubi, and he was honest about that, at least.
I originally said that the relationship was silly and would probably last no longer than a month. ....HAHAHA, wow, that sounds really ridiculous in retrospect. Mind you, I was expecting a Soubi, but... yes. And the relationship is obviously not on the strictly "casual" level anymore, and if there were absolutely no other influences in Kio's life (his family, Soubi, etc) I would say that he'd be in it for the long-haul. But this is not the case!
I don't think Hime or myself intended this thing to turn out this way. I certainly didn't expect it!
Feelings D:
Kio cares about Oscar; probably more than he should, even. To demonstrate this point, here is a diagram showing what Kio cares about:
So Oscar just isn't in the "other people" category anymore, which... well, it's actually a pretty big thing, since everyone else sort of inhabits that category. It's not love, but it's probably the closest Kio will ever get to it, considering Soubi and the fact that this is inside of camp, which Doesn't Really Count, as far as Kio is concerned.
What this means is that Kio gets genuinely upset when something happens to threaten their relationship, and not just play-upset like he gets with a lot of other people. With Oscar, Kio's dramatics are real, and not a product of his constant need for attention (because Oscar will give him that attention, anyway). He gets jealous, acts in ways that actively defy logic, and all-around sort of tries to force himself into Oscar's life (a prime example being invading Cabin 10); these are all things Kio does to people he really cares about. It's the little things, too: the tendency to be more open with Oscar, getting more flustered around him, talking about him a lot even when he's not around and when the other person probably doesn't care... that sort of thing. When Kio really likes something, he's very focused on it. Oscar is currently taking up that position in his life, because he's never really had anyone like this before. Someone who he likes and, surprisingly, likes him back enough to want to be in a relationship that isn't just silly or completely casual. It means a lot to him.
But to what extent are Kio's feelings towards Oscar a result of him starting off as a replacement Soubi? A frightening amount, actually, even if it's on a level that Kio tries not to notice and refuses to recognize. But with dear Hime-chan recently aging into Sou!Oscar again, and with Sou!Oscar's insistance that they keep away from each other for a couple of days until he turns back... well, Kio started thinking, and the thoughts weren't exactly too pleasant. Because for the first time, he's starting to notice what Oscar's been suspecting all along; that his entire attraction to Oscar is basically a byproduct of having such strong feelings for Soubi. For the time being, Kio is trying to actively ignore the issue, and taking the stance of "well, it's just because I'm attracted to that type of person, right?" Riiight, Kio.
So, in conclusion, Kio is a bastard.
The Eventual Breakup. That WILL Happen Eventually. Probably. Most Likely.
I think at this point, there is only one thing that can break them up for good. And that's Soubi. More specifically, if Soubi ever showed up at camp.
If/when that happens, Kio will be so excited and so happy that all other issues will be placed on the backburner. And with thought processes like "Soubi Soubi Soubi Soubi oh look food Soubi", there leaves little room for Oscar. And we all know how Oscar is with attention. :x That being said, Kio probably wouldn't see a problem with this and be baffled at the relationship's sudden end. But... yeah, it would end, and I think I've said that from the beginning.
...please don't let this discourage anyone from actually apping Soubi.