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Legend watched Ravio where he sat on the other end of the table. They'd chosen to sit opposite each other, and Ravio fidgeted as he looked at the mug in their hands instead of at their face.
They grimaced, but didn't break the tension just yet.
Ravio had agreed to this, even if he was visibly nervous now, and they didn't really have a place in what was about to happen, so they would stay out of it. At least out loud, because they had no doubt this would be entertaining to watch.
Uncle prodded the front, gently nudging them away from where they usually held tightly onto control of the body.
He was ready to start.
Uncle took a deep breath, now in control with Legend hovering in the sidelines. Their slightly nervous energy got them twisted the beaded bracelet on their wrist for a moment, but soon he cleared their throat.
Ravio looked up at the sound, hands wrapping around his own mug as he studied their face.
"So," Uncle started, voice deeper than was usual for them, "I hear you want to date Legend."
He offered a smile, showing some teeth. Ravio didn't seem to find it very reassuring. Good. It wasn't intended to be.
"I— Yes, sir."
"No need for 'sir's here, son. But I want to know what your intentions with them are."
Ravio straightened in his seat and Uncle raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. On the boy's answer would depend a lot of things.
Not that he could stop Legend from still dating him if they really wanted, but the rest of the system trusted Uncle's judgment. So they'd left it to him to judge whether this was a good idea or they needed to protect one of their own. Even if Legend could protect themself perfectly well.
It was tricky to consider romance between one of them, someone he considered one of his children, and someone outside of their own head.
It had already been complex enough to consider romance between people in their head, but when one of them would be dating someone outside, they needed to make sure it would be okay for all of them.
That Ravio's intentions were good, that he was aware of what he was getting into and of who he was dating, were all important things to make sure of. So he steeled himself for the answer, and stared at the boy.
"I like them a lot," Ravio finally said, voice small. "I know we haven't known each other for super long, and we didn't see each other for a while. I understand you all might be upset about the secrets I had to keep from you, too. But I do really like them."
Uncle hummed. Legend radiated embarrassment from where they'd refused to fully leave and tried to nudge him out of the way enough for their face to offer a small smile.
He allowed it. He didn't actually want to scare the boy, more so make it clear they were serious about this.
And he seemed genuine, at least.
"They like you, too."
Ravio returned a small smile and took the chance to sip his tea. He could probably feel the 'but' that was coming.
"However, you did hurt us. You hurt Legend. They're willing to give you a chance, but if you hurt them again, we'll be having a lot more than a conversation over tea, and Raven won't be your biggest problem."
The other gulped.
He was probably remembering that lovely first meeting with Raven.
Uncle hadn't approved of the way Raven had treated him, but he wasn't above using it to make a point.
"I don't intend to hurt them."
He hummed, taking a sip of their own tea.
"I trust that you don't, son. And I'm sure many difficulties will come for you two. I just ask that you do your best."
"I will! I want to make this work, I swear."
"I believe you, don't worry. They want to make it work too. We have to look after ourselves, but rest assured that we would have a word with them if they intentionally hurt you too."
"Huh?" Ravio blinked at him, and Uncle chuckled at his wide-eyed surprise.
"We like you well enough, son. We don't like to risk the well-being of one of ours, that doesn't mean we'd let it slide if they did what we just warned you not to do."
Legend huffed, having already had a conversation about it back when they considered what they would say to Ravio. They'd agreed the two could date if they so wanted, but if either party intentionally hurt the other? They'd be dealing with several angry headmates.
Granted, it was highly unlikely to come from Legend —they were a hero, but the threat stood.
They couldn't control what either side did, but they could try to make sure they communicated, and threaten consequences if they did something they shouldn't. Whether said consequences would come to be or not remained to be (hopefully never) seen.
"I— Thank you?"
"Nothing to thank us for. Just keep up your side of it and it'll be just fine."
Ravio smiled wider, and far more genuinely. Uncle gave an approving nod as he took another sip of their tea, then let Legend back into front as the cup was lowered back down.
Now to hope he wouldn't have to actually act on his threat.