[Armin debated a long time whether to do this over voice chat or via the written word. In the end, he went for voice, if only because there'd be so much extra information to be gained from vocal inflection. And he wants all the information he can get, even if he is going to die from embarrassment getting there.]
[nervous? Armin is not nervous. He's cool, relaxed--
Okay, he's nervous as tits.]
O-oh, it's just... I'm sorry, by the way, for suddenly calling you like this. I realize you might have more important things to do.
[Is he stalling? Despite the fact that he's already been staring at his gear for almost an hour, rehearsing this conversation in his head? Absolutely.]
No, no, I'm fine. I didn't have anything more important to do. And besides, you're my friend, Armin. If you need to talk to me about something, well, that's important too.
Uhm, well, I was hoping you could give me some, uh, relationship advice.
[Because, really who else is Armin going to ask? Shiro'd probably run for the hills if he dropped the r-word. Jean doesn't exactly seem like the relationship master either. Steven? Steven dated Jack.
Beyond that, Armin isn't sure if he knows anyone else with actual relationship experience. At least not people he'd dare approach. Greg is, for all intents and purposes, his only hope.]
Oh! Do you want to talk about moving in with each other, then? Because you should probably figure out first who's got the bigger place and the least rent... I guess that would be you, with the whole gym and all.
We are already living together. I mean, she's got her own room at my gym. I've got plenty of space and she needed somewhere to stay. It's not even related to us dating, really. She would always have been welcome.
[Though they definitely do not share a bedroom or a bed yet. Which, uh, is the thing Armin really wants to ask about.]
No, uhm. What I wanted to ask is-- Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy right now. Angel is great and I'm not disappointed with anything we do. [Pause as he tries to work out a way to phrase this delicately.] It's just that I know... relationships are supposed to... progress over time but uhm.
H-how do you know it's time to, you know, progress to the uh, more progressive stuff?
[Greg can't see Armin, but the blush is very audible in his tongue-tied words.]
[It's a good thing that he's already had a conversation about this with Steven. Well, sort of. Admittedly, the existence of Stevonnie was probably a darn good form on birth control in themself.]
I suppose you've gotta ask yourself if you want that. And then you've got to ask her if she wants that. And if the answer to those is yes...
... then you're definitely going to need to wear a condom. Don't worry. Rose and I have more than enough on hand--we'll mail you a box.
[Yes, yes, asking himself and then asking Angel-- Armin certainly figured that much! But how do you introduce such a subject into conversation? Is he supposed to just bring it up over breakfast one day? Is he rushing things? The only measure he has is what little Steven has told him about his love life (not a good measure by any means) and the sort of stories the boys of the training regiment had passed around after hours in the barracks (also not a good measure, and in any case, Armin really doubted even half of that was true) and--
... oh. Right. You're sort of from the past in terms of technology compared to this world. You probably don't have them yet, since you wouldn't have latex.
[Greg takes a deep breath and lets it out.]
Okay, so, condoms are what we call birth control. They stop women from getting pregnant. If, uh, you have any diseases of the private parts--which I really don't think you or Angel would have--condoms will stop other people from catching them.
How they work is... well, you know your, uh, your privates? A condom is a long, thin sheath made of latex and you put it over the, uh, penis when you're going to have sex. That way when the moment comes, none of the sperm will make it into the woman's vagina, because the condom traps them.
But like I said, we've got boxes of 'em in the caravan--Rose likes to stock up when we're in towns--so I can just find one we didn't open yet and send it to you through pidgey post.
And don't worry. You'll still be able to feel things even through the condom.
[It's okay Greg, this is about as embarrassing for you as it is for Armin.
(though despite the embarrassment, he is taking some notes. Cause this is important and the downside of doing this over voice is that he won't have a nice and easy text record of it.)]
A-and that is enough to keep a girl from getting pregnant? Or uhm, should I be doing more?
[Does he need to pull out too, cause that is basically the only sex-preventive tactic Armin knows about.]
It's a great start! Unless the condom breaks or it was old and had a hole in it--which is why you don't use the one that's been in your wallet for years--the condom should keep your sperm contained. Just, you know, make sure it's new? And roll it down as far as it goes. Oh--and when you're pulling out, sort of pinch the top of it to you, so it doesn't accidentally slide off you in the process. Condoms when they're used right are really great for preventing pregnancy, but not everyone uses 'em right.
And, uh, there's more stuff that can be done to keep girls from getting pregnant, but except for the condom, they're all stuff the girl has to do. If you and Angel think you're gonna have sex regularly, she can talk to the doctor at whatever clinic you go to about her getting the Pill or the Shot. Uh, the first is one girls take every morning to keep from getting pregnant--the second they get every three months I think?
[He thinks for a moment, before adding,] Plus if you're worried, there's other ways to have sex than just the kind that makes babies. You know how, uh, sometimes it won't go down unless you do something about it? Well, people will 'do something' about it on their partners instead. With, you know, their hands. Actually, if you and Angel feel comfortable about it, showing each other how you touch yourselves is probably a good thing? Because you'll know what kind of touches she likes and she'll know what kind you like.
And, uh, there's using your mouths too. In my experience, almost everyone likes it when their partner puts their mouth there. Girls especially, sometimes more than the baby-making kind of sex.
And please, Mr Greg. Armin might not know much about being in a relationship or birth control, but he knows a bit about different sex acts. He still appreciates the advice though, but to save himself and Greg from more embarrassment, he won't focus on that.]
Noted.
Uhm, how do I know if a condom is old? Is there a specific time-frame I should keep in mind?
There should be an expiration date on the package but if you open it and it's dry or sticky or stiff, it's still no good even if it hasn't hit the expiration date.
[Part of Armin really wants to know what makes some of these condoms fancy compared to others, but perhaps he should wait to ask that. At least until Greg and Rose have sent him the box of condoms they promised. Perhaps it will all become clear when he has seen an actual condom.
(Greg may have explained it, but the actual appearance of a condom is still a bit vague in Armin's mind)
Besides, there is still that other thing he wants to ask.]
But how will I know we'll be ready for-- for all of this? I know a relationship is supposed to progress, but how do you know it is time for the next stage? H-how do you know if you are rushing something or being too slow?
Huh. Well. I think a lot of that is asking questions, so you know how your partner feels about things. If she wants to sleep with you and you want to sleep with her--or him, if you swing that way--and both of you feel good about the idea, then I think it's time. It doesn't matter if you met her a year ago or an hour ago. What matters is that it feels right for you.
Having sex for the first time-- it's a scary thing for anyone, Armin. But if you think about doing it and you feel more good about doing it than you feel nervous... that's probably a sign that you're ready. And it'll be the same with her too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
momijizukamori
Voice
Date: 2021-01-29 02:37 am (UTC)Uhm. C-could I talk to you? P-privately?
also voice
Date: 2021-01-29 03:12 am (UTC)[There's some noise in the background. Probably the sound of Greg making/finding that privacy.]
Okay! So what's up, Armin? You sound kinda nervous.
voice forevermore until the end of time.
Date: 2021-01-29 03:46 am (UTC)Okay, he's nervous as tits.]
O-oh, it's just... I'm sorry, by the way, for suddenly calling you like this. I realize you might have more important things to do.
[Is he stalling? Despite the fact that he's already been staring at his gear for almost an hour, rehearsing this conversation in his head? Absolutely.]
Re: voice forevermore until the end of time.
Date: 2021-01-29 03:57 am (UTC)No, no, I'm fine. I didn't have anything more important to do. And besides, you're my friend, Armin. If you need to talk to me about something, well, that's important too.
So what's happening?
no subject
Date: 2021-01-29 04:15 am (UTC)Uhm, well, I was hoping you could give me some, uh, relationship advice.
[Because, really who else is Armin going to ask? Shiro'd probably run for the hills if he dropped the r-word. Jean doesn't exactly seem like the relationship master either. Steven? Steven dated Jack.
Beyond that, Armin isn't sure if he knows anyone else with actual relationship experience. At least not people he'd dare approach. Greg is, for all intents and purposes, his only hope.]
no subject
Date: 2021-01-29 04:47 am (UTC)Oh. Sure. About your friend Angel, right?
[Most people know by now that you like her boobies.]
no subject
Date: 2021-01-29 04:51 am (UTC)[Armin figured that infamous post had let the meowth out of the bag when it comes to that particular subject.]
no subject
Date: 2021-01-29 05:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-01-30 12:09 am (UTC)[Though they definitely do not share a bedroom or a bed yet. Which, uh, is the thing Armin really wants to ask about.]
No, uhm. What I wanted to ask is-- Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy right now. Angel is great and I'm not disappointed with anything we do. [Pause as he tries to work out a way to phrase this delicately.] It's just that I know... relationships are supposed to... progress over time but uhm.
H-how do you know it's time to, you know, progress to the uh, more progressive stuff?
[Greg can't see Armin, but the blush is very audible in his tongue-tied words.]
no subject
Date: 2021-01-30 12:56 am (UTC)[It's a good thing that he's already had a conversation about this with Steven. Well, sort of. Admittedly, the existence of Stevonnie was probably a darn good form on birth control in themself.]
I suppose you've gotta ask yourself if you want that. And then you've got to ask her if she wants that. And if the answer to those is yes...
... then you're definitely going to need to wear a condom. Don't worry. Rose and I have more than enough on hand--we'll mail you a box.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-30 03:52 am (UTC)... wait a moment.]
W-what's a condom? How does that factor in?
i can't BELIEVE greg had to say 'penis' for this. AND vagina
Date: 2021-01-30 04:37 am (UTC)[Greg takes a deep breath and lets it out.]
Okay, so, condoms are what we call birth control. They stop women from getting pregnant. If, uh, you have any diseases of the private parts--which I really don't think you or Angel would have--condoms will stop other people from catching them.
How they work is... well, you know your, uh, your privates? A condom is a long, thin sheath made of latex and you put it over the, uh, penis when you're going to have sex. That way when the moment comes, none of the sperm will make it into the woman's vagina, because the condom traps them.
But like I said, we've got boxes of 'em in the caravan--Rose likes to stock up when we're in towns--so I can just find one we didn't open yet and send it to you through pidgey post.
And don't worry. You'll still be able to feel things even through the condom.
no subject
Date: 2021-01-31 01:34 am (UTC)(though despite the embarrassment, he is taking some notes. Cause this is important and the downside of doing this over voice is that he won't have a nice and easy text record of it.)]
A-and that is enough to keep a girl from getting pregnant? Or uhm, should I be doing more?
[Does he need to pull out too, cause that is basically the only sex-preventive tactic Armin knows about.]
no subject
Date: 2021-01-31 10:00 pm (UTC)And, uh, there's more stuff that can be done to keep girls from getting pregnant, but except for the condom, they're all stuff the girl has to do. If you and Angel think you're gonna have sex regularly, she can talk to the doctor at whatever clinic you go to about her getting the Pill or the Shot. Uh, the first is one girls take every morning to keep from getting pregnant--the second they get every three months I think?
[He thinks for a moment, before adding,] Plus if you're worried, there's other ways to have sex than just the kind that makes babies. You know how, uh, sometimes it won't go down unless you do something about it? Well, people will 'do something' about it on their partners instead. With, you know, their hands. Actually, if you and Angel feel comfortable about it, showing each other how you touch yourselves is probably a good thing? Because you'll know what kind of touches she likes and she'll know what kind you like.
And, uh, there's using your mouths too. In my experience, almost everyone likes it when their partner puts their mouth there. Girls especially, sometimes more than the baby-making kind of sex.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-01 03:07 am (UTC)And please, Mr Greg. Armin might not know much about being in a relationship or birth control, but he knows a bit about different sex acts. He still appreciates the advice though, but to save himself and Greg from more embarrassment, he won't focus on that.]
Noted.
Uhm, how do I know if a condom is old? Is there a specific time-frame I should keep in mind?
no subject
Date: 2021-02-01 09:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-02-01 09:44 pm (UTC)Okay. Uhm. I know you said you can send me a box but w-where can I normally buy them myself? A-are there special stores for this sort of thing?
[Like. Dedicated condom stores?]
no subject
Date: 2021-02-05 01:21 am (UTC)[After a moment he adds,] Depending on the store you might have to ask for someone to take 'em out of a locked case.
no subject
Date: 2021-02-05 05:44 am (UTC)[Part of Armin really wants to know what makes some of these condoms fancy compared to others, but perhaps he should wait to ask that. At least until Greg and Rose have sent him the box of condoms they promised. Perhaps it will all become clear when he has seen an actual condom.
(Greg may have explained it, but the actual appearance of a condom is still a bit vague in Armin's mind)
Besides, there is still that other thing he wants to ask.]
But how will I know we'll be ready for-- for all of this? I know a relationship is supposed to progress, but how do you know it is time for the next stage? H-how do you know if you are rushing something or being too slow?
no subject
Date: 2021-02-22 09:18 pm (UTC)Having sex for the first time-- it's a scary thing for anyone, Armin. But if you think about doing it and you feel more good about doing it than you feel nervous... that's probably a sign that you're ready. And it'll be the same with her too.