ah, well. that makes sense. once yusuke sends his last text, akira takes a moment to check his surroundings before deciding on leaving the platform. the easiest place to meet would be the hachiko statue, so he opts to wait there instead, leaning against the side of it with his hands in his pockets. he knows yusuke is fine, but a part of him is still a little concerned anyway.
he straightens up once he sees yusuke, a smile on his face as he leans in to kiss him, light and soft. ]
That's one down. A hundred and fifty-nine more to go.
[ A hundred and fifty-nine to go sounds absolutely doable to Yusuke. Actually, he's determined to pay off his debt as fast as possible, so after that subtle kiss, he showers Akira's face with gentle pecks and does the countdown after every single one. ]
One hundred and fifty-eight, one hundred and fifty-seven, one hundred and fifty-six...
[ After kissing his forehead and both his cheeks, Yusuke leans in for a much longer kiss. ]
One hundred and fifty-five.
[ Whispered against Akira's lips, Yusuke smiles softly. ]
[ he's laughing as he receives the kisses, closing his eyes and resting his hands on yusuke's waist. they're likely attracting stares but akira doesn't mind, tipping his head into the longer kiss with a pleased sort of hum. ]
At this rate, maybe I should charge you interest. [ he pulls yusuke closer, wrapping his arms more securely around his waist and kissing his cheek. 154. ] I could get used to this.
[ being greeted with a shower of kisses in the middle of the station. ]
[ Yusuke's tone is almost scolding...he takes his debts seriously, okay. In exchange, Akira gets a kiss on the cheek back, followed by a whisper "One hundred and fifty-four". ]
I don't mind being indebted to you for my whole life, Akira.
[ Leave it to Yusuke to confess his undying love in the middle of the station. ]
I keep telling you this, Yusuke. [ there's something of a sigh in his voice but it's much too fond to hold any weight to it. ] But you don't owe me anything.
[ only yusuke would be the one to confess his undying love in the middle of a crowded station, but that's also precisely why akira loves him as much as he does. ]
Yeah, let's go. [ he lets go of yusuke's waist, trailing his hand down yusuke's arm until he reaches his hand and laces their fingers together. ] And maybe you can tell me what happened to you last night in the meantime.
Oh, I believe I do. My debt still accounts for one hundred and fifty-four kisses. And two hundred yen.
[ How romantic. He starts walking as he holds Akira's hand in his own. ]
We were making preparations for the school festival and I missed the last train. One of my classmates allowed me to sleep on their couch in their flat instead of walking to the dorms by foot. I wonder how long would that take...
I don't remember the two hundred yen being part of the deal.
[ super romantic. like the way he brushes his thumb over yusuke's knuckles. or the way he lifts their joined hands to kiss yusuke's fingers. ]
That's right... it's coming up soon, isn't it? [ he should make time to visit. the thought of yusuke walking back to the train by himself late at night is so quintessentially yusuke that it coaxes a laugh out of him, even if it's not something that's necessarily safe. ] We could find out together next time, if you want.
[ Yusuke pulls out a crumpled leaflet from his back pocket and shows it to Akira. The very first thing that might attract his attention is a picture of a butler and the flashy letters: THE BUTLER CAFE. School festivals have to be wacky, that's a rule. ]
That's where I'm helping out. Consider yourself invited, Akira. I'd love to serve you one of our pastries.
[ The offer is endearing, but it flies right over Yusuke's head, unfortunately. ]
I'm not planning on going back home that late anytime soon.
[ it's not a school festival if it isn't wacky. of course, the first thing that comes to mind is yusuke in a butler costume, which shouldn't be as attractive as he knows he'll be. ]
If pastries and seeing you in a suit and tie are on the line, I guess I'll just have to accept it.
[ the offer flies over yusuke's head, as these things usually tend to do. not that it deters akira in the least. ]
[ the years he'd spent on and off in darkness feel a little like dog years — they count for more because they demand more: more pain, more sorrow, more regret. it's easy to forget that he'd been a normal boy once upon a time, one who went to school and played with his friends; one that had sleepovers and video game marathons late into the night, pretending to be asleep with the television on when one of their parents came to check on them. things like friendly rivalry and five rounds of mario kart seem hard to come by these days, but he figures there's no harm in indulging when the opportunity presents itself. no heartless, no grimm, no war hanging on the horizon — just a bunch of teens drinking way too much soda while pretending to knock each other off a race course.
it's almost surreal how normal it all feels.
he may have been running around in darkness and been through more trials than he could count, but picking up the controller is almost as familiar as picking up the keyblade for the first time, albeit with less weighted responsibility and the duty attached to it. riku's good at everything, sora is quick to insist, a fond sort of exasperation in his tone. and really, it's been a while since they last played mario kart, but as he coasts through the finish line with ruby hot on his heels, it feels as if no time had passed at all. ]
So, [ he says around the straw in his mouth, one corner of it quirked up in a grin. ] Best out of six?
[ ruby, on the other hand, never quite plunged herself head first into darkness. but like riku, she was also once a "normal" girl who went to school and made friends and played video games and had sleepovers late into the night. but she never knew what it was like to live "normally" -- to not spend her days training, fighting grimm.
but they both understand darkness well, albeit in different ways. they both know what it's like to have lost so much. that's why days like these are nice. she can sit here on the floor, legs crossed, controller in hand. they finish their warmup round of mario kart, in which riku emerges victorious. ]
Ooh, so close! [ she makes a little pouty face before she takes a swig of her soda. her eyes glimmer at his suggestion, though. competition's always nice. ] Now it's time to get serious. That was just a practice round, so reset the scoreboard, 'kay?
Practice round? [ there's exaggerated incredulity in his voice, the same tone he'd use to tease sora. but he brings up the score board to reset it back to zero, despite what he says. goodbye five point lead, he misses you already. ] You could've fooled me.
[ that shell she threw at him in that last half still stings, thanks. ]
How do I know you won't make this next one another practice round?
[ listen riku. just because you're up by five points doesn't mean you're better than her at mario kart, ok. ruby's grin is cheeky as ever as she turns to him and folds her arms across her chest. ]
Because I'm serious this time! See?! [ she points to her face and makes the sternest expression she can manage.
it's not very serious at all. ]
I've got my game face on. That's when you know I'm bringing my A-game!!
[ he's ready and waiting for the ass kicking. to her stern expression, he reaches over to cover her face with his hand briefly before flicking her forehead. ]
[ she pushes his hand off and sticks her tongue out at him as he flicks her forehead. she shoves his shoulder playfully, then picks her controller back up. ]
Just for that, I'm gonna be extra serious! Soooo serious that you won't even see me coming!
[ he's got muscle enlargement (tm) within the year apparently (thanks nomura), so the playful shove is nothing more than a bit of a tap, but he makes a show of leaning over anyway, catching himself with his free hand. ]
Yeah, 'cause I'll probably be at the finish line by then.
[ fighting words?? yes. anyway, once they start the next round, he'll be picking yoshi this time. ]
[ i mean, ruby's not complaining. but him leaning over gets her to smirk, just the tiniest bit, because she's got her fair share of muscle too!!! even if they're not as prominent as riku's. ]
You say that now, but just you wait!
[ these two, smh. ruby picks king boo and readies herself. when the round starts, ruby speeds off right away. and all things considered, they're actually pretty evenly matched.
though if he's not careful, he might just miss the banana peel she left behind her. just for him. ]
[ that's bc she doesn't need biceps the size of her head to kick ass. but he sees that smirk and okay, maybe there's still a part of him that thrives off competition despite the years.
he's a master now, but old habits are hard to break.
they're pretty evenly matched and riku is a little more stingy with using his items, saving most of them for the last round. unfortunately, he swerves around the banana peel a little too late and still clips the edge of it, but not before aiming a shell right at ruby. if he goes down, they'll go down together. ]
ruby is a lot more liberal with her item usage and will send out traps where she can. that isn't to say she's not strategic about it, but riku is far more resourceful and he gets her when it counts. there's a lout of shouting and other miscellaneous sound effects on her end. especially when the shell clips her. ]
Noooo! [ and it's right before the finish line, too! if riku recovers fast enough, he'll be able to fly through the finish line while she's still recovering. otherwise, they'll be neck-in-neck again...! ]
[ there's a lot of shouting and sounds of distress and triumph on her end while riku has his eyes glued to the screen, narrowed in focus as he chews on the end of his straw. it's no different than playing with sora, really, only that ruby's more smarter about which traps to use which means it's not exactly a piece of cake.
but it's not as fun if there isn't a bit of challenge involved and now they're at a stalemate, waiting to recover as riku taps at the d-pad, as if nudging yoshi along to recovery. ]
[ both of them are struggling to recover, and ruby, like riku, rapidly button mashes as king boo recovers.
it just so happens he gets an extra millisecond ahead of yoshi, and soon enough, ruby races past the finish line. she throws her hands up (and nearly drops the controller) in victory. ]
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@arthirst (tfln)
ah, well. that makes sense. once yusuke sends his last text, akira takes a moment to check his surroundings before deciding on leaving the platform. the easiest place to meet would be the hachiko statue, so he opts to wait there instead, leaning against the side of it with his hands in his pockets. he knows yusuke is fine, but a part of him is still a little concerned anyway.
he straightens up once he sees yusuke, a smile on his face as he leans in to kiss him, light and soft. ]
That's one down. A hundred and fifty-nine more to go.
no subject
One hundred and fifty-eight, one hundred and fifty-seven, one hundred and fifty-six...
[ After kissing his forehead and both his cheeks, Yusuke leans in for a much longer kiss. ]
One hundred and fifty-five.
[ Whispered against Akira's lips, Yusuke smiles softly. ]
no subject
At this rate, maybe I should charge you interest. [ he pulls yusuke closer, wrapping his arms more securely around his waist and kissing his cheek. 154. ] I could get used to this.
[ being greeted with a shower of kisses in the middle of the station. ]
no subject
[ Yusuke's tone is almost scolding...he takes his debts seriously, okay. In exchange, Akira gets a kiss on the cheek back, followed by a whisper "One hundred and fifty-four". ]
I don't mind being indebted to you for my whole life, Akira.
[ Leave it to Yusuke to confess his undying love in the middle of the station. ]
Shall we go?
no subject
[ only yusuke would be the one to confess his undying love in the middle of a crowded station, but that's also precisely why akira loves him as much as he does. ]
Yeah, let's go. [ he lets go of yusuke's waist, trailing his hand down yusuke's arm until he reaches his hand and laces their fingers together. ] And maybe you can tell me what happened to you last night in the meantime.
no subject
[ How romantic. He starts walking as he holds Akira's hand in his own. ]
We were making preparations for the school festival and I missed the last train. One of my classmates allowed me to sleep on their couch in their flat instead of walking to the dorms by foot. I wonder how long would that take...
[ Far too long, that's for sure. ]
no subject
[ super romantic. like the way he brushes his thumb over yusuke's knuckles. or the way he lifts their joined hands to kiss yusuke's fingers. ]
That's right... it's coming up soon, isn't it? [ he should make time to visit. the thought of yusuke walking back to the train by himself late at night is so quintessentially yusuke that it coaxes a laugh out of him, even if it's not something that's necessarily safe. ] We could find out together next time, if you want.
no subject
[ Yusuke pulls out a crumpled leaflet from his back pocket and shows it to Akira. The very first thing that might attract his attention is a picture of a butler and the flashy letters: THE BUTLER CAFE. School festivals have to be wacky, that's a rule. ]
That's where I'm helping out. Consider yourself invited, Akira. I'd love to serve you one of our pastries.
[ The offer is endearing, but it flies right over Yusuke's head, unfortunately. ]
I'm not planning on going back home that late anytime soon.
no subject
If pastries and seeing you in a suit and tie are on the line, I guess I'll just have to accept it.
[ the offer flies over yusuke's head, as these things usually tend to do. not that it deters akira in the least. ]
No? Not even if I take you back to Leblanc?
no subject
[ Yusuke seems to be rather sure of himself. To be fair, there's a reason for that. ]
You won't let me out until morning, will you?
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[ he wouldn't let him out until past noon, okay. please, as if akira would wake up early enough on his own. ]
I'd walk you back to your dorm even if it's late.
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[ Yusuke can be shameless in his own way, apparently. ]
I'd like to stay.
no subject
[ hm. ]
You're always welcome to stay as long as you like.
no subject
[ I dare Akira to do the chris.gif sometime ]
I'd stay forever, but I don't want to trouble Boss.
no subject
[ what makes u think he doesn't already?? ]
There's enough space for both of us, I don't think he'd mind.
no subject
[ Yusuke knows that Boss is no fool and he probably knows what they're doing when they're alone. ]
for ruby:
it's almost surreal how normal it all feels.
he may have been running around in darkness and been through more trials than he could count, but picking up the controller is almost as familiar as picking up the keyblade for the first time, albeit with less weighted responsibility and the duty attached to it. riku's good at everything, sora is quick to insist, a fond sort of exasperation in his tone. and really, it's been a while since they last played mario kart, but as he coasts through the finish line with ruby hot on his heels, it feels as if no time had passed at all. ]
So, [ he says around the straw in his mouth, one corner of it quirked up in a grin. ] Best out of six?
no subject
but they both understand darkness well, albeit in different ways. they both know what it's like to have lost so much. that's why days like these are nice. she can sit here on the floor, legs crossed, controller in hand. they finish their warmup round of mario kart, in which riku emerges victorious. ]
Ooh, so close! [ she makes a little pouty face before she takes a swig of her soda. her eyes glimmer at his suggestion, though. competition's always nice. ] Now it's time to get serious. That was just a practice round, so reset the scoreboard, 'kay?
no subject
[ that shell she threw at him in that last half still stings, thanks. ]
How do I know you won't make this next one another practice round?
no subject
Because I'm serious this time! See?! [ she points to her face and makes the sternest expression she can manage.
it's not very serious at all. ]
I've got my game face on. That's when you know I'm bringing my A-game!!
no subject
Nope, can't see anything.
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[ she pushes his hand off and sticks her tongue out at him as he flicks her forehead. she shoves his shoulder playfully, then picks her controller back up. ]
Just for that, I'm gonna be extra serious! Soooo serious that you won't even see me coming!
no subject
Yeah, 'cause I'll probably be at the finish line by then.
[ fighting words?? yes. anyway, once they start the next round, he'll be picking yoshi this time. ]
no subject
You say that now, but just you wait!
[ these two, smh. ruby picks king boo and readies herself. when the round starts, ruby speeds off right away. and all things considered, they're actually pretty evenly matched.
though if he's not careful, he might just miss the banana peel she left behind her. just for him. ]
no subject
he's a master now, but old habits are hard to break.
they're pretty evenly matched and riku is a little more stingy with using his items, saving most of them for the last round. unfortunately, he swerves around the banana peel a little too late and still clips the edge of it, but not before aiming a shell right at ruby. if he goes down, they'll go down together. ]
no subject
ruby is a lot more liberal with her item usage and will send out traps where she can. that isn't to say she's not strategic about it, but riku is far more resourceful and he gets her when it counts. there's a lout of shouting and other miscellaneous sound effects on her end. especially when the shell clips her. ]
Noooo! [ and it's right before the finish line, too! if riku recovers fast enough, he'll be able to fly through the finish line while she's still recovering. otherwise, they'll be neck-in-neck again...! ]
no subject
but it's not as fun if there isn't a bit of challenge involved and now they're at a stalemate, waiting to recover as riku taps at the d-pad, as if nudging yoshi along to recovery. ]
Come on...
no subject
it just so happens he gets an extra millisecond ahead of yoshi, and soon enough, ruby races past the finish line. she throws her hands up (and nearly drops the controller) in victory. ]
Aaaand she scores! Woo-hoo!