[He was just studying anyway, so it's a good time for a break. Plus, a surprise... He really has no idea what it could be. A few minutes later there's a knock on Yuji's door, and Raidou peeks in, since he did say Choso was out.]
... You know you don't have to get me anything.
[Say someone who is always on the lookout for stuff he thinks Yuji might like...]
[ Probably the most alarming thing in Yuji’s room - other than the gloomy presence of Choso half the time - is the fact that he has six swords laid out on his bed right now. Ignoring that, he jumps up to greet Raidou when he arrives. ]
Hey!
[ His excitement is obvious as he goes to grip his hands. ]
Does it count as ‘don’t need to’ if it’s a practical gift? Let’s sit.
Yup! I thought since I had one I might as well get them all.
[ The logic of a teenager’s brain…
Reaching around the swords though, Yuji grabs a small box and hands it out to Raidou. Inside are a pair of matching rings, bands the same colour - the only difference is the gem. One has a pink stone, the other a teal one. ]
I just got four myself. I think my heirloom sword may count as aa "light" sword already, but I'm not sure...
[When Yuji opens that box, Raidou isn't really expecting it. Considering he just did a lot of shopping with LILITH recently, maybe he should realize what these are. But in the moment, they just seem like normal rings.
Raidou looks stunned for a second. They're rings. They match. And Yuji is holding them out to him. His face is turning red rather quickly, and his hand goes in front of his mouth. He speaks up quietly.]
For... for us?
Edited (fun phone tag times ) 2024-04-02 01:18 (UTC)
It just seemed logical, since the last kaiju was weak to the elemental stuff.
[ Yuji does not, unfortunately, think about the implications of giving a boy he’s been dating(?) a ring, especially one that’s part of a matching pair. His main priority was making sure he could find the people he cared about in the middle of a battle - Megumi had his covered, Choso and Raidou were next.
Beaming, still blind to it all, he nods his head. ]
Yeah! They’re pretty cool - we can use them to track each other down during missions and stuff. I hope you like the colours? I thought you could have the pink one, since…
[Ah, it's those kind of rings. He saw them listed in LILITH'S inventory, and whole the thought crossed his mind, he prioritized gettong the weapons first.
He relaxes a little, but his face is no less red. When Yuji mentions the pink one, he smiles and nods - he thought the same thing. Raidou gingerly takes the ring from the box and looks it over, before clutching it tightly in his hand. He looks down shyly.]
[ Reaching out, Yuji lets his hand wrap around Raidou’s. He doesn’t flinch at the strange shape of them any longer, settled into the oddness of having new limbs and claws, the strange muscular arms that flicker and wane. It’s different, but his heart feels lighter in moments like this.
On that note, however…
Leaning close, Yuji takes the ring and goes to put it on Raidou’s finger, hesitating briefly. Which one should he put it on? Even someone as dim as him can be struck by the sudden romance of the moment. He’ll let Raidou pick. ]
Just so you know… These rings do more than that. You can activate them to feel how the other person is feeling for a little while.
[Those new hands are nothing that would cause Raidou to shy away. When Yuji goes to put the ring on him, he feels like his heart is ready to beat out of his chest. It should fit on his ring finger.
That's a surprising little feature, thought. Was putting this on going to show Yuji how he felt? Why worry about that when it's already written all over his face.]
Mm. Megumi got us some, but he didn’t tell me about that part, so I’m telling you right away.
[ He only hesitates for a brief moment before he puts the ring right there on the ring finger. Like a proposal or something. March and Lucy would go crazy if they knew about this, huh…
Shaking his head, Yuji links their fingers absently. ]
I’d… I don’t want you to do it, Johei. To feel what I’m feeling.
[Raidou looks at the ring on his finger, and he'd be relieved to know that emotion function wasn't in use right now. Otherwise he'd be so embarrassed about what Yuji might read. If this was supposed to be a practical gift, then why does he feel so overwhelmed by it?
He does feel like there is more to what Yuji is saying, though, about not wanting him to feel his emotions. He can understand it, really - it is something very personal, very invasive. He wouldn't want to pry on Yuji.
Raidou tightens his fingers around Yuji's own.]
Okay. I won't use that part of it. I'd rather you tell me yourself. When you're ready.
It’s not that he’s scared of Raidou knowing how he feels about him, since that’s apparently obvious to everyone in the city. It’s the deep well of grief inside of him that’s impossible to fill, a void where his heart should be when he thinks of his losses, the people that had died in front of his eyes. The aches he feels when he tries to recall happier times.
That sadness is ever present, a constant, and to make Raidou feel that… It’s impossible. It’s cruel.
Instead, Yuji beams at him, holding out the other ring. ]
[Maybe Raidou isn't the best with emotions, especially not his own, but he knows something of what's going on in that heart of Yuji's right now. Be there for him was the only advice Choso could give him, and if that's all he can do, he'll do it.
Besides, there was no need to bog Yuji down with his own deeper feelings, that gnawing darkness of failure and guilt residing not too far past the surface. While it might always be there, its presence is much less prevalent when he and Yuji are together.
He takes the ring, and Yuji's hand, slipping it on to on of those strange new fingers. He looks up at him now, beaming right back.]
[ The ring adapts to Yuji’s odd finger and settles there; for a moment he’s stuck by it.
What would it be like to be normal? To have been to high school and asked someone out, to go on dates, do something as simple as trade promise rings? Would he and someone else have had matching phone charms and spent all afternoon texting? Would he have felt this same kind of bubbling affection?
He has no idea. Nothing about his life has ever been normal, and that’s not going to change. The few short days he has left, if he’s lucky, hang in front of him: he doesn’t think he’s getting out of it alive. But… Maybe they’d let him come back. He could come back here and…
Shaking his head, he grins, leaning in to kiss Raidou gently. Just because he can. ]
[It's nice, isn't it. A hint of a normal life here in this strange place, among ever stranger circumstances. It's not that the thought never crossed his mind back home, what it might be like to be just another citizen in the Capital like the rest. It was just never in the cards for him ever since the day the Kuzunoha clan took him in. His life was different, but that was alright. It meant others could rest more assured in theirs.
He clutches Yuji's hand tightly as they kiss, wanting to hold on to this feeling.]
... Yeah. But... that's okay.
[He's allowed that, right? A sign, a promise others can see. Maybe it's okay now.]
[ The words bubble up inside him, like he’s eaten a particularly sweet candy or swallowed pop too fast. He feels giddy with it, despite the sadness, and he clings to that feeling as much as he can. He’s desperate to keep this warm, sunshine happiness at the forefront of his mind, to feel the contentment he shares around the boy for as long as he can.
The night will come, as will his nightmares and tears, but maybe it’ll get easier.
Squeezing Raidou’s hand, he hesitates briefly, just pausing before he hums. ]
[You'd think maybe he'd overcome his shyness at this point, but maybe not. Raidou looks away again, but's he's smiling as he thinks of what to say. He never feels like he can find the right words no matter how he tries sometimes. This particular answer, though, takes some real courage.]
Well... if someone asks me, I think I can tell them that... my boyfriend gave it to me as a gift. Maybe you can tell them something similar?
[ Yuji fumbles the words, embarrassed - it’s unexpected. He was anticipating ‘someone special’ or ‘the guy I’m dating’, not… This. He likes it, thought, relief curling through him at the same time giddiness settles in his gut. ]
Yeah. I got me and my boyfriend matching rings, because I like him so much.
[ The happiness, the warmth, it overtakes him for a moment, and when he leans in for the kiss... It feels perfect.
He doesn't think he deserves this, he doesn't think he has any right to claim anything like this from Raidou, but... He wants it. Is it okay to want, this desperately?
Leaning into the kiss, he ends up wrapping his arms around Raidou, to the point where he almost knocks them over and into the swords. ]
[Are they really leaning back onto the bed...? Oh. Raidou was taken up enough in the moment that he wasn't paying attention to those swords either. He lets out an amused little noise.]
I'm guessing this means you're enjoying the lessons?
[He's a tough teacher. As anything combat-related, Raidou takes training and sparring very seriously, and Yuji gets treated like anyone else who'd ask Raidou for lessons. Not that Raidou would think that Yuji would want him to go easy on him.
He's smiling when he says that, though, a hand running down Yuji's arm, taking his hand to draw Yuji back to him.]
You bet I am! Between you and Tsurumaru-san I'm going to be amazing in no time!
[ Yuji is already decent with most weapons, a natural instinct for it that he doesn't think about too much, but practice is going to make him even better. He can't always rely on his fists, he's learning that, especially with the range of monsters they're being asked to fight. It's growing up, isn't it?
His own smile is bright and warm as he takes Raidou's hand, letting himself be drawn back so he can sit as close as he physically can again. ]
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[He was just studying anyway, so it's a good time for a break. Plus, a surprise... He really has no idea what it could be. A few minutes later there's a knock on Yuji's door, and Raidou peeks in, since he did say Choso was out.]
... You know you don't have to get me anything.
[Say someone who is always on the lookout for stuff he thinks Yuji might like...]
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Hey!
[ His excitement is obvious as he goes to grip his hands. ]
Does it count as ‘don’t need to’ if it’s a practical gift? Let’s sit.
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If you insist, then.
[Raidou sits down, though he can't help but look over Yuji to those swords.]
Did you just get all those?
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[ The logic of a teenager’s brain…
Reaching around the swords though, Yuji grabs a small box and hands it out to Raidou. Inside are a pair of matching rings, bands the same colour - the only difference is the gem. One has a pink stone, the other a teal one. ]
Here.
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[When Yuji opens that box, Raidou isn't really expecting it. Considering he just did a lot of shopping with LILITH recently, maybe he should realize what these are. But in the moment, they just seem like normal rings.
Raidou looks stunned for a second. They're rings. They match. And Yuji is holding them out to him. His face is turning red rather quickly, and his hand goes in front of his mouth. He speaks up quietly.]
For... for us?
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[ Yuji does not, unfortunately, think about the implications of giving a boy he’s been dating(?) a ring, especially one that’s part of a matching pair. His main priority was making sure he could find the people he cared about in the middle of a battle - Megumi had his covered, Choso and Raidou were next.
Beaming, still blind to it all, he nods his head. ]
Yeah! They’re pretty cool - we can use them to track each other down during missions and stuff. I hope you like the colours? I thought you could have the pink one, since…
[ Well. It would definitely remind him of Yuji. ]
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He relaxes a little, but his face is no less red. When Yuji mentions the pink one, he smiles and nods - he thought the same thing. Raidou gingerly takes the ring from the box and looks it over, before clutching it tightly in his hand. He looks down shyly.]
Thank you, Yuji. That's very thoughtful.
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[ Reaching out, Yuji lets his hand wrap around Raidou’s. He doesn’t flinch at the strange shape of them any longer, settled into the oddness of having new limbs and claws, the strange muscular arms that flicker and wane. It’s different, but his heart feels lighter in moments like this.
On that note, however…
Leaning close, Yuji takes the ring and goes to put it on Raidou’s finger, hesitating briefly. Which one should he put it on? Even someone as dim as him can be struck by the sudden romance of the moment. He’ll let Raidou pick. ]
Just so you know… These rings do more than that. You can activate them to feel how the other person is feeling for a little while.
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That's a surprising little feature, thought. Was putting this on going to show Yuji how he felt? Why worry about that when it's already written all over his face.]
... You can?
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[ He only hesitates for a brief moment before he puts the ring right there on the ring finger. Like a proposal or something. March and Lucy would go crazy if they knew about this, huh…
Shaking his head, Yuji links their fingers absently. ]
I’d… I don’t want you to do it, Johei. To feel what I’m feeling.
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He does feel like there is more to what Yuji is saying, though, about not wanting him to feel his emotions. He can understand it, really - it is something very personal, very invasive. He wouldn't want to pry on Yuji.
Raidou tightens his fingers around Yuji's own.]
Okay. I won't use that part of it. I'd rather you tell me yourself. When you're ready.
[Now if he'd only do the same thing himself.]
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It’s not that he’s scared of Raidou knowing how he feels about him, since that’s apparently obvious to everyone in the city. It’s the deep well of grief inside of him that’s impossible to fill, a void where his heart should be when he thinks of his losses, the people that had died in front of his eyes. The aches he feels when he tries to recall happier times.
That sadness is ever present, a constant, and to make Raidou feel that… It’s impossible. It’s cruel.
Instead, Yuji beams at him, holding out the other ring. ]
I’m glad we agree! Do you want to do mine?
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Besides, there was no need to bog Yuji down with his own deeper feelings, that gnawing darkness of failure and guilt residing not too far past the surface. While it might always be there, its presence is much less prevalent when he and Yuji are together.
He takes the ring, and Yuji's hand, slipping it on to on of those strange new fingers. He looks up at him now, beaming right back.]
There. They look great.
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What would it be like to be normal? To have been to high school and asked someone out, to go on dates, do something as simple as trade promise rings? Would he and someone else have had matching phone charms and spent all afternoon texting? Would he have felt this same kind of bubbling affection?
He has no idea. Nothing about his life has ever been normal, and that’s not going to change. The few short days he has left, if he’s lucky, hang in front of him: he doesn’t think he’s getting out of it alive. But… Maybe they’d let him come back. He could come back here and…
Shaking his head, he grins, leaning in to kiss Raidou gently. Just because he can. ]
Everyone’s gonna be able to tell, huh…
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He clutches Yuji's hand tightly as they kiss, wanting to hold on to this feeling.]
... Yeah. But... that's okay.
[He's allowed that, right? A sign, a promise others can see. Maybe it's okay now.]
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[ The words bubble up inside him, like he’s eaten a particularly sweet candy or swallowed pop too fast. He feels giddy with it, despite the sadness, and he clings to that feeling as much as he can. He’s desperate to keep this warm, sunshine happiness at the forefront of his mind, to feel the contentment he shares around the boy for as long as he can.
The night will come, as will his nightmares and tears, but maybe it’ll get easier.
Squeezing Raidou’s hand, he hesitates briefly, just pausing before he hums. ]
If someone asks… What should I say?
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Well... if someone asks me, I think I can tell them that... my boyfriend gave it to me as a gift. Maybe you can tell them something similar?
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[ Yuji fumbles the words, embarrassed - it’s unexpected. He was anticipating ‘someone special’ or ‘the guy I’m dating’, not… This. He likes it, thought, relief curling through him at the same time giddiness settles in his gut. ]
Yeah. I got me and my boyfriend matching rings, because I like him so much.
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He was scared to say it, but now he's glad he did. The reaction he got from Yuji was perfect.]
And he was really glad that you did.
[That ringed hand takes Yuji's cheek, and brings him in for another kiss.]
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He doesn't think he deserves this, he doesn't think he has any right to claim anything like this from Raidou, but... He wants it. Is it okay to want, this desperately?
Leaning into the kiss, he ends up wrapping his arms around Raidou, to the point where he almost knocks them over and into the swords. ]
Wah - oops!
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... Forgot about all those, did we.
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Yeah, kind of... I was distracted.
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[He's a tough teacher. As anything combat-related, Raidou takes training and sparring very seriously, and Yuji gets treated like anyone else who'd ask Raidou for lessons. Not that Raidou would think that Yuji would want him to go easy on him.
He's smiling when he says that, though, a hand running down Yuji's arm, taking his hand to draw Yuji back to him.]
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[ Yuji is already decent with most weapons, a natural instinct for it that he doesn't think about too much, but practice is going to make him even better. He can't always rely on his fists, he's learning that, especially with the range of monsters they're being asked to fight. It's growing up, isn't it?
His own smile is bright and warm as he takes Raidou's hand, letting himself be drawn back so he can sit as close as he physically can again. ]
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