[ 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. ]
You already are. But, with my help, you'll be even better.
[Said with a playful tone, of course, as he settles against Yuji, head on his shoulder.]
I'm going to spar against him soon, finally. Told me we could have one match.
[He's not sure why just one, maybe he's too busy. But there aren't many sword fighters here with the same experience level as Raidou, and with Shion gone, he's lost his primary sparring partner.]
Be careful, he's tough! He totally cut me to pieces when we fought.
[ And then took care of him after, but that isn't the point, now, is it? Yuji makes himself comfortable, arms wrapping around his boyfriend - !!! - gently, stroking along his back. ]
I'm not surprised to hear that. [Now that he knows Tsuru is a sword spirit, things about him make a lot more sense to Raidou. He's looking forward to the challenge.
He looks down at their hands, linked together, matching rings shining. It seemed almost surreal to Raidou. How did this happen?]
And if he's okay with it, sure. But only if you cheer me on.
[Oops. Raidou bites his lip, suppressing a grin. There was no shortage of cute guys among the Outsiders, that's for sure. He shrugs, embarrassed but amused to get called out.]
[At least getting teased by Yuji now isn't leaving him a stammering mess. He's smiling brightly, face red. He slips a hand to the back of Yuji's neck, fingers light and teasing.]
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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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[Said with a playful tone, of course, as he settles against Yuji, head on his shoulder.]
I'm going to spar against him soon, finally. Told me we could have one match.
[He's not sure why just one, maybe he's too busy. But there aren't many sword fighters here with the same experience level as Raidou, and with Shion gone, he's lost his primary sparring partner.]
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[ And then took care of him after, but that isn't the point, now, is it? Yuji makes himself comfortable, arms wrapping around his boyfriend - !!! - gently, stroking along his back. ]
Do you think I'd be allowed to watch?
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He looks down at their hands, linked together, matching rings shining. It seemed almost surreal to Raidou. How did this happen?]
And if he's okay with it, sure. But only if you cheer me on.
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[ Yuji fighting style: get close enough to punch, if they hit you along the way... That's fine. ]
You think I'd cheer for him over you? Silly.
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Have to make sure the handsome sensei won't steal you away.
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[ Yuji leans up, watching Raidou a little, leaning close into his personal space. ]
You think Tsurumaru-san is handsome, huh?
[ He is pretty cute... Pretty, too, and kind of lithe... Different to Yuji... ]
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Not as much as some others.
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[ He's really pushing into the personal space now. He's not really jealous, but the chance to tease Raidou is right there, so... ]
You think there are people more handsome than him?
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Mm hmm. Maybe just one or two.
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Hm... Are you gonna leave me in suspense? Do I need to guess your type?
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Well.. there is this one boy. He's sweet, and full of energy, and has this cute pink hair. Maybe you know him.
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[ Yuji is watching him with an overwhelming softness. ]
He sounds kind of cool, Johei.
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[His expression is much the same, fingers toying with the hair on the back of Yuji's head.]
He's a pretty good kisser, too.
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[ Look at him, master of flirtation. ]
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