Sometime after his scuffle with Manabu, Kazuma manages to drag himself back to the Willful Machine, to the place Ryunosuke had managed to make into some semblance of a home. He had, for all intents and purposes, been trying to make it on his own; but even he had to admit that a fight like that meant he should probably...swallow his pride and go somewhere safe and trusted.
Never mind the fact he was covered in mud, might have split his lip, and definitely looked the part of having been in a fight.
This was not what he anticipated when Kazuma finally walked into his door. He moves to greet him, to ask him if he made it through the city okay when he actually gets a good look at him. Ryunosuke immediately walks over, giving him a good look as concern crosses his features.
"Kazuma." He says quietly before he steps back to now crowd him. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
There's a pause as he reaches out to carefully take his chin to get a better look at his split lip. "Who, or what, did this to you?"
[later in the month, a handful of plucked roses and a couple lumenflowers are bunched together and tied with some twine. they are left in the downstairs foyer of the residence by the stairs, along with a tiny wool goat? for some reason?
no evidence to the perpetrator other than some lingering mud that hints at footsteps.]
-n't just talk about those kinds of things like it doesn't change everything...especially if! He's!
[an off-speaker groan to accent the off-speaker soliloquizing...all with the blurry view of a dog nose that bonks and pushes the Omni around on the floor. it's Magnet. hi Magnet. most of this is Magnet's face, but now and then Manabu's visible pacing around and he really needs to trade up the towel for some pants. maybe that'll be later after he's done...doing whatever the hell he's doing. smushing his face and grumbling into his hands? unclear, given the worm's-eye view which is mostly full of dog.
in the midst of dog-snuffles and the gentle thud of bare feet pacing:] -posing I know what I'm talking about, that still...doesn't mean it won't mess everything up. It's not like I know...how to act like that...I'm not Mako!
[another anguished groan. Magnet lifts his head and looks over where the off-beat angle of Manabu slumping on what must be a bed, hunched bare back to the camera.]
...n't even...own up to myself, so I can't ask him to either...
[bark. barkbark.
Magnet makes a little racket over here on the floor with the Omni until Manabu groans and twists to scowl at him, in the middle of admonishing before double-taking at the device.]
...Wait. Wait is that--HEY!!
[Magnet darts away as Manabu dives headlong at the camera with a dismayed cry. blurry sights and fumbling sounds ensue before it's shut off.]
[It doesn't register at first what he's hearing. it catches him off guard when he realizes that his Omni is talking to him. He stops what he's doing to pick it up. He watches for a moment, confused because it's clearly Magnet in the frame, but Manabu is talking.
Manabu is definitely talking, but not talking to him.
He nearly slams the Omni down on the counter when it's clear that Manabu has noticed that the video was on, blushing as he realizes that he's been listening to Manabu's private thoughts. It takes some time, before he finally picks up the Omni again, looking sheepish into the camera.]
Manabu? Are you...there? [He asks quietly, wondering if he would actually respond.]
It's a hundred percent healed, see? [impromptu Zack Fair squat. no ankle rolling. DECENT FORM.] And no monsters have dropped out of nowhere to test that, either.
[that said, he beams before plopping down on the sofa, passing one of the wrapped sandwiches he brought over.]
I'm not going to say we've lucked out lately, because that's just opening me up to get chucked through a window.
Hmn. [He watches from the sofa, crossing his arms over his chest, his left leg over his right, while Manabu shows off his newly healed ankle. He's still skeptical, though it's been long enough that he's certainly healed thanks to Nehan's potions. Manabu was right though: he's been confined to his bed and no monsters have shown up to test him. At least no monsters in the conventional sense (sorry Kazuma).]
All right. [He finally says as he accepts the sandwich.] All right, it looks like it's healed. I hope you weren't too bored waiting for this day. I just wanted to make sure it healed properly.
Aa, hey! Hey, Ryunosuke. Just letting you know...I'm heading off, okay? Diluc and Kaeya and I are meeting Childe out at the Waystation, and then we're going to check out the far edges of the perimeter... Not, not much farther than that, definitely. At least, that's the plan.
I'll see you when I get back, okay? We still got Gate-things to do, after all, so...
You four be careful. Who knows what's out there. If any of you get injured... [God forbid.] I can talk to Nehan again to see if he can't help you out. Maybe I should have asked him for something preventative.
I don't doubt their abilities, but are you sure that you'll be okay?
the day's been quite full of many things - plans finally starting to set into motion, many new personalities and problems to face, so much potential about to spark and set off to who-knows-where, that wanderlust thrumming in the blood... Manabu's heart's been pounding nonstop all day for this and that! and for...you know, someone in particular, too.
fear born out of care makes the heartbeat hurt when navigating the wishes Ryunosuke has to set out with him into the unknown, but it's tempered a little by Kazuma's wisdom to trust. trust them, at least, even if he can't trust the world to be fair. even if his want to be the good officer, the protector, makes it tough...
time at the Gate helped, surprisingly: that worried ache was overridden by the thrill of the moment, of wonder in watching Ryunosuke gracefully, masterfully draw a bow and mark targets both idle and moving. maybe it's bad that Manabu didn't expect it, but more's the excitement to see it happening before his eye.
there's a different kind of thrill, too, in being coaxed to give the bow a shot; Ryunosuke's voice at his ear speaking encouragement translates to a bit more by the way goosebumps prickle down his skin, even in the midst of sparking and steaming. he just gets him in some kind of way, you know? that means a few missed shots before even remotely hitting a target. embarrassing as that might be, it's...it's fun. fun and encouraging enough to spur Manabu to turn the tables and have him take a turn trying his hand at a pistol.
Ryunosuke may not have to do much searching for shared activities, huh? speaking of which, back to the now, because now is...also novel. Manabu's not gone to a hot spring since...since just before the nightmare - an odd lull before the storm of change in his life. he'd not been very cozy there either, his mind itching with concern for being idle when there was so much work to do. instead of work, however, right now he's just...y'know... sharing a bath with Ryunosuke...!! if the water wasn't already warm, the heat emitting from Manabu would surely help that.
funny, that, though: when he lifts his arm out of the water, he can see the patterning of frost forming close to his veins. coldblood is so strange, it--]
-!!
[when he hears a door slide open, he submerges to his nose just out of reflex, owlishly blinking around before recognizing the form. he slowly lifts his chin up, gulping.]
[ It was thrilling to pick up his bow again. He missed the feeling of notching an arrow and releasing it to strike its target. It wasn't just because Manabu was watching either. Tiem flew by as he showed off his skills, grateful that it was going to help alleviate some of his worries about going on this grand adventure. He wasn't entirely unprepared for such an undertaking, despite the fact he's been in a more academic setting recently. What he was woefully unprepared for were the emotions that welled up in his chest. There was a thrill in having Manabu watch him, something he couldn't quite touch as he drew up against another target.
Coaxing Manabu to give archery a try was also quite fun. The way he sparked as he helped him position his body, the steam that rose up from just simply helping him learn how to draw back the string taut - it was all rather endearing. He thinks it's rather cute that Manabu is more outwardly nervous, while Ryunosuke is internally nervous. Everything is still new, and tentative. Their relationship is still in its infancy, but it's joyful. Something he's sure he'll reflect on later when he's not still enjoying his time with the other.
He slides the door shut behind him, back in the present, grateful he was able to wash before joining Manabu in the hot spring.]
Hey. [He smiles, dipping his foot into the water to gauge the temperature before he slides in. He sighs into the water, enjoying the heat as it soaks his slightly sore body. He's only a little out of practice, thankfully, not enough so that he feels he can't make this journey.] I hope I didn't keep you waiting long. [He says as he leans back.]
[thank goodness he agreed to this! not just for the change of pace, but...y'know. spending more time with Ryuunosuke after having had such harrowing circumstances and things going on really left him adrift in his own head; it was nice to reaffirm the affection is mutual, and not just with words. he's more of the actions-speaking-louder type, after all.
so while sitting still in a hot spring is still a trial for fidgety Manabu Yuuki, the time spent talking was definitely not. it feels nice to catch up, even if...it really shouldn't be about catching up. that's on him for working too hard, making himself scarce...]
Eh...?
[Manabu slides open the door to the room and blinks, staring for a beat before tilting his head back to look for signage. no, this is...the right room...
he's still there when Ryuu catches up, and Manabu blinks owlishly at him.]
[They could have gone anywhere together and he would have been glad to spend time with him. At least that's what Ryunosuke thinks as they finally were able to catch up in the hot springs. It was a relief that they were able to spend time together, despite the fact things may have been left unresolved.
He's still determined to fix whatever this thing was, but for now? His focus was on Manabu and being able to show him that they were okay. That he still cared about him.
Of course, things were definitely about to take a turn when they retired for the evening.]
Eh? [He blinks, before he peeks past Manabu to stare into their room. Maybe they should have looked there first before heading to the onsen...]
Oh. [A pause.] Is that..do you think that will be a problem?
[Sometime long after he's supposed to be home from helping out at The Roost, Kazuma slips inside their home. He's careful, doing his best to be quiet as he eases the door shut.
He wholly expects Ryunosuke to be sound asleep in bed, it would seem.]
[Ryunosuke is curled up on the couch, legs tucked underneath him as flips through a book in the low lantern light. It's late, he knows it's late, but he can't seem to find the will to sleep knowing what dreams await him.
He glances up when he hears the door and smiles a little.]
[first, DING: photos incoming. they're of that spooky town. the buildings outside, some vacant streets...Magnet's in the corner of a couple unintentionally.
second: ring ring. phone call!]
Ah, he-hey, Ryunosuke? Did those images go through? Hi, hello...
[Kazuma is not really one for gifts, at least not in the way most people seem to be. Sentimentality was something he reserved for very few things and people. He certainly didn't give anything often enough to really know what made a good gift.]
Ryunosuke...? [A gentle prompting, made quietly in a time that actually found them alone in one another's company.] Would you--hm, are you free...right now?
[Physical gifts may elude him. But his time, something of himself, was always something he would readily give to those that mattered.]
[Ryunosuke has been trying to come up with a good gift for Kazuma for days. He could trade for something practical, something he'd use, but where's the fun in that?
He glances up from his book and smiles, setting it aside.]
Yes, actually. I can read this later. [He adjusts himself on the couch as he sets his feet on the ground.] Is everything all right?
What-- [Manabu puffs, then starts stomping along through the room, having to wobble a bit to avoid furniture hazards - mind your feet, Ryuu] You think I can't? Just watch!
[like he has a choice! Manabu picks up the pace, stomp-stomping along before coming to the bedroom door.
tall, vertical entryway. horizontal payload. he has to turn and kind of crabwalk sideways to get through, turn, and then just...drop Ryunosuke on the bed that takes up like 80% of the room.]
It's not that-- [He absolutely believes that he could carry him considering he was currently doing it, especially as he maneuvers around furniture and carries him down the hall. Ryunosuke absolutely minds his feet, and head for that matter - the most movement he makes because he doesn't want to throw off Manabu's balance.
He can't help but laugh as Manabu changes position to turn them sideways to the bedroom, smiling before he's just dropped on the bed. He splays out a bit, adjusting to the sudden softness before he reaches up with a soft smile.]
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Never mind the fact he was covered in mud, might have split his lip, and definitely looked the part of having been in a fight.
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"Kazuma." He says quietly before he steps back to now crowd him. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
There's a pause as he reaches out to carefully take his chin to get a better look at his split lip. "Who, or what, did this to you?"
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un: yuuki
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I think they're quite lovely, especially in spring.
Do you?
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[not here]
no evidence to the perpetrator other than some lingering mud that hints at footsteps.]
vid
[an off-speaker groan to accent the off-speaker soliloquizing...all with the blurry view of a dog nose that bonks and pushes the Omni around on the floor. it's Magnet. hi Magnet. most of this is Magnet's face, but now and then Manabu's visible pacing around and he really needs to trade up the towel for some pants. maybe that'll be later after he's done...doing whatever the hell he's doing. smushing his face and grumbling into his hands? unclear, given the worm's-eye view which is mostly full of dog.
in the midst of dog-snuffles and the gentle thud of bare feet pacing:] -posing I know what I'm talking about, that still...doesn't mean it won't mess everything up. It's not like I know...how to act like that...I'm not Mako!
[another anguished groan. Magnet lifts his head and looks over where the off-beat angle of Manabu slumping on what must be a bed, hunched bare back to the camera.]
...n't even...own up to myself, so I can't ask him to either...
[bark. barkbark.
Magnet makes a little racket over here on the floor with the Omni until Manabu groans and twists to scowl at him, in the middle of admonishing before double-taking at the device.]
...Wait. Wait is that--HEY!!
[Magnet darts away as Manabu dives headlong at the camera with a dismayed cry. blurry sights and fumbling sounds ensue before it's shut off.]
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Manabu is definitely talking, but not talking to him.
He nearly slams the Omni down on the counter when it's clear that Manabu has noticed that the video was on, blushing as he realizes that he's been listening to Manabu's private thoughts. It takes some time, before he finally picks up the Omni again, looking sheepish into the camera.]
Manabu? Are you...there? [He asks quietly, wondering if he would actually respond.]
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audio un: vault thief
[this is fine.]
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[This is new.]
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1/2
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nyoom
[that said, he beams before plopping down on the sofa, passing one of the wrapped sandwiches he brought over.]
I'm not going to say we've lucked out lately, because that's just opening me up to get chucked through a window.
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All right. [He finally says as he accepts the sandwich.] All right, it looks like it's healed. I hope you weren't too bored waiting for this day. I just wanted to make sure it healed properly.
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JUNE IS HERE
I'll see you when I get back, okay? We still got Gate-things to do, after all, so...
sneaking this in at work
I don't doubt their abilities, but are you sure that you'll be okay?
hell yea
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more SOFT !!
the day's been quite full of many things - plans finally starting to set into motion, many new personalities and problems to face, so much potential about to spark and set off to who-knows-where, that wanderlust thrumming in the blood... Manabu's heart's been pounding nonstop all day for this and that! and for...you know, someone in particular, too.
fear born out of care makes the heartbeat hurt when navigating the wishes Ryunosuke has to set out with him into the unknown, but it's tempered a little by Kazuma's wisdom to trust. trust them, at least, even if he can't trust the world to be fair. even if his want to be the good officer, the protector, makes it tough...
time at the Gate helped, surprisingly: that worried ache was overridden by the thrill of the moment, of wonder in watching Ryunosuke gracefully, masterfully draw a bow and mark targets both idle and moving. maybe it's bad that Manabu didn't expect it, but more's the excitement to see it happening before his eye.
there's a different kind of thrill, too, in being coaxed to give the bow a shot; Ryunosuke's voice at his ear speaking encouragement translates to a bit more by the way goosebumps prickle down his skin, even in the midst of sparking and steaming. he just gets him in some kind of way, you know? that means a few missed shots before even remotely hitting a target. embarrassing as that might be, it's...it's fun. fun and encouraging enough to spur Manabu to turn the tables and have him take a turn trying his hand at a pistol.
Ryunosuke may not have to do much searching for shared activities, huh? speaking of which, back to the now, because now is...also novel. Manabu's not gone to a hot spring since...since just before the nightmare - an odd lull before the storm of change in his life. he'd not been very cozy there either, his mind itching with concern for being idle when there was so much work to do. instead of work, however, right now he's just...y'know... sharing a bath with Ryunosuke...!! if the water wasn't already warm, the heat emitting from Manabu would surely help that.
funny, that, though: when he lifts his arm out of the water, he can see the patterning of frost forming close to his veins. coldblood is so strange, it--]
-!!
[when he hears a door slide open, he submerges to his nose just out of reflex, owlishly blinking around before recognizing the form. he slowly lifts his chin up, gulping.]
Ouh, he-hey...
[there's that heart skipping again, hoo boy.]
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Coaxing Manabu to give archery a try was also quite fun. The way he sparked as he helped him position his body, the steam that rose up from just simply helping him learn how to draw back the string taut - it was all rather endearing. He thinks it's rather cute that Manabu is more outwardly nervous, while Ryunosuke is internally nervous. Everything is still new, and tentative. Their relationship is still in its infancy, but it's joyful. Something he's sure he'll reflect on later when he's not still enjoying his time with the other.
He slides the door shut behind him, back in the present, grateful he was able to wash before joining Manabu in the hot spring.]
Hey. [He smiles, dipping his foot into the water to gauge the temperature before he slides in. He sighs into the water, enjoying the heat as it soaks his slightly sore body. He's only a little out of practice, thankfully, not enough so that he feels he can't make this journey.] I hope I didn't keep you waiting long. [He says as he leans back.]
This is nice. [The whole day was nice.]
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Ryuunosuke? Are you here? It's me-- [boyfriend with a bloody nose reporting.]
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Are you okay?
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action (+ eventual nsfw)
so while sitting still in a hot spring is still a trial for fidgety Manabu Yuuki, the time spent talking was definitely not. it feels nice to catch up, even if...it really shouldn't be about catching up. that's on him for working too hard, making himself scarce...]
Eh...?
[Manabu slides open the door to the room and blinks, staring for a beat before tilting his head back to look for signage. no, this is...the right room...
he's still there when Ryuu catches up, and Manabu blinks owlishly at him.]
There's just one.
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He's still determined to fix whatever this thing was, but for now? His focus was on Manabu and being able to show him that they were okay. That he still cared about him.
Of course, things were definitely about to take a turn when they retired for the evening.]
Eh? [He blinks, before he peeks past Manabu to stare into their room. Maybe they should have looked there first before heading to the onsen...]
Oh. [A pause.] Is that..do you think that will be a problem?
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I just live in your inbox
He wholly expects Ryunosuke to be sound asleep in bed, it would seem.]
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He glances up when he hears the door and smiles a little.]
Welcome home, Kazuma.
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early oct delivery
im ur entire inbox and im not mad about it
How happy are you to stay in the flat youre in
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Why?
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second: ring ring. phone call!]
Ah, he-hey, Ryunosuke? Did those images go through? Hi, hello...
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[He idly flips through them again.]
Are you all right?
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Soft.
Ryunosuke...? [A gentle prompting, made quietly in a time that actually found them alone in one another's company.] Would you--hm, are you free...right now?
[Physical gifts may elude him. But his time, something of himself, was always something he would readily give to those that mattered.]
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He glances up from his book and smiles, setting it aside.]
Yes, actually. I can read this later. [He adjusts himself on the couch as he sets his feet on the ground.] Is everything all right?
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im yeeting nsfw here
What-- [Manabu puffs, then starts stomping along through the room, having to wobble a bit to avoid furniture hazards - mind your feet, Ryuu] You think I can't? Just watch!
[like he has a choice! Manabu picks up the pace, stomp-stomping along before coming to the bedroom door.
tall, vertical entryway. horizontal payload. he has to turn and kind of crabwalk sideways to get through, turn, and then just...drop Ryunosuke on the bed that takes up like 80% of the room.]
HA-!
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He can't help but laugh as Manabu changes position to turn them sideways to the bedroom, smiling before he's just dropped on the bed. He splays out a bit, adjusting to the sudden softness before he reaches up with a soft smile.]
Hey, love. [He motions for him.] Come here.
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