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who: Karamatsu and Aoba
what: Aoba visits Karamatsu at his new house and brings Ren.
when: 19 Jan, shortly after this thread.
where: Matsuno Residence!
warnings: N/A

[ With Ren in Sleep Mode, he's a small ball of blue fluff in his bag and a familiar weight that Aoba had been missing. He's happy, even when it starts to rain on his way there, but he doesn't mind it much.

He has Ren, his long time companion and very important person in his life, and he gets to show him off to the other important friend. For some reason, that makes him feel light and happy, which he suspects is a bit childish... but it can't be helped.

Wet clothes are uncomfortable and he's going to feel like an idiot for not bringing an umbrella, but he got so excited about seeing this new place of Karamatsu's that he just burst out into the cold air with his coat and scarf still open. Thankfully, his coat had taken most of the damp for him, but some still crawled into his jeans and his hair, so by the time he reaches Karamatsu's door, his teeth are chattering. ]

K-K-Kara-k-kun, can I borrow a t-towel? I kinda forgot it was supposed to rain...

[ Aoba, it's winter, wtf. ]

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[ Purely out of self-preservation, Aoba tugs on Karamatsu's arm to quickly depart this place. Quickly. He doesn't want to waste anymore time in this pig sty of a kitchen. It's making him hurt just looking at it! ]

Let's instead go into this room.

[ Being a complete stranger to this house, Aoba just leads Karamatsu away without knowing where he's going. Is it a closet? A bathroom? A bedroom? The coat room? It's a mystery. He's just trying to put as much distance between himself and that nightmare before Karamatsu gets any ideas and he's forced to clean the place from top to bottom out of a sense of self preservation.

He'll save asking him for what kind of cuisine he cooks for a time when his stomach isn't twisting itself up in knots. ]

Na... Kara-kun. Have you considered maybe hiring someone to tidy up the place now and again?

_{[ Go ahead, tug Karamatsu to the bedroom. Be warned, though, it's a pig pen in here too.
He purses his lips at the suggestion, and then laughs. ]}

Ahaha! Ah, how cute! You think it is messy? It is not.. it is in the organization that we all know it in! Hiring a maid.. well, that is expensive, isn't it?
_{[ He's struggling as it is with the little acting career to make enough money. It sucks. ]}

When I am a celebrity, it will be no problem!

[ Aoba watches Karamatsu out of the corner of his eye, he has this growing sense of foreboding ever since he's seen the kitchen, and as he reaches one door, his hand hovers over the door handle and stops. Is it really safe to open it? Is it his imagination, or are there waves of negative energy coming from this door? Perhaps decay on a level he has no right to see with human eyes...

Best to leave it alone. ]

...W-when you're a celebrity. [ Oh, yes. He thinks maybe that's a bit of wishful thinking to at least think it's so in the bag as to be so soon, but he doesn't have the heart to say it. ]

Until then, maybe I should come over now and again... [ -- and make sure you don't all die of food poisoning. At this point, he's afraid to ask for tea. Aoba drops his hand and ushers him back towards the living room, where there's a kotatsu and Ren and security. ] Kara-kun, the house feels pretty quiet. Are your brothers home?

Heh, you see.. I am destined to be a celebrity, I feel it in my soul.. such.. divine Fate. That is how I know these things.
_{[ He talks like he is so smart as he is ushered back to the living room and at the question he just smiles even further. ]}

No, no.. they are busy with other things, I'm afraid.
_{[ Other things... Ichimatsu is probably wandering the streets alone, Osomatsu is probably out on a date. This is exactly why it was perfect time for Aoba to come over and probably part of the reason he was excited to have him over.

Nice, quiet, one-on-one time with Aoba. It was so silly. ]}

Oh, I had forgotten.. there is a kotatsu if you would like to be more warm!

Heeh? Your brothers are out and about? Who would've thought... it's a shame I can't introduce them to Ren yet, but I'll catch them next time.

[ And then Aoba perks up. Kotatsu!! ]

Haah, that would be perfect right now.

[ And no home feels complete without a kotatsu. He's spent many winters tucked under a warm blanket and heated lamp with a hot cup of tea steaming in the air. It's his favorite place to take a nap at the apartment, too. With his hair still damp, warming up under one is seriously the best idea ever and the idea quickly chases away the bad vibes their lack of household hygiene gave him. Aoba slips his arm out form Karamatsu's and lifts the towel to give his hair another pass through, drying off any lingering drops of water that collect on the tips of his hair. ]

Oh, that reminds me! I brought something with me!

[ Trotting over a few steps toward where Ren sits watching them, he stoops down to pull out a few items from his bag. A sealed bag of assorted rice cracker snacks and a small wrapped present. ]

I know it's late, but this is for today, and this -- [ He pushes the gift into Karamatsu's hands. It's a simple gift - handmade chocolates made with a few molds of Karamatsu's face and shades. He copied it from the real thing. ] Is to say 'Merry Christmas'.

_{[ Christmas had been.. something else. He didn't get a Christmas date he wanted, but at least he got to spend time with his family. His family and nobody else.. nobody special.. no friends. It was probably better that way. The Matsunos were awfully dangerous on Christmas. The years of not having dates really ate all of their self esteem-- what little they had left. It was a melancholic Christmas, honestly.
He's confused as Aoba pulls out a present but it occurs to him once Aoba says Merry Christmas. ]}

Ah, Merry Chri—
_{[ He cuts himself short before he could even open the present, a shocking discovery causing his blood to freeze over for a brief moment.. ]}

_{[ A horrified look crosses his face. ]}

Aoba-kun! I—!
_{[ You know, usually he'd try to cover it up and be cool, pull through something like this. With Aoba, though, he tries to be as honest as he can stand it.
He hangs his head in a bit of shame. ]}

I do not have.. anything to give you, though.

[ Aoba blinks in surprise, then waves his hands in front of him. Oh crap. He just sent Karamatsu on a one-way trip to anxiety town. How completely selfish of him! It probably would have been better if he just kept it than to deliver this so late. ]

I-It's no big deal, I mean... it's already long past the holiday. So really, I'm the one who should be apologizing!

A-after all, I just put you in a tight spot by giving you this at such an inconvenient time.

[ He smiles and bows his head, lightly touching his own sensitive hair as the closest thing to a contrite head scratch he feels he can do without pain. He tries to lighten the mood with a joke. ]

I could give it to you next month, but then I'd have to ask a girl to do it.

_{[ Karamatsu doesn't even know what the present is yet, but the second that Aoba bows, Karamatsu is already on the floor, sitting on his haunches and bowing to press the his face at the ground. See, he can bow lower than you! ]}

I am so sorry! I think.. there is so much that you deserve as a present that I cannot get for you!
_{[ Honestly though.. he was too depressed to shop for anyone. ]}

[ Just what is Karamatsu bowing for? Is he playing around? ]

...Don't be like that.

Karamatsu is someone important to me, even when he's being dramatic.

[ Aoba kneels down at the kotatsu and reaches out to Karamatsu's face, then literally pulls at it to get him to crawl closer to him. Stop that. He wants him to stop that, stop beating himself up over silly and inconsequential things. He wants him to know that he cares for him, not try to match some so-called score. ]

Don't you know you're enough, just by existing? Come here.

_{[ What was this? He was just apologizing. Honestly, he felt awful he was wrapped up in his own selfishness to not get Aoba something in return. Anyway, Karamatsu releases a slight noise of protest but crawls closer to Aoba until their sides touch at the hips.

His face.. it feels really warm right now.

He blinks in confusion at Aoba's response, completely blown away by his words. Did he just say what he thinks he said? Maybe Karamatsu was overthinking it and looking far deep into Aoba's words— looking for any slice of hope. He couldn't help it, even if Aoba deserved better and even if Aoba had somebody better.

He finally laughs nervously, trying to conceal his anxiousness. ]}

A-aah, well.. I know that.. I am a gift to mankind!
_{[ he tells himself this to feel better about himself, you see... ]}

Edited 2018-02-03 04:31 (UTC)

[ Aoba busies himself with fluffing out and arranging the blanket trapping the heat under the kotatsu so that it covers them both, then stops to look at him. Karamatsu looks flustered, and Aoba assumes he's just feeling overwhelmed by even this minor generosity. Aoba inwardly sighs, but not with exasperation - more like... fondness.

He's trying to push past his embarrassment.

Aoba nudges him with his shoulder against his, leaning on him playfully. Months ago, he wouldn't have done something as physical as this, but this is how comfortable he feels with Karamatsu, it's his doing. Little by little, Karamatsu's antics have broken down his anxiety about touch. All those tight hugs and hand grabbing, Aoba had eventually grown used to it. ]

Heeh? 'A gift to mankind'?

...Who said I felt like sharing my soulmate with so many people? [ He's playing along... ]

_{[ Karamatsu straightens his posture when he feels a sudden weight on his shoulder. Sure, they've been touchy-feely for awhile now, but Aoba seems almost eager to be close to Karamatsu right now. He's beginning to realize it and he doesn't mind it, but he's surprised.

And nervous.

Surely Aoba doesn't mean anything by all of this, right? ]}

Well.. there aren't any rules about this... are there?

[ Karamatsu, try not to look too deeply into it for signs. One cannot divine this kind of thing. Besides, he didn't mean for you to crowd in on the same side of the kotatsu he's on, but he's.... also not complaining.

...And also, he's chilled to the bone. Contact, especially when it's warm, is exactly what he wants. Beneath the thick blanket is a toasty warmth that threatens to shiver out the cold, allowing his muscles to relax - like slipping into a bath. But his top half will take a bit longer to thaw.

He draws back slightly, laughing. Then puts his hands behind him, bracing himself as he leans back a bit. ]

I guess not.

...But then, I've never had a soulmate before. I'm not aware of any rules.

[ All he knows is that he's missed this. ]

So I guess it's okay if I want Kara-kun to have a lot of friends, even if it means sharing him.

_{[ Something was definitely strange here. Something.. foreign. Karamatsu's face is rather vacant as the thoughts rush through his mind, trying to figure it out. Something seemed so radiant in the room.. was it Aoba? Yes, of course.. somebody seemed so happy and Karamatsu, in all of his conceitedness, couldn't help but think that it was something he did or was doing.

But.. what?

That laughter— it makes a feeling bubble up in his chest, but he doesn't quite laugh after Aoba. What was happening right now was absolutely terrifying and Karamatsu knew it. His feelings were beginning to surface— to show— to cross boundaries as he dare harbor affection towards somebody who was taken. Maybe that's why his heart couldn't stop pounding.

His eyes absentmindedly zone in on Aoba's lips, but his mind is wandering so much he doesn't even notice that Aoba has stopped talking and laughing until after a few moments of silence.

And then, a surprised oh escapes Karamatsu's mouth like he's just snapped back into reality. ]}

I suppose.. whatever rules there are.. it is between you and I! If you don't want to share me, I will remain devoted to your tender and undying care and make NO FRIENDS!!
_{[ wowee wow look who actually knows how to communicate, he'd be great to be in a relationship with, right? ]}

Edited 2018-02-04 03:23 (UTC)

[ Sometime when that silence officially turns awkward, Aoba opens his eyes, then glances sidelong at him... and when the silence persists, Aoba finally tilts his head to look at him, still leaning back. ]

.....?

[ Karamatsu is zoning out for some reason, he seems to be staring at his face, but it's like the lights aren't on and nobody's home. Aoba thinks, Maybe he's been working too much... or stayed out too late, before he finally sees him jolt out of it with an 'Oh' straight out of a foreigner's mouth. He blinks a few times at him. ]

C'mon, Kara-kun... that's like the total opposite of what I want.

[ Aoba huffs and drops back on the cushion and tucks his arms under his head, letting the warmth beneath the kotatsu spread up his torso as he turns his head and looks up at Karamatsu. ]

...Are you worried about making me jealous? If so, I want to put that out of your mind right away. Karamatsu deserves to have a lot of friends, because I think he has a big heart even if he doesn't know it.

[ That might be wishful thinking, but it doesn't hurt to give someone a boost of confidence. Even D*mbo needed a feather to fly, right? ]

_{[ There's that agonizing voice in Karamatsu's head— that self-doubt that is constantly swallowing him that he tries to hide from everyone else. It's talking to him-- telling him that everything that Aoba is saying isn't real. You deserve so much more. Your existence is enough. What kind of proclamations are these things? Did Aoba realize what he was doing?

Karamatsu seems to be more transparent with Aoba more than anyone else.. except maybe Osomatsu. Maybe.. he was safe to ask this question, then.
His mouth hangs open slightly. If it were anyone else, he would puff up with pride and agree, but for some reason he can't. He physically and mentally cannot.

And so, he asks this instead, his voice suddenly sounding small: ]}

Why are you like this with me..?
_{[ It's nothing flowery or poetic. It's just straight up confusion. ]}

Mm? [ Ah, maybe he's making him feel a little self conscious. Aoba looks at him for a moment, then lifts up from the floor. It's not the first time he's dropped his confident act to sound so vulnerable, but he wonders what he might have done to cause this. ]

Is... this awkward? I mean, it's been a while, so...

[ Maybe showering him with a gift and then praise is a bad idea, especially since it's been a month since they saw each other. Suddenly, Aoba feels a little guilty. His attention focuses on replaying what he's said and done, second-guessing himself. Asking himself where he may have gone wrong. ]

...I was looking forward to spending time with you and introducing you to Ren. [ Did I get a bit carried away? ] I'm sorry. Did I overreach somewhere?

T—That isn't answering the question.
_{[ He's really down to earth right now. Karamatsu cannot honestly think of a single person who has said things like this before. Osomatsu has encouraged him plenty of times, but that was different. It was sort of like things Eichi would say to him. Yeah, Eichi was undoubtedly the one who had him questioning his sexuality to begin with, but even after all of Eichi's words, he wasn't interested in Karamatsu.

It didn't hurt too bad. It never really did— getting turned down or 'friendzoned' or whatever. He was accustomed to it. It hurt more to see other people happy and with someone.. especially when Karamatsu liked them.

And that is precisely why Karamatsu knows all of this is terrifying. ]}

N..no.. I just do not know what I've done to deserve someone like you.. visiting here at your free will, talking with me.. laughing with me. I do not think I've had anyone.. so genuine like you here with me outside of my family.. and I'm not certain why.

[ Something about this tension between them was making Aoba feel anxious. A strange, nervous sort of restlessness, like he wants to get up and start pacing the room or fidgeting, but he can't move. So his heart works a little harder, as if expecting him to start to exert himself and yet he remains rooted in place.

What's he saying? What's he asking me? What is it? ]

...

[ Aoba understands that Karamatsu is struggling to make a point. As embarrassing as it is to hear compliments like this, he thinks this is normal. Isn't this the sort of thing that friends like about one another? Trust and faith and vulnerability. Taking a part of yourself and placing it into another's hands for safekeeping, knowing that they could hurt you but you have faith in their love, because that kind of security is irreplaceable. Precious and invaluable in ways you can't ever express without it sounding really weird.

But if this is to be expected, why does Aoba suddenly feel on edge and nervous? ]

Isn't it normal to be like this with someone you care about? A lot, I mean, not just like... with anyone...

Edited 2018-02-04 05:22 (UTC)

I suppose.. but maybe I don't quite understand why you care so much.
_{[ He remains seated, posture slouching slightly over the kotatsu table. He feels uncomfortable being so transparent and honest with someone since his own insecurities make him want to lie about who he is constantly. It's happening so natural for him, but he wishes the sick feeling in his stomach would go away. After a moment of silence, he speaks again: ]}

I feel the same way for you, though... but..
_{[ A beat. ]}
What we have.. it isn't enough.

I... I didn't... think I needed... [ A reason. He tries not to really think about it. Karamatsu is one of his first friends, if not the first. They've done a lot of things together, fought, even cried. They're kind of a mess, but he feels like his life is not just more interesting, but better for having even this weirdo in it.

What does he mean 'it isn't enough'? ]

...?

[ Aoba feels like there's that same old thing. A presence? It's like he knows there's something there, something he's not supposed to touch or look at, so he just keeps giving it a wide berth. Only it keeps growing, crowding out all the available air until he feels like there's no avoiding it. Isn't this what they call 'the elephant in the room'? Whatever it is, that restless, anxious feeling builds in him, twisting him up into knots.

He fidgets his hands in his lap and lifts one to touch the middle of his own chest. What's with this heavy mood? ]

Kara-kun, I'm a little nervous... for some reason.

_{[ Aoba doesn't need a reason. That's how friendship works, but Karamatsu can't quite understand that. He seems to work and work and work for other people's approval, whether it be from his family or anyone else. To be honest, he doesn't think he has done anything to earn Aoba's likeness.

Aoba mentions he is nervous, though, and somehow that seems to ease Karamatsu's stress in a way. Here he thought he was the only one nervous over something he wasn't ready to admit— he wasn't ready to confess. He shouldn't, really. IT would complicate things and maybe he'd lose Aoba's friendship if he continued feeling this way.

However, he's selfish. So, so selfish.

Without looking at Aoba, he asks: ]}

Aoba-kun, would I do anything that would make you abandon me? You do not have to answer if you do not wish, but I can tell you that I'd stick by your side no matter what.
_{[ He says it so easily, so naturally. ]}

[ Aoba takes his eyes away from looking at his fingers that push a small depression into his shirt, feeling the vibration of each steady thump of his pulse. He tilts his head to look at him - or rather, the back of Karamatsu's head, his face turned away so he can't see what kind of expression it's wearing. ]

...

You keep asking me 'why do you care' and 'how would I make you abandon me', 'it's not enough' and 'I'd stick by your side no matter what'.

I'm really not sure how to reply.

[ Or if he can. The only scenario that comes to mind are the impossible - Karamatsu hurting those he loves, and even then he has a hard time abandoning him when he hasn't for far more dubious friendships in Midorijima. ]

[ Karamatsu doesn't think of himself with very high regard, Aoba knows this. As much as he tries to be the very picture of confidence, he thinks he's worthless, unworthy of even friendship and when he's like this, Aoba hurts. ]

I wish I could destroy the part of you that hates yourself.

[ Aoba blinks. Wait, that's it. It's something he can do, maybe... maybe this is the elephant in the room. The remedy he refused to look at that could close the holes in Karamatsu's heart and let him understand why he's important, valued. Without thinking, because he's not thinking this through or giving himself a moment to second-guess his actions, the true paralyzing force in why he didn't risk Scrap on Noiz a second time...

I'll use Scrap, and break the cycle holding him back. I can do this.

He reaches over to put his hand on Karamatsu's cheek, turning his face to his. His eyes look different in this light, paler yellow from the usual hazel, bringing their faces closer together. ]

Karamatsu --

[Closed]

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1.2 DEEP INHALE

STARES INTO THE SUN...

STARES ALSO...

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