[open] we're all the same

[nyahilistic]

who: Ichimatsu nyahilistic, members of House Matsuno, OPEN.
what: Ichimatsu building a greenhouse.
when: Early February-- likely during Fajro, but before Quantum Tentacles.
where: House Matsuno, specifically the roof, but also anywhere else.
warnings: Swearing, emotional constipation, Ichimatsu.



[The roof seemed like a good place for a greenhouse. Plenty of sunlight, it would be the warmest place, and it was out of the way. He'd probably have to deal with Karamatsu playing his guitar up there, but maybe he could con him into looking after the plants sometimes for him that way.]

[He'd dragged his chest of weird plants, now re-labeled and with proper notes taken on their names and effects, and had the living plants in small planters with the lid to the chest open, the dried ones separated and organized in their own way. He'd never really built something like this before, so he was cross-referencing a few books and videos as he went, but over the course of about a week he had a pretty good structure going. As it stood, he was sitting on the edge of the roof with a bottle of water, taking a break with Nyanko and the kittens Gintoki had given him. He still hadn't decided on their names.]

[By all means, feel free to bother him from the street, or actually come up and figure out what the hell this weird antisocial cat guy has been doing on his roof for a week straight.]

Comments

[relieable]

[Osomatsu had talked to Karamatsu about Lyle, but he hadn’t had the opportunity to tell Ichimatsu yet. between him working long hours, and the holiday, Osomatsu hadn’t found the time. but now, he has a day off, and he knows that Ichimatsu is relaxing. so he comes up to the roof with two mugs of hot cocoa and marshmallows. he takes one look at the structure and nods approvingly. none of them were... well, they weren’t builders! they were lazy good-for-nothings. but somehow, coming to Riverview had helped all of them. well, Osomatsu supposed that one had to grow up when they were thrust into space and forced to see things they didn’t want to see.

anyway, here he comes] Ooooi! Ichimacchan! Good work today! [as though he were a boss praising an employee]

[nyahilistic]

[He chews on the mouth of his water bottle absently and turns his head at Osomatsu's approach, moving away from the plastic and capping it. He doesn't stand up, rather angling himself toward his oldest brother.]

...it's nothing much, really, I've just been following instructions.

[relieable]

It’s more than what I could’ve done! I barely know how t’use a hammer! [or whatever Ichimatsu’s using. Osomatsu would have just used glue] I’m really impressed! You’re taking this whole drugs thing seriously.

[he approaches him and crouches down, offering Ichimatsu a mug. it’s been cold and rainy lately, so Osomatsu thought cocoa would be satisfying! but Ichimatsu’s been working all day, so maybe he’s too warm for cocoa]

[nyahilistic]

[A flat look.]

Which is exactly why I didn't ask for anyone's help. [He takes the cocoa, though, mumbling a quiet "thanks," and looking down at it and the steam that rises off of it. He hadn't really realized his hands were cold until he had the warm mug in them.]

[relieable]

[very wise on Ichimatsu’s part. Osomatsu just laughs in return, like the idiot he is, and he sets himself down on the edge of the roof beside his brother. the kittens look like they are sleeping, and they are super adorable!]

So... there any other reason why you’ve been comin’ up here alone?

[nyahilistic]

[His expression doesn't change, but he closes his eyes. Typical of Osomatsu to notice something was wrong, even when he wasn't acting that different. A gentle shrug of his shoulders, and he transfers the mug into just one hand, reaching out to scritch the calico kitten's stomach.]

...greenhouses don't build themselves.

[relieable]

[that isn’t what Osomatsu means, and he’s certain Ichimatsu knows that. he sighs loudly, then sips at his cup of cocoa]

You know, it’s important we tell each other things, right? ‘cause there’s always the chance that one of us’ll leave. Like, I dunno how it happens. People just keep showin’ up here, an’ leavin’ all the time.

[nyahilistic]

[The kitten stretches out and then rolls onto its side, curling up, so Ichimatsu is forced to recoil his fingers. He stays still like that for a moment, and then leans backward and sideways against Osomatsu's knees.]

...I'm just not up for people lately. [He can't quite pinpoint the problem, but Osomatsu making a point of mentioning separation-- the possibility of one of them leaving, people in general showing up and leaving... He doesn't figure it's accidental. It makes his stomach twist, and he feels a little sick.]

[relieable]

Ahh. [maybe Osomatsu should leave it at that, then. he’d come up here to talk about himself, right? though, trying to figure out Ichimatsu was always interesting] Well, that’s fine, then. Dealing with people can be hard.

[nyahilistic]

Mmn. [For now, at least, it was probably best he stop there. Ichimatsu isn't prepared to figure out what's wrong with himself yet, much less is he prepared to talk about it. He sips at his cocoa, quiet like normal but pensive in a way that isn't as common.]

[A moment later, he rocks backward into Osomatus's knees a time or two, looking up over his shoulder.]

And? What brings you up here to appraise my shitty greenhouse building.

[relieable]

[Osomatsu’s drinking from his own cup, lost in thought, trying to figure out what could be bothering Ichimatsu. but it could be anything! he doesn’t have any clues. besides, he is brought back to reality when Ichimatsu questions him.

to that, he grins, reaching up to run a hand through his own hair] Ah, yeah. I wanted t’tell you something, actually. Or, well, maybe ask you your opinion on something? Dunno...

[nyahilistic]

[He stretches one leg out, letting one of the other kittens, only half-awake, bat at his toes.]

The oldest wants my opinion on something? Shit, should I be scared?

[relieable]

[he waves a hand] It's not anything scary! I don't think... I mean, I guess it's a little scary, but it's mostly exciting! [stop stalling and get on with it] ...I dunno if you remember Lyle. He was at our birthday party.

[nyahilistic]

[He quirks a tiny eyebrow up under his messy fringe, rolling his eyes slightly.]

The only person I talked to at the party that I didn't already know was Ivar. What's he look like? I may have seen him, if nothing else. [He hasn't met Lyle. Clearly this needs to change.]

[unos]

[ It's... some amount of time after Ichimatsu said that he was ready to share bits of his plants when Katsura shows up. Katsura is originally intending to knock on the door when he arrives, but the sound of construction on the roof has him pausing instead.

After a moment: ]

Ichimatsu-dono! Are you up there?

[relieable]

[ah... too bad. Karamatsu did not remember Lyle either]

He's tall, has a good-lookin' face and kinda wavy brown hair? He's on the perimeter guard, an' back home he was a pilot. Like, he rode around in a giant robot an' everything! Like from some anime!

[nyahilistic]

[Well at least Ichimatsu isn't just forgetting him.]

Good-lookin' face and a G*ndam pilot? Who the fuck are you making friends with, Osomatsu. [There's a slight grin on his face.]

[relieable]

[a short pause, he looks down at his hands, turning them over]

More than friends, I guess.

[nyahilistic]

["Dono"? Who the fuck calls a NEET that? The sounds of construction halt and a moment later a face peers over the roof, hair messier than usual. He squints down at him for a long time, and then picks up a hand in a wave.]

Just "Ichimatsu" is fine. Come on up, you can't miss the stairs.

[nyahilistic]

[There's a long beat of silence while Ichimatsu processes that, and he looks up with mostly his same deadpan expression. There's a strange sort of tightness to it, faintly, and he blinks.]

...more than...? [He knows what it means, in theory. He just doesn't want to swallow the words.]

[relieable]

[Osomatsu likes to brag, but he knows that he has to approach the subject delicately, the same way he did with Karamatsu, more so, even. it’s hard to not just blurt everything out]

He asked me out a few weeks ago. After the paintball tournament. We’d had a bunch of drinks but that gave him the courage, I think. [he turns to look at Ichimatsu] An’, like, don’t get me wrong... I told him that I was no good! I tried to discourage him... but...

[unos]

[ The sort of guy that's friends with a NEET samurai, that's who. He's absolutely not going to call Ichimatsu anything but -dono, but he nods at the invitation up and proceeds as indicated.

Though if he encounters a cat along the way and doesn't get the shit scratched out of him for trying, he's absolutely going to pick it up and carry it around with him. ]

I hadn't realized you were building a new structure, as well. That's rather industrious.

[ Researching plants and building something? Ichimatsu is a NEET of many talents. ]

[nyahilistic]

[That's fair, though Ichimatsu is going to take to correcting his -dono every time. Dono ja nai, Ichimatsu da, if you will. Luckily, or perhaps not so much, all four of his cats are on the roof with him-- Nyanko taking a break from patrolling the edges to ensure the kittens don't tumble off of it while the three of them doze in a pile near Ichimatsu.]

I'm not so great at building, but I'm okay at following directions, I guess.

[He likes to keep busy, now that he's discovered what a basic level of functionality is.]

[unos]

[ Not getting to hold some kittens is definitely unlucky. Hell, it's a flat out tragedy. ]

Following directions is a skill in its own right.

[ Katsura's had plenty of encounters with people that can't, after all. Katsura pads towards Ichimatsu, though when he catches sight of the plants he kneels down to get a closer look. ]

These must be the plants. You said you brought them here from somewhere else?

[nyahilistic]

[Ah.]

[He should be happy for his brother, and in a way he is, but ultimately it's a cold wash of dread that bleeds slowly from his heart to his fingertips and back. His expression, still, remains impassive, and then he shrugs, looking away.]

...Congratulations. --Ah, I should buy you a beer, or something.

[He hates being this way.]