riverviewlogs | [closed] I make a circle above your culture

[He holds up a free hand when Aoba suddenly realises he might have made Noiz spill the coffee, but look.

Free and clear. Both hands, even.

Seems he learnt a lesson from the last time he'd handled coffee around the other.]

I'm fine. See.

[And now he'll smirk.]

You know, you helped a lot with this too. You shouldn't just be calling me 'Incredible.'

[ Aoba settles down, relieved. ]

Ah, can you say that again? I want to record Noiz giving me credit... ☆

[ Aoba digs into his pocket for his comm device with a smirk. He hasn't forgotten, but he's also pretty sure that Noiz has spent more nights awake on this thing than he has, betraying just how intense a drive he has for Rhyme.

It shouldn't surprise him, given what he knows about his condition, and his desire to feel anything. ]

So... is this a milestone worth celebrating? What's our next step?

[He turns, slowly... looking at the other straight in the face...

Taking a long sip from his coffee--it's cooled enough so he doesn't burn his mouth this time, progress--before he even thinks about saying something to the other.

Another moment of contemplation, and...]

You did good work, too.

[Thought he was going to say something rude there, didn't you.]

...It's worth celebrating.

Going from 'impossible' to a 'work in progress.'

Have to find out how to project it into the city without carrying ...

[He points. The image is being projected into the room at large by four small, but still sizeable projectors. They're about the size of your fist.]

[ He did. He totally thought he'd hear some sassy response and Aoba's so floored that he forgets he was recording and has to catch himself before his grip loosens on his comm device and nearly drops it.

No, that... kind of thing doesn't make him happy at all. Jerk. ]

M-mm.

[ Aoba hums in agreement and takes this opportunity to also drink from his mug, turning to look at where Noiz gestures. ]

...We're going to need a lot more.

[ That feels like an impossible task. ]

I can ask around at work, see if any of the others in Salvage can help me gather the materials, but I don't think we have enough space in the apartment to store them.

[ Aoba flattens his back against the door frame and slouches against it, thinking. ]

Do you think installing these around the city is legal?

[All according to plan. He smirks, very lightly when the other is set into speechlessness, settled with the fact that he'd won again, and he turns his attention onto the image of his avatar. The rabbits are still chasing one another around excitedly as their image stabilized inside the room, even if the edges of everything else seems to be a bit fuzzy.]

Aa. A lot more.

They're not too hard to make.

[A simple wi-fi setup hooked directly to the network that triangulates back with his files, a wide-area projector that works with nearby units to finish the virtual image...

And then, of course, a real-time uplink of NPCs, monsters, and player UI that would work in real-time. There's still a lot of work to be done, but...]

It's a videogame.

It's not dangerous.

Installing these throughout the city shouldn't be a problem.

[If they were weaponized, maybe, but they're just a virtual projection, right? Sure, anyone who was within the projected 'world' would be stuck inside it until it turned off, but he could just make that a remote option.

...

More work to be done.]

It's going to take a while, yet. [...His tone moves to something slightly quiet, at that.]

[ A flicker of irritation crosses Aoba's face and tone, but it's short-lived. That sounds a little reckless, but also very like Noiz. He's hardly spotless himself so he really can't lecture too harshly. ]

Just because something isn't dangerous doesn't mean it's legal.

Think about it - we'll need to power them, so I wonder if it's really okay for us to just draw from the city's...

[ But it's... probably fine. Besides, it's a little late in the game to start asking those kinds of questions now. Aoba falls silent when Noiz drops his voice, watching him from over the lip of his mug as he takes a thoughtful sip. ]

...

Let's save that for another day and celebrate our success. So... how should we do that?

[ The day is pretty young, after all. ]

[He looks a little bit nonplussed at that statement, looking away from the other as he suggests that setting up VR projectors all over Riverview might still be illegal.

He COULD open his mouth and offer the simple response of a solar-powered energy source, but...

He'd have to figure that out, too. So instead, he'll turn his head to look at the other when he asks 'what they should do' to celebrate the success.]

I want to go out to eat.

[A pause.]

And then I want to take a bath with you.

[ Someone's gotta be the responsible one, but let's be honest... he didn't put up much of a fight. ]

You mean like at a restaurant?

[ He's surprised to hear that, since normally Noiz seems to be content to be something of a shut-in. It does, however, seem like a fitting reward for their hard work with the added benefit of being a break from the usual routine. Aoba twitches visibly at the second declaration, the coffee in his mug sloshing as he stifles a little ngh in shock. Noiz, is there anything besides video games and sex that you think about? It's a question he's voiced enough times so he just glares at him, his expression accusing. ]

...

What kind of food do you want?

[ Two guys bathing together is what you'd see in any public bath house, so it's not a big deal. It doesn't have to mean anything sexual. At least that would be the case for anyone but Noiz. He's wise to you... ]

[A short answer to that unvoiced question would be no. No, he doesn't think about anything other than his three main interests, so he's decided on this being what he wants.

So when Aoba doesn't protest, his mind settles on his decision.]

Something new.

[He's eaten a lot of new things since he's come to Riverview--some of which he still couldn't remember the name of. But he still had his old habit of ordering in pizza and pasta plates from places nearby.

Old habits die hard.]

I'll pay for it.

[ Aoba laughs. ]

You sure left that aperture pretty wide open, Noiz.

[ But since he has his comm device already in hand, he starts to use it to search for local places that he suspects they haven't tried yet. He hums as he swipes through options, murmuring to himself until he swipes back a screen seems to have a eureka moment. ]

Ah! There's a place where some street vendors and a thing called 'food truck' not too far from here.

[ Aoba extends his hand to relieve Noiz of his mug of coffee. Leave the cleaning up to him, but you can't go out looking like you literally just rolled out of bed. Or... the floor. ]

Get changed and we can check it out.

[He looks... down at himself. And then up at Aoba.

His clothes are... definitely rumpled and his hair could used washed, but...

Right. People usually try to make themselves look presentable when they go outside. So he nods...

And then tips his head to the side.]

I should get a bath first.

[Lookin' at you, Aoba.]

[ Aoba blinks, his head leaning to the side. He's not following. ]

Did you want to shower first? It might be a good idea, your hair looks a little --

[ And at that moment he finally gets it. Predictably, he sucks in a sharp breath as his face burns a bright red. ]

Y-you! [ He bristles, but relents. Giving a dramatic sigh to express his disapproval and insist that this be a perfectly businesslike washing up, like two guys in a public bath. Not some kind of freaky porno this perverted brat probably has in mind. Which... probably isn't all that effective. ]

....I'll wash your back but don't get any funny ideas. We're supposed to go out tonight, not fool around in the bath.

[He'll delight, for a moment, in the other's bristling and that irritated look that he gives him in response to his cheeky offer.

he raises his shoulders in a shrug, a smug smile of his own settling over his expression with a nod.]

We can fool around later. [See, he's not completely unreasonable.]

We'll get a bath and then go out. I want to wash your hair, too.

...Hmph.

[ Noiz doesn't bother hiding that expression of smug satisfaction and that makes him all the more agitated, feeling himself squirm under the weight of his own embarrassment. He'd punch him but his hands are full, so he just lifts his chin in a vaguely haughty turn away from him that is mainly just an excuse to conceal his fluster. He marches into the kitchen to deposit the mugs, giving them a rinse before leaving them there for a more thorough cleaning. ]

Go ahead, I'll follow after I set out some fresh clothes for you.

[ He says, hoping that the fact that he's quietly freaking out over the concept of Noiz washing his hair and all those nerve endings and his total lack of sensation... ]

Aa.

[He doesn't need any bigger an answer than that--moving to pull his bracelets off with a hum as he tosses them down on the floor--to which his Allmate immediately starts shuffling them into a corner with the rest of Noiz' scattered belongings.

He'll take a change of clothes out of his dresser before heading to the bathroom--including that rabbit-eared hooded sweater that Aoba had left him during the Prijata gathering when they'd first arrived.

By the time the other makes his way to their bathroom, Noiz will already be dressed in only a towel wrapped around his waist, the water already running. Every single piercing he'd removed in Aoba's memory were back in place--even the ones against the back of his neck.]

[ Aoba tries to use that time it takes to select a fresh change of clothes and undress to calm himself, but to no avail - every step he takes towards the bath, every rustle his clothes make as he sweeps off his shirt and the clatter of his belt buckle as he unfastens it makes his face grow hot. Had it just been him, or some public bath like he might find back in Midorijima, this wouldn't have been a big deal at all. But because it's Noiz, and because of his damn phrasing...!

Aoba presses his palms against his cheeks as he tells himself to cool it, and then opens the door a crack and peeks in - a towel draped in his hand in front of himself for modesty. ]

Um...

I'm coming in.

[ He says with a quick bob of his head, his smile twitching with strain as he forces the polite words out as if his heart isn't hammering wildly in his chest. Noiz looks even more intense like this - all the stark patterns and colors of his attire conceals (and protects) his sturdier figure and the gleam of those piercings - so many, too many - over his body. At one point he thought them painful to even look at, but after not having seen them in so long they are... kind of attractive. Maybe it's their absence that he's used to that makes them seem so now that they're back.

Aoba swallows thickly, thinking this is fine, this is normal... but then pushes his towel onto a nearby peg to hang it with too much force and hurry. Why is he like this?? ]

...Do you... want to wash your hair first or...?

[He turned his head a little slowly when the other finally enters--baby-green eyes focusing on the other quietly as he flusters and makes his way into the bathroom. It's funny, even now, to see how worked up the other could get over something so simple as nudity or something as innocent as taking a bath together.

Maybe that's why Noiz was so quick to suggest things like this--his own reactions to things Aoba might suggest as being Lewd barely caused a flicker to move over his own face. But seeing the emotion that he lacked so wild over another's face...

He wanted to see more of that. Even if he couldn't feel it himself--it was almost like living vicariously through the only person who ever wanted to spend time with him. Sorry, Aoba.]

Aa. [He gives a short, simple answer with a nod of his head, raising one of those scarred hands to wave Aoba over. come here.]

I can wash yours after.

[ Wow, don't look at him like he's your personal entertainment! My Little ~~Pony~~ Emotional Wreck, hot springs edition. Now in stores for a limited time only. ]

M-mn.

[ Aoba hesitates just a few seconds before bobbing his head, feeling a little ridiculous with himself. This is fine, so he should really just chill out. Be more like Noiz with his stupidly calm face. The best Aoba can manage is a flustered tone of annoyance. ]

You do everything so casually -- [ Aoba moves closer to unhook the shower head and tests the water, fully expecting it to be either too hot (which would worry him if Noiz had run his hand under it) or too cold (which just plain sucks for everyone). ]

I'm still not sure if I'm supposed to be impressed or annoyed.

[He hadn't bothered running the water yet, mostly because it honestly didn't matter if it was hot or cold. He could only feel the slight pressure of the water against his skin--so as long as the water was on, it didn't much matter to him what it felt like.

The other's comments are met with a quiet, almost questioning stare as he tips his head a little to the side, hands idle at his knees as the other expresses his likely irritation.]

...

You can be annoyed if you want.

I just don't see the reason to be nervous about this.

You've already let me know you're...

[He pauses, there's an expression on his face, like he doesn't know how to express what he's thinking.]

You care about me.

Wouldn't it be normal to return that sort of thing?

[ Ah, this is supposed to be normal, isn't it? Sometimes Aoba is so keenly aware of the difference between their timelines that he inadvertently creates rifts where they're totally unnecessary, keeping them both at a distance in a mistaken sense of courtesy or consideration for his feelings and yet...

Being from different points of a timeline, being the worrywart he can sometimes be, he ends up second-guessing himself, withdrawing or taking a step back and widening that distance out of a fear that he's pushing too hard. Being too greedy. ]

I... guess when you put it like that...

[ Aoba fiddles with the water, hiding his uncertainty by keeping his focus on this. He tests the water, adjusts... then turns to Noiz again. ]

The water's warm enough, I think. Here.

[ Lifting the shower head, he aims it down and away from hitting his face until he can tip it over his hair, soaking it and watching the messy mop plaster to his head. He hangs it up again to free his hands in the act of squeezing out some shampoo and spreading it between his hands before lifting them to Noiz' head. Carefully, he starts spreading the stuff through the light, strawberry blond hair until it foams, scrubbing gently. His tone is soft, barely audible above the running water. ]

... [ As he massages the soap into his hair, he lets himself focus on this task instead and not on his own cowardice. ]

But I more than just care, you know.

[He opens his mouth to comment that he 'can't feel it anyway' when Aoba mentions the water being 'warm' enough--but quietly decides against it once the odd, far-off sensation of the others' fingers in his hair becomes something he's aware of.
He's still not entirely jazzed on the idea of being touched, but.

Even now, he was starting to crave the attention. It was ... strange. But the more time he spent around Aoba, the more he was starting to get used to having him around.
Wanting him around and getting a little aimless when he wasn't around.

He doesn't let his eyes close as the other works the soap into his hair, and when the other mentions 'I more than just care...'

His hand reaches up to grip the others' wrist.

He's quiet, at first--with that long, nearly oppressive stare that he fixes on the other. But after a moment he speaks, his tone hushed--almost uncertain.]

I need ... you to say it plainly.

[There's a hint of something nearly desperate in his tone, but he's clearly trying to keep his voice at its usual quiet calm.]

I want to hear you say it.

[ The idea that Noiz had only lecherous thoughts when it comes to the idea of bathing together serves as more than adequate cover, Aoba's distracted enough that he doesn't notice that the touch-averse hacker wants this attention and closeness. Here he is, on guard with a scolding ready on his tongue if he so much as tries anything when Noiz really is going through his own internal crisis.

Instinctively, Aoba flusters with a note of irritability. Why is he asking this out of the blue, for him to confess so openly? ]

...Wh-why, all of the sudden...? As if it's not obvious...

[ Suddenly the rush of the water from the shower head is deafeningly loud, but not so loud as the thudding pulse in his ears. The air feels stifling hot, or maybe that's just his skin. He tightens his lips together, brows in a worried knot as he struggles with the weight of those words.

'Say it plainly'. As if it's so easy. ]

...

[ He's aware of his feelings every goddamn day, would probably feel his heart break into pieces if he says them out loud only to hear an impassive 'oh' in response. It makes him hold his voice back, the words lodging in this tightening chest.

He has to suck in a breath to force them out. It's hard. Ridiculously hard, so he finds himself dropping his forehead onto Noiz' chest, because it's always easiest when he can hide his face. ]

I'm - I love you.

[He's asking, plainly like this--because it isn't obvious. In his brain, that's been conditioned to accept that he'll forever be alone, that being alone is fine and it was better to be lonely ... is having trouble accepting the fact that there's someone else here.

There's someone else who wants to be in his life. Who gives up time and live with him, who does kind things without expecting money or information in return. He's... never met anyone like that, even when he'd become the Leader of RuffRabbit--his 'followers' only ever followed his lead for monetary gains or information about Rhyme.

Not a single one of them followed him out of interest of who he was or for his company...

So when Aoba's head rests against his chest, he's quiet as he lets those words sink in. Closing his eyes and doing his best to just... accept them as real, and not a dig for something else. A false sense of security, a lie from the mouth of someone who was just using him.

It's none of that. Aoba has proved... here, and back in Midorijima...

...

His hands finally move up, fingers almost shakily taking a rough, but (at least) not painful grip around the others' shoulders. Holding him tight, as if he's afraid the other will evaporate along with the steam.]

...Thank you.

[Probably not what Aoba wants--or even needs to hear, and it might even be somewhat offensive. ...if he were not to follow it up in the next breath:]

...Please teach me how.

I want to return it to you.

[ In the seconds (or minutes?) it takes for Noiz to answer, honestly Aoba can't tell - it feels like ages of standing before the edge of some terrifying drop. He latches onto his feelings for him and hopes it's enough. The air rushes out of his mouth when he feels the strong grip of his hands around his shoulders and he tenses, blinking at his chest. ]

...Eh?

[ Thank you? Is that... the kind of answer that would really put him at ease? He just confessed, with his insides tightening up with worry and holding his breath, only to hear words that -

Well, they make sense for Noiz, who thanks no one so directly. Rarely asks for anything, least of all politely. It's a bittersweet sensation, knowing that Noiz wants to, but that he doesn't yet.

Aoba tightens his arms around Noiz' waist in a hug, burying his face in his shoulder. There's so much going on in his head that his body doesn't know what to do with it all - his heart pounds, his skin feels cold, his stomach feels as if he dropped down several floors in a faulty elevator. It's too much, this persistent message that keeps running through his head:

You said it
You really said it
But he doesn't love you
He doesn't love you
He doesn't love you... ]

...It's okay if you don't.

It's... not something you owe me.

[ Aoba's eyes feel like they're stinging, hot and he doesn't dare open them. He naturally fixates on the worst possible outcome - that Noiz is only saying this because he feels that he owes him a debt. Knows it's not his fault he doesn't get it. He's been deprived of love from his parents, has felt little connection to people around him. Aoba realizes this is, if anything, the gentlest let down he could've asked for. But he regrets the words, if only because he feels that dream he's been living start to evaporate and his mind goes into a quiet panic. ]

[If he knew, exactly, what kind of lines of dialogue were running through Aoba's head at the moment he'd answered, he'd be ready to smack him around more than a little bit. He was taking a negative spin on the fussy, hard-to-understand Hacker's words, and while it's entirely understandable...

Noiz' request to be taught hadn't been insincere. He was never shown anything like love before. It was such an alien concept to him that having to deal with it was leaving him at a loss.

He wanted to return it to Aoba, but without any concept of understanding what it even meant...

His fingers move over Aoba's neck, and his nails dig in a little frustratedly at his response. Owe. It was hypocritical, given he always tried tor return things to others because he always viewed everything in life as give and take, owe and owed...

But this was different. Hadn't Aoba been teaching him that?]

...Oi.

Open your ears.

[His reply is quiet, but sharp in its clear irritation. The way Noiz can get simple concerns across with just a few words. That hasn't changed.]

I don't do anything unless I want to.

...Idiot.

[Read: I want to do this, and you'd better show me.]

[ Aoba feels his fingers digging into the back of his head, biting into his skin, into a few errant strands of blue hair clinging to his neck that happen to stand in the way. Half moons are driven into them both and Aoba feels himself quake all the way down to the end of his spine in response. It hurts a little, tingles a lot. More importantly, it jolts him out of that broken record of negativity that cycles in his brain.

He said -

Open your ears
I don't do anything unless I want to
...I want to

Aoba's eyes widen, well up with tears and he feels big drops, stinging and wet, fall and splash down his cheeks. He stiffs, too hard not to be a telltale sign and tries to reign in his emotions - too little too late - and brings a forced joy to his tone that cracks on the highest of those strained notes.
]

Do you really...

[ Aoba grips his back, his fingers digging into his skin until he realizes it's to no avail - he won't feel the impressions his blunted nails leave in half-moons on his back. So he releases his grip in increments, his feelings leaking out instead through his eyes. When he drops back, he tucks his chin in low enough that it's a struggle to see his face clearly. ]

D-dammit, you've got shampoo in my eyes, I can't wash it out on my own - where's the water?

[ He'd dropped the shower head so it's hanging somewhere. ]

Edited (clarification) 2017-09-07 10:31 (UTC)

[closed] I make a circle above your culture

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