[ this isn't a compliment, ryuji. he doesn't know any better, puffing up to his full height, which...still isn't impressive, if he still has to look up to yusuke. damn it. ]
... [ ... ] ... [ he squints down at yusuke's hand, uncomprehending. who needs chroma? he's got plenty! even after yesterday's preemptive shopping spree, he's richer than he's ever been. who does this guy think he is? ] WOW, GET YOUR OWN RAMEN TOO, THIS SHIT'S MINE.
[ ryuji is: partially calm. loud, but calm. progress is progress, no matter how small. ]
[He sets his hands on Ryuji's shoulders to try and steer him in while he's feeling more agreeable. There's really no need to shout so the whole neighbourhood can hear, buddy.]
[ he'll shout if he wants to! he'll leave his friends behind! ]
THE HELL, YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST COME IN HERE AND BOSS ME AROUND!?
[ ryuji stands firm. after days with no human contact, it's not unpleasant, if he's being honest, but it doesn't mean it's what he's wanting, either. or so he'll tell himself. ]
[He stops pushing him, at least, but he doesn't drop his hands from his shoulders. You're getting some calming moonlacing whether you like it or not, buddy.]
No, I don't. I'm merely trying to assist you. What do you want to do, Ryuji?
[Well, he's making less progress on this than he expected, but Ryuji isn't outright attacking him, either, for all that he seems to want to. Maybe he should change tack and try something a little different.]
My apologies, but please allow me to be forward for a moment. [He moves to put his arms around Ryuji and pull him into a hug. Maybe this will be enough to get him to settle down.]
[ oh. okay. this is happening. they can still do these things?
they've done way more than this, but it disarms ryuji all the same. he doesn't really move, but he slumps in place, and it isn't long until his head's on the other's shoulder, flustered. here he'd thought their affections were at an end... ]
...dude. [ what does he say to this, as easily overwhelmed as he is? ] This better not be your gift...
[Yusuke is lightly teasing, patting him on the back. This level of intimacy alone would have been unimaginable back home in most circumstances, but here, the uses for moonlacing make all sorts of casual touches worthwhile. That Ryuji relaxes is proof enough for him.]
[ who knew they could ever be this close? still, the fact that yusuke smells so different now—the same, but not the same—is the biggest surprise here. it won't stop ryuji from shamelessly snuffling inward, but there's disappointment here, hidden in his concealed frown. everything's changed, and he can't tell how good or bad this is just yet.
underneath his ire, though, he's happy to see a familiar face. ]
Better be worth it, or I'm still gonna knock you into next week.
Continue to threaten me, and I won't give you anything.
[So he says, but there's a small smile on his face as he draws back and reaches into his jacket. He produces a handmade card, depicting a traditional-style golden dragon above a stormy ocean, which according to the signature, Yusuke painted himself. And inside the card is... some kind of ticket?]
It is a day pass for the largest arcade in PrismaPlace, or so I have been informed. [Yusuke is an old man who knows literally nothing about this stuff, he just knows Ryuji likes it.] For one day of your choosing, it will admit you and one other person from opening until closing hours.
[ it only takes a few choice words for ryuji to puff up and growl again, and he's a hair away from socking one to yusuke while his guard's down—but the card lowers his guard, too, at the sight of the dragon. something about it eases him, though it'd be beyond him to explain why...he flips it over in his hand from claw to delicate claw, daring not to graze the surface any more than he has to.
as for what's within: ]
Whoa! NO WAY! [ all day! how expense are these? until recently, ryuji counted himself lucky any time he could squeeze in to one of more...run-down game centers for a way lower cost, and way worse games. ] How'd you swing this! These things cost out the ass!
Well, thanks to you and a few others, I am rather blessed with Chroma funds at the moment...
[Yusuke says it with a blush, cheeks reddening. Prismatica is a far cry from his starving artist days back home, that much is obvious.] Paying for it was no problem at all, so please go ahead and enjoy yourself.
[ ryuji's eyes roll up while he works this one out. after settling back in at home before the moon began to rise and fill, he'd never bothered to check on his own chroma count...maybe he's due to buy something extravagant for himself, too, as a treat.
more deep thoughts are prompted after he remembers that it's a pass for two. ]
Huh, who should I bring, though...
[ he takes a long look at yusuke...
...no, that's definitely not his scene. it'd be worth a laugh, but hardly worth the price of admission. this'll take some consideration on his part. ]
[Yusuke tilts his head and smiles at the long look Ryuji gives him.]
I'd suggest Futaba, but I can only imagine she is terribly competitive about games. [And would probably beat Ryuji at most games, honestly.] How about Ren?
[Totally an innocent suggestion! No ulterior motive here.]
Hey, you're right... [ plus he doesn't meet up with futaba as often as he should. sounds like a no-brainer to ryuji, who's narrowed it down to one single aspect: ] Heheh, I'm gonna whip her ASS!
[ at games. he'll whip it at games, of course. even if a little deranged, ryuji has his limits on who he's going to hit. someone like futaba definitely doesn't qualify.
then again, as soon as yusuke says the magic word: ]
Uh, why Ren? We play games all the time, dude.
[ or they used to...until recently. why go to the arcade for that when they can bring the experience to them? if they ever pick the hobby back up, anyway. it might not be for a while. ]
Have you played games here before? I hear the experience for some of those games is completely different, and it is fully immersive. It's not quite like the console Ren had in his room.
[Or anything their world has to offer, really.]
Surely the fact it's a favoured pastime of yours and Ren's is all the more reason to go together.
[ it's more like ann took him, at her insistence, but. details. ]
Pfft, what, like some kinda... [ ryuji wrinkles his nose before he can actually say it. friends go out together all the time, and that's all he and ren are, for sure, but... ] ...rgh... [ he shakes his head briskly, as though this is what'll knock the distasteful word out of his mouth. ] ...d-date!?
[ was that so hard? he's reading way too much into it. he could give this pass to anyone! ]
[ and before ryuji can think better of it, running his big old sanguis mouth: ]
We talk about it, too, it's whatever...
[ to distract himself he crunches down on the last bits of ramen he's still holding onto. it's become a lot less interesting to him, but he may as well finish it if he's devoured this much of it in one go. ]
[ great! this space is still all ryuji's, anyway. no one else's! ]
Not like you haven't peeked in on all our talkin'. [ from both points of view, at that. if ryuji were more in his right mind he'd worry about the potential advantages yusuke could hold over him... ] So yeah, it's whatever!
[ whatever, it's complex! it's not like he hasn't tried to help ren any, but at the same time, knowing what he knows now leaves it all the more bittersweet. ryuji chews and chews, and he thinks... ]
Shit, fine, I'll think about it...!
[ someday. maybe. not right now. strange how this leaves ryuji all the more lucid, and he spends a long moment continuing to think, flicking crumbs off of himself. this nastiness has only just begun, but: ]
So you just gonna stand there, or...
[ does yusuke have time? even if he doesn't, the guy deserves something for his trouble. ryuji heavily trudges back inside nonetheless, the door left wide open. ]
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HELL YEAH I'M CHARMING...!
[ this isn't a compliment, ryuji. he doesn't know any better, puffing up to his full height, which...still isn't impressive, if he still has to look up to yusuke. damn it. ]
... [ ... ] ... [ he squints down at yusuke's hand, uncomprehending. who needs chroma? he's got plenty! even after yesterday's preemptive shopping spree, he's richer than he's ever been. who does this guy think he is? ] WOW, GET YOUR OWN RAMEN TOO, THIS SHIT'S MINE.
[ ryuji is: partially calm. loud, but calm. progress is progress, no matter how small. ]
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[He sets his hands on Ryuji's shoulders to try and steer him in while he's feeling more agreeable. There's really no need to shout so the whole neighbourhood can hear, buddy.]
Let's go inside, shall we?
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[ he'll shout if he wants to! he'll leave his friends behind! ]
THE HELL, YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST COME IN HERE AND BOSS ME AROUND!?
[ ryuji stands firm. after days with no human contact, it's not unpleasant, if he's being honest, but it doesn't mean it's what he's wanting, either. or so he'll tell himself. ]
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No, I don't. I'm merely trying to assist you. What do you want to do, Ryuji?
[Hint: 'fight' is not the correct answer.]
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[ isn't it, though? ]
I wanna kick your ASS, you stupid—...
[ anyone will do! he growls, pushing forward, the unstoppable force against an immovable object. ]
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[Immovable object indeed.] Surely you'd rather spend your birthday on festivities rather than conflict.
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[ this prompts a blank, vacant stare out of ryuji. his canines stick out of his mouth, even when it's stunned shut. ]
Ain't fighting... [ he trails off. open, shut. ] Festive?
[ is it not? it sounded like a great time just a second ago. ]
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[Well, he's making less progress on this than he expected, but Ryuji isn't outright attacking him, either, for all that he seems to want to. Maybe he should change tack and try something a little different.]
My apologies, but please allow me to be forward for a moment. [He moves to put his arms around Ryuji and pull him into a hug. Maybe this will be enough to get him to settle down.]
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...?!
[ oh. okay. this is happening. they can still do these things?
they've done way more than this, but it disarms ryuji all the same. he doesn't really move, but he slumps in place, and it isn't long until his head's on the other's shoulder, flustered. here he'd thought their affections were at an end... ]
...dude. [ what does he say to this, as easily overwhelmed as he is? ] This better not be your gift...
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[Yusuke is lightly teasing, patting him on the back. This level of intimacy alone would have been unimaginable back home in most circumstances, but here, the uses for moonlacing make all sorts of casual touches worthwhile. That Ryuji relaxes is proof enough for him.]
I do have something else for you, however.
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S-stop puttin' words in my mouth...
[ who knew they could ever be this close? still, the fact that yusuke smells so different now—the same, but not the same—is the biggest surprise here. it won't stop ryuji from shamelessly snuffling inward, but there's disappointment here, hidden in his concealed frown. everything's changed, and he can't tell how good or bad this is just yet.
underneath his ire, though, he's happy to see a familiar face. ]
Better be worth it, or I'm still gonna knock you into next week.
[ he wouldn't.
he might. ]
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[So he says, but there's a small smile on his face as he draws back and reaches into his jacket. He produces a handmade card, depicting a traditional-style golden dragon above a stormy ocean, which according to the signature, Yusuke painted himself. And inside the card is... some kind of ticket?]
It is a day pass for the largest arcade in PrismaPlace, or so I have been informed. [Yusuke is an old man who knows literally nothing about this stuff, he just knows Ryuji likes it.] For one day of your choosing, it will admit you and one other person from opening until closing hours.
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[ it only takes a few choice words for ryuji to puff up and growl again, and he's a hair away from socking one to yusuke while his guard's down—but the card lowers his guard, too, at the sight of the dragon. something about it eases him, though it'd be beyond him to explain why...he flips it over in his hand from claw to delicate claw, daring not to graze the surface any more than he has to.
as for what's within: ]
Whoa! NO WAY! [ all day! how expense are these? until recently, ryuji counted himself lucky any time he could squeeze in to one of more...run-down game centers for a way lower cost, and way worse games. ] How'd you swing this! These things cost out the ass!
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[Yusuke says it with a blush, cheeks reddening. Prismatica is a far cry from his starving artist days back home, that much is obvious.] Paying for it was no problem at all, so please go ahead and enjoy yourself.
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Oh...yeah, guess so...
[ ryuji's eyes roll up while he works this one out. after settling back in at home before the moon began to rise and fill, he'd never bothered to check on his own chroma count...maybe he's due to buy something extravagant for himself, too, as a treat.
more deep thoughts are prompted after he remembers that it's a pass for two. ]
Huh, who should I bring, though...
[ he takes a long look at yusuke...
...no, that's definitely not his scene. it'd be worth a laugh, but hardly worth the price of admission. this'll take some consideration on his part. ]
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I'd suggest Futaba, but I can only imagine she is terribly competitive about games. [And would probably beat Ryuji at most games, honestly.] How about Ren?
[Totally an innocent suggestion! No ulterior motive here.]
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Hey, you're right... [ plus he doesn't meet up with futaba as often as he should. sounds like a no-brainer to ryuji, who's narrowed it down to one single aspect: ] Heheh, I'm gonna whip her ASS!
[ at games. he'll whip it at games, of course. even if a little deranged, ryuji has his limits on who he's going to hit. someone like futaba definitely doesn't qualify.
then again, as soon as yusuke says the magic word: ]
Uh, why Ren? We play games all the time, dude.
[ or they used to...until recently. why go to the arcade for that when they can bring the experience to them? if they ever pick the hobby back up, anyway. it might not be for a while. ]
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[Or anything their world has to offer, really.]
Surely the fact it's a favoured pastime of yours and Ren's is all the more reason to go together.
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I took Ann once...
[ it's more like ann took him, at her insistence, but. details. ]
Pfft, what, like some kinda... [ ryuji wrinkles his nose before he can actually say it. friends go out together all the time, and that's all he and ren are, for sure, but... ] ...rgh... [ he shakes his head briskly, as though this is what'll knock the distasteful word out of his mouth. ] ...d-date!?
[ was that so hard? he's reading way too much into it. he could give this pass to anyone! ]
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[Ryuji, this is what he believes Futaba would call a "self-own". Though he doesn't say as much, his expression is telling.]
Of course, what you decide is your choice. But he has missed you, and I am sure you would both appreciate the time together.
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[ ryuji's more than willing to let basically all of that go until the last part, because yusuke's set him up, obviously... ]
Missed who? I see that clown all the time!
[ once a week, at least! moving out of his temporary cafe room doesn't mean he never drops by! and unannounced, to boot! ]
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[It might not be quite as extreme as the way he misses Morgana, but the cat is a special case.]
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No duh, I've seen that...
[ and before ryuji can think better of it, running his big old sanguis mouth: ]
We talk about it, too, it's whatever...
[ to distract himself he crunches down on the last bits of ramen he's still holding onto. it's become a lot less interesting to him, but he may as well finish it if he's devoured this much of it in one go. ]
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[He'll just... make a face and step back while he finishes cronching on that ramen. u nasty]
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[ great! this space is still all ryuji's, anyway. no one else's! ]
Not like you haven't peeked in on all our talkin'. [ from both points of view, at that. if ryuji were more in his right mind he'd worry about the potential advantages yusuke could hold over him... ] So yeah, it's whatever!
[ whatever, it's complex! it's not like he hasn't tried to help ren any, but at the same time, knowing what he knows now leaves it all the more bittersweet. ryuji chews and chews, and he thinks... ]
Shit, fine, I'll think about it...!
[ someday. maybe. not right now. strange how this leaves ryuji all the more lucid, and he spends a long moment continuing to think, flicking crumbs off of himself. this nastiness has only just begun, but: ]
So you just gonna stand there, or...
[ does yusuke have time? even if he doesn't, the guy deserves something for his trouble. ryuji heavily trudges back inside nonetheless, the door left wide open. ]
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