twostringsonebow

[Goro wonders if he's misstepped when there's no response, no quip or anything in reply, the world remarkably off-kilter... or at least it feels it, like there's nothing beneath him, and then his phone vibrates and he sees the text.

He laughs, sure, but the back of his neck's heating up again, ears joining it this time. Ah, hum. The feeling of disappointment isn't one he's unfamiliar with, and... he'd meant it as their usual banter, he's pretty sure, but it feels odd now. Mm, mm, what now.]

Since we're partners, [he decides to clarify, stepping away as if investigating the other side of the small room is the most important thing in the world. What costumes these are. Wow. Fascinating.] Your cat couldn't come anyway.

[Moving back to safety.]

[ WAS THAT NOT A NORMAL RESPONSE FROM HIM? Akira can feel the shift in atmosphere and his muscles tense in turn. He definitely messed up. Big time. What to do...? His brain scrambles as he nervously rubs his neck. The video is starting to jumble in with his thoughts, so he finally pulls the plug on the laptop and end their misery. It's another mistake—now they're brewing in this awkward silence.

How can he salvage this? His eyes wander around the room on his side, finding nothing interesting. Letting out a shaky sigh, he starts. ]

I'll go with you. [ He clears his throat once, twice before. The smile stays plastered on his lips, though more out of embarrassment than bravado. Quietly, he makes his way beside Goro to examine the costumes for the nth time. ] Even when we're not partners.

So stop going after my cat.

[ Bumping their shoulders together, he wants to emphasize that last part for some humor. ]

[IT WAS, BUT. He doesn't know, god. Don't ever make him explain anything, it's going to turn into a lot of winding words that try to find the answer on the way to the actual point.

Goro tucks some hair behind his ear, aware it's definitely his fault it went this way this time, and chuckles politely, nodding. It does help to ease the tension in his shoulders though, exhaling softly as it goes. He's fine, it's fine.

... Which is exactly as it's going to stay, because he is very determined not to say Maybe if you were as cute as your cat, I'd go after you instead just in case that sends this back to weirdville.]

Did you finish taking pictures?

[ Stop hitting on him in your head!! The air around them is back to being comfortable. Whew. Akira takes one last look around the room before nodding. ]

We shouldn't stick around for too long, but before we leave...

[ There is another reason he invited Goro with him aside from his intellect and expertise. With a raised hand, he gently caresses his cheek and guides him by the chin to face him. They're subtle movements, feather light, almost like a ghost's touch. Unfortunately, what comes next is not as gentle and sweet. Akira abruptly slaps him in a flash and it makes quite the sound. It may sting, but there's no lingering pain.

Time to check his digital bingo card. Looking good. Eyes bright, he looks back to Goro in high spirits. ]

Thanks. We can head out now.

[The heart caught in his throat is resoundingly slam dunked into his stomach, eyes wide as he turns back to face Akira with a hand raising to his cheek.

... Oh. Oh, that's dirty, and he purses his lips for a moment before the hand winds back and he has absolutely no issues with slapping Akira right back; it's a pain that's going to last longer than the stinging in his cheek, and Goro's smile tight as he flips back to his bingo and checks it out. Wonderful, another done.]

Let's.

[And he's going to start heading out! A little embittered by the most petty thing of this wasn't just to hang out, it was to do the stupid bingo. Sheesh. He canceled money for this.]

[ Ah... Akira doesn't mind at all, but he does feel a small hint of spiteful force behind the swing. What did he do wrong this time?! Holding onto his cheek, he follows Goro without question, but does look behind them every so often just in case. When the door even cracks open a sliver, he can feel the piping hot summer air wisp in. It's... Gross. It's even worse when he feels that smoldering heat brush against his wounded cheek.

He grimaces, reluctant to leave suddenly, but they're out. Back under the baking sun, he's already tugging his shirt to get some ventilation going. Right. The person next to him is probably microwaving. ]

I had a lot of fun. [ Sincerely. Running fingers through his own hair, he's trying to force something out of his throat. ] If... you're still free...

[ He wants to ask if they could spend some more time, maybe get some shaved ice or some lemonade. Whatever it takes to counter the heat. ]

[He's free the rest of the day. There's literally nothing stopping him from spending more time with Akira, nothing but his slight irritation being magnified by the heat he's only got himself to fault for, and Goro pulls his hood down to try and cool off the smallest bit.

It doesn't work, of course, but it was worth a shot.]

Don't force yourself to spend time with me if you don't want to, Kurusu.

[It's more quiet, less sharp than he'd intended, and he frowns at the ground. He can't even stay properly peeved at Akira. That's pathetic. He rubs his cheek, the sting similarly dislike summer.]

Ah, sorry. The heat must be getting to me. [Goro smiles apologetically, but he's still not looking at Akira.] I had fun too, even if it was only for the bingo thing happening at the moment! Make sure you drink plenty of water, this summer's really going to kill you otherwise.

[Like Akira's the one wearing a hoodie, no matter how light it is. ... On the bright side, he never said he wasn't still free, but.]

[ Oh. He knows this song too well and his heart practically sinks. Even before Goro can really establish an answer, he can feel the twinge of rejection. It's a painful, but nostalgic feeling... it puts him in his place, forcing him to disconnect from this altogether to save face. Of course Goro would prefer not to hang out with him—the young man is busy, well-liked, probably showered by his peers. It's easier to cope like this, makes listening to him easier to stomach, too.

Except this is kind of strange? Bingo...? Akira squints for a bit as it runs through his mind. His shoulders drop in relief once this pieces together, smiling all the same. However, he has to inwardly chant a thousand times over for courage. ]

So you're free. [ That's what it sounds like! Carefully and swiftly, he links their arms and starts leading them. ] By the way, I would have invited you even if it wasn't for bingo.

[ "I want to spend time with you" is written all over his actions, his words, and his face. ]

[It jerks him, quite literally, out of his funk and into the realm of surprise.]

Ah, really. [Akira wants to spend time with him. Oh, he's kind of thankful the sun is beating down on them now, and that he has a hoodie. Not that it stops the same heart stutters from before, but you can't have it all.] It just... kind of sounded like you were struggling to extend our time together, so I...

[Thought it was a chore for you, he leaves aside, shaking his head. He unlinks their arms just to take off his hoodie, a short sleeved button down beneath, and folds it over his free one as he moves closer again. He's not completely dying now!]

That's a little better. I wish I'd thought to put my hair up, though, that would've been smart.

I—[ didn't want to be a burden. ] It's the heat.

[ The heat made him struggle saying it. That's totally it? Now that everything is cleared up, he doesn't need to link arms and force Goro along with him. He slides his hands into his pockets, idly tapping the tip of his toes against the concrete. It's not wrong to say the heat is making him sluggish... It's already taking its toll with beads of sweat rolling down his back. ]

I'm sure you'll live. [ Since they're going to places with air conditioning, anyway. ] Ice cream, smoothies, or my place?

[ The last option is not meant to be forward at all. It's an invitation to see his cat. ]

Yours.

[Immediate, because he wants to see the cat. Also, it's vaguely more permanent than the other two (loitering is permitted in residences so long as the residers agree) and... a part of him would like to see it in general, yes.]

If that's really alright, of course. [Because he's belatedly realized it might've been a joke. Maybe. He's polite.]

Yeah, it's fine.

[ Akira has the money to loiter, but he doesn't mind heading back home. His place is cool, fridge filled with food, then there's the soft comforts of his bed... Snapping out of his daydream, he leads them there via public transport or whatever means that would let them suffer less.

When he opens the door to his lovely abode, there's the sound of quick padded scampering. In a flash, Morrigan is there to greet them like this until Akira hoists him up. His piercing grey eyes are on Goro now that he notices him, never blinking. ]

He's kind of loud. Sorry.

[ While supporting Morrigan with one hand, he uses the other to ease off his shoes. Slippers. Slippers for everyone. He plops some guest slippers right in front of Goro. ]

[Ah, oh no, that's so cute, Goro's trying not to internally combust, he's going to trade his shoes for the offered slippers.]

It's fine. [It's adorable. Oh no. They really do resemble each other now, black fur next to white, grey piercing eyes...

... More importantly, he's really thankful to be out of the heat? Oh god, he's in Akira's house now, he jumped to step six. This is. This is fine.] I think it's nice to have someone so loud to come home to, really. You can tell he loves you a lot.

You think so? But he doesn't let me kiss him.

[ He holds Morrigan out to look at him straight in the eyes. Of course the cat only looks back and meows loudly, not liking this at all. Here we go, trying to kiss the kitty. Almost instantly, he's met with soft paws against his lips—rejected.

They stay like that, picture perfect, until Akira breaks away to address his guest like a good host. ]

Do you want some watermelon?

[That's so

endearing, or maybe it's just that way to him, chuckling lightly behind his hand. There's an idea forming in his mind, something he should probably feel bad about taking advantage of, but it's nearly irresistible. Just. He just needs to find the courage for it, which he will bolster while they hang out.]

I'd love some, thank you. As well as the chance to endear myself to your cat.

[Ah... he should sit somewhere, shouldn't he, don't be awkward and just stand around it's fine. Um.]

Go ahead.

[ As in make yourself at home, pet his cat, turn on the TV, lounge on the couch—whatever you want? Akira's place is rather nice, a little on the high-end side as a result of his parents' hard work... Though lacking in family photos as a whole. There are some, at least. He leads Goro to the kitchen, adjacent to the living room where the flat screen and sofas reside. The meow also follows along, too, but watches the guest carefully before weaving between his ankles. Is it difficult to advance any further? Too bad. Kitty meows loudly for attention.

No one's watching, Goro. Akira's on watermelon duty, so his back is facing him as he takes out the large melon and searches for knife to use. ]

You really are loud.

[To the cat, obviously, and leans down to pick Morrigan up if he'll allow it; otherwise he's content to let the cat wind around his legs as he goes to sit on the sofa, doing his best not to stumble.

Once there, he'll cater to Morrigan's whims with one hand and pretend to be busy with his phone with the other, sneaking glances at Akira while he's clearly not looking. Stay calm, be confident. That's the key to deceit. It's not like it's anything harmful anyway, just... embarrassing if he gets called out on it, if something goes awry and he has to fess up, but who cares about Goro's dignity anyway.

Opens his mouth, shuts it. No, it can wait. It's gonna have to, he's going to get out his nervous energy on Morrigan, enjoy those scratches.]

[ Morrigan is a people cat, so he allows Goro to pick him up. The meowing stops when he's showered in affection. Kitty is happy, so he presses his face against Goro's side and takes a nap. It takes Akira several minutes to prepare the watermelon. Bless Silver for getting him another. What a great friend? Deep down, he's hopeful that maybe they'll be like that... Friends that buy and prepare each other fruit (don't judge him; it's important).

The slices sit on the plate as he cleans the knife, washes his hands, and throws away the rind. When the kitchen is back to being pristine, Akira slides beside his guest with plate in tow. ]

Something on your mind?

[ Someone's posture reeks of anxiety. ]

[Is it obvious. It's so obvious. Calm down, you're gonna give yourself away before anything even happens.]

No, not... particularly, I'm just... [... Honesty will certainly make him look fucking pathetic he can't have that.

So he sighs, resting his head back against the couch and smiling in resignation. It'll be a good excuse to step away from the pitiful truth that he's actually never been to someone's house to hang out or anything before, and maybe he'll get what he wants out of it.] I have another square I'd like your help with, Akira. But it's alright if you say no once you hear it.

[ Oh? Akira situates the plate of watermelon onto the coffee table in front of them, of course only after taking a slice for himself and munching on it as Goro suffers through his words. He doesn't think much of it. Doesn't see a reason to poke fun at him, either.

There's a hum as the request comes, more nibbling in between as he gets a second slice. He's not disappointed or put off by the prospect of helping out with bingo. If anything, he's glad to be useful. If there's something he can do— ]

I'll hear you out.

[ There are no doubts in his mind. It might also be fun? He's taken the bingo cards as ways to engage with the Retrospec community, anyway. ]

[There's a pause, cheeks turning pink as he flips to his phone's camera feature, a hesitantly hopeful smile on his face.]

It says I have to take a selfie with someone. I know some people don't like having their pictures taken, but if you're not against it...

Is that all?

[ While Akira doesn't have a lot of friends, he takes enough selfies with his cat. Let him finish this slice of watermelon first. It's only a photo, so he huddles closer to his guest in preparation for this selfie. He can tell from Goro's gestures that if they don't get this right the first time, he might die from embarrassment.

It's fine. No fear! He puts on a confident smile. ]

Ready.

[Is that all and Goro doesn't have a lot of time to steel his nerves, but he manages to fish out a charming kind of smile, a kind of genuine excitement coursing through him as he presses their shoulders together and takes the shot.

... He's a tad slow to move away, mostly because of Morrigan, but the back of his phone faces Akira as he "checks" his bingo, humming with satisfaction, and sets it on the coffee table while he helps himself to a rewarding slice of watermelon.]

Thank you. For all my experience with cameras, I can't say I'm used to taking mundane pictures like that. You seem quite used to it though.

I usually take them with my cat.

[ There's no shame in that, really? Plenty of people take photos with their pets, so he's not embarrassed. Akira does not even think about budging from his place. Instead, he leans against him trying to get a look at his phone, but he just... puts it on the table?? Akira is confused.

There is an important step in selfies Goro forgot to take—letting those involved see it. He looks at the phone, then looks at Goro, and finally looks up to the ceiling. Oh well. ]

You should take more selfies. I'm sure your fans would like them.

[... Did he miss a step, why is Akira still against him, why is he confused why is he looking at

oh

oh is there another part to taking selfies. Oh. He has missed a step and he knows what it is, would it be weird to rectify it now. Nibbling on the slice, he decides not and picks his phone back up, maneuvering to his gallery and nudging Akira's shoulder lightly.]

I like taking pictures of food and latte art more than myself. [He's one of those people with Instagrams filled with it. It's why his Retrospec icon is of one, and he's not sure he wants to change it.] But I'll think about it. You're probably right that my fans would appreciate it.

[This one came out well enough, after all. For him personally.]

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