twostringsonebow

[It's almost like Morrigan's trying to cheer him on..! He'll take it to heart, sighing like it's just so obvious that Akira's not the third wheel.]

Well, I was expecting for it to be just the two of us -- you and I, not your cat and I. Though I have been meaning to drop by to hang out with him.

[He just... hasn't.]

[ He knows he isn't the third wheel, but he can't not take opportunities to call Goro a catfucker. They're at the skirts of the park now, obviously empty of people. They don't even need to wait in line for the slide. ]

Thank you for your reassurance. My heart is at ease now that you see me as a person and not just Morrigan's minion.

[ Morrigan meows anyway. Hm... Should they hit the swing set? He's pondering. ]

[join the catfuckers akira]

You might as well be, with how he's got you under his paw.

[... The swings would be fun, but would that be too juvenile for them. Maybe they should just sit in the grass and watch the stars? That's romantic. But what if Morrigan got out? That'd be bad. Oh, or maybe the merry-go-round thing, that wouldn't be a mistake.]

It's so different at night, isn't it... [The park.] Peaceful. You can kind of forget the sky's not its normal color too, since it's just darkness.

[ no he is their only ally now ]

Yeah, I like it... You can't see that many stars, but at least it's something.

[ Much to Goro's dismay, Akira releases his cat into the wild!! Morrigan plops onto the ground, landing on his paws without any casulaties, and only rolls around on the dewy grass for a bit. Akira is usually a little more careful with his weird habits and gestures, but it may be the time of day (night?) affecting him. ]

Let's go on the slide.

[ Well... At least one of them is taking initiative (he has already made his way to the structure with his cat tailing after him really closely). Are they adults? Maybe, but Akira is a child at heart. ]

[for now*]

The slide? Really?

[... Morrigan being out is to such his dismay, but he's tailing along?? That's adorable. Goro will reluctantly follow as well.]

I can't imagine it's going to be much fun, but you're welcome to prove me wrong.

[ Akira and cat will never part except for school and work sometimes. He climbs the structure while Morrigan watches curiously. In a couple of seconds, the cat somehow gets up there and waits by Akira's ankles. ]

It'll be fun. I promise.

[ HERE. HE'S OFFERING A HAND. Take the first step into hell, Goro Akechi. ]

[There could be no better way to possibly get hurt. This thing was not intended for two eighteen year old boys and a cat, and yet Goro takes Akira's hand and helps himself up wordlessly. Hoo boy. Hoo boy, he held his crush's hand for a few seconds and he is so self-consciously quick in it being just that.

Wow him, Akira.]

[ It's all right. Akira lets go of Goro's hand when he's up, but ushers him to the slide before gently pushing him down. It's a medium-sized playground, so it isn't too bad, but definitely nothing to rave about. After that, Akira will slide down right after... But ends up sliding faster and knocks Goro off with him.

With a loud meow, Morrigan paces around at the top, but follows after them. With a plop, he lands into the greatest comfort—Akira's arms. ]

Maybe I should have waited.

[ Maybe. ]

[Whee. Wow. Amazing. Just like childhood, getting knocked off by another kid and everything. At least this ground is comfier? No, still a rough landing, there is no comfy sort of ground. He's going to scoot away to stand, laughing a bit at the assessment.]

I think so as well. [Maybe. Akira. Maybe.] That wasn't as fun as you promised me either, you know.

[ Unlike Goro, Akira stays on the ground flat on his back and cat in his arms. Morrigan looks over to him before meowing, almost claiming Akira as his fortress. There's a gentle smile on his face as he lets out a deep exhale, looking up at the small amount of stars in the dark sky. ]

You're laughing. I think that's mission accomplished.

[This

is a seriously bad time to think about how pretty Akira is. And to be lowkey jealous of his favorite cat. Goro looks away, glancing over the park before letting his eyes return to his friend, huffing softly.]

You're being generous with yourself. [...] Need a hand?

[ Kicking his legs up and down, he looks over to Goro when he speaks. It doesn't seem like he has any plans on standing back up, but... Despite the fatigue and nice cool sand against his back. He raises a hand up into the air, expecting Goro to take it and help him up. Morrigan is familiar with this gesture and decides to hop off the Akira train. ]

Don't you think laughter is a good indicator of happiness?

[ If you troll him while pulling him up, he'll destroy you. ]

Laughter is indicative of a lot of things, Akira. People can be angry when they laugh, nervous laughter isn't uncommon, and it's even present when people are fearful or crying. It's simply an expelling of emotion.

[Goro takes his hand and helps him up, because he's not an asshole, though he doesn't let go or move away so quickly this time, smirking slightly.]

Mine, however, was because I thought your impatience and lack of foresight hilarious. And oddly charming.

[So something like happiness, maybe, but mostly because Akira's stupid. He lets go after that, turning to survey their next conquest. Swings? Stargazing?]

I'll take that as a compliment and that you're enjoying yourself.

[ In the expense of himself, he doesn't mind. It's not at all humiliating. He uses Goro as leverage to pull himself up with little trouble. Even when their hands should part, he holds on, squeezing it once to indicate he's still the winner in the end. Don't worry, he'll let go of that delicate maiden hand of his.

Can Goro's cocky smirk compete with Akira's satisfied smile? Well, he sports on that smile despite everything. ]

Have something in mind?

[ Since he has been graciously indulged, he decides to pay in kind. Morrigan meows before weaving around Goro's ankles, looking up curiously and he stops. ]

[Always have to have the last metaphorical word, don't you Akira. Goro rubs his hands a bit, trying not to smile too wide, and shakes his head.]

Not really. I'd like to take a turn on that spinning thing, I think -- the carousal, I think it's called? Or... what was it. Roundabout. Which is a funny thing to call it, really, it's nothing a child would think fun.

[So carousal it is. He crouches a little to pet Morrigan, humming softly.]

I don't think Morrigan would have as much fun on it as he did the slide though. Would you? It's dizzying even for humans, I can't imagine how a cat might find it.

The roundabout it is—he's smart enough not to get on it if it starts moving.

[ They venture to the carousel where the bars are ready to support them. Akira grabs onto one as he take a step onto the platform then notices Morrigan already climbing onto it. GENTLY, he nudges kitty off with his foot, but he climbs back with a long, defiant meow. Akira only stares at his cat... And their eyes lock, as if there's a mental battle for power happening in some other realm.

Like owner, like cat—c'est la vie. ]

He'll learn his lesson. [ Even if Goro isn't on yet, he spins the carousel a bit to scare Morri off. It works!! ] Are you going to hop on? Please don't throw up, just as a reminder.

Oh, I won't. I don't get sick when I'm dizzy.

[Like, thankfully. He'll hop on while it's still moving, his sudden weight pulling it faster for a moment before it starts to slow again.]

Joining me?

[ Wait... Does he get sick when he feels dizzy? He should have thought this through, but he joins in on the fun, making sure to to kick them off with a even faster spin. The carousel, roundabout, whatever you want to call it, whirls almost out of control.

When it stops, Akira is clinging onto the rails. Dying. Mistakes were made. ]

[Meanwhile, Goro's grinning ear to ear and putting his hair in place, taking one look at Akira and unsuccessfully keeping his laughter in check, trying to keep it pressed behind his hand.]

Are you-- are you okay, Akira? You look, um, a little winded.

[ Akira can't answer at the moment. His body sways side to side despite his feet being firmly planted onto the platform. Goodbye, a second time. He slowly drops to his knees...

And plops onto his side. He needs some time to recover again. ]

[... There he goes. Wow. He really did not take that well.

Goro'll carefully make his way over, glancing at Morrigan, and sit next to Akira. What's he. Do. What are comforting words. Um. Wait, maybe comforting action? Would it be okay to pat him. No. Yes?]

You shouldn't have gone so fast if you couldn't handle it, Akira. [... scolding, gentle scolding will work.] What were you thinking?

[ It's not that bad, so he recovers eventually. When his vision isn't spinning, he looks over and up to Goro when he gets scolded. What. A. Nag. ]

I thought it would be fun... There's no point in spinning so slow, right?

[ Let him worm his way closer. Morrigan, now seeing the roundabout as a safe structure, hops onto it to accompany them. ]

Well, yes, there's not. But still.

[What if he'd fallen in a worse way? Not that anything truly bad could come of it, but it's a concern nonetheless.]

I'd feel bad if you got hurt, even if it would be your own fault. We're... [The hesitation's clear, folding his hands in his lap restlessly.] We're friends, after all. I think.

[Maybe? They haven't gotten deep like him and Silver, but frankly speaking Silver is so startlingly similar to Goro in ways it's almost frustrating.]

[ Akira's quiet, but he shifts a bit. It takes all his willpower to not curl up from this warm feeling overwhelming him. Friends. He's not sure if it's because this is at some god forsaken hour or if he has been feeling even more out of place with the memories, but he can't stop these emotions from welling inside him. In the spur of the moment, he laughs loudly, breaking into a fit that lasts for well over twenty seconds. It leaves him breathless, exhausted, but... he musters whatever strength left to sit up and look at the dark sky.

The stars have never seemed so bright to him till this moment. ]

You know, I never actually got to play with other kids on the playground. [ He's not even sure why he's telling him this, but it doesn't bother him anymore. ] So this is my first time with someone.

[ With the bump of their shoulders, Akira decides to lean his weary self against him. If it's too much weight, sorry, he'll tip them over like dominoes. ]

Thank you... For being my friend, Goro.

[The dread of mistaking their relationship disappears with Akira's words, stomach settling as a warmth falls over him; they don't topple, but it's most because Goro tenses magnificently at the weight before relaxing, a long exhale to help with his nerves.]

You're... Ah, no, don't-- I mean, you didn't? [So much to address, the weight on his side a pleasant distraction.] That's surprising to hear.

[What with how friendly and easy to talk to Akira is, he can't imagine the other not having kids to play with. He hesitates, then rests his head against Akira's, heart fluttering. There's no regrets about asking him out tonight, not a single one.]

We have that in common, then. [Quiet, but it doesn't seem to bother him to say.] This is my first time playing with someone else too.

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