twostringsonebow

[ 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.

I don't see how that's surprising.

[ To this day, he knows he's still strange enough to ward others off. That is life. He has mostly accepted that.

Still, this feels nice... A lot nicer than cuddling with a cat all the time, no offense. It's difficult not to be lulled to sleep when they're huddled like this. Akira allows himself to close his eyes for a bit, reassuring himself that he won't fall asleep to the comforts of someone's company. He reminds himself his cat is out, that he has to remember to bring him in, that they have to head home eventually—they can't sleep at the park. ]

I should be the one surprised. I thought you were always popular, even as a kid. Who would pass up playing with Prince Charming, Goro Akechi?

[ Goro is handsome now, pleasant personality, full of compassion, and cute in the past based on those family photos. Children probably flocked to him, asking to be his friend, inviting him to join them in a game of tag or something. Akira can somehow imagine it, an image so crisp and clear.

He catches himself being disillusioned by outer appearances... He has already weaved a perfect picture for Goro without knowing his past or anything about it. Instantly, he squashes his assumptions. There's a small nudge to the side of his head, just a little nuzzle. ]

Sorry. I would have played with you.

[Goro has a lot to say about Akira's denial of his surprise, but he tucks it away; Silver'd been right, after all, he idealized Akira to a far extent and was only now truly wanting to pick at the layers he'd become so familiar with to see what lay beneath, drawn by their shared visions and his own growing curiosity.

It's nice, though. This. He smiles wanly at the image Akira paints of him, startling just a bit at the nuzzle and being so, so thankful that most of his flaming cheek is covered by Akira's curly hair than pressed against skin.]

Ah, well. You too.

[He lets it sit for a moment, hands curling around each other in his lap, and breathes out slowly. Even.]

I... was something of a quiet child, [he starts, reluctant but clearly wanting to share,] and I found solace in books and the solitude they offered, the worlds words could create. Each character I read about had a dream, had their own problems, and though their situation didn't mirror my own I understood their... loneliness, I suppose, when they were somewhat disconnected from their surroundings.

[They're all hard words to say, but it's something he wants to give to Akira anyway. Just a peek.]

It didn't make me many friends, though. [Nor did the insistent hands of their parents dragging them away, odd looks marrying hushed words. Books didn't hold rejection. It was just easier to read than to try in the end.

Goro's tone lightens slightly, easier words now.] I also liked to make my peers feel stupid, which you can guess didn't earn me any points.

[ Akira listens intently, piecing together a story with Goro's concrete details. Goro, a quiet yet pompous child, loves to delve the wondrous worlds of books. A bright, snooty, child that points out mistakes to make himself look better. He can't stifle the sputter, so it comes full force with a laugh afterward.

At least it takes him less than a second to recompose himself with a stupid smile. ]

So you were a cute brat. [ Of course there's no actual ridicule. ] All those kids are missing out, but I guess that's fine. You probably have better friends now. I'm great, by the way.

[ He nudges Goro's shoulder! Hehe. Just a hunch from what he saw on the network. While it may seem like Silver and Elizabeth were terrorizing him, he can tell it's a show of endearment. Definitely. He can sense in the air that it's supposed to be his time to talk... Sleepovers are always like this, even if they're at the park. His muscles tense at the thought. Slowly, he stops leaning against Goro, putting some distance between them. ]

I'm guessing you want me to share, too... Right?

[ It's only fair, but he asks. ]

[The smile gained at Akira's laughter, at the assumption of better friends now (him and Silver certainly, though the latter isn't anything he'd say directly to the boy), and fades once Akira starts to move away; he shakes his head, resisting the urge to close the distance himself.]

I don't mind either way, really. Though I won't deny I'm curious to know more about you, Akira.

[He doesn't want to make Akira uncomfortable. That's the last thing he wants to do, so he won't press.]

So tell me something else. Anything. How did you and Morrigan meet?

[ You're stealing his thunder... Rubbing his neck, he's appreciative of the ticket out of this conversation, but it leaves him feeling like he left Goro underwhelmed. He can't have that. ]

My family moved around a lot, so I didn't have enough time to get close to anyone. Sometimes I would be excluded since I was the new kid, too.

[ Missing shoes, notebooks in the fountain, desks vandalized with nasty messages... It doesn't matter. He moved, anyway. Again and again. His shoulders drop as he leans his head back a little further. What else to talk about? Maybe something funny? ]

I interrogated my mom since I noticed she didn't go out a lot. I barely hear her talk about her friends. Instead of asking me, she taught me this test that will help me or something. It's silly now that I think back on it. Do you want to know what it is? I'll tell you how I got Morrigan after.

[It's a surprise to hear Akira talk about it anyway, and though it's shorter than Goro's had been he listens attentively anyway, eyes turned from the sky to watch the boy beside him. Someone who moved around a lot... different circumstances, but the same kind of disconnection to the world around him.

It's hard to imagine, but it's not like it's the whole story anyway; he's got a hunch that there's more to it still untold, but he's not entitled to it.]

What was it?

[ His exuberance returns when they're not scratching the surfaces of their unfortunate childhoods. Though his eyes seem drowsy, they glisten... Maybe he's up to something, but he's looking back at Goro so he can explain this without confusion. He spreads an open hand with fingers slightly parted as a demonstration. ]

Count the most important things to you on one hand. Friends, dreams, family, sales on apples—whatever.

[ That should total to five, one for each finger. That's relatively easy for most people. ]

Then you narrow it down to one.

[Hm. His mom, his selfish reason behind being a detective, his... his friends, Catmosphere Cafe, books. Five things, five fingers spread out in front of him. Then narrow it down to one?]

As in, you narrow down their importance to you to find the most important thing?

[Though Goro's kind of doing it anyway in his mind, staring at his hand.]

[ He has done this exercise several times in his life whether silly or not. Sometimes, he's not even sure why. Either way, he doesn't need to do it again today, so he looks at Goro's hand, too.

It looks soft and delicate. ]

Yeah, exactly that. Have you already picked out your most important thing?

[ Let him help fold Goro's fingers until only the index is left. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject