deercountry | soft hours

Yes, it's okay. [He's just leaning new things about himself is all. About himself, about what society expects of him - he had a great conversation with Dirk about it and is very lucky that there were plenty of understanding people around him. It's exciting discovering something new about one's self.]

It's more than okay. [He squeezes his hand.] I wouldn't have agreed to date you if it wasn't okay.

[And that's the truth of it. To be fair he's been utterly charmed by Manabu. There's so much he wishes to say but he doesn't think he could find the proper words to convey it. Not yet, at least. He'll find the words one day, he's sure.]

[well that-- Manabu could argue that could've been a one-time thing. a fluke!! but...Ryunosuke said let's do this again, and then he said we're together, and now there's really no getting around it, is there?

Manabu gulps, a little overwhelmed by the surging tide of feelings he's not entirely used to - or even familiar with yet!]

Then I'll-- [he retracts his hand from Ryunosuke's shoulder, clapping it down atop the stack of hands already in play here - perhaps with a bit too much gusto, but it's either that or steam starts coming out of his ears.

maybe a bit too loudly:] I'll work hard to honor that! That agreement! That-- [deflating, head ducking down between his shoulders in embarrassment. what's he doing, blurting stuff like an officer sir-yes-sirring in a lineup?! maybe it's just the best he could do in uncharted territory - lean back on old, familiar things.] All that...even though I don't--I'm not-- [he grimaces, shaking his head and straightening back up, nearly clobbering Ryunosuke in the chin in the process.]

Jeez, whatever! Y-you already know where I stand! So! So...! [deflating and going hot in the face again:] ...Than-thank you...Ryunosuke...

[He can't stop grinning as he leans back just in time, needing to remind himself about how excitable he can be. Ryunosuke shakes his head as he sits back.]

Manabu, you don't have to thank me. [He squeezes his hand again.] Really, I'm enjoying spending time with you, getting to know you... [He glances away from Manabu, just briefly as he looks toward his bed.] Now I think it's time you try and get some rest, yeah? You need to stay off your foot and keep it elevated. [At least he thinks so. He's not a doctor but that sounded right.]

I really don't mind you staying in my bed. [Though saying it like that makes it sound a lot dirtier than it was.]

Eh-? But-- [he just realized that a kiss or two isn't so bad! and now he's got to just...lay here?

his eyes wince as he peeks up, then over his shoulder, his hair fluffing with another rush of heat as that last remark finally hits his single brain cell. wh-why'd he have to put it like that?! it's almost like he's from a game franchise famous for faux pas and double entendre!!!]

I...I guess so, but... [deflating:] I'm really going to be stuck...doing nothing at all, huh? For more than a day, I bet...

Yes, unfortunately, until you're healed you will be stuck in bed. I'll bring you food and the like but you really need to keep off your foot. Both of you need to take care of yourselves right now.

If I need to I'll reach out to a friend of mine. He's a doctor. [And his hand-to-hand combat instructor, but that's an anecdote for another day.] But right now the best thing for you is to just relax. Maybe we can ask Wu to send over another moving picture.

[Though the last movie Wu sent him was Rocky Horror Picture Show and that was... weird.]

I'm sure we'll find ways to occupy your time that don't require you to be standing.

…That…that’s okay…

[Wu is and always will be a treasured friend, but Manabu cannot wrap his head around his taste in media; there must be a level of fun one must be naturally able to have to get it.

he lets Ryunosuke’s hand go in order to start scooting back toward the headboard - an awkward effort, but he gets there, one foot on the ground and the banged-up one on the mattress. he’s already got a fidgety look about him, pouting at that foot before looking back to Ryunosuke.]

I won’t be much trouble. Er, that is…I’ll try not to be, anyway. So…

I'm sure you won't be much trouble.

[Though, he knows both Manabu and Kazuma are people of action. They like to do things, so sitting still was going to be a tough thing for both of them. He moves to grab a spare pillow and very, very gently moves it under Manabu's foot to prop it up, taking great care to not bring any harm to him if he can help it.]

Just try and take it easy. I know you'll likely get antsy but that's to be expected. [ He moves to take a seat next to Manabu's side, brushing his hair out of his face.]

I'll try and keep you both company as best as I can.

[it's been a long road to getting used to affectionate touches. from crash courses in random hugs from Wu or Amara, to the surprising shoulder-claps from James or Mako...it's just not something he was used to growing up!

not from sober people, anyway.

~~Amara wasn't always sober, but still~~

that said, he's still abuzz with the revelation that a couple little kisses can bring, so he doesn't immediately react to such a sweet gesture at his face. helps that it was on his blind side, so he has to double-blink and really think if it happened or not.]

You're...really kind, Ryunosuke. [...] That-that is, I mean... [his mouth twitches, shoulders lifting a bit.] I mean, if you weren't around, I think Diluc would've just...tied me to a hospital bed and checked in later, a-ahaha...

[the laugh dies in his voice as he starts to frown, searching Ryunosuke's expression for clues he knows he can't read.]

I want to make it up to you. When I'm better, I mean. When I can. However it is I should.

Well, Diluc is welcome to come check-in if he needs to.

[He finds his fingers lingering on his cheek as he just watches him. Even if Diluc left him and Kazuma in the hospital he would have gone to see them both every day if they allowed him. He'd have to thank Diluc if they ever ran into each other soon.] I'm glad you're here.

Manabu... [He trails off, shaking his head.] There's nothing to make up. [He smiles softly.] You could take me on another date though if you really must make it up to me.

Uoh-- [he perks up, eyes brightening.] Su-sure! [he reaches up and grasps Ryunosuke's hand in both of his, gripping it with resolve.] Of course! I'll do better than the last time, even! Whatever you like, of course! And...and I won't fall asleep, either! I promise!

You know I don't mind that you fell asleep, right? [He wants to reiterate the fact a thousand times over. Manabu clearly needed the sleep, and really he did get caught up reading a bit more than he probably should have.] I still enjoyed myself.

[He has to think of all the places he hasn't been in Trench and where it would be nice to actually explore and go. He blinks, then smiles, quickly turning to face him again.]

Maybe we could go to Achelliac and check out the hot springs?

Eh?? [he blinks.] Hot springs? There's...hot springs in Trench?

[man's been living here near half a year, but anything fun-related is still alien to him besides a Raccoon Room and a Red Room.]

Apparently! I think someone mentioned it not too long ago and I've been curious.

[It honestly sounds relaxing compared to the horror show they deal with on a constant basis.]

I haven't been to Darcmouth yet so it could be interesting! I really need to just get a map of Trench and mark down the places I've been... [And the places he hasn't bene. He's not really been too much beyond Trench's boarders - probably for the best but it does have him curious as to what is beyond them.]

[bewildered, quietly:] A scary place like this...has something like that? Maybe even a ryokan? I haven't been to one of those since... [since home.]

Right? I never expected it either. [He smiles, before rubbing the back of his head.] It would be nice, wouldn't it? Actually, getting a chance to relax... [Would they actually relax? It remains to be seen but the idea of it was nice.]

[Manabu blinks again, looking back at Ryunosuke.]

I...mn, maybe... [he looks askance, feeling a shade guilty.] I'm not really the best at that sort of thing, though.

I know. [He chuckles a little.] I know, but I suppose I figured it wouldn't really hurt to try. We really need to find something you'd like to do, however.

It can be anything! I'm willing to try anything once.

[his mouth twitches on one side. what he'd like to do? come on! there are a million, billion easier questions to get answers to than that!]

I-it's alright! I'm usually better...bouncing off what other people are interested in, really. It's not like I had a lot of hobbies back before Trench and stuff or anything, so...!

Maybe a hobby is just what you need. [He shakes his head quickly.] But! No pressure though. I mean-- you don't have to have one if you don't want to.

We'll figure out something to do even if it's just going out to dinner again. [Enjoying each other's company over a meal every once in a while wasn't such a bad thing.]

Ye-yeah... [he's grateful Ryunosuke doesn't press the matter of hobbies and leisure too much, especially since he has no means to escape it with a good excuse like gotta go run errands right now.

he looks down, realizing he's been hanging onto Ryunosuke's hand, and hesitates a beat before letting it go.]

A--sorry. You gotta...gotta check on Kazuma, right? I should let you do that.

[He's almost sad that Manabu has released his hand, but he smiles all the same, glad that the affection was hopefully going to be a common thing between them. The more he thought about it, the more he'd like to be affectionate with him - gentle touches, soft kisses, it's not anything he'd have considered before. Dating a man was... very new to him, not something he would have considered back in his time, but the newness of it all was exciting.]

Yeah, I should go check on him, make sure that he's not moving around too much with that broken rib of his. [A small sigh as he takes one last look at Manabu's ankle.]

If you need anything, just call. Once I check on Kazuma I can start cooking something to eat.

Mn, okay. [sheepishly:] I'm going to be saying 'thanks' a whole lot for a while, I think...eh-eheh...

[and Ryunosuke's going to be saying 'it's no big deal' or some iteration of that, too. all while checking on folks and cooking...

Manabu sends him off with a little wave before his head tilts back and stares up at the ceiling. he can still feel his heart drumming too fast to relax, and his fingers tingle a bit, remembering the weight and texture of Ryunosuke's hand. hands aside, those kisses?! holy smokes. Manabu's always been too busy to think about that kind of stuff, just assuming it'd fall into place after he had his career sorted out - one thing after another in a neat little line, right? but Wu reality-checked him about that a while back, which is...likely why he was able to let his thoughts and feelings get taken advantage of in February.

but that...did lead to being able to ask, right? even if he hadn't meant to in the moment, following through...that was a good thing. right?

it's a little confusing.

...

okay, well...it's a lot confusing, the way all first experiences can be. pair that up with an insatiable hunger to do his best and do things right, and that's a fine breeding ground for some worry! yet despite all of his muck-ups...Ryunosuke still smiles at him, and he draws near, and...

...and Manabu sinks down a bit, hands to his burning face, feeling all fluttery and flighty and foolish in a way he doesn't entirely hate like he maybe ought to. or maybe not! maybe this is...okay.

we're together now, he said.

gosh...]

soft hours

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