deercountry | endless seawater spaghetti

Entry tags:

endless seawater spaghetti

Who: Manabu & Kazuma
What: Backdating some bullshit
When: August
Where: The lawboys' abode in Crenshaw

Content Warnings: nah just gay

[their exploration of the undersea path led them to a graveyard of ships, and from there...many things. more than they could carry on that initial venture. naturally, Manabu went back several times - and he needed someone to carry stuff, so hey, Kazuma came along, too! so besides the jars and jars of glowy plankton that seem to delight Ryunosuke to no end, they also brought...

some weird shit.

one of the polished stones with the alien writing and a small, squidlike totem are still in the house it seems - Manabu's not sure these are the decorations to really make a place cozy, but maybe Ryunosuke's trying to translate the markings? is that why there's books everywhere?]

It's me-- [he peels his eyes away from the relics as he steps inside, sidestepping as Magnet bullieson in.] Anyone in? I brought food.

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[the softness of that tone makes Manabu's heart flutter and he would like to absolutely not address that aloud.

perked up:] Ye-yeah? Uoh, well...that. That's a relief to hear...that some stuff doesn't have to be preceded by decking me. [it's spoken sheepishly, not petulantly.]

Despite what previous encounters might suggest, I do not want to punch you in the face every time I see you. [It's said with a bit of humor, that teasing tone back in his voice.] I wish I could have done things differently. Or have a shot at doing them right, I suppose...

[But what are the chances of that now? They had finally settled on some shaky ground, and while he felt confident in being more outspoken about his own feelings he was fairly certain it wasn't the best idea to act on them. At least, not without cluing Ryunosuke in and having the three of them actually on the same page in that regard.]

I don't think me punching first would've made anything better. [because when he says "things done differently," surely he just means "the person who punched first was different.]

That's not what I meant, Manabu. [Though honestly? He's not surprised that's where his thoughts went, given their history.] I meant, that if I were given the opportunity to do it differently, I would have much rather kissed you without the animosity.

Yeah, well, so would I! [his hair fluffs again as he flushes hot with his mouth running all free and unchecked like it's no big deal. goddammit.] But, but that ship has sailed, hasn't it? So--so there's no point in talking about it anymore!

[Manabu really needed to get those reactions under control--because it's just too tempting to make it worse. Which is exactly what Kazuma is going to do. He'll take the fall for it, he has enough guilt from the first go around, so what was another hit or two of that?

He takes a breath and then...goes for it. If he doesn't they'll keep going around in circles until Ryunosuke comes home anyway.

It's not the quick peck he planned for because--oh. It's different, when it's not fueled by adrenaline and animosity. It's softer, gentle and tempting. Tempting to linger, to push, to see where it could go---And it's that thought that causes him to cut it off, to pull away.]

Well...[He should apologize, but he doesn't want to. Because as much as he has guilt for the mess he caused, he isn't exactly sorry for doing it either. And maybe that should make him feel worse.]

A--

[!!!!!!!

Manabu is stunned, frozen in place as the poor hamster in the wheel that is his single braincell overlocks to try to comprehend the information hitting him. but no sooner than he can register the achingly gentle press to his mouth than it's just--]

Eh--

[just gone!!]

Ehh?!

[PAFF. his scalp steams with the rush of heat to his face.]

Ka-Kazuma, come on!!! [what is he supposed to do with that?! that wasn't even enough to TEST HIS FLIMSY HYPOTHESES.]

What? [In any other circumstance, that could have been an innocent inquiry. But Kazuma isn't sorry, he certainly isn't innocent, and the tone of voice is just a little too self-assured and amused.]

Try not to combust. [You are steaming there, sir.] I think that might actually make me feel a bit bad if you did.

Stop! Smiling like that, you bastard!! [JEEZ!!!!!!!!

he turns away to finish his fluster and fish around his person for his omni.]

Now I gotta call Ryunosuke and explain this too!

[beepboop it's fuckin GO TIME]

Or we could do the reasonable thing and wait for him to be home, which should be soon anyway, and explain together?

[Perfectly deadpan even as he sees him fish out the omni and dial him up.]

I could explain how it was my fault. Again. [Sorry, not really sorry.]

[LALALA IGNORING YOU JUST LEAVING A VOICEMAIL:] Auh, Ryu-ryuu-? It's me. Auhm. Can you...get back to your place soon? It's important. [he fumbles quickly to add:] Not! Not that anyone got hurt or anything, but just! Soon, okay? Thanks. [click.

turn around.

POUT. still ruddy-faced.]

I'm not going to sit and wait while I keep thinking about kissing you, idiot! That just makes it worse, especially if I wind up doing it since that was too short! [aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

[Kazuma is just going to assume that, despite the haphazard reassurance at the end of the message, Ryunosuke is absolutely going to assume one or both of them got hurt.

But he doesn't think about it too hard. Mostly due to the fact that Manabu just said something very interesting.]

I'm sorry, did you just say you're still thinking about it and that my last attempt was too short? [There is a reason Kazuma is sometimes compared to a cat--his current Cheshire grin being one of them.] We already have to confess to it happening once...[So what's one more~?] Just as a thought.

Why are you like this!! [actually better yet:] Why are we like this?! [and why doesn't duct tape exist to just TAPE THEIR MOUTHS SHUT.

Magnet growl-ruffs from the floor, perplexed at all this spaghetti.

Manabu points at the far end of the couch.]

Sit there! [as the dog starts to move:] Not you, Magnet! HIM! [he points at Kazuma, then points at the couch again.]

He can join me, I don't think we have rules about omens on the couch. [Judging by some of the claw marks in said couch? They most certainly did not.

Kazuma, for his part still looks smug as can be as he settles into the corner seat.] And what are you going to do now that you've relegated me to what is, essentially, time out?

[Manabu paces to the far end of the room, pulling a chair along with himself, and sequesters himself in his own time out.]

Just shut up and eat your egg rolls! I went out of my way to get them!

Suit yourself. [A near indifferent shrug. And then? He's going to do just that--egg rolls: consumed.]

Kazuma, I'm home.

[He calls out as he enters the flat, toeing off his shoes in the process. Fish trots in behind him with a small meow, walking right past Magnet to leap onto the couch and sit next to Kazuma. ]

Ah-- Manabu? [He looks between the two of them, slowly setting his books down on the side table.] What happened? [because judging by tension in the room, something happened. He's immediately inspecting them from a distance for any sort of mark, hoping that they haven't gotten into another scuffle.]

[Magnet better have gotten an egg roll out of this. he is putting up with so much, and even politely stayed on the floor even when invited up. what a good dog. so good. the best in the room, all company considered.

the second Manabu hears the voice, he shoots up out of his seat, standing at attention like soldier waiting for roll call. his expression is...mildly panicked. AS IT SHOULD BE - his heart is gonna launch out of his chest here in a second.

Ryunosuke doesn't even get to finish the second syllable of "happened" before Manabu's mouth drops open and words just...go. he can't even emote fast enough to convey how peculiar this is to just be dumping words, so enjoy the delayed, bewildered expression as he is unable to cease until he's done:]

Kazuma kissed me again and he didn't even try to at least give me enough to work with to figure out if I had any real feelings about that kind of thing or not or if it was the moon-blood stuff that happens and makes people weird but I can't ask him to do that again because that's not fair to you and he said well just talk to him and I said well OKAY so that's why I called you and he's not even BOTHERED by this he's just sitting there eating egg rolls - I brought you some by the way - and now I'm pretty sure punching him is justified but that's not the point an--

[he wheezes, wobbles, and plops back into the chair like a deflated bagpipe.]

[Kazuma just watches this tailspin until it fizzles out, content to munch on an egg roll and give Fish scritches in greeting.

When Manabu actually has to stop to breathe is when he sets the box aside. He's no so rude as to keep on with snacking while talking, thank you.]

Well...bravo for getting that out in a single breath. I won't deny it. And I did suggest talking to you before anything happened. For the record.

...He mentioned thinking about it--about when it happened before and...Well here we are. [At least he didn't run off for a week again.]

Woah. [He listens as Manabu talks, eyes flickering between the two of them before he finds himself sighing. So it was this again. Another conversation, another action between them where Ryuu has to intervene and he's not entirely certain how to do that. He watches as Manabu flops back onto the chair, and Kazuma adds to the sentiment.]

So... this is you two talking to me? About kissing each over.

[He doesn't sound angry, not even a little surprised. Actually, he sounds a little amused that they were at this again, this time he was more or less prepared for this conversation. Almost like he was expecting to have it again.]

All right. ....so talk? You want him to kiss you again? [He asks Manabu, gesturing towards Kazuma.]

[maybe he wants to just leap out a window? that should be the correct response, but words keep happening, even as he rubs his face in anguish.]

Yes but that's not fair because I already made a choice and that's--disrespectful! Isn't it? Anyone else would agree! Because that sounds like I don't care about you which I absolutely do because if I didn't I wouldn't have gone and--

[WHAM.]

OW.

[he forced himself to rock back on the back legs of the chair and bring them down hard on one of his feet to shut himself up before spewing spicy details.

he whimpers, tears in his eyes as he rocks back again to liberate his poor foot. the whole ordeal has sent Magnet into a barking fit, scampering here and there in aimless distress.

this is going great.]

Manabu! [He was about to say "he doesn't need to hear about that" but instead he calls out-] Are you all right?!

[He rushes over to his side, then waves a bit at Magnet trying to get him to calm down while also checking on Manabu.]

How's your foot? [He knits his brows together, the tone of their conversation shifting briefly. He'd bring up their conversation again once he was certain that Manabu was okay and didn't need to go seek out medical assistance.]

Hh-hurts...! [obviously. PAIN. he squirms, trying to stay in his seat, regretting every twist and flex of his foot he does just to make sure he didn't really fuck shit up.

he didn't. he just. you know. stupid.]

I-it's the only way...I could shut the hell up...! See?! [he looks up, anguished.] Something else weird is going on! Again!!

Just because something weird is going on doesn't mean it's messing with everything all at once. [Kazuma supplies from his corner in the couch. He didn't feel right getting between the two of them now, so there he remained.]

...Is your foot all right though, pain aside? [He can, at the very least, still extend some concern in that regard.]

It's not broken...?

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