[ What language is this? Takasugi didn't text like this before. Rinne feels his face grow hotter the more he reads his message. He doesn't want to be so boring about this, really... If only he could run away from his phone.
only, he responds with video instead of just voice, takasugi leaning into and over a flat, flexible pillow as he props up the phone at an angle. maybe it's shameless fanservice, given he's only wearing his clasped top, and maybe it's just summer and the ventilation in his new home is poor at night. which, it's really that awful. either way, his hair falls over his shoulder, takasugi twisting a pen around in his fingers with a smile like he isn't up working on something. )
Morning, Amagi-kun.
( it's not morning. but it feels like the right thing to say. )
[Rinne called to reassure Takasugi and cheer him up, as groggy as he he'd been after waking up in the middle of an uncomfortable dream, but maybe he didn't need to? Or maybe the ring alone was enough. It looks miserable, needing to be in such a state of dress in the evening, but when Takasugi smiles, Rinne thinks his call might be the only warmth more than welcome.
...
It's his second time seeing that top alone. Suddenly, his throat feels parched.
Anyway, he keeps his video off.]
Morning.
[It feels like morning, anyway, when Takasugi greets him like the day's just begun.]
Sort of. It's more a way to have Mini Arahabaki follow a set path based on someone else's GPS location. This way, it can at least record what I'm interested in from afar, like a drone of sorts. Or, you know. Do something cool like shoot its arm at someone if I feel like it. Only it's been a little more difficult to adjust him to the protocols in the Syntrofos than I realized. Maybe the CPU chips inside these are similar to whatever's in those Servitons. Which. Who said to leave it to them when it comes to toying with machines again?
( he runs a thumb along his bottom lip before carrying on with his yapping session. )
Edited (not gpu... ) Date: 2025-08-05 05:56 am (UTC)
[ He stands up and starts padding toward the door, careful not to wake Niki up. He needs a glass of water.
He'll be needing it to keep up with all this tech talk. ]
GPS... [ Rinne's only been using it for a few years, but it already feels like he's known about it forever. ] That's what you used to track me down, right?
[ Ethics aside, it's interesting technology. He's not a big fan of tracking people down, but it could be useful to learn about.
...No, it is useful. It's the only reason he's alive and free right now. ]
You sound like you're having fun. Does working on that stuff make you happy?
I guess you could say it's fun. This kind of technology often leads to surprises, after all.
( his tail billows out behind him in the video, lazily moving its way to his side. )
Honestly, I'm glad I cultivated all this knowledge so quickly in another timeline. More than glad. Otherwise, ... yeah. I wouldn't have been able to find you so quickly. And then none of this would've made me happy.
[ The soft click of a door, another click for the lights, then the steady steps down the stairs. ]
"This"?
[ Rinne sets his phone down and turns on the camera. It's propped up against a centerpiece on the kitchen table while it captures Rinne's bare back as he opens the refrigerator door. His tail sways for side to side...
He's wearing a pair of shorts, don't worry. ]
Haha. Well, if it makes you happy, then I got no complaints. All work and no play makes Shinsaku a dull boy, or however it goes.
[ Rinne's pretty low energy for someone who yelled "hot boy summer" a few weeks ago, isn't he? But that's something Takasugi's been witnessing for a while now. Besides, it's always quiet in this area of the neighborhood around this hour...
He takes a pitcher of water from the fridge. There are fruit slices in it. Now for a clean and empty glass... ]
seeing that back makes a base, pleasant feeling stir in his gut. he's felt it plenty of times before, but he's never witnessed it bare from this angle, the muscle definition so well-defined. takasugi's never seen the inside of this new place, either, but that's partly because he knows there have to be limitations, even if he doesn’t like them. this body and his own impatience make things too risky.
still. when something stupid threatens to tumble out his mouth, he isn't quick enough to catch it. )
Are you happy?
( a little too serious, maybe. he repeats himself while resting his cheek upon a fist. )
[ Rinne pours the water into a cup until it's half-empty, returns the pitcher half-full, walks back to the table half-dressed and half-awake. Right now, even the shape of his happiness is something this world has split in two. It only follows that after all the blood, sweat, and tears they've shed for Rinne's dream, he's been doing everything by halves.
But who would want to hear that? ]
I'm already an idol, ain't I?
[ He keeps his tone light. He doesn't want to make this too obvious. ]
The more fame we get, the happier I'll be. [ He lifts a finger as he lifts the glass to his lips. ] The happier you'll be, too.
[ That was the goal, wasn't it? To help each other out, to lay the foundations of a legacy... or something lofty like that. ]
We haven't made it just yet, but we'll get there. We just gotta keep at it.
Listen, I've been thinking. Niki wants to go back home, but I dunno. I kinda like it here. [ He wets his lip. ] I don't gotta go back to that shithole of a village. I can marry anyone I want. You'll be here, too.
("kind of like it here". after the way he let tears spill on takasugi's neck, where now he would carry that emotion with him everywhere he went? after how strongly he vied for those stupid rules of his, to the point of shoving takasugi into a wall? he doesn't buy it, of course. they know the shape of each other's soul too deeply by now.
but he lets him lie, even if it's irritating. after all, he'd do the same and has already tried it a couple times thus far, only rinne doesn't let him get away with it. )
The happier I'll be, huh.
( happy with what? fame? power? those are basic human wants and are fine, but. wasn't this idol thing supposed to be more magical for them? )
So, what. They had fixed prospects for you back home? What kind of person were you expected to marry?
( changing the subject for rinne's sake is fine. he smooths out the playfulness in his tone. )
[Takasugi is so kind. Rinne chuckles as he watches the rim of his glass and how it reflects the light.]
Nah, nothing like that. So long as the clan can get an heir, it's fine. They just gotta put up with the elders. Which is a total pain in the ass, by the way! But I'm chief now, so...
[...]
Well, it doesn't have to be me. [The one to have an heir, that is.] I toldja, right? Niki saved my life, so I gotta repay him somehow. That's why I'm gonna marry him.
[To make him family. That would make him happy.]
Your people got not laws for it yet so we were gonna do it in my hometown. It ain't legal, but your people like to shove their rules down our throats, so whatever.
[Thank god Takasugi never liked the Tokugawa either.]
( ... wait. wait, wait, wait. why is he taking that question so seriously?
forget it. that backfired on him too hard.
there's an urge to shut his broadcast off, color rushing to his face. )
... Nevermind all that, actually. It's a boring topic when it comes to me. What truly makes me happy right now is seeing you succeed and shine in your own element, Amagi-kun, as we break the ceiling for what's considered entertainment here. Oh. And getting to spend time with you, of course.
( he clicks and unclicks that pen a couple times. )
he's just going to ignore being called out like that. it's different now.
even muted strings come to the foreground in his heart while they're talking. it's not like how things were before, where he could pressure rinne so easily. )
... Then, I'd like to do it in the woods. Just the two of us.
( repeating that phrase. it sounds good when it rolls off his tongue, takasugi putting the pen down to pull at strands of hair across his face. he's watching carefully, no longer bothering to hide the fact that his cursory look-overs are more than just that. his smile is all fond excitement, still propped against a fist. )
I'll bring the provisions to enjoy the occasion, and you just bring your handsome self.
( that's our president. he's gone straight from dodging his own embarrassment to making demands. )
[The woods aren't that beautiful. There's flowers and trees. So what? Big deal. City folk are so easy to impress. Rinne's seen it all before.
But Takasugi will be there.
Rinne's fingers rap against the table as he looks away, face hot.]
You like me that much, huh?
[So much that he'd still talk to Rinne like this, even if it hurts. Rinne's sure it hurts. He doesn't want to make it hurt worse than it already does, but every time he sees Takasugi smile and ask for more, he can't help but give in.]
if it wouldn't make takasugi look stupid as hell to do so, he'd reach an arm past this device and slam his hand up against the metaphorical wall, just to emphasize how he feels. he opens the fist, drumming two fingers against his cheek as the question posed to him slips out almost cautious. isn't it kind of crazy how amagi-kun might just be the cutest guy he's ever met? takasugi's voice softens lower, wading deeper into this conversation with a deathly sweetness.
he really shouldn't be like this. but when rinne offers him an in willingly, he takes without hesitation. )
Is that what you're expecting every time we meet up in secret? I wasn't going to say it, but. If you're practically bouncing out of your seat for that, we can have some fun that way, too.
After all, I already miss it—the way you taste, that is, Amagi-kun.
( yeah... the trees and whatever will be gorgeous too, but. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 06:10 pm (UTC)He's still glued to it, though. ]
shut up
don't u have emails to write
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 06:21 pm (UTC)You're the only one I bother
( wait, there was... )
Well, there was Sariel
I'm sure you're familiar?
The one you told kissing would kill him
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 06:37 pm (UTC)leave me alone
sarry's just a big kid
don't put weird thoughts in his head
[ Not that he knows what Takasugi's telling Sariel. It's probably about something scandalous, like premarital kissing. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 06:51 pm (UTC)well.
maybe it will, in a different way. )
Are you sure?
That you want me to leave you alone, that is
no subject
Date: 2025-08-04 11:35 pm (UTC)Ring, ring. Pick up the phone. Rinne's calling.
When Takasugi picks up, a familiar voice, lazy and rough with sleep, rolls in like smoke. He sounds a little irritated.]
Who said you could leave?
[He doesn't often call Takasugi like this, either.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 03:02 am (UTC)only, he responds with video instead of just voice, takasugi leaning into and over a flat, flexible pillow as he props up the phone at an angle. maybe it's shameless fanservice, given he's only wearing his clasped top, and maybe it's just summer and the ventilation in his new home is poor at night. which, it's really that awful. either way, his hair falls over his shoulder, takasugi twisting a pen around in his fingers with a smile like he isn't up working on something. )
Morning, Amagi-kun.
( it's not morning. but it feels like the right thing to say. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 03:46 am (UTC)...
It's his second time seeing that top alone. Suddenly, his throat feels parched.
Anyway, he keeps his video off.]
Morning.
[It feels like morning, anyway, when Takasugi greets him like the day's just begun.]
... What are you working on? Another robot?
( 1 / 2 )
Date: 2025-08-05 05:39 am (UTC)( he runs a thumb along his bottom lip before carrying on with his yapping session. )
( 2 / 2 )
Date: 2025-08-05 05:47 am (UTC)( well. whatever. he'll get it eventually. hopefully tonight.
anyway, takasugi will finally get to the point and say what he really wants to say, his heartbeat racing playfully for the distraction. )
You sound great, by the way. I trust you've been taking it easy.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 05:56 am (UTC)[ He stands up and starts padding toward the door, careful not to wake Niki up. He needs a glass of water.
He'll be needing it to keep up with all this tech talk. ]
GPS... [ Rinne's only been using it for a few years, but it already feels like he's known about it forever. ] That's what you used to track me down, right?
[ Ethics aside, it's interesting technology. He's not a big fan of tracking people down, but it could be useful to learn about.
...No, it is useful. It's the only reason he's alive and free right now. ]
You sound like you're having fun. Does working on that stuff make you happy?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 06:16 am (UTC)( his tail billows out behind him in the video, lazily moving its way to his side. )
Honestly, I'm glad I cultivated all this knowledge so quickly in another timeline. More than glad. Otherwise, ... yeah. I wouldn't have been able to find you so quickly. And then none of this would've made me happy.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 06:32 am (UTC)"This"?
[ Rinne sets his phone down and turns on the camera. It's propped up against a centerpiece on the kitchen table while it captures Rinne's bare back as he opens the refrigerator door. His tail sways for side to side...
He's wearing a pair of shorts, don't worry. ]
Haha. Well, if it makes you happy, then I got no complaints. All work and no play makes Shinsaku a dull boy, or however it goes.
[ Rinne's pretty low energy for someone who yelled "hot boy summer" a few weeks ago, isn't he? But that's something Takasugi's been witnessing for a while now. Besides, it's always quiet in this area of the neighborhood around this hour...
He takes a pitcher of water from the fridge. There are fruit slices in it. Now for a clean and empty glass... ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 01:45 pm (UTC)seeing that back makes a base, pleasant feeling stir in his gut. he's felt it plenty of times before, but he's never witnessed it bare from this angle, the muscle definition so well-defined. takasugi's never seen the inside of this new place, either, but that's partly because he knows there have to be limitations, even if he doesn’t like them. this body and his own impatience make things too risky.
still. when something stupid threatens to tumble out his mouth, he isn't quick enough to catch it. )
Are you happy?
( a little too serious, maybe. he repeats himself while resting his cheek upon a fist. )
... Are you happy, Amagi-kun?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 02:43 pm (UTC)But who would want to hear that? ]
I'm already an idol, ain't I?
[ He keeps his tone light. He doesn't want to make this too obvious. ]
The more fame we get, the happier I'll be. [ He lifts a finger as he lifts the glass to his lips. ] The happier you'll be, too.
[ That was the goal, wasn't it? To help each other out, to lay the foundations of a legacy... or something lofty like that. ]
We haven't made it just yet, but we'll get there. We just gotta keep at it.
Listen, I've been thinking. Niki wants to go back home, but I dunno. I kinda like it here. [ He wets his lip. ] I don't gotta go back to that shithole of a village. I can marry anyone I want. You'll be here, too.
Yeah, that's all I need.
[ That's all he should need. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 03:24 pm (UTC)but he lets him lie, even if it's irritating. after all, he'd do the same and has already tried it a couple times thus far, only rinne doesn't let him get away with it. )
The happier I'll be, huh.
( happy with what? fame? power? those are basic human wants and are fine, but. wasn't this idol thing supposed to be more magical for them? )
So, what. They had fixed prospects for you back home? What kind of person were you expected to marry?
( changing the subject for rinne's sake is fine. he smooths out the playfulness in his tone. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:01 pm (UTC)Nah, nothing like that. So long as the clan can get an heir, it's fine. They just gotta put up with the elders. Which is a total pain in the ass, by the way! But I'm chief now, so...
[...]
Well, it doesn't have to be me. [The one to have an heir, that is.] I toldja, right? Niki saved my life, so I gotta repay him somehow. That's why I'm gonna marry him.
[To make him family. That would make him happy.]
Your people got not laws for it yet so we were gonna do it in my hometown. It ain't legal, but your people like to shove their rules down our throats, so whatever.
[Thank god Takasugi never liked the Tokugawa either.]
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:21 pm (UTC)( marrying someone just to repay them. it takes some serious dedication, that. )
So, does that mean you're considering marrying me, too? Given I saved your life.
( "if I could make you family, i could make you happy".
he's asking for a reaction, obviously. rinne says it makes no sense to do so. he also says it's the only way. could he make up his mind already? )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:28 pm (UTC)Did marriage make you happy?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:41 pm (UTC)forget it. that backfired on him too hard.
there's an urge to shut his broadcast off, color rushing to his face. )
... Nevermind all that, actually. It's a boring topic when it comes to me. What truly makes me happy right now is seeing you succeed and shine in your own element, Amagi-kun, as we break the ceiling for what's considered entertainment here. Oh. And getting to spend time with you, of course.
( he clicks and unclicks that pen a couple times. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:54 pm (UTC)[Rinne was genuinely asking, but... Oh well. The reaction manages to bring out a genuine smile, for once.]
Let's do it.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 04:57 pm (UTC)( don't say the m word.
he's just going to ignore being called out like that. it's different now.
even muted strings come to the foreground in his heart while they're talking. it's not like how things were before, where he could pressure rinne so easily. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-05 05:26 pm (UTC)[He leans back in his chair, and the lamp above gives Takasugi a better idea of Rinne's bare shoulders and broad chest.]
Whatever you wanna do on our first date.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 01:59 am (UTC)... Then, I'd like to do it in the woods. Just the two of us.
( repeating that phrase. it sounds good when it rolls off his tongue, takasugi putting the pen down to pull at strands of hair across his face. he's watching carefully, no longer bothering to hide the fact that his cursory look-overs are more than just that. his smile is all fond excitement, still propped against a fist. )
I'll bring the provisions to enjoy the occasion, and you just bring your handsome self.
( that's our president. he's gone straight from dodging his own embarrassment to making demands. )
no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 02:52 am (UTC)But Takasugi will be there.
Rinne's fingers rap against the table as he looks away, face hot.]
You like me that much, huh?
[So much that he'd still talk to Rinne like this, even if it hurts. Rinne's sure it hurts. He doesn't want to make it hurt worse than it already does, but every time he sees Takasugi smile and ask for more, he can't help but give in.]
You don't want me to bring anything else?
Like... a kiss?
no subject
Date: 2025-08-06 04:37 am (UTC)if it wouldn't make takasugi look stupid as hell to do so, he'd reach an arm past this device and slam his hand up against the metaphorical wall, just to emphasize how he feels. he opens the fist, drumming two fingers against his cheek as the question posed to him slips out almost cautious. isn't it kind of crazy how amagi-kun might just be the cutest guy he's ever met? takasugi's voice softens lower, wading deeper into this conversation with a deathly sweetness.
he really shouldn't be like this. but when rinne offers him an in willingly, he takes without hesitation. )
Is that what you're expecting every time we meet up in secret? I wasn't going to say it, but. If you're practically bouncing out of your seat for that, we can have some fun that way, too.
After all, I already miss it—the way you taste, that is, Amagi-kun.
( yeah... the trees and whatever will be gorgeous too, but. )
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