IC-Inbox ~ City of Ariel

[takenwithhim]

IC-Inbox ~ City of Ariel



“Leave a message.”

TEXT / VIDEO / VOICEMAIL

Comments

[otterbeswimming]

[YAMAZAKI. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. LOOK AT THIS FACE.

LOOK. AT. IT.]

Yamazaki-senpai! I need your help! I don't have any nice clothes to go to Club Rapier to see Nitori-senpai! You are so cool and I want to impress him and not make him frown at me because I picked out something he didn't like!

1/2

[takenwithhim]

[He's gonna look once and then kinda give the same face you'd always expect him to have when this comes busting through his head.]

Nanda...

2/2

[takenwithhim]

[Like he has to ask, since it's coming out anyways. A dark brow arches at the answer though.]

Eh? [Okay, teasing time.] You've got a date with Aiichiro?

[He'll get to the clothes in a second, kid.]

[otterbeswimming]

Date? How's it a date? I'm visiting him at his work.

[He knows what kind of place it is but he doesn't think it's a date? Maybe he needs to bring a date though...

ANYWAY THAT IS NOT THE POINT!]

Peter-chan is helping me out though so it's okay! But we can still go do something together some time!

[takenwithhim]

[Oh right, the Rapier Club. Come to think of it, Sousuke still owes Aiichiro a trip there himself... as promised.]

Depends on how you view the place.

[Semantics. He's still having fun listening to his roommate freak out about it.]

Aa. [That's what he gets for being late to "pick up the phone" in this case. He's heard of Peter though, one of Momotarou's friends.]

I can always judge it when you come home.

[That's right. He just said "home" without realizing it.]

[sharkmaid]

[Guess who's gonna appear in your thoughts right about now, bestest buddy ol' pal? That's right. Rin will, and with his little mirror propped up in front of him on the dining room table, he props his chin up in his hand and sports a very, very wide grin.]

So? How's it like?

[takenwithhim]

[It's not the blip popping into his head that has his eyebrow rising. It's that look on his face, grin wide with those pretty sharp teeth all exposed and gleaming. Sousuke looks up at the ceiling, having just laid down for a rest, but obviously not...]

Tsk. What's "it" and I'll answer.

[Come on; he knows that look.]

[sharkmaid]

Come on.

[Of course you know this look. Embrace it and enjoy it, man.]

You know... Nanny Sou-su-ke~

[Yes, he's being sure to add emphasis to every character just because he wants to.]

[takenwithhim]

[Absolutely not.]

...

["Nanny" should be the biggest hint, right? Wait. 'Click.' Enjoy a 'lens' shrinking a little with that annoyed look and his head turning to the side.]

Shut up.

Voice

[otterbeswimming]

[He's leaving a voicemail on purpose. It gives Yamazaki time to prepare.

Though...he'll never be prepared enough.]

Yamazaki-senpai? When we're both home tonight can I ask you something important?

Voice

[takenwithhim]

[What's this? He's momentarily curious about the lack of mirror, but then a little guarded at the question.

If that didn't hint at something...]

Aa... [A beat. Then.] Are you okay?

Voice

[otterbeswimming]

[It's because he forgot it at home Sousuke. He's out and about.]

Yeah. I just...wanna...ask a question...

Re: Voice

[takenwithhim]

[Window? Not like he's one to talk; he's only just recently bought one himself.]

All right.

[Instinct tells him the logical "can you ask now" is not a good question at the moment.]

I'll be home around 6.

Audio

[musclefan]

Sousuke-kun! Hello!

( It's Gou, of course! But something sounds a little off... )

Can I ask you something?

Re: Audio

[takenwithhim]

[That's always a voice he's never not liked hearing.]

Yo, Gou.

[Though that also means he's able to pick up on that "off" feeling about it.]

Aa. What's up?

Audio

[musclefan]

This is going to sound strange, but...just go with it.

Are you dating anyone right now?

( Gou will just be holding her breath until she gets a reply. )

Audio

[takenwithhim]

[Oh... he doesn't like the sound of that. At all. When's the last time Gou's said something strange? Ignoring the whole "Kohaku" event.]

Okay...

[And everything comes crashing to a halt. Because that question and why that question and what's he gonna get for it?!]

[But... it's Gou. Lying to her isn't...]

A-... aa.

[Stomach-->down-->legs.]

8/30 <-- for time reference

[otterbeswimming]

[He knows stuff has been bothering Sousuke but he doesn't know what it is. However, maybe his boyfriend could use a distraction for a bit so he calls him from the beach. Richisuke is with him and playing with the water while Momo holds the leash.]

Soucchi, are you busy right now?

8/30

[takenwithhim]

[Maybe it's been a little obvious, since they live together. He's spend a bit longer at work, a bit longer outside, came home late twice in a row. Momotarou is cheerful and excitable, but he isn't dumb.

So he's been expecting this call for a while now, much of the turbulence settled for now.]

No. I'm packing up to head home.

[otterbeswimming]

Great! Come to the beach! I have a surprise for you!

[His face lights up and he really hopes that he'll agree. Whatever is going on must be hard for Sousuke but maybe if he just gives him a little something fun for a bit then he'll be able to take his mind off it for a bit.]

[takenwithhim]

[So much for going home. He finishes packing something into his bag and then slings the entire thing over his shoulder.]

All right. Which area?

[He'll admit, he's surprised, and curious. What's the otter got that's so exciting?

Don't say you're pregnant.]

[sharkmaid]

[It's been a while since they last spoke and Rin's starting to feel antsy. He doesn't like this pattern. Talking, silence, more talking, more silence. It isn't like them. And after certain things came up, well...

Somehow he doubts he'll be waking him up when he calls late in the evening. He's sitting in the tub at the moment like he has been for half an hour now, submerged in warm water and bubbles to help soothe skin and muscles that still feel a little tender to the touch. But for the most part his injuries have lifted save for one or two scratches he can easily treat and cover with gauze and bandages. Funny. This is something Haru should be doing... Maybe Rin's starting to adapt that behavior.]

... Hi.

[he says it gently, his tone soft and a bit expectant.]

[takenwithhim]

[He's not really surprised to hear that soft word drift into his mind. Sometimes it still startles him, not having any phone to hear ringing in his pocket, only a sudden voice. The breeze whispers past his face, tugging some of his bangs in gentle flutters. It really has been a while since they last spoke, a number of weeks maybe. Sousuke remembers what happened that night, what had been revealed... exchanged.

The two of them stumbling from their homes, pushing through the rain across a battered city, only to end up on their knees in front of each other, wrapping arms and hearts together for warmth... comfort... safety.

The cold air is soothing, tracing over his skin and muscles that have slowly recovered back to semi-normalcy. The cuts, bruises, burns, almost all had bid farewell and faded away. A few remained, faint traces that he hid behind bandages or clothing. It almost feels... weird. To be able to move around normally, not to wince when he sits down or reaches up. Everything's settled, like calm waves on the ocean shore.]

… hey.

[His tone is quiet, hovering above a whisper, and he leans forward, crossing both arms on the window sill, framed by shallow billows of gossamer curtains.]

[sharkmaid]

[Rin laughs softly though he really doesn't know why. But it feels fine and it brings a little more comfort to his warm bath... He feels normal again.

Leaning back against the tub, he sinks a bit deeper until his head is the only thing resting above the water. There's steam all about him and he almost wants to fall asleep, but he's already heard Sousuke's voice and it's already lit up his heart. No way can he rest after that.]

... Would it be dumb to say it's nice to hear your voice again?

[takenwithhim]

[Why's he laughing? The question stays silent; he wants to hear it. The soft vibration of Rin's voice. It's different than the squeaky sounds of joy he made as a child. Sousuke feels the corner of his mouth lift. It's instinct, he can no more stop the gentle comfort that voice brings to him anymore than he can stop the breeze from blowing past him.

The sound of water leaks into his mind. Rin must be in the bath. For a moment, his body wanes jealous. Warm water sounds amazing right now. But then the zephyr crosses the window again and he relaxes. He wants to lower his head, put his chin on his arms, and fall asleep there... but he's far too tall for that kind of stunt.

Hn. Dumb...]

No. [Teal eyes lid halfway, taking in the night sky in front of him.] I've missed yours as well. It's deeper now, calmer, than when we were kids.