bottombitch | IC Contact @ Riverview

_{[ Karamatsu is waiting outside, half expecting Aoba to not show up. It's stupid, he's stupid, but he felt like he needed to do something to just validate that things are okay between he and Aoba without actually using his brain and words and simply asking. He's such a coward through and through no matter what it is he's hiding from, but he's especially afraid of disappointment.

Though, the voice is heard and any worry that was on Karamatsu's face fades and he brightens up, throwing his arms around Aoba without any hesitation or judgment of his weird clothing trend with his hoodie pulled over him. He squeezes him tightly. ]}

Ah! I love your fashion statement! So unique!

[ Visible within the shadow of the hood, Aoba's mouth opens in surprise when the hug comes and his unnaturally white skin becomes smudged with red. He stiffens, instinctively flinching when Karamatsu comes close and -- no, he doesn't try to do anything weird. There's no hand on his hip or leg, no sign of going for anything more than a hug. It's just your average, truly embarrassingly public display of affection, one he'd actually grown a little used to before things got complicated.

...

He missed this. ]

F-fashion statement? Karamatsu, it's nothing of the sort -- [ Flustered, Aoba tugs at Karamatsu's top from the sides and then finally, after some hesitation, winds them around his waist in a hug, dropping his face onto his shoulder. It feels stupid, but suddenly he can't speak - his throat feels like it's closing up and all this emotion got stuck somewhere along the way. He wants to say 'It's your fault' or question how he's expecting to press the reset button on their friendship. But he's a coward too, and he's afraid of the tenuous grasp he has on his relationship to the two most important people in his life here.

Aoba lifts his head and turns it away slightly, embarrassed. ]

...Lets just go inside. This is... a little embarrassing.

_{[ Aoba is acting a little odd and even Karamatsu can notice that. He's shorter than Aoba so it's easier for him to peer at him from under his hood. He can see his hair and his skin is a little lighter-- it's really nothing that Karamatsu as seen before. It's concerning, but he decides to not draw attention to it just yet. Instead, his fingers curve around Aoba's sleeve, tugging at him lightly. ]}

Heh.. of course. We must bless those with our miraculous voices! There cannot be a moment to spare for anything else!

_{[ He releases Aoba's sleeve after a moment deciding to walk ahead of him. ]}

[ From beneath the hood, Aoba can feel Karamatsu's stare before he finally looks back at him, pulling his lips together to form a nervous line as he watches him. He's more than just lighter, although the dim light of nighttime tends to wash out all color anyway, but he's white all over. The hazel in his eyes are replaced with a bleached white with a nearly blue tint, his hair and skin also.

Aoba's shoulders hitch as Karamatsu's over-the-top declaration makes him twitch. Was he really worried about showing his strange appearance in public? Somehow that doesn't seem quite as bad as the nonsense Karamatsu says, but it's... also familiar. It's as if that day never happened and Aoba's not sure if that's supposed to make him feel more frustrated or relieved, so he's a bit of both -- which does absolutely nothing to help. ]

M-miraculous... h-hey!

[ Aoba's the sort to just go with the flow, thinking he should be grateful for something 'normal', for not being asked why he looks the way he does, or about any potential fallout from earlier in the month, but instead that seems to make him feel even more restless. He stares at Karamatsu in a dazed disbelief as he checks in and follows him to their karaoke booth. ]

...Seriously? You want to sing, I mean... obviously. But don't you want to... you know...

_{[ Karamatsu smiles as he hears Aoba's foot steps behind him. Honestly, he's just happy Aoba is hanging out with him. Seriously. There's a lot of things that Karamatsu wants right now, but the biggest thing was to have Aoba's company.

He looks over his shoulder and back at Aoba at his words. ]}

Ah? Do I want to what?
_{[ Yes, Aoba. Please tell him what he wants. ]}

...

[ He's going to make him say it, isn't he? ]

[ After seeing him like this... even Karamatsu can't be that clueless as to not know what this could mean, especially on the heels of what happened... and he has the nerve to play cool! He's totally making him say it, and that just pisses him off! The nerve...! ]

[ Aoba's hand reaches up and yanks back the hood, but it doesn't get far, not when it snags on one of the horns. But his white hair, mussed by the action and slightly lifting from static due to the dry air of winter, white skin and eyes are exposed for him to see clearly. ]

Um, this?! I mean... you don't even wanna ask?!

[ Aoba doesn't realize the hypocrisy of wanting to hide this away from everyone and then drawing attention to it. ]

_{[ watches, stares for the longest time. Was he supposed to ask!? He doesn't know how any of this is supposed to work! ]}

Aoba-kun, it doesn't matter how you look to me. The fact you came out here to be with me is all that matters! Just because your appearance is different.. it doesn't change your heart or who you are.
_{[ lmao that's what YOU THINK... ]}

Edited 2018-02-23 03:24 (UTC)

It matters to me!

[ Aoba's flipped over to that unreasonable side of his emotions, apparently affronted by the fact Karamatsu is so very chill about the main source of his own insecurity, the fact he's afflicted. It doesn't phase Karamatsu in the least and for some reason that pisses him off.

Aoba marches right up to him and points to his own face. And the horns. ]

Because of you, I'm like this! I even have horns! Look!

[ Aoba reaches out for his hands to try to pull them up to them, to touch them and see for himself that they're really real. You know. For reasons. ]

Take responsibility!

_{[ Karamatsu isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he does know that Aoba is very upset over.. whatever is happening to him right now. It's bizarre-- he's never seen anyting like it but he certainly doesn't see anything wrong with it. In fact, some aspects about Aoba's change he would say are beautiful, but that is beside the point.
His face falls, brows finally running together in worry. His holds his hands up slightly in defense, unsure of how to process the situation. ]}

O-oh, I'm sorry.. I do not understand! How is it my fault? How can I take responsibility? What have I done?
_{[ The last part sounds awfully guilty. ]}

[ That Other Aoba might have something to say about that, Karamatsu, seeing as 'drained of all color' is his natural state of being. Color arguably came to him the more he surrounded himself with it - colorful people, whose vibrancy seemed infectious and overwhelming.

But right now Aoba's just reacting to a switch that feels flipped. He's been bottling up a lot of conflicting emotions and thoughts and whether it's being cooped up for the better part of a week that's to blame or just the violence of his internal dilemma that's to blame, the result is nevertheless confusing for all involved. Aoba tugs at his hands and then lets go only for a moment. ]

Idiot! I'm cursed because of you did some weird stuff and made me worry about... things!

[ Aoba's being vague, which helps in no way at all, but now he's starting to move to try pulling his mouth wider with his thumbs. It's about as mature as it sounds. ]

You want to play around with karaoke, play it cool... without even acknowledging my suffering! You should be cursed!

[ That's literally not how it works... ]

_{[ Wh-what is he saying? Karamatsu honestly doesn't understand. He doesn't know what "curse" Aoba is talking about, or how Aoba is worrying about things. He does understand this probably has something to do with the kiss he stole a few nights ago, but other than that he is completely at loss.
Aoba is doing the familiar trick of passing the blame, something Karamatsu does a lot so he recognizes it, but he doesn't bother to argue or pass the blame back.

The last phrase gets him to gasp softly, hands splaying over his chest. ]}

I-Is that possible? Can I take this suffering away from you?
_{[ He sounds genuine for as much as a clueless person can in this scenario. ]}

O-oh.. if I have to turn white and grow horns for you... I gladly accept!

[ Aoba lifts his hands away from Karamatsu's face when he hears that. He's... offering to take his curse from him. He says it so earnestly that Aoba can't help but feel his frustration-fueled anger cool as he inwardly sighs. He really doesn't get it, does he?

Maybe it's because he tends to speak his mind? No, somehow he doubts that. After all, he'd tucked away whatever he was feeling for long enough to act on impulse so recklessly... or maybe that's just ]

...Of course it's not possible!

[ Exasperated by his own impotent anger that seems misdirected and pointless in the face of such an innocent and well-intentioned question, Aoba drops into a seat and frowns. No... more like sulks. He's tucking his arms into one another, crossing them over his chest as he huffs and fails to think of an appropriate recompense for whatever wrong Karamatsu has done him.

...Change of subject then. ]

If we're going to sing, then we're going to need to drink.

_{[ Well, if it's not possible, then Karamatsu isn't sure how to make this situation better for everyone. He doesn't know what it means when Aoba changes this color or what caused it, how it works, anything like that. Instead, he offers Aoba a weak grin and plops down next to him. They're all alone in this karaoke room, nothing but the TV screens prompting them to select a song.

Karamatsu just can't help it, sliding into the booth until their hips connect. He leans forward, peering at the sulking man next to him. ]}

I'll get your drink.
_{[ His voice is quiet, something he really only reserves for certain people.}

... [ God, what a mess.

Aoba looks at him out of the corner of his eye in silent acknowledgment of the solid weight of him in the seat next to him, the warmth he feels as he slots in at his side. It's familiar, more than welcome given his own self-imposed solitude. But at the same times, he worries that any amount of touch might set things in motion in ways he didn't intend.

Just like last time.

Aoba averts his eyes, but prompts Karamatsu into conversation about a subject they're both avoiding, skirting around talking about it directly but addressing it nevertheless. ]

It's weird, being like this... isn't it?

...We're both holding our feelings back out of fear from opposite ends of the spectrum, aren't we?

_{[ He watches Aoba, an undeniably clueless expression on his face. ]}

We are holding back feelings? O-oh, I thought.. I was the only one holding back feelings..!!
_{[ You see, he's oblivious you have any sort of feelings like what he has. That is what you said, right? Cause he just heard the F word and ran with it. ]}

Aoba-kun, are you saying you actually reciprocate!?
_{[ One thing about Karamatsu being so arrogant is he always fixates the conversation back to him and has to filter containing it when it comes to that. ]}

I said opposite ends, Kara-kun. O P P O S I T E. You know what it means, right?

[ Aoba turns and drops a hand onto Karamatsu's head, like a chop only... gentle. Just hard enough to get a reaction. ]

It means something innocent was taken from me. I want it back just as much as you want --

[ Aoba trails off, pulling his hand away and leaving his hands to fidget in his lap, his too-white eyes dropping to them. He's telling himself he's not reciprocating his feelings, just setting boundaries. ]

...Something else, right?

_{[ The chop earns him nothing more than a slight grimace, but otherwise he looks very attentive. ]}

Uwah.. I suppose..
_{[ He scratches the side of his cheek, embarrassed. ]}

... do I have to say what I want?

[ Aoba interlaces his fingers, then pulls them apart only to tent them contemplatively over his lap. He's had so much time alone to think, and yet he's no closer to a sense of calm or understanding. Instead... instead he's more conflicted now than ever.

Does he have to repeat himself? ]

No, you don't have to. [ There's no need. ] I understand... and I feel like... I feel like I should apologize for my part in making you feel that way.

[ Admitting this much feels like he's in an elevator that's suddenly dropped down a few floors. His stomach feels like there's a stone settling in it, cold and heavy and sickening. ]

...I overreached, Kara-kun. Thinking I could just... hug you or hold your hand like that without thinking how that would make you feel.

I'm sorry.

What do you mean.. apologize?
_{[ Usually Karamatsu puts the blame on other people for things, but he knows how weak his heart is for people. There's so many people he has fallen for in the past— he's gotten so many crushes. Crushes from back home, crushes from Eluvio. It isn't uncommon for him to invest a lot of feelings in people just because they're nice to him for a moment. ]}

Oh.. I would think it's my own fault for being so weak.
_{[ He says this so casually when it actually is a big flaw of his that he hates to admit. ]}

Edited 2018-02-24 04:10 (UTC)

[ Aoba suspects some things like... how strongly Karamatsu seems to feel about even the most mundane of things. Even knowing this about him, he didn't find it so much a deterrent to prevent him from draping his arms over his shoulders in a warm embrace, or by resting his head on his shoulder or arm or leg...

Not until this month, when he suddenly finds himself scrutinizing his every move and motivation for signs of infidelity. ]

...But I think maybe... it's not so easy to guard how you feel.

[ Because how he feels has kept him up more nights than he's willing to admit. And now, after so many sleepless ones, he wonders which is a greater weakness -- failure to acknowledge his feelings or pretending they didn't exist? ]

I keep thinking we're like-- [ Two ships on the same path but slightly off course... he wants to say this and yet this doesn't feel right, so instead he falls suddenly silent. Tucks his chin into his chest and winds his arms around his knees as he folds himself in half. This is hard. How is he supposed to answer? ]

...Like playing a game while the main character is like, more advanced or skilled than anything you see in real life, right? So you're kinda jumping in not really knowing what you're doing. And...

[ He's rambling.

Aoba feels his limbs grow cold and numb as he speaks, that sensation of fear creeping in as he starts hedging closer to a topic he's been holding back on. ]

Haah, nevermind. It's just... I get why you say you're weak, but I really wonder if there's something I did to... invite this.

Edited 2018-02-24 11:52 (UTC)

_{[ Throughout this, Karamatsu tilts his head. He doesn't understand why Aoba is feeling guilty about this-- Karamatsu is the one who acted out of his own selfish desires. He's the one who feels guilty. He listens thoroughly, though, and once Aoba is finished he reaches over and places his palm comfortingly over one of Aoba's. ]}

Heh.. you don't need to apologize for being who you are.
That's all. That's what.. did it for me. Who you are.
_{[ The contact doesn't last long, just a few gentle pats and then he withdraws his hand, not wanting to upset Aoba again. Maaan, this sucks.
He looks down, smiling, but he looks a little sad. ]}

... Let's just drink and enjoy each other for who we are.

Edited 2018-02-25 02:33 (UTC)

[ Ah, he's comforting him. Aoba feels like he should tell him he doesn't need to apologize either, but that would mean he would get distracted again. He feels like he's losing control of himself because of how much of a whirlwind his thoughts and feelings are. It's a mess, and he hates how he seems to have single-handedly dropped Karamatsu's mood. Aoba takes a hand off from around his knees and tries to catch his sleeve, wrist... fingers. Anything to hold for a moment. ]

Sorry.

My heads been all kinds of messed up ever since... and it's probably because I wouldn't talk about the things I regret that I look like this now.

[ Because there's still something he's not telling him. The part where his thoughts have been lingering too much on his fears of losing the special and unique attachments he has with the men in his life, and how he had to scrutinize his own feelings a little more carefully. What he found threw him into a tailspin that he still hasn't recovered from. ]

...Um, so. [ He fidgets, muttering into his knees as he looks at Karamatsu from over them. He has to ask. ]

If... you knew I had a boyfriend... does that mean you're into... 'that' sort of thing.

[ SO VAGUE??? ]

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edits since I'm more awake now hahaha

me af tho

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