bottombitch | IC Contact @ Riverview

A-ah, be careful with that.. it is.. expensive fashion!
_{[ man doesn't that sound familiar.. ]}

I see.. I follow my sense of direction with my heart, not with my eyes.
_{[ omg what an idiot. ]}

You should give them back to me, you know.
_{[ He doesn't answer the question because those sunglasses make up at least half of his identity. ]}

[ Aoba slips the glasses off and blinks at him. For a moment, while he was pretty much blind wearing his shades at night, when he spoke like that...

Inspecting the glasses in his hands, his eyes narrow slightly. ]

Here, take them back.

[ He holds it out, but will pull back slightly a moment later. ]

...But you should tell me where you got them.

Where I got them? Hmmm. I have had them a long time.. since high school. They came from.. home! Ah, yes, home. Like everyone else, I'm misplaced and sent here for who knows how long.

_{[ He takes back the shades and clears his throat. Come on, Karamatsu. Sound cool. ]}

Answering your question, I wanted to see if you would like to have some.. fun.
_{[ Hmm. He's not stuttering at least. ]}

That is why I asked.

[ Aoba looks at the shades again. They look familiar, but... ]

Fun. [ Uh oh. Aoba watches him carefully, then holds out the glasses. His nervousness is betrayed by the fact that his grip is unsteady. He's trying to play it cool himself, because he's... pretty sure this mysterious idol just propositioned him. ]

Is there another karaoke bar or something you wanted to check out?

Heh. A karaoke bar. Hardly.

_{[ He remembers doing this trick to woo some girls back home, you know, during season one, and coincidentally there's a wall right there, so he's just going to stop suddenly, slamming his hand against the wall and blocking Aoba from walking any further. His other hand slides his sunglasses on top of his own head for now before placing his hand carefully on Aoba's waist. He leans in a little closer, easing the distance between them in agonizing slowness. This new found confidence in himself has really made him unstoppable at this rate. He tips forward and in a low tone he mutters into Aoba's ear. ]}

The kind of fun I'm thinking of just involves the two of us and what we have.

[ Aoba jolts when he slams the wall, looking at the arm that now bars him from walking that way and then following it up to his face to stare, startled into silence. What happens next is alarmingly smooth, because despite how slowly he invades his personal space and crowds up on him, he only shrinks back slightly against the wall. ]

Y-you're too close.

[ This guy is so forward! He doesn't even know his name, but he's been stuck on him like glue pretty much at hello. And... and he's really hot. And charismatic. Aoba realizes the defense he's putting up is laughably flimsy, because if he's honest with himself, it's not like he hates this. It's shocking, he doesn't really know what he's done to earn himself this attention but his heart is racing at the sudden and steamy direction this night is heading. ]

You can't be seriously trying to hook up, I mean... we only just met. [ Which... is actually kind of turning him on, too. But that's quickly shut down by his stronger urge to kink shame himself. Aoba lifts his face and tries not to think about the warmth of this bad boy's breath against the shell of his ear, feeling like he might actually combust. ] Besides, your brother is probably waiting for you, right?

I'm totally serious. My brother? Tch. He can wait. He's probably speaking into somebody else's ear right now anyway.
_{[ He's just going to kiss Aoba's ear lobe like so, nothing too bad, but his lips linger there. ]}

It doesn't matter if we just met! I do not see you trying to resist.
_{[ His hand slides up Aoba's shirt to press into his skin beneath the cloth. Hm, recognizably cold hands. ]}

You're living the dream right now, you know.. and in this dream, you desire to kiss me.
_{[ wow, bossy.. ]}

You're not seeing anyone, you said, so why not? Go on, tell me why there would be any reason to resist. I'm hot, aren't I?
_{[ He's not used to being this good looking! ]}

[ Aoba finds his hands are on his shirt, instinctively holding the fabric as he hovers between throwing him off and keeping him there. He's so conflicted. One, they're in public... Two, he doesn't even know his name... But he's absolutely calling him out on what gives him reason to hesitate, and he makes a startled sound and flinches when he kisses his earlobe and barely suppresses a shiver.

This is driving him crazy! Aoba thinks his face is blushing so hot right now that it might be letting off steam. ]

W-well, hang on! Sometimes people just need to know who someone is b-before...!

[ While that's something Aoba was thinking internally, he's hot, it's a whole different matter when it's said out loud. He glances away, his face turning into a deeper shade of red. He squeezes his eyes shut, considering his options. Pride makes him want to push him away, but desire welcomes the attention. But in shutting off his sight, he forces himself to focus with his other senses. The sound of his voice that seems oddly familiar, the way he says 'brother'. The too-cool hands that feel like... ]

...Mn? [ Aoba opens his eyes, suddenly docile and lost in thought. He had thought that maybe this idol is really right up Karamatsu's alley, maybe even his type. He likes blue, music, they wear similar fashion, although one seems to wear it a little more successfully...

But this guy couldn't be Karamatsu, right? Asking is pointless, since he won't give him his name. So Aoba slowly drapes his arms around his neck, then taps the face of his watch - his Coil and hits the redial function. Karamatsu's screen name flashes across the display, but Aoba waits. ]

Why are you so interested in me?

_{[ Karamatsu welcomes Aoba wrapping his arms around his neck, pleased that this kind of attention is being accepted. A part of him feels guilty for being disguised like this and he thinks that maybe he should at least tell Aoba, but..
He feels so confident and so different now. His appearance is ideal, somebody he always dreamed of being. His normal self, well, his normal self wasn't toned or tall or easy on the eyes.
His hand slides from Aoba's body to his chin, holding hims delicately as he leans in for a kiss but not without saying: ]}

Oh, sweet Aoba.. who wouldn't be interested in you? You're handsome and kind.. I feel a connection to you that I cannot describe.
_{[ He doesn't kiss him, but he does hold him there. ]}

_{[ aaaand he doesn't kiss him because he feels that familiar buzz in his back pocket from his cellphone. He freezes, looking at Aoba with wide eyes and doesn't move. ]}

Um.
_{[ CLEARS HIS THROAT. ]}

That can wait.

[ Aoba at first thinks he's being so slick, discretely ringing up Karamatsu's phone because he has this crazy hunch. There's just so many similarities, to his fashion, his mannerisms and voice... he thinks he's run into something really unique. He figured it was bound to happen, given the nature of this place, but never did he expect to run into this.

A real, live Karamatsu Boy.

So either he was going to surprise the real deal with his admittedly waaaay too hardcore fan (to a creepy degree) or there's the other, more distant possibility that it is Karamatsu. Somehow. But then things move a little more quickly than he can react, despite the cinematic pacing of this guy's movements as he tips his chin up and leans in and Aoba gets swept right up with the sudden, romantic mood.

...and then jolts when he hears that light buzzing from somewhere behind him. He blinks in surprise, flinching back slightly. Wait. Was that a coincidence? ]

N-no, you should take it! I'm fine... just...

[ Aoba blushes, glancing away, but he's keeping both him and the Coil display in the corner of his eye. ]

See what they want and say you'll call back.

_{[ It's actually kind of cute that Aoba would think that Karamatsu has a fan. It's really cute, actually, but Karamatsu doesn't know that. Karamatsu grunts and pulls away from Aoba, looking disappointed. He takes a few steps back before turning his back to Aoba and slipping his phone out of his pocket. In a hushed tone, he answers the phone: ]}

Yes, hello. I'm, ugh, rather busy right now.
_{[ Not as busy as he would like to be right now. ]}

[ Aoba leans against the wall as he steps back and then turns, grateful for the sudden departure and cooling hit of night air after being stiflingly hot while he was crowded up near him. But then when he hears his voice echoing through his Coil, his relief transforms into a flicker of shock and then mischief. ]

I know.

[ There's an echo - both from the reciever and from the voice behind him as Aoba replies: ]

But since you're busy with me, you can start by telling me why you have Karamatsu's phone and his glasses.

_{[ Oh god, oh god. He's been caught! Karamatsu visibly cringes, his shoulders drawing upward as embarrassment spreads across his face. He hangs up his phone without a word and looks over his shoulder at Aoba. Man, it looks like he's seen a ghost! He hates being caught doing something very stupid. ]}

W-Well, you see, about that.. _{[ he puts his phone in his back pocket again. ]}
I guess.. I've been lying to you this entire night, huh? Heh, it's wrong of me. I shouldn't, but I couldn't resist with this new kind of feeling.. you know, a feeling that I'm something honestly great and beautiful.

_{[ He makes a face and looks away, keeping his distance from Aoba. ]}

I should have at least told you sooner that.. it's been me all along.

...So you were trying to impress me by being someone else.

[ It takes Aoba a moment to catch up mentally, pushing aside the concept that this was some kind of super fan, desperate to become the man he idolized. It sounds foolish, but he's sure that there were plenty of beautiful people who lacked the brightness to match their glittering exterior. And others who lacked both but had all the enthusiasm to try.

He feels that tension evaporate, relieved that it isn't anything like a creepy fan, but just more of the same -- this quarantine's eccentricities taking a new form. Instead of it being a child version of Karamatsu, it seems that he's become... some kind of idolized version? He's not really sure what's going on, to be honest. ]

I was wondering why you were stuck on me like glue, and sometimes it seemed like you knew me a little too well. Instead I ended up learning that you don't know me very well at all, not where it counts.

[ Aoba reaches out and hooks a finger onto one of his belt loops. Tugs on it to get his attention. ]

I'm sorry that you felt like you had to go this far. Is it... reversible?

.. Yeah..
_{[ His voice is quiet. ]}
I like to impress people by being somebody else most of the time. But.. not like this.

_{[ He really doesn't understand how he can be so comfortable being so honest to Aoba and he still ends up lying to him. God, it's just another way for him to fuck up. He clenches his teeth slightly and looks down at his hands, taking note of each and every new change. He really did feel better about himself in this body and he finds himself lost in thought until Aoba tugs at him.
He snaps out of it and blinks rapidly at Aoba. ]}

U-uhm, well, you know.. I'm not entirely sure.. I was just handing out flowers. Ah, my big brother, he was the first person I saw.. when he received it, we both ended up like this and decided to make the most of it.

_{[ but why ]}

Why are you worried about it being reversible? My physique.. it is so much better!

Edited (oh my god pls spell check) 2018-05-02 02:44 (UTC)

[ Aoba's learned to stop asking 'why'. Sometimes it's best to just let those kinds of details go, mostly because the answer is often more cringe-worthy or just ends up revealing a whole host of other questions more distressing than the original.

Aoba understands now, anyway, why the pair seemed so familiar... and shakes his head. He feels like an idiot. It's so obvious in hindsight, and he was so distracted by their surface-level beauty that he kinda got... swept away. ]

Hmm. Better. I'm not sure about that.

[ Sure, he's hot like this. But... he also is a complete stranger in this form. And he would argue that it's even influencing his personality, the way he behaves... and honestly, it would have been easier if this had been someone else. But he's Karamatsu, not... whatever he's trying to be now. Aoba lifts a hand and rests it on Karamatsu's head, then draws it back to check the height difference between them. It's just... too big a difference. ]

You're taller than me and bigger, sure... but the real you is what I'm used to. And he's not so into himself.

It's kind of weird feeling jealous of someone's narcissism. [ He's joking, mostly. ] Just what kind of guy do you take me for, anyway?

_{[ The real you is what he's used to. For once he feels like his eyes have really been opened. He thought nobody in his entire life would say something like that to him. His lips curl in a frown, ignoring how his face heats up and colors from such a striking compliment. ]}

U-uhm.
_{[ wow, he's really left speechless for a second. ]}

I don't know.. I guess I thought maybe you'd like it. Maybe I just.. feel better about myself this way because I'm tired of being how I am. You never gave me any reason to make me think maybe you didn't like me, but I just, I don't know. I looked in the mirror and actually liked what I saw instead of pretending to like it, s-so..
_{[ WOW, words.. ]}

Edited 2018-05-02 03:09 (UTC)

You... liked this. Oh. Okay.

[ This is an entirely different matter then. Aoba thinks about this for a moment, dropping his eyes to the ground. If he had become someone else, like a girl or a puppy or something... sure, it would be difficult, but if it's what he wanted to be...

Aoba looks up again, smiling sheepishly. If this is something he wants, then he has to support it! Even if he's not used to it or thinks it was necessary. ]

Well, if this is really what you want, that's fine. I just don't want you to think -- you know...

[ That he was holding back because Karamatsu lacked in some way. He doesn't want him to think that at all. But if this makes him happy, then... ]

I wouldn't have changed anything about you, but that's also not my choice at all. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Mm.. but it's pretty fake, isn't it?
_{[ He laughs weakly and adverts his gaze. ]}

When am I not faking, though.. _{[ Ichimatsu keeps pointing that out about him and he knows he is right. ]}

But uh.. you said you wouldn't change anything at all about me? Even being shorter.. and not muscular.. just being.. whatever I'm supposed to be outside of this?

[ Aoba flusters. Waving his hands to try to keep Karamatsu with him and not plummet into a depressed mood. ]

It... it doesn't matter to me if it's fake! I mean, if this is important to you... you have my support! 100%!

[ He realizes he's treading dangerous territory. He wants Karamatsu to feel comfortable in his skin, not influence how he should look. Not... not to this degree. Quietly, he reaches out and puts his hands on his arms, then sliding them down to take his hands in his. ]

M-my soulmate came to me in a smaller package, one that I needed to handle gently. I'm just used to that.

I still like you no matter how you look on the outside.

I..
_{[ Well, timing is great, because a few seconds after Aoba says that, in a small puff of smoke, Karamatsu returns to his normal form without any kind of sign or warning. The cloud subsides and Karamatsu is seen again, smaller, less attractive and hardly any tone on his body at all.

He reacts a bit startled from his sudden transformation, drawing back his hands so he can place them over his own body and looks down at his hands to confirm that is what happened to him just now. If Aoba looks carefully, there's little tears seeping into the corners of his eyes. ]}

[ In shock, Aoba shields himself from the puff of smoke, waving his hand to clear the air in front of his face as he squints back at him. He hasn't a clue what caused that, but as soon as his eyes adjust, he realizes he needs to lower his gaze. He's back to his normal, noodle-armed self. Aoba's expression softens with recognition and he inwardly breathes a sigh of relief. It's not like he hated that look on him...it was just an adjustment he wasn't sure how to handle -- he was just determined to support whatever decision he made and wing it. ]

There you are.

[ Something about Karamatsu's expression looks a little sad, maybe frustrated. Like when you're enjoying something fun and suddenly the power goes out or you realize you've run out of tokens. Aoba steps up to him, lifts his arms and drapes them over his shoulders again, bumping his forehead against his. ]

If you really want me to, I can give you some more of those flowers. Personally... I don't think you need them. If you were enjoying them, I don't mind.

...Can I ask you a question, though?

_{[ Karamatsu isn't exactly upset that he's lost his ability out of nowhere, but he's actually more touched that Aoba would say those things about who he really is. He blinks rapidly a few times when he feels his head bump with his and reluctantly looks back into his eyes. ]}

A-Ah, yes.. of course. You can ask me anything! I will search the deepest parts of my soul for an answer.

Edited 2018-05-04 01:56 (UTC)

Hehe~

You shouldn't have to reach that far for an answer.

[ Aoba grins, pulling back to look down into his face and squeezes him with a hug. Yeah, they're out in public and only a moment ago Aoba was mildly freaking out over all the unexpected touching happening but. It's so different when he knows it's him. ]

...What were you going to do if I had said yes and you went back to normal at a bad time?

[ His smile looks a little mischievous. ]

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'during season one' I'M DYING

GOOD

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