youraffection | [IC] Inbox @ recolle

[ Yosuke was planning on going home, sleeping for a few hours, and then showing up at the school like he promised, fresh and ready for--whatever it is that they're doing.

That so didn't happen.

Yosuke stayed behind, helping clean up after the graduation ceremony as well as some of the general area thanks to the sprinklers. He's had an abundance of energy all of a sudden in stark contrast to how tired he's been from not sleeping much the night before. So with that, Yosuke rode his bike to grab something to eat, then came home, hung out with his mom in the kitchen for a while--she noticed he was bouncy--and then ran upstairs.

Sleep.

Yeah, sleep didn't happen. Especially when he started to get little texts from Yu over the course of the night. He didn't want to seem desperate, though he responded almost immediately to most of them, Yosuke tried to space the rest out and give the impression he wasn't just awkwardly rolling around on his bed without knowing how to spend his time.

He tried watching TV, playing some games online, but nothing could really keep his attention. It was only around midnight that Yosuke was able to doze for about half an hour, wake up to another text, responded, then dozed again for another twenty minutes. So that's almost a full hour of almost sleeping.

Accomplishment?

Yes.

Well, he certainly doesn't need the sleep because he's still running on adrenaline. He made it to the school about fifteen minutes until 2, unable to keep still. Pacing by the bike rack and kept him as occupied as he could be. When he hears the sounds of the buses rolling up, he's suddenly even more awake.

As Yu approaches, he tries to calm himself.

His heart catches in his throat with that face. ]

I, um...

[ Yeah, he can sense the layers and with no real good response, he just laughs, a little awkward and a little giddy. ]

I just got here.

[ He glances behind Yu, back towards the crowd of sleepy graduates as they find their designated rides home. ]

So...Souji's going home?

[ It's just us, right? ]

[ Yu, meanwhile, who has had no sleep whatsoever, is working mostly on sheer determination at this point. His adrenaline had cooled off quite a bit while he'd been at the party. He's just not as naturally excitable as Yosuke, and sending all those cute little texts had actually helped to ground and calm him. Ribbing Yosuke was familiar territory, even if the general feeling of it was much different now. Still, the sheer regularity of teasing his best friend - his ... ? - helps ground him.

It's only when he sees Yosuke again that the adrenaline comes crashing back into his veins, waking him up, drawing him out of the sleepy, silly stupor he's been in most of the day.

Somewhat furtively he'll glance around. There's no one nearby, no one looking their way. With that assurance, Yu reaches out to tangle a few of his fingers with a few of Yosuke's, the grin on his face sweet but also shy. ]

Yeah. I ... [ A considering pause. ] He knows, [ he says, rather plainly and with a slightly apologetic cast to his smile. ] He won't tell anyone we don't want to know.

[ A pause, and he tilts his head. ]

Why don't we go for a walk?

[ Standing in front of Yu again reminds him that the past few hours have been totally, one-hundred percent real. What Yu sent him, what he'd said in return, all of that happened. And now there they are, standing on the edge of...something. Something that he's sure he's about to find out more about.

Yu's gentle motion still sends a shock through his veins. He looks down at their lightly entwined fingers.

This is real, this is actually happening.

When he looks back up, he almost doesn't register what Yu is saying. He blinks once, replays his words until they finally translate properly. ]

Oh, um...I...kind of figured he would.

[ Know, that is. Yu would most definitely tell Souji and Yosuke...yes, he's definitely nervous about it, but that's something he guessed would happen anyway. He can handle it.

God, Yu is really--cute, can he say that? Yosuke has to look away again, but not without an awkward smile. ]

S-Sure...anywhere in particular?

[ That's a relief. Yu has kept enough secrets from Souji, he feels; he's had his reasons, but Souji is still his twin. His brother. They do tell each other things - and things like this definitely qualify as "the kind of thing to let your big brother in on." So he did, telling Souji while they were at Dan & Bluster's.

So now they have this time and the rest of this night to figure out... everything. They have a lot to talk about. But for the first time in a long time Yu doesn't feel any lurking uncertainty about it, no need to convince himself that things won't be what he hopes for them to be.

I think I like you too!

Yeah.

Yu will smile, curling his fingers more securely through Yosuke's. ]

I didn't have anywhere in mind. I thought we could just walk and talk about everything, if that's alright with you.

[ He'll have to let Yu know that Keigo kind of knows too...well, Yosuke was planning on telling him after this conversation, but it all just kind of came out after Yu left for his party. Keigo is really just too easy to talk to sometimes. Strangely it does make him feel nice to know he's got some outside support, even if the thought of telling anyone else really freaks him out.

One step at a time.

Yosuke's heart skips a beat at the tightening of Yu's fingers. His hand isn't already sweaty, is it? Carefully he gives Yu's hand a little squeeze back and it feels infinitely bolder than it probably is. ]

Yeah, that sounds chill.

[ Moving in general will be good. They need to move.

So, with that, Yosuke kind of takes a step off to the side to start them down the sidewalk, away from the school campus. ]

So...did you have fun?

[ One step at a time.

Yu falls in besides Yosuke as easily as you please, like this is where he belongs. (And it is where he belongs, now. That thought will take a long time to really sink in. He belongs at Yosuke's side now...)

Taking a deep breath of the cool night air, Yu tilts his head back to look up at the sky and smile a little. ]

Yeah, I did. Though maybe I shouldn't have tried playing so much DDR on no sleep...

[ For a moment that exhausted, dazed look overtakes him for a moment before he shakes his head and looks at Yosuke. ]

What were you up to while I was gone?

[ Yosuke keeps his gaze straight ahead, trying not to focus all of his energy on where their fingers are carefully intertwined. It's such a small thing but it feels so much bigger--he's never really held anyone's hand before, not like this. Not walking around holding it, except maybe his mom when he was a kid or Keigo when he was even younger.

Definitely not like this.

He raises his head up, though, to look over at Yu. ]

Yeah? I'm sad I missed it.

[ Yu on DDR, with or without sleep ]

Um...

[ Nothing? That's what it feels like. Nothing other than freaking out. ]

I just...helped clean up a bit after the ceremony, also since I felt bad about screwing up. Keigo helped with that too and we started talking a bit, so...erm, he kinda of knows? I'm sorry I should have asked first but it all kind of came out and I wasn't planning on saying anything to anyone until we talked because I don't really want to know or assume anything but, um. Yeah. That happened. And then I went home and hung out with my mom for a bit since she's into these Japanese cooking magazines and wanted to try out a new recipe with me. And then I just kind of chilled...

[ Which basically means he spent most of the night rolling around on his bed with too much energy and not enough sleep while waiting for Yu to text him. ]

[ Yu has never done anything like this before, either.

It's just easier for him to keep his mortal terror of messing up hidden beneath his skin. He's trying really hard to have faith. To believe this will work out. After all, they have each other. They're doing this together. If he makes mistakes, Yosuke will help him through it, and he'll do the same for Yosuke.

They'll be okay, won't they?

While Yosuke explains Yu will watch him, mentally noting the way he kind of rambles. He must still be feeling pretty nervous... which is okay. He is, too. ]

It's alright.

[ Carefully, slowly, he properly laces their fingers together, so their hands are pressed palm to palm. Real hand holding. God help him. ]

Now we both have one family member who knows. I don't mind that.

[ Just kind of chilled... One corner of Yu's mouth will quirk up. ]

Well, I'm glad that means you were around to answer my texts.

[ His oh so important kaomoji texts. ]

[ Real hand-holding is legit. Like, enough to shut Yosuke up pretty well, legit. Yosuke swallows, sparing another glance down at their joined hands and does everything he can not to combust right there. He takes a quick sweep of the area, making sure that they are still, in fact, alone. He is grateful of the early hour of the morning for something like this...

Yosuke flushes at Yu's comment, kicking a straying pebble with the toe of his shoe. ]

Well, I wasn't sure if you'd need me for anything...

[ Okay, that sounded kind of lame. ]

[ It's hard not to be painfully aware of their hands. Of the way Yosuke is looking down at their hands, and then glancing around for anyone who might see. Then again, he's nervous about getting spotted, too, though he's having a tough time placing exactly why...

Still. This is all normal nerves. It's all okay. Right? Yeah.

Yu gives his hand a squeeze, trying to get Yosuke to look at him, and smiles. ]

I did. After all, who else was I going to test those kaomojis on?

[ There's a lot of implications there, given how lovey dovey most of the kaomojis had been.

Still, after only a brief pause, he'll ask, gentle: ]

Is this okay?

[ Lifts their hands an inch, to show what he means. ]

[ It works. Yosuke blinks as he looks up at Yu, nervous, yes, but not upset. The emojis were definitely heavy on the ridiculous side, but Yosuke would be lying if the said he didn't find it cute. On the contrary, each time he got a text it renewed his will to stay up and he rightfully would roll over on his bed and cover his face in his hands or his pillow to calm himself down.

This guy likes him. Honestly likes him.

Holy shit. ]

You're such a dork...

[ There's no small amount of affection in that, though. His smile is tentative, but hopeful. ]

Huh?

[ Their hands. Yosuke looks down again and his cheeks grow another shade pinker. ]

Y-Yeah. [ His nervous laughter probably doesn't help. He calms himself. ] It's just--I've never really...held hands with anyone I liked before. Not any girl and definitely not--

[ A guy. ]

[ Getting Yosuke's confirmations in return - comments, teasing, judgments and all - had helped to keep Yu calm. Remind him everything was alright. Yosuke may have gotten energy from their texting, but Yu got peace. Peace from Yosuke joking and laughing with him, helping remind him that it was all going to be okay.

I think I like you too!

How many times can he replay those words in his head without it getting old?

I've never really...held hands with anyone I liked before.

Someone he likes.

The answer is that it'll never get old. ]

Me neither, [ he breathes, half a laugh. In a fit of pure happiness, he'll swing their hands, just once, but still. ]

We have plenty of time to learn now, though, don't we?

[ He is definitely worried about doing this wrong--any of it, all of it. Yu is his best friend and he doesn't want to lose that no matter what, especially not by messing this up. So it's nice to hear that his nerves aren't the only ones acting up. Yu gets a sideways, but happy little smile in return.

Especially when he swings their hands. What a dork.

At least it causes Yosuke to hold on tighter. ]

Y-Yeah...we do.

[ As they come to a crosswalk, they slow down. Yosuke looks both ways, eyeing the pedestrian button... ]

Hey...no traffic, wanna make a run for it?

[ It's hard not to get a little thrill from that. Honestly, Yosuke could glance at him funny right now and his heart would probably do flips.

Hm. A deserted crosswalk at 2:30 in the morning... with a sudden grin Yu will tug on Yosuke's hand and pull them both across the street, laughing.

They're in Apprassage... all the schools are here. Schools, with their natural green spaces and, in the lower schools, playgrounds...

That might be fun.

Yu will gently steer them in the direction he's now got in mind, but he's got his focus back on Yosuke. ]

So ... I know we didn't have a lot of time to talk, earlier. Was ... there anything you wanted to ask me?

[ Might as well try and clear the air. The feeling between them isn't a bad one - far from it - but Yu wants to make sure there aren't any lingering questions. ]

[ It was his suggestion, yes, but Yu's sudden desire to do it is just as exciting. Yosuke laughs a little too loudly for the time, but doesn't regret a damn thing. He runs alongside the other boy with a wide grin as they reach the other side.

Of course it turns a little more serious. Yosuke's exuberance sobers a little bit, but he's not unhappy. ]

I...

[ Yosuke exhales slowly, watching Yu carefully. ]

Like...everything? And somehow I can't think of one single question...I'm kind of still having trouble believing this is actually happening. Is that weird?

[ He'll never get tired of seeing that smile on Yosuke's face.

Yu will watch him with a small, crooked smile, and then look down at his feet as they walk. ]

... it's not weird.

[ A breath. ]

I think I've liked you since the beginning. This all feels surreal to me, too.

[ That actually takes him by surprise. Yosuke blinks, brows raising high on his forehead. ]

Really?

[ His lips hang open for a moment as he gapes, before a breathy laugh follows and he shakes his head. ]

That--that's so crazy. You--man, you found me in a trash can!

It's funny...

[ he murmurs, and the faint smirk on his face is more than a little mischievous. ]

How could you be so cute covered in trash? I asked myself that question for at least a week.

Oh my god.

[ This is essentially the physical reaction to all the texts that Yu sent him--he gives Yu's shoulder a playful shove, but is grinning wildly over his shoulder as he pulls Yu forward with him, heading no where in particular. ]

Now you're just messing with me!

[ Oh boy.

Yeah. Yeah, that smile makes his heart do flips. And somersaults, and parkour, and a full set on the uneven bars. Help.

Yu just kind of trots along after him, laughing quietly. ]

I'd never mess with you, Yosuke. [ Perfect innocence. He'll tug on Yosuke's hand lightly, indicating without words where he wants to go. ] In fact, I've never messed with you. I don't know where you're getting this idea.

How can you say that with a straight face?

[ Teasing feels good. They tend to rag on each other a bit normally, playfully, though he's much more aware of the glint in Yu's eyes and the quirk of his lips this time around.

He doesn't need to be told, he follows easily, becoming more and more comfortable with this whole hand-holding in public thing. (Well, deserted public. It's okay for now.) ]

Easily. An innocent man has nothing to hide, after all.

[ Also with a straight face. Look. ~Acting~, okay?

It's not too much further to their destination: a playground. Yu will finally release Yosuke's hand when they get there, feeling sort of bereft when he does, but letting go lets him step in and lift a hand to brush fingers over the various playground structures. He's way too tall for most of them, which makes him smile in a nostalgic kind of way.

His real destination is the swings, of course. ]

What's the last time you visited a playground? [ A mostly rhetorical question, said with half a grin. ]

Uh-huh, sure.

[ Lies.

Yu is just full of adorable lies.

Yosuke is a little surprised by their destination, enough so that he doesn't immediately realize that he misses the feel of Yu's hand until a moment or two later. He follows the other boy over the threshold, shoving his hands into his pockets as he eyes the structures. A jungle gym, monkey bars, slides, see-saw, and swings.

You know, he's skinny enough he might fit on some of those things... ]

Honestly? I can't remember. Feels like forever, though...

[ He pushes the small merry go-round with his foot, watching it spin slowly. ]

[ Their builds aren't too dissimilar, but perhaps especially thanks to months on the swim team, Yu has become a bit more built out. He might get stuck in some of this stuff if he tried it...

But he'll circle around to the merry-go-round, standing on the opposite side of it from Yosuke and spinning it with a hand. ]

It's nostalgic, isn't it? [ Glances off to one side, thoughtful, but in a good way. ]

[ Yosuke is pretty on board with that, really.

He wont be forgetting that bath house memory anytime soon. Just sayin'. ]

Yeah.

[ Except he's watching Yu now, not the merry-go-round. Quietly, contemplatively for a moment too long, before inspiration strikes. Yosuke grins wildly and then jumps onto the merry-go-round, perching his ass one of the metal bars. ]

C'mon, spin it!

[IC] Inbox @ recolle

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject