[ It turns out, even the most robotic of processes can slowly be altered. Haruaki's getting better and better at staying up until midnight, and especially now that he more-than-occasionally has a duty that takes him out of the house in the dead of night–
Which is why, at 11:59 PM on the dot, the front door to the flat above Takahashi General Clinic bangs open. ]
I made it just in time! Life is so much easier now that I can think of sailor uniforms to run at super speeds again!
[ Who knew that was a power worthy of being stolen from him and regained? Anyway...
He scoots right over to where Akira's surely hunched over all his papers and books, hands over his shoulders to try to lift him up. ]
I got Principal home from the bar for his bedtime, and now it's your turn! Abe-sensei's work is never done!!!
[ Caught shrimping, and caught most definitely thinking he was gonna escape bedtime due to Haruaki being out. An unfortunate lesson his years and years of social training has left him with is that if he misbehaves where no one can see, it doesn't count.
And now he's here being seen. Drat. ]
You're really giving everyone a bedtime, huh? I suppose that is the healthiest option...
[ He isn't standing up from his chair, though. Not yet. ]
No! Never! I would never go back on my word like that.
[ While he is telling the truth, he unfortunately still has the air of someone caught doing something they aren't supposed to. Because it's not like he hasn't thought about it... ]
[ Well, now this feels kind of like a little game, some enrichment for the both of them. So he doesn't help in the effort at all, not quite deadweighting on Haruaki but not putting his legs into action and standing the hell up. ]
Lifting me? I wouldn't imagine so, I weight the same as before. Though, hm...
[ Okay, maybe a little deadweighting as his train of thought takes a detour. ]
Would putting my eyes elsewhere in here count as being up and out of bed?
Haruaki really was only thinking about having oni strength to contend with.
He stupidly forgot about The Eyes.
Akira can be dead weight for a moment. He ceases his tugging, lets Akira slump back down into the chair fully and leans over him, far enough to peer at him upside down. ]
Do you have to be awake to use your eyes, or can they look at something out here while you're asleep in there?
[ Whether out of shame, embarrassment, or simply a mutual, silent agreement to not rock the boat, they haven't spoken about it. They haven't let it change anything about their habits, either – they've still fallen asleep cuddled up in one another's beds every night after whispering a question into the darkness. Haruaki's tried to put it out of his mind, but...
He feels it every time Akira wraps his arms around him. The dull pressure of a scalpel slicing through his skin, a firm hand wriggling between his ribs to wrap right around his heart. His own blood in his mouth, pushed there by Akira's tongue.
That first touch of their lips together, the last thing he felt before it all went pleasantly numb.
Not talking about it isn't in Haruaki's nature. He can keep secrets, and he can avoid topics until someone is ready to bring them up, but... this is a big deal for him. A massive one.
And he doesn't think Akira knows.
He's not sure if those feelings they both expressed were just a byproduct of the room or not. He's not sure of much of anything, lately, but one thing he's sure of is– ]
Akira-kun. [ It's quiet, but firm. Serious. Haruaki lingers at the edge of the kitchen as they clean up after dinner. ] About the labyrinth...
[ That room lingers much like a dream in the edges of Akira's mind. Normally it would be a sweet one, confessing the feelings he's held on to for so long and getting to hold his beloved's heart in his hands while laying him down with a kiss...had he woken up from it in the morning like any other dream he'd be kicking his feet and giggling.
But that's not how it happened. Haruaki was there. Along with the dreadful, awful realization that he did indeed say all those things, do all those things.
Haruaki is truly a creature of mercy for not bringing it up until now.
Akira assumes he's done something wrong from the tone, like forgetting to put something away or not taking the trash out when he should have. But then Haruaki clarifies, and his pleasantly apologetic demeanor freezes. ]
...Alright.
[ It's quiet, careful, even with a smile still in place like a cornered fawn. ]
[ The thing is that it does feel like a dream. Even more so when they emerged from the room and he had not a scratch on him, much less a scar running the length of his torso. Haruaki could almost let himself believe it was nothing more than a strange vision they shared... if not for the palpable tension between them every so often.
It really happened. They really did all that, said all that. Sure, Akira did most of the talking, but–
Haruaki did tell him that he loved him.
It wasn't a lie, was it?
He feels desperate for guidance, and there's no one to give it. He and Akira have to muddle through this together. ]
All of it, I guess...
[ There's no one thing in particular Haruaki can point to first. It's all a jumbled mass of sensation in his mind and in his heart, desire and fear mingling in a noxious mass.
He fiddles with the dish towel in his hands, wringing it in one nervous fist as one sentiment rises to the top of the confusing slurry and jolts out of him before he can think it over. ]
It didn't feel like it at the time, but, um... th-that was my first kiss.
[ CACKLCKLINKANK--There's a clattering of dishware Akira's putting away, thankfully not breaking anything but expressing as much of a startle as it might evoke. ]
[ Like a fragile flower suddenly deprived of sunlight, Haruaki withers on the spot. His cheeks go bright pink as he looks askance, pointer fingers coming up to meet in front of his chest, around that security blanket of a dish towel. ]
I already know it's pitiful! You don't have to tell me!
[ Just as it's in Akira's nature to touch, it's in Haruaki's nature to demur – his kneejerk reaction is to reassure in return, tell Akira that it's fine, he's fine, it's all fine!!
But something gives him pause. Maybe it's just having Akira close once more. That always seems to make his heart stutter lately.
And then he relents, expression softening from something embarrassed to something quietly grateful. Perhaps he hadn't realized just how much of an ache he was carrying around. The apology is a balm he wasn't aware he needed. Leave it to Akira to heal what hurts... ]
It's okay. [ This time when he says it, he really does mean it – it isn't a way to brush off his own feelings, but to acknowledge them, and acknowledge Akira's apology in kind. ] Like I said... when we were in there, I didn't think it was my first? It felt like we had to have done that before, but...
[ But they hadn't, of course. Haruaki's mouth twists thoughtfully, unsure of exactly how their minds were manipulated back in that room. ]
Did it feel like that for you too? Like we were already... you know!
[ On Christmas morning, Akira will receive a small wooden box with intricate geometric designs carved deep into each side. Inside, an unassuming gift: a bracelet of braided cord that's been dyed deep blood red.
It might take some blushing and stammering to get out, but eventually Haruaki will tell him that he doesn't know if they can take anything from this world back to their own – they may return to Hyakki without any items, without any memories. But if there's any way to keep ahold of something, he knows Akira will be the one to do it. He held onto that mysterious, helpful oniisan for more than a century, after all.
The bracelet is a promise. That when they do return, Akira won't forget what they found here. That even if he has to wait for Haruaki to remember all over again, he will remember, and they'll be able to continue nurturing what they've begun to grow together. ]
[Douman's gift is delivered by a courier and wrapped in dark blue paper with snowflakes and stars. Inside is a puzzle box of the hidden room kind, offering a couple of distractions for a curious Dodomeki along the way to his prize: a selection of fine alcoholic chocolates and one smooth stone of an unknown substance.
'Since I know that figuring out the unknown tickles you the most. Merry Christmas, Douman']
[Oda is a pretty straightforward guy. He recruited some help and selected a book for Takahashi-sensei on the varied magic plants that grow in the Enchanted Garden. It includes a comprehensive list of the last several years' worth of seasonal blooms and their effects.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE I'M THE ONE BREAKING THIS IN HELLO??? idk sometime mid-march <3
ARMS WIDE ENOUGH OPEN SPECIFICALLY FOR YOU
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Abilities appear to be functioning abnormally.
Do you remember the photo I sent you of Azathoth before?
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Of course! I couldn't forget such a beautiful sight so soon.
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Yes please!
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Whenever you feel like it, come over to my new office in Stellari. I'll send you the location pin. I'm not seeing patients today, just hanging out.
[ It's a nice, quiet, sunny place full of books and he's lazy ♥ ]
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not shave and a haircut.... i'm putting him in a jar and SHAKING IT
no no no please don't shake the baby
shakashakashakashakashakashaka
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NOT. FOOD STALL PROPORTIONSDLKJS SPRAY BOTTLE!!!!!!!
WEH CAITLIN HATES ME BECAUSE I TELL THE TRUTH
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i want to slam his face into a wall (affectionate)
do it he'd probably like it
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POM!
OH, MY!
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is it another bedtime question game. yes it is
Which is why, at 11:59 PM on the dot, the front door to the flat above Takahashi General Clinic bangs open. ]
I made it just in time! Life is so much easier now that I can think of sailor uniforms to run at super speeds again!
[ Who knew that was a power worthy of being stolen from him and regained? Anyway...
He scoots right over to where Akira's surely hunched over all his papers and books, hands over his shoulders to try to lift him up. ]
I got Principal home from the bar for his bedtime, and now it's your turn! Abe-sensei's work is never done!!!
yeeeeEEEEEESSSSSSSSS
[ Caught shrimping, and caught most definitely thinking he was gonna escape bedtime due to Haruaki being out. An unfortunate lesson his years and years of social training has left him with is that if he misbehaves where no one can see, it doesn't count.
And now he's here being seen. Drat. ]
You're really giving everyone a bedtime, huh? I suppose that is the healthiest option...
[ He isn't standing up from his chair, though. Not yet. ]
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Tug.
Tug tug tug.
He's not going to stop tugging! Up you go! ]
All of you are so bad at taking care of yourselves, I have to! Although, to be honest, I think some nights Principal sneaks back out to the bar...
[ ... s q u i n t. ]
You don't sneak back out here, do you?
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Up.
A little more.
With every tug. ]
No! Never! I would never go back on my word like that.
[ While he is telling the truth, he unfortunately still has the air of someone caught doing something they aren't supposed to. Because it's not like he hasn't thought about it... ]
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[ Haruaki would be so disappointed. Imagine his disappointed face, Akira.
Anyway, his hands are going underneath Akira's arms now, doing his level best to fully haul him up from the chair. ]
This is going to be even harder once you get your powers back, huh...
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Lifting me? I wouldn't imagine so, I weight the same as before. Though, hm...
[ Okay, maybe a little deadweighting as his train of thought takes a detour. ]
Would putting my eyes elsewhere in here count as being up and out of bed?
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Haruaki really was only thinking about having oni strength to contend with.
He stupidly forgot about The Eyes.
Akira can be dead weight for a moment. He ceases his tugging, lets Akira slump back down into the chair fully and leans over him, far enough to peer at him upside down. ]
Do you have to be awake to use your eyes, or can they look at something out here while you're asleep in there?
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> mid-september
He feels it every time Akira wraps his arms around him. The dull pressure of a scalpel slicing through his skin, a firm hand wriggling between his ribs to wrap right around his heart. His own blood in his mouth, pushed there by Akira's tongue.
That first touch of their lips together, the last thing he felt before it all went pleasantly numb.
Not talking about it isn't in Haruaki's nature. He can keep secrets, and he can avoid topics until someone is ready to bring them up, but... this is a big deal for him. A massive one.
And he doesn't think Akira knows.
He's not sure if those feelings they both expressed were just a byproduct of the room or not. He's not sure of much of anything, lately, but one thing he's sure of is– ]
Akira-kun. [ It's quiet, but firm. Serious. Haruaki lingers at the edge of the kitchen as they clean up after dinner. ] About the labyrinth...
[ And then, immediately: ]
I'm not upset. I just want to talk about it.
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But that's not how it happened. Haruaki was there. Along with the dreadful, awful realization that he did indeed say all those things, do all those things.
Haruaki is truly a creature of mercy for not bringing it up until now.
Akira assumes he's done something wrong from the tone, like forgetting to put something away or not taking the trash out when he should have. But then Haruaki clarifies, and his pleasantly apologetic demeanor freezes. ]
...Alright.
[ It's quiet, careful, even with a smile still in place like a cornered fawn. ]
What do you want to talk about?
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It really happened. They really did all that, said all that. Sure, Akira did most of the talking, but–
Haruaki did tell him that he loved him.
It wasn't a lie, was it?
He feels desperate for guidance, and there's no one to give it. He and Akira have to muddle through this together. ]
All of it, I guess...
[ There's no one thing in particular Haruaki can point to first. It's all a jumbled mass of sensation in his mind and in his heart, desire and fear mingling in a noxious mass.
He fiddles with the dish towel in his hands, wringing it in one nervous fist as one sentiment rises to the top of the confusing slurry and jolts out of him before he can think it over. ]
It didn't feel like it at the time, but, um... th-that was my first kiss.
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Your first?
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I already know it's pitiful! You don't have to tell me!
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[ He whirls around, caution forgotten in his touchy nature to rest what are hopefully reassuring hands on Haruaki's shoulders. ]
I just, realize first times are something important to a lot of people, so I...I apologize for having taken it from you like I did.
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But something gives him pause. Maybe it's just having Akira close once more. That always seems to make his heart stutter lately.
And then he relents, expression softening from something embarrassed to something quietly grateful. Perhaps he hadn't realized just how much of an ache he was carrying around. The apology is a balm he wasn't aware he needed. Leave it to Akira to heal what hurts... ]
It's okay. [ This time when he says it, he really does mean it – it isn't a way to brush off his own feelings, but to acknowledge them, and acknowledge Akira's apology in kind. ] Like I said... when we were in there, I didn't think it was my first? It felt like we had to have done that before, but...
[ But they hadn't, of course. Haruaki's mouth twists thoughtfully, unsure of exactly how their minds were manipulated back in that room. ]
Did it feel like that for you too? Like we were already... you know!
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let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
(CHANTING LOUDER AND LOUDER) YAOI YAOI YAOI YAOI
YAOI BEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAM
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DIABOLICALLLLLLLLL STOPPPPPPPPSDHFLKSDJ
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GOD.... WE CAN WRAP SOON IF YOU WANT :WHYYYY:
YES YES...DISGUSTING..........
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> 12/25 gift delivery
It might take some blushing and stammering to get out, but eventually Haruaki will tell him that he doesn't know if they can take anything from this world back to their own – they may return to Hyakki without any items, without any memories. But if there's any way to keep ahold of something, he knows Akira will be the one to do it. He held onto that mysterious, helpful oniisan for more than a century, after all.
The bracelet is a promise. That when they do return, Akira won't forget what they found here. That even if he has to wait for Haruaki to remember all over again, he will remember, and they'll be able to continue nurturing what they've begun to grow together. ]
> 12/25 gift delivery
Merry Christmas, Takahashi-sensei. Let's both work hard next year.
- Dr. Maruki ]
Christmas Present!
'Since I know that figuring out the unknown tickles you the most. Merry Christmas, Douman']
12/25; secret santa
[There's a concise note attached.]
Abe-sensei helped. Let's meet sometime.
- Oda Sakunosuke