[ GOD. Nishiki groans, dropping his head back against the bed dramatically. ]
Kiryu, you're dumb as shit... [ SIGH! he means it fondly... probably... ] I was joking. Saying you're gonna dump me now that the whole drunken obligation thing is over.
[ even saying the phrase "dump me" feels a little unreal? are they even at the dating phase?! He guesses they are. They're a thing now. He can't think of any other way to communicate the idea, so dumping it is. He takes another swig from the water bottle to buy a little time. It's probably a bad idea to drink water laying down, but fuck it, he doesn't wanna sit up in case the room starts spinning again. Bad boys, breaking the rules... ]
Seriously, though... What's on your mind, bro?
[ he must have brought that up for a reason. Maybe Kiryu's worried about him again. God, how lame. (Nishikiyama himself, that is.) ]
[ kiryu shoves at nishiki's shoulder as he goes down, his cheeks tinged with a hint of red. he did not let nishiki sleep over and get cuddles to get dunked on!
though, on that note, both that thought and nishiki's prodding get him back on track easily enough. it's a little hard when the both of them are still trying to wrap their heads around it; he's sure nishiki will understand. hell, with nishiki's not-quite-confessions from the night before, he's probably had more time to think about the idea, and even then he's still sort of at a loss. kiryu can tell.
even if he can't quite figure out how to complete the thought, the way his brow creases deeply with consternation while his mouth crinkles at the edges into something of a microscopic half-smile as he regards nishiki lying down next to him on his own bed after he'd implied that they're together and it's not like he can really say it's anything else— ]
I... Nishiki, are we...?
[ —should tell nishiki what he needs to know, right? ]
[ it might be microscopic, but considering how rarely Kiryu smiles at all, Nishikiyama takes it and runs with it. That has to be a good sign. He doesn't have any more clues on how things are going to work out with this than he did five minutes ago - headache and stomach aren't feeling any better, either - but just seeing him react positively like that makes Nishiki feel like he's on top of the world. Kiryu's always had that effect on him. That's why the two of them always got into so much trouble together, he's sure. He props himself up on one elbows, close enough for the tips of his fingers to brush Kiryu's shoulder as he leans over to look at him, and now he's smiling, too, a little sweeter than before. ]
Yeah, we are.
[ and for the first time, he finds himself just feeling excited about it rather than nervous. ]
[ feeling nishiki's fingers against the bare skin of his shoulder sends something like a jolt through kiryu's veins, but not in an unpleasant way at all. it's enough to turn that hesitant half-smile into a full, real one
he reaches a hand up to pry nishiki's off, but only so that he can take it and clumsily lace their fingers together; this time, it isn't the alcohol making his hand shaky, but his natural demeanor, his being kiryu kazuma, bumbling and awkward and just trying his best.
but ultimately, it's no big deal, because they're together, with that confirmation, and as long as kiryu and nishikiyama are side by side, things'll be okay. ]
[ oh, god, they're holding hands, why does this feel even more intimate than the kissing? Wait, did they hold hands last night? His memory is patchy. Either way, they're doing it now. And it feels... good. Yeah, it feels good. Kiryu's clumsiness and his lame comment and his smile all feel natural, and this does, too, holding his hand. Like this is how it's supposed to be. God, he loves Kiryu so much. More than he should. But if Kiryu loves him, too, in the same way, then he guesses it's okay. ]
"Cool?" [ Nishikiyama repeats disbelievingly, but he's got a big, bashful grin on his face, and he laughs. ] Really? That's what your response is? C'mon, Kiryu.
[ he's not really expecting anything else - he just has to tease him for that. Nishiki laughs. ]
Stuff like that is why you never got any experience.
[ it was the first thing to come to his mind? let him live, bro, you know he's dumber than a sack of bricks with the emotional awareness of a walnut. with his cheeks turning a deeper red, kiryu lowers his gaze and scratches his neck with his free hand. stupid nishiki...
he can't keep his eyes off nishikiyama for long, though—not when their hands are still entwined together like this. he glances back up just in time to see the surprisingly soft and eager grin on nishiki's face, and there's no way he can stay annoyed for long.
there's still a poignant pause, as he cracks another small smile of his own, before he simply states, ]
[ Nishiki clicks his tongue. His hand's a little sweaty, but he doesn't let go. ]
Yeah, well, aren't you lucky?
[ he doesn't mind, it's true - it's just part of who Kiryu is, and Nishikiyama really, really likes Kiryu, even the dumbass parts of him. He can tell he's smiling like an idiot, and belatedly feels kind of embarrassed about it - he's supposed to be the cool, suave one out of the two of them, right? in his mind, that's how he saw it - so he drops his head back down, throwing his other arm across his eyes to halfway hide his expression. Sure, the light is kind of hurting his head anyway... he'll go with that. ]
[ there's a moment where kiryu forgets his joking annoyance and fondly looks at the ecstatic smile on nishiki's face; he can't hide that kind of pure giddiness just by covering his eyes. somewhere in his mind—no, his heart, more likely—he gets the feeling that this is a moment where a kiss would be more than welcome, an opportunity to laugh together and collapse contentedly upon one another until it's impossible to tell whose limbs are whose— ]
[ his complaint about Kiryu stealing his pillow is shelved indefinitely when it's thrown back onto his face. Nishikiyama grunts, knocking the pillow away with his arm (and exposing his face again in the process; he's a little flushed, big surprise) and finally slipping his hand out of Kiryu's to shove him in the face roughly. ]
I just said you should feel lucky! Don't go pushing your luck right out the gate, you ass.
[ a diss spoken with all the love a guy who's known him since he was in grade school can muster. That pillow's going straight back at Kiryu's face now. So much for a romantic little moment - but this is like them, too, and, again, for a little while, Nishiki feels like it's just the two of them. No clans, no Kamurocho, no hospital bills, no bullshit. Just him and Kiryu against the world. And he thinks that's his favorite feeling. ]
[ kiryu lets out a hearty laugh after nishiki's feisty response. sure, they might be something more than just brothers now (what exactly that is, they can figure out later), but he knew nothing truly needed to change between them. he's sure that'll help put nishiki at ease; it helps put him at ease.
such as when he grabs another pillow and throws it right back like a goddamn child. ]
If I'm not allowed to dump you, then you aren't allowed to dump me.
[ every word that barely brushes up against "dating" feels embarrassing, but in a kind of giddy way where Nishiki doesn't entirely know what to do with himself. So lame. He simultaneously wants to blurt out exactly how he feels since it feels like Kiryu doesn't know and also never tell Kiryu in a thousand years because he'd be throwing his sorry ass on Kiryu's coattails even more than usual. Those feelings not getting matched would just make him even more pathetic than usual - and he knows that's what would happen, he knows it, so he says nothing. Maybe one day. For now, he just gets another pillow lobbed at his head like they're 12 years old and about to get yelled at by the Himawari headmaster for still being awake, and laughs. ]
Yeah - okay, okay, no dumping, quit it, my head hurts, seriously. Your brother's still suffering over here. [ another jab at his arm. ] You can kick my ass all you want tomorrow.
[ except Nishiki will win, obviously!! Maybe. He takes another sip from his water bottle, and, despite his complaints, his mood seems a lot lighter, if nothing else. ]
Hey, your dragon is looking pretty good. You gonna get it finished soon?
[ kiryu lets out another short chuckle as nishiki berates him and basically calls for mercy. it's christmas; kiryu can spare him that much. this time, he tosses one of the pillows to nishiki for him to catch with his hands rather than his face, then returns his own to its place so he too can comfortably lie back down, propping himself up on an elbow.
... the mildly weird sense of something kind of resembling domesticity aside, he can't help but tilt his head at nishiki's question. ]
But I haven't gotten any new work done on it recently...?
[ so how could it look any different than normal...??? he shrugs it off, though, because of course he does. ]
[ ANDIE you're supposed to GO WITH IT!!! GOD!!!!!!!!!
it's fine, Nishiki just rolls his eyes at Kiryu's inability to take a compliment like a normal person. He shuffles the pillow back under his head with a sigh as he replies. ]
Well, you should. Both of us should, but especially you. It'll show the clan you're serious about climbing the ranks again after all that shit from last year. Nothing says "committed" like a big permanent piece on your back.
[ as always, he's looking at things from a practical perspective... although he also adds: ]
[ kiryu playfully shoves nishiki again at the compliment, though instead of fully withdrawing his hand, he hesitates for a second or two, then leaves it on nishiki's shoulder. it's mostly to get him used to the idea of their new normal... but like most things that've happened since last night, it doesn't really feel much different from the old normal.
his expression turns pensive, though, as he considers nishikiyama's suggestion. he is a yakuza again now, isn't he... hm. ]
To be honest, I'm still surprised they let me back in at all. That's one more thing I owe to Kazama-san, I guess.
[ he's silent for a moment, as he usually gets when he thinks about the fact that he owes his very life to kazama shintaro... but, in a rare show of self-awareness, he figures nishiki doesn't want to lose him to memories and what-ifs right now. so, shifting his position yet again to properly face nishiki, he has a glint of determination in his eyes; for once, it isn't because of dedication to a very stupid idea. ]
We should go together. I'm not taking no for an answer. We got them started at the same time—it only makes sense that'd we'd finish together, too.
[ he nods with a hum. He's as surprised as Kiryu is that both of them are both in - grateful to Kazama, too. It speaks to his clout that he was able to get both of them betraying the clan essentially overlooked -- although their helping out Sera probably helped ease that along, too. Nishikiyama still doesn't really get why Kiryu wanted to come back, even after his weird explanation, but -- well, he can't complain. Truth be told, he's just happy Kiryu is still around, walking the same path with him. Sometimes, he gets jealous, sure; in the end, though, his affection for Kiryu always ends up winning out over the envy.
He laughs at Kiryu's insistence. ]
Utabori's gonna have his hands full. [ ... but he doesn't say no. ] All right... Sounds like a plan to me. You know I'll go wherever with you.
[ ignoring the fact that Kiryu has accidentally blurted another innuendo there!! ]
[ there are many times that kiryu finds actions speak much louder than words. this is especially true of people like him, who aren't very wordy to begin with. like right now—he doesn't think there's any string of words he can come up with that could match up to nishiki's affirmation of their bond. nishiki's always had a way of making things sound cool and flashy... kiryu admires that, and doesn't dare try to take that from him.
so, to express his gratitude in the truest way he can, he tucks his arms under nishiki's and draws him closer. (he's quickly finding out he's a very huggy person. who knew?) ]
[ Nishiki's finding that out pretty quickly, too. Normally, he's the touchy one out of the two of them - but that was in the context of friendship and brotherhood, not romance. Even Kiryu doesn't know how Kiryu behaves in that context. He lets out a little "oi" in surprise when Kiryu grabs him, and his first instinct is to shove him off, assuming he's picking a play fight or something, but -- no, he's not. He's hugging him. ]
Hey. I'm not your teddy bear...
[ More of a tease than an actual complaint. His skin feels almost shockingly warm, even through Nishiki's shirt; it's comforting, familiar, but also new, in the sense he never even noticed it before. Not consciously, anyway. That Kiryu is warm, that he's got such a gentle touch (despite being so damn big), that he's got a handsome face. Handsome. Nishiki seriously just thought that when he looked at him. He wants to kiss him. But he should really go brush his teeth and wash his hair and moisturize his face and the hundred other things Nishiki does every morning... so his eyes just linger on Kiryu's face for a second or two longer than acceptable before he sighs and turns his gaze elsewhere, letting Kiryu hold him without complaint for the time being. ]
Getting our tats finished together... not exactly date material, but it suits us.
[ yes he is. kiryu lets out a low chuckle as nishiki admonishes him, which only causes him to tighten his hold around his partner (thinking somewhere in the back of his mind about how that's always what they've been, but now it's been given new context). there's a moment where he contemplates pressing his fingers into nishiki's sides to further his return fire, because of course he knows where nishiki is ticklish—
—but he doesn't, because that last comment catches him off guard. ]
... Huh? Date?
[ HE KNOWS WHAT A DATE IS, FOR THE RECORD, BEFORE NISHIKI STARTS THINKING HIS STUPIDITY HAS REACHED LEVELS PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD OF. just... in relation to them... he'll be going on dates with nishiki...?! ]
[ fellas is it gay to lay in bed and tickle your best friend while tenderly holding him in your arms
to be fair to Kiryu, the word kind of slipped out of his mouth without thinking, and after he says it, he prays that Kiryu is cool about it. Which he's not. Nishiki, naturally, immediately looks flustered again; now he's definitely not looking him in the eye. ]
Uh -- yeah. What? Is that bad?
[ he doesn't backpedal this time, if only because they literally just not-really-talked-about-this-but-sort-of-came-to-an-agreement about this a minute ago. They're a couple, right? The dull ache in his head worsens as his heart beats a little faster, nervous. ]
[ oh, shoot, was that a mistake? TOO BAD KIRYU KAZUMA HAS NEVER ONCE HAD A SINGLE THOUGHT IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE... there's a small part of him that wants to reach up and stroke nishiki's hair as a reassurance, but again, he doesn't know if that's progressing too fast or not. unlike a lot of other things he's rushed into headfirst, he dare not risk it this time. nishiki is too important. ]
No, it's not... bad. It's just something I need to get used to hearing... and saying. I'm still in the mindset of thinking of you as my best friend, not...
[ . . . believe it or not, he's too embarrassed to finish that sentence. ]
[ it wasn't even a mistake, it's just embarrassing? Nishiki's not used to it either?! There's going to be a lot of this, isn't there... Kiryu's comment is another reminder of how he's one step behind Nishiki on all this business, but, somehow, it doesn't drag him down as terribly as it did last night. Maybe because he's too busy feeling flustered. ]
Hey, I'm still your best friend, too!
[ that's about all he can manage, coupled with a teasing smack on the arm, because what else can he say? He's in the same spot as Kiryu - he's just doing what he does best and acting like he's in control of the situation here. ]
[ that smack is met with a shove—clearly the tickle impulse has come and gone—before settling into an embrace again, this time perhaps a little more secure than it was before.
the hold only lasts so long, though, because something eventually occurs to kiryu, despite how nice this is. ]
... Though, speaking of... did you have any plans for today?
[ because last night, kiryu was single and probably planning on sleeping through the day (especially if he'd gone any harder at the bar than he already did). but now that he and nishiki are official (?!), does this mean they should be doing something special together...? not that he'd want anything out of a cheesy shoujo, but christmas is supposed to be more of a romantic holiday, at least in japan... ]
[ this is going to take some getting used to, isn't it? He's tense against Kiryu's bare chest, nervous, despite the fact that they've hugged plenty of times (and Nishiki is fairly certain they were both shirtless some of those times); it's both comfortingly familiar and heart-stoppingly not, like so many of the little interactions they've shared today. After a moment of internal urging, he gets himself to relax. Even gets the gumption to settle a hand on Kiryu's abdomen, gingerly, half-returning the embrace from his somewhat awkward position.
It would be cool if he had plans. But Nishiki just laughs dryly, resting his head against the muscle of Kiryu's chest. ]
I got nothing. Every girl I talked to was busy. [ he didn't ask reina ] But I kinda feel like shit, so I guess that worked out. Plus, there's you...
[ as if Kiryu's the afterthought and not dominating his mind right now. He's not dumb; he knows why Kiryu asked him this, and it wasn't because he was curious about Nishikiyama's schedule. Not that it matters, anyway. Nishiki would clear out every fucking appointment he had for Kiryu. Anything he wanted. The thought is unbidden and burns fiercely enough to embarrass him; he sighs, the tips of his ears feeling hot. ]
Let's... stay in. At least until I'm not a zombie.
[ ah—those touches also take kiryu by surprise, and his own face heats up a little as nishiki presses his into his chest. huh... it should... be okay, then, for him to lay his hand atop nishiki's head, right? it's a fond gesture, at least in intention, but as with many of those in the last half day or so, he's still getting used to it also meaning affection in the romantic sense...
god. he and nishiki really are being romantic. how embarrassing. not bad, of course, not at all (even if they shouldn't waltz into the kazama family offices with their hands linked or anything like that); but definitely embarrassing. ]
Sure. Whatever you want.
[ not that nishiki would need any explanation, but despite his conciseness, kiryu isn't being dismissive. he means it honestly and sincerely; he's a man of few words, so the ones he does speak... well, they aren't always well thought out, but they're meaningful in his own unique way nonetheless. ]
[ It sure is romantic!! Nishikiyama still has a hard time believing Kiryu is actually down for all of this, but even his gnawing insecurity can't refute the reality in front of him. His yakuza tough-guy masculinity? A little threatened by cuddling and having his head pet. But not enough to make him want it to stop. Especially with Kiryu saying things like that. He doesn't need an explanation. ]
Thanks, bro.
[ Always taking care of him. Nishiki'll try extra hard not to puke on him. Although, after a moment, he pauses, tilting his head up a little to get a better view of Kiryu's face. ]
Wait. Did you have plans? You weren't gonna go see Kazama-san or anything?
[ he's out of jail now, and he knows Kiryu does that sometimes. ]
[ nishiki's question gives kiryu pause; it honestly wasn't even something he'd given thought to, much less a solid plan like that. as nishiki looks up at him, he absentmindedly tucks some of that long hair behind his ear. the lack of thought that goes into the gesture, somewhat paradoxically, just goes to show how normal this is already seeming to him. ]
Maybe on New Year's, but not today. Last I heard, he was still tying up loose ends from last year. I'm not going to bother him when I was the cause of so much of it.
[ more like the longest and most convoluted series of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but of course kiryu takes the brunt of the blame upon himself. his expression remains stoic, but on the inside, his heart is too big to even consider holding anyone else accountable for everything surrounding the empty lot incident. ]
[ It's strange but thrilling to have Kiryu dote on him like this - like Kiryu's really looking at him and only him. Nishiki's always craved his attention where he could get it; turns out getting this kind of attention is a little overwhelming. He blinks, breaks eye contact again by glancing off at nothing, nervous and hoping both that his hair isn't greasy and that Kiryu can't tell he's making him all fluttery. ]
Oh... yeah. [ wait, no, he made it really obvious. He pushes past it in a bit of a hurry. ] C'mon, Kiryu. You know that wasn't your fault. Keep blaming yourself for stuff and you'll start sounding like me.
[ he has a modicum of self-awareness... ]
Edited 2019-06-14 07:16 (UTC)
i'll tag the others too i just got an idea for this one that i couldn't afford to sit on
[ and that, in turn, elicits a deep chuckle from kiryu, the faintest pink dusting his cheeks as nishiki recoils and shoves his hand against one side. he grabs nishiki's wrist, but not like he would in a fight; this one is loose, more fond and teasing than aiming to break a grip. ]
You haven't even fixed it today. You still have bedhead.
[ he snorts at that. Like he needs to be reminded! His hair's bad and his shirt's wrinkled to hell. But, he notes, unlike when he's had a girl over, it's not like he needs to worry about keeping up appearances in front of Kiryu. This guy's seen him covered in dirt, blood, and both. ]
Doesn't mean it needs your greasy paws all over it, bro.
[ it's hard to even keep wanting to push him away when he's flushing like that. It's sort of... cute. Is it weird to think Kiryu is cute? It's definitely weird, isn't it? He's pretty sure he's had this internal conversation before, but damn if he isn't having it again now. He ends up hesitating for a second or two, just looking at his face, before shaking it off and slipping his wrist out of Kiryu's grip. ]
[ the way nishiki's eyes linger on his face for those couple of seconds causes kiryu's blush to deepen. sure, it isn't the first time nishiki's looked at him like this... but how many of those times weren't just admiration or envy, but instead affection or longing?
... he really doesn't need a reminder of how long he's been blind to nishiki's feelings, so he pushes the consideration out of his mind, choosing to focus instead on the present. at nishiki's comment, though, his expression falls just a little—he probably isn't even consciously aware of it. ]
Ah... are you going home for a bit, then?
[ it literally does not occur to him that nishiki could use his shower... but in his defense, it's not like his bathroom has any of the products he knows are part of nishiki's routine. ]
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Uh, how can I ditch you if this is my house?
[ i was going to tag you for real but again, this is the first thing that came to my mind, so, here you go, ]
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Kiryu, you're dumb as shit... [ SIGH! he means it fondly... probably... ] I was joking. Saying you're gonna dump me now that the whole drunken obligation thing is over.
[ even saying the phrase "dump me" feels a little unreal? are they even at the dating phase?! He guesses they are. They're a thing now. He can't think of any other way to communicate the idea, so dumping it is. He takes another swig from the water bottle to buy a little time. It's probably a bad idea to drink water laying down, but fuck it, he doesn't wanna sit up in case the room starts spinning again. Bad boys, breaking the rules... ]
Seriously, though... What's on your mind, bro?
[ he must have brought that up for a reason. Maybe Kiryu's worried about him again. God, how lame. (Nishikiyama himself, that is.) ]
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[ kiryu shoves at nishiki's shoulder as he goes down, his cheeks tinged with a hint of red. he did not let nishiki sleep over and get cuddles to get dunked on!
though, on that note, both that thought and nishiki's prodding get him back on track easily enough. it's a little hard when the both of them are still trying to wrap their heads around it; he's sure nishiki will understand. hell, with nishiki's not-quite-confessions from the night before, he's probably had more time to think about the idea, and even then he's still sort of at a loss. kiryu can tell.
even if he can't quite figure out how to complete the thought, the way his brow creases deeply with consternation while his mouth crinkles at the edges into something of a microscopic half-smile as he regards nishiki lying down next to him on his own bed after he'd implied that they're together and it's not like he can really say it's anything else— ]
I... Nishiki, are we...?
[ —should tell nishiki what he needs to know, right? ]
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[ it might be microscopic, but considering how rarely Kiryu smiles at all, Nishikiyama takes it and runs with it. That has to be a good sign. He doesn't have any more clues on how things are going to work out with this than he did five minutes ago - headache and stomach aren't feeling any better, either - but just seeing him react positively like that makes Nishiki feel like he's on top of the world. Kiryu's always had that effect on him. That's why the two of them always got into so much trouble together, he's sure. He props himself up on one elbows, close enough for the tips of his fingers to brush Kiryu's shoulder as he leans over to look at him, and now he's smiling, too, a little sweeter than before. ]
Yeah, we are.
[ and for the first time, he finds himself just feeling excited about it rather than nervous. ]
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he reaches a hand up to pry nishiki's off, but only so that he can take it and clumsily lace their fingers together; this time, it isn't the alcohol making his hand shaky, but his natural demeanor, his being kiryu kazuma, bumbling and awkward and just trying his best.
but ultimately, it's no big deal, because they're together, with that confirmation, and as long as kiryu and nishikiyama are side by side, things'll be okay. ]
. . . Cool.
[ god damn it ]
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"Cool?" [ Nishikiyama repeats disbelievingly, but he's got a big, bashful grin on his face, and he laughs. ] Really? That's what your response is? C'mon, Kiryu.
[ he's not really expecting anything else - he just has to tease him for that. Nishiki laughs. ]
Stuff like that is why you never got any experience.
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[ it was the first thing to come to his mind? let him live, bro, you know he's dumber than a sack of bricks with the emotional awareness of a walnut. with his cheeks turning a deeper red, kiryu lowers his gaze and scratches his neck with his free hand. stupid nishiki...
he can't keep his eyes off nishikiyama for long, though—not when their hands are still entwined together like this. he glances back up just in time to see the surprisingly soft and eager grin on nishiki's face, and there's no way he can stay annoyed for long.
there's still a poignant pause, as he cracks another small smile of his own, before he simply states, ]
Well, you don't seem to mind.
no subject
Yeah, well, aren't you lucky?
[ he doesn't mind, it's true - it's just part of who Kiryu is, and Nishikiyama really, really likes Kiryu, even the dumbass parts of him. He can tell he's smiling like an idiot, and belatedly feels kind of embarrassed about it - he's supposed to be the cool, suave one out of the two of them, right? in his mind, that's how he saw it - so he drops his head back down, throwing his other arm across his eyes to halfway hide his expression. Sure, the light is kind of hurting his head anyway... he'll go with that. ]
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[ his complaint about Kiryu stealing his pillow is shelved indefinitely when it's thrown back onto his face. Nishikiyama grunts, knocking the pillow away with his arm (and exposing his face again in the process; he's a little flushed, big surprise) and finally slipping his hand out of Kiryu's to shove him in the face roughly. ]
I just said you should feel lucky! Don't go pushing your luck right out the gate, you ass.
[ a diss spoken with all the love a guy who's known him since he was in grade school can muster. That pillow's going straight back at Kiryu's face now. So much for a romantic little moment - but this is like them, too, and, again, for a little while, Nishiki feels like it's just the two of them. No clans, no Kamurocho, no hospital bills, no bullshit. Just him and Kiryu against the world. And he thinks that's his favorite feeling. ]
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such as when he grabs another pillow and throws it right back like a goddamn child. ]
If I'm not allowed to dump you, then you aren't allowed to dump me.
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Yeah - okay, okay, no dumping, quit it, my head hurts, seriously. Your brother's still suffering over here. [ another jab at his arm. ] You can kick my ass all you want tomorrow.
[ except Nishiki will win, obviously!! Maybe. He takes another sip from his water bottle, and, despite his complaints, his mood seems a lot lighter, if nothing else. ]
Hey, your dragon is looking pretty good. You gonna get it finished soon?
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... the mildly weird sense of something kind of resembling domesticity aside, he can't help but tilt his head at nishiki's question. ]
But I haven't gotten any new work done on it recently...?
[ so how could it look any different than normal...??? he shrugs it off, though, because of course he does. ]
Not sure. I can ask the same about your koi.
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it's fine, Nishiki just rolls his eyes at Kiryu's inability to take a compliment like a normal person. He shuffles the pillow back under his head with a sigh as he replies. ]
Well, you should. Both of us should, but especially you. It'll show the clan you're serious about climbing the ranks again after all that shit from last year. Nothing says "committed" like a big permanent piece on your back.
[ as always, he's looking at things from a practical perspective... although he also adds: ]
Plus, it'll look cool when it's done.
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his expression turns pensive, though, as he considers nishikiyama's suggestion. he is a yakuza again now, isn't he... hm. ]
To be honest, I'm still surprised they let me back in at all. That's one more thing I owe to Kazama-san, I guess.
[ he's silent for a moment, as he usually gets when he thinks about the fact that he owes his very life to kazama shintaro... but, in a rare show of self-awareness, he figures nishiki doesn't want to lose him to memories and what-ifs right now. so, shifting his position yet again to properly face nishiki, he has a glint of determination in his eyes; for once, it isn't because of dedication to a very stupid idea. ]
We should go together. I'm not taking no for an answer. We got them started at the same time—it only makes sense that'd we'd finish together, too.
[ kiryu............... das gay ]
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He laughs at Kiryu's insistence. ]
Utabori's gonna have his hands full. [ ... but he doesn't say no. ] All right... Sounds like a plan to me. You know I'll go wherever with you.
[ ignoring the fact that Kiryu has accidentally blurted another innuendo there!! ]
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[ there are many times that kiryu finds actions speak much louder than words. this is especially true of people like him, who aren't very wordy to begin with. like right now—he doesn't think there's any string of words he can come up with that could match up to nishiki's affirmation of their bond. nishiki's always had a way of making things sound cool and flashy... kiryu admires that, and doesn't dare try to take that from him.
so, to express his gratitude in the truest way he can, he tucks his arms under nishiki's and draws him closer. (he's quickly finding out he's a very huggy person. who knew?) ]
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Hey. I'm not your teddy bear...
[ More of a tease than an actual complaint. His skin feels almost shockingly warm, even through Nishiki's shirt; it's comforting, familiar, but also new, in the sense he never even noticed it before. Not consciously, anyway. That Kiryu is warm, that he's got such a gentle touch (despite being so damn big), that he's got a handsome face. Handsome. Nishiki seriously just thought that when he looked at him. He wants to kiss him. But he should really go brush his teeth and wash his hair and moisturize his face and the hundred other things Nishiki does every morning... so his eyes just linger on Kiryu's face for a second or two longer than acceptable before he sighs and turns his gaze elsewhere, letting Kiryu hold him without complaint for the time being. ]
Getting our tats finished together... not exactly date material, but it suits us.
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—but he doesn't, because that last comment catches him off guard. ]
... Huh? Date?
[ HE KNOWS WHAT A DATE IS, FOR THE RECORD, BEFORE NISHIKI STARTS THINKING HIS STUPIDITY HAS REACHED LEVELS PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD OF. just... in relation to them... he'll be going on dates with nishiki...?! ]
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to be fair to Kiryu, the word kind of slipped out of his mouth without thinking, and after he says it, he prays that Kiryu is cool about it. Which he's not. Nishiki, naturally, immediately looks flustered again; now he's definitely not looking him in the eye. ]
Uh -- yeah. What? Is that bad?
[ he doesn't backpedal this time, if only because they literally just not-really-talked-about-this-but-sort-of-came-to-an-agreement about this a minute ago. They're a couple, right? The dull ache in his head worsens as his heart beats a little faster, nervous. ]
We'll do other stuff, too. Geez.
[ as if that's the issue here ]
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No, it's not... bad. It's just something I need to get used to hearing... and saying. I'm still in the mindset of thinking of you as my best friend, not...
[ . . . believe it or not, he's too embarrassed to finish that sentence. ]
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Hey, I'm still your best friend, too!
[ that's about all he can manage, coupled with a teasing smack on the arm, because what else can he say? He's in the same spot as Kiryu - he's just doing what he does best and acting like he's in control of the situation here. ]
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[ that smack is met with a shove—clearly the tickle impulse has come and gone—before settling into an embrace again, this time perhaps a little more secure than it was before.
the hold only lasts so long, though, because something eventually occurs to kiryu, despite how nice this is. ]
... Though, speaking of... did you have any plans for today?
[ because last night, kiryu was single and probably planning on sleeping through the day (especially if he'd gone any harder at the bar than he already did). but now that he and nishiki are official (?!), does this mean they should be doing something special together...? not that he'd want anything out of a cheesy shoujo, but christmas is supposed to be more of a romantic holiday, at least in japan... ]
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It would be cool if he had plans. But Nishiki just laughs dryly, resting his head against the muscle of Kiryu's chest. ]
I got nothing. Every girl I talked to was busy. [ he didn't ask reina ] But I kinda feel like shit, so I guess that worked out. Plus, there's you...
[ as if Kiryu's the afterthought and not dominating his mind right now. He's not dumb; he knows why Kiryu asked him this, and it wasn't because he was curious about Nishikiyama's schedule. Not that it matters, anyway. Nishiki would clear out every fucking appointment he had for Kiryu. Anything he wanted. The thought is unbidden and burns fiercely enough to embarrass him; he sighs, the tips of his ears feeling hot. ]
Let's... stay in. At least until I'm not a zombie.
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god. he and nishiki really are being romantic. how embarrassing. not bad, of course, not at all (even if they shouldn't waltz into the kazama family offices with their hands linked or anything like that); but definitely embarrassing. ]
Sure. Whatever you want.
[ not that nishiki would need any explanation, but despite his conciseness, kiryu isn't being dismissive. he means it honestly and sincerely; he's a man of few words, so the ones he does speak... well, they aren't always well thought out, but they're meaningful in his own unique way nonetheless. ]
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Thanks, bro.
[ Always taking care of him. Nishiki'll try extra hard not to puke on him. Although, after a moment, he pauses, tilting his head up a little to get a better view of Kiryu's face. ]
Wait. Did you have plans? You weren't gonna go see Kazama-san or anything?
[ he's out of jail now, and he knows Kiryu does that sometimes. ]
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Maybe on New Year's, but not today. Last I heard, he was still tying up loose ends from last year. I'm not going to bother him when I was the cause of so much of it.
[ more like the longest and most convoluted series of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but of course kiryu takes the brunt of the blame upon himself. his expression remains stoic, but on the inside, his heart is too big to even consider holding anyone else accountable for everything surrounding the empty lot incident. ]
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Oh... yeah. [ wait, no, he made it really obvious. He pushes past it in a bit of a hurry. ] C'mon, Kiryu. You know that wasn't your fault. Keep blaming yourself for stuff and you'll start sounding like me.
[ he has a modicum of self-awareness... ]
i'll tag the others too i just got an idea for this one that i couldn't afford to sit on
pulls his arm back as if winding up to hit him,
and reaches back out to muss up nishiki's (beautiful) hair, sweeping it into his face, and overall just being a brat. ]
smh
[ his PRECIOUS HAIR!! this is unacceptable. Immediately, he jerks away from Kiryu, shoving a hand in his face yet again to try and stop him. ]
You'll mess it up!
[ ... he's kind of laughing, though. Kiryu's still a kid, in some ways - but it's endearing. ]
you love it (and me)
You haven't even fixed it today. You still have bedhead.
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Doesn't mean it needs your greasy paws all over it, bro.
[ it's hard to even keep wanting to push him away when he's flushing like that. It's sort of... cute. Is it weird to think Kiryu is cute? It's definitely weird, isn't it? He's pretty sure he's had this internal conversation before, but damn if he isn't having it again now. He ends up hesitating for a second or two, just looking at his face, before shaking it off and slipping his wrist out of Kiryu's grip. ]
You're right, though. I gotta take a shower.
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... he really doesn't need a reminder of how long he's been blind to nishiki's feelings, so he pushes the consideration out of his mind, choosing to focus instead on the present. at nishiki's comment, though, his expression falls just a little—he probably isn't even consciously aware of it. ]
Ah... are you going home for a bit, then?
[ it literally does not occur to him that nishiki could use his shower... but in his defense, it's not like his bathroom has any of the products he knows are part of nishiki's routine. ]