thenearshore | [catch-all] place your past into a book

Yeah?

[ He brightens for a moment before a stupid grin makes its way across his face. He attempts to scoot his stool closer, only to realize, or remember really, that they are all firmly attached to the bar. So instead, he leans in against Totsuka's own stool, placing one of his hands on the sliver of free space left next to Totsuka's upper thigh. ]

Yeah?

[ He’s drunk. Not just drunk, but plastered -- enough where Tatara would catch a contact buzz just from sharing breaths, if such a thing were possible.

But he’s leaned in, clearly counting on a kiss; and his clanmate doesn’t intend to let him down. Rather, angling back in kind, the god presses his lips gingerly to the shinki’s cheek in a move that’s more sincere and supportive than suggestive. ]

Why don’t we head back to my temple and talk about all this, hm?

[ A small, sheepish laugh. ]

I think San-chan’s probably had enough for now anyway.

[ A blink, then another, and the grin fades. Had he been expecting, or at least hoping for, an intimate kiss? Probably. But after Totsuka pulls away from his more supportive one, it gives Bandou a slight bit of clarity that he'd certainly been lacking since this drinking binge started.

Flirting and a kiss. That's how everything with Eno had begun, too. ]

Ah... yeah. Yeah, okay.

[ Talking about this, instead of remaking the same mistake he had last time, is definitely what he needs right now. He steadies himself against the bar top, hoping to keep his balance when he attempts to stand from his stool. There's a slight wobble, but he manages to keep his footing, for the most part. ]

[ He had been expecting something passionate, perhaps, but... Tatara’s a little short on that still, as it stands. Much as he hates to admit it, even to himself. And anyway, he’s only ever gotten as far as leaning, hand-holding, and forehead-touches before, so given that, a kiss on the cheek still puts Bandou in first place for how far anyone’s ever gotten with Tatara.

Nevertheless, he can relate to the need for physical contact as a means of reassurance, and the want to drink oneself stupid, both -- he’s just already tackled one of those things. And, given he went to bed and woke up alone, it wasn’t the former.

He rushes to place himself under Bandou’s arm at the sight of that wobble, supportive and kind as always. (Plus, given their height difference? It’s probably comfortable.) With that done, he takes them back to his own temple, keeping that arm over his shoulders for as long as the taller needs. ]

If you feel like you don’t want to sober up, I do have alcohol here, too. [ It’s just cheap, off-brand garbage. Izumo would judge so hard. ] And if you get too drunk, you can always stay the night.

[ He guides his guest to the couch, and sits with him. ]

Now, San-chan, tell me about this special friend of yours.

...And, if you want, I’ll tell you about the one I used to have, too.

[ The support on their trek back to Totsuka's temple was obviously needed, because the moment Totsuka releases Bandou, he teeters and sits heavily on the couch. Leaning back, he shifts his glasses slightly so he can rub at his eyes. There's a decent groan as he's becoming more aware of just how far he let himself go. ]

No, I don't want anymore. I'll probably be sick. And ah...sorry I hit on you.

[ He really needs to get better at when he should and shouldn't do that. He's quiet for a bit, trying to piece together everything that had gone on between him and Eno in the last few months. It's difficult with his mind a buzz, right now, but at least he's moved beyond the point of shouting vague portions of the story at Izumo's bar top. ]

I did the same thing to him at a...um [ He has to pause to remember exactly where they were. ] ...spa. In the hot tub. ...I thought he was a chick.

[ Fair enough -- he’ll get some water for Bandou instead then, before sitting down next to him. ]

It’s fine! Don’t apologize.

[ He can’t say that with a straight face, even. Not quite, at least. It was more amusing than anything else; maybe a little flattering, honestly. After all, Tatara doesn’t get hit on often. (Has he ever been? He can’t recall.) But he won’t mention that.

Instead, he listens intently, nodding along, turning to look at Bandou when he mentions a case of mistaken gender. ]

And when you found out he wasn’t, that didn’t change anything?

[ He’s proud of you, San-chan. ]

[ Another dragged out groan as he slumps as far as the couch will let him. ]

He said it was a good kiss.

[ The compliment was nice to hear. ]

And he looked so damn cute with his hair down and his glasses off. And then he was blushing and acting all shy and....Dammit.

Hmm... [ He hums along, not really knowing what all to say to that. He’s never been kissed; never been courted. (Well, not really; even in his brief experience with Johan, it was him doing the "courting".) All he can do is nod and hear his friend out. ]

Aah, I can’t blame you! He sounds lovely.

[ Even Tatara could go for a type like that, he thinks. Long hair and glasses, shy--...

...wait. He’s not talking about...

Don’t be silly, he tells himself; there’s more than just one long-haired, bespectacled, shy cute boy in the Heavens! ]

And... the two of you had a falling out? What happened?

He found a boyfriend!

[ And while he would normally feel some amount of petty jealously over his friend finding someone before him, instead he's sitting here sulking over being put aside for someone else. ]

[ ...Yikes. Tatara barely avoids wincing. ]

I see...

Still, you didn’t tell him you wanted him to be your boyfriend, right? So it can’t be anything to do with you, San-chan. [ A finger points in a ‘eureka’ fashion. ] He can’t say yes if you don’t ask...!

[ But, real talk time, now. Tatara’s face falls somewhat, and he glances away. ]

If it’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you like someone, you should tell them. Even if you’re scared to.

[ He doesn’t mention that he learned that one the hard way, of course. Or that even a ‘I like you too’ or a ‘yes, I’ll be your boyfriend’ wouldn’t have changed the ultimate outcome in the end. ]

But I don't want to be Eno's boyfriend. I'm not into guys!

[ Which he's still very adamant about despite all the flirting that went along with their hookups. ]

Dammit! None of this makes any sense!

[ Okay, so... he's officially confused. He, meaning Bandou; it all makes sense to Tatara.

...Mostly. Kind of. Maybe.

He won't say it out loud, regardless, because Bandou's just the type to vehemently refute such a thing and shove others away. Then they'll get nowhere. So instead, he simply sidles up next to his cohort, letting their shoulders rest against one another. ]

Aah, it's fine, it's fine -- I think I understand what San-chan means.

[ He pats the younger clansman's knee softly. ]

If it was a girlfriend, that'd be fine. Then I could just be pissed that he'd found one and I didn't.

[ Making so much sense here, good job Bandou. ]

But it's a guy. So why do I feel like I'm just not good enough?

[ It's because you've never felt like you were good enough, Bandou. But his lack of memories for how those feelings came to be are preventing any clarity in this situation. ]

[ Oh, Bandou...

That sets Tatara to turning a bit toward his clanmate, a concerned and sympathetic look on his face. ]

It's not that. I promise, it's not.

I know. Eno's not like that. He's not an asshole.

[ Another thing to confuse him - why he's not mad at Eno for all this. ]

I'm just so confused right now. ...I don't think the alcohol's helping either.

[ Well, at least he's regaining a little bit of clarity. ]

[ ...Record scratch. ]

Eno?

[ Tatara’s sitting up then, turning to peer back at Bandou. ]

Tatsuya Enomoto?

[ Bandou is a branded, card-carrying member of HOMRA, and Eno is one of the Blues who remembers being a Blue, which means--...

...oh my. This was quite the very literal case of sleeping with the enemy, wasn’t it? Well then. As much as Tatara’s a fan of forbidden romances, it’s regretfully probably for the best that they parted ways. Last he spoke with Eno, he was exceptionally cordial and polite; but with Reisi Munakata reemerging since that last conversation, who knows if these lovers would have ultimately become bitter adversaries. Who knows if King would take it as a grievance against the group, even. It’s not infeasible... ]

Sorry, San-chan. Again. Eno is a kind person; we’ve spoken before, and he’s always been very polite.

[ So he got a boyfriend, did he? Now Tatara’s curious as to who that might be. ]

I got you a glass of water to try and help you sober up. It might help prevent a hangover, too. [ That, uh, might be a lost cause already, Totsuka... ]

[ With a decent amount of effort, Bandou manages to push himself to a sitting position. He willingly takes the offered glass, nodding a slow 'thank you.' ]

Yeah, that's him.

[ At least Mikoto knows that the two of them had become friends since arriving here. Though, finding out the boys have been sleeping together is definitely a whole new level that Mikoto (and maybe even Munakata, too) might not be all too pleased to find out about.

He remains quiet for a little bit, slowly sipping at his cup of water. But, eventually he speaks up. ]

Hey, does Shouhei ever talk about me?

[ ...wow. Wow. He needs a moment to process this. Honestly, it’s a pretty neat concept, Reds and Blues uniting like that. Sure, their respective kings might not be too pleased initially, but if it’s one thing Tatara believes, it’s that true love wins out. ~~Even if he personally has no proof of that to show.~~

He’s still thinking on it when Bandou next inquires. ]

Eh heh... [ Tatara scratches his cheek sheepishly. ] I don’t know that I can answer that honestly, San-chan. Shouhei and I really don’t talk as much as I’d like...

[ It's like Romeo & Juliet. Except, you know, without all the suicide. ]

Really? [ He definitely seems surprised by this info. ] He's usually the popular one and really curious about things.

[ And as much as his petty side wants to take advantage of that and be number one for once, it's more concerning that his friend maybe isn't comfortable here. Or maybe something else is going on. ]

Oh, he still is!

[ But they try to keep things... professional? Tatara doesn't pry into his affairs with Bandou, and Shouhei doesn't pry into Tatara's... anything, really. Which means he missed the whole not-quite-boyfriend-was-suddenly-beheaded thing, which in retrospect, is a plus. No one needed to see Tatara like that.

But anyway... ]

Aah, I should catch up with him sometime... we've just been so busy, always going in opposite directions. You know how it goes!

[ Ok I lied, he's still gonna put on a petty face, even though Shouhei still being a popular social butterfly is reassuring. It's also not fair, okay! ]

Just don't go letting him take on prayers by himself.

[ Bandou, don't boss around a god. ]

He'll do that. He'll think he can take on something alone cause he doesn't want to bother other people. But then the idiot just ends up getting in trouble more.

[ It’s not bossing around! And even if it was, well... honestly? Tatara’s used to it by now. (Maybe if he hadn’t retained his memories, he wouldn’t be; but that isn’t the case.)

In response, his first words want to be the reflexive, instinctive, “So you remember that?”, but he should refrain. Just in case. So, he’ll stick with: ]

He does seem like the kind who would do that, doesn’t he? But, don’t sweat it! I’ll keep a close eye on him, and make sure he stays out of trouble.

[ A two-fingered salute here. ] I promise.

[catch-all] place your past into a book

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