thenearshore | [closed] | Of flimsy excuses and flimsier explanations...

Entry tags:

[closed] | Of flimsy excuses and flimsier explanations...

Who: Ronald Knox and Kimihiro Watanuki
What: A flimsy excuse to see someone again
When: May 16, late afternoon
Where: Around places (specifically Akihabara then we'll see where we go from there)
Summary: Because someone A owes someone B a new phone... and that's always an excuse to see someone C, right? Details.

Demon wrangling had been what put nosh and a pint on the bartop back home. At least that was the case during a bad day. Ronald's encounters with demons were few and far between. If a reaper did his work properly, they'd never have to see one in their afterlife. The aftermath of it wasn't exactly something he ever thought he had to deal with. At least until today. Sorting fruit with Horikawa and his shadows in the morning, bustling about town in the earlier afternoons -- but at least he had time to make himself decent before heading off again on one more errand before the day was over. Compared to all the hard work, he had every intention of taking it easy for the rest of the day. Maybe he had kind of looked forward to this, at least that's what that niggling thought at the back of his head was telling him.

Showing up at GwanYin's temple through his shadows was becoming something he was more than used to so maybe that helped. But he was at the door roughly five minutes after stepping out his own door with a box of fruit under his arm. Thankfully he'd gotten used to transporting things along with him through his shadows otherwise carrying around said crate would have been trouble. He paused to knock, shifting the crate and fumbling with his shirt and vest to lightly tug the creases out. Even if this was just supposed to be a simple thing, there was no reason for him not to look decent, right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He was pretty sure he was blushing so hard he was going to pass out. But that hand ghosting against the skin of his chest raised the hairs on the back of his neck and gave him pleasant goosebumps.

He lowered his head a bit, eyes closing. He didn't say anything in return... he just leaned back into Ron.

The reaper let his hand drift a moment longer, fingertips tracing lightly over his skin with the smallest smile. It was surprising how comfy they had become with each other -- but then again, after tending to blight the way they did, who could blame him for feeling comfy to begin with. That hand drifted low, sliding around the other god's waist as he lightly pulled him closer. Instinct caused him to lean in, eyes sliding half closed --

Before he shook his head and stayed his ground.

No. He promised. And he would make good on that promise.

Instead there was a cough as he pulled his arm away, almost reluctantly. "You should... prolly... get dressed." he muttered, glancing aside.

He had closed his eyes--

And then nothing happened. The snapped open as Ron coughed. He felt... stupid, hadn't he said they had to stop?

"Right..." He turned away, getting undressed. "Um--I'll be out in a moment."

There it was again, that urge he couldn't escape. His heart raced a little faster even as he took a step back. "R... right. I'll.... ah... be waiting outside, then?" the reaper coughed, quickly slipping out before his urges could get the better of him.

He hurried outside, folding his arm behind his back as he glanced off. "Any idea what you'd fancy for dinner, by the by?"

"I don't know. I'm not particularly picky." He emerged a little later, dressed again. He set the clothes on a rack beside the dressing room. "There are a lot of restaurants in the area... so I'm sure we can find someplace interesting.

"But now," He stated. "You have to make good on your promise. Once I find a good second-hand place you're going to try on a yukata." Or several, depending.

"M'sure we can." the reaper continued, folding his arm behind his back with a small grin before turning his attention back to the younger god.

"You've let me have a dekko of how you'd look so it's only fair." he smirked, stuffing his hand in his pocket. "But I'm somewhat surprised... didn't have enough of an eyeful of what I'd look like in a yukata from the last time?"

"You were in one of mine so it didn't fit you properly. And you in bed the whole time so I didn't get a good look at you. So it doesn't count."

He led him out the store, and it was at least ten more minutes before he finally found a place he was looking for: a thrift shop that was entirely of kimonos, yukatas, and other traditional wear. He headed inside, and was met with lovely fabrics and clothing, all for discounted prices. "Here we are."

Watanuki looked over to Ron. "Buying this kind of clothing is better than buying thrift for normal clothing. Half the time people only wear it for a single event but don't want it anymore, so they're in great condition."

He started sifting through yukata, going to the more dressy area to look through.

Ronald followed after, turning his head here and there as he found himself unable to help but inspect some of the showier fabrics. "All this time I figured this was the sort of thing that'd have to be bespoke..." he muttered. You learn something new every day. Most of his suits were custom made, after all. At least as far as the shirts and jackets and slacks went The vests were easy to come by.

"Found anything to your tastes then?" the reaper called after a moment.

"Hm..." It soon became clear that Watanuki was looking at women's yukata. He pulled out one that was a pretty silver color with thin white stripes and small black crows stitched in every-so-often. The sash was white as well, thick to make a sound bow. He looked over towards Ron as he asked him.

"What do you think of this one?" He asked, holding it up to himself. "...Do you think it's too flashy?" He looked down at him. "It's a little shinier than my usual stuff, but..." Well, he was a god, right? He was allowed me be a little grandiose from time-to-time, right?

Edited 2016-11-20 05:34 (UTC)

Thankfully, the reaper couldn't tell the difference. The only thing he could compare was the fabric, the color, the pattern. But he did tilt his head slightly, letting out a soft hum as he approached. The color was nice... wouldn't make Watanuki look too pale. The design was good.

Again, his head tilted to the other side. "If you've a worry of coming on a bit too flashy, could always save that for the little evening to do's that heaven puts on from time to time." he suggested. "That'd be aces for a night thing, I'd wager."

"...All right." Since Ron seemed to like it...

He managed to find a few more: a matte forest green with a gold bamboo pattern stitched in, a black little number with small silver stars dotted randomly in the fabric, and a butter-yellow yukata with white butterflies. Once he had them selected, he looked over at Ron.

"Hmmm..." He mused, before moving over to the men's yukata. "Something dark to bring out your hair and eyes." He was sifting through the racks. "Let's see... hm...

"How about this one?" He held up a dark plum colored yukata with thin gold leaves speckled throughout. The thin obi was black.

He tossed off a few comments on occasion, liking the shade of the dark green, the feel of the black and the patterns on the yellow. When it came to what was selected for him, again, he tilted his head ever so slightly with the smallest smile. Oddly, the color worked. "D'you know most the threads I'd found in me manor the first day in had the same shade? Least the vest and pants did." he laughed, taking the yukata from him. "I'd say that's a brilliant choice.

"Right then. Would you mind giving me a hand, at least?" Ronald asked, motioning with his head to a nearby changing room.

"Of course. The sleeves on these things can be difficult." He headed into the dressing room with Ron.

"Do you need help undressing?" He asked, but he was already unbuttoning Ron's shirt for him.

"Yeah, I'd need that." he laughed, his fingers loosening his tie as he stood still. Normally, he let his shadows undress him. It took them a while to actually learn how to undo the buttons and lace his shoes but it occured to him that no one quite did it like another human being did.

"Hope you don't mind, mate. S'not a thing I'd easily ask another fellow really."

"I don't mind." He was used to tasks like this. He'd never undressed Yuuko before, but he had done things like prepare her bath and carefully washed and properly folded or hung her clothes. Big chores and little touches. His specialty. "If you ever need help, I don't mind if you ask me. I'll always help." Such a thing extended beyond him being a god of compassion.

He pulled Ron's shirt off of him, and there was a stolen glance, a double-take that wasn't needed. He looked away, but couldn't hide his ears turning pink.

"Okay, let's get this thing on you." He picked up the yukata, starting to inch it on the blond.

It had taken him a while to get used to the notion of another person seeing him shirtless. The shadows were barely human. They said nothing and didn't dare judge their master. Even if they did, they didn't question his power over them. Not even in front of Horikawa did he take his shirt off or readily expose the empty sleeve. Only one other had seen what remained of his arm before -- and after that incident with the wolf, two others had. It was a little hard to hide when wet cloth stuck to the stump that remained, after all.

There was a momentary flinch as he was stripped, causing him to glance away briefly before he reeled himself back. It's something Watanuki had seen. If he would judge him, he already had. A small tattoo of the number 23 was visible just above his hip. But he allowed himself to be dressed, wordless as he shrugged the cloth on and adjusted it with that arm. Again, another show of being strangely adept. "Well?" the reaper as he adjusted the obi around his waist. A little less layered than what he was used to but he had to admit, the cut did show off his collarbone rather nicely.

If he was to admit anything, seeing him without an arm, bare for him to look at, only served to make him feel worried. Of course, he didn't think Ron was helpless, far from it, but he realized how much of a hindrance it was... how he probably felt a small bruise to his pride whenever he had to ask for help. But, he had told the truth. He didn't mind help his friend at all.

"I..." He had lost track of his thoughts. He shook his head out, before nodding to him. "You look great. I knew you would.

"It lays on you nicely..." He mused, before reaching out, adjusting the neckline. His hands smoothed over the fabric. "It fits you well, too. Much better than mine did."

"D'you think so?" Ronald asked, the smallest smile playing on his lips. As much as he hated to admit it, the compliments were nice. Always did a lad good to hear his looks being appreciated - especially after that incident. But he straightened up a bit more to give a better impression of how the cloth fell on him, just in case Watanuki wanted a better impression.

"I've started to fancy the notion of prolly keeping something around at your place... just in case I ever find myself around again." he grinned, reaching up to ruffle his own hair slightly.

"You act as if you know you'd be loitering at my place," He stated, tone prim. "Nice try."

But, he had to admit it looked nice on him... "But... maybe...

"It kind of matches the aesthetic my place has. I've thought about keeping some clothing for guests to wear. Something that goes along with my temple." Who knew he was so strict. But he found himself caring greatly about his temple. He wanted it to be a respectful place. His hands smoothed on the fabric again as Ron straightened up.

It just felt like an excuse to touch him.

"..." His hands smoothed over him again, trailing down his chest, then back up again, lost in thought.

"Can't help it if I fancy your company! Wouldn't invite you over though. M'not sure you'd be able to relax if the darker sorts find your blood enticing. S'not so much loitering as coming 'round to see you now and again, eh?" Ronald sighed as he lowered his arm.

As he was touched, he found himself stepping closer to bridge the distance between them. His arm slid around the other god's waist to keep them steady as his voice died down into silence. It was almost as if speaking would break the intimacy of the moment. "Wouldn't be a bad idea..." the reaper murmured, his fingertips barely ghosting the other's waist as he pulled them gently closer. He wasn't quite sure what effect the other was having on him but he had to admit, being close to him was rather intoxicating.

It almost felt as if he were sinking, slowly, body relaxing as Ron's hand slipped around him and pulled him in closer. He liked how Ron made him feel. Safe. In a different way than Jade, who was calculating a diligent, an upstanding shinki that Watanuki knew would protect him even at the cost of his own life. But this was...

They were friends, right? But he never felt this way about his friends. He could stand how he was forever, at some sort of slow melting point, and eventually he would find himself needing to be supported just to remain an upright being. His hands came to rest on Ron's chest. He was staring intently at his collarbone, unable to lift his head, not knowing what kind of look he would meet if he stared into Ron's eyes... not knowing what he'd do if he gazed into them.

Friends. They were just friends. It was something he was trying to remind himself even when they stood so close. If this was just a game for him, it would be so easy to just walk away. Release the other god, tease him a bit and just walk away. And yet here he was, guiltily enjoying the feel of that body pressed against him and those hands against his chest.

And it quietly occured to him that he never had this quiet intimacy with Yuki. They were friends, yes. They spent time talking after class under that sakura tree (why was it always a sakura tree where things happened?). They'd spent plenty of time together when his arm was being checked on every two weeks but never in so intimate a setting like this. Even if it was just a dressing stall in Harajuku. It was the closeness that made it -- different.

He thought he had lost himself in his thoughts but apparently his body was moving without him consciously thinking it. His hand had moved up, tipping the other god's chin up before he leaned in, eyes closing to bring them together for another soft kiss. It was only when their lips met that he realized what he was doing and promptly decided it was just one more little kiss. After this, he would stop. Just one more.

Edited 2016-11-20 07:18 (UTC)

He had said no kissing. He had said no kissing.

But Watanuki's heart pounded heavily at those lips touching his, and his mind tossed it out the window, because he found himself wanting to kiss Ron back. A part of him want to shout and hiss and spit and screech like a cat at him, to tell him 'WHAT DID I SAY?!?!', but that part of him was instantly squashed. His arms slid up, wrapping around Ron's neck.

Dammit. Why couldn't he just stay away? He wanted to be close to him. Maybe he wanted to just be more than friends. It was confusing... but it felt right.

He deepened it only slightly, eyes closing tightly as he did. It was as if he forced his eyes to shut, as if he was stubbornly defying everything that was telling him they shouldn't kiss. But they were. And he couldn't help himself. Those lips were soft, warm, welcoming. It made his heart race, even as he pulled himself away.

Ronald slipped his tongue out slightly, licking his own lips as he turned his head away briefly. They felt warm. He noticed the barest hint of that tea from earlier. "Couldn't help meself..." he murmured, managing the smallest smile as he looked away. But that smile was guilty, like a child that had stolen a sweet he shouldn't have before supper. "I know you said we prolly shouldn't but... just couldn't help it."

Watanuki opened his mouth to speak. Then he closed it. Then... he opened his mouth again.

"...Kiss me again," He said. "Just...

"...Kiss me... again."

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