It's incredible. When I have trouble sleeping, I wander up to watch the stars at night, as well.
[Catch him up there in his pjs with a blanket. He lowers his tea to his lap after another sip, and leans a little closer still, less worried about being subtle.]
I really am curious about how you're doing, you know. I understand that I brought up something concerning with myself, but have you been settling in well? No one is giving you any problems, are they?
[ sturdy as ever, ryuu doesn't seem to mind the continued closeness. there's a spell of silence at the mention of the roof at night - he'd been up there a few weeks prior, but the red moon ensured it was all a starless blur. finding his smile, he shakes his head and looks aside, eyes still bright. ]
Me? There's not much to talk about! I miss home, of course... but it doesn't mean I don't want to learn as much about Lunatia as I can too. That's what all this is for.
[ an accomplishment he allows to trail off before starting. ]
Oh! And this.
[ turning his network device over, he pulls up a site for an all-rounder studio offering recording booths, practice and dance rooms decked out with amazing holo-technology... ]
There are a lot of us around now, right? I thought I'd like to try practicing here sometime.
A modeling job? The idea of a gravure model suits you.
[He just assumes... But oh, he leans in to peer at this, even if he doesn't completely have to.]
Ah, but you're right! There are more and more idols, aren't there... But this looks like a nice location. As I thought, you're working hard already. ♪ I've been trying to slip in as much practice as my body will allow, in various locations... But my childhood friend recently arrived, and he's been following me around and nagging me nonstop.
Still, maybe I'll sneak away to come see you practice, as well. [Should rivals be working that closely? Shh.]
[ g-gravure. ryuu manages a short laugh, but doesn't... deny it...
onto better things! tilting his device aside and leaning into eichi's arm in kind, ryuu nods, quiet excitement playing on his features as he taps through the establishment's offerings. ryuu doesn't necessarily need something so fancy all the time, but it looks interesting! ]
I don't want to get rusty, you know? It's amazing what having a lot of time will do, if you're not careful. I just thought I'd look up some places first...
[ days off feel more precious when there are so few of them? ]
We can go together sometime! [ shh. ] Still, a childhood friend, huh... how nice. I'm sure he's just worried, right? You said you felt tired lately.
It makes an incredible difference, certainly. Going together sounds even better than me having to sneak over, so I'd like that.
[He sips his tea after that, considering the rest of his words. Mm, right...]
He is, of course. You don't understand, though. Keito has such an overbearing personality that it's exhausting. He's already moved himself in with me just to keep an eye on me.
[Despite his words, he doesn't sound too genuinely bothered. It's all light.]
I feel tired, since I have a lot scheduled and I've dealt with a fair amount of strain to my body lately, but even when I try to sleep, I've been having difficulty with it. It also makes me feel restless to stay in one place for too long, so I've been relying on Chroma and hoping it will be enough.
[ what a personality he must have, if he's that strong-willed even around someone like eichi. ryuu's smile protects what he's truly thinking about the situation, but it's plain enough to see that it's a little funny to him. they must be mutually exhausting, he's sure of it.
only the mention of his troubles has ryuu minimizing the studio information and thoughtfully, very carefully, moving the dainty teacup to one palm. ]
I understand what it's like to want to keep busy, but you should take care to not burn out, too. Chroma is really amazing, but I don't think it'll replace all the important things your body needs either...
[ a second passes, and ryuu decides to reach up with his free hand, fingertips finding a lock of eichi's bangs to sweep back behind his ear. time to really get a good look at his face. ]
[He doesn't know what it is about Ryuu's gentleness that always catches him off guard, but it makes his heart skip a beat, he's sure of it. This is the sort of feeling that has him reaching out for Ryuu's company, and he wonders if that's selfish of him. He blinks up at Ryuu with the gesture, and then lets his eyes dart to the side a moment later. At the very least, being admonished like this is a little different than his usual. Normally he'd try to brush it off, but he already feels bad about earlier.]
I'm aware that I need to be careful, but I also don't want to miss out on anything. It feels like a delicate balance, and that cult truly threw a wrench into my plans.
[His face is pale, his eyes are tired, and he's an expert at keeping his expression with a practiced sort of smile and appearance. But if Ryuu is looking hard like that, it won't be hard to see that he's not seeming to be in the best of health.]
Ah, but as for my sleep, I either can't fall asleep and wind up awake at odd hours of the night, or I sleep and wake suddenly from nightmares and the like. My happiest nights are uneventful and not truly restful, either. They change my medication frequently, so I wonder if it might be related to that, but it's difficult to say.
There's always so much happening in this place, and considering how we appeared here, I can't help but think that everyone has some of this as an issue.
[ there's a lot ryuu would like to say - managing one's health is also an important part of being an idol, after all, but he figures eichi hears it enough from everyone else, whether or not those scoldings actually work. there's so much he can sympathize about, but he doesn't understand the effects of having limitations like eichi does. it'd make him feel bad for even trying to speak on it, or to repeat things he's probably heard hundreds of times before.
still, he can see the thinness at the edges of his expression. ryuu takes a breath and lets it go, deep but quick. decisive, in a soft way. ]
Accounting for the unexpected is a tough thing to do. Frustrating, too. [ right? ] There are things to do even when you have to sit back and take a breath, though!
[ like cozying up on a couch with fancy tea and watching prismatica's top idol, for example, ]
After you're rested, of course. Do you want to try to take a nap?
What a positive way of phrasing it. It’s fine if you’d like to call me foolish or reckless, you know.
[ He’s not quite sure how to handle that positivity, honestly... He’s used to comments from others, scolding, and even from himself. But nice cheery comments make him expect that there’s more behind it, even if there’s not. Not that he thinks it’s intentional, or anything, but that he’s just a little lost. ]
Still, to ask me about a nap... I came here to share your company, you know? There’s no way I’d trouble you with that only to end up having to nap. I may be tired, but I promise you that I’m generally very aware of my own limits. I’m not so terrible yet.
[ he lifts his tea up to his lips, looking at Ryuu from over the rim again. ]
I’m still able to hold this teacup, and my hands aren’t trembling or anything.
[ he should've seen that coming, huffing a quiet noise and turning his gaze from eichi's rather piercing one down to the remaining tea in his cup. it seems like there's more than one delicate balance to find here, and ryuu's not always the most subtle. that eichi is here with him while admitting that he's not at 100% rather than out doing something else entirely means he can't throw the word reckless around just yet. ]
I'd still keep you company! [ was that... too quick... ] You could lean on me, you know?
[ ah yeah, he definitely knows he sounds a little too hopeful, but he's always loved the idea of it, and he's a bad liar. he's all in. ]
But if you wanted to continue to talk, that'd be okay too. I like it.
[ When the offer is clarified not to be Eichi shutting himself in Ryuu’s room and sleeping alone, but him leaning against him and napping like that, his view on it completely changes. It’s no longer a worry of how he might just take up space and waste precious time. Now it’s a golden opportunity?
He’s been low key and high key bugging people for soft moments like this for at least a month. Specifically this type of thing. Ah. ]
I know you’re one to offer your shoulder, but literally, too? I’d keep you trapped in place like that, so would if really be fine? I suppose... I could lean against you and see if relaxing without sleeping might help...
[ oh! an abrupt change of heart! ryuu perks up instantly. ]
Sure, it's fine! I wasn't moving much from this spot anyway, before you messaged me.
[ lifting his teacup, he makes quick work of the remaining tea before it goes too cold, and leans to gently place the cup down on the coffee table, in between the various things he has on there. ]
Why don't you try, and if you still can't sleep, you don't have to force yourself. Does that sound okay?
[He takes another drink of his own tea, and with it mostly finished, he leans to set it on the table himself before he snuggles up a little more next to Ryuu. The height difference is to his benefit, and he makes sure to settle himself in front of Ryuu's arm, for ultimate closeness, so he can rest his head against him more comfortably.
Hmm. Once again, he's getting away with a lot.]
Are you going to sing me to sleep~? ♪
[He's teasing, but it can be hard to tell when he says it with his usual tone. That's partially because he wants to see if Ryuu will actually do it, anyway.]
[ ryuu waits until eichi gets comfortable and situated before settling in himself, larger frame relaxed. with eichi pressed into his side, he shifts his arm to curl down around his back. it seems when he offers, closeness is something he actually enjoys - he's not just doing it because it seems right, or proper. he's doing it because he makes him happy. and with his phones and the television, he doesn't seem to have any worries about being bored in the meanwhile.
only the mention of singing gets him piqued and looking over, curious. ]
[Instead of just immediately telling him to take a hike or stop messing around. Ah, Ryuu is so refreshing.]
It's just that I was thinking that I rarely get to do things like this. If anything, it's normally others who want to snuggle up against me... I'm still learning how to be physically affectionate in this way. And so, while thinking about that, I also thought of something else that I'd never experienced. A lullaby.
Did anyone ever sing you to sleep when you were a child?
Come to think of it, not really! My dad liked to tell stories a lot, fisherman's tales and things like that. My brothers grew up wanting to be read stories too.
[ in that regard, this is likewise pretty new to him. offering something like this would likely end in him getting told to stop messing around too... ]
Ah, so you haven’t either! Maybe I’ll sing a lullaby for you, some time, then?
[ He’s so weird. His eyes have already drifted closed, and he hums, fingers shifting quietly to brush over Ryuu, like he wants to hold on but isn’t sure how to commit. ]
I’ve never been read any stories, either, though. I’m certain that if my father had been around more, any tales he would have had would be boring compared to fisherman’s tales, anyway. Things like fish that got away or mermaids or the like... they’re more catered to the naive minds of children than business ventures, I’m sure.
[ is one ever too old for a lullaby? not according to ryuu, apparently. he laughs a little, just a slight tremor, so as not to jostle him much. ]
He had a habit of making every story more crazy and daring than the last. Even my brothers started to catch on, before long. Kids get so smart so fast, it's like you blink and you miss it.
[ tipping his head back, he makes a thoughtful noise. ]
[He gives his own soft laugh, and after some hesitation, his fingers curl a little against Ryuu's waist, arm resting across him.]
You really are going to humor me. I'll grow spoiled and begin to expect this, you know? No matter what you sing, I'll enjoy it. Even just hearing you speak, leaning against you like this, I can feel your voice in your chest and it creates a feeling in me that I can't quite describe.
[This wholesome domestic fun... How does he put it to words? He doesn't know.]
[ it's probably really uncool for his heart to beat a little faster when eichi is pressed in so close to it, but he can't exactly help it. the touch and the words make the effect twofold. ]
As long as it's a good feeling, maybe it doesn't need describing? It's okay to just feel it.
[He smiles at that, and at the beating of Ryuu's heart. He can hear it, with his ear pressed so close. But his own is beating faster too, isn't it? It's nice. It's comfortable. It feels like they've become close in such a short span of time, even if there's so much more they could get into or discuss, and he knows that's because of Ryuu's personality. It has to be, right?
It's easy to fall right into him. To lean close like this, and allow himself these moments of weakness... His eyes are still closed, and he's realizing he's definitely going to drift off like this.]
It's a good feeling. [Stated a little quieter than the rest of his words, and with a subtle slowness that shows he's relaxing.] You may be right, too. Maybe it doesn't.
[ ah, he hears it. that flagging, the drowsiness settling in. that's a good thing, he thinks - he was probably tired after all. ryuu can take those words to heart without drawing them out any longer.
so instead, he sings something very different from his group's usual songs, soft and meandering, half lyrics and half humming.
he has wakefulness and singing stamina to burn, luckily. ]
[ What a lovely song, what meaningful lyrics, he thinks, not wanting to speak and interrupt them whenever they appear. The humming is soft, a nice melody, accenting Ryuu’s gentleness, and when he sings his voice is as wonderful as it always seems to be. They met on the beach like this, and danced and sang, and now this— Eichi would only feel blessed if every meeting they had managed to have some music in there. They’re both passionate in the same way, after all.
He remembers thinking that it’s such a lovely song there’s no way he’d want to sleep through it... right before he drifts off for real.
He is tired. He is pushing himself too much, stretching himself thin and aware of it, trying to juggle it between all of his desires. His dream to be an idol who can spread smiles, but his selfish feelings, his loneliness, his death chasing just to feel more alive. The whole thing with the fox cult troubled him deeper than he can even admit to himself.
But this is a nice break from it. He’s craved closeness like this while resting so much that he can’t help but snuggle closer in between soft and deep breaths, his hand hooking more around Ryuu’s waist, his body turning in with it a little. ]
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[Catch him up there in his pjs with a blanket. He lowers his tea to his lap after another sip, and leans a little closer still, less worried about being subtle.]
I really am curious about how you're doing, you know. I understand that I brought up something concerning with myself, but have you been settling in well? No one is giving you any problems, are they?
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Me? There's not much to talk about! I miss home, of course... but it doesn't mean I don't want to learn as much about Lunatia as I can too. That's what all this is for.
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[He glances down at his teacup quietly, turning it slightly in his own hands.]
And have you made any steps towards idol work, here?
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[ an accomplishment he allows to trail off before starting. ]
Oh! And this.
[ turning his network device over, he pulls up a site for an all-rounder studio offering recording booths, practice and dance rooms decked out with amazing holo-technology... ]
There are a lot of us around now, right? I thought I'd like to try practicing here sometime.
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[He just assumes... But oh, he leans in to peer at this, even if he doesn't completely have to.]
Ah, but you're right! There are more and more idols, aren't there... But this looks like a nice location. As I thought, you're working hard already. ♪ I've been trying to slip in as much practice as my body will allow, in various locations... But my childhood friend recently arrived, and he's been following me around and nagging me nonstop.
Still, maybe I'll sneak away to come see you practice, as well. [Should rivals be working that closely? Shh.]
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onto better things! tilting his device aside and leaning into eichi's arm in kind, ryuu nods, quiet excitement playing on his features as he taps through the establishment's offerings. ryuu doesn't necessarily need something so fancy all the time, but it looks interesting! ]
I don't want to get rusty, you know? It's amazing what having a lot of time will do, if you're not careful. I just thought I'd look up some places first...
[ days off feel more precious when there are so few of them? ]
We can go together sometime! [ shh. ] Still, a childhood friend, huh... how nice. I'm sure he's just worried, right? You said you felt tired lately.
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[He sips his tea after that, considering the rest of his words. Mm, right...]
He is, of course. You don't understand, though. Keito has such an overbearing personality that it's exhausting. He's already moved himself in with me just to keep an eye on me.
[Despite his words, he doesn't sound too genuinely bothered. It's all light.]
I feel tired, since I have a lot scheduled and I've dealt with a fair amount of strain to my body lately, but even when I try to sleep, I've been having difficulty with it. It also makes me feel restless to stay in one place for too long, so I've been relying on Chroma and hoping it will be enough.
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[ what a personality he must have, if he's that strong-willed even around someone like eichi. ryuu's smile protects what he's truly thinking about the situation, but it's plain enough to see that it's a little funny to him. they must be mutually exhausting, he's sure of it.
only the mention of his troubles has ryuu minimizing the studio information and thoughtfully, very carefully, moving the dainty teacup to one palm. ]
I understand what it's like to want to keep busy, but you should take care to not burn out, too. Chroma is really amazing, but I don't think it'll replace all the important things your body needs either...
[ a second passes, and ryuu decides to reach up with his free hand, fingertips finding a lock of eichi's bangs to sweep back behind his ear. time to really get a good look at his face. ]
You haven't been sleeping well?
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[He doesn't know what it is about Ryuu's gentleness that always catches him off guard, but it makes his heart skip a beat, he's sure of it. This is the sort of feeling that has him reaching out for Ryuu's company, and he wonders if that's selfish of him. He blinks up at Ryuu with the gesture, and then lets his eyes dart to the side a moment later. At the very least, being admonished like this is a little different than his usual. Normally he'd try to brush it off, but he already feels bad about earlier.]
I'm aware that I need to be careful, but I also don't want to miss out on anything. It feels like a delicate balance, and that cult truly threw a wrench into my plans.
[His face is pale, his eyes are tired, and he's an expert at keeping his expression with a practiced sort of smile and appearance. But if Ryuu is looking hard like that, it won't be hard to see that he's not seeming to be in the best of health.]
Ah, but as for my sleep, I either can't fall asleep and wind up awake at odd hours of the night, or I sleep and wake suddenly from nightmares and the like. My happiest nights are uneventful and not truly restful, either. They change my medication frequently, so I wonder if it might be related to that, but it's difficult to say.
There's always so much happening in this place, and considering how we appeared here, I can't help but think that everyone has some of this as an issue.
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still, he can see the thinness at the edges of his expression. ryuu takes a breath and lets it go, deep but quick. decisive, in a soft way. ]
Accounting for the unexpected is a tough thing to do. Frustrating, too. [ right? ] There are things to do even when you have to sit back and take a breath, though!
[ like cozying up on a couch with fancy tea and watching prismatica's top idol, for example, ]
After you're rested, of course. Do you want to try to take a nap?
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[ He’s not quite sure how to handle that positivity, honestly... He’s used to comments from others, scolding, and even from himself. But nice cheery comments make him expect that there’s more behind it, even if there’s not. Not that he thinks it’s intentional, or anything, but that he’s just a little lost. ]
Still, to ask me about a nap... I came here to share your company, you know? There’s no way I’d trouble you with that only to end up having to nap. I may be tired, but I promise you that I’m generally very aware of my own limits. I’m not so terrible yet.
[ he lifts his tea up to his lips, looking at Ryuu from over the rim again. ]
I’m still able to hold this teacup, and my hands aren’t trembling or anything.
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I'd still keep you company! [ was that... too quick... ] You could lean on me, you know?
[ ah yeah, he definitely knows he sounds a little too hopeful, but he's always loved the idea of it, and he's a bad liar. he's all in. ]
But if you wanted to continue to talk, that'd be okay too. I like it.
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He’s been low key and high key bugging people for soft moments like this for at least a month. Specifically this type of thing. Ah. ]
I know you’re one to offer your shoulder, but literally, too? I’d keep you trapped in place like that, so would if really be fine? I suppose... I could lean against you and see if relaxing without sleeping might help...
[ He’d absolutely fall asleep so quickly. ]
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Sure, it's fine! I wasn't moving much from this spot anyway, before you messaged me.
[ lifting his teacup, he makes quick work of the remaining tea before it goes too cold, and leans to gently place the cup down on the coffee table, in between the various things he has on there. ]
Why don't you try, and if you still can't sleep, you don't have to force yourself. Does that sound okay?
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[He takes another drink of his own tea, and with it mostly finished, he leans to set it on the table himself before he snuggles up a little more next to Ryuu. The height difference is to his benefit, and he makes sure to settle himself in front of Ryuu's arm, for ultimate closeness, so he can rest his head against him more comfortably.
Hmm. Once again, he's getting away with a lot.]
Are you going to sing me to sleep~? ♪
[He's teasing, but it can be hard to tell when he says it with his usual tone. That's partially because he wants to see if Ryuu will actually do it, anyway.]
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only the mention of singing gets him piqued and looking over, curious. ]
Like a lullaby? Did you want me to?
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[Instead of just immediately telling him to take a hike or stop messing around. Ah, Ryuu is so refreshing.]
It's just that I was thinking that I rarely get to do things like this. If anything, it's normally others who want to snuggle up against me... I'm still learning how to be physically affectionate in this way. And so, while thinking about that, I also thought of something else that I'd never experienced. A lullaby.
Did anyone ever sing you to sleep when you were a child?
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[ in that regard, this is likewise pretty new to him. offering something like this would likely end in him getting told to stop messing around too... ]
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[ He’s so weird. His eyes have already drifted closed, and he hums, fingers shifting quietly to brush over Ryuu, like he wants to hold on but isn’t sure how to commit. ]
I’ve never been read any stories, either, though. I’m certain that if my father had been around more, any tales he would have had would be boring compared to fisherman’s tales, anyway. Things like fish that got away or mermaids or the like... they’re more catered to the naive minds of children than business ventures, I’m sure.
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[ is one ever too old for a lullaby? not according to ryuu, apparently. he laughs a little, just a slight tremor, so as not to jostle him much. ]
He had a habit of making every story more crazy and daring than the last. Even my brothers started to catch on, before long. Kids get so smart so fast, it's like you blink and you miss it.
[ tipping his head back, he makes a thoughtful noise. ]
What could I sing for you...
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[He gives his own soft laugh, and after some hesitation, his fingers curl a little against Ryuu's waist, arm resting across him.]
You really are going to humor me. I'll grow spoiled and begin to expect this, you know? No matter what you sing, I'll enjoy it. Even just hearing you speak, leaning against you like this, I can feel your voice in your chest and it creates a feeling in me that I can't quite describe.
[This wholesome domestic fun... How does he put it to words? He doesn't know.]
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As long as it's a good feeling, maybe it doesn't need describing? It's okay to just feel it.
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It's easy to fall right into him. To lean close like this, and allow himself these moments of weakness... His eyes are still closed, and he's realizing he's definitely going to drift off like this.]
It's a good feeling. [Stated a little quieter than the rest of his words, and with a subtle slowness that shows he's relaxing.] You may be right, too. Maybe it doesn't.
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so instead, he sings something very different from his group's usual songs, soft and meandering, half lyrics and half humming.
he has wakefulness and singing stamina to burn, luckily. ]
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He remembers thinking that it’s such a lovely song there’s no way he’d want to sleep through it... right before he drifts off for real.
He is tired. He is pushing himself too much, stretching himself thin and aware of it, trying to juggle it between all of his desires. His dream to be an idol who can spread smiles, but his selfish feelings, his loneliness, his death chasing just to feel more alive. The whole thing with the fox cult troubled him deeper than he can even admit to himself.
But this is a nice break from it. He’s craved closeness like this while resting so much that he can’t help but snuggle closer in between soft and deep breaths, his hand hooking more around Ryuu’s waist, his body turning in with it a little. ]
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