heavenlydecree | (no subject)

(no subject)

[If there was one thing Takatora was sure he should have learned by now, it would be how to keep his life in perfect running order. He had been the head of Yggdrasill's Research and Development branch from the moment he'd left high school and even before that, his father had kept him on a tight and strict schedule, never a second unaccounted for or left out of place. Unfortunately, with all of Takatora's scheduling and trying to squeeze an extra hour into every day, he still felt as though he never had time for anything, let alone everything. Even his weekends left little time for himself, though Takatora was also painfully aware of his obsession with triple-checking everything under his command and bringing such weight onto himself. He couldn't allow for errors.

His morning routine started a bit later on the weekends, if only because Takatora knew he had to catch up on sleep at some point to make up for running himself ragged. Getting sick was something he couldn't risk. The usual morning routine went by quickly: dragging himself out of bed (he'd never become a morning person, as much as he wanted to), showering, getting dressed, checking for any news or alerts while he had been sleeping. Thankfully, nothing important had happened during the night. Takatora always lived with the fear of something awful happening while he was asleep that he would be unprepared for, but every morning brought the same temporary relief. For now.

Takatora headed out of his room after an hour or so, still checking his phone as he made his way down the hall and towards the stairs. Ryouma already wanted to talk to him about something, which was mildly surprising as Ryouma rarely (never) got out of bed so early, which meant he'd been up all night again. Stepping past one of the maids, Takatora spoke a return greeting to her as he continued on, paying more attention to typing out messages than his surroundings.]

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[Kouta gives him another shoulder squeeze before turning away, taking his basket to the front of the store and setting it on the counter. He then proceeds to buy another few items from the display cases in the front -- hot food, which will be much more enjoyable to eat after a long night -- before paying for all of it and looking fairly pleased with himself for getting the chance to spoil his friend. As soon as he's done, he stands near the door with his bags, swinging them carefully again as he stares out into the street.

Something feels weird, but he can't figure out what.]

[Micchy rolls his eyes a little bit and takes one of the bags.]

Making you carry all of it isn't fair.

[But he just... trails along next to Kouta. He's never been to his house before. Apartment. Right. Probably an apartment.]

[Kouta tries to pull his hand back, though Micchy beats him to it. So he just pouts instead, which seems to be his usual method of defense when he's not being an armored rider.]

I can handle it! Let me spoil you!

[He walks outside to lead the way back, keeping a few steps ahead of Micchy at first and dodging to the side to avoid running into someone, muttering an apology.

Ryouma, of course, says nothing in response, but easily steps past him. While the chance is there to say something or make a scene, he simply gives Mitsuzane a look and a playful smile before heading past the pair and into the convenience store.]

[... His blood runs cold, and he meets Ryouma's gaze with as much venom as he can. He grabs Kouta by the arm and pulls him into a side street.]

Let's... make sure you go home a different way than you usually do, okay? Please don't ask why.

[Of course. Did Takatora send him out? Or is he just doing it to be an ass? He probably already knows where all of them live. Are there trackers in the belts? There probably are. His mind is working at a million miles an hour.]

[Kouta makes a startled noise of surprise as Micchy pulls him aside, looking completely confused as to what's going on and why. He opens his mouth to ask, then closes it, knowing Micchy has already said he doesn't want to talk about it. He looks around a bit more, trying to remember another way back, before grabbing Micchy's arm and tugging him further down the side street.]

We can go this way...

[Was it something about that man they'd passed? Kouta isn't sure, but it does make him feel weird that he had such a strange feeling right before Micchy did.]

Thanks.

[He feels suddenly sick. There's got to be a reason for this. Maybe he should have just gone home. But... no. He's already committed to this. He's not going to bail out just because of Ryouma. That man can't rule his life, and neither can Takatora.]

[Yeah, Kouta's definitely worried. He moves his hand down Micchy's arm to tightly, comfortingly grab his hand again to squeeze it, pulling the other along behind him. He makes a few more turns and has a slight moment of hesitation before he seems to find his way again.]

Are you okay?

... I'll be fine. I think. As long as my brother doesn't call and tell me to go home. I don't really want to go home tonight.

[He needs time away. He needs time to think. And more importantly he needs the opinion and care of someone he actually trusts. Kouta, while he may be weird and a little irresponsible sometimes, isn't a bad person. And more importantly, he's normal. At least as normal as he's going to get. He doesn't have a reputation, and he doesn't have an agenda. He has to be careful, but he doesn't have to pretend he's aloof or strong when he's not.]

[That worry doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. Kouta gives Micchy's hand another a squeeze and stops walking long enough to reach back and wrap one arm around his friend's shoulders, trying to give him a quick yet comforting hug.]

You'll be okay, Micchy. Just tell me what to do.

I don't know. I just have to think. Maybe I'm overthinking things, though.

[All he knows is that he wants to leave. It's irresponsible but he really doesn't want to deal with things right now. It's overwhelming, especially knowing what he knows now.]

I'm sorry, Kouta. I can't really explain right now.

It's okay! You don't have to tell me why. Just... if there's anything that makes it easier...

[Kouta's walking again now, still making sure to keep Micchy protectively close to him, taking a few more blocks before managing to reach the apartment complex from a completely different angle. If Micchy's been paying attention, he'll notice Kouta has developed the habit for carefully looking everywhere before he goes forward, as though expecting someone to attack him out of nowhere. Thankfully, he makes it all the way to the door of his apartment, letting go of Micchy's hand only to wrestle with his keys.]

[He nods, and while he's not looking everywhere, he is listening extremely carefully. If something's going to attack them, it'll probably make noise first, and glancing around just is going to make them look more suspicious.]

[Still, he can't help but feel like there's a pit in his stomach. If Ryouma is going to hold it over him, he'll do it later, and probably in a way to make it seem to Takatora like he's trying to hurt his brother. It's not true. He just needs a night to clear his head. But the man seems slimy and underhanded, and...]

[He feels his stomach do a flip as he thinks of being pinned against the wall with hot breath near his ear. No. He's not thinking about that, not ever again.]

[Kouta gets the door open easily, pushing Micchy inside before he follows after him. He does another glance around before he walks inside, pushing the door shut and being sure to push his weight against it before locking it. Now, he feels a lot better. He slips his shoes off, then holds the other bag out to Micchy.]

Go ahead and take these into my room. I'll be right there.

[He pauses, then motions to the door on the right at the end of the hallway. With that, Kouta goes halfway down the left side, lightly knocking on the door.]

[He takes the bags and slips his shoes off, frowning as he heads into Kouta's room. He can't quite place what's bugging him until he peeks inside. ... Oh. It's messy, that's why. He's so used to everything having a place and belonging in that place that seeing things scattered is just weird. He sits down on Kouta's bed and fidgets with the bags. He's probably talking to his sister, right?]

[... Yes, that makes sense. He rubs the side of his face again, and belatedly realizes why. He pulls his hand away and grabs the bags again. Where is he supposed to put these? ... He'll just hold them for now.]

[After a few minutes, Kouta wanders into the room with a pout on his face. It's only then that he realizes how messy his room is, which results in him picking up a few things from the floor and simply tossing them closer to the walls.]

You can just put them down on the bed.

[He nods and puts them down, trying to smile again a little.]

Problems with your sister?

Edited 2014-09-25 04:02 (UTC)

She just lectured me again for staying out so late, even though I called her. I know she's worried because of everything that's happened lately, but...

[He gives a frustrated sigh and then sits down on the bed as well, pushing back to put his back against the wall.]

You're her only family. Of course she's worried about you.

[He carefully puts a hand on Kouta's leg. This is... okay. He can be okay with this.]

[Kouta puffs his cheeks a bit in surprise, looking over at Micchy. That touch was... unexpected. For a brief moment, it reminds him of the time he spent with Yuuya and then all of those associations are quickly shoved out of his mind. No, he definitely can't think about things like that right now.]

I know...

[He scoots a little closer - not enough to be leaning on him, but close enough that he could if he wanted to.]

That's part of the reason I wanted to fight. You guys... you're the only friends I've had. The only ones who I felt like I could be myself around. I want to keep you guys safe.

[... well, nope. So much for not thinking about it. He gives in, wrapping an arm around Micchy's back and leaning against him.]

We want to keep you safe too, Micchy.

[He leans into Kouta and closes his eyes. It's strange. He feels safe like this, and warm.His breathing calms, and he nods.]

I know. I just... don't want you guys to think that I'm holding you back any just because I'm younger.

Eeehhh. Don't think something like that! Come on...

[Kouta shakes him a little.]

You're even cooler than me sometimes. You did so much to help me...

Thanks, Kouta. I appreciate it.

[... Is a hug okay? He hugs Kouta gently. Hugs are okay. They're for showing appreciation and caring, right?]

[Hugs are definitely okay!! Kouta adjusts the way he's sitting to tightly wrap his arms around Micchy and pull him closer, resting his chin on the other's shoulder.]