[Aibouverse, circa ep34 canon: open to AU Go-Busters, particularly seeking Masato and/or 'iromu~]

[silverpleather]

If it had been my decision, I probably wouldn't have told the others about Masato's... not entirely helpful coping mechanism. I've seen it before, of course, his tendency to make a joke out of anything that upsets him.

I've been the subject more than not in the past thirteen years, but this is something different entirely.

I had every intention of going after him on my own and dealing with him and the stupid Puppetroid, but Jueki put paid to that by telling the entire group what was going on before I got a chance.

Hopefully I'll still get a chance to talk to him alone. Even if I have to drag him to the subdimension to do it.

Comments

(godmoding a bit, lemme know if you want anything changed <3333)

[red_pleather]

Emi's doing that thing again. It took me a while to catch on, that there was something more to the times when he goes quiet than it just being because he's tired.

"Emeric," I say quietly as he passes. I'll grab his arm if he doesn't stop.

[this is fine <3]

[silverpleather]

I consider just pretending as though I didn't hear him and continuing in my intent to find Masato, but the 'avatar glitched couldn't hear you so sorry' excuse only works a few times and I'd like to save them in case a more important thing I need to ignore comes up. Like an order I don't intend on following.

Besides, he'd just follow me and repeat himself until I stopped, and I hate it when his voice moves into that sad puppy register.

"'iromu. Is something the matter?"

yay

[red_pleather]

He looks incredibly tense.

I frown at him. "Yes. I think so. But it's taken me a while to realise."

[silverpleather]

Not the answer I was expecting. I was worried he might be hurt or struggling with something after his fight with Masato, such as it was.

I take his arm gently and give him an inquiring look. "What is it?"

[red_pleather]

Ah, now he's worried about me.

This is ridiculous.

I know he's spent a long time with just Jin-san, but it's not as if it's that hard to believe that someone else might notice him, someone else might care about him, is it?! "You go all quiet when you're upset," I say bluntly.

[silverpleather]

This answer catches me even more off guard and I stare at him blankly for a moment trying to process. He's worried about me? After what happened with Masato today, he's worried about me?

Admittedly, my own self-awareness hasn't been particularly good even before the disaster. "Do I?"

I honestly hadn't noticed, at least, I hadn't realized there was a marked difference between my general quietness and being particularly more quiet when I was worried about something.

[red_pleather]

I sigh. "Yes, you do. Jin-san is easier to read than you are, but you're really obvious sometimes, too, Emi."

I screw up my face, because these things are hard, but I have to know. Have to help, if I can. "What is it? You're worried about Jin-san? Or something else?"

[silverpleather]

He's cute like that. His face scrunches up when he's thinking hard about something, or struggling with something inside his head.

I can't quite help my hand moving to his forehead, smoothing out the wrinkles. "I am not sure if that is a compliment or an admonition, 'iromu." I smirk weakly and shake my head.

"I suppose you could say a combination of the above. I am worried about Masato, of course I am. He is taking all of this very hard."

[red_pleather]

His hand's on my face. I twitch a little, but just in surprise, not in objection. Huh.

"Both," I grin at him wryly. "I just want you to be all right."

Ah. There was some of it, at least. "And he's basically your best friend, isn't he. You've got all of us to lean on now, too, you know." You've got me.

[silverpleather]

I pull my hand back when he flinches. Not my intent, and I frown a bit.

"I am fine, 'iromu. I have come to terms with many things in a way Masato... finds more difficult."

I sigh a little at his assessment. "He's more than my best friend. He saved my life."

[red_pleather]

I'm unexpectedly disappointed when he stops touching me.

"What things do you mean?" I think he's being subtle, but I want to know.

I sigh at myself, because I want to touch him, and so why am I not just touching him already? I reach out and take his hand, just briefly, he can pull away if he wants. "That's a strong bond between you."

[how far along in their relationship are they at this point XD XD XD]

[silverpleather]

"Here isn't really the place, 'iromu." I warn softly. I'm not even entirely sure what I'm comfortable telling him about. I don't want to distract him from the mission, I don't want to be the cause of any more trouble.

Besides, how Masato feels is Masato's business. Just because I know him better than nearly anyone doesn't mean I'm qualified to speak about him like that.

"It is. He's very important to me, and I think I am to him. I was understandably concerned today. Worried about him." Worried about Hiromu too. What could have happened.

(lmao up to you, all I know is Hiromu likes touching him) (/simple Red)

[red_pleather]

I nod. "I know," I say softly. "I don't even know the things you two went through and I know you're important to each other. But you don't have to worry about him alone, okay?"

[Kurorin~]

[goldenikemen]

Nothing like having your coping mechanisms exposed and your body controlled over the course of the same damn day.

Not that it was my actual body, but that's half the problem isn't it? Not my body. Mine and Emi's bodies are still hopelessly trapped in the Subdimension, suspend in a stasis like state, and we're no closer to finding a way to get them out then we were when out Avatars were first activated 13 years ago.

I don't think I want to see anyone right now, but I also don't want to leave the Overworld just yet. Especially while Emi's avatar is still here.

He's probably looking for me, or he's distracted with Hiromu. I'm hoping for the later.

The roof of EMC is quiet right now, and thankfully J is in maintenance still with the other Buddyroids. I lean on the railing, wishing I had a cigarette. Wishing I could smoke.

Trying not to think.

Re: [Kurorin~]

[loveenetronkurorin]

There's a time for action, and there's a time for thought.

Jin won't give me a damn thing if I chase after him too quickly, so I finish up my paperwork, review the footage from the day, and sip at a glass of water while I think.

Then, going on instinct, I head on up to the roof. I'm sure he'll hear me push the door open.

[goldenikemen]

I know it's Kurorin when the door opens. No one knows me as well as he does. Well, Emi knows me just as well, but in different ways. They each know me in ways the other can't.

I glance over my shoulder, just to confirm it, and look at him for a long moment like that before finally turning, leaning back against the railing and crossing my arms over my chest.

"Good evening, Kurorin."

[loveenetronkurorin]

Yes, there he is.

I meet his gaze levelly, noting the tiny signs of tension in him. He's barely even bothering to try to mask it, which shows just how much he's hurting right now.

Taking my time, I stroll over to the railing and lean my elbows on it. We don't have to make eye contact all the damn time for him to know there's a connection between us.

"Good evening," I say, voice gravelly. "Rough day."

[goldenikemen]

I could laugh, and very nearly do, though it comes out as more of a sigh. "To put it lightly."

I shift a bit to the side, sliding a little closer to him, not quite close enough for our arms to brush.

Wouldn't really feel it anyway.

I used to share almost everything with him.

Now... almost nothing.

I swallow, and clear my throat. "I'm sorry."

[loveenetronkurorin]

He moves closer. I copy, so our arms actually touch, because hell if I'm going to let that kind of symbolism stand. I know we're not really touching. I know he can't feel it, not like he could before.

But if it's all I can offer him, then I'm going to offer it.

I nod, turning his apology over in my mind, trying to work out how it fits. "For what, exactly?" I ask in a gentle rumble.

[goldenikemen]

I smile very slightly when he moves that little bit closer, aware that out arms are now pressed, even if I can't feel it.

I sigh, and tip my head back, looking up at the almost-night sky.

"I don't even know where to begin answering that."

[loveenetronkurorin]

A tiny smile is still progress. I'll take it.

I turn so I can see his face, then nod slowly, and turn back again. "Take your time, Jin."

[goldenikemen]

I sigh, this time in frustration, and push myself off the railing, scratching first at the back of my neck, then at the back of my head, as I wander just a bit on the roof.

Almost pacing, I shift my jacket aside, resting my hands on my hips. I look down at my feet, hair covering most of my face.

"For not being more candid when I first showed up about the status of Ryuuji and Youko's parents. For not explaining about what damage to mine and Emi's avatars would really do."

I stop my pacing and face him, looking at him for a long moment before bowing my head again. "For not being as open with you as I once was."

[loveenetronkurorin]

I turn around fully, mimicking his posture from earlier, as I watch him. I nod as he finishes his list.

I'm not happy about those things, no. But I'm not stupid, and I'm not a child. "I know," I say gruffly, not letting any irritation into my voice. What is, is, and right here and now, I'm not angry. I've been angry at times when he's confessed things, but not now. "I want to work with you on all this, Jin. I want to help you, and have you help us as much as you can. But we can't do that unless we're more open."

I push myself off the railing and stand straight, tugging my jacket down. "I know you had reasons. And I could be more open with you. I'm not about to yell at you for that."

However... "I am about to yell at you for not leaning on me, though, you idiot."

[and that was supposed to be HIROMU and Youko's parents. Sorry. Was also replying to Ryuuji]

[goldenikemen]

"Not leaning on you?" I glance up again, and tilt my head, a hint of a curious smirk in my eyes. "Do you mean physically? Or emotionally?"

I'm still broken up inside, still feeling waves of lingering guilt and grief and... and loneliness. Even with Emi, I am lonely. We are lonely.

I want to move to Kurorin and fall against him and do the things I used to with him to help me forget emotional bullshit. And while I could still do all the things I used to for him, they would leave me feeling even more empty and alone.

[I understoooood]

[loveenetronkurorin]

I sigh, and let my posture sag. I start unbuttoning my jacket, not with the intention of anything kinky, just to get more comfortable. To show him that I can be more comfortable around him.

To get trust, you have to give it, sometimes.

"Emotionally, you idiot," I say with exasperated affection. "What a question. I mean if you need to blow off steam it's easier to do it in controlled bursts, now and then, instead of letting it go long enough that you lose your shit entirely."