isleofavalon | closed 🌺 april catch-all

[So Camecon was fun. Ichiro went in not knowing terribly much about Camelot’s gaming culture and came out with… far more packs of cards and tabletop games than he’ll ever be able to play but y’know - it was part of the experience!

Of course, part of the fun was getting to go with Jyushi who Ichiro hopes also had a good time. At the very least, after running into Feldspar they both were decked out in elaborate cosplays (ichiro’s being an agent to a demon lord which was very cool) and that seemed right up Jyushi’s alley. He was also sure to follow Jyushi’s lead on any panels or events he may have wanted to go to.

It’s nearing the end of the convention when Ichiro takes Jyushi’s hand to lead him away from the crowd. He’s thankful for the gloves that came with the cosplay because even though he’s smiling and laughing as they walk, he knows what he has planned next and it’s making his hands a little clammy. Even though he knows how Jyushi feels about him, it’s still nerve wracking to say his own feelings.

But first things first. He grins at Jyushi:]

I haven’t been to a convention in forever. It was fun, right?

[He really hopes he didn’t just drag Jyushi to something he totally hated.]

[Jyushi's never been a big gamer but he likes games all the same. He'd often play games with his bandmates, some of them liking some card games. Kuko would come over to play games, too. So Jyushi knew video games, even if he'd never call himself a gamer. He'd definitely had fun, especiallly in his own cosplay. But the fact that Ichiro seemed to have fun with the costume is very endearing to Jyushi. He likes elaborate costumes and if Ichiro would be okay joining him sometimes, that'd be perfect.

So even if he was honestly just happy to have fun with Ichiro, enjoying himself because he was with Ichiro, the con had been fun. It wasn't like he went to things like this and so this was his first real convention. But it was something he'd do again.

When Ichiro takes him away from the crowd, Jyushi finds himself blushing and his hand is sweating. His costume did not have gloves but he wishes it did. But how is he supposed to take this? Why is Ichiro grabbing his hand? He's never held hands like this before! Does this count?]

Y-yes! I had fun. Trying out all these games and dressing up was fun. I'm not very good but I like playing games. So thanks for inviting me, Ichiro-san.

Well, [He gestures with his hand that's holding the bag of all his new games.] I'll be bugging you to play a lot more games with me now, if that's alright with you.

[Ichiro continues leading Jyushi away, giving no sign of letting his hand go. And when he is finally happy with the clearing they've wandered into - with no people to get caught in the crossfire - he stops.]

But that's a relief. 'Cuz I was hoping this would be a date.

[Jyushi wants to tell Ichiro that he's perfectly happy to play games with him, any time he wants. It isn't a problem at all! He'd love any excuse to be able to spend with the other boy.

But then his brain short-circuits when he hears that this was meant to be a date.]

A-ah? Date? Hitoya-san was right? [Wait, he said that out loud. No.] I said that out loud! I'm sorry!

[Hitoya-san...... He's really going to have to get used to an adult being so involved.]

No, I'm glad if he said something. I didn't make it very clear and I'm sorry about that. I, uh...

[Ichiro finally withdraws his hand from Jyushi's and slips it into his pocket. Sure enough, despite the costume change, his mic is still there.]

Did you bring your mic?

[He hadn't made it very clear. Not to Jyushi anyway. Hitoya had been telling him for months he thought Ichiro was into him and Jyushi had been trying to protect himself. This had really felt like the first time he could be having any possible romantic relationship and he didn't want to assume anything. Make it awkward for Ichiro.

He'd have to remember to tell Hitoya he was right and thank him.

Of course he still had his mic. It was in his pocket because if Ichiro wanted him to bring it then he would.]

I did.

Good.

You know, you've been so considerate of me and my feelings through all this but what about yourself? [Suddenly learning about your leaders past, even with no romantic feelings involved, can't have been easy.]

I'll give you a verse to start, but - I want to see your strength. Tell me what you want!

[His mic hasn't been tinkered with by Rei yet (if it ever will) so his speakers don't show up and there's definitely something lacking, but there's still a burst of power when Ichiro reveals his mic and it hums to life.]

Thinking, deliberating, got me all up in my head
No more room for excuses, no more sway
'Cause a man needs to act when someone's got him feelin' this way

[Jyushi had expected Ichiro to want to battle him. What else would he want to bring their mics for? However, it still catches him off guard, and through the force of the attack he stumbles back because even if it isn't as strong, there's still conviction in Ichiro's words. It's an attack and he feels it, grunting from the exertion. Luckily for Jyushi, part of his training had just been taking attacks until he stopped passing out. Thanks, Kuko. This helps him out a lot right now.

When Jyushi pulls his mic out, graves pop out from under the ground as skeletal bats crawl out and fly to roost on top of the graves. This is thanks to Rei's adjustments and with Jyushi's death and animal magic? Well...at least it's on brand. Jyushi looks taken aback because him and Hitoya had tried to manage them not having literal animal skeletons just pop up but he's nervous! But he can't let Ichiro see him falter.]

Introspection forming cracks in this glass heart
Until no longer, wanting to become diamond in its stead
A tortured path, full of heartbreak, is the one I've led
Worries and dissension tearing this sensitive soul apart
Dreams? Plenty but romance felt like a childish fantasy
Until a shining knight came along, making reverie into reality

[They've talked about their respective magics before, but the sudden appearance of the skeletal bats, like something out of a horror manga, is still shocking. But before Ichiro can really take it all in, he's hit by Jyushi's verse.

The weight and power behind his words is unmistakable. They push Ichiro back, making him dig his heels into the ground to keep him standing.]

Yes! [That's what he's talking about. That's what he wanted to hear and feel. Ichiro grins as he pulls himself together.]

That's right, that's right, this is as real as it gets
Your knight in the flesh
One who has only known loyalty, nothing of the heart
But he's willing to try, to stay by your side

[Ichiro is a formidable opponent and by the end of their verses, Jyushi pants. He had practiced with Hitoya just the day before, when Jyushi told him he thought that Ichiro wanted to battle him. It felt like ages since he'd last practiced and he'd wanted to impress Ichiro. From the way that Ichiro stands before him now, he thinks it is possible he did well.

But now as he eyes Ichiro, his heart pounding not only from the work put into their battle but behind the very words as well, he wonders what to do next.]

You...battle well, Ichiro-san.

You too. I knew you were strong!

[Despite being out of breath as well, Ichiro's grin is wide. It speaks to how much he enjoyed their battle with how excited energy is still running through his veins. His adrenaline is still high but he needs to focus that energy on something other than the battle.

There's something he really needs to say in normal words so things between them can finally be clear.

Ichiro takes a deep breath, in and out.]

Jyushi, I really like you.

[Those words make his heart beat faster than any of Ichiro's verses and even though Ichiro had said this was a date, he's still taken aback.]

Ah...Hitoya-san was right! [YOU SAID THAT BEFORE, JYUSHI.] I'm sorry! Ignore that again! But...but! I know you know but um, I really like you too.

[Hitoya-san.... He's sorry for how much you're going to learn about the both of them in the future.

Ichiro manages a short, amused laugh.]

Yeah, but I'm still relieved to hear you say it. [He would not have blamed Jyushi for moving on after being basically left on read for as long as he was.]

Can we keep going on dates? [You'd think Ichiro would be better at this with how much shoujo he's read but he's still pretty awkward about romance and dating. He scratches the back of his neck.] But like, as boyfriends?

[This may not seem like the most romantic thing ever to Ichiro who has something like shoujo manga to compare to but Jyushi is head over heels. What could be more romantic than this? Usually his imagination would be able to supply him with something over the top but right now, the reality of Ichiro liking him and wanting to date him is better than any fantasy.

And really, once Jyushi is loyal to someone then it is very hard to have him turn away. His feelings were going to stay with Ichiro for a long time, even if he hadn't returned them right away.

But he smiles widely and nods.]

Yes! I'd like to be your boyfriend! Thank you!

[Thanks for asking him out? Yeah.]

[Thanks for asking him out. It's so Jyushi that it makes Ichiro laugh, boyish and sweet.]

Thank god.

Um.

[He offers his hand again.] Well, our first date... as boyfriends... doesn't have to end here.

[Boyfriends!!]

closed 🌺 april catch-all

kazunari;

ichiro;

we don't talk about convention friday nights; for jyushi

rolling sleeves up LET'S DO THIS

yyYYYEAAH

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