isleofavalon | (open.) one last catch-all

[ Tsumugi would be among the first to admit that crafts aren't his strong suit. But for a kid's birthday party, he has to at least try, right? And besides, the concept is so cute... What's not to like about enchanted dinosaurs?

After quite a bit of sketching and erasing, he's finally got his concept down! So he turns to you with a smile. ] How's yours coming along?

[ His is, for the record, uh.

It's unique? ]

[ Sasara also seems to be working under great concentration. Suppose they share that honorable thought: it's for a good cause. He's quite a bit about helping with the entertainment at a party.

Maybe dinosaur's ain't quite his deal, but given they're gonna be enchanted, Sasara feel really like going to town on the coloring. ~~Crayons all around his workspace, maybe that's why Tsumugi's sketch is as yet left in black and white? W-well, he'll share if asked.~~ But when Tsumugi asks he looks up, and leans over to look first, of course.

They're both in the industry, creative people, ..."artists". ] Heh! Look at that fella, he's a one-off! [ So unique!!

Sasara picks up his """piece of art""" to also show it. He's definitely proud. ] What'cha think?

[ Tsumugi, in turn, looks over at Sasara's masterpiece. ]

I like it! It's really cute. [ Said completely genuinely, with not even an ounce of sarcasm in his voice.

But, looking between theirs now, he wonders ] Do you think I should add color to mine? [ It is supposed to just be a sketch, so maybe it's not necessary... but heck, it'd be fun! And better to get all the details sorted before diving into a project, right? ]

Hmm. [ Sasara thinks about it as seriously as if they were standing in an art gallery, looking at some famous piece of work and pondering on some deep and important meaning— well, it is important!! ]

Ahem! S'ppose sketching it up's just about getting the idea down. [ Though, Sasara has no doubts of his own about going in with some color. He pushes the crayons over to Tsumugi and flips his own paper around ~~he pressed down a little too hard or went over a few spots too many times, so some bits sorta bled through.~~ ]

How about ya try out some color palettes in the rough?

[ He's thought it before and is thinking it again: despite his love and knowledge of flowers, second only to his undying passion for theater, he never considered opening his own shop. It happened by chance, but still... as an end seems to be on the horizon, he feels reflective. There's lots he needs to do in his remaining time. Loose ends he'll need to tie up before he leaves.

But despite that - no, because of that, Tsumugi's determined to make the most of these last idyllic days. It's bittersweet in ways, sure, but it's like he once said: even though separation is something that will eventually come, that's not all there is to life.

So he puts those thoughts aside when he hears the familiar chime of a customer opening the front door. Summer's ending, and colder days are coming, but his voice and smile are filled with warmth as he says in greeting, ] Welcome! How can I help you?

[Moondrop has always been a place he had wanted to visit. Jyushi wouldn't necessarily say he has a passion for flowers but he does have a passion for romance. Flowers are just part of that. The language of flowers, the very many different types, is something that Jyushi would clearly be interested in.

And he knows of Tsumugi obviously. He should have thanked him a long time ago, thanking him for the bouquet and gift for elizabeth, but with Jyushi working his five jobs; free time is a rare gift for Jyushi.

Once Tsumugi greets him, Jyushi is immediately bowing.] Ah, hello, dedicated keeper of the flowers! The fragrance of this abode hypnotized my senses!

[ ... ah. This is the second person to call him some iteration of "flower keeper". Not that he minds at all-! It's a very cute nickname that Tsumugi will take in stride. ]

Thank you! I'm glad you find it pleasant. [ that... is what he meant, right? It sounded positive, at least. ] Do you have a favorite flower, or perhaps a kind of scent?

[ Being primarily a flower shop, "floral" is the dominant scent. But there's nuance - and also a general "wet earth" smell from the garden center. ]

[There's a low chuckle as he sweeps his bangs out of his face.] The flowers have always spoken clearly to me, their language a Western mystery speaking in a tongue that I studied for centuries! [Translation: he's really into flower language but mostly the European one. Japanese flower language has its own specialty but western flower language is just way more fitting of his image.]

Roses are clearly a romantic choice but ah, how my heart sings at the asphodel flower. "My regrets follow you"...[His hand reaches out as he says this, as if he's talking to someone up towards the sky.] It's a powerful meaning that grips my heart! No perfume goes with it, much like a regret! Silent, without a sign of being there at all! [Is it obvious he's an Artist yet?] But ah, by aesthetic alone...a black bat flower is obviously beautiful. [Obvious choice there.]

Edited 2022-09-12 02:31 (UTC)

[ … yeah, he didn’t fully get what he said in the beginning there. It’s fine. He’s getting the picture now. ]

That’s a good choice! I only learned about them recently, but they’re really quite stunning. [ Tsumugi’s general aesthetic might more generally lean toward soft and plain, but he’s a theater kid. He can definitely appreciate some dramatic flair.

But, ] That reminds me - I’ve been tending to some primrose recently. They’re not as bold as the black bat flower, but I think you might like them. [ He gestures for Jyushi to follow him - and if he does, he’ll be led to the plant nursery section, still well-stocked despite the approaching colder weather. There’s a variety of options, but what Tsumugi points out is ] This one’s called “silver lace black”. Isn’t it pretty?

[Jyushi is nothing but dramatic flair. As shown by his ridiculous manner of talking right now.]

Ah, they are very fetching! A delicate beauty, deserving of its name of lace! I have never seen these before. My eyes have been missing out...! [Sure, Jyushi. But it goes to show how much he does like these flowers.]

You have quite the variety, my floral comrade.

[ Is all of this unnecessary? Perhaps. But who says they can't have a little light-hearted fun in the midst of a moment that actually is important?

After months and months of Tsuzuru coming over for dinners and being ~~forced~~ invited nicely to stay the night, insisting that they're more than happy to have him over and that he's in no way interfering with their relationship, preparations are finally complete for him to formally move in with them. His new bedroom's been set up with all the things he's already brought over, but soon he'd be returning with the last of his things from the inn.

Which, on paper, doesn't explain why Tsumugi's hiding behind the couch with his boyfriend. But if the colorful party popper in his hand doesn't give it away, then the assorted gifts waiting further inside, and his soft laughter followed by a knowing smile should help. ] He's going to be really surprised, isn't he?

[This is absolutely unnecessary but Kazunari is all for making as many happy memories as they can in the moment. Especially since this was such a long time coming. It's a miracle they hadn't coerced Tsuzuru into moving in with them sooner.

He snickers from behind his hand.] Oh f'real, f'real. He's gonna lose it! [Then his snickering softens to a gentle laughter like Tsumugi's.] But I think he's gonna be really happy.

--Oh! I think I hear him coming ~

[Tsuzuru carried his last box from the inn with his familiar lying around his neck feeling pretty good about moving in. When Tsumugi first suggested it he took a while to accept it. He didn't want to be seen as a homewrecker or anything! Even after they reassured him, Tsuzuru still approached with caution, until Kazu and Tsumugi fed him then placed a blanket over him he started to realize that everything was fine. He had to admit it was nice to have a place to go home to when he finished writing or when he was too tired to go back to the inn. Besides, it was cute seeing his friends now together in a relationship.

Tsuzuru walked through the door as he adjusted the box in his hands.]

Hi! I'm home! [Alright he had to admit that felt really nice to say.]

[ For a moment, the house looks strangely empty, despite the front door being unlocked. But Tsumugi wasn’t out in the garden, either… maybe they just left for a quick errand and, knowing Tsuzuru would have his hands full, kept the door open for him?

There could be a mystery here… but there isn’t, because soon Tsumugi’s popping out from behind the couch and sending paper confetti flying with a pop! ]

Welcome home, Tsuzuru-kun!

[Learning that they'll be leaving Avalon soon is great news! He's really missed home. He misses his family and the rest of the Mankai crew! Don't get Kazunari wrong: he's had plenty of good times in Avalon. He's made some amazing friends - he's done some really great things too! With the blog and with Kaika! And, of course, his relationship with Tsumugi.

His love for Tsumugi has become his greatest treasure. But therein lies one of the biggest reasons Kazunari's not so sure about leaving. When he goes back to Mankai, will the Tsumugi there remember Avalon and them? Tsumugi had gone into that weird sleep mode and woke up with memories of events Kazunari hadn't even experienced yet. If they're from different timelines, how is that supposed to work?

Kazunari buys them rings. The rings are simple matching bands, but they're meant to be a promise that no matter what happens they will remember this love. Their love was real. Is real.

He's not entirely sure how best to give the ring to Tsumugi, though. Putting it on his finger while he's sleeping seems like a good idea. It had worked with the sun catcher! Kazunari just needs to be a bit more delicate... take Tsumugi's hand gently so to not wake him up...

Don't get distracted by how soft and warm and how perfectly Tsumugi's hand fits in his........ oops.]

[ Tsumugi wouldn't say he's excited to leave Avalon - not when he's made friends so near and dear to his heart, and found a sense of purpose and accomplishment in Moondrop - but he, too, misses his family and the rest of Mankai. Despite the danger literally ever-looming in the sky above them, his time here was... idyllic. He cherishes every moment, even the pain and fear, because he knows it made his roots grow stronger. And he can hold his head high with more confidence than before, knowing he'll be returning to Winter Troupe an even better Tsumugi Tsukioka.

It'll be a shift, though, spending less time with Kazunari. Their lives at Mankai didn't intersect as much as they do here, what with Kazunari finishing up school and Tsumugi with his tutoring. He's not sure how he feels about that... but they've got time together, still, to figure it out. So he can sleep peacefully, next to the one he loves so dearly, and believe that somehow, some way, things will work out.

... Or, well, he was sleeping peacefully. But those gentle, loving touches of his hand are just barely enough to pull him from his dream. His face presses into their pillow with a sleepy mumble before his eyes blink open slowly, blearily. ]

'azu...? [ In the darkness, he can't see much, but... is that metal he feels? ]

[Oops!!! Kazunari giggles nervously.] I didn't mean to wake you, Tsumutsumu. I just really wanted to hold your hand. Soz soz ~

[He places his other hand atop their linked hands and settles back into the plush of their pillows.] Go back to your dream ~

[That might not be enough to convince Tsumugi but you can't say Kazunari didn't try!!]

[ It's definitely not enough to convince him. But he doesn't protest, nor does he try to pull his hand away. In fact, he squeezes their joined hands with the intention of simply snuggling closer to Kazunari and addressing this weirdness in the morning... but that's when he really feels it. It's unmistakable. Why-

His eyes open a smidge wider. ] Did you put this on me...? [ He wiggles his ring finger and, therefore, the ring on it, as though there were room to doubt what he meant. ]

[Busted.]

Aah, you got me ~ [Kazunari clasps Tsumugi's hand tighter to cease his wiggling.] I can't seem to catch a break with these romantic gestures! But I guess it doesn't matter in the end as long as the feelings come through.

[He scoots closer so he can lay nose to nose with his boyfriend on the same pillow.] I've been thinking about how much I love you...

Edited 2022-09-13 19:56 (UTC)

[ Now he almost feels bad for catching him... but he's sure Kazunari would insist any apologies were unnecessary. And he's right; it's the feelings that matter most. And he always expresses himself so beautifully...

He's now looking directly into Kazunari's eyes, sleepiness mostly gone as he replies ] I love you, too. [ and then just... leaves it at that, giving his boyfriend the chance to continue as planned.

Not that he can't guess what he's going to say. It's honestly been on his mind as well - attending a wedding would do that to most people, he thinks - and, well... if it does go in that direction, he already knows his answer. ]

I love you so much, and I know I'm gonna keep loving you for always. [For five-ever. Like if u cry.] I want you to know I'll always love you even if the Kazu you go home to, uh... isn't me.

[Kazunari trails off, letting himself look a little melancholy. But he snaps out of it just as quickly.] Or rather, this is my promise to you that I won't let that happen! [A ring - a physical reminder - may not do anything in the end, but he'd be devastated if he didn't even try.

He lays his hand flat atop Tsumugi's. If Tsumugi hadn't felt it before, then he'll now see the matching ring that sits on Kazunari's finger.]

[ It's not the proposal he thought it'd be, but somehow it's so much sweeter. Even with the edge of bitterness to it - the possibility of being separated by time - he feels his heart ache and sing simultaneously.

Tsumugi rests his hand on top of Kazunari's, sandwiching it and the matching ring between his. ] I feel the same way. I don't want to lose what we have... so, I'd like to make my own promise.

[ A gentle squeeze. ] I want to keep spending my days like this, with you beside me... after all, there's still a lot we haven't been able to show each other. [ The schools they went to, their childhood homes and families... all their favorite places. Despite how long it feels like he's been with Kazunari, he also knows there's plenty for them left unseen. ] So, no matter what happens, I'm going to do my best to stay with you.

(open.) one last catch-all

tsumugi tsukioka ❄

QUEST: Taco-Bout Dinos! (ota)

art-z and craffs...

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Moondrop (ota)

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"tsumukazutsuzu house" has way too many "u"s in it (closed)

uwu house

comes late with starbucks

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(claps hands together) more! gay! shit!

the gayest of shit

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