toremainbehind | [Just wanna stay alive]

[Just wanna stay alive]

[It was just an ordinary day.

He was just working at his uncle's bar as usual, cleaning the glasses and maintaining the orders for delivery. He's given up on trying to kick Mikoto out when he comes over right after school, well aware how his best friend likes to come and sleep on the couch before opening hours start.

On the radio, he idly listens to another report on a famous couple after discovering they were soul mates, and he scoffs softly to himself.

Soul mates.

It's rare to find them in their world, but when found, it's suddenly as if the whole world changes. People make such a big fuss about it, and it slowly grates on his nerves.

Mikoto himself was unimpressed.

He accompanies his friend, though, when he receives a call about Mikoto's 'stalker' being in the hospital, curious as to who this person is to be so determined to go after the grumpy redhead. He waits for Mikoto go in first before following him.]

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[Not exactly the best decision, but better than the other option at the moment. They'll keep dealing with things as they come.

It's not like Tatara really knows any other way of living.

And then Kusanagi-san pages the doctor and he thinks back as to why and--]

Do they have a test or something to prove soul mates? Or do they just take people's word for it?

[He never really payed attention to that, and now it's...kind of important, he thinks.]

[At this rate, it'll end up being their motto.

He blinks, almost reeling back.]

I'm...actually not sure. I've never paid attention to it before.

[Only a slight alteration from "things'll work out somehow" even!

Tatara laughs slightly, still smiling even though they have no idea what's going to happen when the doctor actually gets here.]

Guess we'll find out then. If there is a test, I just hope it doesn't hurt too badly.

[Izumo merely nods, his fingers tapping against the edge of the bed.

It takes a few more minutes before the doctor finally arrives, a smile on his face.

Izumo informs him about the decision, about how it would be possible for Totsuka to go home with them since they share a soul bond. At the news, the doctor explains to them about how they will conduct the soul tests. It wouldn't be anything invasive, just a simple test to see how closely tied together their souls would be.

At the confused expression on Izumo's face, the doctor goes further in-depth by saying he'll hook them both up into machines.]

[He listens intently to the explanation but--hook them up into machines? To see how closely tied their souls are or will become?

That sounds like something out of a weird scifi novel and it's interesting, just also strange. And he doesn't really like the idea that a machine and a doctor can tell him that, but well...it's not invasive apparently. And it'll let him leave the hospital. That's as good as he's going to get, really.]

Kusanagi-san? [Are you still okay with this?]

[The idea of being hooked up to a machine doesn't sound the least bit appealing to him.

Couldn't there be another way to figure out how close their souls are? But he knows what he's feeling, and it's connected to Totsuka somehow.

He doesn't look entirely enthused, but he sighs all the same.]

Well, let's give it a try.

[It really, really doesn't sound appealing, but he supposes he'd do many unappealing things if it'd get him out of this hospital.

Tatara smiles at him, incredibly grateful. He knows what the test will say if it's really simple because there's no way anyone who just met him would care about him this much if there wasn't something weird going on.

He turns to face the doctor.]

So is there anything we should or shouldn't do while we wait?

[Since he thinks there would be a wait, even if it's just the wait to get the machines in this room. He's not sure how willing they are to let him go around the hospital with a crutch if they don't have to.]

[If it wasn't for the bond, Izumo might think Totsuka's just another kid just asking for trouble, no need for such emotional attachments so quick.

He listens to the doctor explaining to them that there's not much they can do while they wait, other than stay close together. It's been advised to start a little physical contact while he prepares everything before having them hooked up into the machines, which were in another room.

Izumo gives a nod of understanding, shifting a bit as the doctor checks over Totsuka one more time before he excuses himself from the room.]

Well, what do you think?

[Just another kid without much of anything, nothing unusual about that. Except maybe that his smiles are less of the fake-coping kind and more actually genuine.

Tatara tilts his head to the side, offering a hand to Kusanagi-san with a smile.]

It sounds weird. But it's fine. Kinda interesting, even. [It shouldn't hurt or anything, it's just...weird. People caring is weird, this is just. Extra Weird. What does testing how close souls are even mean really? Really weird.]

What about you?

[He gives Totsuka a look, one that almost resembles exasperation, but it's a fond kind of exasperation.

Even so, Izumo reaches over to take his hand.]

Interesting?

[He blinks, once, twice, and then he shrugs.]

It'd be an interesting thing to tell Mikoto.

Interesting! I never really payed attention, but I don't think the figuring-out part is the part people usually focus on in stories and things. That makes it already more interesting than those stories!

[Yay, they're holding hands! He's not sure he's ever going to be over being able to initiate contact with a person without really having to verbally ask. It's only been what, two days? But it still gives him a little shock when Kusanagi-san actually takes his hand instead of just leaving it with that exasperated look.]

Oh, we should tell King, shouldn't we... [HADN'T REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. Well, there's only two people to tell then--King and his father, whenever he gets back and realizes Tatara isn't home.]

I'm sure you can write about this one day. [Or not, depending on how private of a person Totsuka is.

Holding hands feels natural to Izumo when it comes to Totsuka, which is odd in itself. He's never been the touchy person, preferring not to even hold hands with anyone. Mikoto's enough, anyway, since Izumo has to tend to his injuries sometimes when the redhead decides to get into more brawls.

It makes him wonder how he should even tell his best friend.]

We should. He probably wouldn't even care, though. [Or he might, but won't voice his concerns. Mikoto was never the type of person to meddle in other people's business, anyway.]

Ah, but then I'd be taking away something from this part to others. Maybe only for friends if they ask.

[...It's not likely to be written though. Just an oddly acted out sequence. Perfect introduction to Homralings: "Kusanagi-san and I met when I was in the hospital! And then we realized we were soul mates and...Well, you see how that turned out".

Why think more right now on why it feels comfortable? It does, and well, he has a feeling things'll work out somehow. He's kinda looking forward to it this time.

He laughs, grinning at Izumo.]

Should we just go up to him holding hands and see what he does? [He would've said "what he says" but he's nothing if not oddly honest--he doesn't think King'll actually say anything substantial about it. Maybe they'd get an odd look and a comment about Izumo being four years older, maybe just the look.]

We could say it after.

I'd think the world would be curious enough about this already.

[It'd be a story to tell the kids, alright. No doubt they'd earn questions and probably a red-faced Yata and a still passive Fushimi.

His hand tightens around Totsuka's briefly before loosening.

But at the question, his lips tug upwards into a smirk.]

We should. Not that he'd say anything. [He can deal with looks, and four years isn't that big of a difference.]

But we should leave some of the curiosity to be sated by each individual person! Let them find their own answers instead of giving them all of the answers.

[He'd smile and Izumo would just be. vaguely amused and embarrassed in the background, probably. Somehow, it sounds like something Tatara would share first.

Tatara keeps his eyes on Izumo's face, shifting his hand over Izumo's slightly.]

I think that sounds more fun! King would definitely have an interesting expression, don't you think Kusanagi-san?

[/imagines the face he makes when they say/do something and the cigarette falls out of his mouth.]

Hm, that's true. Besides, it'd be much simpler if we keep this to ourselves anyhow.

[Izumo doesn't want the public eye turning towards them. Soulmates...were always a hot topic, and Izumo has enjoyed his life thus far without people bugging him.

But if Totsuka wants to share, he won't stop him.

He'd definitely be at a crossroads of being amused and embarrassed, though.

At the action, Izumo flexes his hands a bit so that Totsuka's fingers falls in between the gaps of his own fingers. Not quite lacing them, but close enough.]

If we gives an interesting reaction, I'll have to take a picture of it.

There's no need to tell everyone, not unless we're close and it's important to say.

[He's not sure where they'll fall on the "this is my soul mate, aren't they great i must share this fact" scale. Somehow he doesn't think they'll be quite that open about it.

Tatara moves it closer to actual lacing, humming softly.]

You'll have to be prepared to take a picture then! Just in case.

[When is the doctor going to come back anyway? Pretty soon, right?]

The only person who matters is Mikoto.

[Because Izumo really only needs the redhead in his life, anyway.

They've lasted this long until this whole soul mate scenario happened.]

Don't tell me you're fond of taking pictures.

[But his attention is captured when he sees the doctor returning.]

And we want to see how King will react without telling him first, right? Then we can say it, if it's necessary.

[And Tatara was alone before King and this. So, the three of them will be fine. Probably. Unless King becomes less than fine about it.]

Hmm...not really. It hasn't been something I've really been able to do that often though, so maybe it will be.

[And then the doctor is back with whatever machines you were talking about because????

He begins the explanation again after he has their attention.]

That's right. Let's just see how he'll react first.

[He smiles slightly.] Well, at least you gave me a warning.

[But he pays attention to the doctor with rapt attention. There were some terms that were lost on him, causing the doctor to explain in simpler terms before he hooks them up to the machines.]

Something to look forward to, maybe. [It'll be something apart from his usually tired/grumpy face, that's for sure.

A smile gets a laugh.] I get a lot of hobbies. They don't always last.

[And then they are hooked up to the machines, Tatara making a face at the process.

But the test is simple, like they were told. It'll finish quickly, they just don't want them to actually be touching during the test. It's with a face that Tatara loosens his grip on Izumo.]

We won't know until we try.

[He hums.] What was your hobby before being out in here?

[When they're told that they can't touch, Izumo feels slightly disgruntled, but otherwise doesn't complain when Totsuka loosens his grip. He gives him a brief squeeze before he pulls his hand away.

The doctor seemed to nod, quickly beginning the test.]

And getting out of here is first.

[He thinks for a moment, good hand fidgeting on the bed now that it's no longer with one of Izumo's.] Bird watching is the main one. Mountain climbing and cooking are also hobbies though.

[Things you can do without a lot of money!

And it's only a few more moments, maybe a few minutes, before the doctor is done with the test, disconnecting them from the machines before telling them the results.]

I'm sure Mikoto is already getting restless just waiting.

[Or sleeping in the bar after he told the redhead he'd be back.] That's quite a lot of hobbies.

[He listens intently to the doctor as he confirms their status as soulmates. As a result, Izumo has been granted as Totsuka's emergency contact and current guardian, giving Izumo permission to check Totsuka out of the hospital now.]

[He laughs lightly, offering his hand back to Izumo since the test is done.]

That sounds like King. [He tilts his head slightly at the comment though, thinking for a moment before shaking his head.]

I don't think three's a lot. [But, it's a relief that the doctor confirmed the feeling was right, that he can leave this warm place with people who are distant but care and most importantly (oddly) are there, whenever he needs them or doesn't. It's going to take adjusting, living with Izumo. He's sure the older boy would be there for him too, that was after all the point of this, but still. It's...odd.

Maybe it'll become less odd, the longer it goes on.]

Then, should we go see what King's gotten up to? [He won't be able to hold Izumo's hand while using the crutch but, well...that's something of a motivation to get to a place he can sit again, isn't it?

They should probably stop by where he was living to grab some of his things though, and leave a note so his father would know. He had been worried that time, when he hadn't heard about the crater, after all. Maybe not today, not right away, but still. They should.]

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