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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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.]

More than most people would have.

[But he's taking Totsuka's hand again, a warm anchor and feeling a little relieved at being able to hold his hand again.

He'd need to make some adjustments in his apartment when Totsuka comes to live with him, though he doubts it would take much. Mikoto's already staying there, too, so one more person shouldn't be too much of a hassle to get Totsuka situated.]

That'd be a good idea. Hopefully he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble.

[Izumo helps Totsuka up, nodding to a nurse in thanks when she comes over with the crutches.

He turns to look at the younger man.]

Should we stop by your place first?

Really? Huh. [He hums lightly, grabbing the crutches with a smile -- sooner they get to Izumo's place, sooner they can try figuring out their norm. Which. Evidently will involve a lot of handholding.

The struggles of only having one usable hand and needing to use a crutch... Should they go to his place first? Tatara laughs, pulling slightly on his shirt.]

Unless you want to go clothes shopping. Can you carry the books and puzzles you gave me? I'll carry whatever we grab there.

And then we can go check up on King. [Since...apparently Izumo thinks of him as someone to get out of trouble. That's kinda amusing.]

[He doesn't mind the handholding as much as he thought he would have. As someone who's not too keen on public displays of affection - or touching in general - Izumo is rather surprised at himself for holding Totsuka's hand so much, almost as if it was an anchor that he needed to keep him up.

The action has Izumo glancing at him, though, steadying the younger man better.]

How much clothes do you have? [But he does part from Totsuka enough to gather the books and puzzles, putting them in a bag before returning to his side.

At the reminder of Mikoto, he almost sighs - almost.]

Let's hope he's just taking his usual nap at the bar. [Or possibly in a gang fight somewhere; Izumo will know if Mikoto ever bothers to call him.]

[Tatara's not used to it either, but...it's kinda nice. He never asked for it either, just offered silently, and Izumo took him up on it. So, it works out.

How much? He raises an eyebrow, laughing again.]

Not a whole lot, but I do have spare uniforms for school. Or, well, a spare uniform, at least. [His father doesn't come home often, what were you expecting, Izumo? It's probably going to be necessary to go clothes shopping at some point anyway, but he's not going to go from wearing hospital clothes to wearing Izumo's clothes, ok ok.

Besides, most of his schoolwork is also there. That's kinda important, right?]

So King is kinda like a lion then? Sleepy or going to fight. [It's...a fair comparison, right?]

[Izumo blinks slowly before he breathes out.]

Then we'll go shopping for you once you're settled in. [Even if Totsuka protests, Izumo won't listen.

Besides, even if Totsuka wears his clothes, he might just drown in his clothes since Izumo is taller than him.

He laughs, though, at hearing the comparison.]

Yeah, pretty much that.

[Huh? Well, he's not going to complain, but he might be trying not to laugh again.

Was it really that much of a shock, or something that might cause anger? His father wasn't around. And his mother had left his father a while ago. Where would he get more things? It's not like there's an awful lot of job openings for a 14 year old. Laughter isn't an appropriate response.

But, it's really fine, so he smiles.]

Okay.

[He would absolutely drown in Izumo's clothing; that's why it's not a good option. Apart from like. Pajamas maybe.

Maybe.

But he got Izumo to laugh! He's glad.]

So are we walking or...? [To get back to his (former?) place.]

[Perhaps not, given Totsuka's past, but Izumo still feels as if Totsuka should have more of something.

Then again, he's not the best person to talk to about parents considering the fact he barely remembers his own. His uncle's always been the constant presence in his life before Mikoto came along, and now, Totsuka too.

But Izumo hums, shouldering the bag of the puzzles and books and carefully leading Totsuka out.]

Nah, I have my car with me.

[Like the face on the bottom left. I just need to actually get around to making icons of them. Tatara has Many different smiles.

He has memories, aren't those enough? There are very few people, Tatara thinks, that might not deserve more than they are get in life, one way or another.]

Uwaaaaaah! Kusanagi-san can drive! [He's honestly surprised about this. Giving others things and having a car are two different locations on Tatara's little mental chart of people. But, this means there's probably never going to be a lack of food, or water, again for him.

That'll take getting used to. He's not sure he'll ever get used to it.

But he follows easily enough, not asking a billion questions just yet.]

[Memories will end up being the defining part of Totsuka's nature.

Should things eventually end with Totsuka's death, the memories he has of him will be his only motivation to keep going on.

He makes a sound.]

You sound so surprised that I do. [He's worked hard for that license, after all, even though his uncle was absolutely reluctant to let Izumo drive his van.

Oh, well.

But Izumo works to get Totsuka settled into the van, having him sit in the passenger seat while he puts the crutches and the bag into the back.]

[Let's not think about that far in the future right now, ok ok.

Tatara laughs lightly, turning to watch Izumo as best as he can.]

Ah, it's nothing against Kusanagi-san, just it is a surprise.

[It's...not super common, due to actual working public transit. Plus, Izumo's only four years older than him!

But then, many normal things will probably be surprising to Tatara too, though he might hide it better.]

[He lets out a soft huff.]

Well, at least I'll be assured you wouldn't be driving any time soon.

[It's a light tease and he closes the back before going to slide into the driver's seat.]

[He just starts giggling, facing the dashboard again.]

Should be at least four years! [Legal minimum is 18 for driving, Izumo--don't tell him you were driving illegally beforehand!

Not...that he really cares about that. At all.]

I wouldn't mind learning though, eventually. [After those four years, that is. Don't let him drive.]

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half my icons are smiles. this is not the right smile

What *would* be the right smile for this, anyway?

i found like four that would work better, but the best so far are from strange love

strange love?

the title of the chitose chapter of MoR!

oooooh

and because i'm me i may have just looked up driving there--

What would be the right smile for this, anyway?