[ miss bodyguard would always be important to him. regardless, of what form she takes, and no matter who she is connected with. but, that didn't mean he couldn't feel hopelessly drawn to someone else. even if he could technically still be in denial over it. in another universe, in another time, maybe his attraction could have gone unnoticed, or maybe in another scenario, he could have discovered himself down a different path. but, as it stands... he's honestly not in the right frame of mind. he feels like all his progression, the mental leaps he makes seems to get muddled when he thinks of tobari.
as much comfort as he's given him, whether physically or mentally... maybe it was all pointless, after all? except, that's not true at all. kindness was an easy way to get someone attached. he's warned a certain hunter of this time and time again, and it looks like there still may have been one person who didn't get the memo. it's weird, he never thought he could miss someone else like this. it's like he's mourning the idea of them being gone, even when they're still right next to him. or maybe they're both too used to goodbyes and it's this idea that sticks to the inside of his brain like the years of paint he's spilled all over his hardwood flooring.
at the same party, but with a different attitude, he approaches tobari outside. unlike the times where he's given him a choice, he doesn't wait for tobari to even think up some selfless, infuriating plan. instead, he pops open the vial, and puts it up to his own lips, holding the liquid in his mouth as he slots his mouth against tobari's. he holds the back of tobari's neck roughly, if just to give him the message not to resist.
[ maybe there's a version of events where this could've been avoided. tobari holds the compass he was going to use to find the soul of the girl he loves in one hand, and in the other his fingers curl lazily around the stem of the wine glass he's been nursing over the night. the colors of the northern lights above distract him, the combination of distraction and spirits making everything seem just that much slower. when he hears footsteps approach and sees rafayel, there's a part of him that's inclined to smile in greeting. an idea has already formed and coalesced: even if tobari can't use the compass to get what he wants, maybe rafayel can—
and any thought dissipates with the crash of lips on his. it's not the first time, no, and tobari's first thought is that maybe it's just another curse. if it is, that's fine. he can ride the wave of it again, even if they feel dangerously closer this time compared to the last.
it's only when he tastes lemon that he realizes what's actually happening. it feels like a betrayal when the body's instinct is to swallow when the other option is to drown, and he can't pull any further back or else risk tipping right over the balcony edge and taking rafayel with him—even now, he can't risk hurting him in any way that actually matters. even if tobari's vision flashes a furious red.
a second chance—at what? another life spent alone? more time to remember every single one of his mistakes?
he can't bring himself to punch rafayel. (well. at least not yet.) however, he's never been a person that's all bark and no bite. so he does exactly that. he sinks his teeth into rafayel's lip. hard enough to bleed. ]
[ half of rafayel wonders what's exactly on tobari's mind. is it him? if he could occupy that space, then he'd gladly take the resentment that comes along with it. as much as he'd like to respect and cherish his wishes, he can't in this case. he can't watch tobari walk down a path that just leads to him ceasing to exist entirely. unlike with her... he's under no delusion to think their fates are tied.
at least, not until now?
it's easy for him to get caught in the heat of tobari's mouth. while he's trying not to taste down any liquid in an attempt to force tobari to swallow every last drop, even down to liquid stuck on his tongue— it doesn't mean he doesn't feel that bite. he isn't sure what he tastes more the lemon or the blood. he releases a small exhale of humor, as if finding the attempt funny. he presses his body closer, as if a bold testament to say if he did fall off the balcony, he'd come with him.
he places his thumb over tobari's adam's apple, waiting for it to bob in confirmation that he's swallowed. only once it does, does he pull away. ] Do you feel better now that you got your revenge on me? [ does biting his lip count as that?
he knows that probably doesn't even cover how mad he is, but he makes the easy remark anyway. ]
tobari hasn't had many reasons to be angry in purgatory at all. it's true that he's unfriendly by default, some might even call him a grouch, but there hasn't been anything here that's inspired his genuine fury. until now. his eyes flash with spite and his mind still hasn't fully caught onto the implications of this—but before the dread sinks in, he clings onto the feeling of betrayal first and foremost. it's different than the one he'd experienced before arriving. it's not someone who's willing to toss him aside and blame him for everything that goes wrong—
but then what is this? what could be worth ignoring any say that tobari has when it comes to his own life?
his hand drops the wine glass, ignoring its tumble and shatter. his fist curls into rafayel's collar, five seconds from... what? pushing him away? throwing him off? punching that expression off his face? it all depends. ]
Explain. Now.
[ he's not going to like the answer no matter what it is. he's sure of that... but even now, he can't just jump into harming someone he cares so much about without giving them a chance. ]
[ he doesn't address the blood on his lips, just letting it out there. despite the fact that he's pulled away, his hand is still touching the connection between his neck and shoulder, and he reflexively withdraws. is it all just anger tobari feels, or does he also feel disgust? does he hate who he is? while there's a lot of questions he has, he does figure he owes tobari a genuine explanation first.
or work his way up to one, at least.
he speaks terribly calmy when he does. ] Well, I figured you weren't ever going to put yourself first. [ it comes out a little more quietly than he intends, but in their close proximity, he's sure it doesn't matter. ] Be honest. If I gave you this, what would you have done with it? Give it back?
[ it's not uncommon for tobari to work late—most of his life when not centered around rafayel and suzune is based entirely on non-profits and community organizing, and the labor is harsh and unpredictable and constantly meeting the needs of the people most in need of help.
it just so happens that today helping people includes a little bit of arson, a pinch of vandalism, a smidgen of terrorism.
he thinks briefly about telling rafayel. but it's not like this is going to be a recurring thing (narrator voice: it would be a recurring thing) so what he doesn't know probably won't hurt him just this once. tobari is so honest so much of the time it's almost impossible to tell when he's lying but (tobari voice) if it's not important, i wouldn't bother to lie about it
like now ]
Getting held up tonight Have dinner and head to bed without me
[ considering it’s the first time this has happened, rafayel isn’t entirely alarmed. there’s no real reason for suspicion and so he doesn’t question the text he receives. in the same vein, he is also out, likely finishing a meeting with a particularly pesky reporter who had been tailing him for days. so it works out.
who has a meal with a reporter accusing them of murder? just rafayel. still, he texts back just as casually. ]
yeah ill do dinner aloooone but you sure i dun have to run and pick you up
[ when rafayel first asked tobari to move into the same apartment complex at him, tobari's retort was the immediate and so very rude "do i look like i want to spend that much time with you?" while he simultaneously pulled up the listings on his phone so he could book a showing that weekend. some people might call tobari a workaholic, and they'd be right, but unfortunately despite all his grumbling and griping, he doesn't hate what he does.
even though he arguably goes the extra five steps as a manager and bodyguard, keying into rafayel's apartment first thing in the morning with a black garment bag already slung over his shoulder, breakfast hanging at the crook of his elbow, and the schedule for today being meticulously double-checked on his phone. tobari lets himself in like he lives there, which he basically does even though he manages the paper thin boundary of at least going back to his own place to sleep. ("i pay rent so i should at least do that much" is the only reason he ever provides.)
today's schedule isn't too hectic. an on-site photoshoot, at some point he expects rafayel to go live today even if it's just while they're driving on the way there, and then he gets to enjoy a half day since tomorrow's his comeback stage after a short break. back to the grind. tobari can only imagine how annoying rafayel will be now that he's forced to work again, so he does his best to balance out the schedule for that reason.
the items he brought get put off to the side and he doesn't knock when he opens the door to rafayel's bedroom. ]
Oi. Raf. Get up.
[ what a nice alarm. tobari's going to open the blinds now also without asking. ]
[ being an idol had never explicitly been a desire of his, but he did enjoy the more artistic aspects of it. to be honest, he was more absorbed with composing than he was with the more social aspect of it. not that it didn't feel nice to move his body, and express his music in a way that was uniquely different than any other medium, but that he tired of being in the public eye at times. he may have quit if he wasn't so drawn to his manager and bodyguard from day one...
so it's thanks to tobari that he's made it this far. you know, other than also physically wrangling him to complete his duties.
honestly, he isn't even sure if they started off on the right foot. if anything, he may have just been another eccentric artist to him, and yet the time in which they spent together solidified his own feelings. at times, he already consider tobari close enough to be his boyfriend (he doesn't realize this is a textbook situationship), and yet he also remains elusive enough where rafayel actually doesn't know if he's ever heard how he feels about him? food for thought?
regardless, there's no actual thoughts in his head when he blearily blinks his eyes. he looks back to the clock just briefly cracking an eye open, before he just rolls over. he makes a whining noise, but nothing more... in reality, he may already waiting for tobari to edge closer to the bed.
[ tobari is so trusting of the people he already likes and it will be the end of him
the idol business aggravates him to no end—but what's not to like about people accomplishing their dreams? suzune probably is chasing after their foster mother's footsteps of being an idol, and it was probably that same woman who picked out tobari's skills of managing people and actually looking out for workers and told him to get into show business. there's no doubt that he and rafayel probably butt heads at first... but it's not hard to win tobari over with enough time and dedication. rafayel loves his music and works hard for it, and if this is how he can share it with the world, then tobari can't help but be naturally supportive.
by now, he likes rafayel more than anything else about the job—and so they're just a bit stuck together. maybe sometimes they are too close? but tobari never puts much thought into that. at this point, imposing any meaningful distance would just make rafayel upset...
but right now he's just worried about rafayel being fucking late. with the morning light illuminating the room, tobari rounds over to the bed and reaches out to grab a fistful of covers threateningly. he will pull. do not test him. ]
[ it's true. the second he perceives distance, he's throwing a fit. just kidding, but he definitely would give chase.
rafayel has always considered himself as the type who took initiative, and their relationship is no different. ... even if his words may come across more like demands and endless pouts than anything intrinsically romantic. but!!!!!! they're surely one and the same!!!
even now, he's simply laying in wait until tobari grabs hold of the edge the covers. it's in this moment, he reaches out and grabs tobari's wrist, yanking it tightly. this is so embarrassingly shoujo... but, he does his best to pull tobari right on top of him. ( alien probing voice ) would your character be the mounter or the mounted?
still, he pretends to be in a haze. he cracks a single eye open as he speaks languidly. ] Five more minutes.
[ he says while trying to wrap his arms around tobari... they're going to be late fr. ]
tobari's guard was down so he is ultimately getting dragged onto the bed, just barely trying to catch himself so he doesn't fully collide with rafayel—except when rafayel wants them to crash into each other, is he really that successful? he keeps his palm by rafayel's head even as they end up tangled with each other and he grouches even though this is probably exactly the type of situation that parasocial fangirls fantasize about and write in their wattpad fanfics. ungrateful. ]
We don't have five minutes, Raf.
[ that's a lie. they do. tobari puts in a fifteen minute buffer everyday because he assumes rafayel would be a pain in the ass. but that fifteen minutes has to last the entire fucking day!!
he's going to try to drag himself out of the hold even if it means wholeass pulling rafayel out of the bed with him ]
honestly, he's agonised over this decision for days. the creation of the account itself didn't exactly bother him, even if he did include mostly thirst traps from the neck down, and just one, edited picture (in which didn't give a whole lot away in regards to his actual physical feature and build). he even edited it out his moles just to be extra cautious... but, the part that's getting to him is the idea that he could be caught, and ... realistically, that'd be waaay weirder.
he'd look like his stalker or something? (he lowkey is just a little)
that said, hindsight is 20/20, and he was more about striking while the iron was hot. especially since he just saw tobari at another charity event earlier in the evening. while approaching him as himself was an option, he knows he didn't exactly give off the best vibe. he tended to be a bit distant with most people at events like those, and while tobari still helped him at their first meeting... well, he knows first impressions were difficult to break.
if he knew he'd have fallen for him like this, he may have been a bit nicer... but, alas... can a ragebaiter change their nature? besides, he heard tobari hated rich people? anyway, there was no use justifying what had happened in the past, what mattered was the present. ... the present in which he has somehow miraculously matched with tobari under his alt name, "tamino." catch-22 reference without the mullet and the idk eating or ripping people apart.
that said, he does end up dming tobari boldly even when he was going through the 84375823 stages of grief and "this was a dumb idea" just a minute ago. ]
the answer is because his beloved half-sister, his precious suzune, his darling girl who he hovers over just a bit too much............. has decided that he needs a hobby that isn't more work or nagging her about her dance lessons. all it took was tobari going too far one day, a yap sess with hinagiku and aoi, and the idea was formed: if tobari was dating someone then he'd have less time to ask after her. so it became a group project and suzune tried not to ask questions about why hinagiku also had such quality candid shots of tobari so readily available.
and then she swiped yes on every match that came in. ("wait suzune shouldn't we at least check if they're nice" hinagiku had tried to say :( and suzune said "tobari's face can't do all the work the second he says anything they'll lose interest we need all the numbers we can get")
so this is why the first message(s) that rafayel gets back are a construct of 3 girls trying to larp one bitch
hinagiku: what do you think tobari is doing right now suzune: he's literally not here because he's working but we can try to make it even a little appealing ]
Working late :/ Some jerk dropped off a box of abandoned kittens at our doorstep But someone's gotta take care of them
You?
[ hinagiku: oh no those poor kittens suzune: tobari would actually love if this happened but we have to reveal his charm points early to even have a chance aoi: is this the machinations of a rebellious little sister ]
[ help!!! sadly, he's never texted tobari, or even seen him text. he can't gather if this is normal for him, or not and so he can only take it completely art face value. actually, he'd make the argument that it already sounded like tobari... want kind of interested? you wouldn't provide those details to just a random potential fling, right? (delusion)
this is what happens when rafayel himself is also fairly inexperienced.
except, why'd it have to be cats? jk, i guess the only fish in this au is catfish ]
sounds like you need a vacation lol theyre a handful at that age yknow
as for meee im working on grading some assignments i volunteer as a professor at a local university
[ he also has to try and win some points with tobari... (who is not tobari)
i really can't believe you made this double cat fish au ]
[ i did.... i did......... also i would rather text these 3 girls in particular than tobari so maybe it's a gift after all
aoi: wow a professor? and it's for volunteering? what an impressive and kind person suzune: perfect we need someone with a lot of free time to bother tobari hinagiku: well i think lately i've been finding more free time and— suzune types faster ]
Most things in my life are a handful Are you saying youd be different?
[ hinagiku: don't you think that's a little too forward for tobari suzune: no ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
because i like what ifs...
as much comfort as he's given him, whether physically or mentally... maybe it was all pointless, after all? except, that's not true at all. kindness was an easy way to get someone attached. he's warned a certain hunter of this time and time again, and it looks like there still may have been one person who didn't get the memo. it's weird, he never thought he could miss someone else like this. it's like he's mourning the idea of them being gone, even when they're still right next to him. or maybe they're both too used to goodbyes and it's this idea that sticks to the inside of his brain like the years of paint he's spilled all over his hardwood flooring.
at the same party, but with a different attitude, he approaches tobari outside. unlike the times where he's given him a choice, he doesn't wait for tobari to even think up some selfless, infuriating plan. instead, he pops open the vial, and puts it up to his own lips, holding the liquid in his mouth as he slots his mouth against tobari's. he holds the back of tobari's neck roughly, if just to give him the message not to resist.
he won't stop unless he drinks it all down... ]
thank u insane vial au
and any thought dissipates with the crash of lips on his. it's not the first time, no, and tobari's first thought is that maybe it's just another curse. if it is, that's fine. he can ride the wave of it again, even if they feel dangerously closer this time compared to the last.
it's only when he tastes lemon that he realizes what's actually happening. it feels like a betrayal when the body's instinct is to swallow when the other option is to drown, and he can't pull any further back or else risk tipping right over the balcony edge and taking rafayel with him—even now, he can't risk hurting him in any way that actually matters. even if tobari's vision flashes a furious red.
a second chance—at what? another life spent alone? more time to remember every single one of his mistakes?
he can't bring himself to punch rafayel. (well. at least not yet.) however, he's never been a person that's all bark and no bite. so he does exactly that. he sinks his teeth into rafayel's lip. hard enough to bleed. ]
no subject
at least, not until now?
it's easy for him to get caught in the heat of tobari's mouth. while he's trying not to taste down any liquid in an attempt to force tobari to swallow every last drop, even down to liquid stuck on his tongue— it doesn't mean he doesn't feel that bite. he isn't sure what he tastes more the lemon or the blood. he releases a small exhale of humor, as if finding the attempt funny. he presses his body closer, as if a bold testament to say if he did fall off the balcony, he'd come with him.
he places his thumb over tobari's adam's apple, waiting for it to bob in confirmation that he's swallowed. only once it does, does he pull away. ] Do you feel better now that you got your revenge on me? [ does biting his lip count as that?
he knows that probably doesn't even cover how mad he is, but he makes the easy remark anyway. ]
no subject
tobari hasn't had many reasons to be angry in purgatory at all. it's true that he's unfriendly by default, some might even call him a grouch, but there hasn't been anything here that's inspired his genuine fury. until now. his eyes flash with spite and his mind still hasn't fully caught onto the implications of this—but before the dread sinks in, he clings onto the feeling of betrayal first and foremost. it's different than the one he'd experienced before arriving. it's not someone who's willing to toss him aside and blame him for everything that goes wrong—
but then what is this? what could be worth ignoring any say that tobari has when it comes to his own life?
his hand drops the wine glass, ignoring its tumble and shatter. his fist curls into rafayel's collar, five seconds from... what? pushing him away? throwing him off? punching that expression off his face? it all depends. ]
Explain. Now.
[ he's not going to like the answer no matter what it is. he's sure of that... but even now, he can't just jump into harming someone he cares so much about without giving them a chance. ]
no subject
or work his way up to one, at least.
he speaks terribly calmy when he does. ] Well, I figured you weren't ever going to put yourself first. [ it comes out a little more quietly than he intends, but in their close proximity, he's sure it doesn't matter. ] Be honest. If I gave you this, what would you have done with it? Give it back?
... Use it for someone else?
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is this office au?
why did i let you convince me to gooooo
reeeeeeee
i already want to go home
its been like three days since i last saw yoooou
no subject
It can’t be all that bad
Don’t make trouble just because you’re fickle
[ doesn’t take responsibility for raf even leaving ]
no subject
think thomas couldve handled this one just fine
[ like the one last month where rafayel probably didn't finish his main piece on time and so thomas had to submit a blank canvas.
but who is feeling bad for thomas... not rafayel ]
while theres only one person who can look after you
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But you decided to go so follow through on your word
Something tells me I’ll survive however long you’re gone
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le sigh
i knew youd say that
but fine fine
then does that mean i get a reward for being such a good boy today
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well now it's spy x family au
it just so happens that today helping people includes a little bit of arson, a pinch of vandalism, a smidgen of terrorism.
he thinks briefly about telling rafayel. but it's not like this is going to be a recurring thing (narrator voice: it would be a recurring thing) so what he doesn't know probably won't hurt him just this once. tobari is so honest so much of the time it's almost impossible to tell when he's lying but (tobari voice) if it's not important, i wouldn't bother to lie about it
like now ]
Getting held up tonight
Have dinner and head to bed without me
no subject
who has a meal with a reporter accusing them of murder? just rafayel. still, he texts back just as casually. ]
yeah ill do dinner aloooone
but you sure i dun have to run and pick you up
you really should start sharing your location
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but he has to respond to this before rafayel gets too stuck on this idea or he will die ]
So you don't have to ask me where I am before you show up to my work events?
Pass
[ the way that tobari's coworkers also probably love rafayel (except for when rafayel distracts tobari from trying to meet tight deadlines)
but the idea of him just being able to show up and cause more derailments even in the daytime hours sounds like hell ]
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if i show up anyway does it matter if you let me skip a few steps
[ this will not stop him from dropping in on tobari... ]
do you not miss me
its been like all day
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You miss me that much already?
That's cute
I can pay more attention to you tomorrow
[ tobari: maybe if i flirt with him he won't notice i didn't answer the other two questions ]
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idol au........
even though he arguably goes the extra five steps as a manager and bodyguard, keying into rafayel's apartment first thing in the morning with a black garment bag already slung over his shoulder, breakfast hanging at the crook of his elbow, and the schedule for today being meticulously double-checked on his phone. tobari lets himself in like he lives there, which he basically does even though he manages the paper thin boundary of at least going back to his own place to sleep. ("i pay rent so i should at least do that much" is the only reason he ever provides.)
today's schedule isn't too hectic. an on-site photoshoot, at some point he expects rafayel to go live today even if it's just while they're driving on the way there, and then he gets to enjoy a half day since tomorrow's his comeback stage after a short break. back to the grind. tobari can only imagine how annoying rafayel will be now that he's forced to work again, so he does his best to balance out the schedule for that reason.
the items he brought get put off to the side and he doesn't knock when he opens the door to rafayel's bedroom. ]
Oi. Raf. Get up.
[ what a nice alarm. tobari's going to open the blinds now also without asking. ]
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so it's thanks to tobari that he's made it this far. you know, other than also physically wrangling him to complete his duties.
honestly, he isn't even sure if they started off on the right foot. if anything, he may have just been another eccentric artist to him, and yet the time in which they spent together solidified his own feelings. at times, he already consider tobari close enough to be his boyfriend (he doesn't realize this is a textbook situationship), and yet he also remains elusive enough where rafayel actually doesn't know if he's ever heard how he feels about him? food for thought?
regardless, there's no actual thoughts in his head when he blearily blinks his eyes. he looks back to the clock just briefly cracking an eye open, before he just rolls over. he makes a whining noise, but nothing more... in reality, he may already waiting for tobari to edge closer to the bed.
puts out his bait... ]
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the idol business aggravates him to no end—but what's not to like about people accomplishing their dreams? suzune probably is chasing after their foster mother's footsteps of being an idol, and it was probably that same woman who picked out tobari's skills of managing people and actually looking out for workers and told him to get into show business. there's no doubt that he and rafayel probably butt heads at first... but it's not hard to win tobari over with enough time and dedication. rafayel loves his music and works hard for it, and if this is how he can share it with the world, then tobari can't help but be naturally supportive.
by now, he likes rafayel more than anything else about the job—and so they're just a bit stuck together. maybe sometimes they are too close? but tobari never puts much thought into that. at this point, imposing any meaningful distance would just make rafayel upset...
but right now he's just worried about rafayel being fucking late. with the morning light illuminating the room, tobari rounds over to the bed and reaches out to grab a fistful of covers threateningly. he will pull. do not test him. ]
Breakfast is gonna get cold, moron.
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rafayel has always considered himself as the type who took initiative, and their relationship is no different. ... even if his words may come across more like demands and endless pouts than anything intrinsically romantic. but!!!!!! they're surely one and the same!!!
even now, he's simply laying in wait until tobari grabs hold of the edge the covers. it's in this moment, he reaches out and grabs tobari's wrist, yanking it tightly. this is so embarrassingly shoujo... but, he does his best to pull tobari right on top of him. ( alien probing voice ) would your character be the mounter or the mounted?
still, he pretends to be in a haze. he cracks a single eye open as he speaks languidly. ] Five more minutes.
[ he says while trying to wrap his arms around tobari... they're going to be late fr. ]
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not the shoujo pull
tobari's guard was down so he is ultimately getting dragged onto the bed, just barely trying to catch himself so he doesn't fully collide with rafayel—except when rafayel wants them to crash into each other, is he really that successful? he keeps his palm by rafayel's head even as they end up tangled with each other and he grouches even though this is probably exactly the type of situation that parasocial fangirls fantasize about and write in their wattpad fanfics. ungrateful. ]
We don't have five minutes, Raf.
[ that's a lie. they do. tobari puts in a fifteen minute buffer everyday because he assumes rafayel would be a pain in the ass. but that fifteen minutes has to last the entire fucking day!!
he's going to try to drag himself out of the hold even if it means wholeass pulling rafayel out of the bed with him ]
1/2
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🐱🐟
honestly, he's agonised over this decision for days. the creation of the account itself didn't exactly bother him, even if he did include mostly thirst traps from the neck down, and just one, edited picture (in which didn't give a whole lot away in regards to his actual physical feature and build). he even edited it out his moles just to be extra cautious... but, the part that's getting to him is the idea that he could be caught, and ... realistically, that'd be waaay weirder.
he'd look like his stalker or something? (he lowkey is just a little)
that said, hindsight is 20/20, and he was more about striking while the iron was hot. especially since he just saw tobari at another charity event earlier in the evening. while approaching him as himself was an option, he knows he didn't exactly give off the best vibe. he tended to be a bit distant with most people at events like those, and while tobari still helped him at their first meeting... well, he knows first impressions were difficult to break.
if he knew he'd have fallen for him like this, he may have been a bit nicer... but, alas... can a ragebaiter change their nature? besides, he heard tobari hated rich people? anyway, there was no use justifying what had happened in the past, what mattered was the present. ... the present in which he has somehow miraculously matched with tobari under his alt name, "tamino." catch-22 reference without the mullet and the idk eating or ripping people apart.
that said, he does end up dming tobari boldly even when he was going through the 84375823 stages of grief and "this was a dumb idea" just a minute ago. ]
heyyy cutie
what are you up to tonight
no subject
the answer is because his beloved half-sister, his precious suzune, his darling girl who he hovers over just a bit too much............. has decided that he needs a hobby that isn't more work or nagging her about her dance lessons. all it took was tobari going too far one day, a yap sess with hinagiku and aoi, and the idea was formed: if tobari was dating someone then he'd have less time to ask after her. so it became a group project and suzune tried not to ask questions about why hinagiku also had such quality candid shots of tobari so readily available.
and then she swiped yes on every match that came in. ("wait suzune shouldn't we at least check if they're nice" hinagiku had tried to say :( and suzune said "tobari's face can't do all the work the second he says anything they'll lose interest we need all the numbers we can get")
so this is why the first message(s) that rafayel gets back are a construct of 3 girls trying to larp one bitch
hinagiku: what do you think tobari is doing right now
suzune: he's literally not here because he's working but we can try to make it even a little appealing ]
Working late :/
Some jerk dropped off a box of abandoned kittens at our doorstep
But someone's gotta take care of them
You?
[ hinagiku: oh no those poor kittens
suzune: tobari would actually love if this happened but we have to reveal his charm points early to even have a chance
aoi: is this the machinations of a rebellious little sister ]
no subject
this is what happens when rafayel himself is also fairly inexperienced.
except, why'd it have to be cats? jk, i guess the only fish in this au is catfish ]
sounds like you need a vacation lol
theyre a handful at that age yknow
as for meee
im working on grading some assignments
i volunteer as a professor at a local university
[ he also has to try and win some points with tobari... (who is not tobari)
i really can't believe you made this double cat fish au ]
no subject
aoi: wow a professor? and it's for volunteering? what an impressive and kind person
suzune: perfect we need someone with a lot of free time to bother tobari
hinagiku: well i think lately i've been finding more free time and—
suzune types faster ]
Most things in my life are a handful
Are you saying youd be different?
[ hinagiku: don't you think that's a little too forward for tobari
suzune: no ]
What do you teach?
no subject
but, this question? it's pretty bold? ... and rafayel doesn't hate that. ]
you dun think theres a problem if youre the one saying that
[ recognize your own patterns, sir... ]
i teach art
i cant say if im a handful or not
ive actually never done this before so youd be my first
[ 🥺 ]
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