[ he huffs out a breath at that, mildly disbelieving. despite spending so much time with artists, tobari himself isn't all that prone to pulling out his phone to record or take photos. at least not of big, momentous occasions when people would be more expected to want to capture. his phone camera roll is probably 70% photos of stray cats that he sees, 20% embarrassing photos of suzune and raf, and then 10% the ever so rare ones of suzune mid-practice or mid-dance or rafayel mid-painting session where they don't even notice him. ]
Photos can capture aesthetics... but I think I'd rather remember a feeling. Maybe I've got the wrong audience for that sentiment, though.
[ but if he really thinks about it, ] Well, I do like seeing the world through your eyes.
[ he likes rafayel's art and his photos and every piece he leaves behind that reveals a little bit more about his perspective... but that's more because tobari likes him, and really, even now, wants to know everything about him. that's just the shape affection takes though, isn't it? ]
When you're old and grey, you better remember you said that.
[ though, he does laugh a little. ] Though, you seem like you'd grow into a sharp old man. [ i forgot about having to think about the fact that their lifespans are also so different... maybe this was doomed from the start.
though, i also have my eye on you... stop trying to kill tobari ]
Nah, I like hearing how you think of things too. I think sometimes it's easy to get lost, and forget to take in the moment. Besides, if we forget, we just have to come again and again.
[ I THOUGHT YOU SAID HE WAS HEALTHY IN THIS AU??? ]
Aaand it works?
[ smug... ]
Then, what do you think about the local legend here? They say when we cross the bridge up there, there's a statue of the god of the mountain. They say if you make a wish about romance, it'll be granted.
that said, he does think it's soooo like tobari not to apply this legend to himself. rafayel is almost offended. almost. but, he keeps it together because it's hard for him to be in a bad mood when he's on a hike with his boyfriend. ]
... Is that all you have to say? No wish of your own?
[ they're together forever unless rafayel feels like breaking up with tobari? it's funny because tobari's not even unreasonable about love—he knows that sometimes feelings can fade and matches don't work out. he also just thinks that he's in way too deep ever be the one to suggest breaking things off in any serious capacity. ]
Last one's vetoed.
The others are just based on schedules between your work and mine.
[ raf was gone for a few days because of an exhibition... tobari can go with him next time probably but there'll always be things that keep them busy.
if he has to think about an actual wish he has... ]
... I guess I'd just wish for my lover to always be content and healthy.
[ okay, but who would leave the boyfriend of all time?
in spite of the way that rafayel can occasionally push the boundaries of their jokes, and be rather susceptible to pettier emotions— he has also never seriously pondered on a timeline where he isn't with tobari. he gave him his entire heart, and at no point has he ever desired it back. but, he also knows that in the daily drudgery, it's easy for people to lose sight of those emotions and burning desire to be with their loved ones, and to express those feelings...
which is why, it feels nice to reaffirm them. even in the midst of a silly exchange like this. ] ... That's cheating. If you're going to wish for that, then I have to wish for your absolute happiness, obviously? But, instead of a mountain god, I can think of a better one to grant that for you, actually.
[ nvm, he doesn't want to sea god to be accessible anymore... ]
Do I seem that petty? [ he gives him a sidelong glance, before being annoying and snapping another photo right in tobari's face as rafayel walks backwards right in front of him. in the near future, he's going to regret expending his energy like this. ]
There are lots of pretty sights, yeah. But, I think a lot of them seem a lot more beautiful when I'm with you. Honestly, even the regular roads we walk, or the grungy city lights... they're all weirdly pretty.
[ he thinks raf can be plenty petty so he's not answering that. this is also petty of tobari.
still, he'll raise a brow when raf just walks ahead of him but backwards—tobari keeps a slightly tighter hold of his hand then, if only so that he can make sure to help raf keep his balance before he trips on something. though tobari will at least keep an eye out for him... ]
You sure you're not just becoming more easily pleased?
but, really. tobari sometimes struck rafayel as being so devoid of desires and/or expectations that he can't help but to find it ironic that he's the one being called easy to please?
that said, maybe tobari is smart, because rafayel does stumble on an exposed root a second later, nearly missing a step as he almost falls backwards. ]
[ this is a completely correct and accurate callout but tobari is now distracted with making sure raf doesn't just eat shit on their nice hike
so he'll use the hold on their hands to pull raf back toward him, other arm reaching out to catch him at the waist before he loses his balance entirely ]
Better than being King Klutz. Can you stop being a show-off and watch where you're going? Or else the Mountain God will laugh at you.
[ there's a second where he falls forward towards tobari. the close proximity catches him off-guard for a moment, but he delights in how swiftly he feels an arm snake around him, holding him firmly. ] Nice catch. [ he pats tobari's hand as if to tell him he's okay now. ]
But, don't you think that's a bit much? Like, should the Mountain God be that bad of a person? [ though, from his memories, he's fairly certain they envisioned their mountain god as some half-eagle, half-lion creature. the human imagination was pretty frightening... ]
If so, maybe we shouldn't be praising him too much.
[ when the hand pat comes, tobari frowns but reclaims his arm once he's sure that raf is steady again. once he's sure that he's got his footing, then tobari will start walking again but this time he's following the path and taking the lead so that raf doesn't start walking backwards again to once more tempt disaster ]
I'm not going to pretend I understand anything about gods even now. [ there is a hilarity in tobari being utterly undevout despite everything... ] Based on the legend, it just sounded like the Mountain God was some kind of gossip.
[ wow, so little faith in your boyfriend not tripping down the side of this mountain? though, he does end up following him in step with little complaint, especially as the mountain's pathway does appear to get a little steeper. ]
Even gods get bored, don't ya think? [ ... ]
Maybe one day it'll be Suzune coming up here making a romantic wish? [ lol. ]
it takes him a second to answer this one. tobari's probably told rafayel an awful lot about growing up in poverty, relying on the community of his mother's friends after she died herself when he was very young and suzune was just born. there's probably also just been a very specific gap of who he has and hasn't mentioned. ]
... I had an older brother figure growing up.
[ another pause before he just starts grouching like usual, as if he hasn't utterly failed to mention this person's existence to raf until now ]
So let's start off with the fact that he was way too old for her? She makes me way too worried sometimes.
[ help, i just realized this is office au and he didn't have to be a fish
we could have made him an... alien or discord kitten instead. anyway, he does recall tobari mentioning a few things of his past; the tumultuous environment he grew up in, and the community that had taken him in. what he hasn't heard is... ]
Oh. [ ?
he stops walking for a second, before: ] ... Did you like him too!?
[ sorry, he knows this was serious, but now he's seriously worried... ]
[ AN ALIEN? DISCORD KITTEN? DID YOU REALLY MEAN FOR THIS TO BE OFFICE AU WHY DOES RAF STILL GO TO EXHIBITIONS AND GO INTO HEAT IF THIS AN OFFICE bijou where are we
this is an insane question though and tobari is going to look at raf like he grew a second head ]
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Photos can capture aesthetics... but I think I'd rather remember a feeling. Maybe I've got the wrong audience for that sentiment, though.
[ but if he really thinks about it, ] Well, I do like seeing the world through your eyes.
[ he likes rafayel's art and his photos and every piece he leaves behind that reveals a little bit more about his perspective... but that's more because tobari likes him, and really, even now, wants to know everything about him. that's just the shape affection takes though, isn't it? ]
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[ though, he does laugh a little. ] Though, you seem like you'd grow into a sharp old man. [ i forgot about having to think about the fact that their lifespans are also so different... maybe this was doomed from the start.
though, i also have my eye on you... stop trying to kill tobari ]
Nah, I like hearing how you think of things too. I think sometimes it's easy to get lost, and forget to take in the moment. Besides, if we forget, we just have to come again and again.
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Sounds like another ploy to steal me from work...
[ these ploys do work a fair amount of the time? but tobari shakes his head ]
I don't think my perspective is all that unique... but if there's ever anything you want to know, you can just ask.
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Aaand it works?
[ smug... ]
Then, what do you think about the local legend here? They say when we cross the bridge up there, there's a statue of the god of the mountain. They say if you make a wish about romance, it'll be granted.
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anyway not acknowledging the fact that yes it obviously works
also in response to this adorable legend: ]
Probably extremely popular with high school girls.
[ he wonders if they will pass by any who are trying to get lucky with their crushes ]
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that said, he does think it's soooo like tobari not to apply this legend to himself. rafayel is almost offended. almost. but, he keeps it together because it's hard for him to be in a bad mood when he's on a hike with his boyfriend. ]
... Is that all you have to say? No wish of your own?
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I already have you, so I'm not sure what more I could wish for.
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why does he make it so hard to be mad. ]
To be together forever? To have more time to spend together? More vacation days? To let Rafayel take control of everything?
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[ they're together forever unless rafayel feels like breaking up with tobari? it's funny because tobari's not even unreasonable about love—he knows that sometimes feelings can fade and matches don't work out. he also just thinks that he's in way too deep ever be the one to suggest breaking things off in any serious capacity. ]
Last one's vetoed.
The others are just based on schedules between your work and mine.
[ raf was gone for a few days because of an exhibition... tobari can go with him next time probably but there'll always be things that keep them busy.
if he has to think about an actual wish he has... ]
... I guess I'd just wish for my lover to always be content and healthy.
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in spite of the way that rafayel can occasionally push the boundaries of their jokes, and be rather susceptible to pettier emotions— he has also never seriously pondered on a timeline where he isn't with tobari. he gave him his entire heart, and at no point has he ever desired it back. but, he also knows that in the daily drudgery, it's easy for people to lose sight of those emotions and burning desire to be with their loved ones, and to express those feelings...
which is why, it feels nice to reaffirm them. even in the midst of a silly exchange like this. ] ... That's cheating. If you're going to wish for that, then I have to wish for your absolute happiness, obviously? But, instead of a mountain god, I can think of a better one to grant that for you, actually.
[ why did he even bring this up then... ]
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but also this is so funny not rafayel deciding to suddenly beef with the mountain god ]
Do you think I'm not already happy?
[ he asks when he wears a perpetual scowl or neutral expression at best except for when rafayel actually gets him to laugh or smile ]
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but, yeah... he has beef with this mountain god, because also...???
why are you making it so hard for people to make a wish to you, when a sea god is right here? not making people go on a hike. ]
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even though tobari just isnβt the type to ask for anything. ]
Are you looking for praise? That Iβve been happier with you than Iβve ever been before?
Well, itβs true regardless I guessβ¦
[ so he doesnβt mind saying itβ¦ ]
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Do I seem that petty? [ he gives him a sidelong glance, before being annoying and snapping another photo right in tobari's face as rafayel walks backwards right in front of him. in the near future, he's going to regret expending his energy like this. ]
There are lots of pretty sights, yeah. But, I think a lot of them seem a lot more beautiful when I'm with you. Honestly, even the regular roads we walk, or the grungy city lights... they're all weirdly pretty.
[ isn't that also a form of happiness? ]
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still, he'll raise a brow when raf just walks ahead of him but backwards—tobari keeps a slightly tighter hold of his hand then, if only so that he can make sure to help raf keep his balance before he trips on something. though tobari will at least keep an eye out for him... ]
You sure you're not just becoming more easily pleased?
[ even if he doesn't disagree ]
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[ ? hello?
but, really. tobari sometimes struck rafayel as being so devoid of desires and/or expectations that he can't help but to find it ironic that he's the one being called easy to please?
that said, maybe tobari is smart, because rafayel does stumble on an exposed root a second later, nearly missing a step as he almost falls backwards. ]
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so he'll use the hold on their hands to pull raf back toward him, other arm reaching out to catch him at the waist before he loses his balance entirely ]
Better than being King Klutz. Can you stop being a show-off and watch where you're going? Or else the Mountain God will laugh at you.
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But, don't you think that's a bit much? Like, should the Mountain God be that bad of a person? [ though, from his memories, he's fairly certain they envisioned their mountain god as some half-eagle, half-lion creature. the human imagination was pretty frightening... ]
If so, maybe we shouldn't be praising him too much.
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I'm not going to pretend I understand anything about gods even now. [ there is a hilarity in tobari being utterly undevout despite everything... ] Based on the legend, it just sounded like the Mountain God was some kind of gossip.
[ looking for romance wishes.... ]
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Even gods get bored, don't ya think? [ ... ]
Maybe one day it'll be Suzune coming up here making a romantic wish? [ lol. ]
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She needs better taste in men first.
[ not the rare shot fired back at his beloved baby sister ]
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What's wrong with her tastes?
[ who was her last crush... ]
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it takes him a second to answer this one. tobari's probably told rafayel an awful lot about growing up in poverty, relying on the community of his mother's friends after she died herself when he was very young and suzune was just born. there's probably also just been a very specific gap of who he has and hasn't mentioned. ]
... I had an older brother figure growing up.
[ another pause before he just starts grouching like usual, as if he hasn't utterly failed to mention this person's existence to raf until now ]
So let's start off with the fact that he was way too old for her? She makes me way too worried sometimes.
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we could have made him an... alien or discord kitten instead. anyway, he does recall tobari mentioning a few things of his past; the tumultuous environment he grew up in, and the community that had taken him in. what he hasn't heard is... ]
Oh. [ ?
he stops walking for a second, before: ] ... Did you like him too!?
[ sorry, he knows this was serious, but now he's seriously worried... ]
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this is an insane question though and tobari is going to look at raf like he grew a second head ]
Did you miss the part where I said 'brother'?
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