[ yet, the taunts hit their target every single time.
even now, he can't help but take every single one of tobari's gestures as a challenge. as if they punctuated how much of a coward he truly was. or how much he's managed to bury these emotions from their time in purgatory. he knows, and he's sure tobari knows, their shared kiss on the balcony wasn't just a whim on rafayel's part. as much as he fronts and pretends...
maybe he's also been a bit obsessive in his own way.
what else could explain the way he clings to every single of tobari's movements. honestly, he's so close to acting on impulse. his fingers twitch slightly, before their food arrives. so... he awkwardly reaches for the glass of wine tobari pours for them. he clinks the edge against tobari's... ]
What about a toast and a wish? [ he doesn't wait for tobari, before he continues. ]
To new beginnings, and for a certain silly person's happiness.
[ there's only one silly person at this table? he'll clink their glasses together nonetheless, ] To new beginnings and shared happiness.
[ a small alteration on his part, but perhaps some of his own selfish wish embedded in it nonetheless. tobari isn't a hard person to please. perhaps laughably the opposite. at the same time, he is managing his own guilt about being in such a comfortable position after giving up his duty to everyone he'd known before... but by the end, it felt like there was nothing for him in itehari.
at least here, there's suzune. there's rafayel. as long as he can make sure that they're happy and content, then that's enough for him. he'll swallow down that dream with the taste of his wine and then start digging into the food just as another jazz singer takes the stage. ambiance and delicacies. yum. ]
who else would be silly enough to ask a ( lads yume voice ) heterosexual male out on a date. jk...
there's really nothing het about this. when their glasses come together with a satisfying sound, he's quick to drink. even if he was just recovering from his previous buzz, he feels like the alcohol may at least settle his nerves. maybe it'd get rid of the ticklish sensation in his chest.
that may also be the contributing factor to how he swiftly begins eating. in a setting like this, he defaults to a certain rigidity in how he eats. stuffy, immaculate table manner included, and for a moment, he catches himself. this was supposed to be casual, and this isn't a situation in which he had to put on a front, and so he quickly relaxes. he looks back up to tobari, and he gently scoops up a last bite of the scallops neatly on his fork. he holds it out for him to eat. ]
Has anyone told you that you're stubborn?
[ did he really have to include him in his last statement.
yeah, he's been thinking about this the whole time they were eating. ]
[ not the rigidity... tobari notes it, wonders if it's something that he said, but relaxes once rafayel reaches out to try to feed him. without missing a beat, he leans in to eat the scallops off his fork. yum... tobari doesn't have many preferences when it comes to food, but he does appreciate good cuisine. he licks his lips to catch any last traces of sauce before laughing at the question. ]
Ah. [ an affiramtive, acknowledging noise... he's pretty set in his ways ] But you seem to be sticking around regardless.
[ glancing over at the menu that was left behind, ]
[ stop... if you think about it, outside of purgatory, this could be his first real date. you know, as opposed to weirdos who stalk him and want to expose him, but also have a meal with him.
that said, he does also laugh at that. ] You're right. I wonder why that is...
[ they can both pretend to wonder, when it's probably pretty clear.
but, he quickly moves on. ] Should we get ice cream? Isn't there a place that serves hot ice cream nearby?
[ does my shitposting ruin tobari's date. i hope not. ]
[ WHY!!!!!! TOBARI IS THE BEST DATE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!! ]
Isn't it? [ but, he seems to think it's funny at least.
brb, while he's also pulling up a video about it for tobari on his phone. who is the linkon equivalent of tyra banks. we may never actually have the answer to these questions as the yumes aren't asking them.
as they depart from the restaurant, he does offer his thanks to the server and hostess, before they make their way out. ]
tobari does similarly give his thanks even as they wander on the way out and tobari looks over at rafayel's phone to watch this former modeling tv show host, byra tanks, advertise her hot ice cream... ]
Ah... I guess I walked by that place a few times. [ he never entertained the idea of going inside but ] Might as well try anything once.
[ yes... don't make me keep this fight up in the brackets
the fact tobari can keep a straight face during this ad for the business is also incredible. rafayel can't also help but think that as he smiles a little to himself... ] Yeah, looks like she wanted to choose a trendy place for it, so it makes sense it'd be in this area. [ ... ]
What flavor would you get? [ what the hell is fairy dough ]
tries to be a good date and not say that he thinks most of this sounds horrific because they're probably just doing it for the novelty? but what if rafayel is actually really excited? tries to be careful... ]
.... I'm not sure I'm feeling decisive on one or the other. You could pick two flavors you like and I get the other one so you can try both?
little do they know the foot traffic from hawaii is not because of a planned trip to australia but for tobayel. ] Then what about the [ robotically: ] matcha mochi gough-chi and the Byra's favorite? [ he sounds so unsure...
but, he is excited. even if he may have chosen the matcha for tobari, thinking in... theory? it might be more familiar to him? ]
he's glancing away and trying to hide a laugh behind a cough. clears his throat. reaches to take rafayel's free hand and pull him lightly in the direction of this abomination shop ]
Sure.
[ IF HE SAYS ANYTHING ELSE... HE WILL LAUGH FOR REAL.... ]
rafayel instantly whips his head to tobari, and— ] Hey, be nice. [ don't make him pout in this thread too. but, he is carefully trailing along with tobari, his eyes still scrolling through the menu just in case he changes his mind last minute.
... and when they get there. he looks at tobari, you're going to order, right? ]
[ this is so funny.... tobari just raises a brow as he says very plainly: ] I'm never nice.
[ he's such a bitch and he's aware of himself... even as he says this those, he'll interlace their fingers to try to placate rafayel... at the very least, he's more amused at the insanity of this type of promo than anything else. it's so strange to him, but rafayel wants to try it so...
with a completely straight face, he'll order: ] One matcha mochi gough-chi and one Byra's Favorite.
[ glances over to rafayel ] Right?
[ at least... even if he's an asshole... he does listen ]
[ help... where tobari is a bully, but also an enabler.
the way tobari laces their fingers does help assuage him a little. but, what really flips his mood... is hearing tobari order. while this is 100% hypocritical of him, rafayel's shoulders start shaking the moment he opens his mouth.
...
he can't even answer tobari or he'll burst out laughing. ] I can't... [ the cashier is probably thinking they're both insane, but he really can't help it. just tobari's face. the cadence of him giving the order like it's a spell... ]
but tobari is also amused, smirking faintly even as he continues his RESPONSIBLE ADULT TRANSACTION. reaches up to COVER RAFAYELβS MOUTH WITH HIS FREE HAND ]
[ why is it even funnier when tobari tries to stop him from laughing. still, he's glad they make it over this hurdle of ordering. who knew it'd be so hard...
that said, he does nod a small thanks to the employee, before grabbing tobari's wrist. free him, or he'll bite.
jk, he is already moving tobari's hand a little, just enough to nip at the joint of his finger. ]
tobari just huffs out a breath then, eyes flashing dangerously as he leans in just close enough to drop by rafayelβs ear, low enough that no one else can hear ]
Behave. Or Iβll make you.
[ but heβll free his hand from rafβs hold after that. no more ]
the way he draws in close like that almost makes rafayel think he's going to kiss him. does he want that? it's complicated. he embarrassingly closes his eyes for a second, only to release tobari's already let him go.
... he coughs, clearing his throat. he once more sighs like a pet who isn't paying rent but is working reaaaally hard, before he reaches to grab their... hot ice cream in a cup. he's already holding it up to tobari's lips. a warm bite full of chunks... ]
Like you could. [ he says under his breath, a million years too late. ]
rafayel closing his eyes is satisfying, but once again tobari lets him retreat without having to investigate how he feels too much. he'll push as much as he can, but he supposes the least he can do is let rafayel think that he's in control...
tobari will take his matcha mochi gough-chi whatever cup from rafayel, but he'll also lean in to eat the hot ice cream... he's not sure what temperature it's supposed to be... it's pretty weird... eats it anyway
but also he'll flick his gaze up to meet rafayel's eyes as he pulls back, licking his lips with a bit more purpose than is necessary. ]
I could. [ confidently. part of it is their gap in experience, but also the fact that rafayel is very certain that he can command a situation when necessary. even if he thinks the fight is part of the fun. that said— ] But I probably shouldn't, even if you make it tempting.
[ tries to keep his boundary... at least for tonight... ]
[ tobari is wildly accurate in his assumption. it's true that rafayel likes to believe he retains a certain amount of control over any given situation. over his emotions, too. in reality, he's just one person tempting fate and dangerously playing with fire. even now, despite getting the impression that tobari might actually be getting what he wants out of him... he still stubbornly thinks he's mostly unaffected.
but, considering he's already tensing up at tobari's obvious seduction... he really should start reevaluating. he tries not to focus on tobari's lips or his tongue, and so he turns back to his cup of ice cream soup. ]
Good, I'd hate to see you disappointed after you did all this for me.
[ smug, but this soup isn't bad...
just different. it's like when he first tried cold soups? but, the opposite. at the very least, he thanks the novelty behind the hot ice cream, if just because it gives him something to focus on that wasn't tobari...
if there's one thing that eases his mind: ] You better not have forgotten about the dare.
[ genuinely i have no idea what the temperature for hot ice cream is supposed to be. is it just melted ice cream. what's going on. tobari is just going to bring up a spoonful of the other flavor up to rafayel's mouth so that he can try it.... ]
The one you set up for me? Or the one I have for you? Hmm.... No, I haven't forgotten.
You could say I'm biding my time.
[ it's worse when it's a looming threat, he thinks, and he's not nice enough to relieve the pressure so early ]
[ from my research: "There's a TikTok I saw of a woman who tried it, and she said it wasn't terrible but then described it like if a toddler chewed up a biscuit (or a cookie, for the Americans) and spat it out."
enjoys their regurgitated bird food... ]
... You had one for me?
[ he forgot, or maybe he just got a really large chunk of cookie just now. ]
[ this is fucking disgusting and yet they are eating it because rafayel asked for this..... what is this texture. again, tobari is thinking the surface is so fucking weird.
but also: ]
Didn't I say it earlier? I'm never nice. [ why would he let raf go.... ]
maybe a little too much. he does end up finishing half of his before finally leaning forward to try tobari's. he's a little late so he taps the side of his hand eagerly. since he brought them here, he guesses he does have a responsibility.
the mochi pieces aren't too bad though. he chews thoughtfully, before he sighs. ]
I think you just like to act tough, actually. [ or he's banking on that at least.
while he has a whole little thing he wants tobari to do... is this hypocrisy... ]
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even now, he can't help but take every single one of tobari's gestures as a challenge. as if they punctuated how much of a coward he truly was. or how much he's managed to bury these emotions from their time in purgatory. he knows, and he's sure tobari knows, their shared kiss on the balcony wasn't just a whim on rafayel's part. as much as he fronts and pretends...
maybe he's also been a bit obsessive in his own way.
what else could explain the way he clings to every single of tobari's movements. honestly, he's so close to acting on impulse. his fingers twitch slightly, before their food arrives. so... he awkwardly reaches for the glass of wine tobari pours for them. he clinks the edge against tobari's... ]
What about a toast and a wish? [ he doesn't wait for tobari, before he continues. ]
To new beginnings, and for a certain silly person's happiness.
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[ there's only one silly person at this table? he'll clink their glasses together nonetheless, ] To new beginnings and shared happiness.
[ a small alteration on his part, but perhaps some of his own selfish wish embedded in it nonetheless. tobari isn't a hard person to please. perhaps laughably the opposite. at the same time, he is managing his own guilt about being in such a comfortable position after giving up his duty to everyone he'd known before... but by the end, it felt like there was nothing for him in itehari.
at least here, there's suzune. there's rafayel. as long as he can make sure that they're happy and content, then that's enough for him. he'll swallow down that dream with the taste of his wine and then start digging into the food just as another jazz singer takes the stage. ambiance and delicacies. yum. ]
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who else would be silly enough to ask a ( lads yume voice ) heterosexual male out on a date. jk...
there's really nothing het about this. when their glasses come together with a satisfying sound, he's quick to drink. even if he was just recovering from his previous buzz, he feels like the alcohol may at least settle his nerves. maybe it'd get rid of the ticklish sensation in his chest.
that may also be the contributing factor to how he swiftly begins eating. in a setting like this, he defaults to a certain rigidity in how he eats. stuffy, immaculate table manner included, and for a moment, he catches himself. this was supposed to be casual, and this isn't a situation in which he had to put on a front, and so he quickly relaxes. he looks back up to tobari, and he gently scoops up a last bite of the scallops neatly on his fork. he holds it out for him to eat. ]
Has anyone told you that you're stubborn?
[ did he really have to include him in his last statement.
yeah, he's been thinking about this the whole time they were eating. ]
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Ah. [ an affiramtive, acknowledging noise... he's pretty set in his ways ] But you seem to be sticking around regardless.
[ glancing over at the menu that was left behind, ]
Dessert here or wanna find somewhere else?
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that said, he does also laugh at that. ] You're right. I wonder why that is...
[ they can both pretend to wonder, when it's probably pretty clear.
but, he quickly moves on. ] Should we get ice cream? Isn't there a place that serves hot ice cream nearby?
[ does my shitposting ruin tobari's date. i hope not. ]
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also not the hot ice cream ]
... the surface is so strange sometimes...
[ a little dubious, but shrugging. he'll catch the attention of their server and pay before they leave. ]
Sure. It's probably getting colder outside anyway...?
[ is this not just... hot chocolate...? ]
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Isn't it? [ but, he seems to think it's funny at least.
brb, while he's also pulling up a video about it for tobari on his phone. who is the linkon equivalent of tyra banks. we may never actually have the answer to these questions as the yumes aren't asking them.
as they depart from the restaurant, he does offer his thanks to the server and hostess, before they make their way out. ]
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tobari does similarly give his thanks even as they wander on the way out and tobari looks over at rafayel's phone to watch this former modeling tv show host, byra tanks, advertise her hot ice cream... ]
Ah... I guess I walked by that place a few times. [ he never entertained the idea of going inside but ] Might as well try anything once.
[ if raf wants to... who is he to say no.... ]
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the fact tobari can keep a straight face during this ad for the business is also incredible. rafayel can't also help but think that as he smiles a little to himself... ] Yeah, looks like she wanted to choose a trendy place for it, so it makes sense it'd be in this area. [ ... ]
What flavor would you get? [ what the hell is fairy dough ]
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tries to be a good date and not say that he thinks most of this sounds horrific because they're probably just doing it for the novelty? but what if rafayel is actually really excited? tries to be careful... ]
.... I'm not sure I'm feeling decisive on one or the other. You could pick two flavors you like and I get the other one so you can try both?
[ his neesans truly trained him so well ]
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little do they know the foot traffic from hawaii is not because of a planned trip to australia but for tobayel. ] Then what about the [ robotically: ] matcha mochi gough-chi and the Byra's favorite? [ he sounds so unsure...
but, he is excited. even if he may have chosen the matcha for tobari, thinking in... theory? it might be more familiar to him? ]
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he's glancing away and trying to hide a laugh behind a cough. clears his throat. reaches to take rafayel's free hand and pull him lightly in the direction of this abomination shop ]
Sure.
[ IF HE SAYS ANYTHING ELSE... HE WILL LAUGH FOR REAL.... ]
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rafayel instantly whips his head to tobari, and— ] Hey, be nice. [ don't make him pout in this thread too. but, he is carefully trailing along with tobari, his eyes still scrolling through the menu just in case he changes his mind last minute.
... and when they get there. he looks at tobari, you're going to order, right? ]
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[ he's such a bitch and he's aware of himself... even as he says this those, he'll interlace their fingers to try to placate rafayel... at the very least, he's more amused at the insanity of this type of promo than anything else. it's so strange to him, but rafayel wants to try it so...
with a completely straight face, he'll order: ] One matcha mochi gough-chi and one Byra's Favorite.
[ glances over to rafayel ] Right?
[ at least... even if he's an asshole... he does listen ]
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the way tobari laces their fingers does help assuage him a little. but, what really flips his mood... is hearing tobari order. while this is 100% hypocritical of him, rafayel's shoulders start shaking the moment he opens his mouth.
...
he can't even answer tobari or he'll burst out laughing. ] I can't... [ the cashier is probably thinking they're both insane, but he really can't help it. just tobari's face. the cadence of him giving the order like it's a spell... ]
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but tobari is also amused, smirking faintly even as he continues his RESPONSIBLE ADULT TRANSACTION. reaches up to COVER RAFAYELβS MOUTH WITH HIS FREE HAND ]
Yes, thatβd be it.
[ FOR THEIR INSANE HOT ICE ORDER ]
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that said, he does nod a small thanks to the employee, before grabbing tobari's wrist. free him, or he'll bite.
jk, he is already moving tobari's hand a little, just enough to nip at the joint of his finger. ]
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tobari just huffs out a breath then, eyes flashing dangerously as he leans in just close enough to drop by rafayelβs ear, low enough that no one else can hear ]
Behave. Or Iβll make you.
[ but heβll free his hand from rafβs hold after that. no more ]
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the way he draws in close like that almost makes rafayel think he's going to kiss him. does he want that? it's complicated. he embarrassingly closes his eyes for a second, only to release tobari's already let him go.
... he coughs, clearing his throat. he once more sighs like a pet who isn't paying rent but is working reaaaally hard, before he reaches to grab their... hot ice cream in a cup. he's already holding it up to tobari's lips. a warm bite full of chunks... ]
Like you could. [ he says under his breath, a million years too late. ]
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rafayel closing his eyes is satisfying, but once again tobari lets him retreat without having to investigate how he feels too much. he'll push as much as he can, but he supposes the least he can do is let rafayel think that he's in control...
tobari will take his matcha mochi gough-chi whatever cup from rafayel, but he'll also lean in to eat the hot ice cream... he's not sure what temperature it's supposed to be... it's pretty weird... eats it anyway
but also he'll flick his gaze up to meet rafayel's eyes as he pulls back, licking his lips with a bit more purpose than is necessary. ]
I could. [ confidently. part of it is their gap in experience, but also the fact that rafayel is very certain that he can command a situation when necessary. even if he thinks the fight is part of the fun. that said— ] But I probably shouldn't, even if you make it tempting.
[ tries to keep his boundary... at least for tonight... ]
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but, considering he's already tensing up at tobari's obvious seduction... he really should start reevaluating. he tries not to focus on tobari's lips or his tongue, and so he turns back to his cup of ice cream soup. ]
Good, I'd hate to see you disappointed after you did all this for me.
[ smug, but this soup isn't bad...
just different. it's like when he first tried cold soups? but, the opposite. at the very least, he thanks the novelty behind the hot ice cream, if just because it gives him something to focus on that wasn't tobari...
if there's one thing that eases his mind: ] You better not have forgotten about the dare.
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The one you set up for me? Or the one I have for you? Hmm.... No, I haven't forgotten.
You could say I'm biding my time.
[ it's worse when it's a looming threat, he thinks, and he's not nice enough to relieve the pressure so early ]
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enjoys their regurgitated bird food... ]
... You had one for me?
[ he forgot, or maybe he just got a really large chunk of cookie just now. ]
Weren't you going to let me off easy?
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but also: ]
Didn't I say it earlier? I'm never nice. [ why would he let raf go.... ]
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maybe a little too much. he does end up finishing half of his before finally leaning forward to try tobari's. he's a little late so he taps the side of his hand eagerly. since he brought them here, he guesses he does have a responsibility.
the mochi pieces aren't too bad though. he chews thoughtfully, before he sighs. ]
I think you just like to act tough, actually. [ or he's banking on that at least.
while he has a whole little thing he wants tobari to do... is this hypocrisy... ]
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