the13tharcana | IC contact post for Adstringendum

[It's not the first time Ryoji wakes up to an empty bed, that's why he doesn't panic right away. Both of them agreed on leaving each other notes after that one time when Ryoji woke up first and got up to make breakfast, and they started using this kind of system ever since.

Thankfully, he finds the piece of paper before any doubtful thoughts can get the best of him. Ryoji smiles to himself and admires Joshua's handwriting for just a moment before shifting off the bed and getting up. How could he not heed the request?

Not wanting to go up the roof empty-handed, he heats up some water and pours it into a glass bottle first, then makes his way up, in search of his boyfriend.]

Joshua?

[That note system is a godsend, really. With it, Joshua no longer experiences those annoying strikes of panic if he wakes up alone in the bed. Not that it's a common occurrence, considering his sleep schedule is so out of whack and he's usually the one leaving the bed empty, but it's a bit of comfort nonetheless.

When Ryoji comes up, Joshua is laying on his back on the roof, facing the direction of the sunrise, arms folded beneath his head and knees bent with one over the other. His eyes are closed, but he's completely awake. And as Ryoji approaches, one eye opens, and he smiles.]

Good morning, sunshine.

[A pleasant, warm feeling assaults his chest as soon as he hears Joshua addressing him like that, and Ryoji wonders (yet again) if there ever will be a day when he gets used to this kind of thing. Not that he minds being overwhelmed by such gestures every single time... it's fascinating to him, in all honesty.

He puts the bottle down before taking a seat next to Josh, leaning in to leave a kiss on the other's cheek.]

Good morning, love.

[And then Ryoji lays down himself, letting his hand rest on top of Joshua's chest as he snuggles closer.]

Couldn't sleep?

[As Ryoji takes a seat next to him, Joshua closes his eye again, letting out a sigh. He's primarily been using one eye to watch the sun rise, anyway, considering only one eye can perceive colors.]

Not particularly. I've felt a bit restless.

[He turns his head, opening his good eye again to look at Ryoji. The color of Ryoji's eye is one of his favorite shades of blue, so he takes every opportunity to take it in. Like the sea, in the photos he's seen and the television ads for island getaways, and the one time he saw the ocean for himself here. It's like he has a piece of that with him, all to himself.]

Come to the top of 104 with me.

[Ryoji might be oblivious to Joshua's thoughts regarding colors right now, but even so, he's doing pretty much the same. He's always liked staring into Joshua's eyes for the unspoken connection alone.]

...Is there something bothering you?

[Or was Joshua feeling restless just because? It's not anything new, but Ryoji would feel better if he asked, just in case.

...And then there's a sudden request. He's surprised, but definitely not averse to the idea.]

Right now? Do you want to fly there?

[Were Joshua's wings even healed properly for that?]

Mm, no. Just restless.

[His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug, and his other eye opens as he turns his gaze to the sky. Even with one eye only seeing in grayscale, the oranges and purples of the sky are still vibrant and still beautiful.]

It's worth a try. I need to use my wings to make sure they stay usable.

[If it gets to be too much, they can always land. And it isn't like 104 doesn't have a maintenance ladder to get to the roof, either.]

[So it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, which is reassuring. While Joshua turns to look at the sky, Ryoji closes his own eye and inhales the other's scent, trying to enjoy the moment, now that he knows they might be getting up at any minute now.]

Alright, then... but are you sure you want to carry the additional weight right from the start? How about you try to fly on your own and I go on foot first, and then we'll see how you feel once we get to the foot of the building? I wouldn't want you to overexert yourself, especially when you've been recovering from an injury...

[That being said, Ryoji's fingers shift and lazily stroke Joshua's belly in a playful gesture.]

[Joshua hasn't had much to worry over in a couple of months, at the very least. Not since the scavenger hunt. But, even with the promise of restful sleep, it's been anything but. The curse of insomnia is a horrible one, indeed.]

I suppose that's reasonable enough. I'll take it slow, then, so you can keep up.

[But with those fingers trailing down his stomach, it's giving different ideas. Joshua smirks, lazily rolling onto his side towards Ryoji and all but purring.]

Unless you're trying to imply that I stay here.

[It's true that the Animus hasn't given them much of a hard time since the scavenger hunt. Ryoji was more than content with that turn of events and hoped it wouldn't change anytime soon, of course.]

I can always run if need be. At least it's not that far away from here; I should be fine.

[Joshua shifting makes Ryoji open his eye and look at the other, and he's unable to fight down his smile and amusement. Was that really all it took to give off ideas?]

Both options are tempting... but I think we can go. You've already gotten me excited for it.

[He just needs another moment to wake up properly, is all. Being in a more of a horizontal position doesn't help with that much.]

[Honestly, Joshua would be happy with never having to worry about any sort of hard time whatsoever anymore. He'd be even more content if it were to involve going back to Shibuya, but... this is as close as he can get.]

If you're sure you can keep up, then.

[His smirk turns far more amused, and carefully, he pushes himself into a more upright sitting position.]

Well, get up, then. Let's get going before we find something else to do.

[And the look on his face definitely says that he's willing to take a rain check on that.]

[Ryoji cooperates and shifts together with Josh, retreating his hand a bit and leaving more room for the other to move. When their gazes lock together again, however... well, someone has a pretty obvious moment of hesitation right there.]

When you say that and then look at me like that...

[Josh, you should know what happens when you look at your boyfriend like that. What is a guy to do? Be aware that when Ryoji suddenly wraps his arms around your waist and mashes his face into your side, tackling your back into the roof, it's all your fault. When he starts to tickle-assault you right after, it's all your fault as well.]

[... Ryoji, he fails to see how any of this is his fault. He absolutely was not insinuating any sort of tickling whatsoever and fhsjkdhg--

The sounds Joshua makes are rather undignified, coming out as strangled noises and attempts at choking back laughter that absolutely, completely fail. It only takes a matter of seconds before he's caught up in a fit of laughter, squirming and wriggling and trying to get away from those fingers.]

[No matter how many times he's done it before, playfully attacking Joshua like this and seeing his reactions while at it is something Ryoji will never get bored of, he thinks. It's amusing and heartening every single time, and he can't help but love the unguarded and genuine sounds these gestures bring out of his boyfriend.

Moreover, it leaves Joshua distracted and vulnerable for any further surprise attacks. Using the whole situation to his advantage, Ryoji swiftly ends up pulling one of Joshua's hands to the side, rolling them both over. Now that he knows he won't be crushing Josh with his weight, he stops the tickling and snakes his arms around the other, letting them both lie there as he chuckles from the silliness himself.]

You make me so happy.

[Even as Ryoji rolls him over, it takes a moment for Joshua to completely calm himself. For a long moment there, his breathing stays heavy and his heartbeat remains somewhat rapid. ... not to mention, he almost - almost - looks like he's pouting. It'll take a second for that kneejerk reaction of irritation to completely fade away.]

Everything makes you happy.

[But, a soft sigh, and he presses his forehead against Ryoji's with a little hum.]

It's flattering to take precedence, though.

[Ryoji probably shouldn't find the startled, irritable expression to be adorable, but he somehow does. He has every intention to let Joshua rest and relax on top of him for as long as he would want to, not that he's got him all worked up like this, though. It's nice, just laying like this.]

Not everything! ...Does it?

[Ryoji immediately protests, but then takes a moment to actually contemplate that. Now that Josh points it out... he's never really thought about it like that before.]

I suppose I'm easier to please than some... is that a bad thing, though? I like to enjoy the little things. Besides, nothing or nobody else is able to make me as happy as you do.

Everything. Or, just about everything, anyway.

[The zest for life that Ryoji has always seemed to have is so childlike sometimes that Joshua is unable to keep from smiling. Part of that is what had captured his attention in the first place. Like a puppy, always wagging it's tail and happy to see anyone or anything, and everyone is a friend. It's not something he can easily do himself... so it's incredibly intriguing.

But, Ryoji's final words there strike that spark of doubt that's always there, no matter whether he's expressing it or not. Back in Ryoji's world, Minako makes him this happy, and Joshua knows it. Here, it's difficult to gauge, but he knows for sure that back at home, that sentiment wouldn't be true. But he says nothing, does nothing to express it, and simply rests his chin on Ryoji's chest, smirking.]

Easy to please goes well with high-maintenance, after all.

[Meanwhile it's Joshua's composure and self-restraint that's always kept Ryoji intrigued with him in turn, and the fact that Josh was hard to approach and not that easy to please sometimes only wanted him to keep trying more. Ryoji never felt himself being discouraged by any of it, and honestly, he didn't even understand nor see the option that anyone could.

Oblivious to Joshua's thoughts, Ryoji has no means to doubt himself. When he said that nobody makes him as happy as Joshua does, he really meant it. Right now, and right here, it's true. ... Ryoji does think back on it sometimes, but probably not in the way Josh thinks he does - not anymore, at least. Though unless brought up, high chances were that Ryoji wouldn't address it himself anymore. Not unless it was necessary, somehow.

For now, all Ryoji can do is eagerly return Joshua's smile.]

I think there was a saying... that opposites attract one another?

[It's that exact difficulty to approach that Joshua has put on in order to keep people at a tolerable distance. But, leave it to Ryoji to push past boundaries... It's always reminded him of Sanae, in a way, except Sanae's way is far less innocent-puppy-like.

Joshua tilts his head, smirk staying in place, eyes narrowing just a slight bit.]

Something like that, yes. Then again, we have quite a bit in common, too.

[And with that, he pushes up to sit, straddling Ryoji's waist as he stretches his arms above his head. Laying on the rooftop for a couple of hours and watching the sky hadn't really done any favors for his muscles.]

Let's go, before the sun rises too high.

[Leave it to Ryoji to be a hopeless romantic.]

That's also true. Maybe we're just opposite kindred spirits or something.

[...If that even makes sense. They're totally different character-wise but they think alike when it comes to a lot of things. Maybe that's what makes it work so well.

As Joshua shifts, Ryoji instinctively places one of his hands on his belly, unable to avert his gaze as his boyfriend stretches. If Josh sitting on top of him like this is giving him any ideas, he's not letting it show.]

After you, love.

It's possible. After all, if fate has something to do with it, it could really be anything.

[It makes perfect sense. Absolute perfect sense. People can be kindred spirits while being habitually opposite.

Oh, Joshua is aware of any ideas Ryoji could get from this, and it's why he lets it stretch on for a little bit longer than necessary. That, and it's just downright satisfying. Once he's finished, though, he moves off, standing up on the roof and brushing off his pants.]

I'll wait for you to climb down before I take off, so you're not left behind.

[Using the word 'fate' leaves Ryoji with an even bigger smile on his lips than before. ... And something sparkly in his eyes, for that matter. It's probably no surprise to anyone anymore that someone here is just a big sucker for these kind of words.

Ryoji also can't help but wonder if Joshua's doing all of that on purpose or not... Either way, he can keep it in mind and address it later when they get back home again. They'll see who will be teasing whom then.

It takes him a few seconds of staring, but Ryoji's eventually back on his feet as well.]

Alright. Just give me a moment.

[And with that, he leaves a quick peck on the side of his boyfriend's face before making his way down. He doesn't want to keep Joshua waiting!]

[One of the reasons he'd used it. Seeing that look on Ryoji's face is much more entertaining than any other option. He knows Ryoji believes in this sort of thing.

If the little smirk says anything, he's definitely doing it on purpose~ Still, he's not ignoring that little thought there, either. A good end to their trip, perhaps. And not one he'd readily dismiss.

The quick kiss gets a smile in return, but no further reciprocation. Joshua watches Ryoji climb down, making sure his feet are solidly on the grass below before bothering to extend his wings. The injured one has been healing, though at a still somewhat slow pace... the stylized area is nowhere near as large as it was months before, but it's definitely not gone. Rather than near the base, it begins midway up the wing, near the more prominent joint. But, so far, it doesn't seem to be impeding flight all that much.

Those wings flap, and Joshua lifts up from the rooftop, being careful to make sure he's steady. And once he is, he takes off towards 104, at a slow enough pace that Ryoji can at least mostly keep up.]

IC contact post for Adstringendum

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