[So intimidating, this skinny blonde guy that took a trip into the city to see his boyfriend.
The door opens after a minute to show Kusakabe framed there, from the lazy smile to the low-slung jeans and loose shirt dripping off one shoulder. He steps back to allow Natsume inside, gesturing vaguely to where the family's shoes all were then leading the way through the house to the stairs leading up to his room.]
Come on, before my sister comes home and decides to smother you.
[Because she absolutely would if Natsume let her. She liked meeting Kusakabe's friends and always had big shiny opinions about them later.]
[There's always a moment, every time they see each other, where Natsume's stomach does a giddy little flip-flop of there he is and he has to consciously remember to breathe. It's very silly and he knows it's silly, but it also feels...nice.
The loose shirt off the shoulder thing: also nice. Natsume manages not to trip over his shoes as he toes them off, mumbling some vague polite nonsense about thank you for having me before breaking off into a huffy laugh.]
[He shrugs at that, giving Natsume that easy smile. He heads upstairs, barely pausing to respond to a woman's voice from another room, just giving her a 'yeah!' when she mentions supper.
There's no hesitation as he wraps his arms loose around Natsume's shoulders from behind, his nose against the other boy's hair.]
Before you start worrying, don't. You can come eat with us.
[Natsume had, in fact, just opened his mouth to fret about being an imposition, and he is quite perturbed at how easily Kusakabe reads him. So instead he huffs a little, half-turning to scrunch his nose at the other boy.]
I wasn't worrying. [He was. But he also reaches up and rests a hand on Kusakabe's arm, just. To touch him more, maybe.]
[People always worried about imposing when he just invited them over without prior notice, and Natsume was no different. Hell, with what Kusakabe knows about his history, he probably worries more about such things than he really should. He still thinks about the whole scene he'd witnessed at his own school and how sure Natsume was that it would just be too much, and how much the guy needed to be reassured that he wasn't doing anything wrong. Flippant as he seems on the surface, Kusakabe notices things like that. He cares about it.]
Uh-huh. [He just smiles against the fluff of Natsume's hair and lingers there, arms still wrapped around him.]
Hey, your friends aren't gonna follow you here right? I just don't want 'em making a mess that we'll have to try and excuse to my family.
[It means more than Natsume honestly knows how to verbalize -- he tends to believe that his mere existence is an inconvenience, so having someone reassure him before he can even begin to get anxious is...nice. Kusakabe is nice.
Being held is nice too, but Natsume is hyper-aware that they don't have the house to themselves, so he steps away after a moment to continue up the stairs.
At the question, he snorts a little.] They definitely won't. I've told them your home is off-limits. [Amidst multiple dark threats and loud protesting from Nyanko-sensei, who was probably lurking around because he was allergic to following directions. But at least he was somewhat tactful about not making himself noticed.]
[He nearly points out that he really doubts just being told that the place is off-limits is going to keep any of them away, but he figures that Natsume knows more about how to handle them than he does. He had wondered on more than one occasion if there were more of them around than just the one that apparently liked to hide in his helmet. But then, maybe it's better that he can't see them, if his experience with Natsume and his struggles is anything to judge by.
He lets go to allow Natsume to go upstairs and leads the way to his room at the end of a short hall, taking a seat at the little writing desk that generally served as his place to do school work. His guitar in its case rests nearby, and the corner of his bed is home to several pillows and plushes. One of which looks suspiciously like Sensei, though it differs in that it looks like it's been dressed up in a little onesie. Like there's merch of him.]
I already have my guardian thing anyway. I'm happy with just the one.
[Natsume might've made several more threats of violence and/or deadly retribution if any of the youkai bug him, which had...mostly made them laugh. So part of him is ready to punch any of the ones who might show up, which might put a damper on the evening.
Still, being in Kusakabe's room is a nice distraction. Natsume has settled into his own, back at the Fujiwara's, but it's still comparatively spartan -- not a lot of personal items or decorations, and the futon-style bed means no plushes. He's always fascinated by the plushes, especially the one that looks...shockingly familiar.
Without thinking, Natsume just. Crawls onto the bed, reaching out for the Sensei-plush.] This one? [It's only partially teasing.]
[Kusakabe's room is very lived in, open and airy, with thin curtains that let in the sunlight and a window open to allow a breeze. He's got a few posters up, art pieces and concert posters, several of which were signed. A promotional poster of his own band is up on the side of his wardrobe.
He stretches out some in his chair, watching Natsume inspecting his plushes then laughing a little at the fat cat-shaped plush with its sleepy face.]
I saw that and thought it would be funny to buy it. I don't think he would actually hide out in my room but if he did he'd see that and get pissed off. The only thing I'm actually sure is around here is the one that lives in my bike helmet.
[And even then it's only because Natsume inadvertently pointed it out to him the day they'd gone for a ride.]
[Does Natsume have a similar poster for Kusakabe's band? No, and you'll never prove otherwise because he keeps it in his closet, so there.
Stretching out, Natsume absently kicks his socked feet up in the air, experimentally squishing at the cat's face. That part is very authentic.] You're right about that. He'd say something about it not fully conveying his...majestic essence or something.
[Laughing, he rolls onto his back, glancing over at Kusakabe.] That one, yes. There aren't any others in your house, but there's one outside. Under a bush. It shouldn't bother you or your family, though. [It still feels...strange, being this honest. Not lying about what he's looking at or reacting to. Strange and wonderful and frightening.]
[Look if you're not secretly supporting your secret boyfriend's punk band what are you even doing? Though it'll be a fun day when Mrs. Fujiwara cleans and finds little things like that around.]
I think mom would say it's good luck to have little spirits around the house, as long as they're not breaking things.
[Kusakabe sprawls out comfortable as can be, content with the situation in regards to spirits hanging about. And with the situation that is Natsume hanging out on his bed. Which, while his bed isn't huge, does look a little lonely. So he slides to his feet and goes to sit there at Natsume's side, slouching some to lean against him.]
Are you really gonna sleep up here with me tonight?
[That's why Natusme insists on cleaning his own room, to keep his secret punk rocker bf a secret.]
Most of them are. The little ones. They just want to help, usually. [Natsume makes a soft "oof" sound that is mostly for show when he's leaned against, still smiling upside-down at Kusakabe. He's holding onto the offbrand-Sensei plush, still.
At the question, he turns a little red, looking down at the toy.] If you. Want that. I wouldn't mind. [That's a "yes please".]
[Natsume's foster family would probably love Kusakabe if he ever met them. But that would require them coming this far into the city, or him going out to meet them. They weren't exactly the type to go to a show anyway.
He smiles faintly and leans a little more across Natsume's body, loosely wrapping an arm around him.]
[Natsume is mildly biased and thinks that everyone would like Kusakabe, if they met him. Because he's great. Though seeing any music that wasn't classical would probably give the Fujiwaras a heart attack, but...it's the thought that counts.
Now that they're in the safe privacy of a separate room, Natsume relaxes sognificantly, even scooting a little closer.] Then yes. I am.
[Kusakabe cards long fingers back through Natsume's hair, idling combing through it and styling it haphazardly back from his brow. He imagines that he could make Natsume look really good if the other boy just sat still long enough. But he doubts that that kind of thing would be something that Natsume would want just because he doesn't want to stand out or draw any more attention than he already does by seemingly being weird and seeing things.
There's that protective instinct again, making him want to try and keep Natsume there, and happy, with him.]
Hey...if I ever went traveling, would you want to go with me?
[Natsume huffs out a soft sound, but allows the hair-mussing, even half-closing his eyes like a reluctantly soothed cat. He'll reach out and grab Kusakabe's hand after a moment, running his fingers slowly across the guitar calluses. He likes them, likes the way they feel. He likes being able to touch, and not worry about it being too much or too odd.
The question gets a gently perplexed headtilt.] Travelling? Where?
[Kusakabe turns his hand over in Natsume's and flexes his fingers slowly. He lets himself rest comfortably against Natsume, gazing off half-focused at one of the posters on the opposite wall.]
I'm thinking about continuing with music, after high school. That usually means going new places so...I don't know where yet. Everywhere maybe.
[After high school. It feels a million years away, but hearing Kusakabe talk about it suddenly brings it into focus. Natsume hadn't ever thought that far ahead, just trying to manage going from place to place and not lose track of his grades or how polite to be.
But after high school means no foster parents. Nobody deciding what he does. It's scary.
Unconsciously, he tugs Kusakabe's hand to his chest, holding on tight.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2022-06-11 03:13 am (UTC)[The blushing! The dokis! Inconceivable!]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-11 10:51 am (UTC)[Which seems real weird to think about asking now considering everything else they've kind of experienced so far.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-11 03:51 pm (UTC)[So they're doing this a little backwards! Whatever, he's still excited about the date!!]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-11 11:04 pm (UTC)Do you want me to pick you up?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 12:43 am (UTC)[He was excited. Shut up.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 12:47 am (UTC)I'll leave the light on for you.
At least you won't have to climb in through the window.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 01:46 am (UTC)No more windows, no.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 12:15 pm (UTC)The door opens after a minute to show Kusakabe framed there, from the lazy smile to the low-slung jeans and loose shirt dripping off one shoulder. He steps back to allow Natsume inside, gesturing vaguely to where the family's shoes all were then leading the way through the house to the stairs leading up to his room.]
Come on, before my sister comes home and decides to smother you.
[Because she absolutely would if Natsume let her. She liked meeting Kusakabe's friends and always had big shiny opinions about them later.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 04:20 pm (UTC)The loose shirt off the shoulder thing: also nice. Natsume manages not to trip over his shoes as he toes them off, mumbling some vague polite nonsense about thank you for having me before breaking off into a huffy laugh.]
Smother me, really?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 05:59 pm (UTC)[He shrugs at that, giving Natsume that easy smile. He heads upstairs, barely pausing to respond to a woman's voice from another room, just giving her a 'yeah!' when she mentions supper.
There's no hesitation as he wraps his arms loose around Natsume's shoulders from behind, his nose against the other boy's hair.]
Before you start worrying, don't. You can come eat with us.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 06:13 pm (UTC)I wasn't worrying. [He was. But he also reaches up and rests a hand on Kusakabe's arm, just. To touch him more, maybe.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 06:46 pm (UTC)Uh-huh. [He just smiles against the fluff of Natsume's hair and lingers there, arms still wrapped around him.]
Hey, your friends aren't gonna follow you here right? I just don't want 'em making a mess that we'll have to try and excuse to my family.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-12 07:53 pm (UTC)Being held is nice too, but Natsume is hyper-aware that they don't have the house to themselves, so he steps away after a moment to continue up the stairs.
At the question, he snorts a little.] They definitely won't. I've told them your home is off-limits. [Amidst multiple dark threats and loud protesting from Nyanko-sensei, who was probably lurking around because he was allergic to following directions. But at least he was somewhat tactful about not making himself noticed.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-13 08:25 pm (UTC)He lets go to allow Natsume to go upstairs and leads the way to his room at the end of a short hall, taking a seat at the little writing desk that generally served as his place to do school work. His guitar in its case rests nearby, and the corner of his bed is home to several pillows and plushes. One of which looks suspiciously like Sensei, though it differs in that it looks like it's been dressed up in a little onesie. Like there's merch of him.]
I already have my guardian thing anyway. I'm happy with just the one.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-14 02:30 am (UTC)Still, being in Kusakabe's room is a nice distraction. Natsume has settled into his own, back at the Fujiwara's, but it's still comparatively spartan -- not a lot of personal items or decorations, and the futon-style bed means no plushes. He's always fascinated by the plushes, especially the one that looks...shockingly familiar.
Without thinking, Natsume just. Crawls onto the bed, reaching out for the Sensei-plush.] This one? [It's only partially teasing.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-14 12:35 pm (UTC)He stretches out some in his chair, watching Natsume inspecting his plushes then laughing a little at the fat cat-shaped plush with its sleepy face.]
I saw that and thought it would be funny to buy it. I don't think he would actually hide out in my room but if he did he'd see that and get pissed off. The only thing I'm actually sure is around here is the one that lives in my bike helmet.
[And even then it's only because Natsume inadvertently pointed it out to him the day they'd gone for a ride.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 02:44 am (UTC)Stretching out, Natsume absently kicks his socked feet up in the air, experimentally squishing at the cat's face. That part is very authentic.] You're right about that. He'd say something about it not fully conveying his...majestic essence or something.
[Laughing, he rolls onto his back, glancing over at Kusakabe.] That one, yes. There aren't any others in your house, but there's one outside. Under a bush. It shouldn't bother you or your family, though. [It still feels...strange, being this honest. Not lying about what he's looking at or reacting to. Strange and wonderful and frightening.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 03:07 am (UTC)I think mom would say it's good luck to have little spirits around the house, as long as they're not breaking things.
[Kusakabe sprawls out comfortable as can be, content with the situation in regards to spirits hanging about. And with the situation that is Natsume hanging out on his bed. Which, while his bed isn't huge, does look a little lonely. So he slides to his feet and goes to sit there at Natsume's side, slouching some to lean against him.]
Are you really gonna sleep up here with me tonight?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 03:54 am (UTC)Most of them are. The little ones. They just want to help, usually. [Natsume makes a soft "oof" sound that is mostly for show when he's leaned against, still smiling upside-down at Kusakabe. He's holding onto the offbrand-Sensei plush, still.
At the question, he turns a little red, looking down at the toy.] If you. Want that. I wouldn't mind. [That's a "yes please".]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 04:11 am (UTC)He smiles faintly and leans a little more across Natsume's body, loosely wrapping an arm around him.]
I definitely want that.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 05:24 am (UTC)Now that they're in the safe privacy of a separate room, Natsume relaxes sognificantly, even scooting a little closer.] Then yes. I am.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 03:22 pm (UTC)There's that protective instinct again, making him want to try and keep Natsume there, and happy, with him.]
Hey...if I ever went traveling, would you want to go with me?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-16 01:28 am (UTC)The question gets a gently perplexed headtilt.] Travelling? Where?
no subject
Date: 2022-06-16 02:31 am (UTC)I'm thinking about continuing with music, after high school. That usually means going new places so...I don't know where yet. Everywhere maybe.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-16 03:24 am (UTC)But after high school means no foster parents. Nobody deciding what he does. It's scary.
Unconsciously, he tugs Kusakabe's hand to his chest, holding on tight.]
You'd want me to come with you?
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: