003. and in every raindrop... // open post.

[icarusalsoflew]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in as you like. If you're from Eudio, though, mosey on down here.

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[larue]

[ The words echo something from what feels like so long ago, the sun setting behind the college buildings, the shadows stretching over the field as he slumped back against the bleachers, Greg Emil joining him.

People think bench warmers are just there as a reserve. I don't think like that, and honestly, neither do Coach Matt and Pa. That's why you kids join us in the runs and the drills and in the locker room.

Watch the team, learn the playbook, strategize where our plays have loopholes -- and then bring your A-game. Or your B-game if you're not on that level just yet. You only get better with practice. The glass ceiling is meant to be broken through. ]

"Play your game. And when you can't, make it yours anyway."

[ He reaches for the coffee again, sips. It's cooled, significantly, but that's alright. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Exactly.

[Well, Josh seems to be on the road to recovery. Which means...

Now it's Hikaru's turn to chuckle, and give Josh a look that he might be familiar with. You know. The look the Blade King gets when he's interested in something, and - heaven forbid - finds it so very amusing.]

[larue]

[ He'd probably react to that -- if he was paying attention. As it is, he's focused on his half-drunk coffee, brain a little less fuzzy and tongue a little more under control.

He shuts his eyes, pushing his thoughts away from the way his mind is knitting nostalgia to the exchange from earlier on; the lights, the shadows, Selene at the booth, him opening up to Rethe about Shin Yamatai and feeling like here was a safe place to just verbalize. And now, unconsciously catching his top lip with his teeth, and then letting that go as he nibbles on the bottom one.

What in hell was he thinking.

And of course, mind zoning in on that word and it's associations to... yep, that is a flush creeping up the back of his neck again. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Mm-hm. Watching all of that.

All of it.

He should probably stop smiling now.]

You are so dangerous right now.

[larue]

[ Snapping to attention now. ]

...W-what?

[ Dangerous? Why on earth-- ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Oh, you know... getting yourself all fucked up and defenseless over kissing a guy, showing up looking like a broken puppy on my doorstep, being honest...

[Chin in hand now. The look he has on his face? Exactly You are so cute, Josh.]

If I was any less of a man, this little conversation between us would have ended in a very different fashion at least several times back now.

[larue]

[ This is a stare. An incredulous one.

One that goes oh, c'mon, man. ]

No.

[icarusalsoflew]

Which I could easily turn into a yes, if I wanted to.

[Hee.]

Not gonna lie to you, Josh. You're very attractive.

[larue]

[ Why you gotta do that, man. ]

Please, no?

[ And yet, at the back of his head, Gabriel's words. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[He can read you like a book, Joshua LaRue.]

And yet, you're thinking about it.

[Leaning back now; his arms were already stretched out across the top of the couch. Now his right hand is moving towards his lips, half-disguising that tiny little smile on his face.]

[larue]

[ And this is Josh's jaw working a little as he turns away to light another cigarette. ]

Now that's just you being a dick about this whole thing.

[icarusalsoflew]

[Chuckling, because nope, he can't deny that.

Seriously, though...]

I'm not going to do anything that you don't want me to. We're friends. [A beat.] And no one's going to know about this. I promise.

[larue]

[ Quiet, unable to look over. And fairly sure the back of his neck is pretty flushed.

When Hikaru comments though, about not breathing a word of this to anyone, Josh's shoulders droop. ]

I don't know what got into me.

[icarusalsoflew]

And there's no way that you'll be able to figure it out in one night.

[Leaning forward, looking at him with genuine concern.]

So don't try.

[Saying that firmly.]

[larue]

[ A nod; taking those.words to heart.

And looking a little lost because-- ]

Bad habit of mine: whenever I find myself in the middle of a problem, it sticks to me until I figure it out. From all possible angles.

[icarusalsoflew]

Don't make me knock you out, Josh. [A beat.] Or kiss you.

[He is dead serious.

Dead. Serious.]

[larue]

[ Internal reaction: Stop that :|

External reaction ( because, recovering )-- ] I've no doubt you can deliver either one, but I'll take the first over the second, thanks.

[ If Hikaru says that he doesn't have to figure things out all at once, then he doesn't need to think too hard on this just yet. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

You could also have both.

[But he's kidding. Really.

Gentler now:]

I can bring you back to your house, or you could crash here. I really think you should rest.

[Then:]

If you stay here, I do solemnly swear that I will not touch you without your permission, good sir.

[larue]

Really. [ Have a long, steady look. ] If that's supposed to be reassuring, Hikaru -- you're not even trying.

[ But he does smile. Better, this time. More relaxed and less freaked and closer to stone cold sober than he is going to be at all tonight.

Josh exhales a breath, kills his cigarette and sinks back into the chair. ] I might bounce. [ Mouth in a thoughtful line again. ] But maybe in a little bit.

[ Hauling himself home now will likely wake him up. And sleep needs to be a thing, especially since he has work at Rhainnon in the "morning". ]

[icarusalsoflew]

All right, but know that my door - and my bed - are always open for you.

[It's nice to see Josh looking better.]

You had me at South Korea.

[larue]

[ Brows furrowing in confusion at first. South Kor--

The long pause before the sudden realization.

And then: laughter, because what the everloving fuck.

You had me at South Korea.

What the hell.

He's shaking his head now, slipping out another cigarette Because he actually has a potential retort on the very tip of his tongue. It likely shows as well, but he fixes Hikaru with a look instead, and then shakes his head again before lighting up.

Another time. Proper recalibration needs space and thought -- and there's no sense cramming all that in tonight. ]