[It's so reliably uncanny how Akira goes for the reassurance of insecurities that Ryuji would eventually have, even before he's had enough time to realize that they were there. Him dating someone else... yeah, of freaking course, no matter who it is, they're probably the luckiest person on earth. He has a way of drawing people to him in an unbearable amount of subtle charisma- the same thing he felt so early on in his friendship with him. But, it's true. His biggest fear in the world is getting left behind. He knows this isn't a dodgeball team lineup where he's anxiously waiting to see if he's picked last, or at all, but... he's had a lot of abandonment issues throughout his life. And every time it happens, he's left holding the ball wondering what happened to everyone. Was it something that he did? Conclusively, that answer is: probably. He knows he's a handful.
So when he hears his owns words echoed back at him, the hair on the back of his neck prickle upward, and he's left with that brain numbingly familiar sensation that one of them has said too much, putting everything out there in the open, and that familiarity is something he could wrap himself right the fuck up into, wear it like the most comfy of pajamas.
It's also probably why that upward gaze toward him is met with Ryuji's eyes wandering elsewhere for a moment.]
Y-yeah, dude. Never gonna forget that, for as long as I live.
[Oh, shit, he didn't want to make this feel awkward or anything. Head still tilted downward a bit, his eyes shift upward.]
So what the hell are you still doin' here? Go act out on those dokis. Don't be rude, man. A gentleman thief never makes a girl wait.
[Akira feels his shoulders bristle, just slightly]
[there are many instincts he's ignoring as soon as Ryuji's gaze flickers away. the instinct to reach out, to clasp his dumb best friend's face in his hands and turn his gaze back to meet an unwavering and firm expression. don't you ever forget that, okay? nobody will ever take that from you. nobody can ever take that from you. the other is to do all of that and more, to rest his forehead against Ryuji's and continuously reaffirm his importance in Akira's life. I love you so fucking much, okay? don't ever think that I don't. please]
[he takes a deep breath. shuts his eyes for a moment, as though he's contemplating something. and in the end? he does none of those things. but he also doesn't just hang back and let that small moment of raw, open insecurity fly by without acknowledgement]
[his eyes fly open again and he's smiling, that same old mischievous smile that is half of Akira's earnestness, and half of Joker's impishness]
What, do you think I'm the protagonist of some kind of romcom?
[his arm slides around Ryuji's shoulders, hand coming up to ruffle his hair, the contact brief but warm. when he pulls away, it's with a bit of reluctance, but he continues his trek down the tunnels. in the, uh. opposite direction of the exit]
She'll still be there. [at least, he's pretty sure she will] Let's keep going until we get hopelessly lost and Ann has to call in a search party for us.
[right now, he's going to dedicate his time to his best friend]
Yeah, dude. You're like, practically Matthew McConaughey here.
[OH GOD... he doesn't need to embarrass himself any more than letting slip that he might have... once or twice... watched a few (a lot) of subtitled shitty American romance movies at some point in the past and he sure as hell NEVER CRIED over any of them, but here he is, in that weird rising action moment of life where he kind of feels crushed and can't really piece things together enough to figure out why those lame ass movies always kind of got to him.
And Ryuji's all smiles when Akira gets to ruffling his hair, and he wants to go down with a fight here, but that agility is way too good on his friend's half, and he's off already, delving down deeper into their proposed tunnel spelunking. Total freaking hit and run.
He doesn't let him get too far ahead, either, and it's hard to shake the feeling that he's always running after him, but he doesn't let that get to him either, and soon enough, he's at his side. Loyal, to a fault, puppyish in all his ridiculous mannerisms. He loves Akira a lot, too, in his own way. In an ineffable sort of way that's hard to give any form to. This is Ryuji, after all- he met Akira and accepted that he was going to die in Kamoshida's palace if it meant getting a total stranger to safety, and it's just continued outward that way. He doesn't really care what happens to him, but shit, there's caves to explore and when Akira flashes that little streak of provocative deviousness, he can't stop himself either. Ann will have to pick up after these rowdy boys and come claim her two idiots. That's how it's been, that's how it'll always be, right?]
WHOA. Hey. Wait up. [He clicks on the magic and now his footprints are illuminated by yellow marks on the ground.
FINALLY... something useful.]
Yeah? Yeah? Whatcha think? Too flashy? Nah, forget it, it's right up your alley. [And onward, deep into the abyss.]
Really? I was kind of hoping to be more of a Ryan Gosling.
[that response comes with a cheeky grin and a wink before Akira takes off. as ever, leave it to him to make sure that Ryuji isn't standing in the embarrassed cold by himself. who doesn't love an American subtitled romantic comedy from time to time!1]
[all that said, Akira doesn't let himself to pull too far ahead of Ryuji, either. instead, he slows to a leisurely walk to allow his best friend to close the distance between them when it looks like he might accidentally be leaving him behind. the yellow footprints practically glow in the darkness, and his expression lights up, both amused and impressed all in one]
Ooooh, clever, Ryuji. [does Joker even know what "too flashy" means? and anyway, at least this way they won't get lost] It's perfect. You're perfect.
[that. . . last part kind of comes out on automatic, pushed into the open by feelings that-- due to recent events-- have been drawn too close to the surface. he's quick to turn away afterwards, to clear his throat and gesture towards the tunnely abyss that lies ahead]
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So when he hears his owns words echoed back at him, the hair on the back of his neck prickle upward, and he's left with that brain numbingly familiar sensation that one of them has said too much, putting everything out there in the open, and that familiarity is something he could wrap himself right the fuck up into, wear it like the most comfy of pajamas.
It's also probably why that upward gaze toward him is met with Ryuji's eyes wandering elsewhere for a moment.]
Y-yeah, dude. Never gonna forget that, for as long as I live.
[Oh, shit, he didn't want to make this feel awkward or anything. Head still tilted downward a bit, his eyes shift upward.]
So what the hell are you still doin' here? Go act out on those dokis. Don't be rude, man. A gentleman thief never makes a girl wait.
no subject
[there are many instincts he's ignoring as soon as Ryuji's gaze flickers away. the instinct to reach out, to clasp his dumb best friend's face in his hands and turn his gaze back to meet an unwavering and firm expression. don't you ever forget that, okay? nobody will ever take that from you. nobody can ever take that from you. the other is to do all of that and more, to rest his forehead against Ryuji's and continuously reaffirm his importance in Akira's life. I love you so fucking much, okay? don't ever think that I don't. please]
[he takes a deep breath. shuts his eyes for a moment, as though he's contemplating something. and in the end? he does none of those things. but he also doesn't just hang back and let that small moment of raw, open insecurity fly by without acknowledgement]
[his eyes fly open again and he's smiling, that same old mischievous smile that is half of Akira's earnestness, and half of Joker's impishness]
What, do you think I'm the protagonist of some kind of romcom?
[his arm slides around Ryuji's shoulders, hand coming up to ruffle his hair, the contact brief but warm. when he pulls away, it's with a bit of reluctance, but he continues his trek down the tunnels. in the, uh. opposite direction of the exit]
She'll still be there. [at least, he's pretty sure she will] Let's keep going until we get hopelessly lost and Ann has to call in a search party for us.
[right now, he's going to dedicate his time to his best friend]
no subject
[OH GOD... he doesn't need to embarrass himself any more than letting slip that he might have... once or twice... watched a few (a lot) of subtitled shitty American romance movies at some point in the past and he sure as hell NEVER CRIED over any of them, but here he is, in that weird rising action moment of life where he kind of feels crushed and can't really piece things together enough to figure out why those lame ass movies always kind of got to him.
And Ryuji's all smiles when Akira gets to ruffling his hair, and he wants to go down with a fight here, but that agility is way too good on his friend's half, and he's off already, delving down deeper into their proposed tunnel spelunking. Total freaking hit and run.
He doesn't let him get too far ahead, either, and it's hard to shake the feeling that he's always running after him, but he doesn't let that get to him either, and soon enough, he's at his side. Loyal, to a fault, puppyish in all his ridiculous mannerisms. He loves Akira a lot, too, in his own way. In an ineffable sort of way that's hard to give any form to. This is Ryuji, after all- he met Akira and accepted that he was going to die in Kamoshida's palace if it meant getting a total stranger to safety, and it's just continued outward that way. He doesn't really care what happens to him, but shit, there's caves to explore and when Akira flashes that little streak of provocative deviousness, he can't stop himself either. Ann will have to pick up after these rowdy boys and come claim her two idiots. That's how it's been, that's how it'll always be, right?]
WHOA. Hey. Wait up. [He clicks on the magic and now his footprints are illuminated by yellow marks on the ground.
FINALLY... something useful.]
Yeah? Yeah? Whatcha think? Too flashy? Nah, forget it, it's right up your alley. [And onward, deep into the abyss.]
no subject
[that response comes with a cheeky grin and a wink before Akira takes off. as ever, leave it to him to make sure that Ryuji isn't standing in the embarrassed cold by himself. who doesn't love an American subtitled romantic comedy from time to time!1]
[all that said, Akira doesn't let himself to pull too far ahead of Ryuji, either. instead, he slows to a leisurely walk to allow his best friend to close the distance between them when it looks like he might accidentally be leaving him behind. the yellow footprints practically glow in the darkness, and his expression lights up, both amused and impressed all in one]
Ooooh, clever, Ryuji. [does Joker even know what "too flashy" means? and anyway, at least this way they won't get lost] It's perfect. You're perfect.
[that. . . last part kind of comes out on automatic, pushed into the open by feelings that-- due to recent events-- have been drawn too close to the surface. he's quick to turn away afterwards, to clear his throat and gesture towards the tunnely abyss that lies ahead]