i have cut to the feeling on repeat

[keeptrucking]

[Scene: two losers go to a shopping mall, because Daichi was wandering around looking disappointed in himself yet again and Joe has Better Ideas Than That. Daichi can't remember if he was actually asked if he wanted to be here, or if he was simply dragged along for the ride again and couldn't refuse once they were already at the mall. Joe just happens so much at once, despite all of Daichi's half-hearted complaining, so... here they are.

At the mall. Daichi is, at least, not sulking about whatever he was feeling inadequate about before. Instead:]

Man, my feet hurt... [Here, he affects his best (worst) Joe Voice:] Let's go shopping, Daichi! It'll be fun! —It's been nearly three hours and all we have to show for it is one magazine. C'mon, you could have done this without me.

[This menace... Why is he here, Joe? Why??]

Comments

[keeptrucking]

[You hush and let him hold hands, Akie. Of course the dweeb who champions taking the "everybody is best friends forever and nobody fights" option is a big sap. But, ah—breathing. Daichi blinks his eyes open and then blinks at Joe a few more times, a fresh flush of pink rising in his face because... yeah? Just because.

After a moment he loosens his intense grip on Joe's shirt, but doesn't pull his hand away just yet. Hmm.]

I... [what is it, is it adult words] I think you swooned before I did.

[hm, so no.]

[armanyo]

My ace is still up my sleeve.

[ but he's not refuting the fact that he sort of swooned. the buildup to all of this had been surreal and the fact it was mutual was all the better. so sue an adult for swooning so easily. ]

I'll surprise you when you least expect.

[ nose boop activated! ]

[keeptrucking]

Oh yeah? Are you sure you weren't totally surprised by my raw sex appeal?

[Kiss him a few times and he acts like this... But he makes a face at that nose boop and there goes his stupid attitude, withering back down into the usual doofus.

Buuuut stupid overconfidence or not, he's still happy, so enjoy a definitely affectionate hand squeeze now.]

[armanyo]

Raw sex appeal.

[ he's repeating it for the absurdity. but joe just grins, unabashedly fond, and he makes a bit of a show of tilting his head so he can press butterfly kisses to daichi's neck.

there you jerk. try and sputter your way through that! ]

[keeptrucking]

[Raw sex appeal!! He's not taking it back and he's about to say as much when kisses take priority. He does sputter, but this time there's more of a laugh in it. You big dork, stop that—]

Heeey, come on! You were into it a second ago!

[armanyo]

Ehhhhh, was I?

[ he completely was. he entirely was. but he presses warmer, lazy kisses to daichi's neck and jaw now. ]

Must have forgotten already.

[keeptrucking]

[This guy... If this wasn't the very first time Daichi got decorated with adorable kisses, it totally wouldn't work, but lucky Joe. It's working. He makes a passing effort at grumbling about it anyway, even as he shifts his hand over Joe's to thread their fingers together instead. Hmph, rude, hmph.]

Dude... you're a jerk.

[armanyo]

Short term memory loss.

[ he says it with such authority! but there's a chuckle and he finally stops his barrage of affection - it's almost amazing how easy it is to flip a switch some awkward no homo to unabridged affection. ]

You'll just have to keep reminding me, Dai.

[keeptrucking]

[It was always a little homo, Joe.]

Man, now you're making it sound like work. [Is he? No, but.

Daichi tilts his head to press a kiss to his forehead. There!!]

[armanyo]

[ that isn't sex appeal. and it's not raw either.

but joe accepts it with a grin tugging up onto his face. ]

Ahhhh, what's that saying? All's fair in love and war.

[keeptrucking]

[Hey, shut up?? He'll be sexy some other time. Now then, in the realm of adult words...]

So, uh... if somebody besides me asked you about, y'know, this, and they were definitely not me so they totally didn't know at all, what would you say? To them? Remember: not somebody here right now.

[He's gotta know when to update his social media with the Relationship.]

[armanyo]

[ the hell kind of convulted question is that? is he asking to tell hibiki they made out on the couch? ]

Uh? Rephrase please?

[ he looks confused please send help. ]

[keeptrucking]

[NO DON'T DO THAT JESUS]

Seriously? I thought that was pretty clear.

[He really did. He supposes for his poor, confused probably-boyfriend-but-he-has-to-be-sure, he can rephrase.]

We're going out now, right? Liiike, that was the plan? No "surprise, Daichi, it was a funny joke"?

[armanyo]

[ that is so much clearer thank you. ]

Oh.

[ he clasps his chin and for .002 seconds he looks thoughtful. but he breaks character with a grin. ]

Yup. If that's what you kids call it nowadays.

[keeptrucking]

[This idiot... that was definitely none of his fault and all Joe's. He kind of slumps, relieved and exasperated at once. This is his life now.]

What else are you supposed to call it...?

[thrill him with your lingo, old man.]

[armanyo]

A relationship. Going steady is too old, even for me.

[ joe you aren't old please shut up.

but there, suspicions confirmed, daichi. hit that relationship status button. ]

[keeptrucking]

[Nice, get off him so he can get to his phone— no, no. Later. Maybe, when he's ready for other people to Know.]

Okay, but if I said "are we in a relationship" then I'd sound like a robot, so I like mine better.

[He makes sure to say that bit as robotically as possibly, know this. He's a real catch, Joe.]

[armanyo]

[ you're the best catch.

joe chuckles and then pinches daichi's cheek. ]

'kay, well, keep telling yourself that. I won't stop you.

[keeptrucking]

[This is rude...]

I can tell when you're making fun of me, you know. [grumble mumble why does he like you, you suck!!

He's quiet for a moment, thinking - something sappy, evidently, if the next thing he says (to the back of the couch, since he turns his head, embarrassed) is any indication-] Thanks... for giving me a chance.

[armanyo]

[ that's one of the sweetest things joe has ever heard. especially from daichi.

now it's his turn to be rightfully embarrassed, flicking his gaze away to the fries. that's what you do in these situations. you just look at the fries. ]

Huh? Give you a chance?

[keeptrucking]

[Oh good, Joe got the memo about not making eye contact for this part. Even as close as they are right now, and after everything they've been through together—you know, with everyone else, but still... well feelings are hard, okay. Daichi shrugs a little, chewing his lip before he tries to explain without being too down on himself.]

I just mean... the coolest thing I've got going for me is a used car, y'know? And the rest of you guys...

[when ur the least cool friend in the group... does community service make him hot?? it's all a mystery.]

[armanyo]

[ community service. if it's at a soup kitchen those old ladies probably are super into him. yikes. ]

What? [ joe looks back, betraying the unspoken taboo on eye-contact. his gaze is searching this time, doused with confusion. ]

Nah. You're far cooler than K-man and Ronnie, at the very least.

[ now comes the compliment portion of the evening. ]

[keeptrucking]

[Look at him, he's cute as a button. No wonder Joe and other elderly folk are into them big ol' eyes. Now, throwing the other pals under the bus to compliment him is unconventional... but that doesn't mean it's not working. Damn it, Daichi.]

Y-you think so? Really? I mean, Ronaldo's a cop... [that's like. cool as shit??]

[armanyo]

Yeah, but did he drive a truck into a star? Doubt it.

[ here, have an unconventional kiss to the cheek! ]

[keeptrucking]

[Stop, he's blushing again. Like a dang fool.]

I mean, yeah, that was a pre-tty cool thing no one else could have pulled off... without a license and the same idea as me... Well, that's only one thing! Most of you guys do loads of awesome stuff!

["Most of," so like, probably not Jungo no offense luv ya buddy - anyway, he's totally fishing.]