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]

[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.]

[armanyo]

[ stop fishing!!! god!! ]

We also all don't have amazing yellow scarfs.

[ he's aware of your intentions! joe grins and just does that gay-ass thing where he brushes the bangs out of daichi's face. because that's clearly a good idea. ]

[keeptrucking]

[That's so gay. He raises a considering eyebrow, like yes, his scarf is very stylish thanks for noticing, and... yes, that's good. Good compliment.

He tilts his head just enough to press a kiss to Joe's nose. Or, like, right next to it, but he was aiming for the nose.]

Yeah, I kinda noticed you can't keep your hands off that.

[armanyo]

[ here it comes. ]

Eh. The scarf is really just a socially acceptable extension of you.

[ wow! wow? joe is grinning at the affection though. he's even going to start carding his hands through daichi's hair. ]

[keeptrucking]

Oh. Huh.

[Hmm... Yep, that seems like a very Joe(tm) thing to say, perfectly normal and—]

Waaaait wait wait, you dragging me around like a sack of potatoes is how we met! [surely the rabbit hole is not that deep??]

[armanyo]

[ surely not. ]

Not that first time, nope.

... Every other time, though. The idea kinda stuck.

[ okay so he isn't completely helpless. ]

[keeptrucking]

[That's still pretty hopeless... and real gay? Damn.]

I'll never understand what goes on in that brain of yours. Alright, sure. Just don't strangle me anymore, okay?

[Maybe just touch his hands? That's a socially acceptable part of him!]

[armanyo]

[ it is now that they've sucked face!!

joe chuckles and he's getting close again, lips mere inches from daichi's. ]

Of course. These old hands will never do you harm.

[keeptrucking]

[True... also calling them old hands is a little weird.]

Gee, you're so romantic. [But well, if Joe's going to get up in his space again, he'll just wiggle his arms over his shoulders. Hey.] Everyone's gonna be sooo impressed.

[By Joe's romance? By Daichi dating him? Who can say.]