I will grow my own trees while you follow the moon

[thesettingsun]

it's a john/shuji catchall post

Comments

magic mistletoe prompt

[thesettingsun]

[Mistletoe that you couldn't escape from underneath unless you kissed the person who got caught with you was pretty on-brand for Retrospec. It didn't mean Shuji had to like it.

This was his fault. He hadn't been looking up as much as he should have, or he would have warned John that he was standing underneath mistletoe, instead of approaching him and-]

I-I'm so sorry, I should have been more careful, I didn't mean to... um...

[Get stuck underneath mistletoe with John. His face is red enough to say that he definitely knows how they have to proceed from here.]

[vitis]

[ this goddamn mistletoe. and john knows, too, having already tried in another insteance to work his vines on the tenacious plant: it didn't work. retrospec, go figure.

but now they're trapped- at least his face isn't red, as shuji's is. poor guy: he should probably be the one apologizing here. john's hand moves upward to rub at the back of his neck as he manages a smile. it probably isn't as convincing as his usual ones. ]

... Not your fault, and it's not a big deal anythin'.

[ it's sort of a big deal?? maybe ]

Wanna get this over with, yeah?

[thesettingsun]

It's a big deal! If it was a total stranger it'd just be annoying, but-

[But John is important to him, even if he's mostly thought of that in the sense of 'as a friend' and not 'as someone who if I ever kiss I want it to be a good kiss'. It's true, now that he's had reason to think about it that way.]

I mean... If you want to just get it over with, that's probably a good idea...

[vitis]

[ well- that's not wrong. kisses between platonic friends can probably make things at least a little bit awkward? maybe it is like that. john's definitely misconstruing that response.

then he nods. and he places his hands on shuji's shoulders, like they're about to quietly conspire over the football game of the century and not just a sURELY, 100% PLATONIC KISS between two bros. his eyebrows raise slightly. ]

You ready?

[ just checking, you know. ]

'this is the weirdest boner I've ever gotten'

[thesettingsun]

[Not everything changes once you start dating your close friend. Sure, a lot of things do - they kiss more, obviously, and Shuji's more openly affectionate with him, both verbally and physically.

The sex had taken a while to work up to for both of them, but Shuji's always enthusiastic, if easily embarrassed and easily teased. And certainly willing to please.

But not everything is different. Some things are the same as before they got together. Like Shuji finding John practicing with his vines at the edge of the woods, and greeting him with a smile.]

Hard at work as always?

[He idly runs his fingers over the nearest vine to him, rubbing a thumb over the tip. That's normal - he usually plays with John's vines when they're out, often without noticing. It's maybe a little silly, but it's nothing strange.

This is just the first time he's done it since they've gotten together.]

Re: 'this is the weirdest boner I've ever gotten' :") LMFAO

[vitis]

[ john, as engrossed in the connection as he is with the sounds and sensations of the forest (trying to do it like steinbeck does, he won't admit), the question only just elicits a nod and a half-smile. admittedly, it's somewhat difficult to be hard at "work" with shuji around; he's too welcome a distraction.

except, you know, when the concentration's lost. he feels the unexpected warmth (not entirely unexpected, as shuji had always been comfortable and fine with touching the grapevines, to john's contentment, but- it's s different now) of him dragging his thumb over the smoothness of a pliant vine.

it draws a nigh-imperceptible shiver from john, and he pretty much instantly loses the creature he'd been tracking. ]

[ ... well, then. ]

[ looking over, and spoken lightly: ]

You're a lil' distracting, y'know. [ he deliberates this. ] ... I mean, not in a bad way.

[thesettingsun]

Sorry, sorry.

[Shuji's only a little apologetic. He knows John isn't actually annoyed at him for disrupting his concentration.

Even if he doesn't yet realize that the cause isn't just his presence in general, but him continuing to rub John's vine, stroking over a few inches of the plant.]

Maybe you should take a break now that I'm here?

[vitis]

[ oh shuji, shuji. john- almost has to laugh at how hilariously ironic this is: one) that seemingly innocent stroking, and 2) that question posed as if john has a choice at this point.

the vine reacts to shuji's touches by lightly curling to his hand, intertwining itself between his fingers. and john severs his connection to the tree he'd shared his senses with; he takes the few steps necessary to be within a more comfortable distance. as a better greeting, he leans forward to peck a kiss to the corner of shuji's mouth (his lips are a little chapped, shuji might've told him to use chapstick at some point but alas), straightening to rest a hand against his boyfriend's hip.

he arcs an eyebrow, followed by a sincere question: ]

You don't know that I can feel that?

[ ... and honestly, he wouldn't be surprised at either a yes or no. ]

h/c smut, tw: it's another suicide memory

[thesettingsun]

[It doesn't have to be an emergency to bother John, Shuji reminds himself. And as horrible as he feels after yet another memory of trying to kill himself - pills this time, congratulations on the variety, Dazai - it's not an emergency.

He texts John a quick message of 'can I come over' and, upon receiving a yes, makes his way to John's apartment. He rings the doorbell, and barely a second after John opens the door he hugs him tightly.]

...Sorry. I just couldn't be alone...

[vitis]

[ --would retrospec ever cut shuji a break on those memories? but wondering about the woulds and coulds can be shelved for another day; john feels shuji hold him in an embrace, and immediately he returns the gesture, wrapping his arms around his waist. ]

[ ... but, shuji. he feels his heart thrum, as it does when they're this close-- as they have been many times. although shuji's hair doesn't quite reach his shoulders, he sweeps his fingers through it anyway, fingers brushing against his neck in what's meant to be an affectionate gesture. ]

It's a good thing you don't have to be, yeah?

[ his hold briefly tightens, then to relinquish slightly. he pulls away to try to look shuji in the eyes, trying to get a read on his expression. he bites the side of his tongue a moment, thinking of what to say as he takes a breath to steady himself. ]

You don't have to apologize, either... Doesn't have to be an emergency, can be whenever you'd like.

[thesettingsun]

Thank you. I'm lucky to have you.

[As a friend, he means, but surely it goes without saying. John's hands are warm on his skin, and it makes Shuji smile, if only weakly.]

I need to come over more often when I'm not upset, but if I came here as often as I wanted to I'd have to just move in with you.

[That's not a strange thing to say.]

Can we just sit on the couch for a while?

[vitis]

Couldn't complain, 'specially if you'd split the rent.

[ also #joking. probably. ]

[ john's glad for the smile, even if it is weak. it's something to hold onto. a likewise careful smile lights john's face.

in response to his question, he slips his hand down to shuji's, twining his fingers with his (also not strange! but he figures he can get away with it if it's only for a few seconds), leading him over to the sofa. he lets go again to plop down into the corner of it. ]

If you wanna talk any, either, I'm all ears. [ for john himself, it's hell for him to rehash the details. so that's not precisely what he means with talking, but... ] If you think that'd help.

clotheswap

[vitis]

[ so.

this is an interesting predicament, and definitely not one john foresaw happening today. but that's recolle for you. everything feels.. heavier. tighter. absurdly expensive, and like there's a tie tied straight-up around his neck. like he has some holster for a book wound around his thigh.

it's familiar... looking, but definitely not anything that john would choose for himself.

they're in some cheap restaurant (john's splurging, apparently), and last he'd seen shuji - he'd excused himself to the bathroom. so, floral-printed cape weighing behind him, john enters the uncrowded restroom. tentatively, ]

Yo, Shuji...?

[ where art thou ]

Reckon there might've been one of those - glitches.

[thesettingsun]

[Let's be real, Shuji was going to pick up the bill for both of them.

A moment after John calls out, a tentative answer:]

H-hey...

[That sure is Shuji's voice coming from inside a restroom stall. He surely couldn't be hiding in there.]

I noticed. Um, I think I have - something of yours?

[And his response to that had been to lock himself inside a restroom stall, because Shuji has never willingly worn denim overalls in his life and never will.]

[vitis]

[ thank u daddi ]

[ ... ohhhh boy ]

[ it doesn't take a genius to figure this one out. he knows how shuji feels about... things of his. john holds back a sigh, slipping into the stall next to shuji's. he taps his knuckles against its wall. ]

Well, let's swap back, then. ... C'mon, just slip it under the stall and I'll start with your vest.

[ bless john's heart, thinking the solution so simple! ]

[thesettingsun]

[if you make another daddy joke about shuji I will be legally obligated to ask if john's into that

The answer comes way too quickly for Shuji to not have already tried that:] It won't come off.

[The overalls are bad, but maybe he could have finicked with it until they just looked like jeans on first glance... if any of these clothes would get off his body.

Hopefully he doesn't actually have to use the toilet anytime soon.]

christmas boop

[vitis]

[ john's... fairly certain things can't get better than this.

well, they could, if only his family were here. but in recolle? no way could it be much better. sharing a comforter and snuggled with shuji on a loveseat, snow falling outside the window, a miniature christmas tree - lit up all pretty and colorful, garnished with some ornaments they'd decorated together - a flame crackling in the fireplace. shuji probably has some book set off to the side, john's got a plate of cookies nearby. ... and he probably got some crumbs on their comforter from snacking on one earlier, oops.

but it's a warm, gentle atmosphere, and his heart's swelled with joy. and he knows his family's safe and warm, too, having received photos by mail for the holidays. it's... well, he's sure shuji would say this sort of nice thing is just simply something he deserves. ]

Okay -

[ there's a note of amusement to his tone. ]

... What're you confused 'bout, again?

[thesettingsun]

[In realistic terms, there's nothing better than cuddling with your boyfriend under a warm blanket with a plate of cookies nearby and a lit fireplace. Their Christmas tree is shiny and even if Shuji isn't particularly experienced with Christmas trees, he's pretty sure this is the best one. Ever.

Of course it's what John deserves.]

Too many things, but I guess the first is why people watch a fireplace on the television.

[What is the Yule Log for, even.]

[vitis]

[ oh, what. that gets john grinning more fully. he takes shuji hand with his, lacing their fingers together (free of crumbs!) and rests them atop their blanket. ]

Well, I dunno 'bout watchin' a fireplace on the television, never quite tried that one with the folks. [ his eyebrows raise minutely. ] But it's somethin' 'bout celebration of the sun's rising each year. Not all Christians participate in it, obviously, but you're meant to talk 'bout what you're thankful for with each other.

[ this is.. a summary of a summary, really, but john figures it's the gist. ]

and to think we were only talking about kosher laws

[thesettingsun]

[A lot of time has passed since that day that John first showed him his vines. They've had more changes, some equally weird.

Shuji has been sighing about some of his changes, especially the ink healing. While it's convenient, it tastes godawful, to the point where eating John's horrible grapes wouldn't even cause a reaction in him anymore.

John, naturally, called bullshit on this. And Shuji offered to prove it right there in John's living room.

Cue the vines. And since Shuji is showing off, he decides he's not even going to pick the grape off the vine first. Nope, he just selects a promising-looking grape, lifts it to his mouth, and wraps his lips around it, sucking to make sure he gets the full flavor experience.

...It's still pretty awful, but not worse than ink, and he's had to learn to swallow that.]

vore: the vorening

[vitis]

[ what the - ]

[ no, john had absolutely called bullshit on that, naturally overestimating the undesirability of his grapes when it came to the silliness of this competition. still, he expected this: shuji plucks the grape from the vine. shuji gags on it. shuji's proved wrong.

instead: shuji leaves the grape on the vine. shuji basically tongues the thing, and then sucks. john would have laughed if he hadn't been proven so... wrong. that, and of course his mind had cannonballed right into the gutter, startling him from a proper train of thought. ]

All right, all right -- [ the vines shift with a shimmering of leaves. ] I got'cha, ink's worse than Grapes of Wrath, whatever.

john: THIS is the weirdest boner I've ever gotten

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji releases the grape from his mouth with a wet pop, looking a tiny bit smug over his resounding success.]

Told you. I could do this all day if you let me.

['This' being orally stimulate John's grapes, apparently.]

tlfn

[vitis]

1. used my jumper cables as a bottle opener last night.
really pleased with my problem solving skills.

2. come home. i’m drinking and playing with knives

3. at some point i ended up changing her contact in my phone to "O Great Potato."

4. ( text him! )

2

[thesettingsun]

Do you want me to come over and take the knives away from you or come over and watch you do knife tricks?

[vitis]

[..]

well i DO know some pretty cool knife tricks
so. that