crowspace | call me out v. 12.0

[Howard is warm, or else he's just making Shuji warm up, or both. Every kiss is better than the last, and Shuji doesn't want to pull away, but-

He manages, reluctant as he is.]

Um. We're in public, so... [Howard would probably die from people-related embarrassment if they were seen making out in a public park. Or Shuji would. Or both of them.]

Maybe my apartment would be better?

Y-yeah...

[Right. That's embarrassing. He is somewhat reluctant to move, but then again making out in front of everyone complete with tentacles coming out of his sleeves? Not a great look.]

I...think that's fine. [It's certainly incredibly more private than this. His tentacles slither off of Shuji, a couple forming back into his hands.] Let's...gather our stuff and go, I suppose. Before people look over at us...

It's not far anyway.

[Shuji packs away their silverware, trash, etc. in the picnic basket, which he carries under an arm.

The other hand slides into one of Howard's. If he'll let him, Shuji will hold his hand all the way to his apartment.]

That's good.

[It feels strange, to suddenly not be kissing the other - what is he thinking? This only just happened? And yet it feels like it's been going on for much longer. (After all, it did feel like his life flashed before his eyes when he saw Shuji get attacked.).]

[His cheeks are red at the gesture, but he doesn't pull away. He holds the other's hand like it's a lifeline.]

[Ah. He couldn't be more happier.]

[Even if they weren't dating, there's no doubt they've been close for some time. And Shuji has kissed him - even if only on the eyes.

Whether they're being ridiculous and going too quickly or not, Shuji couldn't care less. He hums a cheerful tune the entire walk back.

He does let go of Howard's hand then, but only to unlock the door.]

Make yourself at home.

[He'll even hold the door for him like a gentleman.]

[Oh, how polite of him! He's flattered, truly, even if this isn't the first time he's been over to Shuji's apartment.]

[But now it has a different context. It's all changed. He's coming into the apartment of his...boyfriend? Is Shuji his boyfriend, now? Howard trembles as he walks inside.]

[Everything has new meaning now.]

Thank you.

[And he moves to whatever couch or sofa there is, sitting down and just threading his hands together nervously on his lap. This all almost feels like a dream.]

[Everything is different now, even if the motions are the same. Shuji can't deny it. But at the same time-

He sits down next to Howard and reaches for one of his hands again, giving it a reassuring squeeze.]

You don't have to be nervous. It's just me.

[-the more things change, the more they stay the same.]

[He squeezes the hand back - there's a small twitch of his mouth into a very bashful smile as he meets Shuji's eyes briefly. He can feel his face warming up again...]

Of course not. [He lets out a short huff.] You're...always good to me. I know that. I-I won't be nervous. Promise.

That's good.

[He understands why Howard would be nervous, and he wouldn't take it as a personal offense - but Howard doesn't have to be. Shuji'd much prefer if he were comfortable.

He lifts Howard's hand to press a kiss to the back of it. That may not actually help with making him relax, but oh well.]

Edited 2018-10-01 02:16 (UTC)

I just...I honestly didn't imagine this happening. I just thought...I'd be kept with these feelings...

[That's what people do, right?? Stash their romantic feelings back where they'll never be revealed ever??? And yet now it's happening and...oh, Shuji is kissing the back of his hand.]

[His blush gets slightly more intense.]

Oh. T-Thank you, Shuji...

...I thought something like that. That I shouldn't say anything and make things uncomfortable between us.

[So they've both been stashing their feelings away and pined away like idiots.]

I didn't even consider that you might return my feelings.

[It's one thing to have feelings for Shuji, but to hear that Shuji always had feelings for him?? He feels like he could faint.]

I had no idea. [God, they really are idiots. He gains a little courage, leaning in for a brief kiss to the cheek.] I mean, you're one of my best friends, I always thought falling in love would be a little much...but now I see that thought was wrong.

[He gives Dazai's hand another squeeze.]

Goodness...I'm so happy right now.

[why are you holding Dazai's hand, Shuji is so hurt right now]

Me too. [He presses a kiss to one of Howard's cheeks, then mirrors it. He'll never get tired of kissing Howard, he's sure.]

But I think you should be friends with your boyfriend, right?

[He says it a little hesitantly. They haven't actually used the word 'boyfriend' yet.]

[GOSH DARN IT ME I EVEN USED SHUJI'S NAME IN THE SAME TAG!!! WHY]

Of course. [Boyfriend. The word is just...magical. He raises his free hand to the last cheek Shuji kissed.] I couldn't be boyfriends with anyone unless we're...best friends. And you're the nicest, most wonderful person I've just...ever met. I mean it.

[The things Howard does and says are magical. Howard is magical, and this time it has nothing to do with tentacles.]

You're the cutest person I've ever known. [In any life.] There's no one who could be a better boyfriend for me than you.

[the tentacles do help with that one, but they're far from his mind so it doesn't count]

Oh.

[He wants to pinch himself. He really can't be hearing this right now. Him, the cutest person Shuji's ever known??]

I've never dated anyone before, just to let you know, so...I'm sorry if I...don't know how to do things...

[The absolute cutest. Fite him.]

It's alright. All you have to do is be the Howard I fell for, and we'll figure things out from there.

[Shuji can't stop smiling.]

Okay.

[That sounds simple enough. He smiles, before he decides to steal a kiss. Why not? Shuji is right there.]

You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that, you know.

[Stolen kisses are welcome!]

Maybe about as long as I've been waiting to do this?

[He steals one right back.]

[Smooth, Shuji.]

To think...I'll be able to kiss you as much as I want. [Here comes another quick kiss.] That's a real blessing, let me tell you...

[He tries sometimes.]

It still doesn't feel real to me. Let me kiss you more, maybe that will help.

[Another kiss, wow, it's like he wanted to kiss him anyway?]

I think that will help a lot.

[He raises his free hand to cup over Shuji's face, smiling into the kiss with a low, pleased sigh. He kisses Shuji sweetly, closing his eyes as he does so. Without the threat of people looking over, he feels at peace. Happy.]

[This is truly where he's meant to be.]

[Moving to be in private was absolutely a good idea. They can relax here, kiss slowly and sweetly without worrying about being seen and the embarrassment that comes with that.

Shuji scoots closer to Howard to make it easier to lean into his kiss, until his thigh bumps against Howard's. That's as close as he can get without being on his lap, which would definitely make Howard nervous again.

He murmurs against Howard's lips without pulling away.]

I love you.

I love you too.

[It's a warm, gentle feeling that he feels come over him, like someone has gone and wrapped him up in a blanket to keep him from the cold. His nervousness is melting away like snow. He cherishes each and every kiss, mumbling something about Shuji being beautiful as he continues to plant kiss after kiss on his lips.]

[It feels like being home... Which is sort of ridiculous to think, given that he is home right home. But that's the emotion kissing Howard gives him.

He runs his hands through Howard's hair. It's right there and there's a lot of it, and Shuji has never been able to resist playing with it when given the chance.]

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