[ The video call is clearly from like, underneath a table or something. There's a table cloth in the background and some legs and Taichi has a plate of food on his lap. He's taking a break because he really wants to nail impressing this one particular theater guy to try to get a foot in the door at a theater he wants to perform at, except Taichi's not actually that great at networking.
But Hikaru is, he's sure of it, so he's hidden himself to ask for advice. And he had food, so he couldn't hide in the bathroom, that would be gross. Little does he know that this is actually a super high-end party and he's got the infamous Lord of Scilly melon slice on his plate, worth about $100 just for the slice alone. He's gotten himself in deep and he's not even aware of it.
He whispers once Hikaru picks up. ]
Hikaru, I'm at a charity event and the owner of the theater I'm trying to get into is here. Do you have any advice? I really want to nail this.
[Hikaru's just taken a shower and you know what the biggest struggle is? Not having the right tools to blowdry your hair. So he's letting it airdry which is a struggle because he can't go to sleep until it's dry but proper hair care is worth the work.
He's busy sketching out millions of ideas he has and if it were anybody but Taichi he would ignore the call. But it's Taichi so he answers.
And sees Taichi under a table and what? Like actually this seems like a very taichi thing to do but also what? Taichi has his full attention now as he puts his pencil down. A charity event? The owner of the theater...? Hikaru's a rich bastard and knows what this means.
Oh. Taichi. You fool.]
For starters, hiding under a table and just crawling out from under it isn't going to win you any points. What are you doing?
Don't worry, the end of the table is at a corner, I can sneak around it and come back out standing. I couldn't take my food in the bathroom though and it seemed like a bad mood to make a call for advice in the middle of an event.
[ He needed to look like he belonged there so he didn't get kicked out, you know? In fact, it's notable that Taichi is in a suit even-- gray with a pink bowtie, properly ironed and sized and everything. You'd be surprised what you can trade to fairies and apparently tickets to his debut performance would cut it after a decent street act.
He turns the camera to show him his plate of food though- melon has a couple bites out of it but ultimately unfinished. There are a couple of skewers where the bacon-wrapped shrimp once were, because Taichi is a foolish meat lover. ]
[At least Taichi is dressed for the part which Hikaru expects at this point.] You look good. Try not to pick up any girls on your way to impressing this guy because then I'll definitely be sad. [Flustering Taichi isn't really going to help but Hikaru just likes to fluster him for the sake of doing so.
He's going to offer some real advice, opening his mouth to do so before he sees the food. More specifically, the melon.
If this is a nice party then that's...]
Hey, that melon? Is that a Lord of Scilly melon...? [Ever since he'd asked for a yubari king, he'd found out about its equivalent here and found out it was stupidly expensive. So much so that Hikaru doesn't know when he'll be able to get it and for a boy who's never known not being able to afford something? He wants that stupid melon just for the sake of having it.]
Completely monotone:] It tastes weird. "Weird" how?
[Maybe Hikaru should be doing his job and focusing on the advice Taichi asked for but right now he's completely distracted by the fact that Taichi is eating a Lord of Scilly melon and just said it tasted weird.]
Hm.. like it's heavier I guess? The juice is thicker! I've been eating all the meat, I wanted something light to lift me up but it's too much.
[ It's decadent, is the word he's looking for, but it's not coming to his mind. He'd probably like it more if he were just eating just the melon alone but on top of the meat.. ]
Is it special? I can wrap one up in a napkin for you.
Don't do that! It'll dry it out! [Taichi, that is a $100 slice of melon you got there. It's times like these that Hikaru is reminded just how different they are when it comes to their class. Geesh.
But then he wonders if that was too loud? Man, they shouldn't be videochatting if Hikaru's supposed to be giving him advice. They should switch to text so he sighs.] You're so hopeless~ I guess this is how we break up. Bye bye, Taichi-senpai.
[Hikaru doesn't think at all how all of that might come across as he hangs up. Yelling and then calling him hopeless and then saying this would be how they break up before just hanging up. It's really rude actually. But Hikaru does plan to just move this conversation to text so nobody hears them but then Yoshiha is making a mess and Hikaru has to stop her before he can even get back to their talk.
[ The tone is something Taichi does, in fact, interpret as a bad joke at first. There's no way that Hikaru would break up with him so nonchalantly after everything, he's clearly just being a dumbass about the melon and Hikaru is being the rich snot he is sometimes (and Taichi finds much cuter in person).
Except then the silence goes on. He texts "Hikaru!! ｡･ﾟﾟ*(>д<)*ﾟﾟ･｡" almost immediately after he gets hung up on, and stays under the table waiting for a response. Time ticks on, and every second longer the silence stretches the more Taichi thinks maybe he actually did something really bad.
He sets the plate on the floor next to him. He doesn't know what to do. He screwed up so bad.. he doesn't even want to eat the food that started all this anymore because it's tainted now. Ahh, did he really screw up? He really screwed up. He doesn't want to be dumped. Hikaru isn't responding. He can't stay under the table forever, and if he misses this opportunity he's going to have no boyfriend and no chance at the job he wants.
Taichi has half a mind to just go run over to Hikaru's place to beg him for forgiveness, but he's not ready to give up on his dreams. This could be his only chance. There's no Mankai Company here ready to hire anyone in a Hail Mary to save the theater, so he has to create his own chance, and really hope this person isn't a Reni 2.0. He's managed to act like he belongs all night long except before wanting advice from Hikaru because despite Hikaru's penchant for jokes, he very much values his advice and wisdom when it comes to dealing with people from a different class.
He fires off one more text before trying to shove it down and focus.
I'm sorry, okay? Please give me a chance to make it up to you! Don't dump me yet! I promise I'm not hopeless! I'm going to come over tonight but I can't give up here yet. Please don't give up on me.
Taichi puts his phone on silent and tries to focus for now, though he does come up with the stupidest plan. He's not manipulative or sneaky really, so while he does act his way through a few conversations, when he gets to the guy he wants to talk to he is very upfront with him: He used his acting to sneak into this party and hasn't been kicked out even though he's super distracted that he may have just been dumped; he'd like a chance to prove he can do the same on stage, and also your melons are lovely. (Because apparently this melon is a big deal?) They chat for a bit and Taichi still doesn't know how things are going to go, but he was told the day after next that he had to show up for an audition, and that he'd send him the audition piece in his email tonight. Which means he had one day to prep a role and Taichi's got anxiety about that but he can pull it off if he visits Hikaru and then doesn't sleep for the next day for practice.
He thanks the guy, then heads over to where he got the melon from and asks if he can have some to-go. Naturally, he's told no. So he asks if he can have just a melon ball on an appetizer skewer and he orders a sparkling water from one of the people wandering around. He quickly drinks the water, then puts the melon ball in the flute glass, and sneaks the flute glass into his inner jacket pocket.
This should protect the melon ball without drying it out!! He just has to be careful!
And so Taichi sets out once he's ready to Hikaru and Kaoru's place, careful the entire way there to protect the melon ball. He makes it all the way to the door in the inn hallway, and he takes it out of his jacket in preparation for knocking on the door. In that exact moment, one of the fellow inn guests bumps into him from behind, and the glass and melon ball go flying out of his hand and shatter on the floor in front of the Hitachiin's door.
Taichi has half a mind to just lie down next to the corpse of the now glass-covered Lord of Scilly melon ball. The guy who bumped into him apologizes and says he'll go get someone to clean it up and Taichi faces the door, thumping his forehead against it in basically a faceplant against the door with a soft whine in his throat. It's not intended as a knock yet, as he's trying to figure out what to do, but between that and the sound of the shattered glass it's probably at least enough to alert the occupant that someone is at the door. ]
[By the time Hikaru is returning to his device, he's frowning at Yoshiha because that took way too long. The kitsune had first thought it was a good idea to knock over his drink and then had thought it was a good idea to play tug of war with his sketchbook. Taichi had wanted his help and Yoshiha had chosen right then to be a brat. Stupid fox.
But then when he gets back to his device and sees the messages, there's a look of absolute horror coming over his face. He messed up and he messed up bad. It's a flurry of text messages after that.]
TAICHI I DIDN'T WANT TO SERIOUSLY BREAK UP. IT WAS A JOKE. SERIOUSLY IT WAS A JOKE. WHY WOULD I WANT TO BREAK UP OVER THAT?
[Taichi doesn't say anything and logically it just makes sense that he probably turned his phone on silent but Hikaru's not thinking logically. He's thinking about the fact that he was an idiot and told his boyfriend he wanted to break up over a stupid melon when Taichi was doing something really important to him. Taichi was trying to follow his dreams and what if Hikaru had made a mess of the night for him? He feels like crap.]
taichi im really sorry it was a stupid joke and i wasn't even thinking about it. i thought it was obviously a joke??? i only hung up on you because i thought maybe we were being too loud so i was going to text you but then yoshiha knocked my drink over and then started messing with my sketchbook but i was going to text you RIGHT AFTER SERIOUSLY
[Taichi said he was coming over after the party so he doesn't need to text all of this but he keeps texting how sorry he is and how much he's hoping the night is going okay and he's hoping for the best. There's at least twenty messages waiting for Taichi before Hikaru's wailing at Kaoru about how dumb he was. They just started dating after everything that happened. They hadn't even gone on their first date yet or made it to a month! How did he mess up this quickly?! This is why there shouldn't be two idiots in a relationship.
By the time Taichi's at his room, Hikaru has paced the room a dozen times, ranted to Kaoru about how stupid he was, texted anybody else that would listen, screamed into his pillow, and told Yoshiha he was going to make a coat out of her (which only resulted in her yawning and going to sleep like the pest she was). It's been an emotional rollercoaster when he hears the glass crashing. That does bring him out of his fit as he wonders what the hell that was until he hears the banging on the door, light and soft but there. Hikaru rushes to the door to open it with a cry of:] Taichi?!
[And seeing it's him, he falls down to hug him and cling at him desperately.] I didn't want to break up! It was just a bad joke and I'm sorry and I wouldn't break up with you over a friggin' melon!
[Hikaru hasn't been this emotional since he left Prismatica.]
[ When Hikaru comes rushing out for him, hugging him, the emotions pour out easily and he clings back. ]
Hikaru, I was so confused! I thought you were joking and then you didn't text back for like an eternity and I had to go and--
[ Before panicking because Hikaru probably doesn't have shoes on?? ]
Careful, there's glass!
[ ...Taichi tries to squeeze him to lift him up but it is obviously like, the world's most pathetic effort. His arms aren't thick enough to properly lift him. ]
[Taichi's not mad at him which is good. He'd figured he wouldn't be. It seems like it would probably take a lot to make Taichi mad at him and maybe that's something to think about later but right now, Hikaru would rather just be happy they're okay.
He's about to explain what happened when Taichi panics about the glass and then is trying to lift him. Hikaru's a twig, absolutely stick thin, but Taichi's shorter and Hikaru's still over 100lbs. It's no surprise it doesn't work and Hikaru's scrambling to also back up because of the glass. Unfortunately in this disaster, he ends up stepping on a stray shard that had been in the threshold.]
Ow, shit! [Now hopping on one foot, he's trying to back them up into his apartment but that's a hard way to keep balance so he ends up falling. If Taichi falls with him then this will be the third time they've fallen together with Taichi on top.]
[ Taichi isn't quite sure how he's managed to cause disaster after disaster tonight, but he's pretty sure it's his fault. It goes from Taichi not appreciating melon to accidentally breaking the glass after transporting the melon the whole way to the inn to being too weak to prevent Hikaru from accidentally stepping on glass to Hikaru falling backward with Taichi's on top of him, and Taichi's weight on top of him probably sucks just as bad as falling. Nevermind that Hikaru could definitely have just let go of Taichi or put a hand on his shoulder for balance and walked forward...
He just stays where he is on top of him for a moment, disoriented by what just happened and scolding himself for definitely having inappropriate thoughts for a moment, especially when he finally sits up and leans back so his back side is over Hikaru's-- god, why is pajama fabric so much thinner than regular fabric!? (Or maybe it's the active imagination of a teenage boy, who knows.)
Taichi flushes and panicks and gets off in only a few seconds once his brain reboots. ]
D-.. [ His voice fails the first time, and he ends up stuttering. ] Don't move, I-I'll get you a bandage! Just stay there! Ahh, stupid melon..!
[ Taichi gets up and hurriedly tries to find the bathroom, where he assumes even rich people keep their bandaids in the medicine cabinet.. ]
[Taichi's not the only one who's having lewd thoughts and Hikaru doesn't understand how this night ended up like this. Taichi thinks it's his fault but it's definitely Hikaru's for thinking that joking about breaking up was a good idea! He's still mad at himself about that.
Hikaru's mind had frozen when he felt Taichi's ass on him and Hikaru was considering wearing underwear to bed from now on when Taichi finally moves away and rushes off to find bandaids which he will find. Hikaru covers his face, flustered and groaning.]
Stupid melon.
[Yoshiha has woken up from this chaos and is trotting over to Hikaru, grinning down at him. He looks up at her.] Stupid you.
[ While Taichi is in the bathroom, taking a little longer than he definitely needs to to find a bandaid to try to clear his head, an inn employee finally comes by. She pretty much ignores Hikaru despite the door still being wide open and just starts sweeping up the mess, though is complaining under her breath about why anyone was carrying snacks in a glass at this hour. Kids these days...
Taichi meanwhile, is running some cold water in the sink for a moment. He can just say he wanted to wash his hands so Hikaru didn't get infected, or... O-Oh, a rag, so he can clean up the blood, yeah. Definitely not just trying to splash his face and clear his thoughts with the power of cold water.
..It seems to work at least somewhat though, because before he even finds the bandaids he looks himself in the mirror. ]
You're a healer, dummy.
[ What does he even need bandaids for.....
Taichi comes back out after this realization, with a washcloth he found and dampened since he can't heal any mess away, and comes back out to kneel down next to Hikaru. ]
Hehe, I'm kind of dumb sometimes.. I forgot I don't need bandaids. Hold still, okay? I'm gonna clean it so I can see what I'm doing.
[ He moves to get on his knees down at Hikaru's feet, waiting to make sure he's okay with it (and.. Yoshiha is okay with it because he's kinda nervous about her still). ]
[The staff ignores Hikaru but what she's saying doesn't pass his notice. He sits up and looks, sees the melon ball, and frowns. Taichi had tried to get him the stupid melon. Why he put it in a glass, Hikaru didn't know but he wasn't focusing on that bit. Ugh, Taichi does things like this that just remind him how much he absolutely likes him and right now it's overwhelming him.
When Taichi does return, Hikaru looks up at him and laughs.] I guess I was dumb, too. I didn't think of that either. [He was kind of distracted but he only holds his foot up, giving it over to Taichi. It seems like he should stay quiet as Taichi does his thing. Hikaru's got no idea how much concentration it takes but he figures he can stay quiet for this time at least.]
[ Taichi's used to it being noisy. Living in a dorm with 26 other people (including Kamekichi) plus visitors meant that his life was always kind of noisy. Even back home, his younger brother and sister weren't quiet. Taichi isn't quiet himself to most people, but he's actually quite capable of it when it feels natural to him.
Right now, it does. He's calmed himself down and Hikaru seems happy now, which is a good sight. Taichi carefully puts a hand on Hikaru's ankle for support and uses his right hand to hold the towel, cleaning it up as gently as he can until he can clearly see the cut.
This is it. This is his chance to really sweep Hikaru off of his feet, right? Like in those shoujo manga Muku's always trying to get everyone to read with him! Hmm... Well, he at least knows that Hikaru's foot is, for sure, clean right now. So Taichi, with all the determination of a boy who wants to be popular but hasn't quite figured it out, decides that the course of action is to kiss his injury. That's definitely a thing!
Of course, he uses his magic quickly on Hikaru before he leans in to do it, kissing the spot very softly that it was as the last of it heals up. ]
[It works. Hikaru doesn't even know how something this corny works on him but maybe it's just because it's Taichi and he's trying so hard. A long time ago, Hikaru had called him desperate and maybe Taichi is desperate but Hikaru doesn't really think of that word anymore when it comes to him. Taichi is just earnest and he tries so hard and Hikaru likes that about him. So maybe that's why it works. Hikaru doesn't know but he's blushing and can't look Taichi in the eye for a moment.]
Thanks. [He knows he should explain wtf happened tonight so he tries, finally sighing and looking up at him again.] Hey, about earlier? I hung up because I just thought maybe the video chat was loud [but he should have said that] and then Yoshiha knocked my water over? Then she decided to play with my sketchbook. [He points over at the torn sketchbook sitting sadly on the floor and Yoshiha goes over to it and picks it up in her mouth, trotting off with it under the bed. You can hear the shredding of paper but that's a tomorrow problem because Hikaru doesn't have the energy to deal with that right now. Not like the sketchbook had been saveable anyway.] Freakin' witch. I swear she's just like that woman...[He means his grandmother but that's neither here nor there.] Anyway, it was a stupid joke. I wasn't actually mad about the melon.
[ Taichi folds up the damp towel once he's done and sets it on the floor next to him. He looks kind of nervous as he listens, but mostly because where he is right now, the only way forward is...
Well, Taichi moves forward and finds himself between Hikaru's legs this time, carefully not touching as he puts one hand on the floor and leans forward to kiss his lips this time. ]
Hehe, I don't think there's a misunderstanding in the world that I wouldn't come back to you over. I put my phone on silent because I still had to talk to the theater owner. He said I was cute and gave me an audition, then I got to come home to you. [ He smiles brightly, leaning back but not like... moving out from between his legs. He looks excited, like a puppy with a wagging tail. He's just happy to be here. ]
[Somehow Taichi is much smoother than Hikaru ever would have thought he'd be but Hikaru isn't complaining. Really, he'd be leaning in for another kiss if it wasn't for the fact that Taichi just told he got an audition and that takes over his mind completely. Hikaru had been worried that maybe he'd ruined the night and okay, he didn't help but he didn't ruin it so that's fine.
Hikaru hugs him, grinning because he is honestly happy. With Taichi between his legs, it doesn't leave them much space at all but Hikaru doesn't care so much about that.] You got an audition?! I was worried all night! But turns out you didn't need my advice at all. Maybe you're just a natural. [There's still that grin on his face when he pulls back from the hug, though it's softened and more affectionate now.] Seriously, I'm really happy and so relieved. When's the audition?
Well, it might just be he wanted me to leave him alone. That's happened before.
[ He grins sheepishly, sitting back so his bum is resting on his heels. He doesn't know if he needed Hikaru's advice or not, but he wanted it. It would've settled his nerves and he would've trusted whatever he said because he knows Hikaru knows better. ]
He said he'll send the audition piece when he gets home, then the audition is the day after tomorrow so I can't stay long. I have to go practice as soon as I get it.
[As disappointed as he is that Taichi can't stay for long, he's happy enough that Taichi got an audition. It's night anyway and he and Kaoru are night owls by nature but Taichi isn't.]
If he wanted you to leave him alone then he would have just said that. He's throwing some party like that then he has ways of making you go away. Trust me. This guy just liked something about you. [He leans in to kiss him.] Is there anything I can do to help?
[Hikaru knows absolutely nothing about any of this but he thinks offering support is a good boyfriend thing to do? It seems like it.]
[ He's been hired by someone who didn't like him before. Or at the very least, didn't see him as anything with potential for anything other than smearing on someone else's shirt. After that situation, anyone outside of Mankai Company is going to give him a subtle anxiety until he's got a real reason to trust that it's because he is worth it. ]
Can you bring me dinner tomorrow so I don't have to stop practicing except to eat? I have granola bars for breakfast and can get some other snacks for lunch but dinner's kind of a hassle.
[Hikaru, at the very least, can remember things that people tell him. He remembers Taichi telling him about the troupe before Mankai and so Hikaru realizes that Taichi's just worried about that. Well, that won't do. Hikaru's always lived his life taking anything he wants. In his opinion, that's how everybody should be. Even if he knows that Taichi wouldn't give up because he's not the type, he figures he'd like to hear the support and Hikaru can do that.
Moving so he can kneel on his knees, he wraps his arms around Taichi so he'll come forward and Hikaru can hold him. It's awkward to make Taichi balance on his feet during that and Hikaru wants to hug him.]
Stop worrying. This guy has no reason to try to trick you or something like other assholes. You got this audition because you're you and you managed to sneak into a nice party and impress this guy. So—[Hikaru pulls them apart so he can meet his eyes.] You're going to practice, I'm going to feed you all day tomorrow because I'll even throw in lunch because I'm a great boyfriend thanks, and you're going to impress this guy so much that even if you don't get a role this time? He will keep telling you when there's an audition. That's what's going to happen. Got it?
[ Taichi moves forward following Hikaru's guidance and appreciates the hug. Taichi would keep moving forward with his acting no matter what. Hikaru is right about that. Hikaru is also right that hearing support and knowing he has someone who cares about and believes in him means more to him than he knows how to express yet. It's something he'll have to figure out how to show him that someday.
As he looks into Hikaru's eyes, he nods firmly. ]
Got it. We can do this. Your special boyfriend lunch will fuel me to success!
[ A beat. ] Have you ever tried an energy drink? I can bring one for you. [ To help fuel his meal-bringing energy... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
video; 2/11 dinnertime
But Hikaru is, he's sure of it, so he's hidden himself to ask for advice. And he had food, so he couldn't hide in the bathroom, that would be gross. Little does he know that this is actually a super high-end party and he's got the infamous Lord of Scilly melon slice on his plate, worth about $100 just for the slice alone. He's gotten himself in deep and he's not even aware of it.
He whispers once Hikaru picks up. ]
Hikaru, I'm at a charity event and the owner of the theater I'm trying to get into is here. Do you have any advice? I really want to nail this.
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He's busy sketching out millions of ideas he has and if it were anybody but Taichi he would ignore the call. But it's Taichi so he answers.
And sees Taichi under a table and what? Like actually this seems like a very taichi thing to do but also what? Taichi has his full attention now as he puts his pencil down. A charity event? The owner of the theater...? Hikaru's a rich bastard and knows what this means.
Oh. Taichi. You fool.]
For starters, hiding under a table and just crawling out from under it isn't going to win you any points. What are you doing?
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[ He needed to look like he belonged there so he didn't get kicked out, you know? In fact, it's notable that Taichi is in a suit even-- gray with a pink bowtie, properly ironed and sized and everything. You'd be surprised what you can trade to fairies and apparently tickets to his debut performance would cut it after a decent street act.
He turns the camera to show him his plate of food though- melon has a couple bites out of it but ultimately unfinished. There are a couple of skewers where the bacon-wrapped shrimp once were, because Taichi is a foolish meat lover. ]
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He's going to offer some real advice, opening his mouth to do so before he sees the food. More specifically, the melon.
If this is a nice party then that's...]
Hey, that melon? Is that a Lord of Scilly melon...? [Ever since he'd asked for a yubari king, he'd found out about its equivalent here and found out it was stupidly expensive. So much so that Hikaru doesn't know when he'll be able to get it and for a boy who's never known not being able to afford something? He wants that stupid melon just for the sake of having it.]
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Huh? I don't know. It tasted kind of weird.
[ As if Taichi would have any idea what a Lord of Scilly melon even is. ]
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Completely monotone:] It tastes weird. "Weird" how?
[Maybe Hikaru should be doing his job and focusing on the advice Taichi asked for but right now he's completely distracted by the fact that Taichi is eating a Lord of Scilly melon and just said it tasted weird.]
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[ It's decadent, is the word he's looking for, but it's not coming to his mind. He'd probably like it more if he were just eating just the melon alone but on top of the meat.. ]
Is it special? I can wrap one up in a napkin for you.
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But then he wonders if that was too loud? Man, they shouldn't be videochatting if Hikaru's supposed to be giving him advice. They should switch to text so he sighs.] You're so hopeless~ I guess this is how we break up. Bye bye, Taichi-senpai.
[Hikaru doesn't think at all how all of that might come across as he hangs up. Yelling and then calling him hopeless and then saying this would be how they break up before just hanging up. It's really rude actually. But Hikaru does plan to just move this conversation to text so nobody hears them but then Yoshiha is making a mess and Hikaru has to stop her before he can even get back to their talk.
Oops.]
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Except then the silence goes on. He texts "Hikaru!! ｡･ﾟﾟ*(>д<)*ﾟﾟ･｡" almost immediately after he gets hung up on, and stays under the table waiting for a response. Time ticks on, and every second longer the silence stretches the more Taichi thinks maybe he actually did something really bad.
He sets the plate on the floor next to him. He doesn't know what to do. He screwed up so bad.. he doesn't even want to eat the food that started all this anymore because it's tainted now. Ahh, did he really screw up? He really screwed up. He doesn't want to be dumped. Hikaru isn't responding. He can't stay under the table forever, and if he misses this opportunity he's going to have no boyfriend and no chance at the job he wants.
Taichi has half a mind to just go run over to Hikaru's place to beg him for forgiveness, but he's not ready to give up on his dreams. This could be his only chance. There's no Mankai Company here ready to hire anyone in a Hail Mary to save the theater, so he has to create his own chance, and really hope this person isn't a Reni 2.0. He's managed to act like he belongs all night long except before wanting advice from Hikaru because despite Hikaru's penchant for jokes, he very much values his advice and wisdom when it comes to dealing with people from a different class.
He fires off one more text before trying to shove it down and focus.
I'm sorry, okay?
Please give me a chance to make it up to you!
Don't dump me yet! I promise I'm not hopeless!
I'm going to come over tonight but I can't give up here yet.
Please don't give up on me.
Taichi puts his phone on silent and tries to focus for now, though he does come up with the stupidest plan. He's not manipulative or sneaky really, so while he does act his way through a few conversations, when he gets to the guy he wants to talk to he is very upfront with him: He used his acting to sneak into this party and hasn't been kicked out even though he's super distracted that he may have just been dumped; he'd like a chance to prove he can do the same on stage, and also your melons are lovely. (Because apparently this melon is a big deal?) They chat for a bit and Taichi still doesn't know how things are going to go, but he was told the day after next that he had to show up for an audition, and that he'd send him the audition piece in his email tonight. Which means he had one day to prep a role and Taichi's got anxiety about that but he can pull it off if he visits Hikaru and then doesn't sleep for the next day for practice.
He thanks the guy, then heads over to where he got the melon from and asks if he can have some to-go. Naturally, he's told no. So he asks if he can have just a melon ball on an appetizer skewer and he orders a sparkling water from one of the people wandering around. He quickly drinks the water, then puts the melon ball in the flute glass, and sneaks the flute glass into his inner jacket pocket.
This should protect the melon ball without drying it out!! He just has to be careful!
And so Taichi sets out once he's ready to Hikaru and Kaoru's place, careful the entire way there to protect the melon ball. He makes it all the way to the door in the inn hallway, and he takes it out of his jacket in preparation for knocking on the door. In that exact moment, one of the fellow inn guests bumps into him from behind, and the glass and melon ball go flying out of his hand and shatter on the floor in front of the Hitachiin's door.
Taichi has half a mind to just lie down next to the corpse of the now glass-covered Lord of Scilly melon ball. The guy who bumped into him apologizes and says he'll go get someone to clean it up and Taichi faces the door, thumping his forehead against it in basically a faceplant against the door with a soft whine in his throat. It's not intended as a knock yet, as he's trying to figure out what to do, but between that and the sound of the shattered glass it's probably at least enough to alert the occupant that someone is at the door. ]
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But then when he gets back to his device and sees the messages, there's a look of absolute horror coming over his face. He messed up and he messed up bad. It's a flurry of text messages after that.]
TAICHI I DIDN'T WANT TO SERIOUSLY BREAK UP. IT WAS A JOKE. SERIOUSLY IT WAS A JOKE.
WHY WOULD I WANT TO BREAK UP OVER THAT?
[Taichi doesn't say anything and logically it just makes sense that he probably turned his phone on silent but Hikaru's not thinking logically. He's thinking about the fact that he was an idiot and told his boyfriend he wanted to break up over a stupid melon when Taichi was doing something really important to him. Taichi was trying to follow his dreams and what if Hikaru had made a mess of the night for him? He feels like crap.]
taichi im really sorry it was a stupid joke and i wasn't even thinking about it. i thought it was obviously a joke??? i only hung up on you because i thought maybe we were being too loud so i was going to text you but then yoshiha knocked my drink over and then started messing with my sketchbook but i was going to text you RIGHT AFTER SERIOUSLY
[Taichi said he was coming over after the party so he doesn't need to text all of this but he keeps texting how sorry he is and how much he's hoping the night is going okay and he's hoping for the best. There's at least twenty messages waiting for Taichi before Hikaru's wailing at Kaoru about how dumb he was. They just started dating after everything that happened. They hadn't even gone on their first date yet or made it to a month! How did he mess up this quickly?! This is why there shouldn't be two idiots in a relationship.
By the time Taichi's at his room, Hikaru has paced the room a dozen times, ranted to Kaoru about how stupid he was, texted anybody else that would listen, screamed into his pillow, and told Yoshiha he was going to make a coat out of her (which only resulted in her yawning and going to sleep like the pest she was). It's been an emotional rollercoaster when he hears the glass crashing. That does bring him out of his fit as he wonders what the hell that was until he hears the banging on the door, light and soft but there. Hikaru rushes to the door to open it with a cry of:] Taichi?!
[And seeing it's him, he falls down to hug him and cling at him desperately.] I didn't want to break up! It was just a bad joke and I'm sorry and I wouldn't break up with you over a friggin' melon!
[Hikaru hasn't been this emotional since he left Prismatica.]
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Hikaru, I was so confused! I thought you were joking and then you didn't text back for like an eternity and I had to go and--
[ Before panicking because Hikaru probably doesn't have shoes on?? ]
Careful, there's glass!
[ ...Taichi tries to squeeze him to lift him up but it is obviously like, the world's most pathetic effort. His arms aren't thick enough to properly lift him. ]
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He's about to explain what happened when Taichi panics about the glass and then is trying to lift him. Hikaru's a twig, absolutely stick thin, but Taichi's shorter and Hikaru's still over 100lbs. It's no surprise it doesn't work and Hikaru's scrambling to also back up because of the glass. Unfortunately in this disaster, he ends up stepping on a stray shard that had been in the threshold.]
Ow, shit! [Now hopping on one foot, he's trying to back them up into his apartment but that's a hard way to keep balance so he ends up falling. If Taichi falls with him then this will be the third time they've fallen together with Taichi on top.]
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Nevermind that Hikaru could definitely have just let go of Taichi or put a hand on his shoulder for balance and walked forward...He just stays where he is on top of him for a moment, disoriented by what just happened and scolding himself for definitely having inappropriate thoughts for a moment, especially when he finally sits up and leans back so his back side is over Hikaru's-- god, why is pajama fabric so much thinner than regular fabric!? (Or maybe it's the active imagination of a teenage boy, who knows.)
Taichi flushes and panicks and gets off in only a few seconds once his brain reboots. ]
D-.. [ His voice fails the first time, and he ends up stuttering. ] Don't move, I-I'll get you a bandage! Just stay there! Ahh, stupid melon..!
[ Taichi gets up and hurriedly tries to find the bathroom, where he assumes even rich people keep their bandaids in the medicine cabinet.. ]
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Hikaru's mind had frozen when he felt Taichi's ass on him and Hikaru was considering wearing underwear to bed from now on when Taichi finally moves away and rushes off to find bandaids which he will find. Hikaru covers his face, flustered and groaning.]
Stupid melon.
[Yoshiha has woken up from this chaos and is trotting over to Hikaru, grinning down at him. He looks up at her.] Stupid you.
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Taichi meanwhile, is running some cold water in the sink for a moment. He can just say he wanted to wash his hands so Hikaru didn't get infected, or... O-Oh, a rag, so he can clean up the blood, yeah. Definitely not just trying to splash his face and clear his thoughts with the power of cold water.
..It seems to work at least somewhat though, because before he even finds the bandaids he looks himself in the mirror. ]
You're a healer, dummy.
[ What does he even need bandaids for.....
Taichi comes back out after this realization, with a washcloth he found and dampened since he can't heal any mess away, and comes back out to kneel down next to Hikaru. ]
Hehe, I'm kind of dumb sometimes.. I forgot I don't need bandaids. Hold still, okay? I'm gonna clean it so I can see what I'm doing.
[ He moves to get on his knees down at Hikaru's feet, waiting to make sure he's okay with it (and.. Yoshiha is okay with it because he's kinda nervous about her still). ]
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When Taichi does return, Hikaru looks up at him and laughs.] I guess I was dumb, too. I didn't think of that either. [He was kind of distracted but he only holds his foot up, giving it over to Taichi. It seems like he should stay quiet as Taichi does his thing. Hikaru's got no idea how much concentration it takes but he figures he can stay quiet for this time at least.]
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Right now, it does. He's calmed himself down and Hikaru seems happy now, which is a good sight. Taichi carefully puts a hand on Hikaru's ankle for support and uses his right hand to hold the towel, cleaning it up as gently as he can until he can clearly see the cut.
This is it. This is his chance to really sweep Hikaru off of his feet, right? Like in those shoujo manga Muku's always trying to get everyone to read with him! Hmm... Well, he at least knows that Hikaru's foot is, for sure, clean right now. So Taichi, with all the determination of a boy who wants to be popular but hasn't quite figured it out, decides that the course of action is to kiss his injury. That's definitely a thing!
Of course, he uses his magic quickly on Hikaru before he leans in to do it, kissing the spot very softly that it was as the last of it heals up. ]
All better.
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Thanks. [He knows he should explain wtf happened tonight so he tries, finally sighing and looking up at him again.] Hey, about earlier? I hung up because I just thought maybe the video chat was loud [but he should have said that] and then Yoshiha knocked my water over? Then she decided to play with my sketchbook. [He points over at the torn sketchbook sitting sadly on the floor and Yoshiha goes over to it and picks it up in her mouth, trotting off with it under the bed. You can hear the shredding of paper but that's a tomorrow problem because Hikaru doesn't have the energy to deal with that right now. Not like the sketchbook had been saveable anyway.] Freakin' witch. I swear she's just like that woman...[He means his grandmother but that's neither here nor there.] Anyway, it was a stupid joke. I wasn't actually mad about the melon.
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Well, Taichi moves forward and finds himself between Hikaru's legs this time, carefully not touching as he puts one hand on the floor and leans forward to kiss his lips this time. ]
Hehe, I don't think there's a misunderstanding in the world that I wouldn't come back to you over. I put my phone on silent because I still had to talk to the theater owner. He said I was cute and gave me an audition, then I got to come home to you. [ He smiles brightly, leaning back but not like... moving out from between his legs. He looks excited, like a puppy with a wagging tail. He's just happy to be here. ]
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Hikaru hugs him, grinning because he is honestly happy. With Taichi between his legs, it doesn't leave them much space at all but Hikaru doesn't care so much about that.] You got an audition?! I was worried all night! But turns out you didn't need my advice at all. Maybe you're just a natural. [There's still that grin on his face when he pulls back from the hug, though it's softened and more affectionate now.] Seriously, I'm really happy and so relieved. When's the audition?
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[ He grins sheepishly, sitting back so his bum is resting on his heels. He doesn't know if he needed Hikaru's advice or not, but he wanted it. It would've settled his nerves and he would've trusted whatever he said because he knows Hikaru knows better. ]
He said he'll send the audition piece when he gets home, then the audition is the day after tomorrow so I can't stay long. I have to go practice as soon as I get it.
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If he wanted you to leave him alone then he would have just said that. He's throwing some party like that then he has ways of making you go away. Trust me. This guy just liked something about you. [He leans in to kiss him.] Is there anything I can do to help?
[Hikaru knows absolutely nothing about any of this but he thinks offering support is a good boyfriend thing to do? It seems like it.]
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[ He's been hired by someone who didn't like him before. Or at the very least, didn't see him as anything with potential for anything other than smearing on someone else's shirt. After that situation, anyone outside of Mankai Company is going to give him a subtle anxiety until he's got a real reason to trust that it's because he is worth it. ]
Can you bring me dinner tomorrow so I don't have to stop practicing except to eat? I have granola bars for breakfast and can get some other snacks for lunch but dinner's kind of a hassle.
[ That would be really really helpful. ]
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Moving so he can kneel on his knees, he wraps his arms around Taichi so he'll come forward and Hikaru can hold him. It's awkward to make Taichi balance on his feet during that and Hikaru wants to hug him.]
Stop worrying. This guy has no reason to try to trick you or something like other assholes. You got this audition because you're you and you managed to sneak into a nice party and impress this guy. So—[Hikaru pulls them apart so he can meet his eyes.] You're going to practice, I'm going to feed you all day tomorrow because I'll even throw in lunch because I'm a great boyfriend thanks, and you're going to impress this guy so much that even if you don't get a role this time? He will keep telling you when there's an audition. That's what's going to happen. Got it?
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As he looks into Hikaru's eyes, he nods firmly. ]
Got it. We can do this. Your special boyfriend lunch will fuel me to success!
[ A beat. ] Have you ever tried an energy drink? I can bring one for you. [ To help fuel his meal-bringing energy... ]
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