jurai | IC Contact

Glad you did. This was a moment for you too, you know. You have to cement yourself as her older brother, and that something like this isn't gonna fly for next time.

[Look, when life gives you shrimps, you shrimp it up.]

She'll appreciate it later.

[He remembers his more rebellious moments, and he'd always been glad to be knocked to his senses, whether it was from his grandfather or Astrid or whoever.

Crow's eyes flick up at the mention, though, guilt immediately showing in them as he silently puts those scrambled eggs onto a plate. All that's left is the toast, so he'll pop that in.]

Ah.

It's not as bad as you're thinking. It was our first time talking after the whole layer incident. Guess she found out I played Love Live, and vice versa.

I asked for her friend code and she responded saying that we weren't friends to begin with, so there was no need to swap. And...I can see where she'd get that line of thinking. I weaseled it out of her in the end, though.

[Raina when it came to Crow was an...interesting topic, to say the least. And it shows in how rigid his speech is.]

See? Nothin' too big to report.

Yeah, I know. Doesn't make it any easier to swallow, though.

[As to that response, Rean just keeps his gaze on Crow level. ...well, mostly level. When Pachinko hears the sound of a plate coming down, he's quick to want to get down and run over, and Rean's just as quick to oblige.

He doesn't respond until Crow's done.]

I mean, I figured it wasn't. [He can tell Crow would rather be talking about just about anything else, but that's exactly why they need to talk about this.] And... hey.

It's fine if you don't get along with her, you know? Not that I don't appreciate that you're trying, I do. But don't force yourself for my sake.

[A pause, as he tries to sort out what he wants to say.]

...Actually, that's. Not even really why I brought it up. It's more... listen. I get why you don't want to talk about this, and I get it's nothing big, but even so... I'd rather you just tell me things like that. Honesty's important, even if it's something you don't think I'm going to like hearing.

Maybe even especially if you don't think I'm going to like hearing it.

[Crow's eyes finally flick up to Rean's, the conflict in them more than apparent. Pachinko kneads at his leg, and Crow, being the sucker that he is, takes a bit of scrambled egg to feed to him.]

It's not really so much that I don't get along with her. Just don't think she gets along with me.

[He gets it. No baby sister wants to be friends with her brother's boyfriend. It's got to be awkward.]

I've had plenty of people not get along with me, so it's not a big deal.

[But with Rean's ACTUAL point, he's quick to flood with guilt, hips leaning against the counter and hands resting on it to look at him.]

It wasn't really the right time I guess. You were pretty much AWOL, and then all my "C" memories came flooding back...Made the whole thing seem like an anthill in comparison after all that.

[But he's done with hiding behind excuses. He'd been done with that ever since their hike up in the mountains. With a soft exhale, he closes his eyes a moment before collecting himself.]

Sorry, Rean. Guess some old habits die hard, but I'll work on the transparency a little more.

Edited 2019-04-06 00:23 (UTC)

Fair enough— Crow, no... that's why he's fat...

[Sighing at Crow spoiling his cat aside, Rean really doesn't look that upset.]

I get it. I'm not mad at you or anything, just so we're clear. And I'm not telling you this just to call you out on it, either. I know it's something I tend to do, too.

We'll both work on it. Together. Okay?

[Crow chuckles warmly.]

It's good for cats. I looked it up.

[But if Rean's face is anything but upset, then Crow's is humbly apologetic at most. He doesn't look like a scolded puppy, or anything.]

So we can both agree: no ghosting each other either?

[MMM... sigh.]

All right, all right. I'll trust you on this one, I guess.

[...Ah. Rean looks fairly humbled by that last bit, as well, bowing his head a little and offering an apologetic smile.]

...Yeah. We can.

I'm sorry about that, by the way. It was stupid of me, and I know I put a lot more stress on you guys.

[Crow's gaze softens at Rean's apology, turning towards his plate. Damn...after he'd just gotten done telling Rean to be strong when someone was trying to learn from their mistake.

Gotta make this convincing.]

Mmmmmmm two smooches.

I'll forgive you for two smooches.

[And just because, he leans forward and knocks their foreheads together, gently.]

Absolute torture for you, I know.

[And to that, Rean laughs a little. It's all right, he's not planning to take advantage of Crow's softness, here.

Instead, he just takes the opportunity Crow's opened by knocking their foreheads together to press his lips to Crow's, gently, but lingering for a bit before pulling back.]

...I can give you the other once you're done eating. Sound fair?

[He can't help how his cheeks still turn a little pink when he does things like that, but he's still smiling, soft as ever.]

[Crow's eyes close happily, letting the kiss press against his lips as his own pull into a smile. Ever since that day on the swingset, Crow had felt so comfortable opening up to Rean.

Problems didn't seem like problems. Just minor updates and fixes.

Obtainable things.

Things they both could work towards, in the end.]

Sounds like a plan. I'm starving anyway.

[He takes his plate, starting to make his way over to the couch.]

I'd offer you something, but you're probably stuffed. Still, drinks are in the usual place.

Yeah, pretty much. I'm good for now, though, thanks.

[Rean follows him back over, seating himself beside Crow. He's quiet for a minute, letting Crow eat and letting himself drift into his thoughts. He's still not feeling quite settled, and it's not entirely uncertainty for his sister's future.

Pachinko hops up into his lap, hoping to get at more of Crow's eggs, and Rean holds him back with one hand as he pets him with the other.

With a little sigh, his gaze still focused on Pachinko, he speaks up again.]

...mm. Seriously, though... it's okay if you don't like Raina. ...I already know Elliot doesn't.

[It's not exactly something Crow can read right off of Rean's face, but there is some sort of vibe that things weren't completely wrapped up just yet. He can only fathom what, but he figured Rean would bring it up to him sooner or later.

For now, Crow looks over at Pachinko, leaning his face in to boop their noses together, a small smile on his lips.

The little freeloader.

Only when he pulls back up does he hear what's bugging Rean, and...he's not too surprised by what he hears.]

If you want my honest answer...[He swallows his egg, twirling a bit on his fork idly.] I can't dislike her--I don't really know her.

[A pause, wondering if he should bring things up. But the lesson he just learned is fresh in his mind. Be honest with him, Crow.]

She's never contacted me once since she got the app. You know, other than my dating ad for you. Not even when you ghosted, not to see how I was doing. Hell, I don't even think she's said anything about us dating to me.

[Not even a 'congrats'.]

So she's definitely sending a message to me, whether she intends to or not.

[He's quiet a moment, before putting his feet up on the coffee table.]

Elliot's a surprise, though.

Edited 2019-04-06 01:41 (UTC)

I'm savoring the moment, okay--Hey 'chinko. Yes, yes, Rean's here. Forget all about me.

[Pachinko does keep inside the door, at least. After all, Rean was inside, so his curiosity of what's outdoors is now replaced with excitement over Rean's presence. Heck, you can hear him PURRING already.]

MMMMnnnAlright, get out of those jeans--you're gonna get comfy and get in my bed.

...That's fair. [He's not... entirely surprised to hear all that, but it does bother him a little. ...He just needs to give her time. Nothing can just magically be fixed, he knows that much.] If it helps, she has congratulated me. And I talked to her before I found you in Magatus, and she outright told me she supported me if I were to decide to act on my feelings for you.

So... I can't say I have any idea how she feels about you, but she's definitely okay with us. It's something, at least.

[He pets Pachinko absently.]

Yeah. To me, too. When I was texting him to tell him what was going on, he got really... I don't know. Testy? To be fair, I could be reading into it. You can't really get tone out of text messages easily. And it's fair, I got the impression he was pretty upset with her for being "mean to you" [Elliot's words, not his!] over Love Live...

But I was trying to explain some of what she's told me. And... well, it was supposed to be a secret between her and I, but I've already told Eren and Elliot, I may as well tell you... promise you won't bring it up to her? [Sigh.] Anyway...

She's got trust issues, apparently? Like.. she says she can't trust anyone, no matter how much she wants to. And... well, before a little bit ago, that included me, too.

[...He is still happy that's not the case anymore. But.]

But when I told Elliot that, he acted like it was obvious she wouldn't trust me. Because I'm her brother, so it's not like I'm her best friend or anything... except, you know. Growing up, we were. And there are still things it's just easier to talk to her about...

Elliot just said there's "a lot to unpack" there and wished me luck, basically, but I can't shake the feeling that... I don't know, he thinks less of me now?

[...]

...Sorry. I just kind of rambled there, didn't I? I don't know if anything I just said even made sense.

It's not like I really want you to let go, it's just logistics...

[Rean chokes out a little laugh at Crow's wording, turning a bit to look up at him.]

...There are better ways to seduce a guy, y'know?

[He says it dryly, knowing full well that's not what Crow means.]

[Crow listens, his eyes kept on Rean the whole time as he holds his fork. over the plate. It's not a shock that she approves of the two of them together--Crow understands at the very least that the attack on him was 90% Retrospec's fault. Raina's objections or no. But it is mildly surprising, and his raised eyebrows show that silently.]

Well, we've all gotta start somewhere.

[Those brows crease at Rean's explanation, putting some thought into it a little before giving his opinion. When Rean finishes, a hand reaches up to ruffle that hair lightly, it's touch affectionate and gentle.]

You're fine.

[But he'll clear his throat, because he can kind of see what's going on here. Maybe not to every nook and cranny, but as to what's going on with Elliot? And why things might be like oil and water between him and Raina? He's got a lead, at least.]

I'll have to thank him for looking out for me. Guy's always got people on his mind...

[But more to the point, he stabs a shrimp with his fork.]

They're both two different types of intelligent. Elliot's got emotional intelligence down to a science...and while Raina might be good at analyzing things...[He smirks a little as he says this.] She can't read the room worth shit.

Oil and water. No wonder they don't mix.

[At least it's said lighthearted enough.]

Keep in mind this is coming from an only child. Fie was the closest I ever got to a 'sibling', and she was a different breed all her own.

Elliot's a guy who's got a lot of siblings, either blood related or by marriage. Cousins, too. And not to say he doesn't know what you're feeling, but I don't think he really gets the idea of only having 'each other', like you and Raina did. I get that...Pops was really all I had back home, too.

Neither of you are really wrong, in a sense. Raina can be your best friend...you just have to know when to be her best friend, and when to be her annoying big brother who makes her go..OUTSIDE...

[A pause, letting himself have a little chuckle.]

Seriously, though. Just remember: No one says you have to have just one best friend. Or that your best friends have to meet the same criteria. Human relationships aren't something you can just put in boxes with neat little labels. You'll find yourself deciding for hours on where everyone goes.

...

Bah, now I got off rambling. Look what you made me do now.

Edited 2019-04-06 02:57 (UTC)

[Rean listens quietly, just keeping up with his petting and keeping Pachinko away from Crow's food. No, Patchy, that's dad's, you have plenty of your own food.]

...Yeah, I can see what you mean by oil and water. And really, it's... well, it's not fine, but I can live with the idea that he doesn't like her? It's that I feel like he's judging me because I do that's rubbing me wrong.

But... yeah. You're right. It's a hard balance to strike, and I'm trying. I made it through today, right? So now it's just... steps toward the future.

[He smiles a little at the last point about best friends not meeting the same criteria, though – looks like that helps.]

I hadn't thought of it that way. That makes a lot more sense to me than what Elliot was saying... he asked me to pick between you and Raina which one was my "best friend," and that's just. Really weird to me? I don't see you guys in the same light at all. Trying to compare you feels impossible.

[He sighs with a little smile at Crow's "bah."]

Aha... Sorry. Here.

[He leans over to give him a little kiss on the cheek.]

Bonus, to make up for it. Don't let your food get cold because of me.

[Okay but consider: he needs MORE food. He's practically wasting away, Rean! He needs a shrimp!]

Give it time. Raina's only just starting to branch out from having only you as her confidant. She's gotta make friends of her own first, like you did. And there's no rule saying she needs to have us as her friends just because they're her brother's friends. She doesn't know us, and we don't really know her either, so we're both a little too quick to make assumptions. Don't let that judgement get to you, if that's what you feel like it is. You know her better than anyone else.

[He smiles into his plate, eyes closing.]

Haha, aw, the good ol 'choose one best friend' scenario.

That's not fair. You've known Raina your whole life. I don't get a free pass just cause you started dating me.

[Warmth spreads through him at that cheek kiss, though, smiling as he shovels the last of that egg into his mouth.]

Besides, I don't think I could make that decision either, if it came between you and Astrid.

[Patchy, no. You're already fat.

Everything Crow says seems to unravel a little knot of tension in Rean, though, and he looks significantly calmer by the time he's done.]

...Thanks, Crow. I really needed to hear that.

[He leans his head against Crow's shoulder a little, waiting for him to finish swallowing before he makes good on the promise of another kiss. He can still feel the hint of Crow's almost-stubble against his lips, if he concentrates.]

And just... mm. Thanks for talking through all of this with me in general. I still feel a little bad for shoving all this onto you, after everything, but...

But that way's my favourite~

[He snickers, playing along with it.]

I'll follow you up, just gotta turn the coffee machine on.

[He has a feeling they'll both need it later.]

All right. I'll see you up there in a minute.

[Rean finally wriggles away, as if he finally intends to leave. He only takes one step away from Crow before pausing, though, and turning back around.

Quickly, he steps forward and lifts himself onto the tips of his toes to steal a kiss from Crow. Only once he's done that does he finally make his away upstairs, Pachinko hot on his heels the whole time.]

[The kiss is a surprise, though not an unwelcome one as his eyebrows throw themselves up. Not that physical affection was rare for the, but Rean always did know how to sneak one in.]

I swear...

[He flushes with warmth as he hurries to the kitchen to put the coffee on, placing two mugs out (One for Rean with a teabag) before making his way up the stairs after him.]

[When Crow gets upstairs, he'll find Rean already laying on the side of the bed he's all but claimed, coat and jeans neatly folded and laid out of the way and Rean changed into some pajama pants.

Rean's propping himself up a little as Crow comes in, but the minute he catches sight of Crow's face, he lowers himself back down and visibly relaxes.]

[It doesn't take long for Crow to get back into the position he'd originally been in, slipping into the free section of the bed that had been left open for him.

There's a large, relaxed exhale as he stretches, eyes closing in pure bliss.]

All settled?

Mm.

[It's a pretty noncommittal answer. Once Crow's settled in, Rean shifts himself so that his head is resting on Crow's chest, his ear right up against where they both know the circular scar on his chest is.

And then he just lays there, silent except for the sounds of his breathing. He lets his eyes slip closed after a moment, just soaking in the sound of Crow's heartbeat.]

[Crow's arms move out of the way to make room for Rean's snuggle, hovering over him as he feels Rean's head press against his chest. Right where they both know that scar lies.

Right where something so fragile lies underneath.

The heartbeat is strong, healthy. And it pounds rhythmically against his chest and into Rean's ear. It's stable, but more importantly, it's alive.

Arms wrap around Rean gently, pulling him close into an embrace as Crow's chin moves to rest on top of his head.]

...

[He'll wait for Rean to speak first.]

IC Contact

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject