[There's no hiding the fondness in his tone when he laughs again, just thinking about all the training he's had to work through - god, Fuku-chan was a dick about it. He never explained anything, he never said what he could do as a different option, he just said this is the path.]
... Shinkai kind'a said that, way back before we'd all became friends. I'd just joined the club, Fuku had me on those fuckin rollers for three hours every day, and he was nosy about why I joined. I didn't know, I didn't get what the hell I was doing, just that I was learnin how to ride competitively. Said that's why Fuku likes guys like me.
[He knows without thinking too hard on it though, who Kinjou was thinking about in his own team. The unpolished, first year, complete beginner, Onoda-chan. Good kid, good kid with a heart that won't waver in the face of the odds, because if he's been asked to do it? He just does it. He can't dislike him, even in the face of knowing he wins, that he takes the victory from Hakogaku.]
What do you think, Kin-chan. This rock got more polishing to do? [It's idle, absent minded, the loss sitting in the back of his mind just for thinking about it for that hot second. Of course he does, he has plenty of room to grow, but where doesn't particularly stick out. Is it even necessary, is he even going to keep riding? He'll keep the bike, he'll always keep this bike, but is there a point to even askin this...]
[Kinjou's curious for the briefest moment, what it must have been like for Arakita and Fukutomi to work together. What things must have been like when Arakita joined Hakone's racing team, a revered group of champions graced with the presence of a complete amateur, a rough looking, coarse-speaking person like Arakita. He must have tried so hard to get to the point he's at now. Fukutomi trained him well.
What'll things be like when they graduate? What will Arakita do?]
I don't know how much longer I will be able to ride, but right now, I wish to continue. My studies are important, but I enjoy riding. I have for a long time.
[He wants to be able to enjoy himself and the abilities he still has, wants to enjoy the prospect of competition. He wants to push himself as far as he can until he doesn't think he can get any better, or his body stops him completely.
He wants Koseki to see how amazing he's become. The idol he used to have, that he still thinks of even now. He isn't his goal anymore, but he wants that man to know that he's found what he was looking for, that he gained what he trained so hard to have. He never gave up. He kept going.]
Even if you find no reason to, you should move forward anyway. There's no harm in doing so. [Kinjou stares down at his left knee, reaches out to rub over it.]
I cannot answer your question. That is something you must figure out yourself. ...but it would be nice to ride with you again. Back home. As former aces, it would be a rather thrilling race, don't you think?
[There it is again. Move forward, turn those pedals, you'll figure it out along the way. Kinjou can't possibly know just how much those two words mean to him, and even as he listens still to what he's saying, Arakita smiles beneath the blanket. He wholeheartedly smiles, because it's about as good of an answer as he would have gotten from asking anyone else, even Fukutomi.]
... Mm. It would be alright. Racing together or racing against each other, Kinjou?
[Both. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious about what it would be like to assist Kinjou, or to battle him in the final stretch.]
[There's a quiet little 'hm' on the other end. That's a good question, but it's not really that difficult for Kinjou to answer at all.]
I think either outcome would provide a nice challenge. [That is of course not his real answer, whether he be riding against Arakita or with Arakita, he'd like to be able to see him again, be able to ride along with him. Kinjou wants to see how much more Arakita can grow as well. And with how close they've become here, he doesn't think he could say no to any chance of being able to see him again.]
I've worked with a bear and a spider before, I think I can manage with a beast.
[The both of them on a team though... how weird. He likes the sound of it.]
Heeh. You're gettin used to usin those shitty nicknames on me, huh. See, told you I didn't mind 'em, kinda like them.
[There's another little chuckle in with his words, and in the end, Arakita rolls over and pushes the blanket off, moving to get up even as his left hand reaches out to brush briefly across the handlebars of the Bianchi - he keeps it right there next to the couch, in reach when he wants it, after all.]
We could go on a ride right now. Or we could.. hang out. Or somethin. [His words falter just that bit, with what he's adding on - yeah, they could go riding, but for whatever reason, Arakita kind of wants to just spend time with Kinjou. He wants to go there and just sit around and shoot the breeze.]
I'm not going to make it a habit. You have a good name, I intend to stick with it.
[Arakita. Yasutomo. That's usually what he calls him, and that's what he's going to keep doing. Nicknames aren't really something he uses.
Ride with Arakita, hang out with him, spend time with him. That sounds like a good idea. He hasn't seen him since they bumped into each other in the library. The only other person he's been able to have company with is Tadokoro. He still hasn't spoken to Makishima yet.
Kinjou's gaze drifts to the basket at the corner of the couch.]
[Pushing himself into getting up, sort of pacing where he stands with his feet moving, Arakita slows to that careful sort of way Kinjou asks and tips his head with his phone in his hand, already moving around then to start gathering shit and swapping his shoes for going out.]
[Somehow this is harder for him to talk about than the first subject, which seems ridiculous, but this is more about the two of them than Arakita and Suga, and so Kinjou doesn't want to callously upset Arakita again.]
Do you want me to get rid of the collar and leash?
[He thought about throwing them out. He doesn't know why he didn't do it, but they're no longer in their usual spot. He's put them in a bag somewhere as if just waiting for the right moment to get rid of them. Kinjou can only assume that because what happened with Suga, Arakita would want nothing to do with those things anymore, and he'd be more than happy to toss them out if it'd make him feel better. If they can go back to being friends.]
[Arakita nearly trips over his little coffee table as he walks away from the couch with the blanket, intending to drop it back in his room, but the question surprises him - so he speaks honestly.]
Haa? Hell no, I like that shit, a lot! I don't - [A little too honestly, because his face burns and his tone goes quieter, but he doesn't stop.] - I like that it's a thing. That we do. It's not even .. overly anything, it's just. Calming, for me, most of the time? Don't count last time, I fucked it up, I got totally distracted when I caught that scent so.
[In the end, Arakita is embarrassed but more for nearly ruining this than for the fact that they do use the collar and leash. Not enough for his own liking, but. It's their thing.]
[It's a good thing that Kinjou is already sitting down, because that first sentence that comes out of Arakita's mouth would be enough to have him seeking the closest solid object to grab onto and put his weight against as gravity just kind of bears down on him. Or not really gravity, more like the overwhelming confirmation that Arakita likes the collar and leash. He's never really said it before, he's only gotten the feeling when they're together that he enjoys it. Of course he would, otherwise they wouldn't have kept using the items after the first time, but this is the first time he's verbally heard it and... Kinjou's face is probably as red as Arakita's. His ears burn, he's worried he's going to ruin the palm reader pressed to his face so he has to pull it away and just lean back into the couch, rubbing a hand over his mouth.
Arakita likes it. Doing that sort of thing with him, using the collar and leash. He wants to keep using it. With him.]
[He... sort of wants to see him in the collar again, right now. But he's not going to say that.]
I-- I'm, glad. That you feel that way. --that, it calms you. [That it's a thing that they can just do between the two of them, just for them, that Arakita still trusts him that much. He's... so glad he didn't ruin this.]
I've enjoyed it also. ...I like it.
[Forget just seeing him in the collar, he wants to see him.]
[Hearing those words shouldn't feel like such a siren song, and even just hearing that Kinjou likes it too - Arakita's face heats red, but his feet carry him out the door quickly. He's heading there, he wants to see him too, whether it's riding their bikes or just slouching around - so he just takes care of it. He wants to be there.]
I'm. I'm comin over, alright? I'm on my way now.
[He should have locked up but it'll be fine, it will be completely fine, because he's not going that far and he doesn't have guests anyway. The teleporters have a whole new level of being useful in that it only takes about five minutes of Arakita breathing with the phone still in his ear, to eventually be knocking at Kinjou's door.]
[--wait, now? He didn't say now. Even though he's happy that it's now but he wasn't expecting now and Kinjou just sort of sits there for a moment not quite believing that Arakita is in such a hurry to see him that when he hears a faint knock all the way from the communications room Kinjou stands surprisingly swiftly. He puts his palm reader away and walks over to the door and opens it.
Arakita is there. He hasn't been over since the fight. Kinjou's clothes are as casual as they always are, a black turtle neck and tan slacks, slippers that he wears at home because customs are hard to break out of.
If Arakita looks carefully he will see a little snake on the collar of the turtleneck.]
I didn't say you had to come by right at this moment.
[What the hell is with this guy and his fixation on snakes, as cute as that little embroidery is. Hesitantly bringing his palm reader down and stuffing it in his pocket, Arakita feels his face heating up redder and his ears burn, but he doesn't look away from looking at Kinjou.]
Well I wanted to see you too. Is it fine? I can go or somethin if it isn't.
Ah, no. That isn't necessary. You're never unwelcome here. [Kinjou steps aside and ushers Arakita in, and immediately his expression brightens up at the embarrassed color on Arakita's face. Cute.]
I thought it would be nice to go for a ride later. Do you want something to drink? Are you hungry?
[He only asks it this time, there's no demands in his tone, if only because that brightened expression makes his ears feel like they're steaming - but his shoulders are relaxing, because Kinjou being relaxed and contented makes Arakita calm down. Breathing in deep through his nose, taking those steps in and reaching to gently push the door shut, he takes an extra step in closer and just breathes in his scent. Openly.]
[Of course that would be his first request. Kinjou nods.]
You can, yes.
[He's about to step aside and begin his walk down the hall to the kitchen until he notices Arakita move in toward him, watches him breathe in the air around him, and immediately he knows what he's doing. Not even being subtle this time. Well, its been a while, hasn't it?
Kinjou cups the back of Arakita's head and pulls him forward, leans in to rest his head against that black hair and just closes his eyes for a moment to let him take in his scent, enjoying Arakita's presence and warmth in return as he murmurs quietly.]
[Cracking a smile when Kinjou reaches out and draws him in that short distance, letting his eyes shut too just to breathe in again, audibly filling his lungs before he exhales slowly through his lips, Arakita reaches out with slow hands to curl his fingers gently in Kinjou's shirt.]
Mm. Smells good.
[Keeping his eyes shut and tipping his head, dipping in closer to briefly kiss Kinjou on the mouth, Arakita peeks at him even as he leans back with his ears steaming and the beginning of a smile making his face light up, he waits. He still wants that bepsi, he does, but it felt like he has needed to do that since their last things they've done since were few and far between.
[It almost feels like Kinjou is at too much of a disadvantage when he's with Arakita, the fact that he can enjoy something as simple as the way he smells so thoroughly and yet Kinjou can never experience the same thing. But Arakita gives him more than enough to make up for that. Just by being himself, just by making the decision to talk to him today and come over, just by brushing his lips over his own in a tentative kiss and look at him with that smile he didn't think he'd be able to enjoy again... it's enough. That's all he could ever ask for.
He's so relieved to have him back. Kinjou raises a hand up to brush a thumb over one of those flushed cheeks, then leans in to give Arakita one extra kiss, returning the smile when he pulls back.]
It's good to see you again, Yasutomo. Come on. Let's get your drink.
[ Kinjou takes those hands clinging to his shirt and lowers them, keeps one in his grip and turns to walk down the hall toward their destination, leading Arakita down the way without letting him go.]
[Getting that extra contact touching his face and the extra kiss leave Arakita bright red, and he feels like he shouldn't feel so good about all this, but he does. He feels better than he's felt in months after some battery of emotions literally kicking his ass - so when Kinjou smiles and takes his hand to lead him along the hall, Arakita just curls his fingers a bit more securely and scrubs his own face with his free hand, like it can make the burning sensation in his cheeks calm the hell down.]
Th-the hell you need to hold my hand for, I'm right here. [Like he's not holding his back, like he's not fully accepting being led because he's got some weird mix of relief and being damn happy he's just ... accepted, like this. He decked him, Kinjou has honestly all sorts of reasons he could just not want to be around Arakita anymore; he's unfriendly, he's grouchy, he hardly speaks his mind about his real feelings, he gets flustered too fuckin easily.
[Kinjou can't recall a time where he's held Arakita's hand before, so he's pretty sure this is the first. He doesn't know how it's so easy for him to do but letting go doesn't come to his mind. He didn't even bother to think about why he needs to be holding his hand, because he doesn't. Arakita has been over enough times that he can make it through the apartment without being physically led. It's not like he's worried about him not coming along or leaving.
It's just... nice. Regardless of Arakita's complaints.]
Does it bother you? I can let go if you'd like. [Of course that means that Arakita needs to uncurl his fingers from around Kinjou's hand first.]
[Arakita doesn't say anything else, because it feels like if he says more he'll just make an idiot of himself. He just squeezes that hand in his and keeps walking, even taking a step more to catch up and walk hot on Kinjou's heels without actually stepping on the back of his feet.]
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ninetydegrees
no subject
on 2016-05-31 05:47 am (UTC)... Shinkai kind'a said that, way back before we'd all became friends. I'd just joined the club, Fuku had me on those fuckin rollers for three hours every day, and he was nosy about why I joined. I didn't know, I didn't get what the hell I was doing, just that I was learnin how to ride competitively. Said that's why Fuku likes guys like me.
[He knows without thinking too hard on it though, who Kinjou was thinking about in his own team. The unpolished, first year, complete beginner, Onoda-chan. Good kid, good kid with a heart that won't waver in the face of the odds, because if he's been asked to do it? He just does it. He can't dislike him, even in the face of knowing he wins, that he takes the victory from Hakogaku.]
What do you think, Kin-chan. This rock got more polishing to do? [It's idle, absent minded, the loss sitting in the back of his mind just for thinking about it for that hot second. Of course he does, he has plenty of room to grow, but where doesn't particularly stick out. Is it even necessary, is he even going to keep riding? He'll keep the bike, he'll always keep this bike, but is there a point to even askin this...]
no subject
on 2016-05-31 07:14 am (UTC)What'll things be like when they graduate? What will Arakita do?]
I don't know how much longer I will be able to ride, but right now, I wish to continue. My studies are important, but I enjoy riding. I have for a long time.
[He wants to be able to enjoy himself and the abilities he still has, wants to enjoy the prospect of competition. He wants to push himself as far as he can until he doesn't think he can get any better, or his body stops him completely.
He wants Koseki to see how amazing he's become. The idol he used to have, that he still thinks of even now. He isn't his goal anymore, but he wants that man to know that he's found what he was looking for, that he gained what he trained so hard to have. He never gave up. He kept going.]
Even if you find no reason to, you should move forward anyway. There's no harm in doing so. [Kinjou stares down at his left knee, reaches out to rub over it.]
I cannot answer your question. That is something you must figure out yourself. ...but it would be nice to ride with you again. Back home. As former aces, it would be a rather thrilling race, don't you think?
no subject
on 2016-06-02 01:13 am (UTC)... Mm. It would be alright. Racing together or racing against each other, Kinjou?
[Both. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious about what it would be like to assist Kinjou, or to battle him in the final stretch.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 01:53 am (UTC)I think either outcome would provide a nice challenge. [That is of course not his real answer, whether he be riding against Arakita or with Arakita, he'd like to be able to see him again, be able to ride along with him. Kinjou wants to see how much more Arakita can grow as well. And with how close they've become here, he doesn't think he could say no to any chance of being able to see him again.]
I've worked with a bear and a spider before, I think I can manage with a beast.
[The both of them on a team though... how weird. He likes the sound of it.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 03:40 am (UTC)[There's another little chuckle in with his words, and in the end, Arakita rolls over and pushes the blanket off, moving to get up even as his left hand reaches out to brush briefly across the handlebars of the Bianchi - he keeps it right there next to the couch, in reach when he wants it, after all.]
We could go on a ride right now. Or we could.. hang out. Or somethin. [His words falter just that bit, with what he's adding on - yeah, they could go riding, but for whatever reason, Arakita kind of wants to just spend time with Kinjou. He wants to go there and just sit around and shoot the breeze.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 04:33 am (UTC)[Arakita. Yasutomo. That's usually what he calls him, and that's what he's going to keep doing. Nicknames aren't really something he uses.
Ride with Arakita, hang out with him, spend time with him. That sounds like a good idea. He hasn't seen him since they bumped into each other in the library. The only other person he's been able to have company with is Tadokoro. He still hasn't spoken to Makishima yet.
Kinjou's gaze drifts to the basket at the corner of the couch.]
...Arakita. May I ask you about one other thing?
no subject
on 2016-06-02 04:50 am (UTC)[Pushing himself into getting up, sort of pacing where he stands with his feet moving, Arakita slows to that careful sort of way Kinjou asks and tips his head with his phone in his hand, already moving around then to start gathering shit and swapping his shoes for going out.]
Yeah, shoot.
no subject
on 2016-06-02 05:20 am (UTC)Do you want me to get rid of the collar and leash?
[He thought about throwing them out. He doesn't know why he didn't do it, but they're no longer in their usual spot. He's put them in a bag somewhere as if just waiting for the right moment to get rid of them. Kinjou can only assume that because what happened with Suga, Arakita would want nothing to do with those things anymore, and he'd be more than happy to toss them out if it'd make him feel better. If they can go back to being friends.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 05:44 am (UTC)Haa? Hell no, I like that shit, a lot! I don't - [A little too honestly, because his face burns and his tone goes quieter, but he doesn't stop.] - I like that it's a thing. That we do. It's not even .. overly anything, it's just. Calming, for me, most of the time? Don't count last time, I fucked it up, I got totally distracted when I caught that scent so.
[In the end, Arakita is embarrassed but more for nearly ruining this than for the fact that they do use the collar and leash. Not enough for his own liking, but. It's their thing.]
1/2
on 2016-06-02 06:04 am (UTC)Arakita likes it. Doing that sort of thing with him, using the collar and leash. He wants to keep using it. With him.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 06:09 am (UTC)I-- I'm, glad. That you feel that way. --that, it calms you. [That it's a thing that they can just do between the two of them, just for them, that Arakita still trusts him that much. He's... so glad he didn't ruin this.]
I've enjoyed it also. ...I like it.
[Forget just seeing him in the collar, he wants to see him.]
I'd like to see you today. Arakita.
no subject
on 2016-06-02 06:27 am (UTC)I'm. I'm comin over, alright? I'm on my way now.
[He should have locked up but it'll be fine, it will be completely fine, because he's not going that far and he doesn't have guests anyway. The teleporters have a whole new level of being useful in that it only takes about five minutes of Arakita breathing with the phone still in his ear, to eventually be knocking at Kinjou's door.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 06:47 am (UTC)Arakita is there. He hasn't been over since the fight. Kinjou's clothes are as casual as they always are, a black turtle neck and tan slacks, slippers that he wears at home because customs are hard to break out of.
If Arakita looks carefully he will see a little snake on the collar of the turtleneck.]
I didn't say you had to come by right at this moment.
no subject
on 2016-06-02 06:54 am (UTC)Well I wanted to see you too. Is it fine? I can go or somethin if it isn't.
no subject
on 2016-06-02 07:13 am (UTC)Ah, no. That isn't necessary. You're never unwelcome here. [Kinjou steps aside and ushers Arakita in, and immediately his expression brightens up at the embarrassed color on Arakita's face. Cute.]
I thought it would be nice to go for a ride later. Do you want something to drink? Are you hungry?
no subject
on 2016-06-02 07:18 am (UTC)Yeah, we can ride later. Can I get a bepsi?
[He only asks it this time, there's no demands in his tone, if only because that brightened expression makes his ears feel like they're steaming - but his shoulders are relaxing, because Kinjou being relaxed and contented makes Arakita calm down. Breathing in deep through his nose, taking those steps in and reaching to gently push the door shut, he takes an extra step in closer and just breathes in his scent. Openly.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 07:39 am (UTC)You can, yes.
[He's about to step aside and begin his walk down the hall to the kitchen until he notices Arakita move in toward him, watches him breathe in the air around him, and immediately he knows what he's doing. Not even being subtle this time. Well, its been a while, hasn't it?
Kinjou cups the back of Arakita's head and pulls him forward, leans in to rest his head against that black hair and just closes his eyes for a moment to let him take in his scent, enjoying Arakita's presence and warmth in return as he murmurs quietly.]
Better?
no subject
on 2016-06-02 07:45 am (UTC)Mm. Smells good.
[Keeping his eyes shut and tipping his head, dipping in closer to briefly kiss Kinjou on the mouth, Arakita peeks at him even as he leans back with his ears steaming and the beginning of a smile making his face light up, he waits. He still wants that bepsi, he does, but it felt like he has needed to do that since their last things they've done since were few and far between.
That it's okay. That he still wants this.]
no subject
on 2016-06-02 08:12 am (UTC)He's so relieved to have him back. Kinjou raises a hand up to brush a thumb over one of those flushed cheeks, then leans in to give Arakita one extra kiss, returning the smile when he pulls back.]
It's good to see you again, Yasutomo. Come on. Let's get your drink.
[ Kinjou takes those hands clinging to his shirt and lowers them, keeps one in his grip and turns to walk down the hall toward their destination, leading Arakita down the way without letting him go.]
no subject
on 2016-06-03 05:16 am (UTC)Th-the hell you need to hold my hand for, I'm right here. [Like he's not holding his back, like he's not fully accepting being led because he's got some weird mix of relief and being damn happy he's just ... accepted, like this. He decked him, Kinjou has honestly all sorts of reasons he could just not want to be around Arakita anymore; he's unfriendly, he's grouchy, he hardly speaks his mind about his real feelings, he gets flustered too fuckin easily.
He's got good friends though.]
no subject
on 2016-06-03 05:54 am (UTC)It's just... nice. Regardless of Arakita's complaints.]
Does it bother you? I can let go if you'd like. [Of course that means that Arakita needs to uncurl his fingers from around Kinjou's hand first.]
no subject
on 2016-06-03 06:09 am (UTC)[Arakita doesn't say anything else, because it feels like if he says more he'll just make an idiot of himself. He just squeezes that hand in his and keeps walking, even taking a step more to catch up and walk hot on Kinjou's heels without actually stepping on the back of his feet.]