ahappylie | o41 [Voice --> Action]

I heard about it from Hijikata-san. [Smoooothly covering that slip up.]

And~ That sounds fun. Don't be late, you two~ I'm already in the square.

[Homura wouldn't dream of being late. Suddenly eager to be out on what had started as an ordinary day, he'll use his powers to teleport to the fountain. This results in his needing to lean against it temporarily after, but only for a moment while he waits. Granted, his typical patience seems to be fleeting, and Homura often looks to see just who is approaching.]

[Well, that's all well and good for you two, but some people actually have to walk. :|

Ramirez, in a typical tsundere response, takes his sweet time walking on over to the fountain because as inherently fascinating as the two of you are, it's a lot harder to present a cool-headed exterior when you are standing right. There.

BUT NO. HE CAN DO THIS. HE IS A MAN.

...Right up until he actually gets in sight of the fountain and oh god, he hopes they don't ask him any questions because Ramirez is not entirely certain he's going to be able to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth.]

[Being out on his walk, Okita was already in the area when he started seeing people appear. First it was Homura who just appeared out of thin air and then, much later, came Ramirez. Despite being first to the square and thus to the fountain, Okita ended up ducking out of sight, clutching Saizou to his chest. The pig was vastly unamused, but after he fed him a little, he promised to stay quiet and ended up falling asleep.

Now that Okita could see both people in the square, he's lost most of his confidence and it takes a little bit before he comes skipping his way over, a bag of candy hanging from his fingertips.]

You all took so long I went shopping.

[Homura of course immediately knows Okita's words are a lie, but there's something endearing about the way the one man teases. And then to counter, there's Ramirez, who stands off at first, but still can be seen. Homura relaxes his shoulders when both show, releasing a tension he hadn't been aware of holding.]

Then I suppose we'll have to find a way to make it up to you, won't we?

[Homura's had a great deal of practice at maintaining a cool and calculating exterior, but the feeling of butterflies in his stomach is less familiar. Still, he already knows that Okita can use his humor to be evasive, while Ramirez seems the sort to be blunt when he has something to say, and silent otherwise.

Which means Homura will be the one taking the lead, and making sure neither of the other two escape--things would be incomplete with either missing, after all.]

Though if you've already treated yourself, you've put us at a disadvantage. [He looks toward Ramirez, who will not get to merely stand by.] I'm Homura, by the way.

[YOU KNOW WHAT.

...Ramirez is just going to keep his mouth shut and nod his head because he is very quickly realizing that his stomach has twisted up into a huge, lurching knot and he can't quite remember how to form words.

It's hard not to just turn and bolt right now, but he is currently battling with the inexplicable need to be near the two of them combined with the fact he...really doesn't know what to do in these sorts of situations.]

I never said it was a treat for me.

[And because Souji's brand of affection is being a totally childish derp, he'll open the top of the bag and hold it out to Homura and Ramirez. Hijikata won't eat them, but maybe these two will and then they'll have something more in common. And if they eat them, maybe they'll smile a little.]

I got them for you two.

How kind of you.

[Homura crosses the short distance between himself and Okita, reaching inside to take one of the candies for himself. He doesn't eat it, however, instead moving to the side so Ramirez can have his turn. Notably, that would involved the third man moving closer to them.]

[And while they're waiting on him to do so, Homura will look curiously at the object in his hand.]

What is it, exactly?

[Oh, well...that's nice. He'd say thank you, but his tongue still feels swollen and Ramirez has no desire to make a complete fool of himself. This does mean, however, that he accepts Souji's candy offering with no fuss whatsoever.

...Well, except for the fact that he is so easily within touching distance of the two of them now. There's a lingering sense of disappointment when Homura moves aside for him; the closing space between them seemed almost tangible and he is suddenly struck with a wild, impulsive desire to brush against him-

...No, that was stupid. Why would he want to do that? He shoves the thought nervously away, as quickly as it came.

Also if his hand happens to be trembling a little while he reaches out for one? You are imagining things and he totally doesn't know what you're talking about.]

[Oh, yay, they're taking them. Okita likes it when he can share things with people and even more when it's things he likes being enjoyed by people he likes. It's a little flustering to be so close to them both, but he smiles through it.]

They're candies - sweet things. Try it. I bet you'll like it.

[First a smile at Homura and then at Ramirez. Although the smile turns to a curious headtilt when he notices how Ramirez's hand is shaking a little.]

Ramirez-san...? Are you alright?

I see. Thank you for them, then.

[Homura's about to put his candy in his mouth when Okita asks about Ramirez's shaking hand. He watches the scene for a moment, then grins, having a guess as to just what that nervous tremble means. Far be it from him to not make the situation worse for the man.

So here, Ramirez. Have one demi-god reaching out to take your hand, turn it over, and press his candy into the palm.]

You should try and relax. [He'll take another candy for himself after he lets go of Ramirez, trying it as he purposely catches Okita's eye.] They are good.

[Oh, but you certainly know how to make a man uncomfortable. His first instinct, of course, is to tug his hand away. Inherently charming as Homura is, this is still the first time he's ever seen him, and Ramirez isn't much for instant closeness.

...So that just makes it all the more unnerving for him when he actually doesn't pull back- though he still looks a fair bit like he's about to bolt. All the same, once Homura lets go, he withdraws his hand in an strangely hesitant way, reaching up with his other hand to run his thumb across the knuckles.

But hey, it manages to jar him enough to get his mouth to start working.]

A-ah...

[...Not that anything particularly intelligent comes out of it. Welp. So much for not looking like an idiot. Let's try that again.]

...Right.

Fine, Souji. I'm fine. Thank you for your generosity.

[Normally he would be quite a bit more prickly about the matter, but it's hard to work up the proper irritation.]

[Okita sees Homura looking at him and turns his head away a bit, smiling to himself. Even though he only met Homura relatively recently, it's nice being around him and Ramirez both. It feels like home and it's a good feeling - if a bit confusing.

When Ramirez thanks him, he laughs and faces them both again, shaking his head.]

It's nothing! The least I could do for you two coming out to meet me. I'm so glad you both came, too. It's good to see you again.

[Ramirez truly has no idea just how good Homura is at that very thing. He's done it often enough to read the tension in the other man, the awkwardness evident. Yet there's no disgust among the confusion, and Homura is more pleased by that observation than he might normally be.]

You're simply a bit nervous, correct?

[Homura grins easily even as he makes the potentially embarassing assertion. He's looking forward to seeing just how Ramirez will react, and teasing him further--though innocently, without his typical relentlessness.]

[Okita isn't to be left out, however, and Homura addresses his gratitude with a light laugh.] There's no need for thanks. I think it's a fair assumption to say that all of us truly want to be in each others' company, moreso than anyone might have expected.

[He's bristly, but at his core, Ramirez is fairly naive. As it would be imagined, he tends to make perfect trollbait, especially when circumstances like this leave him so completely floored as to what to do.

He would so love to argue with you, Homura, but honestly, he would rather speak as little as possible. Ramirez is easily the most inexperienced with this out of the other two, and it shows; if any of them them are going to get cold feet and attempt to duck out prematurely, it's going to be him. He has absolutely no idea what the correct response to this sort of thing is.]

...Possibly.

[...Actually, the fact that he's continually growing more docile and submissive around them is particularly telling. Souji in particular may notice the suspicious lack of barb to his tone, since Homura's remark are generally the sort of thing that so easily riles him up.]

[And Souji does notice, which makes his smile soften a little and become just a tiny bit more genuine. It's good to see Ramirez lightening up and it's even better to see him opening up to not just Souji, but to Homura, too.

Putting the candy bag away for now, Souji laughs lightly and takes both Homura's and Ramirez's hands, pulling them a little closer into a circle.]

Yes, like he said. I'm glad you're both here. I've missed talking to you both and it seems like we always get so busy and can't meet. We should do something now that we're all together!

[Homura knows better than to think it's a mere possibility, at this point, but he'll give Ramirez a moment of rest--largely prompted by the warm feeling of Okita's hand in his. He doesn't miss that Okita's taken hold of them both; to the contrary, Homura approves, and reaches over to complete the circle formed by reclaiming the hand he'd held just a few moments previously. He'll gently tighten his fingers around Okita's, silent gratitude for taking this step.

It's...nice, really. Even this simple act of closeness is a wonderful thing, and Homura himself would be content to merely maintain it for a time. But he won't reject Okita's suggestion.]

Perhaps so. Do you either of you have something in mind?

Edited 2011-02-22 10:22 (UTC)

[The solid feeling of another as they clasp their hands in his is a foreign one, though not altogether unpleasant. Ramirez was used to isolation; warmth and acceptance were not things he expected to find. Yet here he was, feeling nothing but that from the other men. He could feel it in the soft pressure of their hands, and his heart jumped and thrummed vibrantly in his chest.

But it was so fast-

His hands twitch backward, uncertainly; it's the only feeble cry of protest he gives at the sudden affection from the two before he hesitantly curls his fingers around the two. The grip is gentle at first, but the longer this goes on, the harder he's going to hold on to them until it turns into an intense, almost borderline painful clinging.]

No.

[And then-]

It was your suggestion.

[It's a weak comeback at best, only accentuated by the complete lack of any sort of disdain in his voice...but it's hard to argue with that buoyant emotion fluttering up inside his chest, no matter how hard that small, rational part of his mind was attempting to stab it brutally in the back. Stop, it tells him, Stop right now before it's too late-

Ramirez brushes the thought aside, ignores the feeling that there is something decidedly off about his almost instantaneous attachment to the other two men. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that tender, intense affection he held for them was now burning through his veins at lightning speed.

Perhaps he looks a bit foolish, standing here and clutching at the two of them like a lifeline. But for all he cares, the rest of the village can take a backseat in his mind for now.]

[Even if the clinging is a little painful, Okita just smiles through it. It's a sign that Ramirez needs them and he isn't going to reprimand him for it. To do so might make the man pull back and that's not what he wants. Instead, he'll give his hand a reassuring squeeze and then start swinging their linked hands back and forth.]

Mm~ I like playing games, but I don't think you two are the hide and seek kind. Unless.... you are? It's fun~

Homura is used to recoil, and for a moment at that twitch, there's a sudden, unusual fear in his mind--does Ramirez somehow know that Homura is unclean? Is this somehow forbidden? Even though the other man accepts the affection a moment later, Homura is still forced to swallow back a lump from his throat. Rejection from others has never made him afraid, and that it has now only multiplies the intensity of the emotion.

But then a different sort of pain comes, emanating from the almost desperate way Ramirez grips his hand. Is he afraid too? It makes too much sense, given the suddenness of everything that's happening. Okita apparently knows them both, but Homura and Ramirez have literally never spoken before this day. Even in the past, Homura hasn't developed such intense feelings so quickly.

So he smiles when the other man offers a retort, taking the words in with ease before looking to Okita. "I've never really played games." At least, not of the brand he's sure Okita is referring to. "The Heavens weren't quite as carefree as those in this place. But it might not hurt to try one." Homura turns to Ramirez after, and shrugs his shoulder. "I'd be just as content to find someplace quiet to talk and enjoy each others' company."

[A smile. Unexpected, but not unpleasant. The sight sears through him, skin stinging and stomaching twisting and burning. He unconsciously starts tightening the hold on their hands- almost like he was certain the two would slip away from him if he didn't- before Souji's gentle squeezing back reminds him of that warmth and comfort the two men seem to radiate. It's enough to make him loosen his grip on them, as he opts instead to tentatively draw his thumb up to graze lightly across the skin of their palm. It's an...oddly sensual move from him, all things considered, and mainly done on pure impulse.

...Oh Moons, but what is wrong with him? Anything similar to this feeling before had only been a minor stirring at best, certainly nothing as focused and intense as it was now.

And never for two people at the same time.]

...I'm not sure how to play either. I never knew many children.

[The last part slips out as a result of his lowered guard and poor, confused nerves. But if Souji really wants to play Hide and Seek? Ramirez will do anything to make him happy. In the span of about an hour, the two of them have gotten him securely under their thumb.]

I will do what you decide.

[Whether it be playing a game or just basking in their company. In all honesty, he just wants to be near them.]

[He laughs easily to break the tension and to keep himself from thinking about how unhappy both of their childhoods must have been. It was something they all had in common, and yet they all chose to deal with it differently. He wonders if that's because of how they were raised or just some fundamental difference in their personalities, but decides it doesn't matter.]

Sitting around and talking is fine, but if we play a game, there can be prizes~ And you have to tell me which you'd like. None of this "oh, whatever you want" business. If it were up to me, I'd do nothing but play games all day.

o41 [Voice --> Action]

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