raisetheearth | 'Cause there's another one you're loving [Semi-Open, forward-dated to August 27]

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'Cause there's another one you're loving [Semi-Open, forward-dated to August 27]

Who: Ryuzaki (DoppeL) and Blaise
Where: The Soda Barrel in Gateway City
When: Thursday, August 27, 2:45 PM
What: HE GOT ONE. Blaise is turning 18 soon and actually wants to "interview" for a... position.
Warnings: Ryuzaki is a creep.
Status: Ongoing/Semi-Open (please hit us up on plurk if your character saw what was going on in Ryuzaki's post and wants to intercept this date so we can map out the best way for the scene to go. EDIT: At this point in the log, it's unlikely that any character can positively change the outcome of the log's events. If that's OK and you still want to take a crack at it for the CR, disregard the edit!)

Even though Ryuzaki told Blaise not to be late, he most decidedly is, by about ten minutes. This was intentional. He just knows that the teen is going to be there, waiting hopefully, counting the seconds and getting flustered every moment he's not making an appearance.

He's serious about the "no one under 18" rule, but Blaise is close enough to that mark that he's absolutely willing to start getting to know the kid. Make him feel like he's being romanced a little, knowing full well that he'll fall fast and hard and that anticipation can only make him even more devoted.

He saunters up to the table, sliding into a seat across from the blonde young man.

"Nice to meet you in person, Blaise," he purrs, not mentioning his lateness to point it out or apologize for it.

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Blaise's mouth hangs agape and he blushes immediately. He's absolutely stunned, especially with Ryuzaki's suave behaviour. No way, he actually CAME! He doesn't even care that Ryuzaki is late. The fact that he showed up meant there was a real chance for him. Blaise can feel the butterflies in his stomach jump to his throat as he stammers to respond.

"N-nice to meet you, too! Oh, my gosh, I can't believe it! Uhm... Y-you look way better in person!"

This is happening! This is happening! Blaise could practically die happy.

"Ah, w-what kind of soda do you like? I can get it for you! My treat!"

The corner of Ryuzaki's mouth turns up in a half-smile. He's already mapping out how this will all go down. He's smitten, that part was easy. By the end of this date, he's pretty sure that he'll weave a web of intrigue that he'll be thinking about long after they've parted ways. Maybe between now and his 18th birthday, he'll start casually slipping a pet name into conversations, one he's already selected, Piglet. Sweet. Appropriate, considering the way his teeth tear into bacon that his Kosher-adhering original won't even touch.

"I clean up nice," he admits, twisting a strand of his pitch-dark hair around a long index finger without taking his eyes off the starstruck kid. "Do you always dress so well, or did you put together that outfit just for our date~?" Ryuzaki, conversely, isn't wearing anything particularly nice; his clothes are lived-in and relaxed, a pair of baggy jeans and a hoodie over a couple of layered t-shirts, one short-sleeved and one long.

"Cream soda," he specifies, the tip of his tongue brushing his lip in a manner that's on the edge of lewd. "Thank you, that's very kind. I certainly hope you'll let me treat you next time..."

Edited 2015-08-25 20:30 (UTC)

He gets even more flustered at the mention of his clothes.

"I, uh... I-it was for you." He says it with a small pang of fear. Did he maybe overdo it? Was he going to scare Ryuzaki away from his over-eagerness? "I-I mean, I usually look decent, but... Today was special."

Blaise nods happily and scampers off to get the sodas and comes back as quick as he can without spilling them. He nearly trips over his own feet in the excitement, but somehow he makes it back to the table without losing a drop. As he sets the cream soda in front of Ryuzaki and takes his own seat, he can't help stare at the boy in front of him. He felt like pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"So, uhm... Tell me about yourself. What kinds of things do you like to do?"

If just the mention of his clothes is flustering, it can't be helping that Ryuzaki is making no effort to be discreet about the way his eyes travel along the drapes, folds, and outlines of the way it covers his form.

"Thank you. I'm very flattered that you find me worth so much extra effort," he says with a sly smile. "I agree. Today is special."

He watches the boy hurry to fetch their drinks, clumsy in his excitement. Hook, line, and sinker.

He's a fair deal older than Blaise, at least Lazarus is. He'll be 28 in October, but the rangy, slender elongation of his limbs and his wide, round eyes probably contribute to making him look much younger. Maybe he can't quite pass for a teenager anymore, but he could for a long time, and people habitually shave many years off his actual age when they're making assumptions about him.

"Well, well... you're polite," he says, taking a sip of cream soda and making sure to spill a couple errant drops that he licks up delicately. "I will, on the condition that you allow me to find you just as interesting as you find me."

Oh, that's charming. That'll work.

"I was born in Germany. I like swans and I really like bacon. I don't do anything half-way; I'm an all-in kind of guy. What about you?" he asks, raising his eyebrows, leaning forward, performing the dance of invested interest.

No, Ryu, it is certainly not helping that you're tracing him with your eyes. It only makes him turn red all over.

That's it, right? He has to be dreaming. He pinches his own arm under the table, a little harder than he meant, making him let out a quick 'Ow' before ensuring that he was indeed awake. How did he get so lucky to meet someone this amazing? He quickly perked back up to answer, so he wouldn't just be creeping out Ryuzaki by just staring at him.

"I, uh... uhm..." He blushes and shakes his head to get his bearings, giving a warm smile. "I'm pretty much born and raised in the U.S. I like video games and I explore alot when I'm home by myself. Oh! Uhm... i-if everything goes well, maybe you would like to meet my parents! They're really nice. But... I haven't told them I like boys yet... Not that I've been scared of their response, just I've never brought anyone home for them to meet. I haven't even taken any friends to visit. So, it seemed like a weird thing to bring up out of the blue. I can even cook dinner for you, if you like. I'm really good at it."

He bites his lower lip a little nervously before taking a sip of his soda. Was telling Ryuzaki that he was new to even dating something he should have said? Most boys his age have had at least one girlfriend.

Edited 2015-08-25 23:04 (UTC)

Ryuzaki has a special fondness for fair skin, for just that reason. It can't hide anything, whether it's a hint of Sun or that youthful, naive curiosity at the kinds of things a young person has only read about or imagined.

He cants his head patiently to the side. Truly, he's just as transfixed as Blaise is; his speed is usually deep-pocketed people who are jaded, bored in their relationships, looking to experiment discreetly. He's not very conventionally handsome, but he takes better care of himself than his counterpart Lazarus, and once the lights are off, well... it hardly matters that some of his features are a little awkward in the dark.

"Video games? That so interesting," he says, practically from rote. His laughter is silvery and light when Blaise talks about taking him home to the parents already; he has no such plans to meet the people in this almost-adult's life who actually have the experience to know what he is. "And I admire people who can cook. I can screw up boiling water, seriously. If you make me bacon, I'll love you forever, you know."

In a friendly context, the comment sounds casual and teasing, an exaggeration to get across just how much he enjoys bacon. He suspects that Blaise, already talking about taking him home and integrating him in his life, will take it at face value.

"Tell me about some of your favorite video games," he says, absentmindedly running his tongue around the cool glass rim of the bottle's mouth.

Edited 2015-08-26 00:54 (UTC)

Ryuzaki's laugh melts Blaise's heart, tantalizing him. His heart beats a little faster and takes note of the bacon comment. He tries to hide a nervous swallow and continues.

"Well, I like the RPG kinds, with a hero who usually has to save some kingdom or damsel in distress. Kind of classic like the stories of King Arthur and stuff. The ones that make decisions can be fun, too, but some of them are hard if you choose the wrong answer. I like it when the hero saves the day and all of the hard effort is good for something, even if it takes weeks to complete it. I guess the adventure in those games is what make me want to explore outside, too." He laughs a little. "When I was little, I dreamt about being a hero like that."

In his laugh, he inadvertently ends up knocking over his soda. He grabs the bottle and yanks it up, already halfway empty from the spill.

"Oh, crap!" Blaise yelps out as he grabs a pile of napkins nearby. "I'm sorry, so sorry!" He tries to mop up all of the soda before any of it can get on Ryuzaki. Just his luck that he would choose black cherry today, the colour that loves to stain.

Ryuzaki has little interest in the subject at hand, but he certainly fakes it well, nodding in appropriate places, leaning close when Blaise seems the most excited, eyes wide and affecting earnestness. He's good at this, almost too good, with a sociopath's grace.

Just running out the clock, isn't it?

"Exploring is so fun," he agrees vehemently. "Experimenting, going outside your comfort zone. You never know what you'll discover about the world, or yourself..."

The soda spills, and rather than react by jumping up to avoid getting it on his clothes, or acting angry and annoyed as some might, he reaches confidently across the table, hand covering Blaise's and gently pulling it away from the napkins.

"Here, let me. I wanted to taste it, anyway..."

He intentionally gets some on his hand, lapping at it was feline daintiness.

Blaise is happy when Ryuzaki agrees with him on exploring. The way he spoke about it seemed almost romantic in it's own right.

"Really, you go exploring all the time, too?" He says with a large smile.

And then his heart nearly stops when Ryuzaki's hand touches his. Blaise's face completely flushes red as he lets Ryuzaki move his hand back from the napkins.

"R-Ryu..." His voice trails off, not even being able to finish Ryuzaki's name, as he watches the other boy lick the soda off of his hand. It was mesmerizing to him, somehow, and Blaise takes a minute to realise he's staring again.

"Ah, I'm sorry about the mess." He flusters all over again, feeling like his breath is stuck in his throat, his heartbeat in his ears, the tingling on his hand where Ryuzaki touched. All new sensations to him, it's almost overwhelming. And, he likes it. He refrains from reaching out for Ryuzaki's hand, not wanting to be too forward, especially on a first date. He visibly swallows, not sure what to do next.

There's a very significant reason it sounds romantic when he talks about it; he's blatantly referring to sex through thinly veiled metaphors. This wouldn't work on someone older and more experienced with an ear for innuendo, but Blaise is eating it up with a spoon, by all appearances.

"All the time," he confirms once the commotion has settled down and the spilled pop is wiped up. It won't keep away ants, but it'll more than suffice for the remainder of their date. "And a little bit of a mess is only to be expected, sometimes, pay it no mind."

He finishes cleaning his hand with his tongue, relaxed where Blaise is jittery and overcome with the novelty of being strongly attracted to someone who is giving so many "go-ahead" cues that it's practically unheard of even for the most shameless and brazen pickup artists.

"So, what are some of the things you'd like to explore?" he asks, resting his elbows on the table and cupping his pale, sharp-featured face in his hands.

Wow, all the time! Blaise might finally have met someone he can share all of his adventures with! Not to mention his relief that Ryuzaki isn't mad at the sudden, and inconvenient, mess. He makes sure to keep his hand solid on his remaining soda. If Ryuzaki were to pay attention to his hand, he'd notice it gripping quite a bit tighter than necessary to keep a drink steady.

The question shocks him back a little to the current situation. He feels like it's taking effort at this point to make his mind focus on what is rather than the possibilities that just spilled out into his head. He looks a little embarrassed, as if maybe his thoughts could be read at that moment. They certainly felt strong enough to be picked up on. He also thought the way Ryuzaki was cupping his face into his hands was such a sweet picture, he might have fallen out of his seat if there wasn't a backing on it.

He's falling way hard, way quick.

"Th-things?" Even with Blaise's level of clueless, he can tell this time he doesn't just mean the outdoors. However, that's the extent of what he can tell and is unsure of how to answer. "Wh-what do you mean? Like... zoos or something?" He tried to think of things he hadn't explored before, but comes up empty as far as his definition of exploring goes.

There's a very pronounced difference between people who have just met Ryuzaki and those who have known him for awhile. One group blushes easily and deeply; the other has lost all ability to. The mess has him unperturbed, is in fact a pleasant one; goodness knows he's dealt with much, much worse.

Dark eyes glance toward white, tense knuckles, and he smirks indulgently.

"Here," he offers, sliding his soda across the table toward him. "You lost some of yours, so we can share, if you'd like."

Someone so devotedly romantic surely can't resist.

"Well, sort of..." he says, with that same silvery laugh. "Zoos are all well and good, but you strike me as the sort who's more appreciate when things get a touch wild."

As Ryuzaki slides the soda bottle over to him, Blaise is mustering all he can to not faint from the blood rush to his head. Did he really just say that they can share? He stares at the bottle in utter shock, then looks at Ryuzaki, eyes almost unbearably wide.

"Oh...Oh, my gosh, I couldn't! I got it for you, and it's yours, and it's my fault for being so clumsy." It all seems to come out in one big spill of words, as if he's trying to say it all at once. His voice is quivering and, when he stops, he looks at the bottle again, biting the corner of his lower lip. Ryuzaki's lips had touched that bottle, and now he was offering to share it with Blaise. He slowly lifts his shaking hand and sets it on the cream soda. Did he really have the 'go ahead' here? He didn't think it was a joke. Ryuzaki's been absolutely amazing to him so far.

As he listens to the comment about the zoo, he hears that laugh again, and Blaise just about instantly turns to jelly.

"Wild?" he repeats back. He tries to think if he has any 'wild' experiences from his past. "Y-yea, I guess so. Though I haven't done anything too exciting. I guess I'd be up for trying something wild." It's innocent enough, still not understanding the underlying implications of Ryuzaki's language.

"You could," Ryuzaki answers gently. "Your treat is mine to do with as I wish, and I wish to share so you're not forced to go without. I'm a lot of things, but I don't think that 'inconsiderate' is one of them."

Besides, his smile says, I think that clumsy is cute, just like you, and cute on you.

"Wild," he repeats, stressing the word suggestively. "It's how I like it, you know. Always guessing, always keeping things fresh, always being open to new experiences. I knew from the second we started talking that you were all about each of those things, too. That must be why we shared such an instant connection."

Blaise feels warmer when Ryuzaki smiles at him like that. For a moment, he doesn't feel like he's causing too much trouble and he nods his head gratefully.

"O-okay... Thank you." He smiles back at Ryuzaki before taking a sip of the cream soda. Inconsiderate was definitely not one of the things Ryuzaki is to him. He perks up when Ryuzaki starts talking about being wild again.

"Wow, you really think so? I am definitely open to new experiences!" he says eagerly, fueled by Ryuzaki's words of the instant connection. So, he felt it, too. Blaise was on cloud nine! And he can't seem to stop smiling like an idiot. He wonders for a second if he can take Ryuzaki somewhere.

"H-hey... If... If you still have some time, I can... Take you to one of my favourite places. It's really nice and... You might like it." He looks down at the table as he flusters and sees Ryuzaki's hands again. He clenches the hand Ryuzaki touched ever so lightly, feeling that tingle once more. "It's a little out of the way, but I've never shown it to anyone."

It's like slitting a lamb's throat and laying it down on a stone slab as a sacrifice to a deity every bit as greedy and hedonistic as Ryuzaki. Every second the patient, gentle smile lingers on his lips he can feel his hold on the innocent young man tightening, and with it comes tremendous power. He wonders how many months (weeks?) it would take to have him fully within his thrall, willing to say "yes" blindly to any request and aching to please him in every possible way.

It makes his smile wider, but no less beatific.

"I know so," he confirms, nodding encouragingly. He feels something, even if it's not what Blaise thinks. It's probably like what anglers feel like when they've landed that one big catch.

"Already?" he asks, canting his head and looking reluctant when Blaise mentions a special place, one that's secret and carries clear sentimental value. "I know that you might be anxious to explore, but I won't kiss you until you're 18, do you understand? I think it's safer to wait, because if you take me there now, I don't know if I'll be able to resist that temptation."

Edited 2015-08-27 05:02 (UTC)

"O-oh... Yea, I understand." His smile wilts a little. So much for holding hands. But, he does respect Ryuzaki's point and code. Not many men are willing to wait until it's right. Ryuzaki obviously has chivalry in him. It's fair, but Blaise's heart aches. At least he'll be eighteen in about a month. Then, maybe he can take Ryuzaki there. He smiles a little warmly again.

"Sorry if I put you on the spot. I do understand. So, I can wait. I'll make sure it's perfect when I take you there." He promises it from the bottom of his heart. Something to work for and look forward to - A kiss from Ryuzaki. He wonders what it would be like to feel someone else's lips against his own, and flusters a bit as he tries to imagine.

"So, uhm... Why do you like swans? I heard you say that earlier." He only just realises he's been only talking about himself and feels like he should fix that now. "Do you like any sweets?"

Ryuzaki is cruelly adept at knowing what tactics will work best for which people, almost instinctively; what experience he needed to recognize what was impossible to pick up that way, he'd gained quickly. Blaise is not like him, nor is he like Cesar or Lazarus. He's soft, new, uncalloused and trusting, and his eagerness to reach a predetermined (if somewhat arbitrary) age is proof enough that Ryuzaki will gleefully be the one calling each and every shot.

"No, don't worry. I know what it's like to be young and anxious," he says with an informed, if somewhat sad, upturn of his mouth's corner. "It's the best feeling in the world, isn't it?"

The questions, while very polite, put him in an awkward place. He could lie, but they're still at that fragile trust-building phase. Even if Blaise is more willing to commit his trust than most, an obvious lie will certainly eventually get back to him, especially with the vitriol he's already drawn from certain concerned parties.

"You know that some weird stuff happens with Numbered," he says. "You have to try not to laugh, but... I don't have a mother and father. My only parent is a swan. As for sweets... sometimes, but as I mentioned, I'm partial to bacon. I like most meats, but bacon is really my favorite."

"Yea, it is a really good feeling. I guess it fits right in line with what you said about being wild." He laughs a little nervously.

Then, Blaise's eyes widen in wonder. He remembers something of a story where seven princes were turned into swans by a curse. It seemed really fascinating when he was growing up. And now he seems to have his own swan prince right here in front of him.

"It's possible to have a swan as a parent? That's so cool! I bet your mama's... err.. papa? so proud of how you turned out! You're so amazing, Ryuzaki! You do and have things I never knew were possible! How could I ever laugh at that?"

He gives another warm, sincere smile.

"I promise, on our next date, I'll bring you lots of bacon, then. Do you like it any specific way? I know there's a way to cook it into chocolate that people say is irresistible, I can look up the recipe if you want. Or do you just like it plain?"

Edited 2015-08-27 07:02 (UTC)

The word "wild" is one that actually makes his eyes close, he relishes hearing it so much. It's made sweeter by the fact that Blaise almost certainly doesn't know what it means in the same ways that Ryuzaki does. It's made even sweeter by the revelation that he came from a swan; while it's certainly a sore spot for him, that he was made and not born and that one he considers to be an inferior man has the designation of being "real" by the standards of those other fools, Blaise has seemingly spun it into a romantic fairy tale come to life just for him.

Swans might be romantic and graceful, but it looks like you've yet to learn how mean they can be.

"I don't know what Silent Swan thinks," Ryuzaki muses, recognizing that it can only benefit him to maintain an air of mystery and intrigue. "But that's certainly a very kind thought, that someone might be proud of me."

Instead of, you know, disgusted by me.

"I like bacon any way," he says, nodding eagerly. "So much that it's actually really difficult for me to keep my hands off it until it's done cooking... I've burned my fingers a few times," he admits. It might or might not be humorous exaggeration. "I'm sure that anything you come up with will be delectable, and I can't wait to try it."

Now comes the tricky part, maintaining mystery while showing selective vulnerability that this would-be hero gamer smitten by stories is sure to respond to favorably.

"You know... the Numbered don't like me that much at times, because of where I'm from and how I came into this world. Sometimes... I don't know what you'll think of this, but occasionally, I feel... cursed, if that makes any sense."

Edited (Mobile tag typo (i did this on a phone i'm sorry)) 2015-08-27 13:37 (UTC)

Blaise practically looks like a dog wagging it's tail at the peak of excitement as he tries to think off all the ways to make bacon for his nearly beloved Ryuzaki. Imagining the smiles and thank yous. He was melting just thinking about it. And then, when he finally turned eighteen, maybe Ryuzaki would shower him with kisses. He has to fight not to let out an excited squeak. He's going to spoil Ryuzaki like he has never been spoiled before, especially when he hears about how other Numbered treat him differently.

His mouth hangs a little in disbelief. How can anyone treat someone so sweet so badly? Just because they're different. Blaise gets noticeably teary-eyed when Ryuzaki says he feels "cursed". It's not fair.

"I'm so sorry. I swear, I'll do everything I can to make you not feel that way. You're amazing, I won't let anyone make you feel any other way."

Ryuzaki, he will be your knight in shining armour, is what he's strongly implying. To swear to be your shoulder to cry on and keep anyone from picking on you. In this unjust world you've been through, he will be your light.

Even though most of Ryuzaki's affection is a guaranteed sham, it's true that he has a real love for bacon, in gleeful mockery of his original's strict adherence to a Kosher diet. Lazarus is Jewish, struggling with his faith and cleaving to what he can in a world that sometimes leaves him high and dry, and Ryuzaki is a gleeful heretic, taking what's forbidden and appreciating it above all else.

Any way to differentiate himself from someone he hates, a man who doesn't deserve to be the original for how half-baked he really is.

He watches the sheen of tears cover Blaise's wide, clear eyes, chest swelling triumphantly even if he's careful to school his tone and expression.

"Your empathy's appreciated, but really... it's not your fault," he says with an uncomfortable laugh. Everything. Amazing. Feel.

What an unjust world it really is.

"I'm used to it, Blaise... I can get by. I have been getting by, all on my own. Better than my Other... Lazarus, did, anyway. He couldn't do it alone. I could."

Blaise can't help it anymore; tears start to spill over.

"That's so cruel! No one should have to go through that alone!" He has to choke back a sob. "I mean, I'm really glad you made it through, but you shouldn't have to be used to that treatment! Why? I can't imagine if I had to go through something all by myself, with no one to talk to!"

He rubs his face hard, trying to make the tears stop. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like he can. That last little pang on his sensitive heartstring did it. He rubs his face until it hurts from being rubbed raw. He's the one crying, but Ryuzaki is the one that went through it. And that seems to hurt all the more. And he only wishes he could make it better.

Between his shouting and his not-so-muffled sobs, he may be creating a bit of a scene with onlookers from all over the soda shop, unaware of any further hassle he might be making for Ryuzaki by attracting the attention.

Ryuzaki was absolutely trying to exploit emotion and get some kind of reaction, but the payout is greater than he every predicted.

"It was what it was," he says bravely, keeping a stoic front to directly contrast with Blaise's tearful one. "Sometimes I thought I wouldn't get through it, you know? But I did. It was all about taking it one day at a time."

This actually sounds like something Lazarus would say, but Ryuzaki has no problem using it. It's that person's fault that his body came with vertical scars running down the undersides of his forearms. Sometimes lovers ask about them, sometimes they look away. Usually the lights are off before it comes to that point anyway.

"It's OK now. I like my life," he says, reaching out to take the boy's hand and tightly squeeze it in a conciliatory effort. "Please don't cry."

The brave face Ryuzaki puts forward and his 'heartfelt' speech of taking it one day at a time makes Blaise's tears stop for a moment. He watches Ryuzaki as he talks. And, when he says that he likes his life, Blaise calms down and manages a smile through the tears, nodding a little.

"Okay... As long as you're really, really okay." He lets Ryuzaki take his hand, feeling the squeeze. His heart soars again from the extra attention. They finally got to hold hands! He gently squeezes back. "I'll be here for you, no matter what. You don't have to be alone anymore."

The waterworks seem to cease, a ray of sun slicing the clouds of strife, and it's beautiful and delicate. It could be a ballet. Ryuzaki is infatuated with his own manipulative game, and he's never been happier.

"No matter what?" he repeats, sounding amused and incredulous. "That's quite a promise. I wouldn't want to burden you with having to keep it. Not so soon, anyway... but you know what? I'll protect you, too. Deal?"

"It won't be a burden at all! It's a real promise!" He's all lit up again and he gives an excited nod. "Deal!"

Blaise's first date is everything he imagined and so much more. Well, minus a kiss. But there's Ryuzaki's reasons for that. And everything else more than well makes up for it. He felt like a little kid in a candy store on Christmas with a certificate of everything for free.

Speaking of Ryuzaki's reasons...

Blaise leans back in his seat.

"I, uhm... I turn eighteen in September, on the twenty-first." The first person in Gateway City he's told his birthday to. "I hope you'll wait for me." And if you can't, I understand.

Blaise is still a little shocked that anyone would be interested in him. He's kind of prodding for the security that he is, indeed, worth Ryuzaki's time.

The Christmas metaphor is apt; this kid's like a fully trimmed tree. Ryuzaki listens to him promise it so easily, like it's the most natural and obvious thing in the world to make sure that he's satisfied. "Deal," he agrees, quirking a brow and giving the boy a half smile.

"The twenty first?" he asks, sounding mildly interested. "Well, it's not so long to wait, is it? Though I imagine to you it feels like an eternity, as excited as you seem to be about these magical secrets of adulthood. Don't fret. It'll go by in a flash. As birthdays go, yours will be a good one. I have a feeling."

Blaise smiles eagerly. The excitement of his birthday hadn't felt this good for almost as long as he could remember. He gets ready to say something, but his phone rings. His face drops and his eyes go wide. He gives a nervous, apologetic smile.

"S-sorry. One second."

He pulls out his phone and answers it.

"Hi, mom.... Oh, you both will? ... Yea, I'll just need to pick up some stuff on the way home. Love you, too. Bye."

He hangs up the phone and looks back at Ryuzaki.

"I'm sorry. My parents both have to work late tonight, so I need to go to the store and get some stuff to make dinner with. Uhm... Do you think we could hang out again, really soon?"

The ring of Blaise's phone gets an interested glance from Ryuzaki, but he remains outwardly patient as the young man answers it.

Love you, too? Isn't that just the sweetest thing.

"Really soon?" he asks, mulling it over as he considers his options for free time, as if he doesn't have very much of it and needs to dole it out accordingly. "Hmm... yes. That would be agreeable, certainly. They're so lucky to have such an obedient son."

He stands, stretching. "If you want a hug, I suppose that's all right with me."

Blaise smiles at the obedient son comment and that he gets to see Ryu again soon.

"Alright, when would you be able to hang out again? Do you need to look at your calender? I can contact you on the Network when I get home, if you want!"

Ryuzaki probably barely gets that sentence out of his mouth before Blaise latches on. A hug! It's a hug! He's okay with it! Yay! If Blaise were a dog, his tail would be wagging so fast, he'd look like a peacock. This is mine! No one else can have it!

"Yes... something like that," he muses, with that slow, secret smile of his. "I have to check my appointments with my clients, for one, but it should be doable within... well, at least within the next few days."

He seems a little surprised when Blaise rushes to hug him so eagerly and so quickly, but gamely and chastely returns it. "Until next time? Take care of yourself."

Blaise nods excitedly.

"I will! You, too!"

He gives Ryu a quick squeeze before he scurries off down the street.

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'Cause there's another one you're loving [Semi-Open, forward-dated to August 27]

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