[ things he did on his own: leave himself open to the switching of what it feels like to be called his first name after hearing his usual one. it still flutters through his chest, as does the play and the almost-kiss, and he's still (trying) to sip at the coconut through all of this.
his cheeks are slightly pink but that might just be the heat or the sun? most definitely. ]
You can be whatever you want to be. But I think you being my boyfriend is my favorite. [ this is entirely meant but this is also payback for taking a shot at his heart even if it's his fault he's here. ]
Though hearing you say you like me is a close second.
[ There's something in the way Khun just stands there, sipping his coconut with his cheeks flushed (not thinking about sunburn right now), quipping back with things that go straight through his heart, that leaves Tatara a little awestruck. Is that the right word? Or is it lovestruck, because of the way he feels his chest clench in that comfortable way?
His eyes may go wide for a second, but his grin stays on his lips. ]
Jeez... I have no idea how you stay so cool, even in the desert.
[ It wasn't a competition but it feels like he lost that exchange. Especially with the way his heart pounds like this. ]
It's in my blood. [ he says with a mischievous smile, taking their joined hands to place on his own chest briefly. it might be a silly illustration of where his blood pumping organ is, or maybe he wants to show (however discreetly) that his heart is beating fast too.
he won't hold them there for long because they should keep moving. guava!! which he might still not know what it looks like, it's fine. ]
Where I grew up was on the colder side of things, but I'd pick hot over cold any day.
[ color coding is real, but so are his preferences. oh, right. ]
Since your clan was red, does that mean you lived in a hotter climate? Or was it just aesthetic?
[ Tatara wishes he could unclench their hands and put his hand flat on Khun's chest, just to feel his heart for himself. His cool confidence, that smile really knocks him off his feet sometimes; even when they start walking again, his gaze remains transfixed on him for a little bit. Is it weird to think about how he's never really felt like this before?
He chuckles at that. It'd be nice to take Khun to all the beaches and the deserts and just bask in the sun with him.
But—right. Colors! With one last little smile, Tatara looks back at the path ahead of them. ]
I guess Japan was hot in the summer, but not really. I wouldn't say it was just aesthetic, either... The color of our Aura—oh, which was like our magic—was red. It was like fire, I guess.
[ He squints up towards the sun. ]
No blood, no bone, no ash. That was our motto. When the guys meant business, they'd burn things and leave none of those behind. They were pretty reckless...
[ he wouldn't be opposed once he knows that sunscreen is an important part of any sunbathing adventure. ]
Japan again...almost everyone here seems to be from there. It must be a pretty prolific land from the old world. [ khun's never had a real interest in knowing more about it besides maybe a specific type of ramen since shinji mentioned it, but tatara being from there changes things. he'll ask more about it later. ]
So you could use "magic" before, huh? That sounds like the flame of the Yeon family, minus the imaginative motto.
[ There sure are a whole lot of people from Japan, aren't there? Considering the last two sages were from Japan, maybe this world just needs a bunch of people from Japan. For...some reason.
He shrugs, though. His own Japan is pretty powerful, but he can't speak for others. ]
Yeah, in a sense. I was never really strong and didn't like fighting, so I wouldn't get your hopes up.
[ There's a little tease in his voice as he glances at Khun. Maybe he'd get the chance to show him a butterfly, though. ]
I don't think you'd disappoint me. [ said in the same vein as the coffee foam, though there's a bright smile this time that he throws tatara's way. ]
Hmm... they're one of the Ten Great Families, but they're not particularly powerful like the Arie, Ha, or Khun [ wink. ] . The Ten Great Families are basically noble houses directly serving the King.
The Yeon family is matriarchal and tend to look down on men—all the women can wield a peach colored flame that can burn through anything no matter the substance.
[ Tatara meets his bright smile, and a similar one crosses his own face. You know what, it feels nice to have someone have faith in him like this. Maybe Khun will like the butterflies.
Still, he listens as they make their way down the market stalls; he'll pluck the coconut from Khun's hand at some point to start sipping some of the juice for himself through the blue straw.
It does take him a hot second to realize what he just heard, though. ]
...You served a king, like I did? [ Hold on— ] But like, a real one? You're a real noble?
[ He'll get to the peach flame in a second because. This is some fairytale situation they're in, actually. ]
I'm not sure if you can call the King of Zahard a King in the medieval sense—he's the ruler, the King of the Tower because he was the first to climb it and make a deal with the Administrator to rule. His companions each formed a house, the Ten Families, though there used to be more, but some were wiped out by the others.
But Zahard has princesses, and all official manners of the Tower go through him and the Ten Families. So in that way we are, just don't picture horses or knights with armor like the Old World stories. There are knights, but their uniform is different. It's more modern.
And yeah, I grew up in the Khun estate with the rest of my hundred or so siblings.
[ Yay! Maybe Tatara drinks fast and there's nothing left.
But when he does sip, it's slow. He keeps his eyes on Khun as he talks, listening. ]
So you're a descendant of one of the companions of the king... [ Processing that in his mind. If he'd lived long enough to have children, then would they serve Mikoto, too? Would Mikoto live long enough to create a legacy like that?
He hums, fascinated. It feels more like a real king and country than Homra is. ]
[ Interesting... Filing away that expression to untangle and think about later. ]
Huh... I guess you could have as many kids as you wanted if you were immortal.
[ Things he's never thought about, but now he is. He takes a long, contemplative sip of his coconut juice.
He sighs, deep and dramatic. ]
I'm just lucky I met the best sibling.
[ Hehe. ]
But that sounds more like a real king and nobility than what I know. [ The king and clan system, he means. ] Does that mean you could be a ruler one day, too?
[ Oh. Never mind, then? Guess it's a horny thing? Does this run in the family—
Tatara's still sipping his coconut juice when Khun makes the declaration, and he stares up at him, wide-eyed. It's not in fear of the sharp grin, or the violent implications of the act. It's not in disapproval, or disappointment.
It's awe. He's drawn in by the dangerous elegance, a panther stalking the market stalls of a desert oasis.
...
He doesn't actually say anything for a good few seconds, nor does he remember to drink his juice—instead, he just stares up at Khun. ]
[ shhh, it's not his fault his bloodline is strong. ]
Cat got your tongue? [ khun has no idea what's going on in tatara's mind—he doesn't think of the panther association except when he's casting a few spells, so this is really just all him naturally. they're in a bustling market, the sun is bearing down on them and khun feels hot. but that won't stop him.
he has enough sense to pull tatara to the side before he pulls him in for a brief but deep kiss, all tongue. ]
Now I do~. [ ...now he's even hotter, but he is more satisfied. ]
[ It's a good thing they're generally on the same page, even if they don't realize it. Tatara's reminded just by how attractive Khun is, what drew him to Khun in the first place. His heart beats in his throat at the question—
And next thing he knows he's at the mercy of Khun's tongue, and it's the kiss, not the heat, that leaves him melting. The flush on his face is a little more obvious, thanks hat. ]
Aww, that's not fair... [ But the way he smiles up at him and the way his voice drawls says he is not unhappy with the turn of events. ] Kissing me before I get to tell you how attractive you are...
[ Now that his hands are free, they loop loosely around Khun's waist and draw him closer. He gazes at him, adoring, and he thinks, wow, he's really pink. ]
Your strength. [ His muscles. ] Your drive. You could rule the world if you put your mind to it.
[ He sees all the warning signs and only finds himself attracted to them. Quite literally. ]
[ ...hearings word like this really is something. there was another time in his life when someone whispered similar honey into his ear, encouragement to seek the impossible no matter how crazy it was. now, he recognizes that this is one of his weaknesses, but he's long past the point of caring.
he puts the coconut down behind him on whatever stand they're nearby without even looking backwards when he's pulled in, curve of his lips widening. one hand finds it's way to tatara's lower back, while the other tips his chin up towards him so they're closer still. ]
I never said I was going to stop after I kill my father. [ could he stop at that point? he'll figure it out when he gets there. ]
And aren't you lucky that you get to look all you want?
[ The killing part. The killing part doesn't really sit right with him, being the pacifist that he is. But the only way it shows on his face is in the way he blinks lazily—there's no disapproval on his face, nothing he really wants to say to him. Besides, he tells himself, there's too much he doesn't know about Khun's father. Maybe he's evil?
More importantly, his thoughts don't really get anywhere when he's held close and so intimately like this. Something about the finger on his chin leaves him near breathless. ]
Mm... I guess. [ He tilts his head, eyes flitting briefly to his lips. As much as he's attracted to types like Mikoto and Aguero, there's nothing stopping him from being absolutely cheeky about it. ] I'd feel luckier if I got to kiss you all I want.
[ no one in the right mind would ever call khun edahn a good man in any sense of the word. so there's that at least, but not that the fact particularly matters to aguero. he's brutally ruthless, cold and sharp like ice and seemingly unfeeling when he has to be. but that's a bridge they'll cross another day, not when they're melting under the rays of a desert sun. ]
Well then, what's stopping you? [ he won't close the distance this time, though his smile arcs wider. ]
[ Oh, his smile is gorgeous. As is the way he looks at him, goads him for a kiss. It always feels like he forgets how his lips feel in the moments before their next kiss, and his curiosity tends to push him forward, just so he can remember. But it's mostly the joy, delight, the affection he feels when they do.
He leans forward— ]
I...
[ He presses himself against him, chest to chest, arms adjusting in his hold of him.
His lips skirt past Aguero's, and nestle by his ear. ]
...want more coconut juice.
[ And he grabs the coconut from behind him, leaning back in his hold, however much Aguero will let him, and to take a cheeky sip through his blue straw. He grins. Yum! ]
[ for a second, aguero thinks he's going to melt like this or maybe catch fire. he's still aware thankfully (if barely) that they're in public, even if the way they're pressed up against each other reminds him more of late nights and sometimes early mornings.
is the pivot into the coconut a mercy then?
maybe.
he huffs and lets tatara lean back, likely farther than he intended to the point where it's practically a dip like they're dancing. they need to do that sometime together he thinks, ball or no ball. thankfully he doesn't hold him there long, just enough to impress upon him what this position feels like. that and to grab his red straw so he can sip at the sweet juice, expression just as chipper.
given their sharing, they reach the end of the coconut in just another sip or two. with it done, aguero releases the straw, licking up the beads of juice on his lips. ]
[ The longer Aguero holds him there, the more tempted Tatara is to just give up. They could stay like this, and he wouldn't mind. They could dance through the narrow stall alleys as they share the juice, guavas and fancy cuts forgotten. They could stay the night, or two, or sleep out under the stars, just the two of them. He knows Aguero is hungry, for him, and that means they're pretty lucky to be where they are, aren't they?
Tatara doesn't sip very much, because he's too busy watching Aguero lick his lips. Slowly, coral rolls up to meet blue, and the way he looks at him probably isn't the way he should look at him in the middle of the day, in public. ]
Hmm. I guess so. [ He talks, blue straw still in his mouth. ] We should find some guava before the market shuts. Maybe they'll sell some juice, too.
[ ahh his dear boyfriend is making this difficult but honestly, that's it's own type of fun. there's something to be said of budding anticipation, so for now aguero makes do with brushing a finger against tatara's lip, catching a stray droplet of nectar to pop into his mouth.
that's enough to get him to adjust his hold, urging tatara to follow suit so they can get moving. ]
Then let's go and get you your guava. And then we can find something for me after. [ like an inn or a hotel, or maybe even just a private field under the stars. ]
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his cheeks are slightly pink but that might just be the heat or the sun? most definitely. ]
You can be whatever you want to be. But I think you being my boyfriend is my favorite. [ this is entirely meant but this is also payback for taking a shot at his heart even if it's his fault he's here. ]
Though hearing you say you like me is a close second.
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His eyes may go wide for a second, but his grin stays on his lips. ]
Jeez... I have no idea how you stay so cool, even in the desert.
[ It wasn't a competition but it feels like he lost that exchange. Especially with the way his heart pounds like this. ]
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he won't hold them there for long because they should keep moving. guava!! which he might still not know what it looks like, it's fine. ]
Where I grew up was on the colder side of things, but I'd pick hot over cold any day.
[ color coding is real, but so are his preferences. oh, right. ]
Since your clan was red, does that mean you lived in a hotter climate? Or was it just aesthetic?
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He chuckles at that. It'd be nice to take Khun to all the beaches and the deserts and just bask in the sun with him.
But—right. Colors! With one last little smile, Tatara looks back at the path ahead of them. ]
I guess Japan was hot in the summer, but not really. I wouldn't say it was just aesthetic, either... The color of our Aura—oh, which was like our magic—was red. It was like fire, I guess.
[ He squints up towards the sun. ]
No blood, no bone, no ash. That was our motto. When the guys meant business, they'd burn things and leave none of those behind. They were pretty reckless...
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Japan again...almost everyone here seems to be from there. It must be a pretty prolific land from the old world. [ khun's never had a real interest in knowing more about it besides maybe a specific type of ramen since shinji mentioned it, but tatara being from there changes things. he'll ask more about it later. ]
So you could use "magic" before, huh? That sounds like the flame of the Yeon family, minus the imaginative motto.
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He shrugs, though. His own Japan is pretty powerful, but he can't speak for others. ]
Yeah, in a sense. I was never really strong and didn't like fighting, so I wouldn't get your hopes up.
[ There's a little tease in his voice as he glances at Khun. Maybe he'd get the chance to show him a butterfly, though. ]
What's the Yeon family like?
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Hmm... they're one of the Ten Great Families, but they're not particularly powerful like the Arie, Ha, or Khun [ wink. ] . The Ten Great Families are basically noble houses directly serving the King.
The Yeon family is matriarchal and tend to look down on men—all the women can wield a peach colored flame that can burn through anything no matter the substance.
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Still, he listens as they make their way down the market stalls; he'll pluck the coconut from Khun's hand at some point to start sipping some of the juice for himself through the blue straw.
It does take him a hot second to realize what he just heard, though. ]
...You served a king, like I did? [ Hold on— ] But like, a real one? You're a real noble?
[ He'll get to the peach flame in a second because. This is some fairytale situation they're in, actually. ]
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A real one? [ ? ]
I'm not sure if you can call the King of Zahard a King in the medieval sense—he's the ruler, the King of the Tower because he was the first to climb it and make a deal with the Administrator to rule. His companions each formed a house, the Ten Families, though there used to be more, but some were wiped out by the others.
But Zahard has princesses, and all official manners of the Tower go through him and the Ten Families. So in that way we are, just don't picture horses or knights with armor like the Old World stories. There are knights, but their uniform is different. It's more modern.
And yeah, I grew up in the Khun estate with the rest of my hundred or so siblings.
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But when he does sip, it's slow. He keeps his eyes on Khun as he talks, listening. ]
So you're a descendant of one of the companions of the king... [ Processing that in his mind. If he'd lived long enough to have children, then would they serve Mikoto, too? Would Mikoto live long enough to create a legacy like that?
He hums, fascinated. It feels more like a real king and country than Homra is. ]
You have siblings?
[ There's more of him?? ]
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By my book, I had a sister. But technically speaking, there are thousands of us. Most of them die young, though.
My father is prolific and immortal.
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Huh... I guess you could have as many kids as you wanted if you were immortal.
[ Things he's never thought about, but now he is. He takes a long, contemplative sip of his coconut juice.
He sighs, deep and dramatic. ]
I'm just lucky I met the best sibling.
[ Hehe. ]
But that sounds more like a real king and nobility than what I know. [ The king and clan system, he means. ] Does that mean you could be a ruler one day, too?
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[ urgh, his father.
at least he doesn't linger long on it given the compliment and question. his grin here is sharp and predatory, all teeth. ]
I will be. I'll kick him off his seat and be the head of the Khun family soon enough.
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Tatara's still sipping his coconut juice when Khun makes the declaration, and he stares up at him, wide-eyed. It's not in fear of the sharp grin, or the violent implications of the act. It's not in disapproval, or disappointment.
It's awe. He's drawn in by the dangerous elegance, a panther stalking the market stalls of a desert oasis.
...
He doesn't actually say anything for a good few seconds, nor does he remember to drink his juice—instead, he just stares up at Khun. ]
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Cat got your tongue? [ khun has no idea what's going on in tatara's mind—he doesn't think of the panther association except when he's casting a few spells, so this is really just all him naturally. they're in a bustling market, the sun is bearing down on them and khun feels hot. but that won't stop him.
he has enough sense to pull tatara to the side before he pulls him in for a brief but deep kiss, all tongue. ]
Now I do~. [ ...now he's even hotter, but he is more satisfied. ]
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And next thing he knows he's at the mercy of Khun's tongue, and it's the kiss, not the heat, that leaves him melting. The flush on his face is a little more obvious, thanks hat. ]
Aww, that's not fair... [ But the way he smiles up at him and the way his voice drawls says he is not unhappy with the turn of events. ] Kissing me before I get to tell you how attractive you are...
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Go ahead, I'm listening.
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Your strength. [ His muscles. ] Your drive. You could rule the world if you put your mind to it.
[ He sees all the warning signs and only finds himself attracted to them. Quite literally. ]
It's why I can't stop looking at you.
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he puts the coconut down behind him on whatever stand they're nearby without even looking backwards when he's pulled in, curve of his lips widening. one hand finds it's way to tatara's lower back, while the other tips his chin up towards him so they're closer still. ]
I never said I was going to stop after I kill my father. [ could he stop at that point? he'll figure it out when he gets there. ]
And aren't you lucky that you get to look all you want?
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More importantly, his thoughts don't really get anywhere when he's held close and so intimately like this. Something about the finger on his chin leaves him near breathless. ]
Mm... I guess. [ He tilts his head, eyes flitting briefly to his lips. As much as he's attracted to types like Mikoto and Aguero, there's nothing stopping him from being absolutely cheeky about it. ] I'd feel luckier if I got to kiss you all I want.
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Well then, what's stopping you? [ he won't close the distance this time, though his smile arcs wider. ]
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He leans forward— ]
I...
[ He presses himself against him, chest to chest, arms adjusting in his hold of him.
His lips skirt past Aguero's, and nestle by his ear. ]
...want more coconut juice.
[ And he grabs the coconut from behind him, leaning back in his hold, however much Aguero will let him, and to take a cheeky sip through his blue straw. He grins. Yum! ]
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is the pivot into the coconut a mercy then?
maybe.
he huffs and lets tatara lean back, likely farther than he intended to the point where it's practically a dip like they're dancing. they need to do that sometime together he thinks, ball or no ball. thankfully he doesn't hold him there long, just enough to impress upon him what this position feels like. that and to grab his red straw so he can sip at the sweet juice, expression just as chipper.
given their sharing, they reach the end of the coconut in just another sip or two. with it done, aguero releases the straw, licking up the beads of juice on his lips. ]
What now? Still thirsty?
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Tatara doesn't sip very much, because he's too busy watching Aguero lick his lips. Slowly, coral rolls up to meet blue, and the way he looks at him probably isn't the way he should look at him in the middle of the day, in public. ]
Hmm. I guess so. [ He talks, blue straw still in his mouth. ] We should find some guava before the market shuts. Maybe they'll sell some juice, too.
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that's enough to get him to adjust his hold, urging tatara to follow suit so they can get moving. ]
Then let's go and get you your guava. And then we can find something for me after. [ like an inn or a hotel, or maybe even just a private field under the stars. ]
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