Work Text:
God, I hate this class.
In a somewhat medium-sized room, at the 8th floor of an apartment that has definitely seen better conditions, Rui Kamishiro sits in a rolling chair. His mind is occupied with some class material he is supposed to memorize in 2 days, a design idea regarding upgrading his flying roombas, and how much he wants to rest. He has been up for 16 hours, and the last time he slept, he slept for 3 hours. The only thing keeping him awake is sheer willpower. And this burst of determination will get him a satisfactory score on the final. Rui will make sure of it. He moves the random sheet of metal he has on the desk (Why is it even there?) to the ground, and focuses on the visuals. So, all I have to do is use this multiplexer-
Suddenly, his focus breaks thanks to the echo of quiet footsteps. The approaching person must be on their tiptoes, trying to limit the noise they are making. And, of course, there is only one person that lives in this house other than Rui.
When he turns around, it is easy for him to pinpoint Tsukasa, who turns towards him with the movement, a bit surprised. He straightens up, now that his stealth attempt has failed, and waves a little.
"You're awake?" Rui is also surprised for a good reason. Tsukasa is quite the structured person, unless there is some sort of show involved - in which case, he pushes himself to the brim. But, there is no production he is working on, and his exam week is over, so I just assumed that he would take the opportunity to actually sleep properly for the first time in weeks. "Yeah.." Tsukasa sighs out, but doesn't explain further than that. Bummer.
"I brought you some coffee. I was going to just leave it in the corner since you seemed so engrossed in your studies." Rui doesn't get up from his seat, but he does roll over so that they are near each other, and Tsukasa offers the cup personally instead. "Want some company?" His eyes crinkle, he seems softer in a tired way - it might be one of Rui's favourite expressions on him. He must have took a shower recently, his hair seems fluffier and a bit curly compared to usual.
"Of course."
✦
Somehow, they migrated back to the desk, leaving the warm couch behind after some chit-chat.
"So, that's why I need to find some sort of way so that this gate can work. I thought about priority encoders since the variables should be don't-care after the first instance of-" Rui stops without wanting to - hisses out in pain. My neck- His one hand goes to the area of the hurt, rubbing it like it does anything significant - the other automatically goes towards the mug to get some sweet, sweet caffeine down his throat, now that the opportunity presented itself. Oh, that hurts, translates into a minor exclamation of 'oof'.
The sudden noise, of course, alerts Tsukasa back to life after that admittedly mind-numbing lecture regarding logic circuits. He was standing next to Rui (who is sitting down, back in his chair), leaning to the desk as a makeshift chair of some sort - glancing at the cheat sheets and occasionally asking a few stuff to clarify his understanding, and keeping up wonderfully, especially considering engineering is not his area of expertise. "What's wrong?"
He doesn't bother explaining, just sighs out. "My neck.." Not again.. Tsukasa, bless his people skills, is quick on the uptake. "Yikes. I'm more surprised it didn't happen sooner." Then, he puts his hands on his hips, and proudness fills his voice, as it does often. "Lucky for you, you are rooming with the world future star, who happens to be an expert in destroying neck pain via massages." Of course he is. Rui sips from his cup again, then decides to tease the guy a little bit. Major blunder. "Oh? How curious. I didn't know that was a pre-requiste to becoming a star." Tsukasa huffs out a little bit. Score. "You know what I mean!!" Then, as an unfortunate side effect to spending so much time with Rui, and maybe Nene, he strikes back: "Sounds like my skills would be wasted on you. Too bad then, I hope it heals quickly." His voice doesn't encapsulate innocence fully, because he is busy laughing to himself. Not even concealing it. How mean of him. Rui has never been prouder, or, would have never been prouder, because that neck massage seemed like his only salvation right now.
As Tsukasa is mimicking running away, very mildly, just one step away - Rui grabs the edge of his shirt to beg for forgiveness. "Nooo, nono no I'm sorry- Come back-" And, as Tsukasa turns around to look at him, unimpressed, he attempts to gamble on a singular fact: Tsukasa is a big softie. "Look how much pain I am in, Tsukasa-kun.. You will not forsake me like this, right?" He bats his eyelashes obnoxiously, just to make the act even more fake, and make the blond laugh. And he succeeds in both areas - Tsukasa chuckles at him, steps to the side of him, then flicks Rui's hand away from his own neck. "Move, let me work my magic." He over-exaggerates a stretch, and cracks his knuckles. It's quite the show to watch. Rui lightly spins the mug in his hand, and teases Tsukasa a bit more, maybe testing his luck. "Oh my, this massage is going to be serious." The star doesn't step back thankfully, just affirms. "Of course! We can't have you suffering like this when you have so much more leaning down to do." You can say that again... This exam week has been brutal. Tsukasa's hands are warm when they make contact with his neck. Rui just sighs in response.
Tsukasa taps the sternocleidomastoid muscle, located from his left ear to scapula - as if asking if it is the problem. Rui affirms with a 'mmhm'. He takes this opportunity to sip some more from the mug, the brew somehow tasting better with each sip. Yummy. Not the pitch-black 3-spoons instant coffee he normally frequents, this fancy little thing has cream in it. I should be worshipping Tsukasa-kun at this point.
Tsukasa gets to work after Rui stops gulping down the coffee like a lifeline. And, unsuprisingly, he was correct to be confident in his abilities - he is putting enough pressure to actually make the muscle relax without hurting Rui in the process. Plus, he is humming something under his breath too, something soft. It envelops Rui in a cocoon of warmth, with so many proofs of him being cared for.
I want to stay like this forever.
The coffee in Rui's hand stills. Oh no.
He brings the cup back to his lap, then, slowly turns towards it to stop looking at Tsukasa and having these- these feelings. The sudden movement creates waves within the dark liquid, blurring his reflection - it mocks his heart for finally losing the battle for ignorance. The bliss fades away, and yet Rui's heart is still warm.
He hates it.
Rewind - why is this thought an issue?
It stars with a loneliness ingrained, and relationships that come and go - prime example, their troupe. Ah, Wonderlands x Showtime. All 4 of them had different goals, united under their love to make people smile. But, wishes alone doesn't fulfill dreams. There has been a part of Rui that couldn't accept the fact that they had to disband eventually, even if he tried so hard to extend the lifespan. And yet, the ending plays out all the same.
This doesn't mean their personal relationships are over, of course! But, performing under the same stage is a completely different experience compared to usual friendship, you know? He had to grapple to get on terms with it, but it ended up fine, as all things do. Of course, it helped that by some blind, silly miracle, Rui and Tsukasa's fates intertwined, once again. It's hard to not think of his current life as a dream - something he would have conjured up when he was a kid, thinking of his parents' relationship and yearning for something similar in his life. Someone to be himself with, his person, fully accepting him for his otherwise 'monstrous' quailites.
'I want to stay like this forever', huh?
Come on, now. It's not something Rui never thought about before! It's always in the actions he takes, after all - intentional or unintentional. With Wonderlands x Showtime's meetings filled with a shared love for theatre, with Nene when she barges into his room to hang out and rage at her 'idiot teammates', with Emu when both of them find a corner to drink vending machine sodas that have been sitting there for weeks - as both of their shoulders drop, and they give themselves a moment to breathe in mutual understanding, with small glances Mizuki gives him and he gives her back - we made it, this is a world for us to breathe in - with Tsukasa, a random school night, on a call that lasted too long for the poor guy to stay awake, only breathing in and out and yet destroying Rui's unwanted solidarity with ease. Again, and again. Rui will always yearn for a place to belong, it is what makes him him - but, he found that place already. Hell, he made the place. This is a different fear.
"What are you thinking about?" Tsukasa inquires quietly - he is still massaging Rui's neck.
That's when it hits.
He doesn't ever want to leave this cramped apartment behind, where his mess meets and mingles with Tsukasa's own. He got used to watching movies together as a way to leave the stress of university level coursework behind. He got used to the way Tsukasa's brow furrows when he is vacuuming and there comes another screw that rolled over under the couch who knows when, dooming Rui to another minor lecture about 'order in the house'. He got used to the gentle melody that reverberates from the piano Tsukasa ends up engrossed in sometimes, stubbornly untouched otherwise - the signal for Rui to ready a hot cup of whatever is in the counter, and keep him company as a makeshift after show. He got used to Tsukasa noticing when he is overworking himself, and coming into his workroom to drag him back to real life, just like now. The habits took time to get used to, and have merged into a routine for both of them - the Weirdo Wombo Combo imprinted on each other too much. It's too late. Rui would survive a separation, of course, but he doesn't want to. It's not about unhealthy attachment, it's- just- choosing each other everyday. Knowing each other better than themselves. Having a like-minded soul in your life. Similar enough to not clash into destruction, different enough to not get stale. Being able to hold each other without any fear regarding the future, as long as they are together.
This is everything.
Which is why Rui doesn't dare.
"Nothing."
✦
When Rui walks into the kitchen 5 to 10 minutes later, in a state of complete surrender regarding not being allowed to use Karnaugh maps in his finals and a revelation in his mind that he pointedly does not think about, empty mug in hand - he is graced with the sight of Tsukasa's own suffering figure. The blonde is rummaging through the cupboards like his salvation is between the nonexistent dust specks. I knew making a flying mini-roomba was a good idea. The nothingness must not be good company, because he turns- no, whips around the moment he hears Rui's footsteps. "Hey." Rui only waves back in response, and tries to take a sip from the cup he has in hand - only to realize, again, it's empty. "I have devastating news." Morbidly dramatic. How devastating can it be? Rui just hums out as a response, egging Tsukasa on to spill whatever bad luck has befallen upon them. "We have nothing to eat."
No way.
"No way." Rui is quick to verbalize his thoughts. He marches over, leaving the mug on the counter while passing by, finds his place to the right of Tsukasa and looks towards the shelf himself. Maybe the 9 centimeters of height difference will spawn something between there. Very surprisingly, it doesn't. Tsukasa huffs out, like he is annoyed that Rui didn't trust his words enough that he felt the need to check himself, then lowers himself to check under the counter this time. There is no way we are out of food. Rui puts his hand where Tsukasa's forehead will meet the edge so that the star doesn't injure himself without thinking - another habit he now noticed exists. Oh, it's bad. He's doomed. "How did we even run out of food without noticing??" Tsukasa whines to himself, grabs something under the counter, shakes it - then, with the lack of noise, he lightly leans his head against Rui's leg to resume complaining. He is gripping the cereal box like it is a personal insult.
The spot of minimal contact burns.
"The exam week completely wiped me out.. How did I even forget to restock???" Oh no, he is approaching unacceptable levels of loudness for the night. Rui quickly thinks: What would I do if I was not overthinking? "This is so un-star-like... I-" And so, his safety-barrier hand ends up on Tsukasa's head, and he pats him once, twice. "There, there. It's not solely your fault, I forgot too. We both have been insanely busy." And it stays there, testing the waters Rui didn't realize he was already in. This is not what normal friends do. To be fair, when have they even been normal?
Thankfully, Tsukasa only sighs in response, staring blankly at the emptiness like it is a moral failure.
What do we do now.. His stomach grumbles in torment. I'm too hungry to think.. And sleepy. Don't forget sleepy. That cup of coffee did nothing but make Rui happy because it was made by Tsukasa. Rui needs functional caffeine. Now. "Want to go to-" The director, also needing proper sustenance, attempts to ask Tsukasa out to that one restaurant he wanted to try out.
Ballsy.
Unfortunately, Tsukasa is quick to interject. "No! No restaurants. That's just cheating!!" He turns his head to glare at Rui, who is confused and amused at the same time. "Cheating?" Tsukasa shakes off Rui's hand and stands up properly, then leans agains the counter. "Cheating what? Hunger?" What did he get so worked up about, I wonder?
Tsukasa sighs out again, like Rui is completely oblivious to the truth of the universe. "Responsibility, of course!!" Oh no, he is shouting a little bit again. Well, the neighbours are probably used to it at this point, no? It's not like the star is the only noise pollution here, Rui knows his hand saw is not the white noise he is deluding Tsukasa into believing. "What kind of an adult forgets to restock their fridge!!! It's a failure on my part!!! I don't deserve easy access to food when I cannot even-" He hollers a little bit, then stops. What? What kind of thinking is that- Suddenly, he turns around to point at Rui. "It's completely your fault!!!!"
Huh? Before Rui can defend himself, or, you know, even ask why, or, most importantly, since when is food something you need to deserve- Tsukasa continues on, thinking to himself out loud: "I never forgot to stock up the fridge until I moved in with you!!! So, the problem must be-" His eyes widen. For a moment, he looks startled. "Oh." It's an exhale at best - his tone has gone completely soft.
Whatever revelation is happening there, Rui needs to know.
"Tsukasa-kun?" Tsukasa jolts in place, his face a little bit flushed..? What did he just realize?? "Nothing!!" He pushes Rui away a little bit with both hands, wait, since when was I that close, but then changes course randomly and grabs him back, dragging him so they are face to face. "Let's go shopping, Rui!"
✦
Honestly, Rui should be applauded for not moving just a bit closer so that their lips can finally meet. It's the ultimate proof of self-control, no? He is going to get an entire case of ramune for that one.
..Tsukasa always says his name in such an undescribable way.
Rui doesn't know how to explain it, but he knows that if he were a bit braver in that moment, he could have tasted the answers before they could spill from Tsukasa's mouth. He could have swallowed them down, and then give the kindness that still stained his own mouth with a drop of cream and bitter brew back and a little bit more, and-
Maybe I should pivot to alcohol. He needs to get drunk. He needs to get so, so drunk so he can forget where the wooziness of becoming lost in a sea of warm sunset starts and the cradle of liquor ends.
✦
"What about pasta?"
They have been standing in front of this section for 8 minutes.
"Sure." Rui has been saying yes to everything, which may be the issue. He is too hungry to wait for anything to cook, hence his suggestion with instant noodles, but it has been rejected already for 'not being nutritional enough'. Whatever that means. Rui doesn't care about nutrition, he wants to eat. "You really don't have a preference, huh?" Tsukasa sighs out, and finally, finally puts a box of whatever shape of pasta he chose. "It would be good for me to get some sort of grasp on Italian cuisine to build the character up, my next role is going to be a foreign businessman, or so I have heard.." Businessman? "What kind of show is it?" Rui is quick to try to get some information. Self proclaimed show-freak instantly focuses when the topic is theater. Fork found in kitchen.
Of course, Tsukasa is another show-freak as well. "Oh, it's a mix of action and- Actually, remember that one play we adapted back when.."
Their chat extends and branches out, as usual.
Rui doesn't really keep track of how long passed - he was too engrossed with the shifting-on-stage decor idea that sparked thanks to the time-travel elements in Tsukasa's newest play. Unfortunately, this meant he can only focus %43 of his attention towards the blonde, who has been on a quiet rant regarding the quality of tomato paste available on the shelf for the past few minutes. He cares too much.. This new train of thought returns him back to life (he notes the idea of a layered robot down in his mind, to turn it over in his head at a later date), and he simply observes, amused. Tsukasa's brows are furrowed, he is bending down a little bit, hands on knees - reading the back of a can like it is that important. It is a completely common occurance, he is always so hell-bent on making sure everything is up to his standards. So, you can imagine the annoyance Rui feels at himself when that fun feeling fades into fondness, over a sight he sees every week or so. Again, this yearning... How many times has it been now?
Tsukasa must have finally settled on a brand, because he sets a can carefully in the shopping cart, and they start moving again. Rui grabs a bag of sugar - 3 kilograms, and the brand both of them prefer (well, Tsukasa does, Rui does not know the difference) from the bottom shelf paralel to the one they have been standing in front of, and carefully plops it to the corner of the cart. Tsukasa eyes what he added in the cart, and his eyes widen. "Oh!! I forgot completely.." His smile is sheepish, but bright nonetheless. "Good catch, Rui!" And, as Rui tries not to willingly bash his head into the nearest ledge, god, how was I even functioning subjected to this 24/7, they continue onwards.
Maybe the sleep deprivation and hunger is making his inhibition so, so much weaker. Rui needs to make this process automatic again - yes, again, because this is not a recent development, at all, he will deny this fact if asked though. Why am I so incapable of functioning? It's like suddenly being aware that you breathe, so you forget how to, and now you have to do it manually to stay alive. How irritating. Plus, it doesn't help that Tsukasa had some sort of a realization back in the kitchen, too. I will probably never get to know what that was about. It's too late for that now, Rui will never know something Tsukasa doesn't want him to. He might get glimpses here and there, but.. Curse you and your layers. Tsukasa has a suprising depth that is unnoticeable if you only know him as an acquaintance. How can someone be selfish and selfless at the same time? Vulnerable yet unpenetrable? So genuine, but a cunning liar when needed? Rui can read him, but he cannot know everything by sight alone. This, of course, needs to be fixed. Rui needs to know everything about how he functions. Sometimes he wishes Tsukasa was a robot, so that opening him up and inspecting every gear, every cable and every connection that makes him him was possible. What makes you tick? What makes you-
Well, damn. That's a lot of thoughts. This is slowly becoming a monologue about what Rui lo-
No. Nope.
Not that word. Never that word yet. Maybe later. Rui will be taking this very, very slow.
With a sudden turn to the right, and a world that doesn't know what 'slow' means, he is graced with the approaching sight of...
Oh no.
As they get closer to doom, the few seconds that pass feels like a dream. And, when they arrive at the presumed destination, Rui cannot help but ask: "Why.. are we stopping in front of the vegetable aisle?" For some reason, it is definitely not pattern recognition, there is a sinking feeling in his stomach.
Tsukasa doesn't look at him when he answers. "I need some for the sauce."
Oh no.
"The- The sauce?" Rui's voice shakes. The world spins in place, and sways under his feet - not the first time his reality comes crashing down into the paradise, Tsukasa has tried to get him to eat vegetables before. This cannot be happening. "Do you really?" The star doesn't hesitate. "Yep!" His right hand comes up, and pats him on the bicep. Rui gulps audibly. "I'll even be charitable here! Heh, as expected of me." A smirk, and a pose. His other arm gestures the aisle like it is the salvation for Rui's nonexistent issues - keyword: nonexistent, which is why it is not needed. Rui cannot imagine a single, minuscule second where he would ever need to get into contact with a vegetable, let alone eat them. "You can choose which one you want. I will make them undistinguishable taste and texture wise, don't worry." Tsukasa's smile is glowingly comforting in return. It burns itself into Rui's retinas - he doesn't mind, it's not like a billion of their variations wasn't already. Another one. Another. All aimed at R-
The sleep deprivation might be getting severe. Spare him from this humiliation. Please.
I cannot handle this. He looks so welcoming, like he is trying to tame a wild Rui out of his safe haven. Too bad, apparently, because his natural habitat is by Tsukasa's side, which is new information or so he likes to think- and, mind you, note it down, it has always been like this and will continue to be like this for the rest of time - very surprisingly, without vegetables. He has no intention of changing any of these facts anytime soon. Not solely up to me, though. The sudden reminder is minorly chilling - and so, the feeling returns. What's worse? Having to eat vegetables because the guy I want to stay with for the rest of my life wants me to stay healthy or having to deal with the fact said guy might not want the same from me?
"Don't look so down, come on!!" Tsukasa continues on, not blind to the way Rui feels sick to his stomach - although, must have an entirely different idea of the cause. He moves a bit towards to the aisle, the cart finds it's position between them - he is checking the quality of the produce while trying to make Rui give in. "Vegetables are not that bad. Farmers work very hard to put these on our plate, you know?? I have no idea how you even survived this long without eating any." He mutters, eyeing the director from the corner of his eye for a moment, annoyed - but chuckles to himself in the end. "Or get this tall. Maybe you not eating any nutritional food is a blessing to door frames and roofs worldwide, huh?" And a blessing to Rui himself, because he gets the wonderful excuse to nuzzle into Tsukasa's hair when they hug. Which is not often. We should do it more. He uses a vanilla shampoo that was a gift from Saki, something about a get-2-pay-1 discount, alongside some conditioner Rui forgot the name to, so meticulous in self care- And it's always so soft to touch, like today-
Well.
Rui can visualise an imaginary audience, shouting at him to 'Get up!!!' and 'Stop folding over nothing!!!!' Can Rui play the sleep-deprivation card again? 'NO!!' Oh my. This audience is so mean.
Suddenly, a bright idea sparks to life within Rui's mind. Oh, this is actually good, everyone. It is! Rui is quick to put this new plan into motion. What plan, you might ask? Well, no need for spoilers. The imaginary audience boo's - Rui is taking great pleasure in their suffering. And so, the curtains rise:
Set scene. A random 24/7 convenience store. It is currently sometime past 2 am, and the sky is glittering with stars. Both characters stand in front of a vegetable aisle, with a shopping cart full of some snacks, energy drinks, and a random plushie that reminded Tsukasa of Toya - to gift him at a later date. Rui takes his position to the right of the shopping cart, leans over a little bit to get closer to Tsukasa, who turns to him with the sudden movement - he was eyeing the tomatoes like he misses eating them. He might be. Their apartment has been vegetable-free since they moved in. Whoops.
"You said I could choose any vegetable I wanted, right?" He is definitely smirking. Another whoops. Alarm bells are ringing in the star's mind, no doubt. Too late to back out now, Tsukasa-kun. You did this to yourself. Rui giggles in his mind to himself like a madman. He cannot wait for the plot twist.
The fluorescent lights buzz in the background as both of them stare at each other - the night envelopes the rest of the world, leaving the two in a weirdly intimate position. There is no one in the shop except them, now that Rui notices. Well, the cashier doesn't count, no?
Finally, Tsukasa gulps, and affirms - not one to back down from what he says. "..yeah?" Bingo. Pain is easier to handle when shared with one another, no? Therefore.. "Then, my dearest star," well, shit, that was a slip, do not break character, you are a functional perso- oh, wait a second, that subtle flush suits Tsukasa's eyes quite well actually, "I choose bell peppers." Rui doesn't gesture to the despicable, impending doom like Tsukasa did, but his sharp focus on the blonde's face rewards him - you would think he got dumped into cold water with the way Tsukasa's expression sours immediately when he actually registers what Rui said. The reaction is quite delightful to watch, but at the same time- Goodbye flustered Tenma Tsukasa, you existed for 1.3 seconds at best, but I will mourn you until the day I die. "Bell.. peppers..?"
There is nothing but pure silence, but it is easy to communicate with their eyes.
Rui eggs him on with a smirk: Well, Tsukasa-kun, your turn!
Tsukasa begs him silently: Don't do this.
Rui doesn't take it back. Just smiles innocently.
Tsukasa gulps, loudly this time. Then, shakily turn around to face his self-inflicted downfall.
Shudders.
Bell peppers. In all of their disgusting, green glory. They look even more unappetizing under the sickly lighting. Now is the time where a thunder should go off in the background, with a fitting, catastrophe-inducing background music. His expression sours even more, akin to seeing a bug anywhere within a 3 meter vicinity of him. This time, he cannot run to Rui's arms and beg him to get the bug out, now, please please please- Rui!! Rui, look at it?? He started this first.
This is war.
Rui will not back down, not when they are in a stalemate like this. It will be quite satisfying to get Tsukasa to give up on this. He gets so mockingly dejected every time he tries this, and cheering him up is a fun challenge in and of itself - though, Rui didn't humor the offering at all until now. I hope this gamble doesn't blow right in my face. Surely not.
Surely.
As Rui's mind helpfully supplies him with the definition of foreshadowing, this is real life, get yourself together, you are jinxing it- Tsukasa takes in a shaky breath, and with practiced motion, he walks over to the edge of the stall, and- And he grabs a bag? Oh. And walks over to the bell peppers properly. Oh no. Grabs one, inspects it with a furrowed brow, then dumps it into the bag, reaching another one. Foreshadowing is a narrative device used for-
In Rui's defense, he didn't think he needed to plan this out further. "Tsukasa-kun." His voice shakes - there is nothing in his gut but dread. This cannot be happening. "Tsukasa-kun. Why are you grabbing bell peppers for our dinner?" Tsukasa's voice is filled with an equal amount of suffering, but still continues on with the task, why, "Well, you chose them! So."
Pure silence. Rui attempts again. "Tsukasa-kun. You don't even like bell peppers, you hate them." Please, don't do this to us. "But you chose them!!" This is one of the rare times the director's voice raises, an edge of desperation fills his words, an admittance: "I didn't think you would follow through with it??"
"Will you take it back, then?" Tsukasa turns to Rui, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, but Rui doesn't back down. "Why would I? Fufu. Haha, even. I have never been so on board with a plan." Rui, for a moment, expects an incredibly loud incorrect buzzer sound to play out. It doesn't happen. Damn. "If you have a problem with my selection, you are more than free to discard this-" his nose shrivels up in disgust, "This lovely vegetable." And continues on with and innocent smile. Give up already. "Nope! I will cook this. And you will eat vegetables for once in your life." Rui doesn't like the finality in Tsukasa's voice one bit. "You would eat bell peppers just so I eat vegetables?" The question is sarcastic at best, a plea for Tsukasa to cut this out and wave the white flag already.
But. "Yeah..?" Tsukasa turns around to face Rui. "Obviously??" Obviously, he says. This guy. "You never get any proper nutrients and you work yourself to the brim. I want to make sure you take care of yourself." A shudder. "Even if I have to eat bell peppers in the end."
Oh. Tsukasa would eat bell peppers just so Rui stays healthy. Oh, okay.
While he is having a life-changing revelation, Tsukasa continues on as if he didn't drop one of the most romantic, nuclear bomb of an admittance he could have ever said to someone like Rui. "A worthy sacrifice I shall make." An image pops up in Rui's mind, all of a sudden. It's Tsukasa, wearing a cute apron, not the half-destroyed one they have in the kitchen - cooking up something with a smile on his face. The counter is pristine, and the living room visible from the imaginary counter is lacking the usual chaos Rui's inventions cause. Not a speck of him. Another house. "As a star, I need to make sure people dear to me take care of themselves, of course! Hahahahah!" A pose and words Rui doesn't register.
In this vision, he looks soft, comfortable. When he taps the wooden spoon to the corner of the pan, it glimmers and catches his eye - his left hand, on the fourth finger- there is a ring on it. Oh, of course. Rui's subconscious is not cruel to this imaginary Tsukasa, it doesn't dare to be - because he is not alone. Rui knows he would hate it if he was alone. But, the ring- it's not something either of them would choose, no. Someone else. What a dull choice for an accessory, the silver doesn't even suit Tsukasa's eyes. It's blandness is an insult to the wearer. If it was Rui, he wouldn't dare to coincide upon a perfect match like whomever idiot Tsukasa chose to.. marry? Engage? Same thing - all so bitter. Rui would make it from scratch, maybe, because he is possessive of things like that, and a perfectionist at heart. "Well, you.. Sigh. You're not listening, are you?" Tsukasa shuffles in closer.
Wait a second. The gears in his head are turning - this realization seems inevitable to have. I would make a ring for Tsukasa. Why? "Rui?" Marriage is one of the most obvious symbols of devotion, no? It kills Rui to even imagine a ring like that on Tsukasa, who, of course, deserves this type of connection and so much more, so- So why? "Hey, are you sleeping on your feet again??" Suddenly, Rui's torture chamber shifts in shape, and the perfect apartment mixes in with reality. Now, the little spice-bots he made run around on the counter as Tsukasa tries catching them, acting annoyed but laughing too hard to pull it off. He's glowing. And- And the disgusting ring has changed in shape to a simple, warm toned, gold little thing, as if spelling out the answer. The shade looks quite similar to the metal Rui left behind in his room. Maybe too similar. Rui can taste the steps he needs to take to make something like this when he gets home. It's that simple. "The moment we get home, you are eating properly and I am banishing you to-" "Marry me."
That's it. That's all it takes for this nightmare bubble to burst. 3 hours of sleep and Tenma Tsukasa, who Rui feels like he needs to breathe sometimes. A 2-word marriage proposal. Not even a proposal- demand. In a vegetable aisle.
The bell peppers rejected by Tsukasa's quality control shine a little bit. Even the lights stopped buzzing, no noise or distraction - the world is holding it's breath, watching his at-least-you-tried attempt at """taking it slow""".
Oh, god.
Rui just proposed to Tsukasa. In a vegetable aisle, out of literally anywhere else possible.
As both of them register what just happened, Tsukasa lets out a choked "What??" - he is so surprised that he isn't screaming. It's a squeaked out exclamation. This is bad.
"What." Rui is sweating through his shirt, and choking on his own saliva. Maybe evaporating in place. This is so bad.
What is he even supposed to do?? Commit to this?? Act like it was a joke???? "Um- Uh-" Tsukasa stumbles in place, "Rui??" Rui is grasping the edge of the shopping cart to stop them from going to his own neck, to choke himself out in this. Vegetable. Aisle. God. Over bell peppers. "Yes, Tsukasa-kun??" He grimaces, attempting a smile, and he is sure all the blood is rushing to his face. Maybe it can finally find it's actual home and fuel Rui's brain sometimes so that things like this doesn't happen- "Are you- Are you that sleep deprived??" Tsukasa reaches out and checks Rui's temperature with shaky hands. He is unnaturally uncoordinated. Huh. "You- Ha- You should stop joking around like this, you know? Think of my poor heart." That's not a rejection. That's- Huh. "Joke?" Rui is quick to jump into a blunder, but it feels like the right thing to say when Tsukasa's eyes widen again. He stumbles a bit back. "I- Well, you-" His hands fumble around in place, gesturing nothing in particular.
Holy shit?
"You- This is not how proposals go?? There is a ring involved, I'm pretty sure." Tsukasa laughs nervously. "And getting on one knee, and-" He is making himself even more flustered, probably unintentionally imagining Rui like that right now. It's cute to watch him fumble in place like this, he's normally so confident. "And, you know." He vaguely gestures in the air, as if Rui is any more knowledgeable in this topic than Tsukasa is. Or, have his shit together enough to actually think about anything regarding relationships. Rui would beg for more credit regarding his emotional intelligence here if he didn't realize he wanted to marry him at the same time Tsukasa found out the same.
Well, marriage is not the right word, is it? It's not the ceremony of it that interests Rui (and he has a feeling that Tsukasa is in the same boat), it's the proof of devotion. They are both too into their chaotic lives and dedicated to shows to create a bond like that with someone that is not as into theater as them - which just means they only have each oth-
Oh. Okay. Well, that would have been good to realize when Rui was agonizing over Tsukasa randomly finding a love interest and fucking off from his life forever even though he has never shown any interest in any romantic partnership before. Or, you know. Before proposing. In a vegetable ais-
"Rui." Tsukasa is grabbing the other end of the shopping cart, both of them facing each other. He is searching Rui's face for answers, since Rui is too busy finding his own to spare Tsukasa from this hell. "Um." Rui attempts to function. "Yes?" Both of them just stare at each other. The disgusting bag of bell peppers are still hanging from his right hand. He apparently twirled the holding edge and interlocked his fingers in, because when Rui's eyes inadvertently go there, only unnatural thing his brain can point out is not any of the rings he imagined, but Tsukasa still holding onto that damn bag of doom.
Rui makes a movement towards Tsukasa's hands, persistent on removing the entire reason they are in this situation in the first place- but Tsukasa jumps a little bit, and Rui's hand stops mid-air. This is Rui's time to be confused now. "Are you okay?" He is genuinely concerned, too. Whatever whiplash I just lived through, compared to me, he must be 10 times more confused. Tsukasa is quick to answer, but, somehow he is more flustered now..? "You- Aren't you supposed to wait for my answer before-" He stumbles over his words, and accidentally makes a little annoyed noise. What? "I mean, I was going to say yes but-"
Time stops.
WHAT.
"You- You were going to say yes????" Mark the date, everyone. New national holiday. Kamishiro Rui is louder than Tenma Tsukasa for the first time in history - this has not been deemed 'possible to achieve', but Rui is a man of many talents. One of them is being a person Tsukasa would agree to marry. Write this shit down in his resume. I made it. Man breaking out of his chains, sunset image. Rui will eat a singular bite of a bell pepper just for this alone. Thank you, vegetables.
Rui doesn't wait for an answer from Tsukasa. "You-??" he attempts again, but fails. Now, seems as his mouth is useless, what he does do is grab the shopping cart between them, thrust it into a random direction he is not concerned about right now, and rip that bag out of Tsukasa's hands immediately, just to fling it into the stand they belong in. And, now that any bullshit barrier is gone between them, Rui holds Tsukasa by the shoulders - who has, just, completely given up at this point. "I thought you were going for my hand to- I don't know, doesn't the proposer put on the ring to the proposee's had after they say yes? Sorry- I'm sorry, I just assumed-" He is red, so so red- and seems minorly humiliated. Rui sobers up a little. "Seems I'm as sleep deprived as you are, huh? Hahaha!! Don't worry, I-" He attempts a semblance of normalcy, but squirms under Rui's gaze, and squeezes his eyes shut - probably trying to will himself out of existence.
"Tsukasa-kun." Tsukasa doesn't return Rui's gaze, though his eyes are not shut now. So that's how it is. Rui's right hand rises oh-so slowly to Tsukasa's face, unsure of it's welcome, and lightly turns it towards his own.
Their eyes meet. Tsukasa's face contorts, but ends up in a somewhat smile. Pained.
"Hi." is all he says.
"Hey." Rui greets him back. "I don't really have a ring on me right now. Well-" I probably shouldn't mention the sheet of metal I'm planning to use, a surprise would be nicer, he sighs, "Nevermind." An eyebrow raises in response, but he doesn't acknowledge it. "This was a surprise to both of us, I'll admit." Tsukasa bursts out laughing at that. Understatement of the century. Rui follows suit, and his right hand falls back to the side - his left hand is still clinging to Tsukasa's shoulder. "So. You would say yes if I proposed to you?" Tsukasa smiles a bit to himself at that question, then turns the question back to Rui. "So. You would propose to me?" Touché.
There is no need to answer a question so obvious. Rui already did, didn't he? He sighs out, and brings his hand to his face. "It's okay, it's okay! I just didn't expect you to." Tsukasa is quick to console him, though this doesn't feel like a mistake when it ends up this wonderful. Intertwined fates, huh..
Rui is quick to try to learn what this means for them. "Well. What now?" All of this is foreign terrirory. Tsukasa glances at Rui's back, then turns back towards him, amused. "We should get our cart back first." Oh-?
Oh.
Tsukasa laughs in his face - whatever reaction Rui is having must be incredibly funny to see, since it's not often he is embarrassed about his own antics.
Rui attempts to explain himself, but gives up. It's deserved. So, he dejectedly turns around to go and get the cart. Geez, what a night.
Tsukasa grabs Rui's sleeve just as he turns around to clean up the mess he made. "It's a race now, okay?" He stumbles in place a little bit, but his voice doesn't waver. Race..? Rui stops in place, and looks back at him. "Whomever proposes first wins." He smirks a little bit, but his embarrassment betrays his confident expression. "I'm not counting this. So, you better work as much as I will." Rui just.. stares for a second. Ah, so that's how it is going to be? He cannot really help the shit-eating grin that appears on his face, can he? "Oh my. I wasn't aware you knew how to provoke people into action."
Tsukasa, this insane and wonderful creature, only smiles in response. "It's not provocation. Think of it as.." His hand goes to Rui's neck, and fixes his collar. "Positive encouragement." His eyes return to Rui's, and one side of his mouth twitches, as if holding back a smirk. This is new. Well, gonna give him credit on that one, Rui is feeling pretty encouraged right now. So, he gets closer to Tsukasa. Leans into him to get a better look into his eyes. "You are asking for my best, huh?" It's only a murmured response, yet sweat appears on Tsukasa's neck. Rui can taste what he thinks. 'Uh-oh.' Now that he achieved his intended intimidation level, he steps out of Tsukasa's personal space, and turns around to get the cart.
The noise of confusion that echoes from his back is so, so sweet to his ears.
A race, huh? You have done it, Tsukasa-kun. It's on.