( Of all the people that could come to his "rescue," he hadn't expected it to be Fuuta. Still, there he is, visible through a crowd of strangers that have seemingly lost the concept of personal space. Most of them are trying to warm up to being so bold as to touch him, but at least two of them are in physical contact right now— one girl hanging off of an arm that he's holding awkwardly a little away from himself, like she's a bug, and some guy with a hand on his opposite shoulder, trying to convince him to try some other sort of clothes.
And so, the relief in his eyes is palpable, even if he tries to hide it behind a defensive sort of double take, like he's checking to see if Fuuta is just going to walk away or not. )
There you are.
( It takes him a moment, but he breaks off from the clingy ones and past the oggling ones to walk closer to Fuuta, ignoring the desperate pleas of "Wait, w-we are working! You'd look so nice in this, don't you want some help putting it on?" and other such comments to touch a hand to Fuuta's arm, instead, urging him to turn with him. Walk, walk.
He knows he smells a different sort of floral, today. He knows no amount of showering helped him get it off, whatever it is, and that even though it's far more faint and subtle than the scent of his blood, that it's like tea more than anything else, it's been attracting people to him like flies to garbage. And, as much as Esikko wants to be loved, to be appreciated...
It feels wrong, feels fake, to be swarmed by people he doesn't even know. It's like he's the Prince all over again. )
Let's, um, hurry and buy whatever it is you wanted here so we can be on our way. Since we have plans and all.
( He's terrible at this when he's distracted and bothered, apparently. )
[ In truth, he's not even sure himself why he's bothering to intervene.
Like -- this isn't any of his business? Esikko can take care of himself? And wasn't he the one casually talking about being showered with gifts because he's a prince, or whatever? In truth, Fuuta's already sort of regretting have injected himself into the situation, especially when he feels multiple pairs of eyes settle on him as the various employees tear their loving gazes away from Esikko to assess him instead. Feeling so many stares fixed on him has his nerves bristling, his stomach churning a little, and Fuuta does almost start backing away.
It's only that strange, sweet smell in the air that keeps him rooted in the spot for a few seconds too long. And once Esikko closes the distance between them, well. -- that affirmation means he did the right thing, right? So he doesn't need to feel so unnerved by the stares fixed on him. He's doing a good thing! He knows he is! ]
Uh. [ Actually, the last thing he cares about any more is hoodies. But Esikko makes the suggestion, and it feels weirdly hard to just say 'no.' ] Sure. Right.
[ He isn't thinking at all when he turns back towards the racks of hoodies he'd been looking at -- snagging Esikko's hand as he turns away, to make sure he's keeping the other close even as he snatches up the garment he'd been looking at. (It's almost the same as what he's wearing right now???) ]
( It's a relief, even if Esikko is a little troubled by the idea of being indebted to Fuuta. It's not even such a new idea, specifically— but isn't that worse? Having him step up in a needed time like this? Does he want something from it? Or, is it just that moralistic obligation of his?
Ultimately, watching the eyes of the crowd shift from himself to Fuuta and being pulled away by the hand is enough to calm that paranoid corner of his mind. He ends up swiping his own Watch for the quick payment, getting some sort of "birthday discount" for them along the way. He tries to ignore the eyes that still linger on them as they check out and begin to leave, instead tucking himself closer to Fuuta to speak quietly to him. )
Coming to my rescue as a knight? Is that the sort of role you enjoy? I'll reward you with a kiss, if you really want.
[ He should probably protest that Esikko doesn't need to pay. He could've paid for the hoodie himself? It's not like he asked for that discount or anything? But -- he's having a weirdly hard time mustering up his usual flavor of combative barking. Maybe because his mind is a little overwhelmed by thoughts of how nice Esikko smells.
Which is a slightly creepy thing to be thinking, he knows. And it's not like he's unused to that weird, floral scent that Esikko usually seems to carry? Something about his blood? But it's a bit different this time, a heady aroma woven through the very air around them, and Fuuta finds his thoughts spinning a little every time he inhales. He's scattered and distracted enough that he gives a little jump when Esikko suddenly pulls closer to him, and he ends up holding his breath for a moment, his voice emerging a little squeaky as a result when he yaps: ]
-- s-shut up. You think I'm some loser trying to roleplay as a white knight in public? Get real. [ This would be a lot more convincing if he wasn't reflexively wrapping his arm over Esikko's back, hand squeezing at Esikko's shoulder to pull him even closer. Fuuta clearly isn't even thinking about what he's doing, his gaze still nervously scanning the crowd bustling around them. ] Just bothered me that they were making all that fuss and not even doing their jobs. They're still employees, aren't they? Even if this place is like this. So they should've been doing their job.
[ Unfortunately for him, all that yapping means he needs to take a breath afterwards. There goes however much he'd gathered his thoughts, and before he can help himself, he ends up adding, ]
( The way he asks it is playful, followed by a soft laugh that absolutely doesn't mind the way he's pulled closer. It's cute, watching Fuuta get overwhelmed by this strange behavior that's been following him around the resort. He's connected the dots, by now, figured that there was something off about this scent he's been fixed with today. But this?
This is nice, as long as he doesn't think about it for too long. The attention, the care, the huffy little embarrassment because he's getting to him. Even if it makes some core part of his heart ache deeply with want, with the need for something he can't have, that doesn't belong to him— even if this is just another of the House's cruel-and-kind little games... Why shouldn't he enjoy it? )
Thank you.
( It's the only reason he thanks him so genuinely. Words like that are normally hidden behind layers of stubborn huffiness, but today, he tucks closer just enough to nearly whisper them into Fuuta's ear, like they're just for him to hear. Manipulative, maybe... But he's not the one who made this scent, and it's his birthday, so is it really so wrong to try his best to have fun with it? )
It was overwhelming, to be honest. Everyone has been acting so strangely around me, when they've never cared before... I almost want to run away and hide, you know?
[ Esikko never thanks him like that. Hell, most people in general never thank him like that. It's not for lack of effort, but people just don't seem to appreciate it, even when he's done his best to help them? 'Thank you' are two simple words, too often the only reward he wants for doing the right thing, but constantly hovering just out of his reach.
So hearing those low words practically husked into his ears is -- well, jarring mostly? But also, it sure does send a squiggle of something hot and flutter-y dancing through the pit of his stomach. Fuuta jerks back a touch to give Esikko a Look, a little wide-eyed and startled ... but more than that, a hot flush coloring all the way across his cheeks, up to the tips of his ears. He hadn't looked this flustered even back when they were actually having sex.
Whatever meager dregs of resistance he might have put up against Esikko's scent crumbles. ]
Nngh, well. I can't blame you? [ His voice sure wobbled weirdly for a hot second there, and even as he hurries to look away, Fuuta reflexively pulls Esikko a bit closer to him; the hand reaching up at his shoulder slides down, in part out of the discomfort of reaching up like that, but in part because it just feels natural, to instead hold at Esikko's waist to tug him close. ] It was bad enough when we changed rank and started having to deal with all the ... fans. Like our ranks even mean anything. Still fucking annoying. And it looks like they were being even worse, so.
[ A hard swallow. Fuuta keeps his gaze trained ahead, his brain not giving him the chance to hesitate before he blusters, ]
I guess there's no helping it. I'll stick by you for a while, just in case.
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no subject
And so, the relief in his eyes is palpable, even if he tries to hide it behind a defensive sort of double take, like he's checking to see if Fuuta is just going to walk away or not. )
There you are.
( It takes him a moment, but he breaks off from the clingy ones and past the oggling ones to walk closer to Fuuta, ignoring the desperate pleas of "Wait, w-we are working! You'd look so nice in this, don't you want some help putting it on?" and other such comments to touch a hand to Fuuta's arm, instead, urging him to turn with him. Walk, walk.
He knows he smells a different sort of floral, today. He knows no amount of showering helped him get it off, whatever it is, and that even though it's far more faint and subtle than the scent of his blood, that it's like tea more than anything else, it's been attracting people to him like flies to garbage. And, as much as Esikko wants to be loved, to be appreciated...
It feels wrong, feels fake, to be swarmed by people he doesn't even know. It's like he's the Prince all over again. )
Let's, um, hurry and buy whatever it is you wanted here so we can be on our way. Since we have plans and all.
( He's terrible at this when he's distracted and bothered, apparently. )
no subject
Like -- this isn't any of his business? Esikko can take care of himself? And wasn't he the one casually talking about being showered with gifts because he's a prince, or whatever? In truth, Fuuta's already sort of regretting have injected himself into the situation, especially when he feels multiple pairs of eyes settle on him as the various employees tear their loving gazes away from Esikko to assess him instead. Feeling so many stares fixed on him has his nerves bristling, his stomach churning a little, and Fuuta does almost start backing away.
It's only that strange, sweet smell in the air that keeps him rooted in the spot for a few seconds too long. And once Esikko closes the distance between them, well. -- that affirmation means he did the right thing, right? So he doesn't need to feel so unnerved by the stares fixed on him. He's doing a good thing! He knows he is! ]
Uh. [ Actually, the last thing he cares about any more is hoodies. But Esikko makes the suggestion, and it feels weirdly hard to just say 'no.' ] Sure. Right.
[ He isn't thinking at all when he turns back towards the racks of hoodies he'd been looking at -- snagging Esikko's hand as he turns away, to make sure he's keeping the other close even as he snatches up the garment he'd been looking at. (It's almost the same as what he's wearing right now???) ]
no subject
Ultimately, watching the eyes of the crowd shift from himself to Fuuta and being pulled away by the hand is enough to calm that paranoid corner of his mind. He ends up swiping his own Watch for the quick payment, getting some sort of "birthday discount" for them along the way. He tries to ignore the eyes that still linger on them as they check out and begin to leave, instead tucking himself closer to Fuuta to speak quietly to him. )
Coming to my rescue as a knight? Is that the sort of role you enjoy? I'll reward you with a kiss, if you really want.
( He's teasing. )
no subject
Which is a slightly creepy thing to be thinking, he knows. And it's not like he's unused to that weird, floral scent that Esikko usually seems to carry? Something about his blood? But it's a bit different this time, a heady aroma woven through the very air around them, and Fuuta finds his thoughts spinning a little every time he inhales. He's scattered and distracted enough that he gives a little jump when Esikko suddenly pulls closer to him, and he ends up holding his breath for a moment, his voice emerging a little squeaky as a result when he yaps: ]
-- s-shut up. You think I'm some loser trying to roleplay as a white knight in public? Get real. [ This would be a lot more convincing if he wasn't reflexively wrapping his arm over Esikko's back, hand squeezing at Esikko's shoulder to pull him even closer. Fuuta clearly isn't even thinking about what he's doing, his gaze still nervously scanning the crowd bustling around them. ] Just bothered me that they were making all that fuss and not even doing their jobs. They're still employees, aren't they? Even if this place is like this. So they should've been doing their job.
[ Unfortunately for him, all that yapping means he needs to take a breath afterwards. There goes however much he'd gathered his thoughts, and before he can help himself, he ends up adding, ]
And you looked like you were having trouble. So.
no subject
( The way he asks it is playful, followed by a soft laugh that absolutely doesn't mind the way he's pulled closer. It's cute, watching Fuuta get overwhelmed by this strange behavior that's been following him around the resort. He's connected the dots, by now, figured that there was something off about this scent he's been fixed with today. But this?
This is nice, as long as he doesn't think about it for too long. The attention, the care, the huffy little embarrassment because he's getting to him. Even if it makes some core part of his heart ache deeply with want, with the need for something he can't have, that doesn't belong to him— even if this is just another of the House's cruel-and-kind little games... Why shouldn't he enjoy it? )
Thank you.
( It's the only reason he thanks him so genuinely. Words like that are normally hidden behind layers of stubborn huffiness, but today, he tucks closer just enough to nearly whisper them into Fuuta's ear, like they're just for him to hear. Manipulative, maybe... But he's not the one who made this scent, and it's his birthday, so is it really so wrong to try his best to have fun with it? )
It was overwhelming, to be honest. Everyone has been acting so strangely around me, when they've never cared before... I almost want to run away and hide, you know?
no subject
So hearing those low words practically husked into his ears is -- well, jarring mostly? But also, it sure does send a squiggle of something hot and flutter-y dancing through the pit of his stomach. Fuuta jerks back a touch to give Esikko a Look, a little wide-eyed and startled ... but more than that, a hot flush coloring all the way across his cheeks, up to the tips of his ears. He hadn't looked this flustered even back when they were actually having sex.
Whatever meager dregs of resistance he might have put up against Esikko's scent crumbles. ]
Nngh, well. I can't blame you? [ His voice sure wobbled weirdly for a hot second there, and even as he hurries to look away, Fuuta reflexively pulls Esikko a bit closer to him; the hand reaching up at his shoulder slides down, in part out of the discomfort of reaching up like that, but in part because it just feels natural, to instead hold at Esikko's waist to tug him close. ] It was bad enough when we changed rank and started having to deal with all the ... fans. Like our ranks even mean anything. Still fucking annoying. And it looks like they were being even worse, so.
[ A hard swallow. Fuuta keeps his gaze trained ahead, his brain not giving him the chance to hesitate before he blusters, ]
I guess there's no helping it. I'll stick by you for a while, just in case.