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[gaypanicatthedisco]

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TFLN 1

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[All continuations of this TFLN post]

For winterstory

[gaypanicatthedisco]

HUH??? [Uenoyama shouts, loudly, as the other boy reveals himself; his volume undoubtedly doing nothing to help whatever residual aches Mafuyu's head may still be going through. But Ue can't help it! Just how hard did this guy hit his head for it to be wrapped up like THAT!?]

MAFUYU, WHAT THE HELL?!? That-- that looks really bad..!!

[Uenoyama is quick to rush inside and start barking orders, ignoring Kedama for the moment.] You should be staying in bed!

Go sit down!!!

[winterstory]

I was in bed. But I had to get up to answer the door.

[It doesn't look that bad, does it? Mafuyu reaches up to gingerly feel out the bump under the bandages as he follows Uenoyama into the room.]

Actually it feels better today...

[gaypanicatthedisco]

Dont get smart with me! [He approaches Mafuyu and cups the other boy's face within both hands, gentle, despite his supposed angry yelling.] YOUUU...! ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME GO BALD?!? START TAKING BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF, DAMN IT!!

AND FROM NOW ON, CATS ARE OFF-LIMITS!!! [Yes, the matter has been escalated from banning one particular cat to a matter of ALL cats being bad news, apparently. But how else is Uenoyama supposed to react?!? He expected a bit of redness, maybe a little bump beneath a single band-aid, but to see Mafuyu's head wrapped up like this is something else entirely!]

ARE YOU EVEN OKAY TO BE WALKING AROUND ON YOUR OWN?? YOU SHOULD'VE JUST STAYED IN BED AND RESTED SOME MORE INSTEAD OF HAVING COMPANY FOR TODAY! WHAT IF YOU GOT DIZZY AND FELL ON THE WAY TO THE DOOR, AND I WASN'T ABLE TO GET TO YOU???

[winterstory]

[Uenoyama's hands are soothingly cool from the outdoor air and Mafuyu tips his head into them, despite being yelled at from inches away. The volume is a little headache-inducing but he'll put up with it for more gentle caresses, especially in Uenoyama wants to move his hands up a little bit to smooth over his aching forehead...]

If I fell on the way to the door then I'd just text you to wait a bit for me to get up again.

[Smiling, he reaches up to pat Uenoyama comfortingly on the back of one of the hands cupping his cheeks, then moves to tweak a lock of black hair between his fingers.]

...don't go bald, okay? I like your hair.

1/2

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[Uenoyama flinches; fingers twitching at the side of Mafuyu's face. Against his will, his heart flutters within his chest from Mafuyu's relentless adorableness.]

Idiot, you could've hurt yourself even more....

[His own cheeks grow warm as Mafuyu smiles and compliments him, and he feels himself growing slightly bashful.]

Th-thanks..? I don't do anything special to it or anything, but...

[gaypanicatthedisco]

I mean- DON'T TRY TO DISTRACT ME!! [Urgh, he almost got swept up in Mafuyu's pace (again)! Quickly snapping himself back to reality, Ue steels himself and shouts-] I'm still mad, you know! You really can't be left alone at all..!

So, just for that, I'm not letting you do things on your own for today! Come on- [Carrying the plastic bag within the fold of his arm, Uenoyama bends to move both hands around to Mafuyu's backside, then promptly hefts the other boy up off of his feet; going to carry him back to bed.] Rgh...

Even if you think it's annoying... I'm not giving you a choice! Since you can't be trusted to look after yourself, you'll have to put up with me taking care of you for now, got it???

[Yes, Mafuyu- accept your cruel punishment of being carried, cared for and coddled for the rest of the day! No complaints!!!]

For rippingu

[gaypanicatthedisco]

...I don't really see it, but sure. Whatever you say.

And no thanks, I don't see how any of that trouble can be worth it. I'm fine with just being normal.

It's just weird that these girls are so hung up on a guy they probably don't even know...

....

Although, at the same time, I can sort of see why I'd be pretty upset too that the coolest-looking guy around didn't notice me... -If I were a girl, I mean.

best choice of gifs for this post up there !

[rippingu]

Uenoyama, you are far from just normal. Those guitar skills make you popular, you just don't pay attention.

Attraction is complicated that way.



You know, guys get that way over other guys too, it's normal. But don't worry, I won't ignore you~

[He has to get a tease in there at the end, that text was far too serious.]

1/2

[gaypanicatthedisco]

That just means it's *my music* that became popular, right? A crowd would react the same way no matter who it came from. It's got nothing to do with me being liked or disliked...

But it's different with you. Even off the stage, you're still popular. It's easy to see why people are drawn to you.

[Of course, the reality is that Uenoyama has his share of fans away from the stage as well- but just as Kaji says, Uenoyama simply hasn't noticed.]

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[asdfghjsdf]

HEY WAIT

I WASN'T TALKING AS MYSELF! I WAS SPEAKING AS MY GIRL-SELF! HYPOTHETICALLY!!!

LIKE, IF I WAS SOMEONE WHO WANTED A GUY TO PROTECT ME!

OBVIOUSLY I'D GO FOR A BIG AND STRONG AND COOL AND RELIABLE GUY WITH NICE MUSCLES LIKE YOU IN THAT SITUATION, BUT

I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TASTE RIGHT NOW!!!

1/2

[rippingu]

If it came from someone else it wouldn't be your music.

Huh? I guess but I've seen more than a few people look your way off stage, you just have your head in the music.

Not that this is a bad thing. Of course, it's the piercings, that must be why they like me, should we get you one?

misfire king up in here tonight.

[rippingu]

[Uenoyama, he has to tease, though he thanks you in his teasing for all the nice things said here.]

Oh and a guy can't protect another guy?

So if someone wants to beat you up, I should let them or should I protect you?

Ue-sama, careful, you'll make a guy blush.

Oh? Well, it's okay if you do, it's normal.

lol

[gaypanicatthedisco]

Is that so...

Well, either way I'm still not interested in going for popularity.

But

Piercings, huh? Do you really think I could pull something like that off? [He wouldn't do it for the attention, but Uenoyama isn't entirely opposed to the idea of getting something pierced one day..?]

And I didn't really mean it like that... Of course I wouldn't like it if you stood by while I was REALLY in trouble. I guess guys should protect guys too.

It's just, speaking for myself, I'd rather be strong enough to protect myself. Or rather- I'd wanna be the one to protect others...

[restringing]

[From here!]

I don't know. I usually kill them without it.

[Plain and simple, he usually just finds the nearest heavy object and whacks cockroaches and their friends before Kedama can get to them... Not to mention that spraying insects makes them seize up and wriggle even more, which is incredibly unpleasant. But he still pulls it out of his bag and holds it out.]

Do you want to hold it?

[Just in case! Is it bad that he finds Uenoyama's sheer panic over this centipede a little bit charming? Probably.]

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[That's right... He's seen Mafuyu take on roaches before, with surprisingly quick and ruthless efficiency, even. But even so, Uenoyama can't help wondering if this challenge might be a bit too much for his boyfriend to handle? There's only one way to find out- as much as Ue still doesn't want to.]

Hold... the spray...? [Uenoyama looks at the can nervously, and gulps. Bug spray has it's advantages; like the ability to attack from a bit of a distance. Distance is good! But the horrifying thought of having to see the insect flail around during it's final moments is enough to make Uenoyama's stomach flip. Still.... leaving that grueling task to Mafuyu instead would just be shameful, right? And so, with his personal pride as a man at stake, Uenoyama eventually reaches out and takes the can of bug spray with a nod.] Alright... Thanks.

Lets go. [He leads Mafuyu up the steps and to the front of his apartment door; gradually becoming more anxious with every step closer he takes. Before making any moves to open it, however, Uenoyama turns towards Mafuyu one more time and firmly clasps a supportive hand upon Mafuyu's shoulder, staring him directly in the eye.]

D-d-don't be scared, okay? No matter what, I'll protect you!

So just... Stay behind me, and try to keep calm!

[Says the boy whose hand is definitely trembling on Mafuyu's shoulder right now...]

[restringing]

[Listen, it's not like he likes insects, especially when they're crawling around inside and could jump out at any time. If a cockroach lunged at him or flew into his face, even Mafuyu would definitely wind up reflexively flinching and letting out an unpleasant noise. At the very least, centipedes can't fly! But it could be anywhere in the whole apartment, so they have some ground to cover.

Still, he isn't exactly nervous or afraid as they walk up the stairs and finally reach the front door. If he's supposed to be backup, he should probably go in first... But a centipede isn't going to kill them, and it's admittedly awfully cute to watch Uenoyama tremble while swearing to protect him, so it can't hurt to follow along for at least a little bit. Should he try to act scared?]

I'm not scared with you here. [Maybe it's bad that he can't help smiling just a tiny bit, but for a little reassurance, he reaches up to take Uenoyama's free hand in his own.] Mm. Let's go.

[Ue can be the hero for a little bit! Even if Mafuyu's probably going to deliver the final blow.]

[gaypanicatthedisco]

Ghk-!? [Uenoyama twitches at first; a wild blush quickly spreading across his features as the other boy grabs his hand. YES, it's ridiculous for him to still be reacting this way to such innocent contact- especially as they've already gone as far as kissing each other (and even outright making out once!) ...But give him a break! He wasn't expecting that, okay!? At least he managed to NOT astral-project himself away from the gesture like before...

In fact, after the initial shock wears off, Uenoyama's posture relaxes and the hand that's gripped within Mafuyu's own ceases it's trembling. Despite the rapid beating of his heart, Ue feels considerably less frightened now and even manages to reciprocate with a tiny squeeze of that hand.]

...Oh.... [Even despite Mafuyu's tiny smile- or maybe in part because of it- Uenoyama feels his resolve strengthening. Right.... This is no time to be intimidated! Mafuyu is depending on him! Supposedly.]

Okay. [He goes to open the front door of his apartment... cautiously. A preemptive peek inside reveals nothing out of the ordinary, and so, with Mafuyu close by, Uenoyama pushes forward to enter his apartment.] Looks like the coast is clear for now...

[Hesitantly, Uenoyama will move to remove his shoes at the entrance once Mafuyu is also inside.] Last place I saw it was the living room, so... We should be safe to grab my history book from my room real quick before we go searching for the bug... Probably....

[He doesn't even want to THINK about the possibility of the centipede making it's way all the way to his bedroom already, but at least it's somewhat unlikely? Ue's room is the furthest away from the area, so what are the odds of the centipede skipping past all other doors and crawling all the way back there, of all places?

....

On second thought, he wont look for an answer to that question.]

[restringing]

[Oh, cute... In the face of Uenoyama's frenzied blush, it's honestly harder than Mafuyu expected to stifle the smile threatening to spread over his face, and it flashes over his features for just a moment before he shoves it down again.

Now that the door's open, he follows right behind Uenoyama and toes off his shoes, glancing around the room. The centipede is nowhere in sight, so if nothing else, they don't have to worry about scrambling around in the entryway.]

Okay.

[He nearly asks if the door is closed, but that doesn't make much of a difference. Instead, he takes a step in that direction and gives the hand in his a little tug, purposely hesitating to allow Uenoyama to take the lead as they walk that way. Time to cross the living room!]

Where did you see it? [In the living room, that is. Maybe it just... decided to chill out in a corner or something.]

For: Fujimaru

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[It's been a while since Ritsuka last parted ways with his female friend of the same name; the girl spending just a few fleeting minutes with him in his home before wistfully going off to face dangers unknown, insisting all the while that she was fine... And so, all Uenoyama could do was believe her.

It's a normal, ordinary, uneventful weekend now; with Ue boredly lounging upon the couch of his living room, strumming idly on his plugged-in guitar with his headphones on. While he plays, he doesn't quite hear much of the world around him, until....

-Huh?

Wait, is someone at the door...?]

[fujimaru]

[ It's a very light knock -- fast and furtive, like whoever's there is doing their best to be unobtrusive even as they try to get his attention. Occasionally there's a break in the knocking, though it's never long enough to let it be mistaken for a figment of his imagination.

After a couple iterations of this, though, there's a small voice calling out. Like the knocking, it sounds like she's trying to keep the volume down, like she's trying to keep from being noticed. ]

Hello--? Uh, sorry to bother you, I hope this is the right address...

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[For a while, Uenoyama had to keep starting and stopping; lowering his guitar and lifting his headphones just to make sure he wasn't imagining things. But the moment he hears a familiar-sounding voice, Uenoyama scrambles up to his feet with a startled jolt.]

Huh?? No way....

[His guitar and headphones are set aside, and then Ue quickly runs to the front door. He doesn't even bother looking to see who it is first; he just unlocks the door and swings it open all at once.]

Ritsuka...!

[fujimaru]

[ There's a stray cat on his doorstep. ]

...Hi! Miss me?

[ She looks rough, in a word: thinner than the last time they saw each other, when she'd already been on the small side, just short of gaunt. There's a bandage taped to her cheek, and her wrist, still raised for the knocking, is wrapped. There are bruises, yellowing with age at the edges, running down one leg. Darker shadows ring under her eyes. It at least looks like she made the effort to clean up -- her clothes are neat and nondescript, but maybe being clean makes the marks stand out more.

But she's smiling, tucking her raised hand behind her neck now. There's a bag slung over her other arm, curled to her side, a battered canvas thing with a small good luck charm attached to the strap. ]

Anyway, I'm sorry to just kind of turn up without calling, but, uh, would you believe my phone's busted? Maybe I'll finally get a new one.

[gaypanicatthedisco]

[Uenoyama can't even believe what he's seeing.

Her words go unheard; drowned out by the sound of his own boiling blood pumping behind his ears as he's filled with a surge of mixed emotion all at once. Shock, horror, sadness, and most of all... rage. Ritsuka is hurt. Someone hurt Ritsuka.

And there's nothing that Uenoyama can do about it.

He doesn't recall making the decision to move. All at once his body is just surging forward on it's own; reaching out to grab the girl by her shoulders as he pulls her into his arms, silently embracing her.]

[fujimaru]

--?!

[ She squeaks once as she's yanked forward; for a moment she's stiff and cold in his arms, like she doesn't really know what to do. As willing as she's been in the past to initiate physical contact, there are a couple of seconds where she stands frozen. She's not even breathing.

And then she lets out a small, rattling breath, and lifts her arms to curl loosely around him in turn, as best she can. A beat later, and then she pats his back. It's ostensibly a comforting gesture, but her voice is wry, like she knows better. ]

Hey... hi. Nice to see you, too.

[ Another, longer beat, where Ritsuka's hand just rests on the upper curve of Uenoyama's back. It's a soft weight, light enough that a strong breeze might knock her away. ]

Sorry for not -- I mean, I'm sorry you had to--

[ ... ]

Sorry.