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[afterlifecrossroad]

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10/28 ; action

[finethanks]

Keito.

[Hearing this voice, this casual, light tone, coming from right after a meeting about shibari... Keito probably has reason to fear for his life. But it's too late to run. Eichi is beside him, smiling and holding a bundle of supplies he must have received from the orientation.]

I had a feeling you would enjoy something like this, but I didn't expect to see you here in public. I thought you might gather up information and read it on your own time. Are you growing bold?

every time i use this icon i consider it a success

[afterlifecrossroad]

[ walking away rly fast rn. ]

[ or at least, that's what he was trying to do, considering that he's trying to slip in and out unnoticed by most people but especially eichi, except that this time around, it's backfired spectacularly and hm.

this sure is a conversation that he wanted to have in the middle of the corridor.

or not. also, oh my god, eichi. ]

... How would you know? [ deflection is better than nothing??? probably?? he's not completely flustered yet, but he is frowning at eichi with his arms folded because. technically eichi isn't... wrong... but he's not going to say that out loud when there are other people around, okay. ]

day of the dating profiles >> un: s.13gMk.525

[espansivo]

keito what do azalea look like
asking for a friend

un: kuraokami

[afterlifecrossroad]

.... Pink, reddish flowers? Are you really asking for a friend

...... You have a Mozart reference in your username

[ hm. ]

action

[hoasen]

[As promised, she looks for him on the 12th floor, heading straight to his room and knocking firmly on his door, three times.]

Keito? It's Sen.

[For someone who is about to go steal some stuff, she sure looks casually dressed, and calling out for him like they're going on a picnic.]

[afterlifecrossroad]

Wait there, I'm coming out--

[ it's called out from behind the door - the walls are thin enough that his voice carries through the material, and there's another five seconds before keito opens the door and steps out. he's dressed about as casually as she is and definitely about the most casual she's seen him ever (t-shirt and jeans, savour the moment), and he's got a recyclable canvas bag tucked under his arm because one can never be too prepared. ]

Shall we? [ a gesture for her to lead the way ] I'm assuming you know your way around better than I would.

[mastermagician]

Hello Keito! This is Asra, Eichi's Master Magician! Leo had signed you up for a blind date, and I'm here to let you know that I've found you a great partner!

[afterlifecrossroad]

[ eichi's master magician......

hm. Bad.

also, brb he's going to murder leo tsukinaga ]

....... Come again?

action

[finethanks]

[The first sign should be that Eichi takes longer than normal to get to the door.

Not by a lot, but by enough that Keito, of all people, would notice. Eichi had been downplaying it, as always, trying not to place any focus on it. Over text, it was so much easier. Right now, he's just glad that Keito is visiting at all— and so, he opens the door once he gets there, smiling at the sight of him.

He doesn't feel like he needs to say "come in" by now, so he just moves aside, as if to let him in. But a wave of dizziness rushes over him with the motion, and he stumbles a bit forward, catching himself on Keito's arm with a quiet laugh.]

Ah, look at that... You came just in time to catch me. [If he jokes about it it makes it fine.]

[afterlifecrossroad]

[ considering that eichi thinks that "talking about your own death" seems to qualify as funny, that joke doesn't... really make it that much better.

but keito catches him easily, using his weight to support the momentum of eichi falling forward into him, bracing him carefully so that there's no risk of eichi suddenly tumbling to the floor. ]

How incorrigible... Don't joke about your death so carelessly, Richi. [ eichi's skin feels clammy, his skin even paler than usual, and that's... concerning.

keito's actually kind of alarmed.

which is why it kind of cements keito's decision to sort of. lift eichi into a carry, something that will allow for keito to move eichi a little more quickly into his apartment so that they're not standing in the doorway and letting passers-by see eichi's moment of weakness. ]

I haven't even left you alone for that long, Eichi. This isn't being careful with your health.

[ sure, it's been a couple of weeks since he was last in the apartment, and even shorter since their last conversation (that he doesn't really want to think about right now), and while it's mildly naggy it's more concerned, even as keito pushes the main door shut with his foot and then proceeds to carry eichi over to his bedroom.

when he finally sets eichi down on his bed: ] I'm going to call an ambulance.

voice « un: master

[mastermagician]

Keito! I-- please tell me if I'm interrupting and I will contact you later!

I know we hadn't had time yet to meet... but would you have time for me, today? We have a serious matter to discuss, one dear to both of us.

[afterlifecrossroad]

[ hmmmmm. why does he have a bad feeling about this... ]

It's fine, I'm available. Do you have somewhere in mind to meet?

[finethanks]

Keito, are you busy?

[ It’s like the coming sign of asking a favor... But as Keito knows, Eichi is home resting right now because he’s trying not to get worse in this weather. It’s not entirely working, but. ]

[afterlifecrossroad]

What is it, Eichi?

[ that's not a yes but it's also not a no either. ]

1/???

[finethanks]

Do you know what's coming up later this month, Keito?

[finethanks]

How strange. It's been three minutes, and normally you answer within one, so could it be that you're ignoring me? Well, even if you are, you can't ignore the lights I'm stringing over your doorway.

[finethanks]

[This one is just a picture of the door to Keito's room now outlined in colorful Christmas lights.]

[finethanks]

[A little bit of a pause...]

All jokes aside, I did have something to speak to you about, you know? Are you busy with something?

[finethanks]

With someone?

[finethanks]

[...]

It's a good thing I'm not having an attack right now, or I'd probably already be dead. ♪ Instead, I'm witnessing Keito slacking in a way that's rarely seen... How surprising. Whatever or whoever it is you're doing must have your full attention.

[finethanks]

Honestly, Keito... It's not your place to be the one worrying anyone, so do I have to hire someone to track you down? Have you finally exhausted yourself to death? You're not allowed to die before I do, you know?

[He's maybe a little worried. (He's worried.)]

ok done

[finethanks]

[Annnnd another minute or so passes...]

I think I'll decorate the inside of your room, next.

12/25, late at night

[espansivo]

[keito's big dick adventure will come a little later, but for tonight, among the few gifts laid outside their door will be one marked with keito's name -- it's... a pretty large box, easily bigger than asra and eichi's, but it's apparently why should keito dare to open it.

first is a composition for keito and keito alone -- it's as much in the style of akatsuki's traditional sense of music as he could manage, with notes like "should be played with koto and kagurabue" and the like, but it's a sort of sweet, spring-feeling song otherwise. something to relax with.

second is Clearly a card binder of some kind, but a note tucked in the first flap tells keito thus:

For the start of your weird glasses collection. ♪ Happy holidays, Keito, don't let that blockhead bring you down!

♥ Leo]

[mastermagician]

[ Something's different about the house.

Here and there, on end tables and shelves, are modestly-framed photos of the household they've made together. Prints from selfies, or secretly-snapped cute candid made together. And snuck into Keito's things, a note: ]

Keito,

I know you think I'm over-invested and maybe too passionate... but I had to get this off my chest:

Thank you.

For joining us like you have.

I know I haven't known you long, but already you feel like family. Like someone I love, and want to protect, and want to help flourish. I know Eichi and I tease you a lot, but... the truth is I love how protective and put-together you are. You're a source of stability and evenness that Eichi and I both need. You always know what to do, you're always prepared for anything, and plenty of times your considerate caution is warranted.

I'm really lucky to have met you, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that you feel the same way. That... at least after a fashion, you always feel like you're coming home, when you walk through the door. And that home isn't just a place, a location in the world where you keep your things... but a place where you're wanted, and loved, and adored.

Thank you again, and with love,

Asra

pre fort shenanigans

[finethanks]

[As usual, he gets so antsy on the days both of his submissives are gone from the house. What is he supposed to do? His health has been low, even if he's been taking care of himself, and he's been trying to stay at home more often, practicing fewer days, working around things. But he was bored.

He missed Keito, too...

So, he calls him up to see what he's up to! Of course. This time, he checked to make sure he wasn't in his bedroom first. He must be at work, but that's fine.]

[afterlifecrossroad]

[ he's absolutely at work, which is why when the call from eichi comes in ok his personal mobile, keito takes one look at his phone

lets it ring for a couple of seconds while he debates actually letting it go to voicemail--

actually, no, that's a bad idea, since eichi will probably flood his phone with calls again if he does that,

so keito sighs, picks up his phone. ]

You've reached Keito Hasumi who's currently unavailable. Leave a message at the tone.

[ he's busy, eichi.

there's conspicuously a lack of an actual tone which is giving away his game, but that's beside the point. ]