I think you ca--whoa! [ it shouldn't surprise him that much, but leo taking the lead startles a yelp out of nazuna, and he squeezes his hands tight. over their years of friendship, nazuna's gotten to know many different sides of leo--the angry one from before, the placid one, the sleepy one, the sad and drunk one--but this one is his favorite. this is leo, lit up by music and smiling.
that's the great thing about music. you don't really have to know what you're doing for it to be a blast. he lets the seriousness of the teachings step away and allows leo to sweep him off, just like always, laughing and keeping up with the pace of the tune like it's nothing.
he lets leo keep the lead, spins dutifully under his arms when directed, and goes right along with the flow. ~ ]
[it's nice, it's fun, and it's exactly what leo needs; it comes to a point where he's just spinning with nazu, though, and he has to wind down their dance even while a new track lingers, dizzying and a little flushed at the exertion. music, music, music -- it's his lifeblood, everything he lives for and loves, it cheers him immediately and lets him relax.
nazuna looks nice, too. very kissable. which he's not going to do, even if nazuna might let him since it's private now. he'll just sway slowly like he did yesterday, catching his breath, squeezing nazuna's hands with a grin.]
[ by the time they spin around that last time, nazuna's giggling. he can't help himself, whirling around their living room, going along with his whims. it's really fun, improvisation in a way that nazuna hasn't done in ages, and he laughs openly and loudly at a particularly big spin, an unya! melting into laughter when he gets brought close again.
he's panting just a little too when they stop, catching his hand against leo's chest on his shirt, fingers curling against the fabric. the sway is easy and familiar, and nazuna's smile is golden and wide, as the tension from the apartment has finally seemed to fade away. ]
Nihii.. ~ [ the music fades to background noise, and nazuna returns the squeeze with his other hand. ] Pretty good for a beginner. ♪
[everything about leo's expression is soft and warm, fondness bleeding into the way he leans closer to rest their heads together. this is nice. this is... surprisingly fine, actually, just standing and swaying and being close.
it's a thought he comes back to fairly often with nazuna, ever since he'd confessed his woes, drunk and lonely. it's the same as he feels with kuro, and yet... not..? he can rest on them both, lean on them without hesitation, trust them to listen
but he and kuro are brothers in arms, so to say. shareholders of the same kind of burden. nazuna is something of the same, he guesses, he ran away too, but it's different enough.
ah, thinking so much reminds him of how miai is. he shakes his head, nuzzling nazuna a little in the process. eskimo kisses.]
Thanks for the lesson, bunny. I'm always havin' fun around you. ♪
[ there. that's better. nazuna wasn't entirely sure how well this was going to go, so to see leo smiling and warm like that makes him happy, warms him to his core in a way that has nothing to do with feelings or anything of the like. more than anything, he's invested in leo's happiness, having been close to him for this long.
(he's had memories of leo since, and he has to wonder if the other nazuna feels the same way. if he's ever been caught up and swept away by everything that leo tsukinaga is. when he finds out, he won't be so surprised.)
he tolerates the nickname, even, nose wrinkling a little at the eskimo kiss, much like a rabbit. ] Don't get too cocky, there's still a lot to learn.
[ ...but. he leans forward a little to return the small nose nuzzle, then pulls away, embarrassed. ] ...you're welcome. [ [baka] ]
[fireworks shoot off in his chest and he lets go of nazuna's hand to embrace him properly, burying his face into his shoulder with a happy hum. he doesn't care how he seems right now, nazuna is important and good and helped soothe him, he's gonna let go of that punkish persona he throws around so much and just
be
leo, who likes this boy so much and wishes he could show it more than he does. who is well-behaved at his core, who wants to get along with others, who knows his shortcomings and ruminates on them far too much. he tightens his hug.]
Do you think I oughta apologize to Mitzy? And Rittsu? It wasn't right of me to snap at them like that, no matter what was goin' on.
[ oh... nazuna freezes a little at first when he gets hugged, his hands hovering awkwardly for just a second, before he relents and drops them against leo's back. when he starts talking, he rubs his back, feeling that familiar twinge of fondness for one of his oldest friends. ]
Mm... that's the right thing to do. [ a pause, and his voice lowers a little, remembering their current third occupant. ] And to Kasachin, too. I think he was more upset than anyone.
[ but nazuna isn't going to guilt leo about it. there's no point. he knows that he did something wrong just fine, after all--personas and acting or not, nazuna does know at least some of the leo underneath that.
he keeps rubbing his back for the moment, lifting his chin to rest it on leo's other shoulder and closing his eyes. ] ...you don't have to now. Maybe tomorrow. Mizukichin especially might just want to be alone. [ aka that boy can hold a grudge jfc ]
[hnnnnn tsukasa. he's still here, too, probably heard the music and laughter, and he wonders what his brother thinks of him. leo knows that the groupchat became a more... hostile place since he was invited in, and maybe
he should leave it?]
Me and Mitzy get along fine when we're face to face, if you wanna believe it. [it's weird.] Well, lately anyway... I invited him to sing with me and everything, you know? We sound good together. But when we talk like that, in front of everyone in the chat...
[it goes to pieces. he sighs, turning his head so his quiet words aren't muffled.]
I don't get it, Nazu. I don't, and I'm wonderin' if it was such a good idea for Tsuka-tan to invite me in the first place.
[ oh leo... his heart squeezes for him, and nazuna keeps his grip warm and comforting, rubbing leo's back. ]
Don't say that. You have these memories as much as the rest of us do. [ one of his hand slides up to curl into his hair, instead, and nazuna starts stepping backwards towards the couch, to sit them both down. ] Mizukichin...I think this is hard for him, that's all. I think he was pretty close to the other Leo.
[ he's not sure whether he means the one in the other life, or the one that was keito's resident. ] It's not fair to you or him, and it's just going to take time. [ these words feel kind of empty, though. nazuna wishes he could just fix it, but this has to be the two of them.
plus...they're both reactive, but he's nice enough not to say that, probably. ]
[he follows like a child, clinging to nazuna and not wanting to leave. it's like he's drunk, but he hasn't had a single drink. being vulnerable is... terrifying, even if it's not the first time with nazuna, even if he's comfortable with him.]
I know. I know, I know, but it's not like I have to be in that chat to share them with everyone. And... they were definitely close, in our memories. That Leo was inspired by Mitzy-- um, by Sena.
[just to make a clear difference between the two. inspired enough to confess such a thing boldly, that, in essence, sena was his happiness, was his life.
the memory colors his cheeks again and he leans against nazuna as they sit on the couch, the music background noise. hhhh.]
Ah~. I just wanna delete that entire thing from everyone's memories, you know~? I acted so disgracefully in front of Tsuka-tan, too... I don't want my little brother to be disappointed in me, but he definitely is.
[ there we go. he's fine with the clinging--it puts him immediately into good big brother mode, and nazuna gets comfortable, sliding his arm around leo and moving the other hand up to stroke his hair, comforting and gentle. familiar. ]
Life's not that easy, though. [ he tips his head to rest on top of leo's, looking up at the ceiling as he thinks of the proper thing to say. ] ...and that's part of being an adult, you know? It's important that we face up to it when we've done something wrong.
[ not that nazuna can really talk... but if there's anything he can do, he can at least give advice. ] I think that...what happened was going to be inevitable, eventually. You guys have been butting heads a lot--and it wasn't just you, either.
Mm. I think if Mitzy's wasn't so uptight on that rule of his, we'd get along better... Even if it might make things difficult to search through, what's wrong with being friends? Making each other laugh and getting off topic? Nothing, right?
[it's his biggest issue with sena, and obviously the biggest issue that keeps coming up.]
Maybe... we'd use to more, too, outside of our memories. It'd be nice to plan things together. To get to know everyone else. I'm not wrong for wantin' that sort of place, am I?
[ pfft--well, he won't argue that mizukichin's uptight...
it's such a simple desire, though, that it makes nazuna's heart squeeze, just a little. they might all only be connected by retrospec and this bare thread of memories, but...he has a point. just because they're not the same people in their memories (for some, lucky for some, not so much) doesn't mean they can't just... be friends.
nazuna squeezes leo's shoulder. he could bring it up to mizuki, probably. the atmosphere they're building could end up oppressive at this rate. his tone stays soft, though, and he doesn't belay that to leo at all. ] ...I don't think you're wrong, Leochin. I think we need to find a happy medium, that's all.
[ a pause, and he hums, patting leo's shoulder. ] And I think you need to stop being provoked so easily. [ again. ] And so does he. But that's easier said than done.
It wasn't even really his fault this time~. Rittsu was the one who was poking at me... Think he figured something I didn't want him to figure out, but at least he cooled off it. I was the one who was lashing at people.
[... he won't deny he rises the bait easy though. he knows he does. it's hard to stop.]
[ about miai, he wants to say, but he doesn't say it. hm.
:thinking:
okay, not really. it's nice to hear leo's aware of it, so nazuna won't prod him too much more. he just sighs, a big noise as if put upon, but it sounds much more fond and teasing than anything else. ] We all get mad sometimes. It happens to everyone. What matters is how you act after the fact.
[ look at this nice grown up talk they're having. ] I'm not going to let him kick you out of the group chat. [ a pause. ] Or let you kick yourself out.
Damn. And here I thought Nazu'd have some mercy on me, let me slip out quietly without complaint... mm, but that'd be like Mitzy won, and I don't really want him to.
[he's a stubborn ass too. leo lays more on nazuna and nuzzles into him, comfortable.]
'Kay. I'm over it. I'll apologize properly tomorrow... Mmm, a bit at a time.
Not a chance ~ [ nazuna hums, reaching over to gently tug on leo's cheek. ] That's something a cowardly little rabbit might have done.
[ who is clearly not him, because he is not cowardly OR little, thank you. the rabbit thing is negotiable. and leo is clearly none of those things, either. he lets him lean against him, though, comfortable and warm, fingers moving away from his face to stroke through his hair instead. it's a comforting gesture the same thing he'd do to his little siblings. ] Do you want to watch ancient aliens, or something?
[ and cuddle, to be honest. he's fine staying right here, petting leo's hair, until he feels just a little better. ]
[ not even a little. this is his most natural place in the world, after all, taking care of people. shifting just enough to get comfortable, nazuna flicks the tv on, puts the volume down low, and settles in to pet leo's hair until he (or nazuna, really) falls asleep. ]
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that's the great thing about music. you don't really have to know what you're doing for it to be a blast. he lets the seriousness of the teachings step away and allows leo to sweep him off, just like always, laughing and keeping up with the pace of the tune like it's nothing.
he lets leo keep the lead, spins dutifully under his arms when directed, and goes right along with the flow. ~ ]
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nazuna looks nice, too. very kissable. which he's not going to do, even if nazuna might let him since it's private now. he'll just sway slowly like he did yesterday, catching his breath, squeezing nazuna's hands with a grin.]
... How'd I do?
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he's panting just a little too when they stop, catching his hand against leo's chest on his shirt, fingers curling against the fabric. the sway is easy and familiar, and nazuna's smile is golden and wide, as the tension from the apartment has finally seemed to fade away. ]
Nihii.. ~ [ the music fades to background noise, and nazuna returns the squeeze with his other hand. ] Pretty good for a beginner. ♪
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[everything about leo's expression is soft and warm, fondness bleeding into the way he leans closer to rest their heads together. this is nice. this is... surprisingly fine, actually, just standing and swaying and being close.
it's a thought he comes back to fairly often with nazuna, ever since he'd confessed his woes, drunk and lonely. it's the same as he feels with kuro, and yet... not..? he can rest on them both, lean on them without hesitation, trust them to listen
but he and kuro are brothers in arms, so to say. shareholders of the same kind of burden. nazuna is something of the same, he guesses, he ran away too, but it's different enough.
ah, thinking so much reminds him of how miai is. he shakes his head, nuzzling nazuna a little in the process. eskimo kisses.]
Thanks for the lesson, bunny. I'm always havin' fun around you. ♪
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(he's had memories of leo since, and he has to wonder if the other nazuna feels the same way. if he's ever been caught up and swept away by everything that leo tsukinaga is. when he finds out, he won't be so surprised.)
he tolerates the nickname, even, nose wrinkling a little at the eskimo kiss, much like a rabbit. ] Don't get too cocky, there's still a lot to learn.
[ ...but. he leans forward a little to return the small nose nuzzle, then pulls away, embarrassed. ] ...you're welcome. [ [baka] ]
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be
leo, who likes this boy so much and wishes he could show it more than he does. who is well-behaved at his core, who wants to get along with others, who knows his shortcomings and ruminates on them far too much. he tightens his hug.]
Do you think I oughta apologize to Mitzy? And Rittsu? It wasn't right of me to snap at them like that, no matter what was goin' on.
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Mm... that's the right thing to do. [ a pause, and his voice lowers a little, remembering their current third occupant. ] And to Kasachin, too. I think he was more upset than anyone.
[ but nazuna isn't going to guilt leo about it. there's no point. he knows that he did something wrong just fine, after all--personas and acting or not, nazuna does know at least some of the leo underneath that.
he keeps rubbing his back for the moment, lifting his chin to rest it on leo's other shoulder and closing his eyes. ] ...you don't have to now. Maybe tomorrow. Mizukichin especially might just want to be alone. [ aka that boy can hold a grudge jfc ]
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he should leave it?]
Me and Mitzy get along fine when we're face to face, if you wanna believe it. [it's weird.] Well, lately anyway... I invited him to sing with me and everything, you know? We sound good together. But when we talk like that, in front of everyone in the chat...
[it goes to pieces. he sighs, turning his head so his quiet words aren't muffled.]
I don't get it, Nazu. I don't, and I'm wonderin' if it was such a good idea for Tsuka-tan to invite me in the first place.
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Don't say that. You have these memories as much as the rest of us do. [ one of his hand slides up to curl into his hair, instead, and nazuna starts stepping backwards towards the couch, to sit them both down. ] Mizukichin...I think this is hard for him, that's all. I think he was pretty close to the other Leo.
[ he's not sure whether he means the one in the other life, or the one that was keito's resident. ] It's not fair to you or him, and it's just going to take time. [ these words feel kind of empty, though. nazuna wishes he could just fix it, but this has to be the two of them.
plus...they're both reactive, but he's nice enough not to say that, probably. ]
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I know. I know, I know, but it's not like I have to be in that chat to share them with everyone. And... they were definitely close, in our memories. That Leo was inspired by Mitzy-- um, by Sena.
[just to make a clear difference between the two. inspired enough to confess such a thing boldly, that, in essence, sena was his happiness, was his life.
the memory colors his cheeks again and he leans against nazuna as they sit on the couch, the music background noise. hhhh.]
Ah~. I just wanna delete that entire thing from everyone's memories, you know~? I acted so disgracefully in front of Tsuka-tan, too... I don't want my little brother to be disappointed in me, but he definitely is.
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Life's not that easy, though. [ he tips his head to rest on top of leo's, looking up at the ceiling as he thinks of the proper thing to say. ] ...and that's part of being an adult, you know? It's important that we face up to it when we've done something wrong.
[ not that nazuna can really talk... but if there's anything he can do, he can at least give advice. ] I think that...what happened was going to be inevitable, eventually. You guys have been butting heads a lot--and it wasn't just you, either.
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[it's his biggest issue with sena, and obviously the biggest issue that keeps coming up.]
Maybe... we'd use to more, too, outside of our memories. It'd be nice to plan things together. To get to know everyone else. I'm not wrong for wantin' that sort of place, am I?
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it's such a simple desire, though, that it makes nazuna's heart squeeze, just a little. they might all only be connected by retrospec and this bare thread of memories, but...he has a point. just because they're not the same people in their memories (for some, lucky for some, not so much) doesn't mean they can't just... be friends.
nazuna squeezes leo's shoulder. he could bring it up to mizuki, probably. the atmosphere they're building could end up oppressive at this rate. his tone stays soft, though, and he doesn't belay that to leo at all. ] ...I don't think you're wrong, Leochin. I think we need to find a happy medium, that's all.
[ a pause, and he hums, patting leo's shoulder. ] And I think you need to stop being provoked so easily. [ again. ] And so does he. But that's easier said than done.
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It wasn't even really his fault this time~. Rittsu was the one who was poking at me... Think he figured something I didn't want him to figure out, but at least he cooled off it. I was the one who was lashing at people.
[... he won't deny he rises the bait easy though. he knows he does. it's hard to stop.]
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:thinking:
okay, not really. it's nice to hear leo's aware of it, so nazuna won't prod him too much more. he just sighs, a big noise as if put upon, but it sounds much more fond and teasing than anything else. ] We all get mad sometimes. It happens to everyone. What matters is how you act after the fact.
[ look at this nice grown up talk they're having. ] I'm not going to let him kick you out of the group chat. [ a pause. ] Or let you kick yourself out.
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Damn. And here I thought Nazu'd have some mercy on me, let me slip out quietly without complaint... mm, but that'd be like Mitzy won, and I don't really want him to.
[he's a stubborn ass too. leo lays more on nazuna and nuzzles into him, comfortable.]
'Kay. I'm over it. I'll apologize properly tomorrow... Mmm, a bit at a time.
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[ who is clearly not him, because he is not cowardly OR little, thank you. the rabbit thing is negotiable. and leo is clearly none of those things, either. he lets him lean against him, though, comfortable and warm, fingers moving away from his face to stroke through his hair instead. it's a comforting gesture the same thing he'd do to his little siblings. ] Do you want to watch ancient aliens, or something?
[ and cuddle, to be honest. he's fine staying right here, petting leo's hair, until he feels just a little better. ]
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Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that. Sorry if I fall asleep on you.
[it'd be so easy to. comfortable and warm, safe and secure.]
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[ not even a little. this is his most natural place in the world, after all, taking care of people. shifting just enough to get comfortable, nazuna flicks the tv on, puts the volume down low, and settles in to pet leo's hair until he (or nazuna, really) falls asleep. ]