avalononline | text 01; @uecchi

[What an interesting voice... Their familiars both seem friendly and helpful, for what it's worth. The Ittan-momen remains mellow, at that. It's literally just cloth, but it lazily, loosely wraps itself around Uenoyama's forearm as they speak - an affectionate gesture, Mafuyu assumes. For a yokai, it isn't very scary.]

Yeah.

[Terse as always. But as Uenoyama treads forward and says the exact words Mafuyu's been thinking, he freezes, pausing for several seconds.]

...What about you?

[Is it unfair to make Uenoyama tell him first? Yes. Honestly, he's... scared, in a way. Scared that they won't match up, despite all of the things that happened. But his reaction, while still subdued, is also enough to make it clear that he didn't come straight from home.]

[This thing acts like a pet snake- it briefly crosses Uenoyama's mind, as he watches it wrap around his hand. He doesn't mind it though, it's not doing anything bad. Yet.

But he's quickly focused more on the question that was shot right back him, making him frown in thought and rub the back of his neck. How... do you explain that weird place anyway? If Mafuyu isn't from there or has no memories as he heard from others that it can happen, then they will be, well, them, but Uenoyama would know weird shit that might be just too much and-

-he's overthinking this. Sighing, Uenoyama decides to just say it; he's never lied to Mafuyu before, and doesn't intend to ever do it. Also, he definitively doesn't pick up on signs that Mafuyu didn't come straight from home.]

I was sent first to this weird place with three moons and weird weather, I think it was called Lunatia. And then you-... you were also there. [His eyes meet Mafuyu's, wondering what kind of reaction he will have.]

[That frown is a little worrying. Maybe it's Mafuyu who's overthinking things, keeping his worries to himself as usual.

But then Uenoyama speaks up, and the moment he finishes speaking and their eyes meet, Mafuyu suddenly moves forward and throws his arms around Uenoyama's neck without a word of warning.]

Me too.

[All at once, it feels like a weight is lifted. Mafuyu hadn't realized how badly he'd wanted Uenoyama to remember everything, for his time alone there to not be in vein... for precious moments to still be in his heart. Slowly, he buries his face in the crook of Uenoyama's neck, breathing him in.]

I remember too.

[Uenoyama wants to say that the hug is surprising, but it isn't. There was some kind of spark of recognition in Mafuyu's eyes that, even without the words, he seems to instantly catch on what Uenoyama's been talking about. There is both relief and a bit of worry, but he ignores it and focuses on hugging Mafuyu back as tightly as he can.]

Mmm, I don't remember many day-to-day things, [Uenoyama speaks against Mafuyu's hair,] but- there is stuff that I do remember very clearly...

[He remembers Mafuyu, first and foremost. He remembers them meeting there, spending time together, living together, and that night too. And he's very thankful that travel between that and this place didn't take the memory of it. He would be pretty pissed and it would probably make Mafuyu sad and disappointed.]

[Just as always, those warm arms accept him graciously, and everything finally feels like it's fallen into place. As long as Uenoyama is here and shares those same precious memories... that's enough. For now, this is all he needs.]

I remember... you.

[Affectionately, Mafuyu only nuzzles closer.]

I remember other things too. But it's mostly you.

[Uenoyama's body relaxes fully, his hands tightening their grip back on Mafuyu. It is his Mafuyu. The one he knows from that place, the one he shared dark and stormy nights with. It is a very comforting thought. There are no customers around so Uenoyama figures he can steal some more time to hug him.]

I don't think I was long there with you. I remember you saying you were there for months by yourself.

[He pulls back a little so he can cup Mafuyu's face to look at him with a small smile-]

I'm glad I could follow you here. I don't want to be separated from you.

Mm. I remember that too. But you're the most important.

[Simply the idea of losing months of precious memories that he couldn't get back, or even worse, Uenoyama losing those memories while Mafuyu still had them... it's hard to think about. Trying to get back on the same wavelength would be heartbreaking, but they don't have to think about that. They're here. They're both here. And they both share those memories.

But his thoughts along those lines vanish into nothing as Uenoyama gently cups his face in his hands, touch so loving and gentle that Mafuyu's heart flips in on itself.]

I couldn't bear... being apart from you.

[No one else is here, so without any of the restraint he should probably use, Mafuyu leans forward to sweetly brush their lips together in a loving, lingering kiss. It's been far too long.]

[The most important... Uenoyama felt his heart clench so painfully at those words. It's not even a sad thing that Mafuyu said, and yet it manages to make him both happy and sad at the same time. He's not sure why though, he can't explain it.

'I can't express myself well' Mafuyu's voice rings in his ears and every time something like this happens, he can understand what Mafuyu meant when he said that a little bit better.]

Same... I was looking everywhere for you. That post on the network was the last idea I had.

[He doesn't know what he would've done if Mafuyu didn't answer. But the depressing train of thought is cut short when Mafuyu kisses him, dispersing them like a duster would do short work of dust. It's important Mafuyu's here and Uenoyama's not letting him out of his sight.]

[Should they be kissing while Uenoyama is technically working? Probably not. But Mafuyu couldn't care less, pressing into him and cherishing his touch. It's cold outside, but his heart is overflowing with warmth.

He missed this. It's only been a few days, but in the end... now that they know what it's like to live together, to be together all the time, the idea of separating is even more unbearable.]

You... made this post for me?

[To look for him? Does that mean Uenoyama had looked for him in other ways before? Mafuyu hardly pulls back from their kiss at all, voice hushed as their lips barely brush when he speaks.]

I looked for you too. But now... We don't have to be apart anymore.

[If you ask Uenoyama, it's fine since there are no customers. And they haven't seen each other in a few days (maybe longer, it feels longer) so this is a reasonable thing to do. Right?

Uenoyama nods shortly.]

I- hoped to catch your attention, to get you to respond to it, and you did.

[His plan had, to his surprise and relief, worked. He did look for him in other ways, but it's a weird, new land and they don't know anyone so no one could really tell him anything.

Uenoyama smiles,] Mmm. I'm staying at the Inn right now so... do you wanna stay with me there?

Your username made it easy.

[Of course, that was on purpose. Or if nothing else, he definitely knew that Mafuyu would recognize it. And that's enough.

A bit reluctant to part, he pulls back just enough to see Uenoyama's expression and speak normally, still not separating from their hug.]

Can I? ...Mm. I want to.

Ah- yeah. I tried to make that one obvious.

[And some people already call him that. Mafuyu still calls him Uenoyama-kun, but he also knows of this nickname. He... also told him to call him 'Ritsuka' if he wants so... he has plenty to choose from.

Uenoyama plays idly with Mafuyu's bangs, pushing them out of the way so he can see his eyes.]

Of course. I still have a few hours to work here so I can give you the key to it. Or you can just wait for me, here. I'm fine with that too.

[For now, "Ritsuka" is reserved for special occasions only... special occasions that they're both well aware of, but nobody else has to know about.]

I want to stay with you.

[That probably sounds awfully clingy, considering that he's still holding on to Uenoyama and looking at him with those loving eyes, but can anyone blame him?]

After work, we can go together. [And pick up Kedama and Mafuyu's very few belongings on the way.]

[And Uenoyama doesn't mind that at all.

He nods and nudges Mafuyu gently towards the counter and then behind it, as he's not the customer, to get him to sit down. Then closes the door to the shop so cold stops chilling the room. Muse perches herself upon an empty shelf and continues strumming on her harp, humming under her breath, as Uenoyama "returns to work" so to say.]

I need to dust off the instruments. There's warm coffee over there if you want some.

[He leans over the counter to give Mafuyu a peck on the cheek, grab a napkin he's using for wiping off the instruments, and sets off to work.]

[Behind the counter it is! Uenoyama clearly knows what he's doing, so Mafuyu's content to simply watch and not get in the way. This shop doesn't seem to get a lot of business, but here's Uenoyama still doing his job to the fullest anyway. That's admirable!]

Mm. [But first, after that brief (and adorably sweet) kiss, Mafuyu takes off his scarf to wrap it around Uenoyama's neck from the other side of the counter.]

Here. You're colder than me.

[A scarf indoors is fine if it means his boyfriend will be warm. Besides, he has the luxury of coffee nearby!]

[Less than knowing what he's doing and more of a "they told me to do this" so... Also! Some of the pieces are so delicately carved, and it would be a shame to leave those instruments to just collect the dust.

He is, however, red up to the tips of his ears as he does it because of Mafuyu's scarf. He's clearly not cold but he doesn't refuse the scarf either. It smells of Mafuyu and it's comforting.

You might not see your scarf back any time soon, Mafuyu.

The Muse joins him behind the counter while Uenoyama works around the shop, to keep him company. She's a good person to talk to about inspiration and stuff.]

text 01; @uecchi

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