So he doesn't blow it. Reads the back of Terminal Boredom, instead. When he's sure Sugawara's shoulders have stopped shaking, he picks up the conversation again. Clean as a game pass.]
[Tsukishima's calm, even voice is like a balm for Sugawara's raw emotions. He turns back around with slightly reddened eyes but a wobbly smile on his lips, and the amount of fondness reflected in his eyes at that moment would even shock himself if he could see it.]
Heh, sure. I'll keep the gore to a minimum, too. And of course Yamaguchi's invited if he wants to join in!
Ohh, I get you! So I should definitely add Akira to my list.
[Sure, Akira's animated and thus might not even count, but the joke still proves that Suga's once again bouncing back. He grins at the sudden defensive scowl on Tsukishima's face - does this boy just live in fear of Suga's random bursts of affection now? - then wanders off to peruse graphic novels.
Spending time with Tsukishima really might be something Suga has to work into his schedule more often, if he can. It's calming in a way he wouldn't have expected.]
[Yes. It's annoying. Slides too close to the 'Big Brother' attitude some of the other players take. Needling and jostling Tsukki, bugging him about eating. Like he needs any more of that.
But Sugawara also knows how to be calm. Even on days that aren't going so well.
[Retreat a bit when the walls go up and Tsukishima will always follow, given enough time. Suga still doesn't feel like he understands the boy, but he's getting a bit more predictable with time.]
Not just horror, but there is one I've been looking for that went out of print ages ago... let me know if you see one called Flesh Colored Horror by Itou Junji, I'll see if they can put it away for me until tomorrow. I need this collection and it's just nowhere.
[He's scanning the shelves intently, finger skimming over the spines of each volume to make sure he doesn't miss anything.]
I love Junji Ito and also CANNOT have those books in my house XP
Oh, those ones are great! You need to read The Enigma of Amigara Fault, though... it's so weird, like just aggressively weird, and still manages to scare the crap out of me.
[Suga also loves goofy comedies and spy thrillers and even a few soppy romances, but somehow the conversation has swung toward the craziest stuff in his favorites list and he's endlessly amused by Tsukishima's reactions to them.]
I'd skip No Longer Human, though. It's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but if you know anything about the original story - bleak doesn't begin to cover it. You don't need to be inviting that into your brain.
Reminder to self - Do NOT search "Amigara Fault" before bed XP
[Suga sets his hot chocolate down on a shorter shelf and accepts the books from Tsukishima's hands with all the solemnity of a junior high student accepting cram school textbooks for their entrance exams. This is very serious business! Some printings of Flesh Colored Horror go for thousands of dollars, and even the most recent are disappearing into collections so fast that -]
Oh my god.
[The cover's not one Suga has ever seen before, so he almost sets it aside without noticing the title. Ito covers tend to be rather busy, after all, as does all of Ito's cramped, claustrophobic art when it's rendered in full colour.
But this is it. Second-to-last printing, with an alternate cover.]
Oh my god. [He looks up at Tsukishima like he's just come face to face with Ito himself.] Oh my god!! You're magic, Tsukishima-kun!!
[Don't hug him don't hug him don't hug him. Just keep both hands on the book. This is such a glorious moment, too glorious to ruin with a random attack of unwanted affection.]
[Of all the things that could possibly cheer him up after hitting such a profound low, Suga would never have expected any of this. It really does feel like Tsukishima cast some kind of magic day-improving spell.]
Maybe if all the bookstores in Japan have been hiding their copies on the top shelves, and I'm suing for discrimination if that's true! Where's the shop owner, I need to see if they'll hold this...
[With one more big, blinding smile of his own, Suga rushes over to the barista who made their drinks earlier to explain his situation and plead for a 24-hour hold.]
[The barista/ sole employee in the shop has no problem with the request. Wraps the book in paper, with Sugawara's name. Can't have other horror fans stumble in and try to outbid him! First come, first served.
As for Tsukishima, he decides he does not need a 3rd copy of Jurassic Park. He does grab a copy of Venus in the Blind Spot - The collection with "Amigara Fault."]
Ha! You'll be fine... if you're not a big fan of hiking, anyway.
[If there's ever going to be a time when Tsukishima might feel okay leaving Sugawara to the rest of his night, it'll probably be now - or at least once they're all done at the store. The excitement of his find has buoyed him up and even given him something to look forward to tomorrow, and that's much more than he thought he'd have when he texted Tsukishima in desperation.]
This place is great. I'll definitely be back more than once.
[He smirks. That feels okay. Joking. Things are stable enough for now.]
You should.
[Tsukki's doesn't even mind letting his Senior into this. One of the few sanctuaries free of noisy teammates. Bemused, he pays for the manga. Hands the Sugawara the forgotten hot chocolate.
[They leave the store together, Sugawara once again cradling his hot chocolate in both hands, and there's a palpable moment of hesitation when they both seem to wonder what next?
Sugawara's never been so at a loss for how to show his appreciation. Whether it's through punches and karate chops or shoulder squeezes and hugs, he says so much with physical contact and that's constantly hamstringing him with Tsukishima. Words will embarrass his kouhai, physical affection will irritate him - what can he do?
Well. There is one thing. He associates it more with female friends who want to show intense gratitude without suggesting any romantic intent, but does that necessarily have to stop him?]
I'm gonna head home now. I'll text you tomorrow.
[And then, moving swiftly enough that Tsukishima won't have time to dodge, Sugawara takes a step closer and stretches up onto his tiptoes to give Tsukishima a light, quick peck on the cheek.]
Thanks again, Tsukishima-kun. [With that, he turns away to start the walk home.]
[Tsukki exhales. Watches orange leaves flick overhead. He likes this time of year. When seasons are sliding together. Caught up in that, he's unprepared for the sudden kiss, there and gone.]
Ah - ?!
[Sugawara's down the block before Tsukki comes back online. He touches his cheek.]
Huh.
[With that, he jams on the headphones. Scrolls through a playlist. Not that. Not that. No, no, no.
Yes this is BETTER
So he doesn't blow it. Reads the back of Terminal Boredom, instead. When he's sure Sugawara's shoulders have stopped shaking, he picks up the conversation again. Clean as a game pass.]
Do we get vetoes? Maybe your taste is trash.
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Heh, sure. I'll keep the gore to a minimum, too. And of course Yamaguchi's invited if he wants to join in!
BAD DW eating my post!!!!!!!
It's not so much the gore as the... Goop? Like, things melting around on you.
[Tsukki stays right where he is. Space is important.
Also, the look on Sugawara's face? It's close to the one he gets before Hair Attacks. No thank you.]
WOW RUDE
[Sure, Akira's animated and thus might not even count, but the joke still proves that Suga's once again bouncing back. He grins at the sudden defensive scowl on Tsukishima's face - does this boy just live in fear of Suga's random bursts of affection now? - then wanders off to peruse graphic novels.
Spending time with Tsukishima really might be something Suga has to work into his schedule more often, if he can. It's calming in a way he wouldn't have expected.]
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But Sugawara also knows how to be calm. Even on days that aren't going so well.
Eventually, Tsukki wanders over to his aisle.]
So - Horror comics, too?
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Not just horror, but there is one I've been looking for that went out of print ages ago... let me know if you see one called Flesh Colored Horror by Itou Junji, I'll see if they can put it away for me until tomorrow. I need this collection and it's just nowhere.
[He's scanning the shelves intently, finger skimming over the spines of each volume to make sure he doesn't miss anything.]
I love Junji Ito and also CANNOT have those books in my house XP
[The bookstore does its best, but a lot of the titles end up jumbled. Tsukki scans the higher shelves.]
I've read him. Hellstar Remina and Spiral.
Pretty messed up.
[That's not condemnation in Tsukki's voice. That is him impressed.]
tbh the images alone give me nightmares so i won't go near him lmao, but fandom osmosis is powerful
[Suga also loves goofy comedies and spy thrillers and even a few soppy romances, but somehow the conversation has swung toward the craziest stuff in his favorites list and he's endlessly amused by Tsukishima's reactions to them.]
I'd skip No Longer Human, though. It's beautiful, don't get me wrong, but if you know anything about the original story - bleak doesn't begin to cover it. You don't need to be inviting that into your brain.
Reminder to self - Do NOT search "Amigara Fault" before bed XP
Got it.
[There's a few more Ito books lurking. Tsukki hands them to Sugawara.]
That's all from the top. Is it in there?
drr drr drr~
Oh my god.
[The cover's not one Suga has ever seen before, so he almost sets it aside without noticing the title. Ito covers tend to be rather busy, after all, as does all of Ito's cramped, claustrophobic art when it's rendered in full colour.
But this is it. Second-to-last printing, with an alternate cover.]
Oh my god. [He looks up at Tsukishima like he's just come face to face with Ito himself.] Oh my god!! You're magic, Tsukishima-kun!!
[Don't hug him don't hug him don't hug him. Just keep both hands on the book. This is such a glorious moment, too glorious to ruin with a random attack of unwanted affection.]
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Someone brave might call it a smile.]
Now you're exaggerating. I'm just taller than you.
[Though there's a flicker of pride. Knowing it was him, handing Sugawara that book. Something worth searching out.]
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Maybe if all the bookstores in Japan have been hiding their copies on the top shelves, and I'm suing for discrimination if that's true! Where's the shop owner, I need to see if they'll hold this...
[With one more big, blinding smile of his own, Suga rushes over to the barista who made their drinks earlier to explain his situation and plead for a 24-hour hold.]
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As for Tsukishima, he decides he does not need a 3rd copy of Jurassic Park. He does grab a copy of Venus in the Blind Spot - The collection with "Amigara Fault."]
If I can't sleep I'm blaming you, Senpai.
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[If there's ever going to be a time when Tsukishima might feel okay leaving Sugawara to the rest of his night, it'll probably be now - or at least once they're all done at the store. The excitement of his find has buoyed him up and even given him something to look forward to tomorrow, and that's much more than he thought he'd have when he texted Tsukishima in desperation.]
This place is great. I'll definitely be back more than once.
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[He smirks. That feels okay. Joking. Things are stable enough for now.]
You should.
[Tsukki's doesn't even mind letting his Senior into this. One of the few sanctuaries free of noisy teammates. Bemused, he pays for the manga. Hands the Sugawara the forgotten hot chocolate.
Only so it won't get knocked over.]
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Sugawara's never been so at a loss for how to show his appreciation. Whether it's through punches and karate chops or shoulder squeezes and hugs, he says so much with physical contact and that's constantly hamstringing him with Tsukishima. Words will embarrass his kouhai, physical affection will irritate him - what can he do?
Well. There is one thing. He associates it more with female friends who want to show intense gratitude without suggesting any romantic intent, but does that necessarily have to stop him?]
I'm gonna head home now. I'll text you tomorrow.
[And then, moving swiftly enough that Tsukishima won't have time to dodge, Sugawara takes a step closer and stretches up onto his tiptoes to give Tsukishima a light, quick peck on the cheek.]
Thanks again, Tsukishima-kun. [With that, he turns away to start the walk home.]
no subject
Ah - ?!
[Sugawara's down the block before Tsukki comes back online. He touches his cheek.]
Huh.
[With that, he jams on the headphones. Scrolls through a playlist. Not that. Not that. No, no, no.
Finally he hits "Random," and turns away.]