flameinthedarkness

Cater was good at getting those smiles and laughs out of him, much more than Idia would had ever guessed... anyone really doing so, another brief laugh from between his teeth, "I already have, right? How this all started." A... very weird start to this all, Idia thinking a few times now how glad he was to had stumbled across a random VTubers and his music, his face soften a little at that thought.

"Oh," On that topic. "Ah, donno how long the ride normally is, but brought ear buds if want music during it." Even if he didn't bring his computer he had enough stuff on his phone to pass the time.

Just like the other day when they were walking together up the tower, a bounce forms in Cater's step as he keeps in time to Idia's leggy stride. Since they were freshmen, Cater's always been interested in trying to crack through Idia's shell, but even he couldn't have predicted that this would ever be the result. Now that they're here, though, his nerves are definitely leaning more now toward excitement.

"Sweet! It'll definitely make the ride over faster. Probably have enough time to get through a handful of songs--I'd say it's usually about 20 minutes." And fortunately, the shuttle pulls up shortly after they arrive at the stop, so they can hop right in and find a spot. A total gentleman, Cater offers Idia the window seat.

If Idia notices he doesn't comment on it, both not wanting to call Cater out on it or not caring too much... or not wanting to think of why he would be so happy. This is all still too weird for him. He does look a little annoyed by the length of the trip though, "That's so long." Ugh, traditional transport, it's so limited. This is why flight is better, just take the direct route.

As they got on the bus Idia is hunting in his pockets for his earbud case, looking up in time to see that offer and... "What? Um... ok?" Sliding into the seat after a moment of hesitation, really not expecting it at all, or really knowing the etiquette for bus travel. In a way it feels a little trapped... in another way it's almost like shielding for any others who may get on, here or at later stops. "Here." He offering one of the buds as he puts the other in his ear, flicking through his phone for song options.

Cater figured he'd appreciate being able to sink into the corner, away from prying eyes. Accepting the earbud with a thanks, he leans a little closer to spy the different choices as Idia scrolls. It's silly, he knows, but more than a small part of him enjoys seeing those spindly fingers tapping. "What mood're you thinking?" Clearly teasing, he adds:

"No pressure, but your choice could absolutely make or break the entire day."

Idia shoots a look to Cater, as if to say 'really?' then a sigh and shake of his head, "Fuck me..." Not taking that serious at all, but playing along with the bit, thinking as he scrolled through. Hmmm, something chill maybe, to calm his nerves compared to something super upbeat. "This." Tapping it to start playing, some chill lo-fi that he's been using lately to try and calm down at night. It's still maybe a touch more upbeat compared to some 'sleeping music', but for Idia it's chill.

"How's that?" A glance over to Cater as he asks.

"I like it," he answers, grinning. "The date can commence."

He settles back into the seat, stretching his legs out in front of him. It goes without saying that he wouldn't call off the date because he didn't like a choice of music, but Cater's also pretty sure he'd be happy with anything that Idia picked.

Twenty minutes won't be so bad with such chill tunes to keep them company, but Cater's pretty sure sitting silently together and listening isn't going to help either of them with their nerves.

"So, I know some of the specific games you're into, but if you had to pick any overall type of game, do you have a favorite? Retro games, shooter games, rhythm games...?"

"Retro." Idia answers right away, then takes a moment to consider it better. "I mean, my favorite is a retro, vertical scroller, bullet hell. But I guess not all retro games, since a lot of quality of life changes been made to games over the years that really improve them." A moment of thinking more. "I donno, I like... a bit of everything? No real one favorite genre, just games from within them." It's a good move on Cater's part, giving Idia something to think about during this all, and on a topic that's easy for him to talk about.

"What about you?" A pause, then a hint of a smile to tease Cater with, "And don't say those that are in that folder of yours."

Cater raises his eyebrows at the answer. "That was suspiciously fast and specific. Do you have a title in mind?" As for his own, though, he laughs. "Uh, duh, why would I play anything that doesn't come with a payoff? Okay, but seriously..."

He thinks. "It's definitely hard to pick...but I think my favorite ones are the kind where you can build your own world. A good way to de-stress, and it's so rewarding to get everything the way you want it."

Idia lets out a brief bark of a laughter at that, "OMG!" Oh no, 'payoff'... unless that's just how his brain is taking it and Cater didn't mean it that way... whoops. Switching tracks! "Oh, world builders are great, gotta put a lot of time into getting those just right." Because of course Idia plays them that way. Unless there's a 'chaos' ending or requirement to hundred percent the game.

"And yeah, Star Rogue! It's my fav game ever." Idia grinning away as he speaks. "Ortho and I played it so much when we were younger. I swear I could play it blindfolded on Meteor mode." Idia knew that game back to front, more than any other game he's played. It was a really special one for him.

What the Hell? Idia looks so cute talking about his favorite game. The joy he has for it is infectious, and Cater's soon grinning from ear-to-ear. "Oh! Yeah, I know that game! It's a total classic. The movie they made based on it is great, too!" Pausing, his eyes light up further. "I think there might be a machine for it in the arcade we're going to, actually. Too bad I didn't bring a blindfold--but if you're up for playing a round, I'd love to see that prowess for myself."

"Y-You know it?" It always does surprise Idia when people do, assuming most wouldn't remember such an old game now days, having moved on to newer stuff. "Ah, yeah, yeah, it did. It was pretty good, you know, for a game adapted movie." Oh! This is too easy to rant about! Idia holding himself back in case it's too much for Cater right now. Plus there's always a touch of sadness linked to this game for him, both from the fact there will never be a sequel to it, and that... he and Ortho loved it so much, Idia's smile turning a little sad at that thought...

Before moving on, "Oh yeah? Ah, let's, ah, let's see, ok? Never really played it in front of others before..." Gods, don't let his nerves get in the way of all his talk about it!

"Don't get all bashful on me, now!" Cater elbows him playfully, laughter still in his voice. "Look, I can play a round first, really boost your ego with how sub-par my skills are. Then you'll be raring to show me how it's done."

It's fun being able to talk about this kind of thing. Not that he ever acts like he's not into video games or anything, but with everyone else he's all about cutesy things. After all, it's all his sisters ever wanted to talk about. If it was a different topic, he was never able to get anyone interested. With Idia, he can really get into his interests. From music to games to anime...nobody else has so many good recommendations.

"But then I'll have to make myself feel better by showing you how fast I am on my feet on the dance games."

A light 'tss' from Idia, his nerves starting to fire up again, but glad for Cater's joking. "W-We'll see..." Honestly, he should be fine but... it's in front of someone else, gods let alone he just remembered this whole 'date' thing too! Ehhh, he's going to make a fool of himself isn't he?

However his brows raise at Cater's claim about dance games. "Oh yeah?" ...should Idia admit that... he's not too bad at those either? He's not one to 'hold back' when playing against others, though sometimes will handicap himself if too big a difference. But... he does, well... like dancing, just a certain type... that no one knows about... well, Jamil does... still. "I'll have to see that."

"Yeah! I wanna try a little bit of everything. Racing, the game with the drums, maybe some table hockey?" Gotta get the most out of their time--and he figures the more they're busy enjoying the arcade, the less either of them can focus too much on what they should-or-shouldn't be doing now that it's an official "date" and not just "two guys hanging out".

Fortunately, their conversation helped speed things along, and it's only another song's length before they're pulling into town. Cater gives Idia back the borrowed earbud and waits for the rest of the bus to clear out before standing to exit. "We just have to walk about a block from here. You can't miss it once you get close enough."

Oh. Oh. "I-I haven't done the table hockey ones before." Hadn't had a chance to. That would be new for him... and not sure he will be good at it, seems too athletic... but guess Idia will find out.

Getting to the stop was fine, and Idia is glad that Cater waits for them to be last off, giving him time to put everything away and make sure his hood is pulled up. However it's once he steps off the bus that... it really kicks in. He's somewhere else. Other than school. Or home. And... Idia's really not sure how to feel about that. He's curious but also... can feel that raising panic, clutching his hand to his opposite wrist, fingers tight against it as his other hand forms a fist, a slight shake to both hands as his head drops, but Idia knows. "Y-Y-Yeah, o-ok..."

Cater's nearly getting away from himself with his excitement, but the tremor in Idia's voice stops him short. He understands being introverted--for all his showings of extroversion, it exhausts him deeply. So many days he doesn't want to bother. Just wants to stay inside, in his room, under his blankets. But no matter how tired he is, the prospect of dealing with the public has never made Cater particularly nervous. He and Idia had been hitting such a stride with one another that he'd nearly forgotten how out of his element he's really taken the other boy.

"Hey," he says in a soft voice. "I won't let you drown, okay?"

He watches Idia, the way he's slouched and tucked into himself and looking down. For the second time, he wants to take his hand--but this time to act as an anchor. There's no actual opening for him to do it, though, so all he can do is offer. Cater extends a hand, letting Idia decide whether or not to take it.

He wants Ortho. He wants Ortho. He wants Ortho. He wants Ortho. He wants Ortho! This was a mistake! He shouldn't had done this. It's too much. So stuck in his own head, spiraling with his thoughts... until Cater's voice cuts through it, Idia going still as he spoke. Right, he wasn't alone in this, as much as he was fighting that need to just run back and hide in his room, that shaking slowing but still holding on to himself.

Until that hand if offered. A look to it... before reaching out hesitantly to catch a couple of Cater's fingers with his own, hooking them around them. "S-S-Sorry..." His tone light, even for Idia, his head still down as he spoke, struggling to get anything out... but trying. "I-I never been anywhere... other than school... or my house." Saying that was rather misleading though, as Idia's 'house' is anything but normal. It was far larger than any true house, and filled with people, but... he had a very different role in it than most would have too. It wasn't just home, it was work. Work had to be done, no matter what. There was no time for break downs or freaking out. You had to get work done.

It's such a hesitant touch, Cater's nearly expecting Idia to withdraw immediately. But he doesn't, those long fingers coiling into his. "It's okay," he promises. "It's going to be okay."

Slowly, like approaching a frightened animal, he slides his hand deeper into Idia's, cupping their palms together and squeezing. "I don't mind going at your pace, so if you need to stop, we'll stop."

Right... right, it was, wasn't it? It was ok... this is... normal. It's normal. People do this everyday. And new isn't scary... right? Just... different, Idia's fingers tightening against Cater's hand as he nods slightly... then a bit more of a real nod. "Y-Yeah... yeah, ok." Ok, deep breath, lets just... get through this. "Ah, you said... a block away?"

Still, "I suck..." Seriously, Cater's going to regret ever asking him to do this, isn't he?

Once Idia seems to have steadied himself, Cater starts walking, keeping their bodies close in an easy stride as he leads the two of them forward. "Yeah, around there. It'll feel like nothing--talk to me about something. What are you looking forward most to playing, once we get there?"

But before giving Idia a chance to answer, Cater tells him, "You don't suck--I happen to like you just fine."

"You have horrible taste then..." Idia mutters out, not quite able to look at Cater during this, but also not down at his feet either, instead off to the side and... at stuff as they pass by. He's heard others talk about the town, but never really felt the need or drive to go himself, even if asked to before. Idia knew it would just end up like this... and he also feels bad the first time he did he didn't go with Ortho... Ortho always wanted them to do stuff but... he never does. Maybe... next time he comes out... they can do this.

Not like he could had this time, who brings their little brother on a date?

Oh gods this was a date! And he was ruining it! Idia letting out a groan as he covers his face with his hand, realizing how much he was fucking this up already. "You have horrible taste... I totally ruined this already." But... trying, ok, try, don't fully ruin this. "Um... I donno... I guess Star Rogue? But... I wanna see you dance... as well."

"Can't call it horrible if I like the taste," Cater counters with a somewhat coy tone, trying to keep things light and not draw too much attention to the way that Idia's feeling. Still, he doesn't want to dismiss or invalidate him, either. It's a fine line to walk, especially with someone like Idia who has so many obvious reasons to be self-conscious. "How about we dance together? Dancing is a pretty good way to forget about everything going on in your head."

Ehhhh, he can't do that! Especially with Cater saying he was confident in his skills at it! Idia doesn't want to show him up! If he even can. Cater's been so carefree with their gaming sessions so far, but they also really haven't competed against each other, bar some of the party games during stream. Going head to head... Idia's worried about that. What if he does win against Cater and he doesn't like that?

"A-A-Ah, ah, um, lets... see, ok?" Though... thinking back to what Cater had asked him before the bus. "Um, s-should we go to the arcade first? I think my nerves ruined any chance of me wanting to eat right now... unless you want to, that is!"

Cater nods. "Sure! We'll see how you feel when we get there."

He's hoping the arcade will help Idia relax, but this is definitely a bit more of an extreme case of nervousness than Cater was expecting. It does give him an idea, something that he's hoping might help, but...well, kind of flying by the seat of his pants, here.

"I can wait to eat. Oh, but wanna stop for coffee first?"

"Oh?" Oh, ah, "Ah, yeah, yeah, ok." Caffeine was good. True, Idia normally got it via energy drinks, but yeah, he could go for that. "That sounds good." Oh, gods, is Cater one of those 'black coffee only' people? Idia has no clue. He can guess he is, since he doesn't like sweets. While Idia is the total opposite.

Also still not questioning the hand holding at all, as if it's just part of this all.

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