flameinthedarkness

Oh... that's nice, Idia's expression soften as well, a slight smile. "Yeah, yeah."

Hmm, though, "So, ah, you wanna stay here for a bit? Until you feel better? I would try and sneak you into my room but... still seems a lot for, like, first date." A pause. "That's clearly second date material." Smile ticking up a bit more to show he's joking... unless...

"Hmmm, I got games on my computer? Or, ah, I guess..." Ehhh. "We could keep going? But... donno if right mood?" None of his romance visual novels has prepared him for this!

At first, Cater nods--definitely not ready to go back to his room yet. Right now, he's feeling good, but he has a feeling that it'll crash again if he doesn't let himself settle for a bit longer. And besides that...he'd like to keep wearing Idia's hoodie; he knows he'll have to give it up before morning.

"It's technically a different day, so we can definitely have an impromptu second date." Then, as Idia makes his suggestion, Cater smiles even wider. "How about...we play some games and cuddle and see where things go?"

Gaming is a good distraction, too, and if they use controllers they can definitely get into a snuggled position while playing.

A 'pfttt' from Idia but... "Yeah, I like that idea." Fingers curling against Cater's neck as he fidgets for a bit, clearly wanting to say something but struggling to. Then making himself, "I, ah, always seen, like, you know, cute gamer couples that like do that... always wanted to try just... ya know..." He's a loser no one would want to date. Or more the fact Idia never considered it an option for him.

Until now.

"Ah, hmm," A look around for a good spot then, "There?" Not like any spot is more comfortable than the other really here, so one is good as another. It does mean they have to let go of each other but... well... cuddling, right? Idia slowly drawing his hands back off Cater, then realizing that means he can reach for Cater's hand again this way, taking it in his and pulling Cater along with him to a spot. Seating himself down first on the ground, back to the wall, Idia leaves it up to Cater how he wants to sit with him.

"Well, now we're a cute gamer couple."

Imagine. Them: a couple. It would shock the student body. Probably even the teachers. And him: a gamer. If it hadn't been official, it sure was now that he was dating one. He'd really have to step up his n00b cred.

Nodding in agreement as Idia pulls him along, he sits down between those long legs, getting comfortable against Idia's back. Patting the knees that were now on either side of him, he teases, "try not to pwn me too hard."

Oh. Oh. Idia had... kind of hoped for that but... when Cater actually moved to sit there... um... ok, breath, it's ok. It's ok. "A-ah, yeah, yeah." Those sudden nerves clear in his tone before a shake of his head to try and snap himself out of it. Nope, focus, can do this. Just games.

...with his boyfriend sitting there, between his legs.

His boyfriend.

Omg...

"Ah, ok, um, so," A wave of his hand bringing up a holoscreen and a list of games Idia had on the computer, reaching his arms around either side of Cater and leaning over his shoulder to flick through them. "Let me know if anything interests you."

The only downside of the position, for Cater, is that he can't get a full view of Idia's face. He wishes he could take in every bit of his cute, stammering expression...but recognizes that it's probably easier for him to not be stared at like he's ultra kawaii while he embraces his new position--both literally and figuratively.

"Hmmm...oh, what about this one? I've seen some clips of it! It looks like fun!" He points out a side-scrolling bullet hell game that has both single and two-player functionality. "And the animation style is so cute..."

It's a nice callback to Star Rogue, too. Like an modern spin on an old classic. It'll be nice to play cooperatively, like they did in the shooting game--though he knows he's going to be a little distracted by Idia's body wrapped around him.

Huh, "Oh, yeah, ok." They can do that. Though, "Hmm, hold on." Idia's hands dropping from the screens to Cater's side... to reach into the pockets of his hoodie Cater's wearing, digging in to them...

To produce two small items. A few flicks here and there change them into mini controllers. Rather flat ones, really not as ergonomic as full size ones, but good for travel. "I, ah... grabbed them, just in case." Handing one over to Cater, keeping one for himself.

And realizing he will have to either try and squash behind Cater's back to hold his... or keep his arms wrapped around Cater, and... he decides on the second, slipping his arms down around Cater's waist as he syncs up the controllers and sorts out the game for two player. "Ready?"

Not expecting it, Cater jolts slightly when Idia's hands dive into his (borrowed) pockets. He laughs, though, when he realizes what's happening, and accepts one of the two controllers. "Geeze, you really think of everything, don't you?"

He turns slightly to smile up at Idia before he wraps his arms around him, unable to help feeling a bit sheepish himself at how...well, snuggled up they are to one another. He faces the holoscreen again, tension melting away into a mild giddiness as it really sinks in how nice it feels to be held like that. Even though it's not necessarily a full hug, it's close enough that his heart does a flip-flop. Cater realizes that for the no-strings flirting and fooling he's done so far in his teenage years...this is completely new.

"Ready," he confirms after clearing his throat and adjusting his fingers against the buttons.

"Ah, well, with how you sounded... thought might want a distraction so... yeah." And games were good for that, to hide in and ignore everything.

Or he would be able to if wasn't holding Cater right now. "Uh huh." Idia manages to get out as he starts the game for them, a bit of playing around with the controller to get the feel of it, even if he's made them, since they weren't as good as a full size one. But just so... aware of Cater the entire time. And not just for the obvious reason that he's in front of him, just... all of this. And as they continue through the game Idia finds himself relaxing more. Leaning less into the wall behind him and more into Cater's back, almost curling around him as they game, chin coming to rest on Cater's shoulder.

It's just... so nice.

Cater lets out a sigh as they get into the game, as Idia's lanky figure fills up the gaps between them. As they both relax, their position becomes much less unfamiliar. He can feel the heat of Idia's body pressing in on him, even through that big hoodie, and in turn Idia can feel every time his laughter makes his body shake due to a close call with one of the bullets.

The early levels are definitely much easier for Idia than for Cater, but between the attention it requires for him to navigate the stage and the enveloping presence of another body wrapped around him, he's definitely finding this to be a good distraction.

Idia will smile to those shakes and as the game picked up and Cater started to lag behind, Idia would make sure to pick his character up so he could keep going, never making a comment about the deaths. Just quietly playing or a soft comment here and there to direct Cater in the right direction as needed, or how to cheese a boss.

The issue is... Idia's starting to feel sleepy again. Which is strange. He's already slept enough for him to be awake for a few hours. Maybe it's due to today. Or just... having someone else with him, his head leaning more into Cater's as they go, eyes half closed as he watches the screen but is mostly playing on auto pilot. And he eventually pays for it, dying first out of them. "Ah... shit." Whoops.

Cater isn't immune to the passing of time, either. The more relaxed he feels, the harder it is to focus on the screen, and pretty immediately after Idia dies, they hit their first two-player death that triggers a game over screen. "Mmm," he murmurs sleepily. "I think that's enough game time for now."

Letting go of his controller with one hand, he reaches it up to touch Idia's cheek, face moving in his direction to nuzzle him sweetly.

Oh, that's, ah, that's nice, Idia tilting his head towards that hand, letting the weight of his head rest against Cater's hand.

"Eeehhh, I should had grabbed an energy drink on the way here. My sleep cycle is totally off." To bed too early for him, Idia's head slumping forward again to rest his forehead against Cater's shoulder, arms tightening around his waist as if he was a pillow.

A few moments then, "...this ok, right? Like... I donno, would say too fast but... I'm also, like... going by game speed stuff. Like, gotta to the talk, and the gifts, and blah blah." Yup, not ending that though on how those games tend to end... but still wanting to check in with Cater with this all. Though adding, "N-Not that I think this is bad just... fast?" An 'eehhhh' from him. "I don't fucking know. I got no clue on this... please tell me you do."

He gives a soft, sleepy laugh in response, carefully shifting his body in Idia's grasp so he can turn around toward him, sliding his arms around Idia in return. It'll dislodge his headrest for a second, but then he can rest it on the opposite shoulder if he'd like. "It's okay with me if it's okay with you," he tells him.

But he knows that Idia might want a bit more than that, so he elaborates on his thoughts a bit more.

"I know that there aren't really any rules. This kind of thing doesn't always follow the typical formula. So, like, who cares if it's faster than what you'd see in a game, or in movies, or what everyone talks about. I'm already here, so you don't need to get me flowers."

Pressing his forehead into the curve where Idia's neck meets his shoulder, he finishes, "but if it's too fast for you, that's okay. We can cool it."

Idia lifts his head as he feels Cater starting to move, confused at first, but adjusting himself as Cater moved to get them both comfortable, thinking over what he said as Cater cuddled into him, his arm looping lazily around Cater's waist as the other hand rested on his knee. "Yeah... ok, I get it." Just... do what feels right for them. "... I like that. Our own pace. Whatever that will be." Adding on, "Get you digital flowers. In game." Already with an item in mind he can grind to get.

Then... curiosity getting the better of him, no real emotions behind the question, just wanting to know, "H-have you dated before?"

"Think of it like designing your own game," Cater offers, before giggling at the idea of Idia getting him in-game flowers. "Aw! Gross (Affectionate)!"

His smile does falter at the question that Idia follows up with, but less so from being upset about it than it simply being...a bit of an awkward one for him to answer. He's not sure if he'll get judged for what he's about to say, but...Idia deserves to know at least this much about him.

"No, never. I've been asked out before, but...I don't do that. It's too personal, you know?" It's still too personal, but here they are anyway--he couldn't help himself. "I've hooked up before, though. Like, at parties and stuff."

Idia grins at that, "Pffft, shut up." He's getting you so many flower aesthetics now.

That smile starts to slip away as Cater answers him, his face calming to something more neutral, listening carefully. He supposes he should say why he asked, "I asked in case, ah, well, you had a better idea than I do. Which still think you do even if you haven't, but... ya, that's all. No judgement or anything. Or pressure." As they had said before, their own pace.

"I would say more than I've done but... that should be obvious." A shrug of a shoulder to go with that.

Cater exhales a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding when Idia takes that information in stride. It's not like most people would consider it a big deal, or anything, but what if he thought it was gross? Or that Cater was just going to treat him like some kind of fling: hit it and quit it? Yeah, this whole thing had an end-of-third-year deadline...but they had over half a year to enjoy together. That was time he intended to take advantage of.

"I dunno," he jokes. "They do say you gotta watch out for the quiet ones...you could be hiding all sorts of kinky secrets for all I know."

Well if Cater did treat him as a fling then... Idia would just have to deal with it. There was a level of trust in this, that they were going to be together... just that there was a deadline for it. An end date. So... it was going to end, sooner or later, though... the idea of being used for some fun then dumped... yeah, that hurts. Though Idia's self-deprecating views wouldn't blame Cater for that. To move on to something better. It's fine...

"OMG stop..." Nope. Nope. Don't go there. Don't! Idia's face starting to heat up again as Cater jokes with him. "Don't you dare." You've already seen his art, Cater! You know what he's into! Or at least enough to draw!

He can't help himself--the flustered reaction makes him grin, and he pulls back from their cozy embrace to look up at Idia's face. Yeah, he wants to see the embarrassed look on his face. "Well, you know, if you wanted to stay up for real...I know how to get your heart racing."

Ehhhh! "Please tell me it's some sort of joke answer, like a certain game, or caffeine, or... I donno, something an obvious punchline to this all!" You know, not that Idia is against other options... he thinks... but still...

Some of that 'panic' leaking away, "You're going to be horrible to me..." Oh, wait, miscommunication with stuff like this before, Idia saying something as a reaction but not really meaning it... letting that full put on panic leave, no longer playing that game. "I, ah, I didn't really mean it, ah, like that. Just..." A huff. "I donno... you got Cay-Cay, I got... me?" Just how he always is. Around everyone.

Well, less so around Cater. But... still a little, for them to play with, bounce off each other for fun.

Cater leaves the joke hanging--the punchline is pretty much exactly what he was implying, after all. Still, his expression softens when Idia tries to explain the intent behind his words. Chuckling, he leans in to press a soft kiss to Idia's cheek. "I know," he assures. "Besides, you aren't wrong. I'm going to drive you absolutely out of your mind."

Oh. That kiss. Idia's expression softening again, though... that blush lingering as he gaze moves off to the side, away from Cater, fingers tightening on Cater's waist and leg as Idia fights the need to raise a hand to cover his mouth as he answer. "I, ah... good, ah... good. I'm... ah, really curious to, ah, to try... stuff."

Hmmm, though, that blush fading a bit as Idia thinks more seriously. "I was going to talk about this tomorrow, well, today, I guess, but... think good to be on the same page about, ah... how public we're going to be." He looking back to Cater now, those nerves gone or at least shoved down and away for this. "I... I get why you hid us, and I get why you may think that's best, for me, and maybe for how you show yourself. But... I-I think I will feel bad if... make you hide this if you don't want to. I do get if you wanna, for your image, and I'm not upset if you do." Idia adding a shrug to it. He does get it. Cay-Cay was a certain show Cater put on and Idia's fine if he doesn't fit into it.

"But... yeah, we, ah, we need to work this out, before classes, at least." However, "Not that I go to classes often..." Hmmm. "Though... maybe, ah, a bit more... now." Though to be clear! "Not all the time though." Those last words the most confident out of them all. Yeah, Idia can't handle going to all classes.

It's...it's honestly a tricky concept. He can't say that being public with Idia would really interfere with his persona--Cay-Cay's a clout-chasing party boy, but even party boys can be in relationships. At the same time, though, it does blur the lines a bit more between his private feelings and the way he presents himself. And then...if he's going full Cay-Cay while publicly dating Idia, would he be too overwhelming for the reclusive housewarden?

"I don't want to hide this," he decides slowly, working it out as he talks. "But I know it'll put a lot of attention on you...so if we go public, you need to tell me your boundaries. That way, even if I'm putting on an act I won't do anything you aren't comfortable with around others. How's that sound?"

That was... reasonable, though Idia counters, "I think you underestimate my ability to panic run and hide despite being literally on fire." He's gotten pretty good about it. Plus, "And Ignihyde is actually... pretty loyal to me, they'll help me out if I need it." A bit of a smile forming at that thought. Who would had thought that, considering the protest he got when he first became dorm leader.

Idia put those noobs in their place.

"But yeah, I'll let you know. Donno what to expect but... will let you know if got issues with... whatever." Idia's not sure he realizes what he's getting into, but... "Even if it's a lot for me... feels better than, like, sneaking around and pretending we're not, right? Seems insulting to just, you know, ignore each other around others like we don't exist." Idia's used to that, or aims for that, but... he doesn't like the idea of doing that to Cater.

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