flameinthedarkness

It could all very much lead to some interesting places...

If not for the sudden and angry tone coming from Idia's computer, "Nii-san! What are you doing?! You're vital signs are elevated!" It followed by Idia throwing himself backwards, a cry as his head smacks back against the wall, but no time for that, the tone changing to annoyance. "Your note said you were going with Cater Diamond. What are you two doing?"

"Don't turn on video feed, Ortho!" He does not need Ortho seeing this right now! "Just stay on voice!" Ortho! Please! No! "It's nothing! It's nothing! I'm fine, Ortho! I'm fine!" OMG let the ground just swallow him up now. OMG!

This is so, so much worse than the debacle at the arcade. Cater hadn't thought about Ortho--hadn't considered that the robot might suddenly check in on them. Wasn't he, like, in sleep mode or something?! He'd have totally choked on Idia's tongue if the two hadn't both reeled back so quickly.

Cater, facing the opposite direction, has no risk of hitting his head, but he does fall back on his hands in his surprise. Which, uh, may give Idia an idea of just how big of a tent he'd started pitching, but the mood has definitely been killed so fast that it's not going to deflate pretty fast here.

"O-Ortho?!" He's not sure what else to say in that moment, staring wide-eyed and red-faced back at Idia.

There's a pause from the computer... before Ortho speaks again, though maybe it would be better if he hadn't, "Are you two engaging in sexual activities? Special precautions are required for that."

O.M.G. "Ortho, no! No! We're not! We're not!" Oh ggoddddsss! "Please! I'm fine! I'll be back soon, ok?"

...another pause. Then, "Alright. Take care getting back. Both of you." Followed by silence as the computer is... just a computer again, bobbing gently in the air as it normally does.

Once they're 'alone' again, Idia drops his face into his hands, mortified by this all. It takes him a few minutes before he mumbles out, "Sorry... I... I didn't think he would wake up."

Special precautions he says! Cater almost screams. Slowly, he unwinds his legs from around Idia as they sit there in cold silence, and then when their bodies are separated again, Cater's joining him in a similar head-in-hands stance.

"OMFG...OMFG! He didn't turn on the camera, right? Like, can you tell that for sure?" Actually, is he really gone? What if he was still listening? Cater has no idea what kind of capabilities Ortho has!

And, wait.

"S-Special precautions?"

Yup. Yup. Space good right now, Idia at least managing to get his hands off all of his face and only covering his mouth. That was so embarrassing! Still... Ortho was looking out for him... Idia can't fault him on that... just... omg.

Also, "...no, I can't. Not from here." Idia would have to look at Ortho's records to know for sure. Not that it matter if it did, it's already happened. Idia's shock, which was turning to a numbed shock at this point, gets pushed aside as Cater says that. "Y-You don't know?" Sounding surprised by that, but... "Or you just in shock?"

Ehhhh, Idia's going to hear so much about this when he gets back to his room... but, for now, a huff out, raising his head to look at Cater... before shuffling over a little bit, a hand going to Cater's shoulder. "Ah... you ok?"

"Yes, I know! I promise I know!" God, what kind of awful boyfriend would he be if he outright admitted that he's had hookups but didn't practice safe sex? Everyone makes mistakes and they're still teenagers and all, but...

Cater groans, peeking out from between his fingers at Idia before moving one of his hands away from his face altogether to rest it on top of Idia's. He looks mortified, but otherwise not particularly upset.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Just uh...really embarrassed."

What Ortho must think of him.

"Are, ah, are you? Okay, I mean?"

OMFG he's so tongue-tied! What is wrong with him!

"Ok, ok." A pat to Cater's shoulder, as if to reassure him that Idia believes him, and as that hand came up on top of his, Idia shifted a finger or two just enough to link through and rest over top of Cater's fingers, his expression sympathetic to Cater's current dilemma.

For Idia... well, he and Ortho have been through a lot, and he also knows how Ortho works. Since he made him. He knows what Ortho has access to, what his data banks were like. And how much of a diabolical brat he could be. He may look sweet and innocent but Ortho loved to cause trouble. And normally got away with it due to how innocent he looked. This... well... Idia is sure it was done out of concern for him, Ortho looking after him... but he's going have to ask Ortho if he timed it that way... and no doubt go through a talk with him about, well, details on stuff, to prove that Idia understood stuff... sighhhh.

"I'm fine." Idia answers... before actually chuckling a bit. Maybe it's mean because it's at Cater's expense but, "Though getting to see Cater Diamond this rattled, talk about a rare event."

Cater gives Idia a grumpy pout at that, squeezing the fingers between his as he huffs. "OMG! STFU!"

Though he guesses it's only fair. Their dynamic has typically been in the reverse, so he can't get upset at being the one in the position of getting teased. Grumbling but clearly still not really upset, he adds:

"I'm buffing my defenses, so better enjoy it while you can."

Oh, Idia can see why Cater does this to him. With those reactions...

It's so much fun.

"Oh yeah?" He asks, leaning in towards Cater, a hand going out to prop himself against the floor as his voice drops and he gets closer to him. "Good thing I'm good at getting around those, just gotta find a weak spot." Ducking in while he still had that confidence to, pressing a kiss to Cater's cheek.

"Pfft!"

Idia Shroud, you absolute menace. He can see a bit of that gamer side of him coming out--the comfortable kind of confidence he gets when they're playing together online.

"Think you can find my weaknesses, can you?" Cater has to admit...he likes what he sees. Especially with Idia kissing his flushed face without being prompted. "You'll have to out roll my next bluff."

Even as he says that, though, his embarrassed agitation starts to fade. As tension leaves his shoulders, he smiles softly and moves to stand. "Well, GGs. Ortho definitely gave me enough of a scare that I have the energy to climb back up into my window. We should probably get back."

"Sure will be fun even if I fail at it." But... yeah, yeah, certainly not for now, though... Idia's kind of proud of himself he managed to get that out. And not totally make a fool of himself. He backs off as Cater starts to shift, a bit more delayed as he picks up his controllers and hoodie before joining Cater. He chuckles as Cater says that, "Good."

But also, that smile dropping to something calmer. "You good now? Or, ah, I guess... better? Better. That works, well, better..." Ok, smooth moment gone, back to stumbling over his words.

Nodding, Cater reaches for Idia's arm and winds against it. Even if they're done making out, he still wants that closeness while they head back to the Hall of Mirrors. "I'll be alright," he says with a breath, knowing that he will even if this is far from a permanent fix.

"I'm sure I'll have good days and bad days like always, but...this really helped." Squeezing Idia's arm a bit more, he amends the statement. "You really helped."

Yeah. Yeah... this... didn't fix anything with whatever was going on with Cater. Just distracted it. And if that's what it takes, "I'm fine with being a distraction as you need it..." Idia not taking that as a bad thing, not insulting himself with it, just stating what it is. What they had agreed to; fun and distraction for the rest of the year.

Then heading back to the Hall of Mirrors, keeping an eye out for any who may be wandering around at this hour, but it seemed deserted. At least no one came across their path as Idia walked Cater over to the Heartslabyul mirror, before doing something he had considered earlier in the day, but didn't have a chance to considering how they chose to deal with this; leaning in once more to kiss Cater's cheek. Today has been... so, so much, so bizarre. But good.

"Text me whenever, k? And, ah... guess see how, well, later today goes?" Considering they both had only lasted a few hours since they last saw each other, or even less than that since Idia had fought the need to text Cater the instant they parted, just... who knew what was going to happen. "If not... see you in class?" Oh, "Or in game, if feeling it. Or... whatever."

Smile widening when Idia went in for another kiss, Cater pulls him back to give him a quick peck on the lips before he gets too far. "Sounds good! I'll text you when I wake up but if you miss me as soon as you get back to your own room, don't hold yourself back."

He winks, adding, "don't forget that I can be a distraction for you, too," before stepping backward into the Heartslabyul mirror. Cater stands there for a longer moment than he really should, staring at the swirling portal and kind of wanting to just jump back through again. Seven, what's wrong with him? Just cause he has a boyfriend now doesn't mean he has to be so obsessed.

"Yeah, I noticed." Idia shot back sarcastically, but ends it with a soft smile. Honestly, at this rate... his face is going to be sore from all this smiling today. Yesterday? Whatever.

Idia waits for Cater to leave before he turns to head to Ignihyde, pausing to slip on and zip up that hoodie. One more glance back to Heartslabyul... before moving through his own mirror. What was with that hesitation he was feeling? It was one date! And, yeah, ok, the whole boyfriends thing now but... still... this the whole 'honeymoon period' thing he's heard about? But in one day? Gods. He's used to being alone! Him and Ortho! Not... having another there too.

...it's so weird.

The trip back up into his room is a bit more energy consuming but otherwise uneventful. As he slides into bed, Cater considers sending Idia a text to let him know that he made it back without being caught...but after everything, he blacks out almost as soon as his head hits his pillow. Being a member of Heartslabyul means that he's still up earlier than he'd like, but at least it being a Sunday means that he gets a bit more sleep than he would otherwise.

As promised, he sends Idia a text once he's up, telling him he's dead on his feet but he'll be on playing games later. There's a big part of him that would rather be hanging out with Idia directly...but it spooks him. He shouldn't want something so badly, not when he knows it's temporary. Living each day to the fullest only goes so far when he risks growing way too attached.

So it's a bit of an odd day spent trying to be more casual with how he communicates with Idia, and at the end of it Cater falls asleep early to make up for the previous night's escapades. Monday morning and he'll be up bright and early, heading to the cafeteria to grab breakfast before class and get his caffeine fix. What he isn't expecting: Idia Shroud to be there waiting for him outside the classroom. Yeah, he said he'd show up a bit more often, but he kinda figured not to count on that so immediately.

The second Cater's eyes meet Idia's, a dopey grin stretches across his face. "Hey!" Anyone else waiting around may as well not even exist: he's going right over, bypassing the other classmates he usually chats with. "You're here! Morning, Idia!"

Idia's early morning back is... less calm, having to face Ortho once he got back and explain things. And also sit through a lecture on, sigh, sexual information. If it was anyone else Idia would just not want to deal with this... but... he does... and gets quizzed on it, Ortho holding him to high expectations on being able to answer such questions. But in the end... Ortho is also happy for his brother, for learning that Cater Diamond is not just a friend now but a boyfriend. It would all be embarrassing but... Ortho means well and only wants him safe and happy, so Idia can't fault him on looking out for him.

The rest of Sunday was spent catching up on sleep and projects, both personal ones and school ones, double timing to get through stuff. Idia will make time to text with Cater during the day, but in the end they both are busy doing their own thing. It's not bad, in fact the break is nice just... it makes Idia aware how much his thoughts go back to Cater when he takes a snack or drink break. Wondering what he was doing, tempted to fire a text his way or even doing so now and then, just... it's... so strange. It's nothing Idia would ever expect himself doing. He puts it down to 'making the most of the year he has left' and all that.

And come Monday Idia keeps his word to show up a bit more to class. He won't be able to handle every day, or even every class during the day, but... he actually makes an effort to get up for the first one to meet Cater there. And maybe with an energy drink in hand, having chugged that down to help get him through the morning, finishing off those last sips as Cater calls out, turning to spy him and... "Hey..." Idia's 'I don't want to be here' expression softening as Cater beams at him like that. "Yeah, yeah, I... did. I am so not going to make a habit out of this..." Speaking softly as normal, but less of a shake to his tone, form seeming a bit more relaxed once Cater started talking to him.

"Is it too early to ask for a selfie? You, me, awake way too early? Hashtag sun's out guns out?" Cater tosses him a wink, and a few of their classmates milling around already seem to notice how...surprisingly calm Idia seems to be around the energetic ginger. It's already always a bit of a noteworthy start to the day when the Shroud shows up to class in the flesh, but talking to Cater Diamond without trying to fully disappear into his hoodie?

That's unheard of.

Feeling the stares already starting, Cater nods his head toward the doors to the classroom.

"Wanna go snag a seat in the back?"

"You try and I'm heading back to my room." It's delivered in a dry tone but... Cater would get it's a joke, right? He got that after all of that that... Idia's not backing down from this, but also being himself. Though mixed with the Idia most saw. But... more himself. Because it's Cater.

A bit of a huff at those looks but Idia had been expecting them, for both those reasons. It does make him want to hide... but knows he won't be able to get away with having his hood up during class, yet it doesn't stop him tugging at the edge of his hoodie as he finishes up his drink as Cater heads into class. There is another reason he wants to keep that hoodie up high too... thanks Cater... "Ah, yeah, yeah, if you good with that."

This is all going to be so weird...

Nodding, Cater leans in to murmur a "way less chance to be gawked at." Of course, being so Magicam present, he can also imagine that if they were sitting closer to the front, someone might try and sneak a photo...yeah, back corner it is.

There's a split second where he almost reaches over to take Idia by the arm, but thinks fast enough to avoid the temptation. Slow down, he reminds himself. After the other night...especially being in public, he has to pump the breaks. Fortunately his textbook and notepad in one arm and coffee in the opposite hand occupies him, so they're safe up until the two of them find their spot and slide into the bench-style seating.

Cater puts his things down in front of him, pulling out his pen and his phone...and then perches his head in his hands, grinning at Idia like he has some kind of secret.

Oh. Oh, no, that make sense, Idia nodding away to that to show he heard and understood. Once classes started everyone would have to be facing forward so even those who didn't care about being caught gawking would have to give that up.

He... also had gone to do that, to reach for Cater's sleeve, Idia's hands more free to do so... but had stopped himself, keeping his free hand stuffed into his pocket as they got settled. He's got a lot less to set up; his pen if he was forced to write something, but everything else was on his computer, a flick of a finger bringing up a few screens so they were ready to go.

As Cater smiled at him like that, "What you grinning about?" He asks in a low whisper.

The question makes Cater smile even wider, a sparkle in his eye. "Just admiring the view," he says, casually reaching one hand over to flick open his textbook to the chapter they'd been working on. "You look extra good today. Like...something's different."

Sitting up straight again, he rubs his own neck in the space where he'd left a particular spot on the other boy's.

"Maybe it's just my imagination. Mondays, amirite?"

Idia's eyes widening to that...

Before he hisses out softly, trying not to be overheard, "Don't fucking say stuff like that! You know I can't hide when I-" Cutting himself off, needing that very moment to try and stop himself from blushing, the thing he was about to snap at Cater for. His hand instinctively reached for the medical patch he had put over his neck, that same spot Cater had...

"OMG you're impossible..."

"Sorry, sorry!" Giggling and completely unrepentant, Cater reaches for his phone and starts scrolling Magicam. Might as well act like his usual self for the couple of minutes before Trien arrives and all eyes must stay forward (not that that ever stopped him from sneaking his phone underneath his desk). "I promise not to try and embarrass you."

But to make up for it, he quickly pulls up a funny cat video that pops on his feed to share, knowing that Idia will approve of the adorable, funny hijinks.

"I don't believe that for a second." It's grumbled out... but also a hint of a smile as Idia slouches forward in his seat, elbow on the desk, chin in his hand. He... doesn't fully mind it. He thinks. At least he doesn't feel like he would?

A glance in Cater's direction and at his phone and that video, but not really focusing on it, instead... trying his own at this, to see if he can get something similar from Cater. "Or I would just have to find a way to get even," Idia's voice still low, to try and keep it between them. "You did want me to, ah, make sure you don't fall asleep in class, right?"

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject