flameinthedarkness

When his offer to help isn't outright rejected, Cater can't help a smile from sparking on his face. It's not like Idia's being at all enthusiastic or anything, but compared to outright rejection? He'll take it.

👌 u got it

Still seeking some kind of connection, though, another idea hits him.

o speaking of music do you have wireless earbuds or smth? Maybe we could share a playlist or w/e while we study

oh yeah, I got some around here somewhere. For when I cant get away with my headphones.

His hair covers his ears after all, no one noticed when he had earbuds in.

You got one you wanna listen to?

Now this was easy to chat with Cater about, music was a good branching interest to them. They were able to offer different sides of it to the other, not always a hit, but still good to learn and enjoy new ones.

Nothing specific--I'm happy to listen to w/e you like. :)
Still working on upping my cred so I'm not such a big normie lol

Idia's the one who has a specific project to study on, so Cater doesn't want his own music choices to disrupt any kind of flow.

But I might suggest a song or two if something inspires me?
MC Cinder taking over the broadcast!

Pfft, you're such a fucking dork, Cater, Idia making that sound between his teeth as he shakes his head.

You got so long to go before you lose that title.

Sounds good. I haven't had a chance to look up new stuff of late so if you know anything new, cool.

If only Cater was able to witness the reaction to his dorkiness firsthand...! Alas, he must content with smiling at the light ribbing, glad they've found a somewhat more casual dynamic than they'd ever had before.

so no chance that greeting you as a "fellow gamer" will boost my standing? LOL
KK, see you after class! Same table?

U try that irl and i'm leaving

It's half joking, half... well... normally it would be leaving, but, would he now? Honestly, it's more funny now than panic inducing or cringe. Hmmm...

Ya, ttyl ┏(^ ^┏)

Good, sorted, great. Right? Great... he thinks. Though... it hadn't been as difficult as Idia thought it would had been? Before Idia's lip pulls up at that, disgusted about how normie he was being right now. Wtf. He's blaming Cater when he sees him

In fact, it's the first words out of his mouth upon spotting Cater later in the day, having grabbed a few books ahead of this all so he was ready to go, a glance as he had spotted Cater heading to the table.

"I can't believe I set this up... wtf, this so normie." All delivered in that dry, soft tone of Idia's when it sounds like he just wants to curl up in a ball somewhere and die, and even with the expression to go along with it. But it was also teamed with holding out a small case which held those earbuds in them. "Here." It seems he didn't really mean it. Well, Idia did, the normie part, but less how it was delivered.

Cater has his usual, outward brightness still active when he approaches, but tones it down as he gets closer. "OMG...how low you've fallen," he teases, putting on a bit of a dramatic, fake wounded pose before pulling out the chair across from Idia and setting up his own study station. "Well, I'll keep your shameful betrayal to all nerds a secret."

From there, he accepts the earbud with gratitude, sliding it in to his ear with that more muted, easygoing smile on his face as he does.

Edited 2023-01-03 07:08 (UTC)

Well, Cater might had missed it before, but he got the 'pfft' from Idia irl, as well as a shake of his head at Cater's dramatics. "STFU." Though a hint of a smile showing up with that, "Don't tell anyone." Adding his own joking to it as Cater got settled.

Idia waits just until Cater's about to put in that second earbud before saying, "You chickened out on the 'gamer' talk entry." As his own headphones slipped into place, acting as he didn't say anything and moving to flick through playlist options, settling on a list he had told Cinder about, of anime closing songs. More chill than opening ones, ones he had made to study to without the need to tap along to the beat, unlike the opening songs where Idia tends to want to move his head along to or his hand.

You better believe that Cater had a totally awesome comeback ready to fire off when Idia cut off his hearing with those headphones. He just makes up for it with silent melodrama, pretending shock and offense before he shakes his head and gets into studying.

It's easy for him to lose himself in the low-key beats of the outro playlist, his face falling into a distinctly un-Cater calm, almost melancholic static expression. Not having a specific project he's working on and interested in learning more about Idia's own research, he focuses on getting through his various assignments.

For once, mercifully, his attention is fully off Idia--the only real distinct quirk left behind being the way he twirls his hair around a finger when he's puzzling over a question.

It's Idia's turn to not realize he was staring. This project he was working on was frustrating him. Yeah, it would be easy to set up, but the research in it, and the testing he would have to do himself before he could let others play it, it just added more work onto his already busy days. And busy as in just school work and work work, not including time to keep up with his daily log ins for games. That would come out of his sleep time, preferring to give that up than the thing that helped him relax. Sighh, he just... would rather be working on other stuff.

So as he got frustrated flipping through book after book, not finding what he wants, Idia ends up with his chin in his hand, not realizing he's become distracted with that finger twirl Cater was doing with his hair. And maybe wondering just... wtf is he doing here? Both in the big 'wtf' with NRC, but also at this table, with Cater, and how the hell this even happened. All because Cater had been his normal over the top self and wanted to know what Idia was listening to. Hmm, no, not his 'normal' self, now was it? Idia was starting to realize this now, how much 'Cay-Cay' was a total, over the top caricature that... no one really questioned... he thinks. Really, he's still not sure, Idia had told Cater he didn't think he was playing him but... part of his head has to wonder if it still was. It doesn't make sense for it to be, but that doubtful voice of anything being too good just... questions this.

Hmmm....

It isn't until Cater's finishing up one assignment and switching out one set of materials for the next one that he happens to glance up--and briefly locking eyes fully with Idia. He hadn't at all been expecting that...and realizing that it's maybe the first time he's made honest-to-goodness direct eye contact makes his own face go hot.

Unable to help it, a somewhat nervous smile cracks across his face. Cater takes out one of the ear buds, stammering a hurried, "uh, hey, you're spacing out. Everything okay?"

'Cause there was definitely no way Idia was staring at him. He'd probably been focused on some point off behind him.

Hm? Hm... it takes a few moments as Idia seems to blink himself back to the here and now. Before his eyes widen, going into full panic mode. Oh no... WTF had he just done?! His brain had been so out of it he hadn't realized what he had been doing, just needing a visual distraction as he had allowed his mind to wander. But why did it have to be Cater that had been the target for that?!

"N-N-Nothing! Nothing!" It doesn't matter he hadn't heard what Cater had said, Idia's headphones still on and the noise canceling too good on it that he can't hear what Cater had said. But it didn't matter. It's the fact he got caught... well, just caught. Even if he hadn't meant to do that. It's the fact he got caught! His instinct to hide too great as he quick tugged his hoodie up over his head, trying to hide as deep as he could within it. Nope! Not enough! Idia able to feel his face heat up at the sudden attention on him, and more the fact he had even done that! Book! Hide behind a book! Grabbing whatever was closest and putting in front of his face, eyes closed behind it and lips pulled back, his teeth clenched tight together. It may hide his face, but it doesn't hide that hair that tints pink at it's ends, it always refusing to stay hidden no matter how much he tries to cover it.

WTF is wrong with him?!

When Idia starts to hide, a chain reaction begins. Cater didn't mean to call him out or anything, and if he's reacting soo intensely, was he staring at him? The thought causes his own face to grow redder, and he frantically tries to apologize with a hushed, "It's okay, seriously, I wasn't--"

Wait. Hold everything. Is Idia's hair turning pink? Cater knows that Idia is sensitive to being called out and super doesn't mean to draw attention to it but before he can help himself it just slips from his mouth. "Your hair can change colors?"

How did he not know that? Well, probably because Idia spent so much time in his room. Well, Cater leans in to get a better look.

Ehhhh, as much as he didn't want to... Idia had slipped off his headphones during this, leaving them to rest around his neck. Just so he knows what is going on. Not that he wants to... but he also doesn't want to panic and run too, despite it being his first reaction. He had asked Cater here, he didn't want to just run after trying to do this. As much as he wants to! Ehhhh, he's such an idiot. Why couldn't he be cool enough to play it off?! Why does he have to be him...?

Then a tension to Idia's shoulders, more than there had been before. Ehh... he hates this. Why do others have to find out? That stiffness holds in his form for awhile, before a very heavy sigh from behind the book, shoulders slumping again as that pink starts to fade, his tone no longer panicked but... quiet, "...yeah, it does..." Idia having no clue Cater was leaning in like that.

Without thinking, Cater reaches to try and touch one of those pink ends poking out. He's going to regret this later, going to feel guilty and awful and embarrassed. But right now? "But it's so pretty..."

The thought comes unbidden, disappointed to see the color fade so quickly.

Ehhhh, Idia's lip turning up again, but not in upset this time, his brow dropping as he moves to glare over his book at Cater, snapping, "No it's fucking NOOTT-WHAT THE FUCK?!" However it's cut off seeing Cater firstly so close, and second reaching out for his hair, Idia throwing himself backwards in his chair and leaning back as far as he can, hugging the book to his chest now.

"What are you doing?!" That panic back, eyes wide. "What kind of idiot tries to touch fire?!"

Also, hi, library, right? Clearly this is the perfect pitch of voice to have in such a quiet place.

"I--I, uh--!" Startled by the sudden volume, Cater's hands fly up and away from him, his own eyes wide as well. Having been halfway out of his chair, he stands fully, nearly tripping backwards over it. This, of course, only adds more noise to the mix, and a few students from elsewhere let out violent shushes in protest.

Cater gulps. "Sorry," he all but wheezes as he tries not to be too loud, fiddling with his own hair again. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"Eh!" OH GODDDSSS that had been loud, hadn't it? Idia having not even considering his volume in his panic, a shake to his hands as he first clamps a hand over his mouth, it quickly shifting to cover his eyes as he tries to calm down, his other hand gripping tightly at the edge of his sleeve.

How the hell did this happen? If he had just focused and kept working it wouldn't had. And... well... he can't blame Cater, for any of this. From being weirded out at Idia staring, to being curious over his hair. If Cater's hair had suddenly changed or he... Idia doesn't know, sprouted horns or something? Yeah, Idia would be curious too. Like, wtf is happening, what's going on, how did you do that, kind of thing. So while there's still a shake to his form, eventually, "It's fine." His tone flat as he spoke. It's not fine but... it is.

"It's fine."

Cater's own heart is hammering in his throat as he sits back down and scoots himself in. He feels like he needs to say something, but...Idia's clearly mortified, and for good reason. Even putting aside his actions, how would he have felt if they'd been accosted by someone and seen together? Would he have totally sabotaged whatever kind of friendship this had been turning into?

"It isn't really," he murmurs ducking his head down and tapping his pen against his notebook in agitation. "I'm not a kid. I know better. I should keep my hands to myself."

"...yeah, it isn't," Then a huff as Idia dropped his hand, slumping in his chair. He wasn't looking at Cater yet, but, well, he's not hiding behind his hands anymore, so baby steps. "But it's fine." Before speaking his earlier thoughts. "I mean, if you suddenly... I donno, randomly changed colors somehow I would be curious too." There. But also, "Less grabby though."

A tap of his finger against his leg before, "...I wanna get out of here." Moving to close up his books he was using and stacking them on the table. Normally Idia would put them back but... yeah, not today. "Were going to grab snacks, right?" Honestly, he could do with some sugar right now after that. And also to just get out of the Library and those within it.

As Idia announces his intent to leave, Cater feels himself start to deflate. Unsurprising. Of course he'd want to get away from him after that stupid stunt.

Only...then Idia says he wants to go get snacks, still, and that is a surprise. "R...really? I mean, uh...yeah. We were."

He gathers his own things, as well, standing. Taking a breath, his dumbfounded expression snaps to an easygoing Cay-Cay smile so quickly it's obviously unnatural. But, hey, nobody but Idia is around to see him take his mask off and on, so what's the point in being careful.

"Okay! My treat."

Ok, ok, good? Like, Idia hadn't scared Cater off with that, though... right now he's a little numb to caring if he did or not. Well, maybe not fully numb, but a lot, having grabbed the few supplies he had and shoved into his pockets while his computer instantly moved along with him as they left. Feeling himself wanting to sink into somewhere dark, it's the sudden presence of Cay-Cay that stopped that spiral, a pause from Idia before a slight shake of his head at it.

"Yeah, you better after that." His tone still low, but not quite devoid of emotion as it had been before. Maybe even the slightest touch of humor in it. Then asking, "Vending machine?" He's not sure he wants to deal with the cafeteria right now, or Sam's. The less interaction the better.

"Ha! Of course!"

He doesn't feel in tune with this at all right now, way worse than usual, but what choice does he have? At least one student is going to see them walking out together, and if Cater doesn't look like he's pestering the hell out of Idia, rumors would definitely spread.

"I know one pretty close by that doesn't get much foot traffic, and it should be pretty quiet at this hour."

Mostly for show, he pulls out his phone to tap on it as they make their way out of the library. As soon as they're at their destination, he'll let his face fall back to its neutral state again.

He's grateful for Cater first considering that, and second for mentioning it, a brief, "Good." From him to confirm that's what he wanted in regards to a more quiet area. Maybe another time, a later time, Idia would consider what even was the issue with them being seen together... but not today.

And seeing that act Cater quickly put on... Ehh, yeah, last thing Idia needs is more talk about him behind his back. Though he may also be greatly overestimating it, his mind always believing it was there even if it wasn't. How could it not be? The fact he rarely shows up around campus and now mixed with being around Cater, yeah, he can just imagine. Yet it takes a moment to realize what Cater is doing and... huh, unable to stop himself from muttering out, "Isn't that a pain to do?" Once they had gotten out of the Library and no one seemed to be around.

Just in case they run into anyone along the way, Cater keeps the act going...or, well, he intends to. But then Idia asks that question and the fraying tethers can't hold his mask in place. They snap, and he looks exhausted as he stares ahead of them. It's quiet, save for the sound of their footsteps.

It would be best if he didn't answer. He could easily pretend he didn't even hear what Idia had said. Doable enough to just lie and say it wasn't a big deal, or make some kind of comment about how he had no idea what Idia meant. The last one would be easy to call out, but it would set a boundary.

Setting up walls was what he did, after all, and it would be for the best to make sure he keeps them nice and fortified with Idia, when their relationship with one another was already so complicated. Their online chatter was more than enough, so what did he need any of this for, anyway? And yet...

"Yeah," he finally says in a small voice. "Some days I don't really have it in me to bother."

I'm such a fake.

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