[ —"but"? That makes it sound as if Yukine's idea and staying with Ryoji are incompatible, and there's an immediate sinking feeling in the pit of Ryoji's stomach as he starts to guess at what the plan is.
But. Some of the most important people in his life, he'd only been able to connect through hearing their voice or reading their words, and he had been okay. It'll be okay. ]
...Okay. [ he repeats, a whisper into his phone, settling back into the darkness with his head up at the sky. ] I trust you.
( it's kind of bewildering to hear someone tell him that they trust him so easily. he almost says something dumb or tries to question it because the guy doesn't even know him. they don't even know each other's names. . .!
still. it's a pretty big deal, so he's gotta make sure that this all works. )
Thanks. So, in the meantime, let's talk a little? What's your name?
( but he's leaving ryoji's view now to approach the dandelion at the edge of the sidewalk. )
[ It's easiest to trust strangers; Ryoji extends the same amount of faith to every person that meets, adjusting it accordingly only after. The fact that Yukine is still speaking to him means his faith has gone up. ]
Ryoji. [ A short answer, distracted as he paces the darkness. ] You? Tell me about yourself?
( there's a noise as yukine takes a pocket knife out of his pants pocket to start carving at the base of the dandelion. this is easily one of the most bizarre situations of his life. )
I'm a high school student. Moved here this year at the—Geez! This thing is thick. Oh, yeah, at the start of the year. You?
[ High school meant he was probably younger than Ryoji... He wants to ask what grade, but frowns at interjection— what's thick?? what is that sawing sound?— that he almost misses the question posed to him, his turn to talk, and he has to recollect his thoughts again. ]
I'm not in school right now, but I'll be starting college this fall. I actually moved back here at the start of the year too, after being away for several years.
[ Back in December. He'd just come back, and all these strange things started happening in this city he so loved, and there's an unsettling feeling about that he can't shake off. But- a question. He searches for one to return and fill the silence. ]
Hm... I can't claim to know exactly what you mean, but I know loneliness.
[ He feels it, profoundly. Sitting here alone in the middle of the earth, sleeping in airports more often than hotel rooms at one point in his life, sometimes even while surrounded by people with wide smiles and bright laughter and still feeling it. ]
But not now, with a voice in my hands, speaking just for me. [ There's cheer in his voice, a smile on his face Yukine can't see. ] I'm going in undeclared- I want to try everything, and maybe never leave so long as I can afford it.
( honestly. it's okay that he doesn't understand him to the letter, especially when yukine is pretty sure that really isn't possible in the first place. no, but he gets loneliness and that's enough. but he ccclaughs as ryoji keeps talking. )
You really don't hold back with your words.
( he doesn't mean anything by it, but he's suitably embarrassed by how easily ryoji said that. )
( there's a massive crack and a resounding thump as the dandelion's stalk finally cracks and slams against the ground. it even fell in a good position! )
Ryoji, keep an eye out!! Something's coming down so watch out!
( so he says but it takes him a good minute before the stalk is finally slamming its way down the crack to create a makeshift ladder. )
There's no reason to hold back words, if you have something you want to say, so...
[ He shrugs in the silence and darkness, squinting up again at the entrance for whatever it is that he's supposed to keep an eye out for— pitch black, when the dandelion head blocks out the sun and his heart stops in his throat, but then it starts falling and Ryoji has to will his feet to move and get himself out of the way before he's crushed by the flower. ]
I guess. Still, it's pretty admirable to just say it like that.
( he would probably say more about it, but ryoji is already yelling in delight and hanging up the phone, so yukine figures that whatever he has to say can definitely wait until ryoji is back in the sunlight. he's right there waiting for him when he comes up, hand outstretched to him. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Yeah. Go ahead!
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then, of course, picking it up. )
Okay, okay! This is better! Just listen to me because I have an idea, but I don't want you to feel alone, ok?
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But. Some of the most important people in his life, he'd only been able to connect through hearing their voice or reading their words, and he had been okay. It'll be okay. ]
...Okay. [ he repeats, a whisper into his phone, settling back into the darkness with his head up at the sky. ] I trust you.
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still. it's a pretty big deal, so he's gotta make sure that this all works. )
Thanks. So, in the meantime, let's talk a little? What's your name?
( but he's leaving ryoji's view now to approach the dandelion at the edge of the sidewalk. )
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Ryoji. [ A short answer, distracted as he paces the darkness. ] You? Tell me about yourself?
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( there's a noise as yukine takes a pocket knife out of his pants pocket to start carving at the base of the dandelion. this is easily one of the most bizarre situations of his life. )
I'm a high school student. Moved here this year at the—Geez! This thing is thick. Oh, yeah, at the start of the year. You?
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I'm not in school right now, but I'll be starting college this fall. I actually moved back here at the start of the year too, after being away for several years.
[ Back in December. He'd just come back, and all these strange things started happening in this city he so loved, and there's an unsettling feeling about that he can't shake off. But- a question. He searches for one to return and fill the silence. ]
How do you like Recollé so far?
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( man, what is he even saying to a stranger? this is kind of embarrassing, but he guesses that it's more embarrassing to be trapped in a dark hole.
saw, saw, saw. not much longer now! )
College? What are you going to major in?
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[ He feels it, profoundly. Sitting here alone in the middle of the earth, sleeping in airports more often than hotel rooms at one point in his life, sometimes even while surrounded by people with wide smiles and bright laughter and still feeling it. ]
But not now, with a voice in my hands, speaking just for me. [ There's cheer in his voice, a smile on his face Yukine can't see. ] I'm going in undeclared- I want to try everything, and maybe never leave so long as I can afford it.
/2
( honestly. it's okay that he doesn't understand him to the letter, especially when yukine is pretty sure that really isn't possible in the first place. no, but he gets loneliness and that's enough. but he ccclaughs as ryoji keeps talking. )
You really don't hold back with your words.
( he doesn't mean anything by it, but he's suitably embarrassed by how easily ryoji said that. )
Sounds nice though, but I don't—Ahh! Whoa!
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Ryoji, keep an eye out!! Something's coming down so watch out!
( so he says but it takes him a good minute before the stalk is finally slamming its way down the crack to create a makeshift ladder. )
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[ He shrugs in the silence and darkness, squinting up again at the entrance for whatever it is that he's supposed to keep an eye out for— pitch black, when the dandelion head blocks out the sun and his heart stops in his throat, but then it starts falling and Ryoji has to will his feet to move and get himself out of the way before he's crushed by the flower. ]
Yukine!! You're brilliant! Thank you!
[ and he hangs up to make the ascent. ]
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( he would probably say more about it, but ryoji is already yelling in delight and hanging up the phone, so yukine figures that whatever he has to say can definitely wait until ryoji is back in the sunlight. he's right there waiting for him when he comes up, hand outstretched to him. )
Welcome back to the surface!