come_sailaway | We're wide awake now, our eyes are wide open. We're running this world, we keeping it turning

[ he is drunk enough to really consider pushing mizuki into doing it, try to sing with him proper, but--

......

he lets the mic down, then, though he can't quite hide his disappointment. even if, even he would be self-aware enough in the back of his head to know vaguely that mizuki singing nicely might devastate him. ]

Should I find another song? [ though, he's pretty sure, maybe all prospect of mizuki singing with him should be gone now. ]

[ Mizuki shakes his head. He really doesn't want Venti to find another song like that and send Mizuki all sorts of mixed messages. "Hey, I know I left you after you had some ~~legitimate~~ complaints about me without saying a damn word, but consider maybe [plays a bunch of love/sex songs]." Like. No. Mizuki might actually melt into a puddle. And he can literally do that, don't tempt him. ]

I think... these all might be older songs. [ Not really his scene, sorry, Venti. ] B-but if you'd like, I'll put more of an effort to find a song we can maybe sing together?

...

For now, would you just like to dance? I'm much better at that than I am at singing.

[ he honestly hadn't been thinking of this as a love/sex song, though it very clearly is, but. look, he actually completely was singing and appreciating the song on its own musical merits! sure the lyrics are suggestive but lyrics are only a part of the song, the rest of the composition is just as fascinating and worth admiring--

he'd actually say this much and more if he had the opportunity, but he brightens instantly at the offer of a dance. because guilty feet will sure have no rhythm after this. ] Would I! Of course, to both song or dance or both! [ and even he vaguely knows he definitely doesn't deserve the offer of song or dance or both, but if mizuki is doing so he couldn't possibly turn it down.

he returns the mic to the karaoke machine, looking just about starry-eyed at the very prospect of dance with the (???) bf. ]

Then, to make up for my choice, how about... if you have a favorite song, I could try to request it from the DJ for our dance!

[ Oh, he gets to pick the song? He's not so sure he's good for that. This is all... old music. But... something jazzy can work. It suits his style of dance, anyway. So, he gives Venti a gentle pat on the shoulder to let him know he'll be back as he attempts to get something more fitting for him to play, and while he doesn't know the song itself, the title sounded...

Well, anyway, he's happily going back over to Venti and eagerly pulls him to the dance floor. This'll be fun, at least! He likes to dance! Even if his style of dance might be a bit different to what Venti is used to. He hopes that maybe he can still keep up! ]

Shall we~?

[ he truly doesn't deserve mizuki, even leaving aside his extremely questionable fixation.

this song is new to him but he brightens because really, every new song to him may well be a little treasure, as well as something to learn to play if he wants to live to his claim to knowing all songs through time. he listens to the opening notes, the funk and instruments, a slow smile growing on his face, simply absorbing it. and then the sight of mizuki dancing, his moves...

it's definitely different from the traditional or couples dances he's more familiar with; he watches with a hand clasped to his chin, his look charmed. and then starts to follow mizuki's lead with the choreo; he's light on his feet and a fast learner and it's easy for him to lose himself to the music and dance, to copy mizuki's moves, with a light laugh and tap of his heels and dainty waves of his hand, the sway of his cloak and braids to the beat. ]

Edited 2022-04-30 18:46 (UTC)

[ If Venti will allow, he'll do his best for some more classic couple's swing mixed in. Fortunately, such a flowy, upbeat style of dance means it's easy for the two to improvise between each other. He follows Venti's steps just as much as he follows Mizuki's. And honestly, this feels nice. Singing is so scary for Mizuki, for a lot of reasons. But this... moving around to some music with someone he cares about... with someone he adores? Mizuki's own laughter chimes out like bells, and there's some completely elated moment where he grabs both of Venti's hands to just spin around aimlessly with him, completely lost in the moment.

He's so happy. He had been so torn up about yelling at Venti, he had only been focusing on those negative feelings. He had forgotten these silly feelings he had when they were just... together. So this is nice. Grounding. A good reminder that it's okay to make a few mistakes sometimes. If anything, Mizuki believes that he doesn't deserve a friend like Venti.

…But he's not willing to let go of him just yet. When the song ends, he steadily moves into Venti to settle his head against his shoulder, with his arms very loosely around him. ]

Ehehe… Not bad, bard. You still have a few more tricks up your sleeve, I see! [ A beat, as he processes the fact that there's something slightly off about the hug. Specifically: ] Why... are you damp?

Edited 2022-04-30 23:07 (UTC)

[ as the moments pass and mizuki dances with that much more carefree easy joy venti finds himself following and flowing into it as well, a laugh alongside, a warmer clasp of his hand to mizuki's. the tension and uncertainty just about melting away for the duration of the song. singing sweetly along with marcus miller--I just want to make you smile, won't you give me a chance? the pluck of funky bass and guitar, the head-nodding beat, the club lights, the buzz of alcohol, feeling of mizuki's hands and the sound of his laugh, the sound of his voice--

something aches deep in his chest, when he blinks away a sting to his eyes and bites the inside of his cheek and could imagine and pretend everything is all right after all, dancing with a frie--a boyfrie--someone he cares about. all is right for the duration of a song and dance.

even after it ends and mizuki stays and even draws closer he finds himself torn between wanting to try to flutter back, leave, and how damning it is that the impulse seems to be intensifying on-and-off now, intermittently more often with mizuki. but he doesn't, for now, he carefully returns the hug. ] Ehe, thaanks~ I'm impressed with you, too! Pretty smooth moves, for a sea jelly! [ he might have vaguely expected mizuki to be a little awkward with dance, he's a nerd or gamer after all! but this is a pleasant surprise, he has fancy feet.

that question is a liiittle more awkward though. ] Oh, I, ah...

I accidentally spilled water on myself. [ on his head. as you would. ] Actually that reminds me I have a drink for you!

[ Venti simply gets a hum in response to his compliments. He wasn't always a gamer, Venti! And he's traveled the world! Dancing always fascinated Mizuki. So energetic and... intimate, in its own way. But in a way that was socially acceptable. And, god, it's so much fun. All things that Mizuki is very, very into. ]

Oh. [ Considering their first meeting ever was Venti trying to windy some booze down from a tall shelf, Mizuki doesn't actually question this at all. His bestie can be a little unaware sometimes, and that's... fine-adjacent. So long as he doesn't get hurt. ] Oh! A drink? You didn't have to get me anything. [ ... ] Wait, you... you got me a drink before-...

[ Mizuki stares for a moment, the wheels turning in his head. And then... he relaxes a bit, cheeks suddenly pinker and expression much softer. ]

You... wanted me to come? [ Even after all those things he said? Even after hurting Venti? Even though he hadn't even made any attempt to make amends and it's been days since then? ...Venti's too kind. Too sweet. Truly, how did someone like Venti end up with a terrible friend like Mizuki? ]

[ did he want mizuki to come?

yes and no, but he'll allow him this small misunderstanding. why not. come on now have a little more awareness of who hurt who here...??? ]

I did want to see you. [ this isn't exactly a lie. very unfortunately, he would always want to be around mizuki in some capacity, no matter what would happen. very unfortunately, he can't leave him even if he might want to at the same time. ] I didn't exactly get it for you, Rafaela made me this mix for you. Your friend sure is thoughtful. [ far, far more so than a certain bard here. ]

Do you like rum and coke? [ he pulls away just enough to fetch it for mizuki now. ]

[ .......Ah. So, a little less personal, but...

Still, Mizuki beams at him. He was honestly so worried about coming here. He wanted Gummy to meet people and have a good time, but he was so worried about making things awkward if he ran into Venti, but this...! He lets go of Venti fully and shuffles in place, giving a shy laugh as he waits for Venti to get the drink. ]

I do. [ It's pretty much the only alcohol he'll willingly order. It's sweet, and he loves soda, so it's a win-win. Plus, since it's so simple to make, it doesn't take long, either. Rafaela knows as much if only because he's attended her parties before. He's never been more than buzzed, though. ] I'm not exactly a hard person to please when it comes to taste, though.

For drink, or for anything else? [ he did notice that mizuki drinks less than him, though... obviously, just about anyone drinks less than him. ] We can go to the bar and order down their list of cocktails, then! A proper mix-tasting. You can tell me your favorite, and I could ask Rafaela to teach me to make it!

[ and maybe she can punish him again. he can never claim to make even decent decisions when drunk, or sober, or ever really.

but he offers the rum and coke to mizuki now. if it could possibly be a peace offering, even if la pluma would be the one to give him even this offering or the push to give to mizuki. ]

For drink. I'm actually surprisingly picky about my food. [ The chef life. ] But, no, that's okay- [ He grabs Venti's hand instantly. Almost as if to say I don't really want to talk to Rafaela with you right now- ] Rum and coke is great. It's a good drink to make for me if you ever want to, that's fine.

[ … ]

Hey, actually, Venti... There's something I wanted to give you, if that's okay?

[ well he makes a note of that--rum and coke, sure--

and then there's mizuki's hands at his, again. he looks down with a bit of surprise, and at the idea of giving... it's probably not an antitoxin, is it. but really, he doesn't deserve anything. ]

What is it?

[ It takes Mizuki a moment. He tries to find his words, but it's not coming out, and, eventually, he just downs his glass so he can set it aside promptly. Then, he goes fishing around in his pocket to pull out a letter. It's sealed with a wax stamp and everything. Very fancy! On the back it says, in very neat, curly handwriting "To Venti. Open when you're ready. From" and Mizuki's usual doodle of a jellyfish. ]

H-here.

[ oh, that is fancy.

....... he really doesn't deserve what's in here, does he. at all. there's a moment he stares at the letter with a hint of that blank look he had, back in mizuki's room when he had left so abruptly. part of him knows he should apologize, that he was in the wrong, that he had no excuse for simply running the moment mizuki told him, 'you're important to me, i don't know what i'd do--' someone more responsible could handle that. someone like clarke, but definitely not someone like him.

after a moment, he does take it. ]

Thank you, Mizuki.

'When you're ready' as in... [ that kind of implies... it can't be bad news, if it's in such a nice envelope right? could it be break-up through letter?? actually, if it were up to him he wonders if he would open it for a long while. ]

Edited 2022-05-01 05:37 (UTC)

As in... whenever you're ready. It isn't important. I mean... it's important to me, I suppose? Er- I... I guess it's not... like... I-I did my best on it, I mean. My best is just...

[ He's rambling again, isn't he? ]

J-just whenever you feel like you should open it is fine! I just wanted you to have it. You don't have to open it now or- or even today at all.

[ He pulls Venti's hand up and... just sort of presses his knuckles to Mizuki's forehead. He doesn't want to hug Venti again, he feels a bit too flustered to do that, what with that letter being so personal. But he can lean into a touch like this. It's enough. ]

I'm just glad you're letting me give it to you at all. I... I thought you were upset with me...

I'm not upset with you. [ probably not a lie. well, he'd rather not examine what he feels about mizuki, at least not without a loot more drinks. Master of Coping mechanisms here.

he'd also rather not examine whatever new feelings he has for mizuki giving him something apparently so personal like this, nope nope nope. how simple it was when they were nice casual friends! distantly it's true, mizuki's fluster is cute and normally maybe he'd tease and... you know what, why not tease. time to poke at his cheek again, light this time, not quite as obnoxious as before. ]

This is very sweet. Thank you again.

Have some confidence in yourself, I'm certain I'll love it if you've tried your best on it. [ he does not want to open it. whoops. but he's kind of digging his own grave if he's saying he'll do so he supposes... ] You know, I love people who try hard and put their best effort in. That's really what matters most.

[ because he would often rather fly away, do exactly the opposite.

he brushes his hand away so he could press a kiss to mizuki's forehead instead, the ache in his chest trembles that much more. ]

[ Mizuki smiles, but seems... worried at the same time, when Venti mentions he's not upset. It's not that he doesn't believe Venti, but... he still feels like he should apologize. Like he should tell Venti what was on his mind in a... less aggressive way. Far less rage. Especially now that he's had time to think about it. Through the lens of a temporarily depressed teenager, sure, but that's still better than violently angry, clingy, eldritch bitch. But this is a party. And he doesn't want to bring that up when, for one, Venti's probably not totally sober, and for two, he wants him to have fun.

He tilts his head a little away from his pokes, so he can nod at the "have some confidence in yourself". Not an order. But he could do that, anyway.

And then... the forehead kiss. And Mizuki immediately picks his head up to stare at Venti. Not the first kiss he's gotten from Venti- the cheek kiss from before still was a thing- but now, after all the fun of dancing with Venti and getting flustered over his song choice, and now... the letter... and Venti letting him know he wasn't upset... One might be able to even point out the constellations in Mizuki's eyes as they stay locked on Venti. Shiny, bright... excited. They soon close, of course, and he give Venti a little laugh and a smile that could light up a whole damn city.

He's... so happy. So happy he came. So, so, so... ]

I... I should go! I promised I would talk to Rafaela. And I need to make sure she's not giving Gummy alcohol. [ After he gave Venti the letter- ] But... I'll be around after, if you want~? [ A little squeeze to Venti's hand. ]

[ it's cute how cute mizuki is always, but by now he's already kind of resolved that he'll need to break up. something he's been considering with growing pressure since leaving and maybe the letter is just about the seal on the stamp on the matter.

still, he looks perfectly cheerful as well as he squeezes back, all smiles, and honestly sincerely fond. ] Mm, I'd like that. You could find me later! I'd love another dance, or even... if you do feel like singing, I'll let you pick the song. [ it'd be a bad idea. a really bad idea. he knows it would be. he's drunk, and every time he listens to mizuki speak there's that ache, and it never stops. oh, well. ]

I'll probably be around here for a while more. Say hello and thank you to Rafaela for me!

[ he will not be found at the party for long, though. one last dance with jinx and he'll be gone, so, there's that. how talented he is to fuck up a good time for himself. ]

We're wide awake now, our eyes are wide open. We're running this world, we keeping it turning

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