[log] Fuji & Ohtori
Who: Fuji Syuusuke & Ohtori Choutarou
What: coffee and fun at a tattoo parlor
When: 12/04
Rating: G!
Warnings: Not really.
Comments: Bring it.
Honestly, he hadn't recognized him at first. The boy was standing in front of him and tall enough that Fuji had a rather up close and personal view of his coat stretching across broad shoulders when looking straight ahead. He had been too busy texting to pay him much attention, however. The line moved forward slowly, but steadily. Caffeine within mouthwatering reach, Fuji slid his phone into the pocket of his jacket. It was his voice that caught Fuji's attention, although of course it wasn't because of any sort of familiarity. It had been years, and they'd never been particularly close. Still, something about it was attractive enough to have him looking upwards. He had been cute back in their middle school days, awkwardly tall and a little gangly. He was gorgeous now. Fuji felt his breath catch in the back of his throat, the familiar itch to have his hands wrapped around a camera suddenly striking. In front of a window, Fuji thought to himself, with sunlight kissing his skin and painting his hair silver. He could see why Inui was so interested. There was suddenly a body in front of Choutarou when he moved to pay, effectively blocking the taller boy's access to the register and the cashier waiting for the money. "And an upside down caramel macchiato," Fuji tacked on smoothly. Slender fingers handed over his card, paying for both beverages. "Extra shot of espresso."
Ohtori had not exactly been paying attention, he rarely bothered with coffee, but it had been a very stressful day of courses and the boredom of a life without music was enough to make him almost want to fall asleep standing up. That was when the need for caffeine had overtaken him. That was what had lead him to this line, and even as he pondered his order, he had not been fully aware of his surroundings until a soft voiced man snuck ahead of him and added to the order, even paying. "I ah- thank you...?" He could not hide the confusion in his voice, or in his mahogany tinted eyes while he tried to understand what the motivation for such a strange act was.
"My pleasure." Fingers barely grazing the other's coat, Fuji indicated that they should step out of line and towards the receiving area so that the person behind them could order. He could tell immediately that he hadn't been recognized. It had been years, after all, and Fuji hadn't stood out as much as some of his other teammates at times. "Ohtori-san, right?" The question was posed with a friendly smile, head tipped up to meet the taller boy's gaze. "Fuji Syuusuke. We met a few times years ago."
Stepping to the side so the next person could order their beverage, Ohtori half lead the other to the counter to wait for their drinks. Looking over the shorter man, Ohtori decided he did recognize him, it was probably their similar smiles that was a dead giveaway, “Ah, yes, from Hyoutei…and Fuji-san….from-“ he thought a moment and tried to associate him with a school before recalling that he had seen him with Inui before. “From Seigaku. It’s been years, how are you, Fuji-san?” He couldn’t help but be slightly amused by the sudden influx of meeting people from Seigaku starting with Inui.
"So you remember me." Fuji's smile was pleased, because he didn't think the younger man would, even if prompted. He himself recalled only a few faces, but Ohtori had always stood out, even in those days. "I wasn't aware so many people from our middle school days were here," Fuji admitted. He'd known about the Seigaku members, of course, but there had been far more familiar faces than just those. Some he remembered with vivid clarity, others he had to struggle to even put a name to. "Are you in the high school division?"
"I try to remember everyone I meet..." Ohtori blinked as their order was shouted out and awkwardly handed Fuji his drink and then gathered his own, blowing into the cup carefully before looking over again. "I was sort of surprised too, I had lost touch with so many of them, so in a way it was like a reunion I hadn't even expected." He took a slow sip of the drink before adding an extra sugar, treating his sweet tooth. "Yes, I'm almost in the University though..." As he recalled Fuji was older than he was, "and you?"
"The university," Fuji confirmed what he was sure Ohtori already knew. Unless he didn't remember that Fuji had been a year ahead. "I transferred here just last week and I'm still trying to settle in and get to know the area." Fuji grabbed his own cup with murmured thanks and stepped back, heading out of the coffee house after waiting to see if Ohtori would follow. "Maybe you can show me around sometime."
Ohtori followed the other, as he had continued to talk and it seemed rude not to say goodbye, somewhere in the back of his mind he was recalling Fuji was sort of a strange guy. "I would, but I have only been here about 2 weeks myself. I mean, I could try..."
"Two weeks?" It seemed Fuji wasn't the only one that had made a late arrival half way through the school year. Had Ohtori come here looking for anyone specific like Fuji had or had he simply decided he needed a change of pace? "Then we can explore together," Fuji finally decided with a friendly smile. "That will be fun."
"That does sound fun." He couldn't help but be a little concerned someone who was a practical stranger would want to explore this place together, especially since Hiyoshi had shown him around as a friend, and other locations were coming into light due to his blooming relationship with Inui.
"Or we could get lost together," Fuji mused. He began walking in a random direction, not knowing if Ohtori would actually follow or if the other had somewhere else to be. "That could also be fun." Thin fingers were curled around the coffee cup, keeping themselves warm that way in between sips of the sweet brew.
"It seems a bit counterproductive to get lost while trying to learn about a place, doesn't it?" Ohtori took a few more steps, a story about a piper leading children to their death sticking in his mind. "Where are you heading, Fuji-senpai?"
"Sometimes you find the best places while lost." Actually, lost was the way Fuji had spent much of his time abroad, and had long ago stopped bothering to care about exactly where he headed if he didn't have a specific destination in mind. He'd get somewhere eventually. "hn?" His eyes flickered towards Ohtori. "I haven't walked down this way yet, so I thought I would today. My morning is free."
Ohtori smiled faintly and decided it would be alright to follow Fuji for a bit, he could always retrace his steps later and return to the campus, besides the older man was sort of interesting...and had been kind enough to buy his coffee. Taking a sip, he nodded. "I haven't been down this way either. Would you mind some company?"
"Not at all." Fuji had a rather brash way of simply taking over and insinuating himself into other's people lives, doing it with a smile the entire time as if he was doing nothing strange. Usual reactions were to walk away immediately, or as Ohtori seemed to be doing now, humor him and see how it went. They seemed to be walking away from the more crowded district into a street lined with small shops, and Fuji found himself peering with curiosity into the crowded little windows. It was about half a block down that a sign caught his eye, and Fuji stopped, looking into the tattoo and piercing parlor.
Ohtori examined the store fronts as they walked, making notes of a few interesting stores he would have to look into on another day when he was not trying to figure out the man he was walking with. He couldn't help but be curious about where Fuji was leading him, but promptly regretted wondering when Fuji stopped in front of a rather scary looking store. "Uhm....w-why did you stop here?" He didn't look like the sort to have a tattoo or piercing.
"My roommate." Fuji moved a hand to touch the place Kajimoto's ear was pierced on his own, as if showing Ohtori. "I like his piercings." His fingers traced the shell of his ear, as if considering where he would want one of his own, before lowering to touch the opposite shoulder, where Kaidoh had his tattoo. "And a... friend. Has a tattoo. They're interesting, aren't they?" Blue eyes turned away from the window to look at Ohtori once more. "Do you have any?"
"...I wouldn't know. My parents would kill me for having a tattoo or getting something pierced...my dad would get mad if I even wrote notes on my hands or arms." He put up his hands and looked at the pictures in the windows. Deep down, he did think they were kind of cool, but he had no interest in getting in trouble.
"Ah..." Fuji tried not to laugh at the earnest reply, but the amusement was clear in the twitching of his lips and the curve of his eyes. His attention remained on Ohtori for a moment before a hand disappeared inside his jacket, withdrawing with a pen in hand. Without saying another word, he reached for the younger boy's hand and began writing across his palm in small, neat kanji. "What Ohtori-kun's dad doesn't know won't hurt him. ^_^" There was a pause of the pen before it resumed, filling the space of his palm with black ink. "Carpe diem, Ohtori," along with Fuji's number simply because he wanted the younger boy to have it.
Ohtori couldn't help blinking at the strange display of someone else writing on his hand, especially the message which he mouthed along as it was written. "Thank you...ah...Fuji-san. I really should learn to live more..." Not that he was going to admit to already living a little and dating Inui.
"Senpai," Fuji corrected. His fingers squeezed Ohtori's before releasing his hold and slipping the pen back into the inside pocket of his jacket. "You called me senpai earlier." He had guessed then that it had been a slip of the tongue, and the reverse to "san" only proved it. "Why don't you come inside with me? Just to look."
Ohtori blushed and quickly apologized, feeling a bit guilty about his little slip up, but with his roommate being a Fuji as well, it occurred to him he had to be careful and pay more attention. "I-I guess going inside wouldn't hurt anything...Fuji-senpai." It wasn't like he'd be getting anything done.
Once Ohtori had given his approval, Fuji turned to head into the shop. He didn't know much about the place, but even if the heavily inked appearance of the workers might be a bit intimidating, he assumed it was only to be expected. Everything looked clean, if somewhat outside their element. He doubted students dressed in the manner he and Ohtori were currently sporting were the usual clientele. The girl behind the desk glanced up, bubblegum popping as she gave Fuji a cursory glance over. Her look was approving, but he could tell she'd all but forgotten him the moment her eyes landed on Ohtori. The curl of his lips turned wry, but he didn't blame her. Murmuring a low greeting back at her, the brown haired tensai headed for the rather impressive display of their available piercings. "I wonder if they have a tennis racket..."
Ohtori looked around the shopping, keeping close to Fuji as though someone might attack him with needles and ink. He bumped into the other boy and mumbled an awkward apology before meeting eyes with the inked and pierced girl. He quickly blushed and mumbled a greeting before finding a book of tattoos interesting. "A tennis racket piercing? Are you seriously thinking about doing it?"
"Yeah. Not a tattoo." Fuji's hand fell to his right hip, where he had always contemplated acquiring one yet had never gone through with it. The urge had doubled ever since seeing Kaidoh's, but he didn't want to base his decision off whatever mixed emotions the boy wrecked in him. If he found himself still wanting it in a few months’ time, then he would ask the younger where he'd gotten his own done. For now... "Just something small. Here." Fuji reached up and pinched the top of Ohtori's ear lightly, giving him a small grin. "What do you think? My hair would hide it most of the time."
Ohtori couldn't help pulling his head back like a startled animal when Fuji pinched his ear, his eyes widening slightly. He was still a bit skittish with strangers just touching him like that, especially one that was so unpredictable. "I bet that would look really cool...do you think it would hurt?" He was admittedly a little curious about getting a piercing, and it really would be a good step in the rebellious direction, and not a permanent one.
Fuji laughed and immediately dropped his hand, a soft apology for the touch falling from his lips. Still, there was amusement in his gaze at the reaction. It seemed Ohtori had some very set rules about personal space. He would keep those in mind, and only break them when it would prove the most amusing. He had no real intent to make the other uncomfortable enough to leave. Not yet, at least. "Probably not too much. You know, something like this would look good on you." Fingers curved around a small, silver hoop with an angel wing before presenting it to Ohtori.
"...you think? Where would I get even put something like that?" Ohtori stared at the small silver accessory in his fingers thoughtfully, wondering why Fuji felt a wing was a good choice for him. He reached up carefully to finger the cross hidden beneath his uniform and mused a bit. If he hated it, he could always take it out..."I mean...if I did want to try it..."
"Right here." Fuji tapped lower on his own ear than he had done on Ohtori's, finger holding the delicate cartilage. It would look good on the other; he didn't really have a doubt about that. Then again, he doubted there was much that wouldn't look good on him. Did Inui have a piercing fetish? Fuji couldn't recall the topic ever coming up. It would have been, as Inui would say, good data. A grin spread wider on his lips at the thought. "If you don't like it, it'll close up once you take it out."
Ohtori reached up to gently pinch his ear where Fuji had done on his own, the pinch alone had hurt a bit, but no worse than a shot, he supposed. "Well..I mean...if you were going to get yours done...and maybe wanted company it wouldn't be too bad..." He couldn't believe he was even thinking about this. Maybe Inui would like it! After all, as Inui said he was most definitely no prude.
Fuji's gaze returned to the jewelry in front of them, searching for something more suited to him this time. When his eyes landed on the small snakes, something tightened in his chest. He looked at them for a quiet moment, finally reaching for one with emerald green eyes. "I think I'll get this one."
Ohtori couldn't help frowning a bit at the expression on Fuji's face, that was a slightly pained look as subtle as it was. "Are you....ok, Fuji-senpai?"
Surprise flared across Fuji's expression, and the gaze that turned to Ohtori was wide with startlement. He... wasn't used to people being able to read him, and it made him as uncomfortable as his touch had done to the younger boy. Fuji's boundaries weren't physical, but he wasn't used to someone stepping past the realm of the smiling mask he wore. "...what makes you ask?" The question sounded baffled, and it wasn't a tone Fuji was used to hearing from himself. A soft laugh followed, recovering from the moment. "Do you think it won't suit me?"
Ohtori winced, he had a similar issue that had helped him create that smile that protected him from the world outside. He felt somewhat guilty about saying something at all, a blush crossed the bridge of his nose. "The corners of your eyes sort of downturned, but you know, I might have been mistaken." He quickly retracted his sentence before examining the snake jewelry, "I think the colour goes really well with your eyes actually."
Even when Ohtori looked away, Fuji's blue eyes remain trained on him. Not only had the boy seen right through him, but he'd been kind enough to let the matter drop without pushing for information Fuji did not want to provide. He found something warm and fond unfurling low in his stomach. There was more to the tall boy that met the eye. A single fingertip reached up, pressing against the side of Ohtori's cheek. "I like you, Ohtori-kun," Fuji murmured. The fingertip dropped a second later and Fuji was giving a low thoughtful hum. "I'll get it then. If you get one too."
Blinking at the strange feel of eyes on him, Ohtori distracted himself with examining the silver hoop, It seemed to look thicker the more he carried it around. Then he felt a fingertip press against his cheek making him pull back again awkwardly. "...a-alright. Let's do it."
Fuji turned his face away, hoping to hide his amused expression from Ohtori. He wondered just how many casual touches it would take to acclimatize him to it. A part of him found himself hoping he never would, because the startled look that flashed across his gaze was extremely endearing. "Should I go first?"
"...I think that might be best." Not that Ohtori would change his mind after agreeing to get the piercing with Fuji, he'd still go through with it, even if it did look really scary. He could actually feel his heart racing before they had even reached the counter.
"Very well." The Fuji that approached the girl at the counter was all smiles and charm, none of the pained expression from before lingering about his features. He explained that they would like the piercings, pointing to his own ear to indicate where he wanted his own and then back towards Ohtori. The question about IDs died on the tip of her tongue as Fuji's smile sharpened and he murmured that they'd left in such a hurry this morning that they hadn't thought of needing them. She looked like she highly doubted this, but after another doubtful look at the tensai nodded and motioned for them to follow her to one of the backrooms.
Ohtori realized he was going to have to be very careful around Fuji Syuusuke, especially when he saw the way he had that girl wrapped around his fingers with only a few looks and quiet words. In fact, it seemed he had fallen for the same thing, the realization hitting him as they reached the back room.
"Here?" Fuji indicated the reclining chair when the girl indicated they should take a seat and did so upon her confirmation. There was a sort of nervous undercurrent running through him, but it was impossible to read it from the calm expression on his face. Not for the pain. Pain was something Fuji could handle, and on some occasions, perhaps even enjoy. The piercing symbolized a change in his life, and he'd always been weary of change even while embracing a rather -at times- whimsical approach to life. He made a soft sound of agreement as the girl left, telling him someone would be with them soon. "Not nervous, are you?"
Watching the shorter man take a seat, Ohtori settled for leaning on the wall nearby, arms crossed and shifting his weight from one leg to the other in a display of nervous energy. Glancing back up from a rather fascinating pattern on the floor, he blushed and nodded. "I am a little nervous. Are you?"
"Not so nervous with you here." Fuji's eyes slid shut, almost surprised to find that to be true. He found the younger boy interesting, curious about what about him had captivated Inui. (He assumed it was more than the incredibly good looks.) Ohtori had been a surprise, however. He was polite, nice, sweet in a way... And perceptive. Enough to make Fuji slightly uncomfortable, and he wasn't sure he would be seeking the younger boy's company in the future. Lashes fluttered open and Fuji offered him a brief smile. "To new starts?" Right at the same time the door open and the man that had been inking something across a broad back when they'd first stepped into the place came into the room.
"Y-yeah- to new starts..." Ohtori had decided that Fuji was an interesting person, someone he would have to ask Inui about on their next get together. Studying the imposing looking man, he felt another panic coming on, how could someone with such large and rough looking hands safely handle the small needle that was going to go through their ears?
After a short greeting and asking what they wanted done, the man set to work. Fuji was fascinated by him. He found his eyes drinking the tattoos that spanned his arms and neck, wondering how much of his body beneath the clothing they covered. Despite his large size, his movements were competent and confident, and Fuji found himself relaxing into the chair. He was still as they were giving warnings about keeping their piercings clean, not removing them before it healed unless they wanted them to close, and how to avoid infection. Fuji nodded along to everything, eyes going to Ohtori every once in a while. Finally his head was tilted to the side, a pair of long clamps with a small hole in the center catching the delicate tragus so a needle could pierce the skin. Fuji's fists clenched at the pain, but he didn't flinch, instead flashing Ohtori a quick wink.
The taller of the pair couldn't help blushing and glancing away at the wink from the admittedly attractive older man. Ohtori waited for Fuji to finish, taking note of how tough the delicate looking boy actually was. That piercing looked downright painful. Soon it was his turn and he nodded obediently as he was given the same speech, although he kept his smile in place, he had gone deathly pale and his eyes were wide, even as the clamp was put in place, taking a deep breath, he managed to keep from making a surprised sound as the needle passed through the helix and the small angel wing earring was tightened into place. "...thank you...uh." He peeled his fingers from the arms of the chair and gave Fuji a small grin, still in shock that he had actually gone through with it.
Fuji switched spots with Ohtori after the earring was in place, tempted to reach up and touch. The warnings were still fresh on his mind, however, so he restrained himself. At the look on Ohtori's face, he couldn't stop himself from reaching over and laying a warm hand over the younger boy's tightly clenched fingers on the arm rest, even if he'd proven casual touches were not something he was accustomed to. The hand dropped immediately once the piercing was finished, Fuji stepping back with a low hum under his breath. "It looks good."
"Do you think Inui-senpai will like it?" Ohtori uttered the words before he could even stop himself, immediately blushing and coughing. Hopefully Fuji would just assume they were friends and leave it be.
Fuji turned his head away, hiding the laughter at the question. Yes, he was fairly sure Inui would like it. Even if he didn't, he doubted he would do anything to hurt Ohtori's feelings. "Why wouldn't he?" Fuji asked, heading to pay rather than turning back towards Ohtori.
"...I don't know-" Ohtori blushed again and realized Fuji was still walking, he was easy enough to catch up to due to long legs. Ohtori glanced over at him and smiled, "my treat? You got the coffee, Fuji-senpai."
About to protest, Fuji swallowed back the words and gave a gracious smile, stepping back to allow Ohtori to pay. It was a bit more than the coffee had been, but that would only provide an excuse to invite him out later if Fuji wanted to see him again. Maybe once he got over the slightly uncomfortable feeling Ohtori's open concern had left beneath his skin. "Thank you, Ohtori-kun."
Ohtori smiled and nodded, his family was well off enough that they sent him weekly care packages anyway, so it was not an issue in the least. "It's the least I can do...thank you Fuji-senpai."
The pain in his ear was a dull throb, and easily ignored. Fuji admired his reflection on the storefront, the small green eyed snake just a silver blur but he seemed pleased by it. He'd been warned not to change the earring while the piercing healed. "It was nice running into you." His steps carried him back in the direction of the coffee house, where they had met up.
"It was nice seeing you again too," Ohtori smiled and resisted the urge to touch his own piercing. Before long they were back in front of the coffee shop.
"Save my number," Fuji reminded him of the scrawled digits on his palm. If Ohtori ever wanted to spend time together again, he wouldn't deny it to him. "I better head back. Say hi to Inui for me." The last words were called back over his shoulder as he turned to walk away.
All Ohtori could do was nod his head and wave as Fuji left. He supposed the next step would be to go show his new accessory to Inui.
What: coffee and fun at a tattoo parlor
When: 12/04
Rating: G!
Warnings: Not really.
Comments: Bring it.
Honestly, he hadn't recognized him at first. The boy was standing in front of him and tall enough that Fuji had a rather up close and personal view of his coat stretching across broad shoulders when looking straight ahead. He had been too busy texting to pay him much attention, however. The line moved forward slowly, but steadily. Caffeine within mouthwatering reach, Fuji slid his phone into the pocket of his jacket. It was his voice that caught Fuji's attention, although of course it wasn't because of any sort of familiarity. It had been years, and they'd never been particularly close. Still, something about it was attractive enough to have him looking upwards. He had been cute back in their middle school days, awkwardly tall and a little gangly. He was gorgeous now. Fuji felt his breath catch in the back of his throat, the familiar itch to have his hands wrapped around a camera suddenly striking. In front of a window, Fuji thought to himself, with sunlight kissing his skin and painting his hair silver. He could see why Inui was so interested. There was suddenly a body in front of Choutarou when he moved to pay, effectively blocking the taller boy's access to the register and the cashier waiting for the money. "And an upside down caramel macchiato," Fuji tacked on smoothly. Slender fingers handed over his card, paying for both beverages. "Extra shot of espresso."
Ohtori had not exactly been paying attention, he rarely bothered with coffee, but it had been a very stressful day of courses and the boredom of a life without music was enough to make him almost want to fall asleep standing up. That was when the need for caffeine had overtaken him. That was what had lead him to this line, and even as he pondered his order, he had not been fully aware of his surroundings until a soft voiced man snuck ahead of him and added to the order, even paying. "I ah- thank you...?" He could not hide the confusion in his voice, or in his mahogany tinted eyes while he tried to understand what the motivation for such a strange act was.
"My pleasure." Fingers barely grazing the other's coat, Fuji indicated that they should step out of line and towards the receiving area so that the person behind them could order. He could tell immediately that he hadn't been recognized. It had been years, after all, and Fuji hadn't stood out as much as some of his other teammates at times. "Ohtori-san, right?" The question was posed with a friendly smile, head tipped up to meet the taller boy's gaze. "Fuji Syuusuke. We met a few times years ago."
Stepping to the side so the next person could order their beverage, Ohtori half lead the other to the counter to wait for their drinks. Looking over the shorter man, Ohtori decided he did recognize him, it was probably their similar smiles that was a dead giveaway, “Ah, yes, from Hyoutei…and Fuji-san….from-“ he thought a moment and tried to associate him with a school before recalling that he had seen him with Inui before. “From Seigaku. It’s been years, how are you, Fuji-san?” He couldn’t help but be slightly amused by the sudden influx of meeting people from Seigaku starting with Inui.
"So you remember me." Fuji's smile was pleased, because he didn't think the younger man would, even if prompted. He himself recalled only a few faces, but Ohtori had always stood out, even in those days. "I wasn't aware so many people from our middle school days were here," Fuji admitted. He'd known about the Seigaku members, of course, but there had been far more familiar faces than just those. Some he remembered with vivid clarity, others he had to struggle to even put a name to. "Are you in the high school division?"
"I try to remember everyone I meet..." Ohtori blinked as their order was shouted out and awkwardly handed Fuji his drink and then gathered his own, blowing into the cup carefully before looking over again. "I was sort of surprised too, I had lost touch with so many of them, so in a way it was like a reunion I hadn't even expected." He took a slow sip of the drink before adding an extra sugar, treating his sweet tooth. "Yes, I'm almost in the University though..." As he recalled Fuji was older than he was, "and you?"
"The university," Fuji confirmed what he was sure Ohtori already knew. Unless he didn't remember that Fuji had been a year ahead. "I transferred here just last week and I'm still trying to settle in and get to know the area." Fuji grabbed his own cup with murmured thanks and stepped back, heading out of the coffee house after waiting to see if Ohtori would follow. "Maybe you can show me around sometime."
Ohtori followed the other, as he had continued to talk and it seemed rude not to say goodbye, somewhere in the back of his mind he was recalling Fuji was sort of a strange guy. "I would, but I have only been here about 2 weeks myself. I mean, I could try..."
"Two weeks?" It seemed Fuji wasn't the only one that had made a late arrival half way through the school year. Had Ohtori come here looking for anyone specific like Fuji had or had he simply decided he needed a change of pace? "Then we can explore together," Fuji finally decided with a friendly smile. "That will be fun."
"That does sound fun." He couldn't help but be a little concerned someone who was a practical stranger would want to explore this place together, especially since Hiyoshi had shown him around as a friend, and other locations were coming into light due to his blooming relationship with Inui.
"Or we could get lost together," Fuji mused. He began walking in a random direction, not knowing if Ohtori would actually follow or if the other had somewhere else to be. "That could also be fun." Thin fingers were curled around the coffee cup, keeping themselves warm that way in between sips of the sweet brew.
"It seems a bit counterproductive to get lost while trying to learn about a place, doesn't it?" Ohtori took a few more steps, a story about a piper leading children to their death sticking in his mind. "Where are you heading, Fuji-senpai?"
"Sometimes you find the best places while lost." Actually, lost was the way Fuji had spent much of his time abroad, and had long ago stopped bothering to care about exactly where he headed if he didn't have a specific destination in mind. He'd get somewhere eventually. "hn?" His eyes flickered towards Ohtori. "I haven't walked down this way yet, so I thought I would today. My morning is free."
Ohtori smiled faintly and decided it would be alright to follow Fuji for a bit, he could always retrace his steps later and return to the campus, besides the older man was sort of interesting...and had been kind enough to buy his coffee. Taking a sip, he nodded. "I haven't been down this way either. Would you mind some company?"
"Not at all." Fuji had a rather brash way of simply taking over and insinuating himself into other's people lives, doing it with a smile the entire time as if he was doing nothing strange. Usual reactions were to walk away immediately, or as Ohtori seemed to be doing now, humor him and see how it went. They seemed to be walking away from the more crowded district into a street lined with small shops, and Fuji found himself peering with curiosity into the crowded little windows. It was about half a block down that a sign caught his eye, and Fuji stopped, looking into the tattoo and piercing parlor.
Ohtori examined the store fronts as they walked, making notes of a few interesting stores he would have to look into on another day when he was not trying to figure out the man he was walking with. He couldn't help but be curious about where Fuji was leading him, but promptly regretted wondering when Fuji stopped in front of a rather scary looking store. "Uhm....w-why did you stop here?" He didn't look like the sort to have a tattoo or piercing.
"My roommate." Fuji moved a hand to touch the place Kajimoto's ear was pierced on his own, as if showing Ohtori. "I like his piercings." His fingers traced the shell of his ear, as if considering where he would want one of his own, before lowering to touch the opposite shoulder, where Kaidoh had his tattoo. "And a... friend. Has a tattoo. They're interesting, aren't they?" Blue eyes turned away from the window to look at Ohtori once more. "Do you have any?"
"...I wouldn't know. My parents would kill me for having a tattoo or getting something pierced...my dad would get mad if I even wrote notes on my hands or arms." He put up his hands and looked at the pictures in the windows. Deep down, he did think they were kind of cool, but he had no interest in getting in trouble.
"Ah..." Fuji tried not to laugh at the earnest reply, but the amusement was clear in the twitching of his lips and the curve of his eyes. His attention remained on Ohtori for a moment before a hand disappeared inside his jacket, withdrawing with a pen in hand. Without saying another word, he reached for the younger boy's hand and began writing across his palm in small, neat kanji. "What Ohtori-kun's dad doesn't know won't hurt him. ^_^" There was a pause of the pen before it resumed, filling the space of his palm with black ink. "Carpe diem, Ohtori," along with Fuji's number simply because he wanted the younger boy to have it.
Ohtori couldn't help blinking at the strange display of someone else writing on his hand, especially the message which he mouthed along as it was written. "Thank you...ah...Fuji-san. I really should learn to live more..." Not that he was going to admit to already living a little and dating Inui.
"Senpai," Fuji corrected. His fingers squeezed Ohtori's before releasing his hold and slipping the pen back into the inside pocket of his jacket. "You called me senpai earlier." He had guessed then that it had been a slip of the tongue, and the reverse to "san" only proved it. "Why don't you come inside with me? Just to look."
Ohtori blushed and quickly apologized, feeling a bit guilty about his little slip up, but with his roommate being a Fuji as well, it occurred to him he had to be careful and pay more attention. "I-I guess going inside wouldn't hurt anything...Fuji-senpai." It wasn't like he'd be getting anything done.
Once Ohtori had given his approval, Fuji turned to head into the shop. He didn't know much about the place, but even if the heavily inked appearance of the workers might be a bit intimidating, he assumed it was only to be expected. Everything looked clean, if somewhat outside their element. He doubted students dressed in the manner he and Ohtori were currently sporting were the usual clientele. The girl behind the desk glanced up, bubblegum popping as she gave Fuji a cursory glance over. Her look was approving, but he could tell she'd all but forgotten him the moment her eyes landed on Ohtori. The curl of his lips turned wry, but he didn't blame her. Murmuring a low greeting back at her, the brown haired tensai headed for the rather impressive display of their available piercings. "I wonder if they have a tennis racket..."
Ohtori looked around the shopping, keeping close to Fuji as though someone might attack him with needles and ink. He bumped into the other boy and mumbled an awkward apology before meeting eyes with the inked and pierced girl. He quickly blushed and mumbled a greeting before finding a book of tattoos interesting. "A tennis racket piercing? Are you seriously thinking about doing it?"
"Yeah. Not a tattoo." Fuji's hand fell to his right hip, where he had always contemplated acquiring one yet had never gone through with it. The urge had doubled ever since seeing Kaidoh's, but he didn't want to base his decision off whatever mixed emotions the boy wrecked in him. If he found himself still wanting it in a few months’ time, then he would ask the younger where he'd gotten his own done. For now... "Just something small. Here." Fuji reached up and pinched the top of Ohtori's ear lightly, giving him a small grin. "What do you think? My hair would hide it most of the time."
Ohtori couldn't help pulling his head back like a startled animal when Fuji pinched his ear, his eyes widening slightly. He was still a bit skittish with strangers just touching him like that, especially one that was so unpredictable. "I bet that would look really cool...do you think it would hurt?" He was admittedly a little curious about getting a piercing, and it really would be a good step in the rebellious direction, and not a permanent one.
Fuji laughed and immediately dropped his hand, a soft apology for the touch falling from his lips. Still, there was amusement in his gaze at the reaction. It seemed Ohtori had some very set rules about personal space. He would keep those in mind, and only break them when it would prove the most amusing. He had no real intent to make the other uncomfortable enough to leave. Not yet, at least. "Probably not too much. You know, something like this would look good on you." Fingers curved around a small, silver hoop with an angel wing before presenting it to Ohtori.
"...you think? Where would I get even put something like that?" Ohtori stared at the small silver accessory in his fingers thoughtfully, wondering why Fuji felt a wing was a good choice for him. He reached up carefully to finger the cross hidden beneath his uniform and mused a bit. If he hated it, he could always take it out..."I mean...if I did want to try it..."
"Right here." Fuji tapped lower on his own ear than he had done on Ohtori's, finger holding the delicate cartilage. It would look good on the other; he didn't really have a doubt about that. Then again, he doubted there was much that wouldn't look good on him. Did Inui have a piercing fetish? Fuji couldn't recall the topic ever coming up. It would have been, as Inui would say, good data. A grin spread wider on his lips at the thought. "If you don't like it, it'll close up once you take it out."
Ohtori reached up to gently pinch his ear where Fuji had done on his own, the pinch alone had hurt a bit, but no worse than a shot, he supposed. "Well..I mean...if you were going to get yours done...and maybe wanted company it wouldn't be too bad..." He couldn't believe he was even thinking about this. Maybe Inui would like it! After all, as Inui said he was most definitely no prude.
Fuji's gaze returned to the jewelry in front of them, searching for something more suited to him this time. When his eyes landed on the small snakes, something tightened in his chest. He looked at them for a quiet moment, finally reaching for one with emerald green eyes. "I think I'll get this one."
Ohtori couldn't help frowning a bit at the expression on Fuji's face, that was a slightly pained look as subtle as it was. "Are you....ok, Fuji-senpai?"
Surprise flared across Fuji's expression, and the gaze that turned to Ohtori was wide with startlement. He... wasn't used to people being able to read him, and it made him as uncomfortable as his touch had done to the younger boy. Fuji's boundaries weren't physical, but he wasn't used to someone stepping past the realm of the smiling mask he wore. "...what makes you ask?" The question sounded baffled, and it wasn't a tone Fuji was used to hearing from himself. A soft laugh followed, recovering from the moment. "Do you think it won't suit me?"
Ohtori winced, he had a similar issue that had helped him create that smile that protected him from the world outside. He felt somewhat guilty about saying something at all, a blush crossed the bridge of his nose. "The corners of your eyes sort of downturned, but you know, I might have been mistaken." He quickly retracted his sentence before examining the snake jewelry, "I think the colour goes really well with your eyes actually."
Even when Ohtori looked away, Fuji's blue eyes remain trained on him. Not only had the boy seen right through him, but he'd been kind enough to let the matter drop without pushing for information Fuji did not want to provide. He found something warm and fond unfurling low in his stomach. There was more to the tall boy that met the eye. A single fingertip reached up, pressing against the side of Ohtori's cheek. "I like you, Ohtori-kun," Fuji murmured. The fingertip dropped a second later and Fuji was giving a low thoughtful hum. "I'll get it then. If you get one too."
Blinking at the strange feel of eyes on him, Ohtori distracted himself with examining the silver hoop, It seemed to look thicker the more he carried it around. Then he felt a fingertip press against his cheek making him pull back again awkwardly. "...a-alright. Let's do it."
Fuji turned his face away, hoping to hide his amused expression from Ohtori. He wondered just how many casual touches it would take to acclimatize him to it. A part of him found himself hoping he never would, because the startled look that flashed across his gaze was extremely endearing. "Should I go first?"
"...I think that might be best." Not that Ohtori would change his mind after agreeing to get the piercing with Fuji, he'd still go through with it, even if it did look really scary. He could actually feel his heart racing before they had even reached the counter.
"Very well." The Fuji that approached the girl at the counter was all smiles and charm, none of the pained expression from before lingering about his features. He explained that they would like the piercings, pointing to his own ear to indicate where he wanted his own and then back towards Ohtori. The question about IDs died on the tip of her tongue as Fuji's smile sharpened and he murmured that they'd left in such a hurry this morning that they hadn't thought of needing them. She looked like she highly doubted this, but after another doubtful look at the tensai nodded and motioned for them to follow her to one of the backrooms.
Ohtori realized he was going to have to be very careful around Fuji Syuusuke, especially when he saw the way he had that girl wrapped around his fingers with only a few looks and quiet words. In fact, it seemed he had fallen for the same thing, the realization hitting him as they reached the back room.
"Here?" Fuji indicated the reclining chair when the girl indicated they should take a seat and did so upon her confirmation. There was a sort of nervous undercurrent running through him, but it was impossible to read it from the calm expression on his face. Not for the pain. Pain was something Fuji could handle, and on some occasions, perhaps even enjoy. The piercing symbolized a change in his life, and he'd always been weary of change even while embracing a rather -at times- whimsical approach to life. He made a soft sound of agreement as the girl left, telling him someone would be with them soon. "Not nervous, are you?"
Watching the shorter man take a seat, Ohtori settled for leaning on the wall nearby, arms crossed and shifting his weight from one leg to the other in a display of nervous energy. Glancing back up from a rather fascinating pattern on the floor, he blushed and nodded. "I am a little nervous. Are you?"
"Not so nervous with you here." Fuji's eyes slid shut, almost surprised to find that to be true. He found the younger boy interesting, curious about what about him had captivated Inui. (He assumed it was more than the incredibly good looks.) Ohtori had been a surprise, however. He was polite, nice, sweet in a way... And perceptive. Enough to make Fuji slightly uncomfortable, and he wasn't sure he would be seeking the younger boy's company in the future. Lashes fluttered open and Fuji offered him a brief smile. "To new starts?" Right at the same time the door open and the man that had been inking something across a broad back when they'd first stepped into the place came into the room.
"Y-yeah- to new starts..." Ohtori had decided that Fuji was an interesting person, someone he would have to ask Inui about on their next get together. Studying the imposing looking man, he felt another panic coming on, how could someone with such large and rough looking hands safely handle the small needle that was going to go through their ears?
After a short greeting and asking what they wanted done, the man set to work. Fuji was fascinated by him. He found his eyes drinking the tattoos that spanned his arms and neck, wondering how much of his body beneath the clothing they covered. Despite his large size, his movements were competent and confident, and Fuji found himself relaxing into the chair. He was still as they were giving warnings about keeping their piercings clean, not removing them before it healed unless they wanted them to close, and how to avoid infection. Fuji nodded along to everything, eyes going to Ohtori every once in a while. Finally his head was tilted to the side, a pair of long clamps with a small hole in the center catching the delicate tragus so a needle could pierce the skin. Fuji's fists clenched at the pain, but he didn't flinch, instead flashing Ohtori a quick wink.
The taller of the pair couldn't help blushing and glancing away at the wink from the admittedly attractive older man. Ohtori waited for Fuji to finish, taking note of how tough the delicate looking boy actually was. That piercing looked downright painful. Soon it was his turn and he nodded obediently as he was given the same speech, although he kept his smile in place, he had gone deathly pale and his eyes were wide, even as the clamp was put in place, taking a deep breath, he managed to keep from making a surprised sound as the needle passed through the helix and the small angel wing earring was tightened into place. "...thank you...uh." He peeled his fingers from the arms of the chair and gave Fuji a small grin, still in shock that he had actually gone through with it.
Fuji switched spots with Ohtori after the earring was in place, tempted to reach up and touch. The warnings were still fresh on his mind, however, so he restrained himself. At the look on Ohtori's face, he couldn't stop himself from reaching over and laying a warm hand over the younger boy's tightly clenched fingers on the arm rest, even if he'd proven casual touches were not something he was accustomed to. The hand dropped immediately once the piercing was finished, Fuji stepping back with a low hum under his breath. "It looks good."
"Do you think Inui-senpai will like it?" Ohtori uttered the words before he could even stop himself, immediately blushing and coughing. Hopefully Fuji would just assume they were friends and leave it be.
Fuji turned his head away, hiding the laughter at the question. Yes, he was fairly sure Inui would like it. Even if he didn't, he doubted he would do anything to hurt Ohtori's feelings. "Why wouldn't he?" Fuji asked, heading to pay rather than turning back towards Ohtori.
"...I don't know-" Ohtori blushed again and realized Fuji was still walking, he was easy enough to catch up to due to long legs. Ohtori glanced over at him and smiled, "my treat? You got the coffee, Fuji-senpai."
About to protest, Fuji swallowed back the words and gave a gracious smile, stepping back to allow Ohtori to pay. It was a bit more than the coffee had been, but that would only provide an excuse to invite him out later if Fuji wanted to see him again. Maybe once he got over the slightly uncomfortable feeling Ohtori's open concern had left beneath his skin. "Thank you, Ohtori-kun."
Ohtori smiled and nodded, his family was well off enough that they sent him weekly care packages anyway, so it was not an issue in the least. "It's the least I can do...thank you Fuji-senpai."
The pain in his ear was a dull throb, and easily ignored. Fuji admired his reflection on the storefront, the small green eyed snake just a silver blur but he seemed pleased by it. He'd been warned not to change the earring while the piercing healed. "It was nice running into you." His steps carried him back in the direction of the coffee house, where they had met up.
"It was nice seeing you again too," Ohtori smiled and resisted the urge to touch his own piercing. Before long they were back in front of the coffee shop.
"Save my number," Fuji reminded him of the scrawled digits on his palm. If Ohtori ever wanted to spend time together again, he wouldn't deny it to him. "I better head back. Say hi to Inui for me." The last words were called back over his shoulder as he turned to walk away.
All Ohtori could do was nod his head and wave as Fuji left. He supposed the next step would be to go show his new accessory to Inui.