[ He's ... more cool than he'd normally be about this, but it's not hard if one looks even a little more closely to see that it's taking a lot to not fumble or start to get awkward here.
Maybe it's because he's realized how much they both need this. Maybe it's because after dropping the L word other things got a little easier. Maybe it's because this sounds more like a command, a decision that Yzak is making and that's his element. Perhaps a bit of all of the above, even! ]
I know you said you'd take care of things when you figured out a good time to use that holiday gift you got for us. But I'm making the executive decision to do that instead and deeming now the right time.
It takes a second. And then Dearka's expression brightens dramatically.]
Oh shit, you mean we're hitting the Ryokan?
[No arguments here! Dearka's up to start making preparations immediately. Fortunately, packing is a less involved ordeal than it normally would be, with the existence of style upgrades cutting back on the need to pack (most) clothes... The focus is on other kinds of personal effects like toiletries and, ahem, certain accessories that may or may not be handy to have on what is essentially a lover's retreat.
He can't even be too disapproving about Yzak taking over the planning aspect of the trip. Like, handling it himself so Yzak didn't have to stress over it was a big part of the gift? But he kind of gets the sense that this sort of logistical busywork is exactly what his partner probably needs right now, and if that's what makes him happy then who is he to stop him?]
[ It is good for Yzak ... not only is keeping busy enrichment for him, but it's the fact that he's letting himself actually take a small vacation? All on his own? Instead of needing to be pulled into it? That's growth, baby.
Yzak, meanwhile, probably has the more packed bag of the two. The style upgrade is all well and good, but Yzak still likes owning actual clothes. Likes feeling the comfy silkiness of his pajamas. Since it's a vacation, he's also bringing a couple of physical book copies aside from the endless supply he has on hand through his ocular. And of course, he has the cute cat kimono and sandals that came with the rest of the gift they're cashing in now.
By the time they're in the car and driving there, he seems more at ease, glad to be away from the base and the city and the crowding of the team, even if for a short while. A nice, bougie environment will do him well, and that's the vibe the inn has, evident from the moment they're greeted at the genkan, the fact that their attendant is very on point, and emphasized even more with the fancy tea and snacks waiting in their room for them.
And while Yzak goes to take a sip of said tea to test it out before doing any unpacking, he skims over a small pamphlet that came with it. ]
[Mister fucking weeb indeed. Dearka looks up from where he's unpacking some of his stuff and grins, something almost mischievous behind the expression.]
It's been a while, [like, before the first war level of "a while",] but, yeah, I do. That's kind of part of why I picked this place... Nostalgic for me, and I figured it'd probably be up your alley too. It's got tea, it's got centuries of history and tradition behind it, it's got intense etiquette and protocol...
[All things that Yzak loves! ...Okay that last one is a little bit of a dig. But it's a fond dig! conveyed by the silly wink Dearka tacks on at the end.]
Sounds good to me. [He winks.] I'll make it happen.
[Just booking via ocular is enough to take care of that. Dearka paces idly while he does it, letting Yzak continue perusing the tea pamphlet for a moment.
Of course, when he's done he has to come and be clingy for a moment, slipping his arms around Yzak's waist from behind and resting his chin heavily on his shoulder. He does it regardless of if Yzak's still drinking that tea, too; he trusts that a semi-surprise hug isn't going to be even close to enough of a disruption to make his trusty partner spill any!
He purrs right next to Yzak's ear.]
Y'know, that said... I think we should wait until later in the evening to hit the hot spring... More of a chance of having it to ourselves that way, right?
[ It's pathetic how easily that runs a shiver straight up Yzak's spine, his heart fluttering in his chest. ]
Good point.
[ Yzak isn't in the mood to share. The hot springs or his personal eye candy, tyvm. And while there's no shame or anger, exactly, where the scars all over his own body are concerned, he's still just a touch self conscious about having them out on full display.
He leans back, head half turning. ]
It's recommended we finish these, [ The tea and snacks left for them. ] before going. Not that we're prone to overheating.
[ And then he brings the cup in his hand up to offer Dearka a sip from it. ]
[Pathetic? Or adorable? Dearka's inclined to argue the latter. He leans forward and takes the little sip that's offered to him, leaning back and grunting an approving 'mm!']
That is good. Is that a local blend? It's like... Just the right amount of bitter.
[He's peering into the cup now, debating if he wants to let go of Yzak long enough to go get his own.]
[ He's feeling generous (read: schmoopy), so he makes the decision for Dearka. He doesn't have to let him go completely: Yzak sets his cup down briefly so he can pour one for him, offering it ... to his prosthetic side since that arm won't miss feeling him. ]
I think it's genmaicha. We have it at the cafe, but this stuff is definitely higher quality.
[He grunts a small 'thanks' and takes the cup. Even with Yzak saving him the trip, he is still going to have to back off a bit so he can actually drink the thing... Not entirely though, at least. He steps around to his side, keeping his good arm still wrapped around his waist.]
I wonder if there's a place near here where we can buy some to bring back... Or maybe the inn sells it directly?
[They'll figure it out. Comfortable small talk can continue while they both drink, of course; Dearka finishes his cup pretty quickly, gently setting the empty vessel down a few minutes later.
Something kind of odd happens when he does. It's almost like... This act of finishing a beverage; the transitional phase between finishing one task and having to decide on the next... It imparts upon him a sudden clarity of thought. Which is to say he's hit very heavily with a sudden joy of just, being here, in this inn, with this man, planning out all of these things they're going to do together on this vacation...
He leans over and presses a few kisses to Yzak's cheek, humming. Nuzzling.]
Have I told you lately that I love you?
[He definitely has. He's probably said it every fucking day since Yzak finally said it back.]
[He's returning to his previous position behind Yzak, gently bumping hips with him. Nothing lewd, just... Flirtatious. Suggestive. While also clinging onto him like a goddamn koala bear.]
I also want you to know that there's a very vocal part of me that would love to ignore all these extra activities and just--
[This is the part where the dialogue is made completely unintelligible by a long stretch of expletive masking bleeps attempting to cover up Dearka's list of various dirty fantasies.]
[ Dirty fantasies that ... sound absolutely titillating to Yzak!? Even if one wouldn't assume that by his reaction which is to sputter and blush like a scandalized Victorian maiden, twisting his own waist to jab a hipbone back against him, far more unsexily. ]
Y-you're absolutely right, we shouldn't!
[ He tips his cup to throw back the rest of the drink, slamming it down for good now, a little harder than intended, in an attempt to clear his mind from those professed fantasies before they start to form vivid images in his mind. ]
...
But he makes a tempting offer.
[ He admits, after a moment of consideration. Because that? Yzak can put a pin in for later.
But for now!! They can unpack and at least take it easy while doing so after their drive here. And once the sun starts to set with beautiful, vibrant smears of orange and purples in sky and the evening starts to cool, they can get ready to hit the onsen.
Finally, Yzak can wear his cat patterned kimono. ]
[Dearka's own kimono is not so fancy, since he procured a ryokan appropriate one kind of last minute. It's just a nice dark green very similar to the one he has been shown wearing in a certain real-world resort promotion, which also happened to be the origin of a certain infamous Yzak sponsored seed milk.
Anyway. He's thrilled to find that there is, indeed, no one else present when they enter. All according to keikaku. Of course, they need to get ready to wash up before hitting the hot spring itself...]
This is kind of exciting, isn't it...? [Dearka throws Yzak a little grin while they undress and stow their things; the smile isn't terribly suggestive... He's too much of a weeb to try anything against the rules while they're in here. But.] Y'know, it's weird how we technically bathe together all the time, but because it's in the middle of the damn base, we can't actually...
[...Show too much PDA. Or ANY PDA, actually. Not when the people they live and work with might catch them.]
[ The Yzak sponsored seed milk will come later, dw.
And he has to admit, he's glad they appear to have this all to themselves, too. And he's not going to deny his own excitement here, but it's already very clear in his eyes that he is. They're not main characters they never had some secret underwater battleship onsen bullshit going on like SOME people did. (rip archangel) So this? Is new for him, who's interest in culture and customs and job clash so much that he's never gotten to experience some of the very things he loves learning about. Much less so in the place of origin, because of where they live. ]
That's because it's common courtesy. [ And Yzak is still pretty stupid when it comes to PDA. He's gotten BETTER about it for sure - back at the beginning one would think he was being caught in The Act with the way he would react to eyes on him if he was so much as leaning against Dearka in a casual setting. ]
But you're right. This is so much better already.
It reminds me of how god damned much I miss my bathroom back home.
To be fair, Dearka's kind of of the same mindset on avoiding too much PDA for the most part, so it works out... It is nice that Yzak has chilled out a bit, though.]
Yeah... Too bad we couldn't get private bathrooms added in the base upgrade, heh...
[While he's talking, Dearka reaches for one of the shower nozzles with his prosthetic. But as he goes to pull it off the mount, something.... Weird happens. His fingers kind of seize up?? And then it falls from his hand, the showerhead portion banging against the wall as it swings freely from the hose portion.]
[That last word he says with a sort of distasteful curl of his lip, because he doesn't exactly love the way it sounds. But also, what else is he supposed to call this?]
Hell if I know! [Dearka sounds both a touch embarrassed and low-key defensive.] They warned me that it might be kind of iffy for a while after it first got installed, but nothing ever really came of that...!
[He keeps staring at it, looking utterly vexed, then mutters.]
Did it fucking postpone it's temperamental stage somehow...? So I could focus on getting you back first?
[He knows that's not how technology works but like. ???? what the fuck!]
[ Pride is something Yzak understands all too well, so initially ... initially, he decides to let Dearka keep his without a word. His gaze does linger on him for a beat longer than it should, as though he considers saying something.
But then he grabs for the handle of his own showerhead, though he spares glances over to Dearka to make sure he's as 'awesome' here as he claims he is.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ He's ... more cool than he'd normally be about this, but it's not hard if one looks even a little more closely to see that it's taking a lot to not fumble or start to get awkward here.
Maybe it's because he's realized how much they both need this. Maybe it's because after dropping the L word other things got a little easier. Maybe it's because this sounds more like a command, a decision that Yzak is making and that's his element. Perhaps a bit of all of the above, even! ]
I know you said you'd take care of things when you figured out a good time to use that holiday gift you got for us. But I'm making the executive decision to do that instead and deeming now the right time.
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It takes a second. And then Dearka's expression brightens dramatically.]
Oh shit, you mean we're hitting the Ryokan?
[No arguments here! Dearka's up to start making preparations immediately. Fortunately, packing is a less involved ordeal than it normally would be, with the existence of style upgrades cutting back on the need to pack (most) clothes... The focus is on other kinds of personal effects like toiletries and, ahem, certain accessories that may or may not be handy to have on what is essentially a lover's retreat.
He can't even be too disapproving about Yzak taking over the planning aspect of the trip. Like, handling it himself so Yzak didn't have to stress over it was a big part of the gift? But he kind of gets the sense that this sort of logistical busywork is exactly what his partner probably needs right now, and if that's what makes him happy then who is he to stop him?]
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Yzak, meanwhile, probably has the more packed bag of the two. The style upgrade is all well and good, but Yzak still likes owning actual clothes. Likes feeling the comfy silkiness of his pajamas. Since it's a vacation, he's also bringing a couple of physical book copies aside from the endless supply he has on hand through his ocular. And of course, he has the cute cat kimono and sandals that came with the rest of the gift they're cashing in now.
By the time they're in the car and driving there, he seems more at ease, glad to be away from the base and the city and the crowding of the team, even if for a short while. A nice, bougie environment will do him well, and that's the vibe the inn has, evident from the moment they're greeted at the genkan, the fact that their attendant is very on point, and emphasized even more with the fancy tea and snacks waiting in their room for them.
And while Yzak goes to take a sip of said tea to test it out before doing any unpacking, he skims over a small pamphlet that came with it. ]
They're doing tea ceremonies here, too.
—I forget, did you know how those go?
[ Mister fucking weeb. ]
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It's been a while, [like, before the first war level of "a while",] but, yeah, I do. That's kind of part of why I picked this place... Nostalgic for me, and I figured it'd probably be up your alley too. It's got tea, it's got centuries of history and tradition behind it, it's got intense etiquette and protocol...
[All things that Yzak loves! ...Okay that last one is a little bit of a dig. But it's a fond dig! conveyed by the silly wink Dearka tacks on at the end.]
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I'm surprised you didn't go for the steeped in history crack.
[ And since Yzak's the one bringing it up, that means he thought of the joke. So in a way, he's the one making it. Just, you know, Like This. ]
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In typical Dearka fashion,
...He laughs. Hard. Like, too hard, probably, for the caliber of joke that it is? Although...]
I mean it crossed my mind, but I figured I'd spare you! I didn't expect you to go and turn it back around on me! Fuck!
[...Turns out there's layers to why he thinks this is so funny.]
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*no ]
I just know you too well.
[ An observation as well as a brag. He tends to be the one on the receiving end of something like this, so it feels nice. ]
But you're right, that's all very up my alley. Tomorrow afternoon, maybe? I think we're both in agreement that the onsen is a priority.
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[Just booking via ocular is enough to take care of that. Dearka paces idly while he does it, letting Yzak continue perusing the tea pamphlet for a moment.
Of course, when he's done he has to come and be clingy for a moment, slipping his arms around Yzak's waist from behind and resting his chin heavily on his shoulder. He does it regardless of if Yzak's still drinking that tea, too; he trusts that a semi-surprise hug isn't going to be even close to enough of a disruption to make his trusty partner spill any!
He purrs right next to Yzak's ear.]
Y'know, that said... I think we should wait until later in the evening to hit the hot spring... More of a chance of having it to ourselves that way, right?
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Good point.
[ Yzak isn't in the mood to share. The hot springs or his personal eye candy, tyvm. And while there's no shame or anger, exactly, where the scars all over his own body are concerned, he's still just a touch self conscious about having them out on full display.
He leans back, head half turning. ]
It's recommended we finish these, [ The tea and snacks left for them. ] before going. Not that we're prone to overheating.
[ And then he brings the cup in his hand up to offer Dearka a sip from it. ]
But it's really good. Try it.
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That is good. Is that a local blend? It's like... Just the right amount of bitter.
[He's peering into the cup now, debating if he wants to let go of Yzak long enough to go get his own.]
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I think it's genmaicha. We have it at the cafe, but this stuff is definitely higher quality.
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I wonder if there's a place near here where we can buy some to bring back... Or maybe the inn sells it directly?
[They'll figure it out. Comfortable small talk can continue while they both drink, of course; Dearka finishes his cup pretty quickly, gently setting the empty vessel down a few minutes later.
Something kind of odd happens when he does. It's almost like... This act of finishing a beverage; the transitional phase between finishing one task and having to decide on the next... It imparts upon him a sudden clarity of thought. Which is to say he's hit very heavily with a sudden joy of just, being here, in this inn, with this man, planning out all of these things they're going to do together on this vacation...
He leans over and presses a few kisses to Yzak's cheek, humming. Nuzzling.]
Have I told you lately that I love you?
[He definitely has. He's probably said it every fucking day since Yzak finally said it back.]
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Lately? Try every fucking day since we returned from Iraq.
[ Said affectionately exasperated. ]
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Yeah? Not sorry.
[He's returning to his previous position behind Yzak, gently bumping hips with him. Nothing lewd, just... Flirtatious. Suggestive. While also clinging onto him like a goddamn koala bear.]
I also want you to know that there's a very vocal part of me that would love to ignore all these extra activities and just--
[This is the part where the dialogue is made completely unintelligible by a long stretch of expletive masking bleeps attempting to cover up Dearka's list of various dirty fantasies.]
...But we probably shouldn't listen to him.
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Y-you're absolutely right, we shouldn't!
[ He tips his cup to throw back the rest of the drink, slamming it down for good now, a little harder than intended, in an attempt to clear his mind from those professed fantasies before they start to form vivid images in his mind. ]
...
But he makes a tempting offer.
[ He admits, after a moment of consideration. Because that? Yzak can put a pin in for later.
But for now!! They can unpack and at least take it easy while doing so after their drive here. And once the sun starts to set with beautiful, vibrant smears of orange and purples in sky and the evening starts to cool, they can get ready to hit the onsen.
Finally, Yzak can wear his cat patterned kimono. ]
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Anyway. He's thrilled to find that there is, indeed, no one else present when they enter. All according to keikaku. Of course, they need to get ready to wash up before hitting the hot spring itself...]
This is kind of exciting, isn't it...? [Dearka throws Yzak a little grin while they undress and stow their things; the smile isn't terribly suggestive... He's too much of a weeb to try anything against the rules while they're in here. But.] Y'know, it's weird how we technically bathe together all the time, but because it's in the middle of the damn base, we can't actually...
[...Show too much PDA. Or ANY PDA, actually. Not when the people they live and work with might catch them.]
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And he has to admit, he's glad they appear to have this all to themselves, too. And he's not going to deny his own excitement here, but it's already very clear in his eyes that he is. They're not main characters they never had some secret underwater battleship onsen bullshit going on like SOME people did. (rip archangel) So this? Is new for him, who's interest in culture and customs and job clash so much that he's never gotten to experience some of the very things he loves learning about. Much less so in the place of origin, because of where they live. ]
That's because it's common courtesy. [ And Yzak is still pretty stupid when it comes to PDA. He's gotten BETTER about it for sure - back at the beginning one would think he was being caught in The Act with the way he would react to eyes on him if he was so much as leaning against Dearka in a casual setting. ]
But you're right. This is so much better already.
It reminds me of how god damned much I miss my bathroom back home.
[ His fancy schmancy huge one. ]
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ayooooooTo be fair, Dearka's kind of of the same mindset on avoiding too much PDA for the most part, so it works out... It is nice that Yzak has chilled out a bit, though.]
Yeah... Too bad we couldn't get private bathrooms added in the base upgrade, heh...
[While he's talking, Dearka reaches for one of the shower nozzles with his prosthetic. But as he goes to pull it off the mount, something.... Weird happens. His fingers kind of seize up?? And then it falls from his hand, the showerhead portion banging against the wall as it swings freely from the hose portion.]
...Uh?
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But, Yzak can't complain much. It's work, he's on duty, and that's just the way things are, even back home.
The sudden clang causes Yzak to jolt up just as he leans over to reach for his own. His head snaps to Dearka. ]
What the hell was—!?
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My... Hand? It's... Malfunctioning?
[That last word he says with a sort of distasteful curl of his lip, because he doesn't exactly love the way it sounds. But also, what else is he supposed to call this?]
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[ When they're NAKED and trying to get CLEAN? ]
That thing is brand new! How is it fucking up already!?
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[He keeps staring at it, looking utterly vexed, then mutters.]
Did it fucking postpone it's temperamental stage somehow...? So I could focus on getting you back first?
[He knows that's not how technology works but like. ???? what the fuck!]
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[ Said, also with the full knowledge that that's not how technology works. ]
The tech always does seem to glitch in and out when it's new, for some reason. So best case scenario, it'll fix itself shortly.
If not, I can take a better look at it.
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'Preciate that. But in the meantime I'm down a hand entirely... [Grumble grumble.] Good thing I'm awesome enough to make do with just one...
[Bathing is still probably gonna take him like, twice as long though.]
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But then he grabs for the handle of his own showerhead, though he spares glances over to Dearka to make sure he's as 'awesome' here as he claims he is.
(because, well, dearka?? awesome?? hm,) ]
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