autumn catch-all (open)

[unchainer]

WHO: Vanitas and you!
WHAT: Catch-all with open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: There will be eventual NSFW!

cruise ship - general.

[ Vanitas' designated date from the auction is Amber, and while he can't say he's having a bad time, there are moments in which he can be caught without her around the ship.

Sampling the wine is something he's not opposed to, and he may or may not be tipsy when someone approaches. He can also be found at the buffet, squinting at a dessert dish...that looks like Tarte Tatin?? Wow, he's going to scrutinize the hell out of it. It'd better be good. ]

chocolates.

[ He's not a fan of chocolate, especially if it's too sweet. He's got zero idea about the bonus effects, too, but while he's out in town square, he idly pops a piece into his mouth.

He grimaces a bit. Too sweet, too sweet – but he starts to realize something was terribly wrong with it when he sees the next person and instinctively approaches. And then, without warning, he will pick them up bridal style. (Effort will vary depending on the individual.)

He blinks down at whoever he's just scooped up. ]

...Huh?

[ And then he'll promptly drop them. Oops. ]

wildcard.

[ I am down for anything! Tasks, Bingo, etc.! ]

Comments

[startraveler]

[The date night gives the traveler a lot to think about, but he pushes it aside for the time being, believing that he has other things that require his attention. Like when he awakes, his first thought is to head to the kitchen to make breakfast. Act normal.

The moment he shared with Vanitas remains fresh in his mind. It's a warm memory and yet he tries to push it away. He'll think about it later.]

...Ah.

[He spots his roommate in the kitchen and suddenly colour shows on his face.]

Good morning.

[He spots the package and it's almost like he's saved. It's something they can both focus on.]

...What's that?

[unchainer]

[ He looks at the color spread across Aether's face, and his cheeks start to match. He doesn't acknowledge this, though, and instead gestures at the box of chocolates on the kitchen counter. ]

They're yours. I have a box of my own, too.

[ He holds up the one addressed to him. ]

You're up early.

[startraveler]

I didn't feel like sleeping longer. There's so many things to do anyway.

[Curious, Aether walks up closer to investigate the box. He tries not to get too much into Vanitas' personal space though. There's no need to make things more awkward between them.]

Let's see...

[And he opens the box to find... chocolates inside.]

[unchainer]

[ While Aether does that, Vanitas will go ahead and start washing some dishes. It's something he wants to do, partly to just tidy up, but mostly so he can keep himself busy and not have to face Aether. He's quiet, and keeping out of Aether's personal space. ]

[startraveler]

[Aether examines the chocolates further, but they look completely normal and innocent. Maybe he should try them?]

You also got chocolates?

[Just a perfectly normal conversation.]

[unchainer]

[ He nods, and looks over to motion to his box. ]

You can have them. I don't eat dessert often.

[startraveler]

I... I was just wondering if you tried them.

[Vanitas, he won't be taking your chocolates.]

[unchainer]

No, I haven't. That's why I'm giving them to you.

[ Huff, huff! ]

Try your own first.

[startraveler]

[Awkward...]

Well, alright...

[In that case he will try one! And when he does, the chocolate again seems pretty normal, tasting nice and sweet.

...And then suddenly he feels an urge to hug someone. Since Vanitas is the closest, he is the one getting a hug.]

[unchainer]

[ Oh.

He blinks when Aether's arms wrap around him. His mind tells him to leave it and not reciprocate, but he ends up turning off the running water and gently nudges Aether off.

Then, he lets out a quiet sigh and pulls him close, against his better judgment. ]

[startraveler]

[Aether doesn't know what has gotten over him ad he suspects the chocolates. When he's nudged away he wants to apologize and try to explain his strange behaviour, but he never sees what's coming.

Instead of pushing him away, Vanitas hugs him close and Aether finds himself sinking into his embrace with ease.

They're really so hopeless, aren't they?]

[unchainer]

[ They're absolutely hopeless. Vanitas stays there for a while as his heart races in his chest. He wonders what made Aether feel compelled to do such a thing, but he's afraid to ask, fearing that these feelings he's experiencing will only multiply when he hears the reason.

He closes his eyes. Aether is warm.

He feels so hopeless. ]

[startraveler]

[Aether stays silent, soaking in the other's warmth. He enjoys their hug even if he has to wonder why Vanitas is not saying anything.]

Those chocolates are quite dangerous...

[His tone is soft and slightly amused.]

[unchainer]

...So it's the chocolate.

[ Abruptly, he pulls away and frowns. He turns away, unable to look Aether in the eye. ]

My mistake, then.

[startraveler]

[Oh no.

Aether blinks in surprise.]

Hey...

[He tries to reach to Vanitas, but he withdraws his hand.]

It's not just chocolate. [His smile turns sheepish.] You give really nice hugs, you know?

[unchainer]

[ A critical hit!

Vanitas isn't quite sure what to do with this information, so he kinda just freezes up and stares at Aether like a deer caught in headlights. Then, he clicks his teeth and grumbles to himself.

Eventually, he ends up pulling Aether in again. ]

[startraveler]

[A stifled sound escapes him when he's pulled close again and Aether smiles awkwardly for a moment longer, before shaking his head and wrapping his arms around Vanitas.]

You know that you don't have to do anything for me... right?

[He's a little worried that Vanitas is forcing himself.]

[unchainer]

I don't do anything out of obligation.

[ The opposite, actually...though maybe that's revealing too much information. He's been slipping up a lot, lately.

His cheeks grow warm, and he breathes out a quiet breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. ]

Don't be mistaken. This is indulgence for me, too.

[startraveler]

[When Vanitas says that, Aether relaxes in his embrace and presses closer, holding him tightly.]

...I'm glad you're enjoying it then.

[He really is.]

[unchainer]

[ He stays there for a while, keeping Aether close, without saying anything. His heart is pounding in his chest, and he starts to feel a little lightheaded, like nothing else really matters in this exact moment.

Vanitas pulls back a little, and raises his hand to tip Aether's chin upward. He doesn't move in for anything just yet, but he looks at the other boy contemplatively, studying his features. ]

[startraveler]

[His own hearts starts to pick up and soon he can't hear anything else other than that. His cheeks suddenly gain colour as well.]

Is there... something on my face?

[Despite saying that he's not pulling away.]

[unchainer]

No.

[ He says it quietly and makes no effort to pull back – quite the opposite, actually, with how he leans in.

His lips don't touch Aether's, but he's halfway there before he stops. His eyes flicker upward to meet Aether's, almost as if he's trying to gauge how much the other boy wants to continue. ]

[startraveler]

[The way Vanitas keeps him so close is not helping at all. Aether's heart is picking up, his face grows warmer and he's not sure if he should pull away or lean in.

He doesn't really want to pull away though. He would lie to himself if he said he didn't enjoy the kisses from their little date. The memory still lingers in his mind and so he decides not to think about it anymore. He just moves closer and lets his lips gently brush against the other's.]

[unchainer]

[ The way Aether kisses him is so gentle that it makes his heart flutter again. It's a really terrifying thing to experience, but he doesn't question it – not right now, anyway – and opts to pull Aether close again.

The sun shines through the kitchen curtains, and when Vanitas pulls away, he glances at Aether again. This time, his eyes widen at how ethereal the other looks, with the way the sunlight reflects off of Aether. He blushes before he glances away, though he keeps his arm around his roommate securely. ]

[startraveler]

[He really has to decide how to feel about this. It's so easy to fall into Vanitas' arms, to kiss him and enjoy his warmth. Clearly, there's something really wrong with Aether that he gives in to this kind of affection so easily.

He too glances away and pulls back a little, trying to think of something else to do. His hands quickly go up to fiddle with his lose hair as he brushes it with his fingers.]