Chapter Text
Next Day
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Tsukasa walked down the sidewalk with a bounce in his step, today, they were apparently going to meet up at Rui’s house to practice and revise lines for their rare upcoming show at the Wonder Stage! It’s practically completely booked!
He continued in his bliss as he continued down the path, Rui had left school earlier to prepare things while Tsukasa had a hall monitor club meeting to attend, discussing the details of what to permit and what not to in the upcoming “Show & Tell!” event being put on. Just normal criteria for what students can and can’t bring.
It was also all in English! The main reason the council had arranged it at all. Because of the average grade for english low compared to other schools in Japan.
And considering the amount of students skip their english classes and all sorts, a shocking amount were participating in the event.
And now for the criteria they were given… It was something like. . . No pets or edible items—oh, and nothing that was over 7 foot tall! That was it! He’d been thinking about this a lot to remember it, since unlike other stuff this was actually important!
He came to a stop in front of Rui’s house, ringing the doorbell with his signature star smile as the door opened, Rui standing there in the familiar unfashionable sweater he’s so obsessed with along with the even more familiar grin.
“Ah, Tsukasa-kun there you are~” Rui said with a grin as Tsukasa stepped in, a smile standing brightly on his face as he absorbed his friends look.
“Yes! Why it is I, Tenma Tsukasa at your service!”
Rui giggled as he lead the blond up to his room, a weird change of scenery compared to the usual garage. Everything about this felt weirdly… Nice, maybe even sweet.
“Shall we get started then?” Rui asked as he took out a stack of white paper sheets out his draw.
“Hm? What about Emu and Nene? I’d of thought they’d be here by now!” Tsukasa said with a smile, as if he was meant to ask that.
And so Rui paused,
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“Tsukasa-kun, Emu and Nene texted in the group chat they weren’t able to come just an hour ago. They were both occupied at this time, we both agreed it’d be fine, don’t you… remember that?”
Rui had a confused—almost disturbed look on his face. Sure it could’ve been a slip up, but Tsukasa’s memory could not be that bad.
“O- oh—did they? I must’ve forgotten! Hah… hah…”
And for only a second—Rui’s face blurred to his vision. Almost like it wasn’t actually there, but Tsukasa blinked it away, it’s ok… It’s ok.
The great Tenma Tsukasa didn’t hallucinate or live in stupid fantasies after all!
“Mm, so it’ll just be us two today, is that ok Tsukasa-kun?” Rui said with a concerned tinge on his brow, Tsukasa obviously nodded.
Who would pass up the chance to be—alone…
With their best friend…
Practicing **lines…
While his parents aren’t home…
In his room…
Why Tsukasa of course! Nothing was better than hanging out with Rui!
“Ok, well since neither Emu nor Nene are here we’ll cover the climax scene, it’s something you’ve been struggling on right?”
“Yes! Let’s get too it!”
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“AUGH!” Tsukasa yelped as he flopped back into Rui’s makeshift bed, hitting his head because it was just that flat. Rui chuckled at Tsukasa’s failed attempt to dramatically fall back as he sat next to him on his shockingly flat futon.
“How do you even sleep on this thing Rui!? I can’t even do a dramatic collapse onto it!” Tsukasa whined as he rubbed the back of his head,
“Ah… I truly don’t know. After all, Morinomiya is really pushing my limits… I don’t want to get a bad back at 18…” The boy sighed as Tsukasa sat up next to him,
“Really? Even more than the Mikazukigumi troupe?”
Rui paused at that, after all their training there was nothing short of intense. While Tsukasa built a lot of muscle during his time there Rui can cringingly remember that being his worst skin and bones phase. Seriously, the muscle just avoided him like the plague.
“I mean, Morinomiya is far more intensive and controlled, you know I’m not nearly as flexible as you Tsukasa.”
“It’s nothing to do with flexibility! You were practically a sack of bones during it, and it’s not like you weren’t eating anything! Didn’t you grow to like—six foot during it??”
Rui pause before nodding, “Mhm! Never thought working out so intensively would get be to 186cm… but ah, I suppose in the end I’m still a growing boy~” Tsukasa huffed as he looked over at Rui, since yes he built no muscle—but the guy keeps on getting more and more inches over him! But then again, not that the height difference bothers Tsukasa that much.
“Hmm, but with the flexibility problem… Y’know, you could always try getting a new mattress—with all the money you spend on machine parts I’m sure you could spare a bit.” Rui chuckled before Tsukasa continued, “But in the meantime I could give you a massage! Maybe the training would be easier if your back wasn’t so knotted!”
Rui completely froze—his jaw nearly dropping. Does Tsukasa not know how that sounds? A massage—in his room—while no one’s home!? Rui was just a guy for god sakes—surely Tsukasa didn’t think he had the will power and restraint of a religious saint!?
“I—f- fufu… How scandalous Tsukasa-kun…” Rui was hoping he was joking, really and truly he did not want to believe Tsukasa was that dense.
But in all truth, he was.
Tsukasa paused in confusion for a while. Eyes racking the Rui’s expression as if trying to decipher it.
Until it hit him, ’Ah yeah, social constructs.’ he thought to himself before laughing it off. “Oh, we don’t have to if you’re not comfortable or anything.” It came out in an almost robotic tone, not that he was disappointed, maybe he just didn’t care enough to say it properly.
Haha! Well that’s just a guess, the great Tenma Tsukasa always gives his 120% after all!
“N- no it’s not that! I… I’d appreciate it, a lot…”
Tsukasa’s blank expression faded as he nodded quite happily, still a specific thought cut through the fog In his head.
’Rui never stutters.’
‘Rui never blushes.’
‘Rui never gets flustered over small things.’
But those thoughts are not important! Simply, they never will be! Thinking to hard ages you horribly after all!
“Alright! Do you wanna lie down then? Or we can sit!”
Rui paused in deep thought, his cheeks going a deeper pink as he agreed to lay down.
But first of all, obviously, he has to take his shirt off. Despite taking off your shirt being a common thing for boys, Rui’s hands were practically trembling as he unbuttoned it. Was he ashamed of something? Tsukasa had already specified they didn’t need to do this if he didn’t want to. Not to mention they’ve already practiced the scene they needed to and Tsukasa very well go home now. But why wouldn’t he want to do a good dead for his best friend?
But if he doesn’t want to do it….
“Rui, are you sure you’re okay doing this?” He asked again, Rui diverted his eyes before shaking his head, “No, no, I’m ok really—you’re right, I need it.”
Tsukasa paused for only a moment before nodding.
After Rui finally took of his shirt he turned to Tsukasa, whom was honestly quite surprised. Being all the training they do you’d expect Rui would have quite the bit of muscle…
But that is inherently not the truth.
Maybe that’s what he was ashamed of because Rui is not only pin thin, but completely flat. Of course, Rui doesn’t do as much exercise as the other 3 in their troupe by miles, but it’s still surprising to see that physique on someone 18… Tsukasa genuinely thought it was specific to boys mid puberty.
But turns out, that’s neither true.
“I- I’ll lay down…”
He did as he said, getting on the futon stomach down as he laid his head comfortably on the pillow.
‘Now, Rui’s lying down, and I therefore need to get into a position where I can massage him!’
‘Perfect! His thighs!’
He straddled his thighs as Rui made a small noise, never mind it though. He must’ve been anxious!
“Alright Rui, are you ready?”
“Y- yes… Tsukasa-kun…”
Tsukasa placed two hands on his shoulder blades before beginning to knead his back.
One things for sure, he was very knotted up. Sleeping on this futon was not giving a good effect in the slightest! His back was as good as a stiff board!
And so, as Tsukasa very firmly and tirelessly worked on Rui’s back eventually, Rui began to relax into it…
The sounds began spilling out his mouth almost unintentionally. But Tsukasa didn’t fret! These were completely normal during massages after all, it meant he was doing well! So he took it as praise!
“hhhnnng~ Tsu- Tsukasa~!” He whined into the pillow. Tsukasa internally gave kudos to himself to making Rui feel so relaxed. “H- hah~ mmm~ D- don’t stop..~”
But, after a while, Tsukasa’s hands began to get too tired to keep pace. “Rui! All done!” He declared as he got up off Rui’s thighs.
However, Rui did in fact not get up.
“Rui?”
“I- I just… hah, I just need a moment…”
Tsukasa almost tilted his head in confusion, but that would’ve been childish. So he settled on a light “Take your time!”
By ‘take your time’ he meant the nice casual phrase that is typically not meant literally.
He did not intend for Rui to lay there wounded for the next ten minutes, maybe he overdid the massage and Rui is actually hurt! Would he need ointment? Maybe cream?
Tsukasa was beginning to panic before he remembered he had the answer to all his problems in his very pocket! Google!
While it is hypocritical to use a device you claim is only for calling to, in fact, search away your problems. It must be okay if for Rui’s benefit!
And that made him check his phone, thank god he did since not only was 7:50—but his curfew’s 8:30!!!
A wave of panic immediately flooded his system since Rui’s house was anything but close to his neighbourhood! Hopefully Rui would be fine by tomorrow!
“I- Sorry Rui I really gotta run I have curfew!!” He exclaimed as Rui peeked up finally, “A- ah, yeah I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble with your parents, you should get going.”
And with Rui’s permission, he quickly waved before practically sprinting out.
⋆. 𐙚 ˚
It’s cold.
The train is cold.
For only a moment, he wished he didn’t have this—this curfew. For a moment, he wanted to stay over at Rui’s house, help him with whatever ointment or cream he needed—and sleep on a similarly flat futon.
If just for a moment—Tsukasa hated his curfew, he hated the rules, he hated staying in line with all these cues and assumptions your just supposed to make.
But.
He would never speak ill of his parents.
Tsukasa Tenma, does not speak ill of his parents.
Sure, they are a bit strict considering Tsukasa has just turned 18, but that’s ok! They surely wouldn’t want their 18 year old son coming back after hours doing god knows what! That’s perfectly valid!
And yeah, it may hurt that they have that little faith in him… That they believe he would do such awful things when left to his own devices…. But they could always give him less!
So this is fine.
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.
.
Right?
This isn’t strict—or restricting! I mean he doesn’t feel restricted or suppressed!
.
Well maybe he does but that’s not anything to worry about! It’s only natural to feel after all, the important part is making sure nobody knows! Social structures!
Tsukasa always knew that.
Social cues, social interactions, social signs, things you should and shouldn’t do, things you should and shouldn’t say, behaviour you should and shouldn’t display, feelings you should and absolutely undeniably should not show.
Its natural! Following along is the best you could do!
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Right?
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Right, best not to think too hard about it.
⋆. 𐙚 ˚