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The time is now.
He was going to fucking get it this time. Jin is sitting right there and looking serene as he reads from his spot at the university’s cafe area. The coast is clear of any obstacles that could possibly get in his way. Again. No dogs to rip into his pants, no parade to cut him off, no weird delinquents trying to pick a fight.
The universe is out to get him whenever Ragna attempts to ask the blond on an official date and he is feeling it . It has proven to be more difficult than the initial coming to terms with the fact he and Jin have been “going strong” for well over a month now. It took several confirmations from multiple friends to build up to this point. It is like the universe goes out of its way to fuck Ragna over specifically as if to say he should bark up another tree or die alone. Saya, when he expressed this frustration, gave encouraging words of wisdom: Fuck the universe back. She then proceeded with her driver’s education by nearly crashing a car when under the belief it had been in reverse.
A deep breath later, the red-jacketed man enters the building with a casual stride that is definitely not picking up in speed. His heartbeat began to rapidly pulse in his ears the shorter the gap became, hair standing on end at the rush of finally dropping the question.
Finally.
Just as he makes his final step, close enough for Jin to notice his presence and glance up through those glasses, Ragna suddenly feels the air leave his lungs. Literally thanks to a heavy mass that straight-up tackles him to the ground with a tumble.
“Tao is here for the promised reward of food, meow!”
Of course it is her. She had been one obstacle during a previous failed attempt in which he bribed her with food if she left immediately. “Tao, can you wait like ten minutes?!”
The hooded woman sinks her nails into him like a goddamn cat as he tries to get himself upright once more. “Buns for Tao now or Good Guy turns into Bad Guy, meow! Tao will die if Tao must wait any longer.”
“Dramatic much?” Yes. As a theater student, yes, she is. Ripping Tao off, he drags his gaze to Jin’s sour expression. Well, shit. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Tao must feel the ice coming from that piercing glare because her long braids whip Ragna’s face as she bounces behind him. A trimmed nail taps at the book while his lips gradually press into a firm line. “What’s going on?”
“Well.” Is this going to be it? He didn’t need a degree in psychology to know Jin is annoyed. Blatantly annoyed. “I was-”
“Good Guy is here to feed Tao all the food for being a good promise keeper, meow.”
Untrue as that is, it certainly helped in adding fuel to Jin’s souring mood. It may not be openly obvious since the guy has a certain reputation to uphold, but Ragna found there were easy tells for when he was a special kind of upset. The tiny quirk of his brow, an eerie lack of expression, and a healthy dose of cold regard behind those green hues. The tapping gradually picked up the pace before stopping altogether as if to give himself room to speak before deciding against it.
“Right.” He picks up the book and snaps it shut. It is with great dismay that Ragna watches him slide out from his seat. There goes his attempt at catching him in a good mood. “Try not to cause a scene when you go about it. You are disturbing those who are here to study or lounge when you crawl all over him.”
Ragna cringes lightly at the sharp tone. “We’ll see how long that lasts.” The poorly timed jest steps on another landmine, Jin’s jaw sets firmly while slinging his bag across his shoulder and gracefully strolling away before he can say anything else.
Fuck.
—
Redhead: :I
Me: I didn’t do anything.
Redhead: Obviously. If you had, Jin wouldn’t be in such a terrible mood and sulking.
Me: Tao snuck in on me and he left before I could even explain get off my back
With a groan, Ragna shoves his phone into the couch cushion and runs his hands over his face. The last thing he needs right now is Tsubaki ripping into him again as if she were the universe’s personal messenger. There’s nothing to say in his defense because he truly is at a loss as to how he keeps getting fucked over so hard. Didn’t help that each failure ticked off a point of respect she may hold for him- which wasn’t great to begin with and only really improved when he asked for confirmation about Jin’s feelings for him. He snatches the phone back up, Saya gliding into the dorm and stealing some of the takeout buns sitting on the counter, and taps at the screen aggressively.
Me: The hell am I supposed to do?
While Tsubaki types, Ragna lets out a deep sigh and deflates into the couch. “I thought you were practicing for tomorrow.”
The younger shrugs. “I can only take so much of Noel’s screaming at once.”
“Gave her good reason to,” he snorts, half amused as he props his head up. “Having you behind the wheel is a recipe for a heart attack. You’re lucky she is nice enough to let you use hers.”
“That is her first mistake. Why drive when everything is within walking distance?”
Her dry bluntness earns a much needed chuckle. “Good luck tomorrow. Seriously, it isn’t as hardcore as it seems so you’ll be fine.”
Redhead: Stop beating around the bush and ask him.
Me: The bush is actually a fucking wall that keeps appearing so some help would be useful thanks
“Yeah.” Rare uncertainty colors her tone. “Where is Terumi?”
“Don’t know and don’t care.” Fucker is the reason why his favorite pants were mauled by dogs. “Probably up to his usual pranks for views.”
She rolls her eyes. “Most likely.” They’ll find out by the end of the day. “He has been dodging my texts so I plan on dragging him to my dorm to actually finish his character creation for the new campaign.”
Redhead: You could meet him at the museum since no one but art students tend to be there during classes. I will escort Jin myself.
Me: If you have a team of bodyguards to keep the zone clear that could work
“How is the love quest going?”
“Do you have to say it like that?” Sigh. “Same status as before: cursed. Now Tsubaki is coming up with a plan to make it less so. In theory.”
“Have you tried-”
The front door swings open. “Yahoo, I’m back!~” The snake of a man, holding that default curled grin of his, freezes two steps in, pauses, and then spins around to leave with a whistle. Saya, having none of that, is hot on his trail.
Redhead: I’m sure Makoto and Noel would be alright with paying a visit.
Not a bad cast. He’s never had issues with them aside from Noel’s kitchen disasters. There is no plan to be even near a kitchen so this was already starting to look up given the fact all three women were extremely competent in their own rights.
Me: When can we get this done?
—
The coast is clear. No Terumi, Tao, dogs, parades, or anyone save for Tsubaki and Jin lingering about in front of the museum. Noel was surveying the perimeter under the guise of Saya’s driving instructor, Makoto doing a quick sweep of the inside.
Ragna checks his messages with clammy hands.
Noel: All good out here!
Makoto: Nothing but marble, a sleeping janitor, and squeaky floors in here. Keeping my eyes peeled for anyone tryin to jump ya.
Greenlit.
Dragging his eyes off his screen and to the chatting pair, Ragna inhales the autumn afternoon air before dipping out from behind the tree he was stationed at and making his way over with bated breath. Tsubaki, recognizing him, offers a courteous wave, prompting Jin to look over his shoulder. His heart swells at the way he perks up at his arrival, a warm and excited buzz overriding the nerves Ragna once ha-
“Wai- WATCH OUT! ”
There is zero time for the words to digest before Ragna finds himself breathless and flung backward. There is a blunt ache to the right half of his body that he can identify, groaning from his place on the ground.
The fuck happened?
Ragna rolls onto his back, arm thump ing against the hard concrete, and stares at the sky while trying to blink away the dizziness before shadow figures rush into his view.
“You just rushed out- I didn’t mean- I didn’t see -”
“Saya, b-breathe… Ragna?”
“Ragna!”
Oh. There he is.
Blinking again, Jin’s frantically distraught expression filters through the brain fog. The chattering concern of the others fades into background noise as he can’t help but admire the glow of Jin’s hair from this perspective as if he became the sun itself. At that moment, the distraction of sore limbs and dazed thoughts are lifted for Ragna to be granted a clear mind.
It is to everyone’s shock and tentative relief when the downed man reaches for Jin’s hand and stares at him with fierce conviction. “Jin. Do you want to go on a date?”
Caught between stunned disbelief, nagging concern, and overwhelming delight, Jin can’t help the breathless-bordering-wheezing laugh that comes out. The grip on Ragna’s hand tightens considerably. “ Yes , I’ll go on a date with you.”
“Finally.” Ragna relaxes, head dropping against the pavement, and directs his gaze to his dear sister and Noel. “Don’t take me to the hospital. I don’t have the money for that.”
To the dismay of the circle of friends watching on with increased concern, Ragna decides to pass out until someone has painkillers on the ready.