Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Every step he took, Toi felt like he was falling into another plane. This happened sometimes after he woke up--something he assumed was the product of Oshisha-sama's possession--but this had been ongoing since this morning. For the first time since they arrived at the HAMA House, Ryui wasn't paying attention to Toi's wellbeing; he was busy being harassed by Netaro. He chuckled at their banter as he sat still and ate his piece of toast. Toi was good at hiding his true feelings.

He spent his time scrolling on tweeter, eyes glazing over the trending tags. What was... Daredevil?

Pain shot behind his eyes and he squinted. He screwed his eyes tight for a moment and, once the pain fizzled away, he opened them again. Instead of the bright dining room, he was in a dim apartment.

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Toi shook his head to reorient himself. What happened? The last thing he saw was that tag and twitter and now he’s “here”, wherever that is. Was this another random side effect Oshisha-sama? He slowly walked more into the apartment, a small one bedroom apartment with barely enough space to live in. A shattered picture frame with workers celebrating. He passed by the window and there he saw a city that he distinctly has not seen

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Was this a vision? Was this even real?

He furrowed his brows imperceptibly and glanced back at the shattered picture. Nevermind location, he should divine something instead. 

He gently ran his fingers over the cracks and seams, analyzing the webbing and their interconnection. His eyes fell shut as he unraveled their secrets. He felt a steep valley and his eyes shot open. He ripped his hand backwards and clutched it to his chest. Toi took a deep breath and said a prayer before letting his hands fall to his side. *Please let me return...*

In his near future was a meeting; a meeting full of emotion. Something was interfering with his divination and he couldn't tell much else. Still, this was not auspicious. He took a few steps back into a corner and surveyed the room. They would enter right... There.

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Trying to prepare for the worst but still hoping for the best, he stayed in the apartment. Maybe, if he kept trying to just get something from that picture frame or the apartment it would lead him back home. Where he belonged. He must have arrived here for a reason after all right? 

Toi’s efforts were fruitless as the sun started to set and still nothing. The best he had gotten was a faint buzzing, a chattering of cellphone calls, and sobbing? But that still didn’t paint the full story.

He searched in the closet and bedside table but still nothing substantial (maybe other than the resident was a notable clean-freak).

But then he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Oh shit. His premonition was coming true.

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Toi took his place crouched in a hidden corner where he could spy the room and waited. His heart pounded in his ears as he heard the locks click and the door swing open. Shoes and coat came off, and he was now walking down the hallway. A migraine exploded off the side of Toi's head and he gritted his teeth, hand coming up to cradle it. He wanted to hiss and cry at the pain, but any movement could alert this man.

He wrenched his eyes open once again and, through his blotted vision, he saw the man lean against a table and clutch his own head in kind. 

Was this... An alternate version of himself? Maybe they couldn't exist in the same universe? He appraised the much taller man, but couldn't find a distinguishing feature to prove or deny his belief. His mind tried to race, but the migraine was a persistent block.

In a last ditch effort, Toi attempted to sprint further away and hide before he was discovered. He put a hand on the wall and pushed himself up, but tripped over his own foot and crashed to the ground again. He yelped in pain, slapping his hand directly onto the hardwood.

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WRITERS: salt , eggs , cherio , salt , eggs

Toi squinted his eyes as he started to wake up. All he could remember is that he had woken up into this small apartment that was distinctly not home, in a city he’s never seen before. His breath quivered- and that premonition.

He moved his arms to sit up and felt a comforter. Someone placed him on the bed after he fell? It must have been the resident of the apartment right? He turned to the closed door of the bedroom as he heard footsteps approachin.

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A quick knock on the door, then he heard a voice start talking to him.

“..Are you awake in there?”

The man’s voice sounded strained, like it was taking him effort just to talk.

Too weighed the choices he had. Clearly, the person had been kind enough to give him privacy and bedding, but how would he know it wasn’t a trap?

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Faith. This was not his time, so he responded. "Yes.." His voice was quiet. Almost too quiet. He cleared his throat and responded louder this time, pushing himself up off the mattress. "Uh, yes. I'm awake."

The door clicked open and a man shuffled in. With every step he took, the migraine flared harsher and harsher until they were both gritting their teeth with the man hovering over his bedside. The man took a deep breath and leaned against the table. Toi heard something wobble and he instinctively reached for it. Instead, he brushed hands with the man and the migraine instantly vanished. With his vision regained, he saw the man had placed a mug on the table. 

Toi started to flush and pulled his hand away, but the migraine came back again.

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Wanting to relieve that horrible pain again, Toi pulled the man’s hands into his. He didn’t pull away. 

They stayed silent for a while, simply holding each other’s hands. Simply recovering from that horrible pain they both seemed to be experiencing. The man was first to speak.

“Uh- I found you passed out on the apartment floor. Are you okay?” He spoke softly, maybe even reverently? Toi dismissed it.

“Yes, I’m fine now at least. Thank you for helping me.” He used the most soft and persuasive voice he had. Hopefully it could weasel him out of another shitty situation.

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“Ah.. I see. It was really no problem at all.” The man shuffled around in his seat, grip on his hand getting slightly tighter.

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They stayed like this, hands entwined, for a few moments longer than strangers should. Toi realized something and smiled, "My name is Toi Shiramitsu! You?"

"Uh," He cleared his throat and glanced away for a second, "Dex.." He smiled awkwardly and gave Toi's hand a firm shake. Toi chuckled and returned the shake.

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They returned to silence again before Dex cleared his throat. 

“Um, so what do you do around here?” That awkward-almost shy smile appeared again. Toi knew how to handle this. 

“Hehe, well I just do some fortune telling” He smiled inviting back at Dex, now both hands entwined with each other.

Dex looked down at their hands and back to him again.

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Where was all this going? 

Toi was brought here for a reason, and Dex must be that reason. But why? And what would their meeting entail? He couldn't quite shake the feeling their meeting hadn't *felt* like a lot. Pain wasn't an emotion, so the heightened emotions had yet to come. 

With the way Dex looked at him, cautious, yet reverent, Toi could guess where this was headed. He blushed a little, but held back a giggle. He went through the motions numerous amounts of times, but this was a first... 

He gently pulled Dex's hand, signaling he should join him on the bed. Dex hesitated before Toi scooted over and he slowly sat next to him.

"Oh," Dex said, picking up the mug he sat down earlier, "this is for you.." He handed the mug to Toi and Toi beamed, "Thank you! What's in it?"

"Peppermint tea.”

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