Log; Yamato, Jiroh...and, of course, Luis.

[ghostboi.livejournal.com]

Date: Friday Oct. 21st <3
Rating: NC-17 for ice cream pr0n PG for talk of the illicit holding of people's hands! :O!
Summary: Yamato takes Jiroh for ice cream; attempts to keep straight faces and ridiculous amounts of adorableness ensue. This much cute should be illegal, really. :D



Jiroh stepped lightly outside of the school, relishing the feel of cool autumn air on his skin. He'd just awoken from his mandatory afternoon in-between naps nap, and he was feeling refreshed as ever. He pulled up the hood on his red sweater and tucked his hands into his jeans pockets, waiting on the steps for Yamato-sempai to arrive. He didn't notice that he'd been hopping from one foot to the other, in his anxiety. He'd wanted to talk to Yamato-sempai for a while now, because the boy felt he could be trusted. Jiroh only hoped Yamato-sempai wouldn't laugh at him; he sometimes gave the impression that everyone was just so amusing. But Jiroh knew his questions were important ones. More important than making babies or eating glue, for sure. Though it had been nice to know he wasn't going to die for his strange taste in bedtime snacks. Jiroh stuck his tongue out and tried to touch the tip of his nose to pass the time. He'd seen his brother do it, once; anything his brother could do he was positive he could. Out of the corner of his eye Jiroh saw the doors opening, and grinned happily.
”...Sempai~!”

This week was really just getting weirder and weirder, thought Yamato; it started with the catastrophic situation involving Echizen linking together several mutant powers when his own finally re-manifested themselves. From there, it had somehow led into Kirihara blowing up a trash bin in the music room (which later he had to clean up with Niou), and then the boy ending up staying the night with him only to be discovered (and misunderstood) by Tomoka the next morning. While it all kept him from being bored, at least, he was also just a touch more tired than he normally would be at this point in the week; his right hand still covered in a bandage (though the dressing was thankfully no longer necessary) and his left holding a ball of kitten that looked around alertly -- probably for Akaya.

Pushing the front door open with his shoulder (rather than further straining his hand) Yamato stepped out onto the front stoop where he was met by the energetic boy who was bouncing on the balls of his feet, looking like he could barely contain his excitement. "Jiroh-kun, I hope I didn't keep you waiting." He gave his best smile, joining the boy and urging him into walking with a gentle touch to his shoulder. "You look excited."

Jiroh jumped up and down and wiggled around a bit. "I--am so--excited!" He panted, grinning madly. Yamato kept smiling.
As they walked Jiroh stared lovingly at Luis the kitten. He wanted to reach out and pet her, but he decided it would be best to wait until they were done walking, and at the ice cream place, before he lavished the kitten with his undying affection. Oh, how Jiroh loved small animals~
Once again he found himself staring impressively up at Yamato-sempai, who was looking quite well despite his hand injury. Jiroh wanted to ask him if he could see the scab, but sometimes people got grossed out. Personally, Jiroh thought they were cool. But only scabs. Not...bleeding ones.
They had reached a long street of shops and restaurants, and wandered towards the ice cream parlour.
Jiroh opened his mouth to point out that they were almost there!...but noticed Yamato was smiling again. Jiroh had notice that quite a lot--his sempai had a habit of just...smiling, all the time, for no apparent reason. Maybe he had a good sense of humour, or maybe...he was just crazy. Jiroh wasn't quite sure which.
"Sempai," He said suddenly. "How come you're so happy all the time?"
The question immediately drew a burst of laughter from Yamato; that was certainly a question he had not been asked before – at least, not quite like that. Akaya had yelled at him for never being serious (even though he had professed he was always serious), but not being serious and being happy were not exactly the same thing, now were they? “I wouldn’t say that I’m happy all the time, Jiroh-kun, just that I don’t often have anything to be upset about. If there’s nothing to be upset about, there’s no reason to act or be upset, is there?” That sort of response might not satisfy a ten-year-old; it certainly would not satisfy most people Yamato’s own age.

Also, he had not even begun to address his passive nature; that was just how he had always been. No use in explaining inherent traits to people. “Besides, I’m surrounded by interesting people that both fascinate me and make me feel happier, so there’s no reason not to smile.” They came to the door of the parlour, and Yamato opened the door for his companion, holding it open for the boy to step through. “After you.”

Jiroh turned over his sempai's response carefully. It...sort of made sense. But then again, there was no way anyone could never be upset. Jiroh liked to think of himself as a happy person; but there were certainly days when he felt like throwing sharp things at people. He wondered if someday he could be like Yamato-sempai and take things as they came. He figured it was a good thing to aspire to. Yamato-sempai was a good role model; Jiroh knew his mommy would approve.
Yamato-sempai ushered him into the ice-cream parlour, and Jiroh bounced inside with a renewed sense of excitement. He whipped his head around and took in all the wonderful details, like the immense glass case displaying what must have been dozens of choices, to the red leather booths and stools lining the bar, and the framed antique photographs decorating the sunshine yellow walls. He dashed towards the very back of the shop, claiming for himself and his friend a secluded booth with a charming window seat for two.
He waved his hand in the air frantically, much to the amusement of the other patrons, who giggled and smiled at his antics.
"Sempai! Hey! Hey sempai! OVER HERE!" He waited for Yamato to join him, and made a point to wave at the man serving ice cream at the counter and the young couples smiling at him. Jiroh unzipped his sweater and placed it beside him, revealing his long sleeved turtleneck beneath. He fiddled with the napkin dispenser in the middle of the table as Yamato made his way over.
"Does Luis eat ice cream too?" He asked randomly. Jiroh wondered if he could share his with her. "I bet they have tuna flavour~! What do you think?"

It was not often that Yamato could walk into any store and have the attention be entirely on his companion -- well, unless Luis counted. Normally, the grinning blind man with the cat was enough to turn all the heads in the room, but there was just no competing with Jiroh's energy. It was cute, really; Luis had fixed her attention on the boy intently, her tail swishing and curling against Yamato's chest.

It was a weird sensation, but ice cream parlours, to him, smelled cold... not that cold had a particular smell, but if it did, then ice cream would smell like it. Sort of like the smell outside just before or just after a snowstorm or the first breath of autumn on the summer breeze. Even with the underlying sticky aromas of sugar and milkshakes, the strongest smell was the sharp, biting scent of cold. It reminded him of a time when he, like Jiroh, would have bounced impatiently at the counter's edge, asking his mother to read to him what all the flavours were; what they looked like, what they would taste like...

He settled across from Jiroh, setting the ball of fur on the table by the menus where she proceeded to bat at the napkin dispenser; or, more specifically, the lip of the dispenser where a small bit of napkin was folded over and taunting her.

To the question, Yamato replied, "Luis can have a little bit, but don't give her too much. It's hard for cats to digest the processed sugars we eat, so she could get sick if you give her a whole lot." One hand fell over Luis' back, soothing her fur down with a pleased purr in response. "Tuna flavour? I've heard of stranger things than that."

The room had quieted somewhat now that Jiroh was seated, though the kitten was drawing the attention of a group of high school girls seated a few tables down. Ignoring the attention, though not as oblivious to it as his eyes might have those girls believe, he asked, "Would you like for me to place our order?"

Jiroh stared in adoration as Luis tried to attack the napkins. He wondered what she dreamed about, again; he made a note to find out later.
Yamato asked him if he was ready to order, and Jiroh felt his excitement level rise again.
The daunting task of choosing a flavour was upon him. Jiroh knew this was his favourite part--deciding if he wanted to try something completely new, or if he wanted to stick to his absolute all-time favourite, vanilla. He wondered briefly what Yamato sempai wanted. Maybe he should get the same thing? After all, if he was going to be more like his idol, then he should eat the same ice cream, too.
"Um. Um. Okay! I...want...whatever you're having, sempai!" He said suddenly, leaning forward. "Just...nothing weird, okay?" He added, and gave Yamato-sempai what he hoped was one of his most serious looks.

"Nothing weird?" Another laugh bubbled out of Yamato as he scooped up Luis and went to the counter, looking over the different flavours as the kitten pressed tiny paws into the glass, leaving behind the smallest of paw prints in the frosted glass. Yamato did not take long to think on it, he already knew what he wanted.

The friendly man behind the counter was staring at Luis and she was staring at his tie. "Seeing eye cat," explained Yamato, which seemed to only further dislodge the poor clerk's understanding. "I'd like two waffle cones -- French vanilla with the strawberry topping, please." The silence stretched between the two men for a moment after that before finally the man behind the counter went to get the order, no questions asked. Luis helped Yamato find a bill that would be large enough to cover the ice cream and the tip from his wallet, and he paid, balancing kitten and two waffle cones by some small miracle.

Seating himself, Yamato passed one cone over to Jiroh and set Luis back on the table, snatching a napkin for himself that immediately was presumed to be a toy by the black kitten. "Hope you like vanilla," commented Yamato, knowing already there was simply no way to go wrong with vanilla. Or strawberries. Unless Jiroh was allergic.

"So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about Jiroh-kun?" The question was posed around a lick of ice cream and a small chuckle at Luis that had jumped to his lap to further assault the napkin.

Jiroh thanked his sempai for the ice cream and tasted it, trying not to expect the worse. After a few tastes he realized it was extremely good--and proceeded to devour it between breaths--waffle cones! Yay!
He paused to wipe his mouth--on a napkin, he realized at the last moment, and remembered not to use his sleeve (what would Yamato-sempai think of him then?).
Oh. Right. The questions. Would Yamato-sempai think he was weird? What if he started laughing? Jiroh suddenly felt scared. He wondered if maybe he shouldn't say anything. But...he'd already come all this way and sempai had treated him to ice cream so...
"It's gonna sound...weird." He began. His cone was half-finished already, and settling nicely in his stomach, but he began to feel a bit sick. This was going to turn out terribly. And sempai would hate him. Or make fun of him.
"But what does it mean when I see--I mean, when a person...when you see someone and then, all you can think about is holding their hand? And--and giving them little presents? And watching them, even if all they're doing is sleeping, or eating? What does it mean when you feel sick inside, but it's like, the good kind--I know, crazy, right? 'Cause...what does it mean? And how come you feel all warm...sometimes...and all the person did is just say hello? And, um..." Jiroh paused and inhaled shakily. His hands were cold, and he felt ashamed. This was extremely embarrassing. He hoped Yamato sempai would just forget he said anything at all.

A pause that stretched on for longer than Yamato had intended sank between the two of them until finally, with a laugh barely contained behind a smile and his ice cream, the man puzzled over how to respond as to not worry Jiroh that he was taking so long to answer for any sort of serious reason. "You're right, that sounds terribly weird. People have been trying to explain what you're talking about for countless ages and as of yet, no one has been able to pin down a good word for that experience, so we just call it 'love.'"

A lucid, peacefully smile settling back on Yamato's lips, he continued, "You have family or friends that you love, right? When they're around, you just feel happier or safe -- that's one sort of love that has its own merits. But, what you're talking about sounds like romantic love... or in the least, romantic interest." He tried to think of an example, internally chuckling at the very notion that his relationship with Kirihara could be even vaguely considered either of these things. Kirihara would just as soon throw him out a window as kiss him... but, then again, that too was an odd manifestation of love. How to explain that to Jiroh, though? It wasn't even worth trying.

"Sometimes, you just like to say this person's name because you like the way it sounds... or you find yourself thinking, 'so-and-so would really like this' when you go out shopping." Luis had calmed on the man's lap, still chewing on the napkin, but with far less energy than before. "It's completely normal -- it may feel like you're the only weirdo in the world that could possibly be acting like this, but everyone goes through it. Attraction. Love. It's normal; it's how we're able to eventually have sex and reproduce is because we were given these emotions as tools to make us desire another person. Human boys and girls go through it, too. Heck, penguin boys and girls go through it. And it scares everyone the first time -- and maybe even the second and the third and every time after. But there's nothing to worry about; and it's brave of you to ask me, Jiroh-kun."

Jiroh stared thoughtfully at his sempai for a long time after he finished, turning over his reply carefully. He'd thought it would be something like that. Jiroh wondered, again, what Yamato-sempai had done to learn all these sorts of things. Was there a class in school you had to take? Would he someday be able to understand grown-up things like Yamato-sempai did?
He didn't say anything, still trying to figure out what it really meant. Jiroh knew there was something different about him. In his mind he felt like he had the day when he'd hit his head and fallen asleep. He felt like a ten year old, of course; he wanted to play outside and roll around in the mud and take naps anywhere and everywhere. But sometimes....he wanted to do other things, things that were weird and grown-up, like...hold hands...and go on dates...and then there were the other things, like how there was suddenly hair on his legs and under his arms and growing on his chin, and sometimes he thought weird things about other people when he looked at them and it made him feely tingly, in his stomach and feet and hands. It was all so strange to him, and so utterly confusing. Sometimes he wished he could understand what he was constantly feeling--if one of these sensations was "love", like grown-ups experienced, maybe he was already halfway to understanding all the other strange things that came with it? Even so Jiroh thought, maybe, it wasn't like a deep, burning, all-consuming "love" that he felt. Maybe it was just the regular kind. More of an intense..."like"?
There were millions of other...more "personal"...questions he wanted to ask Yamato, but it was best to save them for another day, he decided. He still had one more thing to inquire about, though. Yamato had said he was brave for coming forward with his questions...so perhaps his sempai would know what to do next. He took a deep breath and tried to avoid Yamato-sempai's gaze, concentrating instead on the patterns of the floor tiles. He knew he'd lose his nerve if he looked up.
"...So do you, um, think Ryoma-kun would say yes if I asked to hold his...hand?"

That question caught Yamato off-guard; but it did not stop the sly smile from finding his lips. Jiroh fancied Echizen, it seemed. It certainly was a strange match, but what a cute first crush! Though… he was under the distinct impression that Echizen and his roommate were… “Well, that’s a tough question, Jiroh-kun. That’s what makes having these feelings so exciting.”

Sometimes Yamato wondered where he did get this stuff from – he assumed it was his mother or father that had impressed upon him this nature, but even he had to admit it was weird to be practically sparkling over the other boy’s first crush. “You see, you have to ask him yourself to know – and if you never ask, you never know. While you can’t be rejected if you don’t ask, you also might miss the chance.” He tapped a finger against his chin thoughtfully, leaning back a little in his chair. “I think you have just as good a chance as anyone at holding Echizen-kun’s hand. And he might even be impressed with your bravery in coming forward to ask.” That was a small bend in the truth; Ryoma was hardly the cuddly type unless it involved kittens. “It’s worth a shot, at least.”

With some effort, Jiroh managed to exhale the breath he was holding in. Tell Ryoma? Ask him...to...to...he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. Way too embarrassing! What if Ryoma said no? What if he thought Jiroh was being weird and ended up yelling at him?
Jiroh wondered if sempai was right, and that he did have a chance. He looked at Luis, and then at Yamato, and smiled
"Sempai~ thank you so much for your advice. But um, I think.....I think I'll wait. Or...maybe...if I ask him to hold his...hand, what would do I do next? What do people do then?"

Amusement dancing across his features, Yamato waited for the boy to puzzle over what he had said, reaching the inevitable conclusion of what would happen next. Being posed with that question, the man shook his head, finishing up the last of his ice cream. "Jiroh-kun, that is a question I don't know how to answer, because that's all up to you. But you should do whatever feels right. If you think about it too much, you'll just emasculate yourself and you could lose your nerve." As he spoke, he wiped his hands on a napkin plucked from the dispenser to his right, leaving it in a small crumple in front of him. "I'm sure it will all become clear given time." He only hoped he was being helpful.

At that juncture in time, a couple girls came over to ask if they could play with Luis, and Yamato became distracted dealing with them -- the usual amount of light flattery and impish humour while they cooed over the cat. He smiled at Jiroh, mouthing an apology.

Jiroh was disappointed that his sempai couldn't give him a real answer. He smiled at him despite feeling a bit defeated. He moved out of the way to allow one of the girls better access to Luis and busied himself with putting his sweater back on.
If he wanted to know what came after holding a boy's hand, he'd have to actually get to that stage first, he decided. The only problem was how he was going to do it.
Once the girls cleared away, Jiroh stood up abruptly.
"Sempai, I think we should go back now. I have to...." he wanted to say "talk to Ryoma", but he knew he wouldn't end up doing it. At least not for now. "...take a nap. And...Um..."
He paused, and eyed Luis and Yamato hopefully. "Don't...tell anyone okay? I mean I don't think you will anyway 'cause I trust you but, um, just don't tell...please?"

Bundling the kitting against his chest once more, Yamato made a crossing motion with his free hand over his heart. "Not a soul, Jiroh-kun." He took the lead, leaving the parlour with his student closely in tow. "Good luck with Echizen-kun; and thank you for confiding in me. I hope you feel you can talk to me any time you want." He smiled softly at the boy flanking him, slowing slightly so that they could walk two abreast.
By the time they reached the school, Jiroh was exhausted. Even with his seemingly boundless energy, his legs and body were still weak from years of inactivity in the coma. It didn’t help that he planned to fall asleep anyway, right when he returned to his room. Jiroh still felt slightly confused over his feelings for Ryoma. Yamato-sempai had encouraged him to act on them, if not only to ensure he wouldn’t miss his chance. But still…what if Ryoma thought he was weird for it? What if Ryoma really did think he was too young…? He only had one chance to ask Ryoma; after that he wouldn’t be able to do it again. Jiroh puzzled over this for some time, thinking about how he could give himself a better chance to gauge what the other boy’s reaction might be. Yamato-sempai seemed to sense he was thinking hard, and stayed politely quiet on the trip back.
The pair parted at the school entrance, Jiroh pausing only to give Yamato-sempai a firm hug around the waist to thank him for his advice and time and…ice cream. He even gave Luis a quick kiss on the head and jetted off, a plan forming fast in his mind. Instead of asking Ryoma out loud and being rejected once, he could do it over and over again…in his dreams. Ryoma wouldn’t remember them when he woke up, and Jiroh could keep trying to figure out the best way to approach the subject in any number of situations. It had to work. Jiroh knew he had no other choice.

Comments

[link621.livejournal.com]

*DIES* Oh my god. XD The end of the log. That's what Ryoma-mun meant by stalking in his dreams. I want to read the Ryoma/Jiroh log, now. (Aww, Yamato got a hug~)

[ghostboi.livejournal.com]

haha, yay! and it's a really really interesting log, no bias at all on my part~

And Yamato deserves mega hugs.

[perfect-synch.livejournal.com]

Hey you~ This was awesome. XD (And now I feel even worse for Jiroh ;_;) I'm gonna post the log... tonight, I guess, and just date it today? Hope that sounds okay~

[link621.livejournal.com]

Yamato was expressly instructed to not break any hearts. :/

Aren't they adorable? Jiroh was making me squee.

[perfect-synch.livejournal.com]

As well he shouldn't!

They are. Jiroh is wonderful~

[lobotronic.livejournal.com]

*wibbles* spankyuu. It was all Yamato-player, really. She's so good with Yamato. XDDD

Sounds perfect~!

[perfect-synch.livejournal.com]

Aww, I love both of them! :D

Posted! And... OMG, really, they're going to have to talk again. Ryoma doesn't know what's going on and he'll cool off, I promise. ;_;

[ghostboi.livejournal.com]

Hahaha...! Yes they are! ...but let's give Jiroh some time to figure out if he wants to beat up Niou or not. XD''' And I apologize if Jiroh steals Ryoma's underwear ignores him for a bit. He's rather hurt. ;_;

[perfect-synch.livejournal.com]

Yes, the poor thing. ;_; I think it won't be for a while. Ryoma tends to... stay mad for a while anyway. ::pets the poor Jiroh:: Steal angst away, little guy!

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

...ow, my brain. XD; My face - *grinning too much* and the muse is laughing at me, and Jirou, and Yamato, and Echizen, and ow. x_X THE CUTE.

[link621.livejournal.com]

*snickers* That was me for the past few days . Hee~ happy to entertain. <3 (Seriously, though, poor Jiroh. Yamato tried. :/)

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

... XD (yes, he did ^^' poor things)

[ijyanaika.livejournal.com]

XD; (Poor things?)

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

(...senpai-san, too XD')

[ooc; fishies! :D]

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

..ooc again, wtf >>; i just did that last night

[ijyanaika.livejournal.com]

*dies* I do that all the time. I accidently do that in AIM conversations just because the brackets are there. Oo;

Why do you feel sorry for Yamato? XD; He's fine. Ryoma I'd worry about.

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

XDD

No idea. XD; And, yes... but the muse says Ryoma's a big boy and can deal. 8D; /wtf

[ijyanaika.livejournal.com]

OMG. *dies* XD Yamato says he'll bring Ryoma back in one piece. <3 (And wants to know why everyone's so curious about Akaya, all the sudden and weren't when they were flirting copiously).

[phasing-knavery.livejournal.com]

Ahaha~ XD Niou says that, good. :D Thank you. But even if he weren't in one piece, it could be fun sticking him back together. (the muse says that everyone flirts, it's no big deal, but it's when that stops is the signal something's happened, one way or another XD;)

[ijyanaika.livejournal.com]

That is a very valid point. XD Even Yamato can't argue that, just sort of laugh.