You totally missed me! . . . I guess you probably didn't remember me, but deep down!
[He hugs tighter for a moment before pulling away to let him in.
It's a bigger place, different layout, and not super personalized yet; he'd only moved in a few days ago, and it's harder to decorate when you have a roommate who also needs to approve of the style, and generally doesn't. So right now it's very generic-looking, in contrast to how personalized Leon's space used to be, but it's clean and spacious and comfortable.]
. . . A lot's been goin' on. I figured—y'know, I might not see you again . . . that'd suck.
[It's probably coming someday, but he's not ready.]
...I did, I am sure of that. All memories throughout our lifetimes are etched in our souls, so I am sure it's there.
[Even if he hadn't been able to open the book to the right spot.
But it is a bigger place, a little bare compared to what he became used to when visiting Leon. But William knows that will probably change.]
I am relieved to be back though. I would hate to have deprived you of my company for over long.
[William was making a cocky joke, though he felt more embarrassed by it than usual, probably because he was at the point where he was trying to brush off his feelings less.]
[He seizes on that stupid joke to elbow William playfully as he leads him in and over to the new couch. (It's still huge. He'd insisted on that.) It's easier to react to William's cockiness than the first part, which felt . . . weird, to think about. It's such a poetic thing to drop into conversation like that—romantic, even if it's not literally you-and-me romantic or anything. It makes him feel funny to hear, and he can't decide whether to address it, even though he's had his own experience with lost memories that it brings to mind.
Maybe later. It's easier to just play along, enjoy seeing him again.]
You're so full of it! Yeah, yeah. You get any better at video games while you were gone? Probably not, huh? So I'll kick your ass this time for sure! Unless you'd rather watch something!
Whatever, man! I bet you got soft while you were gone! You want anything?
[He heads for the kitchen after waving William over to the couch to sit. The setup here is similar even if the layout and decor isn't: couch, coffee table, TV, his consoles. Every boy needs the essentials.]
Yeah, both! Which one d'you want? I can't even get away with buyin' the cheap stuff anymore, so you're in luck . . .
[He rummages around in the cabinet. He's not used to this place yet either, and eventually his voice floats out to the living room again, because it's on his mind:]
I wish I could've just magically added a bedroom to my old place, y'know? That'd have been way easier!
[Coffee it is; he takes it down and starts getting the machine going to brew it.]
We just moved down the hall, so it ain't that bad, but it's a pain in the ass havin' to get used to a whole new place! Besides . . . I dunno, I liked my last place, mostly. There was stuff about it I didn't like or I wouldn't've moved, but it was a good place!
[Yup, definitely the reaction of someone who's met Togami before. Leon snorts at the expression on William's face before ducking back into the kitchen to bring out the coffee.]
We were in the same class! We're friends . . . but I ain't surprised you look like that about it. He's an asshole! Don't even worry about saying it! Even if he heard us he wouldn't be offended.
His ideology, huh? I don't really know what you mean by that . . . you don't just mean his money, right? Ha ha! Back home, he was like, the richest guy in the world. Or one of 'em, I guess.
[He sets down his own mug and flops down next to William, kicking his feet up.]
It's not like we're buddy-buddy or anything. Ah . . . it's actually pretty complicated . . .
[He trails off, staring down at his coffee, and then finally shrugs.]
Look I—maybe someday I wanna tell you about—me an' my classmates and why it's kinda . . . I guess you should probably know. It involves all that stuff that happened at home . . . buuuut not tonight! Not when you just got back, right? I'm all about celebrating tonight! I'm not gonna drag it down with that kinda thing!
[He gathers himself and grins back up at him.]
That all sounds way worse than it is though! Actually, that stuff doesn't have a whole lot to do with me and him now, come to think of it. So it's still kinda complicated, but not in the bad way?
[And then, because he can't not say this:]
—Don't tell Kazuya if you're rich now, man, you'll never hear the end of it.
Only if you wish to tell me. The very fact that he would live you means that there is indeed history there.
[And William is burning with curiosity, because really, Togami of all people. But he doesn't want to push it and make what should be a good night too heavy.]
As always, I will listen when the time does come though. And speaking of, I do have similar things to share, but it is a bit complex for right now.
[And he sets down his coffee cup with a little clink.]
And it's not like I brought it with me, so Kaz cannot mooch anything.
[Though William wouldn't have minded indulging his friend just a little bit.]
[He sets down his own mug, leaning back and swinging one leg up over the other knee, grabbing his CereVice to page through it—whether for food, a game, or a movie or show. Handy little thing.]
Heh, good! That guy's too shameless! You can't go too soft on him, man, he'll take you for all you've got!
. . . Our school history—I dunno how much it's gotta do with us ending up like this. I mostly picked him 'cuz I didn't have many other options for guys I knew and trusted. You've already got your butler and all that, or I would've asked you, actually. Mostly, while you were gone, some crap went down with CERES and all the machines and apartments—
[He sighs, no longer really paying attention to what he's doing with his device.]
It was pretty freaky. I was already feelin' kinda weird and . . . lonely, I guess, living by myself, but then I got trapped in my apartment for a while and I couldn't even contact anyone, and—I just feel safer with someone else around! And . . . it's kinda nice, too. He'd already stayed the night a few times with me so I knew we'd probably be able to handle each other as roommates. . . . Probably.
[It's pretty different, though. But it's working out so far.]
...if I had been here though, I want you to know that you would have been welcome to stay with me. It doesn't matter that Kevin is there. He would welcome you I am sure. Though he can be a bit difficult to deal with in his own right.
[If he had known about that pastry shop visit, Leon's life would be in danger. But fortunately it was a secret. A secret Kevin's pure mind would never find out.]
But as long as you are getting along...
I guess he must not be as high and mighty as I thought if he's living with you willingly though.
I figured you wouldn't mind, but I dunno if I'm into livin' with supervision like that . . . too much like bein' back with my parents again, y'know? Not that they were very strict.
[And it's a little sore still, thinking about his family. He doesn't know if they're alive. If they are, they must know he's not, if his death really was televised. It stings.
But it still doesn't mean he's craving living with an overprotective adult or anything.]
Anyway, he's still plenty prissy and he complains constantly and all, and I dunno if he really "likes" me, buuuut . . . I dunno, we're friends? He needs someone around to help him loosen up and have a good time sometimes, if you know what I mean! To be honest, that's how I used to think of you too.
Huh, strict isn't the word I would use, but I can understand that. Once in a while, it does become a bit cloying.
[As William was becoming more of a young adult, he was beginning to chafe a little at being treated like a child, even by Kevin. But that was a personal issue.]
...you thought I needed to loosen up?
[There's a beat or two, but any potential annoyance quickly passes.]
I guess you are not wrong in that regard. I do hope you realize I actually do like you though.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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When he's pulled into the hug, William blinks for a moment, then returns it with just as much emotion.]
Oh? That desperate to see me huh?
[But he laughs, a little, not letting go quite yet.]
I am so glad that you are still here.
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[He hugs tighter for a moment before pulling away to let him in.
It's a bigger place, different layout, and not super personalized yet; he'd only moved in a few days ago, and it's harder to decorate when you have a roommate who also needs to approve of the style, and generally doesn't. So right now it's very generic-looking, in contrast to how personalized Leon's space used to be, but it's clean and spacious and comfortable.]
. . . A lot's been goin' on. I figured—y'know, I might not see you again . . . that'd suck.
[It's probably coming someday, but he's not ready.]
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[Even if he hadn't been able to open the book to the right spot.
But it is a bigger place, a little bare compared to what he became used to when visiting Leon. But William knows that will probably change.]
I am relieved to be back though. I would hate to have deprived you of my company for over long.
[William was making a cocky joke, though he felt more embarrassed by it than usual, probably because he was at the point where he was trying to brush off his feelings less.]
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Maybe later. It's easier to just play along, enjoy seeing him again.]
You're so full of it! Yeah, yeah. You get any better at video games while you were gone? Probably not, huh? So I'll kick your ass this time for sure! Unless you'd rather watch something!
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But he does sit down though, willing to fall into the easy routine of trash talking, a part of modern life he rather enjoys.]
We do not have such things in my time. But I hardly need them in order to defeat you. Like I have many, many times before.
[And will again. For sure.]
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[He heads for the kitchen after waving William over to the couch to sit. The setup here is similar even if the layout and decor isn't: couch, coffee table, TV, his consoles. Every boy needs the essentials.]
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[He leans back, feeling content for the moment.]
Do you have some tea? Or coffee?
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[He rummages around in the cabinet. He's not used to this place yet either, and eventually his voice floats out to the living room again, because it's on his mind:]
I wish I could've just magically added a bedroom to my old place, y'know? That'd have been way easier!
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But coffee then.
[He leaned in the direction of Leon's voice.]
It's an apartment, so I do not think that is possible. Is it really so bad, having to move?
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We just moved down the hall, so it ain't that bad, but it's a pain in the ass havin' to get used to a whole new place! Besides . . . I dunno, I liked my last place, mostly. There was stuff about it I didn't like or I wouldn't've moved, but it was a good place!
And picky don't even begin to cover it . . .
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[He pauses for a moment, though, thinking.]
Who is your roommate? Someone I know?
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[He pokes his head out of the kitchen to glance over towards the closed door that is Togami's room.]
I dunno if he really gets "fond" of things, though. Ha ha . . .
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[William's eyes are wide. You actually surprised him Leon. A lot.]
But I suppose he isn't one to be fond of things.
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We were in the same class! We're friends . . . but I ain't surprised you look like that about it. He's an asshole! Don't even worry about saying it! Even if he heard us he wouldn't be offended.
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[He chuckled a little, taking the cup of coffee when Leon handed it to him.]
And bad qualities aside, I can definitely admit that his ideology is admirable in it's own way.
[The old him would have admired that greatly actually. Almost blindly.]
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[He sets down his own mug and flops down next to William, kicking his feet up.]
It's not like we're buddy-buddy or anything. Ah . . . it's actually pretty complicated . . .
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[He took a few more sips of his coffee, watching Leon for a bit.]
As long as you are happy with the situation though, that's what matters. I assume you are. Or is it the bad sort of complicated?
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[He trails off, staring down at his coffee, and then finally shrugs.]
Look I—maybe someday I wanna tell you about—me an' my classmates and why it's kinda . . . I guess you should probably know. It involves all that stuff that happened at home . . . buuuut not tonight! Not when you just got back, right? I'm all about celebrating tonight! I'm not gonna drag it down with that kinda thing!
[He gathers himself and grins back up at him.]
That all sounds way worse than it is though! Actually, that stuff doesn't have a whole lot to do with me and him now, come to think of it. So it's still kinda complicated, but not in the bad way?
[And then, because he can't not say this:]
—Don't tell Kazuya if you're rich now, man, you'll never hear the end of it.
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[And William is burning with curiosity, because really, Togami of all people. But he doesn't want to push it and make what should be a good night too heavy.]
As always, I will listen when the time does come though. And speaking of, I do have similar things to share, but it is a bit complex for right now.
[And he sets down his coffee cup with a little clink.]
And it's not like I brought it with me, so Kaz cannot mooch anything.
[Though William wouldn't have minded indulging his friend just a little bit.]
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Heh, good! That guy's too shameless! You can't go too soft on him, man, he'll take you for all you've got!
. . . Our school history—I dunno how much it's gotta do with us ending up like this. I mostly picked him 'cuz I didn't have many other options for guys I knew and trusted. You've already got your butler and all that, or I would've asked you, actually. Mostly, while you were gone, some crap went down with CERES and all the machines and apartments—
[He sighs, no longer really paying attention to what he's doing with his device.]
It was pretty freaky. I was already feelin' kinda weird and . . . lonely, I guess, living by myself, but then I got trapped in my apartment for a while and I couldn't even contact anyone, and—I just feel safer with someone else around! And . . . it's kinda nice, too. He'd already stayed the night a few times with me so I knew we'd probably be able to handle each other as roommates. . . . Probably.
[It's pretty different, though. But it's working out so far.]
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[If he had known about that pastry shop visit, Leon's life would be in danger. But fortunately it was a secret. A secret Kevin's pure mind would never find out.]
But as long as you are getting along...
I guess he must not be as high and mighty as I thought if he's living with you willingly though.
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[And it's a little sore still, thinking about his family. He doesn't know if they're alive. If they are, they must know he's not, if his death really was televised. It stings.
But it still doesn't mean he's craving living with an overprotective adult or anything.]
Anyway, he's still plenty prissy and he complains constantly and all, and I dunno if he really "likes" me, buuuut . . . I dunno, we're friends? He needs someone around to help him loosen up and have a good time sometimes, if you know what I mean! To be honest, that's how I used to think of you too.
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[As William was becoming more of a young adult, he was beginning to chafe a little at being treated like a child, even by Kevin. But that was a personal issue.]
...you thought I needed to loosen up?
[There's a beat or two, but any potential annoyance quickly passes.]
I guess you are not wrong in that regard. I do hope you realize I actually do like you though.
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[He flops over against William's side to reach up and fluff obnoxiously at his hair. It feels so good to have him back. So good . . . ]
If you didn't like me you wouldn't let me do thiiiiis!
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[Oh no, the dreaded hair fluffing technique! He's trying to dodge away (not really.)]
You should be so glad! Otherwise you wouldn't have a hand!
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