expiationnet | festival;

[That's not what he said!!

Obviously, Mikey is teasing him though, that bright smile not dimming in the slightest as he shuffles into the room and starts digging through the wardrobe. It really is a good look on him, not that he'll say it out loud, because he's supposed to somewhat upset still. He'll... he'll just be secretly relieved and happy for him, even if it's really not that much of a secret. He wonders if Dazai's whole 'give people second chances as long as they're trying to do better' applies now. Probably.

Scott continues to hover nearby, watching Mikey as he digs through Shinichiro's belongings.]

Yeah, I'm still upset. [He confirms, but the mutant doesn't leave at that, sighing lightly even as Mikey starts placing the yukatas on the bed. They look nice, although he might just ask his friend to choose one for him. Hard to pick a color when everything's red. Although honestly, the festival stuff has kind of shifted to the back of his mind, focused on his friendship with the biker.]

But... I don't want to avoid you, Mikey. [Especially if Yu is really trying to move forward in his own way. He told the other teen that he doesn't want to avoid Mikey and it's clear Yu has taken that same path. If he's managed, so can Scott.]

Yeah, I know, but you're trying not to be.

(seems like they're talking now, so manjiro gives the yukata work a little break. no space on the bed means he gets to sit on the floor, tapping the space before him to invite the other boy to join him.

a gentle laugh comes out of him, and it's more of disbelief than anything else - it's not the first time he hears something like this, and he thinks it won't be the last.)

For some reason? People always come around for me. I don't think I'm worth it, but I can't stop being thankful.

[He accepts the invitation easily enough, plopping himself in front of Mikey and sitting cross-legged in front of him. Scott doesn't look 100% comfortable, but he seems like he at least wants to have this conversation now. He's had time to think since their last conversation, not to mention that he's spoken to Yu, so... no point avoiding this. He doesn't want to avoid it, not if he's going to continue hanging out with Mikey. Maybe the other teen could ignore it, but for Scott, it would just be a cloud hanging over their heads.

He can do this. It's just sorting out his stupid feelings.

Still, he snorts hearing Mikey's comment. Dude's still surprised by that?]

Because you're... [Good? Maybe not the thing he really wants to say after Mikey kicked him and choked Yu. Not to mention being a former biker probably still meant that he did some crappy things. So, what does Scott say? He thinks back on the times Mikey has hung out with him, remembering how he helped out and-- guess that's the answer, isn't it? At least Scott's.

He sighs lightly, hands folded in his lap as he looks at him. He's not sure if Mikey needs to hear this.]

You are worth it. You've helped me with my shit multiple times in the past. Hard to just brush that away. [It really is talking about feelings time, huh? Somehow, he's kind of gotten used to it since coming here. Between all the emotional outbursts of his own and listening to others... yeah. Scott Summers, bona fide expert or whatever, even if he's not.]

I don't think I'm the one who gets to decide how you feel, so if you think that, then you think that and it's your choice n' all.

(kotone said as much, and he agrees. nobody could tell mikey shit, so he gets that stubbornness that arises from the boy. either way, what a sore point that scott stumbled upon. the large irises, black and hollow, scan the room they are in - the reason why he had that curse is remembered by him in each turn and corner. he could never blame shinichiro for it, he did it out of love, out of yearning.

he respects it.

he also doesn't think he was worth it, much less all that takemichi went through, even less what his friends here are. his eyes eventually fall back onto the boy in front of him, and there's a sigh. the fact is, better doesn't mean perfect. talking is never going to be his strong point, he can't develop too much feeling through it, but he will at least be honest. he owes scot that much.)

Listen, Summers, I... Everyone went to great lengths for me, always, all the time, here and at home, in every possible timeline. I've messed up everywhere, but at home, the only person who knows everything I have done is Takemitchy, who never really cared about how horrible I can be. I worked so hard to make sure everyone would be okay - but here, I have to face things I haven't had to think about in a long while.

I don't know how to make it better with everyone. I can only try. I don't think I am worth all this fucking trouble, but if you think I am, all I can do is honor it.

Edited 2024-07-10 17:53 (UTC)

Good, because I don't feel like arguing about that.

[He is grateful for that, honestly. He really didn't want to spend the next few minutes trying to reinforce his point. Although they're already heading to Big Emotion Talk, it's nice not needing to defend his position and feelings on that. Mikey will just have to accept that Scott cares, even if he did shitty things. ~~It definitely helps that he still doesn't know that he actually killed Yu.~~

He wants to say he's surprised that Mikey has such little regard for himself, but he remembers that other conversation he had with him, where Mikey admitted that didn't really live for his own future. It felt familiar in a heartachingly way. Still, his ruby shades meets those large irises unflinchingly.]

A good start is not kicking me in the fucking face again. [He snorts, but also, yeah, Mikey better not.] ...Look, an asshole told me once before that as long as you're trying your hardest to do better, be better, then you should be given that chance. I'd be surprised if you knew what to do immediately anyway.

[Granted, that was also paired with Dazai pretending to abandon him and making Scott feel all kinds of bad ways, but don't worry about that. The point was made loud and clear, nearly seared into his mind. Truly a lesson he'd never forget.] I'm not excusing the crap that happened though, so don't worry about that. I'm not Takemitchy either.

I could bite you if I ever need to fight you, probably would do a hella less damage.

(trying a humor, but it's hard to guarantee anything. how many times have things happened beyond their control? how many incidents, how many fights, how many distortions has he ever seen? scott might be the next one to lose control, it'd not be the first time it happens to someone in this land.

the last point does have him sniggering, because actually? who even is takemichi if not takemichi himself?)

Yeah. I can't tell you all how to feel, is all. We'll see how things go, you can take your time through it.

... And his name is Takemichi, actually. I just call him like that, and then everyone in ToMan does, too. Cute that you do. I'll miss him here.

Just punch me man, even if it'd hurt more. It's about pride at that point.

[Also, Mikey sinking his teeth into his arm sounds pretty painful!! Or wherever else. Nope, he's not putting any more thought into that because really, he doesn't want to fight the other teen again. Maybe it will happen at some point because of some other crap in this world, but Scott isn't going to think about it right now. He just doesn't want to. It's already a struggle dealing with his current feelings.

He's grateful that Mikey is letting him take his time though. Giving him space when he needs it or being there when Scott seeks him out. Mikey's always been pretty cognizant about crap like that though, huh? It's one thing that he used to really admire about him. Maybe still does.]

Oh, right. [He acknowledges almost awkwardly, nodding a little. If Mikey doesn't mind, he doesn't mind... and guess the other teen isn't here to clarify what he wants.]

Yeah, he was a good friend. [Not that Mikey needs that reassurance, but.] And look, you haven't pushed me away forever.

My punches are worse, though.

(mmmm, are they? not really. but he wants to laugh at that, to prefer to be punched rather than bitten.

naturally, he wishes things could go back to normal. part of him knows this place will put them in the same place manjiro had been - perhaps differently, but it seems like loss of control is a given. he just hopes they deal with it better than manjiro has.

he figures that's the issue, at least.)

He's... Definitely one of the biggest loves of my life. Along with Kenchin, Baji, and... Yuchin. I wish you spent more time with him, he's this beacon of hope that just never quits. We need him around.

(we - as in aldrip. someone who can scream, cry, and show up either way, knowing fully well he will succeed - somehow.)

Yeah, we actually have him to thank for that, too.

Edited 2024-07-20 20:54 (UTC)

[If Scott's surprised to hear Mikey openly declare Takemichi as one of his biggest loves in his life, he doesn't show it. Mostly because he's not surprised in the first place. It's not like he's unaware that his friend is gay and it's always been apparent that him and the disappeared biker were extremely close. He'll never forget the time Takemichi reached out to him about Mikey's curse and everything.

...He would say that it's upsetting that the teen isn't here to see Mikey now, but he's going to be okay with him in their actual world.]

Maybe you should start following in his footsteps.

[Be a beacon of hope and stuff. Scott doesn't think it's impossible for Mikey-- this Mikey.]

I actually have. He's been fighting for a better future with me since we came back to freaking '98.

(and he knows scott too well. it's actually very fun to him per se to give him some panic, to make him choke a little because mikey can't help but be too blunt.

so. might as well bring that back, just for old time's sake.)

Unfortunately, too straight, kinda like you. I've only managed a kiss here before he left. No chance for me when I'm back home, boo.

[Time travel stuff is so confusing. Scott's really trying to follow everything Mikey's told him because it's really important stuff, but at least he can always remember that things turned out (mostly) okay for him. As long as that holds true, he's fine hearing the weird time loops and stuff or whatever strange sequence of events that led Mikey to be like this now.

There's a moment where he feels good about stuff again and then--]

What the fuck???

[Scott just immediately responds, a flush rising to his cheeks because he was not expecting Mikey to just come out and say something like that! Good thing he wasn't drinking anything or else all of that liquid would be on his friend right now.]

(and immediately, manjiro falls to the floor in laughter, holding his stomach as he lets the giggles and chuckles leave him. it's always so funny - scott, claude. too reserved, and it makes his gremlin self come out immediately.)

What, the -- kiss part, or the fact he's getting married to a girl sometime? Both true. God-- I think I got laughing cramps--.

[It takes a lot of self-restraint not to kick the laughing teen in front of him. This stupid asshole-- Scott doesn't stop himself from huffing slightly, that flush still present across his cheeks as Mikey yaps about stupid shit.]

The fact that you're the stupidest person I've ever met.

WAIT.

(the way he sits up is almost theatrical, big hollow eyes staring at scott before he blurts out.)

Holy shit, I've kissed you too!

(now it's like gears turn. he's counting with his fingers, index pressing against each as he mutters a name. 'yu, yosuke, takemichi, claude, minato, scott--'

and his hands go to his lips.)

Damn. I've been around.

[How did the conversation become something like this?? Not the worst thing, granted, but also. God this asshole.]

Because of a mistletoe!

[That came off a little more defensive. But also. He's just a little embarrassed because that kiss was kind of nice?? Kotone said it was okay if they had fun during that time and that was complicated in itself. ...But seriously, Mikey even kissed Minato?? He heard that muttering.]

I don't think I'll fully get it, but whatever, you do you man. [Less about kissing dudes, but the whole being with multiple people at once.]

Still counts!

(oh my god he is having too much fun, because he knows scott is dying inside. he just knows too much about his friend.)

What don't you fully get?

[There's a small shrug from Scott, trying to act nonchalant about all this. It really doesn't bother him, but he honestly doesn't understand the need or want to have a relationship with more than one person.]

Just the dating multiple guys at once, I guess. [He shrugs, one shoulder lifting as he flicks some imaginary lint off his pants.] I mean, I'm just happy with Kotone. I really don't need another person, not in that way.

[She makes him so happy just on her own.]

Ah, yeah. That part. I was going to tell you to not knock it before you try it.

(hehehehe.)

I think that's the most common, though. For me... They are all different loves, they mean different things, they make me feel differently in their own way, but none is more or less important than the other, if that makes any sense.

[There's a side-eye happening behind his shades. It's somehow apparent, despite the glasses covering his face. It's just the strong, or Scott's has gotten really good at making that face towards his friends. There's a reason why he's so practiced with it.]

Yeah, I guess I understand. [Scott's trying, he really is.] But... don't you still love one person more than everyone else?

(he senses it in his soul, and it does pull another chuckle from him. does he seem much happier than the past few weeks? definitely. time is doing miracles, that is.)

Nope. I can't love like that, I guess. That would mean I love everyone else less - that couldn't be further from the truth.

[Maybe long time ago, he would've said that's bullshit, but he trusts Mikey's word in this. He can see the biker loving his uhh... boyfriends the same amount or just in different but equal ways. Yu is probably just as important to him as like Takemichi.

Although, he wonders how Yosuke fits in all this, or possibly even Minato?? Or Claude?? He doesn't need to know all the details.]

Guess it's just harder for me. [Scott admits with the smallest of smiles.] Like... I can't imagine loving anyone as much as I love Kotone.

I mean, that's normal. I'm just... Like this. Even if someone I love loves someone else, that's fine, too. Takemitchy has been trying to get married forever now. He's going to leave me lonely, but I'm happy about it.

(it is what it is. to love is to love, not to own, to him. he's always been like this, giving all of himself, taking all, but accepting when needed. he couldn't understand living any other way.)

[Honestly, Scott feels like it's more common for people to love multiple people, at least in Aldrip. Maybe it's just a lot of friends are like this, like Mikey and Yu. Possibly Minato now?? But...]

You're really going to be okay with that? Takemichi leaving you? [Even if he has Yu and others still.]

Yeah, he did sacrifice enough for me, didn't he? Least I can do is send him off well.

(hina-chan will take great care of him. she's always done so, so really, he can see takemichi being extremely well-taken care of. much better than if mikey were to do that himself.)

I didn't tell you, did I? His girl was the one who told me he time-travels.

(he shouldn't upset scott, but perhaps knowing everything is fine now might give him some comfort, so he'll just tell him.)

Before I came to Aldrip, Kisaki hit my sister in the head with a baseball bat. I was taking her to the hospital when I ended up here. She didn't make the trip, and me and Kenchin were fucked in the head over it. We were supposed to go to war that day, so that's why they targeted her, to take me out of commission. Hina-chan came to see us because Takemichi had followed up with the war, and she was scared, so she told us everything.

She's sincerely the toughest I've ever seen. We took her to the war with us and everything, she didn't fight, but man, she didn't even flinch. She has pastel pink hair and strawberry print dresses. She's great. He's in good hands.

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