bakerstreet | Hold on to sixteen as long as you can

Hold on to sixteen as long as you can

Mostly because I'm surprised we've never had this kind of meme before. We love high school AUs. We love romance. Why not combine those into a glorious mix?

Your teen years are important, formatively speaking. You're trying to find out just where you belong and what kind of person you're going to be. This already daunting task is complicated by the soul-sucking demon known as high school. If you weren't having a hard time before coming here, you certainly are now.

Add into this mixture raging hormones, and baby, you've got a misery stew cooking. But it's not all bad! Sometimes high school crushes can be sweet, and the occasional high school relationship lasts.

So whether you're too cool or distracted for romance or always on to the next good looking stud, come on down and try to navigate the romantic labyrinth that is the halls of Bakerstreet High.

HOW TO PLAY

Comment with your character and preferences. Needless to say, aging down and AUing is welcomed and probably necessary. Have fun with it! Feel free to include a short blurb about your character's Bakerstreet High self. Are they popular? The class clown? A drifter? A band geek?
Comment to others.
Use the RNG. Or not.

PROMPTS

childhood: You've known each other forever. Puberty has changed a couple of things, though.
friends to more: Best buds, right? Can you let a little crush get between you?
always there for you: You've seen the person you've liked for forever get hurt time and time again, always offering a shoulder to cry on. You should make your own move, unless you're content in the background forever.
bad boy/good girl: Or bad girl/good boy, or bad boy/good boy...there's a certain appeal.
the innocent: They're the delicate little pure flower of the school. Do you genuinely want to date them or is this a mission for corruption.
smitten puppy: You know the type. Always following the object of their adoration around. Don't you want to sweep them off their feet and show them there's other fish in the sea?
the ice queen/king: You have to defrost them.
10 things: You were challenged to ask them out or bed them, but shit got real.
never noticed anyone before: You'll never be into all this love and sex stuff. Your classmates are crazy - wait, who's that? Your face is flushing. Why?
never noticed: This person's always been there for you. You feel silly that you've never noticed.
the unattainable: Is the school's hottest cheerleader or football player really all that high above you?
follow you until you love me: It's not stalking! You just happen to be in the same place as them...all the time.
hate at first sight: You hate their guts but you can't stay away.
sudden hottie: Were they always so bangin', or did taking off their glasses or pulling down their ponytail do that much?
too shy, too blind: you're too shy to tell them how you feel. you also don't see that they clearly feel the same.
kindness counts: They were kind to you, which is a pretty big deal in high school especially if you're an outcast, and you can't help nursing an even bigger crush.
sudden attraction: You're the kind who falls instantly and hard.
always on the move: You change crushes or dates like underwear. Maybe this one is the one, though.
nerd love: Both of you are social pariahs. At least you have each other.
into older people: He or she is the kind of teen who's so mature and always dating college students or even real adults. But you can change their mind about their peers, right?
differences in social classes: One of you is popular, the other so not. Can you make it work, or will the popular part be ashamed?
opposites attract: Sometimes, the weirdos get the hottest babes.
awkward confessions: You want to get your feelings out into the open - curse your voice cracking.
asking you out: You'll totally borrow your dad's car to take them to the movies. Or here, here's your letterman jacket. Go steady?
parents don't understand: Your parents want to keep you apart or are too tragically uncool.
dates: If you have to go dutch at McDonald's, it's sad. Maybe stay-at-home dates are better.
prom: Limos, tuxes, wasted money, oh my!
slow dance: The DJ popped in that best of the 90s love songs megamix CD. Now's your chance.
sadie hawkins: The Sadie Hawkins Dance. Get your khaki pants. Oh oh oh. Girls ask the guys. It's always a surprise.
sneaking out: The most romantic times are past curfew.
detention: As the Breakfast Club taught us, it's possible to find love in a hopeless place.
experimentation: It doesn't count if it's above the belt, right? And finger definitely don't count.
over the top: You're that couple that is always on the PDA or being schloopy and goopy romantic. Don't be that couple.
first kiss: Pucker up.
first time: Is it romantic and slow or in the back of someone's car?
drunk: Drunk confessions and attempts to make passes are ill-advised.
fight: High school couple fights can be deadly. Avoid at all costs
the volatile couple: Speaking of, there's always a couple that seems to be fighting 24/7? When they're hot, they're hot, when they're cold, they're glacial.
finally together: You're the will-they-won't-they of high school, and when you get together senior year, the whole class will give you a standing ovation because FINALLY.
long term couple: When did you guys get together? Probably like middle school or something. You've always been together.
hide who you are: Unfortunately, even these days some people make it necessary for those who don't conform to the "ideals" to hide their true selves.
break up: Statistically, it was bound to fail.
after graduation: Can you guys make it work after you lose the common ground of school? This can be challenging if you're going to be living in different places.
WILDCARD

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ obvs happy to age him down! ]

( Can do a student AU of him, but I'm not opposed to teacher/student. )

(Did someone say teacher/student? Cough. Did you have thoughts for that? My eye is catching 6-smitten puppy for her end, maybe 3- always there for you like she goes to him when she gets bullied or something, 11-unattainable maybe. Perhaps sneaking out to meet him, or getting detention on purpose?)

( ooc; Well, if we want to keep Davy being all magical and shit, he does a lot of things for shits and giggles, so posing as a teacher wouldn't be out of the ordinary for him. Other than that, he pretty much doesn't have a lot of human hangups, so crossing that student/teacher boundary wouldn't be an issue. There's a bit of 41 - Hide Who You Are on his end. I'm down for the detention or sneaking out to meet him option! )

(Hi wow sorry I took so long to get back to this. I work two jobs and take classes so uh I will poof away for short periods of time because Busy.

Anyway. Magic is a good yes I love getting her involved with magic nonsense. Maybe he could tell there were some magic-wielding teens at this school and wanted to poke it with a stick? I'm thinking it depends if we wanna do them sort of starting a fling, or already along... cause detention could be where it all begins, but for sneaking out they're probably already fooling around. I think it might be fun if he sort of makes a big reveal of him being supernatural, if not his specific identity, to either scare or impress her. If you're into that.)

( Can do a student AU of him, but I'm not opposed to teacher/student. )

( Can do a student AU of him, but I'm not opposed to teacher/student. For student!Peter, I'll probably tag back from

cazimi. )

[voicetesting!]

[A lot of people saw it as a rivalry. She hated Mahiru, she wanted her dead, she was jealous of her talents that got her into her brother's class where as she was still stuck in the Reserve Course - and, to a point those things were right. But only too a point. There were a lot of times where Mahiru made her furious, but while she was easily able to lay a hand on the shitty girl that followed her around, she was never able to harm the SHSL Photographer herself. It's not like the opportunities never presented themselves. And it's not like she could just hire someone to take the annoying red head out if she wanted to! She was yakuza, after all. She was the daughter to the most powerful clan in all of Japan. All she had to do was ask and someone would go out, find Mahiru, and kill her.

But she didn't. Because, deep down, despite her jealousy and bitterness...she liked her. Really, that's what started all of these problems in the first place. She liked her, and she'd wanted to be her friend. But Mahiru was so talented. In the Photography Club, she stole the spotlight with her pictures, and everyone wanted to be her friend. Everyone was gaga over her, and that quickly picked up in the school too. How was she supposed to find time to even try and speak to her on a friendly level when everyone else was too busy shoving their noses up her ass? That's when the yelling and insulting started, because at least then this girl would pay attention to her. But things have gotten too far now.

She'd sent Sato on a wild goose chase. "I set up a trap for your beloved Koizumi! Nyehehe she'll definitely die if she runs into it, and every girl needs to go to the bathroom at some point!" Of course, as obsessed with her as she was, there was no way the girl wouldn't go and try and force her way into the Main Course campus. That left Mahiru coming to their class and ending up alone. Or somewhat alone, anyway.

Once the red head entered the empty classroom, the door closed behind her, Natsumi stepping away from the wall she'd been hiding against.]

Looking for someone?

[Mahiru almost flinches, fumbling with the covered bento she's cradling in her hands, but she holds it in, because Natsumi Kuzuryuu is decidely not worth it. It's getting hard to remember a day she wasn't in conflict with the pretty blonde yakuza. Not that Mahiru personally finds her attractive. It's just an undeniable fact that Natsumi is a good-looking girl. It's a lot harder for Mahiru to brush off such harassment from a fellow girl, but she's at least made a little progress. Still, the way she holds herself when she turns to face Natsumi is noticeably stiff.]

Um... yes?

[She knows Natsumi's trying to be cheeky, but it's the first thing she can think of to say. Straightforward answers are always the easiest.]

I came here for Yurika-chan...

[They were going to eat lunch together. Did she forget? No, not likely. She had never even been late for a meeting before. So... did something happen? Her eyes flick back to Natsumi's face. What is she being dragged into this time...?]

Where is everybody? Did you... set this up?

[She asks, but she already knows the answer. Natsumi never runs out of tricks. Mahiru has learned over the years that she's not afraid to use anything—her power, her family, her money—to get her way, no matter how underhanded it may come off to others.]

You know, if you're planning on trying anything, you won't have an alibi.

[Unless she plans to have her precious "oniichan" forge one for her, but... despite a rocky start, Mahiru feels like she's finally starting to get off on the right foot with Kuzuryuu-kun. She's confident he wouldn't just sell her out like that. ...At least not without feeling a little bad.]

Heh.

[She knows that Mahiru knows the answer to that question, and she doesn't seemed threatened at all about the lack of alibi.]

Guess luckily for me I'm not going to "try anything" huh? Jeez, Koizumi, didn't realize you were the judgemental type. Are you this charming when talking with oniichan too?

[It's easy to brush off her statements when she feels like she's the one in control. And, in this situation, she definitely is. With out her precious Sato here to protect her, there's nothing here to throw her off and take the reins.]

Don't worry. I just sent Sato off on an errand for me. She's perfectly safe. I wanted a chance to talk, just you and me.

[She clutches the bento box up near her chest, almost as if she's afraid Natsumi will snatch it clean out of her hands and rush out the door. But that seemed like it would be a little silly, even for her.]

Talk? About what?

[Alright. So she's being a little too defensive. But can you really blame her? She doesn't have any reason to think that Natsumi is up to anything good.

...Wait. There is one thing this could be about. It's something she'd really rather not think about, but knowing Natsumi, she'd probably like Mahiru to just acknowledge it outright.]

Is this... about your brother and I?

[She's caught him staring at her in class countless times this week. There was also that time he was in the corner with Souda and Komaeda, urgently whispering to them and shooting obvious glances at her the whole time. And when she tried to confront him about it, he just shrugged and waved her off as usual... but there was that look in his eyes like he knew something she didn't, and she swore she saw him hiding a smile. So obviously something's going on. And if it's what she thinks is going on... she might gag.

Her and Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu? Yeah, not happening. Not if she can help it.]

Huh?

[If there was anything going on between her brother and Mahiru, it's obvious Natsumi has no clue what it is. Her brows furrow pretty much immediately in confusion, unsure of what to think of the insinuations that could come with.]

What are you talkin' about?

[............................wait. Her expression changes from confused to slightly furious in an instant, the girl prickling with anger.]

Are you sayin' you've got your eye on him? I won't allow it! You better forget about him if that's what you're thinkin' because there's no way I'm gonna let you date him!

[For a couple of reasons...]

[Oh god. So he does like her, doesn't he? Her face scrunches up into a look of disgust as she sets her bento aside on a nearby desk. She doesn't have much of an appetite after this news. ...But at least she and Natsumi are on the same page for once? It's sort of refreshing.]

I don't want to date him! I've been trying to get him off my back for a whole week now!

[She crosses her arms in front of her chest, trying hard to stand her ground against Natsumi's fiery stare. She's not going to give up before explaining herself.]

He keeps on making eyes at me in class and talking to his friends about me...

[If you could call Souda and Komaeda his friends. Mahiru doesn't know what the deal is there and she doesn't particularly care to find out.]

I'm sick of it! So... so go ahead and tell him I'm not interested. Because it's the truth.

[The same goes for all the boys in her class. Possibly every boy on earth. She's just never seen the appeal, honestly.]

What?

[Natsumi honestly can't believe what she's hearing. Does Mahiru seriously think her brother has a crush on her? Holy shit. That'd be funny if she weren't so offended by that disgusted look on the red head's face alone, not to mention just how she's talking about it.]

For your information he doesn't want anythin' to do with you! He's got way too much on his plate to care about dumb shit like that, and even if he did he wouldn't be interested in a boring, flat chested bitch like you anyway! He's probably just talkin' about how pathetic and annoyin' you are!

[Wait, shit, she wasnt supposed to be insulting her. Fuck.]

And--what's so wrong with the idea of datin' him anyway, huh? Not that I'd ever allow it, but oniichan is probably the greatest catch a girl could get. What's your problem with him? Or are you just one of those shallow girls who only like the tall, ugly, muscle-head types, huh? I bet you are. I could totally see you datin' someone like that.

[Yes, Natsumi, continue ruining this plan of yours and shooting yourself in the foot. Great idea.]

[Mahiru nearly wants to scream. It's not unlike the way she feels around the boys in her life: tired, frustrated, worn-out... But there's a sort of life to it that she doesn't get when interacting with them. With Natsumi, it's almost like she has to respond. She can't just brush her off or let her go with a warning.]

You seriously have no idea what kind of person I am, do you? Have you even been paying any attention to me all these years?

[Well, of course she must have been, on some level, to have spent all of this time harassing her. But Mahiru wouldn't put it past someone like Natsumi to dismiss some of the intricacies of her personality in favor of creating stupidly negative generalizations.]

Someone like that would hardly be any better! He'd probably be big-mouthed and just as crass! The kind of guy who would say whatever's on his mind without thinking about how gross it might be.

[Is she talking about Nidai? She's talking about Nidai. She needs to steer back to the subject at hand.]

So then, if your brother doesn't have a crush on me, what's his problem? Because I'd sure like to know.

[Please, Natsumi. Enlighten her.]

Hah! [She has been paying attention, and she'd be insulted if...she didn't know full well that she brought that comment on herself.]

Of course I've been payin' attention! How can I not when I see your stupid fuckin' face all the time? When I have to sit around and listen to your shitty little groupie gush about you? When the whole Photography Club was constantly kissing your ass and you were the only people they'd ever talk about?

[Fingers of one hand tightening into a fist, the other points accusingly at her, with more force behind it than necessary.]

You're that quiet, modest, no nonsense type who'd like someone who could take care of themselves, is moderately nice looking, and doesn't treat you like garbage, right? You don't want anything big, you just want something nice and normal and average and safe. You don't want muscle types or assholes or free loaders or anyone like oniichan, right? Definitely not yakuza.

[Why would she want someone in the yakuza? This has been another problem stuck in her craw. They're on completely different levels. Mahiru is talented. She goes to the Main Course. She's just a regular civilian. Meanwhile there's Natsumi, who's yakuza and Reserve Course trash...]

As for him, I don't know what his problem is, but that definitely isn't it. Like I said, he's probably just talkin' shit about you. It's not like I'm in your class, y'know? How would I know? I'm his little sister, not his keeper. I just know him and trust me, he doesn't give a shit about romance.

[She stands back, arms crossing over her chest.]

[Well. That certainly isn't an inaccurate description of her type. But really... that's more of the ideal. In this school... no, in this world, it's hard to find someone who checks all of those boxes. It's not that she would just take whatever she can get, it's more that she knows which traits are most important to her and she's willing to leave some behind.

And those important traits... well, Fuyuhiko just doesn't have them. She'll leave it at that.]

Let's just put him aside for now, then.

[If he's not what they came here to talk about, then they shouldn't be lingering on him. They can return to this topic later, maybe when they have more evidence. But she's fairly sure he isn't "talking shit," as Natsumi put it. He doesn't hate her anymore (at least not that much), and even if he did, the look on his face had been far too soft to hold any malicious intent. It was more like he was... curious, somehow.]

What did you actually call me here to talk about? Because it obviously wasn't that.

[Natsumi huffs, looking away from Mahiru.]

Jeez, maybe I shouldn't even bother. If that's your reaction to that kind of subject, it's probably a pointless fuckin' conversation anyway...

[She's an idiot. Why did she think she could just call Mahiru out and try and work shit out with her? Why would that work? She's trying not to look sullen, but she's absolutely dejected now that they've been brought back to the original topic. It's just...obvious to her. The other girl is so opposed to the idea of dating her brother, who is miles better of a person than she is, so...]

Say. If it wasn't my brother, what'd your reaction be to someone from the yakuza askin' you out, huh? Would it be the same? Disgust and annoyance? Can't believe some so rude and violent and crass would consider it?

Someone... else who's a yakuza? Well...

[Well, Mahiru can only think of one other person who's a yakuza, and that person is standing right in front of her, so she takes a second to consider it.

If Natsumi asked her out... Mahiru would be shocked, to say the least. She's been a thorn in Mahiru's side for so long. Romance is just about the last thing she would expect. But... if she's being honest with herself, she doesn't mind the idea, so long as Natsumi was willing to throw her old bitterness away and foster a healthy and stable relationship. But of course, that's just hypothetical. Natsumi would never actually ask her out.

...Wait. Wait.]

Oh.

[It's a very quiet, involuntary sound, but it sounds loud in the middle of their silent classroom. Still, Mahiru isn't done yet. She swallows thickly before continuing, determined not to let the conversation end so soon. She's never seen Natsumi look so dejected before. She needs to fix that.]

I-I wouldn't be totally against it. I guess it would depend on certain things...

[Certain things like, "Is said yakuza a cute girl?"]

[Well...not being totally against it certainly fixes it. At least a little. She's honestly...surprised by that answer. Because what's the difference between her and her brother, other than her lack of talent? Well. And you know. Being a girl.]

...certain...things...like what?

[Her curiosity is clearly present in her voice, though she's trying not to show it. Trying to only spare Mahiru a side glance, as if to say she's not really that interested, because it's not like she really cares about this or anything...]

[The need for clarification makes Mahiru turn a shade redder and redirect her gaze towards her school shoes. God, why does this all have to be so humiliating...? Today was supposed to be a normal day!

...She thinks that, but she doesn't really mind at all.]

You know, stuff like... if they're willing to be civil towards me after they ask me out, a-and...

[It occurs to her, briefly, before she says it, that coming out to her biggest bully is maybe not such a great idea, but the words are out of her mouth before she can stop herself.]

...And whether or not they're a girl.

[Well. There it is. Too late to take it back now.]

[Luckily for Mahiru, she's not wrong about her assumptions. That maybe, just maybe, Natsumi is the yakuza who could be interested in her. Meaning coming out to her really isn't that big of a deal.

Though she does seem to prickle a little, even as her cheeks darken, and after a moment she mumbles out a grumpy reply.]

What kind of woman do you take me for, huh...?

[...yeah, she knows it's completely her fault for the civil comment. Of course Mahiru would worry about that whens he's been a bitch to her for basically their entire relationship. She takes a deep breath, stands up straight, and tries to ignore the fact that the heat in her cheeks is only growing.]

Look. I'm yakuza, but I'm not going to treat my girlfriend like shit because of it, okay? I know I...haven't been the nicest, but you can at least try and give me that. We take care of our own. We've got integrity and morals, and I'd be a pretty shitty fucking member if I went against those and abused her.

[And if that doesn't just spell it out for her--]

So. S-so yeah, this is me askin' you out. And I'm not gonna hunt you down or beat the shit out of you or harass you worse if you say no. I don't want you to say yes just because of who I am, or because you're scared of me...so if you are, just tell me to fuck off and I will. Got it? And if I'm not good enough, just say so. If you want to date someone with talent, like you, I get it. But...if you're okay with it, there's...there's a movie playin' in town that...sounds pretty good. My treat.

[Where all of her confidence went, she has no clue. But she couldn't get that last part out above another mumble at all, glancing away again. Even if it sounds like maybe the photographer is interested, or would agree...it's hard actually convincing herself that she's not just making a fool of herself. So the more she talked, that harder it was to continue.]

[The tiniest smile takes form on Mahiru's face, but it doesn't take long until it's stretching all the way to her cheeks.]

I... I'd be fine with that, Natsumi-chan.

[The "-chan" is new. Or rather, it's old. She hasn't referred to her with honorifics since their first year of middle school together. It feels sort of nostalgic, like old Polaroid pictures or her mother's smile.]

Because I feel like... I can definitely count on you here. So yes, I'd love to see a movie with you.

[Of course, she'll have to learn how to act civil around Satou as well, but if Mahiru and Fuyuhiko can learn how to get along, maybe there's hope for the two of them as well. Either way, it's something to bring up a bit later. She wouldn't want to spoil the mood they've got now, would she?]

And... you shouldn't feel like you're not good enough for me, honestly. My talent's really not anything fancy, anyways.

[And if being a yakuza can be considered a talent... well, that means Natsumi's talented in her own right as well, doesn't it? Just because her brother is supposedly better than her doesn't mean she's automatically worthless in comparison. Besides, Mahiru knows her photos will never live up to her mothers, so... in a way, they're almost the same.]

[Ibuki has a problem. A conundrum, if you will. It's not an uncommon one, but it's something that might throw a little wrench into the beautiful cacophony that is her life, for you see, Ibuki has developed a crush. It hit her clear out of nowhere, without rhyme or reason: one day she just went from thinking, "Gee, that Mahiru is a pretty cool chick" all the way to "I WANT TO LICK HER FACE!" in one momentous click in her head. It's weird, it's madness, it's Ibuki Mioda.

So. What to do. Clearly she can't just not do anything and pine from afar forever and ever, or at least until the infatuation passes, whichever comes first. She can't just slip her a note saying "I like you, do you like me, please check one: [] Yes [] Hell yes" either, as tempting as that is. No, this has to be done right. It has to be done in a most perfect cliche fashion, so while Ibuki doesn't write Mahiru a love note, she does write another one asking her to meet her on the school roof after class (complete with a little doodle of herself shooting fire from her mouth just to make sure Mahiru is positive about who it's from).

Whether Mahiru decides to show up or not, Ibuki is there. Pacing. Nervously. Her heart was all a-flutter on the way up to the deserted roof, but now that she's there, it's like she's awaiting her execution. She's never given a confession of romantic intent before, this is new, exciting, and hella scary, dude. What if she says no, what if she laughs in her face, what if she's so disgusted she runs over and jumps off the edge?!

The longer she waits, the worse it gets. Please, Mahiru, hurry along.]

[Ibuki is a strange girl, to put it lightly. Mahiru likes to think the two of them have grown pretty close during their time at Hope's Peak, but a lot of the time she still can't make heads or tails of the other girl's antics. But even if Mahiru isn't great at understanding the eccentricities of her classmates, she's great at wrangling them up and pulling them back down to earth, which is what her friendship with Ibuki seems to mostly consist of. Ibuki says or does something ludicrous, Mahiru sighs and tells her to calm down, Ibuki does (but only just a little), rinse, repeat. It's good, it's simple, it's consistent.

So why did Ibuki decide to call her up to the roof all of a sudden? Is something wrong? Is there something about this routine that needs to be changed? Ibuki is giving her more questions than answers, as usual.

These thoughts swarm through her head as she climbs the stairs and heaves the heavy rooftop doors open just enough to see where she's headed. She's arrived at 3:30, just as the note asked. Perfectly punctual. She peeks through the space in the doors until her eyes land on Ibuki's signature horned hairstyle. She takes that as her cue to slip through and quietly shut the door behind her.]

Ibuki-chan...? You wanted to see me, right?

[She just hopes this isn't about a new song. She didn't bring earplugs.]

[Even being left alone to her own devices for five, ten minutes is long enough for Ibuki's imagination to run completely rampant. The only way this could have ended well for her prognostication tendencies would be if Mahiru came along early, and unfortunately, she's right on time. When the door opens up, she finds Ibuki clutching at her head from the stress of the situation, pacing back and forth, growling out sounds that don't really manage to quite resemble actual words.

Once she hears the sound of the door opening, and swallows her heart back down, she wheels on her friend and falls down on her knees, practically assuming a begging position with her hands wringing together.]

M-Mahiru-chan! Please don't push Ibuki into a volcano for asking you up here, at least hear what she has to say before you jump to conclusions!

[It's the worst punishment for wasting her time and confessing her tainted love she can think of. There are volcanoes somewhere nearby, right?]

[Mahiru's first reaction fortunately does not involve any volcanoes. Instead, she's mostly just weirded out. She expected to have some of her questions answered by coming up here, but really, she should have known better. Most everything Ibuki does is confusing, so they're only a few moments into this conversation and Mahiru's already wondering if they're going to get anywhere.]

Are... you okay? I don't think there's any reason I would do... that.

[Or anything to hurt Ibuki, really. Mahiru likes to consider herself a relatively non-violent person. The worst she would inflict on someone is a slap on the wrist for misconduct, and even then she's more likely to land that hit on a boy than a girl. Especially when Ibuki is acting as pathetic as she is right now.]

Here, let's just...

[She reaches out and takes a hold of one of Ibuki's hands, pulling at it to try and get the girl up on her feet again. There's no way they can have a proper conversation like this.]

[bonus points for Felix...]

Edited 2017-08-31 05:02 (UTC)

[Senior, member of the Student Council and after school equestrian. He's not QUITE as big and scaryfaced as he'll be as an adult, but he's getting there. But those that knew him in elementary and middle school probably remember him as the shy and awkward beanpole he was- if not for his rich family he'd have faded into the background completely.

But now he's practically unapprochable, and as graduation approaches he has started distancing himself from what relationships he HAS managed.

Open to gen cr as well as shippy stuff]

[Niles knew that Xander would, eventually, be too far enough out of his reach. He hoped that wasn't the case, but as it got closer and closer, he began to realize how truly different they'd end up being. After all, Niles was the trouble maker. The one who got removed from class and thrown into detention.

Xander was the ultimate man about campus. And they're so close to graduating. He's going to go off somewhere big and Niles is... well... not.

He sighs, after school, sitting off and waiting for the bus to come. He's late from detention. He also notices Xander's car is close by. But he can't deny how foolish he'd feel just standing by it and waiting for him.

But he looks at it. Waiting for him to appear.]

[Xander wasn't blind to what was happening- of course not, since he was causing it. His father had been making Comments, and it was becoming more and more likely that he would be going to collage overseas.

There were no alternate options. He would go where Father decided. Even if he purposely trashed his grades or reputation- it wasn't like anything other then his name really mattered. So kinder to slowly phase everyone out. Niles would get frustrated and leave, eventually.

He's half relived, half disappointed to not see Niles at his car. He must have already gone home. Probably caught a ride with Leo, Corrin and Elise. Or maybe Subaki, if he prodded him enough.]

[But Niles hadn't gone yet. And when Xander appeared, he stepped out from where he was hiding, and moved towards his car.]

...You're avoiding me.

[It's a hard thing to talk about. He's used to people avoiding him. He just didn't expect it out of Xander.]

I didn't expect you to be someone to do that.

[He tenses, something like real fear on his face before he realizes who it is]

...That's not fair, Niles. I've... been busy.

Edited 2017-09-01 02:18 (UTC)

...I'm aware.

[You know who his best friend is, right?]

You have my phone number. I'm not expecting the world, Xander. Just... something.

[The way Niles looks at him... it's suffering in his eye. He's holding a lot back for the sake of not getting into an argument tonight.]

...

[he runs his hand over the top of the car, not ready to get in just yet]

Would you like to go to the stables with me?

[It's a defection, and an obvious one at that. But at the same thing the stables are very much a Family thing- ever since he first went to watch his mother ride and later introduced the sport to his siblings. ]

...I would.

[He looks at Xander. He knows this is just something he's saying so he doesn't have to push forward with Niles. But for Niles?

He just doesn't want to be alone. He slowly moves to Xander's car.]

Thanks.

[He doesn't say anything until they are on the road]

I'm sorry I haven't called. Any time that hasn't gone to school... Father has taken up. I didn't think you'd want to deal with my mood after.

[even if it's not the full story, it's not a lie either. Niles likely heard bits and pieces about their father's tempers from him and Leo... and only peices. What happened between family tended to stay there. And even better hidden was how Xander's own temper flared afterwards. In another time and place he had his training to burn it off. Here it just stewed.

... he had tried sex a few times. But while it had been very enjoyable, his own actions had scared Xander enough to put a stop to it early on]

You know I'm here to listen to anything, Xander.

[He does mean anything. That's why he likes to be here. With Xander. Because it feels like they can talk.]

I hate it more when I don't hear from you at all.

[Because he's used to being ignored or alone. And he doesn't like that. If Xander has a problem with his father's temper, Niles will listen to it. That's what he does.]

[He doesn't say anything at first, face tense]

He and I... have been talking about my graduation plans.

...And?

[This has something to do with why he's been left behind.]

He's been speaking with his schooling connections in England.

[He doesn't take his eyes off the road, but the stern look he was fighting to maintain is starting to slip, his expression falling into grief]

...So you're leaving.

[He can connect the dots. The way he looks, how he's starting to look more sad than angry. Niles can't really stay upset with him. He's still incredibly hurt by this.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hold on to sixteen as long as you can

Eren Jaeger | Shingeki no Kyojin | M/M |

Prompto Argentum | Final Fantasy XV | OTA

Gabriel Starling | OC | OTA

Djem Ahmad | OC

davy jones ( original character ) ota

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leto hawkins ( original character ) ota

peter quill ( marvel comics ) ota

myrcella baratheon | GoT modern | OTA

Mahiru Koizumi | SDR2

11 + 23

(desperately searches to find out if mahiru & sato were on first-name basis)

(SORRY DIDN'T MEAN TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT OR ANYTHING ASHDFPOIJ)

(IT'S NP I'VE HAD A NAME FOR SATO BEFORE SHE HAD A FACE)

(OKAY GOOD)

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now that i have something i can actually type on

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22 23 and maybe other things who knows???

we'll just roll with the punches

agreed please punch ibuki

pretty sure if i punch ibuki a monomi somewhere will die

Dorian Pavus | Dragon Age: Inquisition | OTA

Xander | Fire Emblem | OTA

22

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goro akechi | persona 5