since the thing perhaps is to eat flowers and not to be afraid

[irrigo]

(harmless) hanahaki meme

hanahaki (literally "vomiting flowers") is a fictional illness that began in japanese literature. most commonly, it happens in the case of unrequited love; flowers bloom in a person's lungs and their love suffocates them until it is either requited or they die. that's pretty angsty. instead, consider a world where hanahaki is a normalised inconvenience and it's never hurt anyone. flowers grow in your chest from the cultivation of love — for your friends, your family, your dog. and it's a feeling that wants to be known, so maybe you can't help spilling petals sometimes when you laugh, or sigh, or shout at someone. everyone knows what it means and it's something to be celebrated. you love. maybe you don't want to, though. maybe you chew on the petals and swallow them back, so that no one knows the feelings you're carrying around in your heart. but maybe that's not going to work forever, and sooner or later, you're going to cough those feelings up.

the short version ① hanahaki means your characters cough up flowers. plain and simple. ② it's caused by unspoken love, in any form, platonic or romantic; whether the love is requited has nothing to do with it. ③ the disease is not harmful in any way, and it's no more annoying than a persistent cough; it's treated as more symbolic magic realism here than concerned with the real life implications of coughing up flowers. ④ it's "cured" when a person expresses their love, whether the feeling is requited or not. ⑤ so basically, you can rp any everyday scenario... but now your character might have to deal with the minor nuisance of hacking up petals around the people they love. and those people are going to know what that means.

Comments

[kindandfluffy]

Ah! [Mito's brow creases in concern, and he releases Aoba's wrists from his grip.] Have you changed your mind about being alone with me after all?

I'm sorry if I teased you too much today... [He grabs Aoba again, but this time it's just to lightly take the other man's hand into his own very briefly. His expression is hopeful, warm brown eyes sparkling brightly.]

Please don't hate me, Aoba-kun~~

[bottombitch]

[ Aoba bristles. ]

Mito-san! You were going way beyond teasing! Way past that!

[ He's trying his very best to look miffed, but he's really more embarrassed at how easily he was swept up in it all more than he's mad that Mito pushed his boundaries. He's really having a hard time calling him out on it outright, and wonders where the line is drawn - when something becomes harassment - especially when it's not unwelcome so much as embarrassing. It's a debate Aoba's not prepared to get into, particularly when he's not very good at articulating where those lines are drawn in the first place. He's forever at war between what is proper and his own damn thirst. ]

...Heeh? Are you really asking me that? It's too late for you to pull that cutesy crap!

[ He pulls his hands away, letting the act of scolding the other man embolden him to action. Sliding off the counter, Aoba pushes his still very interested dick back into his pants and puts himself together again. Zips and buttons up and refastens his belt. ]

I'm going up. Don't keep me waiting, or I'll leave.

[ More like he'll lose his nerve. But he swiftly stomps up the stairs and spends most of the time it takes for him to close up shop trying to calm himself down in the mirror and splashing water on his blushing face. ]

[kindandfluffy]

I-- [Uwa- what an expression! Blinking, he let's go of Aoba's hand and allows the angry young man to fix himself up.] ...I understand, Aoba-kun.

[He's right. Mito did push his luck with the younger man quite a bit... Perhaps too much. But of course, it is just a bit difficult to take Aoba's anger too seriously considering how hard he is... as well as the fact that, despite his apparent outrage, Aoba still ended up doing exactly as told in the end. Would he still have willingly stomped up towards Mito's bedroom if he really had been turned off by anything that happened just now?

In any case, it takes only a few short minutes for Mito to lock the doors and count the cash drawer, logging it down. The rabbits have all been fed and cared for earlier in the day so that's fine; he just makes one final sweep around the store to make sure that all of the cages are locked and the rabbits are doing well before finally making his way up the steps towards the back of the store.

The upper floor of Trois Lapins is designated as Mito's living quarters, which is- aside from the shop below it- a very average place. There's a small kitchen area, the bathroom, a couple of closets... all of the basic stuff you'd expect from an average-space. It's not extravagant or anything but it is decorated pretty nicely. The style definitely seems a bit mature in some respects- though a lot of that may be in part due to bits of furniture and other items left over from back when Mito's grandmother still inhabited the place. But of course Granny has her own house now, and Mito lives here in the store that he manages alone.

Soon enough Mito arrives at his own bedroom, which is decently spacious. His bed is quite large and towards the center of it. There are several books scattered across various surfaces of the desks and shelves, most of which seem to be- as you might expect- about rabbits. Rabbit grooming, rabbit psychology, and rabbit care... But there are also significantly less serious catalogs of small bunnies in cutesy little costumes or humorous poses, among a few other interesting trinkets and memorabilia hanging around. Overall, the room is noticeably neat and tidy- while still coming across as cozy and lived-in.

He speaks as he opens the door to his room.] Thanks for being patient with me...

[bottombitch]

[ Aoba's own space is... not nearly so spacious, but it's his own. He occupies the top floor of Granny's house, has his own balcony too with a view of... the building just a few feet head of his place. He gets a sliver of the real night sky, or as much of it that isn't dimmed by city lights. It's not much, but it's his... if he stares straight up it.

But here is massive by comparison. A bathroom that's only his, a kitchenette... and a big bed which... Aoba tries like hell not to look at. He fails, of course, just like he fails to fantasize being fucked into it by the larger man with the deceptively soft continence. Despite the revelations tonight, however, even the contents of his room betray an obsession with rabbits. Their diet, their care, their wellbeing... it's really, so completely like him. It's so cute...

Is this really the same man he's fallen for? The same man who mouthed his way up his denim-clad thigh to pry open the top button of his jeans and pull the zipper down just to mouth his erection? It feels like a dream... and then he's here, proving it's not with that same, startlingly innocent and apologetic expression as he enters.

Aoba gets on his feet when he comes in and instantly goes to him. He's been restless this whole time and doesn't know what to do with himself. ]

Mito-san...

[ In the time it took for him to close up shop, Aoba seems to have simultaneously cooled off and then refocused his desire like a laser - he instantly goes to him at the door and takes his hands, pulling him in. ]

I'd say, 'don't thank me' but you weren't patient at all...

So really, you should just take responsibility!

[ Over the fact you got him so riled up, then recorded it all! How dare he... but as Aoba pulls him in, he circles around and closes the door behind him with his heel. ]

[kindandfluffy]

Ah- [He's admittedly a bit surprised to see Aoba coming straight for him. Surprised, but... relieved. Mito allows himself to be pulled in by the hands, turning to look at the younger man warmly as he closes them inside. Oh... It looks like Aoba has found his resolve.] You're not disappointed in me?

[Despite the fact that he's being 'scolded', Mito just smiles at the shorter male adoringly. Giving Aoba a moment of space was a good idea after all. Even with rabbits and other prey-animals, it's important to approach cautiously and let them know that you're coming. They're naturally used to being hunted, so if you startle them they'll run away. Accordingly, they should always be given a warning that you're approaching so that they won't get scared.

But of course, Aoba isn't a rabbit. And so the matter becomes a bit more complicated when deciding how best to approach. It's apparent now that Aoba has always been reluctant to step forward before- and when Mito made a move, Aoba backed away. Nonetheless, he's still too impatient to really want to stop here, and therin lies the difference between Aoba and "normal" prey. Given his behavior, the circumstances, and what has already been confessed, it would seem that what Aoba really wants... is to be cornered. Mito can do that for him.

Taking a moment to rid himself of his large cardigan, he places it on the back of his desk-chair nearby. The same is done for the work-apron worn over his clothes, which is simply undone and discarded on the floor as he speaks.]

....I'm sorry. I left you feeling frustrated...

[He steps forward and leans in, backing Aoba up against the surface of the door with nothing but the presence of his body. Mito hovers closely, bending a bit as he stares directly into Aoba's eyes, bracing one of his forearms against the door behind Aoba's head.] But I assure you, that's the last break you'll be getting today.

Take off your clothes.

[bottombitch]

[ Disappointed, really! This is more than he could have ever expected when he walked into the store today. Everything is moving at a blinding speed, but it's exciting and adventurous. The sort of wild ride he thought only existed in fiction. ]

N-no... not disappointed.

More like surprised. Mito-san has been so gentle until today.

[ That part hasn't changed, really. He still has a soft and warm personality, but there's a dangerous side too, it's incredibly sexy. Embarrassing too, with how bold he is, and as much as Aoba wants to hate it, he feels like he's completely under his spell. Mito crowds up on him and Aoba shrinks back against the door instinctively. He's so much bigger than he is, and those large sweaters seem to cover a harder, masculine body laying beneath. ]

Eh? My --

[ Aoba's resolve wavers. He of course knew that getting somewhere private with him would lead to this, after all, he'd been willing to do so much out in public and before the security camera. But if he's so bold where others can see, just what kind of man would he be behind closed doors? Aoba stares up into his face, startled by the abrupt order and fighting down the instinct to object. Shame blankets over him as he realizes he really can't throw up some flimsy defense to romance him a little before getting him naked because... because that's also good. Checks off yet another box on Aoba's near-limitless list of kinks. He should be disgusted with himself, and in a way he really is.

But that doesn't stop him from quietly putting his hands on his jacket and slipping it off his shoulders, then stepping out of his shoes. It's really much harder to do this with him standing so close, not just because he has little room to move around in but his staring... he feels put on display, exposed. And he's only just started. ]

...All... of them? [ He asks as he lifts a leg, bending at the knee to slip off one of the dark blue leg warmers off from his jeans. ]

[kindandfluffy]

[Not even a moment of privacy will be allotted to the unfortunate younger man, as Mito watches him begin to strip. He barely even blinks as he soaks in the sight of Aoba cutely and deliberately taking his time to comply; an obvious blush on the shorter male's cheeks. Oh my... What happened to that impressive display of bravery from just a moment ago?

He politely suppresses a more amused smile; continuing to watch Aoba through half-lidded eyes. Still offering Aoba only enough space to remove his clothes as instructed, Mito cants his head to the side, as if considering the other man's words.] ...I could still be gentle, Aoba-kun.

If that's your preference, I could be soft, sweet and patient... You don't even have to take off all of your clothes. I told you- I'm not going to force you into anything you don't like.

[Still keeping his distance, he bends down enough to let his breath fall directly against the skin of Aoba's earlobe; his tone taking on a more seductive quality.] Instead, I could take my time... gently embracing your body without ever giving you my direct touch. I could let my tongue and my fingertips tease you through your clothes, so lightly that you can barley feel anything but my heat through the fabric... You'd be trapped in a bed that smells like me for... hours, maybe? And I'd make sure you stayed hard the entire time...

Is that the kind of "gentleness" you like?

[He pulls back to look at the other man's expression again. Mito's oh-so-kind and considerate offer which may or may not have come across as more of a threat than anything else is spoken with a hint of genuine interest; an amused spark of wickedness behind his intent gaze. Yes... he's serious.] Go ahead and remain dressed if that's the case.

Honestly, it's not a bad idea...

[bottombitch]

[ He carries awkwardness around him like a weight on his shoulders, hunching under his scrutiny. Even as he rolls off the leg warmers and puts them aside, he hesitates at his belt buckle, feeling the weight of Mito's gaze.

He looks up at him, or tries to, when the other man is suddenly speaking into his ear. He's so close, it makes gooseflesh rise over his skin in a shiver he just barely suppresses. Aoba freezes, caught in the words being spoken into his ear. It's like he's pouring that sweet seduction directly into him. Words that paint an image that piques his interest but --

But that seems painfully one-sided... like torture, a gentle and too-light touch to be sufficient, with Aoba lifting his hips and his voice in a whine for more and getting none of it, with the scent of Mito filling his senses, that intoxicating smile and tone on top of that! He imagines himself helpless and desperate to touch and be touched and he claps a hand over his reddening face to hide his embarrassment. He just imagined it, and now it's spelled out all over his face.

His hands lift from his belt and slide up Mito's chest over his shirt, fingering the folds as he closes in near his neckline. ]

Don't be ridiculous... as if I really know what kinds of things I like...

[ Gentle or not, anything is fine. As long as it's with Mito, anything will do. Just so long as he can satisfy his craving for him, tell him how he feels - finally, finally. He reaches for his face, wanting to touch his beautiful skin and fluffy hair again. ]

Mito-san... [ He has to give him a straight answer, so he forces it out - even looks intently into his eyes despite the way he wants to crawl in on himself in humiliation admitting this much. He's afraid that this kind of torture would betray his desire in awful ways, where even the lightest sound or touch could set him off. ]

...I don't think I can handle... that kind of gentleness... right now.