bootyhunter | CALL ME OUT

[Hagakure does keep his attention on Dandy, skeptical but otherwise willing to listen...until he's completely drowned in that shade. He's so taken aback that he legitimately has no rebuttal prepared, so he opts for the very smooth comeback of letting out an aggravated sigh and turning onto his side away from Dandy.

Yeah, Dandy hit the nail right on the head and Hagakure is far too ashamed to admit it.]

Now you're comparin' me to her? Ugh.

[Totally dodging the fact that he knows exactly what Dandy meant by pointing out his envy.]

Theoretically speakin'? Yeah.

[This is perfect.

Dandy rolls over onto his side as well, once again latching his top leg around the other's body, this time opting to wrap his arms around the other fellow, too. It's clear from the stupid grin on Dandy's face that he's enjoying the theatrics of all of this. And if this means some spilled fries, so be it.]

So I am! What about it, baby?

Does it drive you wild? Clearly it's stirrin' up some kinda stink in there.

Tell me the truth!

[Hagakure's gotten used to these more intimate positions so Dandy snuggling up to him doesn't rattle him or anything. His words, though... Ugh!!! He's glad Dandy can't see his own embarrassed expression.

He squeezes his eyes shut and angrily breathes out:]

What if it does, huh?

[He speaks quickly, like he's ashamed to even be saying this and wants to get it out as soon as possible.]

That's like, your thing, though! It's stupid of me to be this much of a baby over it!

[He's definitely more annoyed at himself than he is at Dandy.]

No.

[For some reason, that seems to hurt Dandy too.

He doesn't let go, though.]

No, it's not.

I'm old as shit and that stuff still grinds my loosey-goosey gears.

What if I wanna feel like you've got some kinda ownership over me?

Is that really so hard to believe?

[Hagakure's startled into a bout of silence. He can't even find it in him to make a quip about how Dandy isn't that old (...right?)]

W-Well, no... [When he finally does find his words again, they're stammered out. He takes a breath to settle down a little, but he still sounds unsure of himself.] I just...didn't want you to think I'm crazy possessive or something.

[He's so new to this and it shows. It's such a thin line to walk and he can't ever seem to figure out if he's edging on the correct side.]

[The pain in Dandy's expression dissolves, and the crinkle betwixt his brows relaxes.]

Y'know, I tried bein' cool about all of that? For the same reason as you! Before.

And it really bit me in the ass.

It's okay for you to get mad, y'know. 'Specially if it's at me.

[Oh.

Well, that's rare. There's definitely a twinge of self loathing mixed in there.]

That doesn't mean I'm gonna love you any less.

Knowin' me? It'll only make it worse.

Edited 2022-07-22 05:35 (UTC)

[He listens quietly to this, genuinely taking it to heart. In a lot of ways, Dandy's been a mentor for him when it comes to romance, so this is really good for him to hear.

But that doesn't mean he likes all of what he's hearing.

He sets the bag of fries aside and reaches for one of Dandy's hands for him to put one of his own over.]

I don't wanna be mad at you, though. That's why I left. [That's not all of it. He sighs and shakes his head.] But I get how that's not really helpin' either.

[There's no communication in running away.]

I know you were just trying to help- that's why I felt so dumb gettin' jealous about it. But I did. You doin' your thing with other people just feels weird now.

Ew! Your hands are majorly oily, Greaseball.

[And yet he is going to to interlace his own fingers with them anyway.

The bed smells of fast food. In all fairness, that doesn't bother Dandy.]

Oh, whoa.

Does it now?

Well, you do know how I taste.

[He says that so casually, it's infuriating.]

Do ya think that could have somethin' to do with it?

[That little quip goes a long way to ease some of the tension in the air, and Hagakure lets out a light laugh.]

Sorry, I forgot to bring some napkins with me.

[But he settles into the nice little hand-holding sesh...for the briefest of moments. Because Dandy makes him choke a little almost immediately after.]

Well, yeah. But that's like, one of the smaller reasons.

[How can he put this...]

We've...given ourselves to each other, y'know? Body, heart 'n' soul. And I know Lady Icky's not gonna come between any of that, but like, speakin' broadly here... I really do want you to just be mine, like I'm yours.

This is gonna sound weird, but I kinda like that you're a bit of a slob.

I guess I'm really into cleanin' up after ya. Go figure.

[Dandy nudges his nose into Hagakure's back, or whatever he can feel of it. They're such simple words, but they hit hard.

He's wanted to hear something, anything, like that for such a long time.]

Hate to break it to ya, babe, but I'm a natural-born flirt.

When I busted outta whatever cavity I was first thrust out of, I probably tried to kiss whoever it was who delivered me.

[He snorts. That was supposed to be a joke... But it could also be the truth, who knows.]

But I'll try and do better. For you.

So, when I'm sayin' sorry, what'll it be? Chocolate? Cigarettes?

[None of these sound particularly like Hagakure, so he's clearly listing things off by memory.

Until the next one, that is.]

Sex?

How do I do right by you when I've done wrong, baby?

[Hagakure's not quite sure how to respond to that first bit. It's embarrassing, obviously, and he'd like to object to say Dandy's one to talk, but that was more of an affectionate dig, right? And if he really stops and thinks on it, he...does like being cleaned up after...

A brief memory of their first night together crosses his mind, and though Dandy can't see it, he breaks into a smile over it.

In regard to Dandy's affinity for flirting...]

Believe me, I've noticed, and that's why I tried not to get too miffed by the whole thing. 'm not gonna blow a gasket every time you do it without thinkin'. I'd be kind of a hypocrite if I did, considerin' that's how you worked your way into my head.

[He's not expecting things to change overnight either- or whatever semblance of a day and night cycle this place has. From Hagakure's understanding, it's been a long, long time since Dandy had a serious partner. It's going to take some adjusting on both of their parts.

Dandy wanting to apologize is a nice first step at least.]

You've already done so much for me, Dee, you don't gotta...

[You know what, he shouldn't brush this off when his boyfriend is genuinely trying here.]

Well, I'd never say no to sex.

[He'd gotten the sense that they might have been heading in that direction when Dandy first arrived, but understandably, Dandy needed some much-deserved rest first.]

Oh yeah?

[Dandy smiles on his end. This is a melancholy sort of conversation, but oddly, a lot more hopeful than all of the others ones he's had. He laughs without opening his mouth, the sound deep and strangely mature, reverberating within his throat.

They are so close, Hagakure just might feel it.]

Well, then this is an easy fix!

[His tone is light. Dandy's still hiding some unresolved anguish on his end. He'll get to it in due time.]

Make my jaw hurt. Hell, pull my hair! I'll even put on a little show if you really wanna watch me suffer.

[Ouch.

Dandy doesn't seem to realize that, despite being glib and cheerful about the words that are coming out of his mouth that...

Some of that may be bad, actually.]

[Yeah, that... That doesn't fly with Hagakure so well.

He doesn't quite turn all the way around, but he shifts enough to look over his shoulder.]

Hey, c'mon now. I don't want you to suffer. You've had enough of that, don'tcha think?

[He still hasn't worked up the courage to ask what actually happened to Dandy when he died, but he knows it had to have been horrible. He's never seen the other man so completely drained like he was when he arrived.]

I just...want to be with you.

[That reply leaves him with so much confusion, he doesn't know where to start.

On one hand, Dandy is happy, elated. Ecstatic, even. Somebody's finally come along in the vast expanse of time that Space Dandy has been combing his pompadour, on the hunt for rare aliens... And searching for companionship. The kind of relationship that goes deeper than skin to skin contact and big hair, that isn't just stylish on the outside and empty within.

For Dandy, falling in love and staying in it is easy. He's struggled with the reasons as to why.

They're all fuzzy.]

You're always so damn nice to me.

["I can't remember how that feels."]

There's no need for you to be jealous. Of her, or... Anybody, babe. Baby, I...

You know when you left? The last time.

I've never done that for nobody. Let someone... Touch me?

[He almost says use, but that wouldn't be fair.

Especially when he had wanted it so badly.]

The way you did. Put me in that kinda position, I...

Of course, knowin' everything that happened to ya, it tore me up! There's no denyin' that...

But I was so mad. We messed around and y-

[Here, he stops himself.

He's already said too much.]

It's so stupid.

I can't even finish the thought.

[If Dandy won't finish that thought, then Hagakure will.]

We messed around and I left without you.

[Like Dandy, it hasn't left Hagakure's mind either.

This time he really does turn all the way around, still holding onto Dandy's hand as he does. When he faces the other man, the shame on his face is very much apparent.]

I had no idea that you'd given me something you've never given to anyone else. I figured that...y'know, you'd seen and done it all. [He gives Dandy's hand a squeeze.] But that didn't make it any less special to me, even though I didn't realize how special it really was. Still, now that I look back on it, I really took it all for granted.

[...]

I never intended to leave you there. I got up that night thinkin' I'd be back before the morning. I was the stupid one, not you. I shoulda never done it in the first place. I woulda never put you through what I did.

[Truly, he feels like he has so much more to make up to Dandy than the other way around. Though...he hasn't quite pieced together that maybe he wasn't the only jealous one here.]

Well, sure, but...

[He appreciates the kindness.

But he needs to air it all out, otherwise things are gonna fester.]

You're forgetting somethin' important.

[He allows there to be some space before he delivers the killing blow.]

You left me and went out to pal around with some other guy.

I told you, didn't I? I'm the jealous type.

Which I've got my reasons for.

Edited (SORRY MISREAD ON MY PHONE) 2022-07-22 18:13 (UTC)

...oh.

[He blurts it out like he's finally connected the dots and solved the mystery, except he didn't solve shit because Dandy spelled out the answer plain and simple.]

Dee, that's--!

[But he cuts himself off before he can go through with his kneejerk reaction. Being overtly defensive isn't going to solve anything.

So he takes a deep breath, looks into Dandy's eyes, and starts over. This time, he speaks earnestly.]

Jase is my friend and nothing more. Seriously, like...we've got a lot in common, but there's nothing like that between us. He wanted to go play some games and asked me to come along so he wasn't hangin' out there alone. Buddy system 'n' all that.

Lookin' back on it, though...how were you supposed to know any of that?

[He closes his eyes for a moment as the guilt creeps back into his voice.]

I shoulda woke you up, said what I was doin'...invite you along, even. I genuinely wasn't thinkin' about those kinda implications at the time, and that's on me.

[Dandy tilts his head, just barely. He can't do much moving on account of how close they are, but that's quite alright.]

Don't worry about it, babe.

'S water under the bridge.

I'm glad we talked it all out.

[He sounds a little robotic in his delivery, on account of being so tired. Honestly, he's relieved. That went over way better than he thought it could.]

I s'pose I should tell ya the whole truth. Or, what I know of it, at least.

[What he can actually remember, he means.]

My last girl dumped me for another guy.

Worst part is, I saw it all comin' 'n stayed. Anyway!

Right up until she told me she was leavin'. We screwed around that night, too! Just before.

Didn't feel right, though. Not like any of the times I was with you.

[He wants to feel relieved that he got his point across, but he's worried for a moment that Dandy isn't completely convinced...though he finds out the real reason for it just a moment later.

This isn't the first time that Dandy's talked about one of his exes, but there's a certain gravity to this story that the others didn't have. While this is Hagakure's first relationship and he can't begin to imagine what such an experience is like, it's hard to miss the similarities of Dandy's last night with this woman and his (unintended) last night with Hagakure. Where the similarities cease, however...that really hits Hagakure hard.

It only felt right...with him?

It's his turn to slide his arms around Dandy now.]

I'm so sorry, Dee. [That apology could apply to so many things right now, and honestly it does.] I'm sorry you had to go through that, and that I put you through somethin' similar here.

But I want to tell you again, 'cause it bears repeatin'... I made a promise to you that I'm never gonna leave you, not like that or ever again.

[His gaze is achingly sincere as he looks his boyfriend in the eyes.]

I really mean it.

[Dandy's face changes for the umpteenth time, only this time, he smiles with a warmth that's unmatched. It's hard to describe, especially with everyone's spiritual resonations, but it should feel as pleasant as the sensation of honey dissolved in warm milk, sweet yet not too saccharine, and classic.

In a way.]

And how were you supposed to know any of that?

When it comes to dealin' with my past, I can be as stubborn as a mule, baby.

[He presses their foreheads together, then closing his eyes to plant a soft kiss on the tip of Hagakure's nose.]

I'm sorry, Hiro.

I try to keep this part of me away from people.

This Dandy just doesn't know how to party.

You don't gotta worry about bein' all doomy and gloomy around me, though.

I don't mind.

[It's an expression so warm it could melt Hagakure's heart. Seeing it finally puts him at ease and let up on the tension he'd been holding in. Though he doesn't quite go limp against Dandy, he's clearly a lot more relaxed.]

Even if I had no way of knowin', I put you through pain you didn't deserve to hafta deal with. It's hard not to feel bad about that.

[He mutters a contented hum under his boyfriend's sweet kiss...and the fact that he called him "Hiro". It's not the first time, but it's never going to lose its charm. It's been pretty common for the others in New Rapture to call him by his first name, but back home, it's not common at all. Being on a first name basis with someone outside your family and close friends is a huge deal. Not only has Dandy noted and respected this, but now that they're together he's gone so far as to bestow him a pet name.

Sometimes he wonders if he deserves a love this sweet.]

Don't apologize for bein' yourself. I was serious all those weeks ago when I said there's no other Dandy I'd rather have. 'course, that's a lot more literal now...

[Because they weren't together at the time. Hagakure hadn't even processed his feelings yet.]

I love you, and that means all of you. So don't hide the part of you that's hurtin', okay? What kinda boyfriend would I be if I didn't wanna help ease the pain?

Whaaa? Really?

So I'm your favorite one?

[Dandy's eyes brighten.

What he wants to tell the other man is that he is young, dumb, and clearly inexperienced, but that's all a part of his charm. People make mistakes and it's a part of why they both ended up in here, so all they can do is grow from them.

His lips begin to move differently, however, following Hiro's change in mood after the intimate use of his first name. Dandy is one of the most uncouth fellows you'd ever meet and far distanced from the culture that gave him some of his signature features, so the fact that he's even trying says so much.]

Not even sexy, no-underpants Dandy? Although, I guess that would just mean I was goin' commando. Goin' command-Dandy, how 'bout that.

Edited 2022-07-22 21:36 (UTC)

[Well, it's certainly not like Hagakure could refute any of those claims if Dandy had brought them up. But, assuming they make it out of here, he'll have all the time in the world to grow. He'll also have someone with a whole lot of universal experience to help guide him.

Or make more dumb decisions to learn from alongside him.

For now, though? He laughs, genuinely and wholeheartedly. Those words coming from what he can clearly see is Japanese is just. So much, but in a good way.]

Yeah, that's still you, silly! [He flashes a loving smile of his own and leans in for a little kiss.] That's my Dee.

[...

This might not be the best read of the room he's about to make, but he decides to go for it anyway. If anything, it might help make Dandy laugh too.]

Speakin' of command-Dandy, am I gonna get to see that side of you today?

Edited 2022-07-22 21:48 (UTC)

That depends on how badly you're willing to see him.

[do you ever lie in fear of the next cringey ass tag of dialogue u will inevitably write]

I'm feelin real lazey-dazey, so~!

If you wanna see me nekkid, [JESuS FUCKING CHRIST] you gotta be down to peel some of these layers back, baby.

Although, y'know... I'm a little surprised you said sex.

I had you pegged as more of a flowers sorta guy. You got a favorite?

[Flower, he means.]

I like roses. I prefer givin' 'em to receivin' 'em though.

Oh, oh! And holdin' them right between my teeth.

[Dandy really just said "nekkid" in the year of our lord...actually no it's period appropriate for both of their timelines, god.]

What, you want me to undress you?

[Like, he totally would, but it's hard to hide how much the thought of doing it makes him flush a little. Could he even do that in a way that'd be fun for Dandy too?

Hmmm... He can put that thought on hold for a moment.]

Dee, I can't tell if you're usin' euphemisms right now or not... That's kinda impressive.

But I dunno! I think I'm more of the givin' kind too- which I guess is probably just 'cause guys are expected to give flowers, y'know? But I do like flowers. The sakura blooms in the spring are always a sight to behold.

[With a little smirk,]

That's so like you to do the whole rose between the teeth thing, though. You'd pull it off too!

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#cursed

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