DEMONIC DEMISE

Future Card Buddyfight Rp Blog Kyouya Gaen Affiliated with Isola Radiale. "I believe in the future. That is why, I must destroy the present."

[acedefeat]

Man’s Best Friend

[aqultagwaneff]

acedefeat:

“Or maybe you just did something to tick her off.”

As if to prove his point, Rouga crouched down on the floor. Clover, for her part, took this as a sign to skitter over to her waiting master before he so much as extended a hand to her. In her relief at his proximity, she even attempted to jump onto his lap–which, incidentally, only succeeded in knocking the teen off balance. Had she always been this heavy?

… Just how much kibble did Tasuku give the dog on the occasion that he fed her?

Rouga scratched absently behind Clover’s ears a moment before glancing sideways over at Kyouya. Sulking again, eh…? Well, moping was at least preferable to getting possessed and stabbing certain childhood friends. It could probably even be called an improvement. 

Nevertheless–

“… You don’t seem all that pleased, yourself. That could have something to do with it, too.”

“I suppose things have gone back to a sense of... normalcy faster than I anticipated...”

Though Kyouya truly saw to hide his petty frustrations by dodging the accusation--animals and dogs alike used to eat from his palms... what was up with that mongrel denying his hand like that?!--he changed the subject promptly, trying to mask his twitching brow by smoothing his fingers over his irritated temples.

“Should we Buddyfight to kill some time? We don’t have to luminize our decks... my body’s still a bit too sluggish for something like that.”

Though now that he thought about it, Kyouya hadn’t seen his deck ever since the dark tournament’s end...

--Perhaps Rouga had something to do with it?

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

I don’t even know who’s worse: you or Doctor Gara… 

“You’re both criminals” was hovering on the edge of Tasuku’s tongue, but he chose to bite back the remark.

He also chose to ignore the suggestion. Of course Kyouya would take such drastic measures. It was always about stomping out the opposition, breaking the enemy until there was nothing left…

“So all of this was because you were trying to protect me? Thanks, but…I can look after myself. I don’t really need you watching me all the time…”

Well, the unabiding backlash was expected, but to think that the younger would still have it in him to look at Kyouya with such a disgusted expression..! A piece of his self-confidence was certainly taken in compensation at that moment.

“You’re still so cruel to me, even in the middle of my making amends..

“Is the tea to your liking, at least?”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

The denouement of their debate came with Kyouya’s pause. With it, Tasuku realized that he had gotten a little heated as well. But who could blame him? This particular interaction was like a toe dip into how they had been before. 

“I know that. And I’m not like that. I’m no idiot. I’m not so naive that I’ll trust someone just because we share common ground. And I most certainly won’t trust Doctor Gara unless he can earn it.”

Even if Gara had fixed his eye, in an attempt to right one of his wrongs… But Tasuku couldn’t get a good handle on him still, and he always needed to be careful around a wild card like that. Even he knew this.

“Let me make myself clear: the only reason I approached Doctor Gara was because he and Kakeru, my friend, were once the same person. And before that…” Tasuku sighed. “Before that, Doctor Gara said something strange to me. I wanted to know the reason behind that. That’s all.”

“Such a character came to me once before, you know, using his unfortunate circumstances to try and butter up his unethical research. I’ll be curt about this: I don’t see worth in a person like Doctor Gara regardless of his change of heart. If it were up to me, I’d personally confine him in such a way that not even a snake like him could slither his way out...”

... But of course, such methods would be frowned upon in the presence of embodied justice. However, Tasuku didn’t seem to react much to Kyouya’s suggestion, finally taking a sip of his own tea that had long since stopped steaming. A cat’s tongue, perhaps?

“... Tread carefully then. Forgive me for my aggression; I still owe you for saving my life. So the least I can do is look after yours.”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

“Those people were different! Those people stole, and hurt innocents, sometimes even children!” In his haste to justify his own actions, Tasuku was racing to prove Kyouya wrong, anything to get the last word in. But he realized his place, and calmed himself down.

“The criminal fighters I encountered during my time as a Buddy Police officer are different. I could tell from their eyes. They were motivated by greed and used their Buddy Contract for their own gain. But until Hive City, I could never really get a handle on Doctor Gara’s motivations because he’d always evade the Buddy Police, so I’d never met him personally.”

But when Kyouya put it like that…

“I-I… My justice won’t ever change! I’d still punish criminals and protect people!”

“But…maybe I’ve changed. Because I’ve learned here that there’s always more to the story than meets the eye…”

His heart pounding under Kyouya’s scrutinizing stare, Tasuku could only lower his gaze. He could never win against Kyouya. Not in Buddyfight, not in anything else.

“…What’s it to you, anyway? Why are you bringing this up?”

“They were no different.They all had families at one point. They were all children with aspirations and dreams, just like you, or me... or Doctor Gara.”

A pause. Kyouya had to exhale and make his intentions clear. He wasn’t here to belittle and humiliate Tasuku... he was far past such warped desires. But with all there was to be said, he wanted to protect Tasuku from being manipulated by others.. that had been only his right in the past once before. A replication was not necessary by any means.  “This is my warning to you. You cannot make an exception for one criminal and abolish the next. Who knows, one day you might forgive a criminal in your haste to sympathize and understand them... and then they’ll quickly stab you right in the back. Your ignorant kindness will wind up in a committed crime that will have your indirect irresponsibility written all over it... Is that what you want?”

[acedefeat]

Man’s Best Friend

[aqultagwaneff]

acedefeat:

“Even though you’ve stayed here so often, she still snubs you when you try to pet her…?”

It was odd, to be sure. Clover was generally a very sociable dog, and rare was the occasion that she was anything but excited to meet someone new or old. She could barely contain herself whenever Tasuku came around…and yet, even now that Kyouya was more or less free of Void’s and Azi-Dahaka’s influences, the pup very clearly wanted nothing to do with him. 

Maybe she was just a good judge of character. Kyouya’s personality wasn’t quite as pristine as the one he presented in public back home, after all…or maybe she was just stubborn in her perceptions. 

(Dogs were often said to resemble their owners, right?)

“… Heh.”

As Kyouya lazed about the small apartment with hardly a thing to keep himself entertained, he resigned to sinking into the single plush chair available, slouching over the torn armrest (clearly from the likes of a teething pup). His still hand dangling over the edge where the canine runt avoided his touch, observant crimson eyes took note of a slightly bristled coat as the tiny animal watched him almost grudgingly. Where do you come off looking so threatened, you little scamp?

“Hmph. What’s the point of a pet if it can’t even be used for its intended purpose? How boorish. It’s defective.”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

Kyouya was very, very quick to turn Tasuku’s words against him, and Tasuku didn’t know whether to feel indignant, startled, or relieved that Kyouya was at least consistent.

Ugh! This is exactly what I meant by ‘threat!”

To think that he had known even about his conversation with Doctor Gara…! Just how far would this man go?!

“Nngh…”

Caught off guard for a moment, Tasuku struggled to regain composure. Why were things always like this with Kyouya?

“…First of all, I never said that you used Azi Dahaka to watch me. I know you have eyes and ears all over the city because of your little spat with Shion-san. Second of all, I never told anyone about that conversation with Doctor Gara. Not Rouga, not Kakeru, not Chrono, and certainly not anyone else you would’ve had contact with. So for that piece of information to reach you, you would’ve had to station someone there specifically to keep watch on me. Am I wrong?”

“And by the way, I wasn’t sympathizing with him. I just wanted to understand why someone with so much talent would use that to hurt people rather than help them. Doctor Gara is a criminal. He has hurt people. He killed one of my closest friends and gouged my eye out. He has to atone for that.”

“But…he also had people that he cared about, and people that he lost. When I think about that, I think…if things had been different…I would’ve ended up like him.”

“No… I did end up like him. You know that all too well, don’t you.”

The clashing of minds that came about from the accusations thrown about with the intent to dominate the issue at hand certainly wasn’t going to allow Kyouya to back down now.

“And by the way, I wasn’t sympathizing with him.”

Oh, but you are, Kyouya could only muse in regards to Tasuku’s insistence. The way he was inserting his own experiences to almost excuse the mad doctor’s behavior was certainly jarring.

“.. And have you ever stopped to do that before? The dozens of criminals you had thrown into a cell in the past, had you ever stopped to wonder what their tragic backstories were?”

“But…he also had people that he cared about, and people that he lost. When I think about that, I think…if things had been different…I would’ve ended up like him. “No… I did end up like him. You know that all too well, don’t you.”

“Please. Did you end up killing innocents in an indulgent tirade to prove your own self-worth? You cannot compare yourself to utter garbage. After all, what happened to you is nothing close to what Doctor Gara has allowed himself to become. There are plenty of controllable factors here.... “My point is, is that you have changed drastically over the past few months, Tasuku-kun. Your increasing leniency is startling. After all, who would have thought that your pure, unwavering justice has now become such a muddled grey?”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

“It’s not like you’d need those to be a threat to begin with,” Tasuku murmured bitterly under his breath, but he could begrudgingly admit that he felt no such thing from Kyouya now. Tasuku’s cold shoulder would always just be a knee-jerk reaction around the other, it would seem…

A pause, as Kyouya’s words sunk in.

“So you’re still watching me? Wish I could say I was surprised.” The words were spoken with a sense of resignation. Classic Kyouya. That would probably never change. Tasuku sighed. There was truth in what Kyouya said, anyway. His friendship with Rouga notwithstanding, Kakeru was the alter ego of the notorious Doctor Gara, and yet he and Tasuku were rarely ever apart now.

“…They’re not just criminals, you know. They’re actual people. Sure, there are the criminals who are irredeemable and selfish, but…”

“Rouga and Kakeru…both had their reasons. There’s so much more to them than the crimes they’ve committed. And they’ve both been so kind to me. I can’t write them off as just criminals after all of that. Even though it’s wrong of me as a Buddy Police officer… As Ryuuenji Tasuku, I can’t just ignore that.”

Because Ryuuenji Tasuku was, and would always be, inherently soft and kind.

--And in return for Tasuku’s rash indication from previous, Kyouya stopped the other from opening his mouth again with the loud clink of his cup hitting its plate, followed by a sharp clearing of his throat.

“Ahem--allow me to interrupt you before you derail this entirely against me.” In other words, Kyouya was completely unimpressed by how indolent the former Boy Cop Wonder had become towards his deductions--where was that brilliant prowess he adored?--he had already missed such a large cue from beforehand... (Then again this could have also been the result of that very same residual straight-forward thinking that he was known for. Such a shame.) “Didn’t I tell you that Rouga has both my deck and my Buddy within his possession? How would I ever be able to keep surveillance on you without Azi-Dahaka’s all-seeing eyes? On the contrary to your assumptions, it was by word of mouth that I heard this news... “Also I’m not referring to either Futaboshi Kakeru or Rouga. No, the one I’m referring to is the second coming of Doctor Gara to Hive City.”

And it was now that things were beginning to get a little juicier--Tasuku’s reaction towards his clarification seemed to have undermined his emotional defenses a bit, and so Kyouya continued.

“Sympathizing with the likes of a deplorable menace such as that... Hmmmm, and what was it that you said to me the last time we met? Ah, yes: ‘For one, I like locking criminals up... I think about what a world would be like without evil and dishonesty...’ ....was it?”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

I can’t believe I’m still agreeing to do this with him…

Still unable to meet Kyouya’s gaze for more than a few seconds, Tasuku quickly averted his eyes and focused instead on the snacks before them. Kyouya was talking again, in that familiarly sultry voice, and Tasuku chose to remain silent, picking a sugar cookie to munch on instead. Just so that he wouldn’t have to respond unless absolutely necessary.

“…Mm. I trust you’ve been well too.”

He grudgingly took another bite. As apprehensive as he was around Kyouya now, even Tasuku hated awkward, heavy silence (though Kyouya probably didn’t see it as such–he probably thrived in it, really), so he continued on.

“To what do I owe the pleasure today?” he asked, though he didn’t try to conceal the sarcastic edge.

“Need you cut to the chase every time? You can relax, you know. Rouga currently has both my deck case and Azi-Dahaka in his possession. I pose virtually no threat to you.”

Gesturing with his arms wide open to emphasize his unobjectionable intentions, he finally curled his finger and thumb through the curved rim of his tea cup, raising it to his lips to indulge within the aroma before taking a thoughtful sip. 

“Hm... I’ve wanted to address the changes I’ve been seeing... specifically on your demeanor as of late. I’m surprised you know....

“I didn’t think you’d ever be the type to warm up to outright criminals, Tasuku-kun..”

[aqultagwaneff]

Therein Lies the Grey

The drop of a sugar cube into hot, fragrant tea breaks the silence that had doused the air around them, Kyouya reaching for a sweet morsel on the display platter of cookies between them. At that very moment, crimson hues met large cerise for only a second before Tasuku avoided the personal contact altogether with a hasty avert.

A typical exchange. Nostalgic even.

“I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, you know. I mean, this is the third time you’ve come to humor my company like this... I really couldn’t be more elated, Tasuku-kun.”

Munch. The younger responds in kind by taking a bite out of his own picketed snack, looking to bypass responding until absolutely necessary.

“Have you been well?”

@tasukusenpai

[acedefeat]

Reconciliation

[aqultagwaneff]

acedefeat:

Well, Rouga thought wryly, at least Kyouya knew what he was guilty of–but by now there was no doubt in Rouga’s mind that he’d known for some time, even before being ripped from their world and thrust into Hive. There was some grim sort of satisfaction in hearing Kyouya admit to his wrongdoings without honeyed words or evasive answers, he supposed, but ultimately…that wasn’t what he wanted out of this.

His wish was a foolish one. It most likely wasn’t in his best interests to pursue it, and he was sure a more rational person might have leapt on Kyouya’s suggestion to cut ties–but what Kyouya didn’t realize was that he hadn’t merely given Rouga a name and a place to stay all those years ago. It was undeniable that their relationship had suffered significantly since then, but so too was it true that Kyouya had been his first exposure to “love.” It had been childish and naive in nature, but it had certainly been genuine…as had the pure, unadulterated happiness Rouga had been granted the chance to feel for the first time. 

‘Why was he here’…?

“… I want to start over.” He finally said, some of the sternness in his expression easing a fraction. “There’s no erasing what you’ve done up to this point, but I’m realizing that that’s exactly why I can’t walk away now…and why I can’t do it as the person I was before.” 

He exhaled softly, and briefly Rouga turned his eyes away.

“You’ve made plenty of mistakes, but I’m partially to blame, too. The ‘loyal, obedient childhood friend’…that person failed you. I…failed you. Over and over again–and then I turned my back on you at the worst possible time. I won’t apologize for getting angry back then…but I’m sorry I didn’t do better.

“So I guess…I’m here to ask for a chance to try again, if you’re willing. After all…–”

Despite himself, the corner of Rouga’s mouth twitched upward in a half-smile.

“–… When you inevitably make another stupid decision, you’re going to need someone to knock some sense into your thick skull.”

Again and again, no matter which choice of words he chose, Rouga’s decision to remain by Kyouya’s side did not falter. Through thick and thin, he saw something within the young Gaen, each and every time, despite all of his misgivings. Though they were far from the most perfect pair of human beings, the undying love between them was something Kyouya couldn’t comprehend--relationships had always been built upon losses and earnings... The only relationships he knew as of recent were bought upon bribery and manipulation.. But even though he had fallen from grace in the most unpleasant of ways, he still hadn’t lost the one important person in his life. Even though Kyouya thought there was nothing Rouga could gain from staying with him, here he was, still standing--smiling even!--by his hospital bed.

“–… When you inevitably make another stupid decision, you’re going to need someone to knock some sense into your thick skull.”

“Rouga.... I....”

His heart lurched.

And quietly, Kyouya bowed his head, as if to shadow over the weakness in his eyes, uttering words that he hadn’t said in the longest time.

“... thank you, Rouga...”

Hot tears rushed to his eyes, but Kyouya still had too much pride to let them fall, pressing a palm to his burning eyelids as he bit his lips.

“Hahaha.... I don’t get it.. What is this? My heart aches...”

[shiningpunisher]

*snakes an arm around Tasuku's waist and tilts his chin up with a freehand* Why bother with the formalities? We're past that already, aren't we~?

“…I thought we were past this too. Don’t touch me.”

[aqultagwaneff]

“... How cold.”

[aqultagwaneff]

blitztiger:

“Buddy, I’m not about to swoon over some evil conducting Bugs Bunny reject.”

“Bugs Bunny, huh.”

“Well, I certainly won’t need Acme Dynamite anymore when you’ve got such a bombin’ bod.”

[aqultagwaneff]

blitztiger:

“Just another day in crazy Hive City.” This absolutely does not bother him in the slightest because he doesn’t conform to gender roles or judge other people.

“Breast assured, you’re the cat’s meow, kitten shirt-chan~”

[aqultagwaneff]

April Fools (?!)

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

As always, he followed Kyouya’s command and allowed himself to be swept into a warm embrace. 

“…!”

But it was his next words that set his heart ablaze with emotion.

“Gaen…Kyouya…!”

Kyouya had accepted his proposal, and Tasuku couldn’t remember a time he felt happier. 

“…Yes! I’ll work really hard, I promise! Thank you…!”

And without prompting, Tasuku closed the distance between their lips for a soft, chaste kiss…………………

“HuuUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!?”

Tasuku sat bolt upright in bed and looked wildly around the room.

The familiar scent of his own room washed over him. He glanced at the clock: April 1st, 6:13 AM in the morning. Dilute sunlight filtered through the curtains, and Chrono was sound asleep beside him.

Chrono. His boyfriend. The person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Not Kyouya.

He sighed with relief, trying to quell the pounding in his heart.

“…Why on Earth did I dream about that?”

Happy April Fool’s, Tasuku.

[aqultagwaneff]

April Fools (?!)

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

“Y…yes…”

“Ever since we met, I’ve been struggling to come to terms with how I felt about you… And I finally realized today what it was…”

He became painfully aware of how hot his cheeks were.

“I love you, Gaen Kyouya… I love you more than anything in the world. I want to stay by your side forever…if you’d have me. I know I’m only a broken doll…but… I want to try…”

He closed his eyes and waited for Kyouya’s answer.

“... come here, Tasuku-kun.”

Beckoning for the other to approach him with a coy gesture, did Kyouya carefully reach out and pull Tasuku against his chest, arms tightening in a wholesome embrace.

“Broken or not, you’re perfection to me. You’re the only one deserving of the title significant other..”

Nudging their heads together as Kyouya whispered directly into Tasuku’s ear, did his lips nearly kiss it, wanting these words to reach only the one before him and none else. 

“I’ll love you tenderly, Tasuku-kun. We’ll truly be able to change the world together..”

[aqultagwaneff]

April Fools (?!)

[aqultagwaneff]

tasukusenpai:

His heart was pounding. His palms were sweaty. Tasuku was about to make the biggest proclamation of his life. And when he stared into those deep crimson eyes, he found himself wavering.

“Gaen Kyouya… There’s something you have to know.”

He gulped. It was now or never.

“I… I really love you! I love you so much, I’m in agony! I…”

“Will you marry me?!”

And the exclamation that left those small lips left Kyouya utterly baffled.

“Tasuku-kun..?!”

He wanted... to join hands in marriage? Even though they had settled their differences, and Tasuku had shown his adamant disinterest in ever forgiving Kyouya’s misdemeanors in the past any time soon, here he was, pouring out his honest heart to him.. Kyouya was the one that Tasuku had chosen in the end.

“... I see. Have you been harboring these feelings all along? Is it true that you wish to be by my side for all eternity..?”

[aqultagwaneff]

April Fools (?!)

At the foot of his hospital bed, did Ryuenji Tasuku stand, slightly flushed, brows knit. And where Kyouya thought he may be lectured again, did the rebuttal never come. Instead, they were at a stand still, confused crimson looking into determined cerise. 

“Tasuku-kun? What brings you here again?”