Stripes.

Step back and admire the damage.

[wheelieology-deactivated2014071]

It was a little hard to believe anyone as tall as the person beside him would have trouble reaching stuff. He was pretty lucky, in Adrian’s eyes. He handled both books the best way he could. Cradling them in his hands, he wobbled only a little in place as he tried to balance the weight of the books in his hands. “You must know some pretty high shelves.” He quipped. “An’ I mean that in a good way.”

Adrian simply maneuvered his way a little down the isle, thinking he’d ended the conversation, but he paused. Damn that nice side of him. Damn it to hell. “Do you need help findin’ anything? I know this place like the back of my hand.”

[fuxmei]

                Naoji chuckled softly at the others words before shrugging his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess so." he says while watching the other somewhat struggle with the books. Hm, but before he could do anything about it -- the male was already turning away from him. "Huh? Oh, no. I've got it." He says while picking a book from the shelf and heading after the other, Naoji reached over and grabbed the white haired male's books without a word. He figured if he said something or hinted that the other looked like he needed help -- then his pride might be wounded. "I'm pretty much done."

[vacantlover-archive]

      “Thanks for confirming I did hit a nerve and accomplished irritating or slightly angering you, fucker.” He was happy he got figured out though, partially. “Well, only around people I’m not fond of like you, but hey.. your fault.” A shrug of his shoulders as the cute view of the other he had went away quick. “That sounds like something someone who has never been loved would say.. but then again, I’m not surprised that it’s coming from you.” Honestly, he just wanted to punch the orange haired bastard, but he was restraining himself. “You say that as if you’re some threat to me.” He knew he was, but his pride was too big right now. “Please, use your werecat strength on me..” Half sarcastic and half serious with that plead.

[fuxmei]

                "You're welcome." You see Nao was a lot better at hiding his anger than Ezra. Despite the stripes there was nothing else to let the other know that Naoji was even remotely moved by what the pink haired male was saying. "You don't find me cute anymore simply because I didn't let you step all over me. You know, that says a lot about your own damage." Naoji did get a little peeved at the others next words. -- his mother had given him all the love he needed even as she laid dying. "I wasn't talking about myself." The werecat then turned his head to look at the other. "I am a threat to you and no, I ain't trying to have Yoshinoya on my ass for eatin' his little boy toy."

[vacantlover-archive]

       It made his skin crawl, his throat feel like it was being stuffed till he felt like he was suffocating, and his heart beat quicken at the words being said to him—getting riled up usually did those things for the pink haired individual. Deja vu. Maybe he could learn from last time he got into confrontation with a werecat that he shouldn’t do it again. “Nao-chan, do you think that matters? You’re a half sibling, right? A bastard? That smidgen of blood relation from you and Yoshinoya doesn’t compare to what me and him have..” That adrenaline rush coming and making him smile because obviously he wasn’t going to be the bigger person. “You say to me that blood is thicker than water. I say to you that love is thicker than blood.” He felt cheesy, but he wouldn’t let that comment or Nao get to him so easily. “Don’t you know water washes away blood easily?” That smirk made him snicker, looking down at the floor. The last comment made him snap though, mentally. “Hey, did I hit a nerve?” He asks, pointing to the stripes below his eyes. “Enlighten me on how I act though?”

[fuxmei]

                "I don't claim to be anything more than half." Naoji says. The boy's words didn't bother him at all. "Blood is still blood no matter how full or how half." It was hard to read with Ezra jabbering on and on in his ear which only intensified his annoyance. "Love? Don't make me laugh," The coldness in Naoji's own voice surprised even him. "You think love really exists in this world? You're so fucking stupid. There's only desire and dependency." Closing his book the boy glances over at the other with a sigh. "And water turns stagnant." Though, he reached up and touched the stripes that had formed once the other confirmed they were there. "No, I'm just really annoyed." Nao didn't have full control of himself like Yoshi did. "How you act? You push buttons and you pick at others. Humans, sure, it would be fine to do that with. But werecats? You must love being abused."

[slavesherrezade-deactivated2014]

Finally, she was out of the palace, a time for peace, though the sound of her shackle was enough to remind her of her place. A sigh left the girls lips, closing her eyes as she listened to the clack of the shackle, and the steps she took, soon feeling herself come to a stop. “Oof.” Her tracks had been subsided as she bumped into something. “Huh?” She opened her eyes and realized what it—or who—she had bumped into. “Eh..? Oh!” She jumped backward. “I am so, so sorry!” She bowed deeply.

[fuxmei]

                It was too hot for any bodily contact right now but upon realizing that she had just accidentally bumped into him -- the tiger wasn't too bothered. "It's alright." He says while turning around so he could fully face her. Thankfully, he was good on his feet and had been paying attention or he could have suffered actually tripping over his own feet. "Are you okay?" The shackle was odd but he didn't mention it, mainly because it wasn't any of his business.

[vacantlover-archive]

        Sick, sick, sick. Even though his stomach hurt to the point where he had to wrap his arms around it, Ezra liked the pain. “Is that a promise?” He asked, rubbing around where his gut was located before chuckling. “No way, shouldn’t you get out? I was here before you even came along.” Speaking childishly now and even sticking his tongue out. Flopping to the side, Ezra’s letting his head rest against the arm rest while he curled up into a ball. He actually shouldn’t have been there given the living situation, but Ezra couldn’t control himself.

[fuxmei]

                "If you keep on then yes it's going to be." The tiger was so god damn annoyed that he was sure there were stripes beginning to appear just below both of his eyes. "So?" It was true and Nao knew that but there was one thing that he had that the other didn't. "I'm blood, though." He says while beginning to focus on his book since he had his personal space back, finally. "Blood will always be thicker than water, Ezra." There was an obvious smirk within the cat's tone. The penthouse was enormous so the pink haired male being there wasn't a problem. "I'm sure Yoshi just doesn't want you around three grown felines." As if reading the others mind. "--especially with how you act." 

[vacantlover-archive]

       ”—or what?” He immediately asked after he was told to get away, losing interest in the tiger. Getting an idea, he reached a hand out and let his fingers run faintly along Nao’s cheek. He didn’t want to assume anything, but the boy was really causing Ezra to think of trivial things that didn’t concern him. “If I don’t fuck off, what are you going to do?” Ezra didn’t plan to really do anything extreme, simply messing around and filling up the time he had planned to lazily waste at the apartment whether Naoji was there or not. Leaning down, Ezra got their faces slightly close but not too close. “Pfft, you’re no fun.” That dark and serious demeanor he had was gone now and he was easing up and off Naoji before scooting away from him yet staying seated on the sofa.

[fuxmei]

                The fingers to his cheek really set the tiger off. Naoji slapped the boy's hand away before punching him in the gut. "Stop fucking around." This guy was too fucking handsy and Nao didn't like how he used his body to make others uncomfortable. Actually, it wasn't just his body he was using but every single part of himself -- including his emotions and mental stature. "I'll continue beating your ass, that's what I'll do." He hissed down at the other before scooting further away from the pink haired male. "Call Yoshi and get out of here, you're irking my nerves."

[vacantlover-archive]

     Ezra’s pretending to zip his lips and tosses away an imaginary key. “Huuh! I asked what did you like and dislike and what are your favorite things to eat and what you’re reading!?” Honestly, he didn’t know how he was tolerating this guy as he rolled his eyes. “But also, you’re in school right? So, are you popular.. in the middle.. or an outcast? Plan on going to college? Do you work?” Pausing, he realized some of his questions were like what awkward adults would ask kids and that made him cringe. “Aiiish, you’re really rude to me.” Ezra’s getting up now and crawling on the sofa and hovering over Nao, looking down at him with a cold gaze. “Naoji, stop breaking my heart, you little shit.” Feigning pain now as he whimpered and placed his hand on his heart.

[fuxmei]

                "I don't wanna answer any of those things." Naoji bluntly answers as he had finally regained himself, thankfully. He was being picky and he was glad that he was getting on the others nerves. "Yeah, I'm still in school. -- In the middle, I guess? I have friends but it really doesn't interest me. It's boring." Meaning, life was boring and it didn't excite him all that much. "Mom wanted me to go to college so yeah Ima go." Even if she was gone the tiger was going to make her proud. "I work at the convenience store down the street but usually only part time because I'm still a student." Though it wasn't long before Naoji was cringing and trying his best to get away from the other. "I don't care about your breaking heart, stupid. Get away--"

[fuxmei]

slavesherrezade

                It was so god damn hot. The tiger was sure that he was going to melt                      if he didn’t find him a water source soon. "—i wonder if the pool is open still.."

[fuxmei]

[vacantlover-archive]

       Cue a cant of his head and a clueless expression because he wondered why the orange haired boy got flustered. “I don’t wanna talk with Yoshi, I wanna talk with you.” Calm while he spoke and trying to be cordial now because teasing was getting him nowhere—but neither was trying to get to know the male as well. “You’re only one year under me, yet the mention of sex has you all flushed. What’s up with that?” Leaning up so he sit on his knees on the floor and have both his arms resting on the arm rest of the sofa. “I mean, if you’re not comfortable with that kind of topic then just tell me to shut the fuck up and I’ll pick another thing to bother you about.” He wouldn’t mind if that happened or the biting thing because sometimes he deserved harsh actions and words.

[fuxmei]

                It was embarrassing and Naoji hated himself for reacting the way he had. It clearly made the other begin to wonder things and that wasn't what he wanted. No, matter of fact, it was the last thing that he wanted. "--shut the fuck up." The words were quiet but they definitely held a firm meaning behind them. He didn't want to talk about that sort of thing even though his brother's lover, who was a man, was sitting right in front of him. One would think Nao would feel more comfortable about discussing his sexuality but he was afraid. He was a coward. "Just pick something else, you bastard."

[kxkatsuna]

                   The blonde gave a grin. “Yeah, I like the mint chocolatechip ice cream gum.” Out of the dessert flavors anyway. “Original flavors are great too though.” Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, it probably wasn’t best to be near the smoke, but oh well, she’d deal. Studying the other’s face she exhaled, “I’m Miho by the way.”

[fuxmei]

                Oh yeah. "That is pretty good. I haven't had any in a while."                      says the tiger while rocking back on his heels. "I think icy flavors are my favorites." Out of the originals, he means. Like minty ones. The fruity ones ran out of flavor too quickly for him unless it was juicy fruit. It didn't take long before he had put the smoke out and just held it between his lips, better to hold it there rather than smoke it. "Oh, I'm Naoji. It's nice to meet you." He says while holding out his hand for her to shake.

[vacantlover-archive]

        That reaction—Ezra couldn’t help but to smile widely and watch the other go over to the sofa, following right behind him. “I wasn’t gonna look at it as something special.” He told with his arms folded over his chest while he leaned on the nearby wall. “I mean, what’s special about choosing to stay with your brothers that you hardly know until you get your own place?” Shrugging his shoulders as he really wasn’t believing it. “Are you always difficult?” Ezra asked, taking a seat right on the floor and scooting close to the sofa while he looked up at the other. “There’s a lot to tell like—” His words trailing off as he went silent just so he could think. “—what you dislike and like or.. what you are reading.. your favorite movies or favorite foods to eat.” Nodding his head as those seemed like good starters. “Or! We can get perverted and Nao-chan can tell me what his favorite sex position is and other things!” There were no other things because he was just going for shock value right now and screwing with the male.

[fuxmei]

                Nao was annoyed and it was clearly shown on his facial expressions.                      he just wanted to be left alone until it was time for bed or he was called out by some friends. Naoji didn't know but he certainly didn't want to sit here all night with this little asshole. "That's why I said it wasn't like it was anything special." He mumbled as he plopped down on the sofa and reopened his book to his marked place. "Yeah." Amber hues began scanning over his book even though the other was sprouting ridiculous sentence starters. "I'm--" But at the mention of sex the virgin's face grew a dark red color, eyes narrowing. "--go talk with Yoshi like that!"

[vacantlover-archive]

        “Naoji,” he repeated the other’s name a few times with an impassive tone and facial expression. “Nao-chan~" He’s teasing now and petting the other on the head just to be condescending. "I hope we can get along because it would suck if we couldn’t." Honestly, it wouldn’t though when he thought about it. Letting his mind wander while his hand continued to pat Naoji on the head, he thought about Yoshi and slipped back into Dreamworld with a stupid smile on his face. "Heeeey, what are you doing here if you’re all by yourself?” He asked, snapping out of his thoughts as he put his gaze back on the other. “Tell me about yourself, Nao-chan. I’m actually really excited to know you even though you’re asking to get socked in the face and put in the choke-hold.”

[fuxmei]

                Nao..-chan? Um no.. that was totally not going to fly.                      "Naoji." The tiger says firmly which meant do not shorten it and add chan. -- Cue a very definite eye twitch as the other was petting his head as if we were some type of pampered house cat. Nao wanted to bite this little shit.

    "I was reading." He mumbles. Nao just continued to let the other pet him -- because there was really nothing he could do about it. If he injured this boy or if he whined to Yoshi then there was a chance Nao would be put out on his ass. The tiger couldn't have that especially when he actually liked living here. Sigh.

    "There's nothing to tell." Nao mutters while moving away from the boy's petting hand. "Oh really? I'm so flattered." He hisses while turning to head back to the sofa. "I'm just here until I can get my own place. It ain't nothing special or anything like that."

[kxkatsuna]

                   Miho shrugged as she took back the lighter. She hadn’t done him any favors after all. “Gum’s a good replacement, helps distract your mouth.” She wasn’t a good example though with how quickly she finished packs and still smoked every now and then. Slipping the little item in her pocket instead of putting it in its previous location, her purse. 

[fuxmei]

                Naoji side glanced at the other as she was speaking.                      Gum? Who had told him that before. Probably Yoshi but in all honesty -- Nao didn't listen to a thing Yoshi told him. "I've heard that before." He admits while letting smoke leave his nostrils. "I guess I should try it out." Or his lungs were going to work like an old man's which he didn't want. "They do have that gum that tastes like dessert.."

[nathandoranphotography]

[bigcatkingdom]

[kxkatsuna]

                   Miho glanced at the one who’d asked her such. Lucky for him, despite her attempts at not smoking too often, she did have one on her. Shuffling through her purse she quickly located it and handed it to him. “Here.” Honestly, she even had a packet of cigarettes on her, though her gum kept her distracted enough from reaching for them.

[fuxmei]

                And with that he was saved. The orange haired male took                      the lighter and proceeded to light up his smoke. "Thanks," He says while handing the lighter back to her. "--even though I shouldn't be smoking." If he knew then why did he do it? Don't even ask because even Nao couldn't answer.