He knows that in other games that they're supposed to be good at kidnapping princesses. He kidnapped that friend of Lazer's once, but she wasn't really a princess. And she escaped, so in the end, he's no better than those other, easily defeated game bosses.
And now, Kuroto wants him to kidnap someone again. Though, this person is probably the furthest from a princess he could possibly get.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Taiga never thought that he would possess the knowledge that Graphite snores. But he does.
aka i made a joke about taiga/graphite once and then ran with it like the insane gay person i am
did i accidentally write over 5k for a fic that was just supposed to be like a short thing about two men who i think are hot kissing? yes<3 i am incredibly sexy and big brained for this one i think<3
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
When Masamune wants to make a 'show of strength' to the CR Riders and the Bugsters, Kiriya's forced to ruin his own plans when something he never accounted for happens.
Words: 295, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Fandoms: Kamen Rider Ex-Aid
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: Gen, M/M
Relationships: Graphite/Kujou Kiriya
Characters: Kujou Kiriya, Graphite, (Mentioned Poppy Pipopapo and Dan Masamune)
Additional Tags: Ficlet, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Established Relationship
Can I ask for Kiriya/Graphite + 34 (visiting an escape room and trying to solve the puzzles) from "50 Cute Date Ideas", please? :3
Waaah this got way longer than expected and turned into a multichapter because I got way too into my idea of how to get them into the escape room. Hope you don't mind a long ride and here's the first chapter!
Can also be read on ao3!
Kiriya groaned, eyes squeezing shut before they finally fluttered open to darkness. He didn't remember going to sleep, or any reason why he would've. Last thing he remembered was sitting at the CR meeting table and going over reports from the new vaccine team at Genm.
How embarrassing. Besides Emu and Kuroto, Kiriya of all people should've known that even bugsters were in danger of overworking themselves. Kiriya thought he was being careful about it. He was nowhere near as bad as how he used to be, and practically in a different galaxy from how Kuroto burned out 20 of his lives that one time. But apparently, today Kiriya was at risk of being found passed out on the CR floor—
His eyes finally adjusted to the darkness.
... Alright. Kiriya wasn't passed out in CR, but definitely face down on a floor somewhere. Somewhere pitch-dark where he could only make out the vague outlines of things. And incredibly uncomfortable to be still lying down like this. The floor was all bumpy and rough like it was stone or something similar. Not that the CR tile floors would be more comfortable, but at least there wouldn't be weird edges and bumps digging into him in awkward spots.
If this were CR and he was arriving for some late night overtime, Kiriya could usually count on Kuroto being up at odd hours as well, keeping the DoReMiFa Beat cabinet lit as he worked. And the glow from the screen could always help him find the light switch. Speaking of, he probably ought to get up and find out if wherever this was even had a light switch.
Kiriya slowly pushed off the floor. He didn't know if bugsters were at risk for head rush, but he didn't want to chance it. Slowly, he got to his feet and dusted himself off, taking a look around. It was hard to tell what was what in here. All he could make out was being in a room of some kind, but the darkness was so inky it seemed to stretch on forever.
Not the best of signs. Kiriya felt his face twist up in a distressed way. Alright, gotta find light somehow. At least figure out where he was.
Kiriya stuck his hand in his back pocket, tensing when he didn't feel his phone there. He checked every other pocket he had and blew out a shaky breath. He didn't have it on him. Okay, no phone flashlight for him. Fumbling around in the dark until he found a wall it was.
Kiriya guessed he traveled about a meter before his shoe caught against something. The sudden feeling against his foot surprised him and he instinctively started running forward instead of back, thinking it was trying to grab him. But instead, it was just lying in the way, causing Kiriya to trip.
Kiriya expected to crash onto a cold tile floor, or maybe even cement. But instead, he landed on a sturdy, but equally cold body.
What the hell.
Okay, weird body accidents were kind of common in the morgue, but even that place didn't get as pitch dark as this. While Kiriya was back on duty with the forensics team when CR told him it was okay to let the rest of the forensics team in on his miraculous little revival, but Kiriya hadn't been scheduled for today.
Plus, he may or may not have slept in the morgue before. And Kiriya knew for a fact it didn't seem as big and infinite as this in the dark. And what kind of medical malpractice were they doing leaving bodies on the floor? Unless he knocked it over as he passed out, no way that was happening in Seito's morgue as long as Nisshi was in charge, and the forensics team was just as passionate about doing their jobs properly as Kiriya remembered them being.
He felt around, hoping to find some kind of clue to help him figure out where he was. As he searched the body, he thought it was weird that they still had clothes on. These should've been taken to evid—
Kiriya's hand landed on top of an awfully familiar string of beads. Thinking it could've just been a coincidence, people wore beaded necklaces all the time, Kiriya followed the line of it until his finger grazed wood, roughly carved into the shape of a talon or fang.
"Graphite?" Kiriya whispered, his whole body immediately tensing.
The bugster underneath him stirred, then groaned. Kiriya had half a mind to scramble off him, wondering if Graphite would even want to see him right now...
But the rest of Kiriya was frozen, clinging to Graphite where his hands tangled in the dragon's jacket. He tried to justify his clinging as some logical move. They were in some mysterious room that was probably either a trap or misuse of Genm's technology, like that weird VR world. He and Graphite didn't have time or space to worry about the awkwardness currently between them. They shouldn't split up at a time like this. That should be believable enough... Or maybe it would've been if Kiriya wasn't the one telling his own skeptical ass half-hearted excuses.
A soft sigh brushed against Kiriya's neck and he tried to suppress his trembling. Graphite shifted uncomfortably beneath Kiriya and slowly tried to sit up. But he was stopped by Kiriya's weight on him. And before Kiriya could use that as motivation to get himself to move, hands suddenly reached out to feel his face. Kiriya's hands squeezed Graphite's jacket even tighter, fighting the urge to slap his hands away.
Why like this? Why so soon, when he wasn't ready to face Graphite? He thought he was but now that he was in it this was too much.
Fortunately, Graphite seemed to catch on quickly, whispering Kiriya's name in confusion. Kiriya was torn on being touched at how easily Graphite recognized him and his nerves buzzing and twisting in his stomach with a mix of guilt and anxiousness.
Before he could even think of a reply, a light flashed on from the right. Kiriya squinted, trying to get adjusted to the sudden brightness when an all too familiar howl of "KUJO KIRIYAAAA!!!" pierced his eardrums.
"How dare you defile my creation before I could even explain your divine punishment!" Kuroto continued.
"Defile?" Kiriya muttered.
But before he could even think of a comeback to that, he realized what position he and Graphite were in. Their legs tangled, chests pressed together, and faces only centimeters apart. Kiriya's hands tightened in Graphite's jacket with a white-knuckled grip. Meanwhile, Graphite's hands were still hovering near his face, looking like they wanted to touch even if they were cut off in the middle of their retreat.
Their gazes locked briefly, then they hastily looked away, scrambling out of the intimate position and to their feet. As they got up, they put a bit of distance between them.
Finally, Kiriya could look around and see where they were—
He didn't expect to see Kuroto from the shoulders up and gigantic. As if the man was being projected on a movie screen. Was this what Poppy and Kuroto saw whenever people outside looked at them through the cabinet?
"Kuroto, what is this?" Graphite asked flatly, tilting his head up in challenge and crossing his arms.
"Look, Graphite, I don't approve of your taste," Kuroto spared a glare at Kiriya, "But I still try to be attentive to you and the the rest of God's beloved creations. So, I know you two fought."
Kiriya felt his throat close up. While it didn't take a genius to see the two of them had been avoiding each other for the past three days, no one had really asked or said anything to show that they noticed. He thought they'd have it all cleared up before they'd have to do any explaining to the others. But apparently, Kuroto thought he needed to take things into his own hands.
"I don't know, or much care about what it was about, but I've seen the way you two were avoiding each other." Kuroto continued, pouting, "And if it were up to me, I'd have obliterated you for hurting one of my creations, Kujo Kiriya."
"I'd like to see you try—"
"But, since Graphite is quite fond of you, I can't. So! I'm doing the next best thing and forcing you two together until you get it together and talk about whatever happened!"
"What!" Kiriya and Graphite shouted.
"I wish I didn't have to put you through this punishment, Graphite," Kuroto said, closing his eyes and crossing his arms, "But just think of this as making up for how disobedient you were in the early stages of Chronicle's development."
"Oh, shut the f—"
"And your punishment is!" Kuroto looked up, eyes snapping open dramatically, "Kachi Kachi Castle!"
A holographic screen similar to Kuroto's life counter suddenly appeared with a dramatic flourish of his hand, showing an illustration of an eerie European-style castle in a thunderstorm. And in bold crimson red, the words Kachi Kachi Castle were splashed across an intricate logo shaped like a clock, overlaid on the illustration. A beat later, a ch-chuk echoed above them sounding like stage lights turning on. The room suddenly lit up to reveal it was a hallway made of worn, grey stone, lined with a red and gold carpet. Torches on the walls suddenly flared to life, their eerie orange lights barely lighting the inky darkness. And above them, instead of a ceiling, there was more of that inky darkness and... was that the bottom of the logo...? Was this some kind of start screen?
Kiriya and Graphite met each other's eyes awkwardly, then quickly turned back on Kuroto. The programmer was still grinning at them proudly, and their faces turned exasperated.
"Can you make those?" Graphite mumbled flatly, pointing to the screen in Kuroto's hand.
"I feel like that's just a "God" thing." Kiriya replied, making sure to add the air quotes.
"Kachi Kachi Castle is a mystery and horror game I've been developing in my spare time!" Kuroto announced with a smug nod. "You'll have two hours to figure out all of the puzzles and escape while figuring out your relationship problems! I'm sure it'll be a fun bonding experience since you're both good at puzzles. And if you don't make it out, Kiriya will be trapped in the game forever! And if you end up hating each other by the end... Well, I'd prefer that outcome!"
Graphite scowled, "I don't know how you could, but I think you're mistaking me for your prodigal son, Kuroto."
"Don't refute the Game Master! I created you Graphite, so I know exactly what you're capable of!"
The two of them began some intense, weird staring contest, giving Kiriya the sense that this was something they've argued about before. And as Kiriya continued watching, he could see Graphite grow more and more uncomfortable.
"Also, only two hours?" Kiriya exclaimed, trying to draw the heat away from Graphite. "You really think we're gonna solve our whole argument in that time on top of puzzles?"
"Don't refute the Game Master!" Kuroto's attention snapped to him again, "Most escape rooms only give you an hour, so be gracious for this gift of extended time! Especially in this case, because if you stay over the time limit, you'll be trapped in the game forever!"
"That sure is a good way of getting me out to see more potential partners," Graphite mumbled.
Kiriya chortled, trying to hold back because he was about to refute the Game Master with that as well, but Kuroto just scoffed.
"Only Kujo will be left inside, you'll be free to go afterwards, Graphite. Stop acting like I can't hear everything you two are saying in there."
"Oi—!"
The sound of thunderous footsteps erupted from behind Kuroto, cutting Kiriya's protest off. The programmer turned, the holographic screen quickly disappearing as he visibly flinched and held his hands up.
"What are you doing out?" Poppy demanded, loud and clear even if she wasn't visible onscreen yet.
"Wait a second, are they in there?" Emu's voice was a bit muffled until his head popped up over Kuroto's shoulder. "Are you two okay? Can't you two just teleport out?"
"Ah yes, thank you for the suggestion. As if I haven't been trying that since I woke up in here, Ex-Aid." Graphite bared his fangs at Emu.
After processing the words, Kiriya blinked surprisedly and looked at Graphite. The dragon's elbow kept bursting into pixels, then vibrating, as if they were caught against something. Little electrical arcs would crackle against his escaping pixels, then some invisible force snapped them back into place. Graphite was way more skilled at bugster stuff than Kiriya, so if he couldn't do it, then Kiriya definitely couldn't.
"Of course, I placed safeguards!" Kuroto exclaimed, "They're beta testing the game for me!"
Kiriya was about to protest that neither of them agreed to that, nor was it even the reason Kuroto gave them, but suddenly realized what Kuroto was doing. There was no mention of them being in an argument if anyone in the room hadn't picked up on it so was... Was Kuroto actually being weirdly protective of them? Or at least trying to make it less awkward for Graphite (and by grudging extension Kiriya)?
"I don't think they would've agreed to that," Hiiro said coolly as he appeared on screen behind Kuroto. "Release them now, Kujo's supposed to be at a meeting with us at Genm."
"And we've been worried sick looking for Graphite!" Poppy's head finally popped into frame, waving her BugVisor threateningly, her face barely making it above Kuroto's shoulder.
"Why are you singling them out anyway?" Emu asked tiredly, "I can't imagine they've done anything to upset you besides have a normal, functioning relationship. Wait, is that why you singled them out?"
... They didn't know. Or Emu had gotten exceptionally good at lying in the past eighteen hours. Emu was always such an easy read because he wore all his emotions so clearly. Especially when he was stressed, which often came up when dealing with Kuroto, so that had to be a genuine statement.
"Yes, sure whatever gets you to leave. I need them to do this!" Kuroto yelled, trying to wave them off until Poppy moved in with her BugVisor, forcing Kuroto to curl into himself and hold his hands up again.
"No you don't," Hiiro said, matter-of-factly. "Let them out, now."
Kiriya sighed. Fine. He could give Kuroto this one thing for having at least some tact. Being trapped in here probably wouldn't make or break his and Graphite's relationship anyway, and since Kuroto somehow managed to push them into this position, it was always easier to just go along with what he wanted until he was satisfied.
"If he really wants us to do this, can you at least give me my phone?" Kiriya called out, getting everyone's attention, "I can call into the meeting before we start "God's" game or whatever."
"Mobile devices aren't allowed in escape rooms. You can cheat by looking up the answers." Kuroto said flatly. "So I left it on the table next to your laptop."
"This isn't even a released game yet!" Poppy said exasperatedly, "How would any answers be online?"
"Oh yeah, I'm sure the reception is great in here." Kiriya grumbled.
"I mean, Poppy, you gotta have some kind of wifi or connection in there since Kuroto did work, right?" Emu said, tilting his head in thought.
"Not helping, ace."
Emu shrugged, brows drawing up apologetically as Poppy closed her eyes tiredly, whole body slumping and shaking her head slightly.
"We really don't have time for this," Hiiro reached for the buttons and Kiriya and Graphite frantically protested.
Emu nodded, "Maybe if we can just clear the game quickly we can get them out!" his hand started going for the console, too.
"No!" Kuroto suddenly turned and hovered his body over the controls, holding his elbows out to try and keep the doctors at bay.
Emu dove in, and Hiiro shoved, both doctors trying to slip their hands beneath Kuroto's blockade, accidentally slamming him into the controls instead.
The familiar "GAME START" announcement rang out and Kiriya and Graphite looked at each other with wide eyes. The frantic clicking of someone mashing buttons on a console and Kuroto's frantic screams reached them until the screen displaying CR suddenly cut out, plunging them back into darkness as the torches whooshed out.
Kiriya was tempted to call out to Graphite, reaching out a hand to feel for him, but an eerie blue glow suddenly lit up the room, pooling out from behind them. They shared a look, then slowly turned around to see... Standing before them was a ghost. Or at least a character that looked like the ghost of a woman with long, messy hair in some kind of tattered maid outfit. There was something about the shapes of their body that wasn't entirely human in the way Graphite and Poppy looked.
"Travellers," The ghost said, "What a terrible night to have arrived to Gesshoku Castle. How did you even get in...? Through the window? Seeking shelter from a pack of wolves?"
Kiriya stole a glance over at Graphite now that they could see again, and didn't know how to feel about the look on the dragon's face. He looked bored out of his mind, but there was a bit of distress in his eyes.
"This happen often for you?" Kiriya whispered as the ghost prattled on about the history of the castle.
The dragon scowled at the ghost, not taking his eyes off them, "This used to be my life, I guess. Just, always having one-sided conversations. There was technically player response but... Whatever. Don't really remember, and it's not fun to think about."
Kiriya's brows drew up sympathetically, then turned his attention back to the dialogue.
"— was killed before I could finish transforming into a terrifying monster. But the other guests have completely changed and lost themselves to their monstrous forms. I believe there's no helping them unless you figure out what the lord of the castle was up to and get the eclipse to move again. Please, travellers, find out the secrets of the castle and escape."
And with that, the ghost vanished, their body twisting away into a burst of flame. The figure swirled, their form a fiery tornado for a moment before burning out, leaving behind only blue wisps of smoke that slowly faded away until the torches relit themselves.
Graphite sighed heavily. "Well, we have two hours. Let's figure it out."
Kiriya nodded, and they headed off down the hallway together. "I assume it's going to be some kind of stealth game as well, since they said there's monsters around."
"No doubt." Graphite said. "I don't know how we're going to resolve our fight with all the stuff Kuroto probably put in the game. He always gets overly ambitious."
"Well, it can't be that hard in the beginning stages, right?" Kiriya thought about suggesting they talk about it while solving the easy puzzles, but the words kept sticking in his throat. It just didn't feel like the right time. Solving things while playing games might've worked for Emu or Nico, but it felt like a major mood ruiner for Kiriya. He cleared his throat and said, "If we solve everything quickly, we'll have more time to work out anything complex he's set. Then we can get out of here and then talk about it after."
Graphite looked like he wanted to object for a moment, brow raising skeptically until his face fell back into something neutral. "Yeah," he sighed, shrugging a shoulder.
They nearly reached the end of the hallway when Kiriya slowed and exhaled a shaky breath.
"For what it's worth... I'm sorry. I said what I said that day and I meant it, but I wish I apologized sooner. You deserved that at least."
Graphite turned to him, eyes wide, but the rest of his face twisted up, conflicted. Kiriya watched his expression carefully as he swallowed hard then sighed.
"I wish we did that, too. I know you were only trying to give me space, so I'm sorry for being so hostile afterwards. I think I needed it, the space, I mean. But I wanted to talk sooner, as well."
They ended up staring at each other for a while, and slowly the genuine looks on their faces faded into exasperation.
"Did you think that would get us out sooner?"
"Partially," Kiriya pouted, "But I really wanted to say that. I think solving puzzles together would be a little awkward without apologizing first."
Graphite's face flushed and he ducked his head to hide it. Kiriya tried to hold back his grin as the dragon stomped over to him and took his hand forcefully.
"C'mon, we're wasting time just standing around if apologizing did nothing to get us out."
Kiriya couldn't help the fond smile that bloomed on his face as Graphite dragged him along.
First time doing this, but I saw the prompt and felt like it fit my OTP well so I had to give it a shot.
Original Prompt
I wanted to write a whole thing that would help explain all the weirdness of this series to readers unfamiliar with it, but it’s taking longer than expected, so if you like this, keep an eye out for the link to the finished fic on Ao3 on my blog. (also tentative title is lyrics from Phum Viphurit’s song Lover Boy)
Take Me Away, Sun Ray
"Kiriya."
The Rider in question jolted at his name called out by that particular voice. He spun around to come face to face with a familiar bugster in all his green, spiked and draconic glory, glaring him down intently. The surprise at Graphite calling him by his real name for the first time flickered on Kiriya's face, but he instinctually covered it up with a casual grin, forcing his body to follow suit and relax by shifting his weight to one foot and shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Yo, Graphite," He greeted back, not even a quiver in his voice and he congratulated himself for that. "What's the plan for tonight?"
Graphite crossed his arms, curling in on himself slightly and Kiriya's eyes narrowed. Where was all the pre-fight bravado? The sharp grins and playful insults? Was he nervous about tonight? Sure, Kiriya had gotten better at fighting thanks to their frequent spars, but he wasn't even close to a level that would make Graphite hesitant. If he were honest, Kiriya couldn't even think of something that could cause that kind of reaction from him.
The bugster seemed to get over his troubles, straightening out his posture a bit, as he finally looked Kiriya right in the eye.
"Well, since it's still quite early in the night, what do you say to dinner for the victor tonight after our match? As in, winner buys the loser dinner."
Kiriya's eyebrows shot up and his mouth dropped open in an excited shape halfway between an 'oh' and a smile. After a moment of gawking, he remembered Graphite needed an answer and shook himself back to reality.
"That so? But you don't even need to eat. Also, I think you've got it a little mixed up, shouldn't the loser buy for the winner?"
Graphite flinched a bit, realizing the slip of his tongue, "W-well, you still need to eat, and I enjoy it even if it does nothing for me, so..." He shrugged, "And maybe conventions should change to be that way, I think it's only appropriate that the winner should buy, further hitting an opponent when they're down is dishonorable."
Snorting, Kiriya finally let himself grin, wide and genuine, "Didn't stop you from slamming me around like a hockey puck when I accidentally burned out and crashed the other week."
"One, that was an accident, it was already too late to change my momentum!" Graphite huffed indignantly, stomping over to get up in Kiriya's face, "and two, your back wheel knocked me to the ground when it crashed into my shin, so I'd call that fight even." He finished the statement with a sharp nod, locking eyes with Kiriya to wait for his response.
The human just grinned up at him even brighter, "I can accept that. But since it's so obvious you'll win tonight’s match, do you even have money to cover for me?"
Graphite's challenging demeanor simmered down into his default proud, intense self. Even though he was in his monster form with his sealed up face plate, Kiriya could feel the smirk directed at him, easily picturing it on the bugster's human form as well. As Kiriya continued to stare him down, Graphite pressed a hand to his chest, fingers slowly dipping beneath the surface and causing a little green rim of light to appear around the intrusions. He pressed in a little deeper and his palm sank into his chest as well. Graphite's wrist twisted and turned, as if he were searching for something until he finally pulled his hand out with a credit card gripped between his talons.
"I may not have money, but Genm has more than enough to spare."
Kiriya caught himself against Graphite's chest to keep from falling to his knees from how hard he started laughing, "Man if we're screwing Kuroto over with this, why don't we just skip the fight and head straight to dinner? I know an all-you-can-eat place you're gonna love."
Graphite's shoulders slumped, the hand with the card lowering slightly and his head dipping down as his enthusiasm died.
"Aw," Kiriya chuckled, "We can still do the fight if you want. I'm not opposed to light exercise before a date."
That sent Graphite into a stuttering mess, insisting he was fine with just skipping their usual spar if that's what Kiriya wanted. Kiriya's heart swelled that he wasn't trying to deny this was a date. However, Graphite was backing away indignantly trying to lead them away and force them to head to the restaurant, and they couldn't have that. All the flustering made Kiriya break out in a full-blown laugh as he grabbed at the other man to keep him from escaping, one hand catching his wrist and holding him in place. Graphite squirmed in his grasp until Kiriya pulled in him by his ridiculous armor in for a hug, where the bugster sighed and leaned into the embrace, finally falling silent, but still blushing from the heat radiating through both their clothes.
Graphite didn't hug back. No, he was a proud, strong dragon knight, too tough and cool and closed off for that right now. For tonight, Kiriya decided he could excuse it. This was their first date, after all.
But Kiriya was sure he could get him to open up to it with time. He grinned, squeezing Graphite a little tighter, looking forward to the day when he didn't let his pride get in between them, then let him go.
Graphite looked a little confused as Kiriya stepped away, turning his back to him. Pulling out his garishly colored Gamer Driver— the neon green and pink of the device stark even in the dark of the empty warehouse they decided to meet up in— Kiriya gave the bugster a little grin and a wink over his shoulder.
"Well, c'mon then, pull out your weapon." He said, pulling his gashat out of his pocket with a flourish, sticking his finger through the hole in the game cartridge and spinning it over his finger. Bright yellow flashed in his hand as he spun to face Graphite, holding the gashat out in front of him. "I don't have all night, and I'd like to eat sometime soon."
Graphite's hand flinched towards his glaive, head tilting in that surprised way Kiriya had become all too familiar with. When the dragon got over his initial shock, he rolled his head and finally pulled the giant weapon from his back, snapping it open then spinning and lifting it to rest on his shoulder. With his other hand, he reached out and curled his fingers, head raised challengingly.
“Fine. Since you’re so insistent,” He growled, his fierce smile clear in his voice.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Kiriya clicked the button on his gashat, flipping it to plug into his Gamer Driver, then doing his usual, flashy show of spin kicking the character select screen.
He'd make sure to make their first date night a memorable one. And he noticed, as he finished his transformation, Graphite looked like he was thinking the exact same thing as the dragon charged right at him.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
The only Valentine's day experience Taiga's ever had was getting dumped by his primary school girlfriend in front of their entire class. Now he’s nearly 30 and has a boyfriend who’s definitely never once experienced the holiday.
i didn’t want to do my homework so bad that i wrote a valentines fic about taiga and graphite being shitty boyfriends who suck at being a couple<3
