koboreta | Prismatica🌱 IC inbox

[In a way, composing music is like magic - magic that always makes the clock jump forward more than Sougo's expecting, on the off chance that he happens to look away from his work long enough to actually register the time. Tamaki's usually the one to come into his room and break his attention, but here in the agency's recording studio where there's no one to bother him, it's even easier to let the hours slip by. (He didn't fall asleep or something, did he?! It's entirely possible, given his track record of working late into the night...)

This time, he's snapped out of his stupor when his phone lights up with Gaku's text notification. Wow... It really is awfully late, isn't it? Only a few minutes from midnight, in fact.]

Ah... Yes, I am.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize how late it was getting. You haven't been waiting on me, have you?

[Thankfully, that probably isn't the case. Gaku may be kind, but he's also straightforward to the point that he never minces his words. If Sougo were the only thing keeping him from leaving, he likely would have gotten a text much sooner, and that alone is enough to quell a decent amount of his worries.]

I'm close to a stopping point, so it shouldn't take me more than a few minutes to wrap up and close everything down for the night. Are you getting ready to leave?

[Gaku isn't really bothered by having to stay a little later. In all honesty, it's amazing how hard everyone is working already. With an easy smile, he picks up his phone to respond.]

I can keep it up for a while. If you need to work, work. Just let me know when you're done.

Really, it shouldn't be more than another five minutes or so. I wouldn't want to keep you when it's so late.

While we're both here, if you're finished for the night, would you like to come in and listen to what I have so far?

[Gaku will tell him his honest thoughts, he's sure, and having another pair of ears listen to his sample should tell him if he's on the right track. It shouldn't take long, right?]

I don't want to stop you, so don't even look at the time again.

Actually, yeah. I'd like that. I don't think I've heard any of your work before.

[Gaku will gladly hear it, of only because he gets inspired by the efforts of the people around him. That, and Sougo is one of those people he secretly enjoys being around, especially when they're all drinking. Not that they're drinking now, of course. This is solemn and serious work.

So he heads to the recording studio rooms and peeks in until he finds Sougo. Politely, he gives a brief knock before being waved in.]

It's nice to see these getting some use. What do you think of the setup?

I'll show you the song I finished for MEZZO". I wasn't so sure about the second song, the one I'm working on right now, but I'm starting to feel a little more confident the more I refine it.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Feeling confident enough to show a song sample to someone like Gaku is a big step. Sougo's already let Ryuu listen, and Tamaki keeps reassuring him that it's a great song, but the fact that he feels like he can proudly show his progress to Gaku is something he couldn't have foreseen when he started composing.

Thankfully, he really was at a good stopping point, so by the time he hears a knock at the door, Sougo politely waves Gaku in with a smile.]

It's everything I could have wanted. The whole agency is incredible, so I knew you would be able to turn the studio into something amazing, too.

[Grinning, he gestures to the control panels. Look at these mixing consoles! Look at all of the channels! Look at the technology here!!!!]

I'm really glad I could help you pick out some of the equipment. I can do a lot with the setup in my apartment, but in the end, nothing compares to a real studio. Have you gotten to do much with it yet, or are you still getting the paperwork in order?

[He's so polite it almost makes Gaku laugh. For someone to treat him so respectfully... while it feels good, it's always a little awkward. He'd rather be peers, to a degree. But then again Ousaka has always been the formal sort when it comes to interacting with other artists.

Until he drinks.

The booth is starting to look used and loved, and Gaku can't get enough of that feeling of building something with his bare hands, so to speak. This agency has taken effort, and he's proud. And soon, guys like Sougo will produce amazing things from inside the walls.]

I was hoping you'd be okay with the ones we finally went with. You got a good grasp of the technology here pretty quickly, didn't you?

[He runs a finger over the edge of one console, then casually settles a hand on the back of Sougo's chair.]

I've done some demos; we're trying to outsource remixing some of our older songs until we get a fanbase and more connections. It'll be worth it, but I've gotta say... I don't know the first thing about mixing. All I know is how to record and send it off to a higher power.

[He chuckles, deep and soft.]

I'd ask you to do it, but like hell am I interrupting a creative at work. I'm thinking about charging you rent, with the hours you pull in here. Do you sleep?

Of course. How could I not be, when you wound up choosing so many of my suggestions? The technology admittedly took a little getting used to, but it's nearly second nature by now.

[Sure, maybe Sougo's been using this space a little too often, but isn't that what it's here for? Thankfully, nobody else has been using this particular studio yet, so he more or less has it to himself for the time being.

That aside, remixing TRIGGER's existing songs is pretty high on the list of things he doesn't want to do, considering that nothing could compare to the originals. But although Gaku's hand on the back of his chair is nearly enough to make him flinch, the easygoing laugh that follows is quick to draw a light one from Sougo in turn. When did he start feeling comfortable around TRIGGER? At the start of his career, if someone had told Sougo that he'd eventually find talking to Gaku soothing, he wouldn't have believed it for a second... but here they are.]

Maybe not as often as I should, but at the same time, I like to keep busy. [Especially during the Iris cycle, though he certainly isn't about to say that so bluntly.] Really, though, I'd be happy to do basic vocal cleanup and equalization for you. It shouldn't take--

[Ring, ring, ring. Sougo hastily takes his phone from his pocket and turns off the alarm he'd set for midnight, brows furrowing just slightly.]

...It really has gotten late. Are you sure I haven't been unknowingly keeping you here?

[Gaku is more than happy to let him have it to himself; he's good at what he does and getting better by the day. As a professional, Gaku wouldn't dream of ruining that particular kind of progress. He's here for it, completely.

That said, he is leaving the tweaking and rearrangement of TRIGGER's music to a disinterested (paid) party for a reason, so he won't frighten poor Sougo with that monumental task. He's just mentioning it to illustrate his own cluelessness. Still, if he can help with things like initial cleanup? Gaku's thrilled, to be honest. He'll take him up on that.

Leaning over, he looks at the equipment again, a hand now on Sougo's shoulder, their bodies maybe too close together.

He can... smell him? And he smells nice. Cologne? No. That alarm goes off, and Gaku's eyes manage to catch the time.

Quite as discreetly as he can manage, he raises his free hand to see if--yes. Ears. Okay.]

Shit.

[Big. Fluffy. Silver-gray ones.]

I mean... No, it's fine. [A beat.] You're not Cordis, right?

[If the clock hitting midnight wasn't at the forefront of his thoughts, Sougo is positive that he'd be having a silent meltdown over Gaku casually touching his shoulder. But right now, he's mentally berating himself for winding up in this precarious situation. Dammit, they're in a closed room... Any moonblessing is bad enough, but what is he supposed to do if Gaku's Cordis?!

Thankfully, those thoughts die rather quickly as he looks up and realizes that Gaku's large, fluffy ears look far more like Tamaki's usual ones than anything else. They're... somehow charming, in a way. But above all, they're a clear sign of Sanguis, and that's enough to put at least one of Sougo's worries at ease as he reaches up to his own head. They're there, he knows they are, but he reaches up to touch them anyway - fluffy rabbit ears, and a shift in his seat confirms that his tail is there to match.]

No... I'm Iris.

[It was already clear from a glance, but even just admitting it has so many implications that he'd never want Gaku to associate with him. Even something as simple as Gaku Yaotome, Mr. cool and sexy himself, seeing him with rabbit ears is incredibly embarrassing, and Sougo bites his lip just a bit in worry. IDOLiSH7 has done a shoot like this, if nothing else... but that doesn't help their current predicament.]

I take it you're Sanguis, then. [Just like Ryuu.] ...It suits you, somehow.

[Dammit. Tamaki is Sanguis too, so he knows exactly how this goes down, but Sougo always takes extra caution to stay in his room as much as possible during the three moons cycle! What was he thinking?!

Okay, deep breaths. All he has to do is just... ignore the chroma spreading from Gaku's hand on his shoulder, warm and vibrant and definitely not bringing a little colour to his cheeks.]

[Aren't they both lucky that no one in this room is Cordis! Gaku's relieved, and it's visible, in the way his shoulders relax and his hand's grip loosens. Still, he keeps it on Sougo's shoulder because as usual, he's feeling restless already. Why is it such a short fall from idol to this beast?

He's close enough that turning his head a bit bumps him right into one of Sougo's new ears, and... it's soft. All he can think is that it's soft, running fleetingly against his cheek. He probably tastes good. That's the second thought. Intrusive.

Then the comment about Sanguis registers, and Gaku's lips twitch up slightly. If he could stop getting distracted, stop staring, stop wanting to nuzzle in close, it would be really helpful, here.]

It suits me? What, am I scary, or do I seem aggressive?

[Maybe not saying that aggressively (though with amusement) would help that image? One mess.]

It's actually... Truthfully, I don't like it much. I feel like I lose my self-control too easily. Even right now I'm looking at you like a piece of meat, aren't I?

[The moment his ear brushes against Gaku's cheek, Sougo has to swallow thickly to keep himself from gasping, even that much extra contact extremely dangerous given that he knows what's coming. The slightest hint of colour rises to his cheeks, and he stills to make extra sure that he doesn't move in closer the way he suddenly wants to.]

No, that isn't it at all! Rather than scary or aggressive, you're confident and self-assured, and steadfastly pursue the things you want without wavering.

[Isn't that a little like Sanguis? Gaku can seem awfully intimidating, but it was clear from the first time they met that he isn't actually scary in the slightest. Of course, that doesn't stop Sougo from shrinking a little under his gaze at the moment, feeling his pulse slowly begin to increase with each passing minute. It's nothing of Gaku's doing, but that doesn't make him any less nervous to be in front of someone he respects in such a state.]

That's, um... It's nothing you can help, so I really don't mind.

[Sirens begin going off in his head long before the next words leave his mouth - don't say it, don't you dare say it - but as his eyes flick up to Gaku's, it's already too late.]

If... If you think it would help, we could try to hold hands to stave off the need for more contact...

[This is clearly the best solution to keep their working relationship in order.]

[The part of Gaku's brain that knows he shouldn't let himself get carried away quietly clicks off. As usual. This is why he stays home for this...

Still, he'll try to play it cool. He just smiles like a good person and looks away briefly, examining his reflection on one of the darkened monitors.]

You don't have to say things like that about me. Some people just call me stubborn and leave it at that. Why're you dressing it up?

[Ah, damn. There's the aggression again. He shakes his head and takes a deep breath. Yep. That's a mistake. His pulse is pounding in his ears--both sets--and he wants vaguely to just disappear. The prudent thing would be to leave and let Sougo lock up when he's done. But what the hell is prudent about this state? He's burning up. He's fighting urges but slowly losing, and just...

The hand on Sougo's shoulder runs down his arm slowly, fingers gentle but firm... then he takes Sougo's wrist, lifts his hand from the console, and curls his hand around his.

Does it help...?]

You know, I really do respect you. You're doing things I don't know anything about.

[He finds himself nuzzling one of those rabbit ears softly, unsure when he moved to do so. Then, sighing, he parts his lips and takes the tip of one soft ear between his teeth, scraping them over the skin and fur ever so lightly.]

I'm usually up against other Sanguis or Cordis when I'm like this. This is a little easier. I still feel like every muscle is wound up too tight, but you're not making it worse like they always do. I'll be okay once I calm down.

I'm being honest! It's more than stubbornness, it's--

[The simple act of Gaku running those long fingers down his arm sets Sougo's skin blazing even through the fabric of his cardigan, and even though he was the one who suggested this in the first place, it becomes clear as Gaku's warm hand curls around his that this idea was far more dangerous than he anticipated.

How terribly embarrassing is he, completely forgetting to speak from just that?! But just as he's about to respond to those entirely too kind words, Gaku's suddenly not only nuzzling against one of his soft rabbit ears, but taking the tip between his teeth. If this wasn't precarious before, it certainly is now, as Sougo's breath catching sharply in his throat makes his surprise very audible. Hopefully, Gaku dosn't notice him barely arching his head into it, hoping to elicit just a little more friction.]

Yaotome-san... You have too much faith in me.

[Not that it's Sougo's fault - all he can do now is take deep breaths and try to stave this off. The familiar warmth of the Iris heat has already begun to settle in, and before Sougo can hope to steel himself, he already feels like the temperature has risen enough to make him dizzy. Every semblance of respect that Gaku has for him will surely fly right out the window once he realizes what's going on.]

The Iris cycle is different from Sanguis or Cordis, but it isn't any better. [I'm going to make it worse.] If you're not used to it, I don't know how you'll react, but... I'll do everything I can to suppress it.

I have the right amount.

[That intake of breath sets Gaku on fire, though he can't tell if it's good or bad. He can't read anything right now, driven by instinct as he is. He just... if he could just get this tension out of his system he wouldn't be so apt to go after Sougo. But he'll try to soothe himself.

Gaku can't help it; he inhales again, deeply, thoughtfully, and yes, there's something different about Iris. It's a familiar sort of smell, though he can't place it, its identity lurking somewhere in the increasingly grayed out parts of his mind.

His head lowers, nose skirting along the edge of the ear, until he can bury his face in Sougo's hair. It's terribly untoward for him as a senpai of sorts, worse as an industry peer, but he can't help himself. The warmth is soothing, or so he thinks. He pulls the hand he's holding up and eases it into his own hair, near one of the usual wolf ears, encouraging Sougo to touch him in return.

His other hand comes to rest on Sougo's opposite shoulder, gripping firmly. It's not unkind, but he's really trying to ground himself.]

...I should leave, right? Go home. Hide until this is over. That's what I always do: I hide. I don't have the courage to face myself when I'm like this. I always wonder if I can push through it, but I won't let myself be around other people. I don't want to hurt you--them. Anyone.

[As far as Sougo is concerned, anyone who has faith in him at the moment has their trust sorely misplaced for a multitude of reasons.

And oh, if this entire situation wasn't precarious enough, Gaku just has to bury his perfect face in Sougo's hair, and Sougo immediately feels like he's committed an unforgivable sin for not running away when he had the chance. How many women would die to be in his place right now? Honestly, even he'd die to be in his own place in any other situation, but all of his conscious thoughts succinctly fizzle out as his hand is guided up to those unfamiliar wolf ears, far too soft not to pet just a little bit. Every bone in his body is screaming that this is dangerous, but hasn't that been evident from the start?]

I hide away too. When all three moons are out, I try to stay home and isolate myself from other people as much as possible. But...

[As if Iris couldn't take hold of him any further, he raises his other hand in a matter of moments to rest gingerly, almost delicately on Gaku's shoulder in return, simply balancing himself while affectionately petting those soft ears.]

I trust you, Yaotome-san... The moonblessings may have an enormous sway over us, but they don't completely change who we are. Even under the influence of Sanguis, I know that you won't hurt me.

[A rumbling, satisfied growl rises from Gaku, unbidden but no longer stopped or held back. The touch is soothing and stimulating at once, Gaku's mind slowly descending into terrible, terrible thoughts he's sure he'll act on now.

He's a predator right now, and Sougo is unfortunate prey. Nosing around in the other idol's hair for a moment, he considers his options. He hurt Ryuu. He knows he can hurt people like this. It'll be a cold day in hell when he does it for fun, but instinct for someone with an already fiery temper means he's a disaster right now.]

I want you.

[His lips travel up one of those ears again.]

I really do. I want to devour you. And other... other things. I can't believe I'm telling you this. It's not like I didn't think you were cute before. You seemed like you'd knock out if I complimented you even a little. Now it's just...

[Fuck.]

I want to do it more. Watch you... fall apart.

[He's going to hell. Directly. Immediately.]

[Please, please don't let Gaku realize how much that low growl makes the room feel even hotter. Sougo's only saving grace is that they aren't looking directly at each other, but it's likely not hard to imagine how flushed his face is from them being in such close proximity. He'll never let himself close that distance between them, of course... Wanting to move in closer is inevitable, but he tries to hold out and only let his hand fall to curl into Gaku's surprisingly soft hair, hoping to ground himself just a little.

But as the next words finally sink in and his eyes go wide, there's no hope of holding back. And as Gaku continues on, each sentence more precarious and appealing than the last, yet another tremulous gasp reflexively escapes him.]

I... [Dammit. His voice is already breathy, shallow with what he hopes isn't identifiable as yearning.] I'd let you.

[God, no. The words spill out before he can take them back, and rather than try to stop the next ones, something in him urges them to come out unbidden.]

Eagerly. Without restraint. [This can't be happening.] I'd let you do anything you wanted to me.

Edited 2020-03-03 02:47 (UTC)

[That's all Gaku needs to hear for his last thread of control to snap. He growls again, a low rumble at first as he lowers his lips to Sougo's neck. Scraping sharp canines over his skin, inhaling deeply, he's increasingly aware that something really is going on with Iris.]

Anything?

[Sweet words from Sougo. An invitation, really. And Gaku's tone is low and sensual, even if he is losing the battle with his better judgement. One hand, fingers tense, curves under Sougo's chin and tips his head up and to the side. He doesn't ask for permission even if he should, briefly nosing against the younger man's cheek before he captures his lips for an all too hungry kiss.]

[The idea of having even an ounce of restraint is almost laughable given their current predicament, but Sougo certainly isn't laughing. Rather, his breath hitches audibly in his throat as Gaku's canines graze the thin skin of his neck, the sultry tone of the words that follow eliciting a wave of shudders down his spine.]

Anything.

[Right now, he really does feel like he'd give anything - let Gaku do anything and everything he pleases - just to keep them close another second longer. Sougo's voice is uncharacteristically breathy as he speaks, cheeks flushed deeply as Gaku's perfect fingers tilt his chin up just so... but he doesn't have time to truly think through how bad of an idea this is before he's already curling his fingers more tautly into silver hair, lips covered all too swiftly by the warmth of Gaku's own.

He's leaning into this of his own will, needy and eager to please, and it's damn well more fulfilling than any of his dreamlike fantasies.]

Prismatica🌱 IC inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject