❝If there's a shadow in me there's a tidal wave inside of you~

   Only before Jun does the mask falls and the vulnerable side of Ibara shows, even if just a bit. Even if twisted and crooked by many years of living like alone wolf and clinging to dear life every second, not a moment to breath.

    Laughter bubbling up at the awkwardly annoyed reaction from his boyfriend, Ibara leans back even further into him, legs open letting him touch as much as he pleases.

      The things he will do for him. He still can’t believe the one he seeks to be with is Ibara of all people. With as fake as he can be and as much as Jun won’t tolerate it when it comes to him, it’s still a surprise to see him open up like this. His laugh, and the way he gives in to a nudge to take a break from work and be intimate. It isn’t often Jun interrupts his work, but even Ibara can figure out he just misses him, right? 

Ibara’s voice quivers as he feels the shirt being pulled up, his abdomen receiving the cold wind heads first before Jun’s warmth sweeps into his skin. The double sensation makes him soften even more - he’s slowly turning into putty in Jun’s knowing hands.

Lids dropping gently over half-lidded eyes, ibara tilted his head back, accepting the kiss that was offered. It really was something else - it felt even better after a whole week of being apart from each other.

Jun really was dangerous.

“Hnmm, a meeting you say? That’s quite kinky coming from you~”

He teases, but welcomes Jun’s touches, legs opening to make it easier for him to touch, body leaning back against him as he lowers the half-full cup of coffee on the table.

“So? What are the points we’re going through in this meeting?”

      ❝. . .❞ Goddammit Ibara. He gives him an excuse, not a role to play on why he shouldn’t go talk to Nagisa. He isn’t serious. For it he breaths in, his nip a little harsher as if to say ‘shut up, Ibrara’.

      Still, he’s grateful for Ibara relenting so easily. The spread of his legs distracts him enough, makes him focus on the thrum of his heartbeat and what he sets out to do. He won’t give in to Ibara’s taunts or even humor an answer yet. Should he play along? It might make him happier...

     With how adamant he was on his own no-touch policy, it was certainly odd how relaxing it felt to have Jun’s strong arms wrapped around his waist by now. He liked it. It felt nice and warm. He could feel the drastic temperature change between the two of them…

     Easing into this very comfortable situation, he lifts his papers and continues reading over them, a pen on his hand ready to mark down things and note down important details.

     “Mn? Should I take that as a compliment? In that case, you’re quite the outstanding heater yourself.”

      ❝Thanks, Ibara.❞ his sarcasm shines through as he holds him closer. ❝Glad to know your personal heater is outstanding right now~...❞ Ibara loses context of him trying to dote on him a bit and it’s just enough to strike a chord with him. 

      Ibara just doesn’t get it. He’s everything to him, something he wants to keep close and covet. The others in Eden are so far ahead of him-- Ibara included and yet he insists on being behind Jun somehow. 

      “Hahaha! I truly can’t win against you Jun”

      He laughs in the usual obnoxious way, but even that tone slowly dies out as Jun’s touches infect him with a need to be close to his boyfriend. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t constantly tempted to go cuddle with Jun in the bed, but that’s exactly why I kept himself in the office all night long. He had things to do and Jun was, quite honestly, a big distraction to him.

     “Well, even if we rest from our idol activities there’s a lot of manager duties that can’t be avoided”

      His reply is simple, but he knows what Jun means. Still, unlike Jun whose done nothing but gain popularity, Ibara has nothing to contribute to Eden besides this underground work. He wants for Eden to succeed, for cospro to shine… and he has to do it himself.

     “Ah, I should give His Excellency a call then… or maybe pay him a visit”

      He says, but his thoughts are way too busy with Jun right now to really think about it. The touches on his stomach are really nice, as are the kisses. He nuzzles at Jun and kisses his jaw when he moves up

     He knows what Ibara’s thinking, how Ibara feels. He hears him denote himself plenty, and to be honest he wants to take all those thoughts away from him. Ibara may not be the popular one in Eden, but can’t he see that they all have room and desires to grow? He won’t let him give up and think he’s not an important part of Eden as an Idol over the shady work he conducts behind the scenes. 

     If he’s the light that Ibara insists on addressing him as, then he’ll pull Ibara along with him. Fingers tug his shirt free from being tucked into his pants and explore beneath his shirt as he leaves his mark along Ibara’s shoulder. A nip follows and when he moves his head he finds Ibara eager to nuzzle and kiss at his jaw. 

He finds his lips then, his kiss a slow bubble of the heat he feels rush up the back of his neck. As lips move along his own he finds himself longing, hungry and with a tilt of his head eases his tongue along Ibara’s lips. A brief taste before pulling back. 

      He ended up staying all night long. Again. There’s just so much that needs to be done, specially considering the new units he’s taken under his wing. Valkyrie is an insanely popular unit by itself, so there’s plenty of work offers he needs to file and schedule. 2wink still has room to grow so here he is trying to gather contracts for them to appear at bigger and better events, some that will really make them shine…

      As busy as he is, not only has he forgotten the natural pass of time, but he fails to notice Jun approaching from behind. His body tenses up a bit in surprise before relaxing down at the warmth of Jun against his neck. He sighs, a pleased gesture as the coffee cup enters is range of view.

     As Jun speaks, Ibara lets his eyes move to the wall clock. So it’s already morning.

     “Good morning Jun. Had a good night sleep? You know resting is an important part of working as an idol~”

     He replies, shoulders dropping as Jun’s caresses continue, head turning back slightly to accept the sweet kiss before moving over to grab at the coffee and getting a sip. Luckily he’s done with the toughest part, now just rewriting some e-mails to certain companies.

      ❝If you meant that at all then you would have joined me last night, Ibara~...❞ he’s smiling despite himself. He knows how hard Ibara works and appreciates it far more than his boss probably realizes. It’s sad to see the snake stray so much further from contact and even more to get lost in the role he forces himself into. 

      ❝You gave us a day off, but here you are working away.❞ he murmurs between kisses and he’s done testing to waters. Ibara isn’t in one of his moods where he wants to push away, so Jun keeps at it with the attention. His hands slip lower, tease along Ibara’s stomach as he sucks gently along his neck. He can use a break and have a reminder that there’s more than work to do for just a little while, right? 

     Jun understands what he wants with those words alone, and matches Ibara’s  pace as he picks up the papers and moves to the couch. The worst thing about that all, is how easy it is for Ibara to let go and enjoy the moment. To hop onto the current and enjoy the ride.

    It’ll be impossible to forget Jun when he’s gone, he realizes. Impossible to adapt to life without him again - and that’s scary.

    But for now he decides not to think much about it, flopping right in between Jun’s legs and leaning back against that warm and strong chest as he flips through the pages he has to read. Ultimate comfort.

     He hates how perfect all this feels, how impossibly hopeless he is the second Ibara leans back between his legs and rests on him. It’s a natural response to wrap arms around him to keep him securely against him. He even nestles his chin against Ibara’s shoulder. 

      It’s just what they do together when Ibara is too busy to leave and it’s enough for Jun to just to get this amount of attention from the other. Now, if only Ibara can recognize how he feels about him. Truly, there’s nothing left to do other than to keep showing him. He only hopes Ibara won’t shut him out in the mean time... 

    “Teach? Now, now, that’s quite exciting information~”

     He crooked an eyebrow, not really following.

     Yes. It was probably jealousy what he felt when he saw Jun standing before a stage full of people, basking in their cheers. It would at least give him some explanation for the increasing tightness in his chest, and that feeling of void on his stomach, as if he was in free-fall. It was easier than trying to make sense of feelings he never knew were his… easier than clinging to Jun and telling him not to leave him behind.

     Easier than admitting that, despite being alone all his life, and despite knowing Jun couldn’t possibly be into him forever, he couldn’t imagine himself coming back to that…

     “Is that so? It feels like it’d be hard to keep your balance as a beginner”

     Ibara hummed, looking at the ice rink by the side. Despite his rather neutral response his eyes were sparkling, excited by the prospect of doing something he’d only seen in the movies. Of course, even his selfish entertainment stopped when he heard Jun’s next sentence, blue eyes opening wide and mouth dropping open.

     Love…

   He’s so shocked by the declaration he can’t even fight Jun, following behind him as he sets everything for their little skate date. Having already paid for things, it’d be a shame not to try it, so Ibara sits besides Jun and mirrors his movements as he puts the skates on.

     Seeing Jun easily getting up on his feet Ibara feel his pride sting him to do the same. The second he gets up, however, his knees bend at the strange position the skates force him into and he’s short from hitting the floor, clinging to Jun’s arm for support.

     “…I sure hope you didn’t bring me here to laugh at my first attempts of skating”

      ❝It takes practice, Ibara. That’s all~ kinda like it took you practice to learn to fight the way you do. Can’t believe you’re still kicking my ass, you know~?❞ He’s too busy whining to notice Ibara’s mouth dropping open wide. He mentions love and he can’t handle it. 

      Maybe he’s so used to these kinds of reactions from Ibara that he can’t even notice the way they take shape now. That and he focuses on putting his skates on and wants to check Ibara’s over, but as soon as he gets up Ibara follows.

   He barely has time to react as Ibara seeks out his arm for balance. It almost makes him fall over too, but he’s far too accustom to Hiyori doing these things while toting around a bunch of bags, so he recovers easily. With Ibara using him as support he uses his arms to pull him upright and makes sure he’s fully balanced before kneeling down to tighten the laces to Ibara’s skates. Can’t have him tripping over these with a blade involved....

      ❝Yeah, you got me. I only brought you here to laugh at you~...❞ his sarcasm rings true as he looks up at his boyfriend. ❝Come on, Ibara. You’re always so interested in the things I like to do, so welcome to it.❞ 

     At least it’s not as bad as when he tries to show Ibara how to play tennis. It’s more like trying to hit balls out of the court, if you ask him. Now he rises to his feet and once again seeks out Ibara’s hand. Now he tries to guide him out towards the rink. ❝Use my arm for balance if you need to, it’s gonna get real slick as soon as you step on the ice...❞

      Of course it’s fake. But it’s far easier than say Jun looks terribly attractive today or that his heart kind of skipped a beat when he saw him.

      He does wonder if he isn’t somehow ruining the frame of Jun’s attractiveness with his own presence. it kind of feels like that lately - because Jun keeps running further into the light, leaving him behind in the shadows. All on his own.

     “Indeed~ I can only imagine how many girls must envy my blessed luck right now” he tightens his hold on Jun’s hand, as if fearing his own words will somehow make an army of girls manifest just to steal his boyfriend from him.

     He lets himself be guided and stops at the rink, blue eyes widening at the sight.

      “No. I have only seen them on the tv” he admits, taking a curious look around “You know how to skate though, don’t you?” he says, bringing back the memories from Jun’s data.

      ❝Might be enough to teach you something~...❞ He knows how Ibara’s been lately. Insistent on how envious he is, reassuring that he is perfectly fine with the data he collects in regards to how well Eden is doing as a whole. 

      ❛You’re more popular Jun. You shine brighter than me Jun! When are you going to find a girlfriend, Jun--❜

      He wants to put all of that to rest tonight. He’s going to show Ibara things not even Hiyori knows of. His hold remains gentle on Ibara’s hand, and instead of rising to the bait of his words he tilts his head towards the rental booth. Music carries on inside and while there’s lights flashing here and there, he can only focus on Ibara. 

      ❝You’re gonna be better than me at this, you know~? You’re really good with your balance... not to mention your reflexes. So I’m really excited to skate with you. I haven’t come back to a place like this in years.❞

      Why would he? It brings nothing but pain whenever he thinks of his mother back then. Smiling and happy and all of it fake. Living a lie just to encapsulate bliss... it’s a life he hates to think of, but here he is trying to dive back into certain aspects of it with Ibara. Maybe one day Ibara will recognize how serious it is to be brought here. Part of his gift is opening up to him more... but Jun doubts he’ll figure it out all on his own. 

      Ibara’s a dumbass... his brilliant dumbass. 

      ❝I wanted to bring someone I loved here to see it for what it was to me back then, you know? I wanna enjoy skating again and the only person I can see myself with while doing it is you, Ibara~...❞ He tugs him forward, pays for their tickets and moves to get their skates. He says it all as they move throughout the building, but he means every word. 

     “Well, if I was a high-school girl I would’ve probably fallen in love after seeing you looking like that. Let’s hope it traduces to more sales for our new CD~”

     Jun’s straightforward attitude is always a bit too much for Ibara to take without some sort of joke, some type of avoidance - it burns him slowly, sweetly, making him crave for it at the same time it makes him want to run away and hide.

     He doesn’t run however. And he doesn’t hide either. He moves closer to Jun and stares into that smile that is brighter than the very sun, lips slightly parted still tasting like him.

     "Birthday?” he’s totally forgotten by now, and he tilts his head, taking far too many silent seconds understanding what Jun means. The box helps. A present. For him. So it had to be his birthday.

     “You shouldn’t have bothered with getting a present for someone like me. I was never too kin of having been born so I haven’t really celebrated it at all before” he replies, shrugging up a bit and looking away from perfect golden eyes.

     He usually hides that unsightly and pitiful side of him - but Jun already knows. And Jun certainly doesn’t care. He doesn’t open it just yet, placing the box inside his jacket pocket as Jun starts walking, having to follow right after.

    “How intriguing. Where are you taking me, Jun?”

      ❝Anything for the sales~...❞ a roll of his eyes, but he still tugs Ibara closer. He isn’t going to let him deter him with that kind of banter; they both know it’s all fake, anyway. 

      ❝Yeah. It’s your own birthday and lucky you, you get to spend it with me! ☆ ❞ Now where is he taking Ibara? Once he makes sure the gift is secure in Ibara’s pocket, he leads him away from their meeting place and down the street. 

     Soon, it shows up-- a skating rink. It’s been a long time since he’s put on a pair of blades and done anything of the sort with anyone, but he wants to show Ibara something few get to see. Glimpses and pieces of a shattered childhood-- what is happy and what will always be kept close to his heart. 

Huh, someone bumps into him, makes him stumble and when golden eyes shift and still on Ritsu he wonders if it's even an accident at all. Probably not with such a malicious little look.