SNAKE.

—— 🐒

                       Every destination seemed like it would be more crowded than the last && for the sake of their mention, ANXIETY tightened his chest   (constricted them into a breathless hitch amidst narrow caverns).   He couldn’t wonder at their difference, yet he ACHED for bravery that being there with Ayame would be reason enough to ease his nerves. Ritsu had never been fond of busy streets or crowded places. They left him feeling like something under a microscope. STUDIED && JUDGED for all that he failed to be. It added pressure to the already uncomfortable grind of day—to—day that couldn’t help but make him wonder if someone else— - someone like AYAME - —could ever feel the same.

BUT!! He didn’t want to be more of a kill—joy than he knew himself to be already. If it was just the two of them   (even if it only lasted a moment)   maybe that could be enough.

     “ W—Well— “   Timid fingers offered the snake’s hand a gentle squeeze && he did his best to smile. It wasn’t exactly carefree or confident, but at least it was a start.   “ I’ve never been to Hawaii… “   Ritsu hadn’t been any of the places mentioned, actually. His parents weren’t as well—off as others in the family. Trips && vacations were made in sparse company && to estates titled under the SOHMA name.

                 “ ----- Hawaii it is then. OH! I am so excited.  The most fulfilled thing we CAN do is sight seeing. There is MOST definitely not a lack of sightseeing there IS to do --- I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE not to be completely engrossed in the breathtaking beauty that Hawaii beholds. Everywhere your head turns you will likely see dramatic mountain ranges, turquoise and deep azure ocean scenes, and ALL the diverse landscapes. No DIFFERENT than that of the country side but I believe their culture is unlike our own in many ways. . Each one of the Hawaiian Islands offers a special place in the hearts of all residents --- so I am told. Who knows, maybe I’ll find some more motivation while we are there.”  

—— 🐒

                       “ N—No—!! ”

                         ——that’s not it!!

Beneath the weight of Ayame’s hand ‘pon his head, Ritsu floundered. It isn’t a big deal   (it SHOULDN’T be a big deal)   plenty of couples— - NEW COUPLES - —went away for the weekend. Especially within the Sohma family where money && luxury were a bit less of a commodity. && he WANTED to go; to spend time doing God—knows—what at a distance from everything && everyone else. && maybe that was the problem. Gay delight && frivolity had never rested well in him. He was simply too anxious, too ashamed of the person he was to believe that such things were meant to be bestowed on him. However much he might WANT them.

A moment too long spent in his fidget-y silence, Ritsu decided to TRY. To reach one hand up to sweep the elder’s from a crown of red-gold && take those discarded fingers in his own. && he gave them a timid squeeze before raising dark eyes to the snake’s face.   " W—Where did you have i—in mind? “

                   “ ---- WELL --- we could go to Northern Ireland. As, the place has a GROWING array of open air bars, arts venues, and restaurants, Belfast is quickly becoming an attractive destination for travelers and I would LOVE to check that out.  If we go there than we could check out arts organization Seedhead, which USUALLY runs street art tours and hosts pop up cabarets around the city.  Or if you’re up for England, I wouldn’t neglect that at all either. Devon is best known for CREAM teas and surf beaches --- you see, and while I know that it’s warm when our winter is just about starting ---  design and fashion lovers, like myself, can soon overnight at the Secular Retreat, a strikingly minimal property inspired by ecclesiastical architecture and designed by Peter Zumthor.  Or -- like I mentioned, we can go to HAWAII. I would believe you’d be interesting in seeing the   litany of installations, panel discussions, and performances on stages. So whichever or whatever you choose I will make sure that we will have a good time.”                 DETERMINED -- of course, he desperate wanted to have a nice time out of the country. While, only ever being out of the country once or twice, it was high time that he SHOULD do it again. All the places that were mentioned were on his bucket list, after all. 

—— 🐒

                       “ I— I don’t, but—! ”   HAD THEY EVER BEEN ON A TRIP TOGETHER? There were occasional vacations to summer homes that many of the younger juunishi would attend, but Ritsu had never actually joined in; be it from a general shyness or simply because he was too busy. The opportunity didn’t arise itself often enough to permit the monkey joining in on such occasions more often than not. But this wasn’t a group trip with children in tow. This was them—— - JUST THEM - ——somewhere pleasant && distant from the pensive day-to-day.   “ Someone like me would only be a burden on you, I’m sure. You would have left home with the desire for a relaxing vacation && I’ll have ruined the whole experience for you with my presence!! ”

     “  --- On the CONTRARY, your presence will make the vacation more worth it.  It’s always better to go somewhere nice with company. I wouldn’t have ASKED if I think you would be a burden to me.”    Ritsu was showing his TRUE colors now a days, how he thought so little of himself ( --- Aya was only realizing it more and more because of the way they were USUALLY spending time in one another’s presence more often. )  Realizing the small bit of confidence the other had, the way he shrunk up to distance himself --- the way he believed that even speaking over a certain VOLUME would result in some kind cynical feedback. NEGATIVE reactions and over all annoyance for others. With a hand on chin, the snake pondered as to what he could SAY to reassure the other that he wasn’t going to be as he said.

    Ayame would see RIGHT through Shigure and not like the unhealthy atmosphere that those two share. As a concerned best friend, I feel like he would try to leer Shigure away from Akito as much as possible.  Remember, Aya sees Shigure as an incredible nice person, I don’t really believe he’s aware of the other’s manipulative behavior ( — and only thinks of those kind of jokes and actions in a comedic manner. )  The snake would believe that even the brightest and nicest people can be involved in a relationship that SUCKS them dry. Unlike others, he will try not to CHANGE the nature of their relationship just because his PERSONAL dislike of Akito. Even if distancing himself from Shigure after finding out about the relation may lead him to be subtle at first natural tendency to remain more on speaking terms with Ha’ri, He’ll remind himself that he needs to be in Shigure’s life. He does extremely care for his friend, their personal relationship IS prioritized above the dislike of Akito – ALWAYS.