[ busy, busy, busy. so is the nature of the Tower and his life, but his life is very different now than it was when he left. explaining that (who) was almost as arduous of a journey as climbing the Tower itself. it probably would have been easier to explain if time had passed, because growing several inches overnight and gaining a boyfriend is more than a whirlwind romance.
but he made do as always and his team knows better than to push their luck, mostly. or at least they've learned when it comes to tatara, their boss's undeniable lover, boyfriend, soon to be fiance—
it wasn't only the social explanations that were an ordeal but also the practical things: he had just purchased a condo for them all to live in, but the addition of tatara demanded a bigger place, one where they had more than privacy but a home. having an entire floor to themselves is extravagant, but he had told tatara that he'd have space for plenty of shelves of memories so it was necessary.
it's a few weeks later after the initial settling and adjustments. a time that's found aguero busy from the moment he's woken until he's crawled into bed for the scant few hours where he can rest his brain and his heart.
tonight though is different, even if it is born of circumstance rather than planning. aguero closes the door behind him to their residence in a sleek fit for a business dinner (where he would have barely eaten anything as he's want to do when it comes to anyone's cooking other than tatara's).
he'll probably look for tatara if he's not around in the living room, but he remarks to the air regardless with a sigh that is on face irritated, but is actually relieved underneath. ]
Usually I'd make someone pay for canceling on me last minute.
[ It's been a big switch. An adjustment. Maybe not as big as the first time he was spirited away to another world, suddenly powerless and alone, forced to absorb history and politics of a world he knows nothing about.
But still, pretty big.
Tatara sticks close to Aguero in the days and weeks following the ritual, surprised how both familiar and foreign the Tower seems to him. It's reminiscent of his previous life, with the comforts of modern Japan and then some, with a sprinkling of magic from the world they share. Proof, just as solid as all the purple jewelry with which they now adorn themselves, of the world where they found one another.
Every world is full of joy and wonder, and Aguero's is the same (perhaps moreso, knowing this is his home). He does his best to befriend his teammates, especially if there's overlap, and he enthusiastically drinks up every bit of information he's given, from fun tidbits to important political knowledge. He wants to know all of it. He has to, if he's going to serve him.
So he knows how important these meetings are, and he gets how busy he has to be. But. But still.
Tatara's in the living room. It's hard to miss him. He sits on the floor, in the very middle of his new hobby—knitting. A long red-and-blue scarf trails out from him and around him, balls of yarn scattered here and there. He jumps in his spot when the door opens, expression morphing from shock to embarrassment and then ultimately to joy. Though he usually dashes to tackle Aguero when he's back, this time he carefully sets his project down, steps over his things first before flinging himself at him. ]
Mm. I'd pay. [ He says this, face buried in his neck, with a hint of mischief, because of course. ] So I could spend more time with you.
[ ...Maybe the adjustment's been a little harder than he thought. ]
[ it's amazing how aguero's face lights up as soon as he sees tatara; bright and warm no matter no matter how many times it happens or how long it's been since they've seen each other. everyone else who knows him would have thought that he wasn't capable of such a thing once, let alone endlessly, but miracles are funny that way.
aguero wraps his arms around tatara instinctively when they meet, pressing him against himself and doubtlessly wrinkling his previously pristine suit. not that his now actual date for the evening will mind, though aguero himself doesn't mind either. what bristles him instead is what tatara says, regardless of the note of mischief. usually he'd respond with some teasing of his own, but instead he asks plainly and more than a little stupidly. ]
Do you really mean that?
[ his instincts still know what he wants better than his words, which leads him to pick tatara up to carry him over to the couch without waiting for the answer. he'll be very careful to step over the threads of yarn on the floor as he does. ]
[ He's just as light and skinny as the day they met—while Aguero's put on a lot of muscle, Tatara's largely the same. So up he goes, air in his arms, feet kicked lightly at the contact.
(He'll remember later that the scarf was supposed to be a surprise, something he's been working on when Aguero is busy being out and away, but he's a little too excited to think about that right now.)
He'll never mind a wrinkled suit, especially if he's wrinkling it (even though he does like the crisp look). But he does notice the bristle—warm coral rests on blue, testing the waters, so to speak. ]
Of course I do. [ Plain as day. He tilts his head to rest it on his arm. And when they're on the couch, he nestles deeper into his lap, getting comfortable. ] Oh, but, I guess it'd be coming out of your bank account anyway. So maybe that doesn't count?
[ he smiles, fleetingly, at the important logistical query. you'd think he wouldn't be so amused at how shameless his boyfriend is, but he actually finds it rather endearing. it's not enough to distract him from what's bothering him though, his blue not icy but alert and contemplative. ]
I'm not seeing you enough if you'd say something like that. [ they see each other every day, a point aguero has put a lot of effort into making happen, but hello's, goodbye's and goodnight's don't really make for being with one another truly. he's either been too busy or too tired for much else, and he's only just realized that now. ]
[ Not that Tatara doesn't appreciate the effort Aguero's putting in for him, he knows he's a big souvenir to take home. He treasures the hellos and goodbyes and goodnights and the time they get to spend snoozing in each other's arms.
But Tatara is always Tatara. A little smile crosses his face, but this time it's apologetic. ]
You know I'll always want to take up all of your time. I'd keep you to myself if I could.
[ He pauses, his eyes scanning Aguero's face. There's a curious look in them as a thought buds in his mind. He knows he's selfish, but he also knows Aguero is busy and for good reason. So— ]
[ it's not realistic, but part of him earnestly wants to wear tatara like a ring on his finger, close and a show of what he has that no one else does. ]
If I took you with me and someone tried to hurt you, I'd... [ killing's a mercy he had said weeks ago, and it's clear from his tone that it really would be. though that's not his only concern, because as stronger as he is now with magic (which has been impossible to quantify but he's likely as strong as a Ranker now), he's still not even close to being as strong as he needs to be.
but he doesn't finish the sentence because it is tempting. he doesn't have any fear that tatara would mess up the meetings or be a distraction during them, he trusts him that much but also he's seen firsthand that he's capable of sitting in on councils and dealings.
mmmn. the entirety of his blue rests on coral, lips drawn into a tight line, brows slightly furrowed as he wrestles with his own thoughts and greed. ]
[ Maybe he's asking too much, but who would he be if he weren't terribly arrogant and selfish, though? He sees the tension in Aguero's face and a bit of his own solitude eases. This isn't easy for either of them.
Coral softens and he reaches to gently poke at the creases between his brows, the tip of his nose, then at his thinned lips. At least in an attempt to ease the tension way. ]
I'll be fine. We'll be fine. [ All the same that someone breaks into the house, or there's an accident. Or Tatara leaves on his wanderings and never comes back, much like what happened with Homra. He won't remind Aguero of that, though, because there's no point in worrying. ] I just miss you.
I miss you too. [ his lips curl not into a smile but into a pout at the poking and he breathes out some of the tension coiled in his core. it feels better to admit it even though he wasn't so much as hiding it as he didn't realize, because he's still terrible at understanding himself in some ways. ]
I've never missed anyone before, you know. Even back at the manor when one of us was busy I didn't feel this way. You've ruined me. [ he pulls tatara close against himself, instantly annoyed that he's wearing too much but it does help. this close he feels like he's breathing in more of tatara than shinsu or air, and he drinks it in eagerly. ]
[ Ruined? Made better, even. Because if he's ruining Aguero then Aguero's ruined him just as much. Aguero holds him closer and he presses his face into his shoulder. Ah, clean suit smell. ]
Me, neither. It's weird. [ Not that he wasn't happy with Homra, or at the manor, but it was different. And that it's weird definitely isn't a bad thing, with the way he laughs under his breath. ]
Can I come with you tomorrow?
[ He doesn't know what's happening tomorrow, but. ]
[ his first instinct should be to think no even if he doesn't actually say it, but he's so far gone that the thought doesn't even form in his mind. instead he summons his pocket, a small round black orb, to float in the air besides them. luckily it's hands free so he can scroll it without taking a hand off of tatara since he's entirely unwilling to even do that right now.
the projections from the pocket are all in Macsethian, something which looks more runic than actual words to tatara who's not familiar with the language. he'll recognize it at least from khun's notes back in the manor. ]
Tomorrow is training in the morning with meetings with the Workshop in the evening. [ he looks down at his boyfriend, eyes softening. ]
Alright. But you'll need some new clothes for it, so you can go shopping with Gyetang while the rest of us do drills. And then you can come with me when I meet the Workshop later in the day.
[ a beat. ]
But you won't be able to come with me everyday.
[ he has to say this for himself, because it's necessary to strengthen his resolve. the workshop is a good test run because all they care about is Science and don't care about the rules or oddities like everyone else does. ]
[ Tatara's attention only briefly goes to the script, but his eyes quickly settle back on Aguero. So when he looks down at him, he's there waiting for him, bright smile bursting across his face.
Mostly because he knows what the shift in his expression means, and that he's laying out his schedule for the day is a good thing. A quiet laugh bubbles in his throat. ]
Yay!
[ They've done this before, though their roles were kind of reversed. That Aguero still trusts him—warmth blossoms in his chest. ]
That's fine. I just want to be with you tomorrow. And I like Gyetang. [ Bird!
His hand snakes up the back of his head, because Aguero's been home for ten comments and the most important thing hasn't happened yet. ]
Thank you. I can't wait.
[ And he'll tug him down for a kiss... Give kiss! ]
[ that's because aguero knew as soon as he gave into the temptation to kiss tatara, that it wouldn't be easy to stop. he pulls him back as he's pulled in so they wind up laying on the couch, tatara on top of him where he belongs.
his kisses are always wanting but there's a new note in the flurry he deposits with his lips and tongue; he really has missed him so much, looking at him, holding him, hearing his laugh, kissing him, not to mention the other things. (to go from making love almost every day to once a week has been hard in well, many ways. it's next on his things to fix— ]
[ As time passes, as the homesickness and initial culture shocks wear off, Tatara finds life in the Tower to be not so bad at all. He knows, logically, he has his ocean and his sky with him, a safety net to fall back on should he ever find himself tumbling up or down (since Aguero is there, wherever he finds himself, regardless), so of course he's thankful.
But as much as time passes, he realizes he can't always fall back on his safety net. Especially since Aguero can't always be with him as he struggles to find his autonomy (as much as he doesn't mind being his prized possession, he can't hold back the urge to wander). It's one particular day when he comes home from food shopping to realize he bought cat treats instead of snacks that maybe. he should start learning how to read.
In hindsight, he had no trouble with language in the world where they both met—maybe this was his limit. Maybe there was more magic at play there than he knew? Who knows.
Either way, it's on one of his random daytime shopping trips while Aguero's out at work that he drops by the bookstore, blindly finds his way to the kids section, and picks out picture books for toddlers and young children by color alone (most of them purple, some red, some blue). The cashier asks how old his kids are. When he laughs and says they're for himself she gives him a weird look. That's a story for Aguero later.
Much later!
It's nighttime, after Aguero's come home and after they've had their dinner and bathed and they're getting ready to bed that Tatara crawls into bed, literally crawling over Aguero, with a little smile on his lips that Aguero knows belongs to mischief. ]
[ the thought has occurred to aguero, between meetings and dealings and schemings, that he hoped that tatara wasn't too unmoored in the times they have to be apart. he's been doing his best of course, even more so after that one talk on the couch, but there's only so much he can do (some days are jampacked even now, but he's learned at least to take at least a half day off in between them). and even when one of the members of his team can keep him company, aguero himself knows there's something to independence since he's the same way. plus he's never once wanted to stifle what makes tatara so bright (so irresistible), regardless of whether it's bad for his blood pressure or not.
it's hard to keep those thoughts at the front of his mind when they reunite though, lost somewhere in the smiles, laughter and touches. tonight of course, was the same; bellies full, bodies clean, appetite for each other sated.
or maybe not? (he's also learned not to fight his vices too, even if part of him still thinks he's too much)
aguero had been reading over an e-mail on his pocket (he's relented at least to not using his lighthouse in bed) when he suddenly has tatara in his ear and on top of him. with a blip the small black orb fades back into invisible mode. it's never hard to get his attention, but it's particularly easy like this. ]
Tatara~. [ his hands fall around him with ease, as he realizes this smile is a particular one. instantly, the night they put on that play comes to mind. ]
[ Sated, mostly. Tatara thinks this is going to be an ordinary night (mostly), but life with Aguero is full of surprises.
Arms around his middle is more than enough to cause Tatara to flop down onto Aguero. Even if his smile gets buried in the blankets, it's definitely still there. Made obvious by the way he starts wiggling around, as though rummaging for something under the pillows and blankets. ]
It's a really important mission. One that straddles the line of life and death, even.
[ Tatara grabs onto what he's looking for beneath his pillow and pulls it out triumphantly! His eyes glimmer and he looks at Aguero expectantly.
It's a book for toddlers. About a mommy dinosaur and a baby dinosaur. ]
[ That question just causes a totally, other unexpected question to form in Tatara's mind and it comes out of his mouth before he can really think about it. ]
Well they're pretty rare and require a specialized environment plus care. [ boop! goes his pocket back into existence. he'll have to search properly later on his lighthouse but he's already pricing out what's out there. ]
I was thinking of buying a cabin and land on a higher floor for fishing, so buying additional land on top of that shouldn't be hard. It'll be more challenging if you want a specific species and color [ he assumes of course, that tatara would want one that's some combination of red, blue or purple. ] but Haculing owes me a favor or three...
[ by the look of his pocket he's already several steps into this whole dino process. ]
[ Okay, but Aguero's response tells him that it is possible, and he's so bewildered by the revelation that he bursts out laughing.
There's a bit of delight in there, too. Mentally, he puts ride a dinosaur on his bucket list. ]
Aguero. [ Laughter still on his lips and in his eyes he reaches up to put a hand to Aguero's cheek, directing his attention back to him and the book. ] We can get a dinosaur later.
[ He lifts the book again!! ] I want to learn how to read.
[ oh, hello. that redirects his attention instantly, though half his braincells are still somewhere in dinosaur land. he blinks, eyes wide and bright. ]
Learn how to read? [ their pockets handle day to day translation, though that is verbally only (a reading mode does exist but that's on premium models with a bit more manual input required). ]
Did something happen? I told the rest of them that if you needed help— [ stop him now before he goes on another tangent, this one about how much he needs to throttle his team for letting tatara and therefore himself down.the dino braincells are already whirring into punishment mode. ]
[ That's such a cute look on his face. As much as Tatara wants to sit here and admire it until the sun rises, he knows that if he leaves him for too long, he'll end up with both a dinosaur ranch and a personal attendant that will read everything for him.
His fingers dance on his cheek, hopefully catching his attention again. ]
Nothing happened. [ He reassures, so he doesn't start spiraling. ] I just want to make sure I'm buying the right ingredients when I go to the store. [ That's the biggest reason, but. ] And I want to help you more, one day. And maybe I'll want to read books...
Tatara— [ reflexive to the fingers on his cheek, his own coming up to wrap around the ones dancing across his skin, like how a cat would when someone tickles it's belly. his initial reaction aside, aguero tries to piece his real thoughts together.
it makes sense really, given how their positions were now reversed. aguero remembers how he felt trying to get his footing with the simple things like riding a broom when he could have just asked for help. he's independent and tatara is a free spirit, the most precious thing in his life and all the universes combined; not something to be locked away in a vault and kept all to himself—even if he'd still rather provide for him rather than the other way around. lucky for them that this battle usually just ends up in them both spoiling each other equally, which is why they're here. ]
Okay. [ "But if someone did say something to you, I'll skin them alive." is the implication. ]
I can teach you how to read if you want, but it might be easier to get a tutor.
[ he won't insist on it, but his pragmatism deems that he needs to say it regardless. his eyes fall to the dinobook with a bemused expression. ]
[ A tutor? Hrrrrmmm... But Tatara likes the thought of Aguero hand-teaching him how to read...
Or maybe he just likes the idea of Aguero giving him hands-on instruction in anything, really.
Gears whirr, he thinks harder, puts the thought aside. ]
Yes! [ He wiggles on him again with a bright, excited smile, and presses the book to his chest. Take it!! ]
Maybe you can get me a tutor later. [ Once he's got some of the basics down. If he can get past this impulse like the rest of his short-lived hobbies. And once they're both on the same page of his learning. ] But for now, I want to hear your voice talking about dinosaurs.
Tatara. [ repeated again, this time for the wiggling. his braincells have made a rapid journey from dinos to stabbing to learning and back again, have mercy.
a sigh, both fond and exasperated as he takes the book. ]
As much as I like how you look up there, you won't be able to see the letters like that. [ he shifts to sitting up right, taking tatara with him. ]
Turn around. [ another thing he repeats again tonight, though in a mostly different context. mostly. he'll encourage tatara to move between his legs too, also in a different context from the usual ✨. ]
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but he made do as always and his team knows better than to push their luck, mostly. or at least they've learned when it comes to tatara, their boss's undeniable lover, boyfriend, soon to be fiance—
it wasn't only the social explanations that were an ordeal but also the practical things: he had just purchased a condo for them all to live in, but the addition of tatara demanded a bigger place, one where they had more than privacy but a home. having an entire floor to themselves is extravagant, but he had told tatara that he'd have space for plenty of shelves of memories so it was necessary.
it's a few weeks later after the initial settling and adjustments. a time that's found aguero busy from the moment he's woken until he's crawled into bed for the scant few hours where he can rest his brain and his heart.
tonight though is different, even if it is born of circumstance rather than planning. aguero closes the door behind him to their residence in a sleek fit for a business dinner (where he would have barely eaten anything as he's want to do when it comes to anyone's cooking other than tatara's).
he'll probably look for tatara if he's not around in the living room, but he remarks to the air regardless with a sigh that is on face irritated, but is actually relieved underneath. ]
Usually I'd make someone pay for canceling on me last minute.
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But still, pretty big.
Tatara sticks close to Aguero in the days and weeks following the ritual, surprised how both familiar and foreign the Tower seems to him. It's reminiscent of his previous life, with the comforts of modern Japan and then some, with a sprinkling of magic from the world they share. Proof, just as solid as all the purple jewelry with which they now adorn themselves, of the world where they found one another.
Every world is full of joy and wonder, and Aguero's is the same (perhaps moreso, knowing this is his home). He does his best to befriend his teammates, especially if there's overlap, and he enthusiastically drinks up every bit of information he's given, from fun tidbits to important political knowledge. He wants to know all of it. He has to, if he's going to serve him.
So he knows how important these meetings are, and he gets how busy he has to be. But. But still.
Tatara's in the living room. It's hard to miss him. He sits on the floor, in the very middle of his new hobby—knitting. A long red-and-blue scarf trails out from him and around him, balls of yarn scattered here and there. He jumps in his spot when the door opens, expression morphing from shock to embarrassment and then ultimately to joy. Though he usually dashes to tackle Aguero when he's back, this time he carefully sets his project down, steps over his things first before flinging himself at him. ]
Mm. I'd pay. [ He says this, face buried in his neck, with a hint of mischief, because of course. ] So I could spend more time with you.
[ ...Maybe the adjustment's been a little harder than he thought. ]
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aguero wraps his arms around tatara instinctively when they meet, pressing him against himself and doubtlessly wrinkling his previously pristine suit. not that his now actual date for the evening will mind, though aguero himself doesn't mind either. what bristles him instead is what tatara says, regardless of the note of mischief. usually he'd respond with some teasing of his own, but instead he asks plainly and more than a little stupidly. ]
Do you really mean that?
[ his instincts still know what he wants better than his words, which leads him to pick tatara up to carry him over to the couch without waiting for the answer. he'll be very careful to step over the threads of yarn on the floor as he does. ]
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(He'll remember later that the scarf was supposed to be a surprise, something he's been working on when Aguero is busy being out and away, but he's a little too excited to think about that right now.)
He'll never mind a wrinkled suit, especially if he's wrinkling it (even though he does like the crisp look). But he does notice the bristle—warm coral rests on blue, testing the waters, so to speak. ]
Of course I do. [ Plain as day. He tilts his head to rest it on his arm. And when they're on the couch, he nestles deeper into his lap, getting comfortable. ] Oh, but, I guess it'd be coming out of your bank account anyway. So maybe that doesn't count?
[ an important logistical question, ]
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I'm not seeing you enough if you'd say something like that. [ they see each other every day, a point aguero has put a lot of effort into making happen, but hello's, goodbye's and goodnight's don't really make for being with one another truly. he's either been too busy or too tired for much else, and he's only just realized that now. ]
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But Tatara is always Tatara. A little smile crosses his face, but this time it's apologetic. ]
You know I'll always want to take up all of your time. I'd keep you to myself if I could.
[ He pauses, his eyes scanning Aguero's face. There's a curious look in them as a thought buds in his mind. He knows he's selfish, but he also knows Aguero is busy and for good reason. So— ]
Take me with you next time.
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If I took you with me and someone tried to hurt you, I'd... [ killing's a mercy he had said weeks ago, and it's clear from his tone that it really would be. though that's not his only concern, because as stronger as he is now with magic (which has been impossible to quantify but he's likely as strong as a Ranker now), he's still not even close to being as strong as he needs to be.
but he doesn't finish the sentence because it is tempting. he doesn't have any fear that tatara would mess up the meetings or be a distraction during them, he trusts him that much but also he's seen firsthand that he's capable of sitting in on councils and dealings.
mmmn. the entirety of his blue rests on coral, lips drawn into a tight line, brows slightly furrowed as he wrestles with his own thoughts and greed. ]
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[ Maybe he's asking too much, but who would he be if he weren't terribly arrogant and selfish, though? He sees the tension in Aguero's face and a bit of his own solitude eases. This isn't easy for either of them.
Coral softens and he reaches to gently poke at the creases between his brows, the tip of his nose, then at his thinned lips. At least in an attempt to ease the tension way. ]
I'll be fine. We'll be fine. [ All the same that someone breaks into the house, or there's an accident. Or Tatara leaves on his wanderings and never comes back, much like what happened with Homra. He won't remind Aguero of that, though, because there's no point in worrying. ] I just miss you.
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I've never missed anyone before, you know. Even back at the manor when one of us was busy I didn't feel this way. You've ruined me. [ he pulls tatara close against himself, instantly annoyed that he's wearing too much but it does help. this close he feels like he's breathing in more of tatara than shinsu or air, and he drinks it in eagerly. ]
But I've never been happier.
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Me, neither. It's weird. [ Not that he wasn't happy with Homra, or at the manor, but it was different. And that it's weird definitely isn't a bad thing, with the way he laughs under his breath. ]
Can I come with you tomorrow?
[ He doesn't know what's happening tomorrow, but. ]
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the projections from the pocket are all in Macsethian, something which looks more runic than actual words to tatara who's not familiar with the language. he'll recognize it at least from khun's notes back in the manor. ]
Tomorrow is training in the morning with meetings with the Workshop in the evening. [ he looks down at his boyfriend, eyes softening. ]
Alright. But you'll need some new clothes for it, so you can go shopping with Gyetang while the rest of us do drills. And then you can come with me when I meet the Workshop later in the day.
[ a beat. ]
But you won't be able to come with me everyday.
[ he has to say this for himself, because it's necessary to strengthen his resolve. the workshop is a good test run because all they care about is Science and don't care about the rules or oddities like everyone else does. ]
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Mostly because he knows what the shift in his expression means, and that he's laying out his schedule for the day is a good thing. A quiet laugh bubbles in his throat. ]
Yay!
[ They've done this before, though their roles were kind of reversed. That Aguero still trusts him—warmth blossoms in his chest. ]
That's fine. I just want to be with you tomorrow. And I like Gyetang. [ Bird!
His hand snakes up the back of his head, because Aguero's been home for ten comments and the most important thing hasn't happened yet. ]
Thank you. I can't wait.
[ And he'll tug him down for a kiss... Give kiss! ]
/2
his kisses are always wanting but there's a new note in the flurry he deposits with his lips and tongue; he really has missed him so much, looking at him, holding him, hearing his laugh, kissing him, not to mention the other things. (to go from making love almost every day to once a week has been hard in well, many ways. it's next on his things to fix— ]
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learning your language
But as much as time passes, he realizes he can't always fall back on his safety net. Especially since Aguero can't always be with him as he struggles to find his autonomy (as much as he doesn't mind being his prized possession, he can't hold back the urge to wander). It's one particular day when he comes home from food shopping to realize he bought cat treats instead of snacks that maybe. he should start learning how to read.
In hindsight, he had no trouble with language in the world where they both met—maybe this was his limit. Maybe there was more magic at play there than he knew? Who knows.
Either way, it's on one of his random daytime shopping trips while Aguero's out at work that he drops by the bookstore, blindly finds his way to the kids section, and picks out picture books for toddlers and young children by color alone (most of them purple, some red, some blue). The cashier asks how old his kids are. When he laughs and says they're for himself she gives him a weird look. That's a story for Aguero later.
Much later!
It's nighttime, after Aguero's come home and after they've had their dinner and bathed and they're getting ready to bed that Tatara crawls into bed, literally crawling over Aguero, with a little smile on his lips that Aguero knows belongs to mischief. ]
Aaagueeerooo~ ♪
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it's hard to keep those thoughts at the front of his mind when they reunite though, lost somewhere in the smiles, laughter and touches. tonight of course, was the same; bellies full, bodies clean, appetite for each other sated.
or maybe not? (he's also learned not to fight his vices too, even if part of him still thinks he's too much)
aguero had been reading over an e-mail on his pocket (he's relented at least to not using his lighthouse in bed) when he suddenly has tatara in his ear and on top of him. with a blip the small black orb fades back into invisible mode. it's never hard to get his attention, but it's particularly easy like this. ]
Tatara~. [ his hands fall around him with ease, as he realizes this smile is a particular one. instantly, the night they put on that play comes to mind. ]
What mission does my Sage have for me?
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Arms around his middle is more than enough to cause Tatara to flop down onto Aguero. Even if his smile gets buried in the blankets, it's definitely still there. Made obvious by the way he starts wiggling around, as though rummaging for something under the pillows and blankets. ]
It's a really important mission. One that straddles the line of life and death, even.
[ Tatara grabs onto what he's looking for beneath his pillow and pulls it out triumphantly! His eyes glimmer and he looks at Aguero expectantly.
It's a book for toddlers. About a mommy dinosaur and a baby dinosaur. ]
Can you read me a bedtime story?
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he's really not sure what to make of it, but the first thing that comes to mind is: ]
...is this your way of telling me you want a dinosaur?
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...We can buy them? They're not extinct?
[ the tower is full of surprises... ]
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I was thinking of buying a cabin and land on a higher floor for fishing, so buying additional land on top of that shouldn't be hard. It'll be more challenging if you want a specific species and color [ he assumes of course, that tatara would want one that's some combination of red, blue or purple. ] but Haculing owes me a favor or three...
[ by the look of his pocket he's already several steps into this whole dino process. ]
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There's a bit of delight in there, too. Mentally, he puts ride a dinosaur on his bucket list. ]
Aguero. [ Laughter still on his lips and in his eyes he reaches up to put a hand to Aguero's cheek, directing his attention back to him and the book. ] We can get a dinosaur later.
[ He lifts the book again!! ] I want to learn how to read.
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Learn how to read? [ their pockets handle day to day translation, though that is verbally only (a reading mode does exist but that's on premium models with a bit more manual input required). ]
Did something happen? I told the rest of them that if you needed help— [ stop him now before he goes on another tangent, this one about how much he needs to throttle his team for letting tatara and therefore himself down.the dino braincells are already whirring into punishment mode. ]
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His fingers dance on his cheek, hopefully catching his attention again. ]
Nothing happened. [ He reassures, so he doesn't start spiraling. ] I just want to make sure I'm buying the right ingredients when I go to the store. [ That's the biggest reason, but. ] And I want to help you more, one day. And maybe I'll want to read books...
[ Every reason. Just a little more autonomy. ]
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it makes sense really, given how their positions were now reversed. aguero remembers how he felt trying to get his footing with the simple things like riding a broom when he could have just asked for help. he's independent and tatara is a free spirit, the most precious thing in his life and all the universes combined; not something to be locked away in a vault and kept all to himself—even if he'd still rather provide for him rather than the other way around. lucky for them that this battle usually just ends up in them both spoiling each other equally, which is why they're here. ]
Okay. [ "But if someone did say something to you, I'll skin them alive." is the implication. ]
I can teach you how to read if you want, but it might be easier to get a tutor.
[ he won't insist on it, but his pragmatism deems that he needs to say it regardless. his eyes fall to the dinobook with a bemused expression. ]
...you want to start now? [ "With this book?" ]
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Or maybe he just likes the idea of Aguero giving him hands-on instruction in anything, really.
Gears whirr, he thinks harder, puts the thought aside. ]
Yes! [ He wiggles on him again with a bright, excited smile, and presses the book to his chest. Take it!! ]
Maybe you can get me a tutor later. [ Once he's got some of the basics down. If he can get past this impulse like the rest of his short-lived hobbies. And once they're both on the same page of his learning. ] But for now, I want to hear your voice talking about dinosaurs.
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a sigh, both fond and exasperated as he takes the book. ]
As much as I like how you look up there, you won't be able to see the letters like that. [ he shifts to sitting up right, taking tatara with him. ]
Turn around. [ another thing he repeats again tonight, though in a mostly different context. mostly. he'll encourage tatara to move between his legs too, also in a different context from the usual ✨. ]
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