[ It's strange. For Tsumugi, no time has passed between his honeymoon with Kazunari and now. But knowing just how many months have passed here... well. He can't help but think about everyone he'd left behind, and all the trouble his disappearance must've caused them.
So he immediately heads to Stormreach, navigating familiar streets until he finds himself in front of Wonder✩Blooming Stage. The relief he feels is indescribable. He wouldn't have blamed Rui if it weren't around - he knows firsthand just how hard it is to keep a theater alive - but... it would've been sad to see it gone. After all, it's something they built together, an eternal stage they could stand upon, side by side, and alongside others like them that'd been summoned to this world as well.
He steps inside, and calls out into a space that he's confident isn't empty: ] Rui-kun?
[There is always work to be done here, especially since he's doing most of it himself now as he doesn't want to ask too much of the only other member of the troupe. And when there is work to be done, Rui is here doing it. Definitely only to maintain the theater he created with Tsumugi, and not to run and hide from any emotions that might get in his way. Today he's working on maintaining the sound system in the theater. He's so engrossed in his work that he almost misses someone calling for him. The voice is familiar, but...It couldn't be. Rui rushes out onto the stage, clad in bright jumpsuit and hair in a tiny ponytail. He stares at Tsumugi for a moment, mouth open.]
[Rui isn't going to cry over this. He's not, but its a near thing, with him feeling the telltale stinging at his eyes. He takes a breath, and reaches out, as if to make sure his friend really was there, but he stops half way, aborting the action, and changing direction to rub at the back of his head instead.]
[ Unfortunately (or maybe it's fortunately this time) Tsumugi is as perceptive as always. He catches that hesitation to reach out fully and closes the distance himself.
If not for Kazunari's influence on him, he probably wouldn't be doing things quite like this, but... Rui seems like he could use a hug. It's warm, physical proof that he's here, and an opportunity to hide his face should he want to take it. ]
Thank you. But I'm sorry I left you to shoulder everything on your own.
[ How much of a weight that was, he's not sure... but knowing how they operated initially? How many hats they both gladly wore for the sake of their theater? ]
You don't need to carry that weight alone anymore.
[Rui gladly accepts and returns the hug, taking the opportunity to hide his face as he does so. "He's here. He's back," keeps repeating in his head, cemented by the hug. It's been so hard doing most everything on his own, and wondering if it won't be enough. He's even been considering shutting down the theater more than once. He won't confirm such a thing though. He's glad he's stuck it out.
It's harder to keep from crying when Tsumugi acknowledges his struggles, but he fights back the tears. When he speaks again his voice is shaky.]
I'm just glad you're back, Tsumugi-kun.
[Another moment passes before he's composed himself enough to feel comfortable letting go.]
Have you had a chance to settle in yet?
[A selfish part of Rui hopes that he had come straight here, but it would be understandable if he hadn't.]
[ Tsumugi picks up on that trembling in his voice, but doesn't comment on it. It'd be better if he let himself be honest with his feelings, of course, but he's not about to force Rui to cry.
He keeps a hand on his arm, a steady reminder of his presence, while rubbing the back of his neck. ]
Um... Not really. I stopped by my new apartment, and then came straight here. I couldn't help but wonder if you and the theater were okay...
[ Not that he isn't worried about Moondrop! That's his next stop!! But the theater nerd in him yearned for this particular stage. ]
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timeasmymeasure
action | reunion!!!
Date: 2025-12-04 09:52 pm (UTC)So he immediately heads to Stormreach, navigating familiar streets until he finds himself in front of Wonder✩Blooming Stage. The relief he feels is indescribable. He wouldn't have blamed Rui if it weren't around - he knows firsthand just how hard it is to keep a theater alive - but... it would've been sad to see it gone. After all, it's something they built together, an eternal stage they could stand upon, side by side, and alongside others like them that'd been summoned to this world as well.
He steps inside, and calls out into a space that he's confident isn't empty: ] Rui-kun?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-04 10:02 pm (UTC)...Tsumugi-kun? You're back?
no subject
Date: 2025-12-04 10:11 pm (UTC)[ It's not a dream! He's really here!! And he'll prove it by making his way up onto the stage, to stand before his dear friend with a gentle smile. ]
It's good to see you again, Rui-kun.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-04 10:16 pm (UTC)[Rui isn't going to cry over this. He's not, but its a near thing, with him feeling the telltale stinging at his eyes. He takes a breath, and reaches out, as if to make sure his friend really was there, but he stops half way, aborting the action, and changing direction to rub at the back of his head instead.]
I've kept the theater running.
[Barely, but it counts.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-05 01:06 am (UTC)If not for Kazunari's influence on him, he probably wouldn't be doing things quite like this, but... Rui seems like he could use a hug. It's warm, physical proof that he's here, and an opportunity to hide his face should he want to take it. ]
Thank you. But I'm sorry I left you to shoulder everything on your own.
[ How much of a weight that was, he's not sure... but knowing how they operated initially? How many hats they both gladly wore for the sake of their theater? ]
You don't need to carry that weight alone anymore.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-05 01:43 am (UTC)It's harder to keep from crying when Tsumugi acknowledges his struggles, but he fights back the tears. When he speaks again his voice is shaky.]
I'm just glad you're back, Tsumugi-kun.
[Another moment passes before he's composed himself enough to feel comfortable letting go.]
Have you had a chance to settle in yet?
[A selfish part of Rui hopes that he had come straight here, but it would be understandable if he hadn't.]
no subject
Date: 2025-12-07 02:40 am (UTC)He keeps a hand on his arm, a steady reminder of his presence, while rubbing the back of his neck. ]
Um... Not really. I stopped by my new apartment, and then came straight here. I couldn't help but wonder if you and the theater were okay...
[ Not that he isn't worried about Moondrop! That's his next stop!! But the theater nerd in him yearned for this particular stage. ]