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[ The rest of the week is a strange dreamlike haze. The oversized guest house meant for fourteen people is shrunken down to just the two of them - a temporary paradise at the border between life and death, and Gustave feels like a ghost haunting the premises. Time is split between brainstorming ways to overcome his fate and stealing moments with Date, a little shy, a little desperate, anxious to make the most of his dwindling days. Ultimately, Date decides to gamble on getting both of his wishes; Gustave's not entirely confident it will work, but he has no frame of reference, and Anna seemed encouraging enough. On the final night, they make their prayers, and, against all odds set by his fried nerves, he falls asleep in the crook of Date's arm.
The first shocking thing is that he wakes up. Jerks up to a sitting position with a guttural gasp like a man coming back from the brink of drowning. He's in an unfamiliar room, on an unfamiliar bed, and he's breathing. The panic of the unknown is balanced by the thrill of being alive. It worked, then.
Now what?
He calls out; there's no response. In the room there's nothing immediately familiar. The style is not that of Lumiere - it's closer to the way things had been in the game show house, futuristic and minimal - and it's also obvious that someone lives here. Gustave wonders if he should try to escape before the occupant of the room returns, at least until he opens the closet. Inside the closet is a coat. A very familiar coat.
This is Date's house? It must be; maybe that's how the wish evened out, keeping Gustave alive by sticking him somewhere outside of Lumiere. His first thought is thank God. His second thought is that he needs to get back to Maelle. His third thought is oh, thank God, I'm really alive, he really used that wish on me. And Date's not here now, but -- he'll be here soon, surely. Right? He has to hope so.
So Gustave tries to settle. He finds some clothes of Date's that he can throw on - his own wardrobe is missing, but surely Date won't mind if he borrows a shirt and some sweats - and he paces the entirety of the studio apartment. He peers out every window with an anxious buzz, staring at the towering unfamiliar buildings and the weird machines and the complicated, calligraphic symbols of Date's language that he can't read, wonders what half of what he's looking at even is. Looks in his fridge. Looks at his work desk with its ominous corkboard. Looks at the big rectangular devices sitting in the room that he doesn't recognize, and the small rectangular device he does recognize, tries to put the record on but can't figure out the sound system. Looks through Date's record collection and wonders what he'll do if Date doesn't show up.
He paces some more. ]
The first shocking thing is that he wakes up. Jerks up to a sitting position with a guttural gasp like a man coming back from the brink of drowning. He's in an unfamiliar room, on an unfamiliar bed, and he's breathing. The panic of the unknown is balanced by the thrill of being alive. It worked, then.
Now what?
He calls out; there's no response. In the room there's nothing immediately familiar. The style is not that of Lumiere - it's closer to the way things had been in the game show house, futuristic and minimal - and it's also obvious that someone lives here. Gustave wonders if he should try to escape before the occupant of the room returns, at least until he opens the closet. Inside the closet is a coat. A very familiar coat.
This is Date's house? It must be; maybe that's how the wish evened out, keeping Gustave alive by sticking him somewhere outside of Lumiere. His first thought is thank God. His second thought is that he needs to get back to Maelle. His third thought is oh, thank God, I'm really alive, he really used that wish on me. And Date's not here now, but -- he'll be here soon, surely. Right? He has to hope so.
So Gustave tries to settle. He finds some clothes of Date's that he can throw on - his own wardrobe is missing, but surely Date won't mind if he borrows a shirt and some sweats - and he paces the entirety of the studio apartment. He peers out every window with an anxious buzz, staring at the towering unfamiliar buildings and the weird machines and the complicated, calligraphic symbols of Date's language that he can't read, wonders what half of what he's looking at even is. Looks in his fridge. Looks at his work desk with its ominous corkboard. Looks at the big rectangular devices sitting in the room that he doesn't recognize, and the small rectangular device he does recognize, tries to put the record on but can't figure out the sound system. Looks through Date's record collection and wonders what he'll do if Date doesn't show up.
He paces some more. ]
[ There is an extreme, deep panic in Date when he wakes up and Gustave isn't there. His immediate thought is, of course, his wish didn't work. That Gustave is gone, he's truly gone, and that's it. He doesn't even realize for a long moment that his mask is gone as well — that his face is different, fixed, no longer the facsimile of Saito's face but his own, real and true. But that's nothing next to the panic of Gustave being gone.
Is he in Lumiere? Did Date save him and he went back home before Date could tell him goodbye? That doesn't seem like something he would do but Date is quickly running out of answers and the production staff doesn't seem to have any either. No one knows where Gustave went which does not help Date at all. It's late by the time the production staff tell Date he needs to go, that he can't keep waiting here for Gustave, and Date is about to curse all of them to hell if it meant being able to wait just a bit longer for him.
But he knows he has to go. If anything, he has to get back to Mizuki.
It's as he's driving back that he breaks, when he finally reaches the familiar streets of Tokyo, he has to pull over somewhere and press his face to his hands and just. Sob for a while. He doesn't know if he'll ever see Gustave again and he knows that if he went to Lumiere, that's a good thing, that means Date's wish worked but even so — even with how much he insisted he would be fine if he only had that week with Gustave — he's not fine. He's very much not fine.
He's such an idiot, he thinks. Falling for a guy that quickly and losing him in the same breath. He's such a soft-hearted idiot and he knew it was reckless of him and stupid and no matter the brave face he put up in front of Gustave, he knew this would break him. He knew it would. He just... really fucking liked Gustave and wanted a future with him and wanted to hope for the best. Is it worth having his face back if he doesn't have the person his heart wants the most?
It takes... a while for him to pull himself together. He's lucky Aiba isn't here with him, that she's still at ABIS until he returns to work and picks her up. It means he can't trust her to drive for him while he's all out of sorts but it also means that he can be this pathetic in private. He thinks then that he doesn't even have a picture of Gustave, something to remember him by. He just has his memories — and that sets him off all over again, causing him to need more time to get it together.
Eventually, red, puffy-eyed and all out of tears, he gets back on the road to drag himself back home. At least he can be pathetic there, alone. Build back up his walls before he gets to ABIS and throws himself back into work to ignore the pain in his heart. That's the plan, at least.
When he gets home though, he's got his suitcase trailing behind him as he opens up the front door with his keys and steps inside the genkan. He toes off his shoes and rubs at his face as he drags his suitcase out into the main area and notices that — the lights are on? He pauses, blinks, and then just like that his eyes land on Gustave.
Gustave, who is here. Alive. In his apartment.
Wearing his clothes.
That's a lot to process all at once though and so Date just freezes, brain unable to handle the multiple points of information he's processing at the moment and instead he just stares at Gustave, stunned. Quietly — ]
... Gustave?
Is he in Lumiere? Did Date save him and he went back home before Date could tell him goodbye? That doesn't seem like something he would do but Date is quickly running out of answers and the production staff doesn't seem to have any either. No one knows where Gustave went which does not help Date at all. It's late by the time the production staff tell Date he needs to go, that he can't keep waiting here for Gustave, and Date is about to curse all of them to hell if it meant being able to wait just a bit longer for him.
But he knows he has to go. If anything, he has to get back to Mizuki.
It's as he's driving back that he breaks, when he finally reaches the familiar streets of Tokyo, he has to pull over somewhere and press his face to his hands and just. Sob for a while. He doesn't know if he'll ever see Gustave again and he knows that if he went to Lumiere, that's a good thing, that means Date's wish worked but even so — even with how much he insisted he would be fine if he only had that week with Gustave — he's not fine. He's very much not fine.
He's such an idiot, he thinks. Falling for a guy that quickly and losing him in the same breath. He's such a soft-hearted idiot and he knew it was reckless of him and stupid and no matter the brave face he put up in front of Gustave, he knew this would break him. He knew it would. He just... really fucking liked Gustave and wanted a future with him and wanted to hope for the best. Is it worth having his face back if he doesn't have the person his heart wants the most?
It takes... a while for him to pull himself together. He's lucky Aiba isn't here with him, that she's still at ABIS until he returns to work and picks her up. It means he can't trust her to drive for him while he's all out of sorts but it also means that he can be this pathetic in private. He thinks then that he doesn't even have a picture of Gustave, something to remember him by. He just has his memories — and that sets him off all over again, causing him to need more time to get it together.
Eventually, red, puffy-eyed and all out of tears, he gets back on the road to drag himself back home. At least he can be pathetic there, alone. Build back up his walls before he gets to ABIS and throws himself back into work to ignore the pain in his heart. That's the plan, at least.
When he gets home though, he's got his suitcase trailing behind him as he opens up the front door with his keys and steps inside the genkan. He toes off his shoes and rubs at his face as he drags his suitcase out into the main area and notices that — the lights are on? He pauses, blinks, and then just like that his eyes land on Gustave.
Gustave, who is here. Alive. In his apartment.
Wearing his clothes.
That's a lot to process all at once though and so Date just freezes, brain unable to handle the multiple points of information he's processing at the moment and instead he just stares at Gustave, stunned. Quietly — ]
... Gustave?
[ it feels like ages pass; after a certain point, his wondering about what his next steps should be in lieu of Date's return turns into worrying about them. Was he wrong? Maybe that wasn't Date's coat, and he was just seeing what he wanted to see. When he goes and checks again, he's almost certain, but now doubt is setting in - he questions his memory and his surroundings in kind. This really might be some random person's house - he could be completely wrong, and even more completely lost, displaced from his own reality into another entirely. Spending time puttering around here might be wasting precious seconds he doesn't have to spare before he gets found out. Or, alternatively, maybe this is the next life, and nobody is coming to get him at all - they're waiting for him to get outside.
It all sounds awfully unlikely, compared to the simplest solution: that this is Date's world and his wish worked and Date is just at work or something. However, the longer he spends alone and confused, the more he starts to feel anxious, like he's missing something obvious, or he's trapped. It gets to the point that, when he does hear the door open, he summons his weapons out of instinct, one gripped tightly in each hand as he peers from his spot in the living room, heart in his throat. Cautious, hopeful.
For once, hope prevails. Because it is Date - looking abjectly miserable, but Gustave hardly notices. Here is his proof: everything worked out, or almost everything, enough of everything for this moment. He stares back at Date for a moment, equally stunned. Then relief - nearly overwhelming - floods his body, breaking through into his expression. The pistol and blade vanish into nothingness with a flash of teal Chroma. Gustave stumbles over to him in a half-run, crossing the short distance of the room as fast as he can manage, and wastes no time in throwing his arms around Date's slim frame, crushing him against his chest without hesitation in a tight embrace. ]
It is you, I knew it. Putain, you really did it, [ he rambles breathlessly, fingers twisting in Date's shirt, and he finds himself laughing helplessly, repeating: ] You really did it.
[ Date brought him back. He's alive. He's far from home, but fuck, he's alive and Date's here with him, this amazing freak of a man who saved him. ]
It all sounds awfully unlikely, compared to the simplest solution: that this is Date's world and his wish worked and Date is just at work or something. However, the longer he spends alone and confused, the more he starts to feel anxious, like he's missing something obvious, or he's trapped. It gets to the point that, when he does hear the door open, he summons his weapons out of instinct, one gripped tightly in each hand as he peers from his spot in the living room, heart in his throat. Cautious, hopeful.
For once, hope prevails. Because it is Date - looking abjectly miserable, but Gustave hardly notices. Here is his proof: everything worked out, or almost everything, enough of everything for this moment. He stares back at Date for a moment, equally stunned. Then relief - nearly overwhelming - floods his body, breaking through into his expression. The pistol and blade vanish into nothingness with a flash of teal Chroma. Gustave stumbles over to him in a half-run, crossing the short distance of the room as fast as he can manage, and wastes no time in throwing his arms around Date's slim frame, crushing him against his chest without hesitation in a tight embrace. ]
It is you, I knew it. Putain, you really did it, [ he rambles breathlessly, fingers twisting in Date's shirt, and he finds himself laughing helplessly, repeating: ] You really did it.
[ Date brought him back. He's alive. He's far from home, but fuck, he's alive and Date's here with him, this amazing freak of a man who saved him. ]
[ He's stunned, really. Truly. He doesn't know what to do with himself. He stares at Gustave as Gustave stares back and his mouth hangs open, slightly ajar. Is this — is that — Gustave is here? Gustave is alive. Gustave is alive...? His eye drops down to the weapons in his hands, widening slightly as more questions come to him at their appearance — and then disappearance! — but then Gustave is rushing across the room and crushing him against his chest and honestly, Date realizes he doesn't care at all when he feels Gustave's beating heart against him instead.
His arms wrap around Gustave, hesitant for a moment, before tightening in a desperate hold, fingers curling into the back of his shirt and he steps into the hug, legs nearly giving out from underneath him as he sinks against Gustave. His face is pressed into his shoulder and he holds him oh so tight, shaking in his grip as the reality hits that Gustave did not leave him, Gustave is alive, and they have a future together?
They have a future together!
Oh, it's hard not to cry again at that but he can't — he can't. He's not alone anymore, he needs to keep up appearances (though does he, really, with Gustave?) but he still can't stop shaking regardless. Gustave is real and here and alive and he's here. ]
Gustave... [ His voice is thick with emotion, lifting his head and rubbing his face against his hair, just clutching him tight. ] Gustave, my Gustave, my... [ everything. No, that's too much. Don't be weird. ] My Gustave.
His arms wrap around Gustave, hesitant for a moment, before tightening in a desperate hold, fingers curling into the back of his shirt and he steps into the hug, legs nearly giving out from underneath him as he sinks against Gustave. His face is pressed into his shoulder and he holds him oh so tight, shaking in his grip as the reality hits that Gustave did not leave him, Gustave is alive, and they have a future together?
They have a future together!
Oh, it's hard not to cry again at that but he can't — he can't. He's not alone anymore, he needs to keep up appearances (though does he, really, with Gustave?) but he still can't stop shaking regardless. Gustave is real and here and alive and he's here. ]
Gustave... [ His voice is thick with emotion, lifting his head and rubbing his face against his hair, just clutching him tight. ] Gustave, my Gustave, my... [ everything. No, that's too much. Don't be weird. ] My Gustave.
[ he's beginning to think Date was more stressed out than he was, by the way he's trembling - which is outrageous, considering only one of them was dying, but what can Gustave do at this point but accept Date's outrageous feelings? Every emotion this man has is enormous. Besides, it's not like Gustave can blame him. The situation is unreal. He still doesn't feel like he's entirely grasping how huge this is, what this is going to mean for him, exactly, but it's such a joy just to know it worked and he's alive and he's not alone. As long as he survives, he's sure he can get back to Lumiere -- and if he's alive, then he has to believe that the wishes are real, and everyone back home is going to be okay, too.
What a hurricane of victories. Maybe Date's holding it together, but Gustave's certainly a little misty-eyed, and unlike Date, he's not so ashamed of it. Fuck shame: they just made a miracle happen. He nuzzles into Date's hair in return, just happy to feel him there, taking a deep breath of him. Of life. ]
I'm here, [ he replies simply, the tremor in his voice muffled by his proximity, and for a moment or two, Gustave is happy just to hold him, and be held.
It's going to work out. For the first time in -- god, he doesn't want to think about how long, he truly feels like things are going to work out. Maybe the first time in his whole life. There's still a lot to figure out, but he can do it. No, they can do it -- him and Date. Clearly, they can accomplish anything. A surge of gratitude like nothing he's felt before overcomes him from head to toe, and he chokes out another laugh, half-tearful. ]
Where have you been all this time?
[ Today? Or is that his whole life, too? That feels dramatic, but he can't help thinking it in the face of everything this man's done for him. ]
What a hurricane of victories. Maybe Date's holding it together, but Gustave's certainly a little misty-eyed, and unlike Date, he's not so ashamed of it. Fuck shame: they just made a miracle happen. He nuzzles into Date's hair in return, just happy to feel him there, taking a deep breath of him. Of life. ]
I'm here, [ he replies simply, the tremor in his voice muffled by his proximity, and for a moment or two, Gustave is happy just to hold him, and be held.
It's going to work out. For the first time in -- god, he doesn't want to think about how long, he truly feels like things are going to work out. Maybe the first time in his whole life. There's still a lot to figure out, but he can do it. No, they can do it -- him and Date. Clearly, they can accomplish anything. A surge of gratitude like nothing he's felt before overcomes him from head to toe, and he chokes out another laugh, half-tearful. ]
Where have you been all this time?
[ Today? Or is that his whole life, too? That feels dramatic, but he can't help thinking it in the face of everything this man's done for him. ]
Edited 2025-10-09 03:57 (UTC)
[ Gustave's joy is infectious, even with Date still reeling from the misery of the day. He hears his laugh, hears his voice choke up, clutches him all that much harder. Gustave is alive. He's alive, which means there's so much more they can do together. They have a future together. And on top of all that, it must mean Gustave's wish worked too — which means he'll be able to go home! He knows how much that means to Gustave and that's. That's a good thing. Even if he very desperately doesn't want Gustave to leave right now.
That question gets a choked out noise from Date, pressing his face into Gustave's shoulder and closing his eyes tightly as he tries not to let the tears slip. Where has he been? He doesn't know how to answer that, existentially. Because god, if he knew Gustave before now, well... ha, would he even have been smart enough to pursue him? Maybe they were meant to meet now, on that stupid show, so they could have this together. ]
I was waiting for you at the resort. I thought — I thought the worst. They finally had to kick me out, I had no idea you'd be here.
[ Voice muffled as he speaks into Gustave's shoulder before he pulls back with a deep exhale and finally looks at him properly. He can tell Gustave's eyes are wet, that he's dealing with a flood of emotions just like Date is and Date gives a small smile.
He wants — god, he wants so much. But just the satisfaction of having Gustave in his arms is enough though. ]
That question gets a choked out noise from Date, pressing his face into Gustave's shoulder and closing his eyes tightly as he tries not to let the tears slip. Where has he been? He doesn't know how to answer that, existentially. Because god, if he knew Gustave before now, well... ha, would he even have been smart enough to pursue him? Maybe they were meant to meet now, on that stupid show, so they could have this together. ]
I was waiting for you at the resort. I thought — I thought the worst. They finally had to kick me out, I had no idea you'd be here.
[ Voice muffled as he speaks into Gustave's shoulder before he pulls back with a deep exhale and finally looks at him properly. He can tell Gustave's eyes are wet, that he's dealing with a flood of emotions just like Date is and Date gives a small smile.
He wants — god, he wants so much. But just the satisfaction of having Gustave in his arms is enough though. ]
[ leaving and getting back to Lumiere is a problem for future Gustave. At present, there's nowhere else he needs to be but here. When Date pulls back, Gustave keeps his hands securely at Date's waist, returning his wavering smile with one of his own and a tilt of his head, sheepish and bright despite the tears burning the backs of his eyes. The explanation does dim that brightness a tad, the well-worn creases in his forehead deepening as he furrows his brow. ]
They didn't know? Well - how would they know, but still--
[ it feels awfully cruel to do that to Date. If he really was dying before they pulled him here -- no, if they were able to find him and pull him to their silly little beach house in the first place, then surely they would've been able to find him a second time. Then again, maybe he's trying to apply logic to something inherently illogical. He doesn't know how what they do works; he only knows the results. Gustave shakes his head, looking at Date again apologetically. ]
Sorry. I... didn't mean to scare you. I mean, I -- I wasn't expecting this either, but worrying you - that's the last thing I wanted. I put you through enough already with all of this. I...
[ no, apologies aren't quite right. Gustave pauses, then fixes Date with a sincere gaze, shifting his hands to sit on his shoulders instead, where he grips him tightly but gently. ]
Thank you. Thank you for saving me. I - I can never repay you. You... They let me have my wish, but you're the one who gave me a chance to see it come true. To live. [ he swallows thickly. ] My whole life, I've been getting ready to die, you know, and you... Now I can get ready to live.
They didn't know? Well - how would they know, but still--
[ it feels awfully cruel to do that to Date. If he really was dying before they pulled him here -- no, if they were able to find him and pull him to their silly little beach house in the first place, then surely they would've been able to find him a second time. Then again, maybe he's trying to apply logic to something inherently illogical. He doesn't know how what they do works; he only knows the results. Gustave shakes his head, looking at Date again apologetically. ]
Sorry. I... didn't mean to scare you. I mean, I -- I wasn't expecting this either, but worrying you - that's the last thing I wanted. I put you through enough already with all of this. I...
[ no, apologies aren't quite right. Gustave pauses, then fixes Date with a sincere gaze, shifting his hands to sit on his shoulders instead, where he grips him tightly but gently. ]
Thank you. Thank you for saving me. I - I can never repay you. You... They let me have my wish, but you're the one who gave me a chance to see it come true. To live. [ he swallows thickly. ] My whole life, I've been getting ready to die, you know, and you... Now I can get ready to live.
[ Date is, at his core, a very fragile, lonely man. He has a variety of reasons to be so and tries very hard to fight through it to be someone a bit more worthwhile and have connection that's a bit more steady. But he still aches, deep down, for that deeper more romantic connection, something where someone is his and he belongs to someone else as well. He knows he has family and friends who love him and he thinks he'd expire if he didn't but he still... wants that last part. That love that eludes him. He thought he had it with Hitomi but things still fell apart.
So, there's something here that really strikes Date dumbstruck as Gustave holds him by the shoulders and looks at him so sincerely, giving him such gratitude that Date doesn't even know how to hold it. His heart beats so fast in his chest and there are certainly milestones between them where Date felt himself plummet even deeper into his feelings for Gustave. This is another one of them, where the rug feels pulled out from under his feet and he's in freefall.
He looks at Gustave, mouth slightly ajar, surprise on his face, and he knows he did something good for Gustave, that he really saved him, but he doesn't know what to do with this gratitude other than fall even more deeply for Gustave. He swallows then, licking his lips as he looks away for a moment, flustered. There's pink on his cheeks and he feels warm all over. His arms are still around Gustave's middle, clutching the back of his shirt and he tightens his grip around him just a bit.
Oh... Oh, Gustave. ]
I would do it again. No matter how many times I needed to. I ... want you to live, Gustave. I want you to have a future. You and Maelle and Lumiere.
[ He gives a small smile, eyes flicking back towards Gustave and a bit of shyness on his face. ]
I like you, Gustave. I like you so much and I'm just... so happy you're here. I'm so glad it worked.
So, there's something here that really strikes Date dumbstruck as Gustave holds him by the shoulders and looks at him so sincerely, giving him such gratitude that Date doesn't even know how to hold it. His heart beats so fast in his chest and there are certainly milestones between them where Date felt himself plummet even deeper into his feelings for Gustave. This is another one of them, where the rug feels pulled out from under his feet and he's in freefall.
He looks at Gustave, mouth slightly ajar, surprise on his face, and he knows he did something good for Gustave, that he really saved him, but he doesn't know what to do with this gratitude other than fall even more deeply for Gustave. He swallows then, licking his lips as he looks away for a moment, flustered. There's pink on his cheeks and he feels warm all over. His arms are still around Gustave's middle, clutching the back of his shirt and he tightens his grip around him just a bit.
Oh... Oh, Gustave. ]
I would do it again. No matter how many times I needed to. I ... want you to live, Gustave. I want you to have a future. You and Maelle and Lumiere.
[ He gives a small smile, eyes flicking back towards Gustave and a bit of shyness on his face. ]
I like you, Gustave. I like you so much and I'm just... so happy you're here. I'm so glad it worked.
[ And he'd do it again!
Sometimes, Gustave wonders if Date even realizes the gravity of the things he says to him. I'll tell you anything, I'll do anything you ask, I'd do it as many times as it takes. It's as Gustave told him earlier in the week: Date treats him like a king. More than that - like family. Like someone he loves, deeply. And Gustave has to wonder if he's even aware of that himself, of how he sounds, or - maybe - how he really feels. He can't help hearing that childish "like" and inferring a slightly different four-letter word. That thought remains intimidating to Gustave, that the man's honest-to-god in love with him, but it's hard not to consider, the way Date talks to him and looks at him.
Gustave's broken heart moves much more slowly. Perhaps Date will burn out of this honeymoon phase by the time Gustave's ready to reciprocate, and whatever's between them will burn out with it. In the moment, it doesn't matter. They're both here together, and, finally, they actually do have time - more than Gustave's ever had. Perhaps, instead, Date's feelings will only be tempered by patience. Hearing him speak so nobly now, glance away rosy-cheeked and shy in the face of Gustave's gratitude, hands still secure and comforting at his back, Gustave finds himself hoping so. Date's funny, and kind, and so unabashedly soft and sweet. Maybe this could be something real - in this life, not the next.
No matter what, Date's changed this life, and for the better, and Gustave feels a little like he'd do anything Date asked right now. With a quiet smile and a small shake of his head, helpless, he reaches up to give Date's cheek a playful pinch. ]
I like you too, you big softie. [ seeing Date actually get flustered lightens some of the heaviness in his chest. It's that instinct to comfort kicking in. Date's too cute to leave floundering. That, and the emotional high of what's happened lifting him up before he gets too stuck in his feelings. He's alive, alive! ] I'm glad to be here.
[ he splays his fingers to cup his face, affectionate, even as his words turn teasing. ]
I was hoping you'd let me stay here a bit longer, actually?
Sometimes, Gustave wonders if Date even realizes the gravity of the things he says to him. I'll tell you anything, I'll do anything you ask, I'd do it as many times as it takes. It's as Gustave told him earlier in the week: Date treats him like a king. More than that - like family. Like someone he loves, deeply. And Gustave has to wonder if he's even aware of that himself, of how he sounds, or - maybe - how he really feels. He can't help hearing that childish "like" and inferring a slightly different four-letter word. That thought remains intimidating to Gustave, that the man's honest-to-god in love with him, but it's hard not to consider, the way Date talks to him and looks at him.
Gustave's broken heart moves much more slowly. Perhaps Date will burn out of this honeymoon phase by the time Gustave's ready to reciprocate, and whatever's between them will burn out with it. In the moment, it doesn't matter. They're both here together, and, finally, they actually do have time - more than Gustave's ever had. Perhaps, instead, Date's feelings will only be tempered by patience. Hearing him speak so nobly now, glance away rosy-cheeked and shy in the face of Gustave's gratitude, hands still secure and comforting at his back, Gustave finds himself hoping so. Date's funny, and kind, and so unabashedly soft and sweet. Maybe this could be something real - in this life, not the next.
No matter what, Date's changed this life, and for the better, and Gustave feels a little like he'd do anything Date asked right now. With a quiet smile and a small shake of his head, helpless, he reaches up to give Date's cheek a playful pinch. ]
I like you too, you big softie. [ seeing Date actually get flustered lightens some of the heaviness in his chest. It's that instinct to comfort kicking in. Date's too cute to leave floundering. That, and the emotional high of what's happened lifting him up before he gets too stuck in his feelings. He's alive, alive! ] I'm glad to be here.
[ he splays his fingers to cup his face, affectionate, even as his words turn teasing. ]
I was hoping you'd let me stay here a bit longer, actually?
[ Date is not aware. For him, it's simple. Gustave was in trouble, in a bad situation, and was dealt a bad hand. Date had the means to fix it, so he did. That's the right thing to do, the noble thing to do, and Date — with his years of endless guilt over his previous actions — can only try to make up for it by doing the right thing going forward. If it means saving a man he barely knows from being erased from existence, then that's the right thing to do, right?
Of course, this is how he justifies it to himself. It just happens that he's also terribly smitten with that man as well. That the thought of having a future with him makes his heart race and his palms sweat. It just happens that when he looks at Gustave, all he can think is to give him anything, everything, he wants and what's in Date's means to get. It just happens that he might actually have fallen for the man and Gustave isn't wrong when he thinks Date might be in love with him and unaware of it. Date might be a fool but he's a big-hearted fool with an aching need for love in his life.
So, he looks flustered some more when he gets his cheek pinched but then Gustave's hand cups his face and he looks back to him, hearing his words, his sentiment, his affection. Truly, like a man starved for it, this is all he wants. ]
Of course you can stay. My home is yours. And — [ His smile turns a little wicked then, hands sliding lower on Gustave's back so he can squeeze his ass briefly in both palms. ] My clothes are yours too, clearly.
Of course, this is how he justifies it to himself. It just happens that he's also terribly smitten with that man as well. That the thought of having a future with him makes his heart race and his palms sweat. It just happens that when he looks at Gustave, all he can think is to give him anything, everything, he wants and what's in Date's means to get. It just happens that he might actually have fallen for the man and Gustave isn't wrong when he thinks Date might be in love with him and unaware of it. Date might be a fool but he's a big-hearted fool with an aching need for love in his life.
So, he looks flustered some more when he gets his cheek pinched but then Gustave's hand cups his face and he looks back to him, hearing his words, his sentiment, his affection. Truly, like a man starved for it, this is all he wants. ]
Of course you can stay. My home is yours. And — [ His smile turns a little wicked then, hands sliding lower on Gustave's back so he can squeeze his ass briefly in both palms. ] My clothes are yours too, clearly.
[ the rare shy Date, gone as soon as he appears. These moments where he lets himself be a little vulnerable are quite precious to Gustave - they're his favorite, and he tucks this one away for later in his memory. Maybe he'll be able to figure out the trick to them once he amasses enough. And - again - he now has the time to do so.
Copping-a-feel Date is also new, but probably about to become a lot less rare, he senses. His brows rocket up in tandem with Date's hands sinking lower, and he bites out a short laugh in surprise before he pushes playfully at Date's chest. ]
I - I woke up in what I fell asleep in! [ also known as: underwear and a prosthetic arm. ] I had to put on something, I mean - what if you didn't show up and I had to go outside? I'd get arrested and you'd find me at your workplace the next morning.
[ he'd probably have apologized for just taking Date's stuff without permission, but grabbing his ass means Date has forfeited Gustave's remorse on this occasion. (It is juicy, so it was probably worth it.) ]
Copping-a-feel Date is also new, but probably about to become a lot less rare, he senses. His brows rocket up in tandem with Date's hands sinking lower, and he bites out a short laugh in surprise before he pushes playfully at Date's chest. ]
I - I woke up in what I fell asleep in! [ also known as: underwear and a prosthetic arm. ] I had to put on something, I mean - what if you didn't show up and I had to go outside? I'd get arrested and you'd find me at your workplace the next morning.
[ he'd probably have apologized for just taking Date's stuff without permission, but grabbing his ass means Date has forfeited Gustave's remorse on this occasion. (It is juicy, so it was probably worth it.) ]
Edited 2025-10-13 05:28 (UTC)
[ It was absolutely worth it, Date has no regrets. Gustave doesn't need to be remorseful because everything about this delights Date. The idea of Gustave waking up in his bed in nothing more than his underwear is... mm, yes, he likes that. So, he doesn't remove his hands, even as Gustave pushes lightly at his chest, he just puts on a smug grin and listens to his objections. ]
It's true, I would've found you in a cell and had to bail you out. Tsk, tsk.
[ He's tempted to joke about how many sexual favors Gustave would owe him in response for bailing him out but he's not sure how well received that'll be just yet, so he just continues to keep it light. ]
But now you're here and I...
[ The reality seems to sink in then that Gustave really, truly is here and Date feels his heart flip a little, giddy in his chest suddenly and the earlier fog of sadness gone. Instead, he's delighted because this is it — Gustave is here and they have a future together.
He smiles broadly and then he's going to lean in and kiss Gustave, because really, he doesn't need words anymore. ]
It's true, I would've found you in a cell and had to bail you out. Tsk, tsk.
[ He's tempted to joke about how many sexual favors Gustave would owe him in response for bailing him out but he's not sure how well received that'll be just yet, so he just continues to keep it light. ]
But now you're here and I...
[ The reality seems to sink in then that Gustave really, truly is here and Date feels his heart flip a little, giddy in his chest suddenly and the earlier fog of sadness gone. Instead, he's delighted because this is it — Gustave is here and they have a future together.
He smiles broadly and then he's going to lean in and kiss Gustave, because really, he doesn't need words anymore. ]
[ Still being gooey and affectionate, even with a hand on each cheek. That about checks out for Date. It is touching how very much Date clearly cares; it was obvious looking at him before that he'd been nearly crying, and it's obvious now in that big grin before he goes in for the kiss - one that Gustave reciprocates, naturally, lifting his hands to hold Date's face as he presses his lips against his. If they'd previously come together in a desperate last gasp, clinging to the final hours of their relationship, this is the opposite: there's something a little celebratory in the gesture, the way he smiles against Date's mouth, unable to help himself, and it's devoid of desperation entirely. It's a languid kiss, easy and just long enough, confident that it will only be the first of many to come.
When he pulls back, it's just a little, staying nearly nose-to-nose with him - and then he cracks, laughs a bit in sheer disbelief and knocks their foreheads together. ]
I can't believe we're doing this. [ a beat. ] I can't believe that worked.
[ it's insane that it worked. It's an actual miracle. If this is some dying dream, he better not wake up. Although -- at the reminder of "it," he runs his fingers along Date's jaw, down his neck. It doesn't feel different, but he'd never noticed anything off in the first place. ]
-- Oh, your face, did you...?
When he pulls back, it's just a little, staying nearly nose-to-nose with him - and then he cracks, laughs a bit in sheer disbelief and knocks their foreheads together. ]
I can't believe we're doing this. [ a beat. ] I can't believe that worked.
[ it's insane that it worked. It's an actual miracle. If this is some dying dream, he better not wake up. Although -- at the reminder of "it," he runs his fingers along Date's jaw, down his neck. It doesn't feel different, but he'd never noticed anything off in the first place. ]
-- Oh, your face, did you...?
[ At the very least, at the very least, Date does not keep his hands on Gustave's ass as they kiss. He slides them upwards as they kiss to hold him at the small of his back, pulling him in close and letting the kiss continue with its sweet sentiment. It's true, this is very different from their times together in the last week because there was that uncertainty, that hesitation, that fear that every kiss would be the last. Who knew what was going to happen?
Now, it's different. This is the first of many. This is a reunion. This is home. When Gustave presses his forehead against Date's, Date just grins happily back at him as he watches him, his disbelief mixed with joy. A sentiment he feels in turn.
At the question though, Date's eyes widen before he looks a bit sheepish. It was such a selfish thing to also wish for his face to be back to normal and he was risking a lot but — ]
Yeah. I did. It's — it's not a mask anymore. This is my face.
[ He laughs a little, incredulous. ]
We got everything we wanted, huh?
Now, it's different. This is the first of many. This is a reunion. This is home. When Gustave presses his forehead against Date's, Date just grins happily back at him as he watches him, his disbelief mixed with joy. A sentiment he feels in turn.
At the question though, Date's eyes widen before he looks a bit sheepish. It was such a selfish thing to also wish for his face to be back to normal and he was risking a lot but — ]
Yeah. I did. It's — it's not a mask anymore. This is my face.
[ He laughs a little, incredulous. ]
We got everything we wanted, huh?
[ proud of date for letting go of the booty ]
Yeah, I'm not used to it, [ Gustave chuckles. ] I'm happy for you.
[ he lets his hands slip back to cup Date's face again - neither a mask nor a stranger's. This is the Date he knows: all sleek fine features, handsome and deceptively youthful. Still, he finds himself inwardly glad that he'd gotten the chance to see the man he was born as, if only for a night. It was a very intimate thing Date had shared with him, perhaps moreso than anything else they did in that room, and Gustave does not take it for granted.
Yet to be able to live as who you are rather than who you're supposed to be is a greater gift; his appreciation for knowing who Date was doesn't diminish his fondness for who he is, nor his happiness at having his wish granted. There is a part of him that wonders about the man who used to have this face - did he have a family, too? what happened to him? - but those are things he can ask about later. Much, much later. He runs his thumbs along Date's cheekbones affectionately. ]
It's a good face, I think. Have I told you it's pretty?
[ this is tongue-in-cheek, of course. ]
Yeah, I'm not used to it, [ Gustave chuckles. ] I'm happy for you.
[ he lets his hands slip back to cup Date's face again - neither a mask nor a stranger's. This is the Date he knows: all sleek fine features, handsome and deceptively youthful. Still, he finds himself inwardly glad that he'd gotten the chance to see the man he was born as, if only for a night. It was a very intimate thing Date had shared with him, perhaps moreso than anything else they did in that room, and Gustave does not take it for granted.
Yet to be able to live as who you are rather than who you're supposed to be is a greater gift; his appreciation for knowing who Date was doesn't diminish his fondness for who he is, nor his happiness at having his wish granted. There is a part of him that wonders about the man who used to have this face - did he have a family, too? what happened to him? - but those are things he can ask about later. Much, much later. He runs his thumbs along Date's cheekbones affectionately. ]
It's a good face, I think. Have I told you it's pretty?
[ this is tongue-in-cheek, of course. ]
[ Those are questions that Date hesitates to answer, for sure. His relationship with Saito is complicated, and Saito's father even more so. But Saito is dead and Date has lived like this for far too long to give it up now. Now, this is his face. It feels much like it did when he was in Saito's body, but a little more at home because this is his own body. There's no need for anything additional to help him feel at ease in this body, no need to question himself in the mirror anymore.
There is a pang of wistful sadness at not being able to see his old face anymore but he made his decision. He didn't want to live like that. He didn't want to feel so out of place. Gustave runs his thumbs along Date's face and Date closes his eyes, feeling warm and happy at the simple affection. This is everything he wanted. ]
Not even once. But I'd be happy to hear it again.
[ Just teasing, just teasing. ]
There is a pang of wistful sadness at not being able to see his old face anymore but he made his decision. He didn't want to live like that. He didn't want to feel so out of place. Gustave runs his thumbs along Date's face and Date closes his eyes, feeling warm and happy at the simple affection. This is everything he wanted. ]
Not even once. But I'd be happy to hear it again.
[ Just teasing, just teasing. ]
Well, it is! It is.
[ he looks so sweet with his eyes shut, warm and trusting and quite literally in the palm of Gustave's hands. His heart swells. It's so strange, to be this happy. He wishes Maelle were here, or his sister. But he's glad that Date's here in their stead: the last human connection he has, and, in just a handful of weeks, one of the most important he's ever made. He's overcome with an urge to know more about him -- one that existed before, certainly, but that had to be tempered with knowledge of his short time remaining. Now, though - now he has all the time in the world to understand this odd man with one eye and two faces and a heart too big for his body. He wants to learn who Date is beyond "his match."
And he's going to very soon, even if he didn't want to. Going straight to cohabitation is a little wild, but at least they got a head start this past week. Gently, he lets his hands drop from Date's face, although he can't resist giving him a playful tap on the nose before he does so, all good humor and simple joy at being alive. ]
So, this is where you live? I've been trying to figure out what a lot of this stuff even is. -- Oh, but you have a record player, I know that one!
[ Gustave sounds excited that he actually recognizes a piece of technology!! This is a first since he's met Date. ]
[ he looks so sweet with his eyes shut, warm and trusting and quite literally in the palm of Gustave's hands. His heart swells. It's so strange, to be this happy. He wishes Maelle were here, or his sister. But he's glad that Date's here in their stead: the last human connection he has, and, in just a handful of weeks, one of the most important he's ever made. He's overcome with an urge to know more about him -- one that existed before, certainly, but that had to be tempered with knowledge of his short time remaining. Now, though - now he has all the time in the world to understand this odd man with one eye and two faces and a heart too big for his body. He wants to learn who Date is beyond "his match."
And he's going to very soon, even if he didn't want to. Going straight to cohabitation is a little wild, but at least they got a head start this past week. Gently, he lets his hands drop from Date's face, although he can't resist giving him a playful tap on the nose before he does so, all good humor and simple joy at being alive. ]
So, this is where you live? I've been trying to figure out what a lot of this stuff even is. -- Oh, but you have a record player, I know that one!
[ Gustave sounds excited that he actually recognizes a piece of technology!! This is a first since he's met Date. ]
[ It is strange, to jump right into it, but it really doesn't make sense (nor can he afford) to set Gustave up somewhere else. So, he's going to really hope things pan out well and they live together in a decent way. He doesn't mind sharing his bed, is in fact quite excited to do so, but he just... has to wonder about what Gustave wants in turn. He wants to meet his needs, of course.
His eyes will open back up when he gets the tap on the nose, nose scrunching for a moment before he grins back at Gustave. At Gustave's question, he gives a look around the apartment and nods. ]
Yeah, it's just me here. I used to live with Mizuki but with... everything that happened, and coming back, I let her have the old apartment and got a new place. She's an adult now, so she can fly solo.
[ But right, the record player. ]
You have record players in Lumiere? Yeah, it's my favorite way to listen to music. I have a bunch of records if you want to listen sometime. Mostly... instrumental stuff? But I like all kinds of music.
And I'll explain anything else, if you want. Just tell me and I'll do my best.
His eyes will open back up when he gets the tap on the nose, nose scrunching for a moment before he grins back at Gustave. At Gustave's question, he gives a look around the apartment and nods. ]
Yeah, it's just me here. I used to live with Mizuki but with... everything that happened, and coming back, I let her have the old apartment and got a new place. She's an adult now, so she can fly solo.
[ But right, the record player. ]
You have record players in Lumiere? Yeah, it's my favorite way to listen to music. I have a bunch of records if you want to listen sometime. Mostly... instrumental stuff? But I like all kinds of music.
And I'll explain anything else, if you want. Just tell me and I'll do my best.
[ Date is so thoughtful. Gustave hasn't even thought about what he might need - he's very low-maintenance, at least. In the moment, he's just excited to be here. All his worries about where he was and what will happen next have evaporated, and he's left with a sort of exuberant energy that doesn't really have anywhere to go but towards Date.
He'll get to meet Mizuki now, won't he? That's exciting. And a little nerve-wracking, suddenly having to meet his boyfriend's (god, that must be what they are now, he'll have to discuss this) daughter, but - exciting. He can only imagine what she'll have to say about him. ]
You'll have to show me. I'm curious about what the music of the future sounds like. [ accompanied by a small gesture and a raised eyebrow, dryly amused yet simultaneously sincere. Does Date like to dance, he wonders? ] But -- all right. It's been bothering me the entire time, what - what are these? These big boxes.
[ tapping a hand on one of his big old-fashioned speakers. ]
He'll get to meet Mizuki now, won't he? That's exciting. And a little nerve-wracking, suddenly having to meet his boyfriend's (god, that must be what they are now, he'll have to discuss this) daughter, but - exciting. He can only imagine what she'll have to say about him. ]
You'll have to show me. I'm curious about what the music of the future sounds like. [ accompanied by a small gesture and a raised eyebrow, dryly amused yet simultaneously sincere. Does Date like to dance, he wonders? ] But -- all right. It's been bothering me the entire time, what - what are these? These big boxes.
[ tapping a hand on one of his big old-fashioned speakers. ]
[ who can say no to free food?!? Certainly not three guys suffering from various levels of unemployment, and also Date. The catch: they only get to go if they all go together.
Also, it's Denny's.
However, this does not bother Gustave, as he doesn't know what Denny's is. Guaranteed he's overdressed. ]
Hey, you're... the guy from the scavenger hunt! Monsieur, um...
[ DON'T SAY BEAN DON'T SAY BEAN DON'T SAY BEAN ]
Also, it's Denny's.
However, this does not bother Gustave, as he doesn't know what Denny's is. Guaranteed he's overdressed. ]
Hey, you're... the guy from the scavenger hunt! Monsieur, um...
[ DON'T SAY BEAN DON'T SAY BEAN DON'T SAY BEAN ]
[IT'S. . . A DENNY'S. . .]
[Edamura is not overdressed, because he knows what a Denny's is and what kind of formality it deserves. at least this one doesn't seem to be nearly as crappy as the ones he breezed through during his trips to America?? he bets the coffee is still shit, though. which is a shame, because he might have needed a cup or two to deal with. . . . . . . . . . .]
[. . . . . . . . SIGHS DEEPLY]
[for now, he narrows his gaze at Gustave from across the table, before finishing for him in a tone that is entirely too mild]
. . . Edamura.
[Edamura is not overdressed, because he knows what a Denny's is and what kind of formality it deserves. at least this one doesn't seem to be nearly as crappy as the ones he breezed through during his trips to America?? he bets the coffee is still shit, though. which is a shame, because he might have needed a cup or two to deal with. . . . . . . . . . .]
[. . . . . . . . SIGHS DEEPLY]
[for now, he narrows his gaze at Gustave from across the table, before finishing for him in a tone that is entirely too mild]
. . . Edamura.
[ Date is here! Date is not overdressed. He is not even in his usual outfit. He is looking cool but don't make fun of him or he'll cry. Anyway! He is sitting next to Gustave and when the bean seems exasperated at Gustave of all people, Date is immediately going to pick on him.
Because how dare you. Gustave is precious and has done no wrong. ]
Edamame also works, doesn't it? Our little soybean.
[ He's looking through the menu at the moment, chin propped up on his hand, elbow on the table, while he looks through the offerings lazily. He did order a coffee though, because he doesn't care about what the coffee is like here. ]
It's nice to see everyone and get together. Really great that they offered this.
Because how dare you. Gustave is precious and has done no wrong. ]
Edamame also works, doesn't it? Our little soybean.
[ He's looking through the menu at the moment, chin propped up on his hand, elbow on the table, while he looks through the offerings lazily. He did order a coffee though, because he doesn't care about what the coffee is like here. ]
It's nice to see everyone and get together. Really great that they offered this.
[ It's okay Gustave, you're not alone in being overdressed! Because while Rom knows exactly what a Denny's is and what level of decorum it deserves, he did not make a career as an influencer by half-assing the step of establishing an image! I'm too lazy to get reference images but he sure is in some flavor of gaudy goth jacket.
Also he ordered a coffee for himself, too. Sorry bean, he's loyal to you but not to your fancy coffee standards. At least when he hears that nickname dropped, he smiles at Date ... and shifts his legs out of the way so Edamura has more room to kick across under the table. ]
It certainly is nice, isn't it? How generous of production to treat us so lavishly~
[ He prefers this over the beach though, thank god. ]
They did say this won't be recorded, but -- shall we start with proper introductions, anyway? This might be some sort of hidden camera prank, after all.
Also he ordered a coffee for himself, too. Sorry bean, he's loyal to you but not to your fancy coffee standards. At least when he hears that nickname dropped, he smiles at Date ... and shifts his legs out of the way so Edamura has more room to kick across under the table. ]
It certainly is nice, isn't it? How generous of production to treat us so lavishly~
[ He prefers this over the beach though, thank god. ]
They did say this won't be recorded, but -- shall we start with proper introductions, anyway? This might be some sort of hidden camera prank, after all.
[ some of us spent the entire show at the beach, rom...
unlike Date, Gustave immediately looks apologetic, holding up his hands placatingly. ]
Edamura! Sorry. That's what I was going to say, I just... couldn't think of it. Sorry.
[ maybe Edamura and Date are better friends?? Must be. Rom looks like a complete weirdo to a man from turn of the century not-France, but he won't judge on appearances! Besides, he's being perfectly polite right now. ]
Right, yes. I'm Gustave. Nice to meet you, monsieur. And to see you again, too, Edamura.
unlike Date, Gustave immediately looks apologetic, holding up his hands placatingly. ]
Edamura! Sorry. That's what I was going to say, I just... couldn't think of it. Sorry.
[ maybe Edamura and Date are better friends?? Must be. Rom looks like a complete weirdo to a man from turn of the century not-France, but he won't judge on appearances! Besides, he's being perfectly polite right now. ]
Right, yes. I'm Gustave. Nice to meet you, monsieur. And to see you again, too, Edamura.
[. . .]
[Edamura flashes Gustave a friendly, genuine smile]
It's okay. We've only met once before now, so I don't blame you for forgetting. But it's nice to see you again, too!
[that smile widens, turning a little sharp around the edges, before. . .]
[he swiftly kicks Kaname Date in the shin. thanks for making room for his not-so-subtle violence, Rom]
[Edamura flashes Gustave a friendly, genuine smile]
It's okay. We've only met once before now, so I don't blame you for forgetting. But it's nice to see you again, too!
[that smile widens, turning a little sharp around the edges, before. . .]
[he swiftly kicks Kaname Date in the shin. thanks for making room for his not-so-subtle violence, Rom]
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