22 Jan 2020, 12:26
Oh, To Live Among The Stars
Ruka couldn‘t help but laugh as he listened to Jack explaining how he wasn‘t considered a teacher‘s pet. He sounded almost a little embarrassed that Ruka would think such a thing of him, and it made the Gryffindor‘s nerves flutter excitedly, knowing that Jack cared what he thought of him.
„Oh so you‘re going for the underdog then?“ he asked with a little smirk, shaking his head in amusement. Despite his heavy heart and the gravity of their conversation, Jack still managed to make Ruka feel lighter, like he didn‘t have to carry his heavy burdens around by himself anymore. „Sounds like you to want to set low expectations just to prove everyone wrong after all.“
I see you, Jack Burnett, he thought with a little twinkle in his eyes. You care more than you want to.
Ruka yelped quietly in surprise, swatting at Jack‘s hand with a laugh as the Slytherin reached to ruffle his hair. „Is this what having a mother is like?“ he asked jokingly, reaching up to fix his hair again. „Are you just gonna spend all day embarrassing me in front of the entire school?“
No, a voice inside him said fondly. No, Jack wasn‘t going to embarrass him in front of anyone, that much he was sure of. If anything, Ruka strongly believed that Jack would wrathfully go after anybody who dared embarrass him.
He wondered, for a second, if this is what it felt like to have a brother.
Ruka‘s eyebrows raised in wonder as he listened to Jack‘s words, a knot forming in his throat, his voice mirroring his self consciousness. „You wrote to your parents about me?“ he asked.
As much as Jack insisted to not have any friends, Ruka strongly felt like writing to your parents about someone meant you at least considered them some form of friend.
A close acquaintance, maybe?
Ruka shook his head off the thought, not wanting to over analyse it.
As he listened to Jack list off all the reasons for why it wasn‘t going to be a problem for him to come stay with Jack‘s family over the holidays, Ruka realised for the first time ever just how different his view of the world had been from other kids his age.
From the moment he was able to walk he‘d been schooled on how to perform on the streets to bring in some money, food had never been taken for granted; Blankets and clothes had oftentimes been deemed much more important, especially as Ruka had been growing out of trousers and t-shirts quicker than his dad would have liked.
At Jack‘s words about how they even looked like they might be brothers, Ruka looked up at the other boy with a little smile, unable to really say anything about it lest his voice started cracking under the weight of his emotions.
He wasn‘t sure Jack really understood how much all of this meant to him, but Ruka didn‘t think he was ever going to be able to thank the other boy enough.
„My grandfather‘s family was Welsh,“ he explained with a little shrug, looking back at the stars with a sigh. „But my dad was born in Ireland and so was I. I guess, at least.“ Since his dad hadn‘t known exactly how old Ruka was when he‘d found him by his tent, there was of course the possibility that he‘d been born somewhere outside Ireland, but Ruka just assumed that his mother hadn‘t gone very far during her pregnancy.
Ruka looked at Jack with a laugh dancing in his eyes as he tried to imagine life with the other boy‘s family. It sounded almost too good to be true, but at least for now he wanted to let himself believe that things would work out exactly like that. „I can‘t wait,“ he admitted quietly before following Jack‘s lead and standing up, quickly smoothing out his pyjama bottoms.
He let himself be led to the door, Jack‘s voice piercing him in a way that made him turn around and wrap his arms around the other boy in a hug he was sure Jack hated, but he wasn‘t sure how else to express exactly how grateful he was.
As quickly as he‘d pulled Jack in, he let go of him again, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand. „Thank you, Jack,“ he said with a smile as he opened the door for them to slip back inside the castle.
„For everything.“
„Oh so you‘re going for the underdog then?“ he asked with a little smirk, shaking his head in amusement. Despite his heavy heart and the gravity of their conversation, Jack still managed to make Ruka feel lighter, like he didn‘t have to carry his heavy burdens around by himself anymore. „Sounds like you to want to set low expectations just to prove everyone wrong after all.“
I see you, Jack Burnett, he thought with a little twinkle in his eyes. You care more than you want to.
Ruka yelped quietly in surprise, swatting at Jack‘s hand with a laugh as the Slytherin reached to ruffle his hair. „Is this what having a mother is like?“ he asked jokingly, reaching up to fix his hair again. „Are you just gonna spend all day embarrassing me in front of the entire school?“
No, a voice inside him said fondly. No, Jack wasn‘t going to embarrass him in front of anyone, that much he was sure of. If anything, Ruka strongly believed that Jack would wrathfully go after anybody who dared embarrass him.
He wondered, for a second, if this is what it felt like to have a brother.
Ruka‘s eyebrows raised in wonder as he listened to Jack‘s words, a knot forming in his throat, his voice mirroring his self consciousness. „You wrote to your parents about me?“ he asked.
As much as Jack insisted to not have any friends, Ruka strongly felt like writing to your parents about someone meant you at least considered them some form of friend.
A close acquaintance, maybe?
Ruka shook his head off the thought, not wanting to over analyse it.
As he listened to Jack list off all the reasons for why it wasn‘t going to be a problem for him to come stay with Jack‘s family over the holidays, Ruka realised for the first time ever just how different his view of the world had been from other kids his age.
From the moment he was able to walk he‘d been schooled on how to perform on the streets to bring in some money, food had never been taken for granted; Blankets and clothes had oftentimes been deemed much more important, especially as Ruka had been growing out of trousers and t-shirts quicker than his dad would have liked.
At Jack‘s words about how they even looked like they might be brothers, Ruka looked up at the other boy with a little smile, unable to really say anything about it lest his voice started cracking under the weight of his emotions.
He wasn‘t sure Jack really understood how much all of this meant to him, but Ruka didn‘t think he was ever going to be able to thank the other boy enough.
„My grandfather‘s family was Welsh,“ he explained with a little shrug, looking back at the stars with a sigh. „But my dad was born in Ireland and so was I. I guess, at least.“ Since his dad hadn‘t known exactly how old Ruka was when he‘d found him by his tent, there was of course the possibility that he‘d been born somewhere outside Ireland, but Ruka just assumed that his mother hadn‘t gone very far during her pregnancy.
Ruka looked at Jack with a laugh dancing in his eyes as he tried to imagine life with the other boy‘s family. It sounded almost too good to be true, but at least for now he wanted to let himself believe that things would work out exactly like that. „I can‘t wait,“ he admitted quietly before following Jack‘s lead and standing up, quickly smoothing out his pyjama bottoms.
He let himself be led to the door, Jack‘s voice piercing him in a way that made him turn around and wrap his arms around the other boy in a hug he was sure Jack hated, but he wasn‘t sure how else to express exactly how grateful he was.
As quickly as he‘d pulled Jack in, he let go of him again, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand. „Thank you, Jack,“ he said with a smile as he opened the door for them to slip back inside the castle.
„For everything.“
~Hell is other people~ - Jean Paul Sartre
Stamina: 7 ~ Evasion: 10 ~ Strength: 4 ~ Wisdom: 14 ~ Arcane Power: 6 ~ Accuracy: 9
23 Jan 2020, 07:50
Oh, To Live Among The Stars
@Ruka Tân
"Among other things, the Trickster archetype serves to subvert popular beliefs," Jack explained to Ruka, pleased (not for the first time) that someone could see the shape of his designs. "I'm just doing what I can to follow their ways. But...don't tell anyone, 'kay? It's hard work, pretending to be a slacker."
Before, he might have been warier than anything at the fact his reasoning had been laid bare, but to feel that Ruka understood him - him as a person, not just what he was doing or why - somehow made the Slytherin feel more relaxed than ever. He guessed it had something to do with the fact that since Ruka could see through all his facades and masks anyway, there was no point in trying to hide anything from him, so Jack didn't even have to bother with being on his guard. Not with this one person, at least.
Ruka's question about having a mother earned a particularly devious grin. "Oh no, mothers have much less of a window to embarrass their children. Usually, they only get to when they pick up their kids or drop them off or attend school events. But I get to stick to you like white on rice." He paused. "Or nearly so. Since we're in different houses, that makes things a bit more difficult, but I suppose you need some distance from me or you'll get sick of my nagging all too soon. But the point is, my opportunities to embarrass you are much more numerous than any mere mother's."
For all his talk and bluster, however, Ruka's prediction about Jack's behavior was right on the mark. After all, the Slytherin had made it clear he would have the opportunity to embarrass Ruka; not that he actually would.
When the Gryffindor brought up the fact that Jack had written about him to his parents, the Slytherin hesitated, realizing his slip. He looked away, embarrassed again - not only at having made such an obvious admission, but for not having recognized it until Ruka had pointed it out. "Y-yeah, so? I write to them about all sorts of people," he insisted as a pinkish tinge becan to creep up the skin of his neck and his cheeks. "And you're an especially interesting person. How could I not tell them I ran into a real live fire-dancer and watched him perform?"
He was beginning to babble and he knew it. Which was why Jack was more than grateful when Ruka changed the subject with the revelation that his grandfather's family was Welsh. However, the unusual wording of his statements combined with the previous information that Ruka didn't know his birthday made the Slytherin wonder more about the other boy. If his father loved him as much as it seemed he had, then surely at least he would have known what day Ruka had been born and told him, right? Unless his parents had been separated even before he was born. Perhaps they hadn't ever even been married in the first place.
Well, it wasn't Jack's place to pry. Perhaps Ruka would tell him more about it another time if he felt more comfortable. And even if he didn't, what did it matter? His origins didn't change who the 'Hand of Fire' was now. And with Ruka beaming at him like that with such hope for the future in his eyes, what right did Jack have to cast a shadow of the past over them?
"Yeah...I can't wait, either."
Just as they were about to head inside - or so Jack thought - he was captured in a prison of no escape. Ruka's arms enveloped him before he could register what was happening and he felt a strange rush of warmth take over his entire body. Though his eyes widened and his mouth went dry, he didn't think he could move - not until a few minutes later after Ruka had released him and he had had a bit to cool down.
Deep red with a mixture of unidentified emotions, Jack scowled at the use of his first name, still unsure what to make of what Ruka had done to him. He...thought he enjoyed the hug, but...did he deserve to?
"If you really want to thank me, you'll stop using my first name willy-nilly. You're going to wear it out." Shaking his head, he smirked again, unable to even pretend to stay angry at the other boy for long. "I wouldn't thank me yet if I were you. I'm still not sure you understand what you signed up for." He glanced at Ruka out the corner of his eye as he held the door open for the Gryffindor. "But...you're very welcome. And thank you, too."
"Among other things, the Trickster archetype serves to subvert popular beliefs," Jack explained to Ruka, pleased (not for the first time) that someone could see the shape of his designs. "I'm just doing what I can to follow their ways. But...don't tell anyone, 'kay? It's hard work, pretending to be a slacker."
Before, he might have been warier than anything at the fact his reasoning had been laid bare, but to feel that Ruka understood him - him as a person, not just what he was doing or why - somehow made the Slytherin feel more relaxed than ever. He guessed it had something to do with the fact that since Ruka could see through all his facades and masks anyway, there was no point in trying to hide anything from him, so Jack didn't even have to bother with being on his guard. Not with this one person, at least.
Ruka's question about having a mother earned a particularly devious grin. "Oh no, mothers have much less of a window to embarrass their children. Usually, they only get to when they pick up their kids or drop them off or attend school events. But I get to stick to you like white on rice." He paused. "Or nearly so. Since we're in different houses, that makes things a bit more difficult, but I suppose you need some distance from me or you'll get sick of my nagging all too soon. But the point is, my opportunities to embarrass you are much more numerous than any mere mother's."
For all his talk and bluster, however, Ruka's prediction about Jack's behavior was right on the mark. After all, the Slytherin had made it clear he would have the opportunity to embarrass Ruka; not that he actually would.
When the Gryffindor brought up the fact that Jack had written about him to his parents, the Slytherin hesitated, realizing his slip. He looked away, embarrassed again - not only at having made such an obvious admission, but for not having recognized it until Ruka had pointed it out. "Y-yeah, so? I write to them about all sorts of people," he insisted as a pinkish tinge becan to creep up the skin of his neck and his cheeks. "And you're an especially interesting person. How could I not tell them I ran into a real live fire-dancer and watched him perform?"
He was beginning to babble and he knew it. Which was why Jack was more than grateful when Ruka changed the subject with the revelation that his grandfather's family was Welsh. However, the unusual wording of his statements combined with the previous information that Ruka didn't know his birthday made the Slytherin wonder more about the other boy. If his father loved him as much as it seemed he had, then surely at least he would have known what day Ruka had been born and told him, right? Unless his parents had been separated even before he was born. Perhaps they hadn't ever even been married in the first place.
Well, it wasn't Jack's place to pry. Perhaps Ruka would tell him more about it another time if he felt more comfortable. And even if he didn't, what did it matter? His origins didn't change who the 'Hand of Fire' was now. And with Ruka beaming at him like that with such hope for the future in his eyes, what right did Jack have to cast a shadow of the past over them?
"Yeah...I can't wait, either."
Just as they were about to head inside - or so Jack thought - he was captured in a prison of no escape. Ruka's arms enveloped him before he could register what was happening and he felt a strange rush of warmth take over his entire body. Though his eyes widened and his mouth went dry, he didn't think he could move - not until a few minutes later after Ruka had released him and he had had a bit to cool down.
Deep red with a mixture of unidentified emotions, Jack scowled at the use of his first name, still unsure what to make of what Ruka had done to him. He...thought he enjoyed the hug, but...did he deserve to?
"If you really want to thank me, you'll stop using my first name willy-nilly. You're going to wear it out." Shaking his head, he smirked again, unable to even pretend to stay angry at the other boy for long. "I wouldn't thank me yet if I were you. I'm still not sure you understand what you signed up for." He glanced at Ruka out the corner of his eye as he held the door open for the Gryffindor. "But...you're very welcome. And thank you, too."
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori
23 Jan 2020, 08:59
Oh, To Live Among The Stars
Ruka grinned as Jack further explained his reasoning behind slacking off in class just to work even harder outside it.
„Wouldn‘t want to hurt your reputation,“ he said brightly, putting a pale, scarred hand over his heart. „Your secret‘s safe with me.“
A moment of comfortable silence settled over them, and Ruka took the chance to study the other boy for a minute. He seemed more relaxed than last time they had met, less on guard and more... himself. He wondered how many people Jack had that he could really let down all his masks and walls with?
Did he have any at all?
Laughing at Jack‘s words, Ruka wrapped his arms around his stomach to keep from toppling over as his body shook with glee at the mere image of the Slytherin sticking by him every waking second just to embarrass him in front of everyone they could possibly cross paths with. „I‘ll have to get really creative with my hideouts then,“ he said in defense, imagining making his way through the castle by sneaking from one crook in the wall to the next.
When the talk turned to how Jack had written to his parents about him, Ruka noticed the other boy flustering uncharacteristically, blabbing about the reasons why it was no big deal.
Ruka decided not to prod the topic, instead smiling lightly and nodding along with Jack‘s words. „I am incredibly interesting,“ he agreed, eyes flicking to Jack for a second, then back up to the sky.
He knew Jack knew that Ruka didn‘t really buy that him being an interesting person was the only reason the Slytherin had mentioned him in letters, but for now he wanted Jack to rest easy in the illusion of having fooled Ruka with his words.
As they were making their way back inside, Ruka could swear there was something in Jack that didn‘t necessarily hate the hug he‘d given him as much as he would have liked Ruka to believe, but that was another topic he decided not to press.
Not tonight, not after this exhausting conversation topic they had just gone through.
Instead, Ruka rolled his eyes and lightly shoved at Jack‘s shoulder. „Have it your way, Burn-It,“ he said with a small smile playing on his lips. „Now, let‘s start your babysitting duty with you walking me back to my dorm.“
With a teasing smile, Ruka slid through the door past Jack and inside the warmth of the castle.
His new almost kind of friend in tow.
End of Thread
„Wouldn‘t want to hurt your reputation,“ he said brightly, putting a pale, scarred hand over his heart. „Your secret‘s safe with me.“
A moment of comfortable silence settled over them, and Ruka took the chance to study the other boy for a minute. He seemed more relaxed than last time they had met, less on guard and more... himself. He wondered how many people Jack had that he could really let down all his masks and walls with?
Did he have any at all?
Laughing at Jack‘s words, Ruka wrapped his arms around his stomach to keep from toppling over as his body shook with glee at the mere image of the Slytherin sticking by him every waking second just to embarrass him in front of everyone they could possibly cross paths with. „I‘ll have to get really creative with my hideouts then,“ he said in defense, imagining making his way through the castle by sneaking from one crook in the wall to the next.
When the talk turned to how Jack had written to his parents about him, Ruka noticed the other boy flustering uncharacteristically, blabbing about the reasons why it was no big deal.
Ruka decided not to prod the topic, instead smiling lightly and nodding along with Jack‘s words. „I am incredibly interesting,“ he agreed, eyes flicking to Jack for a second, then back up to the sky.
He knew Jack knew that Ruka didn‘t really buy that him being an interesting person was the only reason the Slytherin had mentioned him in letters, but for now he wanted Jack to rest easy in the illusion of having fooled Ruka with his words.
As they were making their way back inside, Ruka could swear there was something in Jack that didn‘t necessarily hate the hug he‘d given him as much as he would have liked Ruka to believe, but that was another topic he decided not to press.
Not tonight, not after this exhausting conversation topic they had just gone through.
Instead, Ruka rolled his eyes and lightly shoved at Jack‘s shoulder. „Have it your way, Burn-It,“ he said with a small smile playing on his lips. „Now, let‘s start your babysitting duty with you walking me back to my dorm.“
With a teasing smile, Ruka slid through the door past Jack and inside the warmth of the castle.
His new almost kind of friend in tow.
End of Thread
~Hell is other people~ - Jean Paul Sartre
Stamina: 7 ~ Evasion: 10 ~ Strength: 4 ~ Wisdom: 14 ~ Arcane Power: 6 ~ Accuracy: 9