caycay | I've Been Lonely

It's a difficult question--his malware is similar to Idia's but the way they cope is so different...

It's easy enough to think of what he's done before, when things got so bad he wasn't sure he could stand it. Self-destruct quietly, sabotage himself, see just how far he could drain his magical battery while he hid away from the world. But there were more conceptual things, too. Writing diaries, destroying the evidence like it would take those feelings and make them disappear.

He figures that he could at least talk without the expectation that he's giving advice. Maybe just the sound of his voice would do Idia some good.

"When I get so bad that it's like I'm drowning, I have to take what I'm feeling and turn it into something else. Usually, I'll write songs. Not good ones or anything, but it's something constructive. And if I can't manage to put it to paper I'll just...sing. Whatever comes out."

Idia's creative, but it's a different type of creativity from Cater's. He's skilled at engineering concepts and visualization of schematics, not the pure artistic creativity of songwriting or photo composition. Cater's offered him advice, and Idia's heart aches that it really won't help him much.

"I think... I kinda want to just cuddle. If I accidentally trigger myself, I'll be a wreck, and I don't know what might do it."

Cater has become his anchor, he knows that. Maybe it's not entirely healthy in the long term, but for now they can support each other. The simple act of holding his boyfriend is keeping him together right now. He shifts a little so he can rest his head on Cater's chest, closing his eyes to listen to the heartbeat under his ear.

"You're here, you're okay. You're... you're really okay...."

Cater gives a hum of understanding, squeezing Idia more tightly. With care, he lays them back down--all the while making sure his grip never loosens. "I'm right here," he agrees, running a hand through his boyfriend's hair. "I'm not going anywhere."

He had a nightmare about me? As he ponders this, his brow furrows, and he's glad their position and the darkness keeps it from being betrayed. The last thing Cater wants is for Idia to fixate on something like that. Knowing him, he's probably already beating himself up just for having woken him up even though it was totally out of his own control.

It takes a while, Idia silently clinging with his gangly limbs curled up almost into a fetal position, but eventually the adrenaline crash does drag him into unconsciousness. His hair dims nearly enough to show the translucent strands beneath the flames, the only color remaining mercifully a calm blue. Equally merciful is a lack of dreams beyond the REM equivalent of white noise, enough to provide some refreshing of his mind by morning.

It’s still going to be a rough day ahead, though.

Cater doesn't let himself fall asleep until he registers Idia's even breathing and more lax body against his own. He relaxes a bit, but finds himself waking up throughout the rest of the night even after sleep finds him. What was Idia dreaming? It had to have been something terrible--he'd thought it was probably a memory, the Seven knew that he had plenty of them to scream about, but if he was involved...well, even when they fought, he's pretty sure he didn't inspire that kind of reaction.

The not knowing, the imagining, eats at him. When Idia's familiar alarm goes off in the morning, Cater's head is pounding. Still, he puts on as soft of an expression as he can as he rubs Idia's back, kissing his forehead and murmuring for him to wake up. He has a feeling that Idia's not going to be going to class with him today, but he still has to detangle himself so Cater can get back to Heartslabyul.

"Morning, Flam-bae. Sun rose with no regard for the rest of us."

Idia groans, slower to wake than usual. His dark circles are definitely deeper and his eyes barely open, squinting at Cater. He makes no move to let go of his boyfriend. Yes, he knows Riddle will have Cater’s head if he doesn’t rush back to his own dorm, but the need to cling is so strong. If he lets go, will Cater vanish forever? Will something awful happen to the other boy in the cruel outside world?

But he can’t be selfish all the time. Reluctantly, he untangles himself from Cater, only to wrap around his pillow instead. He buries his face in the plush lump, muffling his fatigue-roughened voice. “Bad day. Staying.”

As soon as Cater's switched from his Idia-suite specific pajamas over to his uniform, he leans back over to kiss the back of Idia's head and give him a quick squeeze. "Take it easy, okay? I love you--I'll swing by at lunch with something for you to eat that's easy on the stomach, and make sure you hydrate while I'm gone."

He wishes he could stay--now more than ever it's infuriating that he can't. The temptation to wrap his arms all the way around Idia and hug him close and not let go is so, so strong. Even managing to ignore the urge, he lingers a bit longer than he knows he should, letting his boyfriend feel the comforting pressure of his body against his back.

Idia grunts, but it's softer, less grumpy. It's an expression of affection when he's too damned tired to talk more. Cater lingering with him feels nice, but at the same time he doesn't want his boyfriend to get into trouble. But he should really say a proper goodbye at least, since Cater risks so much to be here with him. Sighing, he finally lifts his head and tries to smile, even if it's more than a little wobbly.

"Love you, too." His voice is so rough from sobbing, he sounds sick. "Don't get caught. Stealth mode."

With Idia turning to look at him, Cater offers him a wink, hoping his signature charm will help lift his spirits at least a little. "Don't you worry about me--I'm dual-classing as a rogue."

One more fast, stolen kiss later and he's at the door. "I'll share my notes with you later," Cater says behind him as a final parting, knowing that Idia can easily record it himself but wanting to take as much pressure off as possible. With that, the door slides shut behind him and Idia's left in solitude. Creeping back to the mirror chamber and into the realm of Heartslabyul once more, Cater's back through his dorm window with a moment to spare before Riddle comes making the rounds.

It's become a familiar route, now, easy enough so long as his timing isn't off or Riddle doesn't do anything unexpected. Fortunately, his housewarden rarely breaks routine, and Cater's in front of a mirror pulling up his hair as his door swings open. He's even complimented on being dressed so promptly. Once he's alone again, though, his face falls as he looks in his mirror. With nobody there to put on a cheerful face for, he stares grimly back at himself.

What's the rest of the day going to look like? Damn, he'll have to put extra concealer on to hide the bags under his eyes, and definitely extra espresso in his latte. What a shitty morning.

Cater isn't the only one whose mood tanks the rest of the way when he's alone. Idia saw the dark bags under his boyfriend's eyes, heard the exhaustion laced into his words. It's his fault. He woke Cater up, kept him awake too long, because of his awful broken brain. Things had been good for so long, no wonder the return of Bad Things hit this hard. The gloom had to pay him back for daring to be happy.

Cater needs to make an informed decision on whether or not to stay with Idia. But how can he know everything that happened? Idia's gaze falls on his computer. Maybe he wouldn't be able to talk about it, but if he can show Cater the truth without being there to watch the shock and horror settle in, that would work. He has his skill set, he'll use it to communicate his darkest secrets.

So Idia drags himself out of bed and flops into his computer chair without bothering to do anything else first. Forget showering or brushing his teeth, forget breakfast or class, he has to slog through this heartbreaking project. Letting himself remember that last quick kiss-- maybe the last one he'll ever get if Cater is disgusted by him-- he rests his fingertips on the virtual keyboards and starts to work.

Morning classes are a drag. Coffee is the only thing that keeps him alert enough to take notes and avoid the wrath of the teachers from coming down on him. Keeping up his friendly attitude is harder, but he still tries to have a few quickly-cut-off conversations here and there between lectures. It's a relief when lunch comes, and he's able to brush off the people who ask to sit with him with the detail-omitted truth: a classmate is sick and I promised to drop off some things.

Putting together a meal from the cafeteria that's safe for a bland meal, Cater takes a quiet pit-stop to magic a colored pattern into the top of the mound of cooked rice: a red diamond with a winking face that says Eat up Flam-bae! around it.

Once he reaches Ignihyde, his face falls. He's honestly worried about what he's going to find. Will Idia even be out of bed? Will he have gotten sicker? How's he going to be able to leave him for the second half of the day when all he wants to do is curl up in his bed with him and sleep? Cater takes a breath before reaching Idia's door and by the time it opens again he's as bright and shiny as he can be. "Delivery!"

Initially seeing him at the computer makes him smile, glad that he's gotten out of bed. He looks like he's deep into some kind of project so Cater hesitates to bother him too much, but sets down the bowls of rice and soup in a safe spot nearby.

Idia looks back over his shoulder, clearly tired but calm in that blank sort of I’m coping by not thinking about it way. “Thanks, Cay. And… you don’t have to pretend. I know you’re buggy too.” He sighs and turns back to his code-filled screens. “Almost done. Gotta beta this before you’re done classes today.”

His fingers fly for a moment, then still. His shoulders rise and fall in a silent deep breath. “Hug? Please?” He wants one more before he risks burning everything down. He can eat later, even if it’s all cold.

"Wow, a rush job, huh?" Cater's about to back up and give Idia the space he needs to finish his project when he makes his request. His expression softens, and he more than happily slides his arms around Idia from the side of his gaming chair, resting his chin on the top of his head. He doesn't connect that what Idia's working on is meant for him. He's not operating at his best, and it's not like he can even imagine what's being made.

Squeezing Idia tightly before his arms loosen into a more relaxed embrace, his eyes close heavily and he lets out a heavy breath. "I wish I could just stay in here with you. Falling asleep to the sound of your fingers on the keyboard sounds soooo nice..."

Idia closes his eyes too, sagging into Cater's embrace. He'd be more relaxed if his project wasn't looming over him like a guillotine blade. Thankfully Cater can't read the complex code, otherwise this would be even more awkward. He's just so tired, but he'll be done soon.

"I...." He swallows. "I wish you could stay, too. But Riddle will crit you into a game over if you cut class."

The Heartslabyul Housewarden is a thorn rather than a rose more often than Idia would like. They already have so little time left before senior year and then graduation, plus Cater is running himself ragged trying to keep Riddle from exploding over curfew violations. How can Idia be worth all this?

"I'm sorry I ruined your sleep cycle. You feel like total crud, I can tell. Do you want to take a power nap for the rest of lunch, I'll wake you up in time for class?"

Cater hums thoughtfully, leaning forward to plant his lips on Idia's forehead. "It's okay, really, it happens. I'm not going to be out of commission over one night of little sleep--and besides, I've pulled all-nighters before for worse reasons."

Back in his partying days, that was. Not that they were really all that long ago, but it feels like it was. He's so over all of that noise. "You wouldn't mind? I don't want to throw you off more if you're focusing, but I'm not really hungry, anyway."

"You won't throw me off. I can focus better if I know you're resting, since you'll recharge a bit." Cater's presence nearby but without him hovering curiously really will help Idia work, as long as he doesn't give in to the temptation to say screw the project in favor of cuddling up for a nap himself. The feeling of that kiss lingers on his forehead, giving him an unexpected clarity. He has to do this, even if he hates it. "How long do you need to wake up to get back to class? Ten? Fifteen?"

"Mmm, I hustled over so..."

Cater pulls one arm away to fish his phone from his pocket and check the time.

"Yeah, I can do twenty." That said, though, the only thing more appealing than sleep is being so close to his boyfriend, and as such he has to ask, "sure you can't join me? I won't even pester you to eat, if you do."

Gods, Cater had to ask. Idia can't say no to him. "... okay. I'll set my alarm. Big spoon, little spoon, or face to face?"

It's a question they've asked each other so many times since they started napping or sleeping in the same bed. No matter what they do, the cuddling usually lets them both sleep much better, except for last night. At least a nap won't let Idia sink so deep into REM that he risks another nightmare.

"Ahhh, always such a hard choice!" Even if he's not wearing his mask, it's hard not to be a little goofy. Talking like this with Idia still fills him with little butterflies, making him feel more elated than he's able to feel when he's on his own. "But I've missed your face all morning--I want to look at you."

He's about ready to pull Idia up out of the chair himself as he slides out of his shoes.

He doesn't have to. Idia sets an alarm on his phone before he finally gets up on his own, stretching without being too obvious. He's been hunched over his computer all day, barely getting up except for bathroom breaks. He hasn't even showered, still smelling faintly of stale sweat. Tucking himself back into his bed, he holds out his arms for Cater.

"Don't look too long. Sleep." He'd pout playfully if he had the energy for it. Hopefully Cater won't end up too rumpled from this. If Riddle gives him a hard time, Idia might actually emerge from his room long enough to smack the diminutive Housewarden upside his rose-red head.

The second that he's horizontal in Idia's arms he presses their lips together. Idia tastes faintly of salt, his breath is a little stagnant, but none of it matters. "I won't," he murmurs against his boyfriend's lips, "I promise."

And with another, soft brush his lips, his tired eyes peering into Idia's...there's a moment where it seems like he might be looking more deeply, analyzing those microexpressions and uncovering Idia's inner fears. Cater's too tired to see into the rabbit hole, though, and snuggles in so his forehead is against Idia's collarbone.

The ginger's out almost immediately, his breathing evening out as his limbs go lax.

Idia feels Cater give in to sleep and holds back a quiet hitching breath. He doesn't want to lose this, but it's not his choice. Cater has to know, it's not right to keep Idia's sins from him. It's not self-sabotage, it's honesty. He holds Cater close and closes his eyes, though this time it's his turn to fail at finding rest.

The alarm goes off exactly when Idia set it, but it's still far too soon. He gives Cater an extra two minutes, though it's just as much about letting himself have that time. "Cay? Gotta get up, it's time. I'm sorry." He doesn't let go just yet, though.

He's not asleep long enough to dream, but he sleeps greedily, sinking deep into a warm, black blanket. Usually, Cater has a hair trigger reacting to any kind of phone alert, but for once it's only Idia's gentle prodding that rouses him. When he looks up into his boyfriend's face, there's a second of clear disorientation as his brain tries to remember what time it is.

His eyelids struggle to stay open and Cater groans. "I've never hated school so much before."

It would be so easy to send a message that Cater has fallen ill, to give him an excuse to stay here for a long rest. But it would raise too many questions, why he's not in his own dorm, why Idia is the one notifying the teachers. Still, it's Cater's choice. It always has been. Idia can work around him regardless.

"I can ping your next class, tell them you're sick. They'll believe it with how you looked earlier."

He doesn't hold back from pressing a kiss to his boyfriend's forehead, a token of a love that won't fade even if they're separated. Idia will love Cater until the day he dies, whether or not they're still together tomorrow.

Cater groans and then sighs. One of the arms he has wrapped around Idia dislodges so he can cup the other boy's cheek. "So, so tempting...but we should be good. It's just a few more hours, and then I'll be back to crash out hard. Deal?"

Besides, Idia had his deadline, too, and who knows how much those 20 minutes set him back.

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