[Once Riddle's gone, Cater's shoulders sag. He didn't think he could be any more tired than he already was.]
I'm gonna have to, I think. I'm a mess.
[Even if he put his mask back on, he knows it won't be nearly as convincing as it was before. Kind of hard to act unaffected when your eyes are red and your face is blotchy. Besides that, word had probably spread through much more of the school by now. Even if Cater wasn't being singled out by Riddle, he has a feeling some of their dormmates are going to be able to read between the lines.]
You think that was okay to do? Show Riddle my real face, I mean.
I think it was fine, but either way, trust your gut. I don't think you'd readily reveal yourself to someone who doesn't have a fair chance of being understanding.
And Riddle goes hard on rules, but he has a heart of gold. Granted, you may have opened yourself up to some mother henning from him. So just let him know if it gets to be too much for you.
[With a groan, Cater flops backward, coiling around a pillow. He feels so drained he's sure he could fall asleep, but he'll have to stay up long enough to make sure his split card doesn't vanish mid-meeting. If only his other selves could eat for him, too, but unfortunately transferring stomach contents is definitely not how it works.]
Mother henning from Riddle Rosehearts--I'm too scared to imagine what that looks like. I'll have to start studying more of the rules.
[All he can think is how he's way more likely to mess one up if Riddle's paying bigger attention. Ugh, what a drag. But Trey's right, Riddle means well, so it's not like he's really all that upset.]
[As soon as Trey says Vil's name, Cater shoots bolt upright in bed. Whatever amount of calm he'd managed to find for himself is broken as anxiety shoots through him, and when Trey offers his phone Cater reaches out and takes it without hesitation. It's as much of a relief to know he's going to hear Vil's voice as it is terrifying. Like he's anticipating scorn, derision.]
Vil!
[He can't help the way his voice creeps higher, unnatural.]
Where are you right now? I tried calling, but I couldn't get through--
Oh--right. I'm sorry, I totally forgot that was today. I shouldn't have blown up your phone like that.
[He sounds irritated, but not at him, so Cater relaxes a little.]
Yeah, wherever you are now, I can be there.
[In fact, he's already swinging out of bed. Doesn't really matter where he is when he sets his split card loose, and he knows he's not going to be able to rest anyway, so going to Vil is definitely the best option.]
[He doesn't care how long he has to wait; the promise of Vil is worth it. Cater lets out a tired chuckle.]
Yeah, I'm not great, but I'm better than I was.
[There's still an urge to tell Vil that he's good, he's fine, don't worry, what I'm going through isn't worth your trouble. He's able to stamp that down, at least, not wanting to hide things from the most important person in his life.]
I've got the world's greatest friend to thank for that. And hearing your voice does wonders, too.
[He grins at Trey slightly as he takes the phone back, putting it into his own pocket without turning it on--he'll wait until he's with Vil, too afraid of being alone with everything he can see.]
Okay, I'm going to give Trey his phone back, so I'm going dark. See you soon?
Trey is relieved. He'd had a pretty good feeling about Vil, and based on everything so far, he's handling everything, even the negative parts of their relationship, pretty well.
A good thing— Cater isn't remotely yet in the mindset to properly defend himself, should someone unjustly put him down or try to take advantage of him.]
[Handing the phone back, it's clear that Cater seems to be a bit more at ease. Nothing's going to be an instant cure all for the intensity of the sudden reveal, the backlash against his happiness, but if he'd had to handle it all alone, Cater's certain he'd be in a much, much more sorry state.]
Thanks--and I really mean it, you know? You're a lifesaver.
[A second later, and Cater's summoned a second of himself. The copy can't help that it has the same sort of tired eyes, but it doesn't have any problems beaming.]
I'll help, too! [Though it does also add in a whine:] I wish I could be the one kissing Vil, though. Lucky~
[Not really paying any mind to his split card, the original Cater heads toward the window. Not like it's his first rodeo sneaking out. Once he's clear of Heartslabyul, it isn't long before he makes it to his destination. At this point, the campus is fairly empty, so he doesn't have to try too hard to avoid unwanted attention. The worst of it is being there first, struggling to keep his hands off his phone and pacing. Each second feels like hours, but he knows that Vil will be there as soon as he can.]
You'll wear a hole in the floor, pacing like that.
[After about ten minutes, he's finally arrived, a small smile on his face. While he'd gotten off some of the make-up, he's still a bit more done than usual, the make-up enhancing and softening his features.]
[This is where Cater would usually offer some kind of cute, flirty comeback. A corner of his mouth raises at Vil's words, but he only manages to make a small noise before he wordlessly approaches and wraps his arms around the taller blond boy, pressing his forehead into his chest.]
I'm so glad you're here.
[He had been drowning. Trey was keeping his face above water as best as he could, but with Vil here, it finally felt like he was being pulled from the waves.]
[Vil's arms come up immediately, and he wraps them tightly around Cater, settling the side of his head against the teen's.]
Oh, Cater... I'm sorry. I've long since been desensitized to such rabble. I suppose it didn't fully occur to me how... well, traumatizing it can actually be.
[He turns his head and presses a kiss to his temple.]
[The problem with sitting is that it means he has to relinquish his hold on Vil, even if it's only for a moment. Cater takes a deep breath and then nods. The kiss is a stabilizing force. He slips his hand into Vil's before finding a spot to sit against the stone of the tower wall.]
I knew this would probably happen eventually, but I should've asked you to prepare me for it more. For such a big-time Internet user you'd think I'd have been more ready for how vitriolic people could be.
[Especially where Vil is concerned. Anyone that beautiful and with those kinds of numbers in popularity tend to attract even the worst sort of people.]
My Magicam account was completely open, and since I was already your fan and we go to the same school, it was super easy for everyone to find me once that picture of us got leaked.
[He walks with Cater and sits next to him, unoccupied arm coming up to wrap around Cater. He lets their heads rest together.]
Good grief. Wild, untamed spuds, the lot of them.
[He gives his hand a squeeze.]
I'm afraid that... while this initial period will die down, you will always catch some of the spillover from my career. That is the life of a celebrity; constantly under scrutiny and criticism to the point their closest people invariably get caught in the crossfire.
[His hand drifts up and strokes through his hair, his eyes closing. His voice is... unusually solemn.]
That is a lot to ask of you. Of anyone. And... I wouldn't blame you if that wasn't a life you wanted.
[Leaning against Vil, it's easy to let his eyes close, too. His presence is like a balm being spread on a burn. Cater listens, feeling soothed...until Vil's tone of voice grows so sad. He wonders if the fame he has is worth it to him. Living under that constant pressure. The weight Cater has felt from his own pressures already feels like enough to bury him at times, and knowing how much worse it must be for Vil...how can he stand it?
He sits up straight, looking Vil in the face with an intensity bordering on desperation in his eyes.]
The life that I want is the one where I'm by your side, period.
[Everything else that comes with it? It's just something that he'll have to learn how to deal with.]
As long as I'm not holding you back, I'm fine with whatever else happens.
[The light pressure of Vil's forehead against his own his heaven. Sitting there like that and lacing their fingers together, it's so easy to forget about his troubles. In this short moment, it's like the panic attack he had not too long ago had never happened.]
If that's what you're telling me, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.
[The lies, the insults, the threatening language...it all fades to background static underneath Vil's truth.]
[Cater hums out a breath, enjoying the sensation of Vil's fingers in his hair.]
The unstoppable force of Trey combined with my unique magic is taking care of that.
[Poor Riddle. How can he truly be expected to maintain his orderly house when he's got such crafty righthand men?]
I don't need to hurry...and I wouldn't anyway, even if it meant punishment. Just being able to be here with you is worth it. [Pausing, he adds:] And I think Riddle would take it easy on me, just this once.
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He gives a nod, then gives pause.]
I expect the two of you will be there?
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Yeah, no problem. We'll see you.
[Riddle gives a nod, heading out. It's once the door is closed and Trey's sure he's had some time to leave that he looks to Cater.]
If you decide to split a card, I'll be none the wiser.
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I'm gonna have to, I think. I'm a mess.
[Even if he put his mask back on, he knows it won't be nearly as convincing as it was before. Kind of hard to act unaffected when your eyes are red and your face is blotchy. Besides that, word had probably spread through much more of the school by now. Even if Cater wasn't being singled out by Riddle, he has a feeling some of their dormmates are going to be able to read between the lines.]
You think that was okay to do? Show Riddle my real face, I mean.
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As for that question...]
It surprised me, that's for sure.
[He reaches up to shift his glasses.]
I think it was fine, but either way, trust your gut. I don't think you'd readily reveal yourself to someone who doesn't have a fair chance of being understanding.
And Riddle goes hard on rules, but he has a heart of gold. Granted, you may have opened yourself up to some mother henning from him. So just let him know if it gets to be too much for you.
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[With a groan, Cater flops backward, coiling around a pillow. He feels so drained he's sure he could fall asleep, but he'll have to stay up long enough to make sure his split card doesn't vanish mid-meeting. If only his other selves could eat for him, too, but unfortunately transferring stomach contents is definitely not how it works.]
Mother henning from Riddle Rosehearts--I'm too scared to imagine what that looks like. I'll have to start studying more of the rules.
[All he can think is how he's way more likely to mess one up if Riddle's paying bigger attention. Ugh, what a drag. But Trey's right, Riddle means well, so it's not like he's really all that upset.]
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[Ok Trey.
That's when his phone starts vibrating, and he blinks, taking it out. He taps on it, and brings it up to his ear.]
Hey, it's Trey. [His gaze softens quickly after.] Hey, Vil.
[He gives a small smile at Cater.] He's hanging in there. It was pretty rough, but we worked through the worst of it.
[...] Mn, sure thing.
[And then he walks over to Cater, reaching out to offer him the phone.]
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Vil!
[He can't help the way his voice creeps higher, unnatural.]
Where are you right now? I tried calling, but I couldn't get through--
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I was at my shoot. Ugh, what a mess.
I'm sorry, Cater. I really should have taken time to better prepare you for this. You'd think I'd have known better.
Do you have time to meet face-to-face?
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Oh--right. I'm sorry, I totally forgot that was today. I shouldn't have blown up your phone like that.
[He sounds irritated, but not at him, so Cater relaxes a little.]
Yeah, wherever you are now, I can be there.
[In fact, he's already swinging out of bed. Doesn't really matter where he is when he sets his split card loose, and he knows he's not going to be able to rest anyway, so going to Vil is definitely the best option.]
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[At least Vil knew just how distressed Cater was. It'd have been worse if he played it off like it didn't bother him.]
It will be a bit, but I can meet you at the tower.
[His tone drops and softens a bit:]
How are you doing?
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[He doesn't care how long he has to wait; the promise of Vil is worth it. Cater lets out a tired chuckle.]
Yeah, I'm not great, but I'm better than I was.
[There's still an urge to tell Vil that he's good, he's fine, don't worry, what I'm going through isn't worth your trouble. He's able to stamp that down, at least, not wanting to hide things from the most important person in his life.]
I've got the world's greatest friend to thank for that. And hearing your voice does wonders, too.
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He takes Cater's phone out of his pocket, offering it to him.]
That's a relief. I'm glad Trey was able to help. You certainly made the right choice in confiding in him.
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[He grins at Trey slightly as he takes the phone back, putting it into his own pocket without turning it on--he'll wait until he's with Vil, too afraid of being alone with everything he can see.]
Okay, I'm going to give Trey his phone back, so I'm going dark. See you soon?
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[Vil hangs up.
Trey is relieved. He'd had a pretty good feeling about Vil, and based on everything so far, he's handling everything, even the negative parts of their relationship, pretty well.
A good thing— Cater isn't remotely yet in the mindset to properly defend himself, should someone unjustly put him down or try to take advantage of him.]
I'll handle things on this end.
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Thanks--and I really mean it, you know? You're a lifesaver.
[A second later, and Cater's summoned a second of himself. The copy can't help that it has the same sort of tired eyes, but it doesn't have any problems beaming.]
I'll help, too! [Though it does also add in a whine:] I wish I could be the one kissing Vil, though. Lucky~
[Not really paying any mind to his split card, the original Cater heads toward the window. Not like it's his first rodeo sneaking out. Once he's clear of Heartslabyul, it isn't long before he makes it to his destination. At this point, the campus is fairly empty, so he doesn't have to try too hard to avoid unwanted attention. The worst of it is being there first, struggling to keep his hands off his phone and pacing. Each second feels like hours, but he knows that Vil will be there as soon as he can.]
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[After about ten minutes, he's finally arrived, a small smile on his face. While he'd gotten off some of the make-up, he's still a bit more done than usual, the make-up enhancing and softening his features.]
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I'm so glad you're here.
[He had been drowning. Trey was keeping his face above water as best as he could, but with Vil here, it finally felt like he was being pulled from the waves.]
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Oh, Cater... I'm sorry. I've long since been desensitized to such rabble. I suppose it didn't fully occur to me how... well, traumatizing it can actually be.
[He turns his head and presses a kiss to his temple.]
Come. Let's sit.
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I knew this would probably happen eventually, but I should've asked you to prepare me for it more. For such a big-time Internet user you'd think I'd have been more ready for how vitriolic people could be.
[Especially where Vil is concerned. Anyone that beautiful and with those kinds of numbers in popularity tend to attract even the worst sort of people.]
My Magicam account was completely open, and since I was already your fan and we go to the same school, it was super easy for everyone to find me once that picture of us got leaked.
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Good grief. Wild, untamed spuds, the lot of them.
[He gives his hand a squeeze.]
I'm afraid that... while this initial period will die down, you will always catch some of the spillover from my career. That is the life of a celebrity; constantly under scrutiny and criticism to the point their closest people invariably get caught in the crossfire.
[His hand drifts up and strokes through his hair, his eyes closing. His voice is... unusually solemn.]
That is a lot to ask of you. Of anyone. And... I wouldn't blame you if that wasn't a life you wanted.
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He sits up straight, looking Vil in the face with an intensity bordering on desperation in his eyes.]
The life that I want is the one where I'm by your side, period.
[Everything else that comes with it? It's just something that he'll have to learn how to deal with.]
As long as I'm not holding you back, I'm fine with whatever else happens.
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He can't help but give a smile at the last part, and he leans forward, pressing a brief kiss to his lips.]
You holding me back... Now where would you get such a ridiculous notion in your head?
[He lets their foreheads rest together.]
You've made me feel more human than I have in years.
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If that's what you're telling me, it doesn't matter what anyone else says.
[The lies, the insults, the threatening language...it all fades to background static underneath Vil's truth.]
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[Cater really is something else. He stays there for a bit, fingers threading through the soft, auburn locks.]
Don't you need to be going back soon? Wouldn't want to lose your head, and all.
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The unstoppable force of Trey combined with my unique magic is taking care of that.
[Poor Riddle. How can he truly be expected to maintain his orderly house when he's got such crafty righthand men?]
I don't need to hurry...and I wouldn't anyway, even if it meant punishment. Just being able to be here with you is worth it. [Pausing, he adds:] And I think Riddle would take it easy on me, just this once.
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