the years aren't long enough

[caycay]

Cater Diamond x Vil Schoenheit PSL

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[caycay]

[The tension melts away from his shoulders as Vil's proximity washes over him. Their twined fingers, the hand on his cheek, the kiss...it all fills him with warmth. He returns the smile with his confident airs stripped away, a bashful look on his face, leaning forward to hide his face for a quick moment against the taller boy's shoulder.]

Talk me through it--I'll follow your lead.

[dont_look]

[His hand shifts to stroke through the orange locks, and he lets the side of his head rest against Cater's.]

I was thinking we walk through the store and have a look at what all they offer. Whatever catches your eye, you can try it on. And no looking at the price tags.

[Which, Vil realizes might not be the easiest thing for Cater, but it would help. Cater's repressed so much of himself for so long that having him tap back into his intuition and gut feeling should, theoretically, help him start feeling a little more like "himself".]

What do you think?

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Easier said than done.

[It's so hard not to look at the price tags. He knows that it isn't an object for Vil, that Vil is clearly intending to pay for whatever they decide on...but it's hard not to worry about being seen as someone just in it for the money. Still working on brushing off the h8ters, Cater knows that suddenly having an expensive wardrobe is going to come off a certain way to those people.

But also, he doesn't want to look like a total potato around Vil, either. So...deep breaths. Try to avoid those nasty paper slips.]

Okay! I'm ready! Let's do this!

[Cater's just gonna savor another couple seconds in Vil's arms before he pulls himself up, hands on his hips.]

Let's see...

[Swiveling his head around, Cater immediately makes his way toward the first brightly-colored item he finds. Red and orange accents paired with more neutral tones are clearly to his preference even beyond Heartslabyul's theme. With just Vil, it's a little easier for him to step out of that "cute" comfort zone that he's sequestered himself into, looking at fashion choices a bit more sophisticated.]

[dont_look]

Don't think about it too much. Where your eyes are drawn, follow them.

[Will Cater even find anything he likes in this store? Vil's more than happy to visit a few to figure him out.

There's an amused smile at the teen hyping himself up, and he follows.

Oh. This is a delightful surprise.]

Neutral tones with bright accents... Those catch the eyes, you know.

[A light tease. Was his reserved, terribly afraid of standing out of the crowd date wanting to stand out after all?]

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As long as I'm catching yours, that's all that matters.

[Besides...it's not like anyone is going to be looking at him when he's next to Vil. He figures no matter how he dresses, he may as well be invisible to everyone else.]

But what do you think?

[He shrugs on a coat, since that doesn't require a changing room.]

Does it strike you as truly Cater? I defer to your expert opinion.

[dont_look]

Heh, you hardly need any expensive threads for that.

[He blinks as Cater puts on the coat, and a faint red rises to his cheeks.

His hand comes up to touch his chin thoughtfully.]

Whether it's truly Cater isn't my decision to make. It's yours.

...but it does look quite nice on you.

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[Cater's about to joke that Vil's going to give him an inflated ego talking like that, but then he sees the slight coloration on his face as Vil looks him over. Beaming, he tests the straps on the coat, fitting it more neatly against his form.]

Well, I think it suits me. It has the Vil Schoenheit seal of approval, after all. The bigger question: can we find pants that give me an ass that just won't quit?

[dont_look]

[He gives a fond chuckle. At the question, he raises his eyebrows.]

Can we, indeed? I suppose we ought to get searching.

[...it's nice to see Cater genuinely enjoy himself. Knowing how dark his thoughts can get makes this victory all the sweeter, small as it is.

Cater will be fine, he's sure of it. There's a beauty, and a strength he sees that Cater might not. But it's there all the same.]

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[It's definitely clear that the more they get into the swing of things, the more comfortable Cater is. It helps that it isn't busy--Sage Island already being such a small place. Far less chance for them to get accosted by Vil's fans.

Before long, he has a few different options of styles to try that require use of the little changing room the store has and of course Cater steps out to get Vil's opinion on everything. He strikes fun poses, doing his best imitation of a top model, running his hand through his hair.]

What do you think? Would you rate me with a chili pepper?

[dont_look]

[Vil continues to give light-hearted commentary and teasing through the process. There is nothing he dissuades. Perhaps there simply isn't a need to. Even if Cater mainly was into fashion because he wanted to fit in, it still seems it instilled in him enough of a sense of what should go together and what shouldn't.

...and it seems the more comfortable he gets, the better outfits he gets into. Or maybe it's just his blooming confidence that's so appealing?

Well, either way, when he comes out the most recent time... Vil finds himself blushing a much deeper red, this time.

Goodness, him. Who gave Cater any right being this attractive?]

Great Seven, Cater. [There's a quiet awe to his voice.] You really have been holding out on the world.

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[Taking in Vil's words and his expression, Cater can't help the blush that starts to spread across his own face.]

Geeze, Vil...

[It's hard for him to believe the words...but he believes Vil. His heart beats a little harder as he reaches for one of his date's beautiful hands.]

The rest of the world can wait...but as long as it's for you, I won't hold back anymore.

[dont_look]

[Vil smiles as Cater reaches for him, easily taking that hand.]

I certainly am fortunate to have you as a boyfriend.

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B-B-B-

[Cater's whole body seems to light up at once at the use of the word, staring at Vil with saucer eyes that seem to wondrously question if he's sure. If that wasn't a mistake. Without realizing it, he's started leaning in, up on his toes.]

Me?

[dont_look]

[Vil outright grins at that and even gives a little laugh, kiss Cater on the cheek.]

You.

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Vil!

[Gasping as he receives the peck, he keeps his boyfriend (his boyfriend!) close so he can whisper conspiratorially:]

I think it's the outfit. It must be made out of boyfriend material.

[dont_look]

[Vil rolls his eyes, giving Cater a little shove, though not enough to dislodge him from his spot.]

Please...

[And then he leans and whispers back:]

I'd much rather you with nothing on.

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[It just figures that Cater had completely set himself to be swept off his feet. With most people, he knows how to be charming and flirtatious without batting an eye. With Vil? He's so thoroughly messy, he feels himself choking at the rebuttal.]

Then I guess we better...take these off...to, to you know, to double check...

[No he's totally lost the thread of his joke. His face is as red as a tomato.]

[dont_look]

[It's almost too easy, sometimes. Poor Cater. Except Vil doesn't feel bad in the slightest.

He brings a hand up, running a finger down Cater's nose, onto his lips and then down his jaw.]

I would be more than happy to help when we return to the Dorm.

[The benefits of their relationship being outed means no one will think twice about Cater visiting or going to Vil's room.]

Shall we wrap things up here?

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[Vil's suggestive response and teasing touches do absolutely nothing to calm Cater's flustered energy. He can't stop smiling, can barely talk between half-nervous, half-excited giggling. Around Vil he's like a puppy, tail wagging so hard he can't keep his feet still.]

Okay! Kinda feel like I should wear this out, it's doing so well for me.

[You know. Until Vil takes it off.]

Where to, next?

[dont_look]

[He's adorable...

Vil gives a thoughtful hum, hands coming up to slightly straighten the outfit on Cater.]

On the one hand, you do look quite sharp. On the other, there are some things we simply can't do while we're out.

[A devilish smile.]

What would you prefer?

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[Cater can't help but freeze. Vil, oh Vil, do you have any idea what you do to him? Yeah, Cater's sure that he knows fully well. His face is already growing red again.]

I mean...

[The supermodel makes him bashful, but he's still an eighteen-year-old teenage boy.]

If you're in that kind of a mood, who am I to turn down that kind of suggestion?

[dont_look]

[Vil is absolutely tickled pink at the response, and he kisses that red cheek.]

Then let's buy these threads so I can admire you in them while I can.

[His hand comes down to take Cater's, gently tugging him towards the register.]

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O-Okay!

[He feels so giddy, his stomach so full of butterflies that as they approach the register, hand-in-hand, Cater's completely forgotten about the forbidden price tags. He squeezes his fingers through Vil's, sticking close as the clothes are marked into the register and paid for, and all the while he can't stop gazing at his face.

It would be obvious to anyone looking how smitten he is--that the way he feels isn't just star struck infatuation from a fan to an idol.]

[dont_look]

[Sevens, look at this man. His bashful little expression. The clear giddiness. Vil feels so ridiculously lucky.

It won't be long until they're back at the dorm and in Vil's bedroom. He comes up to Cater, boldly placing his hands on his chest and smoothing them down the apparel.]

Mmm... a fine choice. Such lovely and carefully crafted material like this must be handled with the utmost care...

[His hands come up to the first button, his voice lowering.]

We'll have to go extra slow to ensure not a single thread is frayed.

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[Naturally, no one bats an eye at Vil bringing the other third year with him into his Pomefiore Headwarden Suite. They likely wouldn't even if their relationship hadn't been outed to the whole world. Cater's head is full of anticipated thoughts, wondering how exactly he's gonna slide smoothly into Vil's DMs, so to speak.

As it turns out, he needn't have thought so hard about it at all, because Vil expertly takes the initiative. And Seven save him, Vil's fingertips brushing his skin as he undoes that first button has his whole body tingling with nerves. He can't help being as worried that he'll underperform just as much as he's excited to be with Vil this way.

He won't judge you, he tells himself, knowing it's true. Anxious despite it. Just be yourself.]

You'll have to keep me in check. Never been very good at keeping still.

[Even now, as he reaches for Vil's waist and pulls their bodies closer together, his fingertips itch, impatient of their own accord, wanting--no, needing to fidget, to have a task, to do more.]

Seven forbid I damage anything designer.