Cater Diamond (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
caycay) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
splitmemory2024-05-20 12:26 am
caycay) wrote in splitmemory2024-05-20 12:26 am
Act... natural. Rayne seems to think for a second, his hand coming up to his face in thought. To act natural.... was such a hard task, when TOLD to do it. Rayne shifts, stands a bit more comfortably, turning his head away while focusing his eyes back on Cater.
"How exactly am I supposed to act...?" He thinks to ask, his head tilting a bit further to one side, his brows furrowing. It wasn't as if he was a model, who knew how to pose for a camera.
"How will we even know if it works? Is there a way to see the image once it's done capturing it?" Rayne then asks, moving to hide the wrapped box behind his back, bringing his other hand back to his hair, playing with a few strands of his hair. He did know how to pose, enough to not look like a fool, but it was definitely awkward.
"How exactly am I supposed to act...?" He thinks to ask, his head tilting a bit further to one side, his brows furrowing. It wasn't as if he was a model, who knew how to pose for a camera.
"How will we even know if it works? Is there a way to see the image once it's done capturing it?" Rayne then asks, moving to hide the wrapped box behind his back, bringing his other hand back to his hair, playing with a few strands of his hair. He did know how to pose, enough to not look like a fool, but it was definitely awkward.
Fortunately for Rayne, Cater's already rolling the camera as Rayne's thinking about it. The thing won't record sound, so that's nothing to worry about. All that matters is that he gets an image of Rayne, however short and awkward of a snapshot it is. "Nope," he confirms as he turns the crank, watching the image in the mirror. "I can see through the lens fine, so that's good, but I won't know if this even comes out until I try and develop the film, since it isn't an instant camera."
Magical, yes, but still an old model.
"But that's so exciting, isn't it? It means we can revisit this later! I'll let you know how the film turns out, and we can investigate from there."
Once he's satisfied with the amount he's recorded, Cater looks back up at Rayne--he hasn't stopped smiling, but it's clear that this is still a real smile.
"For now, wanna get something to eat? I'm getting pretty hungry."
Magical, yes, but still an old model.
"But that's so exciting, isn't it? It means we can revisit this later! I'll let you know how the film turns out, and we can investigate from there."
Once he's satisfied with the amount he's recorded, Cater looks back up at Rayne--he hasn't stopped smiling, but it's clear that this is still a real smile.
"For now, wanna get something to eat? I'm getting pretty hungry."
Cater's smile-- reminds Rayne of all the things he wanted to protect in this world, joining the long list. It might not be a conscious decision, the way it settles into his mind, into his heart, but it does regardless. It's almost impossible not to smile with him. Rayne manages to bite back a smile, to hold it back for now. His emotions needed to be kept in check, even in a place like this, in an alley where the only two who were there were him and Cater.
It's with a nod that he agrees on food. As they walk, his hand would occasionally brush against Cater's free one ... without being pulled away. If Cater tried to grab his hand, he would pull it back, but it seemed like Rayne was accepting of the tinier 'accidental' touches they would share.
The day was slowly coming to an end. After getting food, it was already getting pretty late. The walk back to their dorm building within the Academy would be enough for the sun to dip down under the horizon. With nothing else on their plans for the day, it was time to head back.
The streets seem far quieter now as they walk back to the Academy, a calm settled over both the city and its people. All there was left to do was get Cater back to his dorm and call it a night.
Eventually, they've made it to the dorm's building, Rayne continuing to lead them even as they walk side by side.
It's with a nod that he agrees on food. As they walk, his hand would occasionally brush against Cater's free one ... without being pulled away. If Cater tried to grab his hand, he would pull it back, but it seemed like Rayne was accepting of the tinier 'accidental' touches they would share.
The day was slowly coming to an end. After getting food, it was already getting pretty late. The walk back to their dorm building within the Academy would be enough for the sun to dip down under the horizon. With nothing else on their plans for the day, it was time to head back.
The streets seem far quieter now as they walk back to the Academy, a calm settled over both the city and its people. All there was left to do was get Cater back to his dorm and call it a night.
Eventually, they've made it to the dorm's building, Rayne continuing to lead them even as they walk side by side.
Full of good food, Cater is happy to mostly enjoy the silence that comes with Rayne's presence. He still talks a little, reminisces about how fun the day was, and that's what reminds him, as they're just heading into the dormitory.
"Hey, I forgot to ask: what did you buy in the curio shop?"
He figures it'll be their last bit of conversation before they reach his dorm room and put a cap on the day as a whole. There's no real reason that he picked it as a topic, the thought just came into Cater's head and there seemed no harm in asking. Maybe he'd learn something else about Rayne's interests, before they called it a night.
"Hey, I forgot to ask: what did you buy in the curio shop?"
He figures it'll be their last bit of conversation before they reach his dorm room and put a cap on the day as a whole. There's no real reason that he picked it as a topic, the thought just came into Cater's head and there seemed no harm in asking. Maybe he'd learn something else about Rayne's interests, before they called it a night.
Rayne had nearly forgotten all about the little thing he'd picked up in the shop. It's lucky that Cater asks, actually. The wrapped box is pulled out and promptly held out to Cater.
"Something for you."
He had never been the best at giving people things... which is why he tended to leave them in places they'd simply happen upon them, instead of actually giving it to them directly. Even so, he'd wanted to go to that shop specifically to buy this for Cater-- while he could somehow sneakily leave it outside his dorm, this was more... proper, wasn't it?
"Something for you."
He had never been the best at giving people things... which is why he tended to leave them in places they'd simply happen upon them, instead of actually giving it to them directly. Even so, he'd wanted to go to that shop specifically to buy this for Cater-- while he could somehow sneakily leave it outside his dorm, this was more... proper, wasn't it?
"...what? For me?"
It takes him clearly by surprise. Shifting his own package up his arm, Cater accepts the box and opens it with a mixture of care and curiosity. When he sees just what Rayne's got him, it takes his breath away.
"Rayne, this is..." Give him a moment, he can't help himself from admiring the beautiful, star-themed tarot deck, leafing through the shimmering cards with eager fingers. There's still a look of bewildered wonder on his face as he looks back up at Rayne again. "This is really beautiful. But...why?"
He couldn't have imagined this. Couldn't have imagined a lot of what this day had contained, honestly. It had stopped being such a simple day out so quickly, and it just so happened that neither of them had stopped long enough to really think about it. Just a couple of days ago, Rayne had so confidently called them not friends. Just a couple of days ago, Rayne could barely stand to be around him.
It takes him clearly by surprise. Shifting his own package up his arm, Cater accepts the box and opens it with a mixture of care and curiosity. When he sees just what Rayne's got him, it takes his breath away.
"Rayne, this is..." Give him a moment, he can't help himself from admiring the beautiful, star-themed tarot deck, leafing through the shimmering cards with eager fingers. There's still a look of bewildered wonder on his face as he looks back up at Rayne again. "This is really beautiful. But...why?"
He couldn't have imagined this. Couldn't have imagined a lot of what this day had contained, honestly. It had stopped being such a simple day out so quickly, and it just so happened that neither of them had stopped long enough to really think about it. Just a couple of days ago, Rayne had so confidently called them not friends. Just a couple of days ago, Rayne could barely stand to be around him.
"Yes."
Obviously. Rayne wasn't going to make it even more obvious - he didn't know how. He just holds out the box until Cater can take it, before he shifts his hand back down to hook his thumb in his pocket, watching the other teen open it up.
The cards were even more beautiful than the picture on the outside of the box. Rayne's admiring them too, sure. What he's admiring even more? The look on Cater's face, that bewilderment, that wonder, that surprise.
"When we were talking in the cafe," Rayne half shrugs, "It sounded like tarot is something you really adore. Then you mentioned the stars again and..." Explaining his logic was hard when it felt so silly.
"I remembered this deck. It felt perfect for you."
Don't get it wrong, Cater. Rayne still can't stand to be around him, still wouldn't consider them friends... although his actions really don't speak the same volume as his words in that regard, do they? His actions say something so much more and aren't those what really matter?
Taking a few steps down the hall, to continue, he turns his gaze from Cater. "C'mon. It's getting late. Let's get you back."
Obviously. Rayne wasn't going to make it even more obvious - he didn't know how. He just holds out the box until Cater can take it, before he shifts his hand back down to hook his thumb in his pocket, watching the other teen open it up.
The cards were even more beautiful than the picture on the outside of the box. Rayne's admiring them too, sure. What he's admiring even more? The look on Cater's face, that bewilderment, that wonder, that surprise.
"When we were talking in the cafe," Rayne half shrugs, "It sounded like tarot is something you really adore. Then you mentioned the stars again and..." Explaining his logic was hard when it felt so silly.
"I remembered this deck. It felt perfect for you."
Don't get it wrong, Cater. Rayne still can't stand to be around him, still wouldn't consider them friends... although his actions really don't speak the same volume as his words in that regard, do they? His actions say something so much more and aren't those what really matter?
Taking a few steps down the hall, to continue, he turns his gaze from Cater. "C'mon. It's getting late. Let's get you back."
Rayne was right: words didn't matter. Cater didn't actually need the explanation to put the pieces together. That he had seen this and known it had been perfect. That he had wanted to get him something that would make him so happy was still another question, entirely...but Cater couldn't find it in him to press the question. He follows a pace behind Rayne as he carefully places the cards back in their box and places it in the bag he has holding his camera.
By the time they've reached his doorway, his heart is beating erratic with nerves. He's made up his mind about something, about the day they just had, but he knew that bringing it up in words wouldn't do him any good. In fact, it felt like addressing it directly in such a fashion would destroy whatever spell that had settled over them.
Cater clears his throat.
"Well, here we are. Guess I have to make good on my promise, from earlier."
Saying this, he pulls Rayne's necktie out of his pocket, unraveling it--but instead of simply handing it over, he reaches over to loop it around the back of the other boy's neck. With one hand on either side of the tie, he pulls their bodies close together. He couldn't hesitate, not now. If he did, the moment would pass and he knew he'd regret it. Maybe Rayne would clock him for this, but it was a risk he was willing to take.
"I had an amazing time, today," he says in a low voice, just before he leans in and presses his lips to the corner of Rayne's mouth.
By the time they've reached his doorway, his heart is beating erratic with nerves. He's made up his mind about something, about the day they just had, but he knew that bringing it up in words wouldn't do him any good. In fact, it felt like addressing it directly in such a fashion would destroy whatever spell that had settled over them.
Cater clears his throat.
"Well, here we are. Guess I have to make good on my promise, from earlier."
Saying this, he pulls Rayne's necktie out of his pocket, unraveling it--but instead of simply handing it over, he reaches over to loop it around the back of the other boy's neck. With one hand on either side of the tie, he pulls their bodies close together. He couldn't hesitate, not now. If he did, the moment would pass and he knew he'd regret it. Maybe Rayne would clock him for this, but it was a risk he was willing to take.
"I had an amazing time, today," he says in a low voice, just before he leans in and presses his lips to the corner of Rayne's mouth.
Why was his heart racing? Rayne felt like he needed to press his back up against something, to press a hand to his head to keep it from spinning after giving Cater that little gift, after seeing the look on his face, in his eyes, in the way his fingers quickly looked through the cards within the box. What was this stupid-- feeling?
No words were spoken between the two, giving Rayne enough time to try and calm his heart down, to keep his head from spinning. Reaching Cater's doorway, he felt some other feeling creeping in. A sadness, that the day was ending so quickly, so soon. It felt like it'd just begun, and here they were.
Turning to face Cater, Rayne was ready to take the tie, before it's looped around his neck. Ah, if Cater wanted to re-tie it for him--
In a mere second, their bodies were pulled close. Rayne could feel his heart jump, his eyes widen in surprise, breath catching in his throat. All at once, the stupid feeling began to make sense. The pieces of the puzzle click into place, for the boy who was oh-so-smart for anything but this.
One hand shifts to rest against Cater's door, near the other teen's head. His other hand shifts up, clumsily grabbing at Cater's face. And, in another second, Rayne's turned Cater's head to press their lips fully together, instead of that small kiss against the corner of his mouth, as if to say 'you missed'.
No words were spoken between the two, giving Rayne enough time to try and calm his heart down, to keep his head from spinning. Reaching Cater's doorway, he felt some other feeling creeping in. A sadness, that the day was ending so quickly, so soon. It felt like it'd just begun, and here they were.
Turning to face Cater, Rayne was ready to take the tie, before it's looped around his neck. Ah, if Cater wanted to re-tie it for him--
In a mere second, their bodies were pulled close. Rayne could feel his heart jump, his eyes widen in surprise, breath catching in his throat. All at once, the stupid feeling began to make sense. The pieces of the puzzle click into place, for the boy who was oh-so-smart for anything but this.
One hand shifts to rest against Cater's door, near the other teen's head. His other hand shifts up, clumsily grabbing at Cater's face. And, in another second, Rayne's turned Cater's head to press their lips fully together, instead of that small kiss against the corner of his mouth, as if to say 'you missed'.
Somehow, even as he had resolved himself to do this, he hadn't expected that Rayne would actually kiss him back. But here he is, pressed into the door and grabbed by the face and in a full-on liplock. His heart slams in his chest, so excited but still trying not to get too ahead of himself, to show eagerness at the kiss and reciprocate it in full but not do anything to throw off the moment.
Like earlier, with their held hands in the café, he didn't want to lose this.
His hands tug at the tie again, bumping their bodies together as he opens his mouth against Rayne's, sighing in satisfaction and relief. Cater's eyes flutter closed, fully taken in by the moment, forgetting everything else but the taste of the Divine Visionary against his tongue.
Like earlier, with their held hands in the café, he didn't want to lose this.
His hands tug at the tie again, bumping their bodies together as he opens his mouth against Rayne's, sighing in satisfaction and relief. Cater's eyes flutter closed, fully taken in by the moment, forgetting everything else but the taste of the Divine Visionary against his tongue.
Could Cater tell this was his first kiss?
That thought creeps in even as Rayne presses in against Cater, letting his hands pull him in by the tie, allowing their bodies to press up against once another. The hand on Cater's face slips back, fingers carefully pushing some of the other teen's hair from his face, tucking it right behind his ear.
Warm. Rayne felt them press against each other, felt how Cater's lips were against his own, how his mouth opened-- the way his own mouth opens, the soft noise it elicits from him. Thinking? No, he wasn't doing a bit of that while his tongue slips out from his own mouth to tangle with Cater's. While his knee shifts to press between Cater's legs -- while that hand against the door shifts to rest against his hip, thumb digging in.
If he wasn't careful, he'd lose himself in this kiss. That, he's sure of.
That thought creeps in even as Rayne presses in against Cater, letting his hands pull him in by the tie, allowing their bodies to press up against once another. The hand on Cater's face slips back, fingers carefully pushing some of the other teen's hair from his face, tucking it right behind his ear.
Warm. Rayne felt them press against each other, felt how Cater's lips were against his own, how his mouth opened-- the way his own mouth opens, the soft noise it elicits from him. Thinking? No, he wasn't doing a bit of that while his tongue slips out from his own mouth to tangle with Cater's. While his knee shifts to press between Cater's legs -- while that hand against the door shifts to rest against his hip, thumb digging in.
If he wasn't careful, he'd lose himself in this kiss. That, he's sure of.
Edited 2024-05-22 07:02 (UTC)
If Cater had stopped to think, he'd likely realize that there was no way he wasn't Rayne's first kiss. After all, nobody else seemed to try and get too close to him, and he in turn didn't let anyone get close. Cater didn't know anything about his past, but he had learned enough to make that much of a deduction. Just like Rayne, however, he isn't thinking. He's following Rayne's lead, taking the hints he's given and capitalizing on them.
Hot tongue touches his own and Cater's glad to deepen their kiss, pressing in harder and exploring the other boy's mouth. He wants to kiss Rayne until he can't breathe anymore. Wants to drink in every little sound that this body against his makes. He wants to touch and grab, but he clenches his fingers more tightly around the fabric of Rayne's tie to stop himself. This was already a much bigger kiss than he could have anticipated--how much farther would they go? Surely, Rayne would break the kiss--but then his hand is on him and Cater wants to melt.
He falls back against the hard wood of the door, taking Rayne with him as he corners himself. It was just the two of them, and Cater was all his.
Hot tongue touches his own and Cater's glad to deepen their kiss, pressing in harder and exploring the other boy's mouth. He wants to kiss Rayne until he can't breathe anymore. Wants to drink in every little sound that this body against his makes. He wants to touch and grab, but he clenches his fingers more tightly around the fabric of Rayne's tie to stop himself. This was already a much bigger kiss than he could have anticipated--how much farther would they go? Surely, Rayne would break the kiss--but then his hand is on him and Cater wants to melt.
He falls back against the hard wood of the door, taking Rayne with him as he corners himself. It was just the two of them, and Cater was all his.
Rayne was in control of this, had full control over how deep the kiss got, how his hands slip against Cater's body, against his skin. That, possibly, was the one and only reason that it was going on for as long as it was. Rayne wants to lead them further, to feel more of Cater's skin against his hands, to push his fingers through his hair, to keep tasting him on his tongue.
Cater falls back against the door, and Rayne follows that lead, tugged in by his tie. His knee presses further against Cater, shifting between his legs to press fully against the door, cornering Cater even further, almost as if he was taking ownership of him then and there. The hand against his hip slips up, pressing under Cater's shirt, to get ahold of his waist, to touch bare skin instead of cloth. His eyes were closed, but he's sure the both of their faces are burning, from the heat he can feel radiating from his own face.
Oh, how hard it was to think about anything in this position, aside from acting on his impulses. Aside from being a stupid teenager, doing stupid things in the middle of their dorm hallway.
Cater falls back against the door, and Rayne follows that lead, tugged in by his tie. His knee presses further against Cater, shifting between his legs to press fully against the door, cornering Cater even further, almost as if he was taking ownership of him then and there. The hand against his hip slips up, pressing under Cater's shirt, to get ahold of his waist, to touch bare skin instead of cloth. His eyes were closed, but he's sure the both of their faces are burning, from the heat he can feel radiating from his own face.
Oh, how hard it was to think about anything in this position, aside from acting on his impulses. Aside from being a stupid teenager, doing stupid things in the middle of their dorm hallway.
Right now, neither of them had titles or expectations. They were just two students, two dumb kids, fully succumbing to what their bodies were asking of them. Cater moans softly as Rayne's knee adjusts between his legs, as fingertips slide underneath his top and find his skin. He wanted him, wanted this boy so damn badly, he couldn't control himself anymore.
Cater finally lets go of Rayne's tie so he can instead grab the other boy by the waist, pushing himself up against his leg. He wanted to pull that tucked-in shirt out of Rayne's pants, wanted to touch him more and more.
Cater finally lets go of Rayne's tie so he can instead grab the other boy by the waist, pushing himself up against his leg. He wanted to pull that tucked-in shirt out of Rayne's pants, wanted to touch him more and more.
Was this what the other students got up to in their free time? Was this what it was like to let your body take control, to fall into the alluring grasp of desire and need? As Cater moans against him, Rayne can't help but want more, want to hear his voice, to feel Cater shiver under his touch--
And that's when he starts to think again, as Cater's hands grab his waist, as he pushes himself up against his leg. The shock of hands on him jump starts his brain, takes his breath away even more than how much he'd already had it taken by the kiss itself.
Under Cater's touch, Rayne tenses. His body regains that constant tension, as if it'd forgotten where he was, who he was.
Both of Rayne's hands press against Cater's shoulders, shoving him back into the door with a harder shove than he needs to, breaking the kiss and getting Cater off of him in one movement. Once he's off, Rayne shifts to press his forearm against Cater's neck, pinning him against the door with a heavy pressure. Panting heavily, Rayne stares at him for half a second, seeming more shocked than anything. That is, until his expression shifts, flitting through a brief sadness and, finally, landing on anger, annoyance.
"Don't." We can't. This can't happen. Rayne can't let it happen.
His arm lets up. He pulls back completely, hand slipping back to grab his wand. Rayne's opposite hand lifts up to his mouth, the back of it pressing against his lips. What the hell had he been thinking?
Turning his gaze away from Cater, he moves to go. What else was there to say, when he couldn't even understand why he'd gotten that involved with the kiss in the first place?
And that's when he starts to think again, as Cater's hands grab his waist, as he pushes himself up against his leg. The shock of hands on him jump starts his brain, takes his breath away even more than how much he'd already had it taken by the kiss itself.
Under Cater's touch, Rayne tenses. His body regains that constant tension, as if it'd forgotten where he was, who he was.
Both of Rayne's hands press against Cater's shoulders, shoving him back into the door with a harder shove than he needs to, breaking the kiss and getting Cater off of him in one movement. Once he's off, Rayne shifts to press his forearm against Cater's neck, pinning him against the door with a heavy pressure. Panting heavily, Rayne stares at him for half a second, seeming more shocked than anything. That is, until his expression shifts, flitting through a brief sadness and, finally, landing on anger, annoyance.
"Don't." We can't. This can't happen. Rayne can't let it happen.
His arm lets up. He pulls back completely, hand slipping back to grab his wand. Rayne's opposite hand lifts up to his mouth, the back of it pressing against his lips. What the hell had he been thinking?
Turning his gaze away from Cater, he moves to go. What else was there to say, when he couldn't even understand why he'd gotten that involved with the kiss in the first place?
Sure, Cater had been waiting for Rayne to break the kiss, but he had expecting something natural. Like, he ran out of breath, or he got too nervous, or he didn't know how to proceed. Getting shoved fully back takes him so off guard his head spins, breath caught in his chest. Rayne's arm cuts him off before he can exhale, and he's as dizzy and confused as he is hurt.
It all happens so fast, he misses that important change in expression, seeing only that familiar, hateful look. A chill flows through his body--how could he have gone from being so hot-and-heavy with him to fixing him with such a cold look? Cater stares with open confusion, pained, and his face starts to redden from the pressure against his throat.
But then Rayne lets up, and he gasps for air, a hand coming up to hold at his neck. The smart thing would be to just let Rayne go and try and unpack all of this from the safety of his dorm...but after the day they had, and how good that kiss had felt, Cater can't help himself.
"Wait, Rayne," he starts, hoping to talk things out, to apologize, or something. On instinct, he reaches for the other boy's sleeve, not even processing that Rayne had taken out his wand. "Don't leave like this."
It all happens so fast, he misses that important change in expression, seeing only that familiar, hateful look. A chill flows through his body--how could he have gone from being so hot-and-heavy with him to fixing him with such a cold look? Cater stares with open confusion, pained, and his face starts to redden from the pressure against his throat.
But then Rayne lets up, and he gasps for air, a hand coming up to hold at his neck. The smart thing would be to just let Rayne go and try and unpack all of this from the safety of his dorm...but after the day they had, and how good that kiss had felt, Cater can't help himself.
"Wait, Rayne," he starts, hoping to talk things out, to apologize, or something. On instinct, he reaches for the other boy's sleeve, not even processing that Rayne had taken out his wand. "Don't leave like this."
The only option was to let Rayne go, if he didn't want to be on the receiving end of his anger, his frustration, his confusion. Whatever these feelings in his chest were, whatever Cater was making him feel, they weren't things he should be leaning into. Weren't things that he could safely allow himself to feel, without cutting them off.
His name is heard. Rayne doesn't turn to look at him, doesn't even glance over his shoulder - doesn't stop. It's only when he feels the hand grab his sleeve that he turns, that he reacts.
"Three Percent Partisan." The signature spell is cast. Three large swords are summoned and, with a flick of his wrist, put into action. One moves to Cater, the flat of the blade pushing his arm up to force him to let go of Rayne's sleeve. The other two then slam into the ground, forming a cross in front of Cater, to keep him from going any further. One blade is over his thigh, the other directly behind his knee, trapping his leg in place.
With how violent of a spell, how harsh of a casting, one might expect Cater to have some form of an injury. Not even a single cut would be found on his skin. It wasn't like Rayne actually wanted to hurt him. All he wanted was to scare him, to stop him. Of course, his sleeve on the other hand... those blades were sharp, gentle as he wanted to be. The other teen's sleeve may have been cut, torn, by the quick movements.
The first blade vanishes, having completed the task it was formed to do. Rayne turns back, continuing to walk away. Only when he's out of sight would the blade vanish, leaving Cater with... probably far more questions than answers.
His name is heard. Rayne doesn't turn to look at him, doesn't even glance over his shoulder - doesn't stop. It's only when he feels the hand grab his sleeve that he turns, that he reacts.
"Three Percent Partisan." The signature spell is cast. Three large swords are summoned and, with a flick of his wrist, put into action. One moves to Cater, the flat of the blade pushing his arm up to force him to let go of Rayne's sleeve. The other two then slam into the ground, forming a cross in front of Cater, to keep him from going any further. One blade is over his thigh, the other directly behind his knee, trapping his leg in place.
With how violent of a spell, how harsh of a casting, one might expect Cater to have some form of an injury. Not even a single cut would be found on his skin. It wasn't like Rayne actually wanted to hurt him. All he wanted was to scare him, to stop him. Of course, his sleeve on the other hand... those blades were sharp, gentle as he wanted to be. The other teen's sleeve may have been cut, torn, by the quick movements.
The first blade vanishes, having completed the task it was formed to do. Rayne turns back, continuing to walk away. Only when he's out of sight would the blade vanish, leaving Cater with... probably far more questions than answers.
The next few days were rough. Cater blamed himself for all of it, of course. He'd pushed Rayne too far, made him uncomfortable. Still, Cater had entertained that after they'd both slept it off, maybe they could actually talk about it...but the next day in class, a single look from Rayne and he knew better. For the first time since he transferred, Cater listens to that glare. He stays back, doesn't try and run up to him or follow him around. Cater watches as Rayne all but ignores his presence, seeming to want to stay as far away from him as possible.
No matter how much his insides ache and he can't stop thinking about the other boy, Cater does his best to keep up his smiling mask, socializing with other classmates and cracking jokes like nothing was wrong. It was a good thing he had that stupid study party to see through. At this point, Cater wanted nothing to do with it--after all, it had been a ploy to get Rayne to hang out with him. Still, he had to see it through, now. Too many people had been invited and were excited for it. He takes it for what it is: a distraction. Planning it keeps his mind off of Rayne as much as it can be expected to, which still isn't enough.
When the day of the party arrives, in question, Cater and his Splits are setting up stations of snacks with different subjects of study. Students are trickling in and starting to mingle, and he can't help wondering--would Rayne even show up? Certainly not, right?
No matter how much his insides ache and he can't stop thinking about the other boy, Cater does his best to keep up his smiling mask, socializing with other classmates and cracking jokes like nothing was wrong. It was a good thing he had that stupid study party to see through. At this point, Cater wanted nothing to do with it--after all, it had been a ploy to get Rayne to hang out with him. Still, he had to see it through, now. Too many people had been invited and were excited for it. He takes it for what it is: a distraction. Planning it keeps his mind off of Rayne as much as it can be expected to, which still isn't enough.
When the day of the party arrives, in question, Cater and his Splits are setting up stations of snacks with different subjects of study. Students are trickling in and starting to mingle, and he can't help wondering--would Rayne even show up? Certainly not, right?
Alone. That's how Rayne felt, even as he lie in bed across the room from his roommate and the sounds of his rabbits causing trouble near their home, marking the obvious out like a mistake penned on paper in red ink for all to see. He wasn't alone, but he had to be. No matter how much it stung his chest, no matter how much he wanted to reach out to anyone else, to have the company of another. He needed to be alone, needed to take on the world alone, lest he pull anyone into the spotlight with him, to draw a target on their back.
His glares were received as they should be, when he offers that very same glare to Cater, to warn him to stay away. He couldn't be more glad - and ache horribly, all at the same time. Everytime he noticed Cater laughing or socializing with their classmates, as if nothing was the matter, it cemented the very idea he'd begun to build up in his mind: as long as he separates himself, keeps anything else from happening between the two of them, then everything would be fine. Would go back to normal.
The day of that stupid study party arrived.
Students began to show up, and...
With one third year, Max Land, another boy was brought along. Rayne Ames, with his bag in hand, prepared to be a good example. After what'd happened, maybe Cater expected him to avoid this whole event.... but he still had to show up, for appearances sake. Almost immediately, Max wanders off to go talk to another student within the dorm, leaving Rayne standing there alone.
Yellow eyes were narrowed as he looks around at the setup that Cater had done, as if inspecting his work. Had Adler ever even done anything like this? Set up a space for all of the students to work together?
... Why was he even here? It wasn't like any of the other students would actually want to work with him. With a sigh, Rayne wanders, looking at each station and the snacks that've been set out, pretending he couldn't hear the occasional whisper from the other students. No one-- really, no one-- expected him to show up, did they?
His glares were received as they should be, when he offers that very same glare to Cater, to warn him to stay away. He couldn't be more glad - and ache horribly, all at the same time. Everytime he noticed Cater laughing or socializing with their classmates, as if nothing was the matter, it cemented the very idea he'd begun to build up in his mind: as long as he separates himself, keeps anything else from happening between the two of them, then everything would be fine. Would go back to normal.
The day of that stupid study party arrived.
Students began to show up, and...
With one third year, Max Land, another boy was brought along. Rayne Ames, with his bag in hand, prepared to be a good example. After what'd happened, maybe Cater expected him to avoid this whole event.... but he still had to show up, for appearances sake. Almost immediately, Max wanders off to go talk to another student within the dorm, leaving Rayne standing there alone.
Yellow eyes were narrowed as he looks around at the setup that Cater had done, as if inspecting his work. Had Adler ever even done anything like this? Set up a space for all of the students to work together?
... Why was he even here? It wasn't like any of the other students would actually want to work with him. With a sigh, Rayne wanders, looking at each station and the snacks that've been set out, pretending he couldn't hear the occasional whisper from the other students. No one-- really, no one-- expected him to show up, did they?
When Max shows up with Rayne, Cater feels multiple things at once: Good, he came, and Shit, he came, and At least Max can keep him busy.
But then Max leaves Rayne to flounder there, and Cater can't just let the guy be a wallflower. He doesn't like seeing everyone avoid him, even if Rayne didn't seem to mind being avoided or even wanted to be avoided. He didn't want to avoid Rayne, no matter what had happened. What really worried him was how Rayne would react if he approached. Well, damn it, here went nothing.
"Not half bad, right? Nothing rowdy." At least not yet. Cater smiles at Rayne as he swings over, practiced in his friendliness. "A few people might actually get some studying done."
But then Max leaves Rayne to flounder there, and Cater can't just let the guy be a wallflower. He doesn't like seeing everyone avoid him, even if Rayne didn't seem to mind being avoided or even wanted to be avoided. He didn't want to avoid Rayne, no matter what had happened. What really worried him was how Rayne would react if he approached. Well, damn it, here went nothing.
"Not half bad, right? Nothing rowdy." At least not yet. Cater smiles at Rayne as he swings over, practiced in his friendliness. "A few people might actually get some studying done."
Edited 2024-05-22 09:00 (UTC)
Rayne... kind of did have to acknowledge Cater. It was his whole idea for a study party, his idea to get students together and... well, it looked like people were actually enjoying it, weren't they? Even if it mostly looked like students were socializing, some did have books out, their wands ready-- whatever they needed for the subject.
He's impressed with it. For the moment.
Looking to Cater - was this the first time he'd fully looked at Cater after their day out together? - Rayne his gaze from one of the nearby designated study areas to focus on him. "Efficient," Is the first word out of his mouth, "The way you have it set up." A compliment. That has to count for something.
"I've doubts that anyone will study for long." Was it so bad if students had fun for a while, though? ... Yes, they shouldn't be goofing off... but, for the moment, Rayne had to force that down. Max had good points when he'd mentioned that it could be good for morale and all. Plus, Cater put so much work into this.
... Not that Rayne could look at him after that last comment of his, turning his gaze away from Cater completely.
He's impressed with it. For the moment.
Looking to Cater - was this the first time he'd fully looked at Cater after their day out together? - Rayne his gaze from one of the nearby designated study areas to focus on him. "Efficient," Is the first word out of his mouth, "The way you have it set up." A compliment. That has to count for something.
"I've doubts that anyone will study for long." Was it so bad if students had fun for a while, though? ... Yes, they shouldn't be goofing off... but, for the moment, Rayne had to force that down. Max had good points when he'd mentioned that it could be good for morale and all. Plus, Cater put so much work into this.
... Not that Rayne could look at him after that last comment of his, turning his gaze away from Cater completely.
Without realizing it, Cater had been holding his breath. He lets out a chuckle of relief when Rayne actually speaks to him. Did that mean the cold shoulder treatment was officially over? Sure, it's not like Rayne was being anything other than his short-spoken self, but that was better than complete dismissal. Tentatively, Cater decides to see where this goes.
"Hey, even if it's not for long, it's still more studying than they might've been doing otherwise, right? It's a nice change of pace for a lot of them, too." Gives some of the students a chance to meet with people they might not usually. "And it's like I said before, I bet having you around will encourage even better behavior."
"Hey, even if it's not for long, it's still more studying than they might've been doing otherwise, right? It's a nice change of pace for a lot of them, too." Gives some of the students a chance to meet with people they might not usually. "And it's like I said before, I bet having you around will encourage even better behavior."
The tension in the air could be sliced with even a dull blade, so thick that Rayne could feel it weighing down on his chest. How annoying. His gaze isn't as harsh as it could be, even as his eyes narrow, his chin tilts up, and he looks out on a small group of students nearby, who seemed to be chatting about something nonsensical, obvious only by the way one of them had their phone out, showing the other two some picture.
"Right." Rayne agrees lightly, with a side-eye towards Cater. He doesn't believe those words. People were scared of him, not encouraged. That was what he aimed for, sure, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt. "Well. Good work." With that, Rayne seems like he's done with this 'conversation'. Where did he have that he could go? It doesn't seem like he has a plan, even as he begins to step away from Cater.
There it is, that cold shoulder, refusing to continue acknowledging his existence at all, as if they hadn't even begun to move past it.
"Right." Rayne agrees lightly, with a side-eye towards Cater. He doesn't believe those words. People were scared of him, not encouraged. That was what he aimed for, sure, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt. "Well. Good work." With that, Rayne seems like he's done with this 'conversation'. Where did he have that he could go? It doesn't seem like he has a plan, even as he begins to step away from Cater.
There it is, that cold shoulder, refusing to continue acknowledging his existence at all, as if they hadn't even begun to move past it.
Cater feels a stab of something unpleasant inside of him, when Rayne moves to walk away, when he won't even look at him. It was almost like they'd started over completely, or maybe this was even worse. To be completely shunted was a whole new level, compared to just being regarded with derision. He doesn't want to watch Rayne walk away, so before he can talk himself out of it, Cater decides to try just one more time.
"Hey, thanks!" He sidesteps in the direction Rayne has turned before he can get too far. "You said you don't eat snacks, but try some out, okay? I made sure there was a little bit of everything--if you find one you like, I'll make sure we have some for our next study sesh."
"Hey, thanks!" He sidesteps in the direction Rayne has turned before he can get too far. "You said you don't eat snacks, but try some out, okay? I made sure there was a little bit of everything--if you find one you like, I'll make sure we have some for our next study sesh."
Had Rayne not been clear with Cater? Were all his looks, all his actions, for nothing? The glares, the cold attitude, the refusal to so much as look Cater in the eye, the pain that he inflicted on him for something as simple as a kiss that he enabled. The other teen steps to stop him, to keep him there for even a moment longer. Rayne knew better than to let this continue like this, if Cater wasn’t going to get the hint.
Rayne reaches out, his hand grasping onto the collar of Cater’s shirt, pulling him in so Rayne could look down on him. “Stop trying to be so friendly with me. We aren’t friends. We never will be friends. Get it through your head, Cater.” Rayne states, tone snappy, short. “I’m only helping you out of obligation. Not because I care about you.” Cater’s shirt is released then, and, again, he moves to get away from this conversation, from Cater as a whole.
Rayne reaches out, his hand grasping onto the collar of Cater’s shirt, pulling him in so Rayne could look down on him. “Stop trying to be so friendly with me. We aren’t friends. We never will be friends. Get it through your head, Cater.” Rayne states, tone snappy, short. “I’m only helping you out of obligation. Not because I care about you.” Cater’s shirt is released then, and, again, he moves to get away from this conversation, from Cater as a whole.
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