#and I've been buzzing about it since. I love puzzle game :)

[absolutely-zero-regrets]

getting back on my we were here bullshit by the way

[rinoaskyes]

Tokyo Game Dungeon

I love going to all kinds of game exhibitions but ones that are focused on indie games will always have a special place in my heart. There's something so human and endearing about getting to meet developers and getting to try games that were made literally by those two hands. No well-oiled production timelines, no marketing pizzaz, just a person (or a couple of people) tinkering away at home on a dream.

Tokyo Game Dungeon by Iwasaki is one of a few regular events that happen in, well, Tokyo. It's only been running since 2022 but has already attracted a formidable number of fans from both the development side and the gamers keen to support the independent scene.

Unlike what its name might indicate, there are no shackles or prison cells at Tokyo Game Dungeon. It's actually very brightly lit, fairly quiet and located (at least in the April 2024 edition) in a fancy building in the Hamamatsucho area. I think the name might be inspired by dungeon crawler games, as you can kind of explore the entire area in a similar way to find new games. But it could also be a ruse to attract basement dwellers to come outside and touch grass!! Be warned, gamers.

What's also really cool about their website is you can actually look back at every past exhibit to see which games were present. It's a nice way to archive the indie scene here. There are also three mascots that I don't really know much about but they are very cute. I love this series of promotional artwork that's like 'Amazing place!' 'Large table!', 'Indie spirit!'. What more could you want from a game exhibition!

I got there around 1 pm and the event went from 12 - 5 pm. There were two levels and they were huge. At the front of the entrance were large tables with pamphlets and flyers relating to all of the games available on that day as well as a map. Attendees get given mini maps also. These are super useful because once you get into trying games, they all start to blend into one. I found circling the games that I've tried/want to try was really useful to aid my failing memory.

Anyway enough stalling, here are some of the games that caught by eye!

Inverted Angel by SCIKA

This is a 2D adventure (visual novel) game about an unknown women who shows up in front of your house claiming to be your girlfriend. Use dialogue to uncover the truth. The art is super, super cute.

Elfie by Sol's Atelier

This is tamagochi, mini games and narrative all rolled into one. Elfie is a small round elephant and also your new roommate. You get to play mini games like vacuuming peanuts in space and making peanut butter (Elfie likes peanuts). My friend Philippe is the solo dev behind this so definitely check it out!

CASSETTE BOY by Wonderland Kazakiri inc.

"All you see is all there is" - Cassette Boy is a seemingly 2D world that asks a lot of philosophical questions while also hiding some very complex dimensions beyond what you can see at a glance (it is actually 3D). You have to turn and twist the map to change your perspective and solve puzzles.

Buzz or Die by Mukanshin Games

The queue to play this demo was unreal. Buzz or Die is a narrative adventure game about death row inmates competing for viewer ratings on a game show. If you win you survive and get money, if you lose, you die. Huge Danganronpa vibes, very excited for this.

ELEMASTA by Team ELEMASTA

This is an open world RPG with stunning pixel art inspired by retro games. Truthfully I didn't get to play this but I thought it was too beautiful to not include. I believe it's a game about meeting characters, collecting over 3,000 types of weapons and armor and defeating enemies. Fairly standard high fantasy but I am in love with the art.

P4ST3L by UsaginO

P4ST3L (very hard to type) is an FPS horror game set in a liminal space with a female protagonist and some creepy creatures. UsaginO also has a YouTube channel that acts like a devlog.

I want to shoutout the girl who was manning the booth for her insanely high energy. She was very cool. Apparently she voiced the Pomeranian in UsaginO's previous game (I can't find it online) and she also sings at the end of P4ST3L so you should definitely play it and complete it so you can hear her melodious voice!!

Holo Yeet by Fried Rice Productions

Is still a work in progress according to the developer but it's a game about yeeting Hololive characters. You play as Mori Calliope and in the demo, I got to yeet Watson Amelia. I hope the Hololivers pick this one up!

MotionRec by HANDSUM

I cannot shut up about MotionRec, ever since I first saw Shoma present it at Tokyo Indies last year. It's pixel platforming with a record and rewind function that allows you to overcome obstacles your little dude character normally cannot. It's truly been a pleasure to watch this game grow over time. It's latest version has a lot of cool design features and the levels look really fleshed out too!

Reso-Seeker by R-ta Games

This is a Metroidvania game about exploring a resort hotel! I think the setting is really cool and leads to some interesting locations and puzzles to overcome when platforming. I've also seen R-ta exhibit at a few different places in the last few years so it was cool to get to try the latest demo. It's pretty hard!

マイクカート by 六方

It looks like a regular racing game until you realise there's a mic in front of you. You use a steering wheel controller to navigate but you need to keep talking for the car to keep moving. Someone playing before me was making vroom sounds but for some reason I ended up just chatting with the developers to power my car. I told them that this would be the perfect game for streamers because we don't shut up! I don't have any photos of this and they don't seem to have a Steam page so I'll link to the 4Gamer article here, please scroll down towards the end to see what it looks like.

Ninjam! by G-Blossom

Is like a very hyper-precise 4 player brawler. You're a ninja who needs to defeat other ninjas but you everyone only has one life so you need to be very very precise with when you decide to attack. It's an amazing party game, I hope they introduce more levels and items to keep the gameplay interesting!

As always, I wish I got to try out more games! But my social battery was rapidly draining. All in all I can't recommend Tokyo Game Dungeon any higher. Even if you're not part of the gaming scene, you could definitely treat this as a regular fair/expo to go with friends and just have a blast.

Jun Shen Chia if you made it this far, congrats! And to everyone else, thanks for reading.

[aw-doll-no]

"I've Been Checking You Out"

(1807 words)

Pairings: Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton

Warnings: /

Tags: oblivious clint, misunderstanding

Summary: "I've been checking you out." Barnes tilts his head. "I'm pretty sure you noticed but you didn't really respond to it."

Note: this is unbeta'd like all of my stories but I try to read it a couple of times to correct at least a few mistakes, well I didn't have time for that so I'm sorry if this is even more bumpy than usual :)

>>>------>

Clint is going to die in this tower filled with people he trusts because they were too blind to see what's right in front of them. This should have been a safe place but the moment he came in it was all over.

That's not quite right. Nothing happened at his arrival, it started when he became comfortable being around people and he began to hang out on the communal floors. Somewhere along the way did Clint do something that catched his interest. And interest means killing instinct. Clint gets a headache just thinking about what he did wrong. It was all okay in his opinion but his opinion doesn't matter because apparently he did something to deserve death.

He walks back to his bed and let's out a deep breath. It's safe... for now. Thank god that he is on a floor with Steve and not Clint and that every apartment is full equipped and there is technically no need to leave. But Clint will go nuts if he's going to be caged in all day. It's not the people he misses it's the lack of activities in his rooms that drive him crazy. Sleeping and Dog Cops are only entertaining for so long.

He throws himself onto his bed and buries his face in the pillow to let out a frustrated groan. Clint turns around, staring at the ceiling he starts anew. Rinse and repeat. What. Did. He. Do?

There a two possibilities: he did something wrong or he said something wrong. Let's start with the first.

Barnes doesn't go on missions and he also doesn't train with the others so that reduces some. Clint gives him space and minds his volume as best as he can. He never startled him, came behind him, tried to set him off or took his stuff. He also doesn't talk during movie night, doesn't speaks with a full mouth at the dinner table or steals food of his plate if Barnes problem got something to do with manners. Natasha teached him better than that.

While not being the best behaved it could be a lot worse. He tries not stepping on anyone's toes and so far it worked. Which brings Clint to possibility two. He said something wrong.

This could be it. Clint's mouth works without permission but Barnes seemed to be safe from that because he avoids talking to people. Well mostly. He's not keen on one-on-one talks with anyone else but Steve, he rather participates in group conversations. Or it looks like he participates, he mainly stands by. Clint was part of said group conversations from time to time but even then he never addressed Barnes personal.

That could be it. Clint never did anything to Barnes personally so maybe he's not offended on his own behalf. Which means Clint did/said something wrong to Steve. Barnes is known to be protective but Steve is known for his stubbornness and his refusal to stay back from a fight. If he got a problem with Clint he surely would tell him.

This leads nowhere. Clint grabs his phone and dials. He waits. And waits. And waits. Finally his call gets accepted but the the line stays silent. Shit he forgot the time zones and Tasha is quiet which means she's either half asleep or pissed. Probably both.

"Uh hey Tash. I didn't wake you up, did I?" No answer. "Okay so um I-I'm just going to hang up now alright?" Still no answer. "I love you bye," he says fast and hangs up. That will have consequences he's sure of it.

Sighing Clint rubs his hand over his face and thinks back to how it started.

They just came back from a successful fight, spending some time in the communal area. Clint was sore because he did something he considered brave while others might thought it was stupid but in the end it worked and he saved lives so he couldn't care less.

While he sat at the counter sipping coffee Clint felt a tingle in the back of his neck which meant that he was being watched. Subtly he tried to check what's going on.

There were five people present. Clint was one of them, Tony and Steve were in a heated discussion about some nonsense and paid nobody attention but themselves, Tasha does watch Clint sometimes but he instantly knows when it's her and this time was different, which only left Barnes.

Clint brushed it off at the time thinking it was only fatigue and paranoia speaking because Barnes seemed calm and in control plus nobody else seemed worried about it. That's how it started.

Over the days the tingle came back repeatedly which made Clint kind of nervous. He knew it was Barnes every time but why was he observing him? Clint continued to act like he didn't noticed it and waited for the right moment, where Barnes would let his guard down, to catch him in the act.

The tingle came more often, lasted longer and Clint knew that Barnes would start feeling too sure of himself any moment now which would lead to making a mistake.

It was at dinner when Clint felt it again that he decided to look up. And Barnes? He looked him straight in the eyes. No embarrassment, no avoiding, he didn't even blink. Clint was so puzzled that he switched his view and left as soon as dinner was over.

It seemed like Barnes didn't get careless like Clint thought at first but that he actually wanted Clint to know that he was watching him and after the dinner Barnes dismissed being subtle all together.

Clint was constantly observed. The moment he stepped into a room Barnes would look up, sometimes even turn around. He would watch Clint from afar, close up, while movie night, dinner, training with the team and shooting with his bow. And never did he look away first when their eyes met.

It started unnerving Clint because he just couldn't figure out why. So when Tony got the idea to get a lot of booze for a movie night, Clint dived right in. Not the smartest idea as it turned out.

He felt the buzz in his head and his attention for the movie stopped half an hour ago. Just sitting there, enjoying the drunk feeling was fine by him until the tingle started yet again. Clint looked over annoyed to meet Barnes gaze but this time was different. Barnes smirked at him with a look on his face that screamed 'I'm going to eat you alive'. It made Clint's blood run cold. He felt like prey being watched by its predator. All of it made sense now. Clint became part of a twisted cat and mouse game and nobody noticed. Barnes probably wanted to test out his abilities now that he's free (more or less) of his Winter Soldier mindset and decided that Clint was the perfect candidate for it.

He doesn't remember leaving just how his fogged brain told him to flee immediately and that is now five days ago. Since then he didn't leave his room even once.

Barnes has 70 years experience, involuntary but still, Clint has the feeling that he can't keep up with that. Natasha needs to come home soon.

>>>------>

Seven days. He's stuck in his apartment for a whole week now. Well actually he isn't stuck Clint could go out any moment but he's a little concerned. Not scared. Not scared at all. Okay maybe a little bit but nobody can blame him for that because the freaking Winter Soldier is after him.

This can't go on forever at some point he will run out of excuses as to why he's not around anymore. Fuck that. Clint's going out now. He will go to the communal area trying to get leftovers from dinner.

He gets up and walks out with as much confidence as he can manage.

>>>------>

This is delicious and he can't believe he missed out so many dinners. Taking another big bite Clint nearly doesn't notice someone entering the kitchen. His fork is halfway to his mouth when he feels it again. The tingle. He puts it down again and prepares himself. Clint won't go down without a fight.

"What's up?" he asks while casually turning around leaning against the counter, crossing his arms.

Barnes is standing there with his hands in his pockets. Slowly a grin starts to spread over his face. Clint is a bit surprised, this was a lot more intimidating in his memory but that's probably an act and not cute at all.

"I've been checking you out." Barnes tilts his head. "I'm pretty sure you noticed but you didn't really respond to it."

"Oh I definitely noticed but I ignored it 'till now. Whatever you expect me to do or say, it won't happen. I will not give in."

Barnes' smile drops, his eyes start darting around. "I wasn't- I mean-" he licks over his lips in a nervous manner. "You don't owe me anything I just tried- doesn't matter. I'm sorry. I'm gonna-" He points over his shoulder starting to leave.

"The fuck?" Confused Clint starts following. "Hey wait."

"It won't happen again. I'm going to leave you alone, promise."

"That's all I wanted but somehow this doesn't feel right. Now wait a second, would you?" Clint walks in front of Barnes stopping him. They both look at each other without saying a word.

Barnes raises an eyebrow in question.

"Uh well. I have no clue what's going on right now. I thought you would jump me any moment and now you apologize for it?" asks Clint waving his hands.

"Jump you huh? Funny that. Actually I thought about it but you make it sound like a threat."

"You can't stand me," Clint whispers.

"Why would you think that?" Barnes asks but waves it off the same moment. "Clint I'm going to tell you something now and I want you to listen." He takes a calming breath before continuing. "I noticed you pretty early but I wasn't in any condition for anything. But now? Well now I thought I could try my luck," he chuckles, "turns out the last 70 years really fucked me up. I used to be a great flirt and now I don't know what I'm doing anymore. Thought I would just try to get your attention but you're not even interested."

"You were trying to flirt? I thought you wanted to kill me." Clint holds up his hands to stop Barnes from talking. "Now it's my turn talking. But I got a better idea than that. Because talking isn't my strong suit and thinking apparently also not. So huh how about making out?"

Barnes starts smiling. "I can't believe this is my life now."

[jadekitty777]

I debated so hard on what words to pick for my request but! I think I've finally settled on "Trust" and "Dance"! Tbh I know you only sent me one word, though, so if you would rather just pick one or the other and go with that, that's totally fine! Whatever tickles your fancy, honestly. I'll be happy to read any Taiqrow you write askldfm

Me: Drabble? That’s like five thousand words, right?

I’m pretty sure getting me to write something concisely is moreimpossible than finding Atlantis. But I’m so super pleased with how this oneturned out. Also, I re-wrote the summary no less than six times.

Title: Won’t Say, Don’t Say (I’m Falling in Love)

Summary: A bitter loner and a hopeless romantic walk into a bar onenight… and you all know how this joke ends, don’t you? [Modern AU]

Rating: T

Pairings: Taiqrow and Raven/Summer

AO3 Link: Right Here!

~

The bumping sounds of bass spilled out the door of the danceclub as it was opened and then closed with the admittance of another patron,moving the rest of those waiting in line another blissful inch. Tai steppedforward, grateful they were almost to the front. He rocked on his heels toalleviate some of the ache in his knees, looking down when he felt Summer latchonto his arm. She had probably spent an hour in front of the mirror, each bitof her make-up so immaculately placed, with glitter accents around her eyesthat would sparkle under the colored lights once they hit the floor. She wasdefinitely dressed to impress tonight.

“Ooh, I can’t wait for you to meet them!”

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It was probably thefifth time he’s heard that since he’d agreed to join her.  “Don’t get tooexcited Sums. I came along to have fun, not find a date.”

“Yeah, you say that, buuuut-” She trailed off, letting therest of the sentence hang.

“Hey, I’ve been getting better!” He argued, tucking his facein his collar.

“To get better, you need to actually date someoneTai. Not avoid dating entirely. That’s called ‘ignoring the problem.’.”

“I’m not ignoring it. I’m just… taking a break!”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

Tai sighed. He knew there really wasn’t any use in arguing.He was pretty sure there was some unwritten universal law that if you knew aperson for more than fifteen years, it was impossible to lie to them. Or maybehe just couldn’t lie to the one girl that he introduced himself to by placing acrown of dandelions on her head while declaring her as his ‘forever flowerprincess’. She responded to such an honest declaration of love in the way anyeight-year-old should: By calling him a stupid dum-dum and throwing sand in hisface.

They’d been best friends ever since.

Of course, having such an honorary place in his life alsomeant that she got to watch from a front row seat whenever he got his heartbroken. Almost like a true movie-goer, the first few times she saw the storyplay out, her heart-strings tugged at his every struggle and pain. By the tenth time,she was yelling at the screen for him to stop making the same stupid decisionsbefore the first scene was even over. Eventually, those criticisms and hisaching chest got through to him, and he decided to just stop performingaltogether.

He had a suspicion that because the screen had stayed blackfor more than a year now, his biggest fan had grown bored with the lack ofentertainment. Why else would she try to turn herself into a director?

“I’m just saying, if you meet someone you like, you shouldgive it a chance.” She jabbed her elbow into his side. “I know you miss beingsomeone’s prince.”

He nudged her back, but her smile was too infectious not tocatch. “Oh, shut up.”

“You know you love me.” She said. A buzzing drew herattention and she pulled out her phone from her handbag. Tai’s assumptions thatit was her girlfriend was proven right when Summer announced, “Raven saidthey’re at the corner of the bar when we get inside.”

Just in time too, because they were next in line. Afterbeing carded and screened, they were allowed inside. It was like walking fromnight into day, the air turning from brisk and breezy to heavy and hot withinseconds of entering the club, the ground under his feet seeming to shake withevery beat of the rhythm blasting from the speakers. Tai had to blink awayspots as he adjusted to the flashing lights.

Summer stood on her tiptoes, scoping out the room. “Oh, Isee them!” She tugged him along as she weaved around the crowd and straighttowards a pair sitting at the quieter end of the bar. His eyes were drawn tothe female of the two, impressed by the wild, black hair cascading down herback. “Rae!”

And it was she who turned to that call, giving him his firstgood look at the mysterious girlfriend he’d been hearing about for weeks. Shewas as stunning as Summer had gushed over, her facial features a perfectcontrast of sharp in the nose and chin, yet delicate in the pale moonlit whiteof her skin and eyes red like gemstones. He may have even thought herdangerous, if not for the way her lips eased into a welcoming smile.

Summer unlatched herself from him, skirting the last fewfeet forward and right into her arms. And then she leaned up and – okay yeah,he didn’t need to watch his admittedly gorgeous friend kissing an equallygorgeous woman. It probably wasn’t good for his health.

Taiyang avoided it by focusing on the second half of the pair,whom was now leaning back against the counter. As he met dusky red eyes, heswore he heard his mind screech to a halt.

For if there was ever a person that perfectly defined bothstrikingly handsome and breathtakingly beautiful, that was Qrow Branwen. It washard to pinpoint exactly what made him so, other than to say all of him. From slicked back, coal-darkhair to the hint of stubble that accented an angled jawline or the too-tightdress shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing just enough to tease, tothe long legs that couldn’t teasetheir flexibility, every bit of him seemed to just be another something to appreciate.He was like a puzzle; the pieces alone didn’t seem like much, but when puttogether the correct way it became a work of art.

Qrow shot him an easygoing smile, tilting his half-fullglass as a greeting wave. “Hey, you must be Tai.”

Dear gods, and a voice that sounded like it was constantlywrecked by sex. That was just notfair.

He swallowed hard against his suddenly dry throat. “Yeah.And you’re Qrow. Hey.” He tacked on lamely. What a night to lose his charisma.

Thankfully, he wasn’t left to flounder long as Raven spokeup, “And I’m Raven. Charmed, really.” Her arms made a loose circle aroundSummer’s waist, tugging her close. “So, now that we’re all acquainted: Drinksor dance floor?”

Knowing there was no way in hell he was getting on the floorwithout being at least semi-drunk, Tai quickly offered, “I vote drinks” just asSummer said, “I want to dance!”

Qrow gestured to his own glass as a sign of his own opinion.

Raven shrugged, slipping off her bar stool. “Guess we’resplitting up then.” She pulled off the leather jacket, tossing it over herbrother’s head. “Be a good coat rack and hold that for me.”

He yanked it off, saying irritably, “Three songs and thenwe’re switching.”

“We’ll see.”

As they bickered, Summer turned to him, the glitter aroundher face only accenting her puppy-dog gaze as she held her girly handbag towardshim. “Please?”

Tai rolled his eyes, hooking his fingers around the strap.“Go have fun.”

“You’re the best!” She beamed, before following after Raven,walking so close they practically melded at the hip.

In the wake of their departure, the appointed coat racktipped his head towards the now empty bar stool, in which the appointed pursehook gratefully took.

Qrow swung himself around, flagging down the bartender as heasked him, “So, what’s your taste?”

It took Tai a moment to realize he meant for alcohol. “Oh,uh, Four Roses, if they have it.”

A whistle. “A bourbon man, huh? Didn’t take ya for thetype.”

“Didn’t used to be. I tried it on a dare. Just ended upliking it.”

“Wonder who that was.” The way he said that implied Qrowknew exactly who had been the instigator. He lent towards him. “Hey, can I dareyou to try another?”

Tai met his gaze, not sure what to make of the almostmischievous grin gracing those pretty features. “Uh, like?”

“What’ll ya have boys?”

Qrow winked at him, before turning to the bartender. “I’lltake another double of scotch, on the rocks. My friend here’ll have some OldCrow, nice and neat.”

Tai could immediately catch the bourbon’s scent the momentit was placed in front of him. It smelled almost sweet, more like a fancymartini, than the bitter, burning whiskey he was imagining. Entirely aware ofthe eyes watching his every movement, he lifted his glass and took the first,brave sip.

And, it was…

Huh.

He lowered the glass, mildly confused. Why did it taste likelightly buttered toast?

Beside him, Qrow had dissolved into laughter, restrained butlively. “It’s weird, right?”

“Not really what I was expecting.” He took another sip,adjusting to the flavor. He’d had better, but for a bottom shelf drink, it wasn’tbad. It had that tame, moderate sort of kick he’d grown to enjoy. “It’s fineenough to drink.”

That mischievous smile was back. “Oh good. Because you’ll bedrinking a lot of crow tonight.”

Tai choked on air. “E-Excuseme?!”

Qrow pounded at the counter, howling with laughter. “Youshould see your face! Man, that was one of my best lines!”

He sighed, setting his glass down with a decisive thud. Evenat only twenty-five, he was too old for this game. “Alright, are you flirtingwith me or messing with me?”

He held his forefinger and thumb a millimeter apart, “Lil’bit of both,” before reaching out for his drink.

Tai watched him drown it, asking, “Why?”

A second thud as another glass hit the counter, ice cubescackling together. “Did you know every time I walked into the room, you justconveniently became the hot topic of conversation?” Qrow finally looked to him,raising an eyebrow. “Summer’s not exactly subtle.”

“Oh Gods.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, wishing theground would just open up underneath him and portal him straight to Hell. “I’msorry. She means well. She’s just got it in her head that I’m lonely.”

“Bet it came with a bunch of ‘You’re not getting anyyounger’ and ‘Love is worth the risk’ speeches, right?”

He groaned. “Yep. Guess the pain’s mutual, huh?”

“Eh.” He shrugged. “Honestly, it was more a change of pace.No one has ever felt they needed to play Cupid for me. I mean, of course not.When you look this good, the romance comes to you.” He gestured grandly tohimself, and had Tai not been practically drooling at his feet not ten minutesago, he might have called him out on his ego. Qrow spared him another wink. “Tobe frank, you don’t look like you need it either.”

Oh. Tai felt hisface flame up, rubbing the back of his neck. “Thanks.”

His smile went from coy to relaxed. “To also be frank, I’mnot looking for a commitment and from your response, I don’t think you reallyare either. I am however hoping to have a good time tonightand if I can do that with a sexy guy, all the more reason. So, what say we getdrunk off our asses, make fools of ourselves on the dance floor and call it anight?”

It was amazing just how much that simple suggestion easedthe tension out of him. He grinned back at him. “I say let’s do it.”

“Alright, then. Cheers!”

The clink of their glasses sealed the promise, and as Taichugged his drink, he figured the night might just be looking up after all.

~

It was probably their fourth round on the dance floor and itwas practically sweltering. He could feel sweat clinging to him, head spinningwith a wonderful dizziness. Qrow was a better sight; his hair had fallen into amess at some point, bangs plastered attractively along his forehead, and he’dundone a few more buttons of his shirt, revealing a bit more of those nicelydefined pecs. Watching him move to the beat, Tai couldn’t figure out if thefloor was so hot because of how many people were around him, or if it wassimply because Qrow was on it.

Wait, that was a good one!

He caught his fingers into his dance partner’s belt loops,yanking him in close. He had to lean into his ear, just so he could hear him. “Hey,got something to tell ya!”  

“Yeah?” Qrow slurred back, slinging his arms up around hisneck. The sudden closeness had broken their rhythm, just leaving them to swaytogether.

Tai searched his brain, trying to remember. What was itexactly? Oh, Right!  “You’re pretty.” Henestled himself into his shoulder, hiding his goofy grin against the other’sneck. Fingers ran through his hair, petting him in soothing motions that made hiseyes flutter shut.

So nice.

Qrow was nice.

He liked him.

He wanted to dance with him forever.

“Hey. Listen.” Qrow’s lips touched against his ear, creatinghappy tingles that rushed down his spine. “This song’s for us.”

Tai did his best to focus as commanded, a few of the lyrics driftingaround them becoming startlingly clear.

“What are the chancesthat we’d end up dancing?

Like two in a million,like once in a life.”

The music lifted away, the words becoming inaudible. He liftedhis head, trying to follow their retreat, but his head was heavier then heremembered, and he had to rest it again – this time with his forehead layingagainst Qrow’s own. The magic of them staring into one another’s eyes broughtthe song back.

“Is it love? Is itfate?

Where it leads, whocan say?

Maybe you and I weremeant to be.”

Qrow laced his fingers around the back of Tai’s neck,tilting just enough that their lips brushed together. A second later, he triedagain, kissing him with more earnest.

Whoa, too fast! Toofast! His brain jittered in alarm.

The sweep of a tongue along his lips halted the warningsaltogether.

…Ah, screw it.

Tai tangled his own hands into Qrow’s hair, opening hismouth to him. Their tongues took the place of their feet, dancing together tothe music of their souls. Every breath between them harmonized, every nerve ontheir bodies sang, every beat of their hearts rose up, up, up to the crescendowithout ever needing to fall.

He really wanted to dance with him forever.

It wasn’t meant to be. Qrow broke back first with a gasp,stumbling into him despite the fact they were not moving. “Got to sit. You’regiving me a fever.”

“’Kay.” Tai obliged, tugging him along by his waist as theybumbled about the crowd. It could have been seconds or minutes before they sawthe line of the bar again.

His partner continued to cling to him, head lolling againsthis arm. “Like you. You’re built like a tree.”

The words tumbled out without thought, “Perfect for you toperch on.”

Qrow laughed loudly. He reached out to pat his shoulder,missed, and hit his collarbone instead. “Sunshine, you are so getting mynumber.”

Number of what? Taipondered as the night faded to a blur.

He woke up at home, headache pounding behind his eyes andmuscles aching from the night.

On his phone was a single text from an unknown sender, apossibility in the words:

Call me soon, Sunshine.

~

As Qrow added creamer to the two cups of coffee, the soundof songbirds made him look back towards the kitchen table. His phone had lit upwith a new notification, but that wasn’t his ringtone. He glanced at theobvious culprit. “Did you really?” He asked.

“Whatever do you mean, dear brother?” Raven said, lookingjust a little too smug not to be guilty.

He shook his head, trying to hide his own amusement. Hedidn’t understand how she kept figuring out his password. At least it was tamerthen the death metal she had chosen last time. He stored the creamer back intothe fridge, and as he set her cup down in front of her, said, “You know, if youever decide to use your powers for evil, you’ll be a force to be reckonedwith.”

“I’m shocked and appalled that you don’t already consider meas such.”

“Pff, whatever.” He plopped down beside her, taking a drinkof his own coffee as he reached for his phone, absently wondering if it wouldbe a joke or just a peppy hello today. Qrow didn’t usually like the clingyones, but somehow, it was hard to be annoyed with Tai about it. It was likegetting mad at a puppy.

So used to their routine that had built over the past twomonths, he was caught off guard by his disappointment when he realized it wasKimi instead.

Hey babe ;) Lookingfor a good time tonight?

He hesitated.

For a moment.

And then typed back a reply. Your place or mine?

He dropped the device back to the table, trying to drown theunexpected twisting in his stomach with half a mugful of coffee. Nothing couldsoothe the burn of Raven’s eyes on him though. “What?” He asked tersely.

“Oh, nothing.” She replied, taking a sip from her ownflower-patterned cup. He thought that would be it. “Summer told me somethinginteresting about your new boytoy.”

He really should have known better by now not to hope forthings. “Yeah? What about him?”

“He’s apparently a hopeless romantic.” She gestured betweenthem, the sudden singing birds from his phone accentuating the motion as shemimed a rainbow. “Disney-Level hopeless.”

“So? Tai knows I’m not in it for the long game.”

“Does he now?” Before he could react, Raven’s hand struckout like a viper, snatching up his phone. “Then I guess you won’t mind if I tellhim you’ll be busy hooking-up with someone else tonight.”

“What-” Qrow lurched after it, trying to wrestle it from hergrasp, spewing obscenities all the while, “Fucking – god damn – Raven cut itthe hell out!”

He got a grip on her arm, but as he made a grab for hisphone, she caught his wrist, twisting it back. As he ceded in pain, Raven spokesharply over his whimpers, “If you’re this scared about it, then why do it atall?”

He spit back in her face, “Don’t act like some fucking saintRae. You used to be worse than me.” Another hiss escaped between his teeth whenher nails dug into his skin, but it would take more than that for him to backdown. “I’m not dumb. You don’t care about me. You’re only acting like thisbecause you know if I break his heart, it could mess things up with you andSummer.”

“Well.” Her grip finally relented. “You’re half-right atleast.”

He took the opportunity to yank his phone from her. Wantingnothing more than to get as far away from her as possible, he wrenched himselffrom his seat, intent on sealing himself away in his room for a few hours.

He didn’t even get to the living room before there was ascrap of another chair being shoved back. “Qrow?” She called after him. Thetemptation to ignore her was strong, and he would have, had she not added, “Youwere half-wrong too. I do care about you.”

Qrow stopped, frowning down at the water stains that warpedthe wood floor of their cheap apartment, before finally looking back at her. Itwas odd, seeing Raven look so kind, so soft. When had she changed so much? Ormaybe he was the one who hadn’t changed enough.

“I get it you know.” She stepped towards him. “What ourparents did, it hurt me too.”

He crossed his arms, avoiding her gaze. “At least you didn’tget thrown out twice.”

Raven would sometimes still joke about how, with the waythey grew up, they could have been the poster children for television’s nextbig family drama series. Their parents argued about everything, sometimes gettingso heated they’d scream at the top of their lungs. Once, cops even showed up attheir house, having been called out by a concerned neighbor. He remembered thatnight with more clarity then he liked. What had spurred that argument had beenone about Raven.

It hadn’t been anything major – she had bit another kid atschool and got sent to the principal, who then informed their parents of theincident. Pretty typical stuff, and other than some detention, she wasn’treally in trouble. But at eight, he couldn’t understand that. He thought thepolice were there to take his sister away. They had both been so terrifiedabout losing the one person that made their home bearable, they had jumped outthe window and climbed up the oak tree in the backyard. The deputy only foundthem because they thought cawing like the birds they were named after wouldthrow him off from their hiding spot.

That night was only a precursor to what would come when, atten, their parents finally divorced and split them as if they were just anotherasset, a bunch of knickknacks to be bargained for. Not their own children. Children who begged and cried tobe allowed to stay together. Children who knew being separated would hurt in away they couldn’t bear.

They might as well never have said a word for all thenothing it changed.

Four years they spent apart, until their father decided hewas done with that title and signed away his custody rights, kicking his ownson to the curb like unwanted trash. It should have been a relief, walking backthrough the front door of his childhood home. But it was already too late. Thedamage was done. To him and Raven, they had been taught the meaning of love wasa nightmare and they wanted no part in it.

For Qrow, that meant he spent his time throwing himself intomeaningless flings and short-term relationships that eventually dead-ended.When things started to get too serious, he bolted or self-sabotaged his wayout. Because if his parents had only ever taught him how to fail, how could heever do any better?

The brush of Raven’s hand on his arm brushed away thememories. He fully turned to face her, seeing his reflection in her, but it wascracking in spots. No longer a perfect mirror. No longer the same.

“Look, I’m glad that this commitment thing is working outfor you. Proud of you, even, that you’re getting past it.” Qrow sighed. “But Ican’t. I told myself I was never going to let anyone make me feel rejected likethat again. So, I won’t.”

She shook her head. “You’re hiding behind excuses, Qrow, andyou know it.”

Chirping made them both looked down. A new message hadpopped up above Kimi’s invitation.

G’morning babe! Do you have the night off? Maybe we couldcatch a movie?

Qrow could almost laugh at how simple it would be. How hecould just lie and jump into bed with someone else. To start calling off plans,avoid messages and calls, until Tai got tired of it and walked away from arelationship that would never go anywhere. How easy it was to break someoneelse’s heart and never risk his own.

As if she could see the dilemma running through his head,Raven reached out, blocking out the screen with her hand. “Listen, I’m notgoing to stand here and tell you that if you give it a chance, it’ll all justwork out in the end. When things fall apart, it hurts. But I will tell you for all the bad that could happen, thegood that does is what makes it worth it.” She looked away, lips quirking up ina gentle smile. “You haven’t let yourself fall in love, so you don’t know, butwhen it’s real, you’ll want to fight for it with everything you have.”

Wait. She couldn’t actually mean-?

The realization hit him like a train. When had things gottenthat serious? “You’re… falling in love with Summer, aren’t you?”

That soft look was back. The immovable stone wall he used tosee his sister as was crumbling, the dust of the destruction blowing away inthe happy laugh that escaped her. “I, yeah. I am. I’m not sure where things aregoing to go for us from here, but I am sure I want to see it through with her.And I know how hard it was for me to get this far. Giving her that much ofmyself, it’s scary. I can’t ask you to do the same.” She gave his arm a solidpat. “But if I can’t ask that, then I am going to be selfish and ask you tobreak it off with Tai honestly. For me.”

He shut his eyes, heaving a sigh against the weight that hadsettled on his chest. “Okay.”

“Thank you.”

As she walked back into the kitchen, Qrow called after herthis time, “Hey, Rae?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s really that good?”

She peered at him over her shoulder, a knowing gleam in hereye. “Let me put it this way: Love and Nirvana work the same way. To find it,first you need to take a leap of faith.”

Those words stuck with him, repeating in his mind as he saton his bed, thumb hovering between the two messages.

“A leap, huh?” He whispered to himself.

He swiped across the screen and typed a reply:

Sorry, can’t tonight. Maybe another time?

Now if only he could be brave enough to jump.

~

Qrow walked down the sidewalk, hands stuffed in his pocketsto hide from the evening wind’s late-night chill. As he approached the frontdoor, the streetlamps combating the overhead lights from the building split hisshadow in two, one forever reaching the direction he could have gone as theother stretched before him.

He followed its guide, pulling open the door and walkinginto the warmth of the cinema. Above the noise of popping popcorn and the vibranttunes of arcade games, he heard a faint call of his name.

“Qrow!” Tai waved as he strode towards him, grinningbrightly.

He was smiling before he even realized he was, meeting Taihalfway. “Hey Sunshine.” He said, wrapping him up in an embrace and kissing himchastely. “Got the tickets?”

“Yep. We’ve still got some time to get snacks too.”

Never one to pass up an opportunity to gorge himself onsodium and cholesterol, they got some popcorn and soda before heading in to thetheater. They bantered over where the best place to sit was – all argumentssuspiciously stopping when Qrow mentioned if they sat in the back, they couldjust make-out if the movie ended up being terrible. They got settled in, mostlyignoring the pre-commercials in favor of each other, Tai telling him about theracer he was getting to build at the machine shop while Qrow made him laugh ashe recounted his run-in at the gun range with a rather stiff-lipped upperclassman whose prosthetic arm just fell off while shooting.

“And so, he turns to me, right? And says ‘Little help’? AndI was so taken aback by what had happened, I didn’t know what to do! So, Isaid: ‘Buddy, there are a lot of hands I can give you. That ain’t one of them.’And then I just walked away like a total jackass!”

Tai held his stomach, saying between his hearty guffaws,“Nooo, you didn’t! That’s terrible!”

“I know.” Qrow ran a hand over his face, embarrassmentmaking his cheeks redden. “It was the worst.”

“Nah, what’s the worst is that you missed the opportunity tomake the best joke of all,” He was grinning hard enough to clear a manure field.“‘Well, that’s one way to disarmyourself.’”

“No! That’sawful!” He cried, throwing popcorn in the blond’s face as they dissolved intolaughter. Qrow was still struggling to get ahold of himself when he felt thesolidity of a strong arm coming around his shoulders, Tai dropping anaffectionate kiss against his temple. That arm stayed there long after thelights had dimmed and the real previews got going. He snuggled back into thecomforting hold, trading off mini-reviews with Tai as each trailer ran throughuntil the last one finally came to an end and the room became completely dark.

As the movie logo started to scroll across the screen, Tailent over, murmuring, “Hey. I’m really glad you’re here.”

Qrow froze, warning sirens going off in his head. Get out! Get out now!

The brush of warm fingers along his cheek silenced themcompletely.

His heart took the chance to skip closer to the edge. Stay, stay, stay, it beat.

Qrow caught Tai’s hand with his own, pressing his lips to hisknuckles. He then turned to him, staring into eyes so deep blue he could easilyfall forever in them, and whispered back in earnest, “Glad you’re here too.”

Tai closed the distance between them. As they kissed, Qrowfound he still wasn’t quite ready to leap the rest of the way.

But he was closer then he’d ever been before.

And maybe, whether it be tomorrow or next year, he wouldn’t justleap.

He’d soar.