Power Swap: Missing Something (Open)

[Deleted]

Naozumi awoke with a knot in his stomach. A strange feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on. A sense of....loneliness? Longing, perhaps? He wasn't quite sure those described the feeling accurately, but it was there, just the same, and persisted throughout the day. It was very disturbing. It brought the boy a great deal of unease and anxiety, even more so since he couldn't place the reason for it either. Everything seemed to be in order in his life, after all. His sister was here, doing her studies and getting along(or not) with the other students like he expected. Naozumi himself was doing well so far in his junior studies, and had picked up learning another language in his spare time(it was going slowly, though).

When the day hit early afternoon, Naozumi kept with his usual schedule and stopped by Ray's room to hang out with his best friend. They'd talk, joke, maybe fool around a little, and when the time hit 5 o'clock the boy would separate from the flyer with a lingering kiss, then head downtown to the dojo, where he'd started instructing this past season.

The knot inside him hadn't gone away by then. And it was making him a little more on edge than usual. Or ever. Being on edge at all was an experience Naozumi didn't have often.

Naozumi usually left the school with plenty of time to practice by himself before class started, though for whatever reason today, he couldn't seem to get into using his power, and thus arrived much later than he normally did. It was still before class started, but he just had less time to practice alone before other students would start arriving. He tried to extend this by dressing as quickly as possible, but again, he couldn't seem to get into the right groove or pace to do it as normal. He thought it was strange, and it didn't help the knot which was now turning into a whole lump in his stomach. Eventually, Naozumi made it to the mats, dressed in his hakama, and ready to move forward with practicing. Though about halfway through his warm-up, he stumbled while trying to activate his speed again. And he was feeling....dizzy? Off. Something, something.... Nao still didn't know, but it was starting to take it's toll on him and he scooted across the mat to lean against the side wall and rest for a moment.

It was then that the bell to the front door chimed. Someone had come in. Was it a student? Or someone else? "Oss," he called out in greeting, trying to compose himself before they rounded the wall separating the dojo from the entryway.

[Lucas Blacke]

When he woke that morning he was not feeling right, and even more so than normal and not just because he had to get used to that house of his still. He felt like he missed something, so pretty much like normal but this time he was also feeling some sort of ennui. Something he couldn't quite confirm yet as something out of the norm as he felt something like that more often. He would soon figure out this was as much out of the norm as could be.

Still half awake he couldn't quite get his power to work as he still felt woozy as fuck, so he just took to doing things on his own accord. Which was good in a way as his body did not know how to handle the new surroundings. He would have to do his morning routine a few times and then he would be able to do it on automatic pilot. For now, there was no real need to use his power, not that it worked anyway.

But getting dressed.. he would want to use his power for something as mundane as that but found he wasn't able. At that moment he did think however that he was getting sick as he just wanted to go to bed. Quickly enough that feeling faded though and he decided to do things on his own accord. Shit was weird and odd to say the least.

After Lucas was dressed though he decided to go for a small workout which he now needed to do in the dojo. He did have a dummy and all but, eh.. memberships and all. He'd best make use of it. He'd been there before but never as a college student, it would be a fun experience. And he wouldn't have any issues as one of the martial arts he knew had fully bled through a while back and he was practicing a new one. Oddly enough he couldn't really remember any others.

As he opened the door to the dojo he got greeted by a voice that sounded oddly soothing to him. With the presence of the voice he felt his mood being lifted though, his eyes widening as with every step he could swear he felt happier for some odd reason. He'd never had that, certainly not with someone he failed to recognize in whatever way he was able. The only thing he was able to say is that it belonged to a male.

"Mornin'!" He yelled back as he entered the room the voice came from.

[Deleted]

The moment he heard that voice call from the other side of the wall, Nao was overcome with an unexplainable sense of…relief? As though he’d been holding his breath this whole time and was now finally allowed to take in the sweet, fresh air. Every sense of discomfort he’d been feeling up ‘til now had vanished complexly. And the strangest thing was….he couldn’t bring himself to think it was strange. No, it felt right.

Though that was enough to clue him in that there was something….not necessarily wrong, but simply amiss. Something that he didn’t know the answer to, at least not just yet. His mind was already trying to work out the kinks in this logic problem…if there was any logic there to begin with, that is.

Naozumi stood as the person came into the room…..instantly his mind was flooded with….him. What was his name? Lucas Blacke? Yes, Nao knew him, he was a student at Hammel and in the self-defense club until graduation, and now he came to the dojo on occasion…but Nao knew him much more than as just a classmate. And he couldn’t explain how he knew these things, some even private things, but the shorter Japanese boy held an affection….? No…a closeness to this person that was stronger than what he’d ever had with Ray.

Comforting, that was the word. Because while he would readily admit that this person was incredibly attractive(tall, dark hair, manly), Nao already knew that wouldn’t work out. Luke preferred women. Nao knew this. Luke knew he knew this. That they were connected, too. Nao felt no need to explain what was strange. So the next words out of his mouth was the one both of them no doubt wanted the answer to. “Why?” His face reflected his confusion, a light crease forming between his eyebrows and gaze fixated on the person in front of him.

[Lucas Blacke]

His mood instantly lit up as he saw Nao despite never having seen the guy before. Somehow he knew it did the same for him though, and while he wasn't able to see anything through the use of his ability he knew exactly what the guy was thinking. Kinda. Lucas knew this guy was gay and what he felt about the Texan but also knew that it was nipped in the butt without so much as a word. Lucas knowing about the orientation of Nao by just looking at him meant that the opposite was the same. It was the oddest thing what was happening though. Last time he felt this at ease around a guy was when he was at home with his uncle. So this was a huge leap forward.

Sadly what was happening was nearly everything he looked for in a girl. This closeness he knew the guy felt, the knowing what the other thought without speaking. Lucas dropped his bag on the floor and looked at the pair of confused eyes. ''Aye, why indeed.'' He replied calmly. This situation was weird to say the least though it felt so normal at the same time. He wanted to say that but he was sure the boy in front of him knew it already, they couldn't read minds but they didn't live on different levels, the only thing different was that Nao was at Hammel and Lucas was attending college. Which admittedly was a huge pain, or would be.

Wait, yeah, why? Why them and why now? Was his new house cursed or something? Best curse ever if it was. He suddenly returned the confused look though, shrugging as he spoke, ''Why do I know what you like?''

It was a question without answer.

[Deleted]

This connection that was going on between the two of them was comforting, yes, but starting to become awkward. How was it that Naozumi knew these things about Luke? Things that he couldn’t possibly know? And he could feel it, that Luke was regarding him very similarly. Nao grabbed his elbow in his awkwardness, unsure of how next to proceed. So he simply stood there on the mat, even forgetting his dojo etiquette, to bow a greeting to the student, until said student asked his own question of ‘why’.

“I don’t know,” he replied, though they both already knew that answer. Considering this occurrence, Nao was now wondering if it was a good idea to continue with class, or if he should excuse himself for the day. He was only an adjunct instructor anyway, they didn’t need him to continue with the class. The primary instructor would understand surely…wouldn’t he?

But what of Luke? “Do you want to stay?” For class, he meant. Or was it more important to take the time to figure out what was going on between them, first and foremost? This was one of those times when Nao was indecisive. What was the better course of action to take?

[Lucas Blacke]

Both people on the mat, both of them oddly connected through some sort of means which wasn't quite clear yet. All Lucas knew was that he was feeling amazing while he stood this close to Nao and the feeling died down a small bit when he attempted to step back a bit, was he suddenly gay and did he have feelings for this guy he had never seen before? No, that couldn't be it and Lucas would do everything he could to keep it like that. Last thing he wanted was top have his time with her be a waste, both for him and for her and he knew Nao understood that. For some weird reason he knew the guy understood almost everything. Who he was referring to without words, what he was going through.

A hand went up to his neck and he faked a smile, which was a bit harder to do now due to the loss of his power. ''I.. wanna take some time ta figure out what's goin' on.'' He replied at the question if he wanted to stay or not. He knew Nao taught here, but for some reason he was sure the guy would follow him and in all actuality Lucas was hoping the guy would come with him. Never before had he ever felt this around a man, yet he knew this one was taken.

He then shook his head. ''I ain't gay.'' He reassured himself out loud, almost knowing that Nao knew what was going on as he was sure the feeling was mutual. ''Are we related or somethin'?'' He asked as he turned his head and looked around the (for now) empty dojo.

[Deleted]

“Mmm,” he hummed with a slight nod. Nao thought that would be best too. To take some time out of their day to figure this out. To make sense of it. And besides, Nao felt it also. Even if one decided to stay and the other to go….no, that immediately was unfavorable to the Japanese boy. He didn’t understand why, but he knew he didn’t want to be separated from this person for any length of time. Even if they were, then as short a time as possible. “This is…inconvenient,” he voiced out loud.

Nao shook his head. “I don’t think so.” That was very unlikely, considering the obvious differences in their heritages. While there wasn’t anything wrong with that, it was a considerable stretch when Nao though about how unlikely it was that anyone from his extended family would be in America. And even then, the distance in their relation, if it were possible, shouldn’t create such….synergy? between the two boys. At least, that was Naozumi’s take on it.

Before Nao could say anything more, the sound of the door chime rang from beyond the wall. “Oss!” he called out on reflex. A similar greeting was offered back. He recognized it as the voice of one of the other assistant instructors. Nao turned to Lucas. “Why don’t you go out first. I’ll explain our departure to the instructor and follow when I’m done.” While he wasn’t comfortable with them being separated, that seemed like a reliable course of action considering their circumstances. Somehow…Nao didn’t want to advertise what had happened to them.

[Lucas Blacke]

A slight nod like the boy had done before conveyed his agreement to it being inconvenient and his agreement to words unspoken, but obviously thought. It being inconvenient though.. that was both a yes and a no now that Lucas thought about it. Maybe inconvenient with the timing but it felt anything but inconvenient to the Texan. Usually this level of right was only achieved by doing certain things with certain girls, something he hoped he was done doing. But to have this feeling around a guy.. and to have it last this long was a major respect point to the other boy, although a slight bit creepy.

''If we ain't related..'' Luke began in reply to the guy thinking they weren't related as he looked around a bit, hesitant in his motion and lacking the ability to make his movement fluid as he could have easily done before. Did he trade in his ability? For what? Would that even be possible? The only real different feeling was the feeling of joy he got from being near Nao. ''What.. do ya s'pose it is?'' He asked finally, knowing very well that any further thought on the subject would have to wait to keep potential people around them oblivious to what they were feeling.

And as odd as it was, Lucas would not even mind to be thought of as gay with Nao. It would upset some people around him, but he simply failed to care and actually saw it as a compliment to be able to date someone as good looking as him. ''Don't wanna leave ya behind though.'' He answered when Nao insisted he go out first to let him deal with the instructor.

Finally he let out a sigh and knew it was wasted effort to keep going against his wishes as they'd just meet up again soon after that what had to be done was done. ''I guess.. okay.'' He told Nao as he turned around, briefly looking back with a smile. ''I'll be right outside, 'kay? Try not ta take too long, aye?''

With every step he took he could feel the distance between them, and the pit in his stomach, growing larger.

[Deleted]

The timing, most definitely inconvenient. The situation itself…it was debatable, because while it didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable, Naozumi still could recognize the situation as being something that others might view as strange. Prior to now, the two of them had never hung out with one another, or even vaguely been on each other’s radar, but now…it simply seemed…wrong for them to be apart. And neither of them had an explanation for it, thus, neither of them would be able to explain it to anyone else who questioned it.

Nao shook his head, uncertain in how to answer Luke’s question. He didn’t know himself, simply that they were connected somehow. Though the idea that they might’ve traded in their powers for something else was an interesting one. “I haven’t been able to use my speed either,” he mentioned, aware that Luke was having the same difficulties with his power. Maybe there was some connection with that?

Though it was true, they’d have to wait a moment longer to discuss the situation further, as there was now someone else in the room and soon to be more following. “I know…” he replied, shifting his weight with the same discomfort. But they had to be smart about this. Patient. Naozumi had a lot of patience naturally, but even he was starting to feel a little antsy, especially as Luke started to move away from him. Nao nodded in his direction and watched Luke until he was out of his sight. Then, after a brief moment to keep himself composed, Nao approached the other instructor and offered an explanation for his sudden departure before the class had even begun. For their departure….

As expected, the person gave Nao a quizzical look, but didn’t question it further, just simply gave him a few words of well wishes. Naozumi offered a bow, then retreated to change from his hakama into his street clothes. By the time he returned to the main room, there was already a small crowd of students who had arrived while he’d been changing. Another nod goodbye and Nao finally was able to exit the building. The pit in his stomach had grown uncomfortably large throughout the ordeal, however, and he found himself immediately, desperately scanning the area in front of the dojo for his companion. When his eyes laid upon him, it was all Nao could do to not rush the other boy with an embrace. No, that wasn’t Naozumi’s style even for his closest of friends, not even Ray, not even his family. But the urge was still there. Instead, once close enough, Nao gripped a small tuft of his shirt with his fingers, as though he were a five-year-old child clinging to clinging older brother. “I’m back…” he announced softly. Now what did they do?

[Lucas Blacke]

Never before had he thought walking away from a guy would make him uncomfortable, never mind at his current situation where he had finally gotten to know his parents and had gotten money and a house from them on top of the feeling of family once more. Still Lucas failed to blame Nao, because he knew that missing someone this much was only a good thing, and he knew that the pit that was forming in his stomach was not just him so he could safely assume that the guy would go and find him, more so because they had just said that they would.

Still, the happy feeling from merely thinking about him kind of irked him as the only other person he has had that with was.. well, Lucas was sure Nao knew who it was. But as much as he found himself willing to complain he did kind of like the idea of being able to feel like he felt about a boy, even if it was on weird terms like feeling totally numb when away from someone. Wait, hadn't he seen a movie with feelings based on distance? He was sure he had, he just couldn't think of the title at the time.

Before the door swung open Lucas grew a smile when he felt a certain someone coming closer and, both out of surprise and fear, tried to push the smile back a bit. What scared him most beside smiling about a boy was the fact he knew he no longer had his ability, and this was a genuine smile because of it. So imagine his response when said boy gripped a piece of his shirt while whispering he was back. Lucas would have had the idea to jump back a bit or correct the guy and yank away his shirt, but when it happened he did nothing but throw an arm around him.

Instantly a few passing by teenagers looked at them and laughed. Called them both queer and asked who the bitch was and who was the butch.

''Really?'' Luke said in response, not feeling really insulted as he knew it wasn't true, but he knew Nao was gay and he took offense to the kids using his sexual desires as an insult. ''Am I allowed ta beat 'em up?'' He asked.

[Deleted]

Nao couldn’t believe he so naturally was clinging to this person. Luke. That was his name. It made him wonder if maybe they were some sort of ‘fated couple’ and the universe was trying to tell them this….though, the longer the two of them were around each other, the more Nao was thinking that no, this definitely wasn’t any sort of physical or romantic attraction between the two boys. There was certainly an attraction, but it wasn’t the same as the sort he had for Ray. At least he didn’t think so. It wasn’t like he had that much experience in matters of love and relationships, so he might be wrong. Though referring to Luke’s experiences, which were much different than his own, only left Naozumi even more confused.

Primarily that Luke’s experiences were something he could refer to, as if he’d experienced them personally.

Naozumi thought that maybe if he were a brighter person, if he didn’t have the tendency to completely miss details and clues as to what’s going on at any given point, then he might have been able to figure it out by now what had happened to them. Naozumi disliked that part of himself quite a bit, as it had caused quite a few misunderstandings in the past. The only thing he could think to do was shrug it off and accept it….which he was finding to be quite the chore, considering the situation was right there and didn’t seem to disappear or fade in the slightest. Naozumi was finding himself to be more irritated by his lack of understanding the situation than he normally would be, and that itself was disturbing as well.

The arm around his shoulder was welcome….only for a moment. Because even if they were comfortable with each other, Nao was still Nao, and Nao was not a touchy person in general, nor was he comfortable putting himself on display as a homosexual person. He frowned at the comments made by the passing teenagers, dropping his eyes to the floor and trying to find the will to pull away(which was incredibly hard to do, so he ended up just standing there anyway). “No,” he said in a steady, but cold voice. “You’re not allowed to hit someone unless they hit first,” he explained as though it were a rule they were both supposed to follow. Why both of them? That was just Naozumi’s personal rule, why did it makes sense for Luke to have to adhere to it too? Like if Luke broke it, then it would somehow mean that Nao did as well? “We should go,” he suggested, his voice still straining to be calm. Though he had no idea where they were going.

[Lucas Blacke]

..not allowed to hit people unless they hit first? What? Why? But for some reason he knew that Nao would say no to Lucas beating them up, but he figured it would be better to ask than just throw the first punch like how he lost Marnie, and he was sure Nao would appreciate that little detail even if it was never told. ''I know I know.'' He replied as he shook his head lightly and took his arm away from the shoulder it was resting on. ''Always th' pacifist, aye?'' He asked as if he had known this guy forever. He totally felt like he did anyway, but it was odd because while his gut told him stuff he wasn't supposed to know yet his brain was logically and maybe a bit overcome by confusion, adhering to the logic he had just met this guy today.

''But what if I make them hit me?'' He asked as a joke, though it did give him a few ideas. Getting people mad at him was kind of his specialty, so getting a few random hipsters to try and hit him so he could hit them back would be easy as all hell. Or he could just grab the fist of one and plant it into his own stomach. And though he knew that Nao wanted to ignore them and walk off, he was grateful he didn't and just stood in place and looked at the ground. While it sucked to have been told that he couldn't beat them up until they hit him first was disappointing, but for some reason the fact that Nao remained at his side was uplifting and gave him the strength to not walk over and bash in a few faces.

It kind of carried over, really. Normally when faced with those comments Lucas would have a snappy comeback, but right now he felt like ignoring them and almost moving on just to not have to hear them anymore. Not only because Nao suggested it but also because he was feeling quite different, and not only due to feeling close to Nao, but something else.. his reactions, or how he wanted to react to stuff.. he consciously knew it was not how he would normally respond.

''Where should we go?'' He knew it was a question he had an answer to already, but maybe he was trying to provoke those wanna be gangsters.. ''This is some shit we definitely need ta figure out.'' He corrected. ''So maybe some place quiet.. my house?''He suggested.

''An' Nao, don't let what they say bother ya.'' He turned his face to the almost out of sight teenagers and took a bit of a breath. ''They prob'bly 'ave daddy issues anyway!''

[Deleted]

“Well….” he muttered, uncertainly. It was definitely true that Nao didn’t encourage fighting. He knew it was wrong and he always did his best to avoid them when possible. But that didn’t mean he didn’t feel like teaching someone a lesson through his fists on occasion. Well, more than the occasion, it was quite often, though only towards bullies and people who tried to pick a fight with him first.

Though many times, bullies never threw the first punch. Or a punch at all. They’d just say their hateful things and be on their way. The next time you met, they’d do it again. Nao was more physically resilient than he was emotionally, to be honest. Whoever came up with that ‘sticks and stones’ rhyme must have had the emotional sensitivity of a rock. It made Nao so….so angry when people got away with being so excessively abusive like that.

That’s why, when Luke made his suggestion - to make them hit first - Naozumi didn’t say no. He’d been known to provoke bullies in his own way to make them hit first, just so he could have an excuse to lash out at them. He knew it wasn’t any more right of him to do so, but…. No, even Nao had his limits. “You can,” he replied, staring at the pair of teens with cold eyes. Nao took a slow breath, trying to turn his focus to something else.

“That might be best for the moment,” he agreed. “But it might be a good idea to ask a teacher if we can.” He was mostly just thinking out loud at this point. “If this is related to our powers, then one of them might know what’s going on,” he explained. But first, maybe a rest would be a good idea. This was becoming tiring to think about. Nao managed the smallest of smiles on his normally unexpressive face. “Thank you,” he said. At least he had someone around to support him. That was…really nice to have, especially right now.

He started walking in the direction of Luke’s house. And again, he found it odd that he already knew were it was…

[Lucas Blacke]

Even with his unspoken bond to Nao it took him a good moment to realize what he was talking about when he mentioned they should ask their teachers. Through all the commotion he had failed to realize that Nao was still attending Hammel, something Lucas was not anymore. Holy balls that would be a disaster, being away from him day after day. But anyway, the teachers the guy spoke of were probably Hammel teachers, and there might just have been a hint of logic in it. But it had been ages since Luke spoke to a teacher about anything power related. His own, and now gone, ability had been fully under control; there was no need to talk about it to any official.

Until now, obviously. While Lucas wouldn't ever talk to one of those Hammel people again he would suck it up if Nao wanted. After all the choice was simple, spend the rest of his days feeling like garbage as soon as Nao took a step away from him or end up actually knowing what was going on.

The walking away thing was what he did though, right after saying they should go to his house. By god if Luke was himself this would have been a bad porno. Shaking his head Luke finally turned around, ''Oi! Wait up!'' he shot forward when he hopped up and got beside the guy, instantly feeling a bit better now that he was right next to him. ''Aye, maybe.'' He replied to the teacher thing, ''though I dunno where ta start with that shit, like what ta ask an' stuff.'' It wasn't like he knew or anything, but he knew it didn't harm him so he figured it was okay. Lucas had always been one of those people who avoided talking to people about stuff if it went okay for him to avoid fucking it up for himself.

''An' sure,'' He answered with a smile and a nod when he noted mentally that they were walking in the direction of his house.

[Deleted]

The teachers would definitely know what happened…wouldn’t they? Yes, Nao was still attending Hammel and had adequate control over his power…though it wasn’t perfect by a long shot. Nao still went to training classes regularly for it. For this power of his that hadn’t been working since this morning. Combined with Luke’s not working either, Nao could only conclude that it just wasn’t there anymore. Granted, he did feel a bit of stimulation in himself, more noticeable when he was in proximity with Luke, as though he were a bit physically stronger and more alert in some respects….but it wasn’t the same as his what he felt with his super speed. Naozumi really wanted an answer to this.

Nao didn’t stop when Luke called out to him, but he did slow down his gait. Even without his power, Nao was used to walking quickly, his natural speed even faster now that his legs were much longer than when he’d first come to Hammel. Nao shook his head. “I don’t know either,” he admitted. “Perhaps if we just described the situation they’d have an idea?” That seemed like the best thing to hope for if they didn’t know what questions to ask in the first place.

He continued to walk forward, somewhat lost in his own thoughts….they were his own thoughts, weren’t they? Nao was often caught up in his head such that he was unaware of what was going on around him - his eyes were focused on the ground even as he continued to walk beside Luke - but it seemed like there was twice as much going on in his head than usual. That was only slightly disconcerting, especially since he didn’t seem to be losing much awareness despite it. No, in fact, he knew to sidestep and move aside from an obstacle in his path even while not looking ahead. He tested this theory further by closing his eyes as he walked with his head down, still encountering no problems. “This is interesting,” he commented. It was as if he were still seeing despite not seeing. That wasn’t his point of view, though. At least, he didn’t think so.