memearium | after vivarium

after vivarium

after vivarium!

It may have been weeks, months, or even years, but finally, everyone makes it out of the warehouse just fine. The authorities have broken in and let everyone out, or maybe the characters managed to escape on their own. Either way, Zero and Calhoun vanish without a trace and they still haven't been caught to this day. It's infuriating, but the important part is that they're now free. What exactly entrails after that ending though?

How to Play:
✖ Make a top-level comment, either blank or filled with some info/prose.
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✖ Done!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

*Snake was a master at keeping his real emotions in check whenever necessary. It was why he appeared quite calm when he was really rather nervous. It was not every day that you proposed, after all.*

Well, there's a restaurant at the very top. It is the sort of thing that tourists do but I thought you might enjoy it just once while you're here. In return I know I have to go to the Kyoto tower.

"Oh, so you're treating me to dinner, huh?" Well, in that case, Heiji was glad he'd decided to dress nicely. He'd felt a little foolish wearing a tie with all these touristy types around.

He gave Snake a quick kiss on the cheek, feeling rather warm all of a sudden.

Of course I am. *The sudden impulse for affection made Snake smile.* Some people won't be dressed up on top but a lot do to the restaurant. *He turned around to straighten Heiji's tie and smooth out his dress jacket.* You can get whatever you'd like. Afterward we can just admire the view before heading back.

"Yeah? Sounds nice." Heiji felt a little annoyed when Snake started on his jacket, sheesh Snake there were other people on this elevator, but... it was impossible to be too annoyed.

"Actually, I was kinda wondering when we'd get around to visiting this place, since ya talked it up earlier." He looked out the window, a little embarrassed. "...I didn't think you'd end up taking me up here."

And why not? You do plan on showing off Kyoto to me, aren't you? *Soon enough they arrived at the top, the SkyCity restaurant. Snake knew that the dress code was fancy to casual but even with casual attire, people looked nice. So they weren't out of place at all. They had a nice table all to themselves. Snake had a glass of wine to help calm his nerves.*

The restaurant rotates around gradually so you'll get quite the show.

It really was a nice view; Heiji appreciated it, even if Snake couldn't. "Well, it's just that ya said it's somewhere you'd take a date to impress them..."

Heiji smiled at Snake. "Anyway, it's Osaka first. Then Kyoto. Although if you stop to chat up any maiko, I'm not gonna go easy on you."

*Snake rested his chin on his hands and smiled. One of those very special smiles that was a prelude to more intimate activities.* I do hope I'm impressing you, then.

I imagine that because I cut such a dashing figure that they'll want to chat with me but I'll behave myself. I'll be with you, after all.

Oh, so that was it. Snake was softening him up for tonight, was he? Not that Heiji had any real problem with that. He ordered the bouillabaisse, then leaned over the table a bit, smiling.

"Well, if you wanted me to enjoy the view, why sit across from me? Now I'm just gonna be distracted all night."

Heiji, if I sat next to you, you'd find new definitions of the word distracting. *Snake felt the last rays of the setting sun across his closed eyelids. He'd ordered some planked salmon with a special blend of rice and a salad.*

So I'm only moderately distracting you.

"Wow, was that a threat?" Tsk, tsk, Snake, what were you thinking about in public?

Heiji sipped at his wine and looked out at the city skyline. "It is a really nice view, though. So... thanks for bringing me!" Clearly he was going to have to give Snake a little thank-you present later.

"Hey, did I tell you? Hershel says he's going for a professorship. That has a nice ring to it, don't it? 'Professor Layton'?"

It does, to be honest. He's so very patient with people so it makes him an excellent teacher. Was he thinking about archeology? *Would Hershel have to cut his hair to be a professor?*

I'm glad you like it. *Dinner was much better than he'd hoped from a place mostly catered toward tourists. Snake had had just enough wine to give him courage but not to be buzzed. He wanted to remember the next few minutes for the rest of his life.*

*He strolled with Heiji to the observation deck. He knew the glittering lights of an entire town lay at his feet.* I thought you might like one last little look before we go.

Heiji laughed. "Okay, I admit it. It is pretty nice to look at. Of course, the skyline from Tsuutenkaku is way more charming."

It was a bit unusual for Snake to be this conscientious about showing him around. But he enjoyed it nonetheless.

*Of course, Heiji would want to compare things. But that was exactly how Heiji worked and Snake would not have him any other way.* I'll have to take your word for it. Before we go however, I wanted to give you just a little present. Something to mark the occasion, if you will.

*Snake took a deep breath.* Heiji, you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I can honestly say that I'm a better person for having known you. So logically, one would want to stay with a person that makes them laugh, makes them think, makes them love and feel loved. So...Heiji?

What?

What...?

What was this all of a sudden? Heiji was in the middle of trying to figure out what had caused this sudden and uncharacteristic confession when Snake said his name.

"Y-yes?"

*Snake took one of Heiji's hands in both of his. In it he placed a small box. The kind that rings were kept in. While still holding Heiji's hand he very carefully knelt down on one knee. Snake faintly heard the sounds of other people on the sparsely populated observation deck murmur and squeak in surprise.*

Will you marry me?

"Y-you..." Heiji's face flushed at once; in his surprise, he almost dropped the box. "What are you..."

But that was what they'd been leading up to, hadn't it? Through college, through their trips between the States and Japan. The truth was, for the past few years, he hadn't even been entertaining the idea of life without Snake.

He bent down on one knee so that he was face to face with Snake, so close that Snake's bangs brushed against his cheek. Then he wrapped his arms around Snake's shoulders. "...Yes. I'll marry you, s-so quit getting down on your knees like that! You don't... you don't need to do that for me, okay?"

It's tradition, you lovely young man. *He squeezed Heiji tightly in response, feeling his eyes fill up with tears. He wasn't prone to being overly emotional but if there were a time to get emotional, he supposed proposing would do.* You make me so happy.

Jeez, Snake. Heiji leaned forward and kissed him deeply, completely disregarding everyone else on the observation deck. When he broke the kiss, his voice was little more than a whisper.

"...I think we should go somewhere we can be alone." He'd been planning to thank Snake for dinner, but this was something else entirely.

Of course. *Snake stood up, pulling Heiji with him and wiping at the corner of his eyes. He was startled with the sound of cheering by the remaining spectators on the deck. Well, nothing for it except to put an arm around Heiji's waist and smile, thanking everyone for their well wishes. When they got to the elevator, they were alone.*

Open up the box.

Heiji stood close to Snake, leaning his head up against Snake's shoulder as they rode the elevator down. Gosh, Snake, you and your public displays of affection. He hadn't ever thought... well, no, if he was honest with himself, he'd been thinking about it for a little while now, but...

He looked up as Snake spoke, face still a bit flushed. "Y...you didn't get me some flashy solitaire ring just to tease me, did ya? You know I don't like fancy jewelry..." He flipped open the box.

*For an engagement ring, it was quite simple. A thin band of silver that would fit his ring finger perfectly and not get in the way while having to do any of the ridiculous things Heiji would do on a detective job. Including manhandling perps and motorcycle riding.*

I thought we might go shopping together for proper wedding bands. I heard about a place that can cut designs into the metal so I thought perhaps they might also add braille to a ring.

Heiji slipped the ring on and threw his arms around Snake's shoulders, giving him a long, lingering kiss. Apparently, he liked the gift quite a bit. "Since you told me how you felt, I should do the same thing, right?"

"Truth is, I never really thought I'd get married to anyone. Cause it takes a lot of time and work. I always thought I'd be too busy for that kinda thing. But I really love you... and whenever we're away from each other, I can't stop thinkin' about how much I'd rather be with you. I don't care if we're different or if we fight sometimes still. I always wanna be with you."

I want to be with you too, Heiji. We can plan our wedding and then after that, I'm going to move to Osaka and we can live together. *He'd had a lot of time to think this over and he knew that someone was going to need to move. As Heiji lived and breathed Osaka, it became more obvious that Snake would have to make the leap to another country permanently.*

"You... are you really okay with that? I know how much your family means to you. And you like it here in the U.S., right? Even if ya visit a lot, it's a long trip."

In fact, even if Snake had wanted to remain in the U.S., Heiji would still... probably have spent a lot of time in Osaka. At least a few months a year.

Heiji, I know you. What you really want to do, more than anything, is be a detective in Osaka, right? So even though I do love my family very much, I want to be with you. *He smiled a little bit.* Why do you think I've been taking Japanese classes for so long? I knew there'd come a time when I'd have to move.

Aside from that, being in the physics field does mean moving around a lot to different positions. Even if we weren't dating, it's likely I'd move across the country or to Europe or somewhere else to fill a few posts until I wanted to settle down somewhere. The university in Osaka, so I've been told, is expanding its physics department so that will be where I work until they get tired of me. *Provided he could get the job, of course, but Snake planned on doing everything he could to make that happen.*

after vivarium

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