"Yeah." Rekker isn't surprised by the look on Isamu's face. Though he feels sorry for the kid, he did ask. "I'm not sorry for anything that I did."
Which kept him in the hospital longer and almost sent him to jail, his lack of regret or apology. Rekker put the cup down finally and then smiled, forced as it was. "Bjorn says that the scene in the rest of the world is better."
Which Rekker didn't believe but was trying to because there were, or well all the bands on the tour were Glam in some way. It was time to change the subject to anything else. He grasped for something funny or at least more lighthearted.
"I'm as surprised as everyone else that I'm dating a guy." He went back to Bjorn, to something current to yank himself out of his memories. "My inner asshole loves correcting the people that keep asking about my new girlfriend."
Bjorn was incredibly feminine and he could see the way casual observers would be mistaken. Rekker took great pleasure in watching the shock after correcting someone.
Isamu did ask. But at least he could squeeze a tiny bit of comfort out of the fact that you had to do some pretty horrendous and unspeakable things before Rekker would turn this remorseless rage upon you.
“Anything beyond what we have conditioned ourself or others to expect is surprising, yes.” Isamu nodded, thankful for the change of topic as well. “Informing our parents that Minoru was in a relationship, period, produced a similar sort of satisfaction. Though, I may have intentionally chosen a few words solely for their shock value… Papa did a literal spit-take with his tea.”
Isamu bringing home a date, usually a girl but sometimes an effeminate guy, was no surprise to anyone.
"I went from fist fights with Bjorn and only interested in women to dating him in a week? It was fast." Rekker didn't regret it at all but he was still shocked by his own behavior.
"I'm not talking to my family." Rekker took a drink and shrugged. "It would piss them off that I'm living instead of offing myself."
Then he starts to laugh. "Robert and Devon's reaction to coming over to find Bjorn half dressed on my couch was priceless."
That was definitely a quick change. Though, not an impossible one for Isamu to imagine.
“I informed our parents over dinner that my brother was not only dating, but had also slept with Ziggy - both entirely true statements, given proper context that I intentionally withheld.” Which was primarily that sleep was literal, and not the first thing that everyone’s minds jumped toward. “Priceless reactions are, by definition, priceless. Yes.”
Isamu had every right to be proud of that joke - given that Minoru had pulled the same one on him and he fell for it with the same cartoonish spit-take.
Rekker knew enough about the people around, and certainly about Ziggy, to get the idea of the joke that was pulled on people with the twist of language.
"I caused some shit like that a few concerts ago." Rekker started to laugh. "Dee outted me for being in a relationship on stage and this guy down front started screaming up to ask if my girlfriend had huge breasts."
He could see the desire to pick on people's misconceptions for sure. "The silence when I responded that my boyfriend didn't have any was like death."
“Of course, when Minoru played the exact same joke on me the first time, it was not nearly as humorous.” He replied, solely because it was at his expense. “But it was impressive that he was able to keep such a straight face the entire time. Had the circumstances not been what they were, I would have sworn he and Ziggy rehearsed the joke before Minoru delivered it. He may be asexual, but he is no idiot. He knew exactly what he was saying.”
"I'm sure it was hilarious." Rekker could only imagine the shock of that sort of unexpectedness from a brother. "When you want to tease your brother you are capable of amazing feats."
Rekker had done some things like this to Robert. "Of course he knew. I'm a little brother too. I know the game."
"There have been so many." Rekker couldn't help laughing because he knew he had driven his brother and Tom to the edge of thier wits over the years.
"Most recently..." Rekker glanced around to make sure none of the band members were around. "Bought Bjorn an engagement ring. One of the more pleasant shocks, I imagine."
If Rekker and Robert were anything like him and Minoru, the (sometimes playful, sometimes not) rivalry stretched way back into childhood. There would be quite a few hilarious moments.
“While that example may be quite the shock to many, I certainly hope, for Bjorn’s sake, that one is not a prank.”
"No more of a prank than your brother's claim." Rekker had seen the snuggling between Ziggy and the other twin and knew the prank was a play on words. Rekker obsessively carried the ring around in its box because Bjorn was nosy and he worried about him finding it.
"I don't know if me buying it or the size caused his eyes to get so wide." Either way, he had totally caught his brother off guard and that was what mattered.
Rekker was paranoid about too many, or rather too loud, people seeing it. After a moment he does pull out a lilac velvet box with 4 carat blue diamond ring..
"It's meant to be an ocean." The blues and swirls of platinum and silver. He offer Isamu the box to let him look.
Isamu was discreet. He opened the box beneath the table so as not to draw unnecessary attention, or make anyone think the wrong thing. His eyes widened, but probably not as much as Robert’s.
“That is quite an impressive ring.” He exclaimed softly. He closed the box, and discreetly passed it back. “Have you made plans on when and how you plan to propose?”
Love was clearly in the air. Isamu knew Mick had proposed to Ziggy already. Namely, because Minoru was incredibly excited about it, and about having a part, whatever that part might actually be, in his girlfriend’s special day.
"He likes colored diamonds and I like the ocean." Rekker was thoughtful about gifts when he could manage to give them. Sometimes his social anxiety got to him, like it was now. He did wonder if Isamu had the bracelet shoved in his face by Bjorn yet.
Rekker took it back and tucked the box away, silent for a long time before he sighs. "I'm not."
Rekker had the ring and had convinced himself not to actually give it to Bjorn. "It won't mean anything here or the UK. We can't get married."
Few people saw the rage Rekker had inside, at least during a civil conversation but it's there in tone and his eyes. He's furious with the state of things and that others are stopping him from doing what he wants.
Isamu nodded. It was a very thoughtful interpretation of the two of them joined together. He could appreciate that.
“It… would mean nothing? I do not under…” His voice trailed off, various comments from multiple individuals on what was socially acceptable in this particular world. “Is it because such things are frowned upon here? Or are there differences between your countries of origin?”
Mick and Ziggy were definitely getting married. Right?
Rekker sighed and wished he had an alcoholic drink right now even if he shouldn't be drinking at all. "We could in Sweden, maybe, but I'm dual US and UK citizen. It's not legal. As far as where I live I won't be married. If he moves here it would nullify it."
Not in thier mind but legally it would and that was what rubbed the guitarist the wrong way. If Rekker was religious like Vars things might be easier on him because something would remain that was meaningful. "I don't even think Sweden would recognize it because I'm a citizen where it's illegal."
Rekker's hands clenched up as the anger started to boil. He was furious. In general he hated other people dictating what he did but ruling over his life this way was too much. No amount of medication helped his mood even out when it came to this subject.
Isamu pursed his lips, silent for a few moments. In his world, that was not the case. While there still some countries that followed older religious or tribal traditions, the vast majority of the world’s powers had long since retreated from the ridiculous notion of legislating who one could love. He’d grown up in a world where the gay rights movement, like women’s rights and the civil rights movement, all happened before he was even born. (Before his parents were even born, technically.)
“That certainly complicates things.” He eventually replied. “How are Mick and Ziggy solving for this outdated legal lunacy? Could you not do something similar?”
Because while Ziggy was an Anthean female, on this world, he was officially considered male. So wouldn’t that couple be in the exact same boat as Rekker?
Rekker was trying not to seethe over the topic because the curiosity was natural. He knew that and it wasn't Isamu raising his ire anyway.
"I don't think they care about the legality." Rekker sighed and pushed his coffee mug and plate away roughly. "I'm older and suicidal sometimes. I'm going to die before Bjorn and I don't want him to have to deal with the legal shit to have access to what I own....or.." Rekker paused again to bite back the anger. ".. have him locked out of hospitals if I'm committed or some shit in the future."
These were all realistic issues for them as a couple that would be remedied by a legal marriage. The issues with the laws went beyond emotional and Rekker was notorious for grabbing onto something negative to obsess over it until he snapped.
“Hmmm…” Isamu hummed thoughtfully. Those kind of legal ramifications did make the situation infinitely more complicated.
Mick’s relationship with Ziggy was an entirely different kind of complicated. After all, if Ziggy were hospitalized, visitation rights and access to medical records would pale in comparison to the larger issue of him being a literal alien. Antheans might not even have a concept of a last will and testament. Isamu didn’t know.
There was also a lot about this world that Isamu did not know.
“Are there countries in this world where such a partnership is, without a doubt, legally recognized? How difficult would it be to set up residency in a new nation, or even obtain citizenship there?”
"I have to give up my citizenship in Britain." Rekker sighs but that was the minor part of the block.
"I could become a Swedish citizen if I live with my Swedish spouse for two years in my home country." The sarcasm is there, partially overshadowing the anger. Bjorn couldn't be his spouse so that part was already impossible. "Then I can move to Sweden with my Swedish spouse for another three years, apply for citizenship or residency, and then Sweden would recognize that we were a couple with rights."
But Bjorn couldn't be his spouse in his own country, or here in the states, so he was at a blockade. Rekker hated feeling pinned in by things out of his control. "The other Scandinavian countries are seven or ten years residency."
Rekker started drumming on the table anxiously. He'd be fifty before he could marry Bjorn anywhere and have it matter at this rate. He wanted to get up and throw the table he was sitting at but he didn't. It took all his willpower. "It wouldn't be recognized in the states if we moved back."
Isamu hummed as he nodded. Rekker had done considerable research into the topic, which was not surprising. What was surprising, however, were the results - but that boiled down to a lot of differences between their worlds.
Where Isamu came from, same sex marriage had been legal in his country for decades. And the path to citizenship was closer to a three to five year process, depending on the situation. He remembered doing research on the topic back when he and his brother turned 22. Because their parents maintained their Japanese citizenry (and only lawful permanent residency in the United States), they had to technically abide by Japanese law to either choose their nationality or retroactively lose it. It was far simpler to check the box on the latter, so to speak, so they both sent their letters and declared their intent to remain U.S. citizens.
“Citizenship laws are complicated…” he commiserated. “And unfortunately, Mama and Papa were already married when they applied for visas to study in America. And they both received independent employer sponsorship, Papa as a biomedical engineer and Mama as a clinical engineer. So even if we were in the same world, the situations are rather different.”
Rekker was in quite a pickle.
He couldn’t even suggest the Nexus. While they could undoubtedly get married there, interdimensional law (if such a field even existed) was definitely not his forte.
Rekker was only partially paying attention to Isamu while his thoughts absorbed his attention for a moment.
"My brother suggested I turn my clout, fame and money on the British government." The Brit was considering it more and more every day. Waging war on his own government wasn't what he wanted to do but his rage was not calming over time. No amount of therapy or medication was helping either.
His mind was rolling Isamu's words over and over in his mind before he glanced over at his breakfast companion. "HUh.... I wonder if Ziggy would leverage his lawyers for me?"
Now Rekker is starting to think like he does when he goes into a barfight. What were his resources, who needed to die, and how he could win. Even if he could pull the strings on the government it might take years and Rekker was not a patient man with most things. He wasn't any less angry but he was starting to focus which would be better for everyone else when it kept him from imploding randomly.
“Actually, if you are unable to abide by an unjust law, working to actively change that laws could be a worthwhile endeavor. There may be loopholes too, that a lawyer may know and the layperson may be unaware of.”
Honestly, given the chaos that Tom vented about on the regular, and the things he and Ziggy had to hide at all costs, the lawyers they kept on retainer had to be some of the best in the world. If anyone could help on that front, they probably could.
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carisma_sensei
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Date: 2022-02-15 01:26 pm (UTC)Isamu could fill in the vulgar details between the lines quite well. And that explanation needed no further elaboration.
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Date: 2022-02-15 01:38 pm (UTC)Which kept him in the hospital longer and almost sent him to jail, his lack of regret or apology. Rekker put the cup down finally and then smiled, forced as it was. "Bjorn says that the scene in the rest of the world is better."
Which Rekker didn't believe but was trying to because there were, or well all the bands on the tour were Glam in some way. It was time to change the subject to anything else. He grasped for something funny or at least more lighthearted.
"I'm as surprised as everyone else that I'm dating a guy." He went back to Bjorn, to something current to yank himself out of his memories. "My inner asshole loves correcting the people that keep asking about my new girlfriend."
Bjorn was incredibly feminine and he could see the way casual observers would be mistaken. Rekker took great pleasure in watching the shock after correcting someone.
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Date: 2022-02-15 06:20 pm (UTC)“Anything beyond what we have conditioned ourself or others to expect is surprising, yes.” Isamu nodded, thankful for the change of topic as well. “Informing our parents that Minoru was in a relationship, period, produced a similar sort of satisfaction. Though, I may have intentionally chosen a few words solely for their shock value… Papa did a literal spit-take with his tea.”
Isamu bringing home a date, usually a girl but sometimes an effeminate guy, was no surprise to anyone.
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Date: 2022-02-15 07:02 pm (UTC)"I'm not talking to my family." Rekker took a drink and shrugged. "It would piss them off that I'm living instead of offing myself."
Then he starts to laugh. "Robert and Devon's reaction to coming over to find Bjorn half dressed on my couch was priceless."
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Date: 2022-02-16 12:25 pm (UTC)“I informed our parents over dinner that my brother was not only dating, but had also slept with Ziggy - both entirely true statements, given proper context that I intentionally withheld.” Which was primarily that sleep was literal, and not the first thing that everyone’s minds jumped toward. “Priceless reactions are, by definition, priceless. Yes.”
Isamu had every right to be proud of that joke - given that Minoru had pulled the same one on him and he fell for it with the same cartoonish spit-take.
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Date: 2022-02-19 02:50 am (UTC)"I caused some shit like that a few concerts ago." Rekker started to laugh. "Dee outted me for being in a relationship on stage and this guy down front started screaming up to ask if my girlfriend had huge breasts."
He could see the desire to pick on people's misconceptions for sure. "The silence when I responded that my boyfriend didn't have any was like death."
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Date: 2022-02-19 03:24 pm (UTC)“Of course, when Minoru played the exact same joke on me the first time, it was not nearly as humorous.” He replied, solely because it was at his expense. “But it was impressive that he was able to keep such a straight face the entire time. Had the circumstances not been what they were, I would have sworn he and Ziggy rehearsed the joke before Minoru delivered it. He may be asexual, but he is no idiot. He knew exactly what he was saying.”
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Date: 2022-02-22 07:43 pm (UTC)Rekker had done some things like this to Robert. "Of course he knew. I'm a little brother too. I know the game."
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Date: 2022-02-23 12:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-02-23 12:58 pm (UTC)"Most recently..." Rekker glanced around to make sure none of the band members were around. "Bought Bjorn an engagement ring. One of the more pleasant shocks, I imagine."
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Date: 2022-02-23 01:10 pm (UTC)“While that example may be quite the shock to many, I certainly hope, for Bjorn’s sake, that one is not a prank.”
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Date: 2022-02-23 01:25 pm (UTC)"I don't know if me buying it or the size caused his eyes to get so wide." Either way, he had totally caught his brother off guard and that was what mattered.
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Date: 2022-02-23 05:57 pm (UTC)“Do you have it with you? I must admit I am rather curious now.”
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Date: 2022-02-23 06:14 pm (UTC)"It's meant to be an ocean." The blues and swirls of platinum and silver. He offer Isamu the box to let him look.
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Date: 2022-02-24 01:06 pm (UTC)“That is quite an impressive ring.” He exclaimed softly. He closed the box, and discreetly passed it back. “Have you made plans on when and how you plan to propose?”
Love was clearly in the air. Isamu knew Mick had proposed to Ziggy already. Namely, because Minoru was incredibly excited about it, and about having a part, whatever that part might actually be, in his girlfriend’s special day.
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Date: 2022-02-24 01:49 pm (UTC)Rekker took it back and tucked the box away, silent for a long time before he sighs. "I'm not."
Rekker had the ring and had convinced himself not to actually give it to Bjorn. "It won't mean anything here or the UK. We can't get married."
Few people saw the rage Rekker had inside, at least during a civil conversation but it's there in tone and his eyes. He's furious with the state of things and that others are stopping him from doing what he wants.
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Date: 2022-02-24 06:29 pm (UTC)“It… would mean nothing? I do not under…” His voice trailed off, various comments from multiple individuals on what was socially acceptable in this particular world. “Is it because such things are frowned upon here? Or are there differences between your countries of origin?”
Mick and Ziggy were definitely getting married. Right?
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Date: 2022-02-24 06:39 pm (UTC)Not in thier mind but legally it would and that was what rubbed the guitarist the wrong way. If Rekker was religious like Vars things might be easier on him because something would remain that was meaningful. "I don't even think Sweden would recognize it because I'm a citizen where it's illegal."
Rekker's hands clenched up as the anger started to boil. He was furious. In general he hated other people dictating what he did but ruling over his life this way was too much. No amount of medication helped his mood even out when it came to this subject.
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Date: 2022-02-25 12:38 pm (UTC)“That certainly complicates things.” He eventually replied. “How are Mick and Ziggy solving for this outdated legal lunacy? Could you not do something similar?”
Because while Ziggy was an Anthean female, on this world, he was officially considered male. So wouldn’t that couple be in the exact same boat as Rekker?
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Date: 2022-02-26 02:25 pm (UTC)"I don't think they care about the legality." Rekker sighed and pushed his coffee mug and plate away roughly. "I'm older and suicidal sometimes. I'm going to die before Bjorn and I don't want him to have to deal with the legal shit to have access to what I own....or.." Rekker paused again to bite back the anger. ".. have him locked out of hospitals if I'm committed or some shit in the future."
These were all realistic issues for them as a couple that would be remedied by a legal marriage. The issues with the laws went beyond emotional and Rekker was notorious for grabbing onto something negative to obsess over it until he snapped.
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Date: 2022-02-28 05:56 pm (UTC)Mick’s relationship with Ziggy was an entirely different kind of complicated. After all, if Ziggy were hospitalized, visitation rights and access to medical records would pale in comparison to the larger issue of him being a literal alien. Antheans might not even have a concept of a last will and testament. Isamu didn’t know.
There was also a lot about this world that Isamu did not know.
“Are there countries in this world where such a partnership is, without a doubt, legally recognized? How difficult would it be to set up residency in a new nation, or even obtain citizenship there?”
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Date: 2022-03-06 04:28 am (UTC)"I could become a Swedish citizen if I live with my Swedish spouse for two years in my home country." The sarcasm is there, partially overshadowing the anger. Bjorn couldn't be his spouse so that part was already impossible. "Then I can move to Sweden with my Swedish spouse for another three years, apply for citizenship or residency, and then Sweden would recognize that we were a couple with rights."
But Bjorn couldn't be his spouse in his own country, or here in the states, so he was at a blockade. Rekker hated feeling pinned in by things out of his control. "The other Scandinavian countries are seven or ten years residency."
Rekker started drumming on the table anxiously. He'd be fifty before he could marry Bjorn anywhere and have it matter at this rate. He wanted to get up and throw the table he was sitting at but he didn't. It took all his willpower. "It wouldn't be recognized in the states if we moved back."
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Date: 2022-03-06 05:53 pm (UTC)Where Isamu came from, same sex marriage had been legal in his country for decades. And the path to citizenship was closer to a three to five year process, depending on the situation. He remembered doing research on the topic back when he and his brother turned 22. Because their parents maintained their Japanese citizenry (and only lawful permanent residency in the United States), they had to technically abide by Japanese law to either choose their nationality or retroactively lose it. It was far simpler to check the box on the latter, so to speak, so they both sent their letters and declared their intent to remain U.S. citizens.
“Citizenship laws are complicated…” he commiserated. “And unfortunately, Mama and Papa were already married when they applied for visas to study in America. And they both received independent employer sponsorship, Papa as a biomedical engineer and Mama as a clinical engineer. So even if we were in the same world, the situations are rather different.”
Rekker was in quite a pickle.
He couldn’t even suggest the Nexus. While they could undoubtedly get married there, interdimensional law (if such a field even existed) was definitely not his forte.
no subject
Date: 2022-03-06 06:15 pm (UTC)"My brother suggested I turn my clout, fame and money on the British government." The Brit was considering it more and more every day. Waging war on his own government wasn't what he wanted to do but his rage was not calming over time. No amount of therapy or medication was helping either.
His mind was rolling Isamu's words over and over in his mind before he glanced over at his breakfast companion. "HUh.... I wonder if Ziggy would leverage his lawyers for me?"
Now Rekker is starting to think like he does when he goes into a barfight. What were his resources, who needed to die, and how he could win. Even if he could pull the strings on the government it might take years and Rekker was not a patient man with most things. He wasn't any less angry but he was starting to focus which would be better for everyone else when it kept him from imploding randomly.
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Date: 2022-03-06 08:44 pm (UTC)Honestly, given the chaos that Tom vented about on the regular, and the things he and Ziggy had to hide at all costs, the lawyers they kept on retainer had to be some of the best in the world. If anyone could help on that front, they probably could.
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