Well, they ARE bird legs in the end. He has always been a beanstalk for as long as I've known him.
Something strapless... [Encouraging Akira seems to be a terrible, terrible idea. But on the other hand it'd give Douman a wealth of things to laugh at while the Doctor is happening to others. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions~ ] You know, there was actually a rather famous male doctor who's wearing things like that in human pop culture. Maybe you could take him as a reference?
I can't believe that you've never heard of Doctor F. N. Furter from Transylvania. Now that I'm recalling it, I think that he has even researched in a similar direction as you're doing with your nurses. I bet that you could learn a lot from each other.
[Rest of the world, you're welcome. He'd going to get the popcorn and find himself a good seat.]
[ It's a good half hour before Douman gets a message again. Way too long to have just looked up some pictures, but knowing Akira he had to read everything he found too. ]
Principal, that's still so much leg! I do like the pearls, that feels like a classy touch.
Buuut now I'm wondering what exactly you think it is I do with my nurses.
Don't worry, you are a professional, right? If one approach doesn't work for a patient, then you'll just have to find another that comes to a similar result.
As for the nurses: that's for me to know and you to find out
[That Akira has a bad habit of animating the death and *ahem* 'creating' his nurses himself is as much of an open secret as some of their good doctor's other bad habits are. What Douman thinks about those things is something he won't share unless you pay him in cash and advance, though.
Unfortunately for all, the time Takahashi took for his research was enough to let Douman come up with a terrible plot of his own.]
Actually, I've got the perfect time and place in mind, should you be up to put Furter's methods to a practical test. I'll even be generous and toss a little 'extra' that's right up your alley in with it if you do.
[Well, then. That's probably as good as it gets with their 'good' doctor.
It takes a couple of minutes, but then Douman suddenly wafts into existence right next to Akira's ear, leaning close to whisper the sultriest proposal of them all into his ear: ]
You want to study one of the former humans that Ranmaru-kun turned into youkai, right? What if I tell you that you can have one whose transition process has finished not too long ago? And that you could "look" at them for as long and intensely as you'd like?
[ Oh! Hello there! If he was just gonna come over for a chat Akira would have put on some tea or--
Ah.
Memories come rushing back. Sure he'd managed to catch up to sensei months later with a little help, but out in the open like that tengu are slippery little buggers. He'd chased and chased to no avail, left with only an ever-increasing number of questions he wanted answered so, so badly. Just how different are they from a natural born youkai? Their vision? Their bone density? What was growing their wings like for the first time?
Douman can no doubt see the gears turning in his head, faster than a limited, corporeal body can register and react. It takes a good few moments before wide yes turn to the mask, needing a particularly hard swallow before he can speak again, ]
No tricks this time, right? I get to keep them for a full examination...?
Sometimes it warms his black little heart how easy his subordinates (and associated) can be.]
No tricks besides the usual limits: you can't keep them from living their daily lives, no lasting damage or marks, and you have to properly reassemble anything you're taking apart.
Done! [ Said without even missing a beat. He's been on that leash long enough that it hardly ever bothers him anymore, he can stay on it for an "officially sanctioned" examination of something so rare.
Can't control his excitement enough to keep his hands to himself either, going to grab at one of Douman's, but if he just phases through as per usual it's fine. He's too far into his own little world to care. ]
You won't regret this! I'll even give you a full write-up of everything I discover, won't leave a single nook or cranny unchecked! Aaaah, Principal, you're so good to me...!
It's a deal, then. [He startles a little at the touch and offers the excited dodomeki a smile even as Douman suppresses a shiver because he sure just sold himself to that madman.
He would have thought longer about it if getting a proper examination again hadn't been on his agenda down the road anyway, now that it's become glaringly obvious that even the last bits of his humanity are gone. (Getting burned by Haruaki's anti-youkai powers was one thing, but failing to hold Byakko down for more than a couple of minutes had been alarming the more he'd thought about it.) Hopefully Akira won't mind getting a nurarihyon rather than a tengu.
....Haruaki better reeeaaaallly appreciate the things Douman does just to pay him back for forcing him into that damn sailor uniform.]
You're welcome. You've always been nothing than good to us as well, after all. [gulp] A-and I'd like to see these results very much. Since I've got something of a personal interest, you could say...-
[ Visions of bird x-rays are indeed already dancing in his head. He'll switch gears just fine once the truth comes out, but for now he's bouncing on the balls of his feet, squeezing Douman's hands between his own like a child who's just been given a pony. ]
Ooooh, a personal interest? You can always sit in on the examination if you like! We still have to keep everything sterile and safe of course, but you'd never have to worry about getting in the way!
[ As if to illustrate, eyes pop out onto the backs of his hands, immediately rolling to look up at Douman. Or maybe Akira's just getting too excited--a few more are lining his arms now by the looks of it. ]
I can behave myself, no worries. And it'd be pretty hard for a nurarihyon to get in the way unless I want to.
[It's a useful little skill that has already made a lot of unsuspecting enemies (and other people) fall. The irony of him having died and become an ayakashi while being locked up and bound just to end up with an ability that will let no longer be caught doesn't elude him, just as the part about his twisted presence for others doesn't.
He meets the extra-eye's gaze cooly at first, even lowkey attempting to stare them down, but finally it becomes too much.]
Uh, Akira-kun? Why are you popping eyes at me?
[don't tell him he's already noticed something about him is different?]
[ The eyes close one by one as his breathing slowly starts to steady, though he doesn't let go of Douman's hands just yet. Too fond of physical contact. ]
I do. [Anybody else, and he'd have taken his hand long back. But with Akira it's usually the best to just wait until something else grabs the dodomeki's attention.]
So how should we do it? I definitely want you to do the Furter research during our next culture festival. But when do you want to do your research?
[ If Douman's alright being pulled along, only one hand will let go so Akira can fetch his phone from the small table next to his reading chair. A pro to catching him in his study, a lot of the things currently demanding his attention are well within reach. A con is having to watch your step around over a hundred year's worth of book piles.
Scroll, scroll, let's see... ]
Usually my mornings are pretty booked up, and I keep some openings in the evening in case of emergencies--a lot of people like to get their appointments out of the way both early in the day and early in the week, it's actually pretty neat to look into! So our best bet is sometime in the afternoon around Thursday or Friday.
Exactly! Maybe not the candles, open flames could be dangerous, but...I treat my inpatients with utmost care! It may as well be a lovely little vacation for them.
Ooh, you could even tell them that if they start getting cold feet?
[ Takahashi Akira, a man with an absurd amount of money who could very easily do that...laughs at the idea. ]
That's going a little overboard, don't you think? Besides, sending someone who will no doubt have fresh stitches somewhere with a pool would just be mean.
[His idea is sounding worse and worse the longer they keep talking, but he's already in for it now. All he can do is to try and limit the damage in advance.]
[ In all honesty, the fear came and went pretty often.
Of course he's afraid. He's alone somewhere out on the ocean in the hands of criminals who apparently know enough of their stuff to not only know what a youkai is but to have an anti-magic talisman on hand. Whether they knew exactly what he is or not, they decided to get the most bang for their buck and double it as a blindfold, which felt like adding insult to injury. He can't grow any new eyes, can't use his strength, couldn't even take the damn thing off himself if he could get out of these bindings, and he can't look around at his jail like a normal human being would! Ugh.
But what's been getting him the most is the boredom. He's received only a few visits from the same few people, and none of them have been too entertaining to talk to. He can tell there are more people around, the sound of voices and footsteps are common enough to hear from outside, but they're too muffled to make out any actual words so he'd have something, anything for mental stimulation other than running through the same few thought experiments on getting out over and over and over and over...
--Noise. A single pair of footsteps approaching. Not immediately something to get excited over, but they just keep getting closer until they're at what he's assumed is the doorway and it finally opens.
Must be time for another check in. Boring as they usually are, he can't help but perk right on up at something tangible to pay attention to. ]
Hello! Good--ah, is it afternoon or evening? Been getting hard to tell.
[Fear's good. Fear's well-deserved, considering how dangerous the Great Lake is in the first place, let alone the sort of bastards who travel her many varied waters and zones, all full of their own time-limited punishments.
But that's not a worry for Akira. Not the Waves of the Great Lake, no; the Twinhook Pirates would've been long gone if they couldn't fucking move before their time ran out. Maybe the reek of guests come before him might add an edge, the scraps of those not cared for enough to cough up exorbitant amounts of ahn or ignored completely. The way the whole place seems to sway and groan, containers on containers like their own little city all stinking and rusting and damp.
Or maybe it's just the fact that he can't fucking do anything, and there's indeed a pair of well-heeled boots tick-tacking towards his container. The door gets slid open with a long-suffering grunt, fresh air and light streaming in to alleviate all that metal-rotten stench, before it disappears just as quickly.]
Hey hey~ [Yeah this one uses tildes a bit. Love to remember that all of a sudden when I reread his dialogues.] Honoured guest. It's afternoon, yeah? Not that that matters to you, I suppose.
[The boots tick-tack ever closer, at a faster clip; it's not often that the first mate gets to actually get his hands dirty these days, with how he's stuck doing the pirate equivalent of paperwork most of the time. In fact, probably the one time Akira's heard this voice was when he was nabbed in the first place and restrained at all; the cold blade of a hook prosthesis at his nape, a pistol pressed to his temple, and the same bored, lilting tone.]
Negotiations haven't started yet. Bit sad for you, isn't it? Thought that, since my lads are busy, I'd come and make sure our accommodations are to your liking. Since you're an extra special guest and aaaall~ You comfy? You good? Hungry, sore, thirsty? If you need to piss, there's nothing I can do about that, unless you're real brave.
[Then there's the tell-tale squeaking sound of leather right up close; Gregor's squatting beside Akira now, breath thick with exotic tobacco nabbed off another unfortunate guest and the tip of that ice cold hook dragging against the metal floor.] You feeling brave?
[ Ah yes, he remembers this voice. Someone very important, judging by his coming in alone and the smell of nice tobacco on his breath. (Hm. What he wouldn't give for a smoke right now too.) Someone dangerous. If this one's going to be coming back at all it'd be a good thing to get a few tests in on their patience for chit chat.
With a shrug and a demonstrative tug at his wrists, ] I am feeling sore, if we're being honest with each other.
[ Completely genuine. Not as lackadaisical as he might normally sound, but not quite like he's talking to someone who could end his life on a whim--it's moreso the average caution of talking to any kind of authority figure. ]
Though I don't suppose there's much you can do about that either, huh?
Fair 'nuff. My lads, they don't prioritise comfort when it comes to tyin', just security. Can't have you runnin' around here blind, can we? And we do need you blind.
[Heh heh horf. A little joke between pals, of course.] Just means you'll have more to thank your family or whoever for when they cough up, doesn't it? You can kiss their feet, thank 'em for getting your wrists all freed up. It'll be reeeeaaal heartwarming~
[Then he's quiet for a second or two, looking over his shoulder as if he'll get sprung for having too much fun, before turning his attention back to his guest and tapping the tip of his hook against one of Akira's thighs. Not a horny gesture, at least not for now, just meant to see if he'll jump.]
What would you give up if you could get outta here right now, I wonder? Both hands? Just for the sake of conversation, mind.
I don't know, watching me run around could make for some good entertainment.
[ Well, a sharp metal point certainly isn't a sensation he's expecting. So despite how calm and unbothered he'd like to seem both for his captor and himself, it does get a flinch out of him. At least he knows it's there now...? ]
For the sake of conversation...hm.
[ He takes a minute to give the question some actual thought, whether it's another intimidation tactic or not. Conversation is conversation at this point and he's taking it. ]
Might, but I'll leave that sort of entertainment to the lads. They need motivation to work harder on our businesses, y'see? And they just won't loosen up around me somehow.
[Tap tap tap.] Maybe they'll be fine with me takin' one of your legs, though. Just think...You could get a real neat prosthetic one instead. Maybe even a peg leg. Heard talk of a captain who has one of those, and she's real fierce.
But then again, having a prosthesis never stopped me from being good at my job. Made me better, actually~ Doncha agree? Didn't you just wanna be the best guest ever when we met?
You weren't this polite when we met. [ It comes out before he can think better of it, but. He's here now. Nothing to do but roll with it.
Even if he is very aware of the hook still at his thigh. It could be sharp enough to cut through such a dense piece of flesh with enough force, but it wouldn't get through the bone in one go. Once again despite himself, he swallows hard at the thought.
Smile still on his face. ]
I think I've been a good guest, though. Haven't been noisy, haven't made a mess...I think that could be worth leaving all my limbs intact.
[Never mind the hook, he's going to lash out with his hand and grip Akira's face in it, squeezing at his cheeks and snorting to himself. Mush mush.]
You know what makes a good guest, in my eyes? One who's in 'n out. One who's got folks who care enough to pick 'em up before they outstay their welcome. Even if you got outta this here container...Where are you gonna go? We're out in the middle of nowhere, constantly moving. You wouldn't be able to escape the Waves if you just jumped off the side.
Really, I'm bein' very polite, letting you come with us all safe 'n sound when we could use you for mermaid chum all limbs 'n pieces, really earning your keep some. Don~cha~ agreeeeeee?
[ Alright, approaching the limit on the tolerance of nonsense. Good to know.
Instinct is really clashing with good sense here. He's flung himself into plenty of dangerous situations, but those risks have all been calculated somewhere he knew he'd get out relatively fine. This man just repeated what he's always come back to in those thought experiments he'd been occupying himself with: if he got out, freed his hands and his eyes and yanked that door open, where would he even go?
That's the most frustrating part, not necessarily the manhandling. It's what brings up the hint of a decidedly inhuman growl under his words when he answers as best he can while being so impolitely squeezed. ]
When put like that, yes. You've been a wonderful host thus far.
[ He could bite, says instinct in the back of his mind. May not be able to hold this guy down but he could very easily bite that hand if it doesn't let go. ]
Thanks~ Glad to hear you understand. Some people don't, keep screaming, make it unpleasant for everyone. Not what we want, is it? Not an easy transaction.
[Thankfully, he lets go of Akira's face; his point's been made, and clearly it's only serving to piss the cargo off anyway. Pointless to push further in that direction, even if he keeps idly snagging his hook in Akira's pantsleg instead. Just ruining the cloth without truly tearing it.]
...Hey. My lads been treating you well? I won't be mad if y'say yes, of course. I want you all hunky-dory when you leave, and I can't have anyone breaking pretty porcelain behind my back.
Ahhhh, good, good. We only have abooouuut...Five guests right now, barring yourself, but like I said; you're special. Maybe they're worried that I'll get upset with 'em if they go playing with you~ Or...
Maybe they're scared of you, too. [That? That sounds less bored, more thoughtful. It's also underscored by the sound of Gregor's boots scooting, his leather pants squeaking, the heat and faint pressure of his knees bracing either side of Akira's. Not quite a straddle, he's not looming enough to do that, but it's pretty fucking close.]
But you're pretty chatty, so I think we're getting along great~
[ Said as Gregor's no doubt face to face with that talisman and the thick, confident strokes of its characters. Somehow it's sticking right on to Akira's face with no help, as if magnetized or glued or something, but that? That's just silly.
The talisman's taken a backseat in Akira's mind for a second, though, because this is an unexpected development. He is chatty, and so is his captor, and his desperation for any kind of mental or physical stimulation is enough to keep him going despite the fact he probably should have taken a cue from his other visitors and shut up a while ago. ]
I'm glad you think so. Your men don't seem to appreciate it nearly as much.
[ Instead here he is, not minding the situation as much as he should so long as someone, anyone is here sitting and talking with him. ]
Right! Just a sweet little pussycat, you. But they're a bit edgy after they do their rounds 'n report in, and it's oooonly been since you've been here. Funny, I think. Funny stuff.
[Gregor's quiet for a good few seconds then, clearly chewing on a thought. Especially if the way he takes his hook to the floor instead to tap a little rhythm is anything to go by.]
Sorry about the lads. They're real uptight sometimes, but you...I like you. You're my favourite guest thus far, I reckon. You like ice cream? Perfume? Maybe I'll send you off with a few gifts as my thanks, once negotiations are through.
[ What he wouldn't give to see those gears turning instead of just hearing them, having one more clue as to what's going on inside this man's head. Is he suspicious of Akira? Of the men? How much do the grunts know about what he is, come to think of it... ]
Your favorite? My, that has to be some pretty high praise from someone like you.
[ A little more leeway for nonsense has been given, it seems, so he tilts his head just-so. Perfect angle for batting one's eyelashes if the circumstances were different. ]
You think so? I think you're not a gibbering fool pissing himself 'cause I'm this close, but you're not disrespectful either~ A fine balance, that. Get too lippy, I might get upset and take all that good opinion back. But go boring, and I'll just leave.
[Another fragrant tobacco-puff, not quite right in Akira's face but too close for comfort all the same, before Gregor goes tapping the curve of his hook, flat side up, against his chin as if holding something precious on a plate.]
Must be a real pain, not bein' able to see so good. Don't suppose that tall tale about other senses makin' up for one lost is true, is it? Heh.
I do have a reputation for being lippy, but I'll do my best to remember my manners for such a gracious host.
[ Oh, hello. He's in the middle of scrunching his nose when cold metal's suddenly close to his throat and he automatically follows its nudges upward. Baring it to further danger, he's belatedly aware, but what is he gonna do? Take it?
And then a question is asked and the smile's right back on his face. ]
It is. Your brain naturally takes up the space it isn't using for an extended period of time, even if the change isn't permanent.
Atta boy. As my thanks for such good behaviour, I'll do you better 'n most guests. Three strikes of being too lippy, then you're out. How's that sound?
[The hook turns suddenly to press the sharpened tip against the soft, tender skin spanning under Akira's jaw, though whether it's in response to his smile or simply as a natural transition, it's hard to say. Gregor's revelling in having his expression hidden like this, able to smirk and leer all he wants without losing or gaining unnecessary ground for it.]
Might even try to make your transition back out into the sunshine a little easier on those eyes of yours, should it come to that. Hopin' it does, for our sakes~
Hey. [A sudden thought, a beat, the smell of that same expensive tobacco and leather.] You a smoker?
[ Cold, dangerous metal sliding across his skin steals a shiver out of him, more than he'd even admit to himself in this situation.
Listen. He hasn't been having the best time. And now here's someone with their thighs on either side of his, talking all smooth with their warm breath right in his face, and smelling a certain kind of real nice on top of that. Its' only natural his body would react.
Right? Right. ]
That depends. Is this a kind, honest offer to share?
[Understandable reaction, of course. Maybe not this Gregor's wheelhouse entirely (see: sous-chef Gregor), but still enough to make him chuckle as he sits back a little and starts patting himself down without jostling the hook too much.
Because it's staying right there, for sure. Gently scratching back and forth, a little red mark on pristine merchandise.]
Strike one. You wound me, honoured guest~ I'm offerin' to let you get a hit, and you go questioning my motives...Cheeky, that.
[Then there's the click of the lighter, before the hook's point drops away from Akira's throat, replaced by Gregor's warm, gloved hand. His grip's pointed, index finger and thumb between mandible and skull to hold Akira's maw open as he exhales directly into it all fragrant smoke and warm rum breath.]
For all he knows coughing right back in this man's face could be a second strike, another natural reaction or not, so he'll do his best to keep it to a minimum. Minimum, not total nonreaction, because of course he can't completely help his throat trying to force that sweet-smelling air out with strangled noises, but at least it's obvious he's trying to hold back.
Polite, Akira, polite. He can manage that. Once he gets some of his breath back. ]
[He'll just sit there, letting Akira tamp down his coughing, before setting the spit-damp filter on his bottom lip, as a treat.] Here. I'm a real generous soul, I am. Let no one say otherwise~
[something something indirect kiss something, except Gregor's a grown-ass man who really doesn't give a shit (at least in this life), long as they both have clean bills of health. Now that he's gotten his smokeplay in, he lets go altogether and hums idly, gaze wandering back down.]
...You wanna hand with that? I only got one. Or are you into, ah...Denial?
[ Oh thank goodness for this generous soul because a smoke after being without for a while feels great. Even helps release a lot of the tension he wasn't entirely aware he was holding onto, actually relaxing for the first time since he's been put in these restraints.
--Wait, a hand with...? Ah. Right. There's that too.
Contrary to popular belief he does have some sense of decorum in this area, and had this been the first leg of the trip before he'd had smoke blown in his face for being coy, he might have politely refused. As it stands, if this guy is really looking for honest answers... ]
Nah, I could never get into denial. A hand would be very appreciated, actually.
Livin' the life of Larry, you are~ That's the Twinhook Pirates' level of service, tell your friends, so on an' so forth.
[Time to walk his fingers dooooown Akira's chest, hook sliding down to match (flat first, tip snagging now and then as a threat more than anything) until both appendages come to rest at his hips.]
You ready? Hope you don't mind the glove stayin' on. [It's fine, he'll spit on the glove, just...Gotta get the fly dealt with and all first, before he worries about impromptu lube. It's a little annoying to deal with, but part of the customer service is not tearing pants open with the hook and thus threatening any valuable bits underneath!
And also spitting on the glove once he fumbles through all that mess and actually pulls Akira's dick out. Whew, all that effort and for what? A few lazy strokes from a lazy pirate? Apparently so.] ...Yeeeesh, you better pay good. Least gnarly-lookin' knob I've seen award is all yours, sunshine.
[ Y'know, this is pretty good service for being kidnapped. He could've been left all alone in the dark to be fed and watered once in a while to make sure he's still alive, and all of the sudden he's got a gorgeous voice cooing at him and a hand around his dick. Didn't even have to spend those few moments setting a more playful mood, could have just. Gotten straight to business. Could've done nothing at all! Could've sliced his dick clean off.
So yes, while things could be better, they could also be much worse. ]
M-mm. [ And lazy or not, friction is friction. He'll take it, hardly contained groans and all. If this is the pace throughout he might be able to remember those manners of his. ]
Yeah...? You're really spoiling me here. I'll hold onto that one.
Yeah, well...'tween us and the shipping container next door, I don't get to play much anyway. This is a real high point compared to havin' to organise my lads or read boring reports.
[With the way he starts humming jauntily to himself, dick in hand, Gregor's expression's probably obvious to even the blindfolded. For a moment, it's almost as if he's completely content just waggling Akira around like a joystick, easily amused, until he suddenly digs his hand down deeper, palming and kneading insistently at his balls instead.
...At least there's still friction from his wrist, the way they're so close-quarters that Gregor's really having to lean in.]
Real, real pity I know you can't be trusted without all that tyin' up. I'd love to let you stretch out some, but nope. Like being whole and hale better, I reckon~ But...You can be loud, y'know. Might as well enjoy the perks, make the other guests jea~lous.
[Punctuated by a warm breath against Akira's throat and faintly wet leather sliding back up the underside of his shaft.] Or d'you wanna risk insulting poor old me, instead? After I'm letting you smoke that real fancy cig from far off ports and everything, too...
[ Well fuck, you can't just rack up the intensity on a dime like that and expect him not to let out a loud, wanton cry just like he's asked to. Though as that hand keeps going, it may become very clear very quickly that he'd have been pretty vocal whether he was told to be or not.
Can't even keep his voice out of his steadily heavier breathing, only allowing a quick moment of silence to swallow back a gulp of air. That, too, turns into another groan in short order, ] Oooh, If you let me out of here I'd ride you 'til you couldn't see straight--whoever the hell you are.
[ Among other things, but as long as both their heads are in the same place... ]
But you keep going and I can tell you aaaall about how good you're doing~
Oh pet, you're worth nothin' to my bottom line as soon as you leave this container~ Sorry 'bout the bad news, but I'm not lookin' to fuck you any time soon.
[Okay, that's a misleading statement given that he's absolutely starting to get hard enough to strain against those leather pants, but it's a misleading statement he has full licence to make, he feels. And really, it's not a lie, just...Misleading, yeah. Fucking the guests is bad form, but a little stress relief never hurt the bottom line either.
Not that his mind can't be changed, of course, and Akira's providing a better argument with each noise he makes, but. This is just enough fun for now, and if it gets too fun, then he can always trade favours, ideally.] You really got tickets on yourself though, doncha? Thinkin' that's a bartering chip under your belt~
[Of course, that bit about chips and under belts, that's the cue for Gregor's hand to shove back between Akira's thighs almost demandingly, as if this is his body, his flesh, and to hell with what the actual owner of it all wants. What the First Mate wants right now is to roll his precious guest's balls in his hand and grind his forearm against his dick all clumsy pressure, and there's nothing wrong with that.]
Or...Tell you what. I could just stop, right now~ Open the doors, let my lads in like a pack o' rabid mutts. You could ride 'em all you liked, esteemed guest~ How's that?
[ Back down that hand goes, and for a moment Akira's forgotten both how to form words and what patience is. The threat to stop is met with 'n-nn' before Gregor's even done, and an even more insistent 'n-nn' once he is, shaking his head like a child fighting off a tantrum. Whether that's more or less impolite than his hips bucking up to better meet Gregor's hand is completely up to him. ]
You. Just you. Only person who's stayed and talked to me the entire time I've been on this ship.
[ Is that grounds for a ravenous lay? Probably not on land. But here, when he's been alone for who knows how long and all of the sudden is getting a pretty stand up handjob, he's open to the idea. ]
[He chuffs softly, grip tightening for a second as if to remind his valued guest just where he's got him, before letting his fingers go slack once more. Maybe if he just applies a bit of pressure with his index finger and thumb to the shaft, his other fingers and palm can stay right where they are?
Gregor's gonna try that out, anyway. Fear's fun and all too, but this is almost on par, and god knows he needs some fucking motivation.]
You got any hot theories on why they might not be talkin' to you much? I'd love hearin'. Or maybe I just wanna see how long you're able to string proper words together while I got you like this...Dunno what we're gonna do if you cum on my nice little outfit, though. This is real good quality stuff we're talking about, shiny buttons 'n soft, real leather...
Ah, but you can't appreciate it like this~ Hang on, hang on~ [Time to shift forward a little, knees sliding between Akira's thighs and forcing them apart even more. All in the name of letting their torsos rub together, let those shiny buttons really get felt and all.] Same sorta leather as my glove, my pants are. Real soft stuff, nice lining.
[ Oh he's very aware of where he's got, thanks. At least it gets his hips to stop moving for now, but not without a quiet, needy whine sneaking up and out of him. He tries covering it up with another deep inhale, and it does sound pretty natural with his chest heaving in hot, heavy breaths. ]
The unknown. Breeds fear, anger.
They don't know what I am, what I can do. Just that I need--mm--special treatment.
[ Unless all the other guests get slapped with spiritual artifacts too, just in case. They'd need a priest on board to keep up with that kind of demand, probably, and if that were the case they'd know well enough through the grapevine that he's as good as human like this.
But oooh the warm body pressing even closer to his is once again making it hard for him not to squirm and try to do the same, leaking cock twitching in his stead. His legs don't even put up a fight to being spread, welcoming the other man right on in to do as he pleases, which Akira dearly hopes is continuing to expertly unravel him.
(And stay this close so he can indeed cum on Gregor's nice little outfit. He doesn't even know how nice it really looks, but in the spirit of rebelling against one's captor he's taken by the idea.) ]
Half marks. They wouldn't be still doin' it after the first day or two if it was just all that.
[Said languidly, as his hand moves in quite the opposite speed; tight grip, fast pace, thumb swiping at the head on each upward stroke to smear that leaking precum around and make up for his long-dried saliva. It's almost as if he's trying to drag that orgasm out of Akira early, kicking and screaming from the force he's using.
And then, just before it gets too much, he cinches his fingers around the base of the shaft in an impromptu cock ring, tongue rasping hot and wet against that smooth, perfectly sculpted jaw. (Maybe Gregor's stubble scratches along after, too. Don't worry about it.)]
They're afraid I'll kill 'em for playing with merchandise~ They're scared of me just as much, if not more, than they are of you~ And here you are, squealing and arching for my faaaaavour~
[ Words are long gone from his mind once the pace picks up, replaced with fervent gasping and panting, shameless enough to even let his tongue loll out of his mouth in mindless bliss of getting exactly what he wanted.
Until he isn't.
Generous as he's been about how much he's enjoying himself, it's plain as day when everything is climbing up on over to that breaking point...and when it's denied he all but sobs, falling forward onto Gregor and his nice little outfit if he's allowed. Even if he isn't he's still making his displeasure known with needy, pathetic mewls, squirming much more fervently against his bonds than before. ]
actually no, keep it. Keep that tongue out. Turns out that Gregor's just discovered a new kink, with the way he chuckles in surprised giddiness and tightens his fingers a little more. The thought strikes him; wouldn't it be nice to remove that blindfold, just to see what his guest's eyes are doing if his mouth's lost all shame?
But nah, not today. Not now.]
Need? What can I offer you...? I wonder~
Hey. Let's make a deal. You keep all this, the cumdrunk act 'n all, just for me...'n I might just let you finish now. Don't care what you do once you're onshore again, mind. But don't go sharin' this face with my boys. Don't go crazy over 'em like this, or beg 'em for anything...And I'll get back to tuggin' your prick real sweet. Just say it's a deal.
[Yeah, definitely new kink found. Something he can edge himself to throughout the day, fill up boring hours with. A treasure he doesn't have to share with anyone else...It's almost better than the finest grog, even, for putting a fire in his belly. He hooks Akira in closer still, coddling and cooing at him as though his pants aren't too fucking tight and he'll have to go have a cold shower right after this.]
Might even let you ride, if you ask again. Just gotta agree~ Good deal, right? Might even be worth sneakin' a pillow in here for you or somethin'...Just imagine~
[ Congratulations on the new kink, Greg, it is unfortunately non-negotiable with this weirdo.
And, well, if the grunts are too scared of their superior to talk or even knock the precious merchandise around a little for some kind of something to break up the monotony of being silent and still in the dark for days on end, it's not a hard decision to make. Even if his climax wasn't being held hostage.
Not to mention the implication they'd be doing this aaaall over again. ]
Deal. It's a deal, I'm all yours, now pleeeeaaase...!
[Unfortunately, he can't afford to actually have cumstains on his outfit, especially with how long he's taken in here already and how, once he opens the container up, all that sex reek is gonna flood on out. Plausible deniability, baby! Every bit of evidence he can eliminate, he will!
And by that, I mean that he peels away from Akira, though his hand's very much still in place, and braces a boot on his shoulder to push him backwards too. Time to give that dick some real room to shoot without landing on Gregor's nice leather pants, ideally. Then, and only then, does he resume the most brutal handjob ever, whole hand clasped tight and slick with precum, pumping like a fucked up milking machine. There might even be very light bruising once he's done, though at least it'll be in an area his lads aren't going to see, so he's not too worried about that. It's more fun this way anyway, if he gets to see the wildest o-face ever pulled by a man.]
[ There will be plenty of time for mild disappointment and an 'aw, darn' later. Right now? Right now it's all about finally getting that white hot stress relief from a few damn stressful days and fucking enjoying it.
If the neighboring containers didn't hear all the moaning before they're sure as hell hearing it now, the shamelessness kicked up just one more notch as he does indeed make that face aaaaall the way up and through. And despite being deliberately positioned away that doesn't stop him from trying to push himself back forward again, looking for some kind of contact, but once it's all out and his brain cares about nothing but restocking on blood and oxygen, he's left leaning against the boot at his shoulder as the next best thing.
Ha...hah...hoo. Here's hoping Gregor will let him stay there for a little while, at least until he realizes it isn't the most comfortable position to be in, because otherwise his ass is not moving. ]
Theeeere we are, good boy. Not a drop spent that can't be wiped off easy. [With a damp cloth at worst! Wonderful. And even better, or worse; Gregor's all too glad to let Akira stay just as he is--
okay that's a lie, he's currently doing a few things in this exact order. A) wipe glove on the underside of Akira's shirt. Or pants. Whichever's easiest to get to. B) tucking his dick back into his pants and doing his fly back up, all that jazz. Dick away. C) peeling away and stretching with a long groan. But otherwise? He's letting Akira stay just as he is!]
Don't tell my boys we did this, either. Or I'll toss you overboard for the Whales and the Waves, reimbursement be damned. Now rest up. Water'll be on its way in a few minutes, 'n I'll see about getting you a pillow as a VIP.
[At least he's going to sit there for a few seconds longer, just to let his words sink in properly and check in before he slips out. Gotta make sure he hasn't sprained the poor thing's dick with that treatment, after all.]
[ Ah, another surprisingly kind gesture from this fearsome, hardened pirate. It's not going to give him any delusions of intimacy, at least not later when his head's had enough time to clear, but it is noticed and appreciated. Five-star service. No notes.
The corners of his lips quirk up into a more immediately aware smile with a quiet laugh, lazily starting to straighten himself back up. ]
I'm not the type to kiss and tell, no worries there. Not a word of it out of me until the next time you want to pay a visit.
Good. Much appreciated, esteemed guest~ For that, I'll bring ya a mint. Or some of our faaaaamous mermaid ice cream~ Now, where'd I put that smoke...?
[The expensive shit stolen from other guests can't be wasted, y'know! So he's just going to take that cigarette back, even if it's nearly burnt out to the filter, then
pause, awkwardly
and reach out to tweak Akira's cheek with what might pass as fondness in any other circumstance. Here, it's just a gesture of...Appreciation, maybe.]
I'll tell the boys that you're under my care, since you acted up when I came in. They come in to undermine me after you get that water, feel free to throw a real tantrum, make it believable an' all. [Then, in a cloud of very, very faint smoke and the soft tick-tick of his boots on metal, he slips back out. Lets the door stay open a few seconds, just to get some fresh salt-death air in.]
Seeya in a few hours, peaches. [Thunk. At least he'll make good on that promise about the water; a boggled pirate slinks in and nudges a nice, cold bottle of water up against Akira's thigh not even five minutes later, before immediately scuttling back out. Gregor would do it himself, but...Well. Cold shower. Hot shower? Shower, either way.]
[ Whether you're in the camp of it being grotesque or gorgeous, it's hard to deny the thing is eye-catching.
It's been nicknamed The Heart of Geb, probably due to it looking uncannily like a human heart blown from glass until the venae and arteries give way to a more crystalline formation, suggesting it was pulled right from the earth. The smoother sections of the ventricles are somewhat foggy, but what looks like a thin, glossy liquid can be seen stagnating inside, facets of light mysteriously catching from within to project what can only be described as rainbow constellations when plunged into complete darkness. It really is a sight to behold.
But most of the time it's not for anyone but its "owner" to see, locked away in a much less brilliant box for safekeeping. Once in a blue moon, and only then, does the "owner" feel a sliver of generosity in their own heart to allow the starved masses a few moments to glut themselves on its presence...for the appropriate fee, of course.
That's what has the museum in such a tizzy these recent nights. The exhibit isn't fully set up for the paying public just yet, but of course word's already gotten out that this precious thing is swapping its usual maximum security cage for a slightly less reliable one. Seeing Zwei agents on duty is enough to scare most two-bit punks with delusions of grandeur off, but that doesn't mean they get to just sit back and be intimidating their whole shift.
Another name has wormed its way into public consciousness in the past few months: Dodomeki. A demon with many eyes. That's what the fella calls himself after he swoops in unseen to snatch such oddities for himself--or is it all for himself? Rumors have gone this way and that about mysterious sums of money going to places like orphanages and hospitals, or to businesses with already shady reputations; it's difficult to tell what's an actual lead and what's just curious people extrapolating and spreading fantastical stories as a way to kill time.
On this night, in this corner of the property, his presence is still a looming threat. No one's seen hide nor hair of him, though, let alone any kind of ne'er-do-well, so maybe they really can relax for just a second. Just a sec. Lil breather, it'll be fine.
So long as they don't notice a vivid red eye blink into existence at the edge of a corridor wall, looking every which way as if to hastily find its bearings. ]
[Gregor figures it's just one of those pieces of art that you're not meant to get (despite evidence towards natural formation so on and so forth). He's not sure if it's pretty or not; it sure is impressive, but...
Eh. Beyond his ken to understand. He's not meant to, either; this isn't about appreciating the thing, just protecting it, ensuring order when people come in for viewings in short time, so on and so forth. And he intends on doing just that to the best of his ability. Zwei involvement usually keeps the majority of folks bar the most desperate or the cockiest away, which helps, but it also leads to the number one killer.
Complacency.
Whiiiiich he might be exhibiting when he stretches and yawns, of half a mind to find Heathcliff just around the corner and see if he can't bum a light off him, if not a smoke as well. He's already turning, actually, when something flickers in his peripheral vision. Something red, brightly so, without any alarm sounds to say that it's at least part of the building. That's all he needs to snap out of it, though; the benefit of Gregor is, underneath that lazy mien, how quickly he can snap to attention and get work done.
In this case, 'work' is just him sprinting towards that unassuming eye, zweihander curving through the air to make up for its wielder's lack of height. There's no delay; every second of vision stolen is a second of layout relayed back to the owner, assuming it's some sort of stealth monitor system.]
Ahaaaaa, achtung, baby! [let him have a cool one-liner, at least once. Just once.]
[ Luckily for Gregor he's quick enough to catch the eye before it catches him, the thing instantly squeezing shut upon contact with the zweihander as if that spot on the wall was made of flesh. Just as organic, it'll ooze muted red until the wall is once again smooth and unmarred, the droplets mysteriously fading with the it, though when Gregor pulls back his weapon what red's clung to the metal will stick around as a reminder that those moments did indeed happen.
It's quiet for a few beats, five, ten...
Until another eye, just like the other, pops up even further down the corridor in full view of where Gregor should be able to see it. It searches left, right, then stops dead on him once he's found.
What will he do? ]
michelin star-level rp for me.....u shouldn't have u////u
[The smart thing would, of course, be to yell out to Heathcliff or Faust, corner this thing and destroy it effortlessly. However, that's no fun for anyone involved, especially not the sort of guy who's keen to spice up his night. He figures that, if it gets too much, he'll get in the kids to help, but for now?
It's just him, and whoever's behind that eye. That reappearing eye, staring right at him, which he gladly allows considering he's already racing towards it yet again. (And really, if the other Zwei Fixers don't hear him laugh-panting by this stage, their collective failure is on them.) This time, however, there's no swing to his blade; the madman's attempting a stab, which is. It sure is something, considering his height and all.]
Hey hey hey, fella, where's your mouth? Let's have a little banter here, if you're gonna be this ballsy! It's no fun like this, yanno?
[ The eye doesn't seem to react to the attempt at banter, but it sure does react to the charge. It's at a height Gregor can reach for a good stabbing, but once the point's stuck in the wall there's no spurt of blood to let him know he got the damn thing. It sure looks like it's gone now, but--
Ope. The bottom of his zweihander's pommel is twitching, that same red eye blinking open onto it and searching for him.
No mouth, but it does crinkle as if pushed up by a smile once eye contact is made. ]
[For a second, Gregor's lost as he tries to find where the fucking thing's slipped off to. In the lapse between blows, as he dislodges the blade and looks around with too-keen eyes, his expression's stern and completely professional.]
[Annnndddd there goes the professionalism once that glaring red catches his attention once more. Without his sword, there sure isn't much he can do, is there
bar using his prosthetic arm, reinforced enough to handle a whole zweihander on its own with decent proficiency, to gouge at it. The finest force he could get, all coming to bear in the pad of his thumb as he moves to gleefully pop that smug fucking eye like a Tide pod.
Never mind that Faust's poking her head around the corner, finally moving to address Gregor's ecstatic wheezes; she sees the spatter on his blade, the hyper-focus on his face, and simply waits for him to acknowledge her.]
--Ah. Red eye, blinking on the walls, moves. Can manifest on our swords, so probably anything it can see? Tell the others.
[ Well it certainly reacts to that, lids frantically blinking on the intruding finger as if that'll actually stop it before POP! goes the eyeball. This time it bleeds again, a trail following it down as what space there had been on the pommel for it closes back up, only leaving that small spatter behind.
That's not the most interesting thing, though. That would be two noticeable noises, a heavy thud and a louder metallic crash both in opposite directions happening simultaneously with that gruesome gouging.
Perhaps whatever it had been attached to really, really didn't like that. ]
[The metallic crash is intriguing, certainly, but if Greg's hunch is right, then he figures the other Zwei kids have got that under hand. The heavy thud might be more humanoid, though, might be the real seed of discord, so that's the direction he's headed in.
Until that eye shows back up again, he's going to be practically sliding along the walls, one ear pressed to the white plaster as if that'll help him figure out exactly where the noise came from. And if he's wrong, well. Frau Faust's on the case, so what's the issue, right?]
C'mon, c'mon...Come out already...Papa needs a new lighter.
[ Following the source of the noise, Greg will be lead into a room with little space for any mysteriously appearing eyeballs, what with the walls being covered in paintings of all sizes as if the way they jigsawed together is all part of the presentation. For those paintings to be at the right temperature at all times to be kept nice and healthy for as long as possible there are a number of vents on the decently high ceiling, which all seem just wide enough for a grown man's shoulders to fit through, one of them missing its casing and wide open for the world to see.
Right under that one, wouldn't you know it, is what looks like a grown man all in black, practically swallowed by a hooded jacket as he seems to be having some difficulty getting himself upright off the floor despite the urgency his heavy breathing suggests.
At the slightest noise announcing Gregor's presence the man's head snaps up, revealing a mask covering the lower half of his face sporting large, protruding fangs both top and bottom. And, perhaps more notably, two wide red eyes with one looking like it's popped a vessel something nasty. ]
[There's a small voice in the back of his head telling him that he needs to be careful, to take this outside this particular room for now lest he still get his pay docked bigtime for any property damage.
The rest of the conscience voices decree that instead, he should simply drop the sword and use his arm. They win, and Gregor stalks closer once his zweihander clatters to the ground, stretching and grinning as he stares down this genius little intruder.]
Wonder what hurts more right now; that eye I damaged, or your pride? [The joints in his prosthetic hand click-clack softly as he wriggles them in anticipation, before balling them in a fist, ready to strike. Not yet. Can't move too fast, or he'll risk panicked lashing out. That's his cigarette budget we're talking, here.]
Neither are feeling too good right now, I'll be honest.
[ Somehow despite the strain, the voice that comes out is still smooth, confident. Even as he makes a cautious hop backwards on all fours instead of waiting to completely stand up. ]
You're awfully talkative for security, you know that?
I like talking. Finding things out about folks...Isn't that grand?
[Never mind that it's a distraction away from any actual skill, which seems to be somewhat of a multiversal constant. Step step step, closer and closer until he's within swinging range, but swing he does not.
Instead, he drops onto his haunches and grins wide, reaching out to grab a fistful of that jacket, something, anything to hang onto the intruder.]
So, what's some rich kid like you doing in a place like this, before the opening date? Backstreet punks don't have the dosh for a mask fancy like that, I know that much.
[ Gregor gets a fistful of the jacket and both of the intruder's hands at his wrist, a reflex more than an actual attempt at getting him off. Still, the guy's grip is tight, strong--maybe not Zwei strong, but fit enough to throw his own punches if and when it comes to that.
Just like the one on its own both his eyes crinkle, a pleased smile clear as day despite the mask. ]
Isn't it such a different experience, walking the halls at night like this? You can actually sit and consider what you're looking at without all the buzz of other people hanging around your senses.
Have you seen anything that's really gotten you thinking in here?
[Instant, nonchalant, even as his free hand's reaching down to grab one of the little thief's ankles; jackets can be slipped out of with ease, so two grips always helps.] See, I'm not really one'a them art types. Don't have the mind for interpreting or seeing meaning in a monochrome canvas.
But you? You. How'd you do the eye thing? You're not gonna get the thingermajigger now, that's for sure; my work buddies'll be in there packed tight as sardines in a can, and Frau Faust? She's brilliant beyond brilliant. She'd know how you did what you did soon as she saw it up close. Me?
I don't. I want to know, though; a neat trick like that, that gets me all fired up, buddy.
Edited (we are both fucking floundering here) 2024-06-01 11:05 (UTC)
[ That's. Not an answer he was expecting, judging from the quirk it gets in his brows. It gives him pause, a moment to study Gregor's features to try and find some kind of hint that his leg is being pulled more metaphorically, and despite searching he finds none.
Strange. Strange, but as Gregor had said, the thief can't help but let himself get fired up. ]
You know, I do respect curiosity like that. Out of all the things you could've done when cornering me you ask a question that ultimately doesn't matter just because you want to know? I like it.
[ Just a little, Gregor may feel a tickle at the back of his throat. ]
What's your name, Zwei?
[ And then might have some trouble answering. That tickle's worsening, expanding into what is clearly something, somethings growing inside his trachea, round and wet and gathering up against each other as closely as they can to take up as much possible space. ]
That's interesting. Real interesting. But they can't be abode, no sir; Gregor pitches forward to pin Akira's ankles down with his knees instead, prosthetic hand letting go of his jacket to
uh? instead start jamming down his throat, in an attempt to remove whatever the fuck's growing there. He makes eye contact the entire time, even as he gags and makes wet noises around his own metal fingers straining, extending, creaking and groaning in an attempt to find a grip point and tear the intruders free.]
Instead of using his now free hands to try something else cheeky to get away, they're left struggling for purchase on the nice, shiny museum floor, every now and then twitching towards one of his many pockets but not ever quite getting there.
And if there was any lingering doubt as to what exactly is bubbling up inside Gregor's throat, there shouldn't be when combined with that grasping and twitching of his hands the thief's entire everything is contorting in pain, eyes especially squeezing and blinking rapidly to fight back the defensive tears welling up.
The intruders shift and undulate with the thief's reactions, trying so very hard to stay an obstruction while avoiding those prosthetic fingers despite the mounds of eyes in there squishing and slicking at the slightest touch. ]
[Another gurgle, victorious when he's able to notice Akira's reactions through his own gasping and gagging, before Gregor's fingers extend even more, beyond the reach of flesh and bone. If he can't grab, then he'll gouge more, and poke, whatever it takes to dissuade those bulbous, tacky-wet eyes from blocking his airway.
..............god he hopes the others don't find them, because he's about to do a real gamer move. Deep breath, as deep as he can manage with all of this shit in his throat at least, before his meat hand grips his throat and squeezes hard. Gregor Samsa, choking himself out just to spite this absolute babe/shithead/tease.]
[ Well that sure does it, sending his head careening back as far as his spine will allow, letting out a strangled cry of pain only muffled by the mask. One by one those malignant globes seep back into the lining of Gregor's throat until it's smooth and free to breathe again, all the while accompanied by the thief fervently tapping his hand against the floor as if this is some childhood wrestling match and he's finally calling uncle. ]
[And lo, Greg frees his hands, wiping the prosthetic on his overcoat as it clicks back into place. A man who was just choking himself has no right to look so pleased, and yet, he does.]
Let's not do that again, alright? I'm trying to have a real upfront conversation with you, man to man, and you go pullin' dirty tricks...Really wounded me, fella. Pissed me off a bit, actually; got half a mind to just drag you outta here and throw you to the others.
[And yet he sits, panting, grinning, patting himself down for cigs already.]
[ Give him a second, he needs to breathe and let some of the pain thrumming at the back of his eyes subside a little before he can get back to bantering. ]
Wouldn't...wouldn't have lasted long doing this if I just...gave out my secrets to every handsome stranger putting his hands all over me...
[ Handsome, huh? Sure his face is flushed but that could be from all the exertion just now. Effectively getting your eyeballs squeezed, picked at, and pulled twenty or so times over is going to do an awful lot to you.
Eventually, though, he'll have enough of his breath back to tilt his head up to look at this crazy son of a bitch with much less ire or fear than Gregor might be expecting after a stunt like that. In fact, he seems much more intrigued than anything. ]
Fair play, fair play. You acting alone? I'm guessing you are, since you haven't tried to call out to anyone instead of pissing me off, but it never hurts to be sure.
[While he natters away, he flicks a cigarette out of the pack and offers it to Akira with a wink, though that might be hard to see behind his transition lenses.] You're not that punk who's been stealing from rich assholes to give to the deserving, huh? Maaaan, if it wouldn't risk a few sections' reps, I'd let you have that damn thinger. Dunno what it does, but I'm sure there's way better it could be used for than sitting here.
[A contented hum, as Gregor pulls a cigarette out for himself and sits it on his bottom lip, before fishing for a lighter. Swt swt swt-- there, there's just enough fluid for a few more lights. Not that he's going to waste it. He's just going to pocket the lighter again, waiting for Akira to take that mask off and get the cigarette in his mouth.
Yeah, this stupid motherfucker's going for a homoerotic tip-to-tip light to save on lighter fluid, and because he just got called handsome and he plans on capitalising on that, thanks.]
[ He wasn't, but the friend he brought along just in case is absolutely not the type to stick around if things got dicey, Akira be damned. The moment all the other Zweis started moving as if they knew something was up he would've turned literal tail and been long gone by now.
The offered cigarette gets another pause as he's finally fully back upright, eyes flicking from it, to Gregor, and to various spots in the large room. He lingers on one in particular for just a second longer than the others before taking that offer.
Carefully the mask is lowered, revealing a perfectly normal nose and mouth accented by a beauty mark and a smile. With the same hand he holds it up as if to protect the cigarette from some kind of nonexistent wind as he puts it in his mouth, pointedly blocking the view of the direction he'd lingered on. ]
You make it sound like I'm some kind of Robin Hood. [ The smile quirks with a laugh, light and good natured. ]
Far as my research has told me, all it really does is look pretty. The advertisements try to work the angle of it being some kind of mysterious natural growth, but I've looked pretty damn deep into the most reputable sources I could find and there aren't any science journals or whatever talking about it. So either the owner's held it so tight he won't even let the pros look at it, or he's got a fancy paperweight and a good sense of drama.
[He notices that look, but also like. He's getting complacent again, knows that he at least has an advantage here in proximity. Speaking of which: time to go in for that light at last, lips quirked lopsidedly.]
...Knowing rich folks, probably the latter. If it did anything, a Wing woulda long purloined it for use, but this just did the rounds as something neat and mysterious, far as I was told.
[puff puff, right in Akira's face. Sorry, bro.]
Still. What makes you think folks wouldn't eventually rat you out, if you passed it off for money's sake? Someone down that supply chain's gonna get weak in the face of a beating, and you're done for. Helluva risk you're running. [Running, not ran. Hm.]
[ Oh, hello. He'll hold nice and still for the oh so kind light, eyes not leaving Gregor's saying that he very much likes what he sees this closely. That comment about him being handsome wasn't just idle chatter after all. ]
And what if I told you I do it for the thrill, and the altruism is an afterthought?
[ He'll puff right back in Gregor's face too, cheeky shit. Though it comes before a more sober look sneaks into his eyes, all that mischief taking a backseat as he considers those words before offering his own. ]
I try to do business with people I trust as much as I can, but I know you're right. All I can do is prep for that day to come, make it harder to follow the trail, that the people on the end of it can come out squeaky clean so those with more power than heart won't be able to legally touch them when all's said and done. There's what they can do illegally, yeah, but...
[ Another drag, slow and thoughtful. ]
If I eventually get snatched up, that's fine. I just don't want anyone else I pulled into my little games to suffer for it too.
[Oooughghhh, pardon him while he inhales Akira's smoke with clear relish, before finally finally sitting back just a little.]
That's pretty altruistic-soundin' to me, keeping noses clean even in your fun. Most folks who fuck around don't care about the blast radius so long as they get their kicks. Long as you know what's at stake, though, then I can't really go lecturing you, can I?
Say, fella.
[A smoke ring now, not quite far enough away to grow large enough to frame Akira's face, but it is what it is.] How about we get into a brawl, once our smokes are done? Then I letcha go. How's that sound?
[ Mm, there could be plenty lecturing about how it's morally wrong to steal, against the law, no matter how he wants to try and justify it, so on and so forth. Heaven knows he's already heard all of that and filed it away in the very back of 'Don't Care'.
What is worth caring about is this man in front of him with the same thing on the line, a paycheck, leveling with him over a leisurely smoke and then offering...that.
Once again he needs a moment to look Gregor up and down, a little more intently this time as he's searching for any kind of twitch, any kind of tell that this is all a ploy to get Akira to let his guard down even further so cuffs can get slapped on him with less of a fight. Once again he comes up empty-handed.
Leaning in, the smile on his face is suddenly much more intense. ]
Very much so. Make it look like we both tried even harder than we have, that we've been scrapping in here all along. I gave it my all, but I just couldn't nab you. Hard done by, me.
[And with that said and done, he gets up at last, gets to stretching and grunting
but not before puckering his lips up at that intense smile. Mwah.]
Don't know. Maybe I'll see you again, maybe I won't. But if we do meet again after this, I wanna know your name. Not gonna use it against you. Just for my old bones' sake, that's all. We got a deal or not?
Letting the big bad criminal go, and you just want my name. [ He still sounds a little incredulous, of course he does, but it shortly turns into another, more genuinely pleased laugh. ] Alright, we've got a deal.
[ Another thought strikes him as he goes to stand up as well, mask poised to go right back on his face once he's done with the very last bits of his cig. ]
I've got a tranquilizer in one of my pockets. Think that would help sell it better, or would it be too much?
Maybe I'm just getting my kicks from this. Most fun I've had in a while, this. That eye trick. You. I wanna hunt you down again. That's all. Want you to get even better at it and stretch me out even thinner.
Tranquiliser should be fine for now. Still gonna need some blows first, and I'd feel insulted if I didn't at least leave a calling card on you bar making you squirm some.
[He sucks on the filter; uncouth, unpleasant, but it makes the smoke burn faster. Now he's getting an itch for this, for battle again even if it's rigged.] At least the zweihander bein' discarded won't be against me, in here. Wise man, wise man.
Whenever you're ready, you get first blow. Try not to break the glasses, yeah?
[ It's a little chilly in here what with all the vents, prime art preservation temperature, yadda yadda, but would that be enough to reason away the shiver that gets out of him? Maybe, maybe not. ]
Kicks for kicks, then. I like it! I like you.
You don't have to tell me to keep getting better either--I won't stop doing my best just because there's a chance you'll be the one hot on my tail, hm? If you can't catch me fair and square then that takes out all the fun~
[ Gregor will get a good view at that wide, toothy grin before the butt's carelessly discarded and the mask is back up and secure. Now that he knows there's a lot less on the line this time around he can allow himself to enjoy it as much as he wants. ]
[And with that said and done, they proceed to beat the tar out of each other, with Greg positioning himself very sexily on the floor, sprawled on his back and winking at Akira before he slips out.
no, wait, first he grabs Akira's discarded butt, and then sprawls out. No point leaving evidence behind, and there's only cameras at the door to monitor who comes and goes, so doorway or vent, Akira's easy breezy. Never mind that Gregor gets his pay docked for a month straight, and reduced hours besides; totally worth it, for just the thought of more intense nights on the job and more kids getting a better start in life, a chance at beating the system.
Is it too much to hope that his next guarding gig might bring him close to the handsome thief again? Absolutely, but they don't just throw Zwei fixers around for pittances; that's money, that is, and money gets the best protection a chunk of mushroom could ever want.
Not just any mushroom, mind. And only a chunk, harvested from an infected employee, nurtured, cared for, and completely mundane bar its colouration. But it's still something that could inspire frenzy, could get quite a pretty penny, and so, here the Zwei are. Here Gregor is, lighting a cigarette, watching the walls with intensity. As if Faust hadn't given him a barebones lecture beforehand, warned him that he'd be booted out of the Association altogether if he let another threat slip away.]
[ It's both a blessing and a shame that Zwei is here tonight. A shame because this is one of those targets he'd really like to take his time with, to sit, admire, observe, learn everything about it that he can before the inevitable handoff so he isn't left wondering with that curious itch that always takes months to start fading. But no, no, with security like this he needs to get in and out as quickly as he can, just get his hands on the thing and bolt.
And yet, there's also the chance that handsome stranger will be here. Another curious opportunity that, were he a wiser man, he would ignore and just do what he came here to. He's had a number of successful jobs for lower stakes prizes since that night but this would be a big score, would no doubt pay him enough to let him take his time planning the next big score, and then maybe he could hope Zwei is there too along with his oh so intriguing swordsman to chase him down...
Ugh. A lot of maybes, hopes, and if's. Whatever happens tonight happens, he can daydream about dashing lawmen when he's not already crouched in a hallway shaded by night straining to hear the slightest sound of footsteps.
Unlike the museum this place hadn't been open to the public beforehand, so he had no chance to come in and touch everything he could to learn both the layout and security's positioning. He thinks he's starting to get a hang of how Zwei likes to spread themselves out, though, so it's time to test that theory by doing a few things the old fashioned way.
A ball bearing, small enough to be otherwise inconspicuous but heavy enough to make a noise, is getting carefully tossed around the nearby corner. The plan is, of course, to let any guards within earshot come investigate while he slips by and heads down where they had come from.
not coming. Approaching, certainly, but only a little; as much as he's intrigued by Akira, if this is just some schmuck trying the oldest trick in the book, then there's no point in wasting the job he's busted ass and lost an arm for.
Instead, Gregor yanks a golden button off his overcoat and flicks it in the direction the ball bearing came from, waiting patiently. It'll either scare off anyone without the stomach for actually being caught, or at least make shit more interesting. And while he waits those few seconds for his gesture to be registered, he's just going to light up and clear his throat. Just waiting, keen and sharp.]
[ Cheeky. Smart, respectable, but still cheeky. Now he knows for sure a guard is posted there, and this guard knows for sure someone is here, so there's little point in playing the waiting game hoping they'll think it was all just their imagination and go back to idling by the corner.
Trying to peek somewhere even newer than the museum is a risky move, one he'd been avoiding thus far. But maybe a quick look, low to the ground, just to see if he can get a better idea of exactly what kind of person he's dealing with--a real bruiser, someone built more for speed, that sort of thing. Might be worth it. A gloved hand slides carefully along the wall next to him and he lets his eyes slide shut, concentrating on finding a spot within his reach...
...And his eyes snap right back open when he feels something else very, very interesting.
Gregor will wait a few moments undisturbed in his watchful silence, when all of the sudden a strange feeling itches at his flesh and bone palm. Itch, itch, like something's moving across it, and then pulling open.
Should he investigate, he'll find a familiar red eye set in his skin, beaming right up at him. ]
[Oh, it is so, so fucking ridiculous, the way his heart skips a beat when he sees that vibrant red once more. A risky rendezvous, if one can even call it that, and yet Gregor's still grinning like an idiot, mechanical thumb rubbing at the skin right below the bottom eyelid.]
Ha. You owe me, bucko.
[His name and more besides, probably, but the name'll do. That can come later, after the game; already Gregor's mind is whirling about ways to start that won't completely render the pilfererrrrrr useless, but will get across his response, his chase beginning. Not jamming the cherry of his smoke into the eye, that's too much. The chase ends if the quarry's dead or rendered grievously injured.
Hm.
Depending on how sharp the senses shared between eye and origin are, Akira might feel something stinging in his eyes, but in the sort of way that hurts good, saliva in a scratch. A blunt sting, all over the surface of the eye, gently rough and wet for just a few seconds. And then Gregor's boots start echoing down the hallway, closer, clomp clomp clomp.]
[ Maybe just as ridiculous as the giggle he lets escape when he hears those boots approaching, jolted further into attention by that oh so intriguing stinging sensation. So eager, so excited, all thoughts of his original prize pushed firmly into the backburner as he's faced with the promise of a chase.
Out of the shadows darts an arm, all in black just as before, snatching up the discarded button before retreating back into the darkness with a soft tp-tp-tp headed in the opposite direction. ]
Before he really takes off, he gives one last cursory look behind him, in case Faust's there with that placid disapproval on her face. Nope, coast's clear. Fuck it. Fuck it, life is too short and he deserves a challenge. Gregor lets out a soft little chuff, before turning the corner very normally and politely and
proceeding to break into a sprint, even if his sight's a little hindered by all that shade for a man in black garb to hide within. He's even making a pointed effort to keep his weight in the balls of his feet and the toes of his boots, to try and keep his own sound down just to hear any Akira sounds.]
[ Thankfully backtracking, while not productive in getting where he should be, is productive enough in choosing routes to best keep this game to the two of them. This place isn't quite as large as the museum but it makes up for it in twists and turns in the comparatively narrow hallways, a mixture of rooms with doors that may or may not have already been open beforehand, filing cabinets, quietly humming vending machines, we may just deadass be imagining something like the stanley parable office don't worry about it.
One such vending machine sits in the middle of the first fork in the path that's been chosen, barring any of the doors Greg's already passed. Left goes down a hallway more cluttered with possible things to hide behind while the right is a cleaner, straighter shot forward. Straining to listen, there's no telltale sounds of shifting, stepping, or giggling here to go by.
He could go down an endless spiral of trying to predict what Akira would think his course of action would be when choosing his path, but he won't. Although the straighter path would be the smarter path for any other thief willing to end this quick, and perhaps for a thief who wanted to really challenge themselves alone, it simply isn't fun, is it?
The fun part is the clutter. The options, the sheer number of cover that he can destroy in search of his quarry. Like a simple little filing cabinet, which he skewers with the zweihander and lifts off the ground, as if he's checking for Akira within or behind it. Is. Is he really going to do this all the way down the hallway?
Yes he is. Though he's careful to aim that huge fucking sword away from anywhere his prey could actually hide, at least away from his vitals at worst.] Come out come out, wherever you are. I gotta get that name of yours, fella.
[ None of these poor office supplies stand a chance. There's no sign of his prey anywhere, though, even as he's getting close to the end of this particular hallway. Where on earth could that slippery little bugger have gone...?
Gregor might have an idea if he can feel long fingers sneaking into the pocket keeping his lighter from behind. ]
[Honestly, grabbing him almost anywhere else would've landed a much longer reaction time. The lighter, however? His precious, nigh-empty lighter? Oh no. Ohhhh no. Even if he has to drop his zweihander in order to grab the wrist hopefully attached to the hand those long fingers are sprouting from, Gregor will.
And he'll yank it forward and around, in an effort to come face to face with Akira, at least for a few seconds.]
[ Thank goodness the fingers, hand, wrist, arm, everything is indeed attached and able to be whirled around, a moment of visible shock quickly giving way to a pleased smile as the thief doesn't make any moves to escape from that grip just yet. ]
[ How very trusting. He doesn't intend to break that trust, at least not intentionally, because surely that would mean an end to any possible games in the future. He just can't help but notice, so incredibly charmed. ]
All you wanted was my name, isn't that right?
[ Cautiously, making sure it isn't read as trying anything funny, his fingers try and worm their way between Gregor's. ]
it takes a second, maybe two, but. He allows it eventually, chuffing and looking away to redirect his embarrassment some.]
--anyway, mm. I tried to introduce myself properly, but someone decided they wanted to go and cut me off, so I had to change tack. ...Glad you decided to skip all that this time; didn't really feel like jabbing you where it hurts, again.
[ Oh, the big bad Zwei's embarrassed at a little hand holding? How cute. ]
I didn't know if you were just playing with your food before beating and cuffing it. You understand.
Buuut, you've kept your word so I have no problem keeping mine.
[ His other hand comes up just as cautiously, reaching for the mask as he leans in ever-so-slowly to bring it down and his lips as close to Gregor's ear as the other man will allow. ]
Still am, y'know. But you're doin' the same, with less cuffs, so I don't feel like we're less equal for it, personally.
[Puff puff puff. His eyes dart around in the darkness, looking for other silhouettes (and giving himself a second's grace, still flustered as he is), before he hooks his head against Akira's to murmur against his ear in turn.]
Gregor. Pleasure's all mine, Akira.
Now I've got my pound of flesh, you wanna resume things? If I'm gonna lose my job, I might as well make my last night on the beat fun.
[ Somehow even cuter, despite the confirmation that Gregor does indeed see this as playing with his food. Maybe because of it? He's never met a lawman quite like this, and it's endlessly fascinating him, stoking the excitement swirling in his head and gut for learning more and more in the future-- ]
[ He thought that was only a one time show of mercy, of goodwill, for no hard feelings in the future and the consequences that came with it so long as it was fun. He was always going to do his damndest to avoid capture, sure, but the idea that Gregor is ready and willing to lose something like this just for him... ]
...Say we were to get you back to your post, no witnesses and nothing to connect you to...this. [ A tilt of his head to indicate all the stabbed and strewn about office supplies, still keeping the two of them hooked together. ] And I leave without touching anything.
I don't, it's game over altogether. More fun to let you go and not completely eliminate all chance of gettin' to fuck around on the job like this.
[He sighs softly, mulling over that proposal as if they're not holding hands and as if he's not risking discovery with each second that passes like this.] I'd be bored all night, I guess. And I'll catch a bit of heat for property destruction; it's clear it was done by a sword, and who else would do that but Zwei?
But we ever meet again, it's gonna be the same story. You'd hafta give up the game, or at least vet targets more thoroughly. And I'd be pretty pissed, getting blueballed like this. Just doesn't feel like it's how it should end, does it?
[ Practically nuzzling against Gregor's face turns to letting his head flop into the crook of the man's neck with a frustrated sigh. ]
I don't want it to be the last time we meet like this. I want to get better, to stretch you out even thinner, just like you'd said...can't very well do that if you lose your job or if I keep the training gloves on just because I like you so much, huh?
[Gregor lets it happen, relishes the contact for a second or two, before peeling away with as much dignity as he can possibly muster and finally relinquishing Akira's fingers.]
Is there something I could nab off you now, that wouldn't go leadin' back to you but might look like it does? Or--
[Time to use his fingers to pull out a cigarette, light it up, and hastily offer it. This is worth using lighter fluid on, for sure.] Smoke this. I'll burn the shit outta the filter, and act like it's gonna lead somewhere all the same. Shit, I'll smoke it right after, make sure it's all my spit in there on top of yours.
[is
is that even how it works??? Testing for DNA and shit? He's not really sure, actually.]
[ Unfortunately this Akira isn't a doctor, so he's got about as much of an idea how it works as Gregor does. Which means as far as he's concerned it's a great idea. Eyes widening as it all clicks together and everything.
He quickly takes the offered cig and gets to work, though a thought hits him and there's a moment's pause for an abrupt snrk. ]
One of these days we'll have to properly kiss, you know.
[ c u t e. If he can embarrass Gregor so easily it really would be a shame for this to be their last run in--this can't be the cutest face the man can make, he has to see all the others. ]
I don't like thinking of it like that, but...you have a point.
[ His free hand will be slipping to the small of Gregor's back, urging him forward. Despite the playful action, a somber undertone still sticks to his voice. ]
[Now that they're so close together, it's not so weird to go reaching over to pluck the cigarette away, holding it pointedly to the side so that Gregor can sweep in those last few centimetres for a surprisingly impassioned kiss. Deepened right off the bat, free hand gripping Akira's hip and holding him there.
[ Oh! What a pleasant surprise, here he thought that embarrassment would carry over and keep Gregor shy. Guess he won't have to ease into it, then, so don't mind if he doesn't.
Akira meets the kiss with just as much passion, now free hand taking the chance to cup Gregor's cheek possessively just as the one at his back is, grasping at fabric. He doesn't try to pry open lips with tongue, but rather with teeth, nipping and tugging in a demand to be let in. ]
[When in doubt, take action! It's the only way to stay alive, really. Or get any sort of action, in this case. And the job's lonely, certainly; it's unwise to make any connections that could be wielded against him, but this...
At least Gregor can trust Akira to take care of himself. There's a degree of security to this weakness, to yielding against those teeth and letting his tongue slip past his lips in turn, grip tightening enough to risk bruising on Akira's hip. If nothing else, if everything goes to shit, he can at least take comfort in leaving a mark.
.......Maybe he's also going to nudge them both back, towards a skewered yet still standing desk, but like. That's just a bonus.]
[ Tongue and teeth are exploring the other's the second they're allowed to, urging Gregor's to do the same with steadily heightening urgency. He'd been playing it pretty cool only moments ago, at least he'd like to think so, and now it's almost as if he's being kicked up into a frenzy with the need to be as close to Gregor as possible, to hold onto him as tightly as possible--
Which is helped a little by that nudge backwards. One bump of the edge of that desk against the back of his thighs and he's up and taking a seat, long legs now free to wrap around Greg to pull him just that much closer and keep him there. Still. Still not close enough.
The hand at Gregor's back is practically clawing its way under that Zwei-issued jacket, tugging at his shirt to slip under and grasp at skin instead. ]
[Thank fuck he's only in his uniform, and not wearing even more layers; when Akira manages to untuck his shirt and grope at his spine, Gregor lets out a noise that's antonymous with discretion. Too loud, too obvious the sentiment behind it, but they're decently spread out, so it's. It's okay. It's fine.
Worth it, anyway. Maybe. In the moment, certainly. Maybe Gregor's a little too eager in his kissing, using a little too much tongue and pressing in a little too heavily to appear smooth and cool whatsoever, but also: still worth it, if Akira won't laugh in his face afterwards. He even discards the cigarette so that he can grope right on back; yanks their hips flush, even though cumming in his work uniform is not something he should risk in the slightest, then mirrors the gesture of back-to-palm contact with his flesh hand, warm even in its glove. The prosthetic kneads impatiently, fervently at Akira's thigh, as if it'd love nothing more than to go higher.]
[ If Akira's got any problem with too eager, he sure as shit isn't showing it. It may just be egging him on even further, reflexively grinding up against Gregor's hips as they're pressed together, a hot, pleased groan shamelessly pouring into Gregor's mouth.
That's one threshold run right over--he does in fact need more. With all the reluctance of someone else taking his hands away from Gregor's body instead of Akira himself he brings them back up to rip his own gloves off, letting them carelessly fall onto the desk beside them as they go right back to where they were, skin flush against skin and anchoring themselves with nails digging in hungrily.
Though they seem satisfied with feeling just one spot on the man for only a few moments. The hand at Gregor's back travels up, while the one at his face travels down, nails not letting up for any part of the journey. ]
[No, no, this is. This is too dangerous. If they get caught, and every second that passes only increases those odds, then Akira's done for and Gregor's fired anyway, which is something that actually matters.
So he pulls out of the kiss. Equally reluctantly, as if someone's pulling strings rather than him trying to be the slightest bit responsible.]
You gotta go. We gotta stop. Investing in the future-- [ah one more, one more kiss, please don't be mad at him beautiful eye man] --shit, don't you go gettin' caught, fella. You gotta go.
[ Wh? Huh?? Hello??? Why are we not kissing anymore, what's going on?
"Caught" is first word that registers, and it sparks enough of a fear response to shake a good chunk of his brain back into the world at large to process what all else is happening. No, he's not caught now, but he could be the longer they stay here sucking face and grinding. The logical part of his brain can comprehend that, but there's just enough of a horny haze still hanging around that doesn't want to let go yet, the nails now at Greg's shoulder blades digging in even deeper. ]
You tease me like that and kick me out before I even get a little taste? [ Taste of what? ] You're cruel, Mister Zwei... [ Hey, taste of what??? ]
[ Stealing one more not-so-quick kiss as if to drive that point home. And this time as he pulls away he'll slip from the table in the same motion, grabbing at his gloves with one hand while the one still planted in Greg's back rakes across skin as it's pulled along.
Small, small droplets of red are visible as he brings those fingertips up to leisurely draw them along his tongue, the disappointment from before replaced with contentment. ]
But! If we're going to keep at this, I can't just give away the next answer, can I?
[ Fingers nice and clean, he'll turn his back to Gregor as he replaces the gloves onto his hands, starting down the rest of the hallway as if this were a completely normal conversation in a completely normal situation. ]
If you want to find me, look for a crow that loves to write~
[pardon him while he shudders and moans, because bro. Bro. Bro. oooough. He's not going to wash that part of his back for days now. He almost misses Akira licking his fingers clean, purely for relishing the sting. Almost. Oooh, tuck that one in the spank bank for later, for sure.
wait, words.]
--what? What's that even mean?! [???????????? guy who is bewildered and so, so turned on right now. Standing there helplessly.] A crow that loves to write? The Nest isn't even giving it away! They're huge--
[He's making too much noise, though. Cue the grimace, before he waves Akira away in a pseudo-huff.] Ah, fine. I'll take what I'm given, and I'll like it. Wait for me, yeah?
Laughter's the only answer Gregor gets, his frustration clearly the intended punchline. But that is indeed all before Akira's gone into the night, the mushroom chunk safe and sound where it should be, and no other eyes having witnessed his entrance or his exit. Save for the the intended evidence, (and the zealous swordsman's valiant attempts at uprooting him) he may as well have never been in there at all.
Whether it's by the whims of fate or Akira vetting his targets more thoroughly as suggested, they don't see each other for at least a few weeks after that.
Robberies take place, sure, but there's no clear calling card of the elusive Dodomeki for news sources to cling to. More jobs will come and go for Zwei, provided Gregor's gambit worked and he gets to keep skating on that thin ice, and he'll no doubt be dragged a good number of places with sights worth remembering and sights worth forgetting that you've even forgotten them.
Where a certain sight lands depends entirely on Gregor.
It's just a place he happens to pass by on a job, either in a rush or a leisurely stroll, but a hand painted sign will catch his eye for a moment: The Quill & Crow. A crow is perched on the nib of a finely plumed quill writing out the ampersand, a more ambitious idea than the artist had skill for, but it gets the idea across well enough. Judging from the windows it seems to be an old bookstore, shelves lining the walls and table displays left less organized than they no doubt started the day from the people leafing through them.
It seems normal, quiet, forgettable. But what does Gregor think...? ]
But Gregor's let slip-skating, considering he still had the cigarette on hand (and certainly muddied with his own genetic data, oopsies tehepero); he's bumped into a different Section for his mishaps, but not booted from the Association altogether, which is about all he could ask for. Sadly, he's not even on the higher-stakes protection jobs, pointedly kept away from anything that might attract the Dodomeki or his like, and it's a good stretch of bodyguard work or even just...
Peacekeeping work. Rent-a-cop work becomes his bread and butter, makes his head itch with how boring it is compared to what he had. But that's the price he agreed to pay, and it lets him have a certain leeway with his beat. Which leads him to today's, ah...Venture. Another beat, another drag through a new path he's in the middle of memorising. Gotta know what's normal to know when something's awry, after all.
The sign's not exactly out of the ordinary, when he looks at it. Memorises that design, has a little chortle at the skill and how heartening it is, to see someone do their best. Then he stops dead. There's a bell ringing in the back of his mind, and he almost can't recall why until he takes another look at the sign.
Crow. Crow. Crow. Quill? Crow. Huh...Crow who likes to write?
He checks his pocketwatch in a hurry, before bursting through the door looking a complete mess. There's no predatory dignity to him right now, just the excited flush of a man who saw his childhood sweetheart for the first time in decades.]
[ Despite the urgency Greg enters with, the energy isn't met in kind. There's just one or two people already in there doing their browsing, and what looks like a bored teenager with a messy bob busy reading his own material instead of manning the front desk he's behind.
"Welcome to the Quill & Crow, where words of a feather flock together. How can I--"
He doesn't even look up at first when he starts the over-rehearsed pitch, but when he does, and most importantly spots the uniform Gregor's in, he stops dead in his tracks. He doesn't necessarily seem any more enthused, (maybe his face is just like that?) but his eyebrows do knit in some kind of concern.
[Ah. Indeed, a public establishment. He can't make things worse for himself by acting fully unhinged, so he tries to fix himself a little, smooth his hair and fix his glasses a little, before jauntily trotting up to the poor kid behind the desk.]
Sorry to spook ya like that. See, a friend of mine recommended this place, but forgot to tell me if he works here, or owns the place or something, so I gotta ask.
Akira, tall guy, beauty spot, big smile. You know him? Could be I remembered the wrong place, so it's fine if you've never heard of him, heh. Trying to surprise my pal while we're both on the clock's a bit hard! Right? Yeah.
[so normal so cool please be the right place aaaaaaaaaaaauuuuhhhh]
[ The reaction is small, but there. A twitch of even deeper concern when 'Akira' is mentioned before the kid finally schools his face back into full professional disinterest.
"We're really not supposed to talk about other employees like that, sir. Safety thing."
"Oh, you're Akira's friend?" Chimes in another voice. A tiny older woman that had been browsing, eyes barely visible behind the thickness of her lenses, but her smile sure is pleasant. "Such a sweet boy. He works so hard, I'm sure you can let him have a moment or two with his friend, can't you?"
He gives the woman a look that can only be described as 'bruh', thinning his lips to avoid outright frowning. After a moment's thought on any kind of last ditch effort to deny Gregor anyway, he decides it isn't worth the trouble and sighs.
"...I'll check if he's in today."
And through the door behind the counter he goes. It's quiet and calm, save for the old lady slowly recounting some time Akira helped her and her grandkids get a book from a high shelf whether or not Greg actually listens, he's so good with the kids he's going to make a fantastic father someday, he's so handsome too he must already have someone on his arm, oh if only she were a few years younger maybe--
When the desk boy peeks back in from behind the door, his resting indifference is cut with confusion this time.
[Greg's about to apologise for asking, maybe placate with the idea of coming back another day (as if that'd help), when. Ooh. Ooh. PR opportunity and a chance to humanise his cute thief pal a little more. He listens intently to his new best friend, nodding and humming, before bowing to her when his cue's given.]
Thanks ma'am, I'll hafta let him know he's left such a good impression on such a beautiful woman!
[And, before he can fuck it up with more yapping, he slinks off towards Desk Boy with a jaunty little wave.]
Sorry to impose like this, mate. Thanks for humouring me. [And then, with his best, friendly guy swag voice--] Yoohooooooo, Akiraaaa?
[cue him poking his head in the doorway, still wiggling his fingers in a wave. He's a disaster, but it's all the fault of his nerves, clearly. Very normal.]
[ A few things happen at the same time when Gregor pokes his head in. One, with Desk Boy sliding past to get back to his post, he gives the man a quick kick to the rear to hopefully catch him off balance and send him all the way in to close the door behind him. He still has a job to do and whatever's about to happen in the employees only area should stay in the employees only area.
Second, perhaps more interesting to Greg, is his tie being grabbed and yanked to redirect his back to the wall. And who should be the one to yank, grinning down at him so bright, so pleased, but his cute thief pal? ]
[The kick gambit absolutely works, and Gregor stumbles slapstick into the employees only area, making ridiculous noises of surprise as he goes. The noise making does not stop when his tie's yanked and the slapstick manhandling continues, nor when he realises whose hand is on his tie.
Only when he realises that he should talk, instead of pointlessly going 'awhoawhoawhoawhoawhoa'.]
Ha.
...Found ya. [As if he deserves any credit for doing much bar remembering. As if he's not the one being pinned right now.] Cute shop. Owned, or just worked at?
[ Okay, he can't not laugh at the fact that all actually worked. He half expected this to turn into a play fight or something, (not that there's much room for one--this back room is barely the size of the shop out front, and most of it's taken up by what looks like unsorted stock.) but his Big Bad Zwei being adorable is perhaps just as good.
In fact, too adorable not to dote on a little. He'll give a quick kiss to Greg's nose and smooth out the uniform vest while his other hand is still gripping the tie. ]
It's work. The owner's out right now, probably will be for the rest of the day knowing him, so it's just you and me...
...And Tenmaru, [ a nod towards the door, ] but I don't think he'll be bothering us either.
Shit, don't wanna risk your gig or anything. Just wanted to pop in and say hi, since I've been shifted about a bit.
[The gall this bitch has, to be all flustered and weird now after their last encounter involved having to deal with his boner on the job!!!! The fucking cheek! But-- this is more personal, isn't it? At least for Akira. There aren't likely going to be consequences for Gregor's beat unless a fight breaks out on the street this shop's on or something, but this is Akira's job, his home turf.
The hunt never takes place in the actual warren. Stake it out, yes, grab the rabbit by the neck and shake once it peeks out, but never within.]
What time you finish up? And, uh-- you.
You free...Tonight? Or any night. Any night while I'm posted here's good. Got a few months. Don't wanna ruin your rep with the sweet old girl out there who thinks the sun shines outta your boots, or your boss, or...Anyone.
[abuhbuhbuhbuhbuh. His eyes are darting around nervously, as if he's afraid that they'll get caught any second despite that reassurance. At least he's consistent in valuing not ruining lives if he doesn't have to, I guess?]
[ A predator really has no business being this sweet to his prey, and the prey should know better than to be drawn in by it.
And yet.
Akira's smile softens as Gregor voices his worries, letting the thumb on his tie idly stroke the fabric almost fondly while he listens. He's in no danger here, at least not from anyone involved with the shop proper, but the fact that the idea he might be is putting Greg in this much of a tizzy is...doing things, to his heart rather than his dick this time around.
It makes him want to lean in even closer, chest flush to chest, so Gregor has a chance to feel that it's beating harder. ]
I just so happen to be free tonight. If you come by again around six, we could go wherever you like.
[He lets out a nervous chuckle, arms awkwardly hovering in the air before finally winding around Akira's back in a loose embrace.] Didn't want you to think I wasn't still thinking about you or anything, but I didn't wanna screw things up now, after we went through so much blueballing to get this far.
[A beat. Maybe multiple, going by how fast his heart's racing too and how they're all flush and, you get it. Then Gregor finally grows a pair and leans up a little to smack a stubbly kiss against one sculpted dodomeki cheek.]
I'll be back after six. Works out great; beat's over at five, so I can go wash up and put on something else, keep from spooking the locals. There's been this diner a few streets over I've been going to for dinners; not high end, but it's got good coffee. If you, y'know. Like coffee.
[ That soft smile gets notably dopier with a stubbly kiss and Gregor's arms around him. Grown-ass men kissing in secret behind one's workplace like infatuated teenagers...maybe that's what gets him giggling again, or it's that same infatuation coloring his cheeks too. ]
I like you.
[ A thought, one toe back in the real world. ]
I also like coffee, yes. Could absolutely use it once the shift is done, especially if it comes with such delightful company.
[ Another thought, slightly back in the rose-tinted fantasy he's allowing himself since this is honestly the least amount of stakes they've had to deal with since they met. He had worried he might find the idea boring if it ever happened, and yet he can't find it in him to let up on the pin or even let go of Greg's tie. ]
But I don't want to let you go just yet...even if you're going to be around for--a few months, you said?
[grown ass men playing tiggy across the City!! grown ass Zwei Fixer making a little noise of surprise in response to that 'I like you', as if it's a surprise!!! the fuck is wrong with them?]
Ah-- ah. Mm, I like you too. More than coffee, but coffee's pretty grand, not gonna lie--
[NO STOP STOP STAGGERING HIM AKIRA HE'S LOW ON HP ALREADY
aka more guyfailure noises, a little cough, clearing the throat, so on. At least he's managing a smile this time, because it's all very pleased now that they're working out ways to avert disaster.
...........Fuck it, one more kiss, a quick squeeze.] I know how you feel, fella-- Akira. Sorry. I don't wanna love and leave you either. [Time to shoot the door a furtive glance, very pointed as if to ham up the stupid teenager game they've got going on at the moment, before turning back to Akira and waggling his eyebrows.]
Reckon we could get to second base without gettin' caught?
[ Cute cute cute cute!! Augh, he's gonna eat this man alive at this rate!
He leans in to linger on that kiss for a little while longer, half tempted to make an actual game out of holding them where they are for as long as possible if Greg really does have to go. Luckily it sounds like they're of the same mind...
...More than Greg might realize, with that suggestion. That happy, dopey smile sharpens into a smirk reeeal fast. ]
Yeah, that's true. Part of why I like you so much, to be honest. Sneaky fucker.
[The most charmed 'sneaky fucker' ever said, naturally, and accompanied by him pushing his glasses back into his hair; no need to get them totally smudged up from pawing at another dude, is there?
Whiiiiich he does. At least as far as sneaking his prosthetic hand, a few degrees cooler than his other one even through the gloves, up the back of Akira's shirt. Just-- let him yank it free, first, and then he can get to work.]
You wouldn't make me cop a night in jail when I could be buyin' you coffee and pie, though, right? I think I'd die if I had to get demoted from here, even if it's for you. [Sure, Greg, let's just say that shit jauntily and in between valiant attempts at doling out pash rash along Akira's jaw. Sure.]
[ He's noticed a difference in those hands since the first night. Not sure exactly what it is just yet, he's got a few ideas, but those are taking a backseat to just enjoying the feeling of being touched. ]
Not so fast. You're sweet, but I'll be the one treating you to coffee and pie, alright? You've let me off the hook enough times it's really the least I can do.
[ The hand at Greg's tie twists to wrap it around like a leash, tugging to urge him closer and keep at that stubble rubbing, thanks. Akira will even help with cheeky kisses to the corners of Gregor's lips.
Meanwhile the other hand is making quick, practiced work of the buttons on Greg's vest. Dude's, uh. Dude's really good with his fingers, who would've guessed? ]
Buuut I can always do a little more...
Edited (when you only notice shit an hour later) 2024-06-27 07:33 (UTC)
I'm gonna hold you to that, and letting me shout next time at least...Just remember, sweetcheeks; only second base for now. I don't put out on the first date.
[rubrubrubrubrubrub. As if he needed the tie yank to get in closer (but fuck is it hotter that way); the real quandary is Gregor's petty urge to leave visible marks, fighting against each little kiss so close to being right on his stupid mouth.
...Fuck it. If he risks getting left high and dry should that door open all of a sudden, he might as well get his own back. Gregor's mouth trails down, down to that soft, vulnerable skin under Akira's jaw, and starts nipping and sucking with a satisfied huff. Never mind the way he's feeling over each knob of vertebra with his prosthesis, over the prominent ridges of shoulder blade as if he's memorising them.
Shit, he'll even help out with his free hand in unbuttoning his vest, shrugging it off so that it dangles from the prosthesis' elbow. Anything in getting skin-on-skin is a bonus.]
Could have fooled me, with how eager you were last time.
[ It's just a tease, not a push. His hands are still above the belt, gladly taking the bit of help help and making quick work of Gregor's shirt so he can duck under fabric and start exploring skin.
His throat vibrates with pleased noises at the teeth on his neck, abrupt mewls escaping when Greg actually bites down. The work shirt isn't a high collar like he prefers on his own time--the birds are going to see all this, going to know, and instead of shame or panic boiling up he adjusts the slack in the necktie-leash to where there is none. A silent command for Greg to keep doing what he's doing, please and thank you.
It urges his own hand to be a little less gentle like before, nails trailing up until they can take a good, tight handful of a pec to knead at. Get fondled, idiot. His thumb especially is gonna have a good time rubbing and teasing over the nipple there. ]
Says you. I think we were both pretty excited by the game, between you and me.
[Mumbled right against Akira's skin still, mouth unwilling to move too far. He's not even going to stop suckling under his jaw until it feels like every inch is wet and puffy with hickeys (at least in his brain), laving his tongue out as he mouths his way down bit by bit.
Yeah. This was absolutely the best course of action to take. Sure, work's treating him like shit now, and he might even cop a bit of heat for not quite finishing his beat today, but like. Fuck it. This is just as good as a great fight, even if he's less sure of his skills in the sack than in the streets. But swinging a sword's never gotten someone flicking his nipple before, has it?
Which, by the way, gets him a little louder than he'd like, inspires the ultimate move: prosthetic hand no longer best friends with Akira's spine. Now slapping and kneading at his ass is the prosthesis' best friend etc etc.]
[ Welp! So much for keeping cool and flirty, Akira's gotta bite his lip to muffle a loud, delighted noise at that first surprise ass slap. There's no hiding the arch in his back, though, eagerly pressing himself as close as possible against as much of Gregor as he can manage, crotch first.
Just a moment's worth of recovery and he's yanking on Gregor's necktie to bring his ear to Akira's mouth, half growling and half purring his next words, ]
Oooh, you better save that for later or we're both getting caught real quick.
[Just to make good on that, his hands move back up just a few centimetres, hips more than ass, and he presses a few apologetic kisses along the side of Akira's throat.
(They are not apologetic at all, with how he's grinning in each kiss.)]
Didn't think you'd get so worked up, to be honest. I better remember that, huh?
[ Akira sneaks in a nip at the shell of Gregor's ear before the man's going back down to his throat. Cheeky little shit that he is, Akira's obviously not too upset about it all. ]
Oh, I've plenty of little secrets like that to show you. If you play your cards right at dinner~
[ A bluff--so long as nothing else comes up it's practically guaranteed he's going to yoink this guy somewhere private as soon as he gets the chance. But they're both being teases here, hands full of each other, so it's fine. It's great.
Great like how Gregor's waist seems to fit perfectly to the curve of Akira's hand, don't mind fingertips playfully flicking at that uniform waistband. ]
Hooooo, you keep that up, we're both gonna be figuring out each other's buttons before dinner even hits.
[A little louder than he'd meant, but can you blame a guy for getting pumped up for his impending dinner date and possibly, probably, hopefully, sweet narsty sex after? Gregor even laughs in between kisses and bites, a blend of the two now, and moves to lift Akira off the ground and crush him in close.]
I better go gettin' you some roses, fella. Real deal stuff.
[ Any other idle purring shifts into surprised laughter as he's suddenly lifted, shifting his own hold so it's more of a proper hug, better for holding on. ]
Roses? [ He half-asks, half-laughs, masking the little leap his heart does at the idea. ] Heavens, as if you need the help in getting me to fall for you!
Ah, definitely keep that sort of chat for after the first date, huh? I don't wanna break your heart with how boorish I am, so temper those expectations.
[And then he fucking winks. Of course he does.] But I gotta get you something, don't I? And they'd match your eyes. ...And the way you've been a thorn in my side and my brain, I guess. But mostly the eye thing.
[ Thankfully Maruki is spared holding a strange youkai's hand all the way to a nearby hospital.
The place is huge, clean, and busy despite seeming like it has plenty enough staff running around all seeing to their duties. It also gets easy to tell who's newer and who isn't from their reactions to Akira, some only recognizing the name while others greet him warmly, excited to show him one thing or another or beg his opinion on something, all of which he has to tear himself away from due to some very important business with his guest, here.
He does promise to do his best getting back to them before the day's out, though. Hard to keep his curiosity at bay once it's piqued.
Which is why he keeps at dragging Maruki along until they're finally alone in an office on one of the upper floors, clearly not used very often what with how organized and lacking in any personal touches it is. For that extra bit of security he even locks the door behind them, placing the key used on top of the desk, well within either of their reach.
It's a quiet promise that this isn't some kind of trap to pounce and chow down on him after all, only a safety measure, and Maruki can still back out at any time he chooses. ]
[ Akira's popularity with some of the staff doesn't go unnoticed, nor does the gesture with the key. Both go a long way toward settling the uncertainty in Maruki's mind that keeps edging toward fear. By all means, he should be frightened of a youkai β especially one who is in the medical field and eats organs β but there's something rather placating about Akira. He keeps managing to pull Maruki back in, gain a few footholds of trust.
He glances around the pristine office, then back to Akira. ]
Thank you. It's a very nice facility. Do youkai really come here for treatment...?
[ Yes, he's stalling. And he hasn't taken a seat. ]
This is mostly a human hospital, but it's known in the local community as a safe place to go. The youkai on staff know all the proper protocol~
[ They passed a few on their way here, but masterful control of shape changing is a must for youkai who choose to live this way. He wouldn't out them, though, not to a stranger, even one he has good feelings about. Maruki will just have to learn who's what on his own time if he gets curious enough.
Akira himself takes a lean against the front of his desk, casual save for the spark of all-consuming curiosity behind his eyes (just the two, for now) fixed on the other man. ]
[ He steps back a little further, puts more distance between him and Akira at the desk. ]
Let's begin.
[ It stands to reason that a reality with youkai disguised as normal humans has just enough ripples at the edges of its fabric that a cognitive being could exist in it too. Maruki has no doubt, really. Azathoth was borne from his soul; he knows inherently what it can and cannot do, and he knows it will come now if he calls.
The air in the tidy, disused office wavers slightly as an aurora of deep jewel tones seeps in. It's a lovely sight all on its own, for the few seconds it lasts before the Persona that it heralds makes its appearance. All at once, Azathoth manifests beside Maruki β scaled down to fit indoors, its gleaming golden chassis taking up the whole space from floor to ceiling.
It stares at Akira with unseeing, otherworldly blue eyes as its clawed tentacles rise up all around it and Maruki, striated in that same glowing neon.
He looks from his Persona to Akira and waits for the oncoming avalanche of weirdness that's sure to follow. ]
It's called Azathoth. It doesn't act outside of my command, [ lmao probably? ] so you're safe.
[ Well, it's hard to stay casual in front of a spectacle like that, isn't it? The smile fades from Akira's face, staring right back at this thing with not a lick of fear or concern in him, only unfiltered awe.
He pushes himself away from the desk to take a few steps forward, hands tentatively out in front of him as if asking for permission to try and touch. Can it be touched? If it can follow commands that might harm him that only stands to reason that it could touch him. What does it feel like? What's underneath those tentacles allowing them to move, a system of muscles like a cephalopod? What would that look like as it transitions to those claws, and how dexterous are they?
That's only a few of the questions he can manage to pick out of the many swirling around in his mind, along with, ]
Maruki rubs at the back of his neck, tries to tell himself this really should be no stranger than learning youkai exist in human disguises all around them. Surely it's on the same level. ]
It's probably easiest if you consider it an extension of my soul. The other me, so to speak...
[ And then he looks at Akira's outstretched hands.
Everyone say thank you to Azathoth for having a corporeal form unlike every other Persona, for some reason! Maruki just has to be a special boy, huh!!!! ]
[ So, this is also Maruki in a way. It has Akira's head tilting as if he'll see something he didn't at a different angle, once again taking in as many details as he can. The tentacles are the easiest thing to spot first, both octopus and snakelike, and both appropriate--octopi are highly intelligent animals, healers, and the limbs wrap around that golden anchor point much like a caduceus. Said anchor also seems to be mostly brain and spine, the bare bones (if he'd pardon his own wording) of a body's necessary systems.
God, it's all so fascinating. It's up to Maruki whether the shine in Akira's eyes and the flush coming to his cheeks is 'being normal' enough once he actually goes in to touch.
At least he's gentle about it, just picking any tentacle and running his palm across its surface. ]
[ He should have known that Akira would ask good questions. A fellow man of science and a fellow oddball who has seen things no regular human could ever dream of, of course he does.
And Maruki has no idea as to the answer.
He watches Akira's hand running over one of the lesser tentacles, considers his answer for a quiet moment. ]
I don't think so, no. [ The words come slowly, as if he's formulating the thoughts as he's saying them. ] Are you familiar with the idea of the collective unconscious? A place where all human souls are connected... Where those archetypes, myths and pantheons we all know reside.
[ A beat, and then he suddenly laughs, eyes brightening. ]
I know of the concept, but only about as much as you described.
[ Since there's no adverse reaction to his touch, he'll start getting a little more adventurous. Wrapping as much of one hand around the tentacle as he can, gently squeezing to get an idea of its heft and what might be underneath.
It's strange, though, he can't see where the tentacles would connect to the main body if this whole thing were to operate like something made of flesh and blood. Do extensions of the soul even need to follow the rules beings of flesh and blood do? Even youkai that are mostly made of spirit energy have some sort of blueprint they follow, something to tether them to this material world.
Ah. Aaah, he wants to cut into this thing. Wants to peel away its layers and see all the secrets they're hiding...
A new tell to his train of thought is the quickening of his breathing, the tightening of his grip. He's gotten so far, he needs to keep this going before he ruins it! ]
[ The flush, the grip, the shining eyes, the fast breathingβ ]
Ah, Takahashi-san?
[ Maruki won't dispel Azathoth, not right away, but he sure as hell is on the defense now. ]
Are you feeling alright? I know it's all pretty strange and overwhelming...
[ As if he isn't currently speaking to a dodomeki. But it's easier to think that Akira's reacting this way for those reason and not for... any other ones. Oh, god. ]
[ He swallows, hard, trying to remember every calming technique he's been taught over the years while the buzzing in his head from his overwhelming need to know gets louder and louder.
It's okay. It's okay, just keep going, keep asking normal questions and he'll get what he wants without scaring Maruki off! ]
He's left confusedly groping at the air for a second before he turns that totally-not-mania back in Maruki's direction, self control out the window now that he's already messed up. ]
But--if you're not sure, if you don't know, why wouldn't you want to test that? It would be so simple, so easy! It wouldn't even leave a scar, I promise!
[ It gets him to pause at least, desperately grasping for words this time. He has no problems being honest, but what he wants is to be understood, and after all this time he can't help but hold on to the idea that if he can explain himself well enough that maybe, just maybe, he won't have to fight as much to get things done. ]
I don't want to hurt you, [ He finally manages, ] I just want to know.
[ And right out of that, another idea hits him. ]
Would a local anesthetic help? You wouldn't have to feel it at all, wouldn't even have to look if you don't want to!
I don't think local anesthetic will do anything for this...!
[ Well, to be fair, Maruki doesn't know that. He doesn't know anything, really. This persona business is more or less still a mystery to him.
Still, thoughβ
If he thinks about it for a moment, there's a pang of sympathy somewhere deep in his gut despite himself. After all, Maruki has spent the majority of his career chasing after a field unrecognized in mainstream academia, isolated himself from colleagues and peers, all because of his desire to know. He does get it, in his own way.
That's most of what makes him relent, just a little. Whatever else makes him do it probably isn't worth examining. ]
Look... Can I know what you're trying to find out about it?
I want to know what type of musculature it has if any, I want to know how it connects to the central piece, I want to know what's underneath its cranium, how the nerves are mapped, if there are any special properties to its skin, I want to know if it bleeds and if it shares your blood type--I want to know just how much the two of you share and are alike, at that!
[ His gesturing hands move faster than his mouth as he speaks, as if trying to illustrate what he's talking about will somehow make it clearer. Less frightening. It's not frightening anymore if someone just, knows what the scary unknown is, right...? ]
Listens. To his credit, he does hear out every word Akira says. And none of those questions are ones he can answer. He doesn't even know if they're possible to answer. He could very well work up the nerve to let Akira slice his persona open, only to find that it's impossible, or that nothing exists inside but the calm, warm void of the collective unconscious. ]
I...
[ They won't know until they try, though. ]
Okay.
[ God. ]
Okay, butβ not now. In the future. Once I know you a little better. Is that a fair compromise?
[ Thank everything age and experience has given him a lick of patience to work with, because, ] Of course!
[ He does, however, step forward in what excitement can't be contained, hands clasping together to play with each other as if it'll help calm him down, or perhaps keep them to himself. ]
You learn about me, and I learn about you. That sounds perfectly fair to me.
THAT'S A WRAP ON THIS ONE TOO?? oh the way i will bombard you soon
[ There's another very brief moment when Maruki takes Akira's hands where his smile softens and he just. Looks. Watches the other man as if he's searching for something only he can see, and considering...well, everything, maybe he can.
But it only lasts for that moment, and then his smile is back, wide and warm. ]
You won't, I'm sure of it!
you say "someone should sit in akira's lap and get jerked off" i say how high
[ Maruki trusts Akira. And at this point, it isn't even against his better judgment.
He's a caring, affectionate man who has, to Maruki's knowledge, never been dishonest with him. Yes, he can get intense about his interests, butβ well, so can Maruki. That's something inherent to people who seek out knowledge above all else, he thinks. Even when it's occasionally unnerving, it's never dangerous. Really, Maruki feels perfectly safe with him, youkai or not.
Of course, there's always the possibility that he's got it all wrong, that he's walked right into the belly of the beast and will be devoured soon enough. But some wires of his cognition are permanently crossed, and even that potential is thrilling in its own way.
One nice date snowballs into another, and another, and another, and it's truly a phenomenal thing that Maruki gets up the nerve to accept an invitation back to his hotel room.
His very luxe hotel room.
Suddenly, Akira's ability to spoil him on those dates makes a bit more sense... Oh, to have a doctorate degree that isn't functionally useless.
It's there, on a plush loveseat in a suite that surely costs more than his life, that Maruki finds himself deftly pulled into the good doctor's lap. Awkward, gangly limbs splay to straddle his lap, and his already flushed cheeks flare brighter and hotter as his palms come to rest flat on Akira's chest, and he laughs through his shock and fluster. ]
Ah, I keep forgetting just how strong you are... [ Not that it takes much to muscle around a guy as slight as him, but still. ] I wish my own abilities granted me any sort of practical side effects like that. You've certainly got one over on me!
[ Being the eldest son of a wealthy family, Akira's been on his share of dates. Both with the children of other families trying to win the favor of the Takahashis and younger folk who see a rich eccentric and figure they may as well shoot their shot.
Very, very few of them come back for a second go.
He was always too much in one way or another, too strange, too intense, too frightening, and though finding a match was never really his highest priority Akira just had to come to terms with the fact that finding someone who enjoys spending time with him as much as he does with them was going to be...difficult.
Maruki, though. Maruki is incredibly easy to spend time with. He's so patient with Akira's curiosities, eager to learn things in tandem, and has no shortage of fascinating topics to regale with at any given time. On top of that he's kind, and he's cute with that smile and nervous little laugh...
Alright. Akira might be a little smitten.
Which might also be obvious from the tipsy adoration he's beaming up at Maruki once the man's settled on his lap, palms resting against thighs as thumbs draw lazy little circles.
With a chuckle, ] It helps that you're pretty light. Buuuuut I do get a lot of practice holding down unruly patients, so it isn't all side effects of genetics.
[ He likes to think he doesn't let his upbringing get the better of him all that often, but even the most shunned of outcasts aren't immune to social conditioning. And so a potential partner hitting him with the 'oh wooow you're so strooong' is. Unexpectedly doing it for that oni side of him. ]
[ Akira's in luck, because Maruki has no intention of stopping with the fawning over him any time soon. He likes to be vocal in his affection, places a tremendous value on words. And besidesβ none of it is put on at all. Maruki genuinely means every word of praise that he speaks, earnest in all endeavors.
He ducks his head to try to hide a growing flush β holding down unruly patients, dear lord, of course that's part and parcel when it comes to practicing medicine on youkai. Akira is ridiculous, and Maruki's ridiculously fond of him.
One hand tracks up to idly fiddle with the collar of Akira's shirt, fingers slipping inside undone top buttons to seek out the warmth of his skin. ]
Do I have to be unruly to see that for myself? I'm afraid that's not exactly in my nature...
[ Maruki isn't so stupid as to be surprised by those words; they enjoy one another's company, there's an undeniable attraction that flows both ways. Akira is sweet, effusive in his affections. He dotes, and spoils, and praises, and Maruki has never once doubted that there's something brewing insistently between them, even in his most oblivious moments.
But despite all this, it's an inescapable truth that he doesn't assume anyone considers him at all when he isn't around. Much less at length, much less in the context Akira implies with that touch.
He shifts a little closer in Akira's lap, looks at him with guileless eyes. ]
It's hard to believe I'm on your mind that much, but... what do you imagine?
Oh, I think about you quite a bit. Looking at me with eyes just like this, too.
[ If Akira had his way he'd have been staring close enough, long enough, into those big, doe eyes to take an educated guess at Maruki's perscription, but seeing them like this is almost just as good. Some things are easier to see when in the bigger picture, after all. ]
I think of mapping your pulse points with my lips, my teeth, tongue, getting to feel how excited you are the further down I go...
[ How lucky one hand is already so close to Maruki's femoral artery, close enough for the hand at his thigh to slip just-so and keep up the thumb massage so cheekily close to his groin. ]
[ It barely takes more than that wandering hand and those heated words for Maruki to shiver, a soft noise rising high in his throat. Perhaps it's only a failure of imagination, but he hadn't considered how Akira's honed and heightened senses would play into things. It suddenly becomes much more intimate, in a strange way, when Akira can know things about his body that he's hardly even aware of.
He slides both hands up to rest lightly along the line of Akira's jaw, fingers delicately tracing. ]
I would let you, you know. [ Easily, gladly. His smile is shy but true. ] Honestly... I can't imagine there's anything I wouldn't let you do.
[ Perhaps a uniquely foolish statement to make with a man like Akra, but Maruki is a uniquely foolish man himself. ]
[ 'Danger' he says, practically purring against the soft touch. No, he'd never harm Maruki on purpose, but he knows himself. Knows that's not always how he thinks of it. It'd be a disservice to such a sweet man not to remind him every now and then that he's cozying up to a predator no matter how much said predator's taken a shine to him.
The hand at Maruki's belt loops slooowly drags a fingertip across to the buckle, unclasping it with perhaps surprising skill considering it's just the one hand. ]
It'd be easy to throw you back onto the bed there, get myself nice and settled on top of you...just my hips on yours would be enough, I bet, but would you like it if I pinned your hands above your head, hmm?
[ The reminder's appreciatedβ an understatement. Maruki shouldn't enjoy being reminded that Akira has the capacity to be dangerous, but...
Well, unfortunately, if he keeps working Maruki's trousers open it'll become all too clear just how much he enjoys it. He shifts in Akira's lap as his belt is undone, spreads his legs just a little wider to settle more comfortably
He can't make eye contact, watching instead as he drags one hand up to fiddle with Akira's hair right above his ear. ]
That sounds like something I would enjoy, yes... [ Another understatement. Hold me down and have your way with me, far too bold to make it to the tip of his tongue, but the thought is certainly there. ] Is that what you like, Takahashi-san? Taking over like that...?
[ And it's a very, very genuine question. Maruki wants more than anything to know what Akira likes, what he wants. He'll give it to him, whatever it is. ]
Mm...it's not so much I like taking over as I like. You?
[ He can't help but chuckle at how silly that must sound, taking his sweet time to slide the belt out of its loops while he chooses his next words. ]
You're already stunning as you are day-to-day, I can't imagine how beautiful you'd be when worked up and wanting, much less when satisfied...
[ The hand at Maruki's thigh slowly releases its grip only to finger-walk nice and coy up to his zipper. With the way their hips are so comfortably settled against each other, it's not secret how much Akira and his imagination are enjoying this moment either. ]
...and I want to take note of every single step it takes to get you there. So I can compare and contrast methods for the next time, if I'm so lucky as to be allowed.
[ It's not silly, not to Maruki, not at all β it's sweet. And arousing, shamefully so. Maruki squirms, hips bumping clumsily against Akira's as a high, strangled gasp catches in his throat. He can't possibly get redder, not without all his blood vessels bursting at once, but all that praise brings him dangerously close. ]
If you're so lucky? I think you've got it backwards.
[ Another roll of his hips, more deliberate this time; he can feel Akira hard and aching against him, all from nothing more than a little light petting and his own pretty words. It's a relief to not be the only one so easily affected.
He exhales, shaky, and leans in to press a lingering kiss just beneath Akira's ear. Then another, lower down his jaw; a third against his neck as he speaks. ]
You're so handsome and confident... assured of yourself... and clearly a dedicated man of science. [ He grins into the warm skin of Akira's neck despite himself; there really is nothing more charming than taking detailed notes to compare and contrast. What a dork... ] I like you, too. You should know that.
[ A low, appreciative hum rumbles in the back of his throat at Maruki's hips moving so tantalizingly against his, unable to keep himself from responding in kind.
Yeah okay, screw putting on a little show, the belt is unceremoniously dropped right on the floor once it's all the way out so Akira can bring that hand to rest possessively against the nape of Maruki's neck, keeping his lips close to Akira's skin just that little bit longer. ]
Mm...I'd say I'm lucky, yes, having someone like you talking to me like this.
[ Steady, but not nearly as slow anymore, Maruki's zipper is finally down and Akira's palming at the bulge in his boxers. Just a little more patience, only a little more. ]
I want to make you feel so good, Maruki...may I touch you? Please...?
[ It's a small, strangled, pitiful sound that jolts out of Maruki when he feels a warm hand snaking its way into his pants. Coupled with those words, as if Maruki could ever deny him, to say nothing of when he's asked so sweetlyβ
Oh, he's a goner. ]
Oh, my... You can, yes. Please.
[ It's all murmured against Akira's neck before he latches on again, sucking a slow, deliberate kiss over his pulse point. Maruki's too overwhelmed to say he wants to make him feel good too; he can communicate it this way, his whole body rocking into Akira's. ]
[ Cute, cute, cute, what gives Maruki the right to be so adorable right before sending a shiver aaallll the way down Akira's spine with lips right against his hammering heartbeat? A thought he'll have to revisit if things go well and that kiss leaves a mark for him to remember this by in the morning...ah, what a surprisingly wicked thing.
The shiver follows down his arm, hands, to the fingertips tugging at Maruki's waistline to free his dick and wrap around it in one smooth motion. It's slow at first, almost reverent, as if Akira could memorize even this much about Maruki from touch alone.
And he may very well, with his eyes fluttering shut to bask in the feeling of it all. ]
[ Maruki does intend to leave a mark β it's one part his own possessive, desperate nature, and two parts his suspicion that Akira would very much enjoy such a thing β but the second that deft hand wraps tight around his cock, his jaw goes slack, mouth falling open to pant wet and warm and pitiful instead. ]
Th-that's... ah, you feel good, even just like this.
[ It's because the motion is so slow, so deliberate and patient that Maruki falls apart so easily. He's just as susceptible to this as he is a frenetic, feverish rush. Maybe even more so; as much as it would normally mortify him to be touched so reverently that it's nearly worship, in Akira's hands that feels like a safe notion.
He manages to pick himself up, both trembling hands coming to cup Akira's cheeks, thumbs stroking the soft skin beneath closed eyes. ]
[ His eyes can't stay closed for long when they have to stare adoringly at the man holding his face, can they? He's such a sucker for sweet touches like this, can't stop himself from urging Maruki forward with that hand at the back of his neck into a quick kiss, only letting himself pull away enough so his next words are hot against each other's lips. ]
I want to be even sweeter for you. Give you all the nice things you deserve.
[ Not just expensive gifts, those are easy. He could spend thousands on Maruki in an instant without much thought. But what Akira really wants to give is time, attention, to show him with action how fascinating a man he truly is, that Akira isn't kidding when he says he wants to know every single thing he can.
Like which way he moves his fingers will get Maruki slack-jawed in pleasure again. ]
Akira did tell him that he likes to dote. And Maruki believed it! Truly, he did. He's had no reason to doubt any of Akira's words before, and certainly not now.
But Maruki is a scientist, deep into his bones. All the hypotheticals in the world don't come close to the real thing. Seeing is believing, and being the sole target for all of Akira's boundless passionate energy and brazen affection would be enough to make a believer out of even the most skeptical man.
His whole body shudders at the next movement of that deft hand, hips rolling forward to try to grind into Akira again, desperate to give him something in return. ]
You'll have to let me do the same.
[ A panting murmur against Akira's lips before slides his hands down the sides of his neck, to the front of his chest, to work at the buttons of his shirt. ]
[ Once again his own hips can't help but respond in kind, the whole of him so desperate to touch while being allowed only this little bit for the sake of easing in instead of jumping headfirst into frightening this dream of a man wrapped in a cozy sweater.
But those words, those fingertips teasing their warmth against the skin of his throat. ]
Please.
[ It's almost breathless, that word. And completely genuine, with the way bright red eyes are practically oozing the very same sentiment. Please, please, please-- ]
Oh, please show me how sweet you can be.
[ Beneath a button, beneath Maruki's fingers, an eye splits open from Akira's flesh. And another, and another, greedily bubbling to the surface for the privilege of gazing at Maruki as the main two squeeze shut for another eager kiss. ]
[ That heated, desperate begging falling from someone else's lips is such a novelty that Maruki wants to cave to it immediately, give Akira everything he's asking for and more, so he surges into the kiss and hurries with the buttons to be able to spread his handsβ
OVER SOME EYES. ]
Mmphβ what!?
[ He jerks his head back, looking quickly from Akira's handsome face to the MANY EYES now littered across his chest. ]
T-Takahashi, I can't touch you if you're...
[ Well, wait. ]
Unless... do you like them being touched? How does it work?
[ We're not kissing all of the sudden, why--oh? Oh!
Sorry, once the problem registers he can't help but laugh. He really should have expected this, excited as he gets, and yet...! ]
I do, actually, but not like...ah, here.
[ The free hand will gently, gently, take one of Maruki's, bringing it down towards no eye in particular. There's plenty to choose from.
But once they land on one he'll guide fingertips with his own, carefully brushing them along the lid, much like a lover sweeping tears away. Back, and forth, to the upper lid as well, and as he's demonstrating the two on his face have the nerve to look bashful. ]
[ A soft exhalation, deeply fascinated by watching the way Akira guides his touch. It makes sense, really, and it's exactly why he quickly pulled away β no one likes getting poked in the eye, even and perhaps especially when those eyes are everywhere! But a tender motion like this, more affectionate than anything else...
Maruki's own eyes lift to Akira's face again, smiling with warmth and total endearment. ]
It's not strange at all. Thank you for showing me.
[ And he's curious to try something else along with that, butβ well, that time will come. The night is young, and just as Akira's been taking his time with him, Maruki is in no rush either.
He quickly undoes the rest of the buttons on Akira's shirt so he can push it open, give him full and free access to this baffling, fascinating, lovely man he's found himself entangled with.
When he returns to their kiss, it's with two fingers stroking gently over the lid of one eye, a thumb brushing beneath another. Both hands have a light touch, cautious not to cause any discomfort, but ever-moving, ever-exploring. He won't stop unless Akira tells him to. ]
[ Eyes, all the way down, the ones close enough by Maruki's gentle hands fluttering just as the ones he's paying attention to, squinting and sliding shut in clear contentment just as their host is.
(There are select places the eyes don't grow, and with a glance it's obvious why. Scars, thin incisions yet jagged and poorly stitched back together some long time ago dotting across his toned abdomen, and yet another much cleaner and much deeper at the same time cutting right across the underside of his ribcage. They clearly come with stories, but, perhaps for another time.)
Akira's all too happy to return to the kiss, more tender than eager at this exact moment, the attention to his own body teasing pleased little noises out of his throat against Maruki's lips. Enough, perhaps, to force a puff of air through and separate his own, teeth playfully nipping down before they realize what they're doing.
Does it matter? Only if they're both enjoying it. Only if Maruki's enjoying it. Slowly, steadily, the rhythm of his hand at the man's cock picks up the pace a notch. ]
one thing about caitlin she loves a scar stories thread
[ Any time Maruki's hands move over that skin, unmarked by eyes but certainly not unblemished, he takes quiet, careful note. He and Akira are awfully similar in some ways β he may not get as overexcited about it, but Maruki does want to know every last little thing about him. Sometime, he'd like to just lay in bed with Akira, do nothing more than touch and talk.
Now, thoughβ
That little nip makes Maruki's gentle wandering touch turn into clutching around his ribs, jaw going slack again. He nods dumbly, just in case any of those eyes are watching, and grinds down harder against Akira for emphasis. ]
Y-you can do that. [ A beat, and then a returned nip to Akira's lower lip for emphasis. ] You can do more. Whatever you want, I mean that.
[ Oh, the eyes are always watching, catalogueing every little reaction Maruki has to every little movement. So even if the teeth weren't returned, Akira would know to bring his down again just like this. ]
I want...
[ Separation just for a moment, to get a thought out, fighting against the urge to kiss and to bite, ]
To pin you down.
[ To lap, to taste, ]
Get nice and comfortable on top of you,
[ To thread fingers through the hair at the back of Maruki's skull and grip with perhaps a little too much force, smiling wide, skin to skin, ]
[ Every word sears and sparks, draws a high, wanting noise up out of Maruki's throatβ
Until that turn at the end that makes his eyes go wide and round as saucers, mouth twisting into an incredulous grin as he presses both palms flat against Akira's shoulders to pull himself back and look him dead in the eye.
Well. In his regular eyes, at least... ]
Th-that's what you want? Really? Iβ hah, my god, well, okay...
[ Oh, all that fluster from earlier returns to him at once, squirming in Akira's lap and darting his gaze away.
No one has ever offered to do something like that, let alone so boldly. He's never been in that position with another man, and the novelty of it is as thrilling as it is terrifying. ]
... We should. Ah. Um. See how nice the bed is in this room of yours. I think. [ A tiny, strangled clearing of his throat. ] And then you canβ yes. Please. Akira.
[ It just. Slips out. Every reaction he's having is already mortifying enough, why not tack that on too? ]
It's almost embarrassing how easily Maruki can make his own name echo inside his skull like this, but both his heart and his dick are too busy swelling to pay attention to much else outside of the fact he just got the ok to absolutely ravish this beautiful man. ]
I couldn't agree more~!
[ And without any warning a single arm loops itself under Maruki's legs to scoop him up, carrying him the short distance between the loveseat and the bed as if he were just another part of the feather-light sheets his back gently lands on.
Akira's much less concerned with drawing things out when it comes to his own belt and pants, counter-intuitively kneeling above Maruki's legs before he has to pause and adjust to get the damn things down far enough. It's fine, he can laugh at his own lack of foresight, and once he's got at least one leg free he can properly slink on up closer to Maruki's face to get another very important question out of the way. ]
So, would you like to help me out, or should I give you a show...?
[ Being hauled around like he's no heavier than a sack of rice from the market will never lose its appeal for Maruki. He might squawk in surprise at first, but by the time Akira has him flat on his back on the bed, he's laughing, nearly breathless with delirious joy. He'll always be weak for a man who's stronger than he looks...
And he blinks up at that question, the grin still on his lips from watching Akira's tangle with his own clothes, eyebrows raising quizzically. ]
Is that a real option? Being given a show? I have to admit, I do like watching you...
[ Whether the bottle he reaches for the nightstand drawer to pull out came with the room or he brought it himself is hard to say, it looks too nice to tell. Either way, it's now crystal clear what he means once he pops the cap off. ]
Though you should know I'd never mind having your hands on me.
[ Maruki may be easily flustered and overwhelmed, painfully shy when the attention is turned on him, but he's far from puritanical β his mind instantly supplies a dozen feverish images of exactly what he could do with his hands on Akira as he puts on his little show. He's an insatiable man, after all, and Akira has managed to crack the mask that keeps it all under wraps. He can't stop himself now.
He exhales, low and slow, awestruck eyes roving up and down Akira's body poised above him, and his smile warms his words. ]
Well... it works out nicely, then. I don't think I could keep my hands off of you.
[ And then, to emphasize the point: Both of Maruki's palms slide broadly over Akira's thighs, an appreciative squeeze to the firm muscle there as they make their way up to grip his hips. ]
[ A shiver of anticipation runs up his spine at the feeling of bold hands exploring up his legs, already feeling so, so hot to the touch. Oooh but it's going to be difficult to take as much time as he needs with this one. ]
Then by all means.
[ One hand taking hold of Maruki's wrist for balance, he guides a slicked up finger back, and down, and all those eyes fluttering with a hitch of his breath is only one precious moment lost staring down at the man in front of them.
Yet he decides it's still too many once they're all back open. Patience, patience... ]
[ OH, OKAY. So he wasn't able to escape the attention on him after all, even with Akira being the main attraction at the moment! The noise that escapes from Maruki is half startled yelp, half disbelieving laugh β it's patently absurd, as Akira is on display all strong and lithe, straddling him and opening himself up so brazenly, that they're talking about him.
But there those are eyes, trained inexorably on Maruki.
That blush, somewhat abated earlier, rises back to the surface and begins to travel down his chest. The hand not caught by Akira wanders up to trace delicate fingers along one of the jagged scars. ]
You ought to take a good look at yourself before you say things like that! I never pictured you like this, Akβ ah, um, Takahashi, but you're a vision, really...
Oh no, no, [ Back down forward again, truly a display of thigh and core strength, but the main goal is to place a teasing fingertip below Maruki's lips. ] don't get shy on me now. I heard you loud and clear that first time.
And I'd like to hear it again.
[ Hand moving to the pillow for leverage instead, it has the oh so delightful side effect of letting him bring his own lips closer to Maruki's ear. His other not having stopped, not even for a moment, his breathing is getting ragged--hot, heavy, downright shameless as he lowers his voice into a husky whisper, ]
[ Really, it's ridiculous of him. It's patently absurd to reel himself back and think he was being too familiar, too quickly with a man who he's found himself in such a compromising position with β more than that, a man he's so terribly smitten with, in defiance of every initial instinct that told him otherwise. To decide a given name is a step too far when he has Akira fully bared atop him, working himself open and still managing to spill over with praise for him β it's fucking comical. Maruki is more than aware.
And that stupid trepidation is rendered obsolete in the time it takes for Akira to lean down and breathe his own name hot against his ear.
A gasp gets caught in his throat. One hand flies up to clutch at the back of Akira's head, fingers threading through his hair as he turns his cheek to try to kiss any part of his face he can reach, feverish with affection and desire.
One day, Akira will know just how long it's been since anyone cared for him enough to call him that.
For now, the only thing that matters is rocking up against this baffling, fascinating, lovely man, trying to capture his lips again, and whispering through every attempt: ]
[ If Maruki had any thoughts that Akira might be able to keep some kind of control over himself with that kind of reaction? He'd be dead wrong.
Akira's mouth moves just as feverishly, needing to find contact with any of Maruki's skin it can, answering in kind to every utterance of his name with hot, heavy breath, ] Takuto, Takuto...!
[ And the needs keep piling up. He needs to kiss, needs both hands to hold this man, needs Maruki inside of him, and whether it's moving too fast or not he's decided he'll be getting all of those in short order.
With all the grace and care of someone who most definitely can still see what he's doing, the hand behind him shifts (with a quiet whine from Akira) to take hold of Maruki's cock, gently gliding down from tip to base with whatever slick's still stuck to his fingers before it's all of himself he's lowering down.
Half-lidded, adoring eyes don't look away even as they flutter open and shut from the sensation. The two of them might as well be the only people in the world at this moment. ]
[ The two of them are practically drunk on nothing more than each other; Maruki's eyes are locked on Akira's face, spellbound by watching him melting with pleasure as he takes hold of his cock andβ ]
Aahβ
[ It's a high, strangled sound that gets punched out of him as Akira begins to lower himself down. Both of Maruki's hands fly to his hips, doing anything he can to help steady him β but his fingers grip tight, tight, hard enough to bruise as he pants and fights the urge to rock up.
Did he tell Akira? He didn't, did heβ oh, he has to now, voice thin and strained as he's slowly enveloped in that perfect slick heat. ]
I've never been on thβ hah, god, on this side of things before. It's always been the other way around, and... [ Another thought cut short in favor of a whimper, his own eyes fluttering shut before snapping open again to make sure he doesn't miss more than a second of this. ] I'm glad. I'm so glad it's you.
[Preamble schmeamble. Satan's Big Kink is spanking. Akira is interested in studying his capabilities. Satan can transform into a fucking furry behemoth with big ole paws, too big for anywhere bar a warehouse or the like, but hey, he's not the only guy Akira's probably had to 'treat' of this size, so it's not like it's hard for them to find a space to do this. In fact, it's a relief to be able to stretch for a bit, really fuck around with his powers and get praised for it like he's actually special.
And sometimes, Satan likes to indulge in a bit of mind-reading to see what this little non-human, buzzing with energy and curiosity, is thinking. One thing leads to another, and really, is it any surprise that Satan's sat down, yanking Akira over his big, veiny thighs (so close to his sheath, oh dear) and rumbling in amusement?]
You're a pain in the fucking ass, so I figure you should learn what that feels like too, huh Doc? Reckon no one's ever disciplined you like you deserve; types like that crave a sharp hand across the ass, kekeke!
[A gentle stroke from mind to mind, to make sure that Akira's alright with this in ways that Satan's clumsy words don't fully allow. Imperceptibly small, almost. But it's only fun if they're both having fun.]
[ Oh, once Satan brought out that 'new' form there's no doubt Akira's been a pain in the ass. A presumptuous brat, even, the way he pokes, prods, pulls at every inch of the huge fella he can get to with little to no consideration for how said huge fella might feel about it. He's far too excited for that, lost in the sauce of discovery and pushed forward like the blood pumping through his veins a mile a minute, flushing his face and burdening his breathing into an almost obscene display all on its own.
So it really should be no surprise this is where that gets him. ]
--Hey! I wasn't anywhere close to done with you!
[ Only a half serious complaint, as a peek into his mind will show. It moves just as quickly as you'd think, flipping back and forth between a hydra of questions about this devil, this body, the other body, how everything is interconnected, and the horny stream of consciousness once he's bent over of yes, yes, oh yes, please keep going, please--
Which is to say, despite the wriggling he's doing, yes. He's very alright with all of this. ]
Can it; you're the one who's big on learning, and I'm teaching you a fuckin' lesson.
[Delicately delicately, he tries to undress Akira with his big meaty paws, before grunting and giving up on that delicate bullshit. For better or worse, those pants are just getting yanked down, and underwear? Nah. Nah, that's getting torn, straight up. As if it's paper instead of cloth.
Then Satan smooths one hand over that cute little ass, chuffing heavily enough that it looks like clouds of steam coming from his maw, before winding back.]
You're lucky I know you can take a real beating. I really wanna punish you for being so damn cute that it pisses me off...! [There's no holding back when he finally brings his hand down on Akira's ass, at least not like there would be for a human. The sort of slap that rattles the brain and spine, just for this uppity little creature.
With his free hand, he cups Akira's chin and starts working one pointed, thick claw into his mouth, just to press against his tongue and see what he does. Another slap. Another. Just varying in power and placement enough to keep any one spot from going completely numb, the comforting sort of percussion and pain that threatens to go too far but never quite manages it.]
[ Clothes? Non-issue. They can easily be replaced later for the joy of feeling skin on skin right now.
Especially the joy of that first big smack, all protests cut short with an open-mouthed gasp as for the barest sliver of an instant all that back and forth in his head cuts off with a somehow pleased, warm static taking everything's place.
It's all back in the next instant, convenient timing for that open mouth to invite a dangerous claw on in, tongue curiously lapping and probing against it as if it can commit the shape and feel into Akira's memory just from that. And, perhaps, tease against its massive point, though that may be a little harder once the other hand starts up again.
His own nails are almost embarrassingly useless in comparison as they dig into whatever leg flesh they can--not necessarily to keep himself still, not at all, but he sure isn't planning on going anywhere any time soon. ]
[Scratches are still scratches, stinging reminders, pain adding an edge to Satan's own enjoyment; he lets out a noise that's half moan half laugh, jostling Akira around on his lap for reasons that are going to be blatantly obvious in a second.
When, y'know. Something hard and damp and, uh, spiked in a nsfw way starts sliding up against Akira's ribcage, rubbing gently with the momentum of each spank. Ah, well. Hm. That's not what his dick looks like otherwise, promise.]
Shit, look at you go. For a skinny little runt, you're getting really into it. Beautiful. [Another rumbling noise, another spank, and he rubs his claw against every surface he possibly can in that greedy, wet mouth, threatening to push too deep and invoke the gag reflex (does Akira even have one) (i leave it to the scholar).]
[ Good news, he either doesn't or has trained himself out of it, either way letting himself be a wet, inviting hole for however deep the clawed finger wants to go.
Keeping his mouth open is also doing wonders for letting all his reactions come out loud and clear, shameless yelps and groans only muffled by that aforementioned claw, and wouldn't you know it they start shifting ever-so-slightly once something starts unsheathing itself against him.
Questioning at first, interest at the revelation, and then downright eager as his imagination takes a moment to run off.
And if there's any plausible deniability as to what he's imagining, his mouth and tongue are bound to clear that up no problem. His head starts bobbing quite deliberately, tongue dragging across the bottom of Satan's finger to swirl around the nailbed before going right back down. ]
closes eyes. i need to make 500 more icons first but have this for now
[ Had they never stumbled back in time, a night like tonight would normally be spent alone.
Things are different now, though. When Miki slips away after school lets out on Friday to spend the weekend with his sister, Hatanaka, and their new baby, instead of penciling himself in for a candlelit dinner for two with his sailor uniform catalogue and early night's rest, Haruaki found himself poking his head into the nurse's office to see if the terrifying good doctor might have an evening free.
And where an enthusiastic yes might have sent him spiraling into instant cowardly regret and running for the hills anywayβ
They're sat across from one another at the low table in Haruaki's dormitory room, a couple beers deep after enjoying dinner at one of the stalls in town, and he's only feared for his life less than half a dozen times! It's going pretty well!!
That reminds me, Akira-kunβ when you were patching up Hatanaka-kun's injuries after he was brought back from Kyoto... did he ever tell you how that all happened?
[ This is honestly the best case scenario for what could have happened after everything came to light. At least it is in Akira's mind.
He was never subtle about his interest in Haruaki before, but now with added context it almost feels even more intense, his smile wider and brighter when Haruaki wants to spend time with him--he always, always has time to spare for his oniisan.
Especially with 'Akira-kun' thrown into the mix, but this is already a lot for the delicate creature that is this man sitting across from him. They can get into how it makes his chest flutter a little later.
Even without that it's a downright nice night, the food is good, conversation fun, and a cute, healthy baby picture to coo over to top it off. He really couldn't ask for anything better... ]
Mm?
No, he didn't. Hatanaka-kun always likes to try and act tough and downplay his injuries, so he doesn't always tell me what happens.
[ That's about what he figured. If anything, Hatanaka probably only grumbled vaguely about getting into a fight. He can be so cool sometimes... ]
That's the way he is, isn't it...
[ It's said with nothing less than fondness as Haruaki takes another swig of his beer and then sets in down in favor of propping both elbows up on the table to rest his chin on his hands, eyes wandering up and away as he tells a very normal story in the most normal way possible: ]
Well, this and that happened, and we ran into the Four Gods who protect Kyoto. One of them stole my soul, and then it got split up into five pieces! The teachers and students had to fight to get them back! I would probably be dead if they hadn't!
He knew about the gods, it's why he gets to welcome his lovely sensei into a personal examination room every now and again, but everything else mentioned has been...not! Mentioned!!
Is it any surprise when Akira leans forward on the low table, eyes shining with just as much intent and curiosity as is dripping from his voice. ]
They got to see your soul in Kyoto? They got to see and dissect your soul while I wasn't there!?
[ Since Akira doesn't budge an inch, when Haruaki eases back into his normal posture, they're awfully close. Akira looks ready to scramble across the table and right into his skin. And it's still terrifying, yes, of course, but...
Less so than it was before all that happened one hundred years ago. He knows all too well now that Akira isn't a heartless sadist, and it makes it easier to relax around him. Maybe that'll be his undoing one day, but really... what isn't, at this point?
At any rate, Haruaki trusts him. Wouldn't be telling him this story if he didn't. So he props his elbows up too in a mirror of Akira, rests his chin on his hands as he happily recounts: ]
Well, like I said, it split off into five parts. It didn't kill me, but I was... kind of empty, I guess? My memories of that part are fuzzy! That's because one of the parts of my soul was for my memories, apparently. Without it, the other parts didn't know who the students were, for example. Then there was the athletic part of me, and the pathetic cowardly part, and the part that only thinks about my worldly desires, andβ
[ .......... ]
Ah, um, let me count how many that was. Five, right?
[ Akira's settled in so well behaved, so ready to hear all the gory bits and bobs of whatever the hell apparently happened to Haruaki and company in Kyoto.
...Well. Maybe not as gory as he'd like, Haruaki is both squeamish and understandably hazy after an ordeal like having the soul ripped out of you. He'll have to be satisfied with the broad strokes for right now, even if some of them don't..
[ Might as well dive in headfirst and see what happens. ]
I guess I'm so good at coming up with strategies like that because there's a part of my soul that... only does that? I guess? It didn't care about anything besides its underhanded schemes to get what it wanted, and it was pretty dangerous...
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Hmm, I'm not sure I could pull off the sort of stuff sensei wears. His legs are so slender compared to mine, I'd just look silly!
Maybe something strapless, though. I do know I have him beat in the chest department.
[ Shame?? What the hell is that. ]
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Something strapless... [Encouraging Akira seems to be a terrible, terrible idea. But on the other hand it'd give Douman a wealth of things to laugh at while the Doctor is happening to others. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions~ ] You know, there was actually a rather famous male doctor who's wearing things like that in human pop culture. Maybe you could take him as a reference?
[ -> Chaos it is]
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I can't believe that you've never heard of Doctor F. N. Furter from Transylvania. Now that I'm recalling it, I think that he has even researched in a similar direction as you're doing with your nurses. I bet that you could learn a lot from each other.
[Rest of the world, you're welcome. He'd going to get the popcorn and find himself a good seat.]
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Principal, that's still so much leg! I do like the pearls, that feels like a classy touch.
Buuut now I'm wondering what exactly you think it is I do with my nurses.
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As for the nurses: that's for me to know and you to find out
[That Akira has a bad habit of animating the death and *ahem* 'creating' his nurses himself is as much of an open secret as some of their good doctor's other bad habits are. What Douman thinks about those things is something he won't share unless you pay him in cash and advance, though.
Unfortunately for all, the time Takahashi took for his research was enough to let Douman come up with a terrible plot of his own.]
Actually, I've got the perfect time and place in mind, should you be up to put Furter's methods to a practical test. I'll even be generous and toss a little 'extra' that's right up your alley in with it if you do.
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Of course! I swear on my next paycheck!
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Swear on your daughter and brother instead.
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It takes a couple of minutes, but then Douman suddenly wafts into existence right next to Akira's ear, leaning close to whisper the sultriest proposal of them all into his ear: ]
You want to study one of the former humans that Ranmaru-kun turned into youkai, right? What if I tell you that you can have one whose transition process has finished not too long ago? And that you could "look" at them for as long and intensely as you'd like?
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Ah.
Memories come rushing back. Sure he'd managed to catch up to sensei months later with a little help, but out in the open like that tengu are slippery little buggers. He'd chased and chased to no avail, left with only an ever-increasing number of questions he wanted answered so, so badly. Just how different are they from a natural born youkai? Their vision? Their bone density? What was growing their wings like for the first time?
Douman can no doubt see the gears turning in his head, faster than a limited, corporeal body can register and react. It takes a good few moments before wide yes turn to the mask, needing a particularly hard swallow before he can speak again, ]
No tricks this time, right? I get to keep them for a full examination...?
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Sometimes it warms his black little heart how easy his subordinates (and associated) can be.]
No tricks besides the usual limits: you can't keep them from living their daily lives, no lasting damage or marks, and you have to properly reassemble anything you're taking apart.
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Can't control his excitement enough to keep his hands to himself either, going to grab at one of Douman's, but if he just phases through as per usual it's fine. He's too far into his own little world to care. ]
You won't regret this! I'll even give you a full write-up of everything I discover, won't leave a single nook or cranny unchecked! Aaaah, Principal, you're so good to me...!
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He would have thought longer about it if getting a proper examination again hadn't been on his agenda down the road anyway, now that it's become glaringly obvious that even the last bits of his humanity are gone. (Getting burned by Haruaki's anti-youkai powers was one thing, but failing to hold Byakko down for more than a couple of minutes had been alarming the more he'd thought about it.) Hopefully Akira won't mind getting a nurarihyon rather than a tengu.
....Haruaki better reeeaaaallly appreciate the things Douman does just to pay him back for forcing him into that damn sailor uniform.]
You're welcome. You've always been nothing than good to us as well, after all. [gulp] A-and I'd like to see these results very much. Since I've got something of a personal interest, you could say...-
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Ooooh, a personal interest? You can always sit in on the examination if you like! We still have to keep everything sterile and safe of course, but you'd never have to worry about getting in the way!
[ As if to illustrate, eyes pop out onto the backs of his hands, immediately rolling to look up at Douman. Or maybe Akira's just getting too excited--a few more are lining his arms now by the looks of it. ]
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[It's a useful little skill that has already made a lot of unsuspecting enemies (and other people) fall. The irony of him having died and become an ayakashi while being locked up and bound just to end up with an ability that will let no longer be caught doesn't elude him, just as the part about his twisted presence for others doesn't.
He meets the extra-eye's gaze cooly at first, even lowkey attempting to stare them down, but finally it becomes too much.]
Uh, Akira-kun? Why are you popping eyes at me?
[don't tell him he's already noticed something about him is different?]
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[ The eyes close one by one as his breathing slowly starts to steady, though he doesn't let go of Douman's hands just yet. Too fond of physical contact. ]
Sorry, sorry. You know how I can get sometimes.
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So how should we do it? I definitely want you to do the Furter research during our next culture festival. But when do you want to do your research?
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[ If Douman's alright being pulled along, only one hand will let go so Akira can fetch his phone from the small table next to his reading chair. A pro to catching him in his study, a lot of the things currently demanding his attention are well within reach. A con is having to watch your step around over a hundred year's worth of book piles.
Scroll, scroll, let's see... ]
Usually my mornings are pretty booked up, and I keep some openings in the evening in case of emergencies--a lot of people like to get their appointments out of the way both early in the day and early in the week, it's actually pretty neat to look into! So our best bet is sometime in the afternoon around Thursday or Friday.
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A book pile gets nearly rammed, and Douman has to pull his hand free to steady it before it starts tilting too much.]
Let's take a Friday, then. That way ...they will be free as well. It's less conspicuous when you have a full weekend to work with, isn't it?
[He is really working against himself right now, but he'd rather not have to come up with an excuse for why he's missing on a school day.]
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[ Not quite like that, Akira, but at least no one can say he doesn't have the spirit. ]
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[Excuse his sarcasm, he's seeing his future and not liking it one bit.]
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Ooh, you could even tell them that if they start getting cold feet?
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[Hey, he knows his worth. And he absolutely WILL milk any situation for as much as he can if he's already sticking his head out for it.]
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That's going a little overboard, don't you think? Besides, sending someone who will no doubt have fresh stitches somewhere with a pool would just be mean.
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That last bit was as honest as I'd rather not have heard that. Didn't I say to not take them out of commission for too long?
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[ General "you" here, of course. ]
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[His idea is sounding worse and worse the longer they keep talking, but he's already in for it now. All he can do is to try and limit the damage in advance.]
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[ A thought. ]
But you bring up a good point. I should go ahead and get to work on an aftercare guide for them so we can jump right into business once they're here.
[ Headed towards his desk now, pretty sure he's just forgotten to let go of Douman's hand at this point. ]
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Then I will leave you to that. I need to return and keep an eye on school business anyway.
for @blattella
Of course he's afraid. He's alone somewhere out on the ocean in the hands of criminals who apparently know enough of their stuff to not only know what a youkai is but to have an anti-magic talisman on hand. Whether they knew exactly what he is or not, they decided to get the most bang for their buck and double it as a blindfold, which felt like adding insult to injury. He can't grow any new eyes, can't use his strength, couldn't even take the damn thing off himself if he could get out of these bindings, and he can't look around at his jail like a normal human being would! Ugh.
But what's been getting him the most is the boredom. He's received only a few visits from the same few people, and none of them have been too entertaining to talk to. He can tell there are more people around, the sound of voices and footsteps are common enough to hear from outside, but they're too muffled to make out any actual words so he'd have something, anything for mental stimulation other than running through the same few thought experiments on getting out over and over and over and over...
--Noise. A single pair of footsteps approaching. Not immediately something to get excited over, but they just keep getting closer until they're at what he's assumed is the doorway and it finally opens.
Must be time for another check in. Boring as they usually are, he can't help but perk right on up at something tangible to pay attention to. ]
Hello! Good--ah, is it afternoon or evening? Been getting hard to tell.
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But that's not a worry for Akira. Not the Waves of the Great Lake, no; the Twinhook Pirates would've been long gone if they couldn't fucking move before their time ran out. Maybe the reek of guests come before him might add an edge, the scraps of those not cared for enough to cough up exorbitant amounts of ahn or ignored completely. The way the whole place seems to sway and groan, containers on containers like their own little city all stinking and rusting and damp.
Or maybe it's just the fact that he can't fucking do anything, and there's indeed a pair of well-heeled boots tick-tacking towards his container. The door gets slid open with a long-suffering grunt, fresh air and light streaming in to alleviate all that metal-rotten stench, before it disappears just as quickly.]
Hey hey~ [Yeah this one uses tildes a bit. Love to remember that all of a sudden when I reread his dialogues.] Honoured guest. It's afternoon, yeah? Not that that matters to you, I suppose.
[The boots tick-tack ever closer, at a faster clip; it's not often that the first mate gets to actually get his hands dirty these days, with how he's stuck doing the pirate equivalent of paperwork most of the time. In fact, probably the one time Akira's heard this voice was when he was nabbed in the first place and restrained at all; the cold blade of a hook prosthesis at his nape, a pistol pressed to his temple, and the same bored, lilting tone.]
Negotiations haven't started yet. Bit sad for you, isn't it? Thought that, since my lads are busy, I'd come and make sure our accommodations are to your liking. Since you're an extra special guest and aaaall~ You comfy? You good? Hungry, sore, thirsty? If you need to piss, there's nothing I can do about that, unless you're real brave.
[Then there's the tell-tale squeaking sound of leather right up close; Gregor's squatting beside Akira now, breath thick with exotic tobacco nabbed off another unfortunate guest and the tip of that ice cold hook dragging against the metal floor.] You feeling brave?
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With a shrug and a demonstrative tug at his wrists, ] I am feeling sore, if we're being honest with each other.
[ Completely genuine. Not as lackadaisical as he might normally sound, but not quite like he's talking to someone who could end his life on a whim--it's moreso the average caution of talking to any kind of authority figure. ]
Though I don't suppose there's much you can do about that either, huh?
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[Heh heh horf. A little joke between pals, of course.] Just means you'll have more to thank your family or whoever for when they cough up, doesn't it? You can kiss their feet, thank 'em for getting your wrists all freed up. It'll be reeeeaaal heartwarming~
[Then he's quiet for a second or two, looking over his shoulder as if he'll get sprung for having too much fun, before turning his attention back to his guest and tapping the tip of his hook against one of Akira's thighs. Not a horny gesture, at least not for now, just meant to see if he'll jump.]
What would you give up if you could get outta here right now, I wonder? Both hands? Just for the sake of conversation, mind.
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[ Well, a sharp metal point certainly isn't a sensation he's expecting. So despite how calm and unbothered he'd like to seem both for his captor and himself, it does get a flinch out of him. At least he knows it's there now...? ]
For the sake of conversation...hm.
[ He takes a minute to give the question some actual thought, whether it's another intimidation tactic or not. Conversation is conversation at this point and he's taking it. ]
How about a leg? Is that worth two hands?
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[Tap tap tap.] Maybe they'll be fine with me takin' one of your legs, though. Just think...You could get a real neat prosthetic one instead. Maybe even a peg leg. Heard talk of a captain who has one of those, and she's real fierce.
But then again, having a prosthesis never stopped me from being good at my job. Made me better, actually~ Doncha agree? Didn't you just wanna be the best guest ever when we met?
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Even if he is very aware of the hook still at his thigh. It could be sharp enough to cut through such a dense piece of flesh with enough force, but it wouldn't get through the bone in one go. Once again despite himself, he swallows hard at the thought.
Smile still on his face. ]
I think I've been a good guest, though. Haven't been noisy, haven't made a mess...I think that could be worth leaving all my limbs intact.
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[Never mind the hook, he's going to lash out with his hand and grip Akira's face in it, squeezing at his cheeks and snorting to himself. Mush mush.]
You know what makes a good guest, in my eyes? One who's in 'n out. One who's got folks who care enough to pick 'em up before they outstay their welcome. Even if you got outta this here container...Where are you gonna go? We're out in the middle of nowhere, constantly moving. You wouldn't be able to escape the Waves if you just jumped off the side.
Really, I'm bein' very polite, letting you come with us all safe 'n sound when we could use you for mermaid chum all limbs 'n pieces, really earning your keep some. Don~cha~ agreeeeeee?
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Instinct is really clashing with good sense here. He's flung himself into plenty of dangerous situations, but those risks have all been calculated somewhere he knew he'd get out relatively fine. This man just repeated what he's always come back to in those thought experiments he'd been occupying himself with: if he got out, freed his hands and his eyes and yanked that door open, where would he even go?
That's the most frustrating part, not necessarily the manhandling. It's what brings up the hint of a decidedly inhuman growl under his words when he answers as best he can while being so impolitely squeezed. ]
When put like that, yes. You've been a wonderful host thus far.
[ He could bite, says instinct in the back of his mind. May not be able to hold this guy down but he could very easily bite that hand if it doesn't let go. ]
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[Thankfully, he lets go of Akira's face; his point's been made, and clearly it's only serving to piss the cargo off anyway. Pointless to push further in that direction, even if he keeps idly snagging his hook in Akira's pantsleg instead. Just ruining the cloth without truly tearing it.]
...Hey. My lads been treating you well? I won't be mad if y'say yes, of course. I want you all hunky-dory when you leave, and I can't have anyone breaking pretty porcelain behind my back.
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No one's hit me or anything, if that's what you're asking. Everyone always seems in a hurry to get out.
[ Of this delightful place? Wonder why. ]
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Maybe they're scared of you, too. [That? That sounds less bored, more thoughtful. It's also underscored by the sound of Gregor's boots scooting, his leather pants squeaking, the heat and faint pressure of his knees bracing either side of Akira's. Not quite a straddle, he's not looming enough to do that, but it's pretty fucking close.]
But you're pretty chatty, so I think we're getting along great~
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[ Said as Gregor's no doubt face to face with that talisman and the thick, confident strokes of its characters. Somehow it's sticking right on to Akira's face with no help, as if magnetized or glued or something, but that? That's just silly.
The talisman's taken a backseat in Akira's mind for a second, though, because this is an unexpected development. He is chatty, and so is his captor, and his desperation for any kind of mental or physical stimulation is enough to keep him going despite the fact he probably should have taken a cue from his other visitors and shut up a while ago. ]
I'm glad you think so. Your men don't seem to appreciate it nearly as much.
[ Instead here he is, not minding the situation as much as he should so long as someone, anyone is here sitting and talking with him. ]
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[Gregor's quiet for a good few seconds then, clearly chewing on a thought. Especially if the way he takes his hook to the floor instead to tap a little rhythm is anything to go by.]
Sorry about the lads. They're real uptight sometimes, but you...I like you. You're my favourite guest thus far, I reckon. You like ice cream? Perfume? Maybe I'll send you off with a few gifts as my thanks, once negotiations are through.
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Your favorite? My, that has to be some pretty high praise from someone like you.
[ A little more leeway for nonsense has been given, it seems, so he tilts his head just-so. Perfect angle for batting one's eyelashes if the circumstances were different. ]
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[Another fragrant tobacco-puff, not quite right in Akira's face but too close for comfort all the same, before Gregor goes tapping the curve of his hook, flat side up, against his chin as if holding something precious on a plate.]
Must be a real pain, not bein' able to see so good. Don't suppose that tall tale about other senses makin' up for one lost is true, is it? Heh.
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[ Oh, hello. He's in the middle of scrunching his nose when cold metal's suddenly close to his throat and he automatically follows its nudges upward. Baring it to further danger, he's belatedly aware, but what is he gonna do? Take it?
And then a question is asked and the smile's right back on his face. ]
It is. Your brain naturally takes up the space it isn't using for an extended period of time, even if the change isn't permanent.
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[The hook turns suddenly to press the sharpened tip against the soft, tender skin spanning under Akira's jaw, though whether it's in response to his smile or simply as a natural transition, it's hard to say. Gregor's revelling in having his expression hidden like this, able to smirk and leer all he wants without losing or gaining unnecessary ground for it.]
Might even try to make your transition back out into the sunshine a little easier on those eyes of yours, should it come to that. Hopin' it does, for our sakes~
Hey. [A sudden thought, a beat, the smell of that same expensive tobacco and leather.] You a smoker?
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Listen. He hasn't been having the best time. And now here's someone with their thighs on either side of his, talking all smooth with their warm breath right in his face, and smelling a certain kind of real nice on top of that. Its' only natural his body would react.
Right? Right. ]
That depends. Is this a kind, honest offer to share?
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Because it's staying right there, for sure. Gently scratching back and forth, a little red mark on pristine merchandise.]
Strike one. You wound me, honoured guest~ I'm offerin' to let you get a hit, and you go questioning my motives...Cheeky, that.
[Then there's the click of the lighter, before the hook's point drops away from Akira's throat, replaced by Gregor's warm, gloved hand. His grip's pointed, index finger and thumb between mandible and skull to hold Akira's maw open as he exhales directly into it all fragrant smoke and warm rum breath.]
...That there's your punishment.
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For all he knows coughing right back in this man's face could be a second strike, another natural reaction or not, so he'll do his best to keep it to a minimum. Minimum, not total nonreaction, because of course he can't completely help his throat trying to force that sweet-smelling air out with strangled noises, but at least it's obvious he's trying to hold back.
Polite, Akira, polite. He can manage that. Once he gets some of his breath back. ]
Right. Sorry. My bad.
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[He'll just sit there, letting Akira tamp down his coughing, before setting the spit-damp filter on his bottom lip, as a treat.] Here. I'm a real generous soul, I am. Let no one say otherwise~
[something something indirect kiss something, except Gregor's a grown-ass man who really doesn't give a shit (at least in this life), long as they both have clean bills of health. Now that he's gotten his smokeplay in, he lets go altogether and hums idly, gaze wandering back down.]
...You wanna hand with that? I only got one. Or are you into, ah...Denial?
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--Wait, a hand with...? Ah. Right. There's that too.
Contrary to popular belief he does have some sense of decorum in this area, and had this been the first leg of the trip before he'd had smoke blown in his face for being coy, he might have politely refused. As it stands, if this guy is really looking for honest answers... ]
Nah, I could never get into denial. A hand would be very appreciated, actually.
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[Time to walk his fingers dooooown Akira's chest, hook sliding down to match (flat first, tip snagging now and then as a threat more than anything) until both appendages come to rest at his hips.]
You ready? Hope you don't mind the glove stayin' on. [It's fine, he'll spit on the glove, just...Gotta get the fly dealt with and all first, before he worries about impromptu lube. It's a little annoying to deal with, but part of the customer service is not tearing pants open with the hook and thus threatening any valuable bits underneath!
And also spitting on the glove once he fumbles through all that mess and actually pulls Akira's dick out. Whew, all that effort and for what? A few lazy strokes from a lazy pirate? Apparently so.] ...Yeeeesh, you better pay good. Least gnarly-lookin' knob I've seen award is all yours, sunshine.
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Could've sliced his dick clean off.So yes, while things could be better, they could also be much worse. ]
M-mm. [ And lazy or not, friction is friction. He'll take it, hardly contained groans and all. If this is the pace throughout he might be able to remember those manners of his. ]
Yeah...? You're really spoiling me here. I'll hold onto that one.
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[With the way he starts humming jauntily to himself, dick in hand, Gregor's expression's probably obvious to even the blindfolded. For a moment, it's almost as if he's completely content just waggling Akira around like a joystick, easily amused, until he suddenly digs his hand down deeper, palming and kneading insistently at his balls instead.
...At least there's still friction from his wrist, the way they're so close-quarters that Gregor's really having to lean in.]
Real, real pity I know you can't be trusted without all that tyin' up. I'd love to let you stretch out some, but nope. Like being whole and hale better, I reckon~ But...You can be loud, y'know. Might as well enjoy the perks, make the other guests jea~lous.
[Punctuated by a warm breath against Akira's throat and faintly wet leather sliding back up the underside of his shaft.] Or d'you wanna risk insulting poor old me, instead? After I'm letting you smoke that real fancy cig from far off ports and everything, too...
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Can't even keep his voice out of his steadily heavier breathing, only allowing a quick moment of silence to swallow back a gulp of air. That, too, turns into another groan in short order, ] Oooh, If you let me out of here I'd ride you 'til you couldn't see straight--whoever the hell you are.
[ Among other things, but as long as both their heads are in the same place... ]
But you keep going and I can tell you aaaall about how good you're doing~
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[Okay, that's a misleading statement given that he's absolutely starting to get hard enough to strain against those leather pants, but it's a misleading statement he has full licence to make, he feels. And really, it's not a lie, just...Misleading, yeah. Fucking the guests is bad form, but a little stress relief never hurt the bottom line either.
Not that his mind can't be changed, of course, and Akira's providing a better argument with each noise he makes, but. This is just enough fun for now, and if it gets too fun, then he can always trade favours, ideally.] You really got tickets on yourself though, doncha? Thinkin' that's a bartering chip under your belt~
[Of course, that bit about chips and under belts, that's the cue for Gregor's hand to shove back between Akira's thighs almost demandingly, as if this is his body, his flesh, and to hell with what the actual owner of it all wants. What the First Mate wants right now is to roll his precious guest's balls in his hand and grind his forearm against his dick all clumsy pressure, and there's nothing wrong with that.]
Or...Tell you what. I could just stop, right now~ Open the doors, let my lads in like a pack o' rabid mutts. You could ride 'em all you liked, esteemed guest~ How's that?
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You. Just you. Only person who's stayed and talked to me the entire time I've been on this ship.
[ Is that grounds for a ravenous lay? Probably not on land. But here, when he's been alone for who knows how long and all of the sudden is getting a pretty stand up handjob, he's open to the idea. ]
As a matter of fact, keep talking.
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[He chuffs softly, grip tightening for a second as if to remind his valued guest just where he's got him, before letting his fingers go slack once more. Maybe if he just applies a bit of pressure with his index finger and thumb to the shaft, his other fingers and palm can stay right where they are?
Gregor's gonna try that out, anyway. Fear's fun and all too, but this is almost on par, and god knows he needs some fucking motivation.]
You got any hot theories on why they might not be talkin' to you much? I'd love hearin'. Or maybe I just wanna see how long you're able to string proper words together while I got you like this...Dunno what we're gonna do if you cum on my nice little outfit, though. This is real good quality stuff we're talking about, shiny buttons 'n soft, real leather...
Ah, but you can't appreciate it like this~ Hang on, hang on~ [Time to shift forward a little, knees sliding between Akira's thighs and forcing them apart even more. All in the name of letting their torsos rub together, let those shiny buttons really get felt and all.] Same sorta leather as my glove, my pants are. Real soft stuff, nice lining.
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The unknown. Breeds fear, anger.
They don't know what I am, what I can do. Just that I need--mm--special treatment.
[ Unless all the other guests get slapped with spiritual artifacts too, just in case. They'd need a priest on board to keep up with that kind of demand, probably, and if that were the case they'd know well enough through the grapevine that he's as good as human like this.
But oooh the warm body pressing even closer to his is once again making it hard for him not to squirm and try to do the same, leaking cock twitching in his stead. His legs don't even put up a fight to being spread, welcoming the other man right on in to do as he pleases, which Akira dearly hopes is continuing to expertly unravel him.
(And stay this close so he can indeed cum on Gregor's nice little outfit. He doesn't even know how nice it really looks, but in the spirit of rebelling against one's captor he's taken by the idea.) ]
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[Said languidly, as his hand moves in quite the opposite speed; tight grip, fast pace, thumb swiping at the head on each upward stroke to smear that leaking precum around and make up for his long-dried saliva. It's almost as if he's trying to drag that orgasm out of Akira early, kicking and screaming from the force he's using.
And then, just before it gets too much, he cinches his fingers around the base of the shaft in an impromptu cock ring, tongue rasping hot and wet against that smooth, perfectly sculpted jaw. (Maybe Gregor's stubble scratches along after, too. Don't worry about it.)]
They're afraid I'll kill 'em for playing with merchandise~ They're scared of me just as much, if not more, than they are of you~ And here you are, squealing and arching for my faaaaavour~
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Until he isn't.
Generous as he's been about how much he's enjoying himself, it's plain as day when everything is climbing up on over to that breaking point...and when it's denied he all but sobs, falling forward onto Gregor and his nice little outfit if he's allowed. Even if he isn't he's still making his displeasure known with needy, pathetic mewls, squirming much more fervently against his bonds than before. ]
Pe...please. Please, I need...
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actually no, keep it. Keep that tongue out. Turns out that Gregor's just discovered a new kink, with the way he chuckles in surprised giddiness and tightens his fingers a little more. The thought strikes him; wouldn't it be nice to remove that blindfold, just to see what his guest's eyes are doing if his mouth's lost all shame?
But nah, not today. Not now.]
Need? What can I offer you...? I wonder~
Hey. Let's make a deal. You keep all this, the cumdrunk act 'n all, just for me...'n I might just let you finish now. Don't care what you do once you're onshore again, mind. But don't go sharin' this face with my boys. Don't go crazy over 'em like this, or beg 'em for anything...And I'll get back to tuggin' your prick real sweet. Just say it's a deal.
[Yeah, definitely new kink found. Something he can edge himself to throughout the day, fill up boring hours with. A treasure he doesn't have to share with anyone else...It's almost better than the finest grog, even, for putting a fire in his belly. He hooks Akira in closer still, coddling and cooing at him as though his pants aren't too fucking tight and he'll have to go have a cold shower right after this.]
Might even let you ride, if you ask again. Just gotta agree~ Good deal, right? Might even be worth sneakin' a pillow in here for you or somethin'...Just imagine~
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And, well, if the grunts are too scared of their superior to talk or even knock the precious merchandise around a little for some kind of something to break up the monotony of being silent and still in the dark for days on end, it's not a hard decision to make. Even if his climax wasn't being held hostage.
Not to mention the implication they'd be doing this aaaall over again. ]
Deal. It's a deal, I'm all yours, now pleeeeaaase...!
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[Unfortunately, he can't afford to actually have cumstains on his outfit, especially with how long he's taken in here already and how, once he opens the container up, all that sex reek is gonna flood on out. Plausible deniability, baby! Every bit of evidence he can eliminate, he will!
And by that, I mean that he peels away from Akira, though his hand's very much still in place, and braces a boot on his shoulder to push him backwards too. Time to give that dick some real room to shoot without landing on Gregor's nice leather pants, ideally. Then, and only then, does he resume the most brutal handjob ever, whole hand clasped tight and slick with precum, pumping like a fucked up milking machine. There might even be very light bruising once he's done, though at least it'll be in an area his lads aren't going to see, so he's not too worried about that. It's more fun this way anyway, if he gets to see the wildest o-face ever pulled by a man.]
Let it aaaaall go~ I got things to do, y'know?
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If the neighboring containers didn't hear all the moaning before they're sure as hell hearing it now, the shamelessness kicked up just one more notch as he does indeed make that face aaaaall the way up and through. And despite being deliberately positioned away that doesn't stop him from trying to push himself back forward again, looking for some kind of contact, but once it's all out and his brain cares about nothing but restocking on blood and oxygen, he's left leaning against the boot at his shoulder as the next best thing.
Ha...hah...hoo. Here's hoping Gregor will let him stay there for a little while, at least until he realizes it isn't the most comfortable position to be in, because otherwise his ass is not moving. ]
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okay that's a lie, he's currently doing a few things in this exact order. A) wipe glove on the underside of Akira's shirt. Or pants. Whichever's easiest to get to. B) tucking his dick back into his pants and doing his fly back up, all that jazz. Dick away. C) peeling away and stretching with a long groan. But otherwise? He's letting Akira stay just as he is!]
Don't tell my boys we did this, either. Or I'll toss you overboard for the Whales and the Waves, reimbursement be damned. Now rest up. Water'll be on its way in a few minutes, 'n I'll see about getting you a pillow as a VIP.
[At least he's going to sit there for a few seconds longer, just to let his words sink in properly and check in before he slips out. Gotta make sure he hasn't sprained the poor thing's dick with that treatment, after all.]
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The corners of his lips quirk up into a more immediately aware smile with a quiet laugh, lazily starting to straighten himself back up. ]
I'm not the type to kiss and tell, no worries there. Not a word of it out of me until the next time you want to pay a visit.
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[The expensive shit stolen from other guests can't be wasted, y'know! So he's just going to take that cigarette back, even if it's nearly burnt out to the filter, then
pause, awkwardly
and reach out to tweak Akira's cheek with what might pass as fondness in any other circumstance. Here, it's just a gesture of...Appreciation, maybe.]
I'll tell the boys that you're under my care, since you acted up when I came in. They come in to undermine me after you get that water, feel free to throw a real tantrum, make it believable an' all. [Then, in a cloud of very, very faint smoke and the soft tick-tick of his boots on metal, he slips back out. Lets the door stay open a few seconds, just to get some fresh salt-death air in.]
Seeya in a few hours, peaches. [Thunk. At least he'll make good on that promise about the water; a boggled pirate slinks in and nudges a nice, cold bottle of water up against Akira's thigh not even five minutes later, before immediately scuttling back out. Gregor would do it himself, but...Well. Cold shower. Hot shower? Shower, either way.]
@blattella
It's been nicknamed The Heart of Geb, probably due to it looking uncannily like a human heart blown from glass until the venae and arteries give way to a more crystalline formation, suggesting it was pulled right from the earth. The smoother sections of the ventricles are somewhat foggy, but what looks like a thin, glossy liquid can be seen stagnating inside, facets of light mysteriously catching from within to project what can only be described as rainbow constellations when plunged into complete darkness. It really is a sight to behold.
But most of the time it's not for anyone but its "owner" to see, locked away in a much less brilliant box for safekeeping. Once in a blue moon, and only then, does the "owner" feel a sliver of generosity in their own heart to allow the starved masses a few moments to glut themselves on its presence...for the appropriate fee, of course.
That's what has the museum in such a tizzy these recent nights. The exhibit isn't fully set up for the paying public just yet, but of course word's already gotten out that this precious thing is swapping its usual maximum security cage for a slightly less reliable one. Seeing Zwei agents on duty is enough to scare most two-bit punks with delusions of grandeur off, but that doesn't mean they get to just sit back and be intimidating their whole shift.
Another name has wormed its way into public consciousness in the past few months: Dodomeki. A demon with many eyes. That's what the fella calls himself after he swoops in unseen to snatch such oddities for himself--or is it all for himself? Rumors have gone this way and that about mysterious sums of money going to places like orphanages and hospitals, or to businesses with already shady reputations; it's difficult to tell what's an actual lead and what's just curious people extrapolating and spreading fantastical stories as a way to kill time.
On this night, in this corner of the property, his presence is still a looming threat. No one's seen hide nor hair of him, though, let alone any kind of ne'er-do-well, so maybe they really can relax for just a second. Just a sec. Lil breather, it'll be fine.
So long as they don't notice a vivid red eye blink into existence at the edge of a corridor wall, looking every which way as if to hastily find its bearings. ]
(β€Β΄θΈο½β€) love the meals u cook always
Eh. Beyond his ken to understand. He's not meant to, either; this isn't about appreciating the thing, just protecting it, ensuring order when people come in for viewings in short time, so on and so forth. And he intends on doing just that to the best of his ability. Zwei involvement usually keeps the majority of folks bar the most desperate or the cockiest away, which helps, but it also leads to the number one killer.
Complacency.
Whiiiiich he might be exhibiting when he stretches and yawns, of half a mind to find Heathcliff just around the corner and see if he can't bum a light off him, if not a smoke as well. He's already turning, actually, when something flickers in his peripheral vision. Something red, brightly so, without any alarm sounds to say that it's at least part of the building. That's all he needs to snap out of it, though; the benefit of Gregor is, underneath that lazy mien, how quickly he can snap to attention and get work done.
In this case, 'work' is just him sprinting towards that unassuming eye, zweihander curving through the air to make up for its wielder's lack of height. There's no delay; every second of vision stolen is a second of layout relayed back to the owner, assuming it's some sort of stealth monitor system.]
Ahaaaaa, achtung, baby! [let him have a cool one-liner, at least once. Just once.]
( Λ Β³Λ)β₯οΈ made with love for u, baby
It's quiet for a few beats, five, ten...
Until another eye, just like the other, pops up even further down the corridor in full view of where Gregor should be able to see it. It searches left, right, then stops dead on him once he's found.
What will he do? ]
michelin star-level rp for me.....u shouldn't have u////u
It's just him, and whoever's behind that eye. That reappearing eye, staring right at him, which he gladly allows considering he's already racing towards it yet again. (And really, if the other Zwei Fixers don't hear him laugh-panting by this stage, their collective failure is on them.) This time, however, there's no swing to his blade; the madman's attempting a stab, which is. It sure is something, considering his height and all.]
Hey hey hey, fella, where's your mouth? Let's have a little banter here, if you're gonna be this ballsy! It's no fun like this, yanno?
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Ope. The bottom of his zweihander's pommel is twitching, that same red eye blinking open onto it and searching for him.
No mouth, but it does crinkle as if pushed up by a smile once eye contact is made. ]
1/2
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bar using his prosthetic arm, reinforced enough to handle a whole zweihander on its own with decent proficiency, to gouge at it. The finest force he could get, all coming to bear in the pad of his thumb as he moves to gleefully pop that smug fucking eye like a Tide pod.
Never mind that Faust's poking her head around the corner, finally moving to address Gregor's ecstatic wheezes; she sees the spatter on his blade, the hyper-focus on his face, and simply waits for him to acknowledge her.]
--Ah. Red eye, blinking on the walls, moves. Can manifest on our swords, so probably anything it can see? Tell the others.
[She nods right as he hooks his thumb in.]
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That's not the most interesting thing, though. That would be two noticeable noises, a heavy thud and a louder metallic crash both in opposite directions happening simultaneously with that gruesome gouging.
Perhaps whatever it had been attached to really, really didn't like that. ]
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Until that eye shows back up again, he's going to be practically sliding along the walls, one ear pressed to the white plaster as if that'll help him figure out exactly where the noise came from. And if he's wrong, well. Frau Faust's on the case, so what's the issue, right?]
C'mon, c'mon...Come out already...Papa needs a new lighter.
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Right under that one, wouldn't you know it, is what looks like a grown man all in black, practically swallowed by a hooded jacket as he seems to be having some difficulty getting himself upright off the floor despite the urgency his heavy breathing suggests.
At the slightest noise announcing Gregor's presence the man's head snaps up, revealing a mask covering the lower half of his face sporting large, protruding fangs both top and bottom. And, perhaps more notably, two wide red eyes with one looking like it's popped a vessel something nasty. ]
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[There's a small voice in the back of his head telling him that he needs to be careful, to take this outside this particular room for now lest he still get his pay docked bigtime for any property damage.
The rest of the conscience voices decree that instead, he should simply drop the sword and use his arm. They win, and Gregor stalks closer once his zweihander clatters to the ground, stretching and grinning as he stares down this genius little intruder.]
Wonder what hurts more right now; that eye I damaged, or your pride? [The joints in his prosthetic hand click-clack softly as he wriggles them in anticipation, before balling them in a fist, ready to strike. Not yet. Can't move too fast, or he'll risk panicked lashing out. That's his cigarette budget we're talking, here.]
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[ Somehow despite the strain, the voice that comes out is still smooth, confident. Even as he makes a cautious hop backwards on all fours instead of waiting to completely stand up. ]
You're awfully talkative for security, you know that?
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[Never mind that it's a distraction away from any actual skill, which seems to be somewhat of a multiversal constant. Step step step, closer and closer until he's within swinging range, but swing he does not.
Instead, he drops onto his haunches and grins wide, reaching out to grab a fistful of that jacket, something, anything to hang onto the intruder.]
So, what's some rich kid like you doing in a place like this, before the opening date? Backstreet punks don't have the dosh for a mask fancy like that, I know that much.
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Just like the one on its own both his eyes crinkle, a pleased smile clear as day despite the mask. ]
Isn't it such a different experience, walking the halls at night like this? You can actually sit and consider what you're looking at without all the buzz of other people hanging around your senses.
Have you seen anything that's really gotten you thinking in here?
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[Instant, nonchalant, even as his free hand's reaching down to grab one of the little thief's ankles; jackets can be slipped out of with ease, so two grips always helps.] See, I'm not really one'a them art types. Don't have the mind for interpreting or seeing meaning in a monochrome canvas.
But you? You. How'd you do the eye thing? You're not gonna get the thingermajigger now, that's for sure; my work buddies'll be in there packed tight as sardines in a can, and Frau Faust? She's brilliant beyond brilliant. She'd know how you did what you did soon as she saw it up close. Me?
I don't. I want to know, though; a neat trick like that, that gets me all fired up, buddy.
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Strange. Strange, but as Gregor had said, the thief can't help but let himself get fired up. ]
You know, I do respect curiosity like that. Out of all the things you could've done when cornering me you ask a question that ultimately doesn't matter just because you want to know? I like it.
[ Just a little, Gregor may feel a tickle at the back of his throat. ]
What's your name, Zwei?
[ And then might have some trouble answering. That tickle's worsening, expanding into what is clearly something, somethings growing inside his trachea, round and wet and gathering up against each other as closely as they can to take up as much possible space. ]
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[Ah.
That's interesting. Real interesting. But they can't be abode, no sir; Gregor pitches forward to pin Akira's ankles down with his knees instead, prosthetic hand letting go of his jacket to
uh? instead start jamming down his throat, in an attempt to remove whatever the fuck's growing there. He makes eye contact the entire time, even as he gags and makes wet noises around his own metal fingers straining, extending, creaking and groaning in an attempt to find a grip point and tear the intruders free.]
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Instead of using his now free hands to try something else cheeky to get away, they're left struggling for purchase on the nice, shiny museum floor, every now and then twitching towards one of his many pockets but not ever quite getting there.
And if there was any lingering doubt as to what exactly is bubbling up inside Gregor's throat, there shouldn't be when combined with that grasping and twitching of his hands the thief's entire everything is contorting in pain, eyes especially squeezing and blinking rapidly to fight back the defensive tears welling up.
The intruders shift and undulate with the thief's reactions, trying so very hard to stay an obstruction while avoiding those prosthetic fingers despite the mounds of eyes in there squishing and slicking at the slightest touch. ]
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..............god he hopes the others don't find them, because he's about to do a real gamer move. Deep breath, as deep as he can manage with all of this shit in his throat at least, before his meat hand grips his throat and squeezes hard. Gregor Samsa, choking himself out just to spite this absolute babe/shithead/tease.]
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Okay! Okay, stop, stopstopstop, red! Red!
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Let's not do that again, alright? I'm trying to have a real upfront conversation with you, man to man, and you go pullin' dirty tricks...Really wounded me, fella. Pissed me off a bit, actually; got half a mind to just drag you outta here and throw you to the others.
[And yet he sits, panting, grinning, patting himself down for cigs already.]
You smoke?
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Wouldn't...wouldn't have lasted long doing this if I just...gave out my secrets to every handsome stranger putting his hands all over me...
[ Handsome, huh? Sure his face is flushed but that could be from all the exertion just now. Effectively getting your eyeballs squeezed, picked at, and pulled twenty or so times over is going to do an awful lot to you.
Eventually, though, he'll have enough of his breath back to tilt his head up to look at this crazy son of a bitch with much less ire or fear than Gregor might be expecting after a stunt like that. In fact, he seems much more intrigued than anything. ]
...Yeah. Yeah, I do.
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[While he natters away, he flicks a cigarette out of the pack and offers it to Akira with a wink, though that might be hard to see behind his transition lenses.] You're not that punk who's been stealing from rich assholes to give to the deserving, huh? Maaaan, if it wouldn't risk a few sections' reps, I'd let you have that damn thinger. Dunno what it does, but I'm sure there's way better it could be used for than sitting here.
[A contented hum, as Gregor pulls a cigarette out for himself and sits it on his bottom lip, before fishing for a lighter. Swt swt swt-- there, there's just enough fluid for a few more lights. Not that he's going to waste it. He's just going to pocket the lighter again, waiting for Akira to take that mask off and get the cigarette in his mouth.
Yeah, this stupid motherfucker's going for a homoerotic tip-to-tip light to save on lighter fluid, and because he just got called handsome and he plans on capitalising on that, thanks.]
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[ He wasn't, but the friend he brought along just in case is absolutely not the type to stick around if things got dicey, Akira be damned. The moment all the other Zweis started moving as if they knew something was up he would've turned literal tail and been long gone by now.
The offered cigarette gets another pause as he's finally fully back upright, eyes flicking from it, to Gregor, and to various spots in the large room. He lingers on one in particular for just a second longer than the others before taking that offer.
Carefully the mask is lowered, revealing a perfectly normal nose and mouth accented by a beauty mark and a smile. With the same hand he holds it up as if to protect the cigarette from some kind of nonexistent wind as he puts it in his mouth, pointedly blocking the view of the direction he'd lingered on. ]
You make it sound like I'm some kind of Robin Hood. [ The smile quirks with a laugh, light and good natured. ]
Far as my research has told me, all it really does is look pretty. The advertisements try to work the angle of it being some kind of mysterious natural growth, but I've looked pretty damn deep into the most reputable sources I could find and there aren't any science journals or whatever talking about it. So either the owner's held it so tight he won't even let the pros look at it, or he's got a fancy paperweight and a good sense of drama.
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[He notices that look, but also like. He's getting complacent again, knows that he at least has an advantage here in proximity. Speaking of which: time to go in for that light at last, lips quirked lopsidedly.]
...Knowing rich folks, probably the latter. If it did anything, a Wing woulda long purloined it for use, but this just did the rounds as something neat and mysterious, far as I was told.
[puff puff, right in Akira's face. Sorry, bro.]
Still. What makes you think folks wouldn't eventually rat you out, if you passed it off for money's sake? Someone down that supply chain's gonna get weak in the face of a beating, and you're done for. Helluva risk you're running. [Running, not ran. Hm.]
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And what if I told you I do it for the thrill, and the altruism is an afterthought?
[ He'll puff right back in Gregor's face too, cheeky shit. Though it comes before a more sober look sneaks into his eyes, all that mischief taking a backseat as he considers those words before offering his own. ]
I try to do business with people I trust as much as I can, but I know you're right. All I can do is prep for that day to come, make it harder to follow the trail, that the people on the end of it can come out squeaky clean so those with more power than heart won't be able to legally touch them when all's said and done. There's what they can do illegally, yeah, but...
[ Another drag, slow and thoughtful. ]
If I eventually get snatched up, that's fine. I just don't want anyone else I pulled into my little games to suffer for it too.
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That's pretty altruistic-soundin' to me, keeping noses clean even in your fun. Most folks who fuck around don't care about the blast radius so long as they get their kicks. Long as you know what's at stake, though, then I can't really go lecturing you, can I?
Say, fella.
[A smoke ring now, not quite far enough away to grow large enough to frame Akira's face, but it is what it is.] How about we get into a brawl, once our smokes are done? Then I letcha go. How's that sound?
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What is worth caring about is this man in front of him with the same thing on the line, a paycheck, leveling with him over a leisurely smoke and then offering...that.
Once again he needs a moment to look Gregor up and down, a little more intently this time as he's searching for any kind of twitch, any kind of tell that this is all a ploy to get Akira to let his guard down even further so cuffs can get slapped on him with less of a fight. Once again he comes up empty-handed.
Leaning in, the smile on his face is suddenly much more intense. ]
You're serious, aren't you?
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[And with that said and done, he gets up at last, gets to stretching and grunting
but not before puckering his lips up at that intense smile. Mwah.]
Don't know. Maybe I'll see you again, maybe I won't. But if we do meet again after this, I wanna know your name. Not gonna use it against you. Just for my old bones' sake, that's all. We got a deal or not?
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[ Another thought strikes him as he goes to stand up as well, mask poised to go right back on his face once he's done with the very last bits of his cig. ]
I've got a tranquilizer in one of my pockets. Think that would help sell it better, or would it be too much?
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Tranquiliser should be fine for now. Still gonna need some blows first, and I'd feel insulted if I didn't at least leave a calling card on you bar making you squirm some.
[He sucks on the filter; uncouth, unpleasant, but it makes the smoke burn faster. Now he's getting an itch for this, for battle again even if it's rigged.] At least the zweihander bein' discarded won't be against me, in here. Wise man, wise man.
Whenever you're ready, you get first blow. Try not to break the glasses, yeah?
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Kicks for kicks, then. I like it! I like you.
You don't have to tell me to keep getting better either--I won't stop doing my best just because there's a chance you'll be the one hot on my tail, hm? If you can't catch me fair and square then that takes out all the fun~
[ Gregor will get a good view at that wide, toothy grin before the butt's carelessly discarded and the mask is back up and secure. Now that he knows there's a lot less on the line this time around he can allow himself to enjoy it as much as he wants. ]
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no, wait, first he grabs Akira's discarded butt, and then sprawls out. No point leaving evidence behind, and there's only cameras at the door to monitor who comes and goes, so doorway or vent, Akira's easy breezy. Never mind that Gregor gets his pay docked for a month straight, and reduced hours besides; totally worth it, for just the thought of more intense nights on the job and more kids getting a better start in life, a chance at beating the system.
Is it too much to hope that his next guarding gig might bring him close to the handsome thief again? Absolutely, but they don't just throw Zwei fixers around for pittances; that's money, that is, and money gets the best protection a chunk of mushroom could ever want.
Not just any mushroom, mind. And only a chunk, harvested from an infected employee, nurtured, cared for, and completely mundane bar its colouration. But it's still something that could inspire frenzy, could get quite a pretty penny, and so, here the Zwei are. Here Gregor is, lighting a cigarette, watching the walls with intensity. As if Faust hadn't given him a barebones lecture beforehand, warned him that he'd be booted out of the Association altogether if he let another threat slip away.]
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And yet, there's also the chance that handsome stranger will be here. Another curious opportunity that, were he a wiser man, he would ignore and just do what he came here to. He's had a number of successful jobs for lower stakes prizes since that night but this would be a big score, would no doubt pay him enough to let him take his time planning the next big score, and then maybe he could hope Zwei is there too along with his oh so intriguing swordsman to chase him down...
Ugh. A lot of maybes, hopes, and if's. Whatever happens tonight happens, he can daydream about dashing lawmen when he's not already crouched in a hallway shaded by night straining to hear the slightest sound of footsteps.
Unlike the museum this place hadn't been open to the public beforehand, so he had no chance to come in and touch everything he could to learn both the layout and security's positioning. He thinks he's starting to get a hang of how Zwei likes to spread themselves out, though, so it's time to test that theory by doing a few things the old fashioned way.
A ball bearing, small enough to be otherwise inconspicuous but heavy enough to make a noise, is getting carefully tossed around the nearby corner. The plan is, of course, to let any guards within earshot come investigate while he slips by and heads down where they had come from.
But who all will come...? ]
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or
not coming. Approaching, certainly, but only a little; as much as he's intrigued by Akira, if this is just some schmuck trying the oldest trick in the book, then there's no point in wasting the job he's busted ass and lost an arm for.
Instead, Gregor yanks a golden button off his overcoat and flicks it in the direction the ball bearing came from, waiting patiently. It'll either scare off anyone without the stomach for actually being caught, or at least make shit more interesting. And while he waits those few seconds for his gesture to be registered, he's just going to light up and clear his throat. Just waiting, keen and sharp.]
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Trying to peek somewhere even newer than the museum is a risky move, one he'd been avoiding thus far. But maybe a quick look, low to the ground, just to see if he can get a better idea of exactly what kind of person he's dealing with--a real bruiser, someone built more for speed, that sort of thing. Might be worth it. A gloved hand slides carefully along the wall next to him and he lets his eyes slide shut, concentrating on finding a spot within his reach...
...And his eyes snap right back open when he feels something else very, very interesting.
Gregor will wait a few moments undisturbed in his watchful silence, when all of the sudden a strange feeling itches at his flesh and bone palm. Itch, itch, like something's moving across it, and then pulling open.
Should he investigate, he'll find a familiar red eye set in his skin, beaming right up at him. ]
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Ha. You owe me, bucko.
[His name and more besides, probably, but the name'll do. That can come later, after the game; already Gregor's mind is whirling about ways to start that won't completely render the pilfererrrrrr useless, but will get across his response, his chase beginning. Not jamming the cherry of his smoke into the eye, that's too much. The chase ends if the quarry's dead or rendered grievously injured.
Hm.
Depending on how sharp the senses shared between eye and origin are, Akira might feel something stinging in his eyes, but in the sort of way that hurts good, saliva in a scratch. A blunt sting, all over the surface of the eye, gently rough and wet for just a few seconds. And then Gregor's boots start echoing down the hallway, closer, clomp clomp clomp.]
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Out of the shadows darts an arm, all in black just as before, snatching up the discarded button before retreating back into the darkness with a soft tp-tp-tp headed in the opposite direction. ]
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Before he really takes off, he gives one last cursory look behind him, in case Faust's there with that placid disapproval on her face. Nope, coast's clear. Fuck it. Fuck it, life is too short and he deserves a challenge. Gregor lets out a soft little chuff, before turning the corner very normally and politely and
proceeding to break into a sprint, even if his sight's a little hindered by all that shade for a man in black garb to hide within. He's even making a pointed effort to keep his weight in the balls of his feet and the toes of his boots, to try and keep his own sound down just to hear any Akira sounds.]
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One such vending machine sits in the middle of the first fork in the path that's been chosen, barring any of the doors Greg's already passed. Left goes down a hallway more cluttered with possible things to hide behind while the right is a cleaner, straighter shot forward. Straining to listen, there's no telltale sounds of shifting, stepping, or giggling here to go by.
What will our handsome swordsman do...? ]
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He could go down an endless spiral of trying to predict what Akira would think his course of action would be when choosing his path, but he won't. Although the straighter path would be the smarter path for any other thief willing to end this quick, and perhaps for a thief who wanted to really challenge themselves alone, it simply isn't fun, is it?
The fun part is the clutter. The options, the sheer number of cover that he can destroy in search of his quarry. Like a simple little filing cabinet, which he skewers with the zweihander and lifts off the ground, as if he's checking for Akira within or behind it. Is. Is he really going to do this all the way down the hallway?
Yes he is. Though he's careful to aim that huge fucking sword away from anywhere his prey could actually hide, at least away from his vitals at worst.] Come out come out, wherever you are. I gotta get that name of yours, fella.
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Gregor might have an idea if he can feel long fingers sneaking into the pocket keeping his lighter from behind. ]
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And he'll yank it forward and around, in an effort to come face to face with Akira, at least for a few seconds.]
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Well hello there.
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[His grip slackens, enough to be friendly instead of a true restraint, and he winks jauntily.]
Y'know...
I think you owe me. I intend on collecting.
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All you wanted was my name, isn't that right?
[ Cautiously, making sure it isn't read as trying anything funny, his fingers try and worm their way between Gregor's. ]
You never told me yours either.
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[ah
fingers
it takes a second, maybe two, but. He allows it eventually, chuffing and looking away to redirect his embarrassment some.]
--anyway, mm. I tried to introduce myself properly, but someone decided they wanted to go and cut me off, so I had to change tack. ...Glad you decided to skip all that this time; didn't really feel like jabbing you where it hurts, again.
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I didn't know if you were just playing with your food before beating and cuffing it. You understand.
Buuut, you've kept your word so I have no problem keeping mine.
[ His other hand comes up just as cautiously, reaching for the mask as he leans in ever-so-slowly to bring it down and his lips as close to Gregor's ear as the other man will allow. ]
Akira. It's Akira.
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[Puff puff puff. His eyes dart around in the darkness, looking for other silhouettes (and giving himself a second's grace, still flustered as he is), before he hooks his head against Akira's to murmur against his ear in turn.]
Gregor. Pleasure's all mine, Akira.
Now I've got my pound of flesh, you wanna resume things? If I'm gonna lose my job, I might as well make my last night on the beat fun.
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Wait a second, lose your job?
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[At this level, they can't afford consistent failure. One was enough. Two would be Too Much.]
Sure, I could go be a Fixer anywhere else, but I won't be at these sorts of places anymore. One last fling, going out with a bang, all that.
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[ He thought that was only a one time show of mercy, of goodwill, for no hard feelings in the future and the consequences that came with it so long as it was fun. He was always going to do his damndest to avoid capture, sure, but the idea that Gregor is ready and willing to lose something like this just for him... ]
...Say we were to get you back to your post, no witnesses and nothing to connect you to...this. [ A tilt of his head to indicate all the stabbed and strewn about office supplies, still keeping the two of them hooked together. ] And I leave without touching anything.
What would happen then?
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[He sighs softly, mulling over that proposal as if they're not holding hands and as if he's not risking discovery with each second that passes like this.] I'd be bored all night, I guess. And I'll catch a bit of heat for property destruction; it's clear it was done by a sword, and who else would do that but Zwei?
But we ever meet again, it's gonna be the same story. You'd hafta give up the game, or at least vet targets more thoroughly. And I'd be pretty pissed, getting blueballed like this. Just doesn't feel like it's how it should end, does it?
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[ Practically nuzzling against Gregor's face turns to letting his head flop into the crook of the man's neck with a frustrated sigh. ]
I don't want it to be the last time we meet like this. I want to get better, to stretch you out even thinner, just like you'd said...can't very well do that if you lose your job or if I keep the training gloves on just because I like you so much, huh?
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Is there something I could nab off you now, that wouldn't go leadin' back to you but might look like it does? Or--
[Time to use his fingers to pull out a cigarette, light it up, and hastily offer it. This is worth using lighter fluid on, for sure.] Smoke this. I'll burn the shit outta the filter, and act like it's gonna lead somewhere all the same. Shit, I'll smoke it right after, make sure it's all my spit in there on top of yours.
[is
is that even how it works??? Testing for DNA and shit? He's not really sure, actually.]
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He quickly takes the offered cig and gets to work, though a thought hits him and there's a moment's pause for an abrupt snrk. ]
One of these days we'll have to properly kiss, you know.
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bleh
thank fuck he wasn't the one smoking, huh...]
I-- Gotcha. We can...do that now? Just in case this is the last time and all?
[coughcoughcough]
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I don't like thinking of it like that, but...you have a point.
[ His free hand will be slipping to the small of Gregor's back, urging him forward. Despite the playful action, a somber undertone still sticks to his voice. ]
So we should enjoy it as best we can.
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[Now that they're so close together, it's not so weird to go reaching over to pluck the cigarette away, holding it pointedly to the side so that Gregor can sweep in those last few centimetres for a surprisingly impassioned kiss. Deepened right off the bat, free hand gripping Akira's hip and holding him there.
It's fine. No one's noticed him missing, yet.]
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Akira meets the kiss with just as much passion, now free hand taking the chance to cup Gregor's cheek possessively just as the one at his back is, grasping at fabric. He doesn't try to pry open lips with tongue, but rather with teeth, nipping and tugging in a demand to be let in. ]
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At least Gregor can trust Akira to take care of himself. There's a degree of security to this weakness, to yielding against those teeth and letting his tongue slip past his lips in turn, grip tightening enough to risk bruising on Akira's hip. If nothing else, if everything goes to shit, he can at least take comfort in leaving a mark.
.......Maybe he's also going to nudge them both back, towards a skewered yet still standing desk, but like. That's just a bonus.]
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Which is helped a little by that nudge backwards. One bump of the edge of that desk against the back of his thighs and he's up and taking a seat, long legs now free to wrap around Greg to pull him just that much closer and keep him there. Still. Still not close enough.
The hand at Gregor's back is practically clawing its way under that Zwei-issued jacket, tugging at his shirt to slip under and grasp at skin instead. ]
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Worth it, anyway. Maybe. In the moment, certainly. Maybe Gregor's a little too eager in his kissing, using a little too much tongue and pressing in a little too heavily to appear smooth and cool whatsoever, but also: still worth it, if Akira won't laugh in his face afterwards. He even discards the cigarette so that he can grope right on back; yanks their hips flush, even though cumming in his work uniform is not something he should risk in the slightest, then mirrors the gesture of back-to-palm contact with his flesh hand, warm even in its glove. The prosthetic kneads impatiently, fervently at Akira's thigh, as if it'd love nothing more than to go higher.]
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That's one threshold run right over--he does in fact need more. With all the reluctance of someone else taking his hands away from Gregor's body instead of Akira himself he brings them back up to rip his own gloves off, letting them carelessly fall onto the desk beside them as they go right back to where they were, skin flush against skin and anchoring themselves with nails digging in hungrily.
Though they seem satisfied with feeling just one spot on the man for only a few moments. The hand at Gregor's back travels up, while the one at his face travels down, nails not letting up for any part of the journey. ]
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[No, no, this is. This is too dangerous. If they get caught, and every second that passes only increases those odds, then Akira's done for and Gregor's fired anyway, which is something that actually matters.
So he pulls out of the kiss. Equally reluctantly, as if someone's pulling strings rather than him trying to be the slightest bit responsible.]
You gotta go. We gotta stop. Investing in the future-- [ah one more, one more kiss, please don't be mad at him beautiful eye man] --shit, don't you go gettin' caught, fella. You gotta go.
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"Caught" is first word that registers, and it sparks enough of a fear response to shake a good chunk of his brain back into the world at large to process what all else is happening. No, he's not caught now, but he could be the longer they stay here sucking face and grinding. The logical part of his brain can comprehend that, but there's just enough of a horny haze still hanging around that doesn't want to let go yet, the nails now at Greg's shoulder blades digging in even deeper. ]
You tease me like that and kick me out before I even get a little taste? [ Taste of what? ] You're cruel, Mister Zwei... [ Hey, taste of what??? ]
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[Next time????????? There really shouldn't be! There can't be! And yet, of course there has to be--]
What Nest d'you live in? Just the Nest. Before you go.
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[ Stealing one more not-so-quick kiss as if to drive that point home. And this time as he pulls away he'll slip from the table in the same motion, grabbing at his gloves with one hand while the one still planted in Greg's back rakes across skin as it's pulled along.
Small, small droplets of red are visible as he brings those fingertips up to leisurely draw them along his tongue, the disappointment from before replaced with contentment. ]
But! If we're going to keep at this, I can't just give away the next answer, can I?
[ Fingers nice and clean, he'll turn his back to Gregor as he replaces the gloves onto his hands, starting down the rest of the hallway as if this were a completely normal conversation in a completely normal situation. ]
If you want to find me, look for a crow that loves to write~
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wait, words.]
--what? What's that even mean?! [???????????? guy who is bewildered and so, so turned on right now. Standing there helplessly.] A crow that loves to write? The Nest isn't even giving it away! They're huge--
[He's making too much noise, though. Cue the grimace, before he waves Akira away in a pseudo-huff.] Ah, fine. I'll take what I'm given, and I'll like it. Wait for me, yeah?
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Please wash an open wound, Gregor.Laughter's the only answer Gregor gets, his frustration clearly the intended punchline. But that is indeed all before Akira's gone into the night, the mushroom chunk safe and sound where it should be, and no other eyes having witnessed his entrance or his exit. Save for the the intended evidence, (and the zealous swordsman's valiant attempts at uprooting him) he may as well have never been in there at all.
Whether it's by the whims of fate or Akira vetting his targets more thoroughly as suggested, they don't see each other for at least a few weeks after that.
Robberies take place, sure, but there's no clear calling card of the elusive Dodomeki for news sources to cling to. More jobs will come and go for Zwei, provided Gregor's gambit worked and he gets to keep skating on that thin ice, and he'll no doubt be dragged a good number of places with sights worth remembering and sights worth forgetting that you've even forgotten them.
Where a certain sight lands depends entirely on Gregor.
It's just a place he happens to pass by on a job, either in a rush or a leisurely stroll, but a hand painted sign will catch his eye for a moment: The Quill & Crow. A crow is perched on the nib of a finely plumed quill writing out the ampersand, a more ambitious idea than the artist had skill for, but it gets the idea across well enough. Judging from the windows it seems to be an old bookstore, shelves lining the walls and table displays left less organized than they no doubt started the day from the people leafing through them.
It seems normal, quiet, forgettable. But what does Gregor think...? ]
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no it's all he has to remember Akira by wtfBut Gregor's let slip-skating, considering he still had the cigarette on hand (and certainly muddied with his own genetic data, oopsies tehepero); he's bumped into a different Section for his mishaps, but not booted from the Association altogether, which is about all he could ask for. Sadly, he's not even on the higher-stakes protection jobs, pointedly kept away from anything that might attract the Dodomeki or his like, and it's a good stretch of bodyguard work or even just...
Peacekeeping work. Rent-a-cop work becomes his bread and butter, makes his head itch with how boring it is compared to what he had. But that's the price he agreed to pay, and it lets him have a certain leeway with his beat. Which leads him to today's, ah...Venture. Another beat, another drag through a new path he's in the middle of memorising. Gotta know what's normal to know when something's awry, after all.
The sign's not exactly out of the ordinary, when he looks at it. Memorises that design, has a little chortle at the skill and how heartening it is, to see someone do their best. Then he stops dead. There's a bell ringing in the back of his mind, and he almost can't recall why until he takes another look at the sign.
Crow. Crow. Crow. Quill? Crow. Huh...Crow who likes to write?
He checks his pocketwatch in a hurry, before bursting through the door looking a complete mess. There's no predatory dignity to him right now, just the excited flush of a man who saw his childhood sweetheart for the first time in decades.]
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"Welcome to the Quill & Crow, where words of a feather flock together. How can I--"
He doesn't even look up at first when he starts the over-rehearsed pitch, but when he does, and most importantly spots the uniform Gregor's in, he stops dead in his tracks. He doesn't necessarily seem any more enthused, (maybe his face is just like that?) but his eyebrows do knit in some kind of concern.
"Oh. Uh...help you." ]
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Sorry to spook ya like that. See, a friend of mine recommended this place, but forgot to tell me if he works here, or owns the place or something, so I gotta ask.
Akira, tall guy, beauty spot, big smile. You know him? Could be I remembered the wrong place, so it's fine if you've never heard of him, heh. Trying to surprise my pal while we're both on the clock's a bit hard! Right? Yeah.
[so normal so cool please be the right place aaaaaaaaaaaauuuuhhhh]
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"We're really not supposed to talk about other employees like that, sir. Safety thing."
"Oh, you're Akira's friend?" Chimes in another voice. A tiny older woman that had been browsing, eyes barely visible behind the thickness of her lenses, but her smile sure is pleasant. "Such a sweet boy. He works so hard, I'm sure you can let him have a moment or two with his friend, can't you?"
He gives the woman a look that can only be described as 'bruh', thinning his lips to avoid outright frowning. After a moment's thought on any kind of last ditch effort to deny Gregor anyway, he decides it isn't worth the trouble and sighs.
"...I'll check if he's in today."
And through the door behind the counter he goes. It's quiet and calm, save for the old lady slowly recounting some time Akira helped her and her grandkids get a book from a high shelf whether or not Greg actually listens, he's so good with the kids he's going to make a fantastic father someday, he's so handsome too he must already have someone on his arm, oh if only she were a few years younger maybe--
When the desk boy peeks back in from behind the door, his resting indifference is cut with confusion this time.
"He, uh...he says you can come on back." ]
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Thanks ma'am, I'll hafta let him know he's left such a good impression on such a beautiful woman!
[And, before he can fuck it up with more yapping, he slinks off towards Desk Boy with a jaunty little wave.]
Sorry to impose like this, mate. Thanks for humouring me. [And then, with his best, friendly guy swag voice--] Yoohooooooo, Akiraaaa?
[cue him poking his head in the doorway, still wiggling his fingers in a wave. He's a disaster, but it's all the fault of his nerves, clearly. Very normal.]
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Second, perhaps more interesting to Greg, is his tie being grabbed and yanked to redirect his back to the wall. And who should be the one to yank, grinning down at him so bright, so pleased, but his cute thief pal? ]
There you are~!
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Only when he realises that he should talk, instead of pointlessly going 'awhoawhoawhoawhoawhoa'.]
Ha.
...Found ya. [As if he deserves any credit for doing much bar remembering. As if he's not the one being pinned right now.] Cute shop. Owned, or just worked at?
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In fact, too adorable not to dote on a little. He'll give a quick kiss to Greg's nose and smooth out the uniform vest while his other hand is still gripping the tie. ]
It's work. The owner's out right now, probably will be for the rest of the day knowing him, so it's just you and me...
...And Tenmaru, [ a nod towards the door, ] but I don't think he'll be bothering us either.
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[The gall this bitch has, to be all flustered and weird now after their last encounter involved having to deal with his boner on the job!!!! The fucking cheek! But-- this is more personal, isn't it? At least for Akira. There aren't likely going to be consequences for Gregor's beat unless a fight breaks out on the street this shop's on or something, but this is Akira's job, his home turf.
The hunt never takes place in the actual warren. Stake it out, yes, grab the rabbit by the neck and shake once it peeks out, but never within.]
What time you finish up? And, uh-- you.
You free...Tonight? Or any night. Any night while I'm posted here's good. Got a few months. Don't wanna ruin your rep with the sweet old girl out there who thinks the sun shines outta your boots, or your boss, or...Anyone.
[abuhbuhbuhbuhbuh. His eyes are darting around nervously, as if he's afraid that they'll get caught any second despite that reassurance. At least he's consistent in valuing not ruining lives if he doesn't have to, I guess?]
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And yet.
Akira's smile softens as Gregor voices his worries, letting the thumb on his tie idly stroke the fabric almost fondly while he listens. He's in no danger here, at least not from anyone involved with the shop proper, but the fact that the idea he might be is putting Greg in this much of a tizzy is...doing things, to his heart rather than his dick this time around.
It makes him want to lean in even closer, chest flush to chest, so Gregor has a chance to feel that it's beating harder. ]
I just so happen to be free tonight. If you come by again around six, we could go wherever you like.
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[He lets out a nervous chuckle, arms awkwardly hovering in the air before finally winding around Akira's back in a loose embrace.] Didn't want you to think I wasn't still thinking about you or anything, but I didn't wanna screw things up now, after we went through so much blueballing to get this far.
[A beat. Maybe multiple, going by how fast his heart's racing too and how they're all flush and, you get it. Then Gregor finally grows a pair and leans up a little to smack a stubbly kiss against one sculpted dodomeki cheek.]
I'll be back after six. Works out great; beat's over at five, so I can go wash up and put on something else, keep from spooking the locals. There's been this diner a few streets over I've been going to for dinners; not high end, but it's got good coffee. If you, y'know. Like coffee.
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I like you.
[ A thought, one toe back in the real world. ]
I also like coffee, yes. Could absolutely use it once the shift is done, especially if it comes with such delightful company.
[ Another thought, slightly back in the rose-tinted fantasy he's allowing himself since this is honestly the least amount of stakes they've had to deal with since they met. He had worried he might find the idea boring if it ever happened, and yet he can't find it in him to let up on the pin or even let go of Greg's tie. ]
But I don't want to let you go just yet...even if you're going to be around for--a few months, you said?
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Ah-- ah. Mm, I like you too. More than coffee, but coffee's pretty grand, not gonna lie--
[NO STOP STOP STAGGERING HIM AKIRA HE'S LOW ON HP ALREADY
aka more guyfailure noises, a little cough, clearing the throat, so on. At least he's managing a smile this time, because it's all very pleased now that they're working out ways to avert disaster.
...........Fuck it, one more kiss, a quick squeeze.] I know how you feel, fella-- Akira. Sorry. I don't wanna love and leave you either. [Time to shoot the door a furtive glance, very pointed as if to ham up the stupid teenager game they've got going on at the moment, before turning back to Akira and waggling his eyebrows.]
Reckon we could get to second base without gettin' caught?
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He leans in to linger on that kiss for a little while longer, half tempted to make an actual game out of holding them where they are for as long as possible if Greg really does have to go. Luckily it sounds like they're of the same mind...
...More than Greg might realize, with that suggestion. That happy, dopey smile sharpens into a smirk reeeal fast. ]
Well, I know I wouldn't get caught.
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[The most charmed 'sneaky fucker' ever said, naturally, and accompanied by him pushing his glasses back into his hair; no need to get them totally smudged up from pawing at another dude, is there?
Whiiiiich he does. At least as far as sneaking his prosthetic hand, a few degrees cooler than his other one even through the gloves, up the back of Akira's shirt. Just-- let him yank it free, first, and then he can get to work.]
You wouldn't make me cop a night in jail when I could be buyin' you coffee and pie, though, right? I think I'd die if I had to get demoted from here, even if it's for you. [Sure, Greg, let's just say that shit jauntily and in between valiant attempts at doling out pash rash along Akira's jaw. Sure.]
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Not so fast. You're sweet, but I'll be the one treating you to coffee and pie, alright? You've let me off the hook enough times it's really the least I can do.
[ The hand at Greg's tie twists to wrap it around like a leash, tugging to urge him closer and keep at that stubble rubbing, thanks. Akira will even help with cheeky kisses to the corners of Gregor's lips.
Meanwhile the other hand is making quick, practiced work of the buttons on Greg's vest. Dude's, uh. Dude's really good with his fingers, who would've guessed? ]
Buuut I can always do a little more...
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[rubrubrubrubrubrub. As if he needed the tie yank to get in closer (but fuck is it hotter that way); the real quandary is Gregor's petty urge to leave visible marks, fighting against each little kiss so close to being right on his stupid mouth.
...Fuck it. If he risks getting left high and dry should that door open all of a sudden, he might as well get his own back. Gregor's mouth trails down, down to that soft, vulnerable skin under Akira's jaw, and starts nipping and sucking with a satisfied huff. Never mind the way he's feeling over each knob of vertebra with his prosthesis, over the prominent ridges of shoulder blade as if he's memorising them.
Shit, he'll even help out with his free hand in unbuttoning his vest, shrugging it off so that it dangles from the prosthesis' elbow. Anything in getting skin-on-skin is a bonus.]
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[ It's just a tease, not a push. His hands are still above the belt, gladly taking the bit of help help and making quick work of Gregor's shirt so he can duck under fabric and start exploring skin.
His throat vibrates with pleased noises at the teeth on his neck, abrupt mewls escaping when Greg actually bites down. The work shirt isn't a high collar like he prefers on his own time--the birds are going to see all this, going to know, and instead of shame or panic boiling up he adjusts the slack in the necktie-leash to where there is none. A silent command for Greg to keep doing what he's doing, please and thank you.
It urges his own hand to be a little less gentle like before, nails trailing up until they can take a good, tight handful of a pec to knead at. Get fondled, idiot. His thumb especially is gonna have a good time rubbing and teasing over the nipple there. ]
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[Mumbled right against Akira's skin still, mouth unwilling to move too far. He's not even going to stop suckling under his jaw until it feels like every inch is wet and puffy with hickeys (at least in his brain), laving his tongue out as he mouths his way down bit by bit.
Yeah. This was absolutely the best course of action to take. Sure, work's treating him like shit now, and he might even cop a bit of heat for not quite finishing his beat today, but like. Fuck it. This is just as good as a great fight, even if he's less sure of his skills in the sack than in the streets. But swinging a sword's never gotten someone flicking his nipple before, has it?
Which, by the way, gets him a little louder than he'd like, inspires the ultimate move: prosthetic hand no longer best friends with Akira's spine. Now slapping and kneading at his ass is the prosthesis' best friend etc etc.]
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Just a moment's worth of recovery and he's yanking on Gregor's necktie to bring his ear to Akira's mouth, half growling and half purring his next words, ]
Oooh, you better save that for later or we're both getting caught real quick.
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[Just to make good on that, his hands move back up just a few centimetres, hips more than ass, and he presses a few apologetic kisses along the side of Akira's throat.
(They are not apologetic at all, with how he's grinning in each kiss.)]
Didn't think you'd get so worked up, to be honest. I better remember that, huh?
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Oh, I've plenty of little secrets like that to show you. If you play your cards right at dinner~
[ A bluff--so long as nothing else comes up it's practically guaranteed he's going to yoink this guy somewhere private as soon as he gets the chance. But they're both being teases here, hands full of each other, so it's fine. It's great.
Great like how Gregor's waist seems to fit perfectly to the curve of Akira's hand, don't mind fingertips playfully flicking at that uniform waistband. ]
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[A little louder than he'd meant, but can you blame a guy for getting pumped up for his impending dinner date and possibly, probably, hopefully, sweet narsty sex after? Gregor even laughs in between kisses and bites, a blend of the two now, and moves to lift Akira off the ground and crush him in close.]
I better go gettin' you some roses, fella. Real deal stuff.
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Roses? [ He half-asks, half-laughs, masking the little leap his heart does at the idea. ] Heavens, as if you need the help in getting me to fall for you!
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[And then he fucking winks. Of course he does.] But I gotta get you something, don't I? And they'd match your eyes. ...And the way you've been a thorn in my side and my brain, I guess. But mostly the eye thing.
@placation
[ Thankfully Maruki is spared holding a strange youkai's hand all the way to a nearby hospital.
The place is huge, clean, and busy despite seeming like it has plenty enough staff running around all seeing to their duties. It also gets easy to tell who's newer and who isn't from their reactions to Akira, some only recognizing the name while others greet him warmly, excited to show him one thing or another or beg his opinion on something, all of which he has to tear himself away from due to some very important business with his guest, here.
He does promise to do his best getting back to them before the day's out, though. Hard to keep his curiosity at bay once it's piqued.
Which is why he keeps at dragging Maruki along until they're finally alone in an office on one of the upper floors, clearly not used very often what with how organized and lacking in any personal touches it is. For that extra bit of security he even locks the door behind them, placing the key used on top of the desk, well within either of their reach.
It's a quiet promise that this isn't some kind of trap to pounce and chow down on him after all, only a safety measure, and Maruki can still back out at any time he chooses. ]
Please, take a seat anywhere you like.
gasp.... for ME!!
He glances around the pristine office, then back to Akira. ]
Thank you. It's a very nice facility. Do youkai really come here for treatment...?
[ Yes, he's stalling. And he hasn't taken a seat. ]
(ΛΆ Λ Β³Λ)Λα΅ ΛΛΆ)
[ They passed a few on their way here, but masterful control of shape changing is a must for youkai who choose to live this way. He wouldn't out them, though, not to a stranger, even one he has good feelings about. Maruki will just have to learn who's what on his own time if he gets curious enough.
Akira himself takes a lean against the front of his desk, casual save for the spark of all-consuming curiosity behind his eyes (just the two, for now) fixed on the other man. ]
Now, you said you had something to show me?
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[ He steps back a little further, puts more distance between him and Akira at the desk. ]
Let's begin.
[ It stands to reason that a reality with youkai disguised as normal humans has just enough ripples at the edges of its fabric that a cognitive being could exist in it too. Maruki has no doubt, really. Azathoth was borne from his soul; he knows inherently what it can and cannot do, and he knows it will come now if he calls.
The air in the tidy, disused office wavers slightly as an aurora of deep jewel tones seeps in. It's a lovely sight all on its own, for the few seconds it lasts before the Persona that it heralds makes its appearance. All at once, Azathoth manifests beside Maruki β scaled down to fit indoors, its gleaming golden chassis taking up the whole space from floor to ceiling.
It stares at Akira with unseeing, otherworldly blue eyes as its clawed tentacles rise up all around it and Maruki, striated in that same glowing neon.
He looks from his Persona to Akira and waits for the oncoming avalanche of weirdness that's sure to follow. ]
It's called Azathoth. It doesn't act outside of my command, [ lmao probably? ] so you're safe.
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He pushes himself away from the desk to take a few steps forward, hands tentatively out in front of him as if asking for permission to try and touch. Can it be touched? If it can follow commands that might harm him that only stands to reason that it could touch him. What does it feel like? What's underneath those tentacles allowing them to move, a system of muscles like a cephalopod? What would that look like as it transitions to those claws, and how dexterous are they?
That's only a few of the questions he can manage to pick out of the many swirling around in his mind, along with, ]
Just what is it...?
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Maruki rubs at the back of his neck, tries to tell himself this really should be no stranger than learning youkai exist in human disguises all around them. Surely it's on the same level. ]
It's probably easiest if you consider it an extension of my soul. The other me, so to speak...
[ And then he looks at Akira's outstretched hands.
Everyone say thank you to Azathoth for having a corporeal form unlike every other Persona, for some reason! Maruki just has to be a special boy, huh!!!! ]
You can touch it, Takahashi-san. Just...
[ Be normal. ]
Try to control yourself? Please?
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[ So, this is also Maruki in a way. It has Akira's head tilting as if he'll see something he didn't at a different angle, once again taking in as many details as he can. The tentacles are the easiest thing to spot first, both octopus and snakelike, and both appropriate--octopi are highly intelligent animals, healers, and the limbs wrap around that golden anchor point much like a caduceus. Said anchor also seems to be mostly brain and spine, the bare bones (if he'd pardon his own wording) of a body's necessary systems.
God, it's all so fascinating. It's up to Maruki whether the shine in Akira's eyes and the flush coming to his cheeks is 'being normal' enough once he actually goes in to touch.
At least he's gentle about it, just picking any tentacle and running his palm across its surface. ]
Are you the one who chose its shape?
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And Maruki has no idea as to the answer.
He watches Akira's hand running over one of the lesser tentacles, considers his answer for a quiet moment. ]
I don't think so, no. [ The words come slowly, as if he's formulating the thoughts as he's saying them. ] Are you familiar with the idea of the collective unconscious? A place where all human souls are connected... Where those archetypes, myths and pantheons we all know reside.
[ A beat, and then he suddenly laughs, eyes brightening. ]
Youkai would be included in that too, actually.
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[ Since there's no adverse reaction to his touch, he'll start getting a little more adventurous. Wrapping as much of one hand around the tentacle as he can, gently squeezing to get an idea of its heft and what might be underneath.
It's strange, though, he can't see where the tentacles would connect to the main body if this whole thing were to operate like something made of flesh and blood. Do extensions of the soul even need to follow the rules beings of flesh and blood do? Even youkai that are mostly made of spirit energy have some sort of blueprint they follow, something to tether them to this material world.
Ah. Aaah, he wants to cut into this thing. Wants to peel away its layers and see all the secrets they're hiding...
A new tell to his train of thought is the quickening of his breathing, the tightening of his grip. He's gotten so far, he needs to keep this going before he ruins it! ]
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Ah, Takahashi-san?
[ Maruki won't dispel Azathoth, not right away, but he sure as hell is on the defense now. ]
Are you feeling alright? I know it's all pretty strange and overwhelming...
[ As if he isn't currently speaking to a dodomeki. But it's easier to think that Akira's reacting this way for those reason and not for... any other ones. Oh, god. ]
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[ He swallows, hard, trying to remember every calming technique he's been taught over the years while the buzzing in his head from his overwhelming need to know gets louder and louder.
It's okay. It's okay, just keep going, keep asking normal questions and he'll get what he wants without scaring Maruki off! ]
Does it bleed?
[ Nailed it. ]
oh my GOD DHFHHDJS
[ Persona? Gone. Recalled to the recesses of Maruki's mind. Byebye, Azathoth! All that's left is an aurora that shimmers, wavers, fades. ]
Iβ no, I don't think so. And I don't want you to test that!
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He's left confusedly groping at the air for a second before he turns that totally-not-mania back in Maruki's direction, self control out the window now that he's already messed up. ]
But--if you're not sure, if you don't know, why wouldn't you want to test that? It would be so simple, so easy! It wouldn't even leave a scar, I promise!
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[ He has no idea if this appeal to Akira's better nature will work or not, but it's worth a shot... ]
It's a part of me, Takahashi-san. It is me. You can't bring harm to it without doing the same to me.
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I don't want to hurt you, [ He finally manages, ] I just want to know.
[ And right out of that, another idea hits him. ]
Would a local anesthetic help? You wouldn't have to feel it at all, wouldn't even have to look if you don't want to!
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[ Well, to be fair, Maruki doesn't know that. He doesn't know anything, really. This persona business is more or less still a mystery to him.
Still, thoughβ
If he thinks about it for a moment, there's a pang of sympathy somewhere deep in his gut despite himself. After all, Maruki has spent the majority of his career chasing after a field unrecognized in mainstream academia, isolated himself from colleagues and peers, all because of his desire to know. He does get it, in his own way.
That's most of what makes him relent, just a little. Whatever else makes him do it probably isn't worth examining. ]
Look... Can I know what you're trying to find out about it?
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I want to know what type of musculature it has if any, I want to know how it connects to the central piece, I want to know what's underneath its cranium, how the nerves are mapped, if there are any special properties to its skin, I want to know if it bleeds and if it shares your blood type--I want to know just how much the two of you share and are alike, at that!
[ His gesturing hands move faster than his mouth as he speaks, as if trying to illustrate what he's talking about will somehow make it clearer. Less frightening. It's not frightening anymore if someone just, knows what the scary unknown is, right...? ]
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Listens. To his credit, he does hear out every word Akira says. And none of those questions are ones he can answer. He doesn't even know if they're possible to answer. He could very well work up the nerve to let Akira slice his persona open, only to find that it's impossible, or that nothing exists inside but the calm, warm void of the collective unconscious. ]
I...
[ They won't know until they try, though. ]
Okay.
[ God. ]
Okay, butβ not now. In the future. Once I know you a little better. Is that a fair compromise?
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[ He does, however, step forward in what excitement can't be contained, hands clasping together to play with each other as if it'll help calm him down, or perhaps keep them to himself. ]
You learn about me, and I learn about you. That sounds perfectly fair to me.
THAT'S A WRAP ON THIS ONE TOO?? oh the way i will bombard you soon
[ For a moment he thinks to reach out to shake, but he sees Akira worrying his hands together like that, all pent-up energy with nowhere to goβ
And instead he reaches out to clasp both of his hands gently around the other man's. ]
I'm sure I won't regret it.
[ lmao. ]
wrap wrap kiss kiss β€
But it only lasts for that moment, and then his smile is back, wide and warm. ]
You won't, I'm sure of it!
you say "someone should sit in akira's lap and get jerked off" i say how high
He's a caring, affectionate man who has, to Maruki's knowledge, never been dishonest with him. Yes, he can get intense about his interests, butβ well, so can Maruki. That's something inherent to people who seek out knowledge above all else, he thinks. Even when it's occasionally unnerving, it's never dangerous. Really, Maruki feels perfectly safe with him, youkai or not.
Of course, there's always the possibility that he's got it all wrong, that he's walked right into the belly of the beast and will be devoured soon enough. But some wires of his cognition are permanently crossed, and even that potential is thrilling in its own way.
One nice date snowballs into another, and another, and another, and it's truly a phenomenal thing that Maruki gets up the nerve to accept an invitation back to his hotel room.
His very luxe hotel room.
Suddenly, Akira's ability to spoil him on those dates makes a bit more sense... Oh, to have a doctorate degree that isn't functionally useless.
It's there, on a plush loveseat in a suite that surely costs more than his life, that Maruki finds himself deftly pulled into the good doctor's lap. Awkward, gangly limbs splay to straddle his lap, and his already flushed cheeks flare brighter and hotter as his palms come to rest flat on Akira's chest, and he laughs through his shock and fluster. ]
Ah, I keep forgetting just how strong you are... [ Not that it takes much to muscle around a guy as slight as him, but still. ] I wish my own abilities granted me any sort of practical side effects like that. You've certainly got one over on me!
[ GOD, PLEASE GET ONE OVER ON HIM. ]
bark bark bark bark bark bark
Very, very few of them come back for a second go.
He was always too much in one way or another, too strange, too intense, too frightening, and though finding a match was never really his highest priority Akira just had to come to terms with the fact that finding someone who enjoys spending time with him as much as he does with them was going to be...difficult.
Maruki, though. Maruki is incredibly easy to spend time with. He's so patient with Akira's curiosities, eager to learn things in tandem, and has no shortage of fascinating topics to regale with at any given time. On top of that he's kind, and he's cute with that smile and nervous little laugh...
Alright. Akira might be a little smitten.
Which might also be obvious from the tipsy adoration he's beaming up at Maruki once the man's settled on his lap, palms resting against thighs as thumbs draw lazy little circles.
With a chuckle, ] It helps that you're pretty light. Buuuuut I do get a lot of practice holding down unruly patients, so it isn't all side effects of genetics.
[ He likes to think he doesn't let his upbringing get the better of him all that often, but even the most shunned of outcasts aren't immune to social conditioning. And so a potential partner hitting him with the 'oh wooow you're so strooong' is. Unexpectedly doing it for that oni side of him. ]
ohhhh your honor they're CUTE I FEAR
He ducks his head to try to hide a growing flush β holding down unruly patients, dear lord, of course that's part and parcel when it comes to practicing medicine on youkai. Akira is ridiculous, and Maruki's ridiculously fond of him.
One hand tracks up to idly fiddle with the collar of Akira's shirt, fingers slipping inside undone top buttons to seek out the warmth of his skin. ]
Do I have to be unruly to see that for myself? I'm afraid that's not exactly in my nature...
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[ One of his hands rises as well, tracing up Maruki's thigh until he can hook a finger in one of his belt loops. ]
But are you sure you want to? You don't know all the things I've imagined doing if I ever got you alone like this...
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[ Maruki isn't so stupid as to be surprised by those words; they enjoy one another's company, there's an undeniable attraction that flows both ways. Akira is sweet, effusive in his affections. He dotes, and spoils, and praises, and Maruki has never once doubted that there's something brewing insistently between them, even in his most oblivious moments.
But despite all this, it's an inescapable truth that he doesn't assume anyone considers him at all when he isn't around. Much less at length, much less in the context Akira implies with that touch.
He shifts a little closer in Akira's lap, looks at him with guileless eyes. ]
It's hard to believe I'm on your mind that much, but... what do you imagine?
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[ If Akira had his way he'd have been staring close enough, long enough, into those big, doe eyes to take an educated guess at Maruki's perscription, but seeing them like this is almost just as good. Some things are easier to see when in the bigger picture, after all. ]
I think of mapping your pulse points with my lips, my teeth, tongue, getting to feel how excited you are the further down I go...
[ How lucky one hand is already so close to Maruki's femoral artery, close enough for the hand at his thigh to slip just-so and keep up the thumb massage so cheekily close to his groin. ]
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He slides both hands up to rest lightly along the line of Akira's jaw, fingers delicately tracing. ]
I would let you, you know. [ Easily, gladly. His smile is shy but true. ] Honestly... I can't imagine there's anything I wouldn't let you do.
[ Perhaps a uniquely foolish statement to make with a man like Akra, but Maruki is a uniquely foolish man himself. ]
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[ 'Danger' he says, practically purring against the soft touch. No, he'd never harm Maruki on purpose, but he knows himself. Knows that's not always how he thinks of it. It'd be a disservice to such a sweet man not to remind him every now and then that he's cozying up to a predator no matter how much said predator's taken a shine to him.
The hand at Maruki's belt loops slooowly drags a fingertip across to the buckle, unclasping it with perhaps surprising skill considering it's just the one hand. ]
It'd be easy to throw you back onto the bed there, get myself nice and settled on top of you...just my hips on yours would be enough, I bet, but would you like it if I pinned your hands above your head, hmm?
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Well, unfortunately, if he keeps working Maruki's trousers open it'll become all too clear just how much he enjoys it. He shifts in Akira's lap as his belt is undone, spreads his legs just a little wider to settle more comfortably
He can't make eye contact, watching instead as he drags one hand up to fiddle with Akira's hair right above his ear. ]
That sounds like something I would enjoy, yes... [ Another understatement. Hold me down and have your way with me, far too bold to make it to the tip of his tongue, but the thought is certainly there. ] Is that what you like, Takahashi-san? Taking over like that...?
[ And it's a very, very genuine question. Maruki wants more than anything to know what Akira likes, what he wants. He'll give it to him, whatever it is. ]
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[ He can't help but chuckle at how silly that must sound, taking his sweet time to slide the belt out of its loops while he chooses his next words. ]
You're already stunning as you are day-to-day, I can't imagine how beautiful you'd be when worked up and wanting, much less when satisfied...
[ The hand at Maruki's thigh slowly releases its grip only to finger-walk nice and coy up to his zipper. With the way their hips are so comfortably settled against each other, it's not secret how much Akira and his imagination are enjoying this moment either. ]
...and I want to take note of every single step it takes to get you there. So I can compare and contrast methods for the next time, if I'm so lucky as to be allowed.
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If you're so lucky? I think you've got it backwards.
[ Another roll of his hips, more deliberate this time; he can feel Akira hard and aching against him, all from nothing more than a little light petting and his own pretty words. It's a relief to not be the only one so easily affected.
He exhales, shaky, and leans in to press a lingering kiss just beneath Akira's ear. Then another, lower down his jaw; a third against his neck as he speaks. ]
You're so handsome and confident... assured of yourself... and clearly a dedicated man of science. [ He grins into the warm skin of Akira's neck despite himself; there really is nothing more charming than taking detailed notes to compare and contrast. What a dork... ] I like you, too. You should know that.
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Yeah okay, screw putting on a little show, the belt is unceremoniously dropped right on the floor once it's all the way out so Akira can bring that hand to rest possessively against the nape of Maruki's neck, keeping his lips close to Akira's skin just that little bit longer. ]
Mm...I'd say I'm lucky, yes, having someone like you talking to me like this.
[ Steady, but not nearly as slow anymore, Maruki's zipper is finally down and Akira's palming at the bulge in his boxers. Just a little more patience, only a little more. ]
I want to make you feel so good, Maruki...may I touch you? Please...?
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[ It's a small, strangled, pitiful sound that jolts out of Maruki when he feels a warm hand snaking its way into his pants. Coupled with those words, as if Maruki could ever deny him, to say nothing of when he's asked so sweetlyβ
Oh, he's a goner. ]
Oh, my... You can, yes. Please.
[ It's all murmured against Akira's neck before he latches on again, sucking a slow, deliberate kiss over his pulse point. Maruki's too overwhelmed to say he wants to make him feel good too; he can communicate it this way, his whole body rocking into Akira's. ]
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The shiver follows down his arm, hands, to the fingertips tugging at Maruki's waistline to free his dick and wrap around it in one smooth motion. It's slow at first, almost reverent, as if Akira could memorize even this much about Maruki from touch alone.
And he may very well, with his eyes fluttering shut to bask in the feeling of it all. ]
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Th-that's... ah, you feel good, even just like this.
[ It's because the motion is so slow, so deliberate and patient that Maruki falls apart so easily. He's just as susceptible to this as he is a frenetic, feverish rush. Maybe even more so; as much as it would normally mortify him to be touched so reverently that it's nearly worship, in Akira's hands that feels like a safe notion.
He manages to pick himself up, both trembling hands coming to cup Akira's cheeks, thumbs stroking the soft skin beneath closed eyes. ]
I never thought you'd be this sweet...
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I want to be even sweeter for you. Give you all the nice things you deserve.
[ Not just expensive gifts, those are easy. He could spend thousands on Maruki in an instant without much thought. But what Akira really wants to give is time, attention, to show him with action how fascinating a man he truly is, that Akira isn't kidding when he says he wants to know every single thing he can.
Like which way he moves his fingers will get Maruki slack-jawed in pleasure again. ]
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Akira did tell him that he likes to dote. And Maruki believed it! Truly, he did. He's had no reason to doubt any of Akira's words before, and certainly not now.
But Maruki is a scientist, deep into his bones. All the hypotheticals in the world don't come close to the real thing. Seeing is believing, and being the sole target for all of Akira's boundless passionate energy and brazen affection would be enough to make a believer out of even the most skeptical man.
His whole body shudders at the next movement of that deft hand, hips rolling forward to try to grind into Akira again, desperate to give him something in return. ]
You'll have to let me do the same.
[ A panting murmur against Akira's lips before slides his hands down the sides of his neck, to the front of his chest, to work at the buttons of his shirt. ]
I won't accept anything less.
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But those words, those fingertips teasing their warmth against the skin of his throat. ]
Please.
[ It's almost breathless, that word. And completely genuine, with the way bright red eyes are practically oozing the very same sentiment. Please, please, please-- ]
Oh, please show me how sweet you can be.
[ Beneath a button, beneath Maruki's fingers, an eye splits open from Akira's flesh. And another, and another, greedily bubbling to the surface for the privilege of gazing at Maruki as the main two squeeze shut for another eager kiss. ]
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OVER SOME EYES. ]
Mmphβ what!?
[ He jerks his head back, looking quickly from Akira's handsome face to the MANY EYES now littered across his chest. ]
T-Takahashi, I can't touch you if you're...
[ Well, wait. ]
Unless... do you like them being touched? How does it work?
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Sorry, once the problem registers he can't help but laugh. He really should have expected this, excited as he gets, and yet...! ]
I do, actually, but not like...ah, here.
[ The free hand will gently, gently, take one of Maruki's, bringing it down towards no eye in particular. There's plenty to choose from.
But once they land on one he'll guide fingertips with his own, carefully brushing them along the lid, much like a lover sweeping tears away. Back, and forth, to the upper lid as well, and as he's demonstrating the two on his face have the nerve to look bashful. ]
Is that alright? Not too strange...?
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[ A soft exhalation, deeply fascinated by watching the way Akira guides his touch. It makes sense, really, and it's exactly why he quickly pulled away β no one likes getting poked in the eye, even and perhaps especially when those eyes are everywhere! But a tender motion like this, more affectionate than anything else...
Maruki's own eyes lift to Akira's face again, smiling with warmth and total endearment. ]
It's not strange at all. Thank you for showing me.
[ And he's curious to try something else along with that, butβ well, that time will come. The night is young, and just as Akira's been taking his time with him, Maruki is in no rush either.
He quickly undoes the rest of the buttons on Akira's shirt so he can push it open, give him full and free access to this baffling, fascinating, lovely man he's found himself entangled with.
When he returns to their kiss, it's with two fingers stroking gently over the lid of one eye, a thumb brushing beneath another. Both hands have a light touch, cautious not to cause any discomfort, but ever-moving, ever-exploring. He won't stop unless Akira tells him to. ]
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(There are select places the eyes don't grow, and with a glance it's obvious why. Scars, thin incisions yet jagged and poorly stitched back together some long time ago dotting across his toned abdomen, and yet another much cleaner and much deeper at the same time cutting right across the underside of his ribcage. They clearly come with stories, but, perhaps for another time.)
Akira's all too happy to return to the kiss, more tender than eager at this exact moment, the attention to his own body teasing pleased little noises out of his throat against Maruki's lips. Enough, perhaps, to force a puff of air through and separate his own, teeth playfully nipping down before they realize what they're doing.
Does it matter? Only if they're both enjoying it. Only if Maruki's enjoying it. Slowly, steadily, the rhythm of his hand at the man's cock picks up the pace a notch. ]
one thing about caitlin she loves a scar stories thread
Now, thoughβ
That little nip makes Maruki's gentle wandering touch turn into clutching around his ribs, jaw going slack again. He nods dumbly, just in case any of those eyes are watching, and grinds down harder against Akira for emphasis. ]
Y-you can do that. [ A beat, and then a returned nip to Akira's lower lip for emphasis. ] You can do more. Whatever you want, I mean that.
quietly adds that to the list.....
I want...
[ Separation just for a moment, to get a thought out, fighting against the urge to kiss and to bite, ]
To pin you down.
[ To lap, to taste, ]
Get nice and comfortable on top of you,
[ To thread fingers through the hair at the back of Maruki's skull and grip with perhaps a little too much force, smiling wide, skin to skin, ]
And ride you until we both forget our names.
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Until that turn at the end that makes his eyes go wide and round as saucers, mouth twisting into an incredulous grin as he presses both palms flat against Akira's shoulders to pull himself back and look him dead in the eye.
Well. In his regular eyes, at least... ]
Th-that's what you want? Really? Iβ hah, my god, well, okay...
[ Oh, all that fluster from earlier returns to him at once, squirming in Akira's lap and darting his gaze away.
No one has ever offered to do something like that, let alone so boldly. He's never been in that position with another man, and the novelty of it is as thrilling as it is terrifying. ]
... We should. Ah. Um. See how nice the bed is in this room of yours. I think. [ A tiny, strangled clearing of his throat. ] And then you canβ yes. Please. Akira.
[ It just. Slips out. Every reaction he's having is already mortifying enough, why not tack that on too? ]
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It's almost embarrassing how easily Maruki can make his own name echo inside his skull like this, but both his heart and his dick are too busy swelling to pay attention to much else outside of the fact he just got the ok to absolutely ravish this beautiful man. ]
I couldn't agree more~!
[ And without any warning a single arm loops itself under Maruki's legs to scoop him up, carrying him the short distance between the loveseat and the bed as if he were just another part of the feather-light sheets his back gently lands on.
Akira's much less concerned with drawing things out when it comes to his own belt and pants, counter-intuitively kneeling above Maruki's legs before he has to pause and adjust to get the damn things down far enough. It's fine, he can laugh at his own lack of foresight, and once he's got at least one leg free he can properly slink on up closer to Maruki's face to get another very important question out of the way. ]
So, would you like to help me out, or should I give you a show...?
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And he blinks up at that question, the grin still on his lips from watching Akira's tangle with his own clothes, eyebrows raising quizzically. ]
Is that a real option? Being given a show? I have to admit, I do like watching you...
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[ Whether the bottle he reaches for the nightstand drawer to pull out came with the room or he brought it himself is hard to say, it looks too nice to tell. Either way, it's now crystal clear what he means once he pops the cap off. ]
Though you should know I'd never mind having your hands on me.
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He exhales, low and slow, awestruck eyes roving up and down Akira's body poised above him, and his smile warms his words. ]
Well... it works out nicely, then. I don't think I could keep my hands off of you.
[ And then, to emphasize the point: Both of Maruki's palms slide broadly over Akira's thighs, an appreciative squeeze to the firm muscle there as they make their way up to grip his hips. ]
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Then by all means.
[ One hand taking hold of Maruki's wrist for balance, he guides a slicked up finger back, and down, and all those eyes fluttering with a hitch of his breath is only one precious moment lost staring down at the man in front of them.
Yet he decides it's still too many once they're all back open. Patience, patience... ]
You...you really are beautiful, you know.
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But there those are eyes, trained inexorably on Maruki.
That blush, somewhat abated earlier, rises back to the surface and begins to travel down his chest. The hand not caught by Akira wanders up to trace delicate fingers along one of the jagged scars. ]
You ought to take a good look at yourself before you say things like that! I never pictured you like this, Akβ ah, um, Takahashi, but you're a vision, really...
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And I'd like to hear it again.
[ Hand moving to the pillow for leverage instead, it has the oh so delightful side effect of letting him bring his own lips closer to Maruki's ear. His other not having stopped, not even for a moment, his breathing is getting ragged--hot, heavy, downright shameless as he lowers his voice into a husky whisper, ]
Takuto...
DERANGED BARKING
And that stupid trepidation is rendered obsolete in the time it takes for Akira to lean down and breathe his own name hot against his ear.
A gasp gets caught in his throat. One hand flies up to clutch at the back of Akira's head, fingers threading through his hair as he turns his cheek to try to kiss any part of his face he can reach, feverish with affection and desire.
One day, Akira will know just how long it's been since anyone cared for him enough to call him that.
For now, the only thing that matters is rocking up against this baffling, fascinating, lovely man, trying to capture his lips again, and whispering through every attempt: ]
Akira... Akira.
[ Maruki will say it as many times as he wants. ]
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Akira's mouth moves just as feverishly, needing to find contact with any of Maruki's skin it can, answering in kind to every utterance of his name with hot, heavy breath, ] Takuto, Takuto...!
[ And the needs keep piling up. He needs to kiss, needs both hands to hold this man, needs Maruki inside of him, and whether it's moving too fast or not he's decided he'll be getting all of those in short order.
With all the grace and care of someone who most definitely can still see what he's doing, the hand behind him shifts (with a quiet whine from Akira) to take hold of Maruki's cock, gently gliding down from tip to base with whatever slick's still stuck to his fingers before it's all of himself he's lowering down.
Half-lidded, adoring eyes don't look away even as they flutter open and shut from the sensation. The two of them might as well be the only people in the world at this moment. ]
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Aahβ
[ It's a high, strangled sound that gets punched out of him as Akira begins to lower himself down. Both of Maruki's hands fly to his hips, doing anything he can to help steady him β but his fingers grip tight, tight, hard enough to bruise as he pants and fights the urge to rock up.
Did he tell Akira? He didn't, did heβ oh, he has to now, voice thin and strained as he's slowly enveloped in that perfect slick heat. ]
I've never been on thβ hah, god, on this side of things before. It's always been the other way around, and... [ Another thought cut short in favor of a whimper, his own eyes fluttering shut before snapping open again to make sure he doesn't miss more than a second of this. ] I'm glad. I'm so glad it's you.
spanking in the name of science.
And sometimes, Satan likes to indulge in a bit of mind-reading to see what this little non-human, buzzing with energy and curiosity, is thinking. One thing leads to another, and really, is it any surprise that Satan's sat down, yanking Akira over his big, veiny thighs (so close to his sheath, oh dear) and rumbling in amusement?]
You're a pain in the fucking ass, so I figure you should learn what that feels like too, huh Doc? Reckon no one's ever disciplined you like you deserve; types like that crave a sharp hand across the ass, kekeke!
[A gentle stroke from mind to mind, to make sure that Akira's alright with this in ways that Satan's clumsy words don't fully allow. Imperceptibly small, almost. But it's only fun if they're both having fun.]
baby you're my ANGEEEEELLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
So it really should be no surprise this is where that gets him. ]
--Hey! I wasn't anywhere close to done with you!
[ Only a half serious complaint, as a peek into his mind will show. It moves just as quickly as you'd think, flipping back and forth between a hydra of questions about this devil, this body, the other body, how everything is interconnected, and the horny stream of consciousness once he's bent over of yes, yes, oh yes, please keep going, please--
Which is to say, despite the wriggling he's doing, yes. He's very alright with all of this. ]
:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
[Delicately delicately, he tries to undress Akira with his big meaty paws, before grunting and giving up on that delicate bullshit. For better or worse, those pants are just getting yanked down, and underwear? Nah. Nah, that's getting torn, straight up. As if it's paper instead of cloth.
Then Satan smooths one hand over that cute little ass, chuffing heavily enough that it looks like clouds of steam coming from his maw, before winding back.]
You're lucky I know you can take a real beating. I really wanna punish you for being so damn cute that it pisses me off...! [There's no holding back when he finally brings his hand down on Akira's ass, at least not like there would be for a human. The sort of slap that rattles the brain and spine, just for this uppity little creature.
With his free hand, he cups Akira's chin and starts working one pointed, thick claw into his mouth, just to press against his tongue and see what he does. Another slap. Another. Just varying in power and placement enough to keep any one spot from going completely numb, the comforting sort of percussion and pain that threatens to go too far but never quite manages it.]
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Especially the joy of that first big smack, all protests cut short with an open-mouthed gasp as for the barest sliver of an instant all that back and forth in his head cuts off with a somehow pleased, warm static taking everything's place.
It's all back in the next instant, convenient timing for that open mouth to invite a dangerous claw on in, tongue curiously lapping and probing against it as if it can commit the shape and feel into Akira's memory just from that. And, perhaps, tease against its massive point, though that may be a little harder once the other hand starts up again.
His own nails are almost embarrassingly useless in comparison as they dig into whatever leg flesh they can--not necessarily to keep himself still, not at all, but he sure isn't planning on going anywhere any time soon. ]
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When, y'know. Something hard and damp and, uh, spiked in a nsfw way starts sliding up against Akira's ribcage, rubbing gently with the momentum of each spank. Ah, well. Hm. That's not what his dick looks like otherwise, promise.]
Shit, look at you go. For a skinny little runt, you're getting really into it. Beautiful. [Another rumbling noise, another spank, and he rubs his claw against every surface he possibly can in that greedy, wet mouth, threatening to push too deep and invoke the gag reflex (does Akira even have one) (i leave it to the scholar).]
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Keeping his mouth open is also doing wonders for letting all his reactions come out loud and clear, shameless yelps and groans only muffled by that aforementioned claw, and wouldn't you know it they start shifting ever-so-slightly once something starts unsheathing itself against him.
Questioning at first, interest at the revelation, and then downright eager as his imagination takes a moment to run off.
And if there's any plausible deniability as to what he's imagining, his mouth and tongue are bound to clear that up no problem. His head starts bobbing quite deliberately, tongue dragging across the bottom of Satan's finger to swirl around the nailbed before going right back down. ]
closes eyes. i need to make 500 more icons first but have this for now
Things are different now, though. When Miki slips away after school lets out on Friday to spend the weekend with his sister, Hatanaka, and their new baby, instead of penciling himself in for a candlelit dinner for two with his sailor uniform catalogue and early night's rest, Haruaki found himself poking his head into the nurse's office to see if the
terrifyinggood doctor might have an evening free.And where an enthusiastic yes might have sent him spiraling into instant cowardly regret and running for the hills anywayβ
They're sat across from one another at the low table in Haruaki's dormitory room, a couple beers deep after enjoying dinner at one of the stalls in town, and he's only feared for his life less than half a dozen times! It's going pretty well!!
His phone buzzes, a photo from Miki of Hatanaka passed out under a pile of his own children. Haruaki beams down at it, turns it toward Akira before tapping out a quick reply of Ω©(ΛαΛ*)Ω β‘!!!!!!!!! and then setting it aside. ]
That reminds me, Akira-kunβ when you were patching up Hatanaka-kun's injuries after he was brought back from Kyoto... did he ever tell you how that all happened?
gnaws on you so intently
He was never subtle about his interest in Haruaki before, but now with added context it almost feels even more intense, his smile wider and brighter when Haruaki wants to spend time with him--he always, always has time to spare for his oniisan.
Especially with 'Akira-kun' thrown into the mix, but this is already a lot for the delicate creature that is this man sitting across from him. They can get into how it makes his chest flutter a little later.
Even without that it's a downright nice night, the food is good, conversation fun, and a cute, healthy baby picture to coo over to top it off. He really couldn't ask for anything better... ]
Mm?
No, he didn't. Hatanaka-kun always likes to try and act tough and downplay his injuries, so he doesn't always tell me what happens.
BUPPY DRIVE BY KISS.GIF
That's the way he is, isn't it...
[ It's said with nothing less than fondness as Haruaki takes another swig of his beer and then sets in down in favor of propping both elbows up on the table to rest his chin on his hands, eyes wandering up and away as he tells a very normal story in the most normal way possible: ]
Well, this and that happened, and we ran into the Four Gods who protect Kyoto. One of them stole my soul, and then it got split up into five pieces! The teachers and students had to fight to get them back! I would probably be dead if they hadn't!
[ Ha ha! Probably ♥ ]
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Huh??
[ HUH??????
He knew about the gods, it's why he gets to welcome his lovely sensei into a personal examination room every now and again, but everything else mentioned has been...not! Mentioned!!
Is it any surprise when Akira leans forward on the low table, eyes shining with just as much intent and curiosity as is dripping from his voice. ]
They got to see your soul in Kyoto? They got to see and dissect your soul while I wasn't there!?
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Thankfully, there are only two eyes looking back at him.
For now. ]
I wouldn't say they "dissected" it, Akira-kun... It's not like we meant for my soul to shatter!
[ Give him. Just a second. While he considers what that whole sequence of events would have been like had Akira been with them.
In a word: yikes! ]
A-and before you ask, I don't think it's something that can be repeated!
[ HA HA! PROBABLY?? ♥ ]
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[ Oh dear, if he leans any further on the table he might start crawling across it... ]
We could always test that! In a safe environment, where you know you can be put back together again without any worry!
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LEANING
BACK... ]
What if I just tell you about it instead!?
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Hmmmmmmmm.
It won't be enough in the end, but for right now... ]
A firsthand account is important...
[ Instead of leaning back himself, he just. Props himself up on his elbows and gets comfortable right where he is. ]
Okay! Please, tell me absolutely everything, don't leave out a single detail!
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Less so than it was before all that happened one hundred years ago. He knows all too well now that Akira isn't a heartless sadist, and it makes it easier to relax around him. Maybe that'll be his undoing one day, but really... what isn't, at this point?
At any rate, Haruaki trusts him. Wouldn't be telling him this story if he didn't. So he props his elbows up too in a mirror of Akira, rests his chin on his hands as he happily recounts: ]
Well, like I said, it split off into five parts. It didn't kill me, but I was... kind of empty, I guess? My memories of that part are fuzzy! That's because one of the parts of my soul was for my memories, apparently. Without it, the other parts didn't know who the students were, for example. Then there was the athletic part of me, and the pathetic cowardly part, and the part that only thinks about my worldly desires, andβ
[ .......... ]
Ah, um, let me count how many that was. Five, right?
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...Well. Maybe not as gory as he'd like, Haruaki is both squeamish and understandably hazy after an ordeal like having the soul ripped out of you. He'll have to be satisfied with the broad strokes for right now, even if some of them don't..
Add up? Huh? ]
That was only four. What was the fifth part?
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Y-you have to promise not to get weird about it, Akira-kun! It's the kind of thing you'd be way too into!
[ WHICH MAKES IT SOUND WORSE THAN IT IS? Still, thoughβ ]
Promise me!!!
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Ah! I see. So it's like that.
[ In a sudden burst of inspiration, he...leans back to sit on his hands. Can't possibly do anything weird or untoward like this. ]
Will this work?
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I'm not hearing "I promise that I won't get weird about the last part of your soul, Abe-sensei."
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[ . . . ]
Do you remember how I came up with that complicated plan to rescue Nyuudou-kun?
[ He is going to regret this. ]
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I do! I was impressed everything managed to work out--you really are something else.
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[ Might as well dive in headfirst and see what happens. ]
I guess I'm so good at coming up with strategies like that because there's a part of my soul that... only does that? I guess? It didn't care about anything besides its underhanded schemes to get what it wanted, and it was pretty dangerous...