[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.]
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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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