twostringsonebow

[Is it obvious. It's so obvious. Calm down, you're gonna give yourself away before anything even happens.]

No, not... particularly, I'm just... [... Honesty will certainly make him look fucking pathetic he can't have that.

So he sighs, resting his head back against the couch and smiling in resignation. It'll be a good excuse to step away from the pitiful truth that he's actually never been to someone's house to hang out or anything before, and maybe he'll get what he wants out of it.] I have another square I'd like your help with, Akira. But it's alright if you say no once you hear it.

[ Oh? Akira situates the plate of watermelon onto the coffee table in front of them, of course only after taking a slice for himself and munching on it as Goro suffers through his words. He doesn't think much of it. Doesn't see a reason to poke fun at him, either.

There's a hum as the request comes, more nibbling in between as he gets a second slice. He's not disappointed or put off by the prospect of helping out with bingo. If anything, he's glad to be useful. If there's something he can do— ]

I'll hear you out.

[ There are no doubts in his mind. It might also be fun? He's taken the bingo cards as ways to engage with the Retrospec community, anyway. ]

[There's a pause, cheeks turning pink as he flips to his phone's camera feature, a hesitantly hopeful smile on his face.]

It says I have to take a selfie with someone. I know some people don't like having their pictures taken, but if you're not against it...

Is that all?

[ While Akira doesn't have a lot of friends, he takes enough selfies with his cat. Let him finish this slice of watermelon first. It's only a photo, so he huddles closer to his guest in preparation for this selfie. He can tell from Goro's gestures that if they don't get this right the first time, he might die from embarrassment.

It's fine. No fear! He puts on a confident smile. ]

Ready.

[Is that all and Goro doesn't have a lot of time to steel his nerves, but he manages to fish out a charming kind of smile, a kind of genuine excitement coursing through him as he presses their shoulders together and takes the shot.

... He's a tad slow to move away, mostly because of Morrigan, but the back of his phone faces Akira as he "checks" his bingo, humming with satisfaction, and sets it on the coffee table while he helps himself to a rewarding slice of watermelon.]

Thank you. For all my experience with cameras, I can't say I'm used to taking mundane pictures like that. You seem quite used to it though.

I usually take them with my cat.

[ There's no shame in that, really? Plenty of people take photos with their pets, so he's not embarrassed. Akira does not even think about budging from his place. Instead, he leans against him trying to get a look at his phone, but he just... puts it on the table?? Akira is confused.

There is an important step in selfies Goro forgot to take—letting those involved see it. He looks at the phone, then looks at Goro, and finally looks up to the ceiling. Oh well. ]

You should take more selfies. I'm sure your fans would like them.

[... Did he miss a step, why is Akira still against him, why is he confused why is he looking at

oh

oh is there another part to taking selfies. Oh. He has missed a step and he knows what it is, would it be weird to rectify it now. Nibbling on the slice, he decides not and picks his phone back up, maneuvering to his gallery and nudging Akira's shoulder lightly.]

I like taking pictures of food and latte art more than myself. [He's one of those people with Instagrams filled with it. It's why his Retrospec icon is of one, and he's not sure he wants to change it.] But I'll think about it. You're probably right that my fans would appreciate it.

[This one came out well enough, after all. For him personally.]

You're one of those cruel people that taunt others with their delicious meals online—foodies.

[ Not like he hasn't noticed from the way Goro's eyes sparkle around pastries and latte art. He's going to pretend to be surprised for the sake of dramatization. It doesn't take him too long to scan the photo. It came out nice despite earlier reluctance. Morrigan is awake now, crying loudly for attention as he forces his way between them. The last step is complete, anyway, so Akira adds some comfortable distance so he can stretch his arms. ]

It's hard to not appreciate a sincere yet nervous smile like that.

[ Here we are... Akira is comfortable enough to start teasing now. ]

Judge me if you'd like, Akira, I'm simply advertising.

[And then there's Morrigan, meowing as he does, and Goro breathes a little easier at the comfortable distance. He strokes through the cat's fur to try and satiate his need for attention, eyes crinkling at the tease.]

In that case, you don't mind if I show this picture off to my employers, do you? Such an eye-catching confidence would certainly land you some prospective offers.

You're simply a menace.

[ Says the guy that played the role of a supervillain for some weirdo's narrative. Goro's threat doesn't faze him, but his eyebrows do fly up as he imagines it. It seems impossible when he finds himself so bland. How does he counter this?

How does he make him cry? ]

... Wouldn't that give them the wrong impression?

[ Like they're dating. ]

[Goro blinks, tilting his head slightly as his brow draws together.]

Why would it?

[Like they're... Haha. Ha? Haa. No, they wouldn't jump to that sort of conclusion, would they? They'd wonder more at why he was hiding such a gem...

He puts his nervous energy into stroking the cat between them, smile just as teasing as his words, and tries to ignore the degrees of the room rising bit by bit.]

Unless there's something on your mind to think of "wrong impressions" in the first place?

[ Oh. Oh? Oh.

This is a game Akira knows how to play pretty well. While he doesn't have a lot of intimate relationships, it doesn't mean he's a novice in banter. Folding his arms comfortable against his chest, he only gives his guest an incredulous look and a rather mischievous smile. ]

Do you want me to count the ways?

[ At least Morrigan is still being cute? He plays with Goro's hand, nibbling on it lightly. ]

[Morrigan you are a blessing in these times, the goodest good in this world, please play all you'd like you can even do that cute bunny kick thing that's supposed to break necks but is just adorable. His hand is your oyster.]

I'd love to hear them, Akira, unless you're planning on following that up with someone else's sonnet.

[Sonnet 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Far too inappropriate for this.]

[ This is why you're Catfucker #2, Goro Akechi. His brow furrows as he notices how much attention Morrigan is getting... Is there a correlation? The smile is still there, so he's amused by all means. ]

Let's see... One, this photo was taken in my house. Two, the pose is very similar to most couple selfies—close and intimate. Three, your nervous smile can be interpreted in many different ways.

[ Is that it? Is that all? ]

Four, I love thee to the depth and breadth and height. [ Does he stop? No. ] My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.

[Goro's got clever answers for two of three, but the fourth stutters his heart and heat flashes over his cheeks, he's just teasing it's nothing but banter it's not serious running in quick succession through his mind, but

he needs to leave like right now immediately. It's hard to look at Akira, he's even drawing his hand from Morrigan, choosing to chow down on the rest of his slice... which he resembles in color at the moment, but refrain from commenting on that. When he speaks, it's surprisingly even.]

... We happened to be at your house, [first,] you decided to be so close to me, [second,] and if it can be interpreted in so many ways there's no certainty that it lies in that direction.

[Third, even if it very, very much did. Breathes in slowly, gaze flicking up to meet Akira's through his bangs. Hesitantly opens his mouth to answer the fourth, then closes is as he tries to figure out what.]

No one but you would get that impression, [he finally decides on, forgoing the verses right now.] Which leads me to believe that...

[-- No, he's not going to accuse, he won't let his bias decide his deductions. Presuming too much would be his sure downfall. A small, tight smile, dying on the inside and he cannot scream, pushing some hair behind his ear.]

That you simply watch too many romances, Kurusu. [Back to safety! Again. Wow, amazing.] Poetry fits you, though. I don't know why I'm surprised. You look like someone who'd enjoy it.

[ THOSE ARE SOME GOOD POINTS, but he's going to continue on. ]

For the ends of being and ideal grace—I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

[ He looks pretty pleased with himself, chest puffed with absolute confidence. Akira's unfortunately in his element... His occupation may as well be heart terrorist instead of purrista. There's no doubt that he would be a big contender in gay chicken.

Don't worry, he has a counter to Goro's deductions. He raises a hand to stroke his chin pensively, wondering which card to play here. It's then does he catch something. From where he sits, he can see the red peaks of those ears, so he's feeling a little guilty. Okay, 70% victorious, 30% apologetic. His expression softens, however, as he considers his guest's predicament. ]

Your deductions are sound, but... Romance is popular with the masses, Akechi. I think I watch less than most people, actually.

[ He spares him for now. ]

[It's easy to wind down once he's clearly lost, pride's soreness nothing compared to the embarrassment of being spared. Maybe he makes it too easy. He needs to pull back a little more.]

And it's still far too much if your mind jumps to such [on the nose] conclusions. I can promise they'd be more interested in why I've kept such a gem hidden, though the answer's because I don't need the competition.

[Akira's good looking and would probably look good in whatever they put him in. No matter how the other perceives himself, it's simple fact.

Goro's smile eases a little as he straightens up, confident there isn't much redness anymore, but it's still a tinge nervous despite his best efforts. This part's a little harder in some ways, but easier in others.]

At least I can grade you on your eloquently stolen words, and I'd say... whoever you decide to seriously give them to will appreciate the notion, but I'd save them until then. There's nothing to gain from wasting them on me.

[ He shrugs!! He doesn't intend to ever seriously recite this sonnet, but if it eases Goro's nerves, he'll stop. This time. They can debate all they want over the selfie's message, but no one will budge. Admitting to defeat in a blatant way is too humiliating, he can see.

It's fine. That's fine. Leaning back against the armrest on his side, his expression falls back to being neutral. Morrigan paws toward Goro's hand, pulling it back into his clutches and clinging onto it like a body pillow. Even with that comforting consolation from his cat, Akira still has one last card up his sleeve. ]

Thanks for calling me handsome.

[ Yes. He'll take it.]

[Well. That's good, because Goro's lips quirk up and pulls Morrigan in his lap, leaning against his own armrest. Sufficient space for now.]

Thanks for the confession.

[Is this masochistic.]

[ Akira squints once because he knows this is a bait. He won't be playing into it today...!!! Clicking his tongue once, he raises both hands up with a dramatized sigh. ]

I surrender.

[ He's a good guy in the end. ]

[What a charmer. He laughs lightly, careful not to disturb the cat too much as he reaches over to brush some of Akira's bangs away, smiling sincerely as he shifts back again.]

It's only the truth, Akira. You are quite good looking. [A beat.] Calling you competition might've been generous, though.

[That is teasing.]

[ Akira's eyes widen at the gesture, a little confused overall... Was that necessary? He guesses so?! Does this mean they're friends... HE GUESSES SO? Morrigan sense his owner's inner panic and stirs, releasing himself from Goro's clutches.

Kitty has stuff to do, so he jumps off and leaves them to their devices. ]

I never knew you were such a queen.

[ Not that he disagrees, BUT STILL RUDE. ]

[Yes, Akira, someone very casually moving your bangs out of your face means you're friends. Absolutely.

The loss of Morrigan is disheartening and Goro watches the cat go, turning back to Akira and settling against the armrest, crossing his arms.]

Am I really? I'm more familiar with being called princely.

[ Nothing makes his heart flutter like companionship. You're on the right road, okay? The comment makes Akira stroke his chin in deep contemplation, staring at Goro for a long time in unsettling silence. ]

I can see that.

[ COMPLIMENT. NO SHADE. NO ROAST. ]

[... Is that a real compliment???

He waits a beat, smiling politely like he's waiting for a punchline of some kind, but it falls into a small 'oh' of surprise. Goro's used to hearing it from others, but it still makes his heart skip a little.]

You're serious. [Wait, that's rude.] I mean-- Thank you. I'm not entirely sure what gives others that impression, but I can't say I mind.

inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

akira you didn't deserve to be put on the spot

this is rude

join the club

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)