the fact of the matter is that it only takes this moment for tobari to realize he probably shouldn’t escalate whenever rafayel plays with him because it’s turning into this horrible recurring pattern of chicken where they keep getting dangerously close to something they shouldn’t
having to choose between retreat or crossing a line… uh oh…
tobari thinks about it for half a second before he ultimately settles on a little bit of both—he turns his head just enough to let his lips brush against rafayel’s cheek. you could barely call it a kiss. but barely is still something.
on one hand intimacy and vulnerability scares him. on the other, he has to win. instinctively, he likes to think he knows tobari would put a stop to it if it was reaching a point of no return, and yet... it looks like he may have only been partly correct there. he feels the light touch of something on his cheek, and he...
short circuits. it takes him a good two to three seconds to official reboot and rewire himself back to reality. a reality where tobari kissed him and he wasn't like weirdo purgatory cursed? he then gives a small... laugh. maybe half at himself for even being so shaken by it. ] Cheater.
[ but, they do end up making it to the car.
he holds the door open for tobari... i guess they can pick up the plushies next time. ]
tobari just tries not to laugh when he shortcircuits, raising a brow as if to almost silently ask ‘you good?’ but he’ll try to let rafayel keep most of his dignity… his thumb brushes against the back of rafayel’s hand almost in apology though… he didn’t realize the reaction would be quite so strong to something so chaste ]
Sorry. If you don’t want me to give up, I might not play fair. It’s better if you don’t start thinking I’m that good of a guy.
[ sometimes he’s a little selfish too… even if it’s only sometimes and a little.
he’ll get into the car easily enough, probably again admiring it… cars nice. machines cool ]
[ he gives a small huff, he shakes his head. he downplays his own reaction, if just to retain some semblance of composure. ] That's impossible. [ to not see him as a good guy. unfortunately, he as good tastes. he says this as he also enters the drivers side, and settles into the seat. he leans over, and places the octopus on tobari's lap, and then moves to assist him with his seat belt, which is kind of hard since the roof of the car is so low.
regardless, he's deliberate in how lightly he touches tobari's side, as he clicks it into place. he looks at him and smiles, as he already pulls back. ] For the record, you know we've done more than that, right?
[ still, trying to play it cool... as if the emotions back then and now are the same. they're clearly not, but let him pretend. ]
[ tobari frowns just a little bit... he's really not a good guy... but he won't argue it because he has a feeling they'll never reach a conclusion. he'll hold the octopus in his lap like precious cargo and huffs a bit when rafayel insists on helping with the seatbelt
he raises a brow at the mention ]
... slightly different motivations.
[ like
tobari would've hooked up with raf then but not now so ]
Just slightly? [ he smiles to himself, if just because he does think it's a little cute to hear tobari admit that. the octopus on his lap helps, too. even if he does think he should stop teasing him now. with a push of a button, the engine revs, and he turns to wink at tobari. ]
I'll take the long way home, unless you're tired? There's a good place to look at the city lights that's not too far from here.
[ tobari's interest gets caught again and his eyes light up just a bit with the sound of the engine... guy likes machines and what are cars if not just even more refined machines
but he just huffs out an amused breath, raising a brow in a silent question. date getting extended, huh... but what he says aloud is a simple: ]
Mm. I'd like that.
Guess there's a lot I still haven't seen.
[ he's prone to exploring on his own, but there's a lot of ground to cover... ]
[ he can't help but find the reaction really endearing. then again, he probably was the same when he came up to the surface. maybe that's why he can't help but be drawn to things like driving incredibly fast, or claw machines. these are experiences he believes you can't get anywhere else...
pluuus, as great as riding on the back of a whale can be, it's not exactly thrilling.
that said, the roads are far less congested now with the swift coming of nightfall. it probably also helps that neither of them tended to operate on the same work day schedules as the rest of the city. he shifts into drive, before he steps on the gas. ]
Yeah, and you have the best chauffeur around. Don't think everyone gets this treatment.
[ he then gestures to the glove box. inside it, tobari will find some snacks, including chocolates. ]
[ which he does genuinely believe but no need to get into all that... when they start moving, tobari admires the car again—and lets his gaze follow raf's direction to the glove box. opening it, he'll pull out the chocolates with a small laugh ]
Still craving more sweets?
[ well, he'll open it anyway to look through the options ]
Preference?
[ since these little boxes always have a variety... ]
[ . . . ? tobari tilts his head at the question, turning the lid over to look at the cheat sheet of options. he's quiet for a bit, reading them over, but if he's being honest... ]
... I don't really have a strong preference on things. Is that odd?
[ tobari likes some things more than others, but his opinions on food are often neutral. japanese is familiar because of itehari and he'll eat sweets because suzune would often bring them home and he'd help her finish them. ]
Fruits, I guess.
[ so he's looking for a cherry or strawberry flavor with the chocolate... fresh fruits were harder to bring up to itehari so maybe he likes them because they feel like a treat ]
though, he thinks it may make sense. if flowers were such a rare commodity in his world, he can only envision that most things that came readily to others was limited. so before he takes his words as patronizing, he does continue. ] I also think the have a specific taste that you can only really think to have on the surface. I like the tartness to it, and it's a good contrast with chocolate.
But, what I really want to say is... it's not odd. Whatever you don't know or haven't tried, you can start from today. Maybe in time, you'll grow to have even stronger preferences, and I'll have to start calling you Mister Picky.
[ cute....? tobari frowns a little bit in confusion? hello? he is the big bad head of the red light district?
but.... well. tobari considers the words. it's possible he might develop stronger preferences the more he's exposed to different tastes and flavors and just... food that never made it up to itehari. he's curious. he'd like to try as much as he can. but as for being picky... ]
... I hope not. At least not to that extent. [ softly ] I think... it's important to be grateful for anything you're given. Food especially.
[ it's not date night talk, but he remembers what it's like to go hungry. to feel weak and shaky and cold. and the abyss got so, so cold. he picks out the cherry chocolates—there's two in the box, so he reaches over to rafayel's lips. a simple request: ] Open. [ before he guides it to his mouth ]
When it comes to food, people work hard to pick it, prepare it, box it, deliver it... even find out what you like and share it. So I'll probably always like this feeling most, regardless of flavor. Trying something new with someone I like.
[ said with a little smile before tobari eats his own matching chocolate ]
[ that response back is... very tobari. undeniably and painfully so.
it was rare to find someone with this level of gratitude. the type of person who would never truly take things for granted, and who in turn, because of this, had their eyes and heart open to beauty of the world. as awful and cruel of a place that it could be, it's tobari who acts as a constant reminder to the fact that the concept of "not always" exists. in that sense, he can't help but to release a small, quiet sigh. as revenge for making him feel these emotions,
he gently clamp nips on tobari's finger as he slides the chocolate into his mouth. he almost kisses his hand in some weird reflex, but barely stops himself as he peeks at tobari briefly from his peripherals. ] Yeah, someone you like.
[ ... but, cherry. it's good. it might be a flavor he associates with him now, and that felt dangerous. ] Though, I think the hand-off could use some work. I mean, "open"— that's too demanding for someone you like?
[ or is he the customer or employer in his scenario? was this supposed to be roleplay he isn't sure, but what he does know is that he wants to also be the one to show tobari everything. ]
he just tilts his head slightly even if his eyes remain on the road. the streets pull into a winding, less marked pathway through the mountains, and so he does drop his speed a little. as much as he could turn this to linkon drift... he allows them both to live another day. ]
What's that supposed to mean? Are you going to treat me roughly from now on?
[ he can kind of see the reflection of tobari's head turning towards the window, and he can't help but think it was already worth it to drive up here. it makes him think that maybe he could also gradually start keeping his promise to show tobari the world too. ]
No, but I get the feeling you say what you don't mean sometimes.
that makes him laugh. it's short-lived and a little out of disbelief, but it is a laugh. he's amused at the idea. he can't deny it! sometimes he is a little liar but also, ]
I always listen to you. I even listen for the shit that you don't bother to say out loud.
[ said a little too honestly? but also? yeah? tobari tries to navigate the minefield of rafayel's emotions as much as he can, catering to his whims and what might make him happy... even if they do still argue and bicker at the same time ]
[ he doesn't mean it in a punitive, judgmental, or even moody way either. honestly, if tobari had been anyone else, he may have said they don't know him at all. but, between the two of them, that was too big of a lie to even pretend to humor. ]
Then since you know me so well, what am I thinking about now?
[ why does raf play these games knowing he's going to have a heart attack. ]
because tobari is quiet for a second, as if he’s really thinking about this. trying to read the space between them for rafayel’s thoughts. it’s after a short pause where there’s only them, the night sky, and the open road that tobari answers: ]
I think you don’t want this to be over either.
[ a soft laugh, and then a cushion - ] Or maybe I’m already dreaming.
but, that didn't seem right to him. ] No, I think you're right. [ while he doesn't downplay it, he does continue. ] You're pretty good at this. I was going to guess yours back, but it looks like we might be on the same page.
[ ... as he does say this, he does reach over with one hand and just lightly squeezes one of the octopus' tentacles. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
the fact of the matter is that it only takes this moment for tobari to realize he probably shouldn’t escalate whenever rafayel plays with him because it’s turning into this horrible recurring pattern of chicken where they keep getting dangerously close to something they shouldn’t
having to choose between retreat or crossing a line… uh oh…
tobari thinks about it for half a second before he ultimately settles on a little bit of both—he turns his head just enough to let his lips brush against rafayel’s cheek. you could barely call it a kiss. but barely is still something.
and then he’ll pull back ]
Something like that.
no subject
on one hand intimacy and vulnerability scares him. on the other, he has to win. instinctively, he likes to think he knows tobari would put a stop to it if it was reaching a point of no return, and yet... it looks like he may have only been partly correct there. he feels the light touch of something on his cheek, and he...
short circuits. it takes him a good two to three seconds to official reboot and rewire himself back to reality. a reality where tobari kissed him and he wasn't like weirdo purgatory cursed? he then gives a small... laugh. maybe half at himself for even being so shaken by it. ] Cheater.
[ but, they do end up making it to the car.
he holds the door open for tobari... i guess they can pick up the plushies next time. ]
no subject
tobari just tries not to laugh when he shortcircuits, raising a brow as if to almost silently ask ‘you good?’ but he’ll try to let rafayel keep most of his dignity… his thumb brushes against the back of rafayel’s hand almost in apology though… he didn’t realize the reaction would be quite so strong to something so chaste ]
Sorry. If you don’t want me to give up, I might not play fair. It’s better if you don’t start thinking I’m that good of a guy.
[ sometimes he’s a little selfish too… even if it’s only sometimes and a little.
he’ll get into the car easily enough, probably again admiring it… cars nice. machines cool ]
no subject
regardless, he's deliberate in how lightly he touches tobari's side, as he clicks it into place. he looks at him and smiles, as he already pulls back. ] For the record, you know we've done more than that, right?
[ still, trying to play it cool... as if the emotions back then and now are the same. they're clearly not, but let him pretend. ]
no subject
he raises a brow at the mention ]
... slightly different motivations.
[ like
tobari would've hooked up with raf then but not now so ]
no subject
I'll take the long way home, unless you're tired? There's a good place to look at the city lights that's not too far from here.
no subject
but he just huffs out an amused breath, raising a brow in a silent question. date getting extended, huh... but what he says aloud is a simple: ]
Mm. I'd like that.
Guess there's a lot I still haven't seen.
[ he's prone to exploring on his own, but there's a lot of ground to cover... ]
no subject
pluuus, as great as riding on the back of a whale can be, it's not exactly thrilling.
that said, the roads are far less congested now with the swift coming of nightfall. it probably also helps that neither of them tended to operate on the same work day schedules as the rest of the city. he shifts into drive, before he steps on the gas. ]
Yeah, and you have the best chauffeur around. Don't think everyone gets this treatment.
[ he then gestures to the glove box. inside it, tobari will find some snacks, including chocolates. ]
no subject
[ which he does genuinely believe but no need to get into all that... when they start moving, tobari admires the car again—and lets his gaze follow raf's direction to the glove box. opening it, he'll pull out the chocolates with a small laugh ]
Still craving more sweets?
[ well, he'll open it anyway to look through the options ]
Preference?
[ since these little boxes always have a variety... ]
no subject
[ did anyone?
that said, he does tilt his head. ] What did you want? Don't you think you should tell me all your favorites if we're going to keep living together?
no subject
... I don't really have a strong preference on things. Is that odd?
[ tobari likes some things more than others, but his opinions on food are often neutral. japanese is familiar because of itehari and he'll eat sweets because suzune would often bring them home and he'd help her finish them. ]
Fruits, I guess.
[ so he's looking for a cherry or strawberry flavor with the chocolate... fresh fruits were harder to bring up to itehari so maybe he likes them because they feel like a treat ]
no subject
[ he can't help but say it, but it really is...
though, he thinks it may make sense. if flowers were such a rare commodity in his world, he can only envision that most things that came readily to others was limited. so before he takes his words as patronizing, he does continue. ] I also think the have a specific taste that you can only really think to have on the surface. I like the tartness to it, and it's a good contrast with chocolate.
But, what I really want to say is... it's not odd. Whatever you don't know or haven't tried, you can start from today. Maybe in time, you'll grow to have even stronger preferences, and I'll have to start calling you Mister Picky.
no subject
but.... well. tobari considers the words. it's possible he might develop stronger preferences the more he's exposed to different tastes and flavors and just... food that never made it up to itehari. he's curious. he'd like to try as much as he can. but as for being picky... ]
... I hope not. At least not to that extent. [ softly ] I think... it's important to be grateful for anything you're given. Food especially.
[ it's not date night talk, but he remembers what it's like to go hungry. to feel weak and shaky and cold. and the abyss got so, so cold. he picks out the cherry chocolates—there's two in the box, so he reaches over to rafayel's lips. a simple request: ] Open. [ before he guides it to his mouth ]
When it comes to food, people work hard to pick it, prepare it, box it, deliver it... even find out what you like and share it. So I'll probably always like this feeling most, regardless of flavor. Trying something new with someone I like.
[ said with a little smile before tobari eats his own matching chocolate ]
no subject
it was rare to find someone with this level of gratitude. the type of person who would never truly take things for granted, and who in turn, because of this, had their eyes and heart open to beauty of the world. as awful and cruel of a place that it could be, it's tobari who acts as a constant reminder to the fact that the concept of "not always" exists. in that sense, he can't help but to release a small, quiet sigh. as revenge for making him feel these emotions,
he gently clamp nips on tobari's finger as he slides the chocolate into his mouth. he almost kisses his hand in some weird reflex, but barely stops himself as he peeks at tobari briefly from his peripherals. ] Yeah, someone you like.
[ ... but, cherry. it's good. it might be a flavor he associates with him now, and that felt dangerous. ] Though, I think the hand-off could use some work. I mean, "open"— that's too demanding for someone you like?
[ or is he the customer or employer in his scenario? was this supposed to be roleplay he isn't sure, but what he does know is that he wants to also be the one to show tobari everything. ]
no subject
[ listen. "open" is effective and simple when necessary? and it can still be kinda spicy depending on the implication? it's a very flexible word... ]
I don't think I need to handle you that gently, though.
[ about some things sure because rafayel has been prone to spiraling tonight but
this seemed fine ]
no subject
he just tilts his head slightly even if his eyes remain on the road. the streets pull into a winding, less marked pathway through the mountains, and so he does drop his speed a little. as much as he could turn this to linkon drift... he allows them both to live another day. ]
What's that supposed to mean? Are you going to treat me roughly from now on?
[ ?_? ]
no subject
Would you be opposed? You can be honest.
[ this is still flirting ]
no subject
No, but I get the feeling you say what you don't mean sometimes.
no subject
that makes him laugh. it's short-lived and a little out of disbelief, but it is a laugh. he's amused at the idea. he can't deny it! sometimes he is a little liar but also, ]
Big fan of throwing stones from glass houses?
[ HYPOCRITE ]
no subject
Puh-lease? I'm like always honest? You must not listen to me much.
[ he will never acknowledge this is also him. ]
no subject
[ said a little too honestly? but also? yeah? tobari tries to navigate the minefield of rafayel's emotions as much as he can, catering to his whims and what might make him happy... even if they do still argue and bicker at the same time ]
But I can let you keep pretending.
no subject
[ he doesn't mean it in a punitive, judgmental, or even moody way either. honestly, if tobari had been anyone else, he may have said they don't know him at all. but, between the two of them, that was too big of a lie to even pretend to humor. ]
Then since you know me so well, what am I thinking about now?
[ why does raf play these games knowing he's going to have a heart attack. ]
no subject
because tobari is quiet for a second, as if he’s really thinking about this. trying to read the space between them for rafayel’s thoughts. it’s after a short pause where there’s only them, the night sky, and the open road that tobari answers: ]
I think you don’t want this to be over either.
[ a soft laugh, and then a cushion - ] Or maybe I’m already dreaming.
no subject
but, that didn't seem right to him. ] No, I think you're right. [ while he doesn't downplay it, he does continue. ] You're pretty good at this. I was going to guess yours back, but it looks like we might be on the same page.
[ ... as he does say this, he does reach over with one hand and just lightly squeezes one of the octopus' tentacles. ]