You can tell me the bad ones too, you know. But I don't want to ruin your buzz. Sometimes, instead of dwelling on the bad, it's better to look ahead, hm?
[ Not that he isn't curious -- but it's not his job to pry, not about things like this. Manjiro's in a good mood. He'd hate to ruin that for him. ]
All the more reason for you to stick around here a little longer. I can give you plenty to smile about. And plenty of sweets. [ He prods at Manjiro's cheek. ] If you don't mind missing your pillow, I can whip you up something good.
What about something interesting? A kid tried to do my pills, and it disappeared right before our eyes. Your shitty city owes me money.
(a lot of weird things happen here, he supposes. there's a sense of joy in every corner, normalcy, and that isn't exactly human nature. it's shadier than manjiro's own antics, and for the life of him, he can't think of a good enough reason to live here.
visit, yes. it's looking at him, and offering him his own joy... bless claude. the finger that touches his cheek meets his lips briefly, a little kiss to soften how he puts his next words.)
... Fine, you may try to impress me. I really love sweets, so don't be scared of sugar in it.
[ Is that a little butterfly kiss pressed to his finger? Cute. Manjiro is a strangely cute man, for what he is, for who he is. A sweet tooth and an affectionate streak. What could he have been, if he were in different circumstances? Maybe he'd be something entirely different, working at a bustling bakery instead of peddling drugs.
Oh, well. The same could be said for any number of them. He grins and presses a kiss to the crown of his head - feeling daring, not that he ever doesn't - before hopping clean over the bar. ]
Now that is interesting. [ He turns his back to Manjiro as he starts to scan the bottles at his disposal, fingers alighting on them one at a time as he starts to figure out what he wants to whip up. ]
It's not common here, you know. It only just started. And only to some -- bring that up to some of the locals here, and they'll look at you like you grew a second head. They'll treat you that way too.
[ Bottles chosen, he gets to mixing it together. ]
That happened to me too, the other day. I was out shopping, and this tapestry disappeared right out of my hands. It was the strangest thing. [ He pauses, grabbing a scoop of ice and eyeing it like he's terribly interested in the whole process. ] Did anything strange happen, once it disappeared? Or was it just... poof?
(it certainly was. manjiro's never hidden his affection for this one man, at least, and the funniest part is that touch has always been how he expresses it. therefore, there's not a lot of touching in manjiro's life lately, or, well, ever. it's just gloom and doom from where he stands - but this makes the entire trip worth it. his large eyes close to fully enjoy the gentle kiss that he receives, almost lifting his head a little to steal another... but then he would delay the cocktail. he'll steal one later, once claude is back to his side.)
To you, too? It hasn't happened to me yet. It's-- almost like he was reliving something before it did, but then, poof. What do you think that's about?
(his little hand even does a little motion, closing and opening for visualization purposes.)
Weird that it was spurred by your drugs, [ Claude says thoughtfully, reaching for a couple of bottles and staring pensively at them, though it's difficult to tell if he's thinking about the drugs, or if he's thinking about the drink he's about to make. ] I thought it would be spurred largely by things that weren't actively brought here. When I had a vision of my own, I asked the shopkeeper about the tapestry, and she said that she didn't recall stocking any such thing.
[ He gives the drink a hefty pour over ice in a shaker, and begins to shake it up, a steady ratta-tat-tat as he works. ]
My going theory is that they're visions of a past life. Did he tell you what he saw? [ Claude flutters his lashes at Manjiro. ] If he did, that tale is safe with your local barkeep.
Or maybe everyone here just has a bunch of weird memory shit going on. Who has a working memory and is that happy?
(bitch, his memory barely works and look at him?
but alas, manjiro does what he wants, and right now, what he does wish to do is to sit on the bar, legs dangling a little as he sets his elbows against his thighs, hands holding his chin as he watches.
it's mostly because he can see what he's doing better from a higher angle, there's no denying that a little light of life flashed through his eyes with curiosity about what claude might be making him.)
I didn't care to ask. That's not happening to me though, so perhaps I've just lived the one?
The cult members seem pretty happy. Those That Were will protect them, [ he lilts, voice mocking. He wouldn't dare say this anywhere but here. Manjiro is an outsider; he hasn't been fleece by that group, or roped into playing at respectability like everyone else here. We have to be respectful of their beliefs, people were always saying.
Claude disagrees. He's never respected much of anyone's beliefs, and he won't start now, just because their beliefs are tied to some higher power. ]
I saw one of my own, you know. So whatever this is, it's not my first life. I guess that makes me the older man, [ Claude says, winking at him as he prepares a glass, taking a squeeze bottle and dripping chocolate sauce all around the rim. He pours the concoction in, a deep, velvety brown that already smells of nothing but sweetness and sugar, then garnishes it with a marshmallow upon a toothpick -- generally reserved for the alcoholic hot cocoas Claude will occasionally serve, but he's improvising. ]
May this meet your liking. Vanilla vodka, coffee liquer, Rumpituran creme liquer, double cream and, of course, a good dose of chocolate sauce.
Maybe it's them putting these little nuggets of what you could have been in your brain. How dull, wouldn't it be?
(he also believes it to be bullshit, to be honest. unlike claude, he'd say it out loud if so prompted, but here, at least, there's an understanding that they see the same. so, instead of talking, he listens, a quiet laugh leaving through his teeth at the idea of claude being older than himself. manjiro is sure that, if this is his first life, he'll live a thousand others to make up for the carnage and doom he's leaving behind.
would a future him have any reaction upon seeing him? would manjiro feel anything then? who knows. not his place to be asking. instead, he stretches a little, only to steal a look from the sugar bomb again. he's so happy, a little sparkle in his eyes when he takes the glass into his hands.)
Oh, please. I'm spoiling you just enough. When else do you get to be spoiled, if not by me, hm? [ Claude plants his forearms on the bar between them, bent at the waist, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet in anticipation. He started this job out of a mixture of resentment and desperation to start with, but that feeling has long since faded; he now genuinely enjoys his work, enjoys seeing people like what he whips up, enjoys the mystery of unlocking every patron one step at a time. ]
I don't think what I could have been was very nice at all. I much prefer being like this, here, in good company. We'll dictate our own destinies. And right now, your destiny is to take a sip of that and tell me how you like it.
(at least, not in a way that soothes, distracts, or comforts. there's something special when he's here with the other, just a mix of feeling at ease and longing that he can't quite explain. most likely because claude won't come with him back home, but he can be salty about it later.
instead, manjiro tastes the bomb of sugar that implodes his tastebuds, and it feels perfect in every way. the smile is a bright one of joy, a rare sight, precious, nearly impossible.)
It's delicious...
(his poor heart...)
I think I much prefer you here, with me, too.
(it might be the glucose giving him a rush of adrenaline, of energy-- courage? that he leans forward to steal a kiss from claude's lips.
[ When Manjiro leans forward to kiss him, Claude meets him halfway, kissing him back, his breath warm against Manjiro's lips, his own lips soft and smooth, pampered rich boy with a skincare routine that he is. There's a smile on his lips and in his voice as he pulls away just slightly, one hand rising to sweep a lock of hair sweetly behind Manjiro's ear. ]
This is a bad idea, [ he says, voice low. It could be a bad idea for any number of reasons. Mixing business and pleasure is a poor practice, for one. Another good one is that Manjiro is a career criminal, and this is downright dangerous. He's dipped his toe into the criminal underbelly, but he's never actually committed to much at all. ]
I like you far too much to be kissing you like this.
(melting. the kiss, the smile, the simple gesture of tucking his hair away from his face. they're gentle, and heartfelt, and part of manjiro craves for something that isn't so harsh. affection that doesn't come from fear - and he knows this is a bad idea on so many levels.
it could jeopardize not only their business but also, very much so put claude in danger from many angles, including manjiro's own. there's a good reason why he's so lonely, after all, with that violent streak that pulsates through his veins. but, god, let him have some peace for once
so, instead of pulling away when both seem to agree on how terrible of a decision they're making, he's just going to let a smile break the second kiss, an answer leaving him.)
[ Claude laughs. It's a quiet, throaty sound, far from the put-on chuckles and peals of laughter that Manjiro has heard him put on when entertaining other guests, schmoozing with people he needs to schmooze with, charming people out of their secrets. God, this is a bad idea. But he's made so many mistakes -- why not settle for one that brings him a little bit of joy, at least for now? He chases away the ideas of where this could possibly be going to lean further over the counter, knee propped up against one of the shelves, and grips Manjiro by the back of his neck, leaning in to kiss him harder.
By the time he pulls away again his mouth is red and plump, and he hops over the counter to sit on top, bracketing Manjiro's between his thighs. He leans down again, tapping their foreheads together. ]
Hey, baby. [ Nobody else would get away with calling him that, would they? It's kind of thrilling. ]
No need to keep all that space between us anymore, right?
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
no subject
[ Not that he isn't curious -- but it's not his job to pry, not about things like this. Manjiro's in a good mood. He'd hate to ruin that for him. ]
All the more reason for you to stick around here a little longer. I can give you plenty to smile about. And plenty of sweets. [ He prods at Manjiro's cheek. ] If you don't mind missing your pillow, I can whip you up something good.
no subject
(a lot of weird things happen here, he supposes. there's a sense of joy in every corner, normalcy, and that isn't exactly human nature. it's shadier than manjiro's own antics, and for the life of him, he can't think of a good enough reason to live here.
visit, yes. it's looking at him, and offering him his own joy... bless claude. the finger that touches his cheek meets his lips briefly, a little kiss to soften how he puts his next words.)
... Fine, you may try to impress me. I really love sweets, so don't be scared of sugar in it.
no subject
Oh, well. The same could be said for any number of them. He grins and presses a kiss to the crown of his head - feeling daring, not that he ever doesn't - before hopping clean over the bar. ]
Now that is interesting. [ He turns his back to Manjiro as he starts to scan the bottles at his disposal, fingers alighting on them one at a time as he starts to figure out what he wants to whip up. ]
It's not common here, you know. It only just started. And only to some -- bring that up to some of the locals here, and they'll look at you like you grew a second head. They'll treat you that way too.
[ Bottles chosen, he gets to mixing it together. ]
That happened to me too, the other day. I was out shopping, and this tapestry disappeared right out of my hands. It was the strangest thing. [ He pauses, grabbing a scoop of ice and eyeing it like he's terribly interested in the whole process. ] Did anything strange happen, once it disappeared? Or was it just... poof?
no subject
To you, too? It hasn't happened to me yet. It's-- almost like he was reliving something before it did, but then, poof. What do you think that's about?
(his little hand even does a little motion, closing and opening for visualization purposes.)
no subject
[ He gives the drink a hefty pour over ice in a shaker, and begins to shake it up, a steady ratta-tat-tat as he works. ]
My going theory is that they're visions of a past life. Did he tell you what he saw? [ Claude flutters his lashes at Manjiro. ] If he did, that tale is safe with your local barkeep.
no subject
(bitch, his memory barely works and look at him?
but alas, manjiro does what he wants, and right now, what he does wish to do is to sit on the bar, legs dangling a little as he sets his elbows against his thighs, hands holding his chin as he watches.
it's mostly because he can see what he's doing better from a higher angle, there's no denying that a little light of life flashed through his eyes with curiosity about what claude might be making him.)
I didn't care to ask. That's not happening to me though, so perhaps I've just lived the one?
no subject
Claude disagrees. He's never respected much of anyone's beliefs, and he won't start now, just because their beliefs are tied to some higher power. ]
I saw one of my own, you know. So whatever this is, it's not my first life. I guess that makes me the older man, [ Claude says, winking at him as he prepares a glass, taking a squeeze bottle and dripping chocolate sauce all around the rim. He pours the concoction in, a deep, velvety brown that already smells of nothing but sweetness and sugar, then garnishes it with a marshmallow upon a toothpick -- generally reserved for the alcoholic hot cocoas Claude will occasionally serve, but he's improvising. ]
May this meet your liking. Vanilla vodka, coffee liquer, Rumpituran creme liquer, double cream and, of course, a good dose of chocolate sauce.
[ He gives a deep, showy bow. ]
Enjoy!
no subject
(he also believes it to be bullshit, to be honest. unlike claude, he'd say it out loud if so prompted, but here, at least, there's an understanding that they see the same. so, instead of talking, he listens, a quiet laugh leaving through his teeth at the idea of claude being older than himself. manjiro is sure that, if this is his first life, he'll live a thousand others to make up for the carnage and doom he's leaving behind.
would a future him have any reaction upon seeing him? would manjiro feel anything then? who knows. not his place to be asking. instead, he stretches a little, only to steal a look from the sugar bomb again. he's so happy, a little sparkle in his eyes when he takes the glass into his hands.)
You are spoiling me too much.
no subject
I don't think what I could have been was very nice at all. I much prefer being like this, here, in good company. We'll dictate our own destinies. And right now, your destiny is to take a sip of that and tell me how you like it.
no subject
(at least, not in a way that soothes, distracts, or comforts. there's something special when he's here with the other, just a mix of feeling at ease and longing that he can't quite explain. most likely because claude won't come with him back home, but he can be salty about it later.
instead, manjiro tastes the bomb of sugar that implodes his tastebuds, and it feels perfect in every way. the smile is a bright one of joy, a rare sight, precious, nearly impossible.)
It's delicious...
(his poor heart...)
I think I much prefer you here, with me, too.
(it might be the glucose giving him a rush of adrenaline, of energy-- courage? that he leans forward to steal a kiss from claude's lips.
fucking finally.)
no subject
This is a bad idea, [ he says, voice low. It could be a bad idea for any number of reasons. Mixing business and pleasure is a poor practice, for one. Another good one is that Manjiro is a career criminal, and this is downright dangerous. He's dipped his toe into the criminal underbelly, but he's never actually committed to much at all. ]
I like you far too much to be kissing you like this.
[ But he leans in for another all the same. ]
no subject
it could jeopardize not only their business but also, very much so put claude in danger from many angles, including manjiro's own. there's a good reason why he's so lonely, after all, with that violent streak that pulsates through his veins. but, god, let him have some peace for once
so, instead of pulling away when both seem to agree on how terrible of a decision they're making, he's just going to let a smile break the second kiss, an answer leaving him.)
Then kiss me harder.
no subject
By the time he pulls away again his mouth is red and plump, and he hops over the counter to sit on top, bracketing Manjiro's between his thighs. He leans down again, tapping their foreheads together. ]
Hey, baby. [ Nobody else would get away with calling him that, would they? It's kind of thrilling. ]
No need to keep all that space between us anymore, right?