Jan catch-all

[emotionalbeast]

Who: [closed] Ryuunosuke Akutagawa and people
Where: Everywhere
What: catch-all
Warnings: Akutagawa’s rationality and ill temper. More will come as threads progresses

Comments

Aku~!

[gravity_flares]

[It doesn't take long for Chuuya to arrive. Rather than worry about the odds and ends that encompass the circumstances of this place, he faces it with ease. Or keeps up the appearance of something unbothered with it.

Whistling and footfalls that take their time carry down the stairwell and into the lobby. Soon after, he draws up beside the mirror image of his former comrade. Let's him contemplate and self reflect for as long as it takes him to observe the very thing he fixates on. A chandelier of all things.]

C'mon, I didn't keep you waitin' that long, did I? [He grins and tips his hat upward in greeting. Something easy going despite how rough his voice sounds and how sharp he appearsーa dress code in finely tailored violence and class. The only familiar thing he finds he has left in this strange place.]

[emotionalbeast]

[His onyx gazed over to the other as his mind returned.]

Oh, my apologies. I didn’t see you there.

[Genuinely, same flat expression as he replied. For a moment, he almost seemed impressed with the chandelier. Hands remained tucked in his coat pockets as he pressed forward, took note on his attire. Then glanced back at the masterpiece hanging up on the ceiling one more time before giving the other his full attention.]

Well, shall we?

[gravity_flares]

[In that moment, one thing is for sureー this version is much the same as the one he's familiar with. Just what the hell is SO interesting about the decor? He looks between it and huffs out the makings of a sigh when Aku's ready to gloss over it and move on. Why do they have to be so alike?]

You sure? I can leave you two alone for a little while longer~. ♪

[But he heads for the door. Waves his hand up over his shoulder while the other finds and pushes the door open.]

C'mon, it'll be there for you to marvel at when we get back. What's caught your eye about it anyway?

[emotionalbeast]

[The only reaction Chuuya earns is a stern glare before following the other man.]

It’s nothing like that.

[As if he has to make a statement. Still, he continues to follow and out the door behind the other, hands in the pockets after they left the building. Outside in the cold breeze, he huffs lightly as he continues.]

Living in the slums, the other kids idolized that thing like a majestic gem in the night sky. I never understood why until now.

[gravity_flares]

You sure?

[He meets the glare with an unbothered grin. Casual and understanding. Soon enough, Aku explains, and Chuuya finds his observations correct. And why not? He knows what he looks like when something ordinary and normal stands out to him as if it were treasure.

He catches it in reflections or becomes aware he's not behaving as expected when those around him telegraph it with just as much wonderー the hell's he looking at this time?. So it's an easy, familiar thing to find in others.]

I knew a guy like that once. They didn't just marvel at it, y'know. They thought it was the damn moon. Because it was the only source of light they had seen until then.

Can you believe that?

[At least they won't walk in silence on the way there. He'll talk for the both of them if he has to.]

[emotionalbeast]

[He’s following close to the other, nearly behind him. Strange though, if it was Akutagawa leading, he’d be more weary of this man. Then again, perhaps this guy isn’t letting his guard down either, despite his talkative persona.

This man knew a guy like himself. Perhaps another unfortunate orphan. He didn’t dwell on the thought too long.]

A damn moon. [He echoed, tilting his head back thoughtfully. Still, why that a light source?]

Perhaps they lived in a room. I’m jealous.

[Or orphan facility. Again, not prying into it. He continues.]

Get your friend some chocolate.

[gravity_flares]

[Chuuya never lets his guard down. Even as he leads with confident and casual airs, his hands still find their way back into his pockets after an animated gesture or two. Ready to react in a way that's instinctive. Familiar. And while Aku can't see it trailing behind, dark eyes are always watchful for what may lie in wait in this strange place. It's not home, after all, and he's hardly keen on calling it that. As for this version of Aku... he's still figuring that out in his own way.]

Jealous? [There's a twinge in tones. The word a bitter reminder of how he could see every normal he's been robbed of. But... that's not how he chooses to be. How he chooses to see things.]

Yeah, I can see that if it were a room... But chocolate, huh?

[A laugh follows.]

Is that what we should get with our tea?

[emotionalbeast]

[They’re both keen on watching their surroundings. Even in the slums, no one else would watch Akutagawa but himself, it became a norm. Perhaps the only time his defense feel… was within the agency. Now here… it’s back up again almost like a fence.

He shot a glance once he heard Chuuya’s tone shift, curious and alert. The moment he felt the atmosphere shift calmly, he continues.]

You’ve never had tea and chocolate before? It’s a nice treat.

[A beat pass.]

To have a world only in a room, or an open field with no shelter. Which would you prefer?