considering the fact that my boyfriend still doesn't know that sanj and i used to date and it's been half a year my expectations might be a little skewed
[just. a smidgen. but chuuya asked to not know, so there's at least some self-awareness here.]
go here wait for me outside
[ - and he'll include an address!
it sure is somewhere in the most upscale shopping district that recolle has to offer]
[ ... isn’t keeping secrets considered bad in a relationship, Baren? ]
... You’re not concerned he’ll be annoyed if he finds out at some point down the line?
[ Just delivering some truths.
and oh. That definitely is the expensive part of town. He’s not made of money... but will text an agreement and meet him there regardless. Baren is offering to help, he can’t be too picky about where getting that help takes him. ]
no because he'll be more annoyed that he found out at all he asked not to know who i've dated or hooked up with
[ - believe it or not, baren wasn't actually trying to keep secrets for once
his relationship just might be the one thing that he's trying to do right.]
anyway stop trying to coach me on my relationship that's my job today see you in a bit
[that said, baren will show up eventually. he fits in, given his own tendency to dress like a damn peacock. the exact address he sent yusuke is outside a suit store
because
baren knows sanji well]
Yo. I take it Sanj talked to you about all the bullshit in the forest.
[ Interesting way of avoiding talking about exes, but whatever floats their boat. Also, wow, he’s just wondering.
Yusuke probably does not fit in quite as much. Simple but smart is more where he gets his fashion cues from, but he’s also programmed to Just Not Care if anyone is giving him a dose of stink eye for not looking flashy ot posh enough. His attention is on the suits anyway - not only are the colours sleek and interesting, dark with pops of colour in ties, shirts and pocket handkerchiefs. It’s pleasing to the eye. And he’s also fairly sure a couple of these look like ones he’s seen Sanji wear anyway — a commitment to aesthetic that goes beyond the bank balance, apparently.
He should applaud him on that someday. ]
With the trees? Yes, to an extent.
[ Rest assured he absolutely told Sanji what he thought of the idea of trees telling him he should just assume that Yusuke was going to break up with him. ]
I don’t remember it being the most hospitable place back in February, but it sounds worse now.
But you talked to him, right? Forgave him and everything.
[ - it's idle conversation before they get to the suits. Some things that he wants to know before he proceeds on and gets caught up in fashion and aesthetics, fabrics and looks. Baren tilts his head, expression open and curious. Sanji is one of the few people in the city that he doesn't care to hide his concern over. Particularly if he's talking to Sanji's boyfriend, he doesn't see a reason why he would pretend not to care.]
[ It's an interesting thought. Forgiving for... getting his self esteem knocked around and his own short comings paraded around like a float? That's not something he needed to forgive him for.]
He spent more of the conversation hearing some harsh truths and double checking I actually want to be dating him.
[ ... But he does hope it helps. Yusuke's not foolish enough to assume he can just verbally pick at Sanji until he spills his secrets and gets them off his chest. There are a number of things he hasn't told him either, things he may eventually tell him, sooner or later. It would be hypocritical to expect more in return when he's not offering everything either. He does want to hear them some day though. Hopefully.
That's the nature of the curse. To own up to whatever bullshit you have lurking in your closet, whatever issues you still have, and dealing with it. Sometimes that looks like forgiveness, sometimes it looks like... well, whatever you two did, probably.
[But.
It helps.
Sanji and Baren's relationship was a flash in the pan, gone almost immediately but without any actual hard feelings from either of them. Probably because they have almost the exact same brand of commitment issues and it's fairly amazing that the both of them found relationships they sincerely wanted to be in now. Baren knows that - is aware of their matching bad habits - and he'd thought selfishly once that maybe Chuuya's type of patience and forgiveness was a miraculous thing.
But Yusuke still wants to stand by Sanji - is that it? Even with all his baggage. There's a flash of fondness and gratitude in Baren's eyes before he moves on with a shrug.]
Anyway, so long as that latter statement's still true, you can ask me for whatever you want. I'll give you my personal number.
[ - what's important to Sanji is important to him, and he'll move to walk into the store now.]
But it's not just about the invested time, right? It's because it's him.
[ - because infatuation can last for two months. and maybe that's what this is, but Baren may or may not be hinting rather obviously at what he'd prefer to hear. what he's hoping it is, if it means sanji's prolonged happiness.]
And because it's him - and because it's you, your happiness is now connected to his. So if there's anything I can do to make your life easier, just say so. You're not bad, as far as people go, so it's not like I mind anyway.
[but that's getting a little too sincere for baren's tastes so into the store they go and baren will greet the attendant he sees, gesturing vaguely in yusuke's direction. then he'll glance back to yusuke and grin]
This is my personal favorite place for suits. They don't keep price tags here, but if even if they did, you're not allowed to look or ask.
[ Note to self: shove Baren's stupid face in the dirt. He'll do it. ]
...
That is still a lot to offer up for someone, almost randomly. [ Still... he can get around this. No matter. He'll just need to ask Sanji a few questions about Baren's preferences in terms of aesthetics, and colours. If he knows. ]
[and baren's entire livelihood is on looking good.
he's also probably lying. they probably have an approximately equal amount of haircare products.]
I can put you together with a stylist I trust or I can do the work myself, but whatever you do to surprise him, you should go the extra mile in dressing up when you do it. Don't give it to him all the time [because he'll be distracted. all the time.] but if you're going for a surprise, this'll do it. Like flipping a switch.
... Somehow that doesn't seem to fit, for me. But I will keep it in mind. [ He folds his arms and looks thoughtful. ] I am aware of what you're referring to.
[ I mean.
Nah. ]
But it does limit the number of ideas I can go with, in terms of days out.
For what it's worth, I don't think you and I could manage the same styles.
[he's not going to try to put feathers in your hair, yusuke, don't worry about it]
Just pull out some romantic shit. Take him to a nice meal he doesn't have to cook - but you know, something he doesn't know would be better or else he might spend the night challenging the chef to a duel. Try a patisserie.
[a shrug]
My point is - nice attire, candlelight, roses, romance.
Yours is very [ over the top ] ... intense. I am happier appreciating the results aesthetically than I would be trying to pull it off myself.
[ Hm. The suit is a good idea, and he knows that particular style and romantic flourishes are the sort of thing Sanji does enjoy. But trying to balance that with something different, and more laid back seems complex. He'd be considering something lowkey, but there's no reason not to work both a lowkey idea and something more suit worthy. ]
There are a number of smaller restaurants and patisseries are here, yes. I will have to have a look into them.
[ ... ]
There are also other things I'd like to consider. Involving something other than food, or cooking.
A lot of dates revolve around food - or at least have food in the equation since it's probably a decent idea to not starve, and it's a time that forces two people to sit down together and talk.
[That's just his analysis though. He waves a hand at that and continues to spitball - ]
If you do anything with art, you know he'll love it, because you do. [Sanji sure is a sap!!!!!!] If you still need date ideas for the summer, there should be a festival or two popping up that would be fun for you both. [And he'll keep listing off ideas - ] Night hikes, going to a museum, the theater, the beach...
[ . . . and he just makes a grumpy face toward the end because he realizes
this is a lot more than he would've been able to think up so quickly even a year ago
I know. But that has been... most of our dates. Sanji has been practising his cooking a lot, and while it's something I'm grateful for, it would be nice to do something a little different and not just rely on him to provide the food.
[ Something... different. Something that isn't hanging around Sanji's apartment, cooking and talking. While he wouldn't trade that for anything, it doesn't hurt to mix things up. ]
I have to do something on a par with the chalk art festival we went to. That was... a wonderful date, really.
[ And it was a first date as well. You see the bar he has to surpass here? Yikes. ]
[ - and Baren has to laugh faintly. Not because he thinks it's a dumb idea, rather it's a very good one. and that alone is worth laughing over given how sanji loves to fucking pretend that he isn't some really thoughtful romantic.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ A brief moment to check his planner and... ]
I don’t have classes this afternoon, so that’s fine.
Where is your destination though?
[ WHY SO CRYPTIC... ]
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and it's been half a year
my expectations might be a little skewed
[just. a smidgen. but chuuya asked to not know, so there's at least some self-awareness here.]
go here
wait for me outside
[ - and he'll include an address!
it sure is somewhere in the most upscale shopping district that recolle has to offer]
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...
You’re not concerned he’ll be annoyed if he finds out at some point down the line?
[ Just delivering some truths.
and oh. That definitely is the expensive part of town. He’s not made of money... but will text an agreement and meet him there regardless. Baren is offering to help, he can’t be too picky about where getting that help takes him. ]
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he asked not to know who i've dated or hooked up with
[ - believe it or not, baren wasn't actually trying to keep secrets for once
his relationship just might be the one thing that he's trying to do right.]
anyway stop trying to coach me on my relationship
that's my job today
see you in a bit
[that said, baren will show up eventually. he fits in, given his own tendency to dress like a damn peacock. the exact address he sent yusuke is outside a suit store
because
baren knows sanji well]
Yo. I take it Sanj talked to you about all the bullshit in the forest.
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Yusuke probably does not fit in quite as much. Simple but smart is more where he gets his fashion cues from, but he’s also programmed to Just Not Care if anyone is giving him a dose of stink eye for not looking flashy ot posh enough. His attention is on the suits anyway - not only are the colours sleek and interesting, dark with pops of colour in ties, shirts and pocket handkerchiefs. It’s pleasing to the eye. And he’s also fairly sure a couple of these look like ones he’s seen Sanji wear anyway — a commitment to aesthetic that goes beyond the bank balance, apparently.
He should applaud him on that someday. ]
With the trees? Yes, to an extent.
[ Rest assured he absolutely told Sanji what he thought of the idea of trees telling him he should just assume that Yusuke was going to break up with him. ]
I don’t remember it being the most hospitable place back in February, but it sounds worse now.
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[BLANDLY... God, he hates those trees.]
But you talked to him, right? Forgave him and everything.
[ - it's idle conversation before they get to the suits. Some things that he wants to know before he proceeds on and gets caught up in fashion and aesthetics, fabrics and looks. Baren tilts his head, expression open and curious. Sanji is one of the few people in the city that he doesn't care to hide his concern over. Particularly if he's talking to Sanji's boyfriend, he doesn't see a reason why he would pretend not to care.]
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[ It's an interesting thought. Forgiving for... getting his self esteem knocked around and his own short comings paraded around like a float? That's not something he needed to forgive him for.]
He spent more of the conversation hearing some harsh truths and double checking I actually want to be dating him.
[ ... But he does hope it helps. Yusuke's not foolish enough to assume he can just verbally pick at Sanji until he spills his secrets and gets them off his chest. There are a number of things he hasn't told him either, things he may eventually tell him, sooner or later. It would be hypocritical to expect more in return when he's not offering everything either. He does want to hear them some day though. Hopefully.
When Sanji's willing. ]
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That's the nature of the curse. To own up to whatever bullshit you have lurking in your closet, whatever issues you still have, and dealing with it. Sometimes that looks like forgiveness, sometimes it looks like... well, whatever you two did, probably.
[But.
It helps.
Sanji and Baren's relationship was a flash in the pan, gone almost immediately but without any actual hard feelings from either of them. Probably because they have almost the exact same brand of commitment issues and it's fairly amazing that the both of them found relationships they sincerely wanted to be in now. Baren knows that - is aware of their matching bad habits - and he'd thought selfishly once that maybe Chuuya's type of patience and forgiveness was a miraculous thing.
But Yusuke still wants to stand by Sanji - is that it? Even with all his baggage. There's a flash of fondness and gratitude in Baren's eyes before he moves on with a shrug.]
Anyway, so long as that latter statement's still true, you can ask me for whatever you want. I'll give you my personal number.
[ - what's important to Sanji is important to him, and he'll move to walk into the store now.]
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If I were not interested in dating him, I would not have given nearly two months of my life.
[ It's not as though Yusuke doesn't have his own baggage. Maybe not the same, or as deeply rooted, but it's still there. He can deal with baggage.
But.
Oh. ]
That's quite an offer for someone who is essentially a stranger.
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[ - because infatuation can last for two months. and maybe that's what this is, but Baren may or may not be hinting rather obviously at what he'd prefer to hear. what he's hoping it is, if it means sanji's prolonged happiness.]
And because it's him - and because it's you, your happiness is now connected to his. So if there's anything I can do to make your life easier, just say so. You're not bad, as far as people go, so it's not like I mind anyway.
[but that's getting a little too sincere for baren's tastes so into the store they go and baren will greet the attendant he sees, gesturing vaguely in yusuke's direction. then he'll glance back to yusuke and grin]
This is my personal favorite place for suits. They don't keep price tags here, but if even if they did, you're not allowed to look or ask.
[he'll take care of it!!]
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Time, and the person. [ He tilts his head. Given that he was the one who asked Sanji out, so... his interest is not in question here.
...
... He... thinks that was a compliment? Probably. ]
I see. Thank you then. [ Although he isn't personally sure how a suit is going to give him ideas, but. Sure. He'll take it. ]
That... doesn't necessarily comfort me. No price tags usually means if you have to ask you can't afford it, if I remember correctly.
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but for right now Baren laughs at that
ah]
I can afford it.
[that's
not even in question here]
Don't worry about it, it'll be worth it.
[he wants sanji to fucking die]
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...
That is still a lot to offer up for someone, almost randomly. [ Still... he can get around this. No matter. He'll just need to ask Sanji a few questions about Baren's preferences in terms of aesthetics, and colours. If he knows. ]
How so?
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[SO CONFIDENTLY.
They only dated for a month but that's more than enough time for Baren to watch a person and figure out their preferences.]
You've stayed over at his place right? Have you gotten a look at his bathroom?
[and his 20394234 haircare products]
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...
I've rarely seen him not wearing something suit like outside of his apartment. [ ... Hm. ]
Yes, I have. [ THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. ] You are referring to the number of products he has there?
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[and baren's entire livelihood is on looking good.
he's also probably lying. they probably have an approximately equal amount of haircare products.]
I can put you together with a stylist I trust or I can do the work myself, but whatever you do to surprise him, you should go the extra mile in dressing up when you do it. Don't give it to him all the time [because he'll be distracted. all the time.] but if you're going for a surprise, this'll do it. Like flipping a switch.
[do you ever just
hate baren]
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... Somehow that doesn't seem to fit, for me. But I will keep it in mind. [ He folds his arms and looks thoughtful. ] I am aware of what you're referring to.
[ I mean.
Nah. ]
But it does limit the number of ideas I can go with, in terms of days out.
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Makes Baren laugh.]
For what it's worth, I don't think you and I could manage the same styles.
[he's not going to try to put feathers in your hair, yusuke, don't worry about it]
Just pull out some romantic shit. Take him to a nice meal he doesn't have to cook - but you know, something he doesn't know would be better or else he might spend the night challenging the chef to a duel. Try a patisserie.
[a shrug]
My point is - nice attire, candlelight, roses, romance.
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[ Hm. The suit is a good idea, and he knows that particular style and romantic flourishes are the sort of thing Sanji does enjoy. But trying to balance that with something different, and more laid back seems complex. He'd be considering something lowkey, but there's no reason not to work both a lowkey idea and something more suit worthy. ]
There are a number of smaller restaurants and patisseries are here, yes. I will have to have a look into them.
[ ... ]
There are also other things I'd like to consider. Involving something other than food, or cooking.
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[That's just his analysis though. He waves a hand at that and continues to spitball - ]
If you do anything with art, you know he'll love it, because you do. [Sanji sure is a sap!!!!!!] If you still need date ideas for the summer, there should be a festival or two popping up that would be fun for you both. [And he'll keep listing off ideas - ] Night hikes, going to a museum, the theater, the beach...
[ . . . and he just makes a grumpy face toward the end because he realizes
this is a lot more than he would've been able to think up so quickly even a year ago
romance sucks, dating sucks]
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[ Something... different. Something that isn't hanging around Sanji's apartment, cooking and talking. While he wouldn't trade that for anything, it doesn't hurt to mix things up. ]
I have to do something on a par with the chalk art festival we went to. That was... a wonderful date, really.
[ And it was a first date as well. You see the bar he has to surpass here? Yikes. ]
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[ - and Baren has to laugh faintly. Not because he thinks it's a dumb idea, rather it's a very good one. and that alone is worth laughing over given how sanji loves to fucking pretend that he isn't some really thoughtful romantic.
ah.]
Take him dancing then.
[that's said with equal amounts confidence]
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[ Y'know. 100/10, Sanji. You nailed it. ]
... Dancing?
[ Abort mission, have you seen the gifs of him in the P5Dan game. He can't really dance all that great, let's be honest. ]
I'm not really a fan of clubs and the like.
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[there's variety in dance, which is nice]
What, you need someone to teach you?
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No, neither. Dancing has never been my forte.
[ So, uh. Yes? Yes he would. ]
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