[Now that they're on the street, Tanuki eventually joins them from whatever adventure he was having. He walks next to Chuuya for a moment before jumping to try to snag onto his coat and then climb up his shoulder.
'sup.
Casually, Baren muses. Space is smart. I should've remembered that.
But well.]
... Well, at least my timing is as infallible as ever.
[His jokes aren't quite as lively - but at least he's making the effort to not be as down as he feels.]
[Chuuya lets the tanuki climb right up him without a complaint, giving him a little grin and a scratch behind the ears as he settles on his shoulder. Cute... maybe he doesn't feel like he could care for an animal himself, but he still likes other people's companions just fine.
Besides- I owe you one, huh, little guy...
He'd never have known Baren was in trouble otherwise.]
Yeah, you usually show up when you need to, huh? I probably should've figured.
[Chuuya's not super talkative the rest of the way, though- he's more and more focused on just getting there so he can get this out.]
[Baren doesn't mind walking the rest of the way in silence, smoking his cigarette as if it'll work to settle whatever weird feelings gripped him as they walked out of the bar. Something about it is still a novel idea and his thoughts drift to it -
Would it be convenient if I forgot he loves me or just rude.... I hate that I know the answer.
But hopefully when he exhales smoke it clouds up the thought before Chuuya can read it. Maybe.
He also watches Chuuya interact with Tanuki - who absolutely just leans into the touch happily, nudging further into Chuuya's hand for more scratches - and blinks.
[Fortunately for Baren, Chuuya's keeping his eyes ahead precisely because of those thought bubbles, and it's a good thing he misses that one. He honestly wouldn't know which of those Baren thinks is the answer.
He continues idly petting Tanuki as they walk, finally glancing back to Baren as they approach the apartment building--]
Can you fucking not think of me like that in public?! People could see that!
[whyyy thiiiiis.
further adventures in 'why this': the thought bubble that says Private's fine, but fuck, nobody needs to know.]
Baren glances up - and doesn't seem at all embarrassed. Especially as his eyes wander over to Chuuya's own thought bubble because turnabout is fairplay and.
There's that little terrible light in his eyes again. The flicker of amusement and his mouth twitches into something like a grin for the first time in Chuuya's presence since the fire.
He glances up to confirm that he has a thought bubble still and they're just barely in the apartment building when the thought crosses Baren's mind -
[Chuuya huffs off ahead of him at that to go unlock the apartment door, flustered, but-
At least the jackass is smiling again. I was kinda worried.
Like he'd admit it out loud, though.
He sheds his hat and coat when he gets in, careful not to disturb Tanuki too much if he's staying put, and toes off his shoes before taking a seat and gesturing for Baren to join him.]
Maybe that's what gets Baren to laugh and it's good that Chuuya doesn't turn because what Baren doesn't say, if only out of some bare understanding that he shouldn't - Didn't say I didn't like it.
It's just unfortunate that he has no place to look when he's waiting for Chuuya to open the door and the reflection on his smile manage to gets him to pause, lifting up a hand to touch at his own mouth, even with the gloves.
That's right, he hasn't had much energy to smile lately. Not unless he means it.
So he walks in, locks the door behind him. Tanuki is just going to hop into Chuuya's lap because he can.]
[For a moment he's quiet, just petting Tanuki both for the comfort of it and to give himself something to do with his hands. The affection is nice, and he finds himself thinking- maybe I really should get a pet sometime.
...nah, probably wouldn't go well.
Finally, though, he decides to go ahead and get it over with.]
You remember what I told you about my ability, right?
[Now that Chuuya doesn't have to, he's stopped looking at Baren completely; it feels odd, feels like he should meet his eyes, but it's too tempting to look. He watches Tanuki instead, fingers combing through his fur.
The other thing is that Baren is self-sacrificing for the people he cares about.
The last thing is that Baren moves so automatically to where Chuuya sits that it startles Tanuki, gets him to look up when Baren does what's automatic when it comes to taking care of other people.
This is the fucking opposite of fixing it, I have to fix it.]
[He doesn't look up when Baren moves closer, just shuts his eyes and shakes his head.]
I just know, okay, it's there, I- I thought the words and I just felt like...
[like when you take a sudden drop and your heart just jumps into your throat only not in the thrilling way like when it makes your blood go cold like you're falling and nothing's gonna stop you
but also like there was so much power there just waiting
Chuuya exhales a shaky breath, curls in on himself a little and holds Tanuki close.]
[He should respect Chuuya's privacy more than this. These are his thoughts and it's important that he gets the words out but -
There it is. The driving need for information, if only because he thinks he needs that information in order to help anyone. Anything. Chuuya's not telling him to close his eyes even though he knows Baren's right there and - normally Baren can live in that unfairness. For years, the lack of balance in their relationship never even made him blink.
Right now he can't take it so - ]
... Open your eyes, Chuu. It's - fine.
[It's a trade.
Tanuki reacts to the stress of someone in distress as he knows how, by nudging against them softly and letting himself be held.
Baren's heart's in his throat and he's already thinking - so fast, the words are scrolling.
There has to be someone in the city who has some kind of power to stop this I just need to find it. If there's gods then there has to be someone who can dictate people. Mind control to hold it at bay for even a little bit. Retrospec gives powers, I'll break in again and see if Maury or Jojo can give me something. I'll trade, there has to be something they want, something I can get them to owe me. I'll run a debt, I'll fix it, there has to be a way.
His confusion shows in his thoughts-- he doesn't expect Baren to offer, to allow him to look when he's trying to avoid it-- but Chuuya accepts after a moment, glancing up. The scrolling thoughts immediately draw his attention, and-
Ah. Chuuya's eyes widen a little in surprise, there. He didn't think Baren would plan things like that for his sake.]
You- Baren, you don't have to do that for me, alright? You don't have to go that far.
['Don't think too hard about it' is easier said than done. There's a brief one in response (Don't think you're getting rid of me that easy before he exhales a heavy breath.]
I- look, you know everything I know, okay? I told you, I was blacked out while it happened. All I remember of it is just... right before I came out of it I think I heard myself laughing.
[It was awful.
He shakes his head to clear it, continuing-]
...there's someone else who might know, though. You ever met John Becket? He's- in my memories. He mentioned seeing it. But he was an enemy of mine back then and I'm pretty sure he knows it, I don't know if he'll tell me anything.
Was he?... We met a while back. Didn't know you two had run into each other.
[He's relaxing by degrees, now that he isn't focusing on, you know, his own potential death. He scratches behind Tanuki's ears, humming quietly under his breath.]
I kicked him into the woods. In my memories, I mean. So- yeah, it's pretty much gonna have to be you.
[Agreeing to see Chuuya's thought bubbles was Baren's worst fucking idea, especially as his own thought bubble suddenly just becomes -
Embarrassing and gay.
- before he reaches out to thwap the brim of Chuuya's hat down.
He wanders back to his seat now with his gaze fixated on the wall and his thought bubble is a bunch of stormy scribbles but also Stop liking me so much, jackass. What shitty taste. Come to your senses already.
Tanuki, now without Baren, goes back to pressing his head into Chuuya's hand. Peeeeets.]
Chuuya sputters and tips his hat back up, then thinks better of it and just sets it aside, focusing on petting Tanuki. He can have all the pets he wants tbh.]
If that was gonna happen it already would've, asshole.
[He just... answers aloud without thinking, there.]
[And so here he'll sit like a puffed up, fussy cat. He won't look back at Chuuya's thought bubbles for the time being, now that they've run out of information for him. But he's... also not headed for the door or window.]
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'sup.
Casually, Baren muses. Space is smart. I should've remembered that.
But well.]
... Well, at least my timing is as infallible as ever.
[His jokes aren't quite as lively - but at least he's making the effort to not be as down as he feels.]
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[Chuuya lets the tanuki climb right up him without a complaint, giving him a little grin and a scratch behind the ears as he settles on his shoulder. Cute... maybe he doesn't feel like he could care for an animal himself, but he still likes other people's companions just fine.
Besides- I owe you one, huh, little guy...
He'd never have known Baren was in trouble otherwise.]
Yeah, you usually show up when you need to, huh? I probably should've figured.
[Chuuya's not super talkative the rest of the way, though- he's more and more focused on just getting there so he can get this out.]
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Would it be convenient if I forgot he loves me or just rude.... I hate that I know the answer.
But hopefully when he exhales smoke it clouds up the thought before Chuuya can read it. Maybe.
He also watches Chuuya interact with Tanuki - who absolutely just leans into the touch happily, nudging further into Chuuya's hand for more scratches - and blinks.
One fighty but softie little pet to another....
Terrible.]
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He continues idly petting Tanuki as they walk, finally glancing back to Baren as they approach the apartment building--]
Can you fucking not think of me like that in public?! People could see that!
[whyyy thiiiiis.
further adventures in 'why this': the thought bubble that says Private's fine, but fuck, nobody needs to know.]
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Baren glances up - and doesn't seem at all embarrassed. Especially as his eyes wander over to Chuuya's own thought bubble because turnabout is fairplay and.
There's that little terrible light in his eyes again. The flicker of amusement and his mouth twitches into something like a grin for the first time in Chuuya's presence since the fire.
He glances up to confirm that he has a thought bubble still and they're just barely in the apartment building when the thought crosses Baren's mind -
Kinky little shit.
And he just points up to it.
Yeah.]
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[Chuuya huffs off ahead of him at that to go unlock the apartment door, flustered, but-
At least the jackass is smiling again. I was kinda worried.
Like he'd admit it out loud, though.
He sheds his hat and coat when he gets in, careful not to disturb Tanuki too much if he's staying put, and toes off his shoes before taking a seat and gesturing for Baren to join him.]
...Lock the door, 'kay?
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Maybe that's what gets Baren to laugh and it's good that Chuuya doesn't turn because what Baren doesn't say, if only out of some bare understanding that he shouldn't - Didn't say I didn't like it.
It's just unfortunate that he has no place to look when he's waiting for Chuuya to open the door and the reflection on his smile manage to gets him to pause, lifting up a hand to touch at his own mouth, even with the gloves.
That's right, he hasn't had much energy to smile lately. Not unless he means it.
So he walks in, locks the door behind him. Tanuki is just going to hop into Chuuya's lap because he can.]
What do you need?
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...nah, probably wouldn't go well.
Finally, though, he decides to go ahead and get it over with.]
You remember what I told you about my ability, right?
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His thoughts are simple and unfiltered: I could probably take care of a second pet if he wants one. How do I word that differently....
It's like watching a lie in formation as he gives nothing away on his face, looking up at the question.]
Sure.
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And all he says at first is:]
...it's back.
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The other thing is that Baren is self-sacrificing for the people he cares about.
The last thing is that Baren moves so automatically to where Chuuya sits that it startles Tanuki, gets him to look up when Baren does what's automatic when it comes to taking care of other people.
This is the fucking opposite of fixing it, I have to fix it.]
How do you know—
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I just know, okay, it's there, I- I thought the words and I just felt like...
[like when you take a sudden drop and your heart just jumps into your throat only not in the thrilling way like when it makes your blood go cold like you're falling and nothing's gonna stop you
but also like there was so much power there just waiting
Chuuya exhales a shaky breath, curls in on himself a little and holds Tanuki close.]
I just know.
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There it is. The driving need for information, if only because he thinks he needs that information in order to help anyone. Anything. Chuuya's not telling him to close his eyes even though he knows Baren's right there and - normally Baren can live in that unfairness. For years, the lack of balance in their relationship never even made him blink.
Right now he can't take it so - ]
... Open your eyes, Chuu. It's - fine.
[It's a trade.
Tanuki reacts to the stress of someone in distress as he knows how, by nudging against them softly and letting himself be held.
Baren's heart's in his throat and he's already thinking - so fast, the words are scrolling.
There has to be someone in the city who has some kind of power to stop this I just need to find it. If there's gods then there has to be someone who can dictate people. Mind control to hold it at bay for even a little bit. Retrospec gives powers, I'll break in again and see if Maury or Jojo can give me something. I'll trade, there has to be something they want, something I can get them to owe me. I'll run a debt, I'll fix it, there has to be a way.
In the same span that all he says is - ]
Don't freak out.
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His confusion shows in his thoughts-- he doesn't expect Baren to offer, to allow him to look when he's trying to avoid it-- but Chuuya accepts after a moment, glancing up. The scrolling thoughts immediately draw his attention, and-
Ah. Chuuya's eyes widen a little in surprise, there. He didn't think Baren would plan things like that for his sake.]
You- Baren, you don't have to do that for me, alright? You don't have to go that far.
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[Harshly, because -
It's really fucking inconvenient for you to know what I'm thinking but ]
If I see your thoughts, just deal with mine for a while. Don't think too hard about it.
[People are harder to get rid of when they realize I care about them.]
But - this isn't about me, it's about you. What else about the ability? I need everything.
[I can't stop it if I don't know.
These thought bubbles really are especially inconvenient for him.]
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I- look, you know everything I know, okay? I told you, I was blacked out while it happened. All I remember of it is just... right before I came out of it I think I heard myself laughing.
[It was awful.
He shakes his head to clear it, continuing-]
...there's someone else who might know, though. You ever met John Becket? He's- in my memories. He mentioned seeing it. But he was an enemy of mine back then and I'm pretty sure he knows it, I don't know if he'll tell me anything.
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I don't know if I want to anymore flashes in the blink of an eye.
But he focuses.]
John - on my team John?
[I like him but I can't read him. Fuck. Fine.]
I'll see what I can find out.
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[He's relaxing by degrees, now that he isn't focusing on, you know, his own potential death. He scratches behind Tanuki's ears, humming quietly under his breath.]
I kicked him into the woods. In my memories, I mean. So- yeah, it's pretty much gonna have to be you.
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.... yeah, fine.
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[If he saw my ability it's not like we were there for a friendly fucking meeting, asshole..]
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[Or you'd try to fuck it.
Thanks Baren.
This is where Tanuki reaches up to bap at Baren's cheek with his little paw.]
Tanuki agrees.
[is that what that means]
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[There's an annoyed huff at that, but- then he cracks a tiny smile as he shakes his head.
That's more like normal. It's a fond pastel pink shade.]
I think he's telling you to shut up.
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Embarrassing and gay.
- before he reaches out to thwap the brim of Chuuya's hat down.
He wanders back to his seat now with his gaze fixated on the wall and his thought bubble is a bunch of stormy scribbles but also Stop liking me so much, jackass. What shitty taste. Come to your senses already.
Tanuki, now without Baren, goes back to pressing his head into Chuuya's hand. Peeeeets.]
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Chuuya sputters and tips his hat back up, then thinks better of it and just sets it aside, focusing on petting Tanuki. He can have all the pets he wants tbh.]
If that was gonna happen it already would've, asshole.
[He just... answers aloud without thinking, there.]
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[And so here he'll sit like a puffed up, fussy cat. He won't look back at Chuuya's thought bubbles for the time being, now that they've run out of information for him. But he's... also not headed for the door or window.]
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