[ oh, kogami should have known that jyuto's picked up on that already -- after all, the man's incredibly smart and misses nothing. he looks up from where he's taking his own bento and coming around to sit beside him, perpendicular to him. ]
And you've been more playful with me since Christmas Eve.
It doesn't seem like you dislike it, though. Correct me if I'm wrong? [ A small smile. He gently peels a part of the neatly sliced omelette apart from the rest with his chopsticks, lifting it up to take a first bite.
Chew, chew, swallow. ]
Hoh, it's good. [ Already picking out another bite— ]
[ kogami likes to think that he doesn't care if people like his food -- food is food, and if they don't like it, they can shove off. but this moment reminds him, very obviously, that he very obviously made it to see a moment like this: the look in jyuto's eyes when he eats something he finds good, the way he eagerly picks another bite.
he takes a few moments to admire it, before noticing he has to answer instead of staring like an idiot. right. food. ]
I like it. You're not like this with many other people, are you?
[ Jyuto considers it, a cheek full of food. Thoughtfully, ] Maybe I'm not. I haven't actually thought about it too much, but I think it may have to do with the fact that I know you'll simply bounce the ball back to me. Our conversations feel like that.
[ It's the only conclusion he can draw from it, and it seems accurate enough. Occasionally, there are others who can't match his wit, and the teasing or playing becomes anticlimactic or not worth the effort anymore. ]
I'm happy to know that you enjoy it. I don't have to worry about annoying you with it, this way.
[ kogami is quiet for a few moments, contemplative. he's noticed this particular pattern in their interactions, their encounters together, usually too subtle in the wake of other more intensely sensuous activities, but always in the same vein.
and so he pauses, just a little concerned. ]
You're assuming that I'd be tired of you.
[ in fact, it seems like a pretty steady refrain. does jyuto not realise the extent of his charm, how captivating and clever he is? ]
Mm? [ Ah. That's right, Kogami doesn't know of the reputation that follows Jyuto around. There isn't any apparent baggage for him to lug behind him here, and no one he's wronged is here to speak out against him. Right now, it must sound like a self esteem issue (lmfao). He thinks of how to phrase it, without making it seem too complex or heavy. ]
Well, let's just say that there aren't many in my home world that see me the way you do; I've made quite a few enemies. It is what it is, though. [ Peeling away another bite. His eyes are indifferent, and it's obvious that he's used to being hated for what he does at this point. ]
It'd probably be better to ask someone else for more insight on that, if you're so curious. [ Maybe Samatoki? Samatoki might be the only one who knows him for what he truly is. Riou's just started to, and somehow taking it well. All of MTC have skeletons in their closets. ]
[ everyone has skeletons in their closets. the way jyuto says this like he's talking about the weather is incredibly telling. he's accepted it as it is, and that the people around him, perhaps, have not been kind.
kogami senses more, and when jyuto suggests he get more insight, kogami shakes his head. ]
I'd prefer it from you.
[ uncoloured by any biases, and he reaches out to touch his wrist briefly. he understands to an extent -- to want to be seen a certain way to make things simpler. he feels something in him twinge, and he continues, earnest and intent. ]
[ That's not what he expected to hear. Kogami's serious? Jyuto has a bite of omelette pinched between his chopsticks, but he lowers it instead of eating when he feels that soft touch on his wrist. ]
My own insight on why I'm so vastly unpopular? [ Hm. He looks at Kogami. ] We got into it a little bit, but it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm seen as a government lap "rabbit", all right with both using others and being used. That's the short version, anyway.
[ he corrects gently, shifting to eat from his own bento. he's no psychologist, but he's aware, oftentimes, of why people are who they are. jyuto wears his unpopularity like armor, like if he sets this out front and centre no one can use it as ammunition.
what he hears next is interesting, but not surprising. thoughtfully, he asks, ]
A lot of people, friend or foe. [ Even Samatoki's often used it to get under his skin, but it isn't untrue. That's probably why Jyuto gets so angry. He can't argue with it easily. ] They aren't wrong when they say it, so it can't be helped.
With things as they were in our home world, working within the police force regardless of whether or not you'd like to overthrow your leaders is still allowing them control over you. I'm too determined to do what I joined for to keep my pride and quit. Power and influence are needed to get anything done, and without them I'd be little more significant than any of the other MCs.
[ kogami listens quietly, watching him -- in this moment he sees the real him, underneath the politeness and the bluster, and kogami understands. none of this is for him to judge, but in him he finds a strange sort of kindred, a man who would do what it takes to be able to face himself at the end of the day.
wasn't it what he did when he walked away to pursue makishima?
Right. [ He can eat again, now. The tension of the conversation is winding down a little, and Jyuto finishes off his bento box. ]
Those things come as consequence for taking the steps that actually matter. It's pretty much a ripple effect that proves something is actually impactful; small or subtle steps get washed out entirely, and they don't work systematically either, when you really look at it. How can a system work for the public when it's inherently flawed to begin with? That's how it is in my world, anyway. [ It's why he tampers. Jyuto exploits so many of the holes in the police force, of course he should put them to good use. ] Honestly, I'd like to think differently but I've experienced everything first hand, case by case. There's no way around that truth, once you've seen it with your own eyes.
[ he says quietly. jyuto is a better man than he -- who stayed to work with the system while kogami's turned his back on it. years in the wild, finding his own peace, and he can't help but smile a little as he works through his bento, collecting his own thoughts. ]
I think so. He told me he's learned to compromise.
[ and in so many ways, jyuto is so much like gino, even if there's more of an edge to jyuto. it makes sense, what he says -- to have the power to change things, to influence things, to save people... why would he walk away? ]
I couldn't. At least, at first. But doing what it takes, that's the whole point, isn't it?
Probably. [ From time to time, he isn't completely sure he's found the correct answer. In truth, there probably isn't one at all. With his bento out of the way, he neatly begins packing away his trash for easy disposal. ]
Interesting how subjective the word "compromising" is, isn't it? But if you were to ask me to phrase it, I'd say that I'm adapting to my circumstances. It isn't compromise, because I'm going to win by the end of things.
[ ah, if jyuto wasn't sexy enough already to him -- that's the spirit, that's the bite that draws kogami to him. he's finishing up his own bento, too, but he's settling back and fighting the urge for a smoke, more lax about cleaning up than jyuto is. ]
Winning, huh. [ that does suit jyuto more. ] Planning to take down the entire system from the inside?
That's the plan, yes. [ He places his chin in his hand. ] ...Did you want to head out for a smoke together? [ Totally psychic because he wants to, too. ] I'm technically on my lunch break now, as of you bringing me this bento.
Are they, though? [ Like he's skeptical anyone would miss him. He sets out a small sign on the counter top to let any potential passerby know that he'll be out for a whopping ten minutes, but otherwise follows Kogami without hitch. He hadn't expected a free cigarette, so just as he'd reached to take out one of his own, he stops to accept the he's given. A thankful smile. He watches Kogami and the silvery sky behind him. The air is cold, but crisp and easy to breathe. ]
[ kogami's grin is lopsided, roguish, and easy as you please, he reaches out to cradle the back of jyuto's neck loosely, leaning in to touch the tip of his lit cigarette to his.
it's lazy but intimate, his thumb lightly resting on the patch of skin behind his earlobe as amber tips glow, reflected in the vivid green of his eyes. their foreheads touch now; it's almost a kiss. ]
[ The tip of Jyuto's cigarette catches after a moment, burning orange spreading. Jyuto laughs inaudibly, fresh, grey smoke falling out of his smile. His eyes flicker up to look at Kogami once, savoring the moment of proximity, and then back down the stem of his cigarette. Ugh, he's so bad at receiving affection. He feigns grace before gently drawing away. The scent of tobacco drifts them by. ]
Have you discovered a cigarette brand you like here, yet?
[ it's endearing, jyuto's inaudible chuckle and the sparks when their eyes meet. he appreciates it, kogami realises, but then he's gently drawing away, and kogami lets him. he's fascinated by this man, the way he averts his pretty eyes; kogami knows there's steel underneath, but this moment, well -- this moment is poignant with words unspoken, and kogami lets it be.
he exhales, then holds out the crumpled pack to him. it reads 'spinet', an unassuming grey-green box. ] This one, I suppose. What about you? Found yours yet?
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And you've been more playful with me since Christmas Eve.
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Chew, chew, swallow. ]
Hoh, it's good. [ Already picking out another bite— ]
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he takes a few moments to admire it, before noticing he has to answer instead of staring like an idiot. right. food. ]
I like it. You're not like this with many other people, are you?
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[ It's the only conclusion he can draw from it, and it seems accurate enough. Occasionally, there are others who can't match his wit, and the teasing or playing becomes anticlimactic or not worth the effort anymore. ]
I'm happy to know that you enjoy it. I don't have to worry about annoying you with it, this way.
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and so he pauses, just a little concerned. ]
You're assuming that I'd be tired of you.
[ in fact, it seems like a pretty steady refrain. does jyuto not realise the extent of his charm, how captivating and clever he is? ]
Why?
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Well, let's just say that there aren't many in my home world that see me the way you do; I've made quite a few enemies. It is what it is, though. [ Peeling away another bite. His eyes are indifferent, and it's obvious that he's used to being hated for what he does at this point. ]
It'd probably be better to ask someone else for more insight on that, if you're so curious. [ Maybe Samatoki? Samatoki might be the only one who knows him for what he truly is. Riou's just started to, and somehow taking it well. All of MTC have skeletons in their closets. ]
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kogami senses more, and when jyuto suggests he get more insight, kogami shakes his head. ]
I'd prefer it from you.
[ uncoloured by any biases, and he reaches out to touch his wrist briefly. he understands to an extent -- to want to be seen a certain way to make things simpler. he feels something in him twinge, and he continues, earnest and intent. ]
Yours is the only one worth hearing.
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My own insight on why I'm so vastly unpopular? [ Hm. He looks at Kogami. ]
We got into it a little bit, but it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm seen as a government lap "rabbit", all right with both using others and being used. That's the short version, anyway.
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[ he corrects gently, shifting to eat from his own bento. he's no psychologist, but he's aware, oftentimes, of why people are who they are. jyuto wears his unpopularity like armor, like if he sets this out front and centre no one can use it as ammunition.
what he hears next is interesting, but not surprising. thoughtfully, he asks, ]
A government lap rabbit. Who calls you that?
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With things as they were in our home world, working within the police force regardless of whether or not you'd like to overthrow your leaders is still allowing them control over you. I'm too determined to do what I joined for to keep my pride and quit. Power and influence are needed to get anything done, and without them I'd be little more significant than any of the other MCs.
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wasn't it what he did when he walked away to pursue makishima?
he chews. swallows. ]
What are you doing all that for?
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Good people are killed for stupid reasons. I want to stop that.
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No matter what, right? Even if your own hands get dirty. Or when the ugly names come.
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Those things come as consequence for taking the steps that actually matter. It's pretty much a ripple effect that proves something is actually impactful; small or subtle steps get washed out entirely, and they don't work systematically either, when you really look at it. How can a system work for the public when it's inherently flawed to begin with? That's how it is in my world, anyway. [ It's why he tampers. Jyuto exploits so many of the holes in the police force, of course he should put them to good use. ] Honestly, I'd like to think differently but I've experienced everything first hand, case by case. There's no way around that truth, once you've seen it with your own eyes.
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[ he says quietly. jyuto is a better man than he -- who stayed to work with the system while kogami's turned his back on it. years in the wild, finding his own peace, and he can't help but smile a little as he works through his bento, collecting his own thoughts. ]
I admire that. You remind me of a friend of mine.
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Ah, right. He heard a little about Kogami's dystopian world, too. ]
Your friend is still in the force?
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[ and in so many ways, jyuto is so much like gino, even if there's more of an edge to jyuto. it makes sense, what he says -- to have the power to change things, to influence things, to save people... why would he walk away? ]
I couldn't. At least, at first. But doing what it takes, that's the whole point, isn't it?
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Interesting how subjective the word "compromising" is, isn't it? But if you were to ask me to phrase it, I'd say that I'm adapting to my circumstances. It isn't compromise, because I'm going to win by the end of things.
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Winning, huh. [ that does suit jyuto more. ] Planning to take down the entire system from the inside?
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...Did you want to head out for a smoke together? [ Totally psychic because he wants to, too. ] I'm technically on my lunch break now, as of you bringing me this bento.
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[ but it's a rhetorical question, because he's getting up to go out, opening the door for him so that they can head out and away.
he's leaning against a railing, settling near a cosy little spot with a good view of the city, and he's offering him a cigarette, lighting his own. ]
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Thank you, Flirtatious Bento Delivery Boy.
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[ kogami's grin is lopsided, roguish, and easy as you please, he reaches out to cradle the back of jyuto's neck loosely, leaning in to touch the tip of his lit cigarette to his.
it's lazy but intimate, his thumb lightly resting on the patch of skin behind his earlobe as amber tips glow, reflected in the vivid green of his eyes. their foreheads touch now; it's almost a kiss. ]
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Have you discovered a cigarette brand you like here, yet?
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he exhales, then holds out the crumpled pack to him. it reads 'spinet', an unassuming grey-green box. ] This one, I suppose. What about you? Found yours yet?
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