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[inthebuilding]

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[inthebuilding]

[ He side eyes Kogami. ]
Good people are killed for stupid reasons. I want to stop that.

[dissimilates]

[ kogami meets his gaze, his own unreadable. but here it is, a connection. jyuto is so much like him, right down to what he believes in. ]

No matter what, right? Even if your own hands get dirty. Or when the ugly names come.

[inthebuilding]

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.

[dissimilates]

And you're taking things in your own hands.

[ 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.

[inthebuilding]

It's too much power to throw away just because I dislike my superiors. [ He can't leave it behind. Leaving it feels like giving up on it.

Ah, right. He heard a little about Kogami's dystopian world, too. ]
Your friend is still in the force?

[dissimilates]

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?

[inthebuilding]

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.

[dissimilates]

[ 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?

[inthebuilding]

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.

[dissimilates]

Aren't people gonna wonder why their favourite pharmacist is smoking?

[ 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. ]

[inthebuilding]

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. ]

Thank you, Flirtatious Bento Delivery Boy.

[dissimilates]

You're welcome, Clinic's Industriously Handsomest Pharmacist.

[ 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. ]

[inthebuilding]

[ 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?

[dissimilates]

[ 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?

[inthebuilding]

Not yet. [ Jyuto reaches for the bent box, curious of the name. Maybe he'll buy this one too, next time. Without loyalty to anything specific, perhaps Kogami's tastes can answer for his own. ] Where have you been cramming this? It's so crumpled, you're going to ruin all the cigarettes inside. [ Mild nagging, but he isn't actually upset. Jyuto's only teasing Kogami for his mistreatment of the box because that's one habitual way he attempts to flirt— ]

[dissimilates]

I just put it anywhere I can squeeze it in.

[ it's endearing, the mild nagging when jyuto has his crumpled box of cigarettes -- kogami's never really been known to take care of stuff well. grinning at the gentle chiding and appreciating this other facet of jyuto, he playfully flirts right back: ]

Maybe you can keep it safe for me.

[inthebuilding]

You think you'll be all right with them on another person? With how many you go through... don't think I didn't notice the ash tray in your cabin. [ There were so many stubs, lining the rim. Either Kogami's too lazy to clean or he's sitting there smoking one after another, after another... ]

[dissimilates]

Gives me more excuses to come and see you.

[ :)

also no he really is a degenerate chainsmoker. ]

[inthebuilding]

You don't need excuses. Just come see me. [ He takes a drag. Jyuto's heart feels full. ]
We can try it, but I think you'll hate me for it later when you're deprived of nicotine. You know I can't resist making you squirm a little.

[dissimilates]

[ kogami chuckles, feeling just as warm -- it's been awhile since he's felt like this. he takes another long drag, then exhales. mm, he does remember what happened when they'd spent christmas together. incredible times. ]

I like it when you drag it out. Does this mean I can come see you tonight?

[inthebuilding]

That depends. Can I trust you not to keep me from my studies?
[ Playful, testy. Really, he doesn't think he can. The two of them don't get off each other when they let themselves start. ]

[dissimilates]

I'd be lying if I said yes.

[ kogami's pretty done with his cigarette, and he stubs it out before sleekly reaching for his tie to pull him close. even now, jyuto is irresistible.

then, wickedly, he smiles and comes closer, inches from each other. ]

So, yes.

[inthebuilding]

[ It's nice to be close again. Jyuto tries not to look too interested in Kogami (which is honestly a difficult feat), glasses catching some light as he flickers his gaze down to the soft grip on his tie. Jyuto's cigarette is still dangling between his lips, and he lowers it before exhaling some smoke, slanting his lips so that the cloud is expelled to the side and not in Kogami's face. He smirks. ]

Then no.

[dissimilates]

[ he loves it, when jyuto's so playful and plays hard to get that he can't help but lean in to press a soft, chaste kiss over the curve of that smirk. ]

I understand. I shouldn't corrupt the good, studious student.

[inthebuilding]

[ The smirk becomes less mean when he's kissed. Jyuto has so much fun with Kogami. ]

Correct. Now unhand me, fiend. [ He drops his cigarette and pushes Kogami's chest away from himself like a coy school girl on a playground. ]