lifeprice: (pic#16451986)
aki hayakawa. ([personal profile] lifeprice) wrote in [community profile] synflux2024-03-12 10:08 pm

i bet you think about me ( closed )

WHO: Aki and Yuwon
WHAT: Drinking as an apology
WHERE: The nearest (and cheapest) bar
WHEN: Early March(ish); after Denji's canon update
WARNINGS: Men drinking alcohol, Chainsaw Man manga spoilers

[ It's mid-afternoon when Yuwon receives a message from Aki: Bar. 8pm. I owe you a drink.

He's not one to go back on his word, after all.

After the last mission - one that had gone surprisingly well, considering how uncomfortable his new arm had felt - Aki had slipped into something that felt like a daze. Denji had come back from seeing into the future, and Aki had the weight of all this new knowledge baring down on him, oppressive and dangerous for him to struggle through. He doesn't think that he should be shocked to hear that he's going to die, since he knew that his life was on a timer, since he knew from the Future Devil that his ending would be a poor one, but for it to come so soon....

He had left Denji alone, despite how much he had wanted otherwise. He had been willing to give up everything to stay with him and Power, and none of it mattered. Nothing he did mattered now, because when he goes back... It's all over.

It's what brings him here, leaning against the wall of the bar, a cigarette held up near his mouth, breathing in and out. The habit has become worse lately, making him need them all the more, craving the way it soothes him in an old, achingly familiar way, and as he flicks the ash off the end he breathes out a small cloud of smoke.

At the end of the day, it's a little pathetic, isn't it? He owes Yuwon, but he's using this for his own means. He doesn't think the other guy will care, though. ]
yuwon: (pic#16660363)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-13 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's the kind of text he'd more expect himself to send. there's no frills, no overt sense of niceties, and perhaps it's precisely because of that... it feels familiar to him somehow. it's true that he was interested in seeing the man again. he clearly had an unusual ability to adapt to his surroundings. it was only a day prior to the aftermath of their mission that his arm still appeared to be detached or difficult to control—

and yet, the results were inarguable. yuwon was the type to place the most stock into what was actually achieved vs. the minute details. hence, he decides not to sweat on their awkward second encounter. that said, he texts back an Okay. before he ends up heading to the specified location.

per usual, he comes exactly on time. not too early, not too late. when he gets there, it's clear this man looks... troubled somehow. or maybe it's just yuwon thinking everyone here seems to have some sort of unspoken baggage. but, instead of addressing it, he says:
]

I've never had someone ask me out with such a sour face before. [ not that yuwon necessarily looks enthused, either. but, listen. ]
yuwon: (pic#16663307)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-15 10:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ it's a bit funny how the people here were oddly caught up in details and labels. but, yuwon takes no offense to the clarification, and instead there's a touch of a smile as he pushes past aki and the door he's opened, though his head cants slightly as he adds a quiet: ] Is this the attitude of someone who owes me?

[ but, despite his words, he doesn't seem offended as much as he's purely pointing out a fact. another one on top of implying his expression was sour, but he decides not to push the fact any further. he ends up taking a seat unceremoniously as he peers at the writing on the wall and the makeshift menu that populates on his oculars. ]

What's good here?
yuwon: (pic#16921650)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-18 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ the lack of apology doesn't bother yuwon, if just because he wasn't really looking for one. he didn't see the merit in receiving it, and so he seems content enough with it being addressed and nothing more. he keeps this blasé attitude even as he skims through the menu options. he opts on a drink that seems like some sort of higher content vodka, advertised for its clean flavor.

he doubts it's actually going to make any sort of dent in his unnaturally high tolerance (thanks to his stats), and so once aki is done putting in his:
] Get me this. [ he nudges him, almost as if guiding his hand down to the drink he wants before bringing his hands back to to his side of the table. without any additional prompting and before any of their drinks come, he asks point blank. ]

Now that you ordered, do you want to say what's on your mind?
yuwon: (pic#16663311)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-20 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's true that there doesn't necessarily need to be anything on one's mind to drink. he supposes a firm enough testament to that could be found in a handful of his past companions, and yet he doesn't exactly say this. if anything, he would say their lack of care or thought was particularly unique... and aki didn't necessarily strike him as the type who operated on a single brain cell (sorry son ohgong). ]

You're right. I'll wait until you get some alcohol in you. [ not confirming or denying. but, there is definitely something contrary to his words, a slight hint of amusement peppering that last second. but, it's true that for some men, alcohol was a simple means of becoming more honest to their base thoughts.

it's a brief thought, before:
] Are you the type who needs a drink after a mission?
yuwon: (pic#16921652)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-21 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ the words "my division" may have seemed commonplace enough in theory, but somehow it kind of reminded him of their first conversation about "family." he does have to wonder if he were just as close, or if the word "my" was less about actually feeling involved and was more a slip of the tongue or a turn of phrase.

whatever it is, yuwon doesn't question it. he decides analyzing his life was likely unnecessary. it also wasn't any of his business which he punctuates by nodding along.
] I'm assuming your world was just that dangerous then. What did you do back at home? [ which just seemed like simple logic. it was likely done on purpose. the harsher the world, the more skills required to live in it.

thankfully, their drinks arrive pretty swiftly and some snacks are also provided alongside the alcohol.
]
yuwon: (pic#17021364)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-26 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ while the initial image of someone who works for a government entity is steeped in envisioning men in suits gathering idly around a table... he does, in aki's benefit, wait for the entire explanation. he figured here would have to be one.

he does recall aki revealing a few more minute details of his life prior and he did seem secure in himself and his abilities prior to the kaiju battle, so it should have been expected and yet. he thinks the contrast of devils and demons of other worlds vs. his own is interesting. not that their nature is any less chaotic in the tower, but they seemed far less principled and more open to carnage. granted, he can think of several factors on why that is, he decides it isn't worth pursuing right now.
]

You don't think that's a little backwards? To use your enemy to kill your enemy? [ but, it's clear by his tone he doesn't actually think any negatively about it. objectively, everything could be a means to an end. ]
yuwon: (pic#16663340)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-26 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ his sentence does elicit several more questions, but yuwon doesn't exactly ask them. he doesn't see the merit in getting overly technical in the details. he simply suspects that such a thing could exist. but, envisioning a symbiotic bond with one devil to defeat another was ... well, it felt more like fiction than anything he's heard for a long time. though, considering all the oddities in the tower, he can't exactly deny the prospect of such a bond.

he supposes even weapons that have an ego, or cursed weapons that eat at the user's life of sanity were similar enough.
] ... and what do you think humans are? [ isn't that the only natural inquiry after being told that.

but, that said. after watching this man chug down his beer with such fervor. he does ask the next logical thing.
] You sure you don't need to slow down? Well, I'm not here to police you.
yuwon: (pic#17021393)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-26 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
As if you'll have an answer later...

[ it's less of a callout, more than an actual fact. it's true that yuwon wasn't necessarily the most patient and he can't envision waiting for a response for a throwaway question. he says, and yet, he did wonder what was going through the man's head. at times he seemed relatively open, speaking without any semblance of a front, and yet at times like these... he seemed evasive. his real feeling furtive and murky.

is this relatable, or? with his own drink on the table, simply collecting condensation, he grabs it and takes a firm gulp. despite its alcohol content, there's no flush of skin, or anything even as he has a moment to take it in.
]

Don't regret saying that. [ don't make him quote you on this, aki.

but does he also order another drink for aki? yes.
]
yuwon: (pic#16921574)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-03-29 10:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ his lack of faith doesn't come from a personal take on aki as much as it is a general assumption. precisely because of this, even when the other man confirms his desire to answer it at a later time (or rather, rebuttles him with the concept that he may come up with a response down the line)— it does little to shift his opinion in any real direction. hence, he simply lets the words "i might" simply fade into the temporary silence between them.

then, after his next response, he breathes out a quiet huff right back. as if they were exchanging sighs.
] Don't worry, no one gets rid of tools so easily. [ he doesn't mean it offensively, either. being useful was simply a double edged sword, while it would naturally suit ones purposes and intents, it also meant you were kept around for that explicit reason. being the type of person who would measure how useful someone was and how best to utilize these talents... he's not unfamiliar with it in the least.

when the appetizers are brought over by robot, he takes a piece before it even gets settled onto the table. he munches on it while speaking.
]

Why are you worried?
yuwon: (pic#17041710)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-03 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ the sudden admission was a bit jarring. in comparison to moments ago where aki appeared to be far more tight-lipped, perhaps even slightly reserved, he's hit with this sudden 180. it's a harsh and hard-hitting fact that seems to hit the atmosphere like cold water. he doesn't necessarily believe aki to be lying, but almost instinctively, yuwon's own eyes appear to be shifting color— the grey to a reddish hue as his eyes focus in on aki's face.

it's not a lie.

who knows if his skills work similarly in this place, or if he's been operating on false beliefs, but as it stands... aki didn't exactly strike him as the type to spout this sort of nonsense. there's a brief pause as he seems to deliberate on what to say. per usual, he's lacking in any real tact.
] I see.

[ his taciturn nature ends up winning out and he sounds disinterested at best. except, that isn't exactly true. he definitely is curious and he eventually asks: ] How do you know? [ did he see his future? or did he live through it to know? was LILITH capable of bringing people back from the dead? ]
yuwon: (pic#16921675)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-05 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ he's a bit surprised by how well aki takes to all of this. he wonders how much of his brain isn't fogged by the alcohol in his system. but, his words are easy to understand, and he can definitely feel the underlying gravity behind them.

he nods at the first question, slowly, as if piecing together his words. "the future devil" sounds outrageous on paper, but considering he's a regressor, he supposed he couldn't exactly refute the possibility, nor deny its existence. so he was basically told his future, and then had it confirmed by the one person here who he considered family...

it's pretty messed up.
] I remember. [ both the contracts and his connection with denji.

he seems to ponder on it before:
] You know the future, but you're saying you're powerless to change it... [ it's truly unfortunate. he's not about to feed a man false hope based on his own experiences. but, it does make him curious about something else: ] So what have you decided to do?
yuwon: (pic#16663321)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-07 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ in a case like this, he doesn't know if comprehending your fate is a blessing or a curse. though, for what it was worth, from what he could comprehend from aki's expression and behaviors, he appeared to lament less about his own life ending than about the implications of what his departure meant. though, as for the details, he can only do vague guesswork. he didn't exactly like to pry, but almost contrary to that, he did tend to be blunt and ask things straightforwardly.

it's why he didn't exactly expect aki to produce a response to his question.
]

It may be worth looking into. [ is all he says on the subject. he didn't want to speculate on something that could have been perceived as impossible. that said: ] I don't think anyone but they know what they intend to do with us.

[ he finishes his own drink off, idly taking another bite of food, before reaching over and placing in another order idly. he taps his finger on the screen a few times before turning back to aki. ] You may as well search for your own solution. I knew someone who stated they were brought back from the brink of death. [ a pause. ] I also had certain abilities before coming here... [ except, he decides not to get too into that.

the point was it wasn't entirely impossible. but, his tone is devoid of anything even remotely hopeful.
]
yuwon: (pic#17041713)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-08 07:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ played around with. it's not exactly wrong. he supposes being brought here, being told that it was a separate reality, or whatever else— it was already relatively difficult to swallow down. (don't test me on this synfluyx lore, i forget everything, don't come after me). that paired with finding out your fate from those around you. obviously, he doesn't think to the actual logistics of it, if just for the fact that it'd be way to convoluted and built up entirely on speculation, but it's clear that it was just a lot.

on anyone, but especially on someone who seemed to have a lot to leave behind. he supposes he'd believe a similar thing of himself if he were in the same position. except, his was more about his objectives than any specific person he leaves behind. but, he wasn't here to discuss himself or what he would do.

"maybe they'll save me." he's never heard anyone be so casual about their own life.
] If they're using you, you just need to use them. [ isn't that all it is? but, who knows if they even have that ability. ]

Is the future something that can't be changed in your world? I mean, is the Future Devil always right?
yuwon: (pic#17021411)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-11 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ without risking anything.

before he knows it, his mouth is opening for a simple rebuttal—
] Is anything without risk? [ he would argue the higher the stakes, the higher the reward. it's not just a principle where he's come from, either. in the same way that they could potentially be burned for whatever sliver of trust they place in LILITH. though, they could also receive an equal amount. even strength could be gifted in a sense... aki's arm was a clear indicator of that.

but, he's not criticizing aki, either. but, maybe, it's his own way of casting out that cautionary sign.
]

That sounds like a shitty saying. [ "the future rules" sounds like a cult thing...

he reaches out, giving aki a squeeze on the shoulder. albeit, it's a bit rough. it's not like he was trying to comfort him or anything, but well... in this moment they shared, maybe it just felt familiar, that's all.
]
yuwon: (pic#17021369)

1/2

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-12 09:56 am (UTC)(link)
Sure. [ it's not sarcasm, despite it definitely appearing like it on paper. his lack of any real tone to his voice also probably doesn't help in projecting this point, but he really did think it was completely reasonable. who wouldn't curb whatever risks they could.

when aki rubs his face, yuwon seems to look at him, the corner of his lips curling upwards in amusement. it kind of reminds him of a cat or something, but of course, he doesn't exactly voice this out loud. thankfully, it could also be seen as an equally quiet huff of a laugh in return.
]
yuwon: (pic#17021389)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-12 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
No problem. [ normally, he would have leveraged this into another favor, but for once, yuwon decides against it. instead, he cuts aki some slack. sort of. ] I also feel like I saw something good.

[ ???

that said, he looks aki over quickly.
] You going to be okay going back to base?
yuwon: (pic#16990596)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-15 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ despite his words, there is clear disbelief that colors his features.

there's a brief touch of a sigh.
] Your face already looks a little red. [ he says this, but he is actually just saying it to say it. he figures if the threshold of his drinking is enough to loosen his lips, well, he has zero faith in aki getting back on his own two feet.

but, he guesses it wasn't his business either. that said, he still reaches over to aki's half-finished drink and gulps the rest of it down.
] I'll cut you off here and you can thank me later.
yuwon: (pic#16921676)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-16 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
Can you? Then maybe you need to change your definition of "handle."

[ he releases a quiet huff, just barely audible before he places a hand on the top of his head. it's belated, but he realizes only now... was his hair different? that said, ] Let's go. [ he's not sure why he gets a bad feeling about leaving him to his own devices...

but, he supposes if he still says no, then there's nothing much he can do.
]
yuwon: (pic#17021368)

[personal profile] yuwon 2024-04-17 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
It doesn't mean you need to break your own record.

[ when being passed out is the standard...

in a sense, he supposes he should be grateful not to be affected by alcohol in the same way. he seems to eye aki, making sure he's actually following and he's actually stable. if he's not, he goes grab him firmly by the forearm. it's not like he wants to see a guy who just ... poured his secrets out laying on the streets of neo tokyo.
]