synflux | [closed] we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us

[ keep calling her that and she's putting his name on a wanted list.

anyway, let her lay her head back down. she'll lift it to sip her drink every now and then. this is only so she hide her face somewhat, even if it means he has a nice view of her neck and down. shoulders... ]

I'll give 'em another shot the next time me and March go to the onsen. It's really nice to just melt into the hot water, especially after a long day... She wants to hold a get-together with the other ladies, so I'm pretty psyched for it.

[ He catches that too. The intent, anyway.

Kaito doesn't bother being subtle about soaking in those shoulders. Gotdayum, girl. Your clavicles.

...I wish that was a joke. He likes clavicles. ]

I haven't been there since January. I should go back and visit the cats. [ A beat. ] Hm. Is anyone arranging a hangout for the guys? I wonder if we can do something like that too...

[ she can feel his stare. she's making a note to never wear anything sleeveless again. this was a mistake. she knew she should've worn the granny dress. modesty is best, after all. you don't wear anything that shows too much skin in the city. mostly because it seems to be a slightly colder climate, but still.

he can like her clavicles all he wants it's just making malkuth turn redder. look at that skin go. look at her drink go, too. ]

I haven't heard anything, but I'm not a guy.

[ so she has nooooooo idea. ]

It's sort of just an informal thing, but I've really been working on my girl talk so I can keep up with everyone else! [ -- oh. she's sitting up. ] Kaito, what's your type?

[ This is revenge for the morning. Or something.

Kaito nods along, emptying the bottle with his next pour. He goes about drinking slowly. ]

I'll look around, then. Maybe it'll fall on me to organize it.

[ In the meantime, he reloads his shotgun and also straightens. ]

Including you or besides you?

Is there a difference?

[ someone like her... that's what that means. ]

The former will have me go on for about five minutes describing how attractive you are. The latter will not.

[ I thought we established that you aren't direct, Kaito... ]

Keep your thoughts to yourself.

[ wow, the dress really made a difference. she's gonna avoid wearing one around him for the next year. wait, she still has dance classes. oh sunk cost fallacy, we're really into it now. definitely nothing sleeveless next time... something more modest, but still cute... ]

Besides me then.

Breaking my heart over here, Malkutie.

[ Sorry. It has to become canon now. ]

...Mmm...

It starts in the eyes, I think. I'm weak for eyes. March's especially, if I have to think of everyone on base. Oh, and Vergilius...

Mentally... I guess someone who's willing to push their way in, if that makes sense? I'm not that quick to warm to people, usually. Our situation demands a bit more congeniality from my end than I'm usually willing to provide.

Back home, I'm much better at keeping to myself outside of work.

So... nice eyes, overly friendly or forward... what else?

[ diligent and hard working... if it's not besides her, though it sounds like he simply liked her current looks. ]

I don't know.

[ Kaito looks down. He's more contemplative than sad. ]

I never really dated. Fell in love with one girl, lost her to someone I used to hate, then never committed to any relationships. I guess a lot of the features that I like in friends overlap with what I like in people romantically?

[ He glances back up at her. ]

In all honesty, this would be where I go into my five minute tangent about all the parts of you that I think are attractive.

I'm not drunk enough to handle that, so stuff it.

[ ... though it's just because she's embarrassed. another longer sip of her drink, gaze turned down. ]

I kinda know what I'm into. Reliable and strong, not so much in physical strength -- though I do like that too, it's just not like, make or break -- but in a... mm. mental? emotional? way. The sort of person you know you can trust to be a pillar against all odds sort of thing. Someone who always looks forward, unwavering in their pursuits, that don't throw in the towel just because it seems too hard or impossible...

Actions over words. People who're kind, but it comes out quietly. If that makes sense.

[ kicking feet... mm. though she seems a little distant too. reserved more like, smile small. ]

... They're things I admire in friends too, so I guess that's just natural. You like what you like for a reason.

One day you'll have to face the truth.

[ He's making a face at her. Tongue out and all. ]

Reliable's good. Strong is... optional, I suppose? I can't say I like patient people, because that idiot Han Sooyoung... Ah, shit. I said her name. [ Tongue click. ]

Man. What if this means I'm just not picky? Is that a bad thing? I wonder...

[ oh, he's into her? that's fun. malkuth can work with that come girl's night time. ]

No, I think it's just because you don't have a lot of experience! Neither do I, but I've been actively trying to figure out what I like since March said it's important to have an idea of it. For sleepovers!

[ happily said... for sleepovers. ]

Have you ever tried bungee-jumping before?

[ He's gonna pretend he didn't feel that. ]

I guess we're the same in that regard, huh. [ 'Sleepovers' has him Thinking™, so he keeps the rest of his commentary about experience. to himself. ]

I have. I like high places. Bungee-jumping, parachuting, skydiving, jumping off buildings... It's fun. There's something about the sensation of falling that's... exciting.

[ wow, they have so much in common...

... him and hsy, that is. ]

I've never tried it, but I'd like to sometime... Flying's fun enough for me right now.

[ even if she can't do it as often. given.

her drink's gone now. that was definitely downed faster. and malkuth? feels fine. totally good actually. this is definitely not a pattern. ]

Wanna hit the floor?

[ sorry the bungee jumping question was absolutely nothing she wanted to actually talk about she just wanted to ask. for her friend's sake. ]

[ Fifth date idea, then. ]

Fifth date idea, then. [ Stupid.

Kaito tugs the empty glasses away. Shakes his head. Stands up. ] Wait a minute for me.

[ The next thirty seconds are filled with (relative) silence as the dragon saunters his way across the dance floor—and up on stage after the band finishes their current tune ends. There's a bit of back and forth between Kaito and the vocalist, followed by the pair tapping their wrists together.

He slinks his way back to Malkuth and offers his hands. A new song starts up... ]

Yes. I'd like to hit the floor with you.

[ malkuth rests her head on her arms while he goes, watching after him curiously, before she rolls her eyes and sits up when he comes back. ]

You really know how to set a mood.

[ what a pleasant song... she'll take his hands and help herself up, giggling a bit when she stumbles into him. oh. there it is. that familiar floaty sensation. give her a moment, she's shaking her head. ]

Nothing too steppy, okay? I won't apologize if your feet get hurt during this one.

It's our second date. I can't slack off.

[ The way he sweeps her onto the dance floor is effortless, even if he's not-so-subtly laughing at her floaty clumsiness. ]

We can take things slow.

And if you step on my feet anyway, I'll just spin you twice.

[ Playful threatening. Kaito's hold is similar to their time in class—but this time his lower hand settles on the small of her back and presses her flush to him.

Nevermind the light color in his ears. He's almost literally glowing again. ]

You can still slack, I'm not grading you on our time out.

[ he's allowed. it's just a second date, after all.

but her cheeks flush when she's pulled close, overly aware of the hand at her back (this, too, is familiar), and one hand comes up to gently push him away. ]

A little... away, Kaito. I need to breathe.

[ they can be close, but let her decide when. her hand lingers on his chest before it moves to position. different than... the last time she was here, she remembers vaguely, but the waltz-like hold doesn't allow her to lean on him like she did with her other partner. maybe for the better. ]

[ Kaito dips in. This is the opposite of away. His lips hover millimeters from the shell of her ear, and the voice that responds to her is an octave lower and much more...

Intimate. ]

And what if I'm trying to steal the breath from your lungs, partner?

[ The instant those words spill from his lips, Kaito pulls away and sets a solid distance between them—one that he will allow Malkuth to regulate.

His hand remains at her back, but with a feather light touch now. ]

[ then her step on his foot isn't so accidental, is what's what. ]

You tease too much for your own good, partner. Though I guess you can get your practice in... I'm not gonna remember anyway.

[ this

is what makes her a bad drunk, actually. she doesn't remember anything if she goes too hard. maybe not bad, but dangerous in a way. malkuth keeps them just a step apart after a moment of looking down at their feet, then beams up like she hadn't just confessed to being a partial amnesiac. ]

Okay! This is fine for whatever little waltzy thing we're doing.

...Good.

[ Yeah, that's dangerous. That's terrible. Kaito can tell that she isn't lying. He shouldn't take advantage of this situation.

Yet as he falls into her rhythm and guides her to a gentle, floating beat, he leans in again. ]

If it's all the same to you, I stopped teasing a while ago.

I'm just too scared to be direct like you, partner. Direct and undaunted.

Really?

[ to which part? all of it, maybe. definitely. she definitely thinks he's mean for saying this knowing she won't remember it... but maybe it's easier for him then, if he really is scared. but why... ]

I just... have some regrets from my first life, as Elijah, that I don't want to continue to carry on. Or repeat. I wouldn't call myself undaunted though.

[ there's plenty that daunts her, truthfully. but she just takes her time and then stands when she's ready to head it. ]

Yeah. [ A pause to spin her. ] I'm sorry. I know this is a cruel way to admit it. I'm not that reliable.

[ There's silence as he listens, as they dance, as the band moves on from his request to resume their set. ]

You appear undaunted, to me. It's admirable. The grass is always greener on the other side, y'know?

My life is full of regrets. And yet I'm cursed to the cycle. To walk circles, repeat mistakes. So I'll get this off my chest now, the only time I can be brave and direct and honest.

And maybe I can dream that next time I won't have to hide behind the alcohol.

[ , okay thank goodness he has a hold on her for a spin because her ass would not be well. give her a moment to take the words in. ]

... It's hard to escape. But it's not impossible.

[ to leave a cycle. to break it. it's easier just to live with it, to suffer and self-prophecize. malkuth shakes off his grip to reach up and clap her hands on his cheeks, squeezing them lightly. ]

I think... I'd like to hear this when I'm sober, too. There's nothing for you to be scared of.

[ because she does like him too. he's a close friend of hers, he makes her smile easier than most others, and... ]

You're one of the people I feel less lonely around. You don't let me feel lonely, and I like that. So you shouldn't be scared. Just... whenever.

[closed] we shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us

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