[ This is unprecedented, all of this with Darius. Bringing a boy to meet Sen and Rin, and introducing that boy by name, showing only pleasure when Enri speaks. Letting Sen speak of Darius ‘having it bad,’ only grinning back, allowing the assessment, only speaking explicitly that he adores Enri, and it’s true, Darius seems almost daft about the boy.
Rin would think it was a lie, some kind of protracted joke, if Darius weren’t incapable of feigning fondness. If Darius hadn’t only ever leaned away from accusations of preference or - gods forbid - any kind of affection.
So when Sen suggests that Puppy’s gotten into Daddy’s phone, Rin can only accept the thought as likely fact. When Darius doesn’t argue, Rin can only blink in puzzlement, looking from the boy’s easy grin to Darius’s eyes locked on Enri, Darius’s smile blooming warm, and conclude that Sen’s suggestion resonates with fact.
Rin has read Darius’s messages before. Used to make an occasional practice of reading Darius’s mail, and when Darius’d put two and two together, it hadn’t ended well. Darius, making a point, had burned several days worth of the apartment’s mail. Darius, making a point, had pitched his phone into the middle of 14th Avenue and offered a dramatic shrug when it was instantly pulverized. Darius, making a point, had tried to read Rin’s messages, hadn’t had the patience to work through various passcodes and lock. Had kept the phone in his room until Rin stole it back. Had dumped Rin’s phone in the bath, only to replace it the next day. Had started reading Rin’s mail, until Rin filled the mailbox with letters to themself, several of them reading ‘Fuck off Darius’ for half a page on repeat.
Point being: Darius doesn’t do well with privacy infringements. And so far as Rin has seen, the man hasn’t ever given his fleeting paramours so much as a glimpse beyond the surface known as ‘Daddy,’ or a chance to glean information about whatever Darius is when he’s not playing god. (Though whether Darius Scarlett ever drops the self-deification is an open question.
…One that the blonde lounging in their apartment might be able to answer. Oh, Rin doesn’t particularly care to know; it’s simply noteworthy that Enri seems to have curled himself so near to Darius’s, what, trust? Trust and affinity. …Well, good for the boy, perhaps.
Good for Darius, certainly.)
Rin’s flittering through these thoughts when the blow strikes. What - yes, true, probably - shouldn’t be a blow; what shouldn’t matter, this boy doesn’t know them, they’ve no cause to hold his judgment above any other, and after all, they’ll be over it in a day or two. For now, though. For now, the words (stale) (bitter) (implied: overrated) still echo, and Darius’s remark about the boy’s judge of character lands with a sting.
(It doesn’t matter what the boy said.
It doesn’t entirely not matter.
Because to ever, ever be deemed as insipid as that. To be seen and found lacking, lackluster, a sour replication of stagnant worn-out would-be-brilliances—
Well. Sen’s words had helped; Sen always, inevitably helps, heals, brings them back to themself when the world feels rotten, when the glistening world’s been overrun with noxious haze. And it’s true that they aren’t stale or humdrum in the least. Rin knows who they are, knows the brilliance they posses, and knows no stranger can define them.
Even so. Those words hit close to worries of what they’ve no intention of becoming, and hearing what the boy suggested means feelings its implications, means feeling discomfort in beholding even the potential that those words might seems to someone to be true. So when Darius recalls the boy’s words, Rin shifts uncomfortable, cozying closer still to Sen.
The words are followed, strangely, by an assuring look from Darius. The shitweasel is - he really is? - offering encouragement, as if to suggest the boy’s earlier words weren’t in earnest, as if to suggest those words weren’t part of what Darius is speaking to, that those words held a different purpose. Which doesn’t do much to comfort Rin, because they shouldn’t need Darius’s reinforcement on this matter, because Darius shouldn’t know that Rin is bothered at all, let alone by what.
(Still, it isn’t the worst thing. To see Darius being not-contentious. To see Darius offering a gesture of sheer consideration. Is that also the effect of this boy?)
Rin sees the boy glance their way. Feels some weight of what might be his focus, or the periphery of his focus, though they don’t want to think about it. Though they’re doing their best to simply let the boy observe as he will and to let the thoughts play out - listening to Sen’s story, letting themself be drawn back to the moment by Sen’s words, which they adore, which Rin always has adored - when Enri’s voice cuts in again, and—
Really. Is that really what he—
…Hm.
They feel Sen move in close, and Rin leans their head against him slightly, nudges appreciation. Beautiful man with his beautiful nose (oft-broken, yes, but haven’t all of them seen more than their fair shares of tussles? haven’t they all wound up bleeding and broken in half a hundred ways? it’s a good nose, it’s the very best nose, no matter how many breaks it’s endured); they lean over to kiss his cheek, then kiss his nose.
While they process what it was the boy said, was trying to say. Because drawing on cocktails sounds as if he’s attempting to either make amends or to revise his earlier statement. And they can buy the ‘something better’ narrative applied to cocktails. And after all, if they were to describe themself as a drink, it would be a cocktail.
But then Enri keeps speaking and maybe he’s still saying they are the ‘shitty coffee,’ since it’s a kind of cocktail? Or, no— Is he saying the separate parts are turned monstrous by putting them together? That both seems harsh and sounds like a win in the ‘no Rin Renault is not a pumpkin spice latte’ column.
Also, the boy is clearly tipsy. And maybe trying to make sense from his words isn’t the most foolproof endeavor, period.
But he tried, maybe, to set something right. And Rin - even if still fuming mildly from the pumpkin spice (which, really, isn’t the worst of flavors, but is seen now as trite) - can recognize the effort, or at least acknowledge that some effort may have been made.
By the boy who is now very nearly melting against Darius. And did the boy just say ’Good Puppy?’ Did Darius just reach down to stroke the boy’s hair, kiss the boy’s hair, and pronounce ’Good Puppy, best Puppy’ and ’Only Puppy’ right back? Yes, yes, and the world is a strange and infinitely faceted place.
Tilting their head upward, Rin seeks Sen’s eyes and offers the edge of a smile - a smile suggesting that yes, Rin’s still a little uneasy, but less so, a little less caught on what the boy said earlier - slipping back to Italian. ]
Sometime, you’ll tell me my cocktail, yes? Perhaps when you’ve had your taste?
[ Cuddling closer to Sen, leaning their head against his chest, they watch the ongoing display of Darius and his (self-proclaimed!) Puppy, before speaking once more— ]
If you’re suggesting that the imbecile known as Jaeger is both stupid and sad, I’ve no arguments to offer. It would in fact be immoral to argue, since one need only observe the man for forty-five second to discern conclusively that he is both.
My hope is he will not remember that he was ever at my club, and will never endeavor to visit again. The man is a hazard, quite simply put.
[ With a sharp nod, they seal that proclamation into stone, then speaking softer, with a grin turned impish, they look to Sen— ]
Do you think he would flee on seeing you, or meander headlong into collision?
[ And, soft still, with a small poke to Sen’s side— ]
Not that I wish to see you in the fray of any further fights. In fact, Sen, I have half a mind to swathe you in bubblewrap and ward off anyone who thinks to afflict you.
[ They'd like to do it, and they'd like him to take things a little easier. Rin also isn't about the impose any kind of rest regimen on Sen, or inflict any edict he doesn't care for. There's another kiss for Sen's nose, sealed with a smile, and again they look across the room, clock the boy who looks as though he could use something to balance the drink. ]
We do have food, you know. Water. The chips and the raspberries aren't for touching; anything else is yours as you like.
no subject
Rin would think it was a lie, some kind of protracted joke, if Darius weren’t incapable of feigning fondness. If Darius hadn’t only ever leaned away from accusations of preference or - gods forbid - any kind of affection.
So when Sen suggests that Puppy’s gotten into Daddy’s phone, Rin can only accept the thought as likely fact. When Darius doesn’t argue, Rin can only blink in puzzlement, looking from the boy’s easy grin to Darius’s eyes locked on Enri, Darius’s smile blooming warm, and conclude that Sen’s suggestion resonates with fact.
Rin has read Darius’s messages before. Used to make an occasional practice of reading Darius’s mail, and when Darius’d put two and two together, it hadn’t ended well. Darius, making a point, had burned several days worth of the apartment’s mail. Darius, making a point, had pitched his phone into the middle of 14th Avenue and offered a dramatic shrug when it was instantly pulverized. Darius, making a point, had tried to read Rin’s messages, hadn’t had the patience to work through various passcodes and lock. Had kept the phone in his room until Rin stole it back. Had dumped Rin’s phone in the bath, only to replace it the next day. Had started reading Rin’s mail, until Rin filled the mailbox with letters to themself, several of them reading ‘Fuck off Darius’ for half a page on repeat.
Point being: Darius doesn’t do well with privacy infringements. And so far as Rin has seen, the man hasn’t ever given his fleeting paramours so much as a glimpse beyond the surface known as ‘Daddy,’ or a chance to glean information about whatever Darius is when he’s not playing god. (Though whether Darius Scarlett ever drops the self-deification is an open question.
…One that the blonde lounging in their apartment might be able to answer. Oh, Rin doesn’t particularly care to know; it’s simply noteworthy that Enri seems to have curled himself so near to Darius’s, what, trust? Trust and affinity. …Well, good for the boy, perhaps.
Good for Darius, certainly.)
Rin’s flittering through these thoughts when the blow strikes. What - yes, true, probably - shouldn’t be a blow; what shouldn’t matter, this boy doesn’t know them, they’ve no cause to hold his judgment above any other, and after all, they’ll be over it in a day or two. For now, though. For now, the words (stale) (bitter) (implied: overrated) still echo, and Darius’s remark about the boy’s judge of character lands with a sting.
(It doesn’t matter what the boy said.
It doesn’t entirely not matter.
Because to ever, ever be deemed as insipid as that. To be seen and found lacking, lackluster, a sour replication of stagnant worn-out would-be-brilliances—
Well. Sen’s words had helped; Sen always, inevitably helps, heals, brings them back to themself when the world feels rotten, when the glistening world’s been overrun with noxious haze. And it’s true that they aren’t stale or humdrum in the least. Rin knows who they are, knows the brilliance they posses, and knows no stranger can define them.
Even so. Those words hit close to worries of what they’ve no intention of becoming, and hearing what the boy suggested means feelings its implications, means feeling discomfort in beholding even the potential that those words might seems to someone to be true. So when Darius recalls the boy’s words, Rin shifts uncomfortable, cozying closer still to Sen.
The words are followed, strangely, by an assuring look from Darius. The shitweasel is - he really is? - offering encouragement, as if to suggest the boy’s earlier words weren’t in earnest, as if to suggest those words weren’t part of what Darius is speaking to, that those words held a different purpose. Which doesn’t do much to comfort Rin, because they shouldn’t need Darius’s reinforcement on this matter, because Darius shouldn’t know that Rin is bothered at all, let alone by what.
(Still, it isn’t the worst thing. To see Darius being not-contentious. To see Darius offering a gesture of sheer consideration. Is that also the effect of this boy?)
Rin sees the boy glance their way. Feels some weight of what might be his focus, or the periphery of his focus, though they don’t want to think about it. Though they’re doing their best to simply let the boy observe as he will and to let the thoughts play out - listening to Sen’s story, letting themself be drawn back to the moment by Sen’s words, which they adore, which Rin always has adored - when Enri’s voice cuts in again, and—
Really. Is that really what he—
…Hm.
They feel Sen move in close, and Rin leans their head against him slightly, nudges appreciation. Beautiful man with his beautiful nose (oft-broken, yes, but haven’t all of them seen more than their fair shares of tussles? haven’t they all wound up bleeding and broken in half a hundred ways? it’s a good nose, it’s the very best nose, no matter how many breaks it’s endured); they lean over to kiss his cheek, then kiss his nose.
While they process what it was the boy said, was trying to say. Because drawing on cocktails sounds as if he’s attempting to either make amends or to revise his earlier statement. And they can buy the ‘something better’ narrative applied to cocktails. And after all, if they were to describe themself as a drink, it would be a cocktail.
But then Enri keeps speaking and maybe he’s still saying they are the ‘shitty coffee,’ since it’s a kind of cocktail? Or, no— Is he saying the separate parts are turned monstrous by putting them together? That both seems harsh and sounds like a win in the ‘no Rin Renault is not a pumpkin spice latte’ column.
Also, the boy is clearly tipsy. And maybe trying to make sense from his words isn’t the most foolproof endeavor, period.
But he tried, maybe, to set something right. And Rin - even if still fuming mildly from the pumpkin spice (which, really, isn’t the worst of flavors, but is seen now as trite) - can recognize the effort, or at least acknowledge that some effort may have been made.
By the boy who is now very nearly melting against Darius. And did the boy just say ’Good Puppy?’ Did Darius just reach down to stroke the boy’s hair, kiss the boy’s hair, and pronounce ’Good Puppy, best Puppy’ and ’Only Puppy’ right back? Yes, yes, and the world is a strange and infinitely faceted place.
Tilting their head upward, Rin seeks Sen’s eyes and offers the edge of a smile - a smile suggesting that yes, Rin’s still a little uneasy, but less so, a little less caught on what the boy said earlier - slipping back to Italian. ]
Sometime, you’ll tell me my cocktail, yes? Perhaps when you’ve had your taste?
[ Cuddling closer to Sen, leaning their head against his chest, they watch the ongoing display of Darius and his (self-proclaimed!) Puppy, before speaking once more— ]
If you’re suggesting that the imbecile known as Jaeger is both stupid and sad, I’ve no arguments to offer. It would in fact be immoral to argue, since one need only observe the man for forty-five second to discern conclusively that he is both.
My hope is he will not remember that he was ever at my club, and will never endeavor to visit again. The man is a hazard, quite simply put.
[ With a sharp nod, they seal that proclamation into stone, then speaking softer, with a grin turned impish, they look to Sen— ]
Do you think he would flee on seeing you, or meander headlong into collision?
[ And, soft still, with a small poke to Sen’s side— ]
Not that I wish to see you in the fray of any further fights. In fact, Sen, I have half a mind to swathe you in bubblewrap and ward off anyone who thinks to afflict you.
[ They'd like to do it, and they'd like him to take things a little easier. Rin also isn't about the impose any kind of rest regimen on Sen, or inflict any edict he doesn't care for. There's another kiss for Sen's nose, sealed with a smile, and again they look across the room, clock the boy who looks as though he could use something to balance the drink. ]
We do have food, you know. Water. The chips and the raspberries aren't for touching; anything else is yours as you like.