[There it is. That rare smile of Jindosh's that never fails to captivate Paolo. It's pathetic how little effort he has to put in to capture his attention, to have him stand as tall as he can and do anything he asks.
It's pathetic, but he's doing it anyway. Just hours ago he was bruising his knuckles against Overseer skulls, and now he's anxious to make a simple picture look good. He almost had trouble smiling for it, but one look at his... his boyfriend's face fixes that easy. He leaned his head into Jindosh as the camera flashed.]
One of these days my face is gonna break it. [Again with the self depreciating humor. It's half-hearted, though, in some effort to distract himself from the fact he's actually starting to like this sort of thing.] ... Thank you, Kirin.
[For the opportunity?? For letting him back into his home?? No, it's because his old picture was too worn for his liking. But that's better left unsaid.]
Oh, be quiet. [Please, all these comments... Just because Paolo's ears stick out doesn't mean he's completely repulsive! Jindosh thinks he's attractive and that's what counts. He lingers there holding Paolo at his side for a moment after that cute little thank you, then pulls away to take the actual picture out of the machine and do... whatever... with it. So Paolo can take it home later.
It's another moment where he might say something, but he can't quite think of it. Mm.]
Are you hungry? I doubt the Abbey has been feeding you for days.
[Paolo makes an effort to sigh so loudly it's just short of a whine, but he'll let Jindosh develop the photos. It hardly makes him any less attached at the hip, snaking his arms around him and laying his head on his back. Paolo is too cute.]
Probably got more than you eat willingly. [He's teasing this time, at least. He leans up in some effort to kiss the back of his neck, but all it winds up being is fighting to laying his head over his shoulder. Stupid clothes.] I am, though. You gonna come with me if I get something?
[Oh—damn it, he is cute. Thankfully Jindosh can develop these pictures without needing to detach Paolo, but he makes a vague noise of protest when Paolo pulls on him to try kissing his neck. Help, he doesn't want to bend that far back—]
Will you stop pulling on me and get dressed if I do?
Mmmm... Maybe. [Maybe he just wants to parade around in his robe, Jindosh. No, Paolo will detach himself, but only after pulling him far down enough for a kiss to his cheek.]
I should start leaving some things here, unless you want all your fancy things dirty. [He says mindlessly, not thinking of any implications of making himself at home. He was off to wear Jindosh's clothes again, is all. It's fine. He's dragging himself away to do that. It's fine.]
[Paolo, his spine... Jindosh shrugs him off after the kiss to his cheek like he's annoyed, but he still turns to reach out and pull Paolo closer by the front of his robe and kiss him on the mouth before he drags himself away. Is that... a yes? A no?? Is anything clear about Jindosh's fussing?
He supposes Paolo will just be in his clothes again, which he does enjoy. And he's just bathed, so what is there to complain about... hm.
Hmm. He's following.] I ought to bill you for the laundry. [He says, never doing this.]
You ought to do a lot of things to me. [Paolo's stupid little grin lingers on his face from the satisfaction of Jindosh kissing him. He shouldn't get so giddy from the small things proving he likes him, and yet.
Look at him, he even had Jindosh's clothes picked out and folded nicely besides... his dirty pile of a vest and suit pieces. He crouches to the latter, rummaging through pockets until he withdrew a silent pocket watch. It didn't seem to matter it wasn't ticking, it was going with his things as he dressed nicely for once. For once.
His shirt is still ridiculously huge on him, buttoning it up.] Your staff'll be happy to see me and my mess, I'm sure.
They do talk to you more than they talk to me, you know. Can you believe one of the guards had the nerve to ask me about you, when you were off running amok with your people? As if my personal life is any of their business.
[How dare they treat him like a person?? Very offensive. Should be ashamed.
He can't stop himself from moving closer to Paolo and brushing his hands away, to do up the last buttons on his shirt himself. At least they're both thin enough that the shirt stops at being simply too long, and not a tent on Paolo.]
How dare they. The audacity. [Paolo tried to play along, but he can't help but grin from ear to ear. Jindosh was doing up his own shirt, and whether or not it was because he didn't trust him to look nice didn't matter. It was cute.]
Maybe they'll miss me for you. [He mused, pulling a vest over his shoulders as soon he's done up enough. We're just going to say he pulled his pants on already.] I'll have to tell them more stories about you. They were so interested last time...
I think you were pissed at me. [Paolo sighs, closing his hands over Jindosh's. He leaned up to kiss the corner of his mouth, pushing his fingers to through to lace them together.] And I missed you more. But that's fine.
[You know, being in love with him and everything. He understands.]
Perhaps. [yes, so pissed,] But you did come, in the end...
[That counts for something. And he missed Paolo enough to loiter with him here now, squeezing his hands and leaning down to kiss him again, wasting perfectly good meal time on this affection. It's fine; they're both a bit starved for this, too.]
I'll... [What? He can't say he can keep his word, as much as he hates the fact. His business was unpredictable and so far, as much as he'd like to spend the rest of his days this comfortable.
He'll trail off and kissed him again to think, ignoring his stomach growling in protest. What can he promise? He's already falling for him.] ... I'll always come back to you. Late or not. First life or the second. Cross my heart.
[That's a lot more Paolo-in-love than Jindosh expected from just a comment. He blinks down at him, surprised - he was really pissed, okay - then tugs his hands away from Paolo's and tugs the bottom of his vest straight before winding an arm around his waist.]
I should have you give me your word in writing. Let's find you something to eat.
Shouldn't be too hard. [The food and writing both. He likes the arm around him more than he should too much, but he's been craving it after spending so long without these little things. The most intimacy he's had most of the week is patting a face before cut a throat.
So yes, he is as happy as passing staff perceived him. It wasn't much; there was the corner of his lips twitching when they went through the rooms, and a minor lean into Jindosh as they walked. Blink and you miss it. Some didn't blink.] You uh... you ate, right? More than toast.
[Jindosh, naturally, totally ignores the staff as they pass. He seems to be over taking the long way around, especially after it was made completely obvious to him the last five days that everyone working in the mansion knows he's with Paolo in some capacity. But he's still ignoring the way the staff look at the two of them, especially the ones who try to catch his eye and smile.
Not now. For fuck's sake. He'll need to put up a sign about not being the staff's friend.]
If I didn't eat without you around, Paolo, I wouldn't have made it to this age. I ate more than toast, yes. [rolling his eyes......] What would you like? I'll have it prepared.
[Hmmmm... that's satisfactory for now. Jindosh is lucky his staff is so cute, so he doesn't rib him about how little he probably weighed. Paolo will be their friend later, when Jindosh is working and he's skulking around.]
I could eat an entire jellied eel about now. [Ew, gross, no--] But uh... I dunno, ham? Potatoes? Soup? My nan used to make great soup outta that... [his nan,]
Your... hmm. [His nan, goodness, Paolo is a sap, isn't he? Good to know.] I suppose if you tell the cooks what you're looking for, they'll do their best. [He's trying,]
[His grandmother, he tries to correct under his breath. It's too late. He knows. This is terrible.] I'll tell 'em what I remember. It's been so long...
[He will try his best when they do get there. It's hard not to just fill the time with kissing Jindosh when they do get there, but they're already getting displeased looks because he's back. All the ladies hate them and the cold house.
However, he will raise a suggestion,] We should eat out sometime. Nicer side of town.
[Paolo... was expecting a no. He blinked, looking away from the kitchen and back at him.]
S... Sometime in the afternoon. When you're not busy. [Since he has so much work. ] Not far, in Aventa. I can show you some uh... lesser known shops, too. [Black market, romantic.]
[Ooh, shady shops. He's never been to those, but of course he knows which of his materials come from those "lesser known" places sometimes. Maybe it will be a learning experience.]
Alright. [Paolo will even get to ride in the carriage!] Perhaps then you'll even quit badgering me about how I've never gone out.
It's cute that you think I'm gonna stop badgering you. [Paolo smirks, about to lean up and kiss his cheek yet again when there was a bowl of hot soup shoved between them. Paolo blinked, his jaw clenching in annoyance and a glare starting in the maid's direction.
But he shut his eyes before he could look too dangerously mad, taking a deep breath and mustering a smile.] You call that carriage up, right? They don't give me the code down there.
[Paolo, don't murder any staff or he'll have to replace them. Jindosh's gaze slides from Paolo to the maid, waving a hand to dismiss her from the room instead of leaving her standing there looking at them. Now everyone's happy.
Wait a minute.] They don't? Surely I must have... [it's been how long that Paolo's been coming, and he never—did he forget? Oh...]
That code is reset all the time because no one using the carriage can remember where their ass is half the time. I'll put in a spare one for you myself—for private use.
[Paolo could brag about how he's been going there, by long jumps or rat antics. He could also mention that he found one of his missing boys in a tree on the way to the mansion. He could be anything less than grateful, but...]
Thankfully I can remember where my ass is. But I'm sure you can remind me if I forget. [He leaned to successfully kiss his cheek this time, but there's also food now and he will be taking a spoonful of this soup.
He frowned, evidently disappointed, but taking another bite shortly after.] That means you aren't still pissed, right?
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It's pathetic, but he's doing it anyway. Just hours ago he was bruising his knuckles against Overseer skulls, and now he's anxious to make a simple picture look good. He almost had trouble smiling for it, but one look at his... his boyfriend's face fixes that easy. He leaned his head into Jindosh as the camera flashed.]
One of these days my face is gonna break it. [Again with the self depreciating humor. It's half-hearted, though, in some effort to distract himself from the fact he's actually starting to like this sort of thing.] ... Thank you, Kirin.
[For the opportunity?? For letting him back into his home?? No, it's because his old picture was too worn for his liking. But that's better left unsaid.]
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It's another moment where he might say something, but he can't quite think of it. Mm.]
Are you hungry? I doubt the Abbey has been feeding you for days.
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Probably got more than you eat willingly. [He's teasing this time, at least. He leans up in some effort to kiss the back of his neck, but all it winds up being is fighting to laying his head over his shoulder. Stupid clothes.] I am, though. You gonna come with me if I get something?
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Will you stop pulling on me and get dressed if I do?
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I should start leaving some things here, unless you want all your fancy things dirty. [He says mindlessly, not thinking of any implications of making himself at home. He was off to wear Jindosh's clothes again, is all. It's fine. He's dragging himself away to do that. It's fine.]
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He supposes Paolo will just be in his clothes again, which he does enjoy. And he's just bathed, so what is there to complain about... hm.
Hmm. He's following.] I ought to bill you for the laundry. [He says, never doing this.]
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Look at him, he even had Jindosh's clothes picked out and folded nicely besides... his dirty pile of a vest and suit pieces. He crouches to the latter, rummaging through pockets until he withdrew a silent pocket watch. It didn't seem to matter it wasn't ticking, it was going with his things as he dressed nicely for once. For once.
His shirt is still ridiculously huge on him, buttoning it up.] Your staff'll be happy to see me and my mess, I'm sure.
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[How dare they treat him like a person?? Very offensive. Should be ashamed.
He can't stop himself from moving closer to Paolo and brushing his hands away, to do up the last buttons on his shirt himself. At least they're both thin enough that the shirt stops at being simply too long, and not a tent on Paolo.]
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Maybe they'll miss me for you. [He mused, pulling a vest over his shoulders as soon he's done up enough. We're just going to say he pulled his pants on already.] I'll have to tell them more stories about you. They were so interested last time...
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Don't, for the sake of my nerves. I don't need to start being familiar with the staff now, of all times.
[Whatever that means... He pauses, hand still lightly holding the lapels of his vest. Mm.] You think I didn't miss you? Hmm.
[So maybe most of his thoughts about Paolo were angry these past few days, never mind the details.]
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[You know, being in love with him and everything. He understands.]
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[That counts for something. And he missed Paolo enough to loiter with him here now, squeezing his hands and leaning down to kiss him again, wasting perfectly good meal time on this affection. It's fine; they're both a bit starved for this, too.]
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He'll trail off and kissed him again to think, ignoring his stomach growling in protest. What can he promise? He's already falling for him.] ... I'll always come back to you. Late or not. First life or the second. Cross my heart.
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I should have you give me your word in writing. Let's find you something to eat.
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So yes, he is as happy as passing staff perceived him. It wasn't much; there was the corner of his lips twitching when they went through the rooms, and a minor lean into Jindosh as they walked. Blink and you miss it. Some didn't blink.] You uh... you ate, right? More than toast.
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Not now. For fuck's sake. He'll need to put up a sign about not being the staff's friend.]
If I didn't eat without you around, Paolo, I wouldn't have made it to this age. I ate more than toast, yes. [rolling his eyes......] What would you like? I'll have it prepared.
[No pudding hate this time, babe.]
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I could eat an entire jellied eel about now. [Ew, gross, no--] But uh... I dunno, ham? Potatoes? Soup? My nan used to make great soup outta that... [his nan,]
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Your... hmm. [His nan, goodness, Paolo is a sap, isn't he? Good to know.] I suppose if you tell the cooks what you're looking for, they'll do their best. [He's trying,]
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[He will try his best when they do get there. It's hard not to just fill the time with kissing Jindosh when they do get there, but they're already getting displeased looks because he's back. All the ladies hate them and the cold house.
However, he will raise a suggestion,] We should eat out sometime. Nicer side of town.
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Oh. [HMMMM] When?
[It's not a no,]
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S... Sometime in the afternoon. When you're not busy. [Since he has so much work. ] Not far, in Aventa. I can show you some uh... lesser known shops, too. [Black market, romantic.]
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Alright. [Paolo will even get to ride in the carriage!] Perhaps then you'll even quit badgering me about how I've never gone out.
[whiny bf....]
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But he shut his eyes before he could look too dangerously mad, taking a deep breath and mustering a smile.] You call that carriage up, right? They don't give me the code down there.
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Wait a minute.] They don't? Surely I must have... [it's been how long that Paolo's been coming, and he never—did he forget? Oh...]
That code is reset all the time because no one using the carriage can remember where their ass is half the time. I'll put in a spare one for you myself—for private use.
[Don't tell your friends.]
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Thankfully I can remember where my ass is. But I'm sure you can remind me if I forget. [He leaned to successfully kiss his cheek this time, but there's also food now and he will be taking a spoonful of this soup.
He frowned, evidently disappointed, but taking another bite shortly after.] That means you aren't still pissed, right?
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