dumbshow | once more with shitposting

once more with shitposting

[Reim is loath to think it's convenient that the city needs to be put back together after everything. There's been so much loss, they've all felt it—but having something to do after Pandora is dissolved keeps everyone's minds off those things, more or less, so. It's a little convenient. It keeps people busy, himself included.

Most people, anyway... Reim has more than enough to do, from ironing out the details of the relief efforts (it's-not-Pandora-but-it's-mostly-the-same-people is not a viable organization name, the struggle) to dealing with people on a much more individual level, including trying to integrate the remaining Baskervilles— he's never been more stressed in his life!!

Unlike some people apparently on a quest to ruin the only peace and quiet he has in his schedule - locking himself in his office to eat meals - in between everything else. It's just after he's been to check up on Duke Barma, who is surprisingly... robust, if bedridden, and he's escaped that harrowing exchange only to find his office invaded and some kind of food out. It smells like food. That's not the lunch he ordered??

He sighs. It must be every day of his life at once. He will address... the office:]

Xerxes, come out of there.

[he doesn't even know where, but he Knows it's somewhere.]

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[He paid more attention to Reim being a sappy moron back then!!]

Reim! [He has to break this great hand hold to swat at him, which is a crime? Reim is bad.] I was complimenting you minutes ago, I can't help your personality! You're boring but I don't know what I would do without you, so let go!

[HMM... He supposes he'll accept this and let go. And of course he can't just let that go, that would be silly.]

Oh, really? How hopeless. You're lucky I'm here for you.

[No, let that go... ugh. Break leans away from him to rub his ear, which is fine. He's just grumpy.]

You're lucky I'm here for you... you would lead a very sad life without me.

[He's a grumpy child. Reim is still winning, as a result.]

I might. [so,] Thankfully, I won't have to find out.

[Because SOMEBODY... is not going to try to die all the time anymore!!]

[There's something to be said about Break's life expectancy still being pretty low, but even he doesn't want to think about that. Instead he huffs, refusing to turn his head Reim's way because he is a child.]

There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, you jerk. So respect your elders.

[Hey shut up, nobody ever dies and everyone is happy forever.]

See? Now you're calling me names. [How dare he? Reim lifts his hand like he might yank on Break's ear again, but no, he's just going to touch his hair a little instead.] I already knew that.

[He could have kept this up if it weren't for this hair touching. Thanks for ruining his image. Break lasts maybe a few more seconds before he's leaning back against him.]

You don't know everything. You don't know half of what you mean to me, because words can't describe it... [Yeah... he sure did get him good by saying he means so much more than he can say?] So, there. Shut up.

[Reim hums, before he says something truly mean about how words can't describe it because Break is too dumb to think of any. He's being nice, and that's... well, that's something that easily tugs at his heartstrings. Damn!!]

Sensitive. [Sooo sensitive... Nobody's stopping him from fussing with Break's hair, so he'll keep doing that, idly.] It's just me, you know. It's not as if I'm going to tell everyone all the things said out here...

[That would embarrass both of them, see.]

[Hey, don't even think like that, asshole!! Reim doesn't deserve Break's real feelings, which is too hard to say since he has trouble saying he cares at all.]

Really? I'm going to tell the Duke everything. [He says, but shudders the more he thinks of actually doing that. Barma would end his life.] No, I... [wait for it] ... I like you. More than I should.

[stunning performance by Xerxes Break]

[It takes literally all of Reim's self control not to ugly laugh at the thought of Break tattling on him to Barma. That's the last possible thing on the list of things that might one day happen. Jesus. He contains himself to a brief chuckle, like a grownup.

But how shall he respond to this... this. Xerxes Break, middle-aged man, has the emotional eloquence of a twelve-year-old, still. Sigh.]

"More than you should"? Should I be insulted? [He gets it, trust him, but god you're 12.]

No, I mean- [He was so wrapped up in saying this that he almost kept thinking Reim didn't get it? Stop making fun of him! He has half a mind to just get up, but he'll sit here and sigh with frustration instead.]

More than I should, because I think you're too good for someone like me... now I know you aren't!

[Ah, no, no one is escaping this. Even though Break doesn't actually move to get up, Reim quits playing with his hair to wrap his arm more snugly around him. Hello, stuck with him, as usual.]

Oh, alright. Then you'll be all out of counterattacks when I tell you I have feelings for you, too.

[counterattacks]

[No, Reim is too large and this is not fair. He squirms up until he hears that, because that's just so ridiculous that he can't not stop and question it.]

Counterattacks? [He tries to make fun, but he's already laughing despite himself. There's no conviction in his protests.] I don't need one, when you say things like that. I can't feel anything for someone who thinks of things like this as some kind of strategy. I take it all back.

[COUNTERATTACKS.... Reim is unfazed by this obvious judgment because he is completely serious.]

I suppose that's your choice... [but. BUUUT.] Although I've thought of that possibility, as well.

[It's a solid Maybe, actually, but he's mostly being a brat.]

[Stop! Being! Like! This! Break leans to actually pull on his cheek this time.]

You're insufferable. I don't like you. You're not allowed to feel for me, because then I'll have to date someone so annoying out of pity, and it'll be a dreadful experience.

[this is how you admit things, right]

[He nearly says he's planned for this, too, but finally he resists. Actually he can't help but laugh again, although it's not a laugh for making fun. He's... tentatively happy? With this bullshit?

Truly, his plan all along was low standards.]

I could say the same about you. [Yes, this is PEAK romance.] But... well.

[Should he be serious? Or at least stop saying things like counterattack. Ehh.]

I'd like to give it a try. [despite his incredibly good better judgment, date him.]

[Ah, well, the deflecting could only go on for so long. Break has to actually deal with the fact Reim likes him, and this is actually a conversation that's happening. It changes things- or well, he thinks it will, somehow. Really, the only thing that might happen is that they're this close more. Give him a minute.]

You'll regret it, you know. [He says this, but he has no real facts to back this up... Hmmm. He rests his hand at his shoulder.] You should kiss me, then.

[Alright, well. Congratulations, because Break just up and telling Reim to kiss him was not actually on his list of possible scenarios. Which is real, but he had the good sense not to write it down. He blinks, he makes a sound like maybe he had another sassy comment to make there and then just gave up, and... huh. Well, good job! Micromanaging defeated.

Still, it's convenient that he basically cleared out the whole mansion and its grounds today, or he'd have a Victorian Sensibilities aneurysm about kissing in the garden. Nope, not today. With his other hand he touches Break's face, lightly, running his fingers along his jaw to angle his face for the Perfectly Calculated Kiss. Which he is not very gifted in, but he's thought about it enough, which counts.]

I haven't regretted anything about you yet, besides helping yourself to all my things. Don't tell me what to do. [He closes the last bit of distance between them to kiss him, anyway. Don't boss him around.]

[He barely has enough time to revel in the fact he's won before Reim's making his heart beat out of his chest again. Damn him. He's usually good at keeping himself calm and collected, but he doesn't need to here...

So he'll allow the flush at his cheeks and that fluttering feeling to stay. He leans into the kiss, threading his fingers through the hair at his neck and holding him still so it will last. For all his years on him, he hasn't really indulged in things like this too much more than he has. Truly, this is an oasis in what otherwise was an arid second chance at life. Third chance, now? Whatever.

When he finally does let go, it's only because he remembers they have to breathe at some point.] I think you've played yourself, then... I'm only going to help myself to more of your things, after this.

[Did he win? Did he? Reim might have fumbled over things not in the Big Plan, but he's not the one practically melting like a delicate maiden, here. Reim notices. He notices too that Break is small and (surprisingly) soft in his arms, but so much more alive than the last time Reim carried him, vulnerable, out of danger—

Really big improvement, kissing him with such determination. Reim can't put a precise number on just how long ago he first realized he wanted to do this, but all things considered... it was probably inevitable.

Relationship status: it was gonna happen eventually.]

I've already come to expect that from you. [Menace. Reim kisses him again, shorter, because he can and that's very exhilarating and he's also 12, a little.] Get dressed, next time.

[He's not a delicate maiden? He's a very old and weary knight who deserves this, thanks. Let him enjoy how nice it is to be in Reim's arms, because this is probably the first time he hasn't made a fuss of how much larger he is than him. His arms are nice, and safe, and warm, and-- why hasn't he done this before?

He laughs between kisses, leaning his head against his and resting both arms on his shoulders to stay like this.] You know, most would ask the opposite. I'll get dressed, but I'm keeping this... Both it and you are mine, now.

[Yeah, not fussing is a big improvement, too. Reim doesn't think that's going to last, once Break gets used to it, just because he's a pain in the ass—so alright, he'll enjoy this. Awkwardly late he drops his hand from Break's face to his waist, sliding around to keep him close. Hmm... yep, this is the cranky old man he's committed to.]

You look nice when you try. [That's his fetish: Break acting like a person. What.] I suppose I haven't missed that coat yet, so there's no harm in you keeping it... Sure.

[Three... two... he's gonna kiss his nose, enjoy it.]

You... [There was some comeback about how he must always looks nice if Reim has feelings for him, but it's gone now. He'd be going cross eyed if he had two, or could see at all, but he doesn't and can't so he just winds up looking down. Reim is stupid, doing cute things like this.]

I'll get dressed tomorrow for dinner, with that wine. [He leans to do the same, but it's a critical miss... to his cheek, so whatever.] That I won't cook for both our sake. How does that sound?

[Cool... dinner. Not that they wouldn't have had dinner anyway, but now it's courtship dinner, which is very different. Somehow. Reim isn't really sure how, but if it gets Break to dress up for him, he considers it a win.]

That sounds very nice. I'll have the cooks make something you'll like. [Rather: something he won't pick apart despite not being able to see it, but. It's all in how you sell it. But ah, ordering the cooks around... the weight of responsibility is coming back to haunt him...] Hopefully, the household won't be turned on its head while I'm in charge...

[Hey, no? Don't start stressing about their simple date? This boy.]

There isn't anyone on this estate that doesn't love you, Reim. I just-- I just managed to take you first. [Nailed it... He lifts a hand to run it through his hair again, probably messing it up in the process, but whatever.] I'm sure you've been running it more than that idiot all this time, anyway.

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