excerpt | ( crosscheck. ) overflow

( continued from here. )

Can't conceal it easily? ( what could it possibly be? a halberd or spear? something akin to a naginata? smaller blades were relatively easy to hide on your person. ... kurenai could easily deduce this from experience. but, either way, he doesn't ponder on it longer than he, rationally, has to.

nor does he think this conversation truly gives him the leisure to. perhaps, it's because he's dealing with... a relatively incomprehensible species here, but he's naturally a bit on his toes. he doesn't know what to expect, nor does he have any conjectures for what's to come. so, despite his crude language and harsh reception, he's honestly out of wits here? he does see that this... creature seems keen enough on delivering some semblance of comfort, though? information? he isn't sure which word is more apt here, but— ) What else would it be? Just a decoration? ( his name, that is. )

Hah? I'm hardly negative, idiot. I'm just being alert. There's no way I can trust whatever's been explained to me, can I? ( he's huffy and contrary as always, but he does ease up a bit, if just to add. ) So? Are there more of you here? ( does he mean heroes of monkeys?? the world will never know. )

( continued from here.

the contact of her hand against his is brief. violent, in a lot of ways. albeit, reduced in strength.

his hand is successfully flung away, and while it doesn't physically hurt, nor prickle in the same manner had his fingers in their prior "scuffle"— it does leave an equal amount to desire for. he grumbles under his breath a bit, before closing his eyes. then, in a dismissive motion he waves a hand, almost as if shaking off her attempts at... creating physical distance between them. but, well, he doesn't take it standing for long.

he eyes her again, before shaking his head. ) Yeah, yeah. Anyway— ( he gives her a sidelong glance, as he stands a bit straighter. something more proper in his motion. ) I'll ( he takes his sweet time talking. inhale, exhale. ) give you my gratitude, at least. Even if you're one crazy woman.

( with the breaking and the healing?? but, he doesn't say it as if it's designed to be an insult. it doesn't carry the usual crudities he kept with in spoken language. instead... it almost sounded a bit padded. softened, somehow. but, in the next second it's whisked away. ) So? Do you go through this with everyone you meet or am I special? ( he frames it like a question, but honestly, he's quite confident in the latter. aka, delusional notome pt. 2: revival. )

( continued from here

her honesty is actually... a breath of fresh air. it eased his temper and frustrations a little to be greeted with such sincerity. moreover, when this is paired with everything else that preceded that, well, it was hard not to find this entire farce amusing. even when she pulls away, he doesn't find any real reason to bite back like he normally does. discovers no extra need to take it to the next level as he often would.

instead, he lets her. for now, that is.

at the apology, he cants his head a bit. honestly, he's the one... who pretty much let this happen. waltzed right into it and played all the cards he feasibly could, really. hence, he almost stares for a bit too long. stays silent for longer than he intends. when he finally does speak: ) It just sucks I couldn't get a kiss in.

I mean, it seems like it's your first. ( look at him just assuming it's her first? but with her reactions can you blame him? but, well, he does .... try and alleviate the situation with a: ) How about instead of me stealing it, you give it to me right here in thanks? ( ;)

he says this quietly, maybe even a bit too quietly for their newfound proximity. but, look... even fuckboys...

i... closes mouth, walks away. )

( ...

the minute it changes textures, and moves its petals to indicate bolin's own inner panic... is the same precise moment kurenai strongly considers walking away. the only thing that truly roots him in place is his pride, however. though, maybe that works in bolin's favor this time? or something? except, for the first solid ten minutes... he finds himself staring. and staring and...

he sneers. ) Can't you do one simple task? ( he reaches over... only now...

he's stuck. they're stuck in the chinese finger trap of plants. )

( continues from here.

serve the royal family...

he stares at subaki bleakly. almost in disbelief. he supposed that would make the two of them. presuming any semblance of verity and validity in his statement. aka, he has his doubts, but instead of voicing them, he chooses to dismiss them. instead, focusing on the beauty of having his revenge reap fruits and benefits. ) Hah? Make yourself presentable for what? For getting it all fucked up again? ( the derision is... saturating his entire tone.

before, he closes his eyes and gives a snort of sorts. ) I don't have all the time in the world to be spending on someone who doesn't even have any curves. ( heterosexual comment count of the night at a solid 1. )

[It's a brief clash, and she did not try to hurt more than his pride. Which, admittedly, is larger then one may expect. And yet, he does not back off easily. What a man. Or...not.

Her eyebrows rise silently, but she does not take umbrage to his words. Thankfully. Instead, she seems to have settled on being Unimpressed with him. Now she knows who she's reminded of. A certain golden servant. He at least...no, sometimes he doesn't try to hide his flirtations either. ]

You are the first boy I've ever broken the finger of during my first meeting.

[However...]

Perhaps this is a sign that I will kill you and leave your body for the carrion to feast on? One day.

[ Well then. Sticky predicament aside, Bolin gives the other man a bit of a gloating look. ]

Looks like it's not so simple after all.

[ Because Bolin is a nice guy, but he's not beyond taking shots when he can. Besides, Kurenai's feathers are so easy to ruffle, and he's got an ego the size of the Earth Kingdom. It's an irresistible combination. ]

Anyway, how do you turn this thing off?

[ Because surely Kurenai can control his own Carrier? ]

If I said it was a bigger banana, I doubt you'd believe me. Thankfully, it's not that. [ He says this with blasé, one hand on his hip as gives Kurenai a passive wave with the other. After all, if he had the King Banana, that would've been too strong for anyone, right? ]

I have a staff. It can be as tall or as small as I'd like, but a thing like this is pretty innocuous, wouldn't you agree? [ Balancing the tip of the yellow, starchy fruit on one finger, he gently bounces it there before tossing it behind him and catching it with his tail. The best hiding place is the one that no one with a sane mind would reach for, because it's not just a fifth appendage that exists there.

He, like everyone else, has a butt. ]

Oh, there are plenty of heroes like me, but none like me. [ No other monkeys, unless Kurenai ever experiences the ones that danced and dressed for show, acting like circus animals. Wukong's far above that, isn't he? ] I'll applaud you for your skepticism though, insult or not.

[ And then he sticks his tongue out, a somewhat playful taunt. ]

I know won't immediately do this, but find your chill. For now, we're gonna have to work together in order to go home. It might mean some violence and bloodshed. You think you're up to that?

[ She doesn't really know how to interpret his silence after her apology, and so she averts her gaze, lowering her head as if she expects to be scolded. Is he angry? He must be angry... after all, she's the one who ran into him and dragged him into her situation. He played along like a champ, which she's grateful for, but she still... caused his a lot of problems. ]

H-Huh?

[ Did he just say... that he would've liked to kiss her?! She gapes at him, her blush returning with full force, wordlessly struggling with how to react to someone who actually wants to... or someone that actually says they want to... so straightforwardly, unlike the VIP from a moment ago. Thanks to the watchful eyes of her siblings and retainers, no one has ever actually...

Well, that's not entirely true. But she can't really blame him at all for thinking it would be her first kiss—she might have a few of them under her belt, but that doesn't mean she's at all comfortable with it. Besides, those were for mana...

Either way, she's definitely not comfortable with it if it's a stranger, which is why she shakes her head, rattling the dangling end of her kanzashi. ]

P-Please, um... can I make it up t-to you some other w-way?

( continued from here.

it's peculiar to think that someone could approach him without any blatant underlying motives. while, in hindsight, that might have seemed like a contradiction— he was relatively accustomed to being in the center of attention, and from that, all the negatives that came with. those who were keen on deriving his sole affections. those who were out for money, or something else wedged between their filthier desires. it isn't like he was against that degree of wantonness, but...

it's strange that lapis seemed so devoid of those. or is clueless really the better word for it? still, he isn't bothered. a bit thrown off his usual game, maybe, but he supposed that's been a never-ending cycle since his arrival here. rinse & repeat. still, even the way she gives her name. he clicks his tongue. ) You're bolder than I thought.

But, whatever. Just prepare yourself. Though, honestly... I really don't mind being the reason you break and cry. ( they're wearing masks, but he's fairly proficient in remembering characteristics. enough where he could recall them with relative ease. still, he moves on to his next question. ) Age.

( as always... his inquiries are less actual questions and more... commands. but, look. )

( continued from this wreck.

as with everything else, there's no moderation in his words. there's no sense of tolerance or forbearance. instead, there's always carefully erected exaggeration. to be completely real, he hardly views this as a matter of life and death (two concepts he knew quite... a bit about), but the threats spill from his lips, regardless. despite appearances and how miffed he is about this entire exchange, he isn't... completely blind to intention. notwithstanding his own personal chagrin of the individual before him, it's clear this was nothing more than a casualty of ...

dumbassery??? clumsiness?? what the fuck??? reflecting on it only makes him all the more prone to bouts of violent thinking, and this doesn't really change. even as their backdrop alters, and they measuredly pass by more pristine columns and more overly decadent portraits. .... and where they eventually meet somewhere far more secluded. private. ) It's almost impressive how you found this place so easily. What are you? Some sort of pervert? ( who else would use a space like this??? or even know of it??

but, more important to that. ) Let's begin. ( with that... he takes off his blazer.

... and they do the do, and bijou was never heard from again. )

( continued from here.

he can see her swell of pride. it isn't something he's familiar with seeing in anyone beyond himself. at least, not quite so boldly or brazenly. in a way, it's refreshing. something linear and direct. far less convoluted than the conventions he was taught and inevitably surrounded with. he gives a well-meaning smirk of his own, as he places his injured hand flat against the side of the blade. just enough to get it all saturated in his blood again.

look, if you wipe something clean.... ) You don't belong to your people. You belong to yourself. ( before this ends up sounding like some motivational speech, he continues.... and filths it up. ) And from there— ( he drops his hand once more,

cringing a bit, but doing his best to conceal whatever prickle of pain he may have felt. ) You'll give yourself to me. There's no shame in losing yourself to whatever feels best. I assure you that this Kurenai-sama is skilled.

[ You belong to yourself.

The look in her eyes changes for a moment, as if something had awakened inside her—a feeling, or a sense of self that she had been desperately grasping for all this time. It's why she lifts her chin up, why she puffs her chest out, and why she can't show Kurenai even the slightest sign of weakness.

But she sees his own. ]

Show me your hand.

[ ... Don't get the wrong idea. The rest of his filth is keeping her at a distance. ]

( continued from here.

kurenai was relatively... sensitive when it came to reacting towards others' remarks. that chuckle could have easily been interpreted as some sort of unspoken blow against his character, but... well, in all his haste to get the hell out of this mess— he permits it to slip him by. instead focusing on that inquiry. ) Hah? Are you stupid or something? ( forever eloquent. which, probably implies... yes...

that's his complete name and how he prefers to be referred to. regardless of how prickly he was, or how prone he seemed to snapping back, he does... relinquish some of his ill-will. his shoulders slumping. his brows furrowed more in annoyance and in something more petulant or indignant than genuinely upset. still— ) This sort of injury just needs some spit. ( figurative, ofc... but, he does crane his neck a bit, as if displaying it.

almost as if he were a king... waiting for his retainer to react. unfortunately, this is the only way kurenai could legitimately forgive a guy for touching him. ) Do you always make a big deal of small crap like this? ( then a quiet: ) Busybody.

( ....

in retrospect, he'd be worried for her sanity were this an everyday occurrence. still, it cements his point all the same, and he can't deny that swell of pride that easily fuses back into his sentences, and even into the slack in his posture. ) See— ( then the rest of her statement comes. back in full force. he bites back on his initial response, before... uneasily finishing it with: )

Will that be before or after we have a night together? ( but, well, he seems to... in the famous word of taylor swift: shake it off relatively well. plasters snake emoji here, but beyond that, he does finish it with a quiet huff. an irritated exhale. )

Killing or not. At least you aren't naive like... ( he clicks his tongue. )

Either way, I can see how you made it this far.

( he's about to strangle this guy??? ... and not in like a sexy breathplay way, either?!

he wants to reach over and shake him, but just as he's about to lift his other arm up, he stops himself mid-way. it'd be bad if they somehow got anymore stuck. not to mention the awkward angle and so instead, he just releases an irritated growl. ) Why the hell are you asking me?!

I told you it wasn't mine. Or— ( look, he just got it... he has no idea how this works?? ) Anyway, do something about this! ( he attempts to move his arm back, but the more strength he puts in, the stickier and more malleable the plant becomes?! the plant slowly seems to be turning a darker red too?? )

[ For how arrogant and cocky this boy had been before, he certainly is easy to frazzle. But Bolin remains pretty oblivious to any murderous urges, just giving the other man what he hopes is a calming smile. ]

Hey, calm down. It's not like it's hurting us or anything.

[ It'd be more problematic of the plant starting eating their hands or something. Or what if the goo was toxic?! That would be a problem. ]

Let's just— [ He starts shuffling closer to the wall so they're less likely to get tangled up with anyone else. ] move to the side and figure this out.

[ Then, with another grin. ]

I'm Bolin, by the way.

( there's so much he wants to say. to complaint about without abandon, and he's on the verge of doing so. that is, before he just tacks on a simple: ) Don't tell me what to do! ( that was the most important thing to respond to, okay. he has his #priorities. )

The worst part of this shit is being stuck with you. ( he states firmly. he'd cross his arms to perpetuate this point if he could, but since he can't, he opts on just rolling his eyes. at least, until he sees bolin shuffling his feet. he honestly could care less about moving, but... seeing as how they're connected. ) A-and don't move without this Kurenai-sama's permission, b...

( bolin. he stares at him. he makes no signs of acknowledging the other even gave a name, actually.

until, he finishes up his previous sentence. ) Bolin bastard.

( he sees that fraction of a second where his words actually manage to weasel into her conscience. though, naturally, he has no idea how or why it actually effects her. instead, he mistakes it as a part of his charm. his self-proclaimed "charisma" finally garnering the results it deserves, thinks kurenai.

but, regardless of that, he does seem a bit surprised by her request. ) My hand?

What? Are you going to kiss it better? If that's the case, I prefer something a bit more...

( lewd? sexy? still, he does, put his hand out. though, despite seeming so nonchalant about it. a part of him is actually still on guard. his eyes... scrutinizing her movements; planning to draw back the minute something seems awry. )

[ Rolling his eyes in response, Bolin just gives Kurenai a withering stare, though he doesn't seem particularly offended by the frankly rude words. Mostly just tired; and in no mood for toxic masculinity when they have a problem that they need solving. Kurenai's tall, dark, and handsome and all, but he's not exactly Bolin's type.

(Basically, he's a dick.) ]

Sure. Anyway, I don't really get... [ He peers at the plant-jelly coating their hands, tugging on his hands to test the strength of its hold. ] I guess we could both pull really hard, but I dunno if that'll... kill... it?

[ They would be tearing it apart?!

He looks back over at Kurenai. ]

For all your complaining, you're not helping, you know! Do you really want to be separated from me?

( wow??? excuse???

also!?! what is this plan!?!? ) You want to— ( tear his plant apart?!! ) Weren't you the idiot who kept complaining about me taking it or whatever!? Now you want to kill it? ( well... kurenai wasn't against taking a life, especially not if he thought it to be rightful retribution. or, in this case, a means to an end. ) ...Ugh. ( he just gives a curt nod. )

Whatever, I don't care. Let's just— ( he glares at bolin?? because?? are you questioning his heterosexuality and masculinity here?? ) Just start pulling. ( from here, he pulls abruptly, yanking his arm as hard as he can. )

—hrrk!!

[ Due to Kurenai's complete lack of foresight and consideration (and not because of any outside homoerotic machinations), Bolin is not in the least prepared for the sudden yank, having been half considering the plant again when the younger boy had decided to make the executive decision to execute the plan. He honestly thought Kurenai would be a little hesitant to kill his Carrier?!

Nevertheless, the force of it is enough to send the earthbender careening into the teenager, eyes wide and mouth open to let out a pathetic ] hoboy [ before he smashes bodily into Kurenai's chest and sends them both toppling to the floor, landing them both in a suitably anime position, ig.

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]

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( 𝚓𝚞𝚕𝚢. ) 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘

𝚠𝚞𝚔𝚘𝚗𝚐.

𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗 𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚊.

𝚜𝚊𝚔𝚞𝚛𝚊.

𝚋𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚗.

𝚜𝚞𝚋𝚊𝚔𝚒.

♥

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𝚕𝚊𝚙𝚒𝚜.

𝚓𝚊𝚎-𝚑𝚊.

𝚔𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚢𝚘𝚔𝚞.

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𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚗.

1/???

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done!

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