looking_sharp | Mask Or Menace

looking_sharp

[The sound of silence for a measure of five seconds. Then a beep.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

electroburst

that's ok i gotta shower first anyway

From:

looking_sharp

Leave your door unlocked.

From:

electroburst

yeah it's open hurry uppp

[ he is in fact going to take a shower. try to clean some of the absolute shitfuck of a mess he is up before Rude gets here, and wrap a bandage around his neck because the hello kitty bandaids just aren't going to cut it. and also just not bother to get dressed aside from his underwear and laying around in a towel. right back in bed, wet hair, wiped out. ]

From:

looking_sharp

[It will take almost ten minutes after Reno gets out of the shower before Rude arrives, coming through the door with a tray of coffee, a bag of donut holes (which are an amazing creation and he will stand by that), and... And he freezes when he sees Reno.]

What happened?

From:

electroburst

[ honestly he fell asleep again. considering that he hasn't slept in, like, three days straight, this is not surprising. he twitches when Rude walks in, props himself up, and then looks so relieved. smiling and everything, towel around his waist. ]

I have no fucking idea anymore. Coffee—gimme.

[ his voice is just gone. hoarse and gravelly. and reaching with both hands... for the coffee. ]

You beautiful bastard, you brought breakfast, too?

From:

looking_sharp

I... of course.

[Rude is just paralyzed there, staring at Reno. The man is nearly naked, and his eyes want to glide over that body. But something is... wrong here.]

What happened?

From:

electroburst

You're an angel.

[ coffee really is not the ideal drink for what he's just been through in the last 48 hours, but whatever. it's what he wants. Reno takes a long sip, coughing only a little. he's completely ragged, his wet hair in knots he hasn't bothered to untangle yet. ]

I, uh, went on a bender, I guess. I also just woke up from the most fucked up dream I've ever had.

From:

looking_sharp

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<small[Oh. Rude tries not to let the disappointment show.]</small>

And you need a nurse.

From:

electroburst

I need a hero. You're the best, y'know that? My favorite person, that I would do anything for, anytime, ever.

[ how can you be mad at this face? this weary, beat-up, smiling so adoringly face? also just fucking reaching out again gimmegimmegimme CARBS PLEASE GOD CARBS HE HASN'T EATEN IN DAYS ]

From:

looking_sharp

Not anything.

[The words happen and he doesn't intend to explain them. It was stupid to say it. But he passes it off. And passes over the donuts before sitting, face blank, in a chair.]

What trouble did you get into?

From:

electroburst

Anything, try me.

[ he says while tearing open that bag and plowing his way through at least three doughnut holes one after another. he's starving. and exhausted, and hurting, and miserable, and his a migraine. he really needs carbs. he talks with his mouth full: ]

Would you believe me if I said I kinda honestly don't have any idea anymore? I went drinkin'... things went wrong.

From:

looking_sharp

Wrong how?

[He's watching attentively.]

From:

electroburst

[ there's plenty to see. he's getting powdered sugar on his chest. ]

Well, y'know how I just never know when the fuck to say enough is enough? It was like that.

[ and licking his fingers clean, like a barbarian. it's fine, he wipes them off on his towel. ]

From:

looking_sharp

And who didn’t let you say your safe word?

[Is that a touch of annoyance in his voice? Perhaps. Though Rude is also watching the quick flick of that tongue.]

From:

electroburst

Technically? Me.

[ yeah, he takes one look up from the mess he's making and decides right then and there he's not letting Rude see what's under that bandage. he just grins awkwardly and pretends he doesn't know what's up. like maybe Rude's just cranky from being woken up early. ]

Don't be mad. I just wanted to be with someone sane, for once.

From:

looking_sharp

[It's not that at all. And being here was an invitation to see what was under the bandage.]

So I'm here so you can be sane?

From:

electroburst

Some people might say that's why we're partners...

[ not really an answer, but also not not an answer? it's partly because he can't put a reason to why he called Rude. he just did, because he always calls Rude. because he's sane, or fun, or the voice of reason, or not the voice of reason, or... because he wanted comfort, and just having him physically near is all he needs for that to happen. just being around him makes him feel better, and he's been struggling bad. so it makes sense, doesn't it?

but also, partly, it's because he's not sure why Rude seems so off. like, besides being "cranky about being woken up." what's the issue? he just... goes for the coffee again, sipping slowly this time. clearing his gravelly throat. and then just—changing the subject. ]

Hey, uh, can you help me with my hair? It's a fuckin' rat's nest.

From:

looking_sharp

[Well, that much Rude can do. He gets up and goes to the bathroom, seeking out a brush. Once he finds it, and a comb, he comes back put and sits on the couch.]

On the floor between my legs.

[Which he spreads so Reno can sit or kneel while Rude does his hair.]

From:

electroburst

Heheh. Okay.

[ at least he isn't all beat up anymore, most of the cuts and bruises are all gone, and he isn't stiff when he rises from the bed, tying his towel around his waist just before it can slip off his lap. he settles over between Rude's legs, sitting with his back to him, and brings the breakfast with him. his hair is... yeah, really tangled. even a shower couldn't fix it. getting it wet might've made it worse. ]

Did I mention you're the best?

From:

looking_sharp

No. But you should.

[With that he takes off his gloves and starts working. It's part comb, part brush, and quite a bit of fingers gently teasing tangles free. It's a task that doesn't feel so difficult. Except for how close he is.]

From:

electroburst

[ it's rough work, but Rude's so gentle about it. never makes the snags hurt. Reno sighs through his nose, relaxed—relieved for something pleasant after the last few days he's had. so pampered and spoiled, sipping his coffee and being tended to like a pet. he rests his cheek on Rude's thigh. ]

Mm... you are. Best of the best of the best. How are you even so good at this?

From:

looking_sharp

[No, Reno, he's not pleased with you. Rude jars his leg, just enough, to bump Reno's cheek off of his thigh.]

We don't ask about the past.

From:

electroburst

[ he gives an annoyed whine and puts his cheek right back where it was. ]

Ohh, it's like that. Alright, alright, never mind...

[ well, now he's curious. a girlfriend? maybe a relative? hmm. or maybe just another guy with long hair like him. ]

From:

looking_sharp

[Reno, you can't just step out on him and expect to nuzzle his leg. This time Rude moves his leg further away.]

You need better shampoo. Your hair is rough.

From:

electroburst

[ it's not stepping out if they're not a thing outside their own heads! Reno makes an obnoxious, whiny sound of annoyance again but doesn't chase him. he just pouts and drinks his coffee. ]

I couldn't find the kind I usually use. This place sucks.