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:

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.

From:

looking_sharp

[It is for Rude. And would be more so if he knew the who.]

I'll ask Sephiroth for advice.

From:

electroburst

[ oh, Rude, if they want to get into stepping out, he's got two words for that: spy girlfriend. ]

Ooh—yeah. Fuck. If I start using what he uses, maybe I'll wear it down more often. Won't be half as good, but at least I'll be fuckin' feelin' myself.

From:

looking_sharp

[Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?]

It would look good like that.

From:

electroburst

[ buuuuuuuuuullshit. ]

Think so? [ grinning—and offering the bag of doughnut holes up over his head for Rude to have, finally. ] Dunno how he keeps it out of his face while he's fightin'.

From:

looking_sharp

Magic, probably.

[Rude ignores the donuts. He had one on the way over, to make sure his mouth would taste like sugar. What? He's weird like that.]

Your mane looks good the way it is. Could just stand to be softer. Your lovers would appreciate it more.

From:

electroburst

[ suit yourself. Reno consumes another one whole, humming thoughtfully—then laughing. or rather, snorting humorlessly and without any real amusement. ]

"Lovers"? You crazy? Gross.

From:

looking_sharp

You've been bedding people lately. Only time I see you come back this hurt you either got in a fight or got laid. The former you tell me.

From:

electroburst

Rude—man, you've got it all wrong in that head of yours. Bedding is stretching it and lovers is gonna make me hurl. It ain't like that.

[ jesus christ. he does not want to think about either of his bosses with either of those terms. at least not when he's stone-cold sober. it's making him queasy. ]

From:

looking_sharp

Then tell me who hurt you.

[His fingers are moving into the longer hairs at the back of his neck now.]

And I'll deal with them.

From:

electroburst

[ it takes great trained, physical effort not to shiver, but he can't do much about the goosebumps. he's sensitive there. also, Rude looking for a fight is kinda hot. ]

Nobody hurt me. I hurt myself, honest. —I mean, accidentally. Got carried away.