Mask Or Menace - IC Contact

[looking_sharp]

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

Comments

[electroburst]

[ What Reno doesn't (entirely) know can't hurt him, also: this is what he really called Rude here for. He thinks it's for the "normalcy," but honestly, it's that. The kind of things Reno usually says, well... this kind of thing to: ]

Psh, stop.

[ He might not think that part's normal, but it is, and it's what he needs after the dumb shit he's done. Whether or not he deserves it nonwithstanding. ]

What's that say about me, then, huh? That I'd go off the rails without you to pull me back?

[looking_sharp]

Perhaps you would. Don't intend to find out.

{because what is he without Reno anymore?]

[electroburst]

Oh, I don't either. But that's a given.

[ There's no such thing as one of them without the other. That's just not a thing. He's not even worried about it... y'know, aside from that really close call on the plate, a few days ago still in his mind. ]

There's no "without you" in this equation, partner. So don't worry about it.

[looking_sharp]

And yet, you get yourself hurt when I'm not there to watch your back.

[Yep, going ot keep coming back to that. He can't help it.]

[electroburst]

Uuuughh. Rude!

[ it's always a great time when he can use Rude's name in a way that sounds equally like scolding him by name and also like he's just calling him impolite. ]

It was the fun kinda hurt, okay? Well, fun at the time, anyways.

[looking_sharp]

[Rude's hands freeze, and he almost drops the braid. When he manages to speak, it's with an edge of anger in his voice. Just the slightest edge. No one but Reno and maybe Tseng would pick up on it.]

Someone hurt you for that?

[electroburst]

I told them to.

[ geez, don't kinkshame. except this was, uh... less kinky and more just batshit insane, but whatever. blame it on the shots. ]

[looking_sharp]

[Definitely kinkshaming.]

Don't care. Don't do it again. I'm supposed to protect you. Next person that hurts you like this gets burnt.

[electroburst]

Hey, I'm a grown-ass adult, I can do whatever the hell I want. Especially in the bedroom.

[ He'd held still until now, but he turns his head just a little to glower over his shoulder at that. Without any real heat or anger, but annoyance at least. ]

I don't tell you how to fuck your hookups.

[looking_sharp]

If I had any, I'd want you to tell me to stop if it was hurting me.

[He meets Reno's annoyance with a perfectly level gaze.]

[electroburst]

Well, maybe you should get some and quit bagging on mine. If you're into that type of shit, all you'd have to do is say so.

[ And looking away again, his chin up. Nose up, really. That's a lie and he knows it, and he really doesn't have a leg to stand on with the "not meddling in Rude's affairs" thing, but listen, there's a difference between sex and relationships and this whole topic is a bit complicated considering the subject, so just—whatever. ]

[looking_sharp]

It's not that simple, Reno. It's never that simple.

[Because he doesn't want someone else.]

Keep your head level. Almost finished here.

[electroburst]

It kinda is that simple, but alright...

[ ugh!! lowering his chin again, arms folded. ]

[looking_sharp]

It's not for me.

[He's not Reno, and he never will be. Nor will he ever be with Reno. It's an old feeling he has to let fade. He's been terrible at it though.]

[electroburst]

Why?

[ He shouldn't ask, but Rude's irritating him, so he's irritating him right back. ]

[looking_sharp]

Don't trust strangers.

[electroburst]

Is it even still a hookup if you're not strangers? That's something else. Not a relationship, but ugh, then you gotta still talk to them after...

[ Reno trails off... uncomfortable. Talk about still having to talk to people after, he just fucked both his bosses. Just... dragging his hands down his face. ]

[looking_sharp]

Is that such a bad thing? A connection?

[Like the one he wants to have? Probably. It's why he doesn't act.]

[electroburst]

Look, if you're into that, I'm not gonna kinkshame you. Even if you ain't affording me the same courtesy.

[looking_sharp]

[Really, what? Rude sighs.]

Things that leave you injured are my business.

[electroburst]

If you wanna see that bad, I'll show you when you're done. But I'm tellin' you, it's not that big a deal. I asked for it, I got exactly what I wanted. I didn't call you here because of that, it was just...

[ Because he's tired. Because he needed the comfort of his partner. Like a security blanket, you don't question why it's your favorite blankie. It just is. Because it makes you feel safe. He's never really thought all that hard about it, and he doesn't really want to start now. ]

I just needed you here, and I knew you'd come.

[looking_sharp]

[Of course he'd come. Rude sighs and finishes with the braid, tying it off with the tie that had been in Reno's hair before.]

I don't approve. Not that you care.

[electroburst]

[ As soon as Rude's done with that braid, Reno pulls the bandage from around his neck. It's nothing from behind, but when he turns around... yeah, it's pretty bad. It's not enough that those are burns, bad ones, but even worse is that they're in the shape of hand and fingerprints, like someone lit their hands on fire and grabbed him. Quite inexplicable. And they go so well (so poorly) with his raw voice, his swollen mouth. ]

I care that you care.

[looking_sharp]

[Good thing he has his shades on. Because there is murder in his eyes at the sight. His fingers reach out and brush over the skin.]

Who.

[electroburst]

I told you, I asked for it. I didn't mean it in an "I'm a bad boy and I deserve to suffer" kind of way, either. I mean I literally asked them to do this. For fun. And it was fun.

[ He just got a whole lot more than he bargained for... and his decisionmaking was the worst it's ever been. Reno leans his head back a little. They're a couple days old, but they're tender, still. ]