[Dice glances down, almost disappointed, as his hand is released. But his smile comes back when he takes the tea gratefully in both hands. He raises the tea and nods in thanks, then takes a sip.]
I don't know if you'll like it, but I've always been kinda... shy about asking you to go. Didn't think it was your thing.
[He holds Gentaro's hand comfortably, beaming over his tea. After a moment, he chugs the tea so he can set the mug down and hold his hand with both of his.]
C'mon, what's the first thing you want to do with all this freedom?
[ He can't help but laugh as he gently tugs him a bit closer. ]
I think one a day will be more than enough. [ More than he deserves. ] Though...
[ Is it selfish to ask for it? It is. Gentaro hates that he's pretending, that he can't be honest. He's lying so much to Dice, who spends so much time with an impostor.
[Dice readily snuggles in close, still holding Gentaro's hand with one of his own. He runs his thumb over Gentaro's skin when he asks... that. Something Dice didn't think he'd hear in a million years. The last time they kissed was right before Gentaro ghosted him for a while...]
[ Maybe it's how close they are, but Dice's touch makes him shiver just slightly. There's a lump in his throat he doesn't think he'll ever get rid of. It's horrible of him, but he wants so deeply.
[Dice grins again, then curls in closer, his lips so near Gentaro's cheek.]
Thought you'd never ask! I've been waiting ages for you to kiss me again! I thought I was bad at it last time or something... You ghosted me for like two months after, remember? Worst timing ever...
He's kicking himself for not kissing him earlier. And he knows it's not his fault, but... that's a knife to the heart. ]
It was. [ He can salvage this, tainted as it is with a lie. ] To be quite honest, those two months were somewhat of a blur. Preparing for a tour, countless meetings with editors, tight deadlines...
Nah, don't worry about it. I'm not great at it, probably, so I ain't bothered. You probably had a point...
[If it was forgettable because of a book tour, Dice can't really say he's any good, can he?]
...not wantin' to do it again. I thought... Like, at first I guess I thought I'd practice, right? So I did. And then you never asked again so I gave up on that whole thing.
[That hand on his cheek is making his whole face heat up. The hand holding Gentaro's squeezes him a bit.]
[ Well, he could have done that better. Gentaro winces, but it's more subtle than anything. It makes him hate the Party even more for hurting his brother and Dice, who clearly loves his brother so much.
He leans in, touching his forehead to his. ]
You aren't the only one. I certainly wouldn't say you're bad at it. [ It's a guess, but one he's confident in. ] Show me what I've been missing, Dice.
[ And that could mean more than one thing. For once, he doesn't want to fret over the little details. He just wants him. ]
[He's dead nervous, but the way Gentaro says it just draws him in. On a breath, he tips his head slightly to the side, reaches his free hand for Gentaro's cheek, and presses his lips to Gentaro's. There's a brief moment of silence and stillness, with him simply holding his breath and gathering up the courage to try again... Then there's a sudden exhale before he parts his lips and tries to kiss Gentaro as sweetly and perfectly as a messy soul like him can manage.]
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[He always feels a little weird when the invitation is open but Gentaro is working... hearing he's in between stuff makes it way easier to say yes.]
Bet! I'll be here all day every day if you say that.
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If you're certain. I don't want to monopolize your time, you know.
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Nah, it's good! If I need to step out for a minute I know you won't care, though. Maybe we can go to the pachinko parlor one day?
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[ He doesn't want to pull his hand away, but he does just to offer him the cup of tea. ]
That was a lie. I'd be happy to join you.
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I don't know if you'll like it, but I've always been kinda... shy about asking you to go. Didn't think it was your thing.
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It'll be an interesting experience, no doubt.
[ Especially with Dice. ]
If you would like to go somewhere with me, you need only ask.
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I'm not the one with money around here. You oughta be the one picking the date spots.
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Perhaps, but if I ignored what you want to do, it wouldn't be fun for either of us.
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[It has been for years. He's happy about this arrangement. He doesn't want to mess this up.]
Anyway, if you're runnin' out of ideas I'll make some things up! There's lotsa things we haven't done that we can do.
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We could even make a list. [ He smiles softly. ] Like you said, it's always fun with you.
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[Dice grins.]
Yeah, that'd be a project. But if it's us, we'll always make it good.
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[ He sets his half-full tea onto the table, then holds his hand out for Dice to take. ]
We'll make our own adventures.
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I'm ready! You've been workin' too much and I gotta get you out of here.
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Ah, Dice, what would I do without you? [ It's tinged with warmth. ] I suppose you're right. It feels as if it's been a century since I've left....
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[He holds Gentaro's hand comfortably, beaming over his tea. After a moment, he chugs the tea so he can set the mug down and hold his hand with both of his.]
C'mon, what's the first thing you want to do with all this freedom?
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[ He squeezes his hand lightly. ]
Today? I'd like to relax with you. It is my first day off.
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[He throws his head back to shout to the heavens for that last bit, then grins at Gentaro.]
It is. So I'm here to fulfill every single wish you have. Or, like, one of them. One a day, maybe.
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I think one a day will be more than enough. [ More than he deserves. ] Though...
[ Is it selfish to ask for it? It is. Gentaro hates that he's pretending, that he can't be honest. He's lying so much to Dice, who spends so much time with an impostor.
Still. ]
May I kiss you?
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...You really want to?
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He nods. ]
I do.
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Thought you'd never ask! I've been waiting ages for you to kiss me again! I thought I was bad at it last time or something... You ghosted me for like two months after, remember? Worst timing ever...
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He's kicking himself for not kissing him earlier. And he knows it's not his fault, but... that's a knife to the heart. ]
It was. [ He can salvage this, tainted as it is with a lie. ] To be quite honest, those two months were somewhat of a blur. Preparing for a tour, countless meetings with editors, tight deadlines...
[ He puts his free hand on Dice's cheek. ]
I'm sorry, Dice.
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[If it was forgettable because of a book tour, Dice can't really say he's any good, can he?]
...not wantin' to do it again. I thought... Like, at first I guess I thought I'd practice, right? So I did. And then you never asked again so I gave up on that whole thing.
[That hand on his cheek is making his whole face heat up. The hand holding Gentaro's squeezes him a bit.]
Kinda... kinda nervous now... actually.
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He leans in, touching his forehead to his. ]
You aren't the only one. I certainly wouldn't say you're bad at it. [ It's a guess, but one he's confident in. ] Show me what I've been missing, Dice.
[ And that could mean more than one thing. For once, he doesn't want to fret over the little details. He just wants him. ]
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