[He's going to conveniently forget about being caught off-guard like that for the sake of his sanity, but he'll also conveniently remember when it suits him to do so.
The lights and sounds inside the arcade could grow to become overwhelming pretty fast if he wasn't accompanied by someone who knew his way around these things. No amount of reading or film viewing could have readied Vanitas for this, but in addition to the unfamiliarity there's also wonder and curiosity. Still, Oushi is with him so he wants to at least appear cool...chill...WITH IT.
And he's the vision of tranquility until Oushi pulls him closer and suddenly he wonders if these machines might come alive and attack them.]
Claw machine? [He follows along apprehensively, expecting some form of torture device, but instead there's a glass prism with plush toys inside and a dangling thing that Vanitas assumes is the claw.]
What about that one? [Using his free hand he taps his index finger against the glass where there's a black and blue plushie that looks like a possessed cross between a labubu and a nyanpire.]
[ oushi stares at the plushie vanitas indicates, and for a handful of moments he seems incapable of even processing what it is he's seeing. he checks and, no, sure enough, surrounding that demonic thing are a number of perfectly pleasant, suitably cute plushies that would have done just fine. which means vanitas singled out that heinous thing on purpose.
so much for winning vanitas something cute that he will come to associate with oushi....... so much for that master plan..... ]
Right. Sure.
[ well?? what's he gonna do, refuse?? rather begrudgingly, he taps his watch against the keypad, and the machine starts up in a cheery tune to signal it's begun. quite regrettably, playing this means having to release vanitas' hand for the time being, but at least they can stay close as he maneuvers the machine's joystick to properly place the claw directly over that ugly thing. once satisfied, he gives the single red button on the console hearty slap, and he stands back to watch as the metal claw descends upon the toy.
there is an exagerratedly triumphant song that plays when the claw retrieves the plushie and sends it sailing down into the cache. oushi digs it out of the compartment and turns to vanitas to hand the thing over, frowning all the while. ]
Here... [ "think of me" is what he was going to say when he plotted this whole thing out, but now he thinks that'd be a bad idea... ]
[The eyes on the plushie are huge and creepy, and kind of angled so the right is pointed a bit too far to the right and the left just as offset in the opposite direction. But the damn thing was so ugly that it was almost cute. Just the sort of thing Vanitas liked.
And then there was the bow. He loves a good bow, but can't really express that in words without sounding ridiculous.]
Ah, so that's how it works.. [He's too enthralled by the mechanics of the game to notice the sour look on Oushi's face. It's only when he hands the thing off that Vanitas notices, but cradles the ugly creature all the same.]
Which one do you like? Hold Oushi Jr while I try. [Vanitas doesn't know why Oushi hates the plushie, they're all kind of weird looking, but at least this one isn't pink. He kisses their new son on the forehead, then turns back to the machine.] Maybe he should have a twin?
[ oushi undergoes a number of complicated emotions in the span of a few minutes.
the first, yes, that petulance. sour grapes not because he'd lost anything, but because his "victory" here hadn't turned out at all like he wanted.
then comes the bafflement at vanitas' genuine fondness for the cursed thing, followed swiftly by a begrudging sort of acceptance. yes, it's ugly as fuck, but vanitas seems to honestly like it, so it's not all that bad, really.
and then comes the bright flush that warms his cheeks and his chest. oushi jr. the little, almost absent-minded kiss on its strange little forehead.
oushi stands there, cradling the thing in one hand against his chest, trying valiantly not to get caught up on the urge to steal another kiss from vanitas.
he forces himself to look back at the machine. ]
Uhh. That one?
[ he points to one that is a little less odd-looking, but similar enough it could feasibly pass for a "twin" if vanitas really wanted. this one's eyes are closed, its expression frozen in perpetual drowsiness.
he taps his watch to the keypad to start the game up again — just in case vanitas has any misconceptions that he is expected to pay for anything during this excursion. ]
[Vanitas pretends not to notice while he smiles inwardly at the rollercoaster ride Oushi's expressions go through. Most importantly, he seems to cheer up a bit whenever he hears the decreed name of the stuffed creature.
He's almost tempted to tease him about being so transparent regarding procreating with him, but he turns away to make sure Oushi doesn't have to leave here without his slightly less uglycute gremlin toy.]
This seems...simple enough. [On his first attempt the claw grazes past where it's ment to go, only pushing the plushie closer to falling into the hole, but he pays for the next attempt with his own watch before Oushi can get to it, and on the third or fourth attempt he hands the prize over.]
Now you have one too, so stop pouting. [Vanitas smirks, zipping his plushie into the front of his jacket like it's a baby carrier before stepping closer to Oushi for a quick kiss. Is this what they're doing now? Openly kissing each other? It was meant to fluster Oushi, but instead he ends up having to step away when his face heats up in realization.
[ ready on his lips is the insistent he isn't pouting at all, actually, thanks, but then there is vanitas in his space again, stealing another kiss like he had somehow known oushi himself was thinking about doing that very thing not more than a few minutes ago.
it shuts him up effectively, that's for sure.
he clears his throat, looking away. but his free hand is reaching right out to lace his fingers with vanitas' again, tugging him along as he walks further into the arcade. ]
We have to name this one...
[ we. what the fuck. oushi tries not to think about why that feels so good on his tongue, instead staring intently down at the snoozing plushie in his hand. he is almost tempted to go for the obvious: vanitas jr. but then he wonders if that's weird. if these plushies are meant to be twins, and they're named after them, then wouldn't that imply something strange???
...he's thinking way too much about this.
luckily, they reach his intended destination soon enough: the air hockey tables. now that he's won vanitas a prize, it's time for his favorite part of the arcade: absolutely obliterating his friends in silly, competitive games. ]
[Look at him keeping his mouth shut and not antagonizing the people he likes. That’s got to be some form of personal growth.
Vanitas is equally placated by how quick Oushi is willing to take his hand again. But simultaneously disgusted? Why is he being like this? Maybe Oushi is under some kind of influence from the resort. The next time they stop he’s going to perform a quick physical, just in case.
What? Right the name.]
What do you think of Pierre? Or Jacques? Or Luna..?
[He doesn’t know why he gives that last one, but he’s glad they’ve arrived at the new game. It’s a broad board with markings similar to a sport that he is familiar with.]
[ regrettably, once more, he will have to let go of vanitas' hand in order to play this game, but maybe that's a good thing if vanitas is feeling disgusted by the gesture...... the very same gesture he started all by himself no more than twenty minutes ago................. ]
Do you know hockey?
[ it's hard to get a true measure of the things vanitas is familiar with. their worlds sound vastly different, though some key things seem constant — france, anyway. regular ol' humans. bathrooms.
without his own jacket-turned-baby-bjorn, "luna" gets set along one side of the air hockey table, right in the middle as if she were now their designated referee. oushi taps his watch against the keypad (lowkey bitter he didn't get to beat vanitas to paying for those last few claw games) and fishes out the discs that dispense out. ]
Each goal is a point, and you make goals by sliding one of these discs into the other's slot, using these paddles. Simple, right?
[Disgusted at himself. For liking it. And also for being reluctant to let go of Oushi's hand, but alas. He was the one that wanted to learn about his favorite game.]
I'm unfamiliar.
[But he knows about cricket and whatever they called football/soccer way back when. He's guessing from the set up that it's more like the latter. As Oushi explains the gist of the game, Vanitas steps behind the opposite goal, following his lead and grabbing a paddle. He keeps Oushi Jr zipped in his jacket, nodding to show he's following along.]
Simple enough. Promise you won't hate me once I win.
[Vanitas doesn't know the source of his overconfidence here, but apparently it's a bottomless. He stretches his arms over his head dramatically, then swings his arms in little circles to make a show of "warming up".]
If you win, [ oushi says with an arched brow. listen, he is not normally the type to talk shit when it comes to games — most of the time he's playing with good friends, such as batayan and mitoki. and when one isn't all that competitive (batayan), and the other is so competitive he amps up the trash talking to something vicious and personal (mitoki), oushi has more or less learned it's better to let his skills do the talking for him.
now, is he some air hockey whiz? no, absolutely not. but is he fairly confident he can wipe the floor with someone who has never experienced the game before in his life? yeah, actually. but, more than that, he wants to be so impressive at this one, silly little thing, vanitas will be left thinking about his prowess in the hours to come after this little excursion. ]
We can bet on it.
[ he makes a show of flipping the disk and snatching it out of the air. as if that somehow highlights how good he is at slapping the damn thing into goals. (it does not.) ]
If I win, you have to let me take you somewhere and pay for everything.
[He can sense Oushi's doubt dripping from his tone, and that just makes him all the more eager to win. Hopefully the beginner's luck gods will smile upon him this fine day.]
Like gambling? [Both his brows raise in surprise before a demonic smirk forms on his face and he nods. If he's going to live in this hotel of sin, he might as well dabble in all of the other sinful pleasures that comes with it. Betting being one he hasn't tried out yet.]
Mm, if I win, you have to let me try your blood..and not judge me for it. [He's not a vampire!! Just..very curious, okay?? Also..Oushi wanting another date only occurs to him belatedly and he feels his body temperature raise a few degrees in an instant.]
I'm ready when you are, handsome. [If he can't win fair and square, his first tactic is to fluster, watching the disk closely though he's tempted to take in Oushi's face in that instant.]
[ that earns a brief blink from oushi, who is suddenly thrust back to their first meeting. he had mistakenly assumed vanitas was a vampire then, and though he's since been corrected, he knows enough to know the man's ties to vampirism aren't quite so clearly defined.
briefly, he wonders how vanitas would do it. would it be via his neck? or maybe his wrist? both ways conjure an image that, quite embarrassingly, instantly heat oushi right up to his core, and so he hastily drops the hockey disk onto the table, hoping the loud clatter will jolt him back to the present.
his eyes snap back up towards vanitas, the second that handsome reaches his ears. ]
...At least wait until the disk is in play to use your dirty tricks.
[ hmph. he snaps his wrist, sending the disk barreling straight towards vanitas' goal. ]
[The moment Oushi's pretty eyes are on his, his smile goes from normal to something devious. Like he's just gotten visual confirmation that the word does something to him. Vanitas tucks the knowledge away for later, he'll definitely be using that again.
But in the process of riling Oushi up, he became too distracted to move his paddle in time to block the shot. Vanitas makes a face, his competitive side taking over for the moment as he puts the disk down on the flat surface. He follows Oushi's lead to put it in play, but instead of straight down the center, he knocks it hard at an angle so it would hit the edge of the table and head toward the goal from the side. Who ever thought geometry would be of any practical use?]
I'll show you dirtier tricks than this later. [He could very well be serious or just trying to get Oushi worked up and distracted.]
[ oushi watches in satisfaction as his disk goes sailing straight into the gutter. he knows that kind of luck is likely unable to happen again, the more and more vanitas gets used to the game. after all, he's keen to the other's sharp reflexes, but more than that he can recognize very easily that glimmer in those eyes... the kind of competitiveness that means to crush every opponent in his way, no matter what.
honestly it's really hot on him. but will oushi say that out loud? ... maybe, actually. especially if it will make the other all cutely flustered.
anyway, he gets a taste of his own medicine when that angled hit sends the disk right into his own goal, his quick swerve of his paddle just not quick enough. he swallows back the bitter pill of defeat, glancing back up to meet vanitas' eyes. ]
Promise?
[ the lofty, challenging tone he affects sounds like it's better suited for the bedroom than an arcade floor, but that's the point, isn't it?
he puts the disk back into play, slamming it against the side wall to try for an angled hit. ]
[Unfortunate for Oushi, Vanitas is a fast learner, and has slightly above average reflexes due to his incomplete training--but it's enough to hopefully give him the edge to--]
Damn it to hell. [He laughs, that last one was out of his control. How was he supposed to know that Oushi was going to resort to the same underhanded tactics he was not above using. Followed by a couple seconds of daydreaming/consideration of all the things he might do to fulfill that promise.]
2-1. Are we going to 5 or to 10? [Vanitas asks, seeking to distract Oushi while he serves the disk into play, expecting him to defend this time, which is fine because he's prepared to do the same.
The longer they keep at it, the more used to it he gets, and the disk stays in play longer when Vanitas finally finds his groove. He can see why Oushi likes this game, but damn if it isn't drawing out his competitive side.] Don't hold back, mon vieux. I want to beat you at your best, okay?
[ rather suddenly, oushi realizes he could lose this and every other game in this arcade ten times over, but it wouldn't matter because vanitas is laughing. it's the kind of sound oushi wants burned onto his brain like a vinyl record. the kind of sound he'd like to play over and over again, when he feels his lowest and misses home. ]
Let's say 5. There are other plenty games I could kick your ass in.
[ his nose crinkles at that — mon vieux. whatever magic works to allow everyone here to understand each other seems to stutter on that phrase, but from the tone of it oushi can guess it means something that could be considered insulting, and yet it's wrapped up so prettily and sweetly on vanitas' tongue that it leaves him more than a little confused. much like vanitas himself frequently does.
by the end of it, the score is 4-5, with vanitas coming out the victor. the last few sets had been an intense volley of speed and cunning, but oushi fucked himself over getting distracted by the bright smile on vanitas' face. just for a split second, but that was all that was needed for the younger man to secure his victory.
he glowers for the sake of it, finding he doesn't feel all that upset at all. snatching up the long line of tickets the game spits out, he bundles it all up and stuffs it into his pants pocket. without trying to draw too much attention to the gesture, he then sticks his hand out for vanitas' — expectant. ]
[Vanitas gives Oushi a tired stare at the audacity of that remark. Just because he's not familiar with these games doesn't mean he can't give the guy a run for his money.
As soon as Vanitas gets a little bit of a lead, he locks in and gets kind of sweaty about it. Not only does he not want to lose, but he also wants to see if he can make Oushi pout at him--but for perfectly wholesome reasons for a change.]
Victory is MINE! HAH. [He's a little TOO excited about that, and if Oushi let him win that one on purpose, don't tell him. He'll demand a rematch at full strength just to have the bragging rights. The machine makes a noise that has Vanitas alarmed, and little bits of connected paper start spewing out of the thing. He worries that his celebration might have angered it, but Oushi looks perfectly fine, so he relaxes visibly.]
I should have you address me with honorifics and respect, you lowly loser. [Vanitas sports a petty smirk as he puts his arm around Oushi's to follow him along.]
[ honestly.......... losing isn't so bad, if it means vanitas will act so cutely every time he wins. what, exactly, is cute about someone happily bragging away? no idea, except that it looks good on vanitas, and that's really all oushi can say on that matter.
he plays along, of course, playing up the sore loser part by giving an exaggerated role of his eyes. he's not exactly kicking rocks here, but they can pretend for fun. ]
Enjoy your victory now, Master Vanitas. My own victory will just be that much sweeter because of it.
[ that comment about skeeball has him laughing rather suddenly, surprised by the frankness of the observation. honestly, he's grown up around it so he'd definitely gotten used to it, but there was definitely a time there during his early teens where he and his friends would have a good snicker about it. ]
Why's your mind in the gutter, huh? [ though, to be absolutely fair to vanitas, it's an honest assumption to make considering where they are... ] I've been here a few times already, so I can promise you there's nothing lewd here.
[ honestly, as overwhelming as it can be at times, it's probably one of the few places in this hotel that feels like he could find it walking into any mall back home. maybe that's why he likes it so much. ]
[Vanitas should have been more suspicious about how easily Oushi bestows praise upon him, but it's too busy eating it up that he lets it get to his head. Little does he know the next game is not going to be reaction time and geometry based. He'll have been king for maybe 25 minutes.]
What if my mind lives in the gutter now? [In his defense, it's easier to predict the depravity of the situations that he encounters at the resort if he looks at everything through that lense--or the more ominous cause: the hotel is slowly changing the way everyone things.]
You mean there aren't any games where we might have to..you know. [He doesn't say the words, but he hopes Oushi catches his meaning.] I've only been to one other place like that, and it was a restaurant. All the food and drinks there are always safe.
[Vanitas wonders if Oushi has been there, or if he'd want to go with him some time, but something stops him from asking. His mouth opens then closes, suddenly self-conscious about how close he's clinging to the older boy and whether or not his behavior is sensible.]
If your mind lives in the gutter, then you have no business calling me a pervert anymore.
[ it's a joke, of course, but it is certainly a sobering thought. the very nature of this situation they've been put in would put any sensible person on guard, to the point where something safe can come off feeling suspicious.
all the same, oushi tightens his hold around vanitas' arm, drawing him closer as they walk. ]
No. Whatever we get up to here is because it's what we want to do, not because this stupid hotel is making us.
[ not that he's suggesting they do anything, of course — not that he's suggesting they don't, either... — but he feels it's an important thing to note. in a place like this, it's a comfort to know what and where is "safe." ]
You mean the Red Cardinal? Yeah, it's a good place. Best part is the portions are always huge, so you're really getting your money's worth.
[ and for people who are lower-ranked like them, getting the best bang for your buck (pun unintended) is always a good find. it's especially true for oushi, who has the appetite and metabolism of a typical, healthy 20-something man. ]
Well look at us. A couple of perverts. What a match we must make.
[Even in the moments when he thinks he might be acting in his own self-interest or on his own desires, there is a lingering feeling of suspicion about everything. But not Oushi. He's painfully honest at times, and has never come across to him as less than genuine. Maybe that's why he's so easy to trust.]
If anything happens, it'll be because to perverts came together to join forces. [He teases, lightening up the seriousness of the moment as he nudges Oushi with his shoulder. Torn between "fix your face" and "what are you thinking about rn" this seemed the wisest option.]
Yes! That's the place. I had Japanese food for the first time. And now I'm going to play skeetball. Who knew I'd become so cultured here?
[ turns out there is an upside to being so simple (at least comparatively) — it is far less likely he will have ulterior motives, if only because those ulterior motives themselves are so painfully simple. spending more time with someone, snagging their attention away from others... perhaps in his own world, they can be considered rather diabolical, but in the face of supernatural entities and debauched preferences, they can come off rather tame and harmless.
still, manipulation is manipulation, so oushi is trying to be a little more self-aware if and when he ever finds himself resorting to such tactics. (truthfully, he isn't nearly as clever as it would require, but he's at least aware he is greedy enough that would do it if he could.) ]
Is that what you're into? [ the question comes off nonchalant, but there is a certain way about the fact his eyes linger on vanitas for perhaps a second too long, too intently. ] Doing perverted things where people could possibly see... [ listen, what's he got to use as reference at this point? the last two times they got intimate had been purely circumstantial. is it really a bad thing he wants to know more about what vanitas would actually prefer to happen, rather than what he's merely okay with happening?
he can't help but perk up at the sound of japanese food, though. the red cardinal has been great for meeting that fix when he needs it, but he doesn't have the right amount of funds to go there as often as he'd like. ]
What did you have? I'm from Japan, you know. [ did he get to say that, last time? he knows vanitas comes from france, but his version of france also has vampires running around, so who can say if that world has a japan, too.
he very pointedly decides not to correct vanitas. it's far cuter when he says "skeetball" anyway. ]
[Vanitas would commend him for his diabolical plotting, and that's the trouble with the two of them. Is it really a bad thing to have unsavory/toxic methods of achieving their goals if the goals themselves are objectively good things? Who cares if the means aren't ethical if the ends are wholesome, right?
Vanitas is more bold than he should be and hasn't had anyone push back against his methods yet, so he's not yet in a position where he feels he needs to change. And the scary part is that he would encourage Oushi not to change either, given the chance.]
Well, there's an obvious thrill in the risk of being exposed. I mean, I don't want to be exposed, so that's where the fear of it makes things more thrilling? [He stops walking when he feels eyes on him, turning his head to glance at Oushi, then shakes his head to keep them moving. They can explore that another time.]
You are? I should have known... [But Oushi is more culturally lowkey than the other Japanese people he's gotten close to. He's not an ancient Japanese war god or always yelling difficult to translate insults like Bakugo.] I don't remember the name of what I had, but it was perfectly seasoned meat on top of rice. The thing I want to try next is curry. [He nods with a comical amount of seriousness about this, also interested in learning to make it himself so trying it first will be necessary.]
Do you like French food? I'm a decent cook. [Look at him being a humble king.] Have you had bouillabaisse, ratatouille, or stuffed tomatoes?
[ there is that saying, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"... but is it really such a big deal if no one is getting hurt? indeed, you could argue they're both benefiting just fine. ]
Yeah, I get it.
[ overall, he would consider himself still fairly green when it comes to sex and all that that entails. he hadn't been a virgin when he found himself here, but that hardly meant he was all that experienced either, especially when it came to things like kink. but the fear of being caught isn't exactly a revelatory concept, to the point that oushi himself had considered it once or twice before. knowing that vanitas would also be into it is... certainly giving him ideas.
—but more on that later. ahem. ]
Japanese curry's great. [ if he sounds a little excited, it's because it is. japanese curry in any of its forms (over rice, in bread) is his absolute favorite meal.) he gives vanitas' hand a squeeze, as if in reassurance. ] I'll find you a good one. Don't eat it anywhere else until I do.
[ okay?? bossy.
they finally reach the skeeball area, at least. and vanitas can see it isn't perverted at all............. well. maybe the hole can be pretty nasty, idk. ]
I... don't think so. Maybe the tomatoes? [ look, french food is kind of something you seek out intentionally. and he has never once felt the inspiration for it. ] Are you offering to cook for me? I'll eat whatever you make.
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The lights and sounds inside the arcade could grow to become overwhelming pretty fast if he wasn't accompanied by someone who knew his way around these things. No amount of reading or film viewing could have readied Vanitas for this, but in addition to the unfamiliarity there's also wonder and curiosity. Still, Oushi is with him so he wants to at least appear cool...chill...WITH IT.
And he's the vision of tranquility until Oushi pulls him closer and suddenly he wonders if these machines might come alive and attack them.]
Claw machine? [He follows along apprehensively, expecting some form of torture device, but instead there's a glass prism with plush toys inside and a dangling thing that Vanitas assumes is the claw.]
What about that one? [Using his free hand he taps his index finger against the glass where there's a black and blue plushie that looks like a possessed cross between a labubu and a nyanpire.]
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so much for winning vanitas something cute that he will come to associate with oushi....... so much for that master plan..... ]
Right. Sure.
[ well?? what's he gonna do, refuse?? rather begrudgingly, he taps his watch against the keypad, and the machine starts up in a cheery tune to signal it's begun. quite regrettably, playing this means having to release vanitas' hand for the time being, but at least they can stay close as he maneuvers the machine's joystick to properly place the claw directly over that ugly thing. once satisfied, he gives the single red button on the console hearty slap, and he stands back to watch as the metal claw descends upon the toy.
there is an exagerratedly triumphant song that plays when the claw retrieves the plushie and sends it sailing down into the cache. oushi digs it out of the compartment and turns to vanitas to hand the thing over, frowning all the while. ]
Here... [ "think of me" is what he was going to say when he plotted this whole thing out, but now he thinks that'd be a bad idea... ]
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And then there was the bow. He loves a good bow, but can't really express that in words without sounding ridiculous.]
Ah, so that's how it works.. [He's too enthralled by the mechanics of the game to notice the sour look on Oushi's face. It's only when he hands the thing off that Vanitas notices, but cradles the ugly creature all the same.]
Which one do you like? Hold Oushi Jr while I try. [Vanitas doesn't know why Oushi hates the plushie, they're all kind of weird looking, but at least this one isn't pink. He kisses their new son on the forehead, then turns back to the machine.] Maybe he should have a twin?
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the first, yes, that petulance. sour grapes not because he'd lost anything, but because his "victory" here hadn't turned out at all like he wanted.
then comes the bafflement at vanitas' genuine fondness for the cursed thing, followed swiftly by a begrudging sort of acceptance. yes, it's ugly as fuck, but vanitas seems to honestly like it, so it's not all that bad, really.
and then comes the bright flush that warms his cheeks and his chest. oushi jr. the little, almost absent-minded kiss on its strange little forehead.
oushi stands there, cradling the thing in one hand against his chest, trying valiantly not to get caught up on the urge to steal another kiss from vanitas.
he forces himself to look back at the machine. ]
Uhh. That one?
[ he points to one that is a little less odd-looking, but similar enough it could feasibly pass for a "twin" if vanitas really wanted. this one's eyes are closed, its expression frozen in perpetual drowsiness.
he taps his watch to the keypad to start the game up again — just in case vanitas has any misconceptions that he is expected to pay for anything during this excursion. ]
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He's almost tempted to tease him about being so transparent regarding procreating with him, but he turns away to make sure Oushi doesn't have to leave here without his slightly less uglycute gremlin toy.]
This seems...simple enough. [On his first attempt the claw grazes past where it's ment to go, only pushing the plushie closer to falling into the hole, but he pays for the next attempt with his own watch before Oushi can get to it, and on the third or fourth attempt he hands the prize over.]
Now you have one too, so stop pouting. [Vanitas smirks, zipping his plushie into the front of his jacket like it's a baby carrier before stepping closer to Oushi for a quick kiss. Is this what they're doing now? Openly kissing each other? It was meant to fluster Oushi, but instead he ends up having to step away when his face heats up in realization.
It's so gross. Why does he enjoy it?]
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it shuts him up effectively, that's for sure.
he clears his throat, looking away. but his free hand is reaching right out to lace his fingers with vanitas' again, tugging him along as he walks further into the arcade. ]
We have to name this one...
[ we. what the fuck. oushi tries not to think about why that feels so good on his tongue, instead staring intently down at the snoozing plushie in his hand. he is almost tempted to go for the obvious: vanitas jr. but then he wonders if that's weird. if these plushies are meant to be twins, and they're named after them, then wouldn't that imply something strange???
...he's thinking way too much about this.
luckily, they reach his intended destination soon enough: the air hockey tables. now that he's won vanitas a prize, it's time for his favorite part of the arcade: absolutely obliterating his friends in silly, competitive games. ]
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Vanitas is equally placated by how quick Oushi is willing to take his hand again. But simultaneously disgusted? Why is he being like this? Maybe Oushi is under some kind of influence from the resort. The next time they stop he’s going to perform a quick physical, just in case.
What? Right the name.]
What do you think of Pierre? Or Jacques? Or Luna..?
[He doesn’t know why he gives that last one, but he’s glad they’ve arrived at the new game. It’s a broad board with markings similar to a sport that he is familiar with.]
What’s this one about?
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Do you know hockey?
[ it's hard to get a true measure of the things vanitas is familiar with. their worlds sound vastly different, though some key things seem constant — france, anyway. regular ol' humans. bathrooms.
without his own jacket-turned-baby-bjorn, "luna" gets set along one side of the air hockey table, right in the middle as if she were now their designated referee. oushi taps his watch against the keypad (lowkey bitter he didn't get to beat vanitas to paying for those last few claw games) and fishes out the discs that dispense out. ]
Each goal is a point, and you make goals by sliding one of these discs into the other's slot, using these paddles. Simple, right?
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I'm unfamiliar.
[But he knows about cricket and whatever they called football/soccer way back when. He's guessing from the set up that it's more like the latter. As Oushi explains the gist of the game, Vanitas steps behind the opposite goal, following his lead and grabbing a paddle. He keeps Oushi Jr zipped in his jacket, nodding to show he's following along.]
Simple enough. Promise you won't hate me once I win.
[Vanitas doesn't know the source of his overconfidence here, but apparently it's a bottomless. He stretches his arms over his head dramatically, then swings his arms in little circles to make a show of "warming up".]
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now, is he some air hockey whiz? no, absolutely not. but is he fairly confident he can wipe the floor with someone who has never experienced the game before in his life? yeah, actually. but, more than that, he wants to be so impressive at this one, silly little thing, vanitas will be left thinking about his prowess in the hours to come after this little excursion. ]
We can bet on it.
[ he makes a show of flipping the disk and snatching it out of the air. as if that somehow highlights how good he is at slapping the damn thing into goals. (it does not.) ]
If I win, you have to let me take you somewhere and pay for everything.
[ date, oushi, it's called a date. ]
What do you want if you win?
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Like gambling? [Both his brows raise in surprise before a demonic smirk forms on his face and he nods. If he's going to live in this hotel of sin, he might as well dabble in all of the other sinful pleasures that comes with it. Betting being one he hasn't tried out yet.]
Mm, if I win, you have to let me try your blood..and not judge me for it. [He's not a vampire!! Just..very curious, okay?? Also..Oushi wanting another date only occurs to him belatedly and he feels his body temperature raise a few degrees in an instant.]
I'm ready when you are, handsome. [If he can't win fair and square, his first tactic is to fluster, watching the disk closely though he's tempted to take in Oushi's face in that instant.]
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briefly, he wonders how vanitas would do it. would it be via his neck? or maybe his wrist? both ways conjure an image that, quite embarrassingly, instantly heat oushi right up to his core, and so he hastily drops the hockey disk onto the table, hoping the loud clatter will jolt him back to the present.
his eyes snap back up towards vanitas, the second that handsome reaches his ears. ]
...At least wait until the disk is in play to use your dirty tricks.
[ hmph. he snaps his wrist, sending the disk barreling straight towards vanitas' goal. ]
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But in the process of riling Oushi up, he became too distracted to move his paddle in time to block the shot. Vanitas makes a face, his competitive side taking over for the moment as he puts the disk down on the flat surface. He follows Oushi's lead to put it in play, but instead of straight down the center, he knocks it hard at an angle so it would hit the edge of the table and head toward the goal from the side. Who ever thought geometry would be of any practical use?]
I'll show you dirtier tricks than this later. [He could very well be serious or just trying to get Oushi worked up and distracted.]
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honestly it's really hot on him. but will oushi say that out loud? ... maybe, actually. especially if it will make the other all cutely flustered.
anyway, he gets a taste of his own medicine when that angled hit sends the disk right into his own goal, his quick swerve of his paddle just not quick enough. he swallows back the bitter pill of defeat, glancing back up to meet vanitas' eyes. ]
Promise?
[ the lofty, challenging tone he affects sounds like it's better suited for the bedroom than an arcade floor, but that's the point, isn't it?
he puts the disk back into play, slamming it against the side wall to try for an angled hit. ]
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Damn it to hell. [He laughs, that last one was out of his control. How was he supposed to know that Oushi was going to resort to the same underhanded tactics he was not above using. Followed by a couple seconds of daydreaming/consideration of all the things he might do to fulfill that promise.]
2-1. Are we going to 5 or to 10? [Vanitas asks, seeking to distract Oushi while he serves the disk into play, expecting him to defend this time, which is fine because he's prepared to do the same.
The longer they keep at it, the more used to it he gets, and the disk stays in play longer when Vanitas finally finds his groove. He can see why Oushi likes this game, but damn if it isn't drawing out his competitive side.] Don't hold back, mon vieux. I want to beat you at your best, okay?
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Let's say 5. There are other plenty games I could kick your ass in.
[ his nose crinkles at that — mon vieux. whatever magic works to allow everyone here to understand each other seems to stutter on that phrase, but from the tone of it oushi can guess it means something that could be considered insulting, and yet it's wrapped up so prettily and sweetly on vanitas' tongue that it leaves him more than a little confused. much like vanitas himself frequently does.
by the end of it, the score is 4-5, with vanitas coming out the victor. the last few sets had been an intense volley of speed and cunning, but oushi fucked himself over getting distracted by the bright smile on vanitas' face. just for a split second, but that was all that was needed for the younger man to secure his victory.
he glowers for the sake of it, finding he doesn't feel all that upset at all. snatching up the long line of tickets the game spits out, he bundles it all up and stuffs it into his pants pocket. without trying to draw too much attention to the gesture, he then sticks his hand out for vanitas' — expectant. ]
C'mon. There's skeeball in the back.
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As soon as Vanitas gets a little bit of a lead, he locks in and gets kind of sweaty about it. Not only does he not want to lose, but he also wants to see if he can make Oushi pout at him--but for perfectly wholesome reasons for a change.]
Victory is MINE! HAH. [He's a little TOO excited about that, and if Oushi let him win that one on purpose, don't tell him. He'll demand a rematch at full strength just to have the bragging rights. The machine makes a noise that has Vanitas alarmed, and little bits of connected paper start spewing out of the thing. He worries that his celebration might have angered it, but Oushi looks perfectly fine, so he relaxes visibly.]
I should have you address me with honorifics and respect, you lowly loser. [Vanitas sports a petty smirk as he puts his arm around Oushi's to follow him along.]
Skeeball sounds...dirty.
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he plays along, of course, playing up the sore loser part by giving an exaggerated role of his eyes. he's not exactly kicking rocks here, but they can pretend for fun. ]
Enjoy your victory now, Master Vanitas. My own victory will just be that much sweeter because of it.
[ that comment about skeeball has him laughing rather suddenly, surprised by the frankness of the observation. honestly, he's grown up around it so he'd definitely gotten used to it, but there was definitely a time there during his early teens where he and his friends would have a good snicker about it. ]
Why's your mind in the gutter, huh? [ though, to be absolutely fair to vanitas, it's an honest assumption to make considering where they are... ] I've been here a few times already, so I can promise you there's nothing lewd here.
[ honestly, as overwhelming as it can be at times, it's probably one of the few places in this hotel that feels like he could find it walking into any mall back home. maybe that's why he likes it so much. ]
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What if my mind lives in the gutter now? [In his defense, it's easier to predict the depravity of the situations that he encounters at the resort if he looks at everything through that lense--or the more ominous cause: the hotel is slowly changing the way everyone things.]
You mean there aren't any games where we might have to..you know. [He doesn't say the words, but he hopes Oushi catches his meaning.] I've only been to one other place like that, and it was a restaurant. All the food and drinks there are always safe.
[Vanitas wonders if Oushi has been there, or if he'd want to go with him some time, but something stops him from asking. His mouth opens then closes, suddenly self-conscious about how close he's clinging to the older boy and whether or not his behavior is sensible.]
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[ it's a joke, of course, but it is certainly a sobering thought. the very nature of this situation they've been put in would put any sensible person on guard, to the point where something safe can come off feeling suspicious.
all the same, oushi tightens his hold around vanitas' arm, drawing him closer as they walk. ]
No. Whatever we get up to here is because it's what we want to do, not because this stupid hotel is making us.
[ not that he's suggesting they do anything, of course — not that he's suggesting they don't, either... — but he feels it's an important thing to note. in a place like this, it's a comfort to know what and where is "safe." ]
You mean the Red Cardinal? Yeah, it's a good place. Best part is the portions are always huge, so you're really getting your money's worth.
[ and for people who are lower-ranked like them, getting the best bang for your buck (pun unintended) is always a good find. it's especially true for oushi, who has the appetite and metabolism of a typical, healthy 20-something man. ]
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[Even in the moments when he thinks he might be acting in his own self-interest or on his own desires, there is a lingering feeling of suspicion about everything. But not Oushi. He's painfully honest at times, and has never come across to him as less than genuine. Maybe that's why he's so easy to trust.]
If anything happens, it'll be because to perverts came together to join forces. [He teases, lightening up the seriousness of the moment as he nudges Oushi with his shoulder. Torn between "fix your face" and "what are you thinking about rn" this seemed the wisest option.]
Yes! That's the place. I had Japanese food for the first time. And now I'm going to play skeetball. Who knew I'd become so cultured here?
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still, manipulation is manipulation, so oushi is trying to be a little more self-aware if and when he ever finds himself resorting to such tactics. (truthfully, he isn't nearly as clever as it would require, but he's at least aware he is greedy enough that would do it if he could.) ]
Is that what you're into? [ the question comes off nonchalant, but there is a certain way about the fact his eyes linger on vanitas for perhaps a second too long, too intently. ] Doing perverted things where people could possibly see... [ listen, what's he got to use as reference at this point? the last two times they got intimate had been purely circumstantial. is it really a bad thing he wants to know more about what vanitas would actually prefer to happen, rather than what he's merely okay with happening?
he can't help but perk up at the sound of japanese food, though. the red cardinal has been great for meeting that fix when he needs it, but he doesn't have the right amount of funds to go there as often as he'd like. ]
What did you have? I'm from Japan, you know. [ did he get to say that, last time? he knows vanitas comes from france, but his version of france also has vampires running around, so who can say if that world has a japan, too.
he very pointedly decides not to correct vanitas. it's far cuter when he says "skeetball" anyway. ]
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Vanitas is more bold than he should be and hasn't had anyone push back against his methods yet, so he's not yet in a position where he feels he needs to change. And the scary part is that he would encourage Oushi not to change either, given the chance.]
Well, there's an obvious thrill in the risk of being exposed. I mean, I don't want to be exposed, so that's where the fear of it makes things more thrilling? [He stops walking when he feels eyes on him, turning his head to glance at Oushi, then shakes his head to keep them moving. They can explore that another time.]
You are? I should have known... [But Oushi is more culturally lowkey than the other Japanese people he's gotten close to. He's not an ancient Japanese war god or always yelling difficult to translate insults like Bakugo.] I don't remember the name of what I had, but it was perfectly seasoned meat on top of rice. The thing I want to try next is curry. [He nods with a comical amount of seriousness about this, also interested in learning to make it himself so trying it first will be necessary.]
Do you like French food? I'm a decent cook. [Look at him being a humble king.] Have you had bouillabaisse, ratatouille, or stuffed tomatoes?
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Yeah, I get it.
[ overall, he would consider himself still fairly green when it comes to sex and all that that entails. he hadn't been a virgin when he found himself here, but that hardly meant he was all that experienced either, especially when it came to things like kink. but the fear of being caught isn't exactly a revelatory concept, to the point that oushi himself had considered it once or twice before. knowing that vanitas would also be into it is... certainly giving him ideas.
—but more on that later. ahem. ]
Japanese curry's great. [ if he sounds a little excited, it's because it is. japanese curry in any of its forms (over rice, in bread) is his absolute favorite meal.) he gives vanitas' hand a squeeze, as if in reassurance. ] I'll find you a good one. Don't eat it anywhere else until I do.
[ okay?? bossy.
they finally reach the skeeball area, at least. and vanitas can see it isn't perverted at all............. well. maybe the hole can be pretty nasty, idk. ]
I... don't think so. Maybe the tomatoes? [ look, french food is kind of something you seek out intentionally. and he has never once felt the inspiration for it. ] Are you offering to cook for me? I'll eat whatever you make.