[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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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.