[It's. Nice, actually. It's good, this weird little routine. Idia feels lighter for it, being able to stretch that strategic, puzzle-solving muscle and see it pay off. Fearless gets better and better, that grin of his stretches wider. Even talking to the guy gets easier, like any strange energy is mostly behind them. Idia's shyness and reservations fall to the wayside, so slowly and surely that he doesn't even notice.
This, for example, would have been an impossible sight just a few months ago. He'd be hunched over himself trying to go back to his room to eat. Now-- well, Idia looks like he'll be comfortable in a minute. Right now, he's seeing if Poob has it.]
Legit. If it's not max flavor I don't want it.
But hey-- [He gestures to the screen, where he's rapidly cycling between two options, using the selection noises to get the Fearless' attention back.] Focus. Street Fighter II or The Animatrix?
[Either option would be epic, but he's particularly excited about this pick. Sometimes luck really is on your side. Idia starts rambling as he navigates over to Street Fighter II;]
Hehehe! You're gonna love this one. It's, like, way past cool. The fights are so epic, everyone's style is unique and accurate to the game's movesets. [Fearless has most definitely seen Seras and Idia playing SF together, they might be recognizable!] And-- no spoilers-- but the final battle is so sick. Total. Sakuga.
[Idia takes a seat beside Fearless, curling his legs up as he snatches his noodles from the to-go bag. Ever since Idia's been breaking down Fearless' fights they've had to be decently close to each other, so it's been a slow acclimation. Now he doesn't even seem to have a problem with it.]
[His face lights up. Smile and optimism-- returned!]
Nice!!
[Fuck the main course, Idia always goes for the sides and the dessert first and foremost. He's commandeering the sweet and sour sauce for himself because rangoons can be a dessert if you're brave enough. Excuse him that he's grabbing one of those bad boys already.
Idia pauses as he's about to go in for it.]
Wait, seriously? [Information loads in. Fearless backstory Get.] Oh, right. Well, at least we're starting you right. This is Peak.
[Fearless is used to, by now, the fact Idia doesn't eat food like most people do. he's got... kind of his own little order to things. which like, alright. it's kind of entertaining, too, like watching a little creature at the zoo.]
Myeah.
[as he goes back to slorping on his noodles, he comments;]
Do like skipping all the shit ones. Not gonna let you live it down if it sucks, though.
[Fearless can poke fun all he wants, but he's actually enjoying himself. he knocks Idia's knee with a shove of his foot.
he does also, however, start to pay attention to the movie, slurping his noodles all the while. movies always seemed like a waste of time when he was a kid, and he could neither afford that time to waste nor any means to watch many, but actually having plenty of safe free time to spend is an incredible new luxury Fearless has on account of being dead. and while for the most part what Fearless really benefits from is the companionship, there have been movies here and there Fearless has found quite compelling.
stories really can change something within you, can't they? just like the people around you. the Fearless who can sit down with Idia and watch Street Fighter II isn't the same one who wouldn't bother with movies before. just like this Idia isn't the exact same one Fearless met before, either. and maybe that's why things have shifted between them, why they can actually sit and eat and enjoy this movie not just in each other's presences, but together, even without Seras.]
[There's no way to escape his reality, so media has always been a necessary reprieve for Idia. Being able to pretend that he could possibly be a hero, or see a long-buried feeling expressed in someone else's words-- when things were hardest, that's what he needed. Sad as it might seem (and he'd never admit this), in the time it took to bring Ortho back, it felt like some pixels on a screen were his only friends. Even at school Idia didn't really believe he had any. The fact that he has that now, for real, sitting right beside him is surreal.
Idia zones out for a moment and notices that their legs are nearly touching. Fearless has never minded this sort of thing, but contact is something Idia struggles with. Still does, even if Seras has opened that previously sealed-up door a little wider. There are rules to these things that he doesn't know, never had much practical experience with. Shrouds aren't touchy people. Idia least among them.
When did they become like this? When did Fearless go from a dreaded presence to someone he looks forward to seeing? He's reacting to all the right parts, walking with him in this space that he doesn't think many people can inhabit. And here he's...
Idia returns his attention to the movie. Man, whatever's going on in his brain is totally dissonant from animated violence. He fiddles with the string of his hoodie, not sure how to hold himself.]
... He moves like you do.
[Fei Long, that is. He's about to get his ass kicked by Ryu, so Idia corrects;]
In the game, I mean. Same style. Ryu's the protag here so he has to come out on top, but you get it.
You were playing him the other night, right? When Seras was playing, uh, Cammy.
[he points with his chopsticks at Fei Long, though;]
That guy looks like the guy who put that fighting style on the map back in the day. Bruce Lee. Total legend of a martial artist.
Vicious'd talk your ears off about his movies, if he were here.
[it's the same reason he doesn't really mind listening to Idia do it. yeah, they were weird. yeah, they were talking too much. but they knew what they were talking about. they knew more than anyone else about what they were talking about, sometimes. and Fearless had learned more from either of them than most anyone else.]
[ ... He remembers both of their picks. People don't usually make it a habit of remembering the games he plays, let alone the details. Pair that with the fact that all these months he's low-key thought Fearless was making fun of him for his interests, couldn't really get on that level. It's... hm!
Idia's quiet for a second, feeling through the questions that are piling up. When did he start caring about that? Is this Vicious guy, like, his only friend? Does it matter?]
Are those the movies you've seen? Or did you just get the infodump?
once they'd joined the syndicate, they'd suddenly found themselves with more money. a little bit more time. or rather, time they'd suddenly rather spend doing anything but thinking about work. until, eventually, work was the only thing Vicious really did think about.]
But, uh, y'know. I'm sure they've got 'em here, somewhere, if you wanna catch 'em.
[Idia retrieves his phone to commit that to a running notes*pp list. All of the things that he and Seras have talked about watching or playing together are here; the list with him and Fearless is increasing day by day.]
You can be the one to talk my ear off now! Uh, not like you asked for that from me.
[That comes free with the territory. Like a bonus that sucks!]
but he's learning, whether he wants to or not, that while this might feel familiar, it's not the same. it's something new, unique, and it's fine to be that way. a new melody with a similar, but different, leitmotif.
but he does like the song.]
Shut up.
[he shoves Idia's shoulder, gentler than he would with Nanami or Greed, of course.]
[This feels like something he's missed all his life, some familiar phantom figure that's playful and teasing. Warm. It's something he doesn't think consciously about as it happens, just feels a strange pang at the back of his chest, the negative space around a larger feeling. It makes him laugh, actually. It makes him nudge Fearless back.]
She's allowed!
[An honor and a privilege that she has such poor taste. Some might call that lucky.]
[oh, things are getting serious now, huh? Fearless leans away to put his noodles down, which at first he makes a big show out of being definitely just so that he can grab a napkin and wipe his hands and mouth for.]
Oh, yeah, cos the rules don't apply to her, yeah.
I gotcha.
[fair and valid. Fearless reaches over to grab his drink, takes a sip, and—]
but, uh, the thing is—
[he scrunches up his face—]
I don't really care about rules.
[this is Idia's only warning that something is about to go down.]
[As you can imagine, this is all going over Idia's head. Sailing so far over that these cues might as well be in a different room. If something feels off, different, it's because something always feels abnormal when you live in this body.
Idia rolls his eyes.]
I don't make the rules, I just call it like I see it. Maybe if you--
[And so he blabs. Would be a shame (?) if something were to stop him.]
[maybe if he what? the world may never know, because Fearless doesn't let Idia finish. he leans over, takes Idia's cheek in his palm like it's as simple as reaching over to fix Idia's shirt, and leans in to kiss his stupid blue lips, gentle but insistent. just to see what all the hype is about.]
[The last of Idia's words are a hum against Fearless' lips before it dies out completely. He's-- kissing him. He's being kissed. Did... did he skip a scene? Is he holding his breath? Idia feels like he must be, like all of these questions are piling up with nowhere to go, not when someone's mouth is slotted against his. No, not just someone. That thought brings about new questions. All he can do is sit there, body completely frozen, uncertain of itself.
Just when it might feel to Fearless like this is a futile venture, like Idia might just sit there like a stiff-- that's when he slowly, slowly presses forward. Lets his eyes finally slip shut.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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This, for example, would have been an impossible sight just a few months ago. He'd be hunched over himself trying to go back to his room to eat. Now-- well, Idia looks like he'll be comfortable in a minute. Right now, he's seeing if Poob has it.]
Legit. If it's not max flavor I don't want it.
But hey-- [He gestures to the screen, where he's rapidly cycling between two options, using the selection noises to get the Fearless' attention back.] Focus. Street Fighter II or The Animatrix?
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Heads for Streetfighter.
[it's an easy way to pick, after all. a flip, then he snatches it out of the air and slaps it against the back of his opposite palm.]
Aaaand, Streetfighter it is.
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[Either option would be epic, but he's particularly excited about this pick. Sometimes luck really is on your side. Idia starts rambling as he navigates over to Street Fighter II;]
Hehehe! You're gonna love this one. It's, like, way past cool. The fights are so epic, everyone's style is unique and accurate to the game's movesets. [Fearless has most definitely seen Seras and Idia playing SF together, they might be recognizable!] And-- no spoilers-- but the final battle is so sick. Total. Sakuga.
[Idia takes a seat beside Fearless, curling his legs up as he snatches his noodles from the to-go bag. Ever since Idia's been breaking down Fearless' fights they've had to be decently close to each other, so it's been a slow acclimation. Now he doesn't even seem to have a problem with it.]
This one's mine, right?
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[He tugs out another box, popping it open to reveal;]
—and we're sharing the rangoon.
[a generous order, of course. no point in having money now if Fearless can't use it to eat well.]
Swear, I've watched more movies with you in the past year than I have my whole life.
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Nice!!
[Fuck the main course, Idia always goes for the sides and the dessert first and foremost. He's commandeering the sweet and sour sauce for himself because rangoons can be a dessert if you're brave enough. Excuse him that he's grabbing one of those bad boys already.
Idia pauses as he's about to go in for it.]
Wait, seriously? [Information loads in. Fearless backstory Get.] Oh, right. Well, at least we're starting you right. This is Peak.
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Myeah.
[as he goes back to slorping on his noodles, he comments;]
Do like skipping all the shit ones. Not gonna let you live it down if it sucks, though.
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If you don't like it, that's on you. My taste is flawless. I'm p much your own personal content filter.
[He shoves that drenched rangoon in his mouth.]
Seriously, you'll love it. It's your style.
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Alright, Flawless.
[Fearless can poke fun all he wants, but he's actually enjoying himself. he knocks Idia's knee with a shove of his foot.
he does also, however, start to pay attention to the movie, slurping his noodles all the while. movies always seemed like a waste of time when he was a kid, and he could neither afford that time to waste nor any means to watch many, but actually having plenty of safe free time to spend is an incredible new luxury Fearless has on account of being dead. and while for the most part what Fearless really benefits from is the companionship, there have been movies here and there Fearless has found quite compelling.
stories really can change something within you, can't they? just like the people around you. the Fearless who can sit down with Idia and watch Street Fighter II isn't the same one who wouldn't bother with movies before. just like this Idia isn't the exact same one Fearless met before, either. and maybe that's why things have shifted between them, why they can actually sit and eat and enjoy this movie not just in each other's presences, but together, even without Seras.]
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Idia zones out for a moment and notices that their legs are nearly touching. Fearless has never minded this sort of thing, but contact is something Idia struggles with. Still does, even if Seras has opened that previously sealed-up door a little wider. There are rules to these things that he doesn't know, never had much practical experience with. Shrouds aren't touchy people. Idia least among them.
When did they become like this? When did Fearless go from a dreaded presence to someone he looks forward to seeing? He's reacting to all the right parts, walking with him in this space that he doesn't think many people can inhabit. And here he's...
Idia returns his attention to the movie. Man, whatever's going on in his brain is totally dissonant from animated violence. He fiddles with the string of his hoodie, not sure how to hold himself.]
... He moves like you do.
[Fei Long, that is. He's about to get his ass kicked by Ryu, so Idia corrects;]
In the game, I mean. Same style. Ryu's the protag here so he has to come out on top, but you get it.
no subject
You were playing him the other night, right? When Seras was playing, uh, Cammy.
[he points with his chopsticks at Fei Long, though;]
That guy looks like the guy who put that fighting style on the map back in the day. Bruce Lee. Total legend of a martial artist.
Vicious'd talk your ears off about his movies, if he were here.
[it's the same reason he doesn't really mind listening to Idia do it. yeah, they were weird. yeah, they were talking too much. but they knew what they were talking about. they knew more than anyone else about what they were talking about, sometimes. and Fearless had learned more from either of them than most anyone else.]
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[ ... He remembers both of their picks. People don't usually make it a habit of remembering the games he plays, let alone the details. Pair that with the fact that all these months he's low-key thought Fearless was making fun of him for his interests, couldn't really get on that level. It's... hm!
Idia's quiet for a second, feeling through the questions that are piling up. When did he start caring about that? Is this Vicious guy, like, his only friend? Does it matter?]
Are those the movies you've seen? Or did you just get the infodump?
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[after things had changed.
once they'd joined the syndicate, they'd suddenly found themselves with more money. a little bit more time. or rather, time they'd suddenly rather spend doing anything but thinking about work. until, eventually, work was the only thing Vicious really did think about.]
But, uh, y'know. I'm sure they've got 'em here, somewhere, if you wanna catch 'em.
Enter the Dragon, Game of Death... easy pulls.
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[Idia retrieves his phone to commit that to a running notes*pp list. All of the things that he and Seras have talked about watching or playing together are here; the list with him and Fearless is increasing day by day.]
You can be the one to talk my ear off now! Uh, not like you asked for that from me.
[That comes free with the territory. Like a bonus that sucks!]
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No, no, I'm used to it.
Free commentary on every flick.
Part of the selling point, if you ask me.
[it's fine if he flirts with Seras's boyfriend. he flirts with everyone, practically.]
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I don't know if that's a dig or not...
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No, it's, uh.
[he gestures with his chopsticks, but the motion seems to mean absolutely fucking nothing.]
I'm into it.
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Now I know it's a dig.
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[that was a dig, judging by how hard Fearless is grinning]
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[Like, seriously, his taste is awful. But he can be taught! That's why Fearless needs this-- it's culture.]
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but he's learning, whether he wants to or not, that while this might feel familiar, it's not the same. it's something new, unique, and it's fine to be that way. a new melody with a similar, but different, leitmotif.
but he does like the song.]
Shut up.
[he shoves Idia's shoulder, gentler than he would with Nanami or Greed, of course.]
That's Seras's taste you're calling bad, too, y'know.
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She's allowed!
[An honor and a privilege that she has such poor taste. Some might call that lucky.]
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Oh, yeah, cos the rules don't apply to her, yeah.
I gotcha.
[fair and valid. Fearless reaches over to grab his drink, takes a sip, and—]
but, uh, the thing is—
[he scrunches up his face—]
I don't really care about rules.
[this is Idia's only warning that something is about to go down.]
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Idia rolls his eyes.]
I don't make the rules, I just call it like I see it. Maybe if you--
[And so he blabs. Would be a shame (?) if something were to stop him.]
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Just when it might feel to Fearless like this is a futile venture, like Idia might just sit there like a stiff-- that's when he slowly, slowly presses forward. Lets his eyes finally slip shut.]
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