[ there is a flicker of a frown that builds between Rook's eyebrows as Jiho speaks; not entirely because of what he is saying, but rather because he hears what Jiho isn't saying. how there was no home for him when he was growing up, that he was untethered and without bonds. which, on some level Rook knew already through the small bits and pieces that Jiho has given up in conversation, little treasures that Rook hoards as if they were never before uncovered pieces of the past, collected and cared for in their own way.
this was just one more thing for Rook to add to his collection.
it is also something that Rook can do something about, because now? now he has the chance to show Jiho what a home can look like.
of course, that is if he doesn't choke and die on his mouthful of wine first.]
She--!!
[ yup, so much for that nice white shirt that is now dotted with red. honestly, he was a classy person, kind of. a little bit. sometimes. but he just--
needs a moment to look at Jiho, eyes wide and face red, and not just from inhaling the wine.]
She would never-- okay she would because she likes you, I can tell already because you are charming like that of course, but I just-- why. Ji.
[ maybe there is a bit of a whine and a pout in there. just a little one. ]
[even as an adult, jiho has never had what he would consider a friend. it's mostly his fault now, for not putting himself out there, for not nurturing relationships the way one should. he's put even less effort into his personal life.
even his family...gone. one way or another. the only real bonds that he'd had frayed and unraveled into nothingness.
it makes what he's found with rook even more amazing, because it was just so damn unlikely. but for all of jiho's many defenses, there was nothing that could could keep the warmth of the other man's smile from sinking into his cold chest. and it scares him sometimes, but not enough for jiho to let go of it.
he laughs when rook chokes. it's not meant to be cruel, but it's still at rook's expense, and for that jiho is sorry. he puts his own glass down and reaches for the dish towel, leaning forward to start wiping at the front of rook's shirt.]
Sorry. I like her too.
[and oh shit, the red face is one thing, but no grown man should look that cute when he pouts. and maybe 'cute' isn't a word that one grown man should think of another grown man, but that doesn't make it any less true.
the brush of the towel slows. there's a reason jiho doesn't want to let go of him.]
[ the pout stays on Rook's face, even as Jiho leans in and dabs at his shirt in some kind of apology. not that he needs to make one, if you as Rook. it was his own fault for not being able to keep wine in his mouth where it belonged despite being presented with-- whatever. just-- it was a long day and Jiho always managed to keep him on his toes a little more than he anticipated.
Rook kind of loved it.
he also loved the brightness of Jiho's laughter, even when directed at him, and the way that the other cares in all the strange quiet ways that he isn't even sure the other notices. the way he watches Rook quietly, but aware and constant. the way that he always kept him just in sight, even while they were travelling. the way his hands move slow and measured.
the way he seems to think so much of Rook.
with a smile that is probably sickeningly soft, Rook curls his fingers around Jiho's wrist to stop him.]
You haven't even met Sebastian or his girlfriend yet, and you already don't like her? Did you come with me out here to snag my brother? Ji, I'm crushed.
[ he knows what you meant but-- Rook doesn't really have the words to tell Jiho how he is fairly sure there is no one better, no one that has fallen into his life and matched quite so perfectly.] It will break my mother's heart too, but at least she would get to keep you, mmm?
[that is indeed a soft smile, but not sickeningly so. although jiho's stomach does feel a little strange when he looks up at it. his chest feels a little bit tighter when he feels rook's fingers pressing gently against his pulse point.
things like this do not happen in real life. you don't travel to a gorgeous island with a gorgeous man and fall in love with him. that only happens in movies staring channing tatum, or in the minds of middle-aged women who need something to cope with the screaming of kids in the back seat.
but here it is, happening to him.]
Sorry? [his eyebrows lift. he really is sorry rook, because he missed a good deal of your teasing while thinking about how your eyes make him feel warmer than the mediterranean sun, or how your lips must be sweeter and more intoxicating than the wine in his glass. or on rook's shirt.] Yeah, I guess she does get to keep me.
[because jiho wants to keep him, and there's never been a thought like that inside his head before. it leaves him flushed, which he can conveniently blame on the real sun or alcohol.]
You should take that off, soak it before the stain sets in.
[ if you were to ask Rook, you don't walk into your job one day to find living art getting dressed to protect other art. so maybe they were both more than a little thrown off with their meeting, with the way that they so easily managed to fall together. the way that Rook found himself staring and smiling at Jiho in a way that was usually reserved for ancient statues and scraps of papyrus.
laughing at the confusion on the other's face, Rook tugs on his wrist a little more, until Jiho is a little closer. nearly close enough to be sitting on him if he just lowered himself that little bit.]
You trying to get me shirtless already?
[ Rook is trying for a confident kind of amused, but the flush on his face and nervous curl of his lips makes it a hard sell. this is-- this is new territory for him. the comfort and the warmth beneath his skin where it touches Jiho. the tightness in his chest when he looks at him.]
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this was just one more thing for Rook to add to his collection.
it is also something that Rook can do something about, because now? now he has the chance to show Jiho what a home can look like.
of course, that is if he doesn't choke and die on his mouthful of wine first.]
She--!!
[ yup, so much for that nice white shirt that is now dotted with red. honestly, he was a classy person, kind of. a little bit. sometimes. but he just--
needs a moment to look at Jiho, eyes wide and face red, and not just from inhaling the wine.]
She would never-- okay she would because she likes you, I can tell already because you are charming like that of course, but I just-- why. Ji.
[ maybe there is a bit of a whine and a pout in there. just a little one. ]
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even his family...gone. one way or another. the only real bonds that he'd had frayed and unraveled into nothingness.
it makes what he's found with rook even more amazing, because it was just so damn unlikely. but for all of jiho's many defenses, there was nothing that could could keep the warmth of the other man's smile from sinking into his cold chest. and it scares him sometimes, but not enough for jiho to let go of it.
he laughs when rook chokes. it's not meant to be cruel, but it's still at rook's expense, and for that jiho is sorry. he puts his own glass down and reaches for the dish towel, leaning forward to start wiping at the front of rook's shirt.]
Sorry. I like her too.
[and oh shit, the red face is one thing, but no grown man should look that cute when he pouts. and maybe 'cute' isn't a word that one grown man should think of another grown man, but that doesn't make it any less true.
the brush of the towel slows. there's a reason jiho doesn't want to let go of him.]
I think her son could do better though.
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Rook kind of loved it.
he also loved the brightness of Jiho's laughter, even when directed at him, and the way that the other cares in all the strange quiet ways that he isn't even sure the other notices. the way he watches Rook quietly, but aware and constant. the way that he always kept him just in sight, even while they were travelling. the way his hands move slow and measured.
the way he seems to think so much of Rook.
with a smile that is probably sickeningly soft, Rook curls his fingers around Jiho's wrist to stop him.]
You haven't even met Sebastian or his girlfriend yet, and you already don't like her? Did you come with me out here to snag my brother? Ji, I'm crushed.
[ he knows what you meant but-- Rook doesn't really have the words to tell Jiho how he is fairly sure there is no one better, no one that has fallen into his life and matched quite so perfectly.] It will break my mother's heart too, but at least she would get to keep you, mmm?
how dare you with that icon
things like this do not happen in real life. you don't travel to a gorgeous island with a gorgeous man and fall in love with him. that only happens in movies staring channing tatum, or in the minds of middle-aged women who need something to cope with the screaming of kids in the back seat.
but here it is, happening to him.]
Sorry? [his eyebrows lift. he really is sorry rook, because he missed a good deal of your teasing while thinking about how your eyes make him feel warmer than the mediterranean sun, or how your lips must be sweeter and more intoxicating than the wine in his glass. or on rook's shirt.] Yeah, I guess she does get to keep me.
[because jiho wants to keep him, and there's never been a thought like that inside his head before. it leaves him flushed, which he can conveniently blame on the real sun or alcohol.]
You should take that off, soak it before the stain sets in.
youre welcome. just for you
laughing at the confusion on the other's face, Rook tugs on his wrist a little more, until Jiho is a little closer. nearly close enough to be sitting on him if he just lowered himself that little bit.]
You trying to get me shirtless already?
[ Rook is trying for a confident kind of amused, but the flush on his face and nervous curl of his lips makes it a hard sell. this is-- this is new territory for him. the comfort and the warmth beneath his skin where it touches Jiho. the tightness in his chest when he looks at him.]
...you okay there, Ji?