[Why tho? Because he needed to feel what it was to become nothing.
Basically Akechi's idea was stupid and he was burned for it. He can't help but smile at Ren's acute comment about him. This is why he made a good partner to argue against.]
Ha! Correct. It's not just the game I'm analyzing.
[Is that...Akechi's way of saying he's watching Ren? Is that a threat or his way of attempting to be charming? If it had anything to do with how he over-splayed himself on the table? So many questions, so little answers. He gives Ren a smirk as he idly twirls his pool cue, giving it a fresh layer of chalk.]
I'd never dream making it easy for you. [Ren understood him so well it was almost frightening. The pose he takes is unusual - not how he expected to tackle the problem but a play he could see coming from a professional player. Usually a fail. With Ren, however, it succeeds and a brief pang of jealousy overcomes him in anger. Ahh yes. Of course he would be able to clear that type of activity at him. Even if the coast was clear for him to win this practise round, there was something dry about Ren making that shot that got Akechi's blood boiling.
That damn pleasing look too...]
Remarkably well. [This would be the time when three musical notes would come out of his head to annoyance that Ren had done the maximum option in his choice, despite Akechi's feelings for it. He wants to argue that he must have a secret, but what could Ren even do apart from play correctly? It's not like he had a power to allow him to make better shots. No, it was skill and Amamiya is gifted with so many of them...he'd have to be careful on how to win this.]
I'd say it's about time we begin the true battle.
[He almost defiantly makes a quick move with his stick and sinks in the last colored ball, before taking a second shot to sink in the stripped ball, almost with careless abandonment.]
[ Not the only thing he's analyzing, huh. Nice to have the soft part spoken loud finally, and if anything the wariness Ren harbors from being closely scrutinized is underpinned by the thrill of competition, or just whose attention he has firmly on him.
Which is why he's the tiniest bit put out that Akechi seems annoyed(?) with him over something Ren was honestly a bit proud of, not being a real billiards player. And something else, something that niggles in the back of his head underneath that admiration, both of which get replaced by wonder at how skilled the other boy is, cleanly finishing their warmup game in a matter of seconds that prompts Ren to earnestly clap a few times before doing his part to retrieve the balls.
Then something clicks. ]
I dunno how close it'll actually be but I'm up for it if you are.
[ An uncharacteristic hesitance holds his voice back, but he has to know- ]
Does this mean you'll play with your left hand this time?
[Sorry Ren but Jealousy was arguably Akechi's middle name. He stops pulling out the balls from their pockets at the clapping - half expecting Ren to just be mocking him but can't help but briefly look away feeling his cheeks brighten somewhat when he realizes it's sincere.]
Good. I look forward to see what type of meal you'll be cooking for me...
[Taking all the balls to set them up properly, he hears Amamiya speak again and his heart briefly sinks. Ahh but that hesitation, unusual to hear in his rival. Is he going to forfeit just as he was willing to go in? Really, what would be quite a disappointment-
-oh.
Briefly, Akechi's face morphes into surprise at Ren's comment, impressed before he keeps it more down-key for those in the bar. His voice is barely a hushed whisper as he gets closer.]
So you noticed...I'm surprised you paid attention, honestly. It's true...I'm ambidextrous but primarily left-handed. Very well. I'll play with my left hand this time because you asked so nicely.
[Ren had said it himself; Akechi valued, among other things, shows of ingenuity. Observations counted in that aspect. It might not lead Ren to victory (actually it might make the situation worse) but it did force him to lay out his hand front and centre.
A hand he was now placing on Ren's knee shoulder as he playfully leaned on him. Something Akechi never did normally, for the record, which probably meant he had a plan.]
[Meanwhile, Pidge has been seated nearby, nursing on a half-finished Long Island iced tea, for roughly the last half an hour. She's not even mad that they hadn't noticed her up until this point, both because they seem to be pretty oblivious to the outside world and because she's generally accustomed to just fading into the scenery.
If anything, she's amused when she finally does speak up.]
[ Now that his embarrassing pearl clutching is done Ren thinks he'll shrink out from under Akechi's hand and finish racking the balls, hanging onto his stick for support. ]
[Normally Akechi would have cursed himself for not noticing Pidge around, but the fact Ren hadn't either and Pidge's 'sudden' appearance had caused his rival to jump up in surprise was completely worth it.
And so, both would be witness to something rather unusual; Akechi laughing at a situation.]
Oh. My apologies. It seems I hadn't been paying attention to our surroundings enough and you completely slipped under my radar.
[Considering the establishment, not completely surprising. A good of as an excuse, really. Gingerly, he made sure to let his arm briefly linger as Ren moved away, making sure to briefly brush the back of his neck and making it look like he just had held his hand upwards.
[ Over in his sheepish brooding Ren sets up the rack with all the distracted fervor of a cat who's had one treat while knowing for a fact that another is somewhere nearby, out of sight. The lighting in the bar doesn't lend itself to accurate coloring, but a certain tenseness with how he is holding himself speaks to another something lurking beneath the surface, only rising up to make the water ripple. Ren's long fingers trail along the back of his neck and fall away again for he pool cue. ]
[Had it been a peace offering by 'Raven'? Akechi didn't know, really, what his other's self plan had been. Apart from tricking himself to end up under Ren's collar - so to speak - some of the notes he had left him did include some of his rival's more vulnerable spots.
He hadn't really tested it. Why would he? It hadn't been required. Tonight, maybe fulled by his own yearning to win, he'd started with the first phase of his own mission; see if the Phantom Thief leader was sensitive behind the back of his neck. It almost sort of made twisted sense. Akechi already knew his desire of being lightly choked, a gentle caress should theoretically work...
Seeing Ren reach to where he had touched him, the emotions on him suddenly changing, he had to admit to himself that he enjoyed this power. With a better man maybe it would be used with much more reservation, but Akechi would be the type to milk it for as much as he could get out it...when the time was right.
For now he sported a grin on his lips, before he narrowed his eyes and briefly moved his own stick to poke Ren on the front of his chest briefly.]
I hope you don't mind, but I think if you move a little more upward, your posture will be better to hit the ball more efficently.
[He felt good enough about this to give him real advice. That was scary.]
[Ordinarily, she might feel a little bad for startling Ren. He's one of a very small number of people she tries not to go out of her way to annoy, but the fact that she's been sitting here unnoticed by either boy for a substantial amount of time is amusing, and that's enough to override any sort of guilt she might feel for startling her friend. Add in the fact that her drink is probably a bit on the strong side, and it's no wonder she's not feeling more remorseful.]
Oh. It's fine, guys. I'm a pro at sneaking around.
[Or something. It probably has more to do with the fact that they're both distracted, but who has time to argue semantics. Either way, the question has her shrugging and, though she glances at Ren before answering, it's really not that hard to come up with a response.]
Nah. Don't worry. I'm just the right amount of bored.
[ Never mind the hyperalert thief guy over here failing to notice one of his favorite people because, uh. Competition? Akechi's pretty face? Either or both honestly, but it'll have to be dragged out of him if someone wants to know.
Still, from the way Akechi is looking at him Ren becomes keenly aware of himself, some... extension or heightening of the cat and mouse game. The smile shot at Pidge is closer to his usual confidence, taking a deep draught of whatever tasty something drink Akechi kindly gifted him with earlier, settling himself in to make the initial break. If that's all right with the former detective prince, pushing the stick of his away. ]
Thanks. Hey, if you position your stick right behind you, you get an excellent angle to try and pry out the one stuck in your ass too. Bonus, you'll make sure Pidge remains the right amount of bored.
[ Nonetheless he does adjust his posture and, wonder of wonders, on the break two balls sink into separate pockets, straightening up and tipping his head to the side as they do. ]
I didn't jump up screaming bloody murder like you did.
[Still, he had let his guard down. He wasn't quite sure why, but Ren obviously was part of it. Of course. Always Ren's fault.
Normally he'd have them play for breaking rights, but really, he was feeling generous about the entire thing. At least until Ren let loose a comment and Akechi's face looked like he was just about to summon a Persona right there and stick something else up Ren's ass.]
Well take care of yourself with your ass in your mouth, Amamiya, considering you might choke from all that shit you talk.
[:D That's what he gets for trying to be helpful, he can go back to being a lot of bite. He goes back to his own drink, taking a sip before watching Ren pocket two balls. Not bad, it's true but Akechi's gonna take some credit for it. It will make his own victory all the sweeter.]
Ahh but now the two is in a precarious position. How are you going to take care of it?
[Don't mind him coming closer to be a purposeful distraction. He's not doing anything, for now. Just watching.]
That was for effect! And don't get mad, Akecchi, or you'll get wrinkles.
[ Ah the unmistakable sight of murder in his rival's eyes. How comforting.
This is all to say that Ren acts a lot cockier than he feels at the moment, not being the type of teen that had to play billiards to rub shoulders with certified terrible people (just Akechi). But hey, he's gotten by and wildly succeeded on no less than a hundred and fifty percent audacity and a dash of luck, so why think the train's gonna stop chugging along here?
As Akechi points out, the two is in a slightly scary spot. Ren takes a moment to think, scratching the back of his head. ]
Welp, I'm a newbie at this, but maybe trying to clip the outside with a strong enough hit will jam it out of there. No time like the present.
[ Time to test his hypothesis, ignorant of whatever it is Akechi may or may not be planning. ]
[Akechi for his part didn't need to act cocky, but he did so anyway. Assuming that Ren actually knew a thing or two about billiards since he was playing well enough (just not amazing like he did), he inches close enough that they are barely an hand's length away from each other. He gets a better idea of what type of shot Ren will need to do, and he was calling it correctly.
Maybe that's why he's surprised when his rival mentions he's a newbie.]
No time like the present indeed. Show me what you can do.
[Then he'll give him what most people would mistake as a friendly pat on the butt for encouragement. With Akechi it's something else entirely.]
[ What's... with the closeness... He usually has to risk life and limb to get touch privileges when Akechi is in a mood and here the detective is like a moth about to kamikaze into a naked lightbulb.
So it's out of the ordinary, but Ren should be more suspicious of this fact than he is. Respect the plotting teenager so that you're not caught offgu- ]
Uhm!?
[ Ren successfully muffles a yelp this time at least, but the damage is done. The tip of the stick sails wide of the cue ball and consequently sends the two to the middle of the table while Ren's mind works at a mile a minute. Though what Akechi was doing was simple, the fact of Akechi doing it was weird. And kinda hot?
Ren stands straight, mouth slightly agape as he then checks Akechi's face for intent before he goes around throwing accusations at anyone. ]
[That's the thing with Akechi really; you have to trick him into thinking it's a great idea to be a little shit and then he won't even think about the fact he was so close to Ren or what he just did. Even if the feeling of touching his rival's butt lingers on his hand a little longer as he just laughs, shrugging.]
I was just encouraging you.
[Also possibly opening up a can of worms with Ren retaliating. Which is probably why he quickly moved away, adjusting himself with his left hand (as promised) eyes still looked on Ren's own. Look at him and how it's supposed to be done.
He slams the white ball into the two, sending it ricocheting to the top left corner, hitting the side of three ball as it passed by and pocketed that one in left center.]
In the end it's mathematics, really.
[He'll exaggerate polishing his stick. Because he can.]
Do you mind moving a little? It'll be easier for me to hit the next one...
[ Look, this is terribly impressive and Akechi is a good special pool boy, but he's a cheater on top of being a smug prick who's already better at this than Ren is. Jerk.
Not that Ren is in a position to call it like it is without Akechi somehow judoing that into Ren losing face, but the flame of competition is now well and truly lit and as a bonus Akechi opened the playbook that Ren has the advantage in. Mathematics, sure.
Ren is going to change the formula. ]
Oh - yeah. [ He offers a sheepish smile and shuffles aside as bade. ] Guess I've still got a lot to learn, huh?
[ Except as he shuffles Ren mutters a low sorry as he squeezes past Akechi and back toward Pidge... but not without a steadying grip on Akechi's bare forearm. Such a rarity for Akechi; is this a belated birthday present for Ren? ]
Knock 'em dead, senpai.
[ Safely over there, Ren blithely ogles Pidge and her drink for long enough that she'll probably twig to the fact that he wants some of it, pretty please? As he's saying - low so Akechi can't hear a private conversation - ]
Mine ran out already because Akechi drank it all, pleeaaase?
[ He genuinely does adore Pidge, and the cherry on top is that he can cozy up to her with the big puppy eyes and arm around her shoulders equally because he wants to and because it'll bug the shit out of the asshole with the pool cue. ]
[Of course he's going to rub it in. Just like Ren's gonna rub on his forearm and cause Akechi to briefly turn red at his rival taking what he'd done and throwing it back to him. Still, he's in a good enough mood to add;]
Technically aren't I?
[What a shit. His eyes follow Ren as he gets closer to Pidge, before frowning like someone just ignoring the steak in front of their face to grab the chicken nearby.
For the record, Akechi likes Pidge, and that's why he was fine with her being around. Pidge is a friend, and that's a rarity for him. This is clearly an attempt to make him jealous, and he's not going to take the bait.
(Except the part that he is.)
He positions himself to sink in both the fourth and the fifth because, well, it should be an easy one for him and if he can wipe Ren's stupid little smirk off his face. Hears him begging for a sip just as he's about to let it fly and can't help but add;]
You can go get your own drink, unlike some of us.
[It had taken nearly everything for Akechi to get his first one, even showing his papers barely got the barman to give him something and that plus Ren's general...everything set on fire his annoying to levels unprecedented, caused him to hit the ball a little too hard. The fourth sank in as predicted, but then the cue ball hit the sixth and sank that one in. Only two balls left before he could sink in the final one. Tch.]
Your turn. [If words could have elements, his would be laced with ice.] Make it quick.
[Someone is suddenly very moody as he finishes his drink and sits down on a nearby chair, nails digging into the velvety seats slowly.]
[ Hey. Hey. He sees that you're having trouble grasping that two can play at that game. Please allow Ren to correct that cognition, since Akechi is apparently married to the idea that their bet is the only matter that has stakes attached.
Part of Ren feels bad for involving Pidge, but he checks with her through visuals and a light squeeze on her arm, hoping that she's down to poke the bear with him. ]
So can Pidge. Oh, that makes you the odd one out - sorry 'bout that.
[ Sucks to be you, as usual.
Ren doesn't stop begging for a sip, but he does huff when Akechi stops showing his ass off and expects Ren to pick up the cue again. Competition, sure, but they both know Ren is going to lose this bout, so what's in it for him? ]
Aw. Sure you can't just mulligan that one? Seems like you lost your concentration and it's only fair.
[Perhaps she was underselling it before. But there's just a special kind of amusement to be had from hanging out with these two that she can't quite manage to find anywhere else.
So when Ren comes slinking over after brushing past Akechi as though nothing was out of the ordinary, Pidge can't help but grin at him, equal parts pleased to have him so close and pleasantly tipsy from the booze.
It's obvious, what he wants, but she's not feeling entirely charitable today. Still, she's leaning into his side as she wrinkles her nose at him.]
What's it worth to you?
[Literally all he'd have to do is ask again and she'd probably hand it over, but where would the fun in that be?]
Yea. Pidge can get all the drinks~ [She's raising her voice for this part, mostly for Akechi's benefit.]
[Oh. Great. Now they've teamed up against him and Akechi's slowly reaching his boiling point. He knows it's probably karma catching up to him for a short while ago but fuck it if Goro Akechi is going to take this laying down.
Sadly not everything can be solved by violence. Especially as a submissive. Granted, the fun of having Ren be punished as well might be well worth it.]
I'm not going to redo my shot over. [He might use more dubious tactics but starting over was like an admittance for failure. Which he was not, dear reader, going to do.] Either you play or I'll leave, and fine more suitable company.
[Maybe a place that will not baby him about what drinks he can take.]
[ Pidge, Pidge. His dear, vertically challenged friend, would that Ren could speak his heart's devotion in exchange for a tiny sip to water his absolutely parched, some may say thirsty, self. But lo - a feral creature of some sort dares interject on their private conversation and Ren is compelled to sacrifice himself to save her from his vermin-y wrath. ]
Ah, I believe that's my cue. [ Got a pun in, sweet!
Ren plants a kiss that's more loud, smacking sound than contact on the side of Pidge's head as he springs up and cards a hand through his hair, for lack of glasses today. Don't think that he's forgotten you either, Akechi, because whether by intoxication, provocation, or some other -cation Ren is going to worm his way into Akechi's personal space. He may be a prickly porcupine now, but in general Ren is against the idea of going to bed mad, so here's him swooping in to smack a kiss on his cheek too. ]
[He hates how he can't technically fight back right now. It's taking every inch of his body not for Akechi to give into the temptation to call upon Loki and wreck havoc around the place and he hates, absolutely hates this feeling of being so powerless.
The nails dig so deep into the chair's leather seats it leaves marks.
He nearly backs up from Ren's kiss, pondering to use his elbow to hit him scare in the neck, but instead grits his teeth. Operating kiss the annoyance out of Akechi not working as expected. It's just how everything reminds him how Ren can do what he wants and he just has to sit here and take it.
Yes it's true, if the roles were revered, he'd want to remind Ren every single day who held the power, but wow it's not fun when it's him.]
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Basically Akechi's idea was stupid and he was burned for it. He can't help but smile at Ren's acute comment about him. This is why he made a good partner to argue against.]
Ha! Correct. It's not just the game I'm analyzing.
[Is that...Akechi's way of saying he's watching Ren? Is that a threat or his way of attempting to be charming? If it had anything to do with how he over-splayed himself on the table? So many questions, so little answers. He gives Ren a smirk as he idly twirls his pool cue, giving it a fresh layer of chalk.]
I'd never dream making it easy for you. [Ren understood him so well it was almost frightening. The pose he takes is unusual - not how he expected to tackle the problem but a play he could see coming from a professional player. Usually a fail. With Ren, however, it succeeds and a brief pang of jealousy overcomes him in anger. Ahh yes. Of course he would be able to clear that type of activity at him. Even if the coast was clear for him to win this practise round, there was something dry about Ren making that shot that got Akechi's blood boiling.
That damn pleasing look too...]
Remarkably well. [This would be the time when three musical notes would come out of his head to annoyance that Ren had done the maximum option in his choice, despite Akechi's feelings for it. He wants to argue that he must have a secret, but what could Ren even do apart from play correctly? It's not like he had a power to allow him to make better shots. No, it was skill and Amamiya is gifted with so many of them...he'd have to be careful on how to win this.]
I'd say it's about time we begin the true battle.
[He almost defiantly makes a quick move with his stick and sinks in the last colored ball, before taking a second shot to sink in the stripped ball, almost with careless abandonment.]
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Which is why he's the tiniest bit put out that Akechi seems annoyed(?) with him over something Ren was honestly a bit proud of, not being a real billiards player. And something else, something that niggles in the back of his head underneath that admiration, both of which get replaced by wonder at how skilled the other boy is, cleanly finishing their warmup game in a matter of seconds that prompts Ren to earnestly clap a few times before doing his part to retrieve the balls.
Then something clicks. ]
I dunno how close it'll actually be but I'm up for it if you are.
[ An uncharacteristic hesitance holds his voice back, but he has to know- ]
Does this mean you'll play with your left hand this time?
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Good. I look forward to see what type of meal you'll be cooking for me...
[Taking all the balls to set them up properly, he hears Amamiya speak again and his heart briefly sinks. Ahh but that hesitation, unusual to hear in his rival. Is he going to forfeit just as he was willing to go in? Really, what would be quite a disappointment-
-oh.
Briefly, Akechi's face morphes into surprise at Ren's comment, impressed before he keeps it more down-key for those in the bar. His voice is barely a hushed whisper as he gets closer.]
So you noticed...I'm surprised you paid attention, honestly. It's true...I'm ambidextrous but primarily left-handed. Very well. I'll play with my left hand this time because you asked so nicely.
[Ren had said it himself; Akechi valued, among other things, shows of ingenuity. Observations counted in that aspect. It might not lead Ren to victory (actually it might make the situation worse) but it did force him to lay out his hand front and centre.
A hand he was now placing on Ren's
kneeshoulder as he playfully leaned on him. Something Akechi never did normally, for the record, which probably meant he had a plan.]Hopefully Pidge-san will show up soon.
I'm not even sorry
If anything, she's amused when she finally does speak up.]
Yea, Pidge-san should hurry it up.
we wouldn't' want you to be (1/?)
(2/?)
(3/?)
(4/4)
I'm going to go break now.
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And so, both would be witness to something rather unusual; Akechi laughing at a situation.]
Oh. My apologies. It seems I hadn't been paying attention to our surroundings enough and you completely slipped under my radar.
[Considering the establishment, not completely surprising. A good of as an excuse, really. Gingerly, he made sure to let his arm briefly linger as Ren moved away, making sure to briefly brush the back of his neck and making it look like he just had held his hand upwards.
For science, of course.]
I hope we haven't been boring you too much.
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He hadn't really tested it. Why would he? It hadn't been required. Tonight, maybe fulled by his own yearning to win, he'd started with the first phase of his own mission; see if the Phantom Thief leader was sensitive behind the back of his neck. It almost sort of made twisted sense. Akechi already knew his desire of being lightly choked, a gentle caress should theoretically work...
Seeing Ren reach to where he had touched him, the emotions on him suddenly changing, he had to admit to himself that he enjoyed this power. With a better man maybe it would be used with much more reservation, but Akechi would be the type to milk it for as much as he could get out it...when the time was right.
For now he sported a grin on his lips, before he narrowed his eyes and briefly moved his own stick to poke Ren on the front of his chest briefly.]
I hope you don't mind, but I think if you move a little more upward, your posture will be better to hit the ball more efficently.
[He felt good enough about this to give him real advice. That was scary.]
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[Ordinarily, she might feel a little bad for startling Ren. He's one of a very small number of people she tries not to go out of her way to annoy, but the fact that she's been sitting here unnoticed by either boy for a substantial amount of time is amusing, and that's enough to override any sort of guilt she might feel for startling her friend. Add in the fact that her drink is probably a bit on the strong side, and it's no wonder she's not feeling more remorseful.]
Oh. It's fine, guys. I'm a pro at sneaking around.
[Or something. It probably has more to do with the fact that they're both distracted, but who has time to argue semantics. Either way, the question has her shrugging and, though she glances at Ren before answering, it's really not that hard to come up with a response.]
Nah. Don't worry. I'm just the right amount of bored.
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[ Never mind the hyperalert thief guy over here failing to notice one of his favorite people because, uh. Competition? Akechi's pretty face? Either or both honestly, but it'll have to be dragged out of him if someone wants to know.
Still, from the way Akechi is looking at him Ren becomes keenly aware of himself, some... extension or heightening of the cat and mouse game. The smile shot at Pidge is closer to his usual confidence, taking a deep draught of whatever tasty something drink Akechi kindly gifted him with earlier, settling himself in to make the initial break. If that's all right with the former detective prince, pushing the stick of his away. ]
Thanks. Hey, if you position your stick right behind you, you get an excellent angle to try and pry out the one stuck in your ass too. Bonus, you'll make sure Pidge remains the right amount of bored.
[ Nonetheless he does adjust his posture and, wonder of wonders, on the break two balls sink into separate pockets, straightening up and tipping his head to the side as they do. ]
Huh. Whaddaya know.
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[Still, he had let his guard down. He wasn't quite sure why, but Ren obviously was part of it. Of course. Always Ren's fault.
Normally he'd have them play for breaking rights, but really, he was feeling generous about the entire thing. At least until Ren let loose a comment and Akechi's face looked like he was just about to summon a Persona right there and stick something else up Ren's ass.]
Well take care of yourself with your ass in your mouth, Amamiya, considering you might choke from all that shit you talk.
[:D That's what he gets for trying to be helpful, he can go back to being a lot of bite. He goes back to his own drink, taking a sip before watching Ren pocket two balls. Not bad, it's true but Akechi's gonna take some credit for it. It will make his own victory all the sweeter.]
Ahh but now the two is in a precarious position. How are you going to take care of it?
[Don't mind him coming closer to be a purposeful distraction. He's not doing anything, for now. Just watching.]
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[ Ah the unmistakable sight of murder in his rival's eyes. How comforting.
This is all to say that Ren acts a lot cockier than he feels at the moment, not being the type of teen that had to play billiards to rub shoulders with certified terrible people (just Akechi). But hey, he's gotten by and wildly succeeded on no less than a hundred and fifty percent audacity and a dash of luck, so why think the train's gonna stop chugging along here?
As Akechi points out, the two is in a slightly scary spot. Ren takes a moment to think, scratching the back of his head. ]
Welp, I'm a newbie at this, but maybe trying to clip the outside with a strong enough hit will jam it out of there. No time like the present.
[ Time to test his hypothesis, ignorant of whatever it is Akechi may or may not be planning. ]
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[Akechi for his part didn't need to act cocky, but he did so anyway. Assuming that Ren actually knew a thing or two about billiards since he was playing well enough (just not amazing like he did), he inches close enough that they are barely an hand's length away from each other. He gets a better idea of what type of shot Ren will need to do, and he was calling it correctly.
Maybe that's why he's surprised when his rival mentions he's a newbie.]
No time like the present indeed. Show me what you can do.
[Then he'll give him what most people would mistake as a friendly pat on the butt for encouragement. With Akechi it's something else entirely.]
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So it's out of the ordinary, but Ren should be more suspicious of this fact than he is. Respect the plotting teenager so that you're not caught offgu- ]
Uhm!?
[ Ren successfully muffles a yelp this time at least, but the damage is done. The tip of the stick sails wide of the cue ball and consequently sends the two to the middle of the table while Ren's mind works at a mile a minute. Though what Akechi was doing was simple, the fact of Akechi doing it was weird. And kinda hot?
Ren stands straight, mouth slightly agape as he then checks Akechi's face for intent before he goes around throwing accusations at anyone. ]
Did you..?
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I was just encouraging you.
[Also possibly opening up a can of worms with Ren retaliating. Which is probably why he quickly moved away, adjusting himself with his left hand (as promised) eyes still looked on Ren's own. Look at him and how it's supposed to be done.
He slams the white ball into the two, sending it ricocheting to the top left corner, hitting the side of three ball as it passed by and pocketed that one in left center.]
In the end it's mathematics, really.
[He'll exaggerate polishing his stick. Because he can.]
Do you mind moving a little? It'll be easier for me to hit the next one...
[What a little shit.]
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Not that Ren is in a position to call it like it is without Akechi somehow judoing that into Ren losing face, but the flame of competition is now well and truly lit and as a bonus Akechi opened the playbook that Ren has the advantage in. Mathematics, sure.
Ren is going to change the formula. ]
Oh - yeah. [ He offers a sheepish smile and shuffles aside as bade. ] Guess I've still got a lot to learn, huh?
[ Except as he shuffles Ren mutters a low sorry as he squeezes past Akechi and back toward Pidge... but not without a steadying grip on Akechi's bare forearm. Such a rarity for Akechi; is this a belated birthday present for Ren? ]
Knock 'em dead, senpai.
[ Safely over there, Ren blithely ogles Pidge and her drink for long enough that she'll probably twig to the fact that he wants some of it, pretty please? As he's saying - low so Akechi can't hear a private conversation - ]
Mine ran out already because Akechi drank it all, pleeaaase?
[ He genuinely does adore Pidge, and the cherry on top is that he can cozy up to her with the big puppy eyes and arm around her shoulders equally because he wants to and because it'll bug the shit out of the asshole with the pool cue. ]
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[Of course he's going to rub it in. Just like Ren's gonna rub on his forearm and cause Akechi to briefly turn red at his rival taking what he'd done and throwing it back to him. Still, he's in a good enough mood to add;]
Technically aren't I?
[What a shit. His eyes follow Ren as he gets closer to Pidge, before frowning like someone just ignoring the steak in front of their face to grab the chicken nearby.
For the record, Akechi likes Pidge, and that's why he was fine with her being around. Pidge is a friend, and that's a rarity for him. This is clearly an attempt to make him jealous, and he's not going to take the bait.
(Except the part that he is.)
He positions himself to sink in both the fourth and the fifth because, well, it should be an easy one for him and if he can wipe Ren's stupid little smirk off his face. Hears him begging for a sip just as he's about to let it fly and can't help but add;]
You can go get your own drink, unlike some of us.
[It had taken nearly everything for Akechi to get his first one, even showing his papers barely got the barman to give him something and that plus Ren's general...everything set on fire his annoying to levels unprecedented, caused him to hit the ball a little too hard. The fourth sank in as predicted, but then the cue ball hit the sixth and sank that one in. Only two balls left before he could sink in the final one. Tch.]
Your turn. [If words could have elements, his would be laced with ice.] Make it quick.
[Someone is suddenly very moody as he finishes his drink and sits down on a nearby chair, nails digging into the velvety seats slowly.]
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Part of Ren feels bad for involving Pidge, but he checks with her through visuals and a light squeeze on her arm, hoping that she's down to poke the bear with him. ]
So can Pidge. Oh, that makes you the odd one out - sorry 'bout that.
[ Sucks to be you, as usual.
Ren doesn't stop begging for a sip, but he does huff when Akechi stops showing
his assoff and expects Ren to pick up the cue again. Competition, sure, but they both know Ren is going to lose this bout, so what's in it for him? ]Aw. Sure you can't just mulligan that one? Seems like you lost your concentration and it's only fair.
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So when Ren comes slinking over after brushing past Akechi as though nothing was out of the ordinary, Pidge can't help but grin at him, equal parts pleased to have him so close and pleasantly tipsy from the booze.
It's obvious, what he wants, but she's not feeling entirely charitable today. Still, she's leaning into his side as she wrinkles her nose at him.]
What's it worth to you?
[Literally all he'd have to do is ask again and she'd probably hand it over, but where would the fun in that be?]
Yea. Pidge can get all the drinks~ [She's raising her voice for this part, mostly for Akechi's benefit.]
Sorry.
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Sadly not everything can be solved by violence. Especially as a submissive. Granted, the fun of having Ren be punished as well might be well worth it.]
I'm not going to redo my shot over. [He might use more dubious tactics but starting over was like an admittance for failure. Which he was not, dear reader, going to do.] Either you play or I'll leave, and fine more suitable company.
[Maybe a place that will not baby him about what drinks he can take.]
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[ Pidge, Pidge. His dear, vertically challenged friend, would that Ren could speak his heart's devotion in exchange for a tiny sip to water his absolutely parched, some may say thirsty, self. But lo - a feral creature of some sort dares interject on their private conversation and Ren is compelled to sacrifice himself to save her from his vermin-y wrath. ]
Ah, I believe that's my cue. [ Got a pun in, sweet!
Ren plants a kiss that's more loud, smacking sound than contact on the side of Pidge's head as he springs up and cards a hand through his hair, for lack of glasses today. Don't think that he's forgotten you either, Akechi, because whether by intoxication, provocation, or some other -cation Ren is going to worm his way into Akechi's personal space. He may be a prickly porcupine now, but in general Ren is against the idea of going to bed mad, so here's him swooping in to smack a kiss on his cheek too. ]
Aw, don't be mad, 'kechi~
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The nails dig so deep into the chair's leather seats it leaves marks.
He nearly backs up from Ren's kiss, pondering to use his elbow to hit him scare in the neck, but instead grits his teeth. Operating kiss the annoyance out of Akechi not working as expected. It's just how everything reminds him how Ren can do what he wants and he just has to sit here and take it.
Yes it's true, if the roles were revered, he'd want to remind Ren every single day who held the power, but wow it's not fun when it's him.]
Are you playing or not?
[Maybe he really has a cue stuck in his ass.]
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