✧ — four seasons green tea.

[boba]

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[selfconcept]

"No, I don't."

[ He doesn't like doing good things for the sake of a good cause. He does them because he wants to and it happens to be a good cause. ]

"You don't even bid things that go to other people anyway. They go to who's being bid on."

[transmit]

This place needs to get a grip.

[ he just sighs, throwing himself in one of the nearby chairs. he swivels around in it, staring at the ceiling. ]

Well, whatever. What I said still applies. You can offer others a date, or something. Don't make my work go to waste.

[selfconcept]

"Alright."

[ Hien looks at Elysium straight in the eyes. ]

"Go on a date with me, then."

[ See? Obedient. ]

[transmit]

Seriously?

[ elysium looks back at him as if he's crazy.

… ]

Try that one again.

[ high maintenance girlfriend simulator… ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien bites back a sigh, but he gets up to walk on over to Elysium, a hand on the armrest, leaning in--almost looming over Elysium because the guy is sitting and Hien is not, and tilts his chin up. ]

"Go on a date with me, Elysium."

[transmit]

[ elysium doesn't pull away.

he just slowly lifts his gaze to meet hien's, a slow drag of attention that makes the space kept between them feel intentional. his mouth quirks, not quite a smile, not quite anything kind.

damn. his own work is being used against him. ]

To the hot springs you were talking about? And then what?

[selfconcept]

"It doesn't have to be the hot springs. We can go anywhere you want."

[ He backs up to give Elysium his space. ]

"If you don't have any preferences, then I'll pick."

[transmit]

[ he hooks a finger into hien's collar and pulls him back. where's he going. ]

Shouldn't the person doing the asking have it figured out? Yeah. Pick.

[ then he lets go, just like that. did he only do it to say that… maybe. he does get up from his chair to stretch around his joints. he says this, but there are still certain spots he will overrule… choose carefully. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien's theory is that Elysium wanted to do something but then changed his mind halfway, so Hien is being let go.

Anyway. ]

"The resort has more than just a charity auction. Let's enjoy it while it's here."

[transmit]

[ elysium seems to consider something…


and then hums. ]

What, the nicer rooms?

[selfconcept]

"Maybe you're the one with the mind in the gutter... no, you idiot. There's a mini-bar, entertainment, and the temperature is warm to stay sheltered from the cold. So? Yes? No?"

[ Hien absolutely wants to steal one of their beds though. ]

[transmit]

[ is his mind in the gutter… probably. but something clicks into place all the same.

ah.

wouldn't it be easier if they defined their relationship this way? ]

And if I say it is? Then we can just skip the rest of it and keep each other warm.

[selfconcept]

[ ... ]

"Is that something you want?"

[transmit]

Isn't this the sort of thing that requires consent from both parties? I can't just decide on it one-sidedly, amigo. Or should I say, guapo?

[selfconcept]

"... You can say whatever you want. I dunno what that means."

[ Neither Spanish nor Iberian. ]

"I know this is something that both parties need to consent to. That's not why I asked."

[ He looks at Elysium, his gaze even. ]

"Is this what you want us to be?"

[transmit]

If you don't know what it means, use context clues. What do you want it to?

[ it's all he can give: a performance, a measured and controlled act by an actor on a stage. he levels hien with the same steady look. ]

Take it or leave it.

[selfconcept]

"I'm not interested in trying to guess what you mean, nor do I want to misinterpret what you're trying to say."

[ He sighs. However, he persists. ]

"Let's stop by the mini bar first. It might help you more than it helps me."

[ Since he still thinks Elysium is trying to force that distance between them, it'll be better to remember what happens less, right? ]

[transmit]

Even when I'm giving you permission?

[ he laughs, even though they both know this isn't the place for it. ]

If past trends are anything to go by, it's going to take a lot more than just cognac for the both of us. So? What's it going to be? Time to break out the absinthe? [ … ] And something extra, just to make that fairy more than a mere myth?

[selfconcept]

"Giving permission--"

[ He bites his tongue. Fine. He'll sigh here. Elysium. This unbelievable man. Giving permission isn't everything. Hien has given so much permission over his lifetime despite not really liking it, so he'll think this is along similar lines. ]

"You're getting vodka. Unless you wanna be that shitfaced when having sex with me since I didn't realize I was that terrible in bed. C'mon. Let's go."

[transmit]

You're the one who proposed the bar in the first place. So who needs it more? Me or you?

[ he gives hien a look, rolls his eyes. ]

We can do it sober. Don't be a brat.

[selfconcept]

"Big words from a brat himself. I suggested it for you, since your opinion of me keeps swinging whichever way."

[ He holds Elysium's hand anyway and teleports them to the lobby of the resort, away from the charity auction. ]

[transmit]

[ them avoiding the charity auction is so funny

there's the same vertigo that comes from being unused to teleporting, but he steadies himself quickly enough, hand clamping down on hien's without hesitation. he huffs, eyes narrowing. ]

I would've thought you'd want to make a better impression this time. Too much pressure?

[selfconcept]

"I won't conform myself to anyone's expectations. An impression you make is just something that I'll have to deal with, no matter what it ends up being."

[ aka he won't stop being himself even for Elysium, even if his wants might oppose the other person's. then that's just how it'll be. ]

"... Before I forget, thanks--for taking care of the stupid kid."

[transmit]

[ hien could most definitely do better for himself. but, as he'd said, they're all adults and responsible for their own choices. if what he gets from elysium is enough, in whatever sense that word applies, then that's that. elysium's benefiting in his own ways, too.

the mention of a certain 'stupid kid' does give him pause. ]

… From what I could tell, you took care of a number of them, too. I doubt anyone here could stomach leaving a kid on their own, so it really wasn't anything special. I just happened to be there.

[ did hien teleport them to the minibar btw… maybe he does need a drink… ]

[selfconcept]

[ Yeah! They're very close to the minibar. Hien doesn't leave in case Elysium does want to take the drinks. You know you want to, Elysium... ]

"Many things start from the mundane--nothing special. Sometimes you happen to be in the right place at the right time. For him, anything was better than being ignored."

[ Hien would like to think that he outgrew that sort of thing. Of course he would try to get someone's attention if he needs it, but if he can't... well, he supposes that would depend on the person. ]