[because it has been a while, if he traces through his memories. the smile can't even begin to fade, because he understands now and sees despite how weird and messed up it all is - there's joy in knowing the truth. he laughs because Baren laughed, and it feels like some kind of distance between them has closed again. they're back to how they should be.]
I want to know everything. Everything worth telling.
[The only person who can be on the exact same wavelength as Baren is Okuni.
... but damn if Nikkari doesn't get close.
Baren gives a one-sided shrug as if to admit - yeah, Nika did take too long to get there - but then moves to sit up. He doesn't care if Nika's still on him or not, but he'll at least give him the full rundown if that's what he wants.]
Retrospec, possibly our creepy overlords. Confirmed that they see everything that we use their app for, might even follow us around. Haven't figured out how to circumvent the second part yet, but we're pretty much under constant surveillance.
I hate being watched... but I'm not really sure what the purpose of it is for yet.
You might start seeing weird shit soon, getting weird stuff in the mail, or finding stuff on the street that you feel is meant to be yours. That kind of thing.
Kiyo-chan's on the network. Z too. You're late, Nika.
[... even if there's an obvious person that Baren omits. Even now, he's still waiting.]
[it's not like he's desperate to be rid of Baren's presence, so don't mind him hanging out really close while he listens to all of this. it's a sobering though, that they were being watched, that things are going to happen. things like the city being destroyed, and then it simply wasn't.
he notices that pause, but he says nothing. Baren's hoping, and for now, that has to be enough.]
Ah man, that's a lot of people...I've been missing out. Sorry for being late.
[even if it wasn't his fault.]
I have to figure out a good way to greet everyone and let them know I've showed up, huh? Not just another comment complaining about how the grass is gray. It's got to be interesting.
[he pauses for a second, though.]
Were you looking for me, Baren?
[there's a smile that promises a lot of shitty jokes if it's not stopped.]
Just as well as he knows that - yes, yes he was. There are few people that Baren still cared to look for in the city that weren't already on the app, it just so happened that some of those people were the ones dearest to him. Each day he looks for Okuni's name, and up until today, Nika's right along with it.
It's not as if he ever would've stopped looking.
- Not that he says that out loud, instead letting a smile of his own play over his lips as he lets his arms wrap around Nikkari's waist. Partially for teasing, partially for comfort, mostly for unknown reasons past the fact that it's just what they do.]
[it's comfortable like this. it's better, to be back and no longer late and to understand what's been going on - sure, he needs to catch up, but he can do that. it's better to have Baren back with him, to be here and think that a stupid phone app is no longer causing an unseen rift between them.]
So that means I came in at the best possible moment to save your life. Don't I deserve praise for that?
[praise isn't needed. now they're just a pair of eyes between two people who can see each other again clearly.]
[He entertains the thought, raising a brow at the notion of it. Already there appear to be cogs working in his brain, a chain of thoughts that Nika isn't quite privy to - not yet, but the reveal is coming.]
I dunno Nika, I think I might need a little bit more from you still. Are you up for it?
[Up the stakes, raising the ante without a second thought. That's Baren for you.]
This is still the fastest that anyone's ever gotten this request from Baren:]
One - your honesty.
[It's unflinching and certain, a moment of seriousness from Baren that appears to be a clear break from the teasing. But that's the lure, the invitation. For all that Baren adores Nika, knows that he can trust Nikkari when it counts to be there for him and pull him out of messes.... this is something that he needs before anything else.]
You can keep your secrets, Nika, or you can tell me what you want.
I haven't lied to you before, and I don't want to change that.
[sure, there were times that he had looked at him and said that he didn't want to talk about something, but even that is honesty in secrets. that's trusting him to not push too hard.]
You have my honesty.
[he says this looking into Baren's eye, keeping his gaze steady. the joking is shelved for the moment - this is important, so he'll put it out simply.]
It settles in his chest comfortably. That makes almost all the people that he considers dear to him accounted for in their honesty, their willingness to give Baren the truth even when he doesn't know up from down, who or what else to believe in.
So Baren leans up just enough to press his lips to Nika's forehead, letting him know that he's heard and -
A kiss to fill the space where Baren ought to promise something in return.
But Baren is a snake and he's hardened his heart to inequalities in loyalty. If Nika asked for something in return for his honesty, Baren would likely give it - but he doesn't offer it up himself. It doesn't feel right, but it feels like what he's done for two decades.
Given that, he moves on:]
Two - Chuu is on Retrospec.
[And given Zoro's confession, there's now something that he can only ask Nikkari to help him with.]
[the thing is, Baren doesn't need to give him anything. he doesn't, because Nikkari trusts him - maybe a bad decision, but he's trusted him since he actually got a name out of him and found himself wrapped up in the crazy decisions and situations that just happen to them, found himself wearing a jacket to ward off the cold and heard laughter at his expense that he ended up sharing. it's just part of who they are. if he needs to be reminded that yes, Nika will tell him the truth - then he'll give it to him, because while to him it's unspoken law that you don't lie to those you care about, it still is reassuring to hear.
Nikkari trusts him, trusts that he can put his life and his sanity in Baren's hands and come out better for it. a kiss is more than enough when someone asks for nothing.
Chuuya though. Chuuya's a bit of a problem. or a lot of one, depending on the day. and Chuuya's on Retrospec.]
How long? As long as you?
[the look on his face says he's ready for whatever Baren needs in this respect.]
[ . . . and there's silence. Nikkari asks for nothing and Baren almost wishes that he had. What on earth kind of person must he be to be given someone like Nikkari, in all his unflinching certainty? Certainly he'd done nothing to deserve it.
It doesn't stop him from moving on.]
Longer.
The thing's been around since Founder's Day, from what I found. I searched the archives when I got in, which was a few months ago. He's been in it since Day One. An easy source of information, at least.
[Since Baren is an information monger. He wants answers. He's gotten them, at least.]
Ah - I didn't mention it because it would've made even less sense to you before, but I said I'd be his partner. Not like that... but I agreed to it. Don't ask me why.
[Because the answer is manipulation. Manipulation for Chuuya's own good, of course, to keep him safe and out of harm's way if he were to consider Baren his partner and trust him with what mattered... but manipulation nonetheless.]
He's gotten too comfortable, though.
[Right back to possibly asking for more than Baren can give.]
[he doesn't need to ask to know. it was smart to team up with someone who knew everything - and while Nika can rely on Baren for a good amount of information, he'll need to be self sufficient and do the same. and it was to Baren's benefit to keep Chuuya within sight, at arm's length.
but it was always risky.]
You want to use me to drive him off.
[cruel, but necessary. Nikkari knows the whole story, knows the song and dance and repetitions it goes through by now.]
[the look on Nikkari's face says what he thinks of the whole Zoro situation, which is "that's messy and I'm not touching that if I don't have to." instead, he shrugs and decides to focus on the easier part.]
Reality hopping? Tell me about it. How'd that even happen? And was it actual other realities?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[because it has been a while, if he traces through his memories. the smile can't even begin to fade, because he understands now and sees despite how weird and messed up it all is - there's joy in knowing the truth. he laughs because Baren laughed, and it feels like some kind of distance between them has closed again. they're back to how they should be.]
I want to know everything. Everything worth telling.
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... but damn if Nikkari doesn't get close.
Baren gives a one-sided shrug as if to admit - yeah, Nika did take too long to get there - but then moves to sit up. He doesn't care if Nika's still on him or not, but he'll at least give him the full rundown if that's what he wants.]
Retrospec, possibly our creepy overlords. Confirmed that they see everything that we use their app for, might even follow us around. Haven't figured out how to circumvent the second part yet, but we're pretty much under constant surveillance.
I hate being watched... but I'm not really sure what the purpose of it is for yet.
You might start seeing weird shit soon, getting weird stuff in the mail, or finding stuff on the street that you feel is meant to be yours. That kind of thing.
Kiyo-chan's on the network. Z too. You're late, Nika.
[... even if there's an obvious person that Baren omits. Even now, he's still waiting.]
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he notices that pause, but he says nothing. Baren's hoping, and for now, that has to be enough.]
Ah man, that's a lot of people...I've been missing out. Sorry for being late.
[even if it wasn't his fault.]
I have to figure out a good way to greet everyone and let them know I've showed up, huh? Not just another comment complaining about how the grass is gray. It's got to be interesting.
[he pauses for a second, though.]
Were you looking for me, Baren?
[there's a smile that promises a lot of shitty jokes if it's not stopped.]
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Just as well as he knows that - yes, yes he was. There are few people that Baren still cared to look for in the city that weren't already on the app, it just so happened that some of those people were the ones dearest to him. Each day he looks for Okuni's name, and up until today, Nika's right along with it.
It's not as if he ever would've stopped looking.
- Not that he says that out loud, instead letting a smile of his own play over his lips as he lets his arms wrap around Nikkari's waist. Partially for teasing, partially for comfort, mostly for unknown reasons past the fact that it's just what they do.]
Aren't I always, Nika?
I nearly died of boredom without you.
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So that means I came in at the best possible moment to save your life. Don't I deserve praise for that?
[praise isn't needed. now they're just a pair of eyes between two people who can see each other again clearly.]
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[He entertains the thought, raising a brow at the notion of it. Already there appear to be cogs working in his brain, a chain of thoughts that Nika isn't quite privy to - not yet, but the reveal is coming.]
I dunno Nika, I think I might need a little bit more from you still. Are you up for it?
[Up the stakes, raising the ante without a second thought. That's Baren for you.]
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[that's how he is, and that Nikkari rises to it, adapts and changes to it, is part of how he is.]
Of course I am.
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This is still the fastest that anyone's ever gotten this request from Baren:]
One - your honesty.
[It's unflinching and certain, a moment of seriousness from Baren that appears to be a clear break from the teasing. But that's the lure, the invitation. For all that Baren adores Nika, knows that he can trust Nikkari when it counts to be there for him and pull him out of messes.... this is something that he needs before anything else.]
You can keep your secrets, Nika, or you can tell me what you want.
But I need to always be able to believe you.
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[sure, there were times that he had looked at him and said that he didn't want to talk about something, but even that is honesty in secrets. that's trusting him to not push too hard.]
You have my honesty.
[he says this looking into Baren's eye, keeping his gaze steady. the joking is shelved for the moment - this is important, so he'll put it out simply.]
Always.
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That's all he needs to cling onto.
It settles in his chest comfortably. That makes almost all the people that he considers dear to him accounted for in their honesty, their willingness to give Baren the truth even when he doesn't know up from down, who or what else to believe in.
So Baren leans up just enough to press his lips to Nika's forehead, letting him know that he's heard and -
A kiss to fill the space where Baren ought to promise something in return.
But Baren is a snake and he's hardened his heart to inequalities in loyalty. If Nika asked for something in return for his honesty, Baren would likely give it - but he doesn't offer it up himself. It doesn't feel right, but it feels like what he's done for two decades.
Given that, he moves on:]
Two - Chuu is on Retrospec.
[And given Zoro's confession, there's now something that he can only ask Nikkari to help him with.]
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Nikkari trusts him, trusts that he can put his life and his sanity in Baren's hands and come out better for it. a kiss is more than enough when someone asks for nothing.
Chuuya though. Chuuya's a bit of a problem. or a lot of one, depending on the day. and Chuuya's on Retrospec.]
How long? As long as you?
[the look on his face says he's ready for whatever Baren needs in this respect.]
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It doesn't stop him from moving on.]
Longer.
The thing's been around since Founder's Day, from what I found. I searched the archives when I got in, which was a few months ago. He's been in it since Day One. An easy source of information, at least.
[Since Baren is an information monger. He wants answers. He's gotten them, at least.]
Ah - I didn't mention it because it would've made even less sense to you before, but I said I'd be his partner. Not like that... but I agreed to it. Don't ask me why.
[Because the answer is manipulation. Manipulation for Chuuya's own good, of course, to keep him safe and out of harm's way if he were to consider Baren his partner and trust him with what mattered... but manipulation nonetheless.]
He's gotten too comfortable, though.
[Right back to possibly asking for more than Baren can give.]
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but it was always risky.]
You want to use me to drive him off.
[cruel, but necessary. Nikkari knows the whole story, knows the song and dance and repetitions it goes through by now.]
What do you need me to do?
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Be my Nika.
Or at least not flinch when I call you that.
That's gonna annoy the shit out of him. To be fair, I won't lie - but if he gets the wrong idea about us, I won't complain either.
[Cruel? Yes. Necessary? In Baren's head - of course.]
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Got it. Now's where I get to ask you if you were just looking for an excuse to call me that.
["my Nika." he's never living this down, is he. it's far too easy for Nikkari to settle into the idea of being called that.]
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[was he supposed to deny it
that doesn't sound like fun]
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Say it as often as you want. I almost expected you to ask for worse.
[which he would have agreed to because let's be real with ourselves here.]
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Yeah? Like what?
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I don't know. I'm just saying if the nickname doesn't irritate him enough, then if we need to go to more blatant measures, I'm for it.
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I'm actually feeling sushi and calamari sometime soon if you're in.
[why not just make a date night out of it]
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[date night is fun? date night means he gets to dress up a little and usually laugh until his stomach hurts from it.]
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Then let's do that. Not today - you have to catch up on some other things first. Can't do that when I'd be too focused on the sushi.
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[bros having date night. the most platonic thing ever.]
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Baren decides to get one out of the way:]
Well, Z thinks he's in love with me.
So we're waiting that storm out.
But also yeah, I went reality hopping last month. Fought a couple of giant monsters? I'm a badass now. Kinda nice.
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Reality hopping? Tell me about it. How'd that even happen? And was it actual other realities?
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