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?
[nikkari is everything that baren loves and adores, complete with the total dodging of messy situations. nice. he grins and moves on to what they both seem to agree is
simpler????]
Should be. You know how the ocean is grey and gross now? [He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, moving to his pictures and showing Nikkari pictures of a beautiful green and blue underwater landscape] I went here.
And I crashed a wedding. One of my favorite vacations yet.
No way! [this is exclaimed when he sees the pictures of the ocean, and he sounds as excited as a child to look at it. it's amazing.] And did you mean to crash the wedding? Or is it just one of those things that happened to you? I kinda wish I was there to see it all firsthand.
[A shake of his head. Most of his team wasn't bad to work with... but yeah, he would've taken Nikkari any single day of the week if he had just the opportunity.]
For once I can say I accidentally crashed it... but now it makes me want to crash one on purpose?
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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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simpler????]
Should be. You know how the ocean is grey and gross now? [He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, moving to his pictures and showing Nikkari pictures of a beautiful green and blue underwater landscape] I went here.
And I crashed a wedding. One of my favorite vacations yet.
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[A shake of his head. Most of his team wasn't bad to work with... but yeah, he would've taken Nikkari any single day of the week if he had just the opportunity.]
For once I can say I accidentally crashed it... but now it makes me want to crash one on purpose?
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Shaking things up, Nika....