doublesmall | [INBOX] fractura.

I'm starting to think I might have to add that to the list, along with the buddy system... no drinking anything you didn't bring yourself. But then that'd be pretty bad for your kind of business, huh?

[he finds a spot to settle in with a groan, shaking his head.]

It really doesn't stop getting messier, does it. Know anything yet?

You can tell 'em not to drink anything dark from me and I wouldn't be offended. Nothing so opaque you can't see what's in it...

[it's

honestly possibly going to be baren's go to now - he'll at least open up the window before going to light up his smoking pipe, taking a long drag of it before going to join chuuya on the couch that baren keeps up there]

I have a car that has knock out gas set to trigger in the backseat now. Working out the rest.

You have a what?

[nevermind the drink discussion? that sure is Something, god.]

Fuck. If you need any help dealing with it, one of my boys can probably handle it-- unless you mean you put the thing together.

[that sounds potentially dangerous? please nobody mess around with the knockout gas car if they don't know how to disable it.]

Nah, Okuni rolled up with it.

[AS OKUNIS ARE WONT TO DO

but baren's just sighing]

We're pretty good with traps so I don't see it being an issue, but if I disappear for two days, just check the back of the car.

I don't know if it has any leads to our current issue or not, though.

Seems like it'd be useful for the shit I keep hearing about.

[namely the whole kidnapping problem... his brow furrows at the mention of it. there hasn't been as much info on it as he'd really like, particularly considering his own seem to have been targeted.]

...she didn't say where she got it from, did she?

[baren takes a drag out of his pipe]

She was pretty out of it when she got back. We have to still work on untangling the jumble of her memories when she's calmer.

[ - in essence, nothing so pressing that baren would give out the info for free even to chuuya]

-yeah, yeah, fair.

[if it's like that, he won't press it for the moment. he just holds out a hand for the pipe-]

Oi, at least share that, would you?

No.

[he says, as he holds out the pipe and yawns, stretching out on the couch and tossing his legs over chuuya's lap]

Find anything out on your side? I might have to pay the princess a visit soon at this rate.

[as if that's not the next thing baren's going to do today]

One of my boys still thinks this might be outside influence, but I'm not ready to write the Xian Le off that easily.

[of course he isn't. he lets baren use him as a legrest as he snags the pipe, though, drawing a breath in and exhaling smoke as he hands it back over.]

...sent a message over to Xie Lian this week. I figure if it's getting this bad, we might have to actually talk-- letting his guard dog speak for him isn't going to get us anywhere.

[maybe he argued with jiang cheng. it's fine. he wrinkles his nose at the thought of meeting with the other head, though; he doesn't want to, but he'll suck it up.]

Hmm... Not to get sentimental or anything but -

[terrible and incorrect - baren isn't sentimental, but he is protective. mostly over people rather than territory. he's not necessarily outwardly protective about chuuya but maybe it's some old bodyguard tendencies that gets him to speak after taking another smoke of his pipe]

Don't—

.... Nevermind.

[NOPE, TOO SENTIMENTAL.]

Oh, come on. Don't what? If you think it's a shit idea, hurry up and tell me, I have time to call it off.

[it's not like he really wants to do this, but it seems like the best next step he can take, while he continues to try and gather information.]

Nope.

[and he pops the 'p' before letting his fingers curl around the back of chuuya's neck, pulling him closer]

Just something I would've said if I wasn't in the position I'm in now.

[on the couch with chuuya? or neutral? hard to say

anyway,]

Go talk to him. It's none of my business until there's info to get out of it.

[FINE, THEN, KEEP YOUR SECRETS BAREN

chuuya lets himself be pulled all too easily, shifting to lean against baren; in private, it's much easier to let himself get comfortable.]

I'll let you know if anything comes of it that you need to know.

[baren sucks and has so many secrets - but at least he makes a soft affirming sound at that. it sounds like he's considering something at the moment, even as he encourages chuuya to lean against him, adjusting their position so it's more comfortable on the couch

his fingers idly run through chuuya's hair even as he smokes the pipe and then offers it to him

up until he breaks his silence a few minutes later, leaning over to press a kiss to chuuya's jaw, which isn't at all a bribe]

Send a Mori guard to Shinobun's clinic.

Seriously?

[he takes the pipe again, exhales a cloud of smoke (careful not to blow it into baren's face), and this time he holds on to it. his other hand wraps loosely around baren.]

I guess if she's really willing to help out both sides now, it's worth protecting a new resource when we've got it, but...

[but she's not from their side, and it's a very recent switch.]

I want to make sure she actually is going to work with us first.

... then consider it an advance payment for her future services.

[and he'll just shift his leg to nudge chuuya with it]

I'll owe you... half of one. All I need is to make sure nothing happens to her until I take care of something.

[NOT A FULL ONE - but it's something that baren's willing to be in a debt for, apparently]

...mm, if you insist, then fine.

[he'll trust baren, even if he doesn't trust shinobu. he takes another drag, then passes the pipe back again.]

I'll get one of my boys over there, I have enough security at the Manor to spare one.

Get one with good temperament - I'm gonna ask the Princess to give me the same thing. So your guard dogs are going to have to play nice.

[and baren for some reason thinks that xl will just say yes????? wow

anyway he's just going to take the pipe back and lean in to press their lips together, which definitely still isn't bribery for chuuya giving him what he wants]

You're really testing us both, you know that, right?

[ugh!! he hates that it works, though... chuuya accepts the kiss with a little sigh, shifting to drape himself over baren a little.]

Mm, I do.

[he's such an asshole

but regardless he manages a sly little grin at that before he encourages chuuya closer to him, titling his head so he can press a series of kisses along his jaw, then leaving a trail down his neck]

So far you're passing with flying colors, Chuu.

[bY GIVING BAREN WHAT HE WANTS horrible, he knows exactly what he's doing]

I can't tell if you're too smooth a talker or if I'm too easy.

[both, maybe? it's probably both. chuuya exhales a heavier breath at the attention, relaxing into it, reaching up to thread his fingers into baren's hair.]

Do I get you to myself tonight, or what?

[

uh]

.... we can book a room for a few hours, or you can sneak me over to your place, but I gotta be back before Okuni is. She's staying here until things blow over.

[so like

they can't fuck in the same room that okuni is going to be sleeping in tonight, baren simply can't allow it]

Oh, fucksakes.

[UGHHH. he falls forward, face pressed against baren's shoulder, his voice muffled.]

You couldn't tell me that earlier?

[LMAO baren was bothered but seeing chuuya's reaction makes it so worth it]

It's not my fault you're easily excited.... not that I hate it.

[and he's just going to lean over to bite at chuuya's ear]

C'mon, if you really wanna, then we gotta go sooner than later. So make up your mind.

Stop being distracting if you want me to make up my damn mind, dumbass--

[he makes a face, shoving baren's face away from him...

but let's be honest, it's an easy decision.]

Let's go.

[INBOX] fractura.

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