CMO for Murder Camp

[le_mat]

Ren currently rooms with Gonta and can be found easily throughout most of the day.

Comments

[linearcrash]

[ Leaning down to bump his forehead against Ren's. ]

Hey, we can get the mood back later. It's better to just say what's on your mind before you think about it too much, yo.

[le_mat]

[That makes his laugh weakly- god, if that wasn't his whole life]

Don't call me out like that.

Okay, so... thinking about the Metaverse made me... think of Tal. We talked recently and... it didn't go super well.

[linearcrash]

[ He'll give a grin at that. Maybe he should bother Ren more about thinking less.

Though the topic of conversation going to Tal has Nine leaning back. He doesn't look surprised this information. ]

Yeah, he said he made you upset. What happened?

[le_mat]

Shit, did he?

[He looks guilty and sad and just... lost]

He kissed me. I kissed him back. It should have been fine but... I could tell he wasn't really into it. Or like, he was but... his mind was elsewhere. I called him out on it and... got pretty heated the longer we talked.

Fuck. I was jealous. And hurt... I said some stuff I shouldn't have.

[linearcrash]

[ The kiss isn't new information either, but the jealousy is. Moving a hand around Ren's back to pull him close. ]

Yeah, he did. He didn't really get into the details, yo. He did tell me he kissed you and then felt bad when I was worried. Why were you jealous and hurt?

[le_mat]

I wasn't jealous about, you know, the kissing and that kind of thing. Not really. It was... you've noticed how close he is to certain people that died, right?

[He's not going to out Lance unless Nine has already noticed what Ren has]

[linearcrash]

[ He thinks about it for a moment. Immediately he thought of the conversation he had with Lance the first night. ]

Lance said something about how they all kind of needed each other, yo.

[ So, he's noticed Lance. Boa seems closer to Tal, too. ]

[le_mat]

[He nods]

And like... I know it's not fair. But I just- we didn't have enough time. I can't compete with the things they went through together... and even thinking of it that way is selfish...

[linearcrash]

Yeah, that's true. But you've got time now and there will be chances to do things no one can compete with, yo.

[ Giving him a squeeze. ]

Besides, that's true for us. We went through things they can't really compete with.

[le_mat]

[Ren loops his arms around Nine, taking comfort in being held and wanting to offer some back]

I know... you're right. It's silly but I can't really help it- still... How do you always know what to say to make me feel better?

[linearcrash]

[ He smiles at that, looking pretty pleased with himself. ]

Huh. I don't know. Maybe it's one of my hidden talents, yo. [ Giving him a quick kiss on his cheek ] Don't know if it'll help, but I don't think it's silly.

[ Feelings are feelings. He knows he was a little jealous over things. ]

[le_mat]

You really don't? Hmm... you know, if... if you ever feel like this isn't working out, you'd tell me, right?

[linearcrash]

[ In response, he'll bump his head against Ren's. ]

I don't like thinking about what could have been. It just sucks that I couldn't do much for him, you know?

[ That he needed to be talked out of giving up several times... it does kind of hurt. He also doesn't like thinking of what if this doesn't work out. Frowning a moment, before just burying his head against Ren's shoulder. ]

Yeah, I'll tell you if that ever happens...

[le_mat]

[He smiles, looking down]

I've only dated a few times before this and with everything going on with Tal... I guess I just want to make sure you don't feel obligated, you know?

[linearcrash]

Hey, trust me...I wouldn't be here trying to be better if it was something like obligation, yo.

[ And that's the thing. He wants to be better. ]

I really like you. Like, more than like you.

[le_mat]

You... mean that?

[He kinda gets what Nine means, about being better. About being less about the right now- he thinks the kids have more to do with that change then he did, by far. But still, he's glad for it...even if it means Nine had to suffer to come to this choice]

[linearcrash]

[ The kids definitely kicked it off in a big way. ]

Yeah, I mean it.

[ Leaning back to try to meet Ren's eyes when he says that. ]

What about you?

[le_mat]

[He should have expected this question, considering he started this. Still, he looks a little flustered... but meets Nine's eyes without fear. After all, being honest. Knowing your heart... that's what being a Phantom Thief was all about.]

I like you too, Nine. More than like... I won't say- I won't say love, because we both know that's what caused a lot of the mess with Tal right now.

[Saying things in the heat of the moment... he doesn't want to do that again]

But I can say that... this isn't just playing around for me. Isn't just having someone to get a little fun and comfort from.

[linearcrash]

[ That earns a soft, more fond look. Ren gets it, which is what's important. Reaching up to caress the side of his face. ]

Yeah, I know. I want to, but... [ Ren hit the nail on the head. He wants to take his time and save it for when it's special. Something that's not out of desperation or during good byes. ]

Hey, I want to kiss you. [ It might say something that he's not jumping in to do the thing. ] I am serious about you, yo.

[le_mat]

[That makes Ren give a shuddering sigh that is, honestly, almost inappropriate.]

Yes, please.

[linearcrash]

[ Nine has a moment of oh shit why so cute. Yeah, he loves him. Leaning down to first rub his nose against Ren's. He can feel his heart pick up speed at that sound as he slides his hand down his back to rest against the curve of it. Closing the space between to catch his lips against his in a deep kiss. ]

[le_mat]

[If he could, Ren would have purred at the attention. Instead, he just loops his arms around Nine's neck and meets him in the kiss. It's... nice. Warm. Maybe even a little overheated. But... good.]

[linearcrash]

[ Nine will hum appreciatively. He'll end the kiss with moving his mouth lower to capture Ren's lower lip to give it a tug. Letting out a soft sigh as he bumps his forehead against his. ]

Hey... want to move to your room?

[le_mat]

Hmm... probably a good idea.

[linearcrash]

[ He's not going to let go. Leaning down to kiss him again, while trying to pull them both towards the closed doors further in the apartment. Wait... Ren might have to take the wheel. ]

Which one is it again?