[Even in the hollow space of his apartment, Chikusa can't quite hear what Mukuro says. The intriguing nature of something like that has him tilt his head to the side, his gaze momentarily losing some of its cold distance.]
[It reverts soon enough as the demon speaks up again, and Chikusa quirks up an eyebrow.]
[That question was going to catch Mukuro's full attention, and he turned his intent gaze back to Chikusa Kakimoto. A slow, knowing smirk spread across his face, and he leaned forward slightly.]
I was more concerned with how such a payment might take its toll on you. Are you going to offer me any tea or should I just collect what I am here for and leave?
[A twinge of embarrassment on a face as reserved as Chikusa's might as well be a lighthouse beacon, and he immediately goes back to preoccupy himself with the cupboards.]
If you've only done a small portion of the list, so in turn my payment should be just as small, shouldn't it? I fail to see how it would take a toll on me.
It will be. Though it seemed even a small amount of pleasure had a rather large effect on you, my young priest.
[He was eager to see Chikusa Kakimoto's expression, so he stood from the couch, following him leisurely into the kitchen. He pressed slightly into the priest's personal bubble, brushing a hand against his back as he peered around him to watch him go through the cupboards.]
Or have you familiarized yourself with it so well already?
[Determinedly, Chikusa keeps going through the motions of ignoring Mukuro up until that palm flits along his back. He jolts, almost dropping a box of tea. Then again, it might be less the touch and more the words which affect him. It's certainly responsible for the set frown on his face.]
I... was merely caught off-guard with how quickly you escalated things.
[Sulkily, he glances at Mukuro from the corner of his eye. He's not talking about how he's been touching himself and trying to build up a resistance to the pleasure, right...? Of course not, no, he has to be talking about their last meeting.]
[That little jolt was more than enough to appease Mukuro, and he grinned wickedly as he leaned away, canting his head to the side, eyes wide with mock innocence.]
The thing about pleasure is that even the smallest increment of it seems new to the uninitiated.
[Mukuro let his voice drop lower, his eyes half lidded, lashes lowered.]
I've barely touched you, my young priest. There's still much to teach you.
I'm not interested in being taught anything by you.
[And that possessive phrasing- he busies himself with flicking off the stovetop. It's all just been something to distract himself, of course, and he pauses with his fingers brushing against the mug he'd set out.]
...You're not going to pull surprises like you did the last time, are you?
My, my, would you rather be a more active participant and try whatever desires you have out on me?
[Mukuro looked a little scandalized, or would, it it wasn't for the wide smirk on his face and how he fluttered his eyelashes mockingly at him. Once his point had been made, he moved away from him to get the sugar bowl and his preferred tea, chuckling lightly at the question posed.]
You seemed like you enjoyed it, priest. Are you afraid if I do something like that again, you won't be interested in having me stop?
[He leaned a hip against the counter, head canted to the side so his hair spilled over one shoulder.]
[It's the best demand he can make, considering that any claims that he has no desires would fall flat to both of them. Carnal or simple, he knows he has more than his fair share of desires now.]
[Jaw set, he pours water into his own mug and dips in a tea bag, trying not to pay the demon too much mind.]
No. I have more self control than that, despite what your vanity might have you believe.
[It was said innocently enough, but Mukuro's grin was wicked, destroying any illusion of guilelessness.
Since the priest seemed set on being a poor host, Mukuro poured himself some hot water, tone breezy.]
You can break this contract at any time, priest.
[Which seemed unlikely, considering how long of a list of tasks Chikusa Kakimoto had left for him. Still, Mukuro could reign himself in for a short while if it meant in the long run he would get what he wanted.]
If you're worried about surprises, perhaps you should put more stipulations on my end.
[There's no need to see Chikusa's face- his blush extends to the back of his ears and neck.]
Your sense of humor is extremely poor.
[It's the only thing he can say, tone tight. Is that what they're going to get into eventually? Quickly, he tries to change the thought- what Mukuro will try to get him into. There. Much better.]
[It's a good look for the young priest. Even if Mukuro wasn't a demon hellbent on dragging him into sin, he was sure he would have done his best to constantly make him flush. Smirking, Mukuro leaned forward, looking up at him from underneath his lashes.]
And it seems like you're already learning if you understood that. What have you been teaching yourself exactly, Chikusa Kakimoto?
[He made sure to lean back again, not in favor of being struck again just for mocking him as he always did.
The question made him shrug lightly, as he stirred sugar into his tea.]
Would it matter if I said I would? Demons are liars by nature, aren't they?
[Being caught in such a simple language trap would have been too much for the version of himself from before all of this. Even now, Chikusa busies himself with his tea.]
Simple things.
[It's muttered into the rim of his cup before he finally turns himself around, distant expressiong struggling with the heat of his face.]
Yes, you are. [So you can continue to be butthurt about that, Mukuro. But soon an addition-] Even with what I know.... My knowledge isn't enough to actually know what to hold you back from doing.
[Now that caught Mukuro's interest, and he slid in close next to the priest, leaning forward to catch his expression.]
My, my, what sort of 'simple things'?
[It wasn't like he had made his desire all that hidden or subtle, after all. The fact that the priest was feeding into it on his own time, well. Mukuro was a demon after all. He took pride in his work and his ability to sin.
The flushed look on the young priest's face wasn't helping either, and Mukuro chuckled softly at what they both knew. He took another step forward, canting his head to the side to look up at that blushing face.]
Just as we both know at any time, you can put an end to this. Who has the real power here?
[Well, obviously Mukuro knew and believed it to be him, but a little lie never hurt.]
[Not for the first time, Chikusa regrets saying anything at all. Stubbornly, he does his best to keep his expression passive even as his face heats up more over the rim of his mug.]
Nothing that would impress you.
[Translation: shut up.]
[Mukuro coming closer and closer is setting off all of his instinctual alarm bells- the ones of danger, of temptation, of want. A part of Chikusa wants to step away somehow, get space again, but he doesn't. Instead, he stays where he is, and tries not to get too tense at the pointed question.]
My dear young priest, everything you do impresses me.
[Which surprisingly might not be that much of a lie. Even if it sounded like it, with that low purring tone that Mukuro used. That carefully neutral expression wouldn't have fooled him even if Chikusa Kakimoto hadn't flushed the most fetching shade of red.
Mukuro couldn't help but chuckle softly at the young priest's retort, giving him some space as he went to sugar his tea and bring his mug to the table.]
I only have as much power to tempt you as you give me. [He glanced over his shoulder, smirking slightly.] How powerful are you going to let me be, Chikusa Kakimoto?
[As Mukuro swans away, Chikusa is left with the aggravating feeling, once again, of being mocked. It helps cool down his blush, at least, even as he side eyes the demon settling back in his kitchen. It's so annoying, having to actually consider if a demon is telling the truth or not instead of blanket dismissal of whatever came from their mouth.]
[...But then, is it true? The demon has always taken a strange interest in him. The first time, taking possession of his mentor, he'd been able to dismiss that. It had clearly been meant to throw the clergy into a panic that one of their own had been taken. But letting himself come again and again, doing all these good deeds despite being a demon simply in exchange for these visits and, well...]
[Chikusa has lapsed into momentary thought about it all, flush shimmering down to a soft pink, but he snaps out of it at Mukuro's voice. Immediately, there's a frown.]
[...That is actually a very good question, and Chikusa has a sneaking suspicion that "not falling into sin" isn't going to be good enough in this particular instance. More frowning, which he hides by drinking his tea...]
[That deflection was clumsy and duly noted, but Mukuro wouldn't comment on it with anything more than a soft amused chuckle. He took a delicate sip, focusing his attention on the cup in question.]
[My, my, just where was the young priest getting such confidence? Mukuro smirked almost indulgently, taking his time to finish his tea, not at all in a hurry to see what Chikusa Kakimoto had planned. Outwardly, anyway.
Once he was finished, he headed back over to the counter, setting his tea cup down in front of him.]
[Mukuro taking his sweet time actually works in Chikusa's favor, somewhat. As the seconds drag on, he takes the time to center himself with each breath. Focusing on his lungs expanding and the slide of tea down his throat helps quite a bit.]
[He thinks he's prepared by the time Mukuro gets up, and Chikusa takes a second to close his eyes in preparation. He just has to approach this like he has in the past, for exorcisms- detached, doing a duty.]
[Right.]
[Setting his mug to the side, he starts to step closer to the demon.]
Don't bother.
[Taking a breath, he presses a palm against Mukuro's chest and presses in, trying to mimic how the demon had kisses him that first time.]
[Expression as near to guileless curiosity as a demon could muster, Mukuro searched the young priest's expression, as if trying to decode this new odd behavior. Perhaps he was readying himself to break the contract, to try to weasel out of having to pay Mukuro for his services, or to beg off for now.
So he made a soft surprised noise when he felt Chikusa Kakimoto's mouth against his, his hand hot as a brand against his chest. His eyes widened slightly for a second before he smirked, closing his eyes and leaning forward, opening his mouth to deepen the kiss. So had this been what the young priest had been teaching himself? Mukuro couldn't complain in the least, fisting his hands in his shirt to draw him down closer, kissing him hungrily.]
[Oh- it's been so long, he'd forgotten how gluttonous the demon's kisses could be when he wasn't holding back. Chikusa's feet slide against tile as he maintains his balance against the sudden short pull of his shirt, and his fingers spasm against Mukuro's chest from surprise.]
[Ravenous, consuming- it's a kiss to get lost in. For not the first time, Chikusa almost does. His eyes flutter shut as their lips slide against one another, making way for their tongues, and he has to force himself to remember what he's doing. For a moment, he lets it go on.... Before reaching up with his free hand to tangle his fingers into Mukuro's hair and yank him back away from him.]
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[It reverts soon enough as the demon speaks up again, and Chikusa quirks up an eyebrow.]
It was that taxing for you, then?
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I was more concerned with how such a payment might take its toll on you. Are you going to offer me any tea or should I just collect what I am here for and leave?
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If you've only done a small portion of the list, so in turn my payment should be just as small, shouldn't it? I fail to see how it would take a toll on me.
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[He was eager to see Chikusa Kakimoto's expression, so he stood from the couch, following him leisurely into the kitchen. He pressed slightly into the priest's personal bubble, brushing a hand against his back as he peered around him to watch him go through the cupboards.]
Or have you familiarized yourself with it so well already?
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I... was merely caught off-guard with how quickly you escalated things.
[Sulkily, he glances at Mukuro from the corner of his eye. He's not talking about how he's been touching himself and trying to build up a resistance to the pleasure, right...? Of course not, no, he has to be talking about their last meeting.]
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The thing about pleasure is that even the smallest increment of it seems new to the uninitiated.
[Mukuro let his voice drop lower, his eyes half lidded, lashes lowered.]
I've barely touched you, my young priest. There's still much to teach you.
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[And that possessive phrasing- he busies himself with flicking off the stovetop. It's all just been something to distract himself, of course, and he pauses with his fingers brushing against the mug he'd set out.]
...You're not going to pull surprises like you did the last time, are you?
[The wariness is more than apparent.]
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[Mukuro looked a little scandalized, or would, it it wasn't for the wide smirk on his face and how he fluttered his eyelashes mockingly at him. Once his point had been made, he moved away from him to get the sugar bowl and his preferred tea, chuckling lightly at the question posed.]
You seemed like you enjoyed it, priest. Are you afraid if I do something like that again, you won't be interested in having me stop?
[He leaned a hip against the counter, head canted to the side so his hair spilled over one shoulder.]
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[It's the best demand he can make, considering that any claims that he has no desires would fall flat to both of them. Carnal or simple, he knows he has more than his fair share of desires now.]
[Jaw set, he pours water into his own mug and dips in a tea bag, trying not to pay the demon too much mind.]
No. I have more self control than that, despite what your vanity might have you believe.
[He's confident in that much.]
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[It was said innocently enough, but Mukuro's grin was wicked, destroying any illusion of guilelessness.
Since the priest seemed set on being a poor host, Mukuro poured himself some hot water, tone breezy.]
You can break this contract at any time, priest.
[Which seemed unlikely, considering how long of a list of tasks Chikusa Kakimoto had left for him. Still, Mukuro could reign himself in for a short while if it meant in the long run he would get what he wanted.]
If you're worried about surprises, perhaps you should put more stipulations on my end.
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Your sense of humor is extremely poor.
[It's the only thing he can say, tone tight. Is that what they're going to get into eventually? Quickly, he tries to change the thought- what Mukuro will try to get him into. There. Much better.]
...And you'd listen?
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And it seems like you're already learning if you understood that. What have you been teaching yourself exactly, Chikusa Kakimoto?
[He made sure to lean back again, not in favor of being struck again just for mocking him as he always did.
The question made him shrug lightly, as he stirred sugar into his tea.]
Would it matter if I said I would? Demons are liars by nature, aren't they?
[Mukuro get over your butthurt about that.]
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Simple things.
[It's muttered into the rim of his cup before he finally turns himself around, distant expressiong struggling with the heat of his face.]
Yes, you are. [So you can continue to be butthurt about that, Mukuro. But soon an addition-] Even with what I know.... My knowledge isn't enough to actually know what to hold you back from doing.
We both know that.
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My, my, what sort of 'simple things'?
[It wasn't like he had made his desire all that hidden or subtle, after all. The fact that the priest was feeding into it on his own time, well. Mukuro was a demon after all. He took pride in his work and his ability to sin.
The flushed look on the young priest's face wasn't helping either, and Mukuro chuckled softly at what they both knew. He took another step forward, canting his head to the side to look up at that blushing face.]
Just as we both know at any time, you can put an end to this. Who has the real power here?
[Well, obviously Mukuro knew and believed it to be him, but a little lie never hurt.]
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Nothing that would impress you.
[Translation: shut up.]
[Mukuro coming closer and closer is setting off all of his instinctual alarm bells- the ones of danger, of temptation, of want. A part of Chikusa wants to step away somehow, get space again, but he doesn't. Instead, he stays where he is, and tries not to get too tense at the pointed question.]
Is that a trick question?
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[Which surprisingly might not be that much of a lie. Even if it sounded like it, with that low purring tone that Mukuro used. That carefully neutral expression wouldn't have fooled him even if Chikusa Kakimoto hadn't flushed the most fetching shade of red.
Mukuro couldn't help but chuckle softly at the young priest's retort, giving him some space as he went to sugar his tea and bring his mug to the table.]
I only have as much power to tempt you as you give me. [He glanced over his shoulder, smirking slightly.] How powerful are you going to let me be, Chikusa Kakimoto?
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[...But then, is it true? The demon has always taken a strange interest in him. The first time, taking possession of his mentor, he'd been able to dismiss that. It had clearly been meant to throw the clergy into a panic that one of their own had been taken. But letting himself come again and again, doing all these good deeds despite being a demon simply in exchange for these visits and, well...]
[Chikusa has lapsed into momentary thought about it all, flush shimmering down to a soft pink, but he snaps out of it at Mukuro's voice. Immediately, there's a frown.]
I don't intend to lose to you or your schemes.
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How do you plan to win then?
[Because as far as Mukuro could tell, he was winning just by not being shunned by the priest outright.]
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[...Before an idea occurs to him.]
Do you plan on finishing your tea quickly?
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Why do you ask? Do you have something in mind?
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[And that's all he's going to say after that firm order before leaning against a counter to finish his own.]
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Once he was finished, he headed back over to the counter, setting his tea cup down in front of him.]
Should I make another?
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[He thinks he's prepared by the time Mukuro gets up, and Chikusa takes a second to close his eyes in preparation. He just has to approach this like he has in the past, for exorcisms- detached, doing a duty.]
[Right.]
[Setting his mug to the side, he starts to step closer to the demon.]
Don't bother.
[Taking a breath, he presses a palm against Mukuro's chest and presses in, trying to mimic how the demon had kisses him that first time.]
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So he made a soft surprised noise when he felt Chikusa Kakimoto's mouth against his, his hand hot as a brand against his chest. His eyes widened slightly for a second before he smirked, closing his eyes and leaning forward, opening his mouth to deepen the kiss. So had this been what the young priest had been teaching himself? Mukuro couldn't complain in the least, fisting his hands in his shirt to draw him down closer, kissing him hungrily.]
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[Ravenous, consuming- it's a kiss to get lost in. For not the first time, Chikusa almost does. His eyes flutter shut as their lips slide against one another, making way for their tongues, and he has to force himself to remember what he's doing. For a moment, he lets it go on.... Before reaching up with his free hand to tangle his fingers into Mukuro's hair and yank him back away from him.]
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