KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[kokuyoyo]

...And it ultimately doesn’t do you any good on a physical level.

[He remembers the dreams… The demon’s need to clean himself after too much good deeds. Meeting the demon’s gaze, he raises an eyebrow.]

So does that mean I can’t expect you to stay acting like this for long?

[possedere]

Isn't the physical all you care about when it comes to me? It can't be my soul.

[Or his personality, but Mukuro was under the delusion he was hot shit so why should that be mentioned?

Mukuro only chuckled at the question, steering the priest towards the next exhibit, giving it an uninterested glance.]

I'll behave so long as I have incentive to, as you should know better than anyone else Chikusa Kakimoto.

[kokuyoyo]

[And, for this, the incentive is... Glancing over the next bit of art they pass but not really seeing it, he takes in a breath.]

And you won't get bored?

[possedere]

Not even if you wanted me to.

[Mukuro gave the priest a sly, knowing look, stepping off the beaten path so that the crowd was lessened around them, but they were still out in the open. It was intimate enough for conversation, but not for much else. Well, at least not if the priest was the deciding factor.]

Haven't I told you before? You're more likely to get bored than me.

[kokuyoyo]

[There’s a quiet glance around as Mukuro guides him away from other people, but he doesn’t draw anymore attention to it than that. He prefers it, anyway…. Although it’s worrying to him that he can’t tell if it’s just because of his nature or because he prefers to keep the demon away from other people and at his side.]

And if I never did?

[possedere]

[My my, how interesting.

Mukuro was surprised that the priest would even admit that out loud, much less now, when he had been so adamant about not giving into him. Still, Mukuro wouldn't complain, leaning in closer, mouth curving up.]

Then I could keep my promise to you.

[Aka that he'd never be alone, which wasn't really that romantic when it was a demon saying it but ayyy.]

[kokuyoyo]

["If" is the pin he uses to keep keep his justifications held together. "If" is a hypothetical, curiosity, nothing but thoughts. He tells himself that, even as the demon leans in close, mismatched eyes seeming to trap light in them. Squaring his shoulders, he looks away.]

Was there a particular exhibit you planned on leading me to or are you just getting away from the crowds?

[possedere]

[What a disappointing, but not unexpected, response. Mukuro supposed just the question being posed was sign that progress was being made, and for once, decided not to press it. He leaned back fully onto his heels, before turning to head down a less traveled corridor.]

There was one piece I am wanted to get your opinion on.

[It was a few pieces away, but he stopped in front of a massive painting depicting the fall of Lucifer, tilting his head to the side.

The painting was one that was grotesquely realistic, with wings being torn off of demons, god ( a bearded male of course, how original ) looking upon the carnage from his holy throne, hell a fiery pit of misery beneath them. It was already full of demons suffering, and while it wasn't exactly right, it was close enough to make Mukuro feel some sort of homesickness.]

What do you think?

[kokuyoyo]

[One piece in particular... Curiosity snared, Chikusa follows along and doesn't let himself get distracted even in passing by any of the other works. A raised eyebrow gets directed his way before he takes in the enormous painting.]

[It's... certainly not what he would have first pinged for the demon, although now he wonders why. Perhaps it's because he's been so convincing, nothing but mockery when he batted the idea around of redemption. Thus, why draw attention to what some would say is one of the birthplaces of demons? A ploy for sympathy, boredom?]

[He looks over the painting carefully, something which takes no small amount of time considering its size.]

...Artistically... That kind of dedication to a picture full of such detail is impressive. It takes a lot of stamina to stick to something on this level, and the lighting is suitably striking for something so dramatic.

The subject matter itself, I suppose I can't find surprising.

[possedere]

[For once, Mukuro was silent as the priest took his time taking in the painting, switching between searching his face to looking at the crowd around them. His gaze never traveled away for long, and patiently waiting for the judgement.]

I agree. The artist is very talented. I'm curious if they take commissions.

[He wondered briefly if the priest would be offended by such a statement, but he tightened his grip subtly on the he was carrying as if to quell any complaints beforehand.

The response about the subject matter was lukewarm, though he supposed there was no point in pressing the point further.]

No, I suppose not. Did you want to see the rest of the exhibit?

[He was already turning to leave, in any case.]

[kokuyoyo]

I've had my fill of people for today.

[Besides, there are things on his mind. However, he keeps them quiet and tucked away inside his head. It's only when they're back in the daylight and the crowds aren't so thick does he let the words slip out.]

Do you miss it?

[possedere]

My, my, that eager to get me alone, are you?

[It was more teasing than actual insinuation, and Mukuro headed back outside, wondering if he should bid good-bye to the priest once they were outside. He seemed to be in an odd mood, and given that they'd spent a good portion of the day together, it might be in his best interest to leave the priest be.

So the question caught him off guard, and for a moment Mukuro wasn't even sure how to answer it.]

It's only a place. Most wouldn't find it pleasant in the least.

[But it was where he'd spent numerous centuries, and it had only been a few weeks since he'd last been back. He canted his gaze to the side, smirking slightly at the priest.]

Curious?

[kokuyoyo]

I'm curious about many things.

[...So, yes.]

[That smirk has him frown back, distrustful of what it represents on the demon's face. There are a lot of reasons to be curious, as far as he's concerned.... but maybe that's too much information to give to a demon.]

[possedere]

[It was that unimpressed face that would get Mukuro to be honest, well aware of the tight rope he should be walking in order to keep and gain more of the priest's affections while balancing out his own terrible impulses and personality.

He paused for a few moments, gaze resting on Chikusa Kakimoto's face before turning away.]

It hasn't been long enough for me to miss it, except for the warmth there. I can't seem to generate enough body heat.

[Hence all the layers. And it seemed like the priest enjoyed it when Mukuro displayed weakness to him, so display 'weaknesses' he would.]

[kokuyoyo]

[If he were to hear that observation, Chikusa would no doubt be puzzled. Weakness is a thing he hears again and again in his line of work: from learning how a victim of possession came to be in their situation sometimes of their own fault to the countless confessions he must listen to and forgive. Is that something he really wants in his personal life?]

[But then… It can’t truly be a surprise. The confessions of people aren’t for him. As a priest, he’s merely a channel for their sins to be heard and for holy forgiveness to be felt.]

[Every bit of knowledge, whether demonic or personal, that the demon slips him… Maybe it has left him ravenous, to be given something that has to do with him instead of his duty.]

Do you find warmth in your own form, then?

[possedere]

Yes. But I hear that humans have their own ways of generating body heat together.

[He shot the priest a sly look, before taking a few steps away from him, folder still clutched close to his side. His gaze was assessing for a few moments before he gave a small, pleased smile.]

Thank you for coming out today, Chikusa Kakimoto. I wasn't expecting you to.

[kokuyoyo]

[Well, it was an interesting conversation while it lasted, and he purses his lips together. Ending the day on a non-sexual note is too much to ask for, apparently.]

[To have things suddenly change, the demon observing him carefully and giving thanks, is a twist he wasn't expecting. Chikusa stares back, blinking in clear surprise, before he ducks his head down.]

...I was the one who contacted you in the first place... I wouldn't waste my time setting up a meeting merely to not show up. Besides, it's simply me being selfish...

[possedere]

[Look, Mukuro has a one track mind about some things, also if he wasn't shamelessly hitting on Chikusa Kakimoto, who would? Clearly he had to take one for the team.

That response was interesting, Mukuro canting his head to the side in sharp eyed focus, turning back to face him fully.]

I find your selfishness charming, then. Are you going to continue being selfish and ask for more of my time or should I leave teasing you for another day?

[kokuyoyo]

[He shifts, as if debating on moving away but ultimately staying where he is, hands going to hide in his pockets.]

If you mean right now, aren't you tired of being out and around already?

[possedere]

It's so kind of you to worry about my condition, Chikusa Kakimoto.

[It was said with only the bare minimum amount of mockery, Mukuro's lips curved slightly upwards. He glanced around them, at the thickening crowds, before tugging his scarf tighter around his neck to ward against the chill.]

We could go somewhere more private, if you're not opposed. My place or yours?

[kokuyoyo]

It's a sensible question to ask someone who's only been in a body for a short amount of time.

[Or, at least, relatively. Whatever the demon's age, surely being in a human body pales in comparison to it, right?]

[Shrugging his shoulders up, Chikusa glances around. Once again, it seems like a dangerous invitation, but... He was right.]

[He wants to see if he can be convinced.]

...Mine. [His eyes glance back to him.] ...Besides, if you do anything untowards.... It's a satisfying thought that I could have you kicked out....

[possedere]

[It would have been far too easy to make more insinuations about how interested in his body the priest was being, but since he seemed wearily ready to spend more time with Mukuro, he would do his best to continue to behave. All he did was shoot the priest an amused look, but his mouth was kept shut for once.

Not that it lasted long, since he let out a small laugh as he took a few steps so he could stand in front of the priest, tipping his face back up to smirk at him.]

I wasn't the one to get me out of my clothes, was I?

[kokuyoyo]

[Having that whole incident has Chikusa's eyes shy away. It's not something he's forgotten, even if it had happened months ago. While it's by far not the most scandalous thing Mukuro has ever done, it'd still been hard to avoid thinking about it.]

You say that as though it were in a sexual way...

[possedere]

So your thoughts were pure the whole time?

[Mukuro feigned some surprise, before grabbing back onto the priest's hand, smiling up at him to distract him.]

Should we take your car as well? Lead the way.

[kokuyoyo]

[The way his lips twitch probably gives away that, no, some of his thoughts weren't really that pure, so he's almost glad for the chance in subject. Wordlessly, he ducks his head in a nod before turning and starting to tug Mukuro along the streets.]

[Parking in the more populated parts of the city makes it difficult sometimes to find a decent parking spot but, thankfully, parking garages make it easier. At the same time, the emptiness of the place filled with only cars make it all the harder for Chikusa to not pay the demon or his closeness any mind.]

[Hopefully Mukuro isn't expecting his car to be anything fancy. He's a priest, not a millionaire CEO.]