[That bright shade of red hair disappears from behind the booth, and there's the sound of zippers and plastic before Shoichi resurfaces again. A granola bar goes flying across the aisle with... relatively decent accuracy.]
It's definitely a promise if you don't take the candy out of your mouth and eat that. I'm not having you faint from malnutrition the first time we've actually gotten to meet each other in person!
[And if this has been maybe something he's actually idly daydreamed about before, almost more than any sexual thoughts, well. He has no defense there. Well, maybe, because could anyone not think of it at least a little after the second time of seeing the length of Spanner's streams sometimes and how he keeps himself going through them? It's a natural reaction. That's the only reaction, because Shoichi is pretty sure he was never this much of a mother hen.]
[The granola bar bounces off Spanner's shoulder, and he laughs.] Calm down, Shoichi. I had breakfast at my hotel. [Which means he was teasing Shoichi this whole time just to see his reaction.] It's cute when you worry about me.
[And then Spanner turns back to the things he's unpacking from his bags. Because there's a lot, and it's best to get them out and organized before he and Shoichi start setting up. Hiding any smiles or touches of color on his face is absolutely a side benefit that, while nice, doesn't factor into his motivations at all.
...Oh. [It's a good thing Spanner is turning away, because Shoichi can feel his face heat up a little bit.] Jeez, you're going to be even worse of a troll face to face, huh?
[Right. Good cover. Gives him plenty of breathing space to finish up his prep, and he takes a breath before making his way out from behind his booth. It'll be fine. He just has to ignore his raging gay crush while they're in close proximity to each other. Just bros being bros.]
[If his stomach fucks things up for him, he's going to get it removed and figure out how to become a cyborg, so help him.]
[It helps to stop over at Spanner's booth, admiring his set up. For not the first time, he wishes he could go to his actual home and look at what he has there. They've talked about their respective equipment, sure, but seeing it is something else entirely.]
[That question is so unfair Spanner's hands stop moving as he simply takes a quiet, steadying breath.] ...I have to choose? [He asks this to the air in front of him, not daring to look at Shoichi.
After a moment he clears his throat, scooting aside slightly to make room for Shoichi beside him.] Grab some wires and help me get everything plugged in properly.
[What does that breath mean? The pause of hands Shoichi knows are almost always busy? Is he reading too much into it? Is he wanting too much of what those action could mean? Is the equation breath plus pause plus innuendo equals mutual interest sound?]
[They rage around in Shoichi's head even as he shuffles into place, heart beating in his ears like headphones canceling everything else out. Just met in person, and already their arms are brushing as Shoichi gets to work. At least it helps distract some of the noise in his mind.]
[But... what does he say here? What can he say? Suddenly all his witty teasings or idle conversation is missing from his brain. There's just him, the equipment, and every little thing from Spanner that he can't help but notice.]
[Spanner's glad his rig is so familiar to him. He can work on it without even paying much attention, instead continually glancing at Shoichi out of the corner of his eye.
It's so different, seeing him in person. He's watched all of Shoichi's videos - and there are a lot - and they've done plenty of video chats, but seeing him, watching his movements and expressions in real time with none of the lag of a technological filter...it's one of the few things Spanner has to admit technology can't capture.
He shouldn't be debating the urge to kiss him. Even aside from the fact that he's not entirely sure whether there's genuine interest beneath their usual banter, it'd be a bad idea even if Shoichi is into it. They have a whole day of convention activities to take care of. If he's going to make a move at all, it should be later, at the end of the day, when they're free. To either follow up on any sort of mutual interest, or for Spanner to make a discreet exit if his advances are rebuffed.
He finds himself speaking without having really planned the words, but luckily it seems his brain's functioning decently well on autopilot.] You have any plans once you're done with your booth for the day?
[Nice, smooth, very good. Shoichi blinks himself out of his hyper focus, glancing back over to Spanner. He really has to stop making his eyes go down to that lollipop first thing every time.]
Well, you know- [He laughs a little.] Falling unconscious on the way to my hotel bed, probably. What about you?
Oh. [Spanner's glad he defaults to not very expressive. It helps to keep any hint of disappointment in his face or tone easy to manage.] I thought maybe we could do something. [Which...is a very open-ended statement. 'Something' could mean anything.
Spanner notes that scrutiny of his lollipop this time, and either he misinterprets it or it simply reminds him of something, because suddenly he delves into a previously unopened pocket of his bag and pulls out...a little wrench-shaped pink lollipop. Which he offers to Shoichi.] Wanna try? You said you liked strawberry.
[Spanner's told him about his specially made lollipops before, but he's never been able to give Shoichi one. He could've sent one, but he was honestly holding off until he could do it this way - until he could hand one directly to Shoichi.]
That's fine! [He really hopes his voice breaking a little bit was just in his head and not an actual thing that happened.] I wouldn't mind- I mean, it's the first time we've seen each other, right? It'd be great.
[Mentally, he's kicking himself. If this was over text and he was in his room, Shoichi knows he'd be yelling into his hands and pacing. If he's messed things up for himself already...]
[Thank god for that lollipop. Its retrieval distracts Shoichi from his own mental screaming, and his lips quirk up in a grin. Right... Sugar helps the brain.]
Thanks. [Taking it and tugging off the wrapper, he laughs a little.] How many of these have you packed for the con?
Yeah. [Spanner smiles.] We could get something to eat. Even if it's just room service. [A beat.] We can put it on Byakuran's tab.
[At the question of how many lollipops he's brought, Spanner blinks, then reaches into that same pocket of his bag and pulls out a large ziploc. It's...bulging.] 450.
Not entirely. I packed maybe 30 extra. [Spanner shrugs.] 72 hours times 60 minutes each, figuring for 4 hours of sleep a night and each lollipop lasting about ten minutes or so...equals in the range of 420 lollipops. It's simple math.
[This is what you're in for, Shoichi.
At least Spanner seems to have some vague self-awareness about it, as he pauses for a moment.] ...I do make them myself. They're not as unhealthy as commercial candy. [Not entirely.
Also. Four hours of sleep, Spanner. What is this. What are you.]
[Sometimes, language- any language, not even Japanese or English or Italian or whatever- just flat out fails to describe a moment. A feeling, or concept. As your average gaming nerd, Shoichi never thought he'd get to experience that kind of thing.]
[He was wrong. He's experiencing it right now, in the face of Spanner's candy related everything.]
[He starts to open his mouth, only to find he literally has nothing to say, so Shoichi covers it as his gaze flicks up to Spanner in blatant concern. Maybe he should have brought more than a granola bar. As his free hand fishes for his phone out of his pocket, Shoichi finally finds words.]
Is that accounting for any actual meals, Spanner...?
[Shoichi needs the reassurance a lot right now, it's true. It's written all over his face as his horrified gaze flicks up from the bag of lollipops he's currently taking a picture of to Spanner's face.]
Yes. I just asked you to have dinner with me, didn't I?
[That sounds compromising. Spanner kind of half-meant it to. He gets to change the subject and go back to their more enjoyable banter at the same time.]
[Before Shoichi has a chance to point out there's another meal inbetween breakfast and dinner that Spanner might be missing... He goes and says that.]
[His lollipop almost goes straight down his esophagus, but he manages to save the whole thing but just coughing into his fist instead. Good thing his phone is halfway back into his pocket by that point, or he might have dropped it.]
Right- but listen, it was a legitimate concern, alright? Almost as much as what your reaction might be for the next time I beat you online.
[Shittalking and getting back to work- absolutely the perfect way to get back on track.]
[Spanner's watching Shoichi closely now - closely enough that he's stopped working entirely again, fixated entirely on observation. If Shoichi's cute when he's fussing, he's even cuter when he's flustered. And while it doesn't completely satisfy Spanner that they're on the same page - Spanner's never been able to understand people the way he understands machines, although Shoichi's the closest he's ever connected with anyone - it certainly makes his impulses too strong to resist.
Luckily, it's so early and what few people are present in the hall are all busy setting up themselves; probably no one will see Spanner (who takes his lollipop out of his mouth first) leaning over to give Shoichi a light kiss on the cheek.]
[Bluescreen. System reboot. This web page is not available. Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again, because this? This isn't what's supposed to happen. The resulting coherent thought crash leaves him staring like a jackass at whatever wire he has in his hand before, belatedly like the world's worst lag, he jerks his head up to stare at Spanner with his eyes wide and mouth working uselessly.]
[Did that- did that happen? That can't have happened. All this time he's been mentally pacing up a storm in his head, wearing down the carpet of his inner skull, because he's wanted to talk to him about it- been planning on how to talk to him about it, so... He can't have just...]
[It happened his body confirms while his brain his having a meltdown, well aware of the tingling all over his cheek. That's a message it has to send more than a few times, it really happened. Spanner really just leaned in to kiss his face, like they aren't in the middle of a convention hall with other people or anything at all.]
[A breathless exhale of laughter escapes him as Shoichi sinks his face into his hands, fingers nudging up beneath his glasses in a vain attempt to hide how much his face is burning or how much his lips are stretched in a smile.]
[Well, that reaction reassures Spanner that there's no possible alternative explanation for the signals he's getting. He smiles, too, cheeks tinged faintly red with self-conscious pleasure and a smile on his own lips.]
I'm sequence-breaking.
[Okay, no one but Spanner would make that joke in this moment, but no one is more equipped to appreciate it than Shoichi.]
Yeah. I was going to hold off until later, at least, but... [Spanner trails off there, with a shrug. Events conspired.] ...you're cute when you're embarrassed.
[Even though his face feels like it's on fire, he finally pulls his hands away to connect the wire he dropped. Going on livestream is going to be fun like this.]
It's not like I have self-control problems around anyone else. You're the deciding factor.
[Spanner pauses for a moment, his arm still up against Shoichi's.] ...I think we can get this set up pretty fast, between the two of us. Maybe we ought to talk about this before they open the hall, so we're not distracted all day. [Okay, they're both going to be distracted all day. But maybe it can be manageably so.]
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badliifechoiice22016-09-14 09:12 am
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It's definitely a promise if you don't take the candy out of your mouth and eat that. I'm not having you faint from malnutrition the first time we've actually gotten to meet each other in person!
[And if this has been maybe something he's actually idly daydreamed about before, almost more than any sexual thoughts, well. He has no defense there. Well, maybe, because could anyone not think of it at least a little after the second time of seeing the length of Spanner's streams sometimes and how he keeps himself going through them? It's a natural reaction. That's the only reaction, because Shoichi is pretty sure he was never this much of a mother hen.]
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[And then Spanner turns back to the things he's unpacking from his bags. Because there's a lot, and it's best to get them out and organized before he and Shoichi start setting up. Hiding any smiles or touches of color on his face is absolutely a side benefit that, while nice, doesn't factor into his motivations at all.
Probably.]
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[Right. Good cover. Gives him plenty of breathing space to finish up his prep, and he takes a breath before making his way out from behind his booth. It'll be fine. He just has to ignore his raging gay crush while they're in close proximity to each other. Just bros being bros.]
[If his stomach fucks things up for him, he's going to get it removed and figure out how to become a cyborg, so help him.]
[It helps to stop over at Spanner's booth, admiring his set up. For not the first time, he wishes he could go to his actual home and look at what he has there. They've talked about their respective equipment, sure, but seeing it is something else entirely.]
So, where do you want me?
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After a moment he clears his throat, scooting aside slightly to make room for Shoichi beside him.] Grab some wires and help me get everything plugged in properly.
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[They rage around in Shoichi's head even as he shuffles into place, heart beating in his ears like headphones canceling everything else out. Just met in person, and already their arms are brushing as Shoichi gets to work. At least it helps distract some of the noise in his mind.]
[But... what does he say here? What can he say? Suddenly all his witty teasings or idle conversation is missing from his brain. There's just him, the equipment, and every little thing from Spanner that he can't help but notice.]
[Fuck. He has it so bad for him.]
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It's so different, seeing him in person. He's watched all of Shoichi's videos - and there are a lot - and they've done plenty of video chats, but seeing him, watching his movements and expressions in real time with none of the lag of a technological filter...it's one of the few things Spanner has to admit technology can't capture.
He shouldn't be debating the urge to kiss him. Even aside from the fact that he's not entirely sure whether there's genuine interest beneath their usual banter, it'd be a bad idea even if Shoichi is into it. They have a whole day of convention activities to take care of. If he's going to make a move at all, it should be later, at the end of the day, when they're free. To either follow up on any sort of mutual interest, or for Spanner to make a discreet exit if his advances are rebuffed.
He finds himself speaking without having really planned the words, but luckily it seems his brain's functioning decently well on autopilot.] You have any plans once you're done with your booth for the day?
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[Nice, smooth, very good. Shoichi blinks himself out of his hyper focus, glancing back over to Spanner. He really has to stop making his eyes go down to that lollipop first thing every time.]
Well, you know- [He laughs a little.] Falling unconscious on the way to my hotel bed, probably. What about you?
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Spanner notes that scrutiny of his lollipop this time, and either he misinterprets it or it simply reminds him of something, because suddenly he delves into a previously unopened pocket of his bag and pulls out...a little wrench-shaped pink lollipop. Which he offers to Shoichi.] Wanna try? You said you liked strawberry.
[Spanner's told him about his specially made lollipops before, but he's never been able to give Shoichi one. He could've sent one, but he was honestly holding off until he could do it this way - until he could hand one directly to Shoichi.]
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That's fine! [He really hopes his voice breaking a little bit was just in his head and not an actual thing that happened.] I wouldn't mind- I mean, it's the first time we've seen each other, right? It'd be great.
[Mentally, he's kicking himself. If this was over text and he was in his room, Shoichi knows he'd be yelling into his hands and pacing. If he's messed things up for himself already...]
[Thank god for that lollipop. Its retrieval distracts Shoichi from his own mental screaming, and his lips quirk up in a grin. Right... Sugar helps the brain.]
Thanks. [Taking it and tugging off the wrapper, he laughs a little.] How many of these have you packed for the con?
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[At the question of how many lollipops he's brought, Spanner blinks, then reaches into that same pocket of his bag and pulls out a large ziploc. It's...bulging.] 450.
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[There was never any doubt about that. He's glad to see they're on the same page about it.]
[Which is a contrast to the feeling Shoichi gets when Spanner pulls out that monster, and his voice dies for a second. He has to fetch it back.]
Spanner... Do you plan in going through that entire bag in the few days the con goes on?
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[This is what you're in for, Shoichi.
At least Spanner seems to have some vague self-awareness about it, as he pauses for a moment.] ...I do make them myself. They're not as unhealthy as commercial candy. [Not entirely.
Also. Four hours of sleep, Spanner. What is this. What are you.]
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[He was wrong. He's experiencing it right now, in the face of Spanner's candy related everything.]
[He starts to open his mouth, only to find he literally has nothing to say, so Shoichi covers it as his gaze flicks up to Spanner in blatant concern. Maybe he should have brought more than a granola bar. As his free hand fishes for his phone out of his pocket, Shoichi finally finds words.]
Is that accounting for any actual meals, Spanner...?
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I am planning on eating. [He says this like deliberate reassurance. Which Shoichi no doubt needs right now.]
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Are you sure?
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[That sounds compromising. Spanner kind of half-meant it to. He gets to change the subject and go back to their more enjoyable banter at the same time.]
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[His lollipop almost goes straight down his esophagus, but he manages to save the whole thing but just coughing into his fist instead. Good thing his phone is halfway back into his pocket by that point, or he might have dropped it.]
Right- but listen, it was a legitimate concern, alright? Almost as much as what your reaction might be for the next time I beat you online.
[Shittalking and getting back to work- absolutely the perfect way to get back on track.]
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Luckily, it's so early and what few people are present in the hall are all busy setting up themselves; probably no one will see Spanner (who takes his lollipop out of his mouth first) leaning over to give Shoichi a light kiss on the cheek.]
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[Bluescreen. System reboot. This web page is not available. Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again, because this? This isn't what's supposed to happen. The resulting coherent thought crash leaves him staring like a jackass at whatever wire he has in his hand before, belatedly like the world's worst lag, he jerks his head up to stare at Spanner with his eyes wide and mouth working uselessly.]
[Did that- did that happen? That can't have happened. All this time he's been mentally pacing up a storm in his head, wearing down the carpet of his inner skull, because he's wanted to talk to him about it- been planning on how to talk to him about it, so... He can't have just...]
[It happened his body confirms while his brain his having a meltdown, well aware of the tingling all over his cheek. That's a message it has to send more than a few times, it really happened. Spanner really just leaned in to kiss his face, like they aren't in the middle of a convention hall with other people or anything at all.]
[A breathless exhale of laughter escapes him as Shoichi sinks his face into his hands, fingers nudging up beneath his glasses in a vain attempt to hide how much his face is burning or how much his lips are stretched in a smile.]
You asshole... What happened to dinner?
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I'm sequence-breaking.
[Okay, no one but Spanner would make that joke in this moment, but no one is more equipped to appreciate it than Shoichi.]
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You know this is just going to make it harder to sit across from you all day, right?
[Not that it wasn't going to be hard to start with, but, still.]
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[Even though his face feels like it's on fire, he finally pulls his hands away to connect the wire he dropped. Going on livestream is going to be fun like this.]
Blame it on me.
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[Spanner pauses for a moment, his arm still up against Shoichi's.] ...I think we can get this set up pretty fast, between the two of us. Maybe we ought to talk about this before they open the hall, so we're not distracted all day. [Okay, they're both going to be distracted all day. But maybe it can be manageably so.]
We'd have to go somewhere more private, though.
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Somewhere private, at a con? [Ha. But then, with the hall still closed...] ...Restrooms?
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