(no subject)

[misunderstanding]

[ it's maybe ten PM at the latest, and most bars in NYC are barely just starting to get crowded - but, in ryo's defense, he doesn't typically spend a lot of time in that scene.

so he'll text, which is maybe slightly anachronistic, but shhh. ]

Hey

[ which is maybe the only text he's ever sent without punctuation, but hey, cut him some slack here. he's trying Really Hard. ]

Comments

[baddestcop]

Yeah, so? You got drunk for your birthday yesterday, seems about right that you'd go to the movies for it today. I'll buy the snowcaps and popcorn, you just have to not stand me up.

[Who could resist snowcaps? But then, Dee also didn't understand how anyone could resist him, so his opinion could probably not be trusted.]

SORRY ABOUT tagging back so fast you caught me the moment i sat down

[misunderstanding]

[ ryo opens his mouth and definitely looks like he's about to protest, before he winces and rubs at his temple. ow, his head is not being kind to him at all.

finally, he exhales, focusing very intently on some paperwork. ]

... I'll see if Bikky can stay have dinner at his friend's.

NEVER BE SORRY and I need to sleep now

[baddestcop]

[Ha.

Dee slams his hands down in triumph and finally sits back in his chair, looking as gleeful as anyone could look, even if Ryo is currently probably trying to undo time and not agree to this. Still, this is a date.

Close enough at least.

Should he ask whether Bikky could sleep over at his friend's too? No. No, Dee decides. Too far.]

Your birthday really is the best day of the year.

[Even two weeks before it happens.]

[misunderstanding]

It's just -

[ ryo recovers from the wince he'd fallen into when dee slammed his hands down, before he glances furtively back over his shoulder and then hisses a whisper at his partner. ]

It's not that big of a deal, Dee. We already spend an alarming amount of our time together, it's not like - this is going to be something extra special.

[ that's what he's trying to convince himself, at least. it wasn't like he and dee had never seen a movie together, after all.

god, he thinks, and sinks down a little in his seat. that was completely unromantic, wasn't it? it strikes him again that he has no idea what he's doing. ]

[baddestcop]

Sure.

[Dee's eyes narrow, it's a subtle change. He sits up a bit straighter, the intensity changes into something sharper. Designed to pierce through defences.

This is interrogation Dee.]

Why don't you want it to be extra special?

[misunderstanding]

[ it's a subtle change, but one that ryo recognizes at this point, and he straightens a little - subconsciously on the defensive.

he's flustered. ]

Movies aren't extra-special things. That's all!

[baddestcop]

First of all, what are you talking about? Haven't you ever gone to see Star Wars?

[Focus, Dee, focus. He is getting somewhere, he can be exasperated over lack of special movies later.]

Your birthday is pretty special. And, yanno, I am too.

[misunderstanding]

My birthday isn't for weeks.

[ pointedly. he rubs at his face, not sure which way he should approach this from. his face is slowing growing pinker. ]

And you're special, but I see you every day.

[ HE HONESTLY JUST DOESN'T GET IT. ]

[baddestcop]

Yeah, you do.

[He has his elbows on the table and his arms folded.

This is serious business, in case Ryo's not getting that.]

Do you ever treat me like I'm special?

[misunderstanding]

[ he glances over his shoulder again, as if to just make sure that the entire office isn't currently eavesdropping on them. ]

I don't know-

[ how. how is he supposed to do that? ]

Just tell me what you want me to do, Dee.

[baddestcop]

...yanno what I want you to do.

[He supposes he could get it embroidered somewhere, but that's about the only way he can think of that could make this more obvious.]

But mostly I want you to want it.

[This time it is him dropping his voice, but his eyes keep staring right at him.]

Want me.

[misunderstanding]

[ the way his eyes keep looking at him like that is even worse than the words. it's like his gaze burns into him, it's something he can feel on him.

it's not easy, but he meets that gaze, tries not to flinch back from it. ]

I already do.

[baddestcop]

Hard to believe when you don't live it.

[Hard-hitting today, but he can't pull back now. Dee never really does. Direct, honest and absolutely open, even if it leaves him vulnerable.]

[misunderstanding]

[ ryo can't do it, can't maintain eye contact like that. so he cuts his eyes down, exhaling hard. he's quiet when he speaks. ]

Fine. Then - forget the movie, and just come to my place after work.

[ he'll prove it, if he has to. ]

[baddestcop]

Yeah?

[There's a hopeful spark in his eyes, but it quickly dims to a suspicious glint.]

Wait. Where's the little shrimp gonna be at?

[Because he knows all about Bicky's cockblocking prowess.]

[misunderstanding]

I told you: Bikky's going to a friend's for dinner.

[ which means if they skip the movie, they'll be alone. he takes a breath to steady himself. ]

[baddestcop]

Yeeeeah.

[Read: He'll believe that when he sees it, he's been hurt before. By Bikky. Mostly by Bikky's misguided attempt of protecting Ryo's virtue. Also his inferior taste in basketball teams.]

Want me to bring something?

[misunderstanding]

[ he's already so nervous that he's just staring down at his desk again, shuffling paperwork to try to look busy. ]

You could bring a salad, if you want to eat dinner.

[ but that's a big if, in his mind. he's assuming that dee will just want to, er- jump in on things immediately. ]

[baddestcop]

...why, what do you want to do?

[One of these days, Ryo will not misunderstand him. Possibly. Hopefully.]

I ain't just gonna jump your bones. Unless you want that.

[misunderstanding]

[ one of these days. possibly. maybe. either way, ryo looks slightly uneasy, like he's afraid of giving the wrong answer by accident, of upsetting dee without meaning to. ]

I wanted to see a movie.

[baddestcop]

So we can go to the movies or watch something at your place.

[Dee really wants to make Ryo feel at ease, but it's the challenge of a lifetime.]

And eat salad, if you're afraid of real food.

[misunderstanding]

--salad isn't dinner, Dee, it just goes with the pasta I was going to make.

[ he rubs the back of his neck, desperately scrambling for compromise. ]

But- yeah. I'll rent something on the way home.

[baddestcop]

Ooh, I love pasta.

[They are talking dinner and a movie, how is this such a nerve-racking affair for Ryo? Not that Dee is surprised any more. He knows him, so he just smiles.]

Relax, yeah?

[misunderstanding]

[ it's the implications - expectations? - that make this so difficult for him. he's nervous, which is why he'll sigh: ]

Easy for you to say.

[baddestcop]

Yeah? Why's that? Cause from where I'm standing, I'm the one likely to strike out.