drear | OPEN SEASON 2.

It means that you must care for me. Chrollo. [ he smiles and raises his glass, extending it across the table. ]

And I for you.

You're pulling quite an assumption from one statement.

[and yet, he isn't denying it. raising up his own glass, the two meet to softly chime. it feels less like a toast and more like....something. he doesn't have the word for it.]

[ no denial means something, either that chrollo does care, or that he leaves it ambiguous on purpose for hisoka to interpret. and of course, if hisoka's interpreting it for himself, he's going for the positive, isn't he?

it makes him happy. ♥

he returns the their appetizer; it's a small serving, as is common in this kind of restaurant, and once they're done the server is returning with their entrees. ]

Next time, we ought to bring Illumi with us.

[ two of his favorite people in one place, oh. ]

[let him draw his own conclusions, while Chrollo plays his cards a little closer. let the absence of denial say what it will. jealousy would imply something that isn't (perhaps isn't yet) the case. jealousy implies something like possession.

but pulling out the truth would require a good deal more effort.

the idea of bringing Illumi...would the man play willingly along with Hisoka's schemes, or would he be unto himself? Chrollo doesn't know him more than he knows Hisoka - so it would be interesting, at the least.]

Whenever he's free. We can accommodate his schedule.

Can we? You're busy all the time. I hardly ever see you outside of work. ♦

You've hardly asked to see me otherwise.

[simply because his circle was not Hisoka's circle didn't mean he was busy all the time. if he asked again, Chrollo might find it in his heart to accommodate. (however many times he's asked before, Chrollo will call it hardly. maybe he just wants to be slightly difficult.)]

When I ask you if you're free, darling, it means I want to see you. ♦ Whether it's just for a coffee or for... more.

[ Hisoka's eyelids are lowered as he smiles up at Chrollo. ]

Next time, will you let me take you out?

Okay.

[just like that. simply choosing to say yes, if only because he can be difficult in other ways, and saying yes is still a novelty that amuses him. because so far, this has been a better use of this evening than him settling in waiting for inspiration.]

If I don't forget.

[or "forget." but he has the sensation that he'll consent the next time as well. who knows, maybe Chrollo will be honest about where he's been, or what's in his head. maybe next time he won't half dismiss the gestures from Hisoka that he can read the intent of - it's all possibility.

perhaps the next rose Hisoka offers out, he'll keep.]

Edited 2016-11-07 05:56 (UTC)

Of course. ♥

[ Hisoka will make sure to remind him at every chance he gets.

The next part of their meal comes a few minutes later, set down on their table with a quiet announcement by the server. Hisoka starts eating, small bites and not finishing the plate. ]

[it's an interesting date for the conversation alone, that Chrollo will admit. interesting, and he doesn't regret his night, despite how the both of them dance around definite answers that require commitment.

the promise he made, he doesn't forget even though he doesn't bring it up. a promise is a promise, all the same. he will say yes. and the next time when he's in his office, and confronted with the deep red of roses, the thought of getting rid of them is secondary and discarded. he's not in the mood to be that petty. instead, he takes a moment to touch, observing the color carefully. no matter how hard humans tried, there would never be an exact match for the real color, with all its subtleties. thoughts that takes place as his fingertip traces the curve of a petal, looking at the red. somewhere between inspiration and simple fascination.]

Is it some holiday I'm not aware of?

[the question's idle, without even needing a response to it. something just to fill space.]

There's the event of you accepting my gift.

[ His way of saying there was no occasion in particular. Watching Chrollo touch the roses, Hisoka steps neatly around the side of his desk to come to his side, leaning a hand on the surface as if he has something to give to him other than his presence.

(He doesn't.) ]

What do you think? An acceptable present for the occasion?

Yes.

[they're pretty, and that's enough to satisfy him. he will always have a weakness for pretty things, which had gone so far into informing his current career. meeting Hisoka's eyes, Chrollo smiles, but it's not the usual convincing veneer over detachment. this time, there's a hint of something genuine slipping through the cracks. only a hint, though.]

Thank you, Hisoka. They're beautiful.

[so he definitely isn't throwing them out when Hisoka leaves.]

But I didn't realize me accepting your gift was so important.

How would you feel if a gift from your own heart was refused? ♥ Put them in water for me.

[ That'll make them keep longer. Perhaps they will stay in Chrollo's office and give it some color. ]

I will, don't worry about it.

[but right now he wants to hold them. if it had been another single rose he would have pulled the petals off one by one to amuse himself.]

You could have hardly given a flower that'll remind me more of you, anyway. Vibrant and seizing attention, but forget to be cautious and you'll wind up bleeding.

Would you compare me to a sentiment so trite?

[ Hisoka reaches forward, slipping one pointed fingernail between the petals of the largest, central rose. ]

A single rose is a statement of devotion. Two is a request for a bond.

[ There are thirteen roses in the bouquet. Secret admiration—or something else. ]

[using the number to be significant. despite himself, Chrollo likes the idea. and that doesn't touch upon the color too. red like the stereotypical color of passion. red like blood from veins cut, to stain the hands and clothes and be washed away like there's nothing at all.]

Say it like that, and all the meaning inherent in a bouquet makes it really sound romantic.

[which definition of the word does he mean? why not multiple meanings at once.]

I apologize for undervaluing the sentiment.

[ Chrollo should know by now how much he loves him, Hisoka is sure. ♥ ]

Then make it up to me.

In what way? I want you to be convinced my apology is sincere.

[and Chrollo smiles, waiting for whatever Hisoka might say.]

Lunch. [ Hisoka suggests, with a spark in his eye. ] You're not busy, are you?

Give me fifteen minutes to make sure nothing's going to come up, and I'll be free.

[he's welcome to wait where he wants - be it in the office's second chair or outside, but fine, Chrollo can do lunch as an apology. working is something he can do swiftly when he sets his mind to it, typing out what emails he needs to and checking on the status of the two most recent projects he's running. one would be forgiven for thinking Chrollo was ignoring Hisoka as he turned his focus to another topic, but he's still just as aware, even if he's not displaying it.

whatever Hisoka chooses, it's a little before fifteen minutes when Chrollo stands up and shuts his computer, grabbing his coat from the back of the chair. all ready.]

[ Hisoka touches the roses one last time before nodding. He pulls away, seating himself in the second chair with his long legs crossed. ]

Where are you taking us? ♣ Should I change?

You're fine as you are.

[half of that is because if he says yes, Chrollo thinks Hisoka will start changing then and there in his office. the other half is because he really doesn't need to make a fuss - where Chrollo has in mind, no one's got enough reason to care exactly who wanders in.

when he finishes, he stretches his arms over his head, and gets up.]

Do you mind walking a little bit?

Hm. [ Hisoka's lips purse and he considers his own outfit, but he acquiesces a moment later. ]

All right. ♦ And I don't mind walking with you, so lead on.

[snagging his coat along the way to pull on as they walk, Chrollo doesn't waste time in leading Hisoka out. the weather isn't bad, but he'd rather have it than leave it behind.]

I promise it's not more than five minutes. But...you're not in a rush, are you?

No.

[ Hisoka has his own coat still on, a sleek piece of white tailoring over a scarlet red shirt and burnt orange slacks. He keeps it closed as he follows Chrollo out. ]

Is this a favorite place of yours?

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i lost this notif :(