[Jin looks away, an uncertain frown crossing his face: it hadn't been Asher's fault that he'd been called away to another mission right before his birthday, but it'd still been more than a little lonesome without him. (Of course, he also didn't have to not tell anyone the day-- but Kung Jin's nothing if not proud. He wouldn't have been able to stomach the pitying glances any more than he already had.) Hell, he'd barely remembered until halfway through the day was out, with how chaotic those last few weeks in Woodhurst had been.
He can play this off, can't he? So no one celebrated your birthday with you, big deal.]
Twenty-four's not an especially big year, anyway. It was okay, there were more important things to worry about in Woodhurst. Like the Bristol virus, for one.
[Asher's sentimental nature flares up immediately, and he reaches out to touch the side of Jin's neck with his own free hand.]
Don't say that.
[Even he realizes the gesture is a little extreme, especially with everything that Jin has just said and done. His wrinkly brow knit with worry, Asher lets his thumb graze the side of Jin's cheek, carefully avoiding any of the bruises.]
Twenty-three was a big year for you.
[He shouldn't say this here, right out in the open-]
In the time that I've know you, you've-
[But he has never been great at keeping his feelings inside.]
[He presses his lips together, eyes darting away momentarily; it's a gesture that'd easily be taken for timid were it anyone other than Kung Jin. Reassured by the gentle caress of Asher's thumb on his cheek, Jin leans into his partner's hand, lips turning up in a hesitant, albeit sincere, smile.
After all, he would never show this side of himself to anyone but Asher. That, in itself, is a testament to how different things are now.
Since when had Kung Jin learned to trust this much?]
I... guess you're right. I have, haven't I.
[Suddenly, he laughs-- an easy chuckle.]
Remember when you told me you were really great at playing Street Fighter?
[Asher has paid even closer attention, perhaps too close, right from the very start.
He is surprised Jin remembers any of the things he had said from their very first conversation, recalling firsthand how small he felt when the monk had given him a once over and scoffed, unimpressed. It's strange to think that somehow they ended up here, sharing more than just a few kisses and holding hands like a real couple, instead of trading barbs like the foolish men they usually are.
Lashes flutter downwards as he glances to the side, laughing softly and hesitantly, as if he is going to utter some sort of well-kept secret. Asher leans back on the soles of his feet, rocking forwards once, and slips his hands into his pockets.]
I lied.
[Asher is a lover of video games, sure, but he's not particularly skilled.]
I actually kinda suck.
Edited (sorry my phrasing aSLKDFJASF) 2017-05-05 01:27 (UTC)
[In the grand scheme of things, it's not an especially impactful admission. Of course the Asher then, well over half a year gone, would've been wracking his brain for anything to say to Jin in the moment: sure, he couldn't actually fight, faced up against the temporal insects that'd infested Oska. Maybe it'd made sense at the time, in all the disarray.
But right now Jin's taken totally aback, blinking, dumbfounded, at Asher. It's stupid. It's so stupid. Something about the ridiculousness of it all, that even that pointless excuse had been a lie-- something about how the weight of the last few months settles into him, down to very tissue and fiber-- sends him into more than just a little chuckle.
Whole, up from his belly, enough that he ducks his head once more, leaning into Asher for support: Kung Jin is laughing.]
You dumbass! You really-- hah-- you really had to lie about--
[The peal of laughter breaks off into another sneeze. Jin sniffles, giggling as he shakes his head and breaks eye contact. He can't look him in the face. He'll just start laughing again.]
Gods. [Jin's tone softens.] It's so good to be back.
[Jin laughs and everything is right again, and Asher smiles too.
The first time had managed to make him laugh it'd been by mistake, and although he was annoyed at the time, it had definitely changed some little thing inside, to see a man so menacing crack a smile that wasn't bitter or tinged with disdain. He watches the contours of Jin's face move, grinning a little wider as he notes those familiar wrinkles around the eyes, and slides an arm around a waist that's thicker than the ones he's so used to holding.]
Whaaaat!
[Said on an exhale, after elbowing Jin gently.]
Okay, okay... So I wasn't total garbage, but-
[r u pulling him closer u cheeky son of a bitch]
I wasn't about to be winning no nerd league championships, ya hear?
Edited (last edit it is Fine) 2017-05-08 19:00 (UTC)
[Jin's smile is warm as the laughter tapers off at last. Asher'd jabbed him with his elbow, lighter than this, the night they'd been thrown quite literally into each other in Perdition's Rest: he rubs his side, not in pain, but in reminiscence.
Things have changed. He doesn't regret any of it. ]
They have championships? [pffft.] Who even has time to play that many video games?
[He leans into Asher's arm, fitting there as seamlessly as if they'd never left each other's side at all.]
It doesn't matter. Let's just get back to your place already.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Wait, Jin.
[He angles his head in a way that the other will recognize, something he often does when a situation is not quite right.]
You don't remember?
[No, no, no.
This shouldn't hurt so much.]
March 31st.
That's your birthday, right?
[It is also a few days after he disappeared from Woodhurst.]
no subject
[Jin looks away, an uncertain frown crossing his face: it hadn't been Asher's fault that he'd been called away to another mission right before his birthday, but it'd still been more than a little lonesome without him. (Of course, he also didn't have to not tell anyone the day-- but Kung Jin's nothing if not proud. He wouldn't have been able to stomach the pitying glances any more than he already had.) Hell, he'd barely remembered until halfway through the day was out, with how chaotic those last few weeks in Woodhurst had been.
He can play this off, can't he? So no one celebrated your birthday with you, big deal.]
Twenty-four's not an especially big year, anyway. It was okay, there were more important things to worry about in Woodhurst. Like the Bristol virus, for one.
sorry 4 the icon repeat rip
[Asher's sentimental nature flares up immediately, and he reaches out to touch the side of Jin's neck with his own free hand.]
Don't say that.
[Even he realizes the gesture is a little extreme, especially with everything that Jin has just said and done. His wrinkly brow knit with worry, Asher lets his thumb graze the side of Jin's cheek, carefully avoiding any of the bruises.]
Twenty-three was a big year for you.
[He shouldn't say this here, right out in the open-]
In the time that I've know you, you've-
[But he has never been great at keeping his feelings inside.]
You've really grown a lot.
no subject
After all, he would never show this side of himself to anyone but Asher. That, in itself, is a testament to how different things are now.
Since when had Kung Jin learned to trust this much?]
I... guess you're right. I have, haven't I.
[Suddenly, he laughs-- an easy chuckle.]
Remember when you told me you were really great at playing Street Fighter?
no subject
[Asher has paid even closer attention, perhaps too close, right from the very start.
He is surprised Jin remembers any of the things he had said from their very first conversation,
recalling firsthand how small he felt when the monk had given him a once over and scoffed, unimpressed. It's strange to think that somehow they ended up here, sharing more than just a few kisses and holding hands like a real couple, instead of trading barbs like the foolish men they usually are.
Lashes flutter downwards as he glances to the side, laughing softly and hesitantly, as if he is going to utter some sort of well-kept secret. Asher leans back on the soles of his feet, rocking forwards once, and slips his hands into his pockets.]
I lied.
[Asher is a lover of video games, sure, but he's not particularly skilled.]
I actually kinda suck.
1/2
2/2
But right now Jin's taken totally aback, blinking, dumbfounded, at Asher. It's stupid. It's so stupid. Something about the ridiculousness of it all, that even that pointless excuse had been a lie-- something about how the weight of the last few months settles into him, down to very tissue and fiber-- sends him into more than just a little chuckle.
Whole, up from his belly, enough that he ducks his head once more, leaning into Asher for support: Kung Jin is laughing.]
You dumbass! You really-- hah-- you really had to lie about--
[The peal of laughter breaks off into another sneeze. Jin sniffles, giggling as he shakes his head and breaks eye contact. He can't look him in the face. He'll just start laughing again.]
Gods. [Jin's tone softens.] It's so good to be back.
[Home.]
no subject
The first time had managed to make him laugh it'd been by mistake, and although he was annoyed at the time, it had definitely changed some little thing inside, to see a man so menacing crack a smile that wasn't bitter or tinged with disdain. He watches the contours of Jin's face move, grinning a little wider as he notes those familiar wrinkles around the eyes, and slides an arm around a waist that's thicker than the ones he's so used to holding.]
Whaaaat!
[Said on an exhale, after elbowing Jin gently.]
Okay, okay... So I wasn't total garbage, but-
[r u pulling him closer u cheeky son of a bitch]
I wasn't about to be winning no nerd league championships, ya hear?
no subject
this, the night they'd been thrown quite literally into each other in Perdition's Rest: he rubs his side, not in pain, but in reminiscence.
Things have changed. He doesn't regret any of it. ]
They have championships? [pffft.] Who even has time to play that many video games?
[He leans into Asher's arm, fitting there as seamlessly as if they'd never left each other's side at all.]
It doesn't matter. Let's just get back to your place already.
no subject
Guy's with a bunch of games and noooo girls.
[He scoffs at first, then remembering inclusivity, right-]
Or guys. Or just, any human contact in general. Anyway-
[The hotel is within sight now, and he fumbles with the keys in his pocket, using the action as an excuse to look away.
Asher's voice grows soft, and while he's playing it cool, it's clear that there's something he is rather nervous about.]
I kinda sorta... Gotcha a birthday present.
If you hate it, just tell me straight up.