chemex | ɪɴʙᴏx [ᴇxᴘɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ]

[Akira pivots in place with a few steps, never completely losing contact with Goro.] The chase only makes the capture more rewarding.

[Goro looks at Akira with a curious yet assuming eyes when he takes the step back, inviting him to follow. A subtle and discreet act of dominance. How intriguing. While Goro has no intentions of letting himself to be swayed but that doesn't mean he's not going to enjoy from this game.

Using their tethered hands as a leverage, Goro pulls himself back to closer his partner, chest to chest.]

Careful. In the heat of a chase even smartest hunter might get lost and end up being the one pursued. [He flashes him a wolfish grin, places hand on Akira's back and pulls him into the dance once again.]

[His heels clack decisively against the floor as he follows Goro seamlessly.]

It's thrilling, isn't it? The push and pull.

I'll have to agree to that. I do find the cat and mouse game rather entertaining, too. Along with solving mysteries. [Goro keeps leading them along the music, their bodies swaying ever so lightly as they keep spinning. The dance is rather physically taxing, especially considering that he's been doing this for a quite while. Also, despite the cold air outside, Goro can feel himself growing slightly sweaty underneath his royal garment. Good thing that the song is about to reach the climax he supposes.

And just when the last beats were about to play, Goro decides to be a little cheeky. He pulls Akira's body close to him, and decides to dip the other without any warning, his own body following as he presses his face close to Akira's.]

You sound like you'd get along well with my partner.

[He leaves it at that, matching Goro step for step-- his shirt is loose enough under the stylized tailcoat-vest that he isn't quite sweating, but adrenaline keeps his veins buzzing from their chemistry.]

[As the song draws to a close, he figures this mysterious stranger might try something, but the dip and the closeness of his face stuns him. His eyes are wide behind his half-mask, the curled locks of his fringe still mostly covering the half not covered in the decorative blood smear, and he adjusts his arms to hold onto Goro at the shoulders with both arms to reduce the amount of weight his arms have to keep at their dipped angle.] If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to court me. Then again... do I know better?

Thinking of someone else during our dance? [Goro shakes his head and softly clicks his tongue in mock-reprimand.] I thought that was, ah how you put it, not very charitable?

[There is a light laughter in his tone, clearly enjoying the reaction from the other as he holds him in the final position just a tad bit too long, just for dramatics.] I did warn you about the danger of becoming the hunted, here.

[But the question does stir something within him. Do they know each other? Of course not, but at the same time... He can't help but have the feeling that he knows this body. It feels so familiar in his arms just like his scent. Yet he can't quite place his finger on it.

Goro straightens their back and takes a step back, giving him a small bow.] It is a masquerade. Thank you for the dance, my good sir.

[Goro he is never going to let you live down my good sir once the toad shit wears off, holy shit.]

[He folds into his own bow in respond, grinning sharply.] Anytime. Come back for another if you find yourself in need of some arm candy.

[And here he is trying to be charming!]

Hah. Such bold words. [Goro chuckles, matching a grin with him.] Well, then. I ought to say same to you. In case you desire to have someone sweep off your feet again.

[By midnight he's taken off his figurative glass slippers, the half-mask previously covering his face pushed up into his hair in a last ditch effort for it to hold the style it's steadily escaping from. The red aster adorning the side of it now looks like it's just placed directly in his hair along with the ribbons and little red gemstones on the mask, and the height from his heels lets him scan the crowd for a familiar burnt honey shade of hair.]

[When he finds Goro he somehow manages to make no sound despite the heels, reaching his arms out and around his shoulders from behind and settling against him.] Boo.

[Goro's standing by the balcony, looking out to the snowy view while holding a half-drunk cocktail glass in his hand. Despite still wearing his own mask over his eyes, he can sense the intoxication from the earlier slowly fade away, revealing a weariness underneath. He feels strangely both content yet uneasy. The sea of masks doesn't invite him back to the dance anymore, but presents itself as dangerous and dreadful.

A strange mix of feelings. Too overwhelming.

Goro raises his glass back to his lips, taking a sip of his honeyed-juniper tasting nectar. Then, feels pair of arms around him and soft voice against his ear. His eyes widens underneath the mask and he spins quickly around, almost spilling his drink.]

Yo-- [He almost shrieks, the last effects of the previous haze disappearing upon seeing familiar grey eyes.] Akira.

[Akira takes a half-step backward, just enough to let Goro spin in his grasp without either of them toppling or getting stepped on, and carefully reaches out to steady the hand he's got his drink in.] Hi. [His tone is warm, but noticeably tired as well.] You good?

[The red eyes focus on the ornaments on the mask pushed up, lips pursing into a small frown when the memory from the earlier clicks. The dance, flamboyant gestures and all the flirting.]

How did you know it was me?

Before? I didn't. [His arms draw them closer, and he bows his neck forward to put his face against Goro's shoulder.] I had an inkling, you felt familiar. But I wasn't sure.

[Goro replies by closing his eyes and wrapping his hand around Akira's back, lazily stroking him through the fabric.] I couldn't recognize anyone in there for a quite while either.

[He nods in agreement, his body automatically relaxing against Akira's. It's the same body, the same warmth that he had felt before. No wonder it had felt so natural, it all makes sense now.]

Though, I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended that you decided to give up on the chase so easily.

It wasn't just you, I couldn't recognize anyone either. [He relaxes against Goro, in turn, and his voice drops quieter.] I didn't really have the energy to fight against something I hoped would wear off.

Uhhuh. [He hums soothingly in Akira's ear, softly swaying them along the distant music.]

I feel the same but.. I do not think I would've been so forward if I didn't know it was you on some level.

[He rumbles a faintly pleased sound, shrugging his shoulders.] I have that effect on people. [He turns his head and ever so gently places his lips against Goro's throat.]

[The light touch on the tender skin has immediate effect. A faint pink dusts over his cheeks underneath the mask. His eyes automatically quickly scans their surroundings, but luckily they're alone, everyone else too busy with the party.]

Oh? [He cocks his head to the side, hand traveling to comb through the dark curls.] How many hearts did you manage to steal during your escapades, thief?

[You'll pull his hair out of his dumb little ponytail, Goro. Akira just rumbles.] I didn't recognize any of them, but at least a couple.

[One hand shifts and places itself over Goro's heart.] One, for sure, I hope.

[Well, he's starting to see why you like his hair tied so much. Goro leans his upper body back to create just enough space that he can look down at Akira's hand.]

Cheeky. [He huffs, and takes a sip of his drink.]

And hopelessly in love with you, [He adds, smiling still but dropping his hand. He moves away a little, enough to lean on the balcony railing and sigh, folding his arms over it and then pillowing his head on his folded arms.]

Now I just gotta hope the mask keeps me anonymous enough to get out of here without people stopping me. [He's tired for no real reason.]

[Goro follows Akira with his eyes and then joins him, leaning his backside on the railing. He finally pulls his own mask over his eyes, resting it against the back of his head.]

Should I be worried now? [He teases, free hand reaching out back to play with Akira's ponytail.] But if someone comes to bother you I suppose I could be your knight in shining armor and defend your honor.

[He laughs faintly, shaking his head.]

Nothing that needs defending, I'm just tired. [He leans into Goro's hand at the base of his neck.]

So you've been behaving tonight? Aside from stealing the hearts of the unassuming.

[Goro keeps teasing while stroking Akira's cheek, ever so fondly.] Are you too tired or can I have the last dance of the night? No masks.

[He makes a chastised face, shrugging his shoulders.] Am I ever really behaving, truly?

[He leans into Goro's palm, then straightens up and reaches out to put both his hands at the base of his skull.] I'm never too tired for you.

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