middaeg | [OPEN] bite & arbeit

[ silently whispers: whoops

there’s nothing to really hide, and nothing to dwell over. eren inhales, looks to his drink, and says rather plainly: ]

A misstep. [ one on his part, he admits, though doesn’t hide it. his claws click against glass, and eren slowly curves his neck down for nape expose. all tightly wrapped, there’s nothing to see beyond that. ] We’re all subject to them.

[ . . . ]

Did you hear what happened in Dorchacht?

[ Dorchacht. That's what happened to his neck. Makoto sits back, his eyes lingering on the bandages, but his mind catching up with what must have happened. He doesn't really need the details, he'd heard enough about what occurred there last week to get the general idea. ]

A little bit. [ he watches Eren's profile, his expression neutral. ] I heard there's a resistance force there that freed a bunch of monsters while our dignitaries were visiting.

[ Something feels... off. Something's not quite right with Eren. Makoto can't put his finger on it. His immediate worry is that something horrible had happened to him in Dorchacht. ]

I saw your network post, too.

[ if only something did but life just shat on him. he was right enough about the whats and seems to piece them all himself, eren doesn’t need to fill in the rest of the blanks. not unless directly asked again. he nods as if to say that’s it, you’re right.

either way— he’s still off since they’ve last seen each other. ]

I learned a few things. [ about them. which was all that was really about. although he did strain a few relationships, and that makes him quietly retreat to his thoughts. a drink was good. ] It just wasn’t what everyone expected.

[ It's not like Makoto knows Eren very well yet, but he can't shake the feeling like something is really off. His eyes moved up and down his imposing figure, and finally, he notices how long his hair is. It's been over a month since they saw each other face to face, but his hair wasn't that long before, was it?

Makoto leans towards him and against the bar counter, trying to get Eren to look at him. ]

You look almost as bad as I do, and I'm becoming undead. [ He speaks softly, concerned despite his unflattering comment. ] Was it that bad?

[ . . . hah. okay. eren huffs out what could’ve been a laugh from past his lips at the comment. there’s no leaning away; the dragon stays where he is, and easily locks eyes with him. ]

That bad, huh. [ let him recover by such a burn. ] It could’ve been worse than it was. [ but, enough beating around the bush. he knows where this is going, now. ] I’m fine. Just a little older.

Older.

[ Makoto repeats the word, analyzing its exact meaning. He looks older, now that he's thinking about it, but is that the impression he's getting from his haggard appearance? Could he somehow mean it literally? ]

You look like you could use a bite to eat, or another drink. [ Sitting up to return Eren's personal space to him, he reaches over the bar to pull a menu from behind the counter and slide it over to him. ] It'll be my treat. And I'll give you the tour of this place too, if you want. There are spots to sleep if you're tired or you need a better place to sit.

[ the bar stool looks tiny under his huge frame. ]

[ lmao it probably is. he is not as towering as some dragons can be— there’s one in aefenglom that apparently needs a door the size of an average house, with a ceiling to boot.

luckily, eren thinks that won’t be his case unless he shifts. ]

I can tell you how it went, [ even if there wasn’t much of a story he’d tell beyond sitting in front of the mirrors in the looking glass house at 3am. ] If you stick around a little longer too.

[ although he’s not really hungry— another drink sounds nice. he closes the menu up with the next drink in mind, finishes his first down in a gulp you’d see in shots, then watching makoto expectantly. if you want to tour, he’s in a touring mood. ]

[ Makoto raps on the bar, asks his boss for another for Eren, and gives her a hopeful smile. She nods with a knowing grin, pours it, and sets it in front of the dragon. It looks like she's going to let him take a break to talk to his friend.

After rising from his bar stool, he faces Eren and waits for him to stand. ]

You can bring your drink with you. This is your first time here, right? [ he brushes his bangs from his face, thinking. ] In my opinion, the bar's the least comfortable spot. But, it's the fastest way to get service, as you might expect. Come on, I'll show you the leisure area.

[ Makoto goes quiet, allowing Eren to follow, before attempting to make some small talk. ] I like your hair longer like that.

[ time for the grand fucking surprise: taking the drink and leaving the proper amount of cunes for it, eren slips out of his seat and boom. he's 6 foot 8. the top of makoto's head only reaches his shoulders— congrats on the big boy and his complete dragon leggy.

so, he follows along right behind him until he can meld closer to the other's side (although he does take it slower; one step for him is easily two to three steps for a smaller person). he's about to ask a bar with a leisure area?, but then . . . his friend does a thing, and the words sort of croak back into his throat. the thinner part of the tail stabilizing his balance behind him curls. hange had said the same thing once to him, but . . . there was no mood to respond to it. he was angry, back then, enclosed behind bars, suffering a loss and making a choice. not the case here, whatsoever. ]

I stopped caring about cutting it. [ not that he didn't care about the compliment— just how he actually got to having longer hair in the first place. ] A year ago.

[ eren has not been here a year, but the wonders of magic, dimension hopping time traveling mirrors. ]

It grew out the minute I saw home through the mirrors.

[ Mmm. He meant literally older, then, in a way that could only be caused by the mirrors, considering the circumstances.

Makoto leads him to the corner of the leisure area, on the same side of the partition that divides the bar in half as the bar. ]

It suits you. I hope you keep it like that. [ He senses that this could be a bit of a heavy topic. Who knows what he saw in his mirror. A year is a long time. ] Although, you might wanna brush it sometime.

[ With a smile, Makoto keeps his somewhat critical comment lighthearted, and sweeps an arm forward to motion to the dozen couches before them, lined along the partition. ]

Anyway, this is the "leisure" area. Basically, it's a place for people to sit and talk. Especially monsters who might not be comfortable sitting at tables or the bar. [ speaking of. ] Your changes finished, huh?

[ BRUSHING who even needs brushing when he can just tie it back. 👌 lighthearted enough to have eren press out a hm through subtly quirked lips.

eren’s claws drag lightly around the surface of the couch they’re close to, allowing the flick of his forked tongue to have a party in mapping out the new place. listen!!! he can tell a lot of monsters have been here. some witches, too. adjusting his mouth to the plethora of tastes and smells would come with a small smacking sound, tail still curly behind him.

maybe he’d sit a little. mindful of the extra appendage, sitting on the edge and allowing his tail to drape down like his legs do. ]

I think so. I don’t know what else I’d grow. [ he’s even got his full shift, now! and motions a little with the tail tip, quivering into wave before laxing. ] It’s like having an extra arm.

[ though, when he looks up and down, he doesn’t find anything extra, visibly. ]

You said you’d be more prepared for the full moon. Were you?

[ Makoto's eyes dart to Eren's tongue when it flicks out to smell the air. It reminds him. Of... well. It reminds him that Eren can probably smell many more lingering traces in here than Makoto can. Past guests, past spilled blood, the soap and vinegar that the bartender uses to keep the bar spotlessly clean and presentable.

Makoto motions for him to keep following him on the tour. ]

Yeah, I was. I owe a lot to you, y'know. [ Makoto looks up at him as they walk to the other side of the partition, smiling. ] I did a lot to prepare, but there's no replacement for a positive first time, from what I've heard from other vampires.

[ it’s a very interesting map that rivals time traveling. he only can’t smell into the future, but the past paints a picture. a smile is given in turn, as small as it may be. ]

You don’t owe me. [ it was positive for him too, there are no qualms there. his teeth begin to show the more his lips spread, and putting a hand on the other’s shoulder as they continued walking was an affectionate gesture on his part. ] Seeing you alright is satisfying as is.

[ Makoto turns his head to glance at the hand on his shoulder from behind his cascading bangs and then directs his gaze back up at Eren. The sight of his genuine smile relieves some of the concern Makoto has for his haggard appearance. ]

Good to see you're still such a flirt, Eren.

[ If he wants to ask him out or something, Makoto wouldn't mind. Grinning as he looks away, he stops in the hallway on the other side of the partition to gesture towards the cluster of small rooms, each doorway covered by a red velvet privacy curtain. ]

These are private stalls for groups or couples. There's a table and cushioned seats along the walls in each one. You could take a nap in there, easily.

Not a flirt, [ because he didn’t even actively try to flirt!!! but, there’s something better, ] just the truth.

[ he’s still, well. eren! and it takes a huge load for him to be dishonest, in a way. capability is there but the need to use it is not. eren’s hand slips off the other now in favor of brushing a hand down one of the curtains of an unoccupied slot. it’s nice space he sees and smells. ]

I wouldn’t be napping if I were here. [ naps are for dens, and bedrooms, here was a lovely place to socialize. pulling the curtain closed, eren disappears behind one of the rooms in a swift step, only leaving behind his tail. a very long tail. ]

[ If he really isn't flirting, then Makoto can't tell. Even that last comment strikes him as suggestive. Perhaps he simply has their last encounter still on his mind, or maybe he's simply attracted to him. Plus, there's the fact that his observation isn't far off. ]

Most people aren't. [ Makoto watches him disappear behind the curtain, except his tail, and smiles to himself as he steps forward. Standing just outside the curtain, he holds it closed with his hands but sticks his head into the gap. The scarlet curtain frames his white face. He's being a bit silly, and on purpose, too. Just because Eren isn't flirting on purpose doesn't mean he can't. ]

Not that we bother anyone who uses these rooms. It's not hard to tell what kinda stuff goes in in these. I suspect that's the reason they're here in the first place, if I'm honest, although the boss wouldn't admit it.

[ the second a head comes poking after him, his tail promptly curling into the other’s ankle with a tug, then disappears behind the curtains for good. spoiler: now he’s flirting. good thing that the hosts and bar owners keep these places spotless from floor to ceiling, eren almost can’t smell a thing of who used to be here and what could’ve been.

that’s good. ]

What’s private is private. Maybe we could try it out sometime.

[ Eren's tail slinks around his ankle, causing him to glance down and watch as it slips into the stall. When he look backs to Eren, his gaze is tinted with beguilement. ]

I'm supposed to be working right now.

[ He's teasing Eren, not truly objecting - his boss had happily let him take a break to talk to the dragon. Still, he's not sure they could get away with doing anything too messy or noisy, even assuming Makoto would feel willing to do the particular messy or noisy act. Not right now.

He ponders for a moment. ] ...I'll sit with you. But just for a while.

[ Pulling the curtain closed behind him, he climbs onto the wide cushioned seat beside him. ]

[ the tease is thrown back in return with a smile and relaxed eyes. he has to sit sideways, himself, to accompany tail space and let it drape along the cushions to the floor. ]

You’re on a break.

[ eren was responsible, makoto would find. any advancements beyond tender flirting wouldn’t be made, even with the safety of the curtains draped to mask their presence. the dragon would be the first to promote work over anything else. work was work. leisure was leisure. it’s why you have time for everything. or, should have a time for everything. he throws his head back for a second, stares at the ceiling, before turning to face makoto with his cheek smushed against the seat’s headrest. ]

—I like hanging out with you.

[ there seems to be more to it than just that, but his hand begins to unravel and rest loosely from his legs. ]

[ Makoto unbuckles his boots and slips them off. Once they've been tossed beneath the stall's table unceremoniously, he crosses his legs, feet beneath knees, and leans back.

His eyes are drawn to the motion of Eren's hands. There was something especially tender to what he just said. Makoto wonders, again, what exactly happened to him during the year he was "gone." ]

Same here. [ he glances up to meet Eren's eyes. ] You're mysterious. I don't know much about you, y'know. I guess you don't know much about me either. It's a good sign for us to be friends despite that.

[ hah, comes another breathless huff with endeared curves at the points where his lips meet to corners. eren doesn’t have shoes, long giving up on them ever since they’ve grown so draconically— he crosses one over the other, one stretched out while the other bends, and still whisking away like a cat’s is the needle tip of his tail. ]

That’s not the first time someone called me mysterious. [ and if that factor was an attracting point. it was funny, in a good way. he never really tried to be. the moment is tender and surprisingly warm, enough that a rare smile pulls into place as his chest fills, exhaling softly and letting his shoulders relax. ] You make me feel my age, honestly.

[ it’s been a while, he doesn’t remember the last time he felt how old he really was. by nine, he set his eyes on the military. by fourteen, he was in it. by nineteen— he was against the world. maybe dead, but not done. ]

[ Makoto studies him, watching his smile and the folding of his legs, the relaxed swish of his tail. Maybe he's willing to talk about himself. ]

How old are you? [ Makoto would guess that he's in his mid-twenties, although it's hard to tell when so much of his face and body is dragon instead of human. He could be much older than that. ]

I'm seventeen. [ glances at the ceiling for a moment. ] ...or, I guess, eighteen now. Huh. [ His birthday went by without him even realizing it. ]

Congrats. [ one more year of living! even if they’re both technically dead, life keeps moving if you’re still alive, right? ] I’m nineteen.

[ it probably doesn’t look like it— but maybe his body did age on a little more with the strain it hauled during the last ten years. ]

Means we could go out for a drink sometime.

[OPEN] bite & arbeit

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject