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(no subject)

Who: some nerds (akechi and akira)
Where: the republican convention; coffee shop
When: august 5
Rating: pg-13
Summary: coffee and leaking information and all the cliches
Story: it's all fine

[ working as an intern during times like these are troublesome. it was hard enough in the past, not getting too caught up in the drama. it wasn't like he wanted to be a politician when he was older, but there was something charming and beneficial about working alongside these idiots. he doesn't love the job. he just needs it. it's enough to be intellectually stimulating so it's fine.

that, and he has a lot of time to get to know people during his inevitable coffee breaks. he knows he ought to be weary about anyone that is curious about the convention; the bloggers were ruthless and very likely trying to scheme information out of him. but he needs a break. and coffee is great. and he's tired.

and the boy is cute. so what's the harm? it's not like akechi has any sensitive information. he just can go on for hours about how idiotic the whole thing is.

but a chance to get coffee and be a normal teenage seems nice. it's not a date. nope. ]

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[ What a pain this job is some days. Thank god Akira has the strength of his convictions because otherwise he'd sooner jump off a skyscraper into a mosh pit of zombies than spend a handful of hot, sweaty days in an overpacked convention hall. The first few nights he was sure he'd be running to the entrance and throwing open the doors to help meet the sweet embrace of death.

Since then chill has reasserted itself, naturally. Nothing less can be expected for the intrepid Joker, the force behind The Wild Card's message of truth at any cost. He owes no less to his readership no matter how much BO he has to endure for it.

The coffeehouse set up at the food court is a nice break area in theory... but an even better information pool with the right application of charm and a can-do attitude. Having quick fingers helps too, Akira pickpocketing a badge off of an unsuspecting cameraman and quickly looping the lanyard around his neck, the photo ID turned around. No one likes talking to bloggers, see, and with the laptop at his side? He's more like an inoffensive media techie than anything.

The guy's cute though. He says he interns for one of the campaigns and something terribly like a jackpot sound effect rings between Akira's ears. He forces his knee to stop bouncing, chin dropped into his palm as some quick math is done behind the scenes, hidden with a smile. ]

Is that right? God, I couldn't imagine all that traveling you guys have to do, off for a speech two states over and then leaving for another by lunch. No wonder you needed a coffee.

[ So what if he's flirting a little; it works and it makes Akira happy. Balanced onto his elbow, he leans forward to deftly snatch the aforementioned coffee cup and take a tentative sip, a gleam in his eyes that isn't just the glasses catching light. ]

And that's definitely not the diner swill they usually serve at these, damn. I need one of those.

[ honestly? he doesn't suspect a thing.

he isn't unused to people on various campaigns being nice to him. there's absolutely no reason why akira with his flipped badge should bother him. a coffee break is a much needed stress-relief and he can't help but hang on to the other boy's every word. it's stupidly more engaging, more entrancing, than the political rambles he's more accustomed to. fancy that. ]

Would you like me to get you one?

[ it almost surprises him how easily he's ready to stand up from their small table to go fetch another drink. he's still not entirely clear what akira's role is in all of this but it's fine. he's stupidly pretty and easy to talk to. ]

.... and yes. The traveling grows on you, really. It'd be nice to have a break and really get comfortable somewhere for longer then a few days, though.

[ he's acutely aware he's being more vulnerable than he's used to, but it's fine. he plays with the cardboard cozie around his coffee, gaze steadfastly affixed to where akira's lips had been on it. ]

[ Look Akira's equally tired of old dusty guys spouting ideology and trying to weasel donation money out of him, believe it. Running into Goro is the nicest oasis that he's found all week, and while he's not saying no to whatever information about the nominee he can wheedle out Akira feel business being pushed further into the back of his mind the longer he lets himself wax poetic about the genuine edge in Goro's smile. In the privacy of his head, of course.

Outwardly Akira grins wider, ready to take him up on the offer, rotating the cup back around and poking it back toward him with a single finger. ]

Well. If you'd like to travel to the bar and pick me up one of those - [ A few bills are offered up between long, spindly fingers. ] - you can make yourself as comfortable as you like with me.

[ he's used to barked orders and narrowed brows, not cute boys throwing around money with cute smiles. akechi blinks repeatedly. after another long moment, a smile creeps up on his lips and he nervously fidgets, pushing his hair behind his ear. ]

No need to repay me. Your company is more than enough payment. [ charming. how very charming. he slips out of his seat, tosses akira a half-nod, and heads over to the coffee bar to snag him around latte.

it takes akechi a grand total of three minutes before he returns with a fresh coffee and slides it over to akira. ]

I hope you weren't bored. [ as if - it's a god damn convention with haughty people and annoyingly smug assholes. who could be bored! ]

[ Too cute. That little move, cliché as is, occupies enough of Akira's thoughts from the moment Akechi leaves to when he gets back. Akira surprises himself with how hard he's coming on to him, actually, or maybe it's how much he means it? He has a job to do, but come on, he's only human.

Hm. There's a nice and slight sway to Goro's hips on the way to the bar too, now that he's noticed it. Akira's human, he's human. Interesting. ]

I'm not bored now, that's all that matters. [ Akira accepts the coffee and - whoops, did their fingers touch? His bad. ] Someone did want me to comment on the nominee's domestic policy but once they found out I'm not a staffer they cleared out pretty quick. Saved you some trouble!

[ Wink! ]

[ what a pair of humans. while akechi usually feels composed and slightly out of touch with the adults running this place, he's never felt this off his game. then again, he's never had a cute boy want to get coffee with him, even if the intentions were dashed with business. ]

They're like vultures. [ he pulls a face, almost a pout, reclaiming his original coffee so he can hold it to his lips. ] When they aren't treating me like I'm five, they're arguing about the most mundane things like cardstock and the oxford comma.

[ maybe he's exaggerating but it definitely feels this bad. ] It's nice to chat with someone real.

[ "Real" huh? Akira is pretty good at fitting the mask at any moment, finding it easy to audibly believe in what he's saying. For whatever reason he's focused on keeping Akechi there, just two guys talking shop before the one is invited back behind the counter for more relaxed conversation. ]

Young looks making them underestimate you? [ An indelicate snort; Akira's known him for all of twenty minutes or so and even he knows that's a crock. Akira's head tips, all louche confidence. ] Tell 'em that's not why you're here and send their Patrick Bateman asses packing, you've got better things to do than talk cardstock.

[ The coffee gets swirled around in the cup, Akira lacking a spoon or straw. Really, he sympathizes. ]

I get that a lot, too. No one thinks you can do your job without needing their valuable pointers. Honestly we should just blow this joint and find those better things to do.

[ he chuckles, the sound quiet but oddly fond. it's nice to banter with someone.

but still, it's definitely because of his age. it's because he doesn't have family ties or anything else noteworthy. he's just some pretty kid that's getting someone a tax write-off or a moment to shine. and he hates it.

akira's suggestion catches him off guard. the tips of his ears burn and he looks away, considering it. it'd be easy to slip away for a few hours - no one would miss him. after all, they usually tell him to go away so they can focus. he worries his bottom lip between his teeth. what are the risks of doing this... ]

Are you asking me out on a date already? How forward. [ he isn't looking at akira, heart in his throat. ]

[ Akira nods, barely a dip of the chin. It's enough to have others in your field patronize you, and another to grind that in like salt in a wound. Mostly he's satisfied that a moderately educated guess turned out to be correct, but

It's an odd thing for Akira to be doing this too, he wants to say. Akechi's apparent fluster isn't solely his own; Akira's just better at hiding it, among other things. Confidence is basically faking it til you make it writ large and moreover an integral part of Akira bullshitting his way to paydirt, but the hesitance on Akechi's part makes Akira internally sit back and evaluate: does he push harder or give him space?

Somewhere between, perhaps. Whatever the case, Akira wants to keep talking to him. ]

Are you saying no?

[ his hand fidgets with his ponytail, playing with the ends and tightening the elastic all in the same fluid motion. keep it cool. he's very aware of the concept of faking it until you make it, and usually it's fairly easy to do around adults. this guy, on the other hand, seems different. maybe it's because he's the first person not wearing a mask around this stupid convention, that's not trying to be on their best behavior. the (probable) realization that akechi likes life with a dash of danger makes his stomach twist. ]

... My hours are very weird. I often don't end work until eight or so. [ he begins hesitantly, hands folding back on the table, eyes cast away. it's horribly embarrassing how red his face is. ] ... Which I've heard is past prime-time for dinner.

[ that's definitely not a no. ]

[ A pleased hum is muffled into the rim of his cup. Good. The thrill of the chase definitely isn't exclusive to the lead that Akechi represents, no point in lying to himself about that. And all it does is make his throat subtly constrict and fingers itch to brush the flyaway strands slipping from the ponytail's hold. ]

So no dinner, that's fine. I've got people to answer to, same as you. [ Best keep it vague as to who that is, really. A hand trails up into his hair, Akira rubbing the back of his neck as his gaze falls to the table, a smile still curling. ] You haven't said anything about breakfast though.

[ breakfast. hm. breakfast. ]

Are you suggesting breakfast because I'll be spending the night?

[ .... okay moving on, bad joke. his face scorches an accusing red and he clears his throat, eyes widening in subtle panic. ] ... That was a joke, of course.

[ a weak smile. ] Breakfast would be great.

[ b r e a k f a s t. He may not be giving off a very flattering image of himself in the asking and damned if Akira isn't setting himself up for complete humiliation. But hey, he's running on six hours of sleep in three days and caffeine and a zealousness in airing The Truth, so Akira could roll the dice on an engaging man and feel the anxiety and thrill beat as one high in his throat, pressing on the gorge. ]

I'd be interested in continuing our stimulating conversation, of course.

[ The sentence isn't without a curl of something other, a tiny but dense droplet that explodes and colors the ocean it was dropped into if given the chance.

Akechi's acquiescence dissolves some of the weight pressing inside his throat and Akira sighs with it, feeling his heart stutter back into a normal rhythm. ]

Nice, I'll get the chance to pay you back for the coffee. [ He rummages around in the small bag slung up on one shoulder, a thin white card pulled out between his fingers which he promptly turns over and writes something down on. ] It's not benefiting anyone to let go of the one person that can hold a conversation in this damn place.

[ the number of times he's gotten someone's number can be counted on one-hand. he isn't used to engaging people in this way, much more focused on learning about their lives and experiences. this, though, is a much welcomed distraction. ...so to speak. ]

... As much as I love breakfast foods [ pancakes? ] if you're interested in something after I get off my shift, that also can be arranged.

[ he really isn't sure why he's throwing that out there, why he isn't just settling on going with the flow of something nice and easy before work. something to set the day off right. ]

[ Is that so? How fortunate it is that Akira decided to dot the i in his name with a little heart then. His timing remains impeccable.

The fact that Akechi helping work this out lights a small, warm flame in his center, no doubt about it, an extra shine in the glint of Akira's eye. When the card bearing the cell number is offered, Akira's fingers occupy three times the measure it would take to hold it comfortably out. It is not for stability. ]

I won't rule out a nightcap. But I'd also like the chance to see you at your best, rather than pick up the pieces of you from the wreckage of the day. So to say.

[ pick up the pieces? of the wreckage? that's oddly suggestive. maybe he's just tired. ]

I'm not much of a morning person, actually. I much prefer late nights. [ he means that honestly, and maybe he also means the suggestion interlaced with it. his face is still on warm and he takes the card, fingers brushing and his eyes quickly looking away. oh god. ]

I'd make sure to be at my best for you. [ what the hell just came out of his mouth. he's holding the card tightly, as if it's his only savior. ]

[ What's oddly suggestive :3 ]

Noted for future reference: leave evenings open. [ Also: his hotel room door.

Just when Akira thinks he'll make it out of this conversation with his cool facade intact, marking the occasion with another sip from his delicious coffee, when the flushing Akechi phenomenon reaches new and heretofore unknown heights (depths?).

And Akira briefly sees stars until he can breathe properly again, pounding his chest between coughs that taste like coffee and dented pride. His best. ]

That's - [ Oh god, smooth, asshole. ] That's good. Don't, don't think you have to stand on ceremony for me though. I'm interested in talking to you, Goro.

[ Ah damnit, he's all red-faced now. Goodbye, implication that he was anymore experienced at doing this than Akechi. ]

[ that was strangely endearing. the realization that this guy isn't used to smooth-talking interns hits him suddenly. it's refreshing and oddly reassuring. his fingers clutch the card tighter and he quickly puts it away in his wallet so as not to lose it, attempts to regulate his breathing failing spectacularly. ]

... I'm interested in talking to you, too.

[ and probably would still be if akira actually told him who he was. in fact, he'd likely be even more intrigued. once he realized akira want using him for information, anyway. because as he said, what the hell could a lowly intern know? ]

It's a date, then. [ a beat and he looks back up, all sparkling smiles. ] Would you like to cut out the middleman and go tonight?

[ your court, akira. ]

[ Anyone who's as apparently clever as Akechi Goro is and is "just" an intern would be clever enough to not be satisfied with his standing, too. There's more to mine there than that comment suggests~.

But for how collected Akira is, too, he's also as young as said intern, maybe even a year or so younger and has the audacity to make up for lacking savvy. He loves the hard road and he loves a thrill with a passion rivaling history's greatest romances.

Hell if he's going to back down. ]

Why not.

[ In case Akechi is terrified that Akira is getting up to go right along with him, he does pause in gathering up his laptop and glancing at his phone, ID lanyard still carefully arranged. Hm. Damn deadlines... ]

I'll have to let you go back to the warm embrace of your campaign for now, unfortunately. Gotta report in to the bosses, but... later?

[ /sparkle ]

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