[ Is that really the usual for Gojou? Though at this juncture, after all this time, he should be past the point of any surprise when it came to the other man -- predicting unpredictability and expecting erratic spontaneity -- it does surprise him to learn Gojou keeps a substantial stock of booze.
Maybe the job actually got to him, now and again. Maybe just those anniversaries. Maybe he could better stomach them mixed sweet. ]
Do you have any mixers?
[ Also surprising, if only because it doesn't sound like Gojou's teasing him: that he compliments his eyes. Nanami shakes his head. ]
No.
[ Why would he know that? His eyes are thin, small. Gojou keeps the entire sky in his eyes. It's ludicrous from him. ]
[ It was the sweetness, really. The sweeter the drink, the easier it was to keep down. And keeping down a drink was the point, really? If you couldn't do that, then you couldn't get drunk off of it. ]
Yes.
[ It's an answer to both things, really. Gojou is going to be insistent on this, mostly because he likes being right. ]
Juices, mostly. Soda is gross and nothing about it is redeemable.
[ He leans on the counter and props his chin up with a hand. He's meeting Nanami's gaze intently. ]
Unlike your eyes, which are very redeemable. They're very rich in colour.
[ Nanami doesn't feel strongly about soda. Probably kids drank too much of it, but that's what kids do. As for himself, he doesn't really drink it, except in the occasional mixed drink, where the carbonation serves it.
He gestures to the bar. ]
May I serve myself?
[ Of course he wouldn't without permission. It isn't his home. He'd like to use the question, and if permitted, the act of making himself a drink, to completely ignore the double meaning of that yes. Gojou doesn't seem inclined to give him the opportunity, but at least Nanami has no sense of machismo or ego that would compel him to find a challenge in Gojou's eyes and meet it.
He looks away, staring at a bottle of wine. ]
Do you need another drink?
[ Simply not acknowledging that Gojou said anything else about his eyes. ]
[ Gojou hums as he thinks about the question. Technically, he's had enough - but has he really? He's still able to stand straight. He's only wobbling a little. On these anniversaries, he likes to drink his own self under the table - quite literally. ]
[ If he knew Gojou was considering stopping, he would have encouraged that. But, because he'd insisted that Nanami drink withhim, join him in drowning his sorrows, and Nanami had agreed, he wasn't planning to now go back on that and drink alone.
Not that he isn't briefly tempted to, as he reaches for two glasses and considers the options, pretend to mix something for Gojou only to slide him straight juice. ]
[ Gojou has a suspicion something is up. He does have six eyes after all, and every single one of them sees clearly. But the part of him that has a feeling Nanami is pulling a fast one also recognizes that maybe he's had too much already, so he pushes the suspicions away and says nothing when he takes the drink. ]
What are you helping yourself to?
[ He'll wait to drink until Nanami has something in his hand. ]
[ In the end, Nanami is only tempted to give Gojo only juice. Gojo doesn't seem so badly off that Nanami feels it's his place, or at all appropriate, to decide for him what he should be drinking. If the man wants to drown his sorrows, he's entitled and, as an adult, can decide for himself. Nanami would only intervene if he was endangering himself or another person, which isn't currently the case.
So, he prepares something sweet and moderately strong, sliding that to Gojo. For himself: a Gimlet, or ]
[ Gojou toasts back in a similar fashion, then... stares at the cup instead of taking a drink? It's not that he's trying to examine the drink or anything, it's that suddenly he's struck by good sense. Is it really a good idea to keep drinking? ]
...how's yours?
[ After a longer moment of pondering, he finally takes the down the entire drink in one go. Better to regret after than keep thinking about it. ]
SPEAKING OF A HECTIC FEW WEEKS... sorry;; also wow oops again, Gojou***
[ After the cursory toast, naturally they should drink. The cool glass presses to his lip, beginning to tip, until Nanami realizes that Gojou stares at his own. Nanami pauses for a fraction of a second, regarding him over the rim.
He would have liked to know that Gojou was reconsidering his invitation, debating the merits of continuing to drink. Having been reluctant to drink here from the start, and wary that Gojou had been drinking at all, Nanami would have been more than content to make non-alcoholic drinks, or even just pour water.
But, he isn't a mind reader. With Gojou's last word on the subject encouragement, he chooses not to overthink the queerness of Gojou's reaction to his drink. With that, he sips from his glass, swallowing only a mouthful, not the whole. ]
Fine.
[ And, after Gojou drank his in one-- ]
How was it?
[ Aside from the occasional exception of Ieiri, Nanami only makes drinks for himself, alone in his apartment. He can't help but be curious as to what a man with a tooth as sweet as Gojou's thinks of it, basic though the cocktail was, though he might have drunk it too quickly to really notice the taste. Nanami does think it, now: maybe Gojou should slow down, slow to a stop. ]
Edited (tmw accidentally hit post instead of preview ) 2021-06-16 05:19 (UTC)
IT'S OKAY i celebrate tags from you whenever i get them <3 so no worries if it takes awhile
[ He really had downed it too fast to notice the taste. Gojou isn't sure if he should confess that. It feels like it'd be putting all of Nanami's work to waste. But it's not something that's worth lying about, either. Most things aren't. ]
I couldn't tell. It went down too fast.
[ Unfortunately, drinking it so quickly seemed to have been a mistake, because it's already hitting him hard. He sways a little in place, then says the only logical thing he's said all night. ]
Maybe I should stop.
buries face in hands, WILL YOU ACCEPT... slow tags here + picture prompt
[ Given his own preference for honesty and almost total lack of ego, Nanami accepts Gojou's answer with an inexpressive nod. Besides, he'd suspected that was the case and it hadn't been that much work.
Perhaps given Gojou's unique metabolism and continuous reset, downing a drink would have an immediate impact, whereas for every other person they would need some time for digestion. That, or its the accumulation of everything he's drunk before. Whatever it is, Nanami watches him sway, and looks at him for a moment longer after he speaks. ]
You shouldn't have started to begin with.
[ And why had he insisted Nanami come over to begin with, why had he suggested they drink together? Given the man's condition, Nanami doesn't press the point, any exasperated irritation tempered by concern. Instead, he reaches to take the glass back from Gojou, taking enough liberties in his kitchen to wash it in the sink before filling it again with water. This he slides back to him. ]
Drink some water and go to bed.
I ALWAYS ACCEPT SLOW TAGS considering i'm... slow too...
[ The water is fine. Gojou drinks that, knowing that Nanami will be persistent if he doesn't. He's willing to give a small concession, if only not to be bothered later. But the going to bed part - well. That's far from what he wants. There's a frown that's tugging his lips downwards, and he doesn't even try to pretend there's not an element of pout to it. ]
That way lies loneliness.
[ Although he always hated being alone, it was on this particular anniversary that he hated it the most. Being alone led to thoughts which then led to feelings, and that was the worst of all. ]
[ It isn't the first time he's thought Gojou childish and he knows it won't be the last. However, it is the first time that his immaturity isn't rooted in levity, teasing and boundlessly frivolous, at least insofar as Nanami has been privy to. Even that pout, which might have otherwise grated (and probably been exaggerated), looks different in this context.
The difference keeps Nanami tempered and holds a sigh in his chest, even before Gojou speaks loneliness.
Again he looks at him, the moment long and quiet. The comparison and contrast continues: at almost any other time, when that pout would be ridiculously jutted instead of slight and sad, Nanami would have followed his reluctant part in their rapport, retorting that he couldn't really be lonely once he was asleep. Chafing against the ropes Gojou would be trying to catch him in, loneliness an excuse to bother him.
Instead, he lifts and sips from his own glass, sets it back down. ]
[ Although Gojou is usually perceptive of other people's emotions and ideas, he has no idea that Nanami is seeing him differently right now. So when he answers, he's quiet from the fact he's a little nervous to speak. A rare emotion for him, but this day tended to bring about the rarities. ]
You to stay.
[ The answer comes quickly. He had it in mind all along. Maybe he's just being a brat again, but he wants Nanami to stay as long as possible, as long as he can stand it. If that means until the next day, so be it. He'd be delighted. ]
I'll sleep if you're there.
[ He's being honest and it shows in his eyes. Maybe it's because the other is one of the few things left from that time - or maybe, though he would never admit it, he is attached to this man on his own merits. ]
[ There isn't any question of whether Gojou speaks honestly. Not tonight, not here, regarding one another across the counter in the lull brought on by Gojou's need.
Certainly, at any other time a request like this would chafe, surely a joke, surely self-indulgent and insensitive caprice. At this time, it's a request he simply doesn't understand, why it should be him, except that that way lies loneliness. Troublesome, yes, inconvenient, his plan to spend as little time here possible already undercut, now it looks as though he won't be leaving at all.
No, he won't be leaving tonight.
Nanami knows it even as he blinks at the immediacy of the answer, at the strangeness of the of the following claim, even as he finds himself still staring. He knows it before he even begins to think about it, to balk or to puzzle over it. He knows it as he picks up the Gimlet to finish it, a longer drink, tipping the glass farther back. It's when he moves to take the glass to the sink that he answers, his voice plain. ]
Then I'll stay.
[ It isn't a problem to sleep on Gojou's couch for one night. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Maybe the job actually got to him, now and again. Maybe just those anniversaries. Maybe he could better stomach them mixed sweet. ]
Do you have any mixers?
[ Also surprising, if only because it doesn't sound like Gojou's teasing him: that he compliments his eyes. Nanami shakes his head. ]
No.
[ Why would he know that? His eyes are thin, small. Gojou keeps the entire sky in his eyes. It's ludicrous from him. ]
no subject
Yes.
[ It's an answer to both things, really. Gojou is going to be insistent on this, mostly because he likes being right. ]
Juices, mostly. Soda is gross and nothing about it is redeemable.
[ He leans on the counter and props his chin up with a hand. He's meeting Nanami's gaze intently. ]
Unlike your eyes, which are very redeemable. They're very rich in colour.
no subject
[ Nanami doesn't feel strongly about soda. Probably kids drank too much of it, but that's what kids do. As for himself, he doesn't really drink it, except in the occasional mixed drink, where the carbonation serves it.
He gestures to the bar. ]
May I serve myself?
[ Of course he wouldn't without permission. It isn't his home. He'd like to use the question, and if permitted, the act of making himself a drink, to completely ignore the double meaning of that yes. Gojou doesn't seem inclined to give him the opportunity, but at least Nanami has no sense of machismo or ego that would compel him to find a challenge in Gojou's eyes and meet it.
He looks away, staring at a bottle of wine. ]
Do you need another drink?
[ Simply not acknowledging that Gojou said anything else about his eyes. ]
no subject
[ Gojou hums as he thinks about the question. Technically, he's had enough - but has he really? He's still able to stand straight. He's only wobbling a little. On these anniversaries, he likes to drink his own self under the table - quite literally. ]
You'll make me one? I'm touched.
no subject
[ If he knew Gojou was considering stopping, he would have encouraged that. But, because he'd insisted that Nanami drink withhim, join him in drowning his sorrows, and Nanami had agreed, he wasn't planning to now go back on that and drink alone.
Not that he isn't briefly tempted to, as he reaches for two glasses and considers the options, pretend to mix something for Gojou only to slide him straight juice. ]
If I'm helping myself to your stock, it's polite.
no subject
What are you helping yourself to?
[ He'll wait to drink until Nanami has something in his hand. ]
no subject
So, he prepares something sweet and moderately strong, sliding that to Gojo. For himself: a Gimlet, or ]
Gin and lime juice.
[ Lifting the glass in a distant toast. ]
Kanpai.
no subject
...how's yours?
[ After a longer moment of pondering, he finally takes the down the entire drink in one go. Better to regret after than keep thinking about it. ]
SPEAKING OF A HECTIC FEW WEEKS... sorry;; also wow oops again, Gojou***
He would have liked to know that Gojou was reconsidering his invitation, debating the merits of continuing to drink. Having been reluctant to drink here from the start, and wary that Gojou had been drinking at all, Nanami would have been more than content to make non-alcoholic drinks, or even just pour water.
But, he isn't a mind reader. With Gojou's last word on the subject encouragement, he chooses not to overthink the queerness of Gojou's reaction to his drink. With that, he sips from his glass, swallowing only a mouthful, not the whole. ]
Fine.
[ And, after Gojou drank his in one-- ]
How was it?
[ Aside from the occasional exception of Ieiri, Nanami only makes drinks for himself, alone in his apartment. He can't help but be curious as to what a man with a tooth as sweet as Gojou's thinks of it, basic though the cocktail was, though he might have drunk it too quickly to really notice the taste. Nanami does think it, now: maybe Gojou should slow down, slow to a stop. ]
IT'S OKAY i celebrate tags from you whenever i get them <3 so no worries if it takes awhile
I couldn't tell. It went down too fast.
[ Unfortunately, drinking it so quickly seemed to have been a mistake, because it's already hitting him hard. He sways a little in place, then says the only logical thing he's said all night. ]
Maybe I should stop.
buries face in hands, WILL YOU ACCEPT... slow tags here + picture prompt
Perhaps given Gojou's unique metabolism and continuous reset, downing a drink would have an immediate impact, whereas for every other person they would need some time for digestion. That, or its the accumulation of everything he's drunk before. Whatever it is, Nanami watches him sway, and looks at him for a moment longer after he speaks. ]
You shouldn't have started to begin with.
[ And why had he insisted Nanami come over to begin with, why had he suggested they drink together? Given the man's condition, Nanami doesn't press the point, any exasperated irritation tempered by concern. Instead, he reaches to take the glass back from Gojou, taking enough liberties in his kitchen to wash it in the sink before filling it again with water. This he slides back to him. ]
Drink some water and go to bed.
I ALWAYS ACCEPT SLOW TAGS considering i'm... slow too...
[ The water is fine. Gojou drinks that, knowing that Nanami will be persistent if he doesn't. He's willing to give a small concession, if only not to be bothered later. But the going to bed part - well. That's far from what he wants. There's a frown that's tugging his lips downwards, and he doesn't even try to pretend there's not an element of pout to it. ]
That way lies loneliness.
[ Although he always hated being alone, it was on this particular anniversary that he hated it the most. Being alone led to thoughts which then led to feelings, and that was the worst of all. ]
no subject
The difference keeps Nanami tempered and holds a sigh in his chest, even before Gojou speaks loneliness.
Again he looks at him, the moment long and quiet. The comparison and contrast continues: at almost any other time, when that pout would be ridiculously jutted instead of slight and sad, Nanami would have followed his reluctant part in their rapport, retorting that he couldn't really be lonely once he was asleep. Chafing against the ropes Gojou would be trying to catch him in, loneliness an excuse to bother him.
Instead, he lifts and sips from his own glass, sets it back down. ]
Then, what do you want?
no subject
You to stay.
[ The answer comes quickly. He had it in mind all along. Maybe he's just being a brat again, but he wants Nanami to stay as long as possible, as long as he can stand it. If that means until the next day, so be it. He'd be delighted. ]
I'll sleep if you're there.
[ He's being honest and it shows in his eyes. Maybe it's because the other is one of the few things left from that time - or maybe, though he would never admit it, he is attached to this man on his own merits. ]
no subject
Certainly, at any other time a request like this would chafe, surely a joke, surely self-indulgent and insensitive caprice. At this time, it's a request he simply doesn't understand, why it should be him, except that that way lies loneliness. Troublesome, yes, inconvenient, his plan to spend as little time here possible already undercut, now it looks as though he won't be leaving at all.
No, he won't be leaving tonight.
Nanami knows it even as he blinks at the immediacy of the answer, at the strangeness of the of the following claim, even as he finds himself still staring. He knows it before he even begins to think about it, to balk or to puzzle over it. He knows it as he picks up the Gimlet to finish it, a longer drink, tipping the glass farther back. It's when he moves to take the glass to the sink that he answers, his voice plain. ]
Then I'll stay.
[ It isn't a problem to sleep on Gojou's couch for one night. ]