YAN-PARA au master post

[earthflames]

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BOX.

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[blinged]

[GOING TO JUST. PLUNK DOWN AND HOLD A HAND OVER HIS BLEEDING NOISE.

Sitting there, he gives Tokiomi a defiant stare - he's not answering the person who threw a book at him just yet]

[weddingcupcake]

[you know what

that feels kind of like getting a bit of power back

...so he hefts another book threateningly]

So, you'll make everyone at school think I'm dirty until I become that way to earn your silence, huh? Even though that rumor would hurt our families just as much as me telling them what you actually do, if it left school?

Then maybe I'll start rumors, too. I'll tell everyone your nose is bruised because you're forcing me. That way, when it gets out, you're the only one in trouble.

[He never thought he'd stoop to that kind of selfish politicking. It feels wrong, underhanded and inelegant and crude in a way that dirties him only just a little less than what Cyrus wants. But it's a matter of pride not to give in, even if the whole thing makes him so frustrated that, despite himself, the tears he's been holding back are starting to well up.]

Is that enough for you?

[blinged]

[Gil raises an arm to block that next book - he refuses to be beaten because he hates losing, and he hates looking bad. Even on the floor, nose bleeding, looking less than dignified, he intends on fighting back.]

Well it is interesting seeing you so angry that you'll fight back on my terms! Isn't that inelegant?

[weddingcupcake]

It would be inelegant and cowardly not to stand up for myself, too. I won't be degraded in the name of silence.

[blinged]

Then keep challenging me, Tokiomi. Push back as hard as you can! I wouldn't argue with seeing you be as ruthless as me!

[weddingcupcake]

I don't want to be! All I want is for you to leave me alone! Why is that so hard for you?!

[blinged]

Is that something you can't answer yourself?

Because I don't want to!

[weddingcupcake]

Why not?!

[finally throwing that next book!]

[blinged]

[FLAT OUT SCAMPERS AWAY FROM THAT ONE]

I told you that already, too! You entertain me!

[weddingcupcake]

I don't care! You can't just pressure me into doing whatever you want!

[blinged]

[He taps a hand to his nose again, to see if it's still bleeding. A bit, still, but getting better...]

And yet when I asked you to keep fighting, you did just that.

[weddingcupcake]

Because the only other option is giving in to you!

[blinged]

Then I have you in a bind, don't I?

[weddingcupcake]

[He's cornered, and he knows it. He can't start a feud, and he has to stifle those rumors at school before they hurt his family's reputation. So what is there to do? He feels trapped, and frightened, and it shows in the way he finally deflates, shrinking in on himself and flushing with pre-emptive embarrassment.]

...Please stop it.

[blinged]

Stop what? In exchange for what?

[The balance has shifted in his favor again, and he's eager to take advantage of that. There's no need to keep his distance, so instead he slowly closes in on Tokiomi, enjoying that nervous body language]

[weddingcupcake]

[No. He doesn't want that closeness at all. In response, he backs up until he's against the wall, and puts his hands over his ears.]

Just stop! I'll pay you as much as you want if you'll just go away!

[blinged]

Ah, Tokiomi, you know I don't need your money. That would be ridiculous.

[weddingcupcake]

[He knows that. He already knows he's lost. If he hadn't, he wouldn't be sinking to the floor now, curling up defensively and losing all semblance of stubborn elegance.

It's just that he doesn't want to admit it out loud.]

[blinged]

...but you would exchange something else, won't you?

[He leans over Tokiomi and puts a hand on his shoulder]

I know you're smart enough to know nothing's free.

[weddingcupcake]

You won't really leave. Even if I let you-- You'll just use that as an excuse to come back, won't you?

[blinged]

As long as I'm bored and you're here, I think I'll come back!

[weddingcupcake]

Then I'll just be giving in to being your toy indefinitely! That's not fair!

[It's not fair at all. But it's also not something he sees a way to escape from at this point.]