perfectmatch | week three | match ceremony

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week three | match ceremony

We're back, baby!

The courtyard is lit up with lanterns all over and there is now a second special couch near the Furina and Ringo couch from last week. This is the Verso-Nico couch, if they want to sit in it. But they don't have to! Live your truth, boys! Go sit with your situationships instead!

Wei Wuxian is here, still looking happy after his absence this week, and he is dressed to impress in NOT a hanfu this time, but a modern look. He's liking it, honestly. Look at him sparkle!

"Congratulations, my friends! You are once again free from a blackout and losing a wish as you found a perfect match at yesterday's truth booth. Good job!" Wei Wuxian explains, twirling his flute in his fingers as per usual. "You might still get no lights again otherwise but, uh, let's hope not! I believe in you!"

... Does he?

Either way, he bounces on his feet and calls out, "Team Suibian, it's time to make your picks!" Looks like we're ready to go.

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[ Wah ... just lets himself get noogied, the hat getting mushed over his face even as he tries to speak. ]

Aah, just -- going through my thoughts, as it were. I agree with Miss Serpilia's assessment. In terms of the likelihoods of the lights from this week.

[just. continues to hang off his shoulder, even after the noogie ends. casually leaning! nothing to it!! nobody look at him]

Yeah. I think so, too. I even think she's right about Yingying and Poppy.

[. . .]

Do you feel good about the likelihood of getting your wish?

[ Looking. ]

[NOT PERCEIVING]

[Odile's revenge]

[ The noogie-ing stops, so he takes the chance to ease his hat up just enough that the brim isn't sitting over his eyes. Not even trying to shake the Edamura's arm hanging off his shoulder though. (Because maybe he kind of likes that weight pressed up against him? He's allowed to do that.) ]

No good exorcist would let their guard down so early, Edamura-san. It's the easiest way for things to go wrong. [ ... ] But this week's been fruitful. I think our chances of success are good as long as we remain vigilant.

[ Sorry, the romance rating in his answer is probably in the negatives. ]

[it's okay, he actually wasn't looking for a romantic response. because when he thinks about it, there's one important thing he doesn't know about Rom here, isn't there? though there is one thing he addresses first, one brow quirked, smile slightly exasperated (pos)]

Okay, first off: Makoto.

[a beat. a small exhale]

. . . you can call me Makoto. And second--

[a very curious tilt of his head]

Will you tell me what your wish is for?

[ He cants his head to catch Edamura's gaze at that. Meets it evenly for a moment before dipping his gaze away; if it means he's leaning against Edamura just a little, he'd like for it to go uncommented on. ]

... for people to not longer be harmed by malicious spirits.

[ It sounds ridiculous, he knows. A wish like that could never be granted in full, no matter who's behind this game. It's too nebulous, too large in scope, too much. But even so -- ]

If this game could fulfill even a fraction of that wish, or grant me the tools to carry it out even in part, it would mean a lot less suffering for a great many people. I wanted to gamble on that chance.

[to someone from such a simple world like Edamura, it sounds. . . anything but ridiculous, actually. would that mean the elimination of all malicious spirits. . .? maybe the erection some kind of barrier that prevents them from hurting humans? he has no clue how something like that manifest, so his imagination kind of runs away with it. and if said imagination is true, then. . . that would mean that Rom's entire business would be rendered moot. right?]

[. . .]

[but maybe. . . that's what he wants? because--]

Do you think a wish like that would help you with--

[he cuts himself off, mouth clicking shut with a small frown. then he lifts a hand. . . and gently taps Rom against the forehead. fully resisting the urge to cutely brush away fluffy black bangs]

[he won't say it aloud, knowing the information was shared in confidence, concealed from their microphones. but he hopes Rom gets what he means]

[ It takes him a moment to connect the dots, purely because that tap to the forehead is an unfamiliar sensation. He needs a second to process the simple, tactile feedback of it before he can understand what Edamura means by it. ]

... aah. That doesn't really matter.

[ Vaguely, he kind of wants that again? It felt nice. ]

I'll find a way to adapt, no matter what the results may be. Whether things stay the same for myself, or I need to find a new angle for my job -- it would still be a worthwhile reward. ... I'll make things work.

[ A pause before his smile quirks just a little wider and he remembers to add -- ]

Including your baggage, Makoto-san.

[it does matter, Edamura wants to say. . . because any wish that would give Rom some relief from the horrors he has lived with for his entire life would be amazing, wouldn't it? he doesn't know if Rom wants to experience what it's like to be a normal guy or not, but. . . maybe he wants the chance to rest. to spend at least one day as just as himself, and not a tool for keeping humanity safe]

[. . .]

[but before he can voice any of that-- . . . ah. right. the baggage thing]

H--

[. . . c-covers his own quickly reddening face with one hand!!]

I-- it's not fair, to turn things around on me like that. . .!

[it's a grumbly protest, but not a loud one. half-hearted, even. deep down, there is a tiny part of him that might be a little. . . happy, to hear that]

[. . . even if they were talking about Rom's baggage first!1]

[ Haha. That's -- cute, he thinks? He's not much for evaluating what people generally find cute or not, but. This is cute, he thinks. Yeah. The way Edamura's face goes red, and he stutters a little. It feels nice, knowing he managed to elicit that.

Rom smiles before finally straightening up from the hunched poster he'd taken to permit Edamura's arm over his shoulder. Arches his back a little to crack his spine before giving Edamura one of his usual uncanny grins. ]

By the way, we'd better think of a good use for your wish as well! It's not something to be taken lightly. Many people in history have killed or died in order to have their wishes fulfilled -- [ saying this morbid shit without batting an eye ... ] -- and being able to earn one through simply participating in a game show is an absolutely steal! So please do think the matter over carefully. It'd be nice if you could come up with something that would really make things better for you, yes?

[it's a bit reluctant, but Edamura does allow his arm to slip away as Rom straightens. it's strange, but. . . he feels kind of bereft without the contact, his hands hanging uselessly at his sides, itching to reach out and reclaim what they've lost. for a moment, he simply sits with this feeling. dips his fingers into the pockets of his pants, shoulders hunched, as something stupidly and childishly discontent turns in his stomach]

[. . . it was nice. feeling comfortable enough to lock fingers on stage. to casually lean. to claim a bit of Rom's personal space for himself, perching there like a cat commandeering a couch cushion. it has been. . . a very long time since he has been able to indulge in physical intimacy of any kind. and while it has never been much of a priority in his life, he thinks. . .]

[a sharp exhale. he already threw away his reservations back at the match ceremony, right? so maybe it's--]

[-- maybe it's okay for him to reach out and snag one of Rom's hands in his own, holding it much more loosely than he did on stage as he casually answers the question]

There isn't anything I want that badly.

[he is a very simple bean]

I actually offered my wish to Yingying. She has. . . some stuff holding her back.

[ It had been easy permitting all the casual physical contact and manhandling so far without reaction. It had all felt like some game, after all -- fishing for a reaction and getting it, the face-shoving and grabbing acting as simple feedback to confirm he was on the right track.

This feels different, though. Unearned, unmerited, almost. Rom blinks when he feels Edamura's hand slotting against his, hesitating for a moment. Then squeezes back, gentle but there.

It's nice. The solid sensation of it. It feels like some screw that's been wound too taut in his chest for far too long loosens just a fraction. ]

Most people wouldn't use something as precious as a wish for someone they've barely known a month, you know. [ He glances down at their hands, thumb brushing against a knuckle just once. ] Even if there's nothing you need, there's plenty a wish could be used for. Fame, fortune, a comfortable life, political power ... even just an easy way to get that coffee shop of yours, if you wanted.

[ Another slight squeeze before he looks back up. ]

It's admirable, if you'd really take that route. We'll really need to try our best to guarantee those wishes.

[it's the thumb across his knuckles that gets him. not because he didn't think Rom capable of such tender affections, but because-- it is different. far more different than Edamura's defensive roughhousing from the past three weeks. something flutters lightly in his chest as he glances down in turn, as he watches that thumb return to its original position after its brave excursion forward. . . while quietly wishing it would try again]

[. . . one breath in. then two. he looks up afterwards, catching Rom's gaze with his own. it's not on purpose, but the sheer timing of it all sends his pulse skittering]

. . . I don't want any of that.

[he isn't meant to have fame. he is far too ordinary for that. fortune? nah. . . he still has a pretty solid stash of money back home from the cons he pulled off. a comfortable life. . . would bore him, if he is being honest, and he knows it. political power? fuck no. and the coffee shop--?]

[-- that's the only tempting option. and even then, he thinks he'd want to build it from the ground up himself. and certainly not now.]

[Rom squeezes his fingers, and Edamura returns the gesture in kind, holding on just a little bit too tightly. it's hard not to, with how his heart feels like it might lodge itself into his throat any second now]

So. . . if Yingying will have it, I'll use my wish on her. [. . .] If someone else doesn't first.

And if someone does, then-- [a helpless little laugh] I'll just find someone else who needs it.

[. . .]

[though he thinks he may have already]

[ It's nice, this.

The warmth of Edamura's hand around his, but also, the conviction in his voice. So much of his work -- outside the thrills and danger of exorcism -- consists of dreary research, reading into endless vile incidents and grim histories. The sorts of atrocities that birth malevolent spirits. Terrible people committing terrible acts of all sorts are a dime a dozen, blending together. Even if he knows on a rational level that those monsters are the outliers, not the norm, he still interacts with their remnants so much more than he does normal people.

What a refreshing change this is. ]

Understood~!

[ There's some of his usual, obnoxious showmanship leaking into the reply, his delivery sing-song, and Rom lets their clasps hands swing a little bit. The sort of thing that probably comes across as mugging for the camera, trying to be annoying on purpose. It's basically reflex for him, after all, putting on that sort of act.

He does squeeze Edamura's hand, though. Lets his thumb brush against knuckles once more. ]

I'll really have to do my best, then. It's quite the hurdle we have remaining ahead of us, trying to figure out these last few matches, but ... we've come this far, so our odds are good. Let's get you that wish.

[that thumb brushing featherlight against his knuckles is absolutely going to be the death of him. it's weird, how such a tiny gesture can mean so much. . . and can feel like it's completely upending his entire world. then again. . . hasn't the show itself done that? from proving to him that other universes exist, to letting him meet vampires and AIs and exorcists, to. . . whatever this turns out to be]

[. . . he had been so tired that first week after having his worldview so completely and utterly changed, knowing that he would once again have to adapt to something far outside of his control. this is. . . easier. it's nicer! it changes things, but for the better. and the best part is?]

[he got to choose it for himself]

Hey now, don't talk like it's only my wish on the line, here.

[Rom's is important, too!!]

But all that aside--

[a brief pause, because despite everything he had said (and meant) at the ceremony, he hadn't really thought about the things that came after]

We still have a week left, and we can't spend that whole week thinking about the rest of our matches. S. . . so. . .

[ His wish is important, certainly. One of the main reasons he came here in the first place. But if it doesn't come true, well ... he'll just continue working hard on his own, doing what he can. Same old, same old.

But if he could support Edamura in making the choice to help someone else -- that'd be different. He wants that gratification.

The thought has him grinning, and he leans in a little, lowers his voice to a conspiratorial murmur. Ominous in his usual fashion: ]

Soooo?

[ The brim of his hat taps against the crown of Edamura's head with the way he looms close. ]

Was there something you wanted to do during the week we have left, Makoto-san? ... unfortunately a private hot spring is still off the menu despite your wishes [ hehe ] but if there's something else you'd like to do, and the production team is amenable, I'd like to do it.

[gck--]

H-- hey! That was just a suggestion to help you out, back at the onsen. . . ! That's not--!

[his grip on Rom's hand tightens]

[Rom's wide-brimmed hat bumps up against the top of his head, and red floods Edamura's cheeks, hardened only by the slightly defiant scowl that pinches his features]

[. . .]

[his free hand grips Rom's collar so tightly his knuckles turn white]

[he exhales his next words sharply, with audible exasperation]

You're such a pain in the ass.

[and then he yanks on that captured collar, surging forward at the same time, all in one surprisingly smooth motion]

[to claim a very indignant and fussy kiss]

[ Hehe. He's starting to find some nice familiarity in that, the grab at his shirtfront. The sort of playful roughhousing that he never got to experience much of growing up.

And just as he's about to say some followup quip to put a pause to whenever Edamura starts shaking him again --]

[ ... for better or for worse, Rom doesn't react to the kiss much. Stays mostly still, seemingly frozen as he tries to process how he feels about that.

Huh. Strange. It doesn't feel much like any of the kisses shared during that game of spin the bottle, even the supposed 'special first.' Those had felt so ... perfunctory.

Edamura pulls away, and there's just long enough of a pause for him to see Rom blink, expression still the same owlish neutral. Then, movement -- ingrained reflex that has Rom raising a hand to sweep off his hat, using it to shield their faces from the nearest camera. Offering them just a little privacy so he can whisper, ]

Once more, if you'd please?

[it's probably for the better, considering how short the kiss winds up being. something quick and purposeful, meant as revenge for Rom's goading. Edamura's attempt at flustering instead of being flustered for a change!! so. . . when he draws back, and there isn't a single hint of embarrassment on Rom's features, he feels an irritable sense of disappointment. that's not fair!!]

[he knows Rom's poker face is pretty good, but still!! not even a hint of a blush? a small spattering of pink on those cheeks? a few stuttered words of confusion?? come on, surely Edamura isn't that bad at this (. . . or maybe he is, considering how long it has been??). either way, he feels his shoulders stiffen defensively, another loud complaint dangling on the tip of his tongue]

week three | match ceremony

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1/4 look i have a number this time

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