perfectmatch | week four | match ceremony

Entry tags:

week four | match ceremony

Tonight, they're back at the courtyard for the fourth and final time. Nothing has changed too drastically decor wise, there are still lanterns abound and a table full of food and drink. There is also now a third couch near the special couches for Messmer and Odile, if they so choose to sit there. But again, you do you! Wei Wuxian is certainly not going to stop you.

Speaking of that guy, he's here and dressed to impress again. He's looking snazzy. He's waiting for everyone to arrive, watching as they do and grinning broadly all the while. Then when everyone arrives, he clears his throat and begins to speak.

"You all have achieved three of the eight lights you need to win the game. With the match of Messmer and Odile, you only have to light up five lights tonight to succeed. Let's hope you pick right, huh?"

But he has complete faith in everyone! So, let's get this show on the road.

"Team Wangji, you're up."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Now, there are two leftovers again but... that was intentional, wasn't it? Wei Wuxian beams brightly as he calls up Edamura and Rom as our two final picks. ]

Come on up, boys. Anything you want to say before we close?

[ And it doesn't look like Edamura has anything to say but!

Rom pipes up. ]

"... just for a moment, I'd like to forget where we are -- to pay no mind to the audiences, or the cameras, or even the game as a whole. I think I've been doing my best, so hopefully our fellow game-mates will forgive me for one moment of negligence."

[ His delivery maintains that usual, languid tone. But given how conscious Rom has appeared of the cameras during their entire stint, Edamura can probably understand the gravity behind that opener, no matter how casually it might be said.

And it's only Edamura that Rom looks at as he continues, even his hand briefly clenches to a nervous fist at his side. ]

"Makoto-san. I'm grateful that circumstances have allowed me to meet you like this. And I stand by what I said -- I'll do my utmost to make sure you have no regrets. No matter what might happen going forth, I'll dedicate myself to that promise. So thank you for giving me that chance. I won't let you down."

[ Now that's a finale, for sure. Wei Wuxian looks so proud of Rom especially. That's his guy! (Who hates him but whatever.)

Lock it in, boys! ]

[ Big big clap for these boys!! This is the first time the leftover pairing at the end has actually felt good to see, because they actually fit together. ]

[. . . HE SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING!! DAMN IT!! HE THOUGHT HE SAID IT ALL LAST WEEK!! WHAT THE HELL!!!]

[. . . . . . . . . he just got shown up!!! embarrassing!!!]

[but. . .]

[he supposes. . . not in a bad way. . .]

[a moment passes. brief as a heartbeat. and then, on the heels of Rom's words, Edamura rocks forward to drag his companion down into an AGGRESSIVE HAT NOOGIE]

H-hey! I wasn't prepared for any of that, you know! You should really warn a guy first!

[. . . and then he settles, until he is merely leaning warmly against Rom's side. arm looped around his shoulders, hand coming to rest across Rom's chest. right over his heart]

I meant it, though. I don't have any regrets.

. . . and I don't think anything could change that.

[ He lets himself get dragged down without protest, only giving a placid laugh even as his hat's smushed down over his head and the fake feathers on his suit get rumpled. ]

Now, now, Makoto-san. I'm still an entertainer! I can't make an exit without at least making some sort of statement to keep up viewer retention!

[ A soft exhale before he leans in, lowers his voice. Just for the two of them: ]

I meant it. Thank you. ... let's try our best.

[. . . hehehehe]

[it takes him a moment. a few long seconds while he considers his options. he has been acutely aware of the cameras' presence for their entire four week stay in the mansion, but right now? they're really in the spotlight. not just with the cameras, but with everyone else watching them, too. that makes it kind of embarrassing!! then again. . .]

[isn't one of the things that Rom has done for him is allow him the chance to just-- be?]

[a tiny laugh tumbles from his lips. the hand against Rom's chest trails up until fingers curl around the collar of that gaudy gothic getup. he really should have learned his lesson by now-- a lesson about giving warnings himself!!-- but they've done this enough by now that perhaps it won't be as awkward as the first few had?]

[either way, with no visible shame and a level of boldness that people probably have not come to expect from him. . . ! Edamura yanks Rom down and steals YET ANOTHER kiss. short! chaste! PG-rated! no censorship needed]

[ You know, by this point, maybe he should have seen that coming? Edamura does seem to like stealing his kisses in unexpected fashion, after all. Maybe he should have learned to brace himself for this.

But once more he's caught off-guard by that decisive action, and once more, there's a swell of excitement and warmth in his chest so strong that he almost can't contain it. He'd briefly stiffened in surprise, eyes widening in an owlish blink, and then the kiss is over, too quick for him to return it.

He can't just let it end at that, can he?

Rom's not bold enough for a second kiss, but he does surge forward to pull Edamura into a full embrace, arms wrapped tight around him so he has no escape. And while it's not as overt as a kiss, it's probably just as meaningful for the two of them when he bumps foreheads with Edamura, nuzzling him for just a moment. When he pulls back, there's another glimpse of that rare, exuberant smile. ]

That's scandalous, Makoto-san! In front of all the cameras ...

[ He's joking, of course. His arms squeeze tight around Edamura just once more before letting go. ]

Shall we lock in?

Edited (can't type for my life) 2025-06-28 19:40 (UTC)

[urk-- Edamura rocks back with the force of that embrace, heels digging into the ground so it doesn't. . . you know. completely bowl him over. and while it isn't another kiss, Edamura has learned by now exactly how Rom prefers expresses physical affection. a little bump of their foreheads, a small, catlike nuzzle. . . that warms him just as much as another kiss might have]

[the hug is over too soon-- just like the kiss preceding it-- though Edamura can't complain too much. it's. . . nice, to see Rom smile like that. open. honest. nothing holding him back]

Yeah, yeah. . . we should.

[a small, breathless laugh]

Can't keep everyone waiting on us, can we?