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That obvious to those who know me, huh? That's fine. Fine until it becomes a problem later down the road, but that's for future Takasugi Shinsaku to deal with. I'll just have to think of a way to make it even better, one that'll wow the whole of us for how ingenious the protection methods are. ... Ah. My house is still a ways off in Gloria, by the way. We can either do this now or later.

( pointing that-a-way in the distance, the black cobblestone of the streets growing uneven the farther one gets from the haunts of the city that tend to run more middle-class. )

A bit, but I’m good at keeping secrets. Don’t worry~.

[ Granted, he doesn’t think Takasugi is too worried about that, and that’s in two respects. For one, if it was that secret, he wouldn’t have admitted it just now. But two, he’s already proven that, hasn’t he? He’s kept that terrible night a secret, even if some of those reasons were selfish and shameful.

But now, he just laughs good-naturedly. It’s like that night hadn’t happened at all. ]

But really? You already dragged me away from my drink, so I’m committed to this! It’d be silly to go wander back there, and I’m not going to hop to another, so… An evening’s walk it is.

Exactly what I want to hear.

( a brisk evening walk.

the sky continues to sprinkle with the beginnings of snow, everything coalescing and burning on the way down to form thin puddles on the pavement. the chill isn't chilly enough for it to stick, but it's just chilly enough for it to ice over, and when they arrive closer to the downtrodden area that takasugi still lives in, they had best be careful.

the electric box he mentioned is situated in a little alleyway between the rowhouses, encased in padlock and a gate to keep it secure. once they arrive, he playfully threads his fingers through the diamond-mesh wire and excitedly points at what's inside, his tail sweeping behind him with anticipation. don't worry about how tight a fit it is. )

[ As soon as they approach, Hugo makes a light, appraising noise, but it’s clearly positive. ]

Yes, that’s no problem at all.

[ But it becomes a familiar dance from older days. Hugo slips into Takasugi’s personal space to run his hand along his jawbone in a flirtatious way, but his other hand is occupied by reaching into an inner pocket of his jacket. The momentum naturally carries them so that Hugo ends up with his back against the fence, and Takasugi’s fluffy form blocks more space from onlookers. Hugo’s voice is barely a whisper, which is naturally warm and seductive, but his tone is more no-nonsense. ]

Just play along while I work. The people here are prudes enough that any passerbys won’t look.

[ And indeed, from the outside perspective, this looks like an amorous moment and very much worth averting eyes… But Hugo gets to work swiftly. His hands are behind his back as he works on the gate, but it won’t take him more than a few seconds to pop the lock.

Apparently, he is indeed as skilled as he boasted. ]

( truth be told, takasugi is the one who started it.

a seductive come-hither motion or two from his perspective is easy to blink away, and so is a hand against his jaw, but in a space that barely has any room between the two of them for as lithe as they are, it makes him wobble a hand behind him for support as he leans back. like, hold it. he's supposed to be the strikingly handsome one who intimidates people with his playful come-ons, okay? it almost makes him feel a little self-conscious for once, brows folding together briefly before they shoot right up in surprise at how deftly hugo plays him in the alley to make him move.

well. right before his fur starts to prickle visibly, a hint of something red on the curve of his cheek. )

Give someone a heads-up before you start manhandling them, would you?

( that way he can prepare his heart for next time.

he's surprisingly obedient, though, letting his tail block the way before dismissively motioning with a hand for hugo to move. )

[ Hugo’s eyebrows raise a little bit as he notices that (very cute!) little flush on Takasugi’s cheeks, but he at least resists the very strong urge to tease him. It’s still visible in his expression—an unsaid question of “oh, how the tables have turned”—but that coyness suits the act that Hugo has set up here. ]

Sure. If you expect we might be doing this again, I’ll even come up with code words~.

[ …Which probably sounds like teasing, but it isn’t. It’s exactly how he worked with any member of Mockingbird, and it’s a small part of why their operation worked so well. A single phrase was all it took to slip into a role.

Yet, impressively, that little retort is all it takes for a satisfying little click to follow. Hugo withdraws his hands from behind his back, deftly folding his tools up with one hand, and spinning the padlock ones around his index finger with the other. Even for someone with experience with picking locks, it would still be remarkably skilled and deft work.

He slips slightly to the side to give Takasugi more access, since this is where he takes over, but he still stays close. Partially because there’s not much of a choice, naturally, but also to continue to block the view in whatever way he can as they switch spots. ]

I can keep watch, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to see you work.

Like I'd let you miss out on the chance to see me work my magic, especially after everything we've been through tonight. Not to worry. What you're about to witness is more interesting than half of what this city can accomplish, let alone a feat almost no one has been witness to.

( confident, are we?

takasugi shoots a hand up dramatically to his face, two fingers angling in a 'v' spread along the one eye that always remains visible. )

( ... and, then ...

you know.

absolutely nothing happens. his tail flicks ineffectually as if to punctuate the awkward silence. )

Who was the one who went and forgot the anklet from Patho-Gen seals your natural abilities, huh? ... That's right. It was me.

( eyes shut, like. damn. is he supposed to rip this open with his bare hands now? )

[ Hugo is at least perfectly interested and earnest as he steps back to watch Takasugi’s magic.

…Which. Is apparently literal. Hugo stares at Takasugi expectantly, glances at the box, and then, truly. He can’t help it. He erupts in laughter. Maybe it’s partially at Takasugi’s expense, sure, but most of it is just that he’d really expected a feat of engineering, so not something that would be affected by the bracelet! ]

Well, I have to give you credit for style! It’s a properly dramatic introduction.

[ That part is genuine praise, even though it probably doesn’t sound like it… they are actually both chuuni but in different professions… ]

I suppose I’ll have to take an IOU for the demonstration once they let you out for good behavior~.

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CRYING.... boyfailure mode activate