[excuse him he loves this jacket, and also he loves these photos. his eyes are wide as he looks through them, and just softly marvels:] Uwaaaah....
[THEY'RE SO NEAT-LOOKING.....]
You took my boyfriend on a date? [hE WOULD PROBABLY SOUND MORE ANNOYED IF HE WASN'T PUTTING ON THE JACKET IMMEDIATELY, doing a little turn as if he'll be able to see the back even though he just put it on??? and then he turns to taka] Was it fun? Did you have a good time?
[Other than watching Senri flamboyantly spin around in the jacket, he pointedly looks away.] It was fine. [Unlike someone else, he won't throw Taka under the bus. Instead, he bends to take Ray's camera out of the bag with one hand since the opposite has a parfait still.] Actually.
I forgot something.
[He's so quick!! There's no hesitation. Senri is occupied with the jacket and Taka, and Taka is occupied with the parfait. He closes the distance between him and Taka and with literally no reluctance, leans in to smooch him. Like Senri's, it isn't really that amazing. There's nothing behind it but a very second-long peck, almost like it's for a business purpose. He even makes a face; Taka's lips are too sweet and it's gross. He doesn't seem worried about being curb-stomped, plus the point was nothing was in secret this time.]
Now the two of you can shut the hell up since you both got one.
[The field is even, and he can drop it, and maybe they won't feel hurt about each other. He leaves the bag with them, but turns away with the camera under an arm, so he can hide any sort of humiliation with the last scraps of dignity he has left.]
like, he manages to catch it, although some of it falls onto his hand so now he has parfait covered fingers which is gross? but he's not really paying attention to that at the moment.
his face is bright red, as that was his first non-senri kiss and from his expression it is very obvious that he never expected to ever receive, in his life, a non-senri kiss. ]
That...
[ give him a second he's processing what just happened. ]
[He makes his arm unmovable, but doesn't try to yank it away.] I already gave you one. Now we're even. So we can drop it. [Unless Senri is going to smash his poor coffee parfait into his face or something.]
He glances at poor Taka and then at Senri, and then he looks away. He tugs on his arm, though doesn't try to yank it for fear of dropping Ray's camera or the parfait.]
Stop making it into a big deal. I told him it wouldn't happen again anyway. So it won't for this either. [His sigh is tired.] He cares about you, idiot. Nothing is going to change that.
[He sort of just gives Senri a look. Again, he tugs on the arm without trying to get away.] They don't. [But it's all the hint he'll really give because he's too worried about opening a can of worms he just tried to close by making things theoretically more even.] Sorry. [To Taka.]
Just let go, so I can take this back and put it with Ray's things.
[hE'S NOT! LETTING GO! especially when he hears that and senri
is unfortunately not a total idiot. he's operated under a general sort of understanding so far, but it's not like he can miss something in as bright lights as that]
... didn't it...?
[he glances back to taka, and then offer to sasuke]
.... we're not - just friends?
[it's actually
a very general 'we' meaning the three of them, because sasuke has now
[Similarly, his brows furrow. He glances at Taka, but doesn't look at Senri this time before he looks off in another direction.]
I'm your friend, and I'm Takaomi's friend. I'm okay with both of you. [He's pretty sure nothing else is a thing.] You two are the ones who are dating.
Don't worry about it. I was with him the whole day, so... you go spend time with him or whatever. [He offers Senri the parfait.] Do you want this? [As a brokering of peace.]
[ takaomi is definitely frowning but he's also not interjecting here, since sasuke is addressing senri and not him.
granted, this frown turns into a brief moment of puzzlement at "takaomi's friend" as if it took him until this very second to realize that sasuke might consider him a friend.
but. whatever. his hand is now clean and he's definitely not waiting to see whatever senri says to this. ]
[he needs. a little bit longer to process the rest. because it's not like sasuke is denying what senri is implying and he glances over to taka and then back at sasuke and
looks more than a little bewildered and lost.
except he's also going to reach for taka's hand because he's so confused and normally when he's not sure what to do, he defers to -
well, ray isn't here.
so taka.]
Taka...?
[distantly, some advice rings in senri's ears: The only "should" or "shouldn't" when it comes to love is you shouldn't decide things on your own, and you should decide them by talking to everyone involved.]
[His sigh is quiet and through the nose, and he lowers the arm with the parfait some. His eye flickers to Taka, and he frowns, face almost apologetic but not quite.
...
Briefly, he wonders how everything always manages to blow up in his face, even literally. Orochimaru's curse was broken by Itachi a long time ago, and yet, he always feels perpetually cursed anyway.]
It's something that he should talk to you about. It doesn't involve me.
[ well, it does, in the sense that senri is taka's boyfriend and that in the end, it affects their relationship.
but he isn't sure that he should be here for a conversation like this if all it's going to do is upset him to hear it. he can deal with what happens after, but he feels like he's invading something very personal right now. it's kind of like when they were all with cinque, except much more potentially disastrous. ]
... you guys can find me after you talk, and we can discuss it together if you want, but what he has to say is only for you and not me.
[ . . . . it's a little odd, how senri feels like they're a little bit on the edge of something. but he listens to what taka has to say carefully, and he decides that he's right. he also can't force taka to stay for something that he really doesn't want to be a part of, and shouldn't.
so he nods quietly, listening. he uses the hand in taka's to pull him closer briefly, only for senri to give him a kiss and a soft reminder:] ... I love you. So please don't start thinking any lonely or depressing thoughts without me.
I'll find you after.
[after... whatever this is going to be, apparently. and only after he says that is when he lets go of taka's hand.
[He keeps his eye averted, and he frowns. It feels... wrong. To split up again. The reason he did what he did when they were together was so things wouldn't be concealed in the first place.]
No. He can stay. He should stay.
[He doesn't try to run away from Senri.] Takaomi was right. I wanted to ignore it because it was easier. Because... what matters to me is... you're happy, no matter where you are or who you're with. But he wasn't wrong.
I kissed you because it meant something. I had already talked to Love, and she had lessened the curse. I wasn't... even fully cursed. Didn't I tell you... everything was the same? [His eye lifts between them, but only briefly.] It's fine. The two of you...
I didn't mean to get involved. I didn't expect... [Well, he's not sure what he expected, so he just trails off.] I don't know Takaomi well. I had planned... to go back to Konoha. I had planned... to ask for something to make you forget even knowing me. That it would make it easier, so... the two of you could go back together and nothing would be in the way. But... I changed my mind. I'm... tired of running.
Whatever you both decide, I'm fine with it.
If I go back to Konoha, I won't ever see either of you again. The rinnegan... I think I would have to be in the dimension at least once to make the connection. I still have to practice. The Shibuya that was here wasn't your Shibuya. I would have to go with you first, and then I would have to go to Konoha from there. Or it won't work.
[ he's actually almost at the door when sasuke talks, and he pauses at the doorknob. taka doesn't... leave, but he doesn't move back towards them either and he doesn't look at either of them.
there's a twisting feeling in his gut, the same one that hits him when he's talking to beauty and the topic of senri comes up. the sensation that something is happening that he can't control, and that has the potential of snatching away someone so very, very important.
but. he also made a decision, back on sunday, so he can't really go back on it now that senri knows the truth as well. ]
... you are such a goddamn moron. I don't think I know anyone stupider than you.
[ dumbass idiot ninja who has stupid ass plans and doesn't consider the people around him. ]
[you'll have to excuse him, he suddenly doesn't know up from down. there's the growing confusion - like it never registered to him for even a second, after all they've been through, that sasuke might feel that way about him. that he could've kissed him because it meant something, that maybe he wasn't entirely cursed to hell and back.
senri never had even one person look at him this way back home - it's part of what's made him crave the attention so badly, wherever he could get it.
but just the same he knows entirely and completely well that he is so painfully gone for shishimaru takaomi.]
.... you have to get to know Taka better - [the most important part, of everything] - and I know that this was the start of that, but... you can't go somewhere just for me, Sasuke. No one should ever... [do that much, just for him]
I know you have friends back home who are waiting for you. It's why I struggled to ask you to come with us in the first place, but I...
[he blinks a few times - because he's coming to understand that the options in front of him are: take sasuke with them to shibuya, or never see him again. and in the week alone since sasuke had first told him that he was going to come with them.... he'd grown so comfortable with the idea.]
I'm so mad at you...
[no he's mostly just upset now because he doesn't know what to do, thanks]
[Taka isn't exactly wrong again. It was the desperate thoughts of a sad boy is all.]
You toyed with me. [He doesn't look angry, but his face is serious when he looks at Senri.] You strung me along because you're selfish. And then you chose someone else after bullying them into admitting what I'm admitting. [He sighs.] But... I'm not angry. In fact... I...
...strangely, forgive you.
[Again, he tries to get his arm away, gently, though he doesn't seem ready to run.] I can go back and forth between you world and Konoha. The rinnegan's dimensional travel is unlimited, just... I'll have to rest after each time. It requires a lot of chakra. But...
I'm not going with you if both of you don't agree to want it now that you know the truth. This decision isn't only mine.
It's yours. Because you're both together. Because it's your world.
that does get him to turn around, at least, and his expression is angry, but-- he manages to still not approach either of them, considering he hadn't even planned to be part of this conversation in the first place.
still. he has to bite his tongue not to yell. and he already made a decision on whether or not he wants sasuke to come, so it really is up to senri, in the end, but ]
... don't say things like that. He didn't "string you along," you make it sound like he was pulling shit just to be mean. How is he supposed to know if you're feeling hurt if you don't say anything?
[he winces at the explanation - somewhere between pained and saddened. did he do that? did he string someone along? did he bully taka into saying that he liked him? in the end, was this all his fault and could he have done something to keep people from being upset?
he lets sasuke's arm go then - if only so that he can cross his arms in front of himself a little weakly, fingers pressing into his arm]
... I should've noticed....
[is all he has to say for taka. because he's good with people, so he should've noticed. he should've been aware of what they were feeling. it was just another thing that he didn't read, another piece that he was missing this whole time.
but when he speaks again, it's soft]
... there's always going to be a place for you with me, Sasuke. I meant it when I said that - because you're my friend. And I want you to be happy, and find peace, and...
[ . . . ]
I'm sorry - that I didn't notice. But it doesn't make you any less important to me.
But... I want what Taka wants, because his happiness is important to me too. So...
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[THEY'RE SO NEAT-LOOKING.....]
You took my boyfriend on a date? [hE WOULD PROBABLY SOUND MORE ANNOYED IF HE WASN'T PUTTING ON THE JACKET IMMEDIATELY, doing a little turn as if he'll be able to see the back even though he just put it on??? and then he turns to taka] Was it fun? Did you have a good time?
[did saSUKE GET DATE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT]
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[Other than watching Senri flamboyantly spin around in the jacket, he pointedly looks away.] It was fine. [Unlike someone else, he won't throw Taka under the bus. Instead, he bends to take Ray's camera out of the bag with one hand since the opposite has a parfait still.] Actually.
I forgot something.
[He's so quick!! There's no hesitation. Senri is occupied with the jacket and Taka, and Taka is occupied with the parfait. He closes the distance between him and Taka and with literally no reluctance, leans in to smooch him. Like Senri's, it isn't really that amazing. There's nothing behind it but a very second-long peck, almost like it's for a business purpose. He even makes a face; Taka's lips are too sweet and it's gross. He doesn't seem worried about being curb-stomped, plus the point was nothing was in secret this time.]
Now the two of you can shut the hell up since you both got one.
[The field is even, and he can drop it, and maybe they won't feel hurt about each other. He leaves the bag with them, but turns away with the camera under an arm, so he can hide any sort of humiliation with the last scraps of dignity he has left.]
I'm taking this back to the parlor.
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like, he manages to catch it, although some of it falls onto his hand so now he has parfait covered fingers which is gross? but he's not really paying attention to that at the moment.
his face is bright red, as that was his first non-senri kiss and from his expression it is very obvious that he never expected to ever receive, in his life, a non-senri kiss. ]
That...
[ give him a second he's processing what just happened. ]
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senri's hand snaps out to catch sasuke's wrist almost automatically. his grip is tight.]
Did you just.
[KISS HIS BOYFRIEND?
RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM?
RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS PARFAIT?]
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[He makes his arm unmovable, but doesn't try to yank it away.] I already gave you one. Now we're even. So we can drop it. [Unless Senri is going to smash his poor coffee parfait into his face or something.]
I at least didn't hide it. Let go.
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don't mind him ]
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But that doesn't count! You were cursed, you know? Did you really just do that to even things out? Aren't you straight again?!
[HE SO DESPERATELY WANTS TO UNDERSTAND]
All good dates end with a kiss but - aaaahhh, Sasuke! Why do you make things difficult?!
Taka, how come you aren't saying anything?!
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[STOP THIS BI ERASURE, SENRI
He glances at poor Taka and then at Senri, and then he looks away. He tugs on his arm, though doesn't try to yank it for fear of dropping Ray's camera or the parfait.]
Stop making it into a big deal. I told him it wouldn't happen again anyway. So it won't for this either. [His sigh is tired.] He cares about you, idiot. Nothing is going to change that.
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Embarrassing...
[ he's still fairly useless here. ]
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Don't be stupid. I know that. [HE KNOWS TAKA LOVES HIM!!!] But - oh my god.
You're actually so stupid.
Friends don't just - kiss friends....
[what the fuck]
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Just let go, so I can take this back and put it with Ray's things.
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taka goes over to get something to wipe his hand off. ]
Whatever. [ ... ] It didn't mean anything, Senri.
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is unfortunately not a total idiot. he's operated under a general sort of understanding so far, but it's not like he can miss something in as bright lights as that]
... didn't it...?
[he glances back to taka, and then offer to sasuke]
.... we're not - just friends?
[it's actually
a very general 'we' meaning the three of them, because sasuke has now
kissed them both]
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I'm your friend, and I'm Takaomi's friend. I'm okay with both of you. [He's pretty sure nothing else is a thing.] You two are the ones who are dating.
Don't worry about it. I was with him the whole day, so... you go spend time with him or whatever. [He offers Senri the parfait.] Do you want this? [As a brokering of peace.]
It's bitter.
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granted, this frown turns into a brief moment of puzzlement at "takaomi's friend" as if it took him until this very second to realize that sasuke might consider him a friend.
but. whatever. his hand is now clean and he's definitely not waiting to see whatever senri says to this. ]
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You know I don't like bitter things...
[he needs. a little bit longer to process the rest. because it's not like sasuke is denying what senri is implying and he glances over to taka and then back at sasuke and
looks more than a little bewildered and lost.
except he's also going to reach for taka's hand because he's so confused and normally when he's not sure what to do, he defers to -
well, ray isn't here.
so taka.]
Taka...?
[distantly, some advice rings in senri's ears: The only "should" or "shouldn't" when it comes to love is you shouldn't decide things on your own, and you should decide them by talking to everyone involved.]
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...
Briefly, he wonders how everything always manages to blow up in his face, even literally. Orochimaru's curse was broken by Itachi a long time ago, and yet, he always feels perpetually cursed anyway.]
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[ well, it does, in the sense that senri is taka's boyfriend and that in the end, it affects their relationship.
but he isn't sure that he should be here for a conversation like this if all it's going to do is upset him to hear it. he can deal with what happens after, but he feels like he's invading something very personal right now. it's kind of like when they were all with cinque, except much more potentially disastrous. ]
... you guys can find me after you talk, and we can discuss it together if you want, but what he has to say is only for you and not me.
[ he kisses senri's hand. ]
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so he nods quietly, listening. he uses the hand in taka's to pull him closer briefly, only for senri to give him a kiss and a soft reminder:] ... I love you. So please don't start thinking any lonely or depressing thoughts without me.
I'll find you after.
[after... whatever this is going to be, apparently. and only after he says that is when he lets go of taka's hand.
and then to sasuke - ]
... please don't try to run away from me.
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No. He can stay. He should stay.
[He doesn't try to run away from Senri.] Takaomi was right. I wanted to ignore it because it was easier. Because... what matters to me is... you're happy, no matter where you are or who you're with. But he wasn't wrong.
I kissed you because it meant something. I had already talked to Love, and she had lessened the curse. I wasn't... even fully cursed. Didn't I tell you... everything was the same? [His eye lifts between them, but only briefly.] It's fine. The two of you...
I didn't mean to get involved. I didn't expect... [Well, he's not sure what he expected, so he just trails off.] I don't know Takaomi well. I had planned... to go back to Konoha. I had planned... to ask for something to make you forget even knowing me. That it would make it easier, so... the two of you could go back together and nothing would be in the way. But... I changed my mind. I'm... tired of running.
Whatever you both decide, I'm fine with it.
If I go back to Konoha, I won't ever see either of you again. The rinnegan... I think I would have to be in the dimension at least once to make the connection. I still have to practice. The Shibuya that was here wasn't your Shibuya. I would have to go with you first, and then I would have to go to Konoha from there. Or it won't work.
But I don't have to go.
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there's a twisting feeling in his gut, the same one that hits him when he's talking to beauty and the topic of senri comes up. the sensation that something is happening that he can't control, and that has the potential of snatching away someone so very, very important.
but. he also made a decision, back on sunday, so he can't really go back on it now that senri knows the truth as well. ]
... you are such a goddamn moron. I don't think I know anyone stupider than you.
[ dumbass idiot ninja who has stupid ass plans and doesn't consider the people around him. ]
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senri never had even one person look at him this way back home - it's part of what's made him crave the attention so badly, wherever he could get it.
but just the same he knows entirely and completely well that he is so painfully gone for shishimaru takaomi.]
.... you have to get to know Taka better - [the most important part, of everything] - and I know that this was the start of that, but... you can't go somewhere just for me, Sasuke. No one should ever... [do that much, just for him]
I know you have friends back home who are waiting for you. It's why I struggled to ask you to come with us in the first place, but I...
[he blinks a few times - because he's coming to understand that the options in front of him are: take sasuke with them to shibuya, or never see him again. and in the week alone since sasuke had first told him that he was going to come with them.... he'd grown so comfortable with the idea.]
I'm so mad at you...
[no he's mostly just upset now because he doesn't know what to do, thanks]
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[Taka isn't exactly wrong again. It was the desperate thoughts of a sad boy is all.]
You toyed with me. [He doesn't look angry, but his face is serious when he looks at Senri.] You strung me along because you're selfish. And then you chose someone else after bullying them into admitting what I'm admitting. [He sighs.] But... I'm not angry. In fact... I...
...strangely, forgive you.
[Again, he tries to get his arm away, gently, though he doesn't seem ready to run.] I can go back and forth between you world and Konoha. The rinnegan's dimensional travel is unlimited, just... I'll have to rest after each time. It requires a lot of chakra. But...
I'm not going with you if both of you don't agree to want it now that you know the truth. This decision isn't only mine.
It's yours. Because you're both together. Because it's your world.
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that does get him to turn around, at least, and his expression is angry, but-- he manages to still not approach either of them, considering he hadn't even planned to be part of this conversation in the first place.
still. he has to bite his tongue not to yell. and he already made a decision on whether or not he wants sasuke to come, so it really is up to senri, in the end, but ]
... don't say things like that. He didn't "string you along," you make it sound like he was pulling shit just to be mean. How is he supposed to know if you're feeling hurt if you don't say anything?
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he lets sasuke's arm go then - if only so that he can cross his arms in front of himself a little weakly, fingers pressing into his arm]
... I should've noticed....
[is all he has to say for taka. because he's good with people, so he should've noticed. he should've been aware of what they were feeling. it was just another thing that he didn't read, another piece that he was missing this whole time.
but when he speaks again, it's soft]
... there's always going to be a place for you with me, Sasuke. I meant it when I said that - because you're my friend. And I want you to be happy, and find peace, and...
[ . . . ]
I'm sorry - that I didn't notice. But it doesn't make you any less important to me.
But... I want what Taka wants, because his happiness is important to me too. So...
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