animated | 📖 INBOX: hotel caelum

Ohhhh.

[ Yeah, definitely way better than sticking your brain into other people's bodies. Charlie seems interested all over again though, perking right back up. ]

That sounds super cool, though. Must be pretty useful for hunting stuff down.

[ When Charlie perks up and compliments his ability, Nanami's tail wags a little at that. He's just... pleased! ]

It is. I'm a fairly efficient sorcerer, which is what we call people who exorcise curses.

[ That's when the music shifts though, from the slow music from before to something a little more upbeat. Nanami looks a little surprised and then, maybe, a touch sheepish. ]

Oh... ah, I'm not sure I'd be good at dancing to this.

[ Cute!! Why is this man so cute? Charlie is finding himself more endeared by the second, which is perhaps a funny feeling to have about someone who's telling him how efficiently he kills curse monsters.

Well. It's probably fine. They both come from strange backgrounds, so maybe that's what makes this work. ]

Oh! [ One of his ears swivels in the direction of where the music is coming from. ] We can stop if you want... though maybe one of these days, I can teach you some new moves if you'd like.

Edited (repetitionnnn) 2024-02-28 01:30 (UTC)

[ Nanami is loathe to step away from Charlie though, which is the sad thing. He's not really one to share personal space with another person but it's been nice, holding Charlie's hand, holding his waist, being in his space. Maybe Nanami should give some thought to changing that policy of his.

So, he doesn't pull away yet and at Charlie's offer to teach him new moves, he feels the initial distaste at doing something so embarrassing but then the follow up desire to just spend more time with Charlie in general. ]

That... would be fine. [ God, why does he feel so awkward? ] For now, I shouldn't take up all of your time so I can let you go.

[ A pause, his tail curls against his back and he looks like he wants to say something before he adds, voice soft, ]

Later, they'll release the lanterns. If you'd like company to watch, I can make myself available.

[ Charlie can read the room. He can tell that Nanami isn't keen to let him go, and it makes something warm surge in his chest at the realization. To be so instantly wanted is... oh, it's nice.

He grins, giving the other man's hand a squeeze. ]

By all means, take up my time. Maybe we can walk around some until lanterns?

[ There is relief in him when Charlie doesn't pull away, and seems to want to keep spending time with him as well. Nanami isn't oblivious, he knows that their exchange so far hasn't been just friendly but something more. He knows that dancing with another man like this, that his desire to stay talking to him isn't just stemming from a desire to get to know one another. There is an attraction in the air and he is adult enough to know he is giving positive, hopefully reciprocated signals back.

The only thing that stumps him is his... lack of practice with this. It's funny, Giselle said he seemed like someone with a lot of experience but if she could see him now, he's sure she'd say differently. It's like this all feels so much more straightforward when he's not as invested. ]

... I'd like that.

[ He'll take a step back then, removing his hand from Charlie's torso and hesitating when it comes to removing his hand from Charlie's own. To hold hands? In public? With someone he barely knows? That would be too much, right? Yes, that would be too much, he tells himself and will pull his hand back for now. ]

I'm glad.

[ He's really, truly glad. It's been a long time since he had sparks fly with someone so instantly, and if Nanami feels out of practice, Charlie certainly doesn't notice. Chemistry goes a long way, making him feel comfortable and strangely giddy in equal measure.

Though he does feel a bit of a loss when Nanami pulls away from their dance entirely, withdrawing his hands. Ah, it is probably a bit too much for having barely just begun to know each other — and a man as reserved as Nanami seems to be probably isn't keen on displaying too much in public. So, Charlie shoves his own hands into his jacket pockets, stepping up to walk alongside the other man, close but not too close, as they exit the dance floor and take to the rest of the festival. ]

Oh, hey, can I ask you a question about the hotel?

[ It's a little sad to no longer be touching Charlie, to no longer have that point of connection. For a moment, Nanami has no idea what to do with his hands, fingers flexing at his sides as he lingers on the loss of Charlie's warmth. But then there are walking, no real direction now — just meandering around the festival and the location in general. The floor is perfect, with the night sky surrounding them, Nanami can't think of anything more idyllic.

At Charlie's question, Nanami lets out a soft noise of consideration. ]

If I can answer it, I will.

[ As they walk, Charlie glances over, eyes following the line of Nanami's profile, the way the lantern light illuminates it. He really is quite handsome, but there's something tired there, too. Perhaps as a man who hunts curses for a living would be. If that's the case, the hotel really is a blessing. Perhaps for the both of them. ]

Do you know any good restaurants? [ He sounds perfectly casual, but the eager wagging of his tail is definitely giving him away. ] You see, there's this guy — tall, handsome, stoic, likes to read — and I'd really like to ask him on a date, but I've got no idea where to even go.

[ It takes everything in Nanami not to stop short in shock from Charlie's question. But his eyebrows do shoot up and he looks over at Charlie in surprise before he looks away so he doesn't trip, swallowing slightly. There is less of a shock of being asked out, because he can acknowledge that there has been something building here between the two of them since this interaction started and more just surprise at it actually happening. Charlie was brave, he went for it, and Nanami can admire that.

So in turn, Nanami must be brave too.

His expression softens then and he looks back at Charlie, not quite smiling but there is happiness in his expression regardless. And any while his voice remains it's usual dry monotone, it sounds happy as well. ]

I believe I know of a few restaurants that you can take him to. And I believe he would like that very much.

[ And, of course, his tail is wagging very hard. ]

Edited (i forgot the TAIL) 2024-02-28 04:16 (UTC)

[ He's lived long enough to know that sometimes, you just have to go for it. That, and he's pretty confident in his ability to read the situation, even when the man next to him tries his best to be a blank slate.

For instance, the look he's given before Nanami even speaks tells him so much already, those hard and stoic lines gone soft at the edges in a way that makes his heart do a little flip. And, of course, the tail tells him so much more. A giddy little laugh bubbles up out of him before he can think to stop it. ]

Fantastic. Do you suppose he's free tomorrow evening?

[ When Charlie laughs, Nanami feels his chest tighten a little bit, pleased by... well, everything right now. He's smitten. Dear god, he is smitten. ]

Yes. [ Ah, if he was more coy he could've made a joke about checking his schedule, he realizes. But he was so eager to agree that it just popped out immediately. His eyes close for a moment as he realizes before he finishes with — ] Yes, he can be. I will be.

[ Is that so soon for a date? But then again, it feels like it can't come soon enough. Nanami's head is kind of spinning with the delight of this. It's been a long, long time since he felt this way about anyone. ]

[ That makes two of them who are totally smitten, as the quickness with which Nanami responds is a surprise, but a good one. Charlie laughs again, a bit softer and laced with a fondness that surprises even himself. Ohhh, this man is dangerous, charming him so thoroughly right from the start. ]

It's a date, then.

[ The energy generated by Charlie's tail in this moment could probably power a small city. ]

So... tell me about what you like to read.

[ Says the one who is being even more charming. Nanami's charm isn't even intentional, he wouldn't know how to even utilize it. He finds himself boring for the most part and doesn't expect people to think much of him. So, he's kind of overjoyed that Charlie likes him regardless. He's rarely cared about what anyone thinks of him but he does right now.

The first thing Charlie says gets a nod while the second has Nanami looking over at him again briefly before looking forward. ]

I read a bit of everything. I like to — to get the bestseller lists and read through them, see what people are drawn to even if I don't like it. Though I haven't had much time to do that as of late, I keep buying books and they stack up in my apartment, collecting dust.

[ His own tail has slowed down a little but is still wagging more than not. He just feels so... light inside. ]

Look at you, a renaissance man of literary taste.

[ It might be better that neither one of them are trying all that hard. They just... are, and it's working out to a wonderful degree. Opposites attract, after all, and in personality, they are very much that, but at the heart of it, they also have a lot in common.

They compliment each other, and mesh well. The best of both worlds. ]

Man, I feel that. My TBR list seems like it grows by the second sometimes, and life and work are always getting in the way. Well, were, I guess, now that I'm here. I'm looking forward to making some headway.

[ It's also nice that Nanami is just... easy to talk to. Charlie is a personable man, and meshes well with most, but there's a certain ease to this conversation that he enjoys. ]

[ That gets an amused huff, a little embarrassed at the light teasing but he likes it too. He likes that Charlie is feeling comfortable enough with him to joke with him like that. It feels good, for a man who usually keeps people at such distance.

Charlie is easy to talk to for him as well. There's a level of playfulness about him that is familiar but maturity there that makes Nanami not feel like he has to be on the defense or be ready to step up to fill in the gaps. He's also not being overfamiliar in a way Nanami doesn't like, even though there is attraction here and they're getting to know one another — Charlie hasn't acted as if he knows Nanami already. It's kind of nice. He feels... respected, which means a lot to him. ]

It's one of the nice parts about the hotel. Getting up for the day and deciding to go somewhere and read for a while. Treat myself to a good lunch in the middle of that. It isn't a pleasure that I was afforded back home.

[ That's because Charlie is an actual adult and treats his fellow adults accordingly! You know, no shade to Nanami's usual company.

In seriousness, that's just how Charlie is. He's always been quick to mesh with others, making connections and conversations easily. His family would have demanded nothing less of him, and it was the one and only role they forced on him that he ever enjoyed filling. The only one where he could really be himself. ]

Sounds like exorcising curses doesn't leave a whole lot of room for downtime.

[ No, no, complete shade to his usual company, to be honest. They deserve it. One particular man deserves it, at least.

But he'll continue walking with Charlie and maybe his elbow will brush lightly against Charlie's own but he doesn't withdraw or step away. Just enjoys the light brushes of their arms as they move. ]

Not so much. It's a... harrowing career path. Thankless. I left it for a bit after graduating but returned despite everything. I'm just most suited for it, in the end.

[ Charlie glance over at the first brush of their elbows together, thought that's all the attention he draws to it, choosing instead to simply be... quietly pleased.

Whatever happens, happens, right? ]

I think anyone could turn their back on that kind of work, suited for it or no. It says something about you that you still went back to it.

[ What happens, happens indeed. ]

I...

[ He pauses, usually not one to share so much of himself with someone right off the bat. But he wants to share this with Charlie, wants him to understand where he's coming from. Even if he didn't share it today, he'd likely share it tomorrow on their date. So, he speaks, even if he feels embarrassed doing so. ]

I wanted to do something where I was appreciated, even in a small amount. Where the work I took on actually mattered in some way. I was working in finance for a while, making rich people get richer and while the money was good — it was soulless. As a sorcerer, I am helping people, even if they don't know it. Even if... even if it's fruitless in the end. At least I'd have helped someone, once.

[ As Nanami speaks, Charlie glances up to watch him again. He gets the sense that this isn't something he shares often, and he feels honored having gotten to hear it so soon after their meeting. ]

I knew it.

[ There's something undeniably warm in that statement, and Charlie leans over to gently nudge Nanami with an elbow. ]

You've got a big heart under all that stoicism.

[ That... is not what he expected Charlie to say back, though he's not sure what he was expecting. All he knew is he wanted to share what he shared with Charlie. So there's a widening of his eyes and then he lifts a hand to cover his face, closing his eyes and trying to hide his face, which goes a light shade of pink for a moment. ]

You...

[ There's a huff then, he doesn't know what to say. He's just. Flustered. Congratulations, Charlie, you've flustered Nanami. He's just going to keep his face covered for a moment as he tries to get his dignity back a little bit. ]

[ And that reaction is not at all what Charlie expected, either. A crack in Nanami's demeanor, the subtle way color rises to his cheeks. It's so endearing, and Charlie was just thinking it would be impossible to be more endeared to this man. He was so, so wrong. ]

What? I mean it. Even if you hadn't told me that, I saw the look on Itadori's face when he talked about you.

[ A beat. Charlie's smile flashes wide. ]

Nanamin.

[ No more dignity, only teasing. ]

[ Oh, he wants to kiss this man. The urge strikes him a little painfully in his chest and he has to take a breath to recover himself. His tail wags a little too earnestly for his taste as he tries to school his expression back into something a little more neutral. For a moment, he wishes he had his glasses if only to have something to distract himself with.

But okay. Right. Charlie is enjoying this and the ground won't open up and swallow Nanami anytime soon so time to focus. His voice is a bit of a mumble as he says — ]

It is... not my responsibility how other people view me. If that's what you've come away from this conversation with, then I won't argue.

[ Translation: KILL ME. KILL MEEEE. ]

[ This man would have absolutely no objections to being kissed, if Nanami should want to act on that urge at some point. Charlie is finding himself more twitterpated by the second, endlessly endeared and attracted by Nanami's reaction to being teased, and his attempts to regain his composure. It's so cute. Charlie was right to think that there was something soft under all that deadpan, and what a sight it is to see. ]

You won't argue because I'm right.

[ He gives Nanami one more nudge, one last light little jab. ]

Don't worry, it'll be our little secret.

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