( it's why he persists in teasing him in this way — he's adorably bashful in closed and private quarters as they are now, and there's something in that which triggers something in makoto to present him with an urge to continue to press him more, and press him further, which is nearly impossible to resist. it is perhaps makoto's quintessential nature, distilled down to the odd, familiar shape their friendship has taken; still, he never means any harm by any liberties he takes or any boundaries he might press, and if he ever did sense any true distress from dextera regarding anything he said, did, or asked, he was at least considerate enough to his host to relent without comment.
he takes the box in hand, opening it carefully so he can inspect the pieces. they are well-crafted and well-cared for, though leagues different from the elaborate sets that he had practiced on in J's manor and in datenshou's brothel. he plucks one of the knights from the pile, fingertips running delicately over the planes and curves, as if he could learn from such an inspection how often they've been handled and used. of course he can't, but there's something pleasant in handling them; he shuts the box again with a click and takes it in one arm, carrying it as carefully as he had noticed dextera doing before.
the confidence he senses in the other young man at his question is... new. bracing. exciting? makoto is surprised by this at first, showing in a slow and somewhat exaggerated blink, but then his lips part in a wide and brilliant smile of sharp teeth. he can't help but laugh, the sound buoyed by a sudden swell of warm jubilation which issues from somewhere deep and unidentifiable in the center of his chest. ) Well, look at you!( his unencumbered hand finds dextera's arm, squeezing it playfully; in recognition of the self-assurance he emanates in their Communion, makoto meets it with nothing but a brisk sort of pleasant surprise. this sort of communication is something he had been closed off to at first, but as days had turned into weeks, he had gradually found himself slipping into it more and more often with dextera, allowing certain things to be shared as formless idea or the impression of an emotion rather than siloed into words. now, makoto is very proud of his wordsmithery, but he has to admit... it is convenient to communicate in this manner.
even if he likely wouldn't be comfortable doing it with anyone else but dextera. )
Are you, dare I say, cocky about this? So I shouldn't try to argue for us placing bets on which of us might win?
( he separates from dextera and walks several paces away, approaching a small table situated near the window, its surface drenched in the brilliant springstar sunlight pouring in through it. he sets the box down on its surface, turning to face his friend with an exaggerated slowness. ) Hmm, ( he hums, the sound as playful as the sharp curve of his smile, ) It's sounding to me like we'll just have to play so you can answer that for yourself.
( makoto doesn't necessarily betray any more or any less self-confidence in this than he has for anything else, but that's not really saying much. he usually holds himself up relatively well in that regard, so it's hard to judge. )
no subject
he takes the box in hand, opening it carefully so he can inspect the pieces. they are well-crafted and well-cared for, though leagues different from the elaborate sets that he had practiced on in J's manor and in datenshou's brothel. he plucks one of the knights from the pile, fingertips running delicately over the planes and curves, as if he could learn from such an inspection how often they've been handled and used. of course he can't, but there's something pleasant in handling them; he shuts the box again with a click and takes it in one arm, carrying it as carefully as he had noticed dextera doing before.
the confidence he senses in the other young man at his question is... new. bracing. exciting? makoto is surprised by this at first, showing in a slow and somewhat exaggerated blink, but then his lips part in a wide and brilliant smile of sharp teeth. he can't help but laugh, the sound buoyed by a sudden swell of warm jubilation which issues from somewhere deep and unidentifiable in the center of his chest. ) Well, look at you! ( his unencumbered hand finds dextera's arm, squeezing it playfully; in recognition of the self-assurance he emanates in their Communion, makoto meets it with nothing but a brisk sort of pleasant surprise. this sort of communication is something he had been closed off to at first, but as days had turned into weeks, he had gradually found himself slipping into it more and more often with dextera, allowing certain things to be shared as formless idea or the impression of an emotion rather than siloed into words. now, makoto is very proud of his wordsmithery, but he has to admit... it is convenient to communicate in this manner.
even if he likely wouldn't be comfortable doing it with anyone else but dextera. )
Are you, dare I say, cocky about this? So I shouldn't try to argue for us placing bets on which of us might win?
( he separates from dextera and walks several paces away, approaching a small table situated near the window, its surface drenched in the brilliant springstar sunlight pouring in through it. he sets the box down on its surface, turning to face his friend with an exaggerated slowness. ) Hmm, ( he hums, the sound as playful as the sharp curve of his smile, ) It's sounding to me like we'll just have to play so you can answer that for yourself.
( makoto doesn't necessarily betray any more or any less self-confidence in this than he has for anything else, but that's not really saying much. he usually holds himself up relatively well in that regard, so it's hard to judge. )