[ Maruki gives him a wry, curious little look from where he's half-cleaning. He isn't about to do the dishes while Finnick is here, but he can at least tidy up the worst of the mess he made so that there's less to deal with later. ]
First of all, if you'll recall, I threw the mood off first by telling you a truly thoughtless story. So you'll have to accept my apology, as well as my insistence that you don't help.
[ He's nearly done after that little monologue, anyway.
Suddenly aware that he kept the apron on for their whole meal, he laughs at himself as he removes it and drapes it over the now-cleared counter. ]
And secondly – you like just hanging out with me that much? Really?
[ It's a genuine question, and a shy one at that. So much for that daddy energy you're trying to get from him, Finnick. ]
[Finnick's now leaning back in his chair with his hand in his pocket, still on the rope but no longer fidgety. He seems relaxed now, a product of the beer and the food and a good little cry.
He tilts his head to the side and gazes at Maruki, as though appraising him, but he does nothing to hide the deep, warm fondness in his expression.]
Why does that surprise you? You're kind, incredibly easy to talk to, smart, and adorable as hell.
[Of course, this could be taken as Finnick laying it on thick, trying to make another pass at Maruki. But his tone is warm and sincere, not at all the low seductive purr he takes on when he's trying to make a move. His sea-blue eyes, too, are bright from his smile rather than guarded and hungry.
No, Maruki decidedly isn't displaying any kind of daddy energy, he's just "dad", if anything. But that's what Finnick likes about it. He finds Maruki's shy awkwardness, his "bumbling" as he put it, so sweet and endearing, especially alongside the empathy he clearly possesses.]
[ It doesn't feel like Finnick's usual flirtation, but perhaps that's worse. It feels genuinely sincere in a way Maruki isn't sure how to handle. He beams his earnestness onto people every day, but when it's returned to him he fumbles somewhat, and it's evident in how his cheeks start to go a little pink. ]
That's all very kind of you to say, Finnick. I suppose it only surprises me because, well–
[ He's lost now without anything to do with his hands. He shouldn't drink more, but he'd like a bottle to roll between his palms. He's too far from Finnick to distract himself by giving him a comforting hand on a shoulder or through his hair. He has nothing left to clean unless he really wants to start digging into his dishes, which he doesn't. For a moment his hands flex uselessly in the air before him, then wind together as he runs one thumb hard along the line of his knuckles. ]
All of those people at your party! It seems like you know half of any given district. And they adore you. You could be having a much more exciting night with anyone, and you've chosen to hang out with possibly the most boring, regular man in all of 7.
[ A nervous, fleeting smile, self-deprecating but bright. ]
So forgive me for being surprised. Hah. Anyway, we could just chat for a bit longer, if you'd like...
[ Dude, do you think HE knows what to do now? HE DOESN'T. HELP. ]
A boring, regular man who offered to cook me something from my home. WHo didn't let me help cook or clean, probably because he knows I'm too charitable. Who didn't judge me for crying at his dinner table. Who wanted to help me with my crazy idea of starting a youth shelter. Who remained my friend even after I made a terribly-timed, inappropriate advance. Who tolerates my horrible jokes and flirting and listens to me gush about my boyfriend. Who listens to anything I have to say, frankly, and takes me seriously.
[In true bisexual fashion, he leans in his chair in the most precarious way, propping his arm over the back of it as he finishes his beer, bringing his foot up onto the seat of the chair Maruki had been sitting on.]
I know lots of people, yeah. I like most people. Most people like me. That doesn't mean I can't have favourites. I don't let just anyone into my inner circle. They have to earn my trust. And you're not quite there yet, but I'm here with you in your apartment because I want you to get there.
[He shrugs. He could go on about chosen family and his willingness to die for them, too, but he doesn't want to freak Maruki out. He's already made the mistake of coming on too strong with Maruki, and he won't risk upsetting him like that again. Though, maybe he already has, with this little speech.]
Of course, if you'd rather just be friendly acquaintances who have dinner now and again, that's alright with me too. No matter how you choose to be in my life, my life will be better for it.
[He gives a small, warm smile. He'd never want Maruki to have the impression that Finnick only wants to fuck him.]
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First of all, if you'll recall, I threw the mood off first by telling you a truly thoughtless story. So you'll have to accept my apology, as well as my insistence that you don't help.
[ He's nearly done after that little monologue, anyway.
Suddenly aware that he kept the apron on for their whole meal, he laughs at himself as he removes it and drapes it over the now-cleared counter. ]
And secondly – you like just hanging out with me that much? Really?
[ It's a genuine question, and a shy one at that. So much for that daddy energy you're trying to get from him, Finnick. ]
no subject
He tilts his head to the side and gazes at Maruki, as though appraising him, but he does nothing to hide the deep, warm fondness in his expression.]
Why does that surprise you? You're kind, incredibly easy to talk to, smart, and adorable as hell.
[Of course, this could be taken as Finnick laying it on thick, trying to make another pass at Maruki. But his tone is warm and sincere, not at all the low seductive purr he takes on when he's trying to make a move. His sea-blue eyes, too, are bright from his smile rather than guarded and hungry.
No, Maruki decidedly isn't displaying any kind of daddy energy, he's just "dad", if anything. But that's what Finnick likes about it. He finds Maruki's shy awkwardness, his "bumbling" as he put it, so sweet and endearing, especially alongside the empathy he clearly possesses.]
And a good cook.
[He winks jokingly.]
no subject
That's all very kind of you to say, Finnick. I suppose it only surprises me because, well–
[ He's lost now without anything to do with his hands. He shouldn't drink more, but he'd like a bottle to roll between his palms. He's too far from Finnick to distract himself by giving him a comforting hand on a shoulder or through his hair. He has nothing left to clean unless he really wants to start digging into his dishes, which he doesn't. For a moment his hands flex uselessly in the air before him, then wind together as he runs one thumb hard along the line of his knuckles. ]
All of those people at your party! It seems like you know half of any given district. And they adore you. You could be having a much more exciting night with anyone, and you've chosen to hang out with possibly the most boring, regular man in all of 7.
[ A nervous, fleeting smile, self-deprecating but bright. ]
So forgive me for being surprised. Hah. Anyway, we could just chat for a bit longer, if you'd like...
[ Dude, do you think HE knows what to do now? HE DOESN'T. HELP. ]
no subject
[In true bisexual fashion, he leans in his chair in the most precarious way, propping his arm over the back of it as he finishes his beer, bringing his foot up onto the seat of the chair Maruki had been sitting on.]
I know lots of people, yeah. I like most people. Most people like me. That doesn't mean I can't have favourites. I don't let just anyone into my inner circle. They have to earn my trust. And you're not quite there yet, but I'm here with you in your apartment because I want you to get there.
[He shrugs. He could go on about chosen family and his willingness to die for them, too, but he doesn't want to freak Maruki out. He's already made the mistake of coming on too strong with Maruki, and he won't risk upsetting him like that again. Though, maybe he already has, with this little speech.]
Of course, if you'd rather just be friendly acquaintances who have dinner now and again, that's alright with me too. No matter how you choose to be in my life, my life will be better for it.
[He gives a small, warm smile. He'd never want Maruki to have the impression that Finnick only wants to fuck him.]