brother_nature | Golden Peacock

Brother-- [And now poking him?? Bullying. Unbelievable.

But, uuugh, he guesses all things considered he really shouldn't be surprised. He flops down to lie on his side, nearly pouting.]

Fine, fine. Truth or dare, then?

[Sorry Toma he's gonna be a little clingy at least for the first couple days, and that includes relentless teasing. He lays down next to him, propping his head up on his arm. Despite his jagged, fang like teeth, the genuine joy that comes from that grin is almost a bit goofy.]

Look, it's been a while since we did somethin' chill and stupid like this, yeah? It'll be fine.

Let's go with a truth.

[Not fair. It isn't possible to keep sulking with Chobe grinning like that; for Toma, at least, that joy is infectious. He huffs quietly, smiling back despite himself.

This particular game feels a little odd to be playing with his brother; they know so much about each other already, what is there to ask?

Except that there is a few months' worth now, isn't there.]

...What's something you've liked about being here?

[Even as they intend to get out, and tear the place down while they're at it... might as well give his brother an excuse to talk about something good.]

Something I like. . .? [He does actually have to think about that. He could simply say there's been some real good fucks here, but like. He can get a good lay back home too lmao. He considers for a bit, reflecting on the last few months.]

S'different. The world's always changing around us, yeah? But real slowly. We can adapt and move with it, but it ain't all that hard. Here though, I've been having to learn and play catch up with all kinds of shit. I actually felt old for a moment there, but not in a bad way. The technology, the people, the weird fucking way some of them talk. . .

It's kind of good to know that the world's gonna keep evolving so much, and it ain't ever gonna get boring.

[Toma's eyes don't leave Chobe the whole time he speaks. He answers with a soft laugh.]

A rare challenge, then... That is good to know. We hardly signed on for an eternity of stagnation.

Exactly. If we're stuck here, might as well have a little fun, eh? Not to mention, whatever we learn? We can take that back with us, have a bit of a leg up on the competition. Knowledge is just as deadly a weapon against those those English fucks.

[Does Chobe want to enjoy his time here if he can? Of course! Is he equally eager to find new ways to utterly destroy and torture all the rival gangs back home? Absolutely. He'll never lose that bit of villainous streak he's built up over time.

He reaches over, fiddling with Toma's braid. ]

Your turn. Truth, or dare?

Mm-hm. See if we can find out how some of it works, develop it in advance with our own resources... and, even failing that, we'll know what's coming.

[The Aza Brothers Fuck Up The Timeline

Toma closes his eyes for a moment, thinking.] Hmm... let's say dare.

[This is how they get rich and can retire in france and baby mode chobe is in a high chair ordering wine.

He smirks a little, both surprised and proud that he jumped straight to a dare. Every day his little brother gets bolder. But. . .he actually has something in mind.]

Alright. No time limit for this one, so listen up.

I dare you. . .to make a "friend." Define that however you want. A fake one, a lackey, whatever. But I think it'd be a good starting point.

[It's definitely an easier thing to do with Chobe than with anyone else...! Granted, he's chosen it a couple times already, since sticking to just one answer would risk drawing suspicion - but that was generally with great care, and some confidence that the person he was speaking to seemed unlikely to pick anything particularly bothersome. This is much less nerve-wracking.

...That said, gross?? Toma makes a face. Just a little bit of one.

Has he even faked that before... he supposes Kisho might have convinced himself they were friends - he was certainly trying to be. But that had little to do with anything Toma did, and more to do with Kisho apparently thinking that just having Toma with him would get him more attention in brothels. Unlikely, even if Toma himself had any interest in such places. No, Toma's forte lies in being inoffensive. Keeping his presence both welcome and unnoteworthy.]

Really...? Well, I'll see what I can do, for you - but I don't see why.

Edited 2025-06-11 01:04 (UTC)

[GAWD that's a good face, Chobe can't help but cackle a little, bumping their foreheads together.]

Of course you'd try, even if you hated it, hah! But it ain't for me, it's for you. There ain't no way to totally avoid folks here--having someone in your corner you can use if I ain't around isn't a bad idea, you know?

[If Chobe isn't around... he knows, of course, that there will be times he isn't there in an immediate, literal sense. Where it would be straightforwardly beneficial for there to be someone else around willing to help Toma.

Given how Toma himself has apparently been in and out so far, though... there's no guarantee the same couldn't happen with Chobe, is there? Even for longer than a couple of months. The thought puts a cold weight in his chest. He knows it's a possibility he should be at least somewhat prepared for, but-- he doesn't want to be. He doesn't want to think about it.

He finds Chobe's hand with his own, lacing their fingers together to grip his brother's hand.] ...Yes. Of course.

[Leave it to Toma to read between the lines. Chobe doesn't want to admit it, not vocally anyway, that he lacks little to no control over their situation. It feels like a rock in his gut, knowing they could be ripped away at any moment, that he can't confidently be there to shield his brother from the crashing wave of weirdness, even if deep down, he knows Toma can handle it.

If they are separated, there are some people here that would be valuable allies (read: pawns), and he believes in Toma's ability to find them. His little brother may be skilled in fooling others with that pretty boy persona, but he also has full faith in Toma's judge of others' characters.

He threads their fingers together, lightly tugging him closer.]

Don't make such a disappointed face. I bet you'll find someone that's at least entertaining. And if they fuck you over, I'll just kill 'em.

[Toma readily scoots in, burying his face against Chobe's shoulder. Maybe it's childish, sure-- but it's hard not to be, when it comes to topics like this, worries he hasn't had to seriously consider since he was actually a teenager.

Still, he answers, albeit mumbled into Chobe's singed (what the hell happened there) jacket.] I'll look out for prospects.

[...He tilts his head a little to answer more clearly:] Couldn't I just share yours?

[He's like. Half joking.]

[Toma please!! Chobe welcomes the nuzzle, as no matter how many decades pass, Chobe still hasn't quite let go of the image of him being his baby brother. To think they'd be having such trivial, inconsequential talks like this after reigning over the criminal underground for so long. . .it's nostalgic, really. A vague thought occurs to Chobe, like, had they ever been blessed with a "normal" life, would they have been able to chatter about such ridiculous things like this in their youth. . .?

Well, he doesn't want to give too much credit to the casino for this. He just snickers a bit, returning the affection. And don't worry about the jacket just some lightning was involved it's fine--]

Hah! Not against it, but you should have something that's just yours too, yeah? I wouldn't call most of the folks I know friends, either.

But I'll add a bit of challenge for ya--if you can find any of my lackeys, you can do whatever you want with 'em.

[Who knows - maybe, if things had been different, their talks about making friends would even sound a little less like Toma bugging his big brother to let him borrow his stuff.]

Haa... I suppose so. [This whole "trying to make his own choices and not just act as an extension of his brother" thing is real annoying sometimes.

He raises his eyebrows, turning his head to properly look at Chobe.] Tempting offer. If I don't even know who they are yet, how am I to know if I would want to do anything with them?

[What if Chobe's lackeys are all gross and annoying, huh. --Well, granted, he guesses in that case he might want to threaten or kill them. As one does.]

["Mom said it's my turn with the nintendo switch" except the switch is some dude--

Chobe laughs, full of confidence, even if it comes off as a tad bit goofy as well, given the scenario.]

That's the challenge! No fun in me just telling you about 'em. Obviously I would if you needed to know shit, but it's better if you get to know folks on your own. Makes saying the right thing and twisting 'em around your finger feel all the more "organic," ya see?

[It's manipulation, but wholesome manipulation. Totally different.]

[For whatever it's worth, that does get him to crack a smile.]

What, that worried about making it too easy for me? Don't you think I have enough to struggle with here as it is, brother?

[Your poor baby brother is struggling so much, Chobe, take pity on him. baby needs snack of personal information]

Haah. . .asking with a face like that is what's really unfair, ya know? Putting the struggle on me, damn.

[His adorable little brother, fishing for information so he can extort others. Heckin precious.]

I guess I'll throw ya a couple scraps. Ever meet someone with glasses and big fluffy hair? Watch out for 'em. Good to keep close, but he's a slick talker. And be wary of little girls callin' themselves witches.

[Younger sibling privileges successfully exploited!!

He nods slowly, taking in those descriptions. Someone with glasses and fluffy hair, and... actually. Frowning a little bit.]

What do you mean, little girls?

[He knows Chobe will know the real question. On one hand, Toma himself isn't above offhandedly referring to people around the age he was when he stopped aging as kids-- but the thought is only now occurring to him that he doesn't know what the parameters for ending up here actually are.]

[Ah. . .he's mostly taken to using it as a teasing title for some of his younger acquaintances, and while 16-17 is a perfectly fine "legal" age given their original time period, he still just, out of habit, avoids flirting or sleeping with anyone that young.

He pulls back at the frown, picking up on the discomfort, and is quick to clarify.]

Some folks look really young here, maybe a couple years younger than you from back then. . .but don't worry, ain't no actual kids so far. In fact, "that" hasn't happened to me at all either here, so guess this shitty peacock has some standards.

["That" being his body's regression when he gets too hurt. He's been in...way too many fights, frankly, but he hasn't had to recover to that extent. It'll be a surprise whenever it actually happens, as his form will only be reset to his teenage years as well.]

[Toma's immediate relief at Chobe's clarification is palpable, with how the tension eases from his shoulders again.]

Good. It's something... though, it goes without saying, I'd rather if you weren't in a position where you'd expect "that" to happen at all.

[Please stay out of the meat grinder, brother.]

[No promises!! He reaches up to flick at his head.]

Hey now, it's always been a possibility, and there's some surprisingly strong fuckers here. But nothing we can't handle long term.

Not that it'll matter for you--you're gonna play nice first, yeah?

Then you can hit 'em when you've got 'em wrapped around your fingers.

Ow--! [MEAN TO HIM.

Toma frowns, blinking away tears. A possibility, sure - but he really doesn't like the idea that his brother has been pushing the limits of his regeneration that badly in strange surroundings, without Toma there to help him out if things go too far.]

Fine, fine-- but, contact me if you need backup. Please. I'll lie low for now, yes, but it's not worth you pushing past your limits.

[Just! So they're clear!!]

Seriously? C'mon.

[And there's that rare touch of softness that seeps into his voice. It's still confident, but comforting, warm, as his hand moves to caress his cheek.]

I won't even need to call you. If I'm in trouble, I know you'll be there. Same if anything happens to you.

[He doesn't know how long they'll be stuck here, or if they'll be torn apart again, but until then? Like always, he has faith in his brother's competence, even if he babies him relentlessly. Immortality or no, as long as they're together, they're invincible as far as Chobe's concerned.]

[Siiighs. Toma leans into Chobe's touch, closing his eyes for a moment.]

As long as we're clear...

[Even after so many decades, it feels a little odd sometimes - pushing even this much. Putting down his own demands toward his brother.

But he knows it's for the best that he can; with what he realized on that island, all he's figured out since then... he can't very well just leave Chobe to his own devices, to accept whatever harm may come his way and keep Toma out of it.]

Golden Peacock - Inbox

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