[ there are occasions when public transportation is merely simpler. perhaps he's odd for finding the ride entertaining, but he doesn't mind being mixed among the crowd of an overfilled subway car. it's quicker than driving, easier than finding parking, and always more interesting than sitting in traffic during busy hours. this evening finds ajax graced with a seat during rush hour, a lucky thing when its filled like a can of sardines.
it's not as terrible now as it is during the summer months, when the heat is sweltering and there's no space and no discernible breeze. in the middle of winter, it's more bearable if you didn't mind the loss of personal space.
which is something today takes to new levels.
its understandably shocking when the smooth ride jolts, but a little more baffling when ajax has a sudden weight fall haphazardly backwards into his lap. mostly, it's a big shock because the back of whoever's head knocks into his face. before he can even think that maybe his nose is broken considering the sharp burst of pain, his reflexes catch what he realizes a second later is someone, preventing them from tumbling into anyone else or otherwise hurting themselves. a kid? they're small, light in his lap. ]
Are you okay?
[ he sounds more nasally than he did before. maybe his nose is broken. ]
[ for some, public transportation is not a choice. not because of a lack of funds—he has a car, a new model sitting abandoned in a fire lane, begging to be towed—but lack of a driver. the third chauffeur to quit this month left him abandoned in the middle of the city and is absolutely going to suffer consequences, as soon as kunikuzushi gets home.
the wait for a cab had been too long, and he'd naively assumed the subway couldn't be that bad. but not only does it go at a snail's pace, a frankly hazardous amount of people all seem to think they can fit into nonexistent gaps.
kunikuzushi is right in the middle, after having unsuccessfully glared at some people who should have given up their seats to him. he's too focused on his phone to notice the oncoming danger until it's too late to worm his way out. this is hell, and he can't even reach the overhead handles to keep himself steady.
and then it jerks, jolting the entire crowd of people to one side. kunikuzushi gets elbowed back moments before a collision and he lands roughly on an uncomfortable seat. the first thing he notices is that his phone has disappeared from his hand. the second thing is someone's hands are wrapped around him, which means his seat is... ]
What do you think? [ he snarls, trying to wipe those hands off of him like they're dirt. actually, he's perfectly fine thanks to his fall being broken. but that bump against his head must have been this handsy guy's face. ]
Did I hit you? [ he tries to swivel his head around to see but he can only glimpse half of the guy's face. it might sound like he's concerned until, ] Are you getting blood in my hair?
[ his nose is throbbing something awful and, you'd think, with the embarrassing situation going down (literally) right in ajax's lap, someone would be courteous enough to provide a little space for the guy to have room to get back onto his feet. that isn't exactly what happens.
as in, it doesn't happen at all. the small amount of space he did take up is engulfed in a moment.
ajax has a terrible time focusing on that with the squirming guy in his lap. he's just trying to keep the guy stable, but his hands are swiped off damn near immediately. he doesn't take too much offense, it's not like either of them volunteered to be in this position. honestly, he's got quite the attitude with how he snaps at ajax for simply asking if he's okay.
ajax is naive enough to think he's concerned when he asks, though. for the handful of seconds until the follow up. is he bleeding? his hand comes up to his nose and -- he might be bleeding. ]
There's nothing in your hair, calm down, [ ajax tells him before the guy in his lap truly freaks out, pinching his nose with a groan.] Just relax. My stop isn't far.
[ it's incredibly tempting to kick the kneecaps of the person who instantly took his spot, but he can actually breathe now that he's out of the mass of people. and, well, a seat is a seat even if the seat is talkative and weird. he shifts on the man's lap to find a more comfortable position that doesn't involve being too close to his possibly bleeding nose. ]
So your stop is coming up but you couldn't be bothered to let someone else have your seat? [ he asks, like he's already decided to make this his fault. never mind that there's no longer any space to get up.
after a beat, he starts squirming again, balancing back and forth on his new seat as his hands reach down to the man's thighs, then his hips, searching him. ] Do you have my phone?
[ ajax's mouth is open, with only the smallest glimmer of bewildered offense, to explain why he's still sitting down despite his stop being sooner than later - honestly, that's difficult enough when the guy keeps squirming. his nose is still aching something awful.
he doesn't get the chance to defend himself, because he's quickly accosted. ] Hey [ he complains quickly when he's getting felt up, jerking away from the frank hands touching him and unintentionally jostling the body seated in his lap. it's a dumb reaction, but his hand not holding his nose still jumps to the waist of the guy. not intentional either, but on second thought, maybe it'll stop the restless squirming. ] Hey, I don't have your phone. Is it on the floor?
[ it's difficult enough to fit on someone's lap without getting jerked around, so his patience is wearing thin. he's fairly sure the hand on his waist is meant to steady him rather than grope him, but he can't stand it either way. this is more humiliation than he can handle without gaining some kind of control. ]
If there was enough space to see the floor, do you think I'd be here? [ it's a mass of people as far as the eye can see. if his phone is down there, it's either crushed or kicked deep beneath the seats. he can get a new one, but that's not going to help him leave and call a ride this very moment.
lest his seat think he's stopped squirming, kunikuzushi uses the man's arm as leverage to twist around, fluidly turning until his legs are squeezing either side of the man's thighs. this gives him more control, but also means his bare knees are touching the seat. it also means he's face to face with the man beneath him, who gets the brunt of kunikuzushi's disgusted expression. ]
[ he thinks that before this disaster, there were bodies snug against him on either side. elbows too close and not a bit of breathing room. he certainly can't say that now. the people on either side of him are doing their best to look elsewhere and be completely uninvolved in whatever disaster is currently happening. ajax is plenty certain they don't want to be on the end of the withering look that's leveled on him. ginger eyebrows are drawn together in a permanent look of misunderstanding and a little bit of horror as he's face to face with the person that assaulted him.
this probably looks completely indecent. he's going to be reported for something perverse because of this and it's really not the publicity that he wants.
it's unfortunate that he has such a pretty face but the glaring... ajax still manages to almost laugh, something nasally and mollifying and a little self-effacing as he pleads ignorance, his nose pinched tight with a weary smile. ] Was I?
[ he doesn't think he made much mess, anyway. his eyes flick up to track the next stop. ]
If we get off at my exit, I can give you a ride home? As an apology.
[ preferably without the police report that'll happen if they ride much longer like... this. ]
[ if anything, the man is getting off easy for daring to be in his line of sight when he's in such a bad mood. he might have been the one calling the police—or getting someone else to call the police—if he'd turned around and found an older, more suspect man holding onto his waist.
instead, he's fresh-faced, expressive, and quite obviously not taking this seriously. even that hapless look doesn't ease kunikuzushi's glare, but part of him feels a tug of interest toward that weariness in his smile, his conciliatory attitude. he just seems... easy. which is all he's in the mood to put up with.
steadying himself, both hands grasp at the back of the seat on either side of childe's head. it would certainly look like kunikuzushi was the one trapping this injured stranger under him, if he cared to spare a single thought to the people around him. ]
What, on your bike? [ his gaze is unabashedly scrutinizing, every rock of the train car pushing him against the body beneath him. ] I'll let you call me a cab.
[ when a hand lands on the back of the seat, one on either side of his head — ajax is well and truly caged, bizarrely enough. a true spectacle, but one that no one wants to stare at for fear of the tiny moody fella in his lap. ajax thinks this might be the most interesting thing to happen in months in his life.
a small flicker of offense flashes across his expression; shouldn't he be the one with the bike? how old is he anyway? ]
No, I —
[ he lets go out of his nose tentatively and when blood doesn't gush or drip down his face, he shifts under the tiny stranger threatening him, hips shifting under him as a hand searches into his pocket one scrawny thigh is against.
he fishes out his keys to hold up as if he really needed proof. ]
I just take the subway to avoid the morning traffic. You know how busy it is.
[ with his face uncovered, kunikuzushi is a little more interested in what he sees. his nose hasn't suffered any permanent disfigurement—he's probably just being a baby over the whole thing. notably, for all his glaring and disgust, he decides not to move his leg away when the man reaches between them for the dubious purpose of showing off his keys. if he's that proud of them, it must be a nice car.
his expression smooths into something more thoughtful as his gaze flickers between the man and the keys. sizing him up, wondering how much trouble this guy will cause if he ends up being a creep.
with his hands behind the man's head, kunikuzushi has the element of surprise. in a flash, he snatches the man's keys from his hand and grips them tight in his palm. then he gives the stranger a pleasant smile. ] Do you mean it? You'll give me a ride?
[ it's not exactly like ajax is expecting his keys to be swiped right in front of his face but — they are and he's left staring owlishly at the pleasant smile so brazenly worn right in front of him. anyone else might be irked, but ajax finds it quite compelling, particularly the contrast between the pretty face and the bold attitude. he's very interesting.
the corner of his mouth ticks up more at the — bullying? is he being teased by such a young face? regardless, ajax doesn't make a move to try to get the keys back.]
It's quite a generous offer, isn't it? You don't seem very suited for this kind of travel. [ ajax knows well a few of the brands on him and none are what he would classify as cheap by any means of the definition. its easy to suspect this is an unusual occasion for him and that he would prefer being driven home than spending even longer on the subway. he has a horrific attitude, but ajax doesn't doubt he could get anything with that face. ]
[ some might call it bullying, but kunikuzushi calls it insurance. anything that's too generous is bound to be a scam, so he plans to make sure the stranger keeps his word and knows his place. as if they were his own, he casually stuffs the keys into the pocket of his shorts.
the smile on his face doesn't quite fade, but it turns sharper when he raises his chin in response to the stranger's observation. whatever judgement he's making, kunikuzushi's expression makes it obvious he doesn't particularly care. ]
I'm sure that must get boring for you after a while, [ he responds without missing a beat. at the next jolt as the train makes a stop, he feigns imbalance and catches himself with his free hand on the man's shoulder. with a firm grip, he feels his way to the man's biceps to take stock. ] How soon is your stop? I might change my mind.
[ he watches his keys go and it'd be worrisome if there were a real threat of his car being taken. what's possibly more of offensive is the way his words are spun around into a crude comment. seriously, how old is he? can he say that about ajax? with this attitude, has he ever even gotten off with someone?
he can't say anything or someone really will report him.
the sullen expression and sour frown barely last, washed away with surprise when his new friend loses his balance. ajax's hands are firmly back at his waist and he'd tell him to be careful if he thought it'd do any good. next time he might get an eye instead of his nose. ]
It's the next stop, [ ajax tells him, not batting an eye at the hand on his bicep but excruciatingly aware of it. ] You think you'll be able to make it out of here? I'm starting to think this is your first time on here.
[ large hands wrap around his waist to steady him and, despite his own actions, the familiarity makes him frown. the man doesn't seem intimidated by him at all. he doesn't like his lack of options here, but it's just one more stop. ]
Of course it is, [ he retorts, scoffing. ] The first and last time. My ride fell through and I didn't think it would be this bad.
[ his head swivels around to see if the situation behind him has magically changed. there's probably an easier way to get out than violently pushing past everyone in his way. not that he minds it, but it seems time-consuming. ]
Since you're the expert, I assume you know how to part the crowd. Otherwise, I guess I can always use these to push through. [ his free hand reemerges from his pocket with childe's key held between his middle and ring fingers, just to add a little bite to his shoves. ]
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it's not as terrible now as it is during the summer months, when the heat is sweltering and there's no space and no discernible breeze. in the middle of winter, it's more bearable if you didn't mind the loss of personal space.
which is something today takes to new levels.
its understandably shocking when the smooth ride jolts, but a little more baffling when ajax has a sudden weight fall haphazardly backwards into his lap. mostly, it's a big shock because the back of whoever's head knocks into his face. before he can even think that maybe his nose is broken considering the sharp burst of pain, his reflexes catch what he realizes a second later is someone, preventing them from tumbling into anyone else or otherwise hurting themselves. a kid? they're small, light in his lap. ]
Are you okay?
[ he sounds more nasally than he did before. maybe his nose is broken. ]
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the wait for a cab had been too long, and he'd naively assumed the subway couldn't be that bad. but not only does it go at a snail's pace, a frankly hazardous amount of people all seem to think they can fit into nonexistent gaps.
kunikuzushi is right in the middle, after having unsuccessfully glared at some people who should have given up their seats to him. he's too focused on his phone to notice the oncoming danger until it's too late to worm his way out. this is hell, and he can't even reach the overhead handles to keep himself steady.
and then it jerks, jolting the entire crowd of people to one side. kunikuzushi gets elbowed back moments before a collision and he lands roughly on an uncomfortable seat. the first thing he notices is that his phone has disappeared from his hand. the second thing is someone's hands are wrapped around him, which means his seat is... ]
What do you think? [ he snarls, trying to wipe those hands off of him like they're dirt. actually, he's perfectly fine thanks to his fall being broken. but that bump against his head must have been this handsy guy's face. ]
Did I hit you? [ he tries to swivel his head around to see but he can only glimpse half of the guy's face. it might sound like he's concerned until, ] Are you getting blood in my hair?
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as in, it doesn't happen at all. the small amount of space he did take up is engulfed in a moment.
ajax has a terrible time focusing on that with the squirming guy in his lap. he's just trying to keep the guy stable, but his hands are swiped off damn near immediately. he doesn't take too much offense, it's not like either of them volunteered to be in this position. honestly, he's got quite the attitude with how he snaps at ajax for simply asking if he's okay.
ajax is naive enough to think he's concerned when he asks, though. for the handful of seconds until the follow up. is he bleeding? his hand comes up to his nose and -- he might be bleeding. ]
There's nothing in your hair, calm down, [ ajax tells him before the guy in his lap truly freaks out, pinching his nose with a groan.] Just relax. My stop isn't far.
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So your stop is coming up but you couldn't be bothered to let someone else have your seat? [ he asks, like he's already decided to make this his fault. never mind that there's no longer any space to get up.
after a beat, he starts squirming again, balancing back and forth on his new seat as his hands reach down to the man's thighs, then his hips, searching him. ] Do you have my phone?
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he doesn't get the chance to defend himself, because he's quickly accosted. ] Hey [ he complains quickly when he's getting felt up, jerking away from the frank hands touching him and unintentionally jostling the body seated in his lap. it's a dumb reaction, but his hand not holding his nose still jumps to the waist of the guy. not intentional either, but on second thought, maybe it'll stop the restless squirming. ] Hey, I don't have your phone. Is it on the floor?
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If there was enough space to see the floor, do you think I'd be here? [ it's a mass of people as far as the eye can see. if his phone is down there, it's either crushed or kicked deep beneath the seats. he can get a new one, but that's not going to help him leave and call a ride this very moment.
lest his seat think he's stopped squirming, kunikuzushi uses the man's arm as leverage to twist around, fluidly turning until his legs are squeezing either side of the man's thighs. this gives him more control, but also means his bare knees are touching the seat. it also means he's face to face with the man beneath him, who gets the brunt of kunikuzushi's disgusted expression. ]
You were bleeding on me.
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this probably looks completely indecent. he's going to be reported for something perverse because of this and it's really not the publicity that he wants.
it's unfortunate that he has such a pretty face but the glaring... ajax still manages to almost laugh, something nasally and mollifying and a little self-effacing as he pleads ignorance, his nose pinched tight with a weary smile. ] Was I?
[ he doesn't think he made much mess, anyway. his eyes flick up to track the next stop. ]
If we get off at my exit, I can give you a ride home? As an apology.
[ preferably without the police report that'll happen if they ride much longer like... this. ]
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instead, he's fresh-faced, expressive, and quite obviously not taking this seriously. even that hapless look doesn't ease kunikuzushi's glare, but part of him feels a tug of interest toward that weariness in his smile, his conciliatory attitude. he just seems... easy. which is all he's in the mood to put up with.
steadying himself, both hands grasp at the back of the seat on either side of childe's head. it would certainly look like kunikuzushi was the one trapping this injured stranger under him, if he cared to spare a single thought to the people around him. ]
What, on your bike? [ his gaze is unabashedly scrutinizing, every rock of the train car pushing him against the body beneath him. ] I'll let you call me a cab.
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a small flicker of offense flashes across his expression; shouldn't he be the one with the bike? how old is he anyway? ]
No, I —
[ he lets go out of his nose tentatively and when blood doesn't gush or drip down his face, he shifts under the tiny stranger threatening him, hips shifting under him as a hand searches into his pocket one scrawny thigh is against.
he fishes out his keys to hold up as if he really needed proof. ]
I just take the subway to avoid the morning traffic. You know how busy it is.
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his expression smooths into something more thoughtful as his gaze flickers between the man and the keys. sizing him up, wondering how much trouble this guy will cause if he ends up being a creep.
with his hands behind the man's head, kunikuzushi has the element of surprise. in a flash, he snatches the man's keys from his hand and grips them tight in his palm. then he gives the stranger a pleasant smile. ] Do you mean it? You'll give me a ride?
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the corner of his mouth ticks up more at the — bullying? is he being teased by such a young face? regardless, ajax doesn't make a move to try to get the keys back.]
It's quite a generous offer, isn't it? You don't seem very suited for this kind of travel. [ ajax knows well a few of the brands on him and none are what he would classify as cheap by any means of the definition. its easy to suspect this is an unusual occasion for him and that he would prefer being driven home than spending even longer on the subway. he has a horrific attitude, but ajax doesn't doubt he could get anything with that face. ]
Or would you rather I get off alone?
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the smile on his face doesn't quite fade, but it turns sharper when he raises his chin in response to the stranger's observation. whatever judgement he's making, kunikuzushi's expression makes it obvious he doesn't particularly care. ]
I'm sure that must get boring for you after a while, [ he responds without missing a beat. at the next jolt as the train makes a stop, he feigns imbalance and catches himself with his free hand on the man's shoulder. with a firm grip, he feels his way to the man's biceps to take stock. ] How soon is your stop? I might change my mind.
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he can't say anything or someone really will report him.
the sullen expression and sour frown barely last, washed away with surprise when his new friend loses his balance. ajax's hands are firmly back at his waist and he'd tell him to be careful if he thought it'd do any good. next time he might get an eye instead of his nose. ]
It's the next stop, [ ajax tells him, not batting an eye at the hand on his bicep but excruciatingly aware of it. ] You think you'll be able to make it out of here? I'm starting to think this is your first time on here.
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Of course it is, [ he retorts, scoffing. ] The first and last time. My ride fell through and I didn't think it would be this bad.
[ his head swivels around to see if the situation behind him has magically changed. there's probably an easier way to get out than violently pushing past everyone in his way. not that he minds it, but it seems time-consuming. ]
Since you're the expert, I assume you know how to part the crowd. Otherwise, I guess I can always use these to push through. [ his free hand reemerges from his pocket with childe's key held between his middle and ring fingers, just to add a little bite to his shoves. ]