It's when he somehow says the right thing despite just saying what he wants to say. Baren chooses to just focus on his drink then, worrying less about Sanji now that this seems to be cleared between them.
At the mention of Mimori though, Baren laughs, whether the timing is inappropriate or not. It breaks any of the tenseness he might feel, instead grinning easily. He loves the family he still has more than anything.]
Nah, Mimi's an angel. Don't know how we're related, really.
I'll probably buy her something nice to make up for all of this? She actually apologized to me - can you believe that? Ah, I'll have to get her something extra good.
[A snort of amusement on Sanji's end, but it's tinged with nothing but fondness and relief. He shakes his head a little] She apologized to me and then asked that I cut you some slack; not like you weren't being mean on purpose.
[It probably says plenty that a middle-schooler got the lesson Sanji didn't want to hear, but he'll cut it with the self-abasement for today. Still smiling, he brings the glass to his lips, tilting it until the liquid dances.
And then without answering immediately, glances in Baren's direction.
It's not from hesitance. Acceptance is already reflected in his expression, of a duty he would've taken on without Baren's asking. He's just thoughtful for now, considering what would keep Baren from taking care of a girl he so clearly loves.
... Eh. Thinking too hard. It'll be Sanji keeping down the fort until Baren shows up. He won't accept anything else.]
Of course I'm gonna.
[Smirking back into his drink]
Though no complaining when I'm first in line to kicking some shithead's ass.
[The fondness coming from Sanji manages to get the rest of the tension to drain from Baren's person entirely. He actually laughs at Sanji's remark, taking the smile from the other as an invitation to completely relax whether that's what it is or not. Even if it's not quite forgiveness, Sanji's smiling again - and even if it's not for him, Baren will take that as a victory.]
Oh fuck off, you'd know if I was really being mean on purpose.
[Easily, because he really didn't have a hint of malice toward Sanji at the time. Just a bad joke that sounded funnier to him at the time. An attack would be different. It'd be something more direct, more intensely personal - and he'd rather it never have to come to that.
This sort of thing is easier.]
Hah, first in a line of two - maybe three if my sister can make it.
Mimi hasn't met Z or anyone else I know yet, so far as I know.... so keep up the good impression, alright?
[It's one of the few times where Baren has to deal with the most important thing in his world - the scraps of family that he still holds dear - to actually interact with the other people in his life.]
[Sanji had eavesdropped on enough of that conversation to realize that no, Mimori really didn't know much about Baren's friends or lifestyle. A good choice, he thinks, but he hadn't taken the thought further, either -- less people to look after the girl should it become necessary. A faint frown appears on his expression.
Hn. No matter.]
Three's plenty.
[They'll take good care of her.]
And please, I'm a goddamn gentleman to anyone who isn't you. [A flash of a smile, his humor returning in full.] I'll take care of her.
[FAAAAKE!! But Baren's laughing at that, amused at the idea. Then again, he supposes he wouldn't know. He doesn't pay attention to many of Sanji's relationships outside of himself - and maybe Zoro, just out of necessity.
Maybe he is different around other people.]
Just be yourself, dipshit. She's good at spotting lies and you'll get scolded if you tell too many.
[Honestly -- Sanji just snorts, not bothering to get irritated, waving at Baren like he's a fly stuck in his hair. Of course he's different around others. As if anyone else really puts up with his wet feline attitude. He's kind to children, passably polite to most women, and as for everyone else--
Well, he's learned how to play nice in the sandbox, if only to keep shitheads from burning down his apartment.
So a gentleman? Absolutely. Even if it usually doesn't count for shit.]
Tch. Now that I believe. She's has plenty of practice by now.
[He downs his glass of wine again, only this time tasting the flavor, and smiling briefly for it.]
[The smile's good. Baren huffs out an offended breath at that even as he waves off the idea.]
What's this? Are you making rude remarks about my character? [A quirk of his brow and damn if Baren doesn't move on real quick with burying hatchets - ] Do I get to have a tantrum now?
[fucker still tests his luck, holding out his wine glass for a refillllll]
That didn't take long, did it? The smile wipes off Sanji's face as he sends Baren an unimpressed stare, swiping that wine glass from the other's hand. Shut up, he'll pour it in a second.]
You missed your shitty window. Go tantrum outside if you wanna.
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no subject
It's when he somehow says the right thing despite just saying what he wants to say. Baren chooses to just focus on his drink then, worrying less about Sanji now that this seems to be cleared between them.
At the mention of Mimori though, Baren laughs, whether the timing is inappropriate or not. It breaks any of the tenseness he might feel, instead grinning easily. He loves the family he still has more than anything.]
Nah, Mimi's an angel. Don't know how we're related, really.
I'll probably buy her something nice to make up for all of this? She actually apologized to me - can you believe that? Ah, I'll have to get her something extra good.
[And then easily, as if none of this happened:]
You'll take care of her when I can't, right?
no subject
[A snort of amusement on Sanji's end, but it's tinged with nothing but fondness and relief. He shakes his head a little] She apologized to me and then asked that I cut you some slack; not like you weren't being mean on purpose.
[It probably says plenty that a middle-schooler got the lesson Sanji didn't want to hear, but he'll cut it with the self-abasement for today. Still smiling, he brings the glass to his lips, tilting it until the liquid dances.
And then without answering immediately, glances in Baren's direction.
It's not from hesitance. Acceptance is already reflected in his expression, of a duty he would've taken on without Baren's asking. He's just thoughtful for now, considering what would keep Baren from taking care of a girl he so clearly loves.
... Eh. Thinking too hard. It'll be Sanji keeping down the fort until Baren shows up. He won't accept anything else.]
Of course I'm gonna.
[Smirking back into his drink]
Though no complaining when I'm first in line to kicking some shithead's ass.
no subject
Oh fuck off, you'd know if I was really being mean on purpose.
[Easily, because he really didn't have a hint of malice toward Sanji at the time. Just a bad joke that sounded funnier to him at the time. An attack would be different. It'd be something more direct, more intensely personal - and he'd rather it never have to come to that.
This sort of thing is easier.]
Hah, first in a line of two - maybe three if my sister can make it.
Mimi hasn't met Z or anyone else I know yet, so far as I know.... so keep up the good impression, alright?
[It's one of the few times where Baren has to deal with the most important thing in his world - the scraps of family that he still holds dear - to actually interact with the other people in his life.]
no subject
Hn. No matter.]
Three's plenty.
[They'll take good care of her.]
And please, I'm a goddamn gentleman to anyone who isn't you. [A flash of a smile, his humor returning in full.] I'll take care of her.
no subject
[FAAAAKE!! But Baren's laughing at that, amused at the idea. Then again, he supposes he wouldn't know. He doesn't pay attention to many of Sanji's relationships outside of himself - and maybe Zoro, just out of necessity.
Maybe he is different around other people.]
Just be yourself, dipshit. She's good at spotting lies and you'll get scolded if you tell too many.
[not at all speaking from experience]
no subject
Well, he's learned how to play nice in the sandbox, if only to keep shitheads from burning down his apartment.
So a gentleman? Absolutely. Even if it usually doesn't count for shit.]
Tch. Now that I believe. She's has plenty of practice by now.
[He downs his glass of wine again, only this time tasting the flavor, and smiling briefly for it.]
no subject
What's this? Are you making rude remarks about my character? [A quirk of his brow and damn if Baren doesn't move on real quick with burying hatchets - ] Do I get to have a tantrum now?
[fucker still tests his luck, holding out his wine glass for a refillllll]
no subject
The asshole.
That didn't take long, did it? The smile wipes off Sanji's face as he sends Baren an unimpressed stare, swiping that wine glass from the other's hand. Shut up, he'll pour it in a second.]
You missed your shitty window. Go tantrum outside if you wanna.
no subject
Don't wanna!
I'm comfortable right here, thanks.
[probably too comfortable???? but well, this is the life sanji leads now.]