mind_blown | IMEEJI INBOX

[his vision focuses, painfully slow. annoyingly slow. but he can tell Griffin is just... staring at him? and he's confused, looks it for a moment. If he tries to stand, he knows he'll just stumble, but Griffin isn't moving either, so he's probably recovering slowly too.

Probably.

His hands go to the ground, waiting for that moment he recognizes he'll be able to push up, then strike, knock griffin unconscious.]

[Now Jay's looking back at him but he's not pushing away... Griffin blinks, trying to force himself out of these distracted thoughts but

There's blood on Jay's mouth, fresh pearls of it collecting from where it had met the kick. Without really thinking, Griffin gently wipes it clean with his thumb. Jay's lip is soft, despite the rough, healing skin.

And despite himself, Griffin leans in. Drawn by the urge to feel those lips on his own again.]

[— what.

His hands stop, and he freezes. A moment of confusion, probably more costly than he wants to admit. And his gaze focuses as Griffin leans in.

Is he gonna do it...? Now?

It buys stillness from Jay for a moment because he doesn’t know what to do in a case like this.]

[It's not until their noses graze that Griffin realizes-- wait, no. He had to stop. Jay didn't want this kind of thing to, to be seen and-- the audience would get the wrong idea and--

Griffin backs off, sharply - plants his feet to get off Jay. Just training. Just fighting right now.

...So he grabs Jay around the midsection and YANKS HIM OFF THE GROUND, throwing his whole body over Griffin's own like a human bridge. His spine arcs backwards and, not letting go, he slams Jay's head into the floor in an overhead suplex.]

-- Holy shit!

[this will teach him not to get distracted. ow.

he. honestly, this would have been fine, if not for the botched headbutt, or the additional punchings from a few days ago. but also, the low stakes just makes him slowly, slowly raise a hand to his head-- feeling for anymore blood- and then push up onto his feet, a little more unsteadily than he'd allow if he intended to continue.]

You really are a goddamned wrestler.

I told you so.

[Griffin flops down onto the floor and rubs his face, trying to shake off the lingering feelings of... attraction? Or just longing for approval and affection?

Catch your breath. Okay.

He looks back up at Jay, noting the wobbliness.] ...You okay?

Yeah.

[he steadies quickly enough. he probably could keep going. but he won't.]

What are you even trying to learn from me?

[Griffin blushes deeper, muttering,]

Maybe I just like throwing you t'the ground.

Don't need to put this whole production on to do that.

[and he leans against the wall, crossing his legs at the ankles, and his arms over his chest, he takes one last wipe at the blood on his face.]

But it's more fun this way.

[Jay had been smiling, he couldn't deny that. Slowly, Griffin gets to his feet as well, with a small smirk of his own.]

Maybe.

[he watches him, tilting his head lightly.]

And here you had me going on the whole "teacher" bit.

But I am learning.

[He cracks his neck, ready to go again]

'Sides, you didn't cross off grappling in the ground rules.

[YET YOU BANNED SWORDS FOR SOME REASON]

So, you saying you want round two.

[he won't say anything about the grappling. just means he's going to have to be careful.]

You know, we go again, I'll kick your ass on round 2, right?

[It'd be disappointing otherwise. Griffin smirks and takes on a loose stance, putting on his own cocky airs to taunt retribution from Jay.]

C'mon, gimme a taste.

Why don't you strike first?

Show me if you learned anything.

You asked for it--

[And, perhaps to his credit, Griffin doesn't rush in with an overly flashy, easily evaded attack. He was learning - turns out fighting humans required more precision than humanoid demons.

He's still going to try and throw Jay whenever he could. Being smaller made it easier to go for the legs and gut more often than the head.

...even if sometimes he still couldn't help the urge to throw in some Style. On the off chance it did manage to surprise Jay, it was totally worth it for all the other times he totally got counterattacked and ate shit on the practice mat.

Totally worth it.]

[AND THEN-- these boys wailed on each other for at least another hour. sorry for the mess they've made of the training room, but you know.

bruises. and blood. all a good time for them.

anyway, now that he's got him pinned under him.]

I'm calling this my win.

[Panting, aching, with definitely a bloody nose, split lip, a black eye and bruises all over--

Like, Griffin would be smiling if he had any muscles left that even worked.]

What kinda... talk is that... for a teacher...

[he pushes off of him-- but pulls his hand along as he stands up, pulling Griffin with him. he was going to be feeling this tomorrow? all of it? he sort of felt it now, but also, this was... fun.

so yeah, he'll pull griffin up with him.]

I'm a shit teacher.

Next time we're playing with swords, I swear to god.

[Whoop-- he's hefted up, which means I guess he has to actually use his legs to stand now or something, lame. Griffin wobbles, and maybe - still feeling playful from the training - lets himself lean on Jay, arm stretched over his shoulders.

Stupid puppy grin.]

C'mon.

Get some food and you'll feel better.

[he's tired, but he doesn't let the tiredness drain on him. lets himself support griffin, with only a side trip to grab his abandoned jacket before they leave.]

Stabbing's faster though.

[A minute of being stealth affectionate (or y'know, stealth by Griffin's metric) is enough to reenergize him, so that by the time they emerge outside, he's suddenly the one tugging Jay towards his bike.]

[it's faster. but he pauses at the mention. he lets himself get pulled out, and pauses, shoving his free hand into his pocket.]

I guess.

[he squeezes his hand for a second before pulling free, and shoving the other hand into his pocket.]

Anyway, meet you back at the hotel?

Because until we've got a diner, ain't no place outside worth eating at.

[Griffin blinks, confused. What was that pause? And the squeeze of his hand? Didn't Jay want to go back with him? He could fit him on the motorcycle...

He glances down at his hands, now empty, then back at Jay.]

What're you talking about? You're riding with me.

With you?

[another pause-- he hadn't realized that was what griffin wanted.]

You sure?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject