Joker [AU] (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
foolmetwice) wrote2018-11-11 09:17 pm
foolmetwice) wrote2018-11-11 09:17 pmREGISTRY
A HANDY DANDY TIMELINE for memory references!
foolmetwice) wrote2018-11-11 09:17 pm
Memory 9 - Crepes
Those who know North will recognize the blonde-haired, pigtailed girl standing right outside a crepe shop, her bag slung over her shoulder and one hand pressed against the display glass as she examines her options. Ren stands next to her-- it's a later memory, obvious by the way his hair is disheveled and long, pulled into the messy ponytail that has become so typical for him in fake Tokyo-- one hand resting in his pocket. His gaze is trained on his phone, thumb idly scrolling through a news site on the screen.
At Ann's question, he shrugs. "I don't know. Get whatever you want." His response is dull and distracted, which causes Ann to push away from the crepes and puff at him, brow wrinkled.
"Geez, you're no fun!" she responds with a pout, though said pout only lasts a moment before she's eyeing the crepes again. "Well, in that case, I'll just get both!"
"And do ten pushups at the gym later to make up for it?" Comes Ren's quick and witty reply, the corner of his mouth actually twitching in vague, suppressed amusement.
"Yep!" Ann doesn't seem bothered; she does a little fistpump before placing her crepe order-- chocolate and strawberry-- and beams at Ren when she's finished. "And you're going to do them with me, Mr. It's-Your-Fault-I'm-Buying-Two-And-Not-One."
"Nah," Ren replies, and he slips his hand into his pocket. There are no glasses for him to adjust, but he lifts his hand to his nose anyway, fingers brushing against the bridge as though he were adjusting said glasses. "I'd rather be fat and lazy than put that much effort into anything."
"Uh huh," Ann rolls her eyes, before she reaches out to pat Ren's belly soundly. The contact is warm. Even now, years upon years upon years later, Ren craves the touch of his Phantom Thieves, even if he doesn't show it.
On instinct, he stiffens.
Ann pauses, before she draws her hand back and stares at Ren, her playful expression shifting into something gently contemplative. Ren stares right back at her, breath hitching in his throat, because he feels like he knows better than anyone just how much Ann sees. Even when she's pretending to be oblivious, her gaze still cuts through him like a knife. He'd even place bets on what she's thinking right now, even if she doesn't verbalize it.
You always seem to tense when I get close to you. Why is that?
. . . the moment passes quickly, and Ann brightens again as she accepts her two crepes from over the counter. "Well! You're going to have to whether you like it or not, bucko."
Ren finds tension evaporating from his shoulders. Tension he hadn't even realized he was carrying until it's gone. It's just like her, to silently acknowledge a problem and then push past it with cheer and encouragement. He wouldn't expect anything less from her. He arches a brow at Ann, skepticism etched into his features. "Am I?"
"Yup!" and just like that, Ann shoves the chocolate crepe in Ren's direction. "You're going to have to work off all these calories somehow."
There's a significant pause, the silence heavy with everything that isn't being said in this very moment. Ren exhales sharply, head tilting forward.
He reaches out to take the crepe.
THINGS
- This takes place in loops 45 - 65 or thereabouts