[Whatever hint of regret there was on Zen's features is placed by a pensive look as he keeps his gaze fixated on some shadowed spot away from them. It's somewhat relieving that Ozpin is perceptive and kind enough (maybe even too much of both) to offer him a chance to avoid embarrassing himself further, but...
Although it was partly out of his control, blaming it entirely on Sanguis doesn't completely erase the guilt. Because Zen did mean those words, even if only for a split second. And while he's not as dedicated to improving himself as Ozpin seems to be, it wouldn't hurt to learn from his obvious mistakes.]
Even so, I went a bit too far. I shouldn't have said that.
[Because not every apology has to be the honest and direct "I'm sorry", right? And with that out of the way, a sly smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he gives the older man a sidelong glance.]
Need a reminder of which one of us makes oddly suggestive noises when the other does so much as touch their brand new pair of ears?
[ Ozpin has forgiven and overlooked things far worse than a simple snap like that. If his actions towards a traitor like Lionheart were any indication, Zen's words were hardly something he's not used to. Still, despite the sting and hurt intended in them...he can't help but blame Sanguis in the grand scheme of things. ]
Well, apology accepted then. [ Or it would be if he hadn't said that?! Ozpin's eyes will tick away behind his glasses, cheeks going slightly pick, obvious due to his fair skin before lets out a sigh. His ears will twitch and stand up from their languid state, before he gives Zen another look. ]
That is...was...because I was still somewhat asleep. It won't...happen again. [ Of course it will but he's not going to admit that it feels good and turns him on?? ]
[To Zen, it's a mystery whether the older man realizes he's digging his own grave. Perhaps if he were more upfront about the secret behind his ears — like he can be about his past (and the discrepancy is astounding here) — it wouldn't be so amusing to push his buttons.
And if he didn't have a reason to pursue the contact again until now... Ozpin's insistent denial just gave him a tempting one.]
... "Won't happen again", huh. [There's a half shrug and a lazy tilt of his head.] Almost makes me want to touch it again to see for myself if it's true.
[Were the words coming from someone less inclined to tease others for fun, it could probably sound like flirting. Warning given, he'll withdraw his hand from Ozpin's, and leisurely reach up—]
It shouldn't happen again since you're wide awake now, right?
[—to test the man's reaction, so the hand will stop just short of touching the problematic ear... if he's not forcefully stopped before that!]
[ Ozpin is truly not thinking that the other would go for a second round. You damn cheeky kids nowadays!! He just assumed the other would drop it, as he has done in the past, but it seems Sanguis makes him a bit more...teasing than usual? Although it sure does...sound like flirting now that Ozpin thinks about it.
Ozpin gives him a look before he stops his hand just shy of his ear, but Zen is close enough to lightly graze it with outstretched fingers if he chose to do so.
Ozpin's ears on the other hand will twitch, rapidly, almost as if they were waiting for it to happen. He himself will wince with a huff of annoyance but something else as well. Get it together, Oz. ]
Yes it won't, because I believe I told you to not touch them. [ Said with a mildly testy tone of voice. ] Or is it a habit of yours to tease your elders?
[Although, stress can push this tendency towards a more aggressive direction, teasing others is just Zen's preferred way of bonding. And he'd probably nonchalantly deny it if asked directly, but whether it's really flirting or not is open to interpretation...
But alas! Just like Ozpin's teacher voice wasn't effective earlier, this testy tone doesn't have the intended effect, either. The contradicting nature of the man's words and actions (or the lack of thereof) actually causes the opposite effect.]
I believe I never said I'd comply? [Does the wording sound familiar?] Besides, you'd be stopping me now if you really didn't want them touched.
[The smugness in his response translates well the fact that he's not buying that excuse in the slightest. If Ozpin won't really stop him, his fingers might oh just accidentally brush against the external skin of that long, fluffy ear in a feathery touch...]
Well you should- [ -!! His admonishing tone drops off as something akin to a husky intake of air escapes him there and then. Zen!!! Why are you like this?!
Ozpin's face will go red as his ears flick away and he himself will jerk sharply to his feet. He looks a bit flustered as he huffs out a breath of air in attempts to calm himself. ]
That...that's not the point. [ Just looking away now as he reaches to take his cane now. ]
I. I see that you're feeling better. I'm glad I could be of some help. [ Not commenting on that not wanting his ears touched thing. It's not that he doesn't want them touched...but out in the open like this is not the most ideal. It feels amazing when they are, almost too good, and doing that somewhere in public well...Ozpin has a bit more self restraint than that. Regardless, he might look awkwardly away before clearing his throat. Right. Well. ]
I'll take my leave then, if that's all?
bouncing back and not listenin to some not!dad orders!!
[Why is Zen like this? Because what is there not to enjoy teasing a composed old man with millenniums of human experiences under his belt? Moonlacing helps dissolve the crankiness caused by Sanguis, but it can't fix Zen's mischievous side, so it's arguable if he's more trouble under the moon's influence or off it...]
You would've been of more help if you didn't let your ears get in the way.
[Now Zen's just randomly making up excuses as if he wasn't the one who triggered that reaction in the first place! Though he'd rather this interaction ended on a humorous note rather than on a mushy one, so maybe it's a better idea to let the flustered man go his own way now. All's well that ends well!]
Mm-hmm. Should be enough to keep me from starting to crystallize again for some days at least. [In contrast to the morbid exaggeration, there's his trademark carefree smile again! And in that same light, joking tone, he adds.] So thanks. Guess we're even now.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
well too bad it'll be used against him (again) now
Although it was partly out of his control, blaming it entirely on Sanguis doesn't completely erase the guilt. Because Zen did mean those words, even if only for a split second. And while he's not as dedicated to improving himself as Ozpin seems to be, it wouldn't hurt to learn from his obvious mistakes.]
Even so, I went a bit too far. I shouldn't have said that.
[Because not every apology has to be the honest and direct "I'm sorry", right? And with that out of the way, a sly smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he gives the older man a sidelong glance.]
Need a reminder of which one of us makes oddly suggestive noises when the other does so much as touch their brand new pair of ears?
Zen can u not?
Well, apology accepted then. [ Or it would be if he hadn't said that?! Ozpin's eyes will tick away behind his glasses, cheeks going slightly pick, obvious due to his fair skin before lets out a sigh. His ears will twitch and stand up from their languid state, before he gives Zen another look. ]
That is...was...because I was still somewhat asleep. It won't...happen again. [ Of course it will but he's not going to admit that it feels good and turns him on?? ]
nope.jpg
And if he didn't have a reason to pursue the contact again until now... Ozpin's insistent denial just gave him a tempting one.]
... "Won't happen again", huh. [There's a half shrug and a lazy tilt of his head.] Almost makes me want to touch it again to see for myself if it's true.
[Were the words coming from someone less inclined to tease others for fun, it could probably sound like flirting. Warning given, he'll withdraw his hand from Ozpin's, and leisurely reach up—]
It shouldn't happen again since you're wide awake now, right?
[—to test the man's reaction, so the hand will stop just short of touching the problematic ear... if he's not forcefully stopped before that!]
rude!!
Ozpin gives him a look before he stops his hand just shy of his ear, but Zen is close enough to lightly graze it with outstretched fingers if he chose to do so.
Ozpin's ears on the other hand will twitch, rapidly, almost as if they were waiting for it to happen. He himself will wince with a huff of annoyance but something else as well. Get it together, Oz. ]
Yes it won't, because I believe I told you to not touch them. [ Said with a mildly testy tone of voice. ] Or is it a habit of yours to tease your elders?
stop sounding like an old—oh wait
But alas! Just like Ozpin's teacher voice wasn't effective earlier, this testy tone doesn't have the intended effect, either. The contradicting nature of the man's words and actions (or the lack of thereof) actually causes the opposite effect.]
I believe I never said I'd comply? [Does the wording sound familiar?] Besides, you'd be stopping me now if you really didn't want them touched.
[The smugness in his response translates well the fact that he's not buying that excuse in the slightest. If Ozpin won't really stop him, his fingers might oh just accidentally brush against the external skin of that long, fluffy ear in a feathery touch...]
Wow?! Rude. Go to your room!!
Ozpin's face will go red as his ears flick away and he himself will jerk sharply to his feet. He looks a bit flustered as he huffs out a breath of air in attempts to calm himself. ]
That...that's not the point. [ Just looking away now as he reaches to take his cane now. ]
I. I see that you're feeling better. I'm glad I could be of some help. [ Not commenting on that not wanting his ears touched thing. It's not that he doesn't want them touched...but out in the open like this is not the most ideal. It feels amazing when they are, almost too good, and doing that somewhere in public well...Ozpin has a bit more self restraint than that. Regardless, he might look awkwardly away before clearing his throat. Right. Well. ]
I'll take my leave then, if that's all?
bouncing back and not listenin to some not!dad orders!!
You would've been of more help if you didn't let your ears get in the way.
[Now Zen's just randomly making up excuses as if he wasn't the one who triggered that reaction in the first place! Though he'd rather this interaction ended on a humorous note rather than on a mushy one, so maybe it's a better idea to let the flustered man go his own way now. All's well that ends well!]
Mm-hmm. Should be enough to keep me from starting to crystallize again for some days at least. [In contrast to the morbid exaggeration, there's his trademark carefree smile again! And in that same light, joking tone, he adds.] So thanks. Guess we're even now.
[So stop feeling indebted to him, okay?!]