foulplayed | INBOX

Today is perfect.

Are you a tea or coffee kind of guy? I can have a fresh pot ready for when you get here - sweet treats are best enjoyed with company.

tea definitely
im not particular about flavor so pick your favorite

Can do. When should I expect you?

maybe like 20 minutes
i shouldnt be long

Perfect. See you soon, then.

[True to his word, Abbacchio arrives within his timeframe. He supposes it looks kind of funny that he's carrying a basket of goodies, but as an Italian he's going to make sure the food is treated well.

So, he knocks.]

Hey. I'm here to deliver for your sweet tooth.

( Yuri doesn't leave Leone waiting for long. When he opens the door it's with an easy smile — one that brightens when he sees the basket of pastries on the other man's arm — and he waves him in as he steps aside to give him room to cross the threshold. )

My sweet tooth and I thank you.

( Closing the door behind him, Yuri gestures for the other man to follow him through the plush house and into a sleek, spotless kitchen. In the centre is an island with two green velvet stools tucked underneath; Leone is evidently welcome to make himself comfortable while he sorts out the tea. He tosses a mischievous smile over his shoulder as he spoons leaves into the pot: )

But really, home-made pastries right to my door? I must've made a good impression the other day.

[The place is definitely cushier than his own apartment, but that's hardly a surprise since he hasn't made any real attempt to make it his own. Suffice it to say, it's been difficult to be motivated about it.]

You seem like a man of taste. But I guess I'll see in a bit, huh?

[The silent invitation is accepted as he pulls out a stool and sits, placing the treats onto the counter.]

But so far, I think my instincts are right.

( That gets a chuckle from Yuri. )

I guess you will.

( He pours the hot water onto the tea before moving the pot to the island, then doubles back for a pair of delicate, bone-china teacups that each come with a saucer. After setting them down, he pulls up the stool next to Leone's: )

You said you're a detective, right? You must need pretty good instincts to make it in that kind of profession.

( Yuri places his elbow on the table and rests his chin on his palm, a little mischief touching the corners of his lips. )

What else are they telling you about me?

Investigator. Detective implies I work for law enforcement.

[Which is something he definitely doesn't do anymore. Shit's complicated, but his instincts aren't usually off. Even if he is potentially getting suckered for a pretty face, but.]

That you don't give a damn about how other people necessarily perceive you. You know who you are, and that's enough. Even if you don't always feel confident, nobody else can tell anyway.

Ah — investigator. My bad.

( Yuri's mistake isn't without benefit, though: at least now he knows he didn't work for law enforcement back home. He has limited patience for people who work to uphold the ruling class' status quo — not simply because his life has been one of crime, but because he knows from first-hand experience that 'the system' never has the people's best interests in mind.

... But anyway. )

Interesting. ( Leone's assessment is dead-on. ) I'd say I'm flattered, but you don't seem like the type to deal in that.

( A light chuckle follows as he checks the tea, then pours them a cup each upon deeming it a satisfactory colour. )

I'll let you find out for yourself whether you're right or not. It'll be more fun that way.

I don't typically say anything I don't mean when I'm observing someone.

[The tea does catch his attention. It's a nice aroma, perfect with some pastries. Fortunately, they're in luck that way.]

Fair enough. There's only so much someone can determine by appearances alone.

So what kind of tea do you have here?

( Yuri eases one of the cups towards his guest. )

It's a black tea with a little fruit. I like everything a little sweet, but I didn't want it to overpower the pastries.

( And speaking off, he reaches out to tap the basket with a slender fingertip. )

Are you gonna keep me in suspense for a while longer, or can I try one now that we've got our tea?

You really do have hell of a sweet tooth, huh.

[But he isn't going to complain. It sounds like it'll be a nice blend. He takes the cup, and nods to the basket.]

Help yourself. They're all yours. Just hope they match up to your expectations.

( Yuri does just that, and immediately takes one of the strange, stiff treats before tossing Leone an easy smile. )

I hope you'll have one too. It only seems fair, since you put in the effort.

( He takes a bite, and — Goddes, but whatever this this is? It's amazing. Yuri licks a little smear of the filling from his lower lip before taking another, smaller bite, this time with his hand cupped beneath the cannolo to catch any flakes of the fried pastry. )

Mm— Saints, it's so good. Is this something traditional where you're from?

[Leone does pick one up, but he does watch Yuri first to see his reaction, which quite frankly is absolutely worth it. If nothing else, he's going to preen himself quietly for the compliment.]

Something like that. They're from my country, and my nonna used to make them. 'Course, she was from a different region than where I was growing up, so I guess they were a little less popular comparatively.

[He takes a bite and-- hell yeah, that still hits the spot. Not bad, not quite grandma level good but it's close. Hard to beat nostalgia, though.]

Your nonna ...

( Yuri is going to use his powers of deduction regarding people who might be baking in the home, and assume: )

Your grandmother?

( Has he nailed it? Either way, it's evident Yuri a big fan of the cannoli, and he polishes off the rest of his own in a few more indulgent bites. )

My mother is pretty good at baking, too, but I can't say it's a skill she passed on to me. I'm much better at cooking.

That's right.

[It's not hard to put that together. He nibbles on his until he's finished before he's reaching for the tea to help it down. The tea is actually very nice, he finds. A nice hint of sweetness to it without being overwhelming.]

Oh yeah? I guess I don't think about them being too different, but I suppose one usually speaks to you over the other.

Tell me, Yuri. Would you cook me something sometime?

( Yuri sips at his tea, the tail-end of an eyebrow raising just a little way. )

That's what you've decided you want in return, huh?

( He laughs lightly, then momentarily reaches out to touch his fingertips against Leone's forearm. It's a flirtatious little gesture, yes, but Yuri's evidently a flirtatious kind of person, and this guy is gorgeous, potentially useful, and brought him a basket of fried pastries. Suffice to say he's in Yuri's good books for the time being. )

Sure, why not? You'll have to tell me what kind of thing you like, though - I wouldn't want to make something you're going to hate. That'd be a waste of an evening.

[Oh, he knows these kinds of signs. Yuri is good at playing with this; he reckons that Yuri probably is used to finding all kinds of ways at winding people around his finger and getting them to do as he pleases.

It's something he respects, but it's also something to watch out for. It'd be easy to get sucked in.

Teasing a little, he goes to grab Yuri's index finger, just to give it a small squeeze before letting him go with a wry smile.]

I'm Italian, so I'm used to those kinds of dishes usually. Though I guess that depends on if you even know anything about Italy.

[Erring on the side of caution, since it wouldn't be the first time someone hasn't, he clicks his tongue and tries to clarify:] Dishes with a lot of cream or pasta. Cheese. I like salads, too. Just don't make it too spicy and I'll be happy.

( That little squeeze is interesting, to say the least, because while implies that Leone is at least somewhat on to him? It also suggests he might not actually mind. Yuri's smile takes on a slightly mischievous slant when he finally lets go, )

Italy? That's not anywhere I've heard of - but your food sounds divine. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something to suite your palate.

( With his hand withdrawn, Yuri leans his elbow on the island before ducking to rest his chin on his palm. )

And to drink? Let me guess ...

( He tilts his head just so. The dark clothes, the sultry lipstick, it all points towards one thing: )

If we were having wine, you'd prefer red.

Not a bad guess. I'll take a red without complaint, but...

[Another sip of tea, and he smiles crookedly.]

White's my favorite. I learned not to be too picky about my wine, but that'd be my first choice.

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