( though the surprise hits him, the change in his expression is minimal. only an inch do his eyes widen, at the sudden new feeling inside of him, and aventurine can certainly already tell that a higher setting and the right positioning could easily be his undoing. that's a game in itself, he thinks. that if rufus is truly lucky enough, or if such close proximity works to his advantage, he might just learn that priceless information.

but for now, the ball still lies in aventurine's court; fingers that play with soft hair on the back of his neck, mindlessly and carefully. everything he does is always practiced, measured, deliberate. )

They're both much the same, wouldn't you say? For example, ( and here, he brings a hand over to rufus' mouth, running a slow thumb over his lips, and his gaze sits on it. ) At a poker table, there will always be one person the table will single out as a threat. Whether because they're winning, or because they know how to play the game, or because they can't be read in the least...

( aventurine looms above, almost haunting, leaning in close enough that they could feel each other's breaths, but not nearly close enough that they could kiss. )

Which means, they control the game, do they not? Once all eyes are on that person, when each of their movements are meticulously studied, it gives them power. Is that not why we're playing our little game right now?