Chapter Text
Ren first noticed it when he patted Camus’ shoulder, the way the count froze for a split-second before relaxing again, answering Ren’s compliments with nothing more than a small hum. It left him confused and made him retract his hand almost instantly.. maybe Camus just didn’t like physical contact? Well, he was known as cold for a reason.. it was just going to be something he had to keep in mind.
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Sitting across from him Ren couldn’t help but stare, at those intelligent eyes sparkling behind his reading glasses, an icy light blue shifting across the papers he was just handed.
“So? What do you think?” Ren asked after a few more seconds, knowing that Camus should have been more than able to read it all by now. It was a tad unnerving to let him read his lyrics, but he felt confident in his work. It was the first time he got to work with Camus on this level and he was ready to make a good impression.
Camus let out a soft hum, putting the papers down before looking back up at Ren. “They’re not bad, it will need some tweezing but it’s satisfactory for now.” He answered and Ren couldn’t help but smile, knowing this was about as big a compliment from the count could get at this point.
“I’m glad you like them Baron.” The wink that he threw in Camus’ direction was simply met with a small frown but he didn’t mind, the other’s silence simply meant that he was satisfied with their progress.
“Let’s schedule another meeting in two days, I wish to finish the lyrics within that timeframe.” Camus stated, not looking up from his notebook as he scribbled some things down. “I expect you to have implemented these changes, for any additional feedback you can simply text me.” He added before handing the note to Ren, who looked at it with a small pout.
“That’s not fair Baron.. why am I the only one that has to change things? Isn’t this a duet? We’re supposed to work together you know.”
The scoff he received wasn’t exactly surprising, nor were the harsh words that followed. “I’m your senior for a reason Jinguji, it works out in your favour to listen if you ever wish to improve.”
Ren winced lightly at the cold tone and allowed a soft, somewhat awkward chuckle escape his lips. “Alright, alright, I’ll do as you say..” He said before winking at the count. “..as long as I get a reward afterwards~ I'll let you decide..”
He noticed how Camus briefly paused in putting away his belongings and the glare he received was a fair indicator that he probably shouldn’t be pushing the other much further right now.
Honestly Camus was just so incredibly.. interesting.
Each and every time they met up Ren just got reminded of how little he knew about him. There was such an air of mystery around Camus.. and no matter how much he pushed and prodded at the count he wasn’t able to make a crack in those carefully raised walls of seemingly impenetrable ice.
It just made him more eager to see what was behind them.
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A few days later all of Starish and Quartet Night were gathered, being treated by Shining to a small party since their previously released songs had been leading the charts for weeks. It was rare for all of them to be together like this, but the evening had been moving along surprisingly well.
Ren had been enjoying a few drinks, teasing some people, mainly a certain pianist, here and there about their lack of alcohol tolerance before he noticed Camus sitting on one of the couches by himself, seemingly more interested in watching the skyline than interacting with his colleagues. It wasn’t surprising, but it still felt a tad strange, even Ranmaru was enthusiastically interacting with his peers after all.. or maybe the few beers he had had helped.
Walking over with a second glass of wine he slipped next to Camus, giving the count a small smile as he held out the glass. “I noticed you finished your drink Baron, so I got you a new one.”
Camus just glanced at him before his gaze shifted to the glass, taking it from Ren with a small appreciative nod before staring outside again and Ren frowned a little.. he couldn’t even spare him a word? So he just let out a small sigh and remained seated next the count, looking out across the skyline as well in the hope to spot exactly what Camus seemed to think was so incredibly interesting that he had been staring at it for at least half an hour. He couldn’t really seem to find anything.
Feeling those icy blue eyes almost pierce his skin he couldn’t help but turn his head and indeed found Camus looking at him, so he just gave him a small smile. “Is there something on my face?”
Camus shook his head before looking away again, taking a sip of his wine. “I’m simply wondering why you decide to sit here with me while you know I am perfectly content with sitting by myself.”
It was a fair statement, because Ren indeed knew that Camus would be perfectly content on his own, he wouldn’t have isolated himself from the party if he wasn’t. Ren hummed softly and rolled his glass between his fingers, watching the liquid swirl around. “It’s a party, why bother coming if you’re not going to interact with people? Isn’t that the whole point?” He commented, noticing how one of the count’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance.
“So you are trying to say that I would have been better off not showing up at all?”
Ren could barely hold back a sigh at the way Camus instantly tried to read a different meaning into his words. “You know that’s not what I meant, I’m questioning your choice to sit here by yourself when you have such lovely company available.”
“I’m assuming that with ‘lovely company’ you are referring to yourself?” From the tone of Camus’ voice it was clear that he already knew the answer he was going to receive, but that wasn’t going to hold Ren back from indeed admitting to it.
“Well.. yes.” A small, somewhat cocky smile graced Ren’s lips. He knew that he needed to push back against Camus a little, the man seemed to enjoy challenges and he was more than willing to give him some.
“Your confidence continues to astound me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You really shouldn’t.” Camus stated but Ren could see the small smile that the count tried to hide behind his glass. That already felt like a victory. He was starting to notice more of these little things.. more small signs that showed him that the count was warming up to him, very slowly but steadily nonetheless. It was clear there was some kind of chemistry between them, or so Ren thought at least. He enjoyed talking to Camus.. even if his words were usually met with disinterest.
Ren simply sat back, folding his hands behind his head with a small grin on his lips. Every inch of ground won was another victory right?
Now he was just going to have to decide whether or not he wanted to explore this further.