There’s a comment, a teasing one, bubbling at the back of his throat when the tail is mentioned, a joke about penetration with it, but it is quickly forgotten as his attention is drawn to claws. Fucking claws. There’s no amount of regret in him, even as he thinks about the damage that can be done, instead it’s a curious rush of excitement, something that has him reaching for a hand with one of his own, intent on examining them more than he already has - than his drunk self has already indulged himself with.
But that hand diverts at the teasing, and whip quick he slaps a hand playfully down against a muscled thigh, whole hand squeezing, fingertips digging in in a movement that could be - would be a threat from anyone else. As it is, it’s accompanied by a laugh, sharp and loud, and the sudden movement of his body.
Dabi has often compared him to a clawless cat in jest, all awkward limbs and movements too fast and eager to be aware of his own body weight - but when Reg slips from his spot into Shuichi’s lap, it’s with purposeful, measured movements, weight dropping carefully down on his lower thighs, giving them both enough room and distance to watch each other. (Truthfully, he’s still more than a little wary of a freak out - there’s plenty of reasons for Shuichi to back out and have a panic attack while he does so, and he doesn’t want to suffer a concussion because of it.)
“Fuck you.” He says without meaning it, as evidenced by the small laugh he lets out after. “It’s common practice when I’m about to take off my mask.” Because without it, that’s who he is. Just Reggie. With one hand still squeezing the poor villain’s thigh, Reggie reaches up to touch said mask, fingers finding the clasp with practiced ease. “Don’t be an asshole, or I’ll just leave you high and dry.”
The threat can be about any number of things - his name, the reveal of it, the reveal of his face - but he doesn’t elaborate. Instead he undoes the clasp and pulls the mask from his face, revealing Reginald in all his glory. Light purple circles of exhaustion surrounding his eyes, the red birthmark that takes up space around his temple and part of his face, the soft indents from where his mask had laid previously.
Sharp eyes flick about, alternating between watching Shuichi’s gaze and some point just to the left of him, eye contact still being a bit rough when it came to first time exposures. “And, for the record, I don’t mind bites or scratches.” The mask is gently placed off to the side, his now free hand reaching up to too gently touch at the scales on his neck, gaze dropping to watch the path of his own fingers. “I don’t really register pain like - other people? That’s really the only warning you get. I’m not going to tell you to stop even if you do hurt me. And I’ll probably wear marks with pride.” Meaning he’s going to flaunt them, like he does the burns or bruises already pressed into his skin. “So you probably should consider that before you bite, Shuichi.”
it’s already all so much — did wrench ( sorry, reg ) HAVE to sit in his lap, too? shuichi groans a little as the weight sinks onto him, and his face immediately burns red, deepening when his hand closes around his thighs. but his own embarrassment doesn’t last long, attention diverted by him pulling the mask off.
he doesn’t... look like he expected, though shuichi isn’t quite sure what he expected, honestly. he’s... almost plain, birthmark aside — especially next to himself, or dabi, or shigaraki. shuichi huffs a breath, warm as it hangs between them. they’re close. intimately so.
shuichi stares at him for a moment longer, then swallows, and looks down.
“fair enough,” he mumbles, breath catching as reggie’s fingers brush along his neck. he shivers involuntarily. his scales have always been overly sensitive, something he’s bound to quickly discover. “i, um....” his face is still hot, but he forces himself to look up and meet his eyes. it’s a rare thing, after all. and then he clears his throat. “you say that like it’s gonna deter me.”
his own hands move, then, like he’s just remembered they exist, and settle on reggie’s arms, somewhere between elbows and shoulders. if they’re going to do this, truly, they need to start somewhere. “it’s gonna be.... weird for you, probably, like, unfamiliar, but can i — can i kiss you?”
