[Luckily for them both, Akira has endless patience in most things. Akechi is usually one of the things he is most patient with, because he knows how much courting him-- be it romantically or just for his time, really --is akin to being around a wild animal. He has to give him time, earn his trust, and it isn't something given lightly.]
[So when his fingers curl around Akechi's hand, Akira's smile is warm, his whole face crinkling up with it.] I know. [He squeezes his fingers and pulls him forward, gently.] Now, breakfast.
[Really, if it wasn't for Akira's endless patience they wouldn't have gotten this far. They would most likely be back in the starting point, frustrated and bitter at each other.
This time Akechi answers to Akira's touch, twitching so that their fingers are intertwined, giving him a small reassuring squeeze. He allows himself to be pulled back in, forehead leaning against Akira's.]
[It's a lot to navigate, when Akechi is so vicious about things one moment, but relatively sweet and allowing gentle contact the next. At least he'll always be kept on his toes, pursuing this. Chuckling, he recedes from where their foreheads reach in favor of turning back to the plates, hovering his hands over each for a moment.]
Not piping hot, but warm enough, I think. [He turns and offers Akechi a plate.]
[It's simple, and specifically kept mild since Akechi had been running a fever-- Akira couldn't be too sure if his stomach would be testy as a furthered side effect from the broken finger, sometimes bodies did weird shit in response to an injury. He shrugs, taking his own plate and following.]
It's super basic, and won't be half as flavorful as curry, but.
[That might as well be a smart choice. Although, given his difficult relationship with the food Akechi won't be minding the more bland food. He's gonna eat whatever you serve him.]
I'm almost surprised you haven't signed up to work at one of the local coffee shops. [They could use Akira's expertise, but he's not going to bloat his ego any further.]
Is that the way you approached your countless other part-time jobs?
[he waits for the rice and soup to be placed on the table, and Akira to join him before picking up the chopsticks with his right hand. He murmurs the polite "thanks for the food" and starts picking at his fish.]
Those were mostly by circumstance, here I don't have a bunch of teenagers and a cat to ensure the safety of in a parallel universe on a student's budget.
[He carefully begins on his own meal, methodical about how he eats. A bit of rice, break off a piece of fish, chew the rice, chew the fish, a swig of soup. The flavors complement each other nicely, all mild but not quite bland. He looks up from his soup bowl, half-raised to his lips, and swallows.] ...you? You were pretty feverish last night, so I'm making sure you eat okay.
[He frowns, setting his bowl down.] ...sorry, is that overbearing of me?
[He mumbles and focuses back on his own meal. Taking small pieces of fish and rice. Akechi isn't usually a type to get nervous around the others, but Akira's attention makes him feel like a specimen under a magnifying glass, making him lose interest in the food despite the gnarling emptiness in his stomach.]
[He stays quiet during the rest of their breakfast. Eating slowly and keeping his expression neutral. The food is good, even if a little bland. But it's not like he cares about any of that. As long it's nourishing he really doesn't care what it is that he eats.
Once their meal is over he picks up their plates and takes them back to kitchen, not wanting to be pampered by Akira any further. He's the guest here, after all. ]
Don't you have something to do? You really don't need to stay here for my sake.
[His voice is just as neutral as his expression before. Not quite sure how to proceed from here.]
I need to clean up and look for one of the healers, seeing that we can't summon our personas.
[He tries to view the silence as friendly, or at least amicable, but it feels a little stiff regardless. When Akechi claims his plate he almost protests, but-- no, he supposes it's fair to let him collect his own dishes in his room, Akira already invaded and made himself at home to cook in his kitchen. He hums, leaning back in his chair.] Yeah, I've got a few things to do take care of.
[Looking over his shoulder at Akechi, he considers him a moment.] ...Can I ask you a favor?
[He looks the slightest bit scolded.] ...keep me in the loop? I know you're fine, and I know you can take care of yourself, I just. [His mouth quirks slightly and he sits forward in his chair instead to avoid looking at him.] I just want something to be normal, with us.
[God. What is even normal for them? Their relationship has gone through constant changes since it started. Summer of pretended niceties and fake flirting twisted into open hostility and violence, all until ending up in mutual understanding of one other and necessary teamwork.
And now? The Gap between them has shrunk along with this new strange closeness and clumsy affection. Is that a new normal for them.]
We did agree on that last night. [When they had agreed to team up again.] I'll let you in anything that's important.
[A bit of tension eases from his shoulders, and he rocks forward to stand, failing to put slip his hands into pockets that aren't there. Stupid yukata...] Right-- I forgot, sorry. [A brief flash of teeth in a grin, sheepish.]
[He bites his lower lip in an unconscious gesture, then, scuffing his foot against the ground and circling around his chair, pushing it back in like he's in public or something. His hands still on the back of the chair, he looks over his shoulder again.] ...c'mere a second.
[Well maybe if you didn't throw him into lakes, buddy--]
[He gives him a slightly annoyed frown, rolling his eyes and setting one hand on his hip.] Oh shove off, I was actually worried about you. Anything else was secondary. [He takes a second, looking him over as he approaches, but reaches out and sets a hand on his shoulder to lean forward and put their foreheads together in an affectionate gesture.] ...you're gonna have to communicate boundaries with me on this or I'm gonna be really obnoxious.
[Akechi bites softly insides of his cheeks, mulling over Akira's words. He's not entirely sure what his boundaries even are outside of... Nothing that's too much. Or too public or obvious. Anything that would make him feel cornered. But what does that even include?
He hums quietly, quickly glances up to meet Akira's eyes before looking down, feeling that mental block pressing against his mind now that the fever wasn't holding it back.]
I don't mind you being here. [is what he settles on eventually.] Or doing this.
[Akira's whole posture loosens, warm. He closes his eyes on a chuckle, smiling, and bumps their noses together. He considers kissing him, for a solid ten seconds, but decides to start small, for now. Just affection, just contact. They can move forward from there.] I'm glad.
[He takes a step backward, letting his fingertips trail down Akechi's arm.] I'll see you later?
[Akira's not the only one who's thinking of a kiss here. But Akechi just can't bring himself to take the first step here. Not now. And he does appreciate Akira not pushing it, leaving them with space to grow used to whatever this is.]
Yes. [He brings his hand to grab Akira, not letting him wander off too far just yet.] You'll keep me updated on things around here as well, correct? It's a deal.
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[So when his fingers curl around Akechi's hand, Akira's smile is warm, his whole face crinkling up with it.] I know. [He squeezes his fingers and pulls him forward, gently.] Now, breakfast.
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This time Akechi answers to Akira's touch, twitching so that their fingers are intertwined, giving him a small reassuring squeeze. He allows himself to be pulled back in, forehead leaning against Akira's.]
Let's hope that your fish hasn't gotten cold.
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Not piping hot, but warm enough, I think. [He turns and offers Akechi a plate.]
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Let's see if your cooking skills have remained the same since the last time I had your dishes.
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It's super basic, and won't be half as flavorful as curry, but.
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I'm almost surprised you haven't signed up to work at one of the local coffee shops. [They could use Akira's expertise, but he's not going to bloat his ego any further.]
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[He watches Akechi's approach to the food, aiming to determine if he likes it or not-- both specific to his own cooking and the choice of things.]
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[he waits for the rice and soup to be placed on the table, and Akira to join him before picking up the chopsticks with his right hand. He murmurs the polite "thanks for the food" and starts picking at his fish.]
What are you looking at?
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[He carefully begins on his own meal, methodical about how he eats. A bit of rice, break off a piece of fish, chew the rice, chew the fish, a swig of soup. The flavors complement each other nicely, all mild but not quite bland. He looks up from his soup bowl, half-raised to his lips, and swallows.] ...you? You were pretty feverish last night, so I'm making sure you eat okay.
[He frowns, setting his bowl down.] ...sorry, is that overbearing of me?
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[He mumbles and focuses back on his own meal. Taking small pieces of fish and rice. Akechi isn't usually a type to get nervous around the others, but Akira's attention makes him feel like a specimen under a magnifying glass, making him lose interest in the food despite the gnarling emptiness in his stomach.]
I will eat.
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Once their meal is over he picks up their plates and takes them back to kitchen, not wanting to be pampered by Akira any further. He's the guest here, after all. ]
Don't you have something to do? You really don't need to stay here for my sake.
[His voice is just as neutral as his expression before. Not quite sure how to proceed from here.]
I need to clean up and look for one of the healers, seeing that we can't summon our personas.
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[Looking over his shoulder at Akechi, he considers him a moment.] ...Can I ask you a favor?
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What is it?
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And now? The Gap between them has shrunk along with this new strange closeness and clumsy affection. Is that a new normal for them.]
We did agree on that last night. [When they had agreed to team up again.] I'll let you in anything that's important.
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[He bites his lower lip in an unconscious gesture, then, scuffing his foot against the ground and circling around his chair, pushing it back in like he's in public or something. His hands still on the back of the chair, he looks over his shoulder again.] ...c'mere a second.
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Just which one of us was feverish last night. [With a roll of shoulders he pushes himself off the wall and walks up to Akira.]
What?
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[He gives him a slightly annoyed frown, rolling his eyes and setting one hand on his hip.] Oh shove off, I was actually worried about you. Anything else was secondary. [He takes a second, looking him over as he approaches, but reaches out and sets a hand on his shoulder to lean forward and put their foreheads together in an affectionate gesture.] ...you're gonna have to communicate boundaries with me on this or I'm gonna be really obnoxious.
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He hums quietly, quickly glances up to meet Akira's eyes before looking down, feeling that mental block pressing against his mind now that the fever wasn't holding it back.]
I don't mind you being here. [is what he settles on eventually.] Or doing this.
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[He takes a step backward, letting his fingertips trail down Akechi's arm.] I'll see you later?
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Yes. [He brings his hand to grab Akira, not letting him wander off too far just yet.] You'll keep me updated on things around here as well, correct? It's a deal.