Permanent Open RP post! Game based, AU based, meme based, canon based, catch-it-all based - everything is welcome. You can start or tell me what you want and I can start. NSFW is allowed - check kink list if you need/want
[Akira's never really put much thought to something like that, but Yu's pretty spot on about his analysis of the coffee market- isn't that the exact reason Sojiro opened Leblanc to begin with? He prides himself on the quality of the beans, the handmade touch that goes into each cup. And even if he doesn't have a line out the door, Akira is always spoiled by how good this stuff is. It would be a shame if it got suddenly popular overnight.]
I accept tips, by the way.
[Hey, money is hard to come by when you need to constantly fuse personas. But Yu wouldn't know anything about that, right? He laughs into a huff of sound, which comes off far more sarcastically than he intended. With a cup in hand, he starts to pour the black liquid into it, grabbing a napkin to place under it. Leblanc isn't really the high society type of place that enforces its customers to have teaplates under their cups, so, a napkin'll do. He makes his way over to Yu from behind the counter, eyeballing in case he doesn't spill (he'd have to clean it up later anyway if he did), and places it down on the table in front of him.]
[And he's not joking. There's an exception only if the cashier is extremely rude to him for no reason. When Akira puts the cup in front of him, Yu sighs in pure delight. There's something about the scent of coffee that's almost intoxicating. And from the looks of it, Akira knows how to make an extremely good cup.]
Hmm? What about you? It's no fun drinking alone.
[He places both of his hands around the cup and smiles. It really does feel like fond memories of snow, kotatsu and Nanako's laugh. He brings the cup up to his lips and takes a cautious sip- he didn't want to burn himself.
...]
...This is amazing. [Yu stares at the cup in wonder.] I've never tried coffee this good. Ever. [Now, he doesn't care about the heat, he's taking another sip.]
[Please don't actually leave him a tip, Yu. That would be more than embarrassing and mostly would force Akira to go shopping for a souvenir for him because he won't spend it on himself. Sitting down in the booth in front of him, he props his chin up via an elbow on the table, watching him embrace the first few draws of the caffeinated beverage. He's excited... he hasn't gotten the chance to make coffee for his friends yet, so outside of Sojiro, this is his first trial.
And it looks like he's passing. Thank goodness.]
Hm? If I drink this now, I'll be up all night. And I have a certain cat who prefers to use me as his pillow, so he wouldn't like that very much.
[His gaze looks over to Morgana, who is most definitely not being conspicuous at all, perched with judging omnipotence at the top of the stairs, looking over the banister. His attention is snapped to the compliment he receives. The best cup of coffee he's ever had? Hasn't he lived in Tokyo? Surely, he's had better than this sludge that Akira put together.
Still, it warms him up in his heart just like a cup of coffee would, makes him feel more awake- so in essence, basically, he's practically drinking one himself anyway.]
[He will and you can't stop him. A tip right underneath that cup. It's bad luck that when you visit a place for the first time and not pay for it. He follows Akira's gaze to the staircases and spots the cat. Even in this dim light, he can see that black fur glisten, along with those piercing blue eyes. You don't come across these beautifl cats every day.]
Where did you find him? [He smiles.] I bet he was great moral support during your work. [Accent on 'work'.
He takes another sip of the coffee and almost does burn his lips. Because of what Akira said. And he might be blushing a bit at that. And doesn't know what to do or say.
Except nod and speak barely above the whisper-] Thank you. I will be careful.
I don't think we'd have gotten this far without him.
[He knows you're listening, cat. You better appreciate his true feelings toward you.]
I guess it's kind of a long story, but we found Morgana in the Metaverse, when Ryuji and I went in the first time. Since we saw his real form there, our cognition of him changed, so we can understand him talk. He can also transform into a bus.
[No deadpan here, he's being serious. Morgana's ears must be burning by now.]
Don't get me wrong. I'm just surprised by the coincidence. When I was fighting in the other world, I mentioned you that someone had to let us out. It was Teddie, a bear... of sorts. At first, his bear costume was empty but he still could move, speak and think. It was weird a bit. Then he managed to get a human body after as his persona developed. It wasn't completely human body, x-rays and scans showed nothing, but he did have human form.
[He takes another sip of coffee and suddenly decides that napkin is very interesting thing to play with.]
Well... it doesn't happen every day that someone notices my lips. So yes, I am, a little.
[What a weird story to have to tell- on both of their parts. He can't even begin to imagine Morgana as a bear... who had a human grow inside of him. Morgana is just Morgana. He doesn't know if he's human or not, but he's promised to diligently help him find his truth. But hearing Yu recount his version of events from his interaction with the TV world, it makes him feel that the other must've made similar choices and commitments throughout his journey. And it's nice to know someone who went through the same stuff he's going through.
He doesn't miss him fidgeting with his napkin- which is usually a social clue for nervousness, and the next sentence makes Akira feel a fire burn straight down to his stomach. Oh, shit, he wasn't expecting to be called out on it. He remembers back to the reading he's done on how to be a trickster, how to impress girls, how to hit a home run (wait, that's not going to help him right now)- and none of it is coherently coming to his aid. Maybe if he were a bookworm like Yu, some of it would've been better retained.
Akira sits up, straightens out his posture so that he's not hunched over and idly looking tired. How does he word this?]
It's... not every day that someone has lips like yours.
[Whether he wanted to or no, Yu looks up from the napkin he's fiddling with. Is he reading social cues correctly? These are all flirtatious compliments, right? Yu could feel his stomach drop through the floor. For a moment he could imagine Yosuke going wild and dashing away if Yu said something like this to him. But the thought is gone as fast as it came. He's too preoccupied with staring into Akira's eyes to think about anything else.]
Is that so? [Flirting is made for two, right?] And how are my lips so special?
[Yu leans his chin on entwined fingers of his hands, elbows resting on the table. He feels his cheeks still burning slightly, but he will not give in to them.]
[There's that intense gaze again- the one that goes right through him, like it was born from the insistence of finding the truth to everything in this world. His eyes avert downward slightly- he hasn't grasped being ready for that level of intensity just yet, but he tries, thinking he needs to choose his words incredibly carefully from here on out. He looks up towards Yu. He didn't need a mask to hide behind to be brave, after all.]
Is it just your lips, hm? [Akira pushes the cup of coffee slightly forward, reminding him that it's best when it's still hot.] Well maybe if you do burn them, there's something we can do to make them feel better.
[Akira's grin comes back, that little facial emotion that teeters on the edge between mocking and mysterious.]
[If Yu was uncertain before, then this completely blew any uncertainty out of the window. He can't help with his lips stretch into a wide smile and he lowers his gaze at the coffee. Where did the cute, shy guy from several days ago disappear? Not that he minds this at all, it's just that he didn't expect it. Ah, that well-known feeling of butterflies in his stomach.
He picks up the coffee and continues drinking.]
Well, since you know the methods of making your nurse feel better, then I'll leave it in your hands. [Sip.] I'll leave the well-being of my lips in your capable hands.
[Oh, the cute, shy guy is still there. It's what's making his heart pound a mile a minute, making him doubt himself even as he tries any of this flirting. But he can feel himself becoming a little more gutsy from the experience. Considering the fact that Ryuji and Mishima are always trying to get him to talk to girls, and how poorly he usually struck out when that happened, it's a miracle that he hasn't slipped into a pure state of quiet reverence instead of where he is now.
He can't believe it worked. He really can't. Somewhere, he can hear a snicker off in the distance, and he's sure that he's going to get teased about this tonight, after Yu leaves. What with the heist that they just completed and all, Akira needs to lay off the adrenaline for a little bit. And probably, coffee, too.]
You've taken such good care of me, and all I've done for you is give you a heart attack by sneaking up to your window.
[It worked because Yu likes him. Really likes him. Hitting on random girls will eventually get one a slap across the face. He finishes off the coffee, not letting it grow cold at all. That would be a complete waste.]
Well, I did invite you to come back for your stuff. It's my fault I let my guard down.
[The smile that's painted across Yu's face has a tinge of sentimentality. Akira wants to return him a favor. The world made people expect to have to give something in return when someone does something for them. Yu helped him because he wanted to because he needed to and he didn't expect anything in return because he doesn't want anything in return. That's just how he is.
Still, since Akira's insisting on repaying the favor then-]
Well, actually, I do have a favor to ask of you, if it's not a problem.
[He let his guard down. Now that's an understatement. Akira did too, in a way, insofar as much as falling for a person that he knew nothing about, just to find out later that he was, in fact, rather similar in more ways than one. This is the exact sort of activity that could lead to the downfall of the Phantom Thieves in its entirety: not paying attention for the subtle clues that gives a person away when they're looking for more. But Yu... he was so different. He gave Akira the hope to carry on, the feeling that there's an infinite number of routes and choices to make.
And it was Yu that made his heart stir in ways that he never thought could. Here he was, alone and abysmal in terms of how his fate would turn out, and along comes this confident youth who makes him feel some sort of worth, of value, of importance that he can't quite put his finger on. It was the generosity of a stranger that captivated Akira, and his subtle beauty that drew him in. Like a painting at an art exhibit. A championship trophy at an arts museum. He found himself so allured by the possibility of starting something with Yu that he couldn't ignore his heart beating faster when he asks Akira for a favor. And for someone so guarded and shy, it was a world of difference. Like seeing color TV for the first time after years of only grey.]
[Yu goes back to fiddling with the napkin. All this flirting is making him feel lighter than a cloud. And it won't be the coffee's fault for not sleeping tonight. Now, if didn't just embarrass himself completely with this request it would be a perfect evening. He clears his throat and, for the n-th time, fights back a blush. Only this time the blush of embarrassment.]
...Can you show me the way back to the train station? [He's blushing. Dammit!]
Um, when I arrived at Yongen, it was a bit early, so I had a stroll around because I usually don't come here. Then I asked for the cafe and they showed me the way. But- [Yu scratches back of his head,] in all that wandering, it slipped my mind where the train station is.
So, if it's not a trouble... the last train should be in thirty minutes. [And he's supposed to be known as a resident of Tokyo. The resident of Tokyo gets lost in Tokyo.]
[That blush that blooms over his face like a flower in April is quite possibly the most heart warming thing in the world. Akira thinks about how his voice changes with the timbre of embarrassment built into it, and..... it should be illegal to be this cute. He can tell Yu was trying to come off as cool up until now, and when he's asking for an accompaniment to the station, Akira almost wants to reach out to his shoulder and tell him hey, it's okay. I got lost my first time here too.]
Sure, that's not a problem. It would be really rough if you missed the last train and wound up in Yongen until tomorrow.
[Akira takes the cup, now that it's empty, and returns it to the kitchen sink for now. He'll wash it after Yu is gone, which looks like the time is approaching somewhat fast, and he'll be appreciative of the distraction to not sit and drown in his own feelings, or go over the night in his head a hundred times.]
Really, it's no trouble at all.
[He starts to head for the front door to the shop before realizing that he's still wearing the apron. That's not going to do (incoming fashion disaster), so he unties it and leaves it on the top of a booth's seat. Something else he can take care of when he gets back.]
[Yu would probably argue with Akira on the cute part. How can a third year like himself look cute? Hell, he doesn't even have that pretty of a face- he always suspected that people approached him because they are curious about his hair.
He sighs in relief- he knew that Akira would help him out... in 99% of cases. It's that one percent that worried him- who knows what could pop up. He gets up and starts picking up his stuff while Akira puts away the cup. And while he's not looking, slips a tip under the sugar cup that's on the table. And gives snooping cat on the stairs "shhh" motion with his finger.
A soft chuckle leaves him when he notices Akira coming back from the front door, frantically taking off his apron.]
Thank you. One day I'll learn the streets around here.
[He heads for the door and turns around to say goodbye to the cat-]
Good night Morgana. I'll bring you mackerel next time. [He makes mean grilled mackerel with vegetables.]
Are you sure you're not trying to get on my good side by getting an in with my cat?
[Akira finds himself smiling at the suggestion- no, he knows that Yu loves these little furry creatures, just by the way he had looked at Morgana when they were on the roof enjoying ramen together. Letting the two of them out of Leblanc, he looks up to the streetlight not far away from the entrance. Wow... it had gotten pretty late.
And then turning to look at Yu, lit up only by the light of the coffee shop behind them... he feels a pit in his stomach forming. What was this? Sadness at him leaving? He didn't put much thought to it, and looking at him any longer like that would've been weird, so he starts a few steps forward. Still, the image of his features like that was burned into the back of his head.]
... I didn't really like Tokyo when I first moved here. [His voice is quiet, calm.] It's so busy... and no one has the time to get to know each other. We're all just making our way to the next subway or...
[He doesn't know where he's going with this. Biting his bottom lip, he looks up at the sky. Looks like the sky could open up and pour at any second. They shouldn't waste a ton of time getting him to the station.]
It's nice to have someone who can come over to enjoy a coffee break from it all.
Hmm? I thought I'm already on your good side. [Yu acts mock-confused, mock-pouting. He should really consider acting less childish.
When he steps out, cold wind wafts through the air, making Yu shudder. And he doesn't say anything rude, but the whole neighborhood looks creepy a bit. The only lights are from the houses and here and there from a street lamp. The thunder is not really helping the whole scenery that reminded Yu of mystery novels that Naoto likes to read.
He stops paying attention to the surroundings and focuses on what Akira talks. It draws out a sad smile on his face and he shoves hands into his pockets.]
Before I went to Inaba, I didn't know if I liked Tokyo or no. But when I came back, it annoyed me to no end. [He didn't want to use the word hate because it's too strong to describe this.] Everyone meaningful I met and connected with stayed back in that small, rural town, together, while I came here. To more of my parents working, more empty apartments and lonely dinners. [He laughs at himself-] I was brooding for days and firmly believed my parents will send me back because 'something came up'. But when my mom yelled at me to finally unpack because she can't do laundry, that's when it finally hit me. [He sighs.] There was no going back.
[The pass the shop with electronics and cheap laptop caught Yu's eye, but he didn't stop to look at it.] But I realized that it's not all bad in the end.
Sure cars beeping into the late night still annoy me but, [he turns his head to look at Akira,] I met a quite amazing guy. And that makes up for everything.
[The more he got to know Yu, the more he found himself feeling all sorts of things for the other. And there it was: homesickness. Akira's life wasn't anything grand or overly spectacular, but there was a comforting thought of the times that his parents treated him with love and admiration, instead of the trash that got picked up on Thursdays- sent away because of his family's image, just because he did what he thought was right at the time. And yet, coming here, it's a different type of homesickness that pervades. Yu wanted to go back to a place that was beautiful in his memories. Akira wanted to go back to a place that didn't exist anymore. The only saving grace about Tokyo to date had been his friends, and now, the silver haired teenager who's complimenting him shamelessly.
But if home really is what you make of it, he wouldn't mind finding a house inside of Yu's heart, crawling into it, sleeping in it, surrounded by it. It made sense, and yet it didn't, in a weird way. Akira felt crushed under the weight of all the lives he wasn't living.
For a while, he just listens to Yu. The raucous of thunder clamored in the background, which was a stark contrast to that low, humbled voice. So that was it, huh? Yu was lonely, in the end. Brooding in his room, studying away because he had nothing else to do, until a masked stranger popped up in his window and demanded more from him. He offers a small smile, reaching out softly just to touch his arm, as if he could convey something in the small exchange that would offer an entire wealth of partnership- as if he could make him feel like he had a place here. Maybe at Akira's side. Maybe not. But he deserved it. All of it, and more.
A few light sprinkles of rain fell down onto his shoulders, and then, as if the skies couldn't hold it in anymore, it started to downpour- rushing, pounding, unrelenting.
Falling in love was just like that too: a small warning, and then all at once.]
[Yu wished he could read Akira's mind right now. He was silent and listening to him, but with a really sad expression on his face. An expression that tells him that he's barely holding on right now. That if he didn't find his purpose in Tokyo after that criminal trial, he wouldn't know what to do. Yu could feel his chest tighten at the thought- sued for nothing, life ruined by a criminal record he didn't deserve.
If there was anything he could do to change that, Yu would do it. He's done things for people who deserved less, who endangered everyone around them. So why!? Why is he helpless now?
The small touch of his hand makes him stop walking to look properly at Akira. At every line of his face, at his eyes hidden behind the glasses and long bangs. Like in a daze, he reaches out to move them with his fingers, wanting those eyes to be on him. Now. All the time after tonight.
The rain and another thunder had turned Yu's gears into motion, making him give in into the magnetic pull of Akira's aura. Of his presence. His fingers slowly entwine with other boy's as he leans in, brushing their lips very gently. Slowly.
Akira might hate him later for this, but now, it felt right.]
[A numbness crept over Akira as Yu touched him back, moving the sloppy mess of hair that was beginning to mat down against his face in the oncoming slaughter of rain from above, prickling at the back of his head that sent a calming presence over him. And as if everything moved slower, the next thing he saw was Yu's face as it came closer... closer to his, only to bring him within a breath's width from each other. And in that instance, the moment before their lips touch, he knows what's going to happen, but his mind is too slow to prepare for that initial contact.
Breathtaking. The lightning above isn't the only sparks flying around.
Wet, sogging and dripping from the rain, he feels his heart near levels of exploding at the moment. His first kiss- ever- and it's one that's entirely patient, studied, careful, perfect. Just like Yu. And the gentle taste of coffee that still lingers on his lips is its own form of caffeine for Akira. God, just to taste that again...
His free hand nervously climbs up the back of Yu's shirt, placing there for a moment so that can return the favor- eyes cast downward to face so close to his, just for that simple, easy touch once more. It's nothing scandalous or smoldering: plain, affectionate, without intent to go farther. It has all the markings of how a trickster gentleman should have his first debut in the courtship. And like lightning, it's over before it started, his grasp on Yu's back becoming less urgent than it was a second ago.
And as usual, Akira stays quiet through it all, a small determination built around the idea that he said something now, he would never be able to properly convey how he really feels. Tokyo wasn't that bad, after all. But they are both getting drenched- and they both know they can't linger in this much longer.]
[Yu was too into the kiss that he didn't notice just how drenched they got. What was important to him were those lips against his and warm hand against his chest. It wasn't only Akira's first kiss- it was Yu's as well. And it sent warmth from his flushed cheeks, through his whole body and down to his toes. The cold of the rain was nonexistent at that moment.
It's when Akira's grip on him lessens that the rational thoughts come back flooding to him. Getting drunk from the atmosphere- Yu finally understands how Yukiko and Rise got drunk back at that bar. He doesn't need alcohol and shots- he just needs Akira to be close to him like this and everything else falls into the second plan.
When he pulls back, his cheeks are red- but not from cold, and eyes half-lidded. Another loud thunder makes him glance at the sky and back at Akira.]
Sorry... [he murmurs just above the whisper.] I shouldn't have- you'll get cold. [He might've pulled away from the kiss, but that only tightens Yu's hold onto Akira's hand, and he pulls them under the nearest canopy. He might get late for the train... but it's worth it.]
[Now that they're out from under the intensity of rain above them, it doesn't feel like he's going to drown in both his feelings and actual water, and as he looks down to see their hands still connected, and up to see Yu's bangs dripping down onto his nose and cheek, it strikes him as if he's watching Yu cry- even though he's definitely not, but the thought irks him anyway, so he lifts his hand up to brush a droplet of water away from face.
Now that the cards are all out, both of their hands are shown to each other, Akira leans his body slightly against Yu's. He can feel the remnants of residual warmth from the other, and it's nice, considering he's losing a good deal of his own pretty fast. There's their hands, still tied together in an intertwined fashion, which he slowly undoes with the skilled marksmanship of a thief, and brings Yu's hand to rest behind Akira's back, holding him in a way.
He looks up to those grey eyes, hesitant in case he says the wrong thing, or does the wrong thing.]
If you miss your train, you'll have to spend the night in Yongen.
[Which, considering the fact that his body is softly pressed up against Yu's, he doesn't seem so sad about.]
[Yu chuckles softly-] As much as love taking care of you, I'd rather you don't get sick.
[Akira's hand feels really warm against his face, even though it's probably cold from the rain. He resists the urge the lean into the touch- he'd probably look really stupid. But he does close his eyes and smiles a bit. He'll allow himself to indulge in this moment as long as he can.
When he opens his eyes, Akira's leaned against him, his hair tickling his face. He wonders if he can actually stay like this forever. And he knows he'll be reprimanding himself for not acting on his feelings earlier. He pulls Akira even closer against himself, their foreheads resting against each other. And the soft shiver that goes down Yu's spine is definitively from closeness not from cold.]
Hmm... it's a nice idea. But I doubt your roommate will appreciate me taking his part of the bed.
[Just the thought of sharing bed with him heats up Yu's cheeks even more.]
[He likes that they're not delving into topics surrounding the fact that they just kissed, just leaving that moment as it was meant to be. Private, not spoken about. Not just yet. He doesn't know what's to come out of all this, but he has a feeling that he'll be wanting to sneak onto his fire escape again in the upcoming days. He smiles softly when he mentions Morgana - at least Yu is thinking about him right now, where Akira is thinking about... well, other things, honestly. But he's right. And besides, he's due to get a barrage of questions the second he gets home, replete with the added notion that he should get in the shower as soon as possible and hang up his clothing.]
See you at school.
[He pulls away from Yu, even if he didn't want to, knowing that there was only a 5 minute or so gap before the last train departed. He points down the road a ways, and offers proper directions.]
Keep going straight... you can't miss the station.
[And because he's a little bit of a showoff when he gets the chance to be, he sees Yu's head turn to follow where he's pointing and leans up once more, to kiss him on the cheek. That's enough, for now, he thinks, and ducks back out into the rain, using his school blazer as a poor umbrella.
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I accept tips, by the way.
[Hey, money is hard to come by when you need to constantly fuse personas. But Yu wouldn't know anything about that, right? He laughs into a huff of sound, which comes off far more sarcastically than he intended. With a cup in hand, he starts to pour the black liquid into it, grabbing a napkin to place under it. Leblanc isn't really the high society type of place that enforces its customers to have teaplates under their cups, so, a napkin'll do. He makes his way over to Yu from behind the counter, eyeballing in case he doesn't spill (he'd have to clean it up later anyway if he did), and places it down on the table in front of him.]
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[And he's not joking. There's an exception only if the cashier is extremely rude to him for no reason. When Akira puts the cup in front of him, Yu sighs in pure delight. There's something about the scent of coffee that's almost intoxicating. And from the looks of it, Akira knows how to make an extremely good cup.]
Hmm? What about you? It's no fun drinking alone.
[He places both of his hands around the cup and smiles. It really does feel like fond memories of snow, kotatsu and Nanako's laugh. He brings the cup up to his lips and takes a cautious sip- he didn't want to burn himself.
...]
...This is amazing. [Yu stares at the cup in wonder.] I've never tried coffee this good. Ever. [Now, he doesn't care about the heat, he's taking another sip.]
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And it looks like he's passing. Thank goodness.]
Hm? If I drink this now, I'll be up all night. And I have a certain cat who prefers to use me as his pillow, so he wouldn't like that very much.
[His gaze looks over to Morgana, who is most definitely not being conspicuous at all, perched with judging omnipotence at the top of the stairs, looking over the banister. His attention is snapped to the compliment he receives. The best cup of coffee he's ever had? Hasn't he lived in Tokyo? Surely, he's had better than this sludge that Akira put together.
Still, it warms him up in his heart just like a cup of coffee would, makes him feel more awake- so in essence, basically, he's practically drinking one himself anyway.]
Careful, don't burn your lips.
[They're too attractive.]
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He follows Akira's gaze to the staircases and spots the cat. Even in this dim light, he can see that black fur glisten, along with those piercing blue eyes. You don't come across these beautifl cats every day.]
Where did you find him? [He smiles.] I bet he was great moral support during your work. [Accent on 'work'.
He takes another sip of the coffee and almost does burn his lips. Because of what Akira said. And he might be blushing a bit at that. And doesn't know what to do or say.
Except nod and speak barely above the whisper-] Thank you. I will be careful.
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[He knows you're listening, cat. You better appreciate his true feelings toward you.]
I guess it's kind of a long story, but we found Morgana in the Metaverse, when Ryuji and I went in the first time. Since we saw his real form there, our cognition of him changed, so we can understand him talk. He can also transform into a bus.
[No deadpan here, he's being serious. Morgana's ears must be burning by now.]
What's wrong? You look flustered.
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[Yu quickly shakes his head and smiles-]
Don't get me wrong. I'm just surprised by the coincidence. When I was fighting in the other world, I mentioned you that someone had to let us out. It was Teddie, a bear... of sorts. At first, his bear costume was empty but he still could move, speak and think. It was weird a bit. Then he managed to get a human body after as his persona developed. It wasn't completely human body, x-rays and scans showed nothing, but he did have human form.
[He takes another sip of coffee and suddenly decides that napkin is very interesting thing to play with.]
Well... it doesn't happen every day that someone notices my lips. So yes, I am, a little.
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He doesn't miss him fidgeting with his napkin- which is usually a social clue for nervousness, and the next sentence makes Akira feel a fire burn straight down to his stomach. Oh, shit, he wasn't expecting to be called out on it. He remembers back to the reading he's done on how to be a trickster, how to impress girls, how to hit a home run (wait, that's not going to help him right now)- and none of it is coherently coming to his aid. Maybe if he were a bookworm like Yu, some of it would've been better retained.
Akira sits up, straightens out his posture so that he's not hunched over and idly looking tired. How does he word this?]
It's... not every day that someone has lips like yours.
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Is that so? [Flirting is made for two, right?] And how are my lips so special?
[Yu leans his chin on entwined fingers of his hands, elbows resting on the table. He feels his cheeks still burning slightly, but he will not give in to them.]
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Is it just your lips, hm? [Akira pushes the cup of coffee slightly forward, reminding him that it's best when it's still hot.] Well maybe if you do burn them, there's something we can do to make them feel better.
[Akira's grin comes back, that little facial emotion that teeters on the edge between mocking and mysterious.]
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He picks up the coffee and continues drinking.]
Well, since you know the methods of making your nurse feel better, then I'll leave it in your hands. [Sip.] I'll leave the well-being of my lips in your capable hands.
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He can't believe it worked. He really can't. Somewhere, he can hear a snicker off in the distance, and he's sure that he's going to get teased about this tonight, after Yu leaves. What with the heist that they just completed and all, Akira needs to lay off the adrenaline for a little bit. And probably, coffee, too.]
You've taken such good care of me, and all I've done for you is give you a heart attack by sneaking up to your window.
[Akira bites the inside of his cheeks.]
Just hoping that I can return the favor someday.
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He finishes off the coffee, not letting it grow cold at all. That would be a complete waste.]
Well, I did invite you to come back for your stuff. It's my fault I let my guard down.
[The smile that's painted across Yu's face has a tinge of sentimentality. Akira wants to return him a favor. The world made people expect to have to give something in return when someone does something for them. Yu helped him because he wanted to because he needed to and he didn't expect anything in return because he doesn't want anything in return. That's just how he is.
Still, since Akira's insisting on repaying the favor then-]
Well, actually, I do have a favor to ask of you, if it's not a problem.
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And it was Yu that made his heart stir in ways that he never thought could. Here he was, alone and abysmal in terms of how his fate would turn out, and along comes this confident youth who makes him feel some sort of worth, of value, of importance that he can't quite put his finger on. It was the generosity of a stranger that captivated Akira, and his subtle beauty that drew him in. Like a painting at an art exhibit. A championship trophy at an arts museum. He found himself so allured by the possibility of starting something with Yu that he couldn't ignore his heart beating faster when he asks Akira for a favor. And for someone so guarded and shy, it was a world of difference. Like seeing color TV for the first time after years of only grey.]
Sure, what do you need?
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...Can you show me the way back to the train station? [He's blushing. Dammit!]
Um, when I arrived at Yongen, it was a bit early, so I had a stroll around because I usually don't come here. Then I asked for the cafe and they showed me the way. But- [Yu scratches back of his head,] in all that wandering, it slipped my mind where the train station is.
So, if it's not a trouble... the last train should be in thirty minutes. [And he's supposed to be known as a resident of Tokyo. The resident of Tokyo gets lost in Tokyo.]
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Sure, that's not a problem. It would be really rough if you missed the last train and wound up in Yongen until tomorrow.
[Akira takes the cup, now that it's empty, and returns it to the kitchen sink for now. He'll wash it after Yu is gone, which looks like the time is approaching somewhat fast, and he'll be appreciative of the distraction to not sit and drown in his own feelings, or go over the night in his head a hundred times.]
Really, it's no trouble at all.
[He starts to head for the front door to the shop before realizing that he's still wearing the apron. That's not going to do (incoming fashion disaster), so he unties it and leaves it on the top of a booth's seat. Something else he can take care of when he gets back.]
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He sighs in relief- he knew that Akira would help him out... in 99% of cases. It's that one percent that worried him- who knows what could pop up. He gets up and starts picking up his stuff while Akira puts away the cup. And while he's not looking, slips a tip under the sugar cup that's on the table. And gives snooping cat on the stairs "shhh" motion with his finger.
A soft chuckle leaves him when he notices Akira coming back from the front door, frantically taking off his apron.]
Thank you. One day I'll learn the streets around here.
[He heads for the door and turns around to say goodbye to the cat-]
Good night Morgana. I'll bring you mackerel next time. [He makes mean grilled mackerel with vegetables.]
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[Akira finds himself smiling at the suggestion- no, he knows that Yu loves these little furry creatures, just by the way he had looked at Morgana when they were on the roof enjoying ramen together. Letting the two of them out of Leblanc, he looks up to the streetlight not far away from the entrance. Wow... it had gotten pretty late.
And then turning to look at Yu, lit up only by the light of the coffee shop behind them... he feels a pit in his stomach forming. What was this? Sadness at him leaving? He didn't put much thought to it, and looking at him any longer like that would've been weird, so he starts a few steps forward. Still, the image of his features like that was burned into the back of his head.]
... I didn't really like Tokyo when I first moved here. [His voice is quiet, calm.] It's so busy... and no one has the time to get to know each other. We're all just making our way to the next subway or...
[He doesn't know where he's going with this. Biting his bottom lip, he looks up at the sky. Looks like the sky could open up and pour at any second. They shouldn't waste a ton of time getting him to the station.]
It's nice to have someone who can come over to enjoy a coffee break from it all.
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When he steps out, cold wind wafts through the air, making Yu shudder. And he doesn't say anything rude, but the whole neighborhood looks creepy a bit. The only lights are from the houses and here and there from a street lamp. The thunder is not really helping the whole scenery that reminded Yu of mystery novels that Naoto likes to read.
He stops paying attention to the surroundings and focuses on what Akira talks. It draws out a sad smile on his face and he shoves hands into his pockets.]
Before I went to Inaba, I didn't know if I liked Tokyo or no. But when I came back, it annoyed me to no end. [He didn't want to use the word hate because it's too strong to describe this.] Everyone meaningful I met and connected with stayed back in that small, rural town, together, while I came here. To more of my parents working, more empty apartments and lonely dinners. [He laughs at himself-] I was brooding for days and firmly believed my parents will send me back because 'something came up'. But when my mom yelled at me to finally unpack because she can't do laundry, that's when it finally hit me. [He sighs.] There was no going back.
[The pass the shop with electronics and cheap laptop caught Yu's eye, but he didn't stop to look at it.] But I realized that it's not all bad in the end.
Sure cars beeping into the late night still annoy me but, [he turns his head to look at Akira,] I met a quite amazing guy. And that makes up for everything.
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But if home really is what you make of it, he wouldn't mind finding a house inside of Yu's heart, crawling into it, sleeping in it, surrounded by it. It made sense, and yet it didn't, in a weird way. Akira felt crushed under the weight of all the lives he wasn't living.
For a while, he just listens to Yu. The raucous of thunder clamored in the background, which was a stark contrast to that low, humbled voice. So that was it, huh? Yu was lonely, in the end. Brooding in his room, studying away because he had nothing else to do, until a masked stranger popped up in his window and demanded more from him. He offers a small smile, reaching out softly just to touch his arm, as if he could convey something in the small exchange that would offer an entire wealth of partnership- as if he could make him feel like he had a place here. Maybe at Akira's side. Maybe not. But he deserved it. All of it, and more.
A few light sprinkles of rain fell down onto his shoulders, and then, as if the skies couldn't hold it in anymore, it started to downpour- rushing, pounding, unrelenting.
Falling in love was just like that too: a small warning, and then all at once.]
/soft squeeing
If there was anything he could do to change that, Yu would do it. He's done things for people who deserved less, who endangered everyone around them. So why!? Why is he helpless now?
The small touch of his hand makes him stop walking to look properly at Akira. At every line of his face, at his eyes hidden behind the glasses and long bangs. Like in a daze, he reaches out to move them with his fingers, wanting those eyes to be on him. Now. All the time after tonight.
The rain and another thunder had turned Yu's gears into motion, making him give in into the magnetic pull of Akira's aura. Of his presence. His fingers slowly entwine with other boy's as he leans in, brushing their lips very gently. Slowly.
Akira might hate him later for this, but now, it felt right.]
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Breathtaking. The lightning above isn't the only sparks flying around.
Wet, sogging and dripping from the rain, he feels his heart near levels of exploding at the moment. His first kiss- ever- and it's one that's entirely patient, studied, careful, perfect. Just like Yu. And the gentle taste of coffee that still lingers on his lips is its own form of caffeine for Akira. God, just to taste that again...
His free hand nervously climbs up the back of Yu's shirt, placing there for a moment so that can return the favor- eyes cast downward to face so close to his, just for that simple, easy touch once more. It's nothing scandalous or smoldering: plain, affectionate, without intent to go farther. It has all the markings of how a trickster gentleman should have his first debut in the courtship. And like lightning, it's over before it started, his grasp on Yu's back becoming less urgent than it was a second ago.
And as usual, Akira stays quiet through it all, a small determination built around the idea that he said something now, he would never be able to properly convey how he really feels. Tokyo wasn't that bad, after all. But they are both getting drenched- and they both know they can't linger in this much longer.]
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It's when Akira's grip on him lessens that the rational thoughts come back flooding to him. Getting drunk from the atmosphere- Yu finally understands how Yukiko and Rise got drunk back at that bar. He doesn't need alcohol and shots- he just needs Akira to be close to him like this and everything else falls into the second plan.
When he pulls back, his cheeks are red- but not from cold, and eyes half-lidded. Another loud thunder makes him glance at the sky and back at Akira.]
Sorry... [he murmurs just above the whisper.] I shouldn't have- you'll get cold. [He might've pulled away from the kiss, but that only tightens Yu's hold onto Akira's hand, and he pulls them under the nearest canopy. He might get late for the train... but it's worth it.]
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[Now that they're out from under the intensity of rain above them, it doesn't feel like he's going to drown in both his feelings and actual water, and as he looks down to see their hands still connected, and up to see Yu's bangs dripping down onto his nose and cheek, it strikes him as if he's watching Yu cry- even though he's definitely not, but the thought irks him anyway, so he lifts his hand up to brush a droplet of water away from face.
Now that the cards are all out, both of their hands are shown to each other, Akira leans his body slightly against Yu's. He can feel the remnants of residual warmth from the other, and it's nice, considering he's losing a good deal of his own pretty fast. There's their hands, still tied together in an intertwined fashion, which he slowly undoes with the skilled marksmanship of a thief, and brings Yu's hand to rest behind Akira's back, holding him in a way.
He looks up to those grey eyes, hesitant in case he says the wrong thing, or does the wrong thing.]
If you miss your train, you'll have to spend the night in Yongen.
[Which, considering the fact that his body is softly pressed up against Yu's, he doesn't seem so sad about.]
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[Akira's hand feels really warm against his face, even though it's probably cold from the rain. He resists the urge the lean into the touch- he'd probably look really stupid. But he does close his eyes and smiles a bit. He'll allow himself to indulge in this moment as long as he can.
When he opens his eyes, Akira's leaned against him, his hair tickling his face. He wonders if he can actually stay like this forever. And he knows he'll be reprimanding himself for not acting on his feelings earlier.
He pulls Akira even closer against himself, their foreheads resting against each other. And the soft shiver that goes down Yu's spine is definitively from closeness not from cold.]
Hmm... it's a nice idea. But I doubt your roommate will appreciate me taking his part of the bed.
[Just the thought of sharing bed with him heats up Yu's cheeks even more.]
I'll see you at school?
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See you at school.
[He pulls away from Yu, even if he didn't want to, knowing that there was only a 5 minute or so gap before the last train departed. He points down the road a ways, and offers proper directions.]
Keep going straight... you can't miss the station.
[And because he's a little bit of a showoff when he gets the chance to be, he sees Yu's head turn to follow where he's pointing and leans up once more, to kiss him on the cheek. That's enough, for now, he thinks, and ducks back out into the rain, using his school blazer as a poor umbrella.
Get home safe, Yu.]
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shows up late with a cup of starbucks in hand to share!
/eagerly accepts