bakerstreet | OTHERWORDLY.

[ The pull earns a louder laugh as they start away from the coffee shop in the direction of food. Koujaku's hardly going to complain about Aoba already having something in mind for repayment.

As he falls into step beside Aoba rather than being pulled along, he shakes his head at the offer to free him from dinner. When Aoba stops, he nearly takes a step passed him. ]

I'm not too tired. Let's get food along the way. [ The offer to go things alone does make Koujaku wonder, though. ] Unless you're planning to head home after this. Then we can eat and part ways.

[ He leaves the option open, not wanting to drag Aoba anywhere if he's got other plans - something he realizes may be another reason for the lack of time they've spent with one another as of late. ]

[ It's strange: they've put so much distance between the coffee shop and them already, but it's as if every step's covering ground littered with eggshells.

Aoba things to say as much (as little), opens his mouth and starts an impatient snap, then simply quiets before words can come. No. Leave it. The hard and brutal approach has never been Koujaku's favorite, not when every unkindness goes categorized, dissected, remembered.

Instead, Aoba starts pulling again - half-heartedly, not because he shares consideration, as much as because he's aware of the differences in their scale - head tilting to hit Koujaku's arm. ]

That's the kind of man you are, huh? [ Teasing, light. ] You promise and promise, then you try to get out of delivering?

[ Ending their act in the coffee shop feels like it's opened the door to awkwardness and Koujaku can't help wondering if maybe he shouldn't have sent a message for Aoba's help after all.

It's ridiculous, he knows the two of them should just talk and lighten the air between them again. But talking means possible questions he may not want to answer and Koujaku's much better at putting on that cheerful face and avoiding that kind of thing.

He glances over at the feeling of Aoba's head bumping against his arm and he lets out a playfully offended huff at the teasing, gently bumping his arm against Aoba to show he's teasing as well. ]

Oi, who says I'm trying to get out of anything? You want me to just drag you home with me without asking?

[ Koujaku's silence, like his play-retaliation, goes noticed, but not recorded; one day, Aoba will look back to dissect these cues, will try to find their reasoning. For now, he only clings to the arm he's captured, content with lending Koujaku half his weight to carry. ]

As long as there's food.

[ Seragaki Aoba, truly a man of humble needs.

The mumbling perseveres, briefly muffled whenever their steps come more abrupt and Aoba's face nestles in Koujaku's kimono sleeve. ]

The floor had better be clean enough to sleep on.

[ Only, of course it won't be: piles of rumpled clothing, dyes and neglected utensils - with Aoba's luck, that's precisely what he'll find. ]

I hope you're not making it that easy for anyone to get you home with them.

[ It's clearly teasing as they walk along, Koujaku content to let Aoba have his arm as they head toward the carts and stalls that will provide them with their dinner for the evening.

The area smells amazing, but he finds himself easily distracted from hunger by Aoba's complaints, the comment making him shake his head. ]

The bed's yours tonight. Consider it the interest you would have charged me.

[ He glances at Aoba's head with a smile, leading him to the nearest stall so they can make their purchases. The talk - or argument, if it comes down to that - of who sleeps where can come later. ]

[ It's a poor distraction at first, late-night vendors openly ignored in favor of tugging on Koujaku's sleeve, so Aoba can purposefully glare into his eyes. ]

I'm not taking your —

[ It's a poor distraction at first, until one particular stall catches Aoba's attention, and it's to the credit of his personal restraint that he doesn't drag Koujaku after him here and now. ][ A consistent, nutritious, and by no means disappointing dinner. Of course he'll whine copiously about still feeling hungry hours after, but right now, the elderly gentleman manning the stand gives a wide smile as he serves a teenage couple, and Aoba's mind is made.

Ice cream. Yes. Yes, he will have it. He will have all of it. ]

Vanilla. Strawberry.

[ A quick order, which Koujaku is apparently to heed immediately, if he knows what's remotely good for the welfare of his tuggable clothing. ]

[ He's ready to wave the argument off, to save it for later, but he's thankfully saved from needing to bother when Aoba hones in on the ice cream stall not far from them.

So much for this being dinner.

Koujaku does as he's told, letting out a sigh as he leaves the stall he's about to order from in favor of heading over to get ice cream instead. This will end with Aoba hungry later on and with the two of them digging into the leftovers Koujaku has in his fridge, but that's okay. He can't complain about this.

He makes the order and hands over payment for it once the couple is done and out of the way. Then, a couple of minutes later, he's handing the ice cream over to Aoba. ]

Want anything else before we go?

[ The question is posed as he turns to head for a takoyaki stand, intending to get a couple of orders just in case. ]

[ There's an answer, lodged somewhere between Aoba's first cautious lick and the tenth significantly more adventurous one, but it's compromised now.

A good few moments later, as he stalks after Koujaku like a faithful shadow, he's almost competent at forming words and nibbling his cone at the same time. ]

I'm good. [ And this vanilla is better. And - ] You're the best.

[ Having barely dented his cone, he can already predict the endgame state of ice cream affairs. He stops briefly for a solemn nod. ]

I'm not saving you any. [ On a bright voice now: ] Thanks.

[ The sight of Aoba completely involved in his ice cream is cute enough that Koujaku is already ready to forgive the complaints that will undoubtedly come later on in the night.

He makes his order and pays for the takoyaki, smiling over at Aoba at the compliment. ] Has it always been this easy to make you happy?

[ There's amusement in his tone as he turns away long enough to accept his order, turning back as he laughs. ]

Lucky I wasn't hoping for any. How is it?

[ Has it always been so easy...?

A simple question, but a complicated process of determining its answer. He hangs over his ice cream, mouth agape before remembering he was meant to take a bite of his cone — it comes late, and strawberry dribbles down the side, until he has to spend the following few licks running interference.

Luckily, Koujaku's actual question is easier to field. ]

Terrible. [ Which is why Aoba's mouth is full to the brim. ] I can barely bring myself to go on. You should never try.

[ But they are close, and it has been long, and even Aoba must admit that he's about to be helplessly spoiled for the rest of the evening, and he's done precious little to deserve it.

The ultimate sacrifice comes when, with a sigh, he holds out his half-razed cone towards Koujaku expectantly. ]

The vanilla's better.

[ He misses the way his first question leaves Aoba thinking about it, only turning back to him in time to catch sight of Aoba licking up the dribbling ice cream to save it. Koujaku stares for a couple of seconds then moves, ready to start for his place now that he's got food and Aoba's satisfied for the time being.

When he looks over at Aoba again, it's to laugh at the response he gets about the ice cream. ] Looks like you're having a hard time with it.

[ The conversation has lightened from earlier and, while he's sure it won't remain like this, he's enjoying it. He likes seeing Aoba happy and likes the teasing they fall into, though he does look surprised when the cone is held out in his direction.

Rather than point out that he really is fine without any, he reaches over, fingers momentarily wrapping around Aoba's hand to keep the cone steady as he leans in to take a lick of each flavor.

He licks his lips as he lets go, nodding over at Aoba. ]

You're right, the vanilla is better. I'll have to get a cone next time I pass through.

[ His eyes roll, eyebrows pulling in the inevitable condescension, because of course vanilla is better. Hadn't he just said so?

But then his cone is released from the alien Koujaku invasion, and Aoba is far more entertained by recovering lost milliseconds and licking away at his treat full force. ]

Careful. If you do that, your salon girlfriends might ask you for a taste.

[ Aoba can just see it happening, too: an overwhelming flock of agitated women, all hoping to so much as brush their lips where their hair stylist's mouth had briefly been.

Maybe tonight will inspire Koujaku to a stricter defence of his honor. He couldn't always rely on Aoba's timely interventions, after all. ]

Maybe you should wear a wedding ring to work.

[ That look isn't surprising in the least, Koujaku's gotten it enough times that he knows it's Aoba's way of saying of course I'm right. It's not even something he can argue with when it's the truth often enough.

The warning makes him sigh because that, too, is true. Even if he doesn't spend as much time with women hanging off of him as he used to, all it takes is a couple of them spotting him while he's out. ]

Then I'll bring you along next time, too. You won't turn down free ice cream.

[ He's only half serious with the suggestion, knowing he can't always call on Aoba to be next to him for simple things like this. ]

I might lose all my business if I do something like that. Or they might want to know who I married.

[ He can't help it, the sympathetic glance already thrown before he can correct it to the derisive ice cream judgement of before. ]

Maybe you should develop some discouraging habits. Something women don't like in a boyfriend.

[ A humming sound now, the perfect illustration of deep thinking. ]

Mmmmmm... maybe... pretend you're the cheating type?

[ That's right - prospective girlfriend never cared for a two-timer. Unless... they started to wonder about their odds of healing him and putting Koujaku's straying ways to rest... oh, no.

With a long sigh and a last bite of his cone, Aoba nods the way of the path leading 'home', intent on making the most of Koujaku's liberal hospitality. ]

[ They're walking as Koujaku actually gives thought to the suggestion Aoba makes, but there are too many things wrong with it for him to really consider it.

First, he doesn't know how to act like the cheating type. And, second, he usually finds himself surrounded by a group of women anyway. Giving attention to one just makes the others aim to steal it away even more. He can't help wondering if any sign of being a two-timer would earn the same kind of behavior.

He sighs after Aoba and shakes his head a little, but the thoughts do lead somewhere. ]

I could start dating someone.

[ It only takes a little bit of thought before Koujaku's shaking his head at his own suggestion as well, denying it as they near his house.

Not long after, he's unlocking the door so they can step inside, turning on the light in the entrance as he removes his shoes. ]

[ It stops him in the middle of peeling too-long worn sneakers off his right foot's heel, the left hand carelessly supported against the door frame.

And he's gaping again, this time with no ice cream to play the delightfully sweet accessory. ]

...dating someone? You mean — really?

[ A funny thought, if not unrealistic: they're both at that sort age when one-night stands should graduate to commitments. And Koujaku's rather a catch: a good-looking man with a laid-back air and his own business, to boot... yes, Aoba should in theory have expected the reality, and not just the simple speculation of him gaining a girlfriend to come by.

But it still strikes him as entirely strange, not altogether right.

Koujaku... dating... ]

[ Aoba's reaction makes Koujaku turn to look at him and he lets out a laugh, trying to act like he's offended over how surprised by the idea he sounds.

He doesn't really manage it, instead reaching out to gently catch Aoba's chin so he can close his mouth. ]

Why do you sound like it's something that'll never happen?

[ It's obvious why, Koujaku knows how he comes across. But he laughs as he shakes his head again, moving forward to turn on other lights along his way to the bedroom, calling back over his shoulder as he does. ]

I'd mean it if I was interested in someone.

[ Claiming lack of interest in anyone is a lie, he knows, but it's not something Aoba needs to know. Not when he's still working on ignoring the interest himself. ]

I know.

[ He does. Some part of him, surely. But his mouth's hanging again, and perhaps that anonymous fraction of his understanding has retired for the evening.

He stumbles the rest of the way in, barely remembering to tidy up his shoes in a neat line by the closed door. ]

I'm not saying... [ What isn't he saying? ] Look. I'm not saying you wouldn't — or shouldn't... you're perfectly right to...

[ Murmuring dissolving in sheepish silence, he trails after Koujaku, only hesitant in the bedroom doorway.

A final step takes him over the threshold, the advance awkward. ]

...well, it's not a if you'll want for candidates, when you decide to look. Pick someone who'll keep your fridge stocked with the kind of ice cream I can mooch.

[ The response he gets is surprising and Koujaku turns to face the doorway as Aoba makes his way to it.

It takes a bit before Aoba's actually there in front of him, in the doorway then through it, leaving just a few steps between the two of them. ]

Why does it sound like it bothers you?

[ It's never been hard to read Aoba, though this is more of a guess than something he can definitely tell. Koujaku watches him for a little longer before he steps forward, closing some of the space between them.

The two containers of takoyaki still in one hand have nearly been forgotten with the way the conversation has turned. ]

Does it bother you?

[ They're too close. Far too close, when Aoba's struggling for words, and there should be a rule for that, surely — 'don't be a nuisance to people who are making a nuisance of themselves.' Something along those lines.

But then, a topic of polite interest presents itself, and Aoba can dedicate it the entirety of his attention, pointedly ignoring the actual questions in favour of a nod the way of Koujaku's burdened hand. ]

You're going to drop that. [ Silently, reasonably. 'This isn't what we're talking about, but it should become it.' That voice. ]

Then you'll go hungry later.

[ Well, Aoba knows Koujaku's appetite. He would. Then he'd wake well into the night, and Aoba - disturbed by the smallest conceit of noise - would wake with him. It would work out terrible for both of them.

Another nod, determined. ]

Give it here. I'll put it in the fridge.

[ He wants an answer, it's something that seems way more important than it should be. As if the possibility of his dating bothering Aoba means he might consider admitting that there is someone he's got interest in.

But the consideration, as vague as it is, falls to the back of his mind as Aoba speaks again. Despite nothing being answered, Koujaku lets the subject go with the attention shifted to the food in his hand. ]

Ah. You're right.

[ He shakes his head slightly and hands the containers off to Aoba without a second thought about it.

With that, he moves away from him, setting about picking up the clothing from the floor so he can dump all of it into a laundry basket out of the way. ]

Hey, do you need something to change into for bed?

[ Somehow, he doesn't drop the containers passed his way. It's a small karmic kindness, in between the fumbling to gain an abrupt purchase and the strange slipperiness of his fingers. ]

Thanks.

[ For giving him the boxes. For not pressing. For being himself.

For all of that and more, as Aoba dares the few steps of the distance to Koujaku's long-familiar fridge, storing dinner in efficiently and devoting a few minutes for the obligatory investigation of the other groceries inside. More particularly, their labels and the minutely inscribed expiration dates.

Nodding along to the rhythm of Koujaku's pacing in the other room, he starts to neatly dispose of whatever items he finds to have served long past their intended mandate. ]

Anything you can spare me is fine.

[ Murmured, then shouted again over his shoulder, as he bids adieu to a successful mission and begins on the way back to the bedroom. ]

[ The sound of things landing in the trash doesn't escape Koujaku and he laughs to himself at the way Aoba immediately jumps into cleaning up after him, like he can't be trusted to be on his own.

Once the clothes are off the floor, he moves to fish out something for both himself and Aoba to change into, tossing his own clothes over on the bed while holding on to the set meant for Aoba.

They'll be too big, he already knows that, but the pants he's offering have drawstrings in the waist that'll keep Aoba from losing them. ]

You can have the bath first. [ The offer's made as he holds the change of clothes out when Aoba nears the bedroom again. ]

And you're taking the bed.

[ The clothing comes clean, the floor has been dusted — the evening is drawing to pleasant prospects, until Koujaku once again opens his obnoxious mouth.

This time, the rolling threatens to send Aoba's eyes to a pop, even as he makes a grab for the offered shirt and trousers. Really, have they not been over this before?

...no, come to think of it. Saintly ice cream interrupted that war in its infancy. Well, there's nothing to hold Aoba back now. ]

I'm not turning my host from his own bed.

[ It's impolite. And he's hardly a child, wanting for Koujaku's protection. ]

I'll take the floor. Or the couch. Whichever. I mean it.

[ He knows the argument's coming after it was cut off earlier, which is why he brings it up now instead of holding off until it actually matters. It's not actually time to sleep - Koujaku can't really say when they will - but it's better to have the exchange now.

The reply he gets earns a stern shake of Koujaku's head in response. ]

You're taking the bed, even if it means having to put you there myself.

[ And he will. Even if it just ends with more arguing. ]

The bed is the best spot. I'm telling you to have it. Don't argue with me.

OTHERWORDLY.

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