bakerstreet | ( picture prompt meme )

[He reluctantly follows her into the right aisle, and if he rolls his eyes when her back is turned then surely she'll never know.]

You're only saying that because you don't have any friends to go waste your time with instead.

[Not that he would care about having those. But Natsumi... Natsumi deserves better. She deserves people who care about her, not whatever she's getting out of the reserve course. And yeah, maybe he wouldn't know if she did have friends, but it's awfully suspicious that he hasn't heard about any yet. Normally she has so much trouble shutting up, so... what's the fucking deal?

He does what she wants, though, picking a package off the shelf and throwing it into the basket with a little more aggression than is really necessary.]

There. Happy?

Like you're any better.

[She frowns as he tosses it in the basket, reacting to his aggression with equal aggression of her own. Fine! Whatever! Be an asshole!]

What the fuck would I want friends for? Did you forget people are scared of us? Maybe it's different for you in the Main Course, but the rejects in the Reserve Course are just what you'd expect from the public.

[She tries to relax, calm down some, take a deep breath. No need to start a fight in the store or ruin the afternoon. It's fine, it's whatever!]

Besides, it's way more fun hanging out with you than anyone else. I tried that whole hang out with people bullshit with the photography club and hated it, remember? Why bother trying again when I know I'll have fun with you?

[Another gesture for him to follow, but she doesn't take his hand this time. Time to go pay.]

["Why bother?" she asks, like the answer isn't obvious. Because he isn't good enough, that's fucking why. He's never been good enough for anyone in their life: his parents, who looked at him with shame the first time he introduced himself as a boy; the other clan members, who wanted Natsumi as leader instead; hell, even Peko, who he's been pushing away for years, knowing that without him she has nothing. He's never been enough for any of them, so why is Natsumi standing here saying that she doesn't need anyone else but him?

She's lying. She has to be. He doesn't want to hold her back anymore; not when everybody prattles on about how much potential she has.]

Don't even... stop saying shit like that.

[He doesn't want to start a scene in the store, but he's also never had a very good handle on his emotions. He follows her out of the aisle, but he feels more like a puppy pathetically trailing after its owner.]

You're bullshitting me. I know you are.

I'm not going to stop saying it and I'm not bullshitting you, it's the truth!

[It's taking everything in her power to continue towards the check out, free hand tightening into a fist. She's noticed the way others have treated him and looked at him. It's hard not to when half of the family is promoting you as the heir to replace your brother, and you end up sitting around wondering why. But it's just never been that way with her. He's always been her older sibling, no matter how he chose to present himself, and she's always respected that. She's never wavered, never shown uncertainty or even a little bit of disdain, so why is he asking her questions like that?]

Look, you wanna argue about this, wait until we're outside at least! Jeez...

[Oh, so she won't even let him hate himself in peace, will she? Is that how it is?]

Fine! Then I fucking will!

[His outburst is explosive, but after that he's silent, folding his arms tightly across his chest and starting resolutely at the store's white-and-beige tile floor. Closing in on himself; it's a common tactic employed by Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu, one which he frequently abuses at school and most social gatherings. But not nearly as often around Natsumi. Rather, she's one of the few people he'll allow himself to be even the slightest bit open with, meaning that this sort of behavior is usually a red flag.

Still, he follows her to the checkout counter, grasping at his sleeves with white knuckles and dragging his feet the whole time.]

[It is a red flag, one that has her kicking herself and going over their conversation, trying to figure out what she said wrong. He was already upset before she asked him to save it, so surely that couldn't have lead to this, could it? Or maybe it did...dammit. She's ruining the whole afternoon before it even has a chance to start...

She's tense as she waits in line, roughly handing their basket to the cashier once it's their turn and giving him a glare that shuts him up mid sentence. She's not in the mood for small talk mister, just scan their shit so they can leave. And, once she has their bag and everything's paid for and they're finally outside,]

I'm sorry.

[She says it as soon as they're outside the doors, stepping to the side so that they don't block the walkway but not going too far. He probably doesn't want to wait until they're clear of the building completely and she did say wait until they're outside.

She's not normally one for apologies, not unless it's after a truly explosive fight and they haven't talked to each other in a few days. Natsumi is too prideful to admit that she needs to apologize for things usually. But she doesn't want this to turn into a fight like that.]

[He's deathly silent the whole way out, following Natsumi in a way that almost seems automatic. He takes a deep breath as they step out into the fresh air, and he finds it helps him calm down a little. Marginally, but just enough. Still, he doesn't speak until the apology has left Natsumi's mouth.]

No, it's... I'm just being an ass, Natsumi.

[Is it his pride or highly conditional self-worth that's stopping him from accepting the apology? He's honestly not sure, but he's leaning more towards the latter. Because no matter how much he doesn't want to have this conversation in public, he feels like, even if they were to have it in the privacy of their own home, he would try to brush it off.

There's this tiny part of him—a part that he's all too familiar with, that refuses to shut up—that keeps on telling him he doesn't deserve an apology. Isn't that what started this whole argument in the first place?]

[Brows furrowing, she's frustrated with a reply like that, but does her best to keep herself in check.]

Okay, but you're always an ass, oniichan. [She's teasing, evident in the tone of her voice.] But...I obviously said something that really upset you to make you scrunch up like that...

[The problem is, she's not exactly sure what, so she can't give him a better apology even though she wants to. It's still just stuck on "I said something wrong and I'm sorry for whatever it was" and that's just too half-assed in her opinion. She continues with it anyway, even offering him a bow.]

So I'm sorry. Please accept my apology.

[She can't stand the idea of pushing him away, or him leaving her behind. If she pisses him off to the point where he closes himself off to her...it scares her. And it's something she can't forgive herself for until it's set right with him. She doesn't need to give him any reasons to abandon her and never look back...he has enough already to begin with with just how worthless and pathetic she is compared to him.]

[It's odd to say, but the teasing helps. It reassures him that his sister's apology is genuine (as if he ever should have doubted it was in the first place). And, well, if she's this determined to apologize to him, then she must think he deserves it somehow. It helps to quell that little voice inside of him, if only just for a moment. And hey, the sooner he accepts the apology the sooner this conversation is over, so...]

Alright, fine, I accept your apology.

[Maybe he should be pleased with this turn of events. He can't remember another time he got Natsumi to bow to him. But right now it's just serving to make him more uncomfortable.]

Just stand straight up so we can go already. You said we have other places to stop by and I don't want those drinks getting cold.

[He doesn't want lukewarm strawberry soda on the menu today.]

[Is accepting the apology worth it for the happy smile she's giving you? Surely that makes up for her rudely saying she's sorry. She stands up, happy and relieved and both of these emotions are showing in the sweet smile she gives him, before offering her hand.]

Thanks. And only one other place. Don't worry, I'm not gonna let our picnic get ruined by lettin' this shit sit out too long.

[And it's not far from where they are! She really planned this out, wanting to make sure it'd be as un-annoying as absolutely possible. Because they're both impatient people and the last thing this picnic needs is them being annoyed at how long it took to get to it.]

[He's feeling rather relieved too, especially when Natsumi stands upright and they can see eye-to-eye again (well, maybe he has to look up a little, but his point still stands). He doesn't take her offered hand, but it's less out of any lingering resentment and more because he's simply not a touchy-feely person. He thinks she's known him long enough to get that... even though she keeps trying despite it. Maybe someday.]

Heh, you better not.

[If she does, she better believe he's going to hold it over her head forever. But at least he's got some laughter in him. Things are looking up. He takes a couple steps forward, unsure of where they're heading but willing to let her lead the way.]

[She has, and brushes it off easily that he doesn't accept it. Surely one day he will, and how will she know when that one day is if she doesn't keep trying? Besides, it's easy enough to just take it from him when she really wants to anyway, though for now she doesn't. Just lets hers hang at her side as she moves to take the lead.]

I wouldn't be a very good hostess if I did!

[The next stop is just a little ways down the street, on the same road as the mall. It's tucked away in a small building between two larger business, the broad windows taking up most of the storefront revealing just what kind of store it is without needing to read the name. It's definitely a bakery or sweets shop of some kind, which probably makes it clear why she said no bitching earlier. She stops before leading the way in, turning to him.

From outside it's easy to admire the displays they have set up, some filled with elegant or cute bags of chocolates, others being chilled counters with shelves of cupcakes that are probably fancier than needed. Various Japanese sweets line others, and right in the middle - what serves as the main counter - are rows of decadent looking cakes, probably too sweet and rich for anyone but the Kuzuryu siblings.]

I want dessert, so I'm gonna pick somethin' up here. You wanna come help me, or are you just gonna hang out out here?

[Look, she even worded it in a way where accepting it is definitely just him helping his little sister out, and not being tempted by the sugary sweets inside! But if he'd still prefer to wait outside, she won't hold it against him.]

And before you say it hell no are those sodas enough for me.

[He appreciates that she just shrugs it off and carries on with their day. Now would not be a good time to stubbornly try and pop his personal space bubble. He has boundaries.

...Boundaries that have very clearly been shattered as soon as he sees the sweet shop enter his field on vision. He should have expected this. Really, he should have. Then he could have prepared himself to deal with the pretty pastries, or the smell of sugar wafting through the air, or the insatiable pull in his chest that tells him to join her inside.]

I can't believe you.

[It's barely above a whisper, just loud enough for Natsumi to hear but inaudible to any random passerby. Not because he wants to keep their conversation private (well, maybe he does), but because he is honestly, truly seething right now. Not necessarily with rage, but with... many conflicting emotions that he has no idea how to address. Damn her.]

I... I'll...

[At least she's given him an excuse, he thinks. At least he can go in there and pretend to be bored out of his mind, which is something he happens to be very skilled at. So he relents.]

I'll go in. If you insist.

[She honestly just smirks in response to that whisper, but doesn't say anything. And won't say anything on it, either. She's really not doing it maliciously! But with him agreeing, she puts on her little sister charm, bubbly excited with a victory sign and everything. See? He's definitely just a big brother helping his little sister out.]

You're the best, oniichan! Come on, come on! I want to get one of everything!

[She quickly opens the door and heads inside, expecting him to follow as she walks up to one display, ooo'ing and ahh'ing at the sweets inside.]

It all looks so good...

[He follows her in, throwing on his most begrudging look and avoiding the eyes of the friendly-looking woman standing behind the counter. This is a waste of his time, he doesn't want to be here, this totally isn't his style, sweets are gross anyways... He tries to consume himself with thoughts like these. He must stay in character at all costs.

...But if he's being perfectly honest with himself, buying one of everything sounds like a fantastic idea.]

Just make it quick. I don't want to be standing here all day.

[Yes he does. This place is amazing.]

[It's absolutely amazing. Natsumi loves it here. Can they just live here?]

Okay, okay.

[As she moves around the shop, she pays close attention to her brother. She's sure he'll probably look at some things in his attempt to look bored. Disinterest in everything that he sees. But if she knows her brother at all, she'll probably be able to pick out anything he might like.]

Haa...this cake looks so good. It's got like, five layers!

[Then again, maybe she'll be too distracted by the things she wants.]

They've got little chocolate cups filled with pudding! Oniichan look!

Edited 2017-08-19 23:42 (UTC)

[Picking out something that he likes should be easy. He would like just about anything here.

He thinks about crossing his arms and just staring at the ceiling until she buys something and drags him out, but that would probably just look suspicious, wouldn't it? So he spares the sweets Natsumi is gushing over a brief glance. ...Well, it was supposed to be a brief glance, but he stares at it for a good ten seconds before he realizes what he's doing and forces his gaze to the wall instead.]

I see that. Now how long are you going to be annoying for?

[The rest of her life, obviously, but he means in this particular situation.]

Just pick something out so we can go!

[And so they can go somewhere where no one else will see them so he can eat that something.]

[Natsumi rolls her eyes before stepping back to look around. First she grabs a couple of those bags of chocolate, and then eventually approaches the counter, getting the cashier's attention and pointing out something in the case. The woman fetches a rather large box - meaning it's probably a cake - and packs whatever she's chosen into it. That is then slid securely into a bag so that it's easier to carry and everything is paid for.]

Alright, let's go. Before that stick up your ass gets any deeper.

[Said with a satisfied smirk as she exits the shop with her goods. They're heading back the way they came, towards their house it seems...]

[That seems like a lot of sugar... Not that Fuyuhiko minds, really, but it's something of note. He scowls at Natsumi's rude comment, but silently acknowledges that yeah, he probably had that coming. Whatever. At least he went in the shop this time.

He follows her out without a word, only speaking up once he realizes just how much she's got in her hands.]

Do you want me to carry something?

[Those bags look a bit heavy, and while not like he's particularly strong, carrying one would surely be better than lugging around two. And hey, he's actually offering to help with something for once in his life. She had damn well better appreciate it!]

[He absolutely had it coming. But she does appreciate it, a little surprised at first but quickly smiling with a nod and affirmative noise.]

That'd be great.

[She holds out the bag from the grocery store, not forcing the sweets on him. Going into a sweets store is bad enough, carrying something like that would probably be just out of line! So he can carry the food.]

Kinda realizin' it's a shame I didn't ask for a driver for at least this part, heh...next time I guess.

[He takes the grocery bag in one hand, grateful she's not making him carry the sweets but not grateful enough to comment on it. At her comment, he shrugs, the bag bouncing against the side of his leg with the movement.]

It's not too late to call for one, if you want.

[He doesn't really mind either way. This bag isn't as heavy as he thought it would be, so he would be pretty disappointed in himself if he couldn't carry it the whole way over.]

Hey, do I look like a girl who quits halfway through shit? No way. We're walking the whole way.

[All of this is said with a smile and a light punch to his shoulder.]

I could probably use the walk too. Work off all those calories I'm abut to put in me. I mean I'll probably eat at least half that cake today.

[Not...exactly a lie. There really is a good chance that she could eat half of the cake. She hopes her brother will eat the second half. She picked out a pretty secluded spot, where she's sure no one ever goes. There's no way he'd be caught enjoying his most secret, guilty pleasure. Seclusion, being out doors on such a nice day, eating sweets, not having to listen to anyone boss them around or yell or fight...

Hopefully this will be a good trip.]

At least it's not that long of a walk. We're just heading back towards our place, but taking a turn before we actually get there.

Alright, suit yourself.

[He elbows her back, careful not to let the grocery bag swing back and hit her in the side.]

What's with this place you keep rambling on about, anyways?

[She rambles on about a lot of things, so it's not much of a crime, but honestly... he's sort of curious. So yeah, she's managed to catch his attention just this once.]

The way you keep talking about it, you make it sound like it's some kind of secret hideaway.

[It couldn't be, right? If a nice, quiet, reclusive place was that close to their house, Fuyuhiko feels like he would know about it. Then again, it's not like he ever goes out and about exploring. He's fine with just cooping himself up inside when their parents will allow him to. Natsumi tends to be a bit more active, though, so it's not impossible she discovered a closed-off area nearby.]

[That question has her grinning, offering him a wink.]

That's because it is.

[She is more active, and even when she doesn't have anyone to spend time with, she doesn't mind wandering and adventuring out on her own. There are a lot of places around their home that she's discovered, most of which she's pointed out to Fuyuhiko before. Great trees to climb, places to take his and the family dogs for a run, just things like that.]

I found it a little while ago, and it's this nice, quiet place. Out of the way, nobody's ever bothered me there. Whenever I'm annoyed or pissed off with our family or you or whatever, when I just wanna get away from everyone, I go there. Kept it a secret so nobody'd come bother me when our parents wanted me or somethin'.

[Like Peko or her brother or any family members they might have sent out there. She gestures for their turn once they approach it, a street that leads out of the city a little ways down and into a more open area, filled with grass and trees and little homesteads along the sides of the road.]

Heh, believe it or not, I do a lot of homework there. And now I'm sharin' it with you. It's not too far away. You can get to it from our house, but I don't want anyone gettin' curious and followin'. I always take this route.

[Okay, so he said it wasn't impossible, but he still can't help but shoot her a look of disbelief.]

You're serious.

[Yeah, this doesn't sound like the kind of thing Natsumi would fuck around with him about. It's usually pretty obvious when she's joking, given the circumstances and the exact context of her words. She's put in too much minute detail for it to just be a joke. That, and they're already walking in the direction of this mysterious hideout. So she must be serious.]

Well, damn. How did you find it?

[Now that he thinks about it, she has been vanishing pretty often lately. He never let himself linger on it too much—Natsumi's plenty old enough to take care of herself, after all—but he had been pretty curious about where she'd been running off too all this time. It's sort of a relief to finally get that question answered.

...And he does take a moment to silently appreciate that she trusts him with this. Only him. He can feel his chest swell with pride at the thought.]

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sorry for the delay!!

don't worry about it!!

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