bakerstreet

Threatened him with it before.

[But she hadn't followed up with the threat yet. He always backed off when it wasn't important but when it was he had his own optimistic way to drive the point home. Using smiley faces in text messages seemed to be his favourite one lately.

She watched Shirou for a moment, considering his suggestion before she looked back at the cup in her hand.]

... If it starts looking like it's heading that late and it ain't something that can be solved today then I'll ask em to call it at four thirty tops. No point wasting a trip.

[She could very well be overruled but it depended how things went.]

[There was a moment of quiet left in him that came and went. Though he preferred to not air out his frustrations or to indulge his selfish side at all if it could be helped, he couldn't completely remove it from his thoughts.

Whatever frustration was being lumped on Kaina was sure to to find its way to him, directly or not. He took in a breath and nodded, not to accept that much but to ready himself for a future pain in the neck. It took a lot for him to admit as much.]

Please, text him ahead of time to ask him to be more serious about respecting your time. I'd like it if we sat down for dinner tonight. [He was aware there was no disguising something said precisely that way--as if he were hopeful for something nicer even if his expression remained ever downcast.]

It's coming from up the chain so ain't gonna shoot the messenger on this one. But I'll make sure they get the gist of it.

[In the past she may have been wary about speaking up like that but if it really wasn't super urgent at the end of the day then she'd speak up. Despite all their best intentions she probably wasn't the only one that felt that way either, especially if certain people got stuck in circle arguments. That usually signalled a time to break it off. It was better to sleep on some arguments and come back the next day than wait for them to burn out.

But she was reading a weird vibe off of Shirou today. Kaina subtly snuck another glance at him to study his demeanour during another sip of coffee. The unpredictable balance was a lot to put up with and even though he understood, something would be off once in a while. Just enough to catch her notice.

She continued to watch him, not looking away this time.]

... What time?

Mmm. [Though he didn't argue, he didn't seem satisfied with Kaina's answer. Shirou couldn't quite come right out and announce every self doubt he had but there was but they were already far beyond subtlety in a number of ways. Standing, he went about stacking dishes, realizing he'd need to leave shortly after her.

She seemed so guarded when she asked, as if she were anticipating another complaint on his part. For years, she'd gotten the rough end of his complaints about bureaucracy and the sheer number of things he hated about what they did but none of it came in the moment. Rather, it was quick and brief, his eyes softening just as he'd put his hand atop hers softly. It was a joke on his part and subtle--an effort to disarm her before he made his point. He dipped, drawing close to kiss her, brief and intimate as if wasn't the first time he'd thought about making it so casual.]

Try for Four and let me know, okay?

[Maybe it wasn't the answer he wanted to hear but she didn't have a better one to offer. Not without it sounding fake.

Kaina let him get closer, not protesting the hand contact or the kiss however brief it was. Her thumb lightly brushed the edge of his hand in a small gesture of affection, studying his face while he was still close by. He really wasn't asking for anything unreasonable. Barring any sudden surprises, if things stayed on schedule she'd be able to make it back for Four easily enough.

She then loosely intertwined her fingers with his. Maybe to low key reassure him that she understood where he was coming from or to prolong the warm contact for just a bit longer.]

...Alright. I'll try to aim for that.

[Shirou knew why he was lingering, still close to Kaina and reluctant to part the moment she took his hand. Whatever he had on his mind to call Hawks' personal number and find some way to cut things short for the day, slipped away when she lingered with him. It wouldn't last forever but he stayed there with her until his thoughts from the night before were accepted for what they were.

If those feelings hadn't solidified, he would have stopped himself from drawing away. Simply because he realized he understood her, he set aside that little plan of his and decided to let Hawks off the hook.

It didn't make anyone's lives easier when he threw around casual threats over a somewhat late dinner. He trialed his fingers to Kaina's elbow, more than deliberately, at ease once he was done with his teasing. Reaching into the refrigerator, he produced a lunch box for her.

A little mean, he smiled.]

I had a suspicion. Now, you won't have any excuse to skip lunch and say you didn't bring anything.

Edited 2024-02-12 04:16 (UTC)

[She hummed a mildly curious sound, glancing to the lunch box then back to him. They might not have always agreed on things but he spoiled her sometimes. She really had no problem skipping lunch if she had to or even figuring it out herself since she wasn't overly picky.

Still, the sentiment was nice.]

Suspicion, huh. Always prepared.

[A likely story but that earned him a bit of a wry grin as she got up and accepted it. They both had to leave soon.]

Thanks. Don't work too hard today. I'll text you once I know when things are gonna wrap up.

Mmm. If it works, then keep at it. If I see anything uneaten when you're back, I'll never make it again. [A hollow threat.

Little affectations. An affectionate kiss, humming, teasing. There was something that she'd left exposed every day that she hadn't before. To think they'd worked together for years and he hadn't known.

A little sigh passed him and he met her smile right back, albeit a little less spirited. He wasn't excited about fixing the last night's poor choice of inventory no matter how moments like that might have lifted his spirits.]

No promises.

[They'd split, his exit out the door a little more hurried when he'd glanced at the time. He'd come up the steps again after three, making a quiet circuit through the front door--checking windows and fixtures as he'd grown used to. Maybe he'd checked fewer things than he might have before, if only because petty thieves were more common than police.

He sat at the kitchen table, massaging his wrists and deciding on what to make that evening.]

I'll try to keep that in mind.

[She didn't sound convinced that he'd keep to that threat. If anything was usually left it was mostly because she got too distracted with work and forgot to finish eating. It didn't happen too often, thankfully. She enjoyed his cooking.

But after she left their place she was all business for the day. That morning's interactions pushed aside to focus on the information being exchanged, the places she had to be and the people she interacted with. Some of them got her usual flat looks and barbed comments when they thought they were being funny. But while she was blunt, they didn't always have the sharper edges they used to.

It was around twenty past three that Shirou received a text.]

Heading out now.

[Though she paused after the message was sent. It wasn't unusual for Shirou to want to share a quiet meal together and there were times she wasn't able to keep her schedule lined up properly... but now that she had time to think, the feeling that bugged her that morning nagged at her again. She gave it some more thought as she sent another text. Something about the interaction had felt off. Not necessary in a bad way but... something weird. What was it?]

Need anything on the way back?

[He'd glanced at his phone only when he was nearly done. Despite their kitchen being set and ready for him to tackle just about anything on a whim, he hadn't cooked for them every evening. Sometimes, he'd simply make something at work and bring it along or take something to go that his sous chef prepared.

Yakitori. When he'd thought about something that might have Kaina feel relaxed when she walked through the door, he'd thought about classic home meals--dinner that a family would enjoy. Courses. When he was nearly ready to start, he'd thought about something else instead. One of the first times they'd gone out for something other than work, they'd found a cheap little stand far from the office. At the time, they'd barely spoken to one another for one reason or another. He hadn't been quite so jaded at the time. Her hair was longer and she'd smiled more. They'd both agreed the old man running the stand got stingy with the chicken and scallions.

At her second text, he'd opened the grilltop on the balcony, dusting snow off it. Needing a little more time, he responded:]

Pick up beer.

[He'd only need a few more minutes to finish the skewers.]

[Beer. Easy enough. She could get it when she was closer to home and probably pick something up that they both liked unless she found something interesting that she wouldn't mind trying. Might pick that up too.

It wasn't until she was waiting to cross at the last intersection before their building that she got an inkling of what was bothering her about earlier. She usually paid low key attention to her surroundings, just enough to keep tabs on the vibe that was going on around her. Some bit of conversation caught her attention just enough to briefly focus on the interaction between some people. They were obviously couple, or just about. That wasn't the important part.

One asking another a favour, being all cute about it... Something small about the interaction seemed a little too familiar to some degree.

...There was no way. That couldn't have been it.

She held onto that thought, keeping her expression carefully neutral as the pedestrian light changed. Not too long after the door to their place was unlocked and she came in, toeing her shoes off once she was inside then carried the bag with the beer to the kitchen.]

Hey. I'm back.

[She'd watch him for a bit before figuring out the best way to ask him.]

Edited 2024-02-28 03:49 (UTC)

[He gave the old man too much credit. With a simple grill set-up, preparation and seasoning could be done in under a minute and the grill would be hot enough to work with just as quickly. The only extra step would be warming the skewers so nothing would snap at first.

Kaina interrupted him as he finished checking on them for the last time, shutting the top of the grill and looking over his shoulder to her. He'd been in his t-shirt and slacks from work out on the cold balcony--all while she fed him her usual look.

He took off his glasses to keep them from fogging up again when he stepped inside.]

Anything exciting to report?

[Ah. He looked annoyed with himself. Old habit.]

Nah. Just stuff like trying to figure out logistics for the event that's happening downtown next week. Making sure everything's covered on top of the usual. Shouldn't be super complicated.

[But an exasperated look crossed her face for a moment as she took out the six pack of beer and put it in the fridge until dinner was ready.]

The usual two were nitpicking. There ain't nothing wrong with having a rivalry but seriously, they can sort out their beef on their own time. They got told to knock it off before it went on too long.

[Curious of what he was up to, Kaina took a casual glance towards the balcony door but wasn't willing to go out and check. She just got back in from the cold and was fine waiting.

Besides, she had her own mystery to suss out.]

So how much damage control did you have to do today?

Mm. I can really tell that you're excited.

[He glanced Kaina's way once he was done washing his hands, a brow lifting inquisitively. She might have spent the day straight-lipped and collared by her best intentions. Takami wouldn't have needed to urge her to seem friendly when it was evident she'd put her best foot forward and show effort regardless.

They both preferred to wear those stern looks to no avail. By then, far too many people knew better, though this time she'd barely tried to hide her curiosity. Kaina had been watching him since she'd walked through the door.

As if to set the mood, he'd pulled a can from the fridge almost immediately after she put the six-pack away.]

'Damage control' was minimal on my end. I enjoy the privilege being influential enough to scare everyone into behaving if I threaten to change the specials before we start running dishes... though I do feel sorry for you that city-revitalization should be decidedly less authoritarian than running a kitchen.

[Pulling back the tab, he took a cheap shot since she'd given him the chance to talk about his day.] Of course, that's not what's caught your attention, eagle-eye.

[Shirou received a vaguely flat look at that shot though not as severe as she'd usually give others. But that endearing nickname wasn't going to distract her. Not this time.

She crossed her arms and leaned on the counter behind her.]

Been thinking. There was something when we were talking this morning before we headed out.

[There'd be a quiet change in his vibe she'd pick up from him, the way his gaze dropped just long enough when something looked like it hadn't a chance to pan out. The soft contact to the hand or arm when he got close, keeping the focus on him.

There was no way to phrase it other than--]

How long have you been doing those puppy eyes when you want something?

[Because the more she thought of it when the realization started becoming clear, the more she realized it had worked so many times. Worked and was endearing.]

[His lips drew into a line a 'puppy eyes'. What in the world did she mean by...?

That little crease turned into a frown once he understood. Sighing, he'd leaned against the kitchen counter to spare a look to the grill outside, mindful of just how much smoke should have been coming from the top and whether most of it was steam or not.

He'd given her a look once again, decidedly less critical than the first.]

I hadn't realized. Not overtly, anyway.

[Setting his drink down, he'd waved at her to step aside a bit so she wouldn't get hit with cold air when he opened the balcony door again.]

I couldn't tell you when I'd gotten into the habit of feeling happy. [Maybe when he'd started noticing he looked a little less grim in the mirror the night before.] Maybe you're still not used to seeing it on me.

[Opening the door, he'd shrugged and stepped back outside so he could start loading skewers onto a plate.]

For the moment, I'll let you wonder for a while what the cause is.

Edited 2024-03-14 17:33 (UTC)

[Happy? Were the puppy eyes from that morning just a byproduct of it or something?]

Habit, huh.

[She moved away a bit from the incoming cold breeze but studied him quietly as he went back onto the balcony to check on whatever he was working on. He had his moments, so did she, but if she thought about it there were some times where he looked... a bit more unguarded. Softer? Something.

If that was the case then... she didn't mind him loosening up and she'd probably keep a better lookout for it. She did like the serious side of him but... yeah, fine. As dangerous as it'd be, she could admit it a little.

She waited until he stepped back inside before she went to grab a beer from the fridge.]

... Suits you. It's cute.

[And she had a special place in her heart for cute things.]

Weak

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