estoria | [CLOSED] Sweeter than candy on a stick

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] Sweeter than candy on a stick

Who: Otome Yanagiya (

mombastic), Shinya Kogami(

abhors) and Leon Magnus (

discards)
When: IC 5/5
Where: Scoops 'N Smiles
What: Otome and Kogami try a slightly safer place for a date. They're bad at this.
Rating/Warning: None so far!

[ A bar with easily-provoked patrons might have been a bad idea, but Otome had never heard of fights or chaos breaking out at an ice cream shop, and this time, she was determined to make this outing a peaceful one. Which is why she's brought Kogami here, once again not in the usual scrubs that her work shifts demanded, but a large sweater and leggings.

... Easy to move in, just in case. She's not taking any chances. Robot monkeys, people getting tackled into tables, she's ready.

She just hopes she won't have to be, and sure enough, it's much quieter inside the shop. ]

See? I think this should be a lot more--

[ And it's then that she spots the person behind the counter and manages to look delighted. ]

Leon!

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[ Otome blinks quickly, obviously not having expected this-- but it might say something that she only slightly turns pink and clears her throat and doesn't just step safely away. ]

I'll take the chocolate, then.

[He can feel himself bristling, and he doesn't even know why. True, the display of physical affection is distasteful, but it's not like he otherwise cares. Right? He has no reason to care. He's not particularly fond of Kogami, but Otome is an adult and can make whatever life choices she wants.

... ... ...

Yeah, right.

Leon's grumpy as hell about this, because Leon has co-dependency issues, and Otome was one of few people in Cerealia he genuinely liked and was beginning to trust. She's important to him, and seeing Kogami pull something like that--well, to a stunted child like Leon, it feels a lot like she's drifting away in ways he doesn't understand.

He turns without a word to get the ice cream, expression tight, because honestly, he doesn't really know what to say.

Give him a moment. An awkward, awkward moment.]

[ While Leon is working, Kogami quietly directs his question to Otome. He's a man of detail and the awkwardness doesn't get past him, but he's also not sure what he can do that won't upset Leon further. If anyone can get through to Leon, it's Otome, after all. ]

Do you think we should buy him something, too?

He'd likely be offended. [ just as quietly, as she ponders this. The only time she can think of where the two of them had apparently worked together was for her sake, but it's not like that's going to happen again, and not here. But... ]

Leon... [ She'll raise her voice now. ] When does your shift end? Did you just start?

[Leon's just going to set both cups of ice cream on the counter with slightly more force than is necessary (nobody asked for cones here, nobody gets cones), one banana and one chocolate, and then turns his attention back to Otome.

(Thankfully, he missed the whispered discussion.)]

Why does that matter-- [A beat.

... It's not really worth it, is it? Otome will just keep asking. It's not that he doesn't want to be sharp with her, that'd be stupid.]

... No, I am nearly through for today.

That's great.

[ Kogami looks at Otome again, you're doing good!! Now ask him, tsundere whisperer!!! ]

[ It's not her fault you two can't talk to each other normally! And so Otome just keeps smiling, as much as she actually wants to sigh at the both of them. ]

I was wondering if you'd like to join us? I'd love to have your company.

[tsun whisperer, wow....

And admittedly, Leon's kneejerk, tsun reaction is to decline. He doesn't want... company!! No, he's fine without! He doesn't need--

He looks at Kogami's arm around Otome and his expression tightens, and he gives a completely different answer than he usually would. If only to third wheel and make sure Otome doesn't end up with more bruises--]

Fine. [...oh. Whoa. That's what came out of his mouth? He wasn't ready for that himself, and now he has to scramble for an excuse.] If-- if only for a short period of time, since there is no reason to not--!

[No, he's failing at this.]

You saved Otome back when she was being irresponsible and collapsed. If you hadn't done anything, then I wouldn't have known about it either.

[ He slides some money across the counter to pay for the ice cream. ]

I'd like to sit down with you, Leon, even if for just a short while.

... Irresponsible... [ Well, she can't deny that. ]

It can be as short as you'd like. I promise.

[ IF KOGAMI PISSES HIM OFF, HE CAN LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. ]

[What is...that supposed to mean..... "to sit down with you", is this going to be some sort of serious talk... he'll fight you, Kogami!!! He's not afraid of you!!!

(He is kind of nervous about all of this.)

He accepts the money, and slides back the change across the counter again, as distant and clinically as possible, before clearing his throat.]

... I've already accepted, so there is no need to continue to discuss it.

[Sure, Leon. Whatever you say. He puts the money away, and after a moment...]

... Ten more minutes. Eat your ice cream.

[Stop looking at him.]

[ Ugh! What a difficult kid!! Kogami's small-talk game isn't the best, but it's not like he can have a meaningful conversation about philosophy with Leon either.

...
...........

Fuck it, he'll start up a conversation anyway, directed at nobody in particular. ]

If you could choose just one thing to change about the world, what would it be?

[ It's going to have to be directed at Leon, because Otome is already gently extricating herself to locate a table big enough for the three of them. With ice cream in hand, of course. ]

[... So Otome isn't answering, which means Leon has to field the question, huh....

Leon's quiet for a moment, focused on putting the money away and then obtaining a washcloth to wipe down the counter. At least it gives him something to do while the time ticks down.]

... I wouldn't choose to change anything.

[Hasn't he thought about this too many times before? If he could've gone back to change-- no, there's no going back, and there's no such thing as whimsically changing one's circumstances.]

The world is changed through the efforts of people attempting to make change, not by some whimsical choice. It isn't even worth contemplating.

[What a difficult child indeed.]

[ No, this is a far more interesting answer than he could have hoped for. Maybe they'll get somewhere with this. ]

And what change are you earnestly working towards with the people?

[ As far as he can tell, Leon is hardly a people person to begin with. ]

[ Don't mind her, she's... not going to tell them she found a table. Because they're talking. Civilly!!

So yeah, Otome's just going to sink down into a seat to keep an eye on them. ]

[Civility, it's amazing... though Leon just looks away uncomfortably at that, huffing.]

Don't assume that I was a part of it.

[His part is long over, and has been for awhile. To take any other responsibility for that would be... well, it wouldn't be true at all.]

... But those who were are attempting to protect what matters. [Peoples' freedom, peoples' lives, the world... everything.] A world that isn't in danger... that is a change worth working towards.

The world can't stay safe forever, but it's still worth fighting for, right? Perhaps you still have your part to play.

[ He says so casually as he joins Otome at the table this time. ]

[ And there she is, tilting her head with a fond smile. Two of her favorite boys, and no bloodshed... is this too much luck? Hopefully not... ]

There, see? He really is a good boy.

.... I don't.

[But it's just said quietly, as if to himself, and then he finishes cleaning up where he is and heads off to clock out.

They'll at least have a few moments to themselves before he shows back up again to quietly and sullenly sit at the table. It seems something about that conversation has made him quiet all over again.]

[ While he's alone with Otome: ]

Is this a good idea? I don't want to push his buttons.

[ This is so different than how he usually deals with another stunted child in his life (Ginoza). His MO is to just take their shit on board and leave without saying anything. Let them say whatever they want if it makes them feel better, or let's not talk at all. But this is important to Otome, and he does genuinely want to get along with Leon... ]

You're not going to get along any better with him without facing him properly-- and it's the same for Leon. It might be difficult, but it's important.

... And I do happen to like both of you a lot, so I think it's an effort worth making.

[ If Kogami wants to pursue anything further, or grow closer, he'll run into Leon again-- because Otome simply can't leave someone like that alone.

But then Leon's heading over, and she's greeting him with a smile. ]

I'll have to visit more often! They have more flavors here than I'd expected.

[He's uncomfortable, admittedly--this sort of conversation around a table like this is more formal, and reminds Leon of various other talks with people he'd really rather not think about.

But Otome's smile is warm, and Kogami isn't Hugo--Leon needs to remember that.]

They do, yes. Mikleo makes the majority of the ice cream here.

[Mikleo's pretty good at sweet, cold treats.... Leon has no complaints there, honestly, he profits from this too.

As for Otome visiting more... it's not like he'd like that or anything!! (b-baka)]

... Do what you want.

It does seem rather nice here. [ Nobody has gotten punched yet! ] It's as if the ghost outbreak from a few days ago didn't even occur.

[ Then again, he's a muggle, so of course he's not going to forget something supernatural like that so easily. ]

[ Mikleo... she's not familiar with the name, but it sounds as though he makes them himself, and that's... rather impressive. But she offers Leon a nod (yes, she will do what she wants and visit, so there) before she looks at Kogami. ]

If only... they've still found a way to leave their mark. [ Well, the patient flow had certainly doubled... ]

It is peaceful in here, though.

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