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Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Aoba

aocatch , Clear

gasmaskguy , Koujaku

kaba , and Vietnam

hoasen
When: Monday, December 1
Where: Clear's apartment
What: Family dinner!! Well, two neighbors/good friends and Aoba, but close enough.
Rating/Warning: This is bound to be embarrassing in so many ways.

[ Having some time off from work during a weekday had left Clear with an abundance of free time, but he's made good use of it, he thinks! While his friends and Aoba were busy at their own jobs, he got an early start preparing a nice dinner for the four of them to share. It wasn't a grandiose idea, really, but he felt it to be an important one - a necessary ritual shared among good company. It promoted a sense of familiarity, home, and happiness.

Of course, he didn't believe that Aoba or Koujaku had the privilege of meeting Vietnam yet, but when he sent out texts asking them to share a meal at his place tonight, he assured them that the additional 'new friend' that he'd invited was a very kind person that they were sure to like! As for Vietnam, he'd asked for the opportunity to introduce her to Aoba-san♡ and their cool friend from home. They're sure to get along well, he juuust knows it!!) ]

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Next to the napkins sound good to you? [ Four wheels makes a working car — ergo, they're fine. Or they will be, at least, once they get the car brought in for periodic smog checks on this cataclysm of a ~~roadtrip~~ dinner party. Someone save them from the horrors of domestic ennui. ]

Depends on the kind of look you're going for? I'm not one to talk, but I think something simple would work best.

[ One arm held akimbo like a kind of placation (the other still grappled around that utensil tray, like why hasn't he set it on the table yet), Aoba drums out a restless beat on his sides. ]

Yeah. To tell you the truth, I wasn't anywhere near expecting that kind of welcome, but people seem to be taking things like the destruction of their worlds pretty well.

It's fine with me.

[ Words to live by. Amazing.

But wow, check out that ~~pissing contest~~ display of posturing. When he falls under the scrutiny of literally every other person in the room, Aoba tacks on a laugh just that side of inexplicably hoarse (mainly because it attempted to choke its way up his throat as a wheezing cough at Clear's insinuation) and dismissively waves them off. ]

No way, no way! You guys are just being nice.

[ HE'S NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY ADDRESSING THE REST OF THAT ... much less Koujaku sweating bullets over social faux pas ...

Mind sputtering in circuits for some kind of a diversion, he eventually snatches onto the tail end of Vietnam's refreshing commentary because there it is. Somehow, he always knew his salvation would take the form of polite, non-confrontational dinner remarks. ]

O-oh, right! I wouldn't want the meal to go to waste after Clear spent so much time making it. I think I'll start with some rice.

[ No further preamble needed, he reaches for the platter despite it being more than halfway across the table from his seat and making things eternally more awkward than they have any real right being. ]

[ Clear gets a little held up in the way Koujaku reacts to his comments, mouth puckering in some form of speculation - but, thankfully, the other guests interject before he can think on it too much.

And okay, so Aoba waved off his comments, but, well... he didn't say no...?! So there isn't reason to pout just yet!! ]

The rice is fine to start with! I would suggest trying the harumaki with it. [ He decides on with a nod, pointing the mentioned items out. ] Those are best warm, but the rest is tasty even at room temperature in my opinion, so you can choose whatever appeals to you!

[ So he's finally taking his own seat, waiting for everyone to help themselves before he chooses. The anticipation to see what they think when they first try the food is pretty great on its own, his shoulders raised and expression all smiles. ]

[ It's a good thing Koujaku accepted, because Clear was starting to amp up the puppy dog eyes - but once he tasted it, that was quickly replaced with an optimistic glimmer that just dazzles when approval is given!!

Well, maybe it's not total approval - but it's good enough for him, okay. ]

Me neither, honestly! I didn't have access to half of these ingredients back at home, so I've been trying new things~ [ Reaching out, he wipes a thumb beneath Koujaku's lip with a quiet laugh. ] Wah, you got some here!

[ And without thinking, brings it to his own mouth to taste. ]

Mn, since it doesn't taste bad, I guess it's okay. Thank you, Koujaku-san!

[ How awkward can you get. ]

[ Clear replies with a shake of the head - then following her lead in looking! It's not like he's planning to throw shade here, but you know! ]

That's not to say that Koujaku-san isn't a good person, because I believe he is! But, well, he has a temper and likes to fight a lot, too.

Yeah…that. Not like that. [ At least not usually, but he doesn't want to disappoint her, after all. ]

Not that, y'know, it was pretty fun sharing some of that ramen with you, anyway.

[ Fuck it should he be glad that Clear appears to have taken his mask off for good?? How can you say no to that face? It's a dangerous, dangerous weapon and—worse—Clear doesn't seem to be aware of it. ]

You're… [ He swallows, flushing at the contact. Things have just been weird overall. Also: he hasn't gotten laid in forever. Woe. ]

We—Welcome. [ Let him just…laugh it off like it's nothing. ]

I'm glad you could make stuff like that, though. It's almost as good as Tae-san's. [ And this is the highest compliment he can give to anyone who isn't Tae-san. Be thrilled, brighteyes. ]

[ Please Viet he hasn’t acted like a grown ass man around her in like…ever. Why would he start now? His mature side had cropped up at oh, when he’d carried Aoba piggyback with the latter’s puke on his kimono way back then. Good times. ]

Most popular… [ He’ll just raise a glass and shove it against his lips—even if there’s actually nothing in it. It’s so nice that Clear’s given him a variety of food to choke on. He’s gonna be needing a lot of it.

Remind him not to host a dinner party of his own. Shit’s complicated, in so many ways.

He won’t check out that ass he won’t check out that ass he won’t… ]

Thish is pretty good! [ he says as he crunches on a mouthful of tempura before swallowing with a muttered ’scuse me. Is he relieved that the conversation has gotten back to normal? Probably.

Then again it’s his fault for not dealing with this sooner. ]

You wanna try some of this, Aoba? [ He…actually isn’t thinking this time (not that he’s very good at it to begin with), but he holds out another piece of that tempura between his chopsticks because yes, guess who’s going to feed him like a kid again.

That shit-eating grin probably doesn’t help, either. ]

[ While Clear may have only had the pleasure of tasting Tae-san's homemade doughnuts, which were exceptionally good, he knows how much she means to Aoba - and that she seems very important to Koujaku, too! He also knows how much love goes into cooking for the people closest to one's heart, and that they can always taste it.

So, when he's given that compliment, he can almost imagine how highly she'd set the bar. Of course, he's also reminded of how very much she did Aoba and himself.

Thinking that he may feel his little artificial heart soar, he draws a breath with moistening eyes. ]

Kou- Koujaku-san!

[ If he doesn't react quickly enough, Samurai Shampoo will find himself being adhered to, arms thrown around his middle with this fair-headed dweeb crooning at his shoulder. ]

[No one is listening!! They can continue to gossip.]

As long as he is a good person, that is all that matters. I can see him being the emotional kind, but then my perception of him might not be accurate.

Oh goodness, then I apologise! You agreed to it then, but I didn't know. Had you told me, I would've lead you elsewhere. [At least he tried :(]

It was fun, but I think it would have been better for you if you were eating something you liked. Which is...?

Hmm...I think it does! [And she puts them down as suggested. At least these two are fine, it seems like as long as no one else tries to drive their car! She'll try to save them. Maybe.]

I do prefer tidy, so simple does work for me! [Aoba you might have good taste.

[She lays down the pieces one by one, carefully (since this is for Clear, so she must make sure it's perfect). Aoba you can totally set that down, not that she notices. Yet.]

That is true. Myself, I figured that if it is so far into the future, then they can bring me back to the time they took me from. I am slightly less worried about that. But that does not dismiss the fact that this place is very...suspicious.

[Ah, if no one here has acted like grown me, then perhaps Aoba is the only one close enough to one. But that might be because he's oblivious about this, almost more than she is.

Still, what is this strange feeling in this atmosphere? It doesn't seem to be receding even after they decided to start eating. Clear is happy, Aoba is...confused? And Koujaku seems very tense. What is she missing here? They were all pretty pleasant before. Hmm.

Before that, never mind, time to make sure Clear's efforts do not go to waste because of something she does not know about!]

Well, if it best warm, then I will try that too. [Clear knows best since it is his dinner! And she reaches out, standing up slightly to be able to get what she needed. Now for the moment of truth...]

It really is delicious!

[And just as she goes for another mouthful, she notices what Koujaku is doing.

...and just...stops.]

[ …Whoa. ]

Hey!! [ NOHOMONOHOMONOHOMONOHOMONOHOMONOHOMO… ]

What are you doing!! C—Clear! [ Suddenly in a panic, and ol’ Kougen over here doesn’t even react fast enough before he’s clung to tightly like bitty, stubby-legged Aoba after seeing something really really scary!! This shouldn’t fluster him so much, but shit, what with the Aoba issue and Clear getting…

Is he getting sweet on him or something?? Up until now robot romance had been far from Koujaku’s mind and now he feels an incredible sense of dread. Clear’s awesome hearing powers can’t miss that frantic heartbeat. ]

No! No. [ He could say this forever, but he'll stop. It feels really weird to say no to a girl though. Shit, he's still getting used to that. ]

The ramen's great. [ Even though it isn't his favorite, but come on he can't ask for miracles here. ]

And so was the company. [ He tries a smile. ]

[ Vietnam's a literal saint. It'd be great if they weren't doomed from the start, but considering he'll probably end up making a fool out of himself before the night's over, maybe it was inevitable. ]

Right? It'd be weird to get too attached, especially since things could get resolved any day now. [ #ABSURDLY OPTIMISTIC. His great taste is just a bonus. ]

I don't think their story really holds water, though. Have you ever even seen Flamines? For all we know, the video could've been faked. Suspicious is only the half of it. It's just plain weird.

Right, I guess I'll get some of everything, then.

[ His grin's practically an invention of superimposed equanimity and partially-forced nonchalance at this point in the evening because it just keeps getting better (worse, worse, worse). And maybe he should've turned down Clear's invitation if he knew it'd entail filling his plate and stuffing his face to feign insouciance, but then he wouldn't haven't had the chance to meet Vietnam, and that would've been a definite loss on his part.

... Still. With Koujaku miming drinking in nebulous discomfort and Clear staring at everyone with an expression vaguely reminiscent of unbridled bliss, Aoba can't dig through the appetizers fast enough. He's chewing around yet another portion of his meal when Koujaku speaks up, and then his expression abruptly flatlines as he attempts to swallow the food suddenly lodged in his throat in sudden haste.

He can't blame him. It's normal to feed food to friends, right? Like an old habit. Or something. Koujaku might've only returned recently, but they'd shared food plenty of times when they were children. This wasn't weird. He was only making it awkward by thinking too deeply about it. Of course.

Aoba swallows, brows pulling together with the movement. ]

Uh. Yeah, sure.

[ POINTEDLY IGNORING VIETNAM'S STARE because nothing about this is unusual, he leans in and snatches the tempura Koujaku's holding out with his mouth, tail and all, and polishes it one go. To be honest, Aoba isn't even that bothered with the outer shell's taste when he's just getting by on falsified insouciance. Quickly retracting, he shoots them all a decidedly flustered smile. ]

Just like I thought! It's really good.

[ Once everyone had a taste and expressed some form of approval (Aoba's seemed to be stuffing his face, WHICH WAS GREAT because he really like it?!), Clear drew his breath with clasped hands. ]

Thank you, I hope you enjoy the rest just as much!

[ Satisfied at last, he begins to help himself to a modest portion of the dishes while soaking in the atmosphere, which is just so h-- wait, no. It's not happy, it's.....

Did Koujaku drink out of an empty glass? Is Aoba eating an entire shrimp? ]

Uu... [ Some rice grains escape his chopsticks, but Clear isn't even noticing because he's staring just as much as Vietnam. ] I-. I'm honored you think so, Aoba-san?

[ Setting down his chopsticks, he glances around fooor- aha! The champagne! Getting up to snatch it off the counter where it has been forgotten, he presents it with a: ] Ta-da~♪! This should ease the tension around here, right?

[ Said without any subtlety, he ventures back over with the glasses in hand as well, placing them down and beginning to pour them each a generous amount.]

[ Somebody just shoot him.

It’s the least he deserves. He’s not even sure how he’s supposed to calm himself down in the light of things—the food smells great and he thought it would be enough, if the drink hadn’t. Maybe he should get Aoba drunk? That’s a terrible thought, even if he would…maybe…let him loose when they’re both safe in the sultry privacy of his apartment. Whichever apartment.

There’s no turning back now, he thinks, even as he can feel the questions radiating off the other two in waves. It’s not fair for him to lock on to just Aoba for the entire affair, of course.

At this rate he might chopstick-feed everyone just to take the edge off this awkwardness.

Or make it worse.

He’s busy trying not to imagine what that mouth could do to something similarly shaped to a tempura shrimp before Clear opens his big yap and Koujaku nearly chokes on the heart lodged in his throat.

He opts for spluttering and staring dumbfounded at Clear, before carefully laying his chopsticks onto the table like Clear’s got a gun trained between his eyes. ]

…Yeah? [ What else is he supposed to say to that?? ] Thanks, Clear.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Not too much, all right? Because… [ He lays a surreptitious little glance at Aoba’s way. Remember what we talked about, his eyes seem to say to Clear. Clear, please read the atmosphere for once. The same doubly goes for birdbrain over here. ]

We…want to save room for dessert?

[He's just like on a denial day, god. Which means she knows he's trying. Hey, she can be helpful too!]

Even so, it could've been better, no? A place and time where you can be yourself.

I do owe you lunch this time. What do you prefer to eat?

[Only to those she likes! Which means she likes Aoba a lot now, he's very nice?! Even if he makes a fool out of himself. Hey, if it's because of the drink, she wouldn't blame him. Even she goes wild.]

Yes, I would just like a place to be comfortable. I'm just curious about what actually works here. It would be nice to bring some of that home. [Since her time is much further back than even his own. HEY optimism is totally what this place needs to!]

No, I have not had a chance. I'm not sure if any of my colleagues who have been here for much longer know too, but I will check. I know they definitely do not trust the higher ups.

[Tension? What tension? There's no tension here!

No there is a lot of tension here, and while hers stems from utter confusion, she can tell that these boys have tension up the wall because there's something. It was like some of them are trying to act normal, yet parts it came out rather...forced?

Really, she wishes there was something she could do, but it's difficult when she doesn't know the details!

Quietly, she refills her bowl, trying to think of a plan. Or even find a way to say something that could lead to a conversation that might even break ice. Pressing the end of her chopsticks to her lips, looking like she's nibbling at it (though she's not, there will be no chopstick damage from her), she tries to consider all options. She could mention something about the food to Aoba, right? Ask Clear what he has learnt lately. Recommend something she tried from this spread to Koujaku.

Before she could even do any of that, Clear seems to be having the same idea and went for the champagne. Well, a drink is good as any. She can deal with one if there's food.]

Just...just once glass, Clear, please! Good food and good drink, that is truly living, no?

Though Koujaku is right, not too much so we can have some after dessert too.

Well… I really like home cooking. [ Might as well take her up on it, and hey, it's no lie. ]

But you really don't have to—

[HOME COOKING? Done, that's the easiest solution. There's no fighting this.]

Alright, home cooking it is. You need only pick the time and place.

[ And it's probably cheaper too??? ]

Hey, it's your place. Unless you wanna cook at mine? [ Which will be kind of weird but sure??? ]

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