[He definitely agrees with that...though he's not sure if this particular brand of "taking care of yourself" is really in that same category. Can you really compare jacking off to getting enough sleep?]
Only to complete squares that we ca-- w-wait, [Hold on. Something's not right here.] ...why do you know that?
[Not "how" because obviously Kaede told him but...how on earth did that topic come up between the two of them in the first place?]
[Well he was referring to more than just the lack of sleep thing. Don't forget all of the blood he's lost over the course you've known him.]
Well duh. Obviously Akamatsu-chan told me.
[He tilts his head, raising a brow curiously.]
Didn't she mention it? When that whole truth baloney was going on and we were done fighting, I accidentally spilled a stupid and embarrassing idea I had, and she said it sounded fun and she'd totally play with me if I ever wanted to. Oh but, with your permission of course.
[Surely she brought that up while she was talking to you about all of the truth stuff!]
I was kind of caught off guard, so I asked her why she'd be okay with that, and she explained the whole playing with others thing.
[There's a pause on Kokichi's end, his expression settling into something blank and unreadable as he stares at Shuichi for a few beats. Just processing that.]
[And with that, he shrugs and turns on his heels, starting to lead the way towards wherever they'll be eating.]
Well don't worry about it then, it's not important. I was joking anyway, it's not like I'd actually ask you to do something like that. You'd have to ask her first, and you'd probably hate it anyway!
[He glances over his shoulder at him, his cheeky grin from before back in place.]
Or maybe you wouldn't~ I can never tell with you. Maybe you're secretly hiding some deep, dark, undying love for me and would jump at the chance to help me with something like that~ But you don't want me to know, so you decided to act all weirded out instead!
[It's weird, whenever Kokichi's expression goes blank like that. For some reason, it's mildly unnerving, but only when it's on his face. It's never weird whenever someone else stares blankly, but with Kokichi...]
N-no, it's nothing like that... [Sorry, Kokichi, you're the only one with a deep, dark undying love here. Sure, there were a few one-on-one instances during the killing game where you gave him weird, possibly gay feelings but we're not talking about those. Nor are we talking about all the times where he's thought that you're really nice to cuddle with. Nope.] And I wouldn't say I was "weirded out", more like...it was just surprising that you jumped to that first.
[Wouldn't most people think to take care of it themselves in a situation like that, rather than ask a friend? A friend of the same sex, even.]
But, in retrospect, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, given how much you enjoy messing with me.
[That's what that was, right? You were just trying to make him uncomfortable because you think it's funny. Masturbation jokes just don't work as well for this sort of thing.]
[Oh he fully knows he's the only one with that problem, but do you know where the best place to hide feelings like that is? In plain sight, of course. The more he can play this stuff off as a joke or as messing around with him, the better. He'll never have a reason to suspect any different if he does that.
Though, even with that logic, he can only manage a little hum of agreement when Shuichi actually says that's what it is. Still, he manages a smile as he turns around, walking backwards so he can face him while he talks.]
Hey, you should get some tea with me! You obviously don't plan on eating, but the place we're going has really good tea, and it'd be nice to share some with you.
[Kokichi...you're just asking to walk right into someone, walking backwards like that. Good thing you have Shuichi here with you to watch your back. He actually walks a little faster, so as to better keep up with Kokichi in case he needs to move him out of someone's way.]
Mmm, tea sounds good.
[When is he ever NOT down for tea time with Kokichi? Or anyone, for that matter?]
[Well that's exactly why he feels safe doing it. He's sure, if nothing else, Shuichi will warn him. And he's fast, so a warning would be enough! His smile broadens into a grin when the detective agrees.]
Right? It basically always sounds good. Which is a problem, since there are strict laws and regulations to tea drinking that must be followed, otherwise you could be thrown in jail for life! Luckily they stopped handing out death sentences a few years ago. Double luckily, if you decide to break the rules, I can totally break you out of jail!
[His hands move to clasp behind his back, grin brightening even more as he launches further into his playful lies.]
Of course, then you'd be a criminal on the run, like me! And I'd be in even more trouble with the law for breaking you out! That could be the start of an exciting adventure story, you know! And I think it would be decidedly not boring to be stuck on the lam with my beloved Saihara-chan~!
[He's not even trying to make this convincing, just obviously having fun with it.]
[Shuichi can't stop a soft chuckle from escaping his lips as Kokichi spins his very blatant and fanciful lies. It's better, seeing him this way. Maybe he's not actually as okay as he says he is, maybe this is a little forced on the leader's part, Shuichi can't possibly know for sure, but... if he's feeling up to doing something like this there's obviously been some kind of improvement, right? At least a little one. And that's better than nothing.]
Really? Laws and regulations like what? [So if playing along with his lies keeps Kokichi happy like this, then Shuichi will do just that.] I think I'd rather avoid that kind of scenario...I'm not sure I trust you to pilot a spaceship. And if we're going to be on the run from sexy space station law, we'd need one of those, right?
[There's definitely been some improvement. While he's a little surprised that Shuichi's playing along with this one - only a little! - he doesn't miss a beat, hands stretching out in front of him as if gripping a steering wheel, laughing a little himself.]
You can totally trust me to pilot a spaceship! I'm a space thief now, after all, I've done my research! Maybe I'm not officially licensed, but I know space cruisers like the backs of my hands now! Which, of course, would be our escape vehicle of choice.
[Not...exactly a lie, though he's not actually that confident he could really pilot a ship.]
You don't have to worry about anything! I know this will be your first time being a wanted criminal, I'll definitely look out for you as your upperclassman in that area. Dodging the sexy space police will be a snap! Oh, but I'm not gonna tell you the laws and stuff. Because then you'll avoid breaking them, and that's just no fun!
[Kokichi is pretty sure he can hear it. Something about him being an idiot, probably.]
No way, research is definitely all I need. I mean worse comes to worst, I can always hijack one before you break any of the laws and take it for a few test spins. And then you break the law, I'll break you out, and off into the stars we go!
[Not taking this seriously at all, so probably safe to say he doesn't actually plan on trying that.
...probably.
They finally reach the cafe he'd been heading towards, opening the door for Shuichi with a flourish and a bow.]
Don't do that...then you'll get arrested for grand theft spacecraft. Besides, I don't plan on breaking any laws to begin with.
[He is a good, law-abiding boy unlike some people we could name.]
[Oh, hey, they're here. Hopefully this means they can change the subject. Shuichi pauses before entering, giving Kokichi a very uncertain look that all to plainly says that the flourish and bow were completely unnecessary.]
Um...thanks. [But he walks inside anyway so, unnecessary or not, he clearly doesn't mind that much at all.]
[He follows him inside, catching up to walk beside him.]
I can imagine what time spent in sexy space jail would be like, and I don't think I'd want to spend the years I'd surely be sentenced for grand theft spacecraft in there!
[Not like he already know from experience or anything. Definitely not. Once they're at the counter, he glances over the menu then towards Shuichi. It's your typical coffee shop menu, with mostly pastries, muffins and sweets available as far as food goes.]
[Shuichi can't help but raise a brow at the menu. Sure, it was a coffee shop but sometimes they at least have...you know. Sandwiches or something. Actual food that you would expect someone who's supposedly worried about being eaten inside out by their own stomach to go for.]
[But, then again, this is Kokichi. He probably should have seen something like this coming. He sighs.]
Whatever you want. [A beat.] Provided that's not "everything in the case".
[You're the one that let him and his sweet tooth decide, Shuichi. He hums and nods, facing the cashier. He doesn't order everything, but he does get a few items. A muffin, a couple pastries, a fruit cup and one of their sweeter tea options. And then it's Shuichi's turn while he goes to find a seat! He's claimed a booth seat for the two of them by the time the detective is done ordering as well, caught between staring out the cafe window and eagerly waiting on his friend to join him.]
[Well at least he got some fruit. That's...something.]
[Kokichi won't have to wait too long, since Shuichi's order is just a simple cup of black tea with nothing in it. Once he's paid for everything, he joins Kokichi at the booth, sliding into the seat opposite the smaller boy.]
You didn't have to wait for me to start eating, you know...I thought you said you were starving.
I am! But you're paying, so it's only polite, right?
[He shrugs as he goes for one of the pastries first, leaving the rest purposefully in the middle of the table. Just in case Shuichi wants some at any point. After a few bites, Kokichi not bothering to hide the fact that he really is as hungry as he says with how quickly he's wolfing the sweet down, he takes a sip of his tea and hums.]
[He takes another sip of his tea, setting it down and tapping his fingers against the side of the cup, before gingerly adding:]
For earlier, too. I don't think I actually said thanks for that. Or maybe I did when I was passing out and can't remember. Who knows~! Either way. It, uh...
[A pause and another sip of tea, the leader averting his gaze and staring out the window instead.]
...it means a lot. To me, that is. It means a lot to me.
[Shuichi smiles softly and takes a sip of his own tea before answering.]
You did, but you're welcome again. [He sets his cup down but keeps his hand on it.] You should start following your own advice though, you know. I think if she were here, Yumeno-san would be pretty annoyed to find out that you've been holding back this much.
[You know, given the shit Kokichi gave her over the very same thing after Angie and Tenko died.]
[The leader glances down at his tea at that, chuckling a little.]
Mmm...maybe. [He has to wonder if she'd actually care all that much in the end.] But come on, you already know I never followed that advice from the start. Easier said than done and all that.
[Shuichi hums as well. He's not exactly sure what Himiko thinks of Kokichi now. But surely her opinion must have...changed somewhat once they'd learned the truth. His had.]
[But he's pretty sure she'd at least be a little annoyed just based on principle. Even if Kokichi is still probably far from her favorite person.]
I know, but that's my point...maybe now is the time to start trying a little harder to follow it. At least when it comes to the things that happened inside the academy.
[He's sure Kokichi will never be 100% honest about his feelings and he's not going to hold his breath waiting for that particular miracle. But if the other boy keeps going on like this...he's going to destroy himself.]
[He sighs, hand coming up to rest against his cheek, giving him something to prop his head up with.]
See, this is why honesty sucks. The minute you try and be even a little honest, suddenly everything is serious.
[It's both a teasing but true statement, said with a laugh but a bit of a bite in his tone as well.]
Don't really know what you expect me to do though. If I followed that advice, I'd be a mess pretty much all the time. I told you how I feel earlier, didn't I? How I really feel, what I really want to do? [Nothing. He wants to do absolutely nothing, just curl up and hide in his room and never come back out.]
It's easier for everyone, I think, if I just go about doing what I normally do. I don't know how to even begin dealing with the bulk of how I feel.
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Only to complete squares that we ca-- w-wait, [Hold on. Something's not right here.] ...why do you know that?
[Not "how" because obviously Kaede told him but...how on earth did that topic come up between the two of them in the first place?]
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Well duh. Obviously Akamatsu-chan told me.
[He tilts his head, raising a brow curiously.]
Didn't she mention it? When that whole truth baloney was going on and we were done fighting, I accidentally spilled a stupid and embarrassing idea I had, and she said it sounded fun and she'd totally play with me if I ever wanted to. Oh but, with your permission of course.
[Surely she brought that up while she was talking to you about all of the truth stuff!]
I was kind of caught off guard, so I asked her why she'd be okay with that, and she explained the whole playing with others thing.
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[So...he only heard about the fight, apparently. And even then, only part of it.]
[He has no idea that apparently you find his girlfriend attractive even though you're gay and you want to have sex with her again.]
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Oh.
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Well don't worry about it then, it's not important. I was joking anyway, it's not like I'd actually ask you to do something like that. You'd have to ask her first, and you'd probably hate it anyway!
[He glances over his shoulder at him, his cheeky grin from before back in place.]
Or maybe you wouldn't~ I can never tell with you. Maybe you're secretly hiding some deep, dark, undying love for me and would jump at the chance to help me with something like that~ But you don't want me to know, so you decided to act all weirded out instead!
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N-no, it's nothing like that... [Sorry, Kokichi, you're the only one with a deep, dark undying love here. Sure, there were a few one-on-one instances during the killing game where you gave him weird, possibly gay feelings but we're not talking about those. Nor are we talking about all the times where he's thought that you're really nice to cuddle with. Nope.] And I wouldn't say I was "weirded out", more like...it was just surprising that you jumped to that first.
[Wouldn't most people think to take care of it themselves in a situation like that, rather than ask a friend? A friend of the same sex, even.]
But, in retrospect, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, given how much you enjoy messing with me.
[That's what that was, right? You were just trying to make him uncomfortable because you think it's funny. Masturbation jokes just don't work as well for this sort of thing.]
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Though, even with that logic, he can only manage a little hum of agreement when Shuichi actually says that's what it is. Still, he manages a smile as he turns around, walking backwards so he can face him while he talks.]
Hey, you should get some tea with me! You obviously don't plan on eating, but the place we're going has really good tea, and it'd be nice to share some with you.
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Mmm, tea sounds good.
[When is he ever NOT down for tea time with Kokichi? Or anyone, for that matter?]
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Right? It basically always sounds good. Which is a problem, since there are strict laws and regulations to tea drinking that must be followed, otherwise you could be thrown in jail for life! Luckily they stopped handing out death sentences a few years ago. Double luckily, if you decide to break the rules, I can totally break you out of jail!
[His hands move to clasp behind his back, grin brightening even more as he launches further into his playful lies.]
Of course, then you'd be a criminal on the run, like me! And I'd be in even more trouble with the law for breaking you out! That could be the start of an exciting adventure story, you know! And I think it would be decidedly not boring to be stuck on the lam with my beloved Saihara-chan~!
[He's not even trying to make this convincing, just obviously having fun with it.]
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Really? Laws and regulations like what? [So if playing along with his lies keeps Kokichi happy like this, then Shuichi will do just that.] I think I'd rather avoid that kind of scenario...I'm not sure I trust you to pilot a spaceship. And if we're going to be on the run from sexy space station law, we'd need one of those, right?
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You can totally trust me to pilot a spaceship! I'm a space thief now, after all, I've done my research! Maybe I'm not officially licensed, but I know space cruisers like the backs of my hands now! Which, of course, would be our escape vehicle of choice.
[Not...exactly a lie, though he's not actually that confident he could really pilot a ship.]
You don't have to worry about anything! I know this will be your first time being a wanted criminal, I'll definitely look out for you as your upperclassman in that area. Dodging the sexy space police will be a snap! Oh, but I'm not gonna tell you the laws and stuff. Because then you'll avoid breaking them, and that's just no fun!
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[In another dimension, Kaito is screaming at the mere suggestion, Shuichi is sure of it.]
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No way, research is definitely all I need. I mean worse comes to worst, I can always hijack one before you break any of the laws and take it for a few test spins. And then you break the law, I'll break you out, and off into the stars we go!
[Not taking this seriously at all, so probably safe to say he doesn't actually plan on trying that.
...probably.
They finally reach the cafe he'd been heading towards, opening the door for Shuichi with a flourish and a bow.]
After you, Saihara-chan~
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[He is a good, law-abiding boy unlike some people we could name.]
[Oh, hey, they're here. Hopefully this means they can change the subject. Shuichi pauses before entering, giving Kokichi a very uncertain look that all to plainly says that the flourish and bow were completely unnecessary.]
Um...thanks. [But he walks inside anyway so, unnecessary or not, he clearly doesn't mind that much at all.]
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[He follows him inside, catching up to walk beside him.]
I can imagine what time spent in sexy space jail would be like, and I don't think I'd want to spend the years I'd surely be sentenced for grand theft spacecraft in there!
[Not like he already know from experience or anything. Definitely not. Once they're at the counter, he glances over the menu then towards Shuichi. It's your typical coffee shop menu, with mostly pastries, muffins and sweets available as far as food goes.]
Sooo...what all can I get?
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[But, then again, this is Kokichi. He probably should have seen something like this coming. He sighs.]
Whatever you want. [A beat.] Provided that's not "everything in the case".
[Keep it reasonable, you little shit.]
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[Kokichi won't have to wait too long, since Shuichi's order is just a simple cup of black tea with nothing in it. Once he's paid for everything, he joins Kokichi at the booth, sliding into the seat opposite the smaller boy.]
You didn't have to wait for me to start eating, you know...I thought you said you were starving.
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[He shrugs as he goes for one of the pastries first, leaving the rest purposefully in the middle of the table. Just in case Shuichi wants some at any point. After a few bites, Kokichi not bothering to hide the fact that he really is as hungry as he says with how quickly he's wolfing the sweet down, he takes a sip of his tea and hums.]
Thank you, by the way.
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You're welcome.
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For earlier, too. I don't think I actually said thanks for that. Or maybe I did when I was passing out and can't remember. Who knows~! Either way. It, uh...
[A pause and another sip of tea, the leader averting his gaze and staring out the window instead.]
...it means a lot. To me, that is. It means a lot to me.
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You did, but you're welcome again. [He sets his cup down but keeps his hand on it.] You should start following your own advice though, you know. I think if she were here, Yumeno-san would be pretty annoyed to find out that you've been holding back this much.
[You know, given the shit Kokichi gave her over the very same thing after Angie and Tenko died.]
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Mmm...maybe. [He has to wonder if she'd actually care all that much in the end.] But come on, you already know I never followed that advice from the start. Easier said than done and all that.
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[But he's pretty sure she'd at least be a little annoyed just based on principle. Even if Kokichi is still probably far from her favorite person.]
I know, but that's my point...maybe now is the time to start trying a little harder to follow it. At least when it comes to the things that happened inside the academy.
[He's sure Kokichi will never be 100% honest about his feelings and he's not going to hold his breath waiting for that particular miracle. But if the other boy keeps going on like this...he's going to destroy himself.]
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See, this is why honesty sucks. The minute you try and be even a little honest, suddenly everything is serious.
[It's both a teasing but true statement, said with a laugh but a bit of a bite in his tone as well.]
Don't really know what you expect me to do though. If I followed that advice, I'd be a mess pretty much all the time. I told you how I feel earlier, didn't I? How I really feel, what I really want to do? [Nothing. He wants to do absolutely nothing, just curl up and hide in his room and never come back out.]
It's easier for everyone, I think, if I just go about doing what I normally do. I don't know how to even begin dealing with the bulk of how I feel.
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