[ six doesn't say anything while rokurou busies himself with tying his hair back up, captivated by just how thick his hair is (because he's always drawn to it, just like his blight) but he figures there's nothing much to say. ]
I don't have a preference. Surprise me, if it pleases you.
[ is it a good idea to give rokurou that much power but it's too late to take it back now. ]
[ He grins, gesturing for Six to make himself comfortable either on the couch or at the kitchen table before turning to the fridge. If Six doesn’t have a preference (as usual), then he’ll make it the way he likes it: a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy.
[ there is a lot he doesn't know about the daemon, but despite that, there are things he can recognize thanks to his interactions with others. he won't comment on it because if rokurou doesn't want to talk about what happened between them, then there is little point for him of bringing it up.
he makes his way over to the kitchen table. the couch would be comfier but it'll just remind of him certain things he doesn't want to be thinking about right now. ]
I am not exactly a picky either so you needn't worry about bad judgment.
[ it really does feel like they're trying to make things as normal as they can be, even if the erune is convinced there's still tension in the air— ]
Do you always make it a point to smooth things out with a distraction?
[ He says as the knife slices through a potato with a particularly poignant thunk. Casting an eyebrow raise, the daemon returns to chopping and dicing. A mix of vegetables into the pot before he turns to start the curry itself. ]
But I really wanted to make you some curry. You didn’t give me much to go on when I asked you what you liked.
I already told you before. I don't have any preferences.
[ rokurou goes ahead and still prepares what he needs for the curry, which is just fine. perhaps some sense of normalcy is what they need to make this conversation a lot easier. it's not like six knows what he wants to say— only that something must be said, rather than forgetting about it for good. ]
... Do you truly wish to forget what happened?
[ it bothered the daemon enough to even suggest such a thing. it's always when you want to forget that there's a higher possibility of things festering, and he knows how bad that can (and will) get thanks to past experiences. if pressed, he'll say it doesn't feel right to let things be.
so he looks at rokurou directly, waiting for his answer. ]
[ He can feel the expectation in Six’s stare. The fine hairs along his nape stand, whole body keenly aware of the eyes set upon him. Would he really rather forget it...? Yes. Rokurou isn’t the type who needs or wants to talk about everything. But he can sense from the way that the erune speaks that that’s something they differ on.
Pausing in his prep once the curry sauce is set to cook, Rokurou fills the cup of matcha with hot water before bringing it over to the table to set in front of Six. ]
It’s really not a big deal. [ he rubs his neck, trying to figure out how to word it, ] I was just surprised. And maybe a little ... you know.
[ So maybe he had figured it out. It’s not like he hasn’t been jealous over someone his whole life, he knows its sting well; it had been unexpected to creep up him like it had, but maybe it’s not so surprising, considering he’s been doggedly chasing Six since the moment they met. ]
[ what sets them apart is pretty simple: while rokurou is quick to drop and move on from what bothered him, six has trouble letting it go. he lets it permeate until it's literally the only thing on his mind. even now, he's still thinking about how it went down.
he can't see fault in any of his actions, so clearly the problem here lies with rokurou. the daemon explains it but it's not satisfactory enough. ]
It seemed like it was, given the way you acted.
[ today, he isn't wearing his full mask so rokurou can see him raise an eyebrow once the tea is set. ]
You know. [ he waves his hand, a vague gesture as he glances at the ceiling, as though that fully translates his meaning— ] ... You're really going to make me say it?
[ Is this some kind of punishment? Or a touch of sadism? Rokurou sighs, stepping away to set the rice to cook, keeping his hands busy because it feels better doing so. ]
Jealous, okay? [ he doesn't even look at Six, busy tossing the chunks of chicken into the curry now that it's gotten hot over the flame. ] It's not like you've ever invited me over to sleep in your bed.
[ And that's really what he's jealous about: the invitation. If Six fucks someone else, Rokurou can't and wouldn't say a word about it; it's not like he doesn't frequent plenty of beds on a near-nightly basis. It's the fact that Six invited someone else, when Rokurou's been so diligent in his chasing—he wants Six to want him, damn it. Who cares if it's selfish and makes no sense? That's just how he feels.
He shrugs, finally looking at the other man over his shoulder, ]
[ his confusion only grows when rokurou makes a fuss over having to say it. for someone who says it isn't a big deal, he sure is doing his best to avoid being forthright about his problem. the erune has no choice but to wait for the daemon as he figures out whether to say it or not.
in the end, he gets the answer he was looking for— and it's not quite what he expected. ]
... I don't understand why you would be jealous of that.
[ if rokurou thinks he sees a faint flush on six's cheeks, he isn't imagining things. no attempts of his to cover it up with the teacup is going to help him. ]
Haven't I already said it is a temporary arrangement?
[ Finally, Rokurou takes a seat at the table across from Six with a cup of tea of his own, after washing his hands. There's nothing really left to prepare; everything's in the pot, the rice is on, and it needs to simmer for a little while. ]
That's not really ...
[ What... he was jealous about. In fact, it's a good thing Six has a roommate, considering how introverted he can be.
Scratching his cheek, Rokurou tries to find the right words. ]
You know I like you. [ and, let's be real, he's possessive over Six, for a myriad of reasons, ] Of course I'd be jealous if you invited some guy to sleep in your bed when you've never invited me to ... well. Do anything like that.
[ He huffs, having the grace to look sulky for only a moment before pulling it together. He's a grown ass man, and in the end, it's not like Six went and agreed to fight this guy or something. That's the only thing Rokurou would really get wild about. ]
[ if the conversation wasn't going in such a confusing direction, then maybe six would have remarked on how everything smells good thus far. his ears would have twitched, and he would have looked relatively happy he'll be getting food soon... but as it stands, he only ends up with so many more questions. ]
All because I didn't offer you the same thing? Haven't you always done as you please regardless of what I say?
[ how many times has rokurou ignored him whenever they get caught up in each other during iris? it's happened so much that it doesn't take as long before his resolve crumbles.
he stares at the tea in his hands, unable to meet rokurou's eyes. ]
It's not as if anything is going to change because of this.
[ On both counts, in fact. Which is why Rokurou smiles, blowing on his own tea to help it cool some before he takes a slow sip. He might be a daemon, but he still doesn't want to chance burning his tongue. ]
Which is why I said to forget it. Anything I do feel anymore doesn't last very long anyway.
[ The perks of being a real monster. Everything fades, even sudden spikes of jealousy—there's no reason for Six to be concerned. Just a moment of stupidity; frankly, Rokurou's already almost to the point where he can laugh about being a little crazy for no reason. ]
it seems like this is going well... the conversation is well on its way to its conclusion, and yet rather than be relieved, six's ears flatten themselves against his head. he still feels like something isn't quite right.
he falls quiet as he tries to make sense of what he wants to say, but it takes him a while. too often he forgets that the world continues to turn even while he's caught up in his own head. ]
You say you don't feel nothing as a daemon, and yet you must have felt strongly about this... for it to be felt at all.
No, I'm glad you did. I'd rather know. Better to avoid anything awkward from happening.
[ Lest he do something reckless, like lay out naked like a french girl in Six's bed and wait for him to show up, not expecting anyone else to be coming in.
Reaching out, Rokurou rests his hand on top of Six's. He might feel little these days, but the airplaning of Six's ears is too honest about how this is bothering him. Yeesh... next time, keep your jealous, possessive, prey-driven fits to yourself, Rangetsu. ]
I used to be a pretty passionate guy, when I was human. Runs in the Rangetsu blood. Sometimes it just pops up.
[ the headpat does little to alleviate his concerns, but perhaps he is slowly considering maybe rokurou's words have some truth to them. that the man was jealous is still something he doesn't understand if only because he thinks there's nothing worth getting jealous over.
(why rokurou has chosen him to relentlessly pursue will always be a mystery.) ]
And you're certain it no longer bothers you? You aren't just saying this.
[ he's going to gently pry rokurou's hand off his head too. no need for it to linger where it's starting to feel warm. ]
[ Does it matter? It's really tempting to whip out one of Six's favorite phrase—hell, he almost does, but it's also confusing why Six seems so intent on dig, dig digging, when it would be so easy to just let this little thing go.
Pulling his hand back, Rokurou instead rubs his own chin, giving the erune a curious look. ]
[ the way he answers doesn't quite match how red he's become in the span of a split-second. it's true that he's worried but he doesn't necessarily understand the full scope of why he is. of course, given how things have been going for both of them in the past little while, it probably shouldn't surprise him all that much...
not that he wants to admit to that. ]
I simply wanted to understand. [ a beat, and then - ] Should you not be more worried about your curry?
[ That stupid, goofy smile that Rokurou's sporting right now? As he rests his chin on his hand and gazes at Six with lidded eyes? That's totally believing him. And not totally not believing him, because that blush speaks way more than his words do.
Except he doesn't believe him. And somehow it's that that actually makes him feel better, that strange, bubbling warmth swishing around in his chest. Pfff... really. Six doesn't need to worry so much over such a small thing, much less a daemon. ]
Mm... it might need a little water.
[ As he finally pushes up, still wearing that idiot smile, as he heads over to attend to the curry. ]
[ six makes the mistake of looking over at rokurou just as that stupid smile takes over his expression, making him heat up like the curry they're waiting for. he has so many protests formulating in his head but they all die before he could give voice to him.
all he could really do is open and close his mouth like an idiot before he finally shuts up. ]
... Looking at it like that isn't going to make it cook any faster.
You're pretty bossy for someone that isn't cooking.
[ It's getting pretty thick, so he adds a touch of water to loosen it up, and then gives a generous stir. Still needs a little more time, but it smells good—rich with spice and a hint of sweetness, aroma of chicken cooking in curry growing heavier.
Putting the lid back on to let it cook longer, Rokurou busies himself by washing some of the utensils from earlier. Better to keep his hands busy, or else he'll find himself putting them somewhere else, and probably spooking Six off in the process. ]
Shouldn't be much longer. I think it smells pretty good, no?
[ by the time rokurou turns around to face him, he'll see that the erune has taken it upon himself to wear his hood up. it doesn't quite hide how much his ears twitch in anticipation of the food he'll be able to tear into soon, but that's what he thought it would do anyway... oops.
he'll just do his best to act as nonchalant as possible... ]
I suppose we'll see if it tastes as good as it smells soon enough, won't we?
[ Jeez... not even a tiny compliment because it smells nice?? Six is a tough customer to please, as usual. Or maybe not—Rokurou's eyes flick to the way he's drawn his hood up, eyebrow arched, but he doesn't comment on it.
Instead, he finishes cleaning up, and once everything's wiped down and put away he pulls out two bowls, and begins padding rice into each. Each one gets a generous scoop of curry, a thick, golden pile over the rice, which he brings over to the table with chopsticks and spoons. ]
[ the hoodie doesn't do much when it comes to hiding his reactions. his ears twitch and flick underneath the fabric, making it more obvious that he's clearly enjoying the food just by the smell alone. even more so once he finally eats a spoonful once he's given the go-ahead. the spice level is just right, not too much, not too little, adding more depth to the curry in ways he didn't quite expect.
he's not going to say out loud that it's good because he doesn't want to feed rokurou's ego. it's already big enough as it is. for now, this is all he has to say: ]
[ Rokurou sneaks a peek between bites, looking up at Six eat from beneath his lashes. It's impossible to not notice how his ears keep twitching beneath his hood, fabric ruffling just a titch.
But he won't stare and make Six overly self-conscious. So he returns to his food, contenting himself with being hyper aware of Six's presence, rather than watching the way his ears move. ]
[ rokurou's right in assuming six was about to get overly self-conscious if he kept looking at him like this, because he's so very aware of those mismatched eyes on him. his ears twitch but his entire body is completely stiff, only visibly relaxing once the other has started eating too. ]
I don't need much— unless you are having seconds yourself.
[ please, he's already imposing by being here even though it was rokurou's idea to feed him. ]
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I don't have a preference. Surprise me, if it pleases you.
[ is it a good idea to give rokurou that much power but it's too late to take it back now. ]
I didn't know you could cook.
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[ He grins, gesturing for Six to make himself comfortable either on the couch or at the kitchen table before turning to the fridge. If Six doesn’t have a preference (as usual), then he’ll make it the way he likes it: a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy.
Potatoes, carrots, curry power, chicken—Rokurou begins chopping, happily setting to work. ]
I’m not the best cook around, but I know how to make a good curry.
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he makes his way over to the kitchen table. the couch would be comfier but it'll just remind of him certain things he doesn't want to be thinking about right now. ]
I am not exactly a picky either so you needn't worry about bad judgment.
[ it really does feel like they're trying to make things as normal as they can be, even if the erune is convinced there's still tension in the air— ]
Do you always make it a point to smooth things out with a distraction?
[ ... nevermind. there it is. ]
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[ He says as the knife slices through a potato with a particularly poignant thunk. Casting an eyebrow raise, the daemon returns to chopping and dicing. A mix of vegetables into the pot before he turns to start the curry itself. ]
But I really wanted to make you some curry. You didn’t give me much to go on when I asked you what you liked.
[ He huffs, mouth twitching with a smile. ]
You want to talk about it.
[ It’s not a question. ]
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[ rokurou goes ahead and still prepares what he needs for the curry, which is just fine. perhaps some sense of normalcy is what they need to make this conversation a lot easier. it's not like six knows what he wants to say— only that something must be said, rather than forgetting about it for good. ]
... Do you truly wish to forget what happened?
[ it bothered the daemon enough to even suggest such a thing. it's always when you want to forget that there's a higher possibility of things festering, and he knows how bad that can (and will) get thanks to past experiences. if pressed, he'll say it doesn't feel right to let things be.
so he looks at rokurou directly, waiting for his answer. ]
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Pausing in his prep once the curry sauce is set to cook, Rokurou fills the cup of matcha with hot water before bringing it over to the table to set in front of Six. ]
It’s really not a big deal. [ he rubs his neck, trying to figure out how to word it, ] I was just surprised. And maybe a little ... you know.
[ So maybe he had figured it out. It’s not like he hasn’t been jealous over someone his whole life, he knows its sting well; it had been unexpected to creep up him like it had, but maybe it’s not so surprising, considering he’s been doggedly chasing Six since the moment they met. ]
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he can't see fault in any of his actions, so clearly the problem here lies with rokurou. the daemon explains it but it's not satisfactory enough. ]
It seemed like it was, given the way you acted.
[ today, he isn't wearing his full mask so rokurou can see him raise an eyebrow once the tea is set. ]
And you were a little what, exactly?
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[ Is this some kind of punishment? Or a touch of sadism? Rokurou sighs, stepping away to set the rice to cook, keeping his hands busy because it feels better doing so. ]
Jealous, okay? [ he doesn't even look at Six, busy tossing the chunks of chicken into the curry now that it's gotten hot over the flame. ] It's not like you've ever invited me over to sleep in your bed.
[ And that's really what he's jealous about: the invitation. If Six fucks someone else, Rokurou can't and wouldn't say a word about it; it's not like he doesn't frequent plenty of beds on a near-nightly basis. It's the fact that Six invited someone else, when Rokurou's been so diligent in his chasing—he wants Six to want him, damn it. Who cares if it's selfish and makes no sense? That's just how he feels.
He shrugs, finally looking at the other man over his shoulder, ]
... Like I said, it's no big deal.
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in the end, he gets the answer he was looking for— and it's not quite what he expected. ]
... I don't understand why you would be jealous of that.
[ if rokurou thinks he sees a faint flush on six's cheeks, he isn't imagining things. no attempts of his to cover it up with the teacup is going to help him. ]
Haven't I already said it is a temporary arrangement?
[ maybe?? still not? getting the point? ]
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[ Finally, Rokurou takes a seat at the table across from Six with a cup of tea of his own, after washing his hands. There's nothing really left to prepare; everything's in the pot, the rice is on, and it needs to simmer for a little while. ]
That's not really ...
[ What... he was jealous about. In fact, it's a good thing Six has a roommate, considering how introverted he can be.
Scratching his cheek, Rokurou tries to find the right words. ]
You know I like you. [ and, let's be real, he's possessive over Six, for a myriad of reasons, ] Of course I'd be jealous if you invited some guy to sleep in your bed when you've never invited me to ... well. Do anything like that.
[ He huffs, having the grace to look sulky for only a moment before pulling it together. He's a grown ass man, and in the end, it's not like Six went and agreed to fight this guy or something. That's the only thing Rokurou would really get wild about. ]
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All because I didn't offer you the same thing? Haven't you always done as you please regardless of what I say?
[ how many times has rokurou ignored him whenever they get caught up in each other during iris? it's happened so much that it doesn't take as long before his resolve crumbles.
he stares at the tea in his hands, unable to meet rokurou's eyes. ]
It's not as if anything is going to change because of this.
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[ On both counts, in fact. Which is why Rokurou smiles, blowing on his own tea to help it cool some before he takes a slow sip. He might be a daemon, but he still doesn't want to chance burning his tongue. ]
Which is why I said to forget it. Anything I do feel anymore doesn't last very long anyway.
[ The perks of being a real monster. Everything fades, even sudden spikes of jealousy—there's no reason for Six to be concerned. Just a moment of stupidity; frankly, Rokurou's already almost to the point where he can laugh about being a little crazy for no reason. ]
Okay?
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it seems like this is going well... the conversation is well on its way to its conclusion, and yet rather than be relieved, six's ears flatten themselves against his head. he still feels like something isn't quite right.
he falls quiet as he tries to make sense of what he wants to say, but it takes him a while. too often he forgets that the world continues to turn even while he's caught up in his own head. ]
You say you don't feel nothing as a daemon, and yet you must have felt strongly about this... for it to be felt at all.
Should I have not said anything?
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[ Lest he do something reckless, like lay out naked like a french girl in Six's bed and wait for him to show up, not expecting anyone else to be coming in.
Reaching out, Rokurou rests his hand on top of Six's. He might feel little these days, but the airplaning of Six's ears is too honest about how this is bothering him. Yeesh... next time, keep your jealous, possessive, prey-driven fits to yourself, Rangetsu. ]
I used to be a pretty passionate guy, when I was human. Runs in the Rangetsu blood. Sometimes it just pops up.
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(why rokurou has chosen him to relentlessly pursue will always be a mystery.) ]
And you're certain it no longer bothers you? You aren't just saying this.
[ he's going to gently pry rokurou's hand off his head too. no need for it to linger where it's starting to feel warm. ]
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Pulling his hand back, Rokurou instead rubs his own chin, giving the erune a curious look. ]
Are you ... worried about me?
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[ the way he answers doesn't quite match how red he's become in the span of a split-second. it's true that he's worried but he doesn't necessarily understand the full scope of why he is. of course, given how things have been going for both of them in the past little while, it probably shouldn't surprise him all that much...
not that he wants to admit to that. ]
I simply wanted to understand. [ a beat, and then - ] Should you not be more worried about your curry?
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Except he doesn't believe him. And somehow it's that that actually makes him feel better, that strange, bubbling warmth swishing around in his chest. Pfff... really. Six doesn't need to worry so much over such a small thing, much less a daemon. ]
Mm... it might need a little water.
[ As he finally pushes up, still wearing that idiot smile, as he heads over to attend to the curry. ]
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all he could really do is open and close his mouth like an idiot before he finally shuts up. ]
... Looking at it like that isn't going to make it cook any faster.
[ he hates this. ]
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[ It's getting pretty thick, so he adds a touch of water to loosen it up, and then gives a generous stir. Still needs a little more time, but it smells good—rich with spice and a hint of sweetness, aroma of chicken cooking in curry growing heavier.
Putting the lid back on to let it cook longer, Rokurou busies himself by washing some of the utensils from earlier. Better to keep his hands busy, or else he'll find himself putting them somewhere else, and probably spooking Six off in the process. ]
Shouldn't be much longer. I think it smells pretty good, no?
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he'll just do his best to act as nonchalant as possible... ]
I suppose we'll see if it tastes as good as it smells soon enough, won't we?
[ stop looking at him like that. ]
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[ Jeez... not even a tiny compliment because it smells nice?? Six is a tough customer to please, as usual. Or maybe not—Rokurou's eyes flick to the way he's drawn his hood up, eyebrow arched, but he doesn't comment on it.
Instead, he finishes cleaning up, and once everything's wiped down and put away he pulls out two bowls, and begins padding rice into each. Each one gets a generous scoop of curry, a thick, golden pile over the rice, which he brings over to the table with chopsticks and spoons. ]
Dig in.
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he's not going to say out loud that it's good because he doesn't want to feed rokurou's ego. it's already big enough as it is. for now, this is all he has to say: ]
... Thank you for the food.
[ it'll be good enough for now. ]
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But he won't stare and make Six overly self-conscious. So he returns to his food, contenting himself with being hyper aware of Six's presence, rather than watching the way his ears move. ]
You're welcome.
[ Pausing to take a sip of tea, ]
There's plenty, if you want more.
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I don't need much— unless you are having seconds yourself.
[ please, he's already imposing by being here even though it was rokurou's idea to feed him. ]
They can be leftovers for tomorrow.
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