duecorde

Now, the waiting game…

Do I look alright? With a roommate long since given up on helping him get dressed, Hifumi’s time is cut short by a knock at the door. Stumbling over strewn shoes, he rushes to the door to greet his companion. He fixes his hair before cracking the door open, hoping that Sakurai doesn’t see the mess wrought upon the dorm room.

   how many years have the birthdays been better by tae’s side? there’s nobody else that he wants to squeeze tight - hifumi’ll always let tae hug him till they can’t hold tight anymore, giggling like school kids once again at something ridiculous. this is something hifumi can laugh about, smile and think about at almost every free moment he has. 

birthday messages from @chouko-asano

“Aren’t you the best at making birthday greetings?” Hifumi sighs, rolling his eyes as he drags Chouko over for a hug. He can’t act surprised, but he’s still trying to contain the excitement he feels over Chouko remembering such an insignificant date. “Thank you my dear. I supposed I can’t be an insufferable bastard if I don’t have someone as wonderful as you to bother now, can I?”

CLOTHING MAKES THE PERSON.

· do their bra and panties match consistently? yes | no | not applicable · do they wash their makeup off before going to bed? yes | no | not applicable · do they wear socks? yes | no | sometimes · what do they usually wear to bed? nothing | undergarments | pajamas | whatever they were wearing that day | tomorrow’s clothes. · are they – fashion over function | function over fashion | elegant but values function too · their clothes are usually – stained | raggedy | like new | well worn | depends on the clothing

FINANCES? LET’S SEE

· how do they handle their money? blows through the entire paycheck | sets some money aside, spends the rest as needed over time | holds onto it as long as possible, spending here and there | spends freely | lives past their means. | doesn’t need money · how do they handle their bills? sets aside bill money each check | pays them right away | pays them last minute | they’re frequently overdue | doesn’t owe money · what are they most likely to buy? food | clothes | statues | paintings | hobby supplies | work supplies | trinkets | movies | games | spend it on others | charity | books | alcohol | drugs | technology

AN APPLE A DAY

· how often do they get exercise? frequently | occasionally | never · do they drink? always | often | occasionally | on rare occasions | never · do they do drugs of any kind? yes | sometimes | no. · do they smoke? yes | sometimes | no. · what ailments do they have? blind | partially deaf | physical handicap | bipolar | DID | gender dysphoria | depression | anxiety | paranoia | learning disability | asthma | food allergies | other allergies | insomnia | migraines | mute | epilepsy | ptsd

EDUCATION MATTERS

· what education have they reached? none | elementary/primary | middle/secondary |high/tertiary | college, bachelors | college, masters | GDA | ‘workforce training’ | PhD | other · do they frequently learn new skills? yes | on occasion | only as needed | not usually · how do they learn best? visually | by ear | hands-on | logically | socially | on their own

swiped from @corpusdxlicti

“Since you’re such a big baby, I’ll go first.” The words sit heavy on her tongue, but she forces them out anyway. “I’m in probably the most agony I’ve been in since I got mauled by wolves. Which is saying something. Every breath feels like knives in my chest. I’m also sweating a lot in these bandages. You probably didn’t need to know that. And… I hate feeling like I can’t defend myself.” Chouko shrugs, unsure of how to finish. She can almost physically feel the hit to her pride.

“Your turn.” She gives him a quick jab to the ribs, hoping to distract from her uncertainty.

A big baby? As if prompted, a childish pout sets upon his face, indignant. Hifumi winces at the jab. She’s got him. Worry freezes him, tired eyes snapping open in that moment to gaze at the face struggling to conceal an agony he swears that he can relate to.

   Then maybe she’s right. Had he the words, no - the bravery to speak honestly to her, then perhaps he wouldn’t feel so exposed to her despite how close his cards are kept. 

   Such admission worries him further, hands reaching out to hold her face. How many times has he looked into the same golden hues, ignorant to the plights of a lady he’s all but seen as a nuisance. “If I talk, you promise that you won’t for a bit? I’ll change your bandages if you want.”

“You’re an unusually bad liar today Fumi.” Is all she says. She watches his hands fidget, stiffening in surprise as they come to rest on either side of her face. She considers pushing his hands away, but something about the look on his face allows them to stay. Her eyes widen, ever so slightly at his words. There’s an indescribable tension in the air as she mulls over a response.

“You’re a dangerous guy, Hifumi. To others… and to yourself.” She says after a long pause, “But… if some company is what you need… then I guess I can do that- on the condition that you’re honest with me. If you can do that then I…guess I can try being honest too.” She places a hand over his, much smaller fingers barely covering his hand.

A brittle laugh leaves his lips, having be found out so easily. Had he the energy to protest he would’ve returned something believable - yet nothing. As her hands come upon his, his expression softens, smile returning once again at the tender feeling.

   “It isn’t a lie for me to say that you’re the best company I have right now.” Words muddle under his tongue, unsure of how to carry their conversation. Surely Chouko knows that every word that should be honest from him are mired by confusing tones. Terrible - it’s the only way he can see himself. But if she was willing to let him speak, he doesn’t mind a little more honesty.

“I should hope so. I’d be devastated if I found out you were bread-cheating on me.”

Seeing his pout after her suggestion is way too cute. Hard to believe this is the same guy who commits first degree murder for a paycheck. Then again, she supposes he’d say the same of her.

Chouko lets him guide her to the couch, gripping his arm as she hobbles across the floor. It feels pathetic, but at least he isn’t treating her like some fragile thing about to break. It’s enough of a hit to her pride already, allowing him to see her like this. She’s about to summon a dumb joke or witty one liner when his question almost makes her topple over. ‘Are you okay Chouko?’

“I could ask the same of you. You don’t look like you’ve slept well in days…” She skilfully dodges the question, sitting down on the couch with a soft thump. She leans on him, head resting on his shoulder as she stares down at her lap.

Honesty was never his strong suit. Once again, he finds himself weakened as he hesitates upon his feelings. Does he tell her of near sleepless nights worried about his teammates, or should he bury the thoughts with excuses? It isn’t as if he hasn’t found himself awake against his will before.

   “I asked you first!” Childish, but he’d rather avoid the question. Still, that very tiredness she questions catches up to him as he squints, stifling a perfectly timed yawn. “I sleep amazingly. I’m always an early sleeper, an early riser.”

   His unsatisfactory response is enough for even a child to see through. Knowing this, he can only think of what she might say if he’d given a better response. Reprimand him? He was most certainly deserving of such. Laughing, he can only admit to her, “but... a hypocrite like you shouldn’t be one to judge. So aren’t we both in some shit now?” 

“That’s very true. Where’d I be without you? Sad, lonely and breadless. Truly, your generosity knows no bounds.” She plays along with his attempt to lighten the mood and grins up at him, even as she worries about the obvious tiredness that weighs down his movements. I’m being selfish, she thinks.

“I can’t imagine the floor is a particularly comfortable seat, care to move to the couch? Though I uh…might need your help.” She rushes the last part, avoiding his eyes. It stings to admit, but well, it’s better than nose diving into the floorboards.

He welcomes her warmth, feeling as if he could drift off with only her arms around his neck. He’s far too used to a more violent grip around there, take it how you will. “I have so much bread to share with you. Of course you’d be my first for bread priorities.”

   Yet the flash of a pout marks his face at the suggestion to move after getting so comfortable already. But she’s right anyways. Carefully shifting himself up, he’s careful not to let her go - though, too afraid to treat her as fragile. “I’ve got you,” he says, wincing before she can.

Ripping the offered bag open with her typical grace (or lack thereof), she tears off a chunk and shoves it in her mouth. She’s hungrier than she thought.

“S’good!” She mumbles, mouth full of bread. After a couple of minutes of eating though, she finally voices the question that’s been bothering her.

“Fumi… why did you come here?” It’s a loaded question, she knows. Due to the nature of their job it’s stupid, so, so stupid to trust or be attached to anyone. And Fumi isn’t stupid.

He’s glad. A sombre expression never suited her - the weight upon his shoulders drifts away upon seeing her enthusiasm over the food. Hifumi adores... her obvious discourtesy to put it bluntly - manners may make a man, but the lack thereof makes them interesting. “Glad you like it. Yuuki’s bread is definitely the best, huh?” 

   Though, Chouko’s question interrupts the pleasant moment. Hands return ‘round her waist, careful as he hugs her close. Like nothing short of a child’s toy, the feeling of the woman so close to him burns his cheeks red with unexplained joy.