#mairu

“Put. It. Down.” The pictures on the wall began to rattle ever so slightly and Lockwood could feel the charged air as Naru tried to clamp down on his emotions. A muscle in his eyebrow twitched and he began taking more frequent breaths to keep himself contained - both moves he knew Lockwood clocked immediately. 

“Why does it matter?” 

“Because, Naru, everything I ‘know’ about you is a lie. You say you’re from Japan - raised by British parents yeah yeah,” he said in response to the protest already forming on Naru’s lips, “but you take your tea like only someone raised in patria* would.” 

Images of Mai bringing him tea flashed through his mind and he ached for what he missed. He would never let Lockwood know that the only tea that satisfied him now was hers. But he would also never admit that he did vastly prefer British tea over Japanese tea in general. 

“Further, I know Kazuya Shibuya isn’t your real name - but that secret has always been safe with me. I also know your psychic abilities are far greater than you let on, but I’m fine with you always being in 3rd to me and -” Lockwood cut himself off before the word Lucy fell off his lips out of habit. 

He had been doing so well. 

This time it was Naru’s turn. “You and who, Lockwood?” 

“Not important. Slip of the tongue really - I meant 2nd. 2nd to me. What is important is that I know this stoic facade of yours is just that - a facade. You’re hiding something, and this picture is only part of it. All I’m asking for is a name. Just give me a name and I’ll put it down and never bring it up again.” 

Naru thought for a moment, unsure if he was ready to say her name again. He hadn’t since his plane lifted off from Japanese soil. 

“Mai.”