Fic: Frost
Title: Frost
Pairing: InuKai
Rating: G
For:disutansu. Because I want you to be happy no matter what. And I think you deserve a little cheering up :)
--
Frost
Snow was falling steadily, individual flakes sticking together to form thick icy clumps. They were falling faster and faster, and already a thin layer was beginning to stick to the ground. Grey clouds covered the sky and it was impossible to see even the buildings just across the street. The first snowstorm of the season didn’t appear to be ending any time soon.
Inui turned away from the window and took a seat at the kitchen table. “I must confess, I don’t know enough about meteorology to predict how long the storm will last. However, judging by the quantity and the speed at which snow is continuing to fall, I believe we can safely assume that it will be quite some time before it is over.”
Kaidoh shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Which means you won’t let me finish my run.”
“Precisely. It is far too cold to run for your normal distance without your muscles experiencing unpleasant side effects, and the current conditions would make the roads entirely unsafe. It would be best to wait until they have had the chance to put salt down on the roads, and to begin wearing sweatpants and a light jacket instead of your usual outfit.” Inui glanced down at the nearly untouched bowl in front of Kaidoh. “And be sure to finish your soup. Your training cannot progress at its current pace if you catch a cold.”
“Yes, senpai. Can I go home after I finish it?”
Inui frowned. “While you were changing out of your wet clothes, I took the liberty of phoning your house. Your mother assured me that if I felt conditions were sufficiently unpleasant, you could stay at my house until they cleared up. And I feel it would be most unwise for you to travel in your current state.”
Kaidoh began to eat slowly, finishing half the bowl before he replied. “Then what should we do?”
“Well, seeing as how I interrupted your run and you are a guest here, it would be only fair to let you decide.”
“Well,” Kaidoh said slowly, looking up at Inui almost shyly, “I do have one idea…”
* * *
Of course, Inui thought, he and Kaidoh would be the one couple in the world that would spend a snowy evening lifting weights instead of huddling together on the couch wrapped in blankets while drinking cocoa and watching movies. (Well, he automatically corrected himself, that was a blatant exaggeration, as Momoshiro would most likely drag anyone he happened to be romantically attached to into a snowball fight, and Echizen, being tennisexual, would probably just head to an indoor court. Still, he granted that it was exceedingly odd.)
He had cleared enough books and stray papers off the floor and desk that there was enough space for them to spread out in his room. Kaidoh was doing bicep curls by the bookshelf while Inui took a break to stretch and look over a few notes he had taken earlier. He sighed involuntarily as his quadriceps tensed and relaxed, and flipped forward a couple of pages. It was solid, reliable data, categorical basic information that he really should have had already. It was useful, but there was nothing particularly fascinating about it, and so after a minute or two of trying uselessly to focus on figuring out exactly what Momoshiro gaining a few pounds meant for his tennis capabilities, he set the notebook down on his bed and began to watch Kaidoh instead.
Small drops of sweat glittered on his forehead, and his face displayed the usual light flush of physical exertion. His eyes were staring blankly at the wall, focused on nothing in particular, and his lips were moving slightly in time with each repetition. Inui began to count the reps with him, 28, 29, 30, 31…
31? Perhaps his count was off, or Kaidoh’s was, but he fully expected him to stop. Much to his displeasure, Kaidoh went against all logical data and continued to lift.
“Kaidoh, I believe you have done too many,” he said quietly.
“Have I?” Kaidoh asked blankly, not stopping.
“Yes. That’s not in your training menu, and if you continue to push your body too far too fast, the lasting consequences will be-”
Kaidoh set the weight down slowly and glared at Inui. “I don’t see the problem. It’s just a few extra. Besides, you won’t let me run, so I need to get in more practice somehow.”
“It’s only one day. You will not be adversely affected should you take it easy for once.”
“And I won’t be ‘adversely affected’ if I do a little extra just this once either!”
They stared each other down. After a few seconds, Inui adjusted his glasses. “I would prefer you not push yourself.”
“If I don’t push myself, how will I become stronger?”
Inui’s mind raced, searching for the most effective counterpoint to his argument, but before he could formulate a clear rebuttal, he found himself saying, “This isn’t like you at all.” He paused to realize it was true before expanding on this new idea. “You’ve always wanted to go farther than I would allow you to go, but you usually just do extra on your own instead of arguing about it. What’s really behind this?”
Kaidoh ducked his head, seeming to struggle for words. He didn’t say anything for a long time, and when he finally managed, it was quietly and with the hint of a blush. “I… don’t want you to be disappointed in me. For not working hard enough.”
Inui relaxed slightly and got off the bed, placing his hands on Kaidoh’s shoulders. “The only way I’d be disappointed in you is if you went too far and ended up injured because of it. I don’t want to see you hurt, Kaidoh.” He led him towards the window and they looked out at the swirling snowflakes, bright against the darkening sky. “Besides, weather like this isn’t that good for getting stronger. All research states that it’s sometimes better to rest today, and to get stronger tomorrow. And data doesn’t lie.”
Kaidoh’s mouth quirked slightly upwards. “I guess I could take a break.”
Inui smiled as well. “Good. Now then, I have a new drink I’d like to test out on you.”
Kaidoh’s face turned slightly green, his eyes widened, and he pulled away from Inui, backing into the corner. Inui chuckled. “It’s called hot chocolate.” Kaidoh looked dubious; Inui supposed he had reason to be. “Instant,” he clarified. “Store-bought. No added ingredients, except perhaps marshmallows and a little bit of milk.” After a second he felt it best to add, “Also store-bought.”
Kaidoh smiled tentatively. “In that case, I could give it a try.”
Naturally, just sitting around drinking cocoa in the kitchen proved to be too inefficient, so it was mutually agreed that they should find something else to do at the same time. With a little bit of coaxing, Inui was able to get Kaidoh to admit that he found the living room more comfortable than the kitchen, that he was a bit cold in just his t-shirt and shorts, and that he wouldn’t mind winding down with a little television. They weren’t wrapped around each other, and they weren’t watching anything that would set the mood, just some old tennis tapes, but Inui figured there would be time enough to change those things.
After all, they had the entire winter ahead of them.
--
It would have been done earlier, buuuuut I'm the slowest writer of all time. D: I hope you're feeling better!!
Comments from everyone are appreciated as always~!
Pairing: InuKai
Rating: G
For:disutansu. Because I want you to be happy no matter what. And I think you deserve a little cheering up :)
--
Frost
Snow was falling steadily, individual flakes sticking together to form thick icy clumps. They were falling faster and faster, and already a thin layer was beginning to stick to the ground. Grey clouds covered the sky and it was impossible to see even the buildings just across the street. The first snowstorm of the season didn’t appear to be ending any time soon.
Inui turned away from the window and took a seat at the kitchen table. “I must confess, I don’t know enough about meteorology to predict how long the storm will last. However, judging by the quantity and the speed at which snow is continuing to fall, I believe we can safely assume that it will be quite some time before it is over.”
Kaidoh shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Which means you won’t let me finish my run.”
“Precisely. It is far too cold to run for your normal distance without your muscles experiencing unpleasant side effects, and the current conditions would make the roads entirely unsafe. It would be best to wait until they have had the chance to put salt down on the roads, and to begin wearing sweatpants and a light jacket instead of your usual outfit.” Inui glanced down at the nearly untouched bowl in front of Kaidoh. “And be sure to finish your soup. Your training cannot progress at its current pace if you catch a cold.”
“Yes, senpai. Can I go home after I finish it?”
Inui frowned. “While you were changing out of your wet clothes, I took the liberty of phoning your house. Your mother assured me that if I felt conditions were sufficiently unpleasant, you could stay at my house until they cleared up. And I feel it would be most unwise for you to travel in your current state.”
Kaidoh began to eat slowly, finishing half the bowl before he replied. “Then what should we do?”
“Well, seeing as how I interrupted your run and you are a guest here, it would be only fair to let you decide.”
“Well,” Kaidoh said slowly, looking up at Inui almost shyly, “I do have one idea…”
* * *
Of course, Inui thought, he and Kaidoh would be the one couple in the world that would spend a snowy evening lifting weights instead of huddling together on the couch wrapped in blankets while drinking cocoa and watching movies. (Well, he automatically corrected himself, that was a blatant exaggeration, as Momoshiro would most likely drag anyone he happened to be romantically attached to into a snowball fight, and Echizen, being tennisexual, would probably just head to an indoor court. Still, he granted that it was exceedingly odd.)
He had cleared enough books and stray papers off the floor and desk that there was enough space for them to spread out in his room. Kaidoh was doing bicep curls by the bookshelf while Inui took a break to stretch and look over a few notes he had taken earlier. He sighed involuntarily as his quadriceps tensed and relaxed, and flipped forward a couple of pages. It was solid, reliable data, categorical basic information that he really should have had already. It was useful, but there was nothing particularly fascinating about it, and so after a minute or two of trying uselessly to focus on figuring out exactly what Momoshiro gaining a few pounds meant for his tennis capabilities, he set the notebook down on his bed and began to watch Kaidoh instead.
Small drops of sweat glittered on his forehead, and his face displayed the usual light flush of physical exertion. His eyes were staring blankly at the wall, focused on nothing in particular, and his lips were moving slightly in time with each repetition. Inui began to count the reps with him, 28, 29, 30, 31…
31? Perhaps his count was off, or Kaidoh’s was, but he fully expected him to stop. Much to his displeasure, Kaidoh went against all logical data and continued to lift.
“Kaidoh, I believe you have done too many,” he said quietly.
“Have I?” Kaidoh asked blankly, not stopping.
“Yes. That’s not in your training menu, and if you continue to push your body too far too fast, the lasting consequences will be-”
Kaidoh set the weight down slowly and glared at Inui. “I don’t see the problem. It’s just a few extra. Besides, you won’t let me run, so I need to get in more practice somehow.”
“It’s only one day. You will not be adversely affected should you take it easy for once.”
“And I won’t be ‘adversely affected’ if I do a little extra just this once either!”
They stared each other down. After a few seconds, Inui adjusted his glasses. “I would prefer you not push yourself.”
“If I don’t push myself, how will I become stronger?”
Inui’s mind raced, searching for the most effective counterpoint to his argument, but before he could formulate a clear rebuttal, he found himself saying, “This isn’t like you at all.” He paused to realize it was true before expanding on this new idea. “You’ve always wanted to go farther than I would allow you to go, but you usually just do extra on your own instead of arguing about it. What’s really behind this?”
Kaidoh ducked his head, seeming to struggle for words. He didn’t say anything for a long time, and when he finally managed, it was quietly and with the hint of a blush. “I… don’t want you to be disappointed in me. For not working hard enough.”
Inui relaxed slightly and got off the bed, placing his hands on Kaidoh’s shoulders. “The only way I’d be disappointed in you is if you went too far and ended up injured because of it. I don’t want to see you hurt, Kaidoh.” He led him towards the window and they looked out at the swirling snowflakes, bright against the darkening sky. “Besides, weather like this isn’t that good for getting stronger. All research states that it’s sometimes better to rest today, and to get stronger tomorrow. And data doesn’t lie.”
Kaidoh’s mouth quirked slightly upwards. “I guess I could take a break.”
Inui smiled as well. “Good. Now then, I have a new drink I’d like to test out on you.”
Kaidoh’s face turned slightly green, his eyes widened, and he pulled away from Inui, backing into the corner. Inui chuckled. “It’s called hot chocolate.” Kaidoh looked dubious; Inui supposed he had reason to be. “Instant,” he clarified. “Store-bought. No added ingredients, except perhaps marshmallows and a little bit of milk.” After a second he felt it best to add, “Also store-bought.”
Kaidoh smiled tentatively. “In that case, I could give it a try.”
Naturally, just sitting around drinking cocoa in the kitchen proved to be too inefficient, so it was mutually agreed that they should find something else to do at the same time. With a little bit of coaxing, Inui was able to get Kaidoh to admit that he found the living room more comfortable than the kitchen, that he was a bit cold in just his t-shirt and shorts, and that he wouldn’t mind winding down with a little television. They weren’t wrapped around each other, and they weren’t watching anything that would set the mood, just some old tennis tapes, but Inui figured there would be time enough to change those things.
After all, they had the entire winter ahead of them.
--
It would have been done earlier, buuuuut I'm the slowest writer of all time. D: I hope you're feeling better!!
Comments from everyone are appreciated as always~!