(Untitled)

[successoroftime]

Who: Doumeki Shizuka (drainedpaladin) and Watanuki Kimihiro (successoroftime)
When: Afternoon of July 23
Where: A laundromat in sector 4
Summary: More domestic stuff. Talk about Doumeki's new job.
Warnings: none!

Comments

[drainedpaladin]

Doumeki had entered the room and dropped a few dark-coloured items of clothing into the pile for them that Watanuki was sorting, some socks and T-shirts, before leaning forward to take the basket from him. He nodded a little, and shifted back, watching the boy as he started gathering the lighter colours up and getting things ready to go

[successoroftime]

If he was ready. Watanuki had been asking himself that more often recently, the longer Doumeki worked in a place currently safe from AGI and the closer they got to finally sorting out the paperwork that he kept in the drawer of the desk in his room. The mere thought about it made his pulse race, and he took a breath as he curled his fingers on the rim of the basket

[drainedpaladin]

Watanuki was looking at him in a way that wasn't really...normal...for the type of question he'd asked. There was something about the expression on his face and the look in his eyes that suggested there was something far deeper on his mind than the laundry. Doumeki's eyes lingered on the boy's face for a few moments before Watanuki bent and checked the laundry again. He raised his brow slightly when the boy finally took the basket up, and gave a nod, bracing his own basket against his hip.

"At least it isn't too far." Doumeki said, helpfully, his head tilting a little to the side. He was still curious about that expression Watanuki had worn, wondering what was going on in his mind. If the same thing that was preoccupying Doumeki himself was getting to Watanuki as well.

Pursing his lips, he stepped ahead of the boy to the door and pulled it open, holding it so Watanuki could leave and he could lock the door behind them, "We'll have time to sit and talk."

[successoroftime]

The laundromat was a few blocks away, and if it wasn't considered far it was because he had gotten used to making the trip there on weeks when he was busy with a few things and there wasn't enough space or time to do small portions of laundry throughout the week

a little later; at home

[drainedpaladin]

The laundry had been mostly uneventful after their conversation, just a quiet domestic task shared together with a bit of conversation. Doumeki was still feeling strangely overwhelmed, though, lost in thought, and maybe a bit broody. They'd gotten the laundry done, though, folded it and brought it home and put it away, and Doumeki was in the kitchen making tea, still thinking a little too much about his observations earlier.

A week, then.

He still wasn't entirely sure what Watanuki's true feelings about the whole situation were, though he felt slightly more reassured than he had earlier. It seemed that Watanuki was seeking comfort from him, at any rate. He lifted a hand to rub gently between Kouki's ears - the little brown kitten was sitting on his shoulder as he quite often did - and then set about brewing the tea, leaning on the counter after he'd done that and looking at the pot, hands braced at the edge of the counter, eyebrows furrowed.

[successoroftime]

Watanuki made a satisfied sigh as he closed the door to his room and went out the corridor. It was the last major chore that needed to be done for the day, and with that he could stretch a little on the couch and take a smoke

[drainedpaladin]

He heard Watanuki come up behind them, between the mewing Kouki was making against his ear, purring a little and rubbing his face against Doumeki's ear. He shifted, reaching up to stroke the kitten's fur again, speaking softly to the kitten.

"You'll get your fur dirty that way, Kouki. You know you hate baths, too." he said, voice very low and quiet, pitched in an attempt to keep Watanuki from hearing. The kitten responded with a purr and a small sandpapery lick to the rim of his ear. He shifted his head, a huff of air coming out of him at the tickling sensation, and reached up to pull the kitten down into his arms. Kouki was growing, but the feeling of his fur against the small v-shaped bit of chest that was exposed by the top of his samue was comforting and warm stil. He held the kitten against his chest in one arm, and with the other hand he poured two cups of tea before speaking quietly.

"Come and have tea with your smoke." It was addressed to Watanuki, acknowledging his presence without turning to look at him.

[successoroftime]

Watanuki took a breath and unclenched his hand before entering the kitchen and taking Doumeki's invitation, leaning against the counter beside him. He hadn't missed Doumeki whispering to the kitten, and though he wasn't able to hear what was said it seemed that Kouki was behaving himself.

The kitten mewled in greeting and he reached forward to rub under his chin.

"He seemed comfortable where he was a while ago," he said, keeping his gaze focused on Kouki. The strange mood that came on him since their talk on their way to the laundromat was still with him, but at least it felt lighter. Like a still day before the downpour from a storm.