thenearshore | [Closed] I eat ice cream

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[Closed] I eat ice cream

Who: Yato and Yukine
What: Getting ice cream and bonding, like two dudes do
When: June 14, afternoon
Where: The Near Shore, near Kofuku's place
Warnings: Yato is dumb, Yukine is tsundere, it's great.

There really had been a lot going on lately. So much that it was slowly tearing Yukine apart. From the multiple stings to the countless apologies, Yato knew that his hafuri was in desperate need of a vacation of some kind. Unfortunately, he couldn't really afford anything extravagant and he knew that Yukine wouldn't allow him to take a break from his ayakashi-killing.

So of course the next best thing was to just take his shinki out for the afternoon to get some much-deserved ice cream!

"Hey, Yukine, c'mon! I know you wanna get some ice cream with your super-awesome god~" He waves some bills at Yukine from across the room, smirking as if he has just won something. "My treat!"

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Yukine freezes in his tracks and turns to slowly face Yato, his face blank for a moment as he processes that.

“Your… treat…?” After another moment for those words to sink in, Yukine’s expression suddenly melts into overjoyed contentment. The words spill quietly from his mouth in bewilderment, “This dumb jersey who would buy shady trinkets or booze or play pachinko every time he had two yen to rub together- he wants to treat someone-!”
And not only that, he wants to treat him! I have been working hard-!

But then Yukine snaps back to reality for a moment. If he gives Yato a centimeter, he’ll take a kilometer. Got to be careful doling out the praise.

“It’s about time you figured out something this simple. All right, let’s go.” Despite the strict words, Yukine smiles a little. Yato is really trying to change and make someone else happy! He’ll wait to see how it goes before he says too much, but this does look promising.

Well, that sure was a response. Yato can't help but feel himself swell up with pride at the fact that Yukine is so excited about this and praising him. But that quickly fades as he sternly reminds himself that this really is for Yukine's sake and he can't let himself get too caught up in his own head. Shake it out, Yato, you've got this.

"Ehhhhh, you act like I've never, ever taken care of you, Yukine!" He puts on an act of being offended as he heads out the door, motioning for Yukine to follow him. "You know I've always worked hard for your sake~"

"I don't have to 'act' like it. That's just how it is."

Hands stuffed into his pockets Yukine follows, shuffling a few steps to put on his shoes as he walks. Side-eyeing Yato he adds, "Don't get me started on how much you owe Daikoku-san and Kofuku-sama for taking care of us."

But for now Yukine leaves it at that. He knows that for all that Yato has been rough on him, he has also been there for him. And the guy has been working hard recently. Under duress most of the time, but still.

Yato holds a hand to his chest, looking affronted.

"I have always taken good care of you, Yukine-kun! I got you clothes and shelter and friends! Isn't that taking good care of you??"

There's no real hurt in his tone, though. And he waves a hand at the implication of how much he owes to the god of poverty and her shinki.

"You think Kofuku is ever going to collect from me? I love her and she loves me. That's just the end of it right there~" He gives Yukine a dreamy look. "Isn't it amazing to serve such a well-loved god?"

--!
There is so much he has to say about that, Yato.

"More like you're the one serving Kofuku-sama! She has all the time in the world to collect from you. And speaking of collecting, am I ever going to collect from you? Don't think I haven't forgotten about those clothes you cut off me that you promised you'd pay back. You conveniently forget all sorts of stuff, don't you. From this ridiculous race to 'god of fortune' right back to dumpster diving for clothes and food. In case you haven't noticed, I buy all my own clothes now, and Daikoku-san is renting the attic to me." His expression tightens for a moment as he thinks to himself, I made a friend without your help, too.

Sighing sharply he stops there for the moment, also turning his mind from the last point. He can seriously go all day like this - there is certainly enough material - but Yato is trying to do something nice right now. Maybe he should hold back just a little bit.

Man, this was supposed to be a fun day out and here's Yukine yelling at him about things that he can't even properly control! Come on, he's trying really hard here!!

His initial instinct is to start arguing back, but there's a lingering, niggling pain that pulls him up short. So his mouth opens and then closes again. And then he tucks his hands in his pockets and just smiles at Yukine.

"Yeah, I guess you are pretty self-sufficient, huh?"

And that's... apparently all he'll say on the matter.

"So what kinda ice cream do you want?"

That reaction to his ranting pulls Yukine up short too, his own mouth opening before he turns away sharply. (To hide his expression. His cheeks feel warm... Why does Yato choose the weirdest times to be nice?)

Likewise dropping the previous topic Yukine answers, "Seeing as you have a few bills, I want the deluxe sundae." Five different flavours of ice cream, three types of toppings, and a big piece of cake in the middle of it. Now that's a treat. Especially since it's the most expensive thing on the ice cream shop's menu.

That...

Only Yukine would push for as much as he can possibly get. Yato has the briefest moment where he wants to argue, but he had somewhat mentally prepared himself for this, so he just lets out a heavy sigh, pretending to be upset instead.

"What? Seriously? Why couldn't I just get a normal kid?"

He aims the last question up towards the sky, as if asking some god how he got saddled with this.

And then he snickers, obviously very amused with himself.

Pfft. What is that guy so amused over?

"How is that not normal? Of course anyone would go for the max when they're being offered a treat." He shoots Yato a wry grin- their first meal together with Hiyori had been exactly that, after all.

"Don't worry. I'll eat every bite." Don't waste an offering, right?

Oddly enough, Yukine's statement just fills Yato to the brim with affection for his shinki. Like, really, he shouldn't adore this kid so much, should he? But ah well, Yukine has chosen to stay with him and damned if Yato's gonna not love him for it.

"Hmmmm, I guess you have a point. But!" He holds up a finger to Yukine. "I'm getting the same!" A grin and a giggle. Of course he is. OF COURSE.

And then he promptly ruffles Yukine's hair. He just can't help it right now, okay? He's so proud of Yukine and the kid deserves some nice things.

Of course he is. In the midst of rolling his eyes at Yato's declaration of getting the same, he doesn't notice his hand going in for the ruffle before it's too late.

"Geh-" He ducks his head and strides faster to try and get away. To him, it feels like a subtle reminder that he's kinda short and child-like.
... But whatever. He'll let Yato get away with it this time.

At least going at each other back and forth like this passes the time, and soon enough they're at the ice cream shop, their order placed. Settling down on the booth's seat Yukine idly pokes at his ice water as he waits.

He doesn't like empty lulls like this. His mind might wander towards things that he wants to avoid talking about. Or more precisely, probably should talk about but... but Yato.

The sort of amiable bickering they've been doing today is exactly the kind of thing that Yato loves about Yukine, though he'd never admit that out loud to the bratty teen. He has a facade to maintain, after all!

It isn't long before he's bouncing in his seat as they wait for their ice cream, excitement obvious in the action. But then a sudden feeling pulls him up short and he pauses mid-bounce. Slowly, his eyes travel to Yukine. After a long silence, he leans forward on the table cupping his chin in his hand.

"...something up, Yukine?" You can't hide shit from him, kid.

(Which one of them is keeping up a facade? XD)

Suddenly going from happy bouncing to a long silence puts Yukine on guard, and at the question he frowns and huffs out a short breath. He hadn't been feeling that down about it!

"Nothin'." And averting his gaze he goes back to sullenly poking at the ice.

Going by how Yato had acted when he'd become friends with Suzuha, is this really a guy he can talk to?
But then ... ... ... it will affect Yato's health if he keeps worrying over it.
Gyaaah...

Yato raises both eyebrows, lowering his hand. Seriously, Yukine? SERIOUSLY? But... well, this is part of why Yato wanted to treat him to something nice. Yukine seems to have been going through some serious shit lately, and Yato wants to offer him the opportunity to let it all go.

"Nothing, huh? Seems like that ice would have a different opinion. You're like... stabbing it there."

He points at the ice and smirks a little. "C'mon. You know you can talk to me."

[Insert comedic interlude of Yukine stabbing his ice until it turns to snow. Kakigori, anyone?]

Stab, huh. "Better the ice than you." He doesn't mean to keep troubling Yato with all his upsets, but there's just so darn many of them recently. And he's not emotionless like Nora.

...
Can he? Can he really talk to Yato? Yukine eyes him doubtfully for a long moment before looking away again. But then, he does seem a bit more serious than usual today. Well, his moods change fast. He's not going to unload what's on his mind until he's sure Yato will take it seriously.

Yato looks affronted at the comment. "W-what?! Why would you want to stab me?? That's ridiculous!" He holds a hand to his chest to complete the affronted look.

But the act drops quickly and he looks over his shinki's face carefully. Silly Yukine. You know he can tell when you're being dodgy. Gently, Yato kicks Yukine's shin. "Either you can just talk to me or we can, you know, do the fun thing where I torture it outta you."

'Cause that will convince him.

"If you try torturing me I'll tie you up and eat your ice cream."

He huffs out a breath sharply. Seriously. He'll talk to Hiyori about it instead.

His eyes go wide with hurt at the threat. He paid for those ice creams! He's going to eat his no matter what!! But...

He doesn't comment on it. No, he just lets a somber look overcome his face as he looks at Yukine.

"Hey. I'm not going to make you talk to me. But... I think you've been going through a lot and I'm a little worried about you."

Tch... See? So darn changeable. Now he's serious again.

Happily the ice cream sundaes arrive, so Yukine can ponder quietly for a bit behind their distracting presence.

As if it's only 'he thinks'. Although it's been a while since he's outright stung Yato, he knows that his other emotions have been weighing on him.

...

He's still not convinced that talking to Yato will help, but he figures he can at least do this much-

"It's really nothing to worry over. But... I should probably warn you that I might be ... nervous and scared tomorrow. I was invited to explore some old temple. Like, treasure hunting. It will... maybe... be dark in some places? But I'm going in well-prepared, and I'll be with other people, so I'll be fine."

He puts on a stubborn face, I'll be FINE, and starts shoveling ice cream into his mouth.
That's not all of what he's been worried about, but it's a legit part of it.

Yato is more than happy to start digging into his ice cream, letting the silence sit gently between them and waiting for Yukine to decide what, if anything, he is going to divulge.

But it finally comes out and ... Yato actually can't help the small, fond smile that creeps onto his face as he sits there with a spoon in his mouth, watching his adorable shinki. How did he even get so lucky to find Yukine? It's always amazing to him when he thinks about it in situations like this.

"I know you'll be fine," he starts with that because it's true and that's the most important thing for Yukine to know. Yato is sure Yukine will be fine. That's that. "You're pretty brave when you want to be. And you're a good judge of character usually."

He pauses, considering his next words as he chews on a couple of peanuts. "Are you a little worried about it though? It's alright if you are, you know."

Yukine glances up and gives Yato a confused look. Him, a good judge of character? ... Well, he hopes so. He needs to keep choosing who among the new guys to tell certain things to. It's exhausting.

The question has him pause sulkily. He doesn't like admitting things like this, but there's not a lot he can keep from Yato. Unfortunately.

"... A little. It's not like I'm going to get over not liking the dark in one go." ('Not liking' is an understatement.)

"Anyway, I'm sorry you might be feeling bad tomorrow. But! That doesn't give you an excuse to loiter around all day drinking beer! If I hear from Daikoku-san that you were a pain, I'll work you three times as hard the day after tomorrow."

He points his spoon at Yato to emphasize his point.

Well, at least some small part of what's bothering Yukine came out. Yato can content himself with that as he takes another bite of ice cream and then promptly puts on an affronted face.

"W-what?! I would never! I'm planning on spending tomorrow peddling my wares as a god of fortune, obviously."

Oh no, does that mean he has some new trashy knick-knack he's picked up? ~~You know it does.~~

Ugh- there goes the serious atmosphere, regrettably.

Ah, well. This guy is friends with a god of poverty, a vengeful god of learning and a war god who wanted his head for decades. What does he know.

"You know junk like that won't get you to actually be a god of fortune. But whatever." As long as he's still doing ayakashi hunting and doesn't drag Yukine along on these 'peddling' excursions, it doesn't matter.

Yato waves a hand.

"So says you! But I'm sure someone's bound to remember me because of it!"

Ah, but he leans forward, resting casually against the table, smiling softly to himself.

"I think I've been having better luck lately too. It... feels like there's actually people believing in me."

Yukine sits up, surprised.

"Really? You can tell? People besides Hiyori?"

That's amazing! Seriously! "It must be from the ayakashi slaying. See, you just have to keep at it!"

Oh. Oh yeah, Yato guesses he hasn't told Yukine about this yet. But the cute response has Yato grinning, obviously pleased with himself.

"Definitely people besides Hiyori. It's a totally different feeling."

His smile becomes a little less "gross grin" and more "gentle, genuine smile".

"I think it's probably thanks to you, you know."

He gives a small start at that, then his expression falls into a stubborn (embarrassed) grimace.

“O-Of course it’s thanks to me. It sure as hell’s not those stupid pamphlets you try handing out.”

He shoves his spoon viciously into the ice cream and takes a huge bite.

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[Closed] I eat ice cream

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