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Who: Ludger and Add
What: Ludger being Ludger with Add being Add
When: April 15th, Morning
Where: Near Shore/Chang'e's temple
Warnings: Swearing, maybe some violence, otherwise just cookies.

[Ludger really does not mind doing chores around the house. Sure, he's been mostly relegated to cooking, but that's fine. It's something he immensely enjoys. Definitely is something from his past life.

Today was going to be a stew night. The best way to cook stew was to let it simmer all day. Since his god likes sweet things as well, there was a plan for several different types of cookies. That should last a few days. Hopefully. For the life of him Ludger can't figure out where some of them went. Roxas doesn't seem the type to only eat cookies now that he has his shinki's taking care of meals... so who... Ludger sighs softly. Must be Add.

So that means going shopping. He doesn't have enough ingredients for more than three different types of them. Pen in hand, he jots down what he needs. Good. List looks complete.

Except when he leaves the house... A certain someone remembered the bags but not the list...]

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[Add has been burying himself in his work all week so far, but unfortunately, despite being a heavenly being now he still needs to eat sometimes. So annoying. He already wastes enough time sleeping every couple of days, he can't be wasting even more precious time cooking and eating meals!

Luckily, Ludger is quite the baker along with being a good cook. It only took a bit of careful searching to find out where he's been stashing the desserts. Stuffing a couple cookies in his face is much more time-efficient than sitting down for a meal every day. And if he gets sick of eating nothing but sweets, he can sneak in while Ludger is still cooking and try to steal a couple bites...

But today when he gets hungry and shows up in the kitchen, Ludger is nowhere to be found. There's a fresh pot of something starting to warm up on the stove, so he couldn't have gone far... Add crosses the kitchen, dipping into the dwindling cookie supply for a snack to help him as he contemplates this mild mystery.]

... Ah. [There's a piece of paper on the counter.] A list...? Butter, eggs, baking soda... chocolate?

[... he glances in the cookie jar again. They are starting to get low. This list is rather long, too. Was he making several different batches?

Add hangs around the kitchen for a couple more minutes, then snoops around the temple a bit to see if he can find him... but it looks like Ludger already left. Which means he left without his list, which means he might not be able to get all of the correct ingredients and the temple's range of available sweets will suffer...!

Ugh, he really can't allow that to happen.

... He can take a short break from his work. He'll just drop the list off and head back immediately. He commands Rin and Apocalypse to guard his workstation, pocketing the list and hurrying to the Near Shore to catch up with his fellow shinki.]

[Add should feel lucky that Ludger has a set list of stores he likes to go to. One obviously was a general grocery store. Since he's tall with white hair, he's rather quick to find. This shinki hasn't realized just yet that he doesn't have his master list as he debates just which butter would be best. So many choices.

Finding the best ingredients was key.]

Salted or sweet cream...

[Salted is good for chocolate based confections since salt enhances the sweetness of the chocolate. Sweet cream was better for fruit and nut based confections. He was planning on making a shortbread but with an apricot flavored half paired with chocolate.... this decision has him obviously very deep in thought.

Add could possibly sneak up on him. If he tries hard enough.]

[It still takes him a bit longer than he would've liked to track down Ludger, but he eventually finds the right store with the right white-haired shinki in it. He sighs with relief when he does—all this mild exercise is seriously wearing him out.

It looks like he hasn't been noticed yet. Ludger is busy contemplating butter... maybe if he's really stealthy about it Add could slip the list in his basket and avoid any awkward interactions. But on the other hand, if he admits to helping then maybe he can get something out of it? This totally counts as trying to get on Ludger's good side, too. It's a win-win situation.

So instead of doing anything weird today he calls out to him, lightly waving the list in the air.] Hey, Ludger. Missing something?

[Ludger hears Add's voice and he has to fight the irritation rising up. Until he turns towards the source and sees the list. He pats his pockets and sure enough, nothing there. Now there's panic and suspicion on his face.]

W-Where...?

[Did Add steal it or did Ludger drop it. Both could be true, yet he would have noticed someone stealing something from his pockets. Ludger walks over to Add and moves to pluck the piece of paper from the other mans hands. His expression is right back to irritation.

He has some important shopping to do!]

[He holds it high over his head before Ludger can snatch it, but wow, what's with that reaction? Add is doing him a favour here! He should be grateful, not mad!]

You left it on the kitchen counter. Honestly, I went out of my way to come all the way out here to give this to you and I don't even get a thank you?

[He puts his other hand on his hip, pouting a little. He's not handing this over until he gets some appreciation.]

[Add should be glad they are about the same height. Ludger also doesn't want to pull a gun on the annoying one because it might cause a panic. He grits his teeth before answering.]

What do you want?

[He glances at the list a few times to see if there's any ingredient he can see. He remembers the basics, but he knows there's other things on there that might have slipped his mind.

Ugh. He does not want to thank Add.]

[The tense mood almost makes him regret this plan. Ugh, this isn't a truce at all! Shouldn't Ludger not be assuming the worst right away? A truce meant he'd trust him at least a little bit, right?

He meets his glare for a few more seconds before heaving out a big sigh, lowering the paper to Ludger's reach. No more tricks this time—Ludger won't have any trouble snatching it away. Even if Add does have an ulterior motive, he hasn't done anything wrong, either. Being pushy will just make things more difficult this time.]

You're welcome. [His words come out a little flatter than expected. Okay, maybe he's also a little bit upset... but it's only because he wanted Ludger to appreciate him for tactical purposes. It's perfectly reasonable for him to be disappointed about a plan not going as smoothly as intended.]

[Ludger takes the slip of paper and looks it over. Maybe Add could be useful. Thankfully he has a pen and writes the names of specific brands he was looking for. He rips the list in half and hands it to Add.]

I need these things.

[He knows you've been sneaking cookies. Now work for them.

And if you refuse, Ludger will make sure the jar is in Roxas' room.]

[He stares at the torn list like Ludger just tried to hand him another ayakashi. He's not going to thank Add and he's going to try and make him do work??

... but these are for delicious cookies. He seems to have a great internal struggle for more several seconds before sighing dramatically again, taking the stupid half-list back out of Ludger's hand.]

Fine. But you're still paying.

[He could be a lot meaner about it. Make it ingredients you can't find in this store. That would provide some amusement, but Ludger doesn't want to think of the damage that Add might cause.

Besides, he's not that kind of a person.

He nods before turning back to the butter. Definitely going with salted for that cookie. Might provide enough of a hint that would bring out more of the apricots flavor.]

[He stands around for a moment longer, but he's getting used to these annoying wordless answers. Well, whatever. Might as well get this over with...

He trudges off down the aisle to complete his quest. Specific brands are helpful. Otherwise he'd probably debate over which ones are better, but he doesn't know much about cooking. There are still a few variables that aren't on the list, though, and Add is pretty damn anal about the specifics. So every few minutes Ludger might get a quick text like Large or small bag? or They're out of that brand, is this one still good? or Why are there so many different kinds of flour??]

Edited 2016-08-17 05:41 (UTC)

[Ludger on the other hand was having good luck finding the things he needed. Even the perfect apricots that he could mash for the cookies. Better than jam! So many nice discoveries. Until his phone started buzzing...

Add really was useless on his own. He sighs and decides to text back. Large bag. That brand is good. There's different types of wheat. Hopefully Add will grab the right one now.]

[There are a couple more texts like that, but fortunately, there are a finite number of items on his list, so he can't just keep harassing Ludger forever. At least he can be confident Add got the right things...?

When they finally meet up again at checkout, he's got a basket of neatly stacked and colour-coded items—everything exactly as requested. Boom, shopping is easy. Just pay no mind to how utterly winded he looks from the simple act of walking around a grocery store with a basket for a few minutes.]

[Ludger stares at Add. Did this guy not get much exercise? That will definitely have to be remedied. Shinki need to take care of their health better.

He nods and checks over the items. Most of them are what he was looking for, with the substitutes being acceptable. As they are rung up, Ludger takes a deep breath and looks at Add. His expression still holds some annoyance, yet there is some gratitude.]

You did okay.

[For a moment he looks a bit surprised... then he scoffs and looks off to the side. Maybe he didn't do it for your approval, Ludger!!!

Because this is all about the endgame. He'll help as long as it means getting something sweet at the end of the day. Right...]

Next time don't be so careless.

[Stop being tsundere, Add, and take the damn compliment.

Ludger tries not to grumble audibly. It's not like he meant to leave the list behind. It was an honest mistake so stop treating him like an idiot.]

[It probably would've been okay if he just left it at that, but Ludger's non-response might be making him a bit nervous. He manages to hold out until they've gathered their things and started to head home before the awkwardness becomes too much for him to deal with.

He forces a cough, grasping for some kind of topic. Anything to fill this obnoxious silence.]

So. You were preparing to make cookies, right? I looked over the list on the way and the ingredients all added up to that... unless there's something else this is all for.

[.... Is that what Add was so afraid of? No more cookies? Ludger thinks that both strange yet also in a way adorable. It's something that makes Add seem just a little less of a jerk than before.

He nods, looking at the bags he was carrying.]

Just cookies. I've got new recipes.

[Some fruit cookies, chocolate, and a few others. Though now he's curious...]

What's your favorite kind?

[He stares blankly for a moment, as if he was completely unprepared for small talk even though he's the one who started it. Maybe he didn't expect Ludger to actually ask something back?]

Er... well, that would be anything with chocolate, probably... like chocolate chip, or double chocolate...

[... wait, what if Ludger is only asking this because he's noticed the cookies that have gone missing? Add hastily tacks onto his previous statement, raising his voice again.] Of course, lots of people like those kinds. It's hardly anything special.

[So chocolate. Add really likes chocolate. That's fine with Ludger. There's a ton of different chocolate cookie recipes. Oh, how would chocolate meringue cookies be received?

................

ADD. HE WAS ASKING WHAT YOU LIKED. NOT WHAT EVERYONE ELSE LIKED.

What is he going to do with you?]

[... Why is Ludger giving him that look now?! He instinctively bristles, going on the defensive. Which of course means he's going to keep running his mouth.]

Is there a problem? I just told you, a lot of people like those kinds so there's isn't anything special about it! Why would you even want to know something like that, anyway? What I like isn't any of your business!

[He pulls a pen out of his pocket and writes down a message before handing it to Add. It simply reads:

You're an idiot. I know you've been taking the cookies. Since you're being stubborn about telling me your favorite type, all future cookies are going to be going directly to Roxas' room. I will ask him not to share them with you.

So while Add reads this, Ludger is just going to go ahead and walk off. Follow him if you want to, but he'll just call you an idiot if you keep this up.

The threat is real.]

[He stares, dumbfounded, when Ludger seriously stops to take out a pen and paper to write a note instead of talking. This... this is entirely too ridiculous.

And then he actually reads the note.

... He is both confused and offended by all these threats. What?? He already knew? But he got mad because Add wouldn't tell him his favourite type of cookie?? But that doesn't make any sense. He's not even that bothered about the threat to hide all future cookies in Roxas' room because he's sure he'll still find a way to steal them, but... what?

He looks up and opens his mouth to argue... and Ludger is already walking off into the distance. After another moment of bewilderment he storms after him.]

What the hell is that supposed to mean?! If you were going to do that either way then why the hell would I want to tell you what I like anyway?

[It's easier to write a note than it is to try and explain it in words. Faster, too. At least Add actually read the entire note. That was a small relief.

It makes perfect sense, you tsundere mess. Add, just let Ludger be nice to you. Just let the best cook in the house make something you actually would enjoy stealing.

Now it's no more cookies for you.

................................................ If you can't even figure that out then clearly you are a-]

Idiot.

[That's all you get.]

[He scowls. These insults are seriously ticking him off. Why is he an idiot for tactically assessing the situation and giving his answer accordingly?? He did everything right according to his logic but it still feels like he missed something important...

He keeps pace with Ludger, trying to catch his eye from beside him. He doesn't get it. Should he have ignored the question entirely...?]

If you were just going to hide the good ones anyway, of course I'm not going to tell you my favourites. Not that something like that is going to stop me, so all you're doing is wasting your time. You should just be grateful I cared enough to help you because of this!

[OH MY GOD ADD.

Ludger stops and writes on the back of the other half of the shopping list. It reads:

I was trying to thank you by asking. You're the idiot who took it the wrong way. Stop trying to make me a bad guy because you can't handle people being nice to you. Just tell me straight up or starve from now on. I won't cook and include you anymore.

This is your ultimatum.]

[Stopping to write again? Add groans with irritation, and this time he makes sure to stop right in front of Ludger so he can't walk away. It's ridiculous enough that he can't just speak his mind out loud...

Add snatches the new note out of his hand, grumbling to himself.

...

Well... maybe that makes sense... actually, it makes a lot more sense than Add's previous theory.

Ugh. Now all of this just feels even more awkward. He glares at the note so he doesn't have to look at Ludger.]

... If you wanted to thank me, you didn't have to turn it into a punishment just because you couldn't speak directly. How was I supposed to know that? [Because Add was definitely being more direct.]

[........ Ludger pinches that bridge of his nose. Why does Add exist to vex him? He's going to have to vocalize, isn't he.]

Only threatened to punish you because you misunderstood and fought me.

[Happy now?]

Edited 2016-08-29 00:47 (UTC)

I didn't fight you. [It was more like he got defensive, which isn't exactly the same thing as fighting!

... okay, maybe he made a few too many assumptions back there. He sighs, crumpling the paper in his hand.]

... chocolate chip is fine. The batch you made before was good.

[You did too, you always do.

Good. This is a breakthrough, Add! You're doing our best job of becoming less of an ass than you were! Ludger thinks about how he made that last batch and nods. Why mess with a good thing. That just means he would have to make a lot more chocolate chip cookies. Who knows if Jakob even touches them.]

Right.

[That's said with a nod and he starts walking again. Add, be happy. You actually got him to say several sentences!]

[That's it? That's all he has to say after all that hassle??

... Maybe he should just try to get used to this. Ludger doesn't seem to like talking much, even when he's in a good(?) mood. Add just sighs and goes back to trailing behind him.]

If I knew it was going to be this much of a headache, I wouldn't have bothered...

[Hey. You do all the talking, even if it is idiotic and inane at times. Ludger can't honestly tell if you even have a happy mood, Add.

He just shakes his head as he heads back to the temple. Is Add really that mad?]

Do you want your own jar?

[He's more exasperated than mad right now, but he's probably happy sometimes. Like when he gets to work with Genos or take apart something new and interesting...]

Why are you asking a question like that? [They literally just had this conversation, but habits are hard to break.]

[ADD HE ASKED WHAT KIND YOU LIKE NOT IF YOU WANT YOUR OWN PRIVATE SOURCE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO STEAL THEM

Ludger is going to give you one of his super annoyed looks.]

I asked what kind you like, not if you want your own.

[Stop making him talk so much.]

I know that! But— [it's just too weird, he can't get used to people doing nice things without an ulterior motive...

He sighs loudly again and buries his face in one hand. He sure is sighing a lot today.]

Sure, fine, do whatever you want.

[Ulterior motive? Ludger is hoping this lessens the chance of being stabbed in his sleep or waking up with robot parts. Other than that he is a genuine nice person. The last part is 90% of this interaction.

Don't be a dick. You're getting cookies, Add.

Hope you can keep up with Ludger walking faster now.]

[Maybe he doesn't need your cookies, Ludger!! He does want them, though, so you better follow through with this cookie jar plan of yours. If you don't after all this nonsense then he'll be very upset.

This much exercise is not Add's forte, but he is stubborn enough to make up for his lack of stamina. Powerwalking, he can manage. He keeps pace with Ludger a few steps behind, glaring at his feet to further fuel himself.

Why did Ludger have to pick a grocery store so far from the temple, anyway? ... not that it's going to get any better once they do reach the temple. All those stairs...]

[Oh, Ludger even has a jar picked out that he could use for Add. No, no, it doesn't look like a cat at all, why would you even think such a thing?

When they get to the stairs he stops and looks at Add. Clearly the other is really exhausted from all of this....

Ludger shifts his bags into one hand and gives Add a very stiff smile before throwing him over Ludger's shoulder. This'll make things easier for the both of them. Even if he doesn't need it, Ludger thinks this is good exercise.]

Edited 2016-09-09 15:37 (UTC)

[Add almost bumps into him when Ludger stops unexpectedly. He looks up from his spot on the ground, slightly annoyed. Why is he looking at Add like that...?

Before he can open his mouth to ask, he's suddenly being swung over Ludger's shoulder. He yelps in surprise instead, flailing.]

What the hell are you doing?! Put me down! [this is so embarrassing why are you doing this to him]

[Ludger is going to ignore your tantrum till they get to the top. Where he'll just drop you and go inside.

You would think that Add would appreciate being carried up those stairs instead of walking them. Ludger could always force you to exercise, Add, and make you build up your strength and stamina.

Not right now though. Cookies need to be made. That's important.]

[At least he doesn't quite reach the point of kicking or punching at Ludger's back. He resigns himself to his fate after Ludger refuses to answer him (as if he would), sighing loudly and huffing like a child.

And when he's finally put back down, Ludger doesn't even spare him a glance before marching straight on into the temple. Unbelievable!

Add fumes for awhile, muttering and dusting off his clothes obsessively before finally making the decision to go indoors. Hopefully, that was enough time for his face to cool off. Not that it matters since he's going to stomp right past the kitchen without even looking up at Ludger (that'll show him!!). The sound of Add's door slamming should be enough of a sign that he's holing himself in his room again.]

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