thenearshore | [closed]

Who: Kuro Kiryu (

softpunk) and Keito Hasumi (

lecturehall)
Where: Keito's temple
When: whatever today is
What: it's time for dumb domestic temple things
Warnings: n/a!

[Things seem to have settled, somewhat, begun to fall into a sort of routine, and Kuro can't say he dislikes it. There's a certain comfort to it, without as much of the awkwardness he'd expected to come out of the three of them living together; it's not perfect, of course, but at times like this he thinks it might be about as close as he could get here.

He's busy working on something for Keito at the moment (if Kuro and Souma somehow have matching outfits, they can't leave him out, can they?), one of the temple's kittens snoozing at his feet after wearing itself out playing with some spare string he'd given it-- and at first, he doesn't feel the need to break the silence, content to work quietly while Keito's busy keeping another cat occupied. After a while, though, he starts humming something to himself, a song that'll be instantly familiar to his god-- one of theirs, though Kuro doesn't know how he knows it. It's just something that's there, same as the pattern that had come so easily for something he's pretty sure he hasn't sewn before.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Between the trickling of the waterfall, the whistle of the reeds and the occasional, soft sound of needle pulling through fabric, Keito can forget. In the far shore, that's a rare luxury. Though it's completely foreign, there's something serene about it that makes it feel holy. A slice of home.

The kittens help, too. The single good thing about the lack of work is the amount of opportunities Keito has to dote on the animals. The pond especially is a hotbed for the cats. The reeds are just the right height for a perfect cat toy.

He's bobbing the tip of one up and down when Kuro's humming makes him pause. It's an all too familiar song- the lyrics already on the tip of his tongue. They used to sing it together and it takes all of his effort not to join in now.

The kitten's cry distracts him. He's thankful for it, scooping it into his arms as he waits for the song to finish. Not once does he even recognize that he's staring.]

[Kuro makes it most of the way through without interruption, his attention focused on his work and stitches easily matching the rhythm of the tune-- eventually, though, it registers that he's not seeing the same movement out of the corner of his eye, and he glances up to Keito-

To find him staring. Ah.

He doesn't have to look down at his sewing to keep going, but his pace slows as the humming comes to a stop.]

I'm not distractin' you, am I...? Sorry 'bout that.

I never said that.

[Don't put words in his mouth. Rising to his feet, he carries the kitten and settles by Kuro's side. His gaze drifts to the red of the fabric and the meticulous machinery of Kiryu's hands. Absently, he mutters:]

I've always been amazed by your coordinative abilities. [It's artful in the same way as nature's eccentricites; there's beauty in the freakishness.

The kitten doesn't agree. Bored by the prospect of spectating it attempts to escape onto Kuro's fabric. Keito wrestles it the other way and watches as it darts off.]

Let me hear the rest.

Ah, mine aren't anythin' special. Yours, though-- pretty sure you could write a whole speech while doing just about anything, if someone got you worked up enough.

[Just gently teasing, a little smile settling into place as he looks back down to his work, then pauses. The other kitten is still snoozing, so he carefully scoops it up to deposit it on Keito's lap, where it stretches, yawns, and drifts back off.]

If you really wanna hear it, I guess I can't tell you no, but it doesn't sound as good this way...

[It's not made for one voice, after all. He'll pick it up anyway, going back to the verse he'd started-- singing quietly, now, instead of just humming it.]

[He wants to point out that lecturing has nothing to do with coordinative abilities but then suddenly there's a new kitten in his lap. That's one way to derail him. He takes to petting it as Kuro slips back into song.

Without the instrumental backing, the fervent pace and the full triad of voices, it sounds completely different. Almost peaceful. Given a new context, the lyrics shift their meaning. Kuro turns a frantic beast into a lullaby.

Keito had always liked that about him. The contrast between his rough appearance and his delicate nature had grown into a comfort that Keito sinks into even now. He closes his eyes and lets their song take him, focusing only on the sound of that tamed growl of a voice. His head drifts onto Kuro's shoulder as a small smile forms. Soon enough, he can't help but fill in at least one of the gaps.

The song is best for a trio, but, altered as it already is, Keito makes it work as a duet.]

[So he knows it too, huh? It sounds better with more than one voice, and he's more confident having someone to sing with than he was alone; it's just as unexpected as the head pillowed on his shoulder, but both are comforting in their own ways, making it easy to feel like this is the way it's always been. Like this warmth is how it should be.

By the time they finish, Kuro is leaning against him in turn-- not enough to put any of his weight on Keito, but enough to be just a little bit closer, to make sure Keito doesn't have to lean as far.]

Should've figured your voice was as good as your dancing.

[...because yes, he's quietly caught Keito practicing. He just couldn't possibly interrupt, or give him a reason to stop by realizing someone else was there.]

You don't have to wait 'til we're not around, Hasumi. I know I wouldn't mind helpin' out, and I bet Kanzaki wouldn't mind learning either.

[Well, way to ruin the mood. Keito jerks back, disturbing the kitten from its sleep. It stays in his lap but not without digging it's claws into him. Keito winces and forces himself calm, soothing the kitten back into comfort.]

What do you mean "my dancing"? When have I danced? I don't... [Do it at a time they should be around, right? Ugh. This would be so much better if they didn't live together! Although it'd be just as bad alone.] When did you see me dancing?

[-ah. He didn't realize Keito would be touchy about it... when he jerks back, Kuro clears his throat softly, attention going back to his work again.]

The other day. I didn't wanna interrupt you, since it seemed like you were in the middle of it, so...

[He just watched, instead. Now he's not sure he should have.]

It's nothin' to be embarrassed of, you know. You really are good at it.

I'm not embarrassed! [More embarrassed at being caught doing it. How can he orchestrate an entire school's conquest but fail to be sneaky about dancing? It's mind-boggling.] I know I'm good. That doesn't mean you were supposed to see it.

[A single glance at Kuro tells him that might be the wrong thing to say.]

... I'm sorry. That was harsh of me. In discovering me, you've hurt my pride. That's all. [And, you know. Other Issues.

Then again, most of those issues relate to performances, not practice. If Kuro was offering, would it really be so bad to take him up on it?]

When you say you wouldn't mind helping me— is that because you're interested yourself?

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