[Eiji couldn't help but be at least a little amused by how proud of himself Emi seemed to be. Ah, he deserved some credit. The corners of his lips curled in a small, private smile.]
[Eiji's smile faded quickly at that last part, becoming a distant look of contemplation. It was the look of someone with secrets. If Emi knew...
It was with an ache in his chest that Eiji realized he didn't want to see those gold eyes well up with tears again. (He wished he had that coffee already just so he could occupy his hands. Instead, he crossed his arms.)
[That was obvious enough. He already knew there was a lot he was missing, and it wasn't hard to guess that it hadn't been a long walk in the park. Those last few images of his nightare floated back through his mind, but Emi did his best to keep his gaze steady on the Eiji that was safe and whole in front of him.]
I don't think anyone does about anyone. But I don't have to like everything to like you.
[At that point there were two soft clinks as mugs of coffee were placed down on the counter near them. Ah, bitter distractions.]
[As reassuring as that was, none of it changed the fact that Eiji couldn't stand the idea of Emi's face twisted up in pain and grief again. Watching his heart break because of a cold, uncaring demi-human who couldn't die if he tried... it was a waste. He didn't deserve those tears, and he couldn't understand them either.
Trying to push that eventuality from his mind, Eiji hurriedly picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip from it, despite it being scaldingly hot right now. All it got him was a wince as he burnt the tip of his tongue.]
[Emi had been approaching his cup at a more leisurely pace, now paused with it cupped in front of his face. He had been about to blow across the hot liquid, but he stared across it at Eiji instead with a concerned cock of a brow.
Quietly, he tucked it away into his 'things to observe' file. Detail: hasty when he doesn't want to deal with something.]
[Eiji had degenerated into grumpy muttering now, blowing on his coffee like it had just betrayed his fragile trust.
Mouth pain. Mouth pain was still one of his least favourite pains.
But as he stared into his cup, the demi-human echoed the words again under his breath - this time, directed to himself. If he repeated it enough times, maybe that would make it true.]
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I guess you know me too well.
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Not quite. [Murmured with nothing but fondness.]
You're a work in progress, Eiji, but I'm learning more all the time.
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It was with an ache in his chest that Eiji realized he didn't want to see those gold eyes well up with tears again. (He wished he had that coffee already just so he could occupy his hands. Instead, he crossed his arms.)
The demi-human muttered in a low, careful voice.]
You won't like everything.
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[That was obvious enough. He already knew there was a lot he was missing, and it wasn't hard to guess that it hadn't been a long walk in the park. Those last few images of his nightare floated back through his mind, but Emi did his best to keep his gaze steady on the Eiji that was safe and whole in front of him.]
I don't think anyone does about anyone. But I don't have to like everything to like you.
[At that point there were two soft clinks as mugs of coffee were placed down on the counter near them. Ah, bitter distractions.]
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Trying to push that eventuality from his mind, Eiji hurriedly picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip from it, despite it being scaldingly hot right now. All it got him was a wince as he burnt the tip of his tongue.]
Guh...
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Quietly, he tucked it away into his 'things to observe' file. Detail: hasty when he doesn't want to deal with something.]
You ok?
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[Eiji had degenerated into grumpy muttering now, blowing on his coffee like it had just betrayed his fragile trust.
Mouth pain. Mouth pain was still one of his least favourite pains.
But as he stared into his cup, the demi-human echoed the words again under his breath - this time, directed to himself. If he repeated it enough times, maybe that would make it true.]
...I'm fine.
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You're fine.
[In more ways than one.]