smdh | [closed] with yaywon dgm edition

[It's true... this is the way Aerith got him into a kitty cat kigu. At least this is much less ridiculous in comparison. Can't believe Lavi is replacing the mysterious purple bracelet, damn... where did it come from, where did it go!! We'll never know.

Kanda has no appreciation for aesthetics, but he likes listening to Lavi rattling off his knowledge, even if he'd deny that. The word "lovers" sticks oddly in his chest, but he doesn't acknowledge it; instead, he raises an eyebrow, glancing at Lavi.]

You believe that?

[STOP listen maybe he's wearing his purple bracelet on the other wrist??? for now, Lavi tilts the one in his hands this way and that, checking to see if the bracelet's too tight or loose... and then smiling when it's obvious that it's the perfect size. It's the combination of his Bookman eye and his obsession that he knows Kanda's measurements, which should be FREAKY but unfortunately Lavi is happy to have both right now,]

Not really. [how ROMANTIQUE LAVI.... but Kanda knows him too well to believe him if he lied and said 'yes', and he'd notice if he demurred and moved on without answering,] But even I don't know all the mysteries of the universe.

[so if there's a chance, then why not take it? wow, maybe there's a little romantic in him after all.

he keeps holding Kanda's hand, but his grip is loose enough that Kanda can easily pull away,]

More importantly -- I like how it looks on ya.

[LMFKJSHDGK NO THE PURPLE BRACELET IS GONE FOREVER only knotting now

And Lavi's right--he would know if Lavi lied, and though he'd just roll his eyes if Lavi made a big silly show of being a romantic, the choice of honesty doesn't escape his notice. That's what speaks to him, even more than the meaning behind the bracelet, or Lavi opting to partake in such a sentimental tradition.

It's the sort of gesture Kanda would've scoffed at before, when he was too bitter with loss and reality to indulge in the fantasy of a happy ending. But things are different now. And, more importantly--this is Lavi carving out a tiny space for himself, leaving proof of his existence beyond his chosen name on a piece of paper. Kanda doesn't miss that, whether Lavi realizes it or not.

Kanda has no appreciation for aesthetics. But he does like breaking rules.]

You just like accessories. [And dressing up... slut behavior. He studies the bracelet, but he doesn't pull away--he just flexes his wrist in a few different directions to make sure it's not tight enough to hinder him when he fights. But, naturally, it fits perfectly, so he's satisfied.] ...The red's okay.

[Kanda that's your favorite color don't just say it's "okay"]

[it's okay because Lavi knows that red is Kanda's favorite color!!! yet another fact in the kanda lexicon!!! well maybe he didn't actually KNOW know beyond noticing the color of Mugen's hilt and some of the hair cords Kanda wears, but sometimes that's all he needs when it comes to Kanda.

He feels so foolishly pleased to see Kanda wear this bracelet... and even happier to see him accept it in his own way. ]

I do. That's why I wanna match! [he grabs another red length of cord and holds it out,] Your turn.

[HAS KANDA EVER MADE A CRAFTS IN HIS LIFE besides haunted house origami]

[Hoshino does a livestream and is like "actually Kanda's favorite color is yellow"

AND HE has probably been forced to once or twice but the closest experience he has for this is tying his own hair cord... he does let go of Lavi's hand this time in order to take the cord, frowning at it. But it can't be that hard right? He watched Lavi do it just a second ago, surely that's enough.

He starts fiddling with it mostly to prove that he can, and he gets a few loops in--and it looks okay at first!! But then before it becomes obvious that it definitely doesn't look the same as Lavi's. HE FROWNS MORE... tries to fix it by tying it some more instead of starting over...

...

.......]

Tch, this one's a bad piece. [KANDA,]

[KANDA'S FAVORITE COLOR IS YELLOW AND LAVI IS 5000 YEARS OLD

Lavi watches Kanda attempt to Knot, at the way he very stubbornly keeps at it, fingers plucking and tugging at the string. It's a wonder really, how Kanda can be so deft and elegant when swinging his sword or handling his chopsticks, compared to how clumsy and unsure he is with a KNOT. The difference makes Lavi smile, that and just getting to see Kanda work hard at something he would never have bothered to try if things were still the same between them...

He watches this weird knot take form, and then sticks his wrist out anyway, expectant.]

No, it's perfect. [he likes this weird-ass bracelet.....] Here, put it on me.

[tie!! tie!!! tie!!!]

[Lavi is being so cute with his fond feelings, meanwhile Kanda is just:]

No. [Shoves the bracelet in his pocket and holds out a hand for a new piece of cord]

[HELLO? HIS BRACELET??]

But I like that one! It's cute!

[HIS BRACELET....... he's pouting..........]

Shut up.

[DON'T TELL YOUR BOYFRIEND TO SHUT UP ON A DATE!!! KANDA

He takes a new piece himself and starts over, concentrating very hard]

[HIS BRACELET!!!!!

Lavi's pout doesn't remain for long -- he's too interested in watching Kanda try his hand at knotting again, noting the furrowed brow and Kanda's intense look of concentration, and thinking about how both are cute... Kanda really told him to SHUT UP and Lavi just thinks he's CUTE..... Another group of customers approach the stall, and Lavi uses that opportunity to move closer to Kanda,]

Want some help?

[LISTEN... Lavi is the one who said he wanted to match, okay, and Kanda does NOT want him flaunting a blatantly crappy first attempt when they're going to track down ALLEN AND TIEDOLL of all people. He'd have to murder everyone in the room if they made fun of him.

But he's also a stubborn idiot, so, grumpily:]

No. [He's going slower this time, and it looks a little better, but he does not have a perfect memory... he pauses, hesitating, because he definitely does need help--but he's allergic to asking for things, so he stares at the cord instead, the way you stare at a test question and will the right answer to magically jump into your brain,,,]

[STOP!!!!

GRITS HIS TEETH AND SHOVES THIS ONE IN HIS POCKET TOO

GRABS ANOTHER PIECE]

[KANDA YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE!!!!!!

Lavi could really stand here all day and watch Kanda angrily knot bracelets, but he only has so much money and the shopkeeper is giving them a side-eye for taking all the red cord? there are other couples here??? But instead of dragging Kanda away from the stall, Lavi presses close against Kanda's back, tucking his chin on the crook of his shoulder as he wraps his hands around Kanda's. he's... helping!!!]

You're doing pretty good! Just gotta loop this under instead of over. See?

[he'll intervene whenever Kanda gets stuck.... but he's mostly just draping himself on Kanda and watching him Knot,]

[If he doesn't die in the war Kanda is going to become mortal and then instantly keel over from a rage-induced heart attack yeah

Whether it's because all his focus is on this damn bracelet now or because Lavi has boyfriend rights is unclear, but either way, Kanda doesn't shrug him off. He grumbles a little when Lavi has to step in to guide him, but luckily he's more impatient than he is prideful, at least over something like this. And he is a decently fast learner--between the two of them, it doesn't take long before he's finally satisfied with the end result.

He doesn't ask permission either when he tugs Lavi's hand in front of him so he can tie it on. It's a tad too loose, because he doesn't have a perfect memory and he is hyperconscious of hindering Lavi's movement, but it probably won't fall off, so good enough.]

That was way too much effort. [NO ONE ASKED YOU TO TRY THREE TIMES KANDA]

[STOP feeds him foods that will help with blood pressure and are low in cholesterol... no more soba only diet

They're pressed close enough together that Kanda can probably feel the thrum of Lavi's laugh, happy that Kanda's not pushing him away YET and that he just made him a cute bracelet!!! it only took him three tries!!!!]

I like that you kept trying.

[it's cute... he stretches his hand out so he can admire the bracelet on his wrist, and curls the other around Kanda's waist, snuggling in]

Now we match for real!

[Swaps out his soba for Cheerios

But yes, he can feel it, and it's just as nice as it was in the ferris wheel, but he is safe from thoughtshare forever so Lavi will never know. He makes a face at Lavi's cheesiness, and then another at the shopkeeper so blatantly waiting to be PAID and for them to MOVE so that other couples can come do this too,,, I'm saying at this point they've managed to scrounge up a little money in one way or another, so he doesn't have to lose more buttons from his coat just yet--he pays dutifully, but he doesn't shove Lavi off, so they can keep loitering a little longer. He doesn't even complain about the snuggling (yet)... incredible]

It's gonna burn off next time you use fire.

[Mr. "my favorite stamps are fire and lightning"]

[wow lavi should have paid... THIS WAS HIS IDEA!!!! even though they're absolutely sharing one wallet between them, but it's the principle of the matter? except Lavi's not very fussed about the particulars right now... which is why he hasn't thought of the longevity of this bracelet when he's throwing fire around all the time -- LUCKILY HE DOESN'T HAVE TO]

Not if I concentrate!

[something something manipulating the heat of fire something something why does his scarf and headband and earrings and eyepatch all remain intact when he uses fire stamp every time.... is it cause it's all made of special material or because Lavi just makes sure to keep his style intact even while he's fighting.... one answer is probably more annoying than the other,]

But just in case...

[he turns his head, aiming a kiss on the spot right beneath Kanda's ear. at the same time, he slides his hand in the pocket of Kanda's coat and rescues the other two bracelets.... his now]

[Fortunately(?) Kanda doesn't know anything about date rules so he doesn't even know Lavi cares

MORE IMPORTANTLY--Lavi is sooo lucky Kanda has not only grown used to having him in his space, but has also come to want it, because even though Kanda's awareness snaps to Lavi's hand, his instincts don't register a threat and he doesn't reflexively jam his elbow backwards or spin around and strike him over the head with Mugen's hilt. No, the lashing out doesn't happen until he feels Lavi's lips on his skin, brazenly dividing his attention. It's not until he feels Lavi pickpocketing him that he realizes what happened, and that's when he shoves Lavi off (not with Mugen, so clearly it's not that big of a deal).]

Tch--Stupid Rabbit. [WHY IS LAVI LIKE THIS. He'll finally move away from this booth though, especially since people are probably staring at them by now.]

[HEHEHEHE Lavi slips his prize onto his other wrist as he follows after Kanda, shaking his hands so that the bracelets jump around.]

Now I have three.

[though he'll treasure the one that Kanda deems perfect... he still likes all of them. But what he likes most of all is the sight of his bracelet dangling on Kanda's wrist. It makes him want to reach over and grab his hand, but the crowd is starting to grow bigger, and he's not at that point where his fledgling attempts at romance are stronger than his paranoia. Clearly, that just means he should grab Kanda's hand when they're in a more secluded (flushed) spot....]

Wanna get dinner? We can eat somewhere away from the crowd.

[kanda only eats soba WELL MAYBE A STALL WILL SELL SOBA? this is a multicultural festival]

[I need to make more laviyuu icons

Kanda rolls his eyes as Lavi puts the other bracelets on, but he doesn't threaten to cut Lavi's hand off, which is truly a sign of affection from him. Lavi you are so loved damn

But he isn't surprised that Lavi doesn't grab for him again, since their paranoia is the same; even if they're both skilled and experienced enough to easily take out any Akuma that would attack them while they're hindered by handholding, it's better not to tempt fate more than they already do.

Unsurprisingly, Kanda doesn't reach for him either; he just keeps Mugen in one hand and leaves the other free, as he often does. He tilts his head slightly at Lavi's question, considering--the festival crowd isn't so thick that he's uncomfortable, but he has no reason to reject a chance to get some space, so he nods.]

Yeah. [LAVI CAN LEAD THE WAY!! Kanda will follow his lead... even if they don't have soba, he trusts Lavi to know his preferences, which means he can make Lavi do all the hard work of deciding which food stalls to visit.]

[time to make spicy laviyuu icons pixi

Luckily for KANDA, Lavi is a stupid social bee extrovert who enjoys figuring out where and what to eat, truly he'd be the kind of modern who loves looking up 5000 restaurants and reading all the reviews... for now he just figures it out through word of mouth, cheerily approaching people and asking which way is the Soba Stall, and any other recommendations they have. He just acts as a social buffer so no one tries to draw Kanda into random conversations or assumes he's as friendly as Lavi is, slipping into this role with an ease that's only evident from how much time he's spent with Kanda on and off missions. It's one he doesn't mind either, if it means Kanda will be comfortable. He heads over to the stall once he spots it,]

Nice, no line!

[which is very rare for festivals? he moves over so Kanda can order his usual, scanning the menu,]

Hmm... What do ya think, Yuu? Got any recommendations?

[STOP

Thinks about how many weeks Kanda spent without his Lavi buffer... truly it's a miracle he had any conversations at all after he died instead of just holing up in his room until endgame. It felt like ages of separation at the time, and so much has changed--and yet, it's been so easy to fall back into place since they got back, as if even the months Lavi was missing were questionably real. (Then again, Kanda was in no state to think about anyone for most of that time, so it hardly felt real to him to begin with.)

He wanders after Lavi like an aloof shadow, simply looking out over the crowd and the festival booths as Lavi chats away. Even if they don't, can't trust strangers, he suspects Lavi is soaking up all these conversations, that it's good for him to have this chance to talk to people without the heavy shadow of cults and mystery monsters hanging over them. And as much as Kanda has a soft spot for Johnny, playing bodyguard for him simply can't compare. It's not like Kanda can relax here any more than Lavi can, but it's reassuring, knowing Lavi has the same reflexes and instincts he does.

He tunes back in once they get to the food, leaning over to look at the menu. There is no tempura soba here... but they have basic cold soba, so he points to that for himself. Shocking. As for Lavi's tastes... hmmm...

Since it's street food, their biggest offering is surely yakisoba--it's too oily for Kanda's tastes, but that doesn't matter if he's not choosing for himself, so. He points to that next, and then an option with pork, since Lavi is all about MEAT]

You'd like those.

[where are the laviyuu icons...

It's true that it's been so long since Lavi's talked to complete strangers -- people who've never read a poster about him on a billboard, people he has no reason to suspect beyond all the usual reasons. It feels nice and freeing in a way that he's missed. People who know nothing about him and who he'll probably never meet again. There's something precious about them too,

Though as much as he likes not being known -- it doesn't stop the warm, pleased feeling in his chest when Kanda knows him. Even for something as simple as his food preferences. He knows Kanda is observant by nature, but there's a difference between noticing things and caring enough to recall them later, which Kanda rarely does. ...But he's doing it now for Lavi, like it's the most natural thing to do in the world.

If this was months ago, then Lavi would chalk it down to the sheer luck of having lived long enough for Kanda to notice him. He'd think nothing of it -- maybe muse on how even someone as antisocial as Kanda still lets Lavi linger, proof that there's no one in the world who can resist any of Lavi's personas. But the difference now is the very simple truth -- that this proof makes Lavi happy. He doesn't care about how everyone else in the world thinks of him, just the way Kanda does.]

That does sound real yummy. Hey, boss -- one soba and one yakisoba please -- oh, and...

[Lavi leans forward to whisper into the owner's ear, then slips the money across the counter. eventually, the owner returns with their date food, which Lavi takes with both of his hands, turning to Kanda]

Lead the way, Yuu!

[HE TRUSTS HIS INSTINCT TO FIND THE NEAREST SECLUDED SPOT...]

[STOP I'M LAZY and watching utena

If Kanda's aware of any of Lavi's thoughts, or if he's curious about what Lavi is whispering about, he doesn't let it show; he just waits, not particularly patiently but not as bad as Allen, with Mugen in hand and his arms loosely crossed. CASUALLY UNAPPROACHABLE as usual, the Kanda way.

Once Lavi's got their food, he nods, turning to lead the way. He's not worried about Lavi being able to follow him, considering Lavi's STUPID HEIGHT even if he's not that much taller. STILL. But Lavi is right, Kanda is good at finding secluded spots--there's a hill behind some of the festival booths that he noticed while they were wandering, so he heads in that direction. It's tall enough that most people chilling on the hillside haven't bothered to climb all the way up to the top, but not so tall that they're completely removed from the festival and its atmosphere; they can see the lights and watch people dance and play games and have a good time, all from a comfortable (safe) distance.

He doesn't bother to ask Lavi if this is a good spot, because of course he doesn't. He just sits down, setting Mugen down and holding out his hand for his food. GIB.]

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