smdh | [closed] with yaywon dgm edition

[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.]

[lavi is kanda's (looks at hand) rose bride princess sword...

Lavi grabs Kanda and takes him somewhere that's way more secluded so they can (flushed) bang.... NO he just sits down next to Kanda as he hands him the soba and chopsticks, with also something extra?]

I asked him to fry up some lotus root! Didn't see any pumpkin though.

[there are a couple of pieces of lotus root tempura in the bowl... luckily Lavi left a nice tip in exchange for such service. the weirdest part about scawwy besides all the murder and monsters and curses is that food just appeared out of nowhere? WHO WAS COOKING ALL THAT FOOD BACK THERE!!! things Lavi forgot to ask about.

he sits cross-legged and starts eating, nom]

[STOP they can't bang until I lock yuul out of this post

The real tragedy here is that Kanda is not Luke, who practically exploded with dokis over some tomatoes--but Kanda does blink in surprise, and his face softens--or at least does the closest thing to it that Kanda is capable of.

His version of gratitude, at least with Lavi, comes in the form of having nothing to be grumpy about--he makes a noncommittal noise as he breaks the chopsticks apart and starts to eat as well, going for the lotus root first. Truly nothing beats food made by real people that they can see with their own eyes.]

It's not in season. [Kanda and his random array of knowledge thanks to TIEDOLL] Jeryy works with the science section guys to preserve it.

[Honestly he wouldn't be surprised if the Order had a wholeass indoor year-round farm, with some of the insane shit Jeryy can whip up on request]

[STOP LAVI ISN'T EUNHYUK HE DOESN'T NEED KANDA TO BE LIKE LUKE

Just seeing that surprised blink is more than enough. He'd rather that than an effusive show of gratitude -- rather, this is probably as effusive from Kanda as he'll ever get, and knowing that doesn't dim his desire to see it again.

He snaps apart his chopsticks too, listening with a small smile on his face. Kanda likes to hear him rattle on, and Lavi does too -- he likes hearing the same from Kanda, what the other man knows and has seen and observed, that he feels comfortable enough to mention it in their conversations together instead of remaining close-mouthed, especially when he can just choose to do his favorite thing instead which is eating soba.... his one true love.]

Yeah? I forget sometimes that they can do normal stuff.

[normal science stuff like growing fruits and vegetables out of season as opposed to making insane robots that wear glasses and energy drinks that zombify you. hilariously, his tone is fond, because Lavi with his propensity for secrets and mischief has found so much of both with the science section]

All the emotion and thought sharing back in Scawwy reminded me of them.

[the weird fcking effects... and lavi didn't even get to drink a single superhell drink in the gy]

Ugh.

[THAT'S IT THAT'S THE WHOLE TAG HE JUST PAUSES HIS EATING TO BE IRRITATED]

[THAT JUST MAKES LAVI STOP EATING LONG ENOUGH TO SNICKER]

Wasn't a real big fan, but -- [he nudges his elbow against kanda, teehee] I liked being in your head.

[this is a truth shaded in flirtation, clumsy in a way that it's genuine and not just a front he's putting on. UNFORTUNATELY some of those effects got him to LEARN MORE about Kanda and what kind of OBSESSED GUY would turn that down,]

Tch. Of course you did.

[If it had only been the one week, this would be a more sensitive subject--it would remind him too much of Wisely, and everything that happened before and after the Noah rifled through his memories. But it happened often enough after he died that he got used to it, at least enough that it doesn't set him off right now.

Instead, he grumbles into his soba--] You know too much about me already.

[But it's the same as his usual grouchiness, the way he tells Tiedoll not to call him "son," or the way he'd immediately say "no" if anyone asked him if he has any friends. God knows how long Lavi's studied him with that Bookman eye, and how closely, but some of what Lavi knows is only because Kanda let him in. Kanda knows that, even if he wouldn't admit it.]

[Lavi keeps eating, ruminating on Kanda's words. He'd always thought knowing this much about any person was normal, especially as an heir to a clan of watchers, of people who do all that they can to know. And maybe it was normal for a time. But at some point, the knowing changed. It turned strange, and at the same time familiar. This is what normal people do when they like someone. He just never thought he'd become that kind of ordinary, or that he'd choose to be.

He knows too much about Kanda already, but it's not enough to satisfy.]

Right back atcha.

[He wonders if Kanda feels that way about him -- the desire to know.]

You're the only person who knows me like you do, y'know.

Who's fault is that?

[LAVI'S!!! ...Mostly. It was Lavi's choice to keep coming back after Kanda made it clear he could see through the fake smiles, but Lavi never asked him to pay as much attention as he has. He never genuinely told Kanda to notice, to remember things about him--not the little things, like Lavi's food preferences, and certainly not the big things, like the depths of his paranoia, or the way the people at the Order wormed their way into his heart the same way they did Kanda's.

Does he want to know more? Kanda wouldn't know how to answer that. He's so unused to wanting things in the first place, let alone things he can actually have. After Alma, he never thought he'd find anyone he'd feel comfortable around for hours, reading or walking or simply coexisting in mutual understanding. Even then, he passively absorbed most of what he learned about Lavi. It's rare that he lets himself be openly curious about anyone--most questions he's had about others slip by unspoken, and that was true about Lavi too, until Scawwy.

Besides, he knows the most important things already anyway: the sound of Lavi's breathing and the way his body shifts right before he blocks or lunges. The complexity of Lavi's devotion to Bookman, both his mentor and his duty. The way it felt to be without him, and the realization that, for the first time in years, he didn't want to be left alone.

It's not that he isn't curious at all. If he didn't want to know anything, they wouldn't be here now. When Lavi talks, he listens--it would be impossible to do that and never wonder, sometimes. But being as ravenous for details as Lavi is... the thought of that still feels a little frightening, like tempting fate. If he wants too much, too fast, too strongly...

He reaches over with his chopsticks, helping himself to a piece of meat from Lavi's food.]

It's because you talk so much. [AT LEAST BE NICE WHILE YOU'RE STEALING FOOD]

Hey...!

[HIS PORK???? Luckily, he's not ALLEN so he's not gonna attempt to fight Kanda to the death on this romantic hill overlooking the festival beyond. Instead, he just finds this behavior CUTE... like when a cat leaps onto the counter and steals some of your fish because it loves you so much... uwah.... anyway it's not about the PORK it's about this accurate CALL OUT of his CHARACTER.

he considers pretend-sulking for a bit, but while other people would think it's cute... kanda would not.... he compromises by leaning his head on top of kanda's, weh]

Yeah, but not everyone listens the way you do.

[some people (LIKE ALLEN) JUST TUNE HIM OUT... or some people (LIKE BOOKMAN) beat his ass for running his mouth all the time...]

[His pork now HAH. Kanda truly gets so demanding when he feels like it... he really is a cat in so many ways.

He makes up for it by letting Lavi rest his head, even though it means he has to lift his bowl so as not to jostle him off. He's in a good mood, enough that he'd lean against Lavi in return if he wasn't eating--maybe he will when he's done. For now, he just makes a vague sound of agreement.]

That's just how people are. [For the most part, anyway. They've both seen it a hundred times--the people who simply wait to speak instead of truly listening, or the ones who don't even pretend to care.

Although, if he thinks of the people they know and care about--] They listen more than you think.

[He doesn't specify who "they" are, figuring he doesn't need to.]

[leaning against Kanda like this feels very comfy and nice... maybe Lavi is like a cat too? a rabbit-passing cat... he avoids putting too much of his weight on Kanda because he's trying to EAT... Lavi should eat too, but he's too comfortable to move right now. instead, he makes a small noise of acknowledgement, thoughts drifting.]

Speaking of people...

[their people, who Lavi hasn't seen for an entirety of a mg's time]

I guess it'll be a while until we see 'em again.

[especially if Allen is still on the run when they catch up with him, lavi thinks, having no idea that he'll see Link again out of everyone in dgm]

[STOP THEY'RE THE SAME PEOPLE LAVI KNOWS and honestly the two of them are probably equally clueless right now if they missed Tiedoll. THEY'RE JUST TRACKING DOWN ALLEN AND JOHNNY AND ALSO LINK WHO JOHNNY DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IS AROUND I THINK??? Unless Tiedoll captured Allen on his own but if that happened Allen probably just Ark'd outta there. GOD. EVERYTHING IS A MESS.

Kanda sighs, putting his chopsticks down.]

...I've still got my golem, if we really need it. [He'd rather not since they last thing they know is that he kicked some CROW ass and absconded with Johnny, but. At least they have a connection, if they get really desperate.] But if they aren't sticking to that receipt list, then I have no idea where they're headed.

[At least they didn't have to try and catch a train out from whatever country Scawwy was in. Though, admittedly, Kanda wonders if it might've been better if they'd had to--if they'd had a built-in excuse for taking their time, instead of the unspoken meandering they've been doing.

He watches the people below them, quietly mulling that over. After a bit, he glances at Lavi. As straightforward as ever:]

Do you want to head back?

[Lavi had said he wanted to stick together, but helping Allen is Kanda's guilt, debt-driven mission, not his. Kanda wouldn't be angry with him for missing everyone else back at the Order.]

[Lavi blinks, eye widening a fraction at the question. Now it's his turn to glance at Kanda, lifting his head up so he can meet his gaze. He's not sure what he's searching for -- discontent? Or acceptance that Lavi might still choose to leave? Either way, he shakes his head.]

I'm worried about 'em. [especially now that they know there's a rogue Innocence out there, apparently masquerading as a human] But I'm more worried about Allen. The others have each other at least.

[Allen apparently has Johnny, and sometimes just having someone to protect can do a lot of good, especially for someone like Allen, but the fact of the matter is that Johnny is still a civilian, at the end of the day. Easier to protect someone if you have two other people to rely on.

Even better if Johnny has someone to protect Allen from him too. He doesn't voice it, but his brow furrows anyway, a thought he knows Kanda would understand.]

'Sides, I said I was gonna stick by you. Unless you want me to go back?

[Even if he was unhappy, Kanda probably would've met Lavi's gaze anyway--but he's not, so it's no hardship to do so. He just looks at him in return, more patient than most would expect him to be capable of. It's not that he's miraculously grown into and mature and loving partner who respects Lavi's choices, so much as the fact that this journey was never something Kanda expected of him to begin with. If anything, he's still not quite sure what to do with the knowledge that Lavi could be anywhere in the universe right now, doing anything he wants, and he's chosen to stay right here. It's not like it's a new thing for Lavi to want to be around him, but... it's different now.

Maybe that's why, instead of his characteristic grouching or some dry, rude remark, he shakes his head slightly and goes back to eating.]

You're fine. [LACKLUSTER..... but it's the closest to an I want you here as he'll say.]

[He hadn't expected a response beyond Kanda's usual scoff or stubborn silence, so hearing this now makes him go all warm, pleased in a stupid tingly kind of way -- the kind that makes him smile like a goof. His noodles are probably getting cold by now, but Lavi doesn't care, he just goes right back to leaning his head on Kanda's,]

Hehe. [HEHE] I like you too, Yuu!

[the moment of truth: that Lavi acts like a stupid idiot as part of his persona, but there are times when he is genuinely a stupid idiot, and maybe that goes hand in hand with liking someone so much that you have to be a fool about it... there's no more emotion share but if animal crossing flowers could bloom at this moment....]

[AUGHGHGHGH]

Don't push your luck, Stupid Rabbit. [YOU ARE LITERALLY DATING]

[Lavi just peeks over at his bowl

Is kanda done eating yet]

[closed] with yaywon dgm edition

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