midnight snacks

[evokesorder]

[ Mitsuru woke with a start and for a moment she was disoriented. Blinking bleary eyes she realized slowly she had fallen asleep in the dorm common room, sprawled out across the sofa that was usually occupied by her friends. She didn't remember falling asleep but she must've been out for longer than she meant too because she noticed night had fallen. The sun had definitely been out just moments ago...

She sighed and sat up, straightening her frazzled hair a bit. She shivered as her somewhat skimpy dress was not appropriate for the colder weather that was settling in. Pulling on the sweater she had discarded earlier, she decided it was best to shuffle back upstairs to her room and call it a night.

Or she would have if she hadn't smelled someone cooking in the kitchen. Curiosity (and maybe suspicion) got the better of her and she padded toward the source as silent as a cat. When she entered the kitchen she was surprised to find Shinjiro there. She had half expected Minato. Cooking at weird hours seemed like something he would do. ]

Shinjiro? You're still awake?

Comments

[axekicker]

[Cooking wasn't something Shinjiro would ever say he was ashamed of, but its never something he'd mention doing if he could help it.

Still he figured with how empty the main floor of the dorm was at night, it would be a good time as any to try out some recipes he'd seen on tv days earlier. Especially with the signs of winter coming in to the city. And that's exactly how he's found, standing in front of a stove with his hair tied back in a ponytail, his peacoat off for once and folded over on a nearby chair. The sounds of whatever he has cooking in the pot is what answers for him as he glances back to the other person in the room.]

Could say the same to you. Not often you're down here so late.

[evokesorder]

[She glances at the sizzling pot as she steps up beside him, arms crossed over her chest to ward off the chill. At least it was warmer in the kitchen with the stove going but her feet were bare and the linoleum floor was cold.]

I'm embarrassed to say I feel asleep on the couch. [While she was studying, no less. But she'll leave that detail out.]

So you're cooking at this late hour? [She chuckles.] You aren't afraid the smell will draw Iori's attention?

[axekicker]

[The snort Shinji makes at that is both amused and proud at the same time.] I think it being me has something to do with that not already happening. Anyway its not much, just trying something out. Soup is supposed to be good when it's cold.

[And it doesn't take a genius to point out that practically none of them eat healthy enough to stop from getting sick in this weather, so he doesn't. Instead he nods over towards his jacket as he stirs the contents in the pot.]

You can put that on for now. If you get sick, I ain't gonna be the one to blame for it.

[evokesorder]

[She laughs softly at that. True enough but it was a funny enough thought. She could imagine him drifting down the stairs at the smell thinking it was someone else... only to scurry back upstairs seeing Shinjiro.]

Hm? Is it? [Something warm to eat on a cold night... that sounded about right. Her gaze travels to his coat. She reaches over and touches the fabric absently. She pauses thoughtfully and then laughs again.]

Who would blame you if I got sick? Certainly not me. [She takes it and slips it on anyway, the oversized coat hanging off her slender frame. She wraps it around herself and nuzzles her face against the material. It was still warm from when he'd been wearing it.] Thank you.

[axekicker]

Don't see why it wouldn't be. It'll keep everyone from getting sick and complaining about it. [Which is the last thing anyone needs really. Besides, if one of them got sick it would only spread, and who would be able to go out ant take Koromaru for a walk.? Really the soup, with it's rich pumpkin smell was just as much for his benefit as everyone else.]

Well it's not my fault that sweater ain't gonna do much with what you got on. What were you doing to make you crash on the couch anyway?

[Shinji never considered himself a big guy, but glancing over to see how his jacket practically swallowed her figure made him reconsider it. Never mind that it was a little loose even on him. Still, it was weird seeing someone enjoy something he barely spared a thought about.] That should help.

[evokesorder]

[Mitsuru looks thoughtful for a moment.] I suppose you have a point. It would be no good if any one of us got sick. [They all needed their strength at all times, after all. The Dark Hour and its ever present threat lived on. And hey, if keeping away a cold meant getting to try some of Shinjiro's soup she would definitely not complain.

At his question, she faltered. Well...] It wasn't that. I guess I just haven't been sleeping soundly these past few nights. So I dozed off unexpectedly. [Tugging the coat a little tighter around her, she leans back against the counter and peers into the bubbling pot.]

I have to say, it smells quite delicious. You've really outdone yourself with this. You're going to share, aren't you? [Hint, hint. ;3]

[axekicker]

They already work hard enough, need something healthy to balance it.

[He already had to pester and hover his own best friend so he didn't swear off food that wasn't protein shakes forever, everyone else didn't need to jump on the unhealthy lifestyle wagon. But he pauses at Mitsuru's confession and what feels like her sudden appearance, trading the spoon for a ladle as he reaches for a few bowls.]

I told you it ain't much. [So much as 'not much' curry pumpkin soup could be after all-] But I ain't gonna eat in front of you and not offer you any either. Go wait over by the couch. [yes mitsuru you can eat his food :|]

[He hadn't brought up what she'd said just yet, not knowing how to approach it. Comforting people wasn't exactly one of his strong points, even with someone he knew. Instead he'd bring both bowls full of soup to the table in the living area and take his place on the couch.]

[evokesorder]

Yes. I absolutely agree. [She was very proud of the SEES team that had assembled here. Maybe a part of her was prouder to call them all her friends, too. Though sometimes she wasn't sure where she stood with Shinjiro anymore. Akihiko made it pretty clear but Shinjiro... as with most things about him, it seemed to remain out of her reach.

She watched him for a moment as if staring long enough would provide an answer. But she smiles as she glances at the meal.] It looks plenty elaborate to me. But all right, all right. I'll do as I'm told.

[Yay good! :D

She laughs lightly. She can't help it, he had such a mother hen attitude sometimes. She obeys as she says she would, slipping out of the kitchen and retreating back to the living room area where she was just moments ago. She sits back on the couch, arms wrapped around herself. There's a blanket there and she thinks that she should use it instead of taking advantage of Shinjiro's jacket like this.

....

She doesn't.]

[axekicker]

[He either paid the blanket no attention, or didn't know that it was there at all. She was already in his coat, he wasn't going to do something rude like ask for it back or anything like that. He dressed warm enough on a daily basis, so his coat being in use was strange but fine. Speaking of, it was weird to him that she'd stick around him for what seemed to be no real reason. Even Aki usually had an agenda concerning him this time around. Even though instinct told him he should go back to isolating himself unless he was needed, he didn't think this was bad either. He was just bad at socializing.

Instead he began to eat his soup, taking a few moments to judge and then approve the flavor. It had come out well, even if a little more spice wouldn't hurt. Once he got through a good portion of it, he leaned back on the couch himself to let it sink in.]

So, what's been eating you. I know I ain't the choice person to talk to about shit but. [lmao what is small talk, it takes him a few moment's pause to even ask that much.]

[evokesorder]

[She had no explanation herself. She hoped he didn't ask because she wouldn't know what to say. Her mood felt so somber for some reason. Maybe it was the cold settling in or maybe it was all that had been happening lately. It was hard for her to pinpoint it so she certainly didn't expect anyone else to.

So when he asks in his ever blunt way, she doesn't have an answer to that either. She sips quietly on the soup, dainty and all manners. It's quite good and she smiles faintly at the warmth that seeps back into her from each spoonful.]

I couldn't tell you, to be honest. I've been feeling listless lately but with a sense of restlessness at the same time. [She shifts and snuggles closer to the back of the couch, drawing her legs up to her chest.] It's a strange, conflicting feeling that I'm not sure how to get rid of.

gomen the holiday rush hit hard over here;;

[axekicker]

[Man if he wasn't probably the last person to go to about your problems. He digs into his soup again, trying to think of anything that could help her out. He frowns as he sets the bowl down, not out of irritation, but because this is sort of new to him.]

I see. Well is it because of something or just some kind of mood that's bothering you? Seems like it would be a good place to start in trying to figure out what's up.

IT'S OK i'm slow too because of that. gomen also u_u

[evokesorder]

[She's vaguely aware of this but it doesn't actually register who she's talking to until he speaks in an attempt to comfort her. She has to bite back a small laugh. How kind of him to listen to her problems. So late at night, even.]

Maybe I just need a break from my usual routine.

[She sets her half full bowl aside as well, resting her chin on her knees and staring absently at the floor.] I wouldn't know where to start with something like that either.