[ he wasn't joking about that. keigo didn't waste much time getting out and... he was pleasantly surprised by how calm it was outside. maybe because everything was closed, but there was a lack of milling about immediately where he ended up, at least for the time being. though, the more he dwelled on it, the more intimate the meeting seemed to become... now he was nervous.
but it looked like in his haste, he might have been there a bit early... he probably looked stupid, standing around with a small box in hand, looking around. keep cool, buddy... ]
[Nikkari takes longer, but that's because Christmas or not, some chores are part of daily life. wrapped up against the cold, it's not hard to spot him when he appears. when he sees Keigo, he raises his hand.]
[ seeing nikkari smile so easily brought a sense of ease to keigo's mind. whatever the case, he felt that nikkari would appreciate what he intended to give to him. something he typically had a hard time accepting with anyone else. ]
Y-you're right, I guess... The thought...
[ ... but okay, he was still nervous. he held the box for a moment longer before almost shyly presenting it, lips curled into a smile that matched the slight slope to his eyebrows. sure, nikkari would probably like it on principle that it was a gift, but... ]
Then... here. Merry Christmas.
[ the box was simple, medium sized, and inside was a cute scarf!! but resting on top of that scarf was an even smaller box, wrapped in a series of small, silk-like ribbons. what could it be? ]
[ keigo's eyes went a bit wide when nikkari immediately put the scarf on, his face turning a bit dark. aside from that, however, keigo felt a surge of happiness, square in his chest. he smiled, breathing out a laugh as he surveyed the way nikkari looked. ]
I'm glad you like it! It really looks good on you.
[ he rested a hand under his chin, as if truly examining nikkari critically. ]
Pulls together that whole "ghost hunter" vibe... I'm glad it looks even better in action than it did in my head.
[ god, he's so cute... keigo found himself chuckling along with nikkari's posing; everything about this just felt natural to him. ]
Don't worry about it! You deserve it.
[ but... when nikkari brought his attention to the smaller box... keigo's expression sobered a little. that nervousness came back, and he looked off to one side, skimming a palm up his neck. ]
Ah, well... that one's not as cool as the scarf, but...
[he says this, carefully unveiling the little box, and opening it. first, a slip of paper, with words of gratitude that make Nikkari smile all the more, ready to tell Keigo it's fine, he doesn't have to thank him for that.
it's when he sees the talisman that his expression shifts, smile going down and instead eyes widening a little in looking at the talisman that the box contains. for a second, he's quiet, looking at it with something close to wonder.]
[ the shift in his expression was what keigo had feared. though it clearly isn't one of disappointment, it's a look that he isn't sure how to take. was it really that strange? he supposed it must have been; people didn't just give each other talismans like that. it certainly wasn't the most romantic gift, either.
as though he was prepared for the reaction, or lack thereof, keigo spoke up, albeit in a soft, slightly uncertain, tone. ]
It's... It's a protection charm. Be... Because I...
[ hesitation gripped him, his lips slightly pursed as he continued, words heavy off his lips. ]
I know you go around lookin' for ghosts and stuff. I'm... in tune with that sorta thing, so I worry. I don't want anything to happen to you. I guess it's sorta lame to put stock in that stuff, but I just want you to be safe.
[it's not what Keigo did. rather, it's a sense that washes over him, something that creeps in around the holidays but is thrown into sharp relief usually around New Year's - a reminder of something that feels like home in a way that he can't really define without getting into a long story.
and something comes up, taps him on the shoulder like it has before - a memory, of a time that wasn't here, a place that wasn't Recolle.
(his clothes are heavier, and there's something at his waist. in his hand is a talisman, of dark silk and careful lettering, and his hand closes on it slowly. with this, he would be able to come back here safely, without being destroyed. someone cared enough to make sure that he would. someone who he would run into this danger for, without hesitation. he tucks it into his clothes, and he feels stronger for its presence.)
blinking, he looks up from the box, and smiles again - but it's softer, and he picks it up in one hand, pressing it to his heart.]
...You don't really know how much this means to me.
[ no, keigo really hadn't any idea of how much the gesture would actually mean to nikkari. knowing what he knew about him, maybe he expected one of those amused laughs and that warm smile. it was kind of gimmicky, wasn't it?
looking at the way nikkari reacted, however, keigo saw that it clearly wasn't Towne that way. a swell of relief seemed to rise up inside of him and keigo released a soft breath.
but more than that, the way nikkari looked up at him, and how softly he spoke... keigo had a feeling that he touched a nerve. or maybe struck a chord. something spurred that reaction and all he could think to do was sheepishly rub at his scalp and look to one side. ]
It...Well, I dunno what to say. I didn't expect you to... take it to heart, I guess.
[ that sounded... flippant. ]
Ah, what I mean is... I didn't think you'd like it that much. If I'm being honest, a lot of it was for my peace of mind... it was kinda selfish of me...
You don't have to explain yourself, you know. Or apologize for it.
[there's a touch more of the Nikkari that he expected, but still soft. still reeling from it, and though he doesn't know if he could try to explain it to Keigo beyond saying he took this seriously.]
[ keigo didn't do this for the possibility of receiving something in return, so the fact that nikkari hadn't gotten him anything really didn't register. it was just... something he wanted to do. sure, maybe some of it was stemmed in traditional habits and whatnot, but really, being repaid for giving a gift felt unnecessary. ]
Don't feel bad!! There's really not a whole lot I would want...
[ keigo was going to leave it at that, but a thought entered his mind. with a soft smile, he reached forward and gently took nikkari by the hand. ]
... Other than maybe getting to spend more time with you.
[the hand holding is definitely not something he expects but...Keigo's hand is warm, and that's enough to make him want to smile more, will be something he smiles about for a few days.]
...Since we're already out, do you want to spend Christmas with me, then?
[if time is what he wants, it's easy to give it to him.]
[ keigo had his moments of confidence, rooted in practice over the years, but actually getting it to stick was the challenge. holding nikkari's hand felt almost too forward, in a way, but keigo knew that was only due to his lack of experience. if nikkari was a girl, it would have been a different story, but...
well, anyway. keigo felt his heart flutter in his chest at the suggestion, a warm blush creeping to his cheeks. when was the last time he actually spent christmas with a date?? how exciting! ]
I'd love that.
[ keigo grinned, fingers coiling around nikkari's hand gently, like it was a treasure he wanted to keep safe. ]
[Christmas with someone who wasn't family. it would be quite the change, for him, but...a nice change. his aunt had already flapped her hands at him and told him to get out, to go have fun, so as long as it didn't run too late...
suddenly, he's a little more aware that his hand is being held, and he's glad he's in the business of covering how he feels, or this could get awkward.]
Nothing in particular, I don't know what's really good...but we could always go see the lights. I don't think I've gotten to look at them besides just going to work or passing through. Unless you have something you want to do?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
slides this here... backdated to christmas??? (text to start)
are you busy? i'd like to meet up sometime today, if possible!
[ desperately trying not to sound Weird because of all the other shenanigans they've been through recently. ]
slowly emerges from grave
i'm not busy, it's just me and my aunt. but what's on your mind? aren't you busy?
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[ why was this hard... ]
i have something to give you!
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[pretend Nikkari said a location that's easy for the both of them to get to.]
see you soon?
text ›› action
[ he wasn't joking about that. keigo didn't waste much time getting out and... he was pleasantly surprised by how calm it was outside. maybe because everything was closed, but there was a lack of milling about immediately where he ended up, at least for the time being. though, the more he dwelled on it, the more intimate the meeting seemed to become... now he was nervous.
but it looked like in his haste, he might have been there a bit early... he probably looked stupid, standing around with a small box in hand, looking around. keep cool, buddy... ]
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Yo! Made it!
[he doesn't look stupid, just like he's waiting.]
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Hey!
[ keigo met nikkari halfway, trying his best not to look overly eager. ]
I'm glad you could meet me today... I didn't wanna give you a late gift...
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[he's already smiling, like usual, so he's not in any position to judge eagerness.]
But if you want to make sure it happens on today specifically, who am I to complain?
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Y-you're right, I guess... The thought...
[ ... but okay, he was still nervous. he held the box for a moment longer before almost shyly presenting it, lips curled into a smile that matched the slight slope to his eyebrows. sure, nikkari would probably like it on principle that it was a gift, but... ]
Then... here. Merry Christmas.
[ the box was simple, medium sized, and inside was a cute scarf!! but resting on top of that scarf was an even smaller box, wrapped in a series of small, silk-like ribbons. what could it be? ]
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Oh this...this is perfect, Keigo! Thank you! This is awesome!
[exactly his style, and it'll keep him warm during the snow and chill.]
How does it look?
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I'm glad you like it! It really looks good on you.
[ he rested a hand under his chin, as if truly examining nikkari critically. ]
Pulls together that whole "ghost hunter" vibe... I'm glad it looks even better in action than it did in my head.
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You made a great choice, seriously. I can't thank you enough.
[but then there was the smaller box, the one wrapped in ribbons.]
And what's this, then?
[he's careful as he unwraps this one, peering at it curiously.]
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Don't worry about it! You deserve it.
[ but... when nikkari brought his attention to the smaller box... keigo's expression sobered a little. that nervousness came back, and he looked off to one side, skimming a palm up his neck. ]
Ah, well... that one's not as cool as the scarf, but...
no subject
[he says this, carefully unveiling the little box, and opening it. first, a slip of paper, with words of gratitude that make Nikkari smile all the more, ready to tell Keigo it's fine, he doesn't have to thank him for that.
it's when he sees the talisman that his expression shifts, smile going down and instead eyes widening a little in looking at the talisman that the box contains. for a second, he's quiet, looking at it with something close to wonder.]
no subject
as though he was prepared for the reaction, or lack thereof, keigo spoke up, albeit in a soft, slightly uncertain, tone. ]
It's... It's a protection charm. Be... Because I...
[ hesitation gripped him, his lips slightly pursed as he continued, words heavy off his lips. ]
I know you go around lookin' for ghosts and stuff. I'm... in tune with that sorta thing, so I worry. I don't want anything to happen to you. I guess it's sorta lame to put stock in that stuff, but I just want you to be safe.
no subject
and something comes up, taps him on the shoulder like it has before - a memory, of a time that wasn't here, a place that wasn't Recolle.
(his clothes are heavier, and there's something at his waist. in his hand is a talisman, of dark silk and careful lettering, and his hand closes on it slowly. with this, he would be able to come back here safely, without being destroyed. someone cared enough to make sure that he would. someone who he would run into this danger for, without hesitation. he tucks it into his clothes, and he feels stronger for its presence.)
blinking, he looks up from the box, and smiles again - but it's softer, and he picks it up in one hand, pressing it to his heart.]
...You don't really know how much this means to me.
no subject
looking at the way nikkari reacted, however, keigo saw that it clearly wasn't Towne that way. a swell of relief seemed to rise up inside of him and keigo released a soft breath.
but more than that, the way nikkari looked up at him, and how softly he spoke... keigo had a feeling that he touched a nerve. or maybe struck a chord. something spurred that reaction and all he could think to do was sheepishly rub at his scalp and look to one side. ]
It...Well, I dunno what to say. I didn't expect you to... take it to heart, I guess.
[ that sounded... flippant. ]
Ah, what I mean is... I didn't think you'd like it that much. If I'm being honest, a lot of it was for my peace of mind... it was kinda selfish of me...
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[there's a touch more of the Nikkari that he expected, but still soft. still reeling from it, and though he doesn't know if he could try to explain it to Keigo beyond saying he took this seriously.]
Just let me thank you.
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[ when he puts it like that, it's hard to protest. keigo's eyes flicked above over to nikkari, and he nodded. ]
... you're welcome, Nikkari.
[ and to top it off, he smiled gently. he was a bit confused, but if nikkari really liked it... ]
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Now I feel bad, not having a Christmas present for you. Tell me something you want and we can pretend I totally surprised you with it.
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Don't feel bad!! There's really not a whole lot I would want...
[ keigo was going to leave it at that, but a thought entered his mind. with a soft smile, he reached forward and gently took nikkari by the hand. ]
... Other than maybe getting to spend more time with you.
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...Since we're already out, do you want to spend Christmas with me, then?
[if time is what he wants, it's easy to give it to him.]
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well, anyway. keigo felt his heart flutter in his chest at the suggestion, a warm blush creeping to his cheeks. when was the last time he actually spent christmas with a date?? how exciting! ]
I'd love that.
[ keigo grinned, fingers coiling around nikkari's hand gently, like it was a treasure he wanted to keep safe. ]
What do you wanna do?
no subject
suddenly, he's a little more aware that his hand is being held, and he's glad he's in the business of covering how he feels, or this could get awkward.]
Nothing in particular, I don't know what's really good...but we could always go see the lights. I don't think I've gotten to look at them besides just going to work or passing through. Unless you have something you want to do?