[ 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?
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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?
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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?