teaserving | ⏪ INBOX

I'll go into convenience stores for you if you want. I don't mind doing it.

What about afterward? To feel like a...gray, disgusting, discarded gym sock, is that also normal?

ha that's actually pretty sweet of you

oh yeah. that's normal. that's kind of how i feel most of the time
a little moist
moldy

Gross.

I wouldn't guess it from looking at you, though.

i keep it on the inside usually.

don't be hard on yourself, kirigiri.
i don't know everything you went through but reacting to something because it reminds you of a dead person is pretty understandable. whether they were family or something else.

[Alter Ego is typing...
Alter Ego is typing...
Alter Ego is typing...
Alter Ego is typing...]

i just don't want to disappoint my grandfather

i know that feeling
kind of

but you aren't a machine, kirigiri.

i know.

thank you for saying it.
that's what i needed to hear, i think, but it wouldn't have been genuine if i'd asked for it outright.

i understand.

hey
you wanna come over for a bit?

yes.
i wasn't really sleeping anyway.

you don't have company already?

nah it's just me
i'll make some coffee if you want

All right. I'll get myself together and head over soon.

I never did ask you my second stupid question, come to think of it.

oh yeah.
you wanna do that now or when you get here?

When I get there, I suppose.

You've more than earned the chance to roll your eyes at me in person.

dont hype me up for it or i'll be disappointed

i'll be waiting

[And sure enough, within the hour, here she comes — a little sluggish, and notably wearing a stolen boy's T-shirt and shorts instead of her everyday coat and school uniform, though the boots and the gloves are still present as always.

She still lets herself in, because of course she does, but this time it's with the audible sound of an actual key turning in the lock.]

[It's such a little thing, but hearing her use the key does briefly put a smile on his face which he hurries to wipe away. Arranged on the small dining table are two mugs with coffee. One has a skull on it, which is definitely Abbacchio's. The other is new, but still Kirigiri's.

He squints at her stolen shirt, but... well, there's something kind of charming about how casual she looks right now. Sure, she can take care of herself and everything, but he still has the protective urge to threaten a boy's well-being on her behalf.]

Hey. C'mon, it's still hot.

Thank you...

[What makes this a little weird is that she's not used to someone greeting her when she lets herself into Abbacchio's apartment, so when he does, there's a split-second where she's actually not altogether sure what she's supposed to say. I'm home doesn't feel right, but neither does saying nothing, and so eventually she just settles on something noncommital as she locks the door behind her and heads toward the table where the coffee is waiting.

It's immediately apparent which cup belongs to who. Briefly, enigmatically, she smiles.]

Where did you find that?

[The smile is enough to satisfy him. Sure, he prefers tea, but he can drink coffee just fine. He's honestly starting to think he's going to need a proper grinder and maker at this point. Or at least a press. Even if it's not for him, Kirigiri swings by enough.

The question makes him smirk.]

Found a store that does custom designs. So I had 'em make that one.

[He didn't find it. He had it made for her.]

[...

]

I like it. That was...nice of you.

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!]

Though isn't it a little backwards to be giving me gifts around your birthday?

Eh, it's nothing.

[But she likes it, and that's all he really cares about.]

I was already holding onto it. But I wanted to see your face when I had it for you. Just kind of ended up as weird timing.

...The coffee's going to get cold.

[She says, because she doesn't know what else to say without making a complete idiot of herself. I wanted to see your face, like the reward is in seeing her happy — just another small kindness from this man who has never let her down, for all that he's convinced that it's all he's capable of doing.

She shuffles over and finds her seat, cupping her hands around the mug. Her cheeks are pink, and he'll notice, but that's no reason to draw attention to it.]

Tell me about your birthday. Did you do anything?

[A dry laugh escapes Abbacchio before he has a sip from his mug. It's black, nothing added to it; it's bitter, but he's all right for instant.]

I drank wine and felt bad for myself. Yuri sent me a message to check on me, so that was an okay part of it. Found your gift and I, uh... well, I liked it.

[Oh he definitely cried when he found it, but he isn't going to admit that.]

Honestly, better than I thought I'd take it.

I can bring some things over, if you'd rather...have someone else in the house. For a while.

[She offers, tactfully, before sipping her coffee. It's just the way she likes it, and she lets the taste linger briefly on her tongue before swallowing and setting her mug back down.]

I don't spend much time in my own apartment as it is.

I'm not gonna claim to be a very good housemate, but you do what you want. I wouldn't be unhappy with it.

[It's a "yes" for Abbacchio, honestly.]

Didn't you have another question you wanted to ask me, by the way?

Mmhmm. It's less that I need an answer and more just that I'd appreciate...talking it through with someone else. For an outside perspective.

[She drums her fingers lightly on the side of her mug, thinking.]

It's fine to be attracted to different people for different reasons, isn't it? Preference doesn't have to be fixed, I suppose is what I'm asking. It's normal for there to be variation, even just from day to day?

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