Shotgun Wedding Log: A Nighttime Visitor
"Hmm," Mikoto considers, putting away one of the outfits, leaving two. For them he likes them both, so he shrugs, "I think it's up to you from here though."
Seeing the least warm outfit go back away, Keiji couldn't help but be amused that Mikoto didn't have a favourite of the two left. "Should I model them for you, so you can make a decision? Or just choose one myself?" He asked, giving the blond the opportunity to have either the fun, or the easy way to decide this.
Mikoto choosing would definitely be fun -- but he thinks that there's some level of confidence that works to really sell an outfit, so he'd rather have the vocalist choose his own. "I'd like you to pick the one you like best."
"Alright." Keiji responded with ease before turning to grab the outfit on the left and put it away, leaving the last outfit for him to fold carefully and put in his duffel bag, ready for the next day. Then he grabbed some clean underwear and put that away too. "Okay, I think that's everything. I guess we can go now." He stated, turning to Mikoto to see if the blond was ready to get on their way too.
The blond would be happy with either outfit, although the fashionista in him definitely learns something from which Keiji ended up choosing. He's quite pleased, although when Keiji suggest they go... he has one suggestion, "Hmm, I think there's one more thing we need to do before we can go." then the blond moves in close to Keiji, definitely wanting to steal some kisses for the road.
"Oh~? I can't imagine what I might have forgotten~" Keiji replied, his growing smile as Mikoto moved closer showing he knew damn well what the blond was implying. Once the other man was right there, though, Keiji laughed a little, then leaned down to bestow those obviously desired kisses. His words might be teasing, but his actions tended not to be.
"I had to behave and endure through all your errands," Mikoto insists, pouting, also just being a tease though. He gets his arms around Keiji's waist as he leans up into the kiss. The height difference is mildly annoying, but somehow kind of romantic too?
Keiji didn't rush the kisses, but they also weren't planning to stay at his place too much longer either, so he didn't lengthen the kisses when they seemed to have come to a natural ending. As opposed to Mikoto's mild annoyance at their height difference, Keiji found it somewhat endearing. True, it was a bit easier when the other man was in platforms or heels, but the natural difference was cute somehow. "Have I earned your endurance now?" He asked softly, with good humour.
"Mmm, mhmm. I think I can bear it until we get to my place," He agrees, smiling at Keiji before gently pulling away, and heading to the genkan to get ready to leave. After all, it'll be even more fun when they get to his place~
The way Mikoto phrased that... Keiji had the impression he might get jumped as soon as they got to Mikoto's place. And he was not opposed to that. Not at all. "Well, as long as you think you can make it that far~" He replied, following along to the genkan so they could both get ready. Once they had shoes and jackets on, he ushered them out the door, then locked it behind them. "Shall we, then?" He said, before starting on the way out of the building.
Honestly, wouldn't it be more surprising after so many days if he didn't get jumped by the blond? That's usually what happens at this point. The blond giggles at the implication that he wouldn't last that long - imagining a scenario where he just loses it and jumps Keiji in the subway. Not that that would ever happen, but it's fun to imagine~ "Yes, let's."
As they walked, to keep his mind as much out of the gutter as possible, Keiji asked, "So, are there any errands we need to run for you, before we get to your place?" He wasn't sure what such errands might be, but it was a safe topic, right?
"Hmm? Nope~ I'm all good." Mikoto replies. And it would have to be very pressing for him to do it when he's quite excited to have personal time with Keiji after a few days without.
"Okay, good." Keiji responded happily, definitely wanting to just be able to enjoy time with the blond, and not have to stop for something that wasn't the other man's work. He *wanted* to ask if Mikoto had anything he particularly wanted to do once they got to the bassist's place, but it was a little too public to do that just now. Instead, he just happily walked along beside the other man so they could get to their destination as quickly as possible.
Mikoto does his best to keep a quick pace, although it's effortless for Keiji since the younger man is much taller. He's actually less *horny*, per se, than craving intimacy and touch with his boyfriend. He also has something he'd like to talk about.... but he thinks he'll be more comfortable with that in a more relaxed moment.
Thankfully, the transit from one apartment to the other was easy and comfortable, and it wasn't long before the Traveller was in view. "So... are we going in through the back way? Or did you want to pick something up in the restaurant before heading up?" He asked, just wanting to know which door they were making for.
"Hmm, through the back is fine~" Mikoto replies. He's not hungry yet, thanks in part to that steam bun earlier. He leads the way through the familiar alley, and up the stairs, and into his room. He doesn't immediately pounce Keiji. He takes off his shoes, and then casually sidles up to him.
"Alright." Keiji agreed easily, then followed Mikoto down the alley and up to the apartment. He was a little surprised that Mikoto *didn't* immediately jump him once the door was closed, or maybe even once they got in out of the alley, since they knew no one was upstairs right now, but he wasn't quite confident enough in shared spaces (even when definitely alone) to initiate something himself. Once he had his shoes and jacket settled, though, he was happy to find the blond moving closer. "Hello there~" He said, settling his hands lightly on Mikoto's waist, once he was close enough.
"Hi," Mikoto replies in turn, getting his arms around Keiji's shoulder and leaning up for a clearly telegraphed kiss. He definitely would like sex to happen at some point today, but he's not desperately horny at the moment -- though he'll certainly reciprocate if that's the energy the model brings to the situation.
Keiji happily joined that kiss, but... maybe he was missing something, but the heat and need he had expected to find there just didn't seem to be there. Not that there was disinterest, not at all. But it felt like sex wasn't the desire at the moment. It kind of confused the singer, but he wasn't exactly *desperate* this moment either, so he was okay waiting a bit until they were both more in the mood together. "Mmmmm~ Even though I got one of these before we left my place, it still felt too long without one on the way here." He said with a smile.
"Right?" Mikoto agrees, staying right up against his boyfriend, enjoying the closeness of their bodies, "So stupid we can't even really hold hands unless I'm looking more femme than this. Stupid world."
"It really is." Keiji agreed, linking his hands together against his boyfriend's lower back. "But, at least we can sometimes get away with it, and when we can't, we can hide at home and enjoy being together." He added, thinking that this wasn't the case for guys like Akio and Yue, neither of which could really pass as women, even from a distance.
The blond smiles, since Keiji is definitely complimenting his genetic gift of androgyny, which he definitely also agrees with, "Mhmm. I am truly blessed." he agrees. And then... he settles his cheek against the model's chest, knowing full well his head is at the perfect height to tuck in under Keiji's chin, and knowing how much his boyfriend loves that position.
"You really are. And so am I." Keiji responded, definitely meaning he was blessed by Mikoto himself. When the blond rested against him like that, Keiji absolutely did take the opportunity to rest his chin on top of the other man's head and close his eyes, taking a deep breath and just enjoying the comforting feel of that position. He had no way to explain how standing like this made him feel. It just felt good and it made him happy, and he was glad that Mikoto seemed to enjoy it too, or at least endure it with good humour.
Whether Mikoto endures it or enjoys it honestly depends on the moment, and at the moment the blond is definitely enjoying it. His eyes are closed and he's totally relaxed, taking in the comfort of Keiji's chest, those arms around him, even the smell of the younger man. He ends up giving a soft, pleased sigh.
That gentle sound made Keiji smile to himself, and he began to sway just a little. Not enough to actually feel like dancing, but just enjoying the extended embrace for a little longer. It felt good, and right, just standing there holding each other.
Mikoto smiles, unseen, against Keiji's chest, enjoying that movement -- reminiscent of slow dancing, which brings up images of sweet romance to mind. And while he still can't honestly admit to such feelings, they're definitely increasingly easy for him to accept and enjoy. "Mm~"
There were no negative reactions, and a number of positive ones, to his gentle swaying, so Keiji kept it up, feeling much the same way as Mikoto did about it. It was a sweet, intimate moment, achieved while fully clothed. It was actually just nice. After a while, though, he asked, "Happy like this? Or want to move somewhere?" Just because it might be kind of weird, just standing here, barely into the apartment.
"Hmm... I suppose we may be more comfy on the sofa? Or in bed?" Mikoto replies, happy enough to move since they have been standing/walking a long time, but not having a huge preference for where they go. Either place will offer potential for mode cuddles.
Given the general atmosphere since they got here, Keiji suggested, "Maybe the couch, for now?" Mostly because couch felt more like cute cuddles to him, while bed meant other, less adorable things. Not that this was necessarily true, of course, but that was the vibe he tended to feel.
Mikoto carefully pulls his face back from Keiji's chest, so he can smile sweetly up at his boyfriend, "Mm, ok. Sounds good." he agrees. And then pulls away all together, finally stepping up out of the genkan. "Should I grab drinks or something?"
Keiji easily let Mikoto go and smiled in return. "Drinks sound good." He agreed, thinking that wouldn't be amiss after their walk. He left that to his boyfriend, though, making his way over to the couch to wait for the other man to rejoin him.
"Beer ok? Or something healthy?" Mikoto asks as he heads towards the kitchen, his tone suggesting healthy things are gross although Keiji knows him more than well enough to know he's just joking and doesn't actually care.
"Whatever you want to get, I'm good with." Keiji responded, not because he was worried about the cost, but more that he just felt like drinking whatever Mikoto was. That said, it sounded like the preferred beverage was beer, and he was okay with that. When the blond disappeared into the kitchen, Keiji grabbed the remote first, assuming Mikoto would want either music or TV while they cuddled, then grabbed the blanket as well. Just because it was getting warmer out didn't mean it wasn't nice to cuddle under the blanket anymore.
Mikoto is well prepared, with a variety of tea stocked for Kaiya and Keiji, but he takes the younger man at his word, grabbing a pair of beers instead, as that's what the bassist would prefer to drink. He returns to the living room and puts them on the coffee table. He then settles on the sofa, directly beside Keiji and with his legs draped over the other man's lap.
A warm smile spread across Keiji's lips as Mikoto settled on the couch next to him in such a, now, familiar way, then spread the blanket across their legs in an obviously practiced way. "Drinks first? Or a few cuddles and kisses first?" He asked, honestly tempted either way. He was thirsty, but he also loved the thought of holding and kissing the blond.
The blond is far too charmed by that smile to bother with the beers for now -- besides they're probably too cold anyways. "Mmm~ Definitely cuddles and kisses first." He's already leaning in even as he says so, swiftly pressing his lips against Keiji's.
The smile changed from sweet to wide and toothy at that response, but joined that kiss readily, and with joy. He got his arms lightly around the blond and leaned into the kiss, though he didn't immediately move to deepen it. It was nice to exchange slightly more innocent kisses sometimes.
Mikoto gets his arms around Keiji's neck, being the easiest way to touch him with the way they're sitting together. If Mikoto were trying to 'progress' things he would shift onto the other man's lap and press in against him, but he's enjoying the sweeter kisses, so he stays where he is, closing his eyes sweetly into the moment and enjoying the moment.
Keiji took his cues from the blond's body language. While it was clear Mikoto was enjoying the kisses, and happy with the intimacy, he also wasn't looking to advance things. And while the model was a little surprised by this, he had no actual complaints. Enjoying holding the other man and exchanging sweet kisses was not an undesirable activity in the least!
In some ways, it's like how their relationship had been at the start - lots of touching and kissing. But whereas in the past there had been a pressure born of them both being celibate and both wanting it but not being there yet, now that pressure is absent. If they decide to have sex, they'll have sex, but they can just cuddle and kiss contentedly. And Mikoto is having trouble understanding how freeing this is for himself.
It really was a wonderful kind of freedom to just kiss and cuddle and not feel like they were teetering closer and closer to a terrifying precipice. If it did happen, Keiji now knew that they would fly, not fall, so he could enjoy everything they did together without worry or need.
The blond savours the sweet energy, the wonderful kisses. It's a romantic satisfaction that he hasn't really allowed himself to experience in such a long time that he couldn't put it into words right now. After one of those kisses, he just rests the side of his head on Keiji's shoulder.
When Mikoto brought his head to rest against the singer's shoulder, Keiji smiled, then pressed a soft kiss to that blond hair. He didn't try to change his boyfriend's position, though, enjoying the sweet simplicity of cuddling on the couch together under the blanket, the apartment abnormally quiet with no TV or music on just yet. It was actually really intimate. Maybe even as much as sex, but completely different at the same time.
Mikoto feels comfortable, happy and fulfilled in a way that he hasn't in a long time. After a while, he becomes aware of the silence though, and also this isn't a great position to keep his neck in for a super long time. So he reluctantly sits up more, and quietly suggests, "Wanna turn on the TV, or something?"
Keiji began slowly rubbing Mikoto's back in small circles as they existed in the comfortable silence. When the blond spoke up, though, he smiled. "The remote is right here." He said, lifting it up from beside him. "Any preference? Or just want the sound from whatever?" He asked. Watching TV while cuddling would be nice, but he also didn't really need the distraction. Holding his boyfriend was enough for him.
"Hmm, more just wanting sound," Mikoto admits. He knows he's told Keiji before that due to the busy household he'd grown up in, he's just used to background sound and that's part of why there's usually always something playing in the background at his house. He knows he's told Keiji, because he's told Keiji nearly everything, and is keenly aware of the things he hasn't told the singer.
Keiji nodded in understanding, then turned the TV on, spent a couple seconds changing the channel to something that wouldn't be too distracting, then set the remote down so he could go back to holding Mikoto and rubbing his boyfriend's back. "There we go. Sound, and cuddling. Perfect."
Mikoto blinks, surprised somehow at Keiji designating this situation as 'perfect'. Not that he thought Keiji wasn't enjoying himself, but he'd kind of assumed that maybe Keiji would be disappointed? But he quickly recognizes that as an effect of the 'training' his ex had given him, and not something actually to do with Keiji. It's frustrating, realizing there's still a way those talons are stuck in him, so he seeks reassurance from Keiji to help clear the feeling away, "Keiji-kun. This is ok, right?"
That question brought a confused blink from Keiji. He *had* just said this was perfect, right? "Of course!" He replied immediately, then pressed a kiss to Mikoto's temple. "Why wouldn't this be okay?" He asked, wanting to understand why his boyfriend was worried.
"It's ok that this is... simple and," the model tilts his head, trying to explain the feeling that's causing him the nerves, "And sweet. It's ok that I want this right now and not, not other things." Weird, the blond could easily say all kinds of filthy sexual things, but in this moment it feels weird to specifically say sex. Even the blond recognizes that calling it 'more' wouldn't be quite right, after all.
Keiji listened without comment or judgement, then smiled softly when Mikoto finished what he was saying. "Of course it's okay. I like cuddling with you. And, well, if you're not in the mood, then you're not in the mood, you know? No one's *always* in the mood for sex, after all. If this is what you're up for right now, I'm perfectly happy with it." He assured the blond. He wouldn't say that he couldn't be up for other things if Mikoto was in the mood for that, but he in no way wanted to do anything that the other man didn't feel like doing.
"It's not exactly that I'm not in the mood," Mikoto replies, knowing that if Keiji said 'I would like to have sex now' he could easily get there, enjoy it, and have some wonderful cuddling after. It's more that today, for whatever reason, this feels like enough. No, he thinks he finally has it. He'd be happy with sex, but today he wants this *more*. And he's not entirely used to thinking of *this* as separate from *that* in his mind, so that's something of a revelation. Thankfully, he can sit here quietly thinking and processing, without feeling rushed at all by Keiji. He knows that without having to waste thought on it.
"Mmm... But just not right now." Keiji responded, sounding not at all judgemental, or disappointed, just accepting. And he really was fine with it. He wasn't raging with sexual need right now, and even if he was, he could deal with it for himself. He would rather just hold the blond and give the other man the warm, loving care that he needed right now. To the singer's mind, letting Mikoto know that it was more than okay to *just* want this was important, especially knowing how the bassist was still affected by his asshole ex.
Perhaps a stupid question, but Mikoto is trying to gauge the situation from a 'normal' pov, instead of his which he knows is somewhat skewed from his past experiences. He asks, simply, "Is this romantic?"
"Hmm?" Keiji hummed, questioningly at that. He actually had to think about the answer for a second. "Mmm... I guess in an effortless kind of way, it is?" The singer responded, eventually. "I mean... I usually think of 'romantic' things being something that effort is put into. But this is sweet? And soft? And enjoyable?" He'd been about to say 'And loving', but he thought that would be too much for the blond.
Honestly, the blond asking if it's romantic is already kind of putting himself out there for something he may or may not want to hear. He certainly agrees about it being soft, sweet and enjoyable. He doesn't quite get the other part, "Romantic is something you put effort into?" He thinks of moments in manga where the girl trips and the guy catches her and then their faces are close and their hearts race as romantic, so it doesn't quite match up.
Keiji was definitely thinking of a completely different definition of 'romantic' than Mikoto. "Nnn... like planning a really sweet, thoughtful date that starts with flowers, or chocolates... then maybe going to a favourite restaurant, or a special place for a picnic with your partner's favourite foods packed. Then going back home to spend time enjoying each other's company before having a bath, or making love, with rose petals all around. Maybe with finger-fed chocolates or fruit involved. And champagne?" The singer elaborated, trying to describe what he thought of a traditional romantic gesture.
Mikoto listens, and he does recognize those things as romantic, although they also feel kind of unreal. Like do people really do that? But it is kind of nice to hear Keiji's opinion of it, "Oh ok." He's left not entirely sure what this is, but it feels so nice it has to be something, right?
For Keiji, this was just a normal thing that people dating did. At some point, if there was any real anything to the relationship, two people *should* be able to just enjoy cuddling together without needing to be heading toward sex, or be talking (or even making out). It was just a comfortable wanting to be together. To feel that beloved person next to him. In a certain sense, maybe it *was* romantic, but it was so normal and effortless to him that he didn't think of it that way. Still, he was curious: "So, what do you think of with the word 'romantic'?" He asked, wanting to know what he could do to give the blond that wonderful feeling.
Somehow, the bassist hadn't expected the question to get turned back on him. His surprise is briefly evident on his face before he glances down, then looks over towards the TV. "Um. I don't really know....When I was young, I dreamed of like...." and then he actually trails off, as talking about it seems embarrassing as hell.
Keiji craned his neck slightly to try to get a look at Mikoto's face, gentle concern on his own. "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. But.... I'd really love to know, when you're ready to say. It would be so much fun to make the dream of young Miko-kun come true." He added, hoping Mikoto would tell him, but not at all going to push for it.
"Mouuuu~" Mikoto complains, definitely still averting his gaze, "It's just really embarrassing. I had the most like. 13 year old girl view of romance ever! Like just... I was excited by the idea of someone holding my hand, like in my mind it would have sparkles like a comic book panel. Or like... the idea of prince charming... just... just that kind of stuff."
Keiji smiled gently at that description. "That's really sweet. I don't think you should be embarrassed by that. And when we hold hands? It does feel special and sparkly to me." He added, not even being silly. "Can you elaborate on the prince charming thing? Like... is it an aesthetic? Or, like, sweeping you away from your life? Or something else?" He asked, curious how he could deliver on that for the other man.
Mikoto's embarrassed because his past relationship had convinced him that his youthful dreams were fantasy, and not realistic - kind of like the difference between porn and real sex. "Ionno like... some of it is the aesthetic, because you see that in a lot of romance stuff. But like... yeah, I guess he sweeps you away -- like high school was terrible for me, so someone who would pull me away from that -- and protect you and... I don't know..." He shrugs, body language showing he still feels quite awkward talking about it.
"Well..... I think I could pull together some pieces to fit the aesthetic, but I'm not sure there's something you want me to sweep you away from? Or protect you from? I mean... your life is a lot more what you want it to be now, right?" Keiji asked, pretty sure he was right, but definitely wanting to know how he could make good on this dream of the blond's.
The blond rather belatedly clicks into the fact that Keiji's *asking* for the purpose of trying to *fulfill* the dream, and that realization gets him to properly look back to his boyfriend. "Oh... yeah, I don't know. Life is pretty good now."
... that said. He does remember a photo spread of Keiji looking princely and how amazing that had been.
Keiji smiled as Mikoto looked back up at him. "So, I guess I'll just have to sweep you off your feet some other way." He responded, not at all considering *not* bringing the prince charming thing to life somehow. Maybe he could get some help in this from Setsuna? Surely the other singer would have some ideas what highschool Miko would have wanted in princeliness.
Honestly, Keiji earnestly seeking some way to 'sweep him off his feet' is giving Mikoto a light case of butterflies in the stomach, so he gets a small smile on his lips. He finally comes up with something too, "Well, I think we talked one time before about... maybe taking a day trip to an onsen or something....?"
"I'd still love to do that with you. I think we talked about sometime in the summer?" Keiji responded, happy to move on to something else that Mikoto clearly wanted to do together, that also skewed to the romantic to Keiji. "When we get a little closer, we'll have to look at both of our schedules and find a time."
Mikoto hadn't exactly meant it as moving on to something else. Wouldn't Keiji sweeping him out of Tokyo to some queer positive ryokan, like a little fantasy bubble, be a great example of the kind of thing they had been talking about? "Yeah, that sounds good." He still feels mildly guilty at the model paying for something like this but it is very exciting.
Since it was something that they had already been planning, Keiji considered this less him sweeping Mikoto away, and more then going on vacation together. Either way, it felt like a wonderful, romantic getaway for them. "Any other highschool Miko dreams I can work on making reality?" He asked. Maybe it was the fact that Keiji wasn't that far out of highschool himself, but he didn't think it was silly or unrealistic to want a little cuteness or fairytale romance in a relationship.
"uhh... I don't know? Give me time to think, and if I come up with anything, I'll let you know?" Mikoto replies, having honestly not really let himself think about these things so much since his spirit had been broken by his ex.
"Okay." Keiji agreed easily with another smile. "For what it's worth, My fantasies are often soft, happy, cozy things like this too." He admitted, wanting Mikoto to know for sure that he didn't think something like this was silly in his eyes, and also that he was happy with things being like this sometimes, not just okay with it.
Honestly, the idea that Keiji actively likes and seeks out things like this moment hadn't crossed the blond's mind, so it's very good information. Immediately curious, he asks, "Oh? Like what?" He wants more specific examples!
"Hmmm? Well, just this feeling of being l-close." Keiji narrowly avoided saying 'feeling of being loved', "Cuddling, sweet kisses, just sitting easily, and quietly together. Being able to enjoy just being together without needing to talk, necessarily, or be all over each other either. I like all of the sex and stuff too, obviously, but.... Well, that part hasn't always had the best associations. The cuddling and care and sweetness, though? That's just.... what I always imagined things *should* be like. But most of the people I was with, well.... most of them were more interested in the sex than in sweetness. And maybe I didn't help with that. Even with women, it was hard to open up, and really trust." He admitted.
Mikoto had also been hoping for a more 'actionable' fantasy that he could help fulfill for Keiji, but it is somewhat soothing to have the younger man identify all the things that the blond was enjoying about this moment. He definitely picks up on Keiji almost saying love - not the first time the younger man has slipped up with something like that. He's too cowardly to ask, but he definitely finds himself hoping the other man does love him. "I mean... sex is very important to me, but..." he shrugs. If that's all it was, he could go back to picking up guys at the clubs.
"Oh! It is to me too." Keiji hastened to reassure his boyfriend. "Even moreso with someone that I'm getting the other things with, though. I feel..... I don't know. Dirty? Thinking about having a one night stand?" The singer admitted. Not that he thought *other people* were dirty for engaging in whatever sexual activity they prefered. It was just the detached-ness of it all that looped back into his trauma somehow and left him feeling a very negative way. And that seemed to be true no matter the gender of the other person involved. "I guess.... I want to feel wanted for more than just sex?" He added, trying to explain his own feelings a little better.
The blond knows that Keiji isn't judging *him* for his past multitude of one night stands, though it's still a little hard to hear it called dirty. But he can see how Keiji would really need some kind of connection to feel ok with sex, after his history. "Right."
Somehow, even though that one word didn't imply anything, really, Keiji felt like his words had disappointed the blond somehow. Knowing his boyfriend's history, he could guess that his own wording might have been misinterpreted, and he definitely didn't want that. "...you know I don't think that about you, right?" He put out there, bringing a gentle hand up to stroke Mikoto's hair. "I honestly don't care what other people want to do: have a string of one night stands, have threesomes, or orgies, or whatever. If it makes those people feel good and happy, then that's fine for them. I just.... I can't be one of them, you know? It's all about me, and how I feel about me." And that probably made no sense, but there was nothing he could do about that.
Miko smiles gently at that hand in his hair, "I know you don't mean me. By this point, you've made it really clear that you are fine with all my best, even the wild things. But it's still unpleasant to hear you refer to one night stands that way.... but I also get why?"
Keiji threaded his fingers through Mikoto's hair as he listened to the other man's words. "Mmm... I wouldn't say it's exactly the one night stands themselves that I feel that way about. It's me engaging in one. It's entirely *me* that I feel would be dirty. Not the act. Not the other person involved. Just me." Again, it didn't make sense, but it just was. "The more I think about it, I think it's more the idea that I would be dirty for letting someone *use* me. Because..." He trailed off, sure that he didn't have to elaborate exactly *why* he would feel dirty about allowing someone to use him for sex, and nothing else, even if that wasn't exactly the intent.
"Well, even though it might make you feel dirty, it doesn't make you dirty," Mikoto insists, since there isn't anything wrong with it -- or hadn't been anything wrong with it because Keiji absolutely had better not be doing any such thing currently. Speaking of which, he admits, "Well, not really something that needs to be worried about now, ne?"
"I know." Keiji responded with a small smile. The fact that he didn't think anyone else was dirty for engaging in the same activity told him, logically, that he wouldn't be dirty either. But logic and emotions? They didn't always line up. Still, that addition made his smile grow. "Yeah, definitely not something I have to worry about now. Now I have all the wonderful things I could want, including the sex." He punctuated that with a small, one-armed hug.
Mikoto hopes that's still quite true, given the blond not delivering on the sex today. But he finally decides to bring up something he's been thinking about a lot recently. After all, Akio had encouraged him to try to find a 'word' for the situation, and he thinks he's finally found one, "Ano sa, Keiji-kun, I've been reading a lot of light novels recently..."
That's not new. He tells Keiji about the stories he's reading sometimes.
Keiji had zero complaints about how the day was going, so Mikoto could rest assured that the lack of sex that day was not damaging the singer's good opinion of their relationship. the change in subject brought a fond smile to Keiji's lips. "Oh? Any good ones?" He asked, encouraging Mikoto to talk more about the books he was reading. It was fun hearing about the ones the blond found particularly interesting.
"I just started a new one a couple days ago -- haven't quite decided whether I like it or not yet," Mikoto admits. He reads more when Keiji's around anyways, since it's what he likes to do in that in between time when Keiji's asleep but he's still awake. "But it reminded me of something that always confused me as a kid."
Keiji smiled as he listened to Mikoto talk, then asked, "Oh? What's that?" If he could help in any way, he would be happy to. Even if he couldn't, though, it could be fun talking about confusing things together regardless.
"Like, how weird is the word 'lover'. It sounds like it should mean 'people who are in love', and sometimes it does. Like 'star-crossed lovers'. But sometimes it just means people who are sleeping together. Like 'she was married but had many lovers on the side'," Mikoto replies, not really needing 'help' but setting up a suggestion.
"Mmmmm...." Keiji mulled over the word and its meanings. "Well... I can't say for sure, but don't lovers, of either meaning, tend to be long-term partners that are un-acknowledged by society, for one reason or another? In the case of the star-crossed lovers, they are star-crossed for a reason: they love each other, but something outside themselves keeps them apart. In the case of 'lovers on the side', she has her society-sanctioned marriage, but her lovers give her something that relationship does not. However, she is already married, and therefore these other relationships cannot be given an official place in her public life. I'd like to think that, in both cases, there is actually 'love' involved, it's just that an official relationship cannot be had, for one reason or another. But... that's just how I interpret it." He added with a bit of a sheepish smile. Maybe he was too much a romantic, and not being realistic enough.
That was somewhat more romantic than the blond had had in mind. He tilts his head, "Do you think that if, without context, you said something like 'she's his lover' that most people would assume those people are *in love*?"
"Maybe not." Keiji admitted, then shrugged. "Personally, *I* would want to believe so, but a lot of people do seem to use it as 'she's having sex with him', without considering whether there are other emotions behind it." He still wanted to believe something like that would happen because those people were in love, rather than just wanting the thrill of sleeping around when society told them they shouldn't.
Having quite the obvious tell when it comes to these specific interactions, Mikoto averts his eyes, before asking in a casual tone, "So most people would say we're lovers then, ne?"
Keiji noticed Mikoto's reaction, but wasn't really sure which way to jump with his answer. In the end, he just went with the plain truth. "Yeah, probably." He agreed gently. *He* would describe them as such, absolutely using his definition of the word, but he had no clue how Mikoto would feel about such a label for their relationship.
It's good, for Mikoto. People will think they're just sleeping together, but they can have their own secret, extra meaning to it, that they and their close friends will understand. "A while back, I was talking to Akio-kun about our situation..." Because he's pretty worried that Keiji will grow tired of the limbo, "And he tried to help me find... a word. A word that wouldn't make me upset. And I think 'lovers' could be it." He's still not looking at Keiji, and not entirely sure that explanation made sense.
Keiji listened while Mikoto explained his thoughts. He was glad that the other man was reaching out to friends to help with his feelings about labels for their relationship because he took that as being a step in the direction of admitting they had a relationship at all. And while Keiji was okay with things being unlabeled, and just understood by the pair of them, he really did like the idea of having a word they could use so that people would understand there was something there between them. And lovers? Yeah, he was definitely okay with that being the word. "If you're comfortable with 'lovers', then I am very happy with that description of who we are to each other." He replied, knowing that *Mikoto* knew how he felt about that word, regardless of how others might interpret it. He hoped that Mikoto would view it more his way than the other way, but he wasn't going to ask that today. It was enough that the blond wanted a label for them at all. He was *not* going to ask if this meant that Mikoto loved him.
Given that Keiji had made it clear that *he* takes the word to mean love, Mikoto had not been sure Keiji would be ok with it, but hearing that the other man is *happy* with it as a descriptor? Well he picks up on that signal loud and clear. Which is a lot but more comforting than he ever would have expected it to be. "I think I'm ok with lovers... maybe we could try it out with someone safe?" The blond asks. He's thinking either Akio or Keigo, for that.
"Okay, good." Keiji responded to the information that Mikoto was okay with the descriptor. That additional thought, though, had the singer stroking Mikoto hair again. "Of course. With whoever you want." He assured, more worried about the other man feeling secure about who they used this new label with than anything else. He would happily proclaim their new status to any of their friends or family, but he knew this was difficult for the blond, so whatever made Mikoto comfortable was what they were going to do in this situation.
Mikoto is fairly certain he's ok, but he thinks testing it out will help him be clear. And since Akio is already vaguely aware of the situation, the blond decides he's the safest. He gets out his phone. As he's finding Akio in his contacts, he instructs. "I'm gunna call Akio-kun, and then pass the phone to you. And you tell him 'Mikoto-kun is my lover' and I'll see how that feels?"
"Umm... Sure?" Keiji agreed. He thought it would be more funny than anything to just say that to the drummer, but he knew Akio had a good sense of humour, so he was sure it was going to be fine.
Akio, meanwhile, was not expecting a call from Mikoto. Not that he was doing anything that would stop him from taking said call, but when the blond's name flashed up on his ringing phone, he *was* amusedly confused. "Yo!" He said, picking up the phone. He was not at all prepared for Keiji's voice to come through saying "Mikoto-kun is my lover" and nothing else. That being the case, Akio burst out laughing at the absurdity. "You damn well bet he is. Tell him I said so."
Dutifully, Keiji told Mikoto, "He says to tell you 'I damn well bet you are'." Honestly, he was pretty amused by this. "Want to talk to him yourself?" He offered, half holding the phone out to Mikoto.
The time the phone spends ringing is painfully long for Mikoto. Rationally, he's sure it'll be fine. But it's not a rational problem that he's trying to resolve, but a check to see if this is going to cause a panic reaction. And thankfully, when he hears those words it makes his chest swell in a happy way, without any of the anxiety he got when he thought about words like 'boyfriends' or 'partners'. He nods and reaches out for his phone -- hearing the tail end of Akio laughing. "Sorry about that. I wanted to test out a word."
Akio got his laughter under control as Mikoto came on the line. "No problem. Was the word a success?" He asked, hoping that his reaction to the completely unexpected situation hadn't caused discomfort for the blond. After their recent conversations, he realized this was an important thing for his friend.
Keiji, meanwhile, was happy to see that Mikoto hadn't withdrawn, or otherwise seemed upset by either his declaration *or* Akio's joking reply. To him, that made this experiment a success.
Honestly, he'd known he was giving Akio a bit of a ridiculous situation with that call and statement out of the blue. But it's with great relief and joy that he's able to honestly reply, "I think... yes. It seems like it was a success. Thanks for being our test subject on this, Akio-kun."
"Good. Feel free to use me as your test subject for other such amusing calls in future~" Akio said, still rather amused. "Anything else I can help with, while you've got me?"
Keiji could vaguely hear Akio's voice since he was still sitting so close to Mikoto, but he didn't see any reason to actually try to listen in on the other side of the conversation. Instead, he went back to gently stroking his ~lover's~ hair and enjoying the warm glow from knowing that Mikoto was happy with labeling their relationship with such a nice word~
"Hai~ Thanks Akio-kun. I knew it would be easy to explain to you," He plays with a strand of hair as he considers if he needs Akio for anything else right now, then shrugs, "I think I'm OK for now. Plus, y'know, I have Keiji-kun sitting next to me, so~" Will the drummer assume something way more sexual from that trailing off than is actually going to happen? Probably. He's too busy enjoying being pet by Keiji.
"No problem. Go enjoy your ~lover~, ne~?" Akio teased with a grin before hanging up and getting back to whatever he had been doing.
Keiji smiled at Mikoto as the phone call seemed to end. "You know, knowing Akio-kun, he's going to think we're doing something much more... hmm.... intense? than we actually are." He commented, though he had no complaints about that, either about what they were doing, or what the drummer would assume was happening. All the while, his fingers continued to thread lightly through that blond hair.
"Oh the way I said that? 100% he's thinking of something spicy," Mikoto replies sassily, as that had been intentional. Akio's welcome to think of that in his dreams, if he'd like. And the blond would rather have Akio think they're fucking than admit that he's just sitting around enjoying having his hair stroked. Actually... he looks to his lover, "Can I lay down with my head in your lap? And then you keep petting me like this?"
That cutely sassy reply made Keiji laugh. That request, though, was just so sweet. "Of course. Sounds nice." He agreed happily, then let Mikoto go enough that the blond could rearrange himself as desired.
He had kind of felt like he was asking Keiji for a favour, but the younger man seems so genuinely pleased with the situation that the blond tries to accept that his lover really does enjoy this simplicity as much as him. It doesn't take him long to find a physically comfortable position, the harder part was doing some blanket negotiation. Finally when Mikoto is settled, his head is on Keiji's lap, and he's looking towards the tv as that had seemed the best option. Of course, it means he's now paying somewhat more attention to the tv, so he blindly holds up a hand, "Remote?"
It may be a favour that he was fulfilling for his lover, but Keiji was absolutely enjoying it too. Once Mikoto was settled, the singer brought his hand back to that lovely, blond hair, stroking it slowly and lovingly. The request for the remote made him smile slightly, and he immediately handed it over. "Have an idea of what you want to find?" He asked, fine with watching whatever Mikoto found, but curious if there was a goal, or just a general search for something of interest.
"Hmm, nothing in particular," The blond admits. He's bougie enough that if he had something he specifically wanted, he'd use his laptop and some kind of video on demand service, rather than channel surfing. Explaining, "Since I'm actually *looking* at the tv now, I feel like I can find something a little more interesting though?"
"Makes sense." Keiji agreed, happy enough to have gotten the insight he'd asked for. Curiosity satisfied, he quieted down again and just watched as Mikoto channel surfed, while continuing to stroke the other man's hair in a soothingly rhythmic way. It just felt nice, sliding his fingers through the smooth hair again and again.
Mikoto is incredibly pleased by the fingers through his hair, it being close to lulling him into a pleasant trance - but he just can't find anything worth watching on tv. "Mou~" he ends up back on the channel they'd started on, half tossing his remote onto the coffee table in annoyance.
Keiji couldn't help the light chuckle that came from his lips at that soft complaint. "There's just nothing good on TV anymore." He commented, still slowly moving his fingers through Mikoto's hair. It really was a very soothing and fulfilling motion. He hadn't realized just how much he would enjoy it. He could probably do this for a literal hour or more.
"I mean, I could get something good on, but then I'd have to move~" Mikoto complains. In this on demand era, he could hook up his laptop and get something good on the screen but it does not currently seem worth it.
"I vote that this show is acceptable so that moving does not happen." Keiji responded warmly, fully against anything that ruined their current position. After all, what was on wasn't *awful*, it just wasn't super interesting.
Mikoto shifts enough to look up at Keiji after that comment, giving him just the sweetest, happiest smile at that. Keiji feels the same about what they're doing now, and that reassurance of being on the same page feels amazing. Then he goes back to lying there, chest feeling full, and watching the middling tv show.
Keiji returned that smile happily, then also turned his attention to the TV. For the rest of the show, he continued to softly, rhythmically, stroke Mikoto's hair. Sometimes he slid his fingers through it, sometimes he used the palm of his hand to smooth over the top of it, and sometimes he took the opportunity to lightly massage Mikoto's scalp before continuing to pet him.
There are occasionally some content sounds that come from the blond, quiet, like they're just his feelings escaping and not him trying to show his joy. After the show they're watching ends, Mikoto sighs. He should probably check the time, think about dinner and getting ready for work. But he's still reluctant to move. "Ne, Kei-kun, what time is it?"
Given that Mikoto had started the day rather later than he, Keiji wasn't surprised that the other man wasn't exactly sure what time it was. "Mmmm..." He dug out his phone and checked the time. "Just about 4:00?" He wasn't 100% clear what time his lover would need to start getting ready for work, but he was pretty sure they weren't into dire 'must rush' territory yet.
Mikoto sighs again, kind of right about the time, "We should probably start thinking about dinner..." Not so much that it's time to EAT dinner yet, but if Keiji wants to cook they'll have to go acquire food. He'll need an early dinner to have time to get ready afterwards.
"Mmmm.... is there something you're particularly feeling like?" Keiji asked, happy to cook if Mikoto was wanting something fresh, or to go along with something takeout, if that was the winning desire. Honestly, he'd gotten pretty good at navigating the other man's takeout menus to find things that were good for his diet, so he didn't even worry about that consideration.
Since they hadn't seen each other for a few days, it also means he hasn't gotten to eat Keiji's food for a few days, so that's obviously where he's leaning. "Ano, if you're feeling up to it, I'd love you have something you made...? We'll probably need to go to the store first though."
"Sure! Are you feeling more Japanese...? Or want me to attempt something with some of your kimchi?" Keiji asked, absolutely delighted to cook for his boyfriend. It felt nice and intimate, in a way, to feed the other man, even if he probably wasn't going to be the one buying the ingredients.
"nnnngghhnn, those both sound good. So.... whatever," Mikoto replies, then laughs at himself and that utterly unhelpful response.
Keiji laughed as well, enjoying the simplicity of this whole situation. "Okay, what about a nice baked fish with kimchi fried rice?" He suggested. He was pretty sure that Mikoto had enough nice, not too hot, spices to add to the fish, and kimchi fried rice was pretty darn tasty. If the blond felt he needed more food than that, though, the singer was open to further suggestions.
"Mm, sounds good~" Mikoto agrees. He gives a heavy sigh, and warns his lover, "Ok, I'm afraid I'm going to move now." Before finally sitting up. They will definitely need a trip to the grocery store for this.
"Perfect." Keiji replied, glad to have that decided. With that warning about Mikoto's imminent movement, the singer moved his fingers away from that blond hair to avoid getting snagged by accident. Then, when Mikoto was up, he stood up to stretch. "Mmmm.... so, I guess we need to go shopping?" He asked. He was sure rice and kimchi existed. He wasn't sure fish or eggs did, though. Or any type of non-pickled vegetable.
"Do you think there's any chance at all of me having fish in my fridge?" Mikoto asks, amused at the concept. Keiji knows him better than that, of course. "Yes, we'll need to go shopping." He stands up and stretches, since he'd been laying down for so long.
"Freezer? Maybe. Fridge? Good gods, I hope not." Keiji teased with a smile. "So, shopping for fish, probably some fresher veggies to add to the rice... do you have eggs?" He asked, since that *was* a possibility, but maybe not a high one.
"Eggs...." The blond not only considers this deeply -- but cannot decide if he has any or not. So he gives up and goes to the kitchen to check, then pokes his head out of the kitchen doorway, "Nope~"
Keiji got his phone back out and started making a list while Mikoto checked on the egg situation. When the verdict was given, he noted the item down on his short list. "Eggs... okay. Fish, veggies, eggs. I think that's everything we need." He was sure that if Mikoto thought of something else while they were there, there would be no problem with adding them to the basket.
Oh Mikoto is absolutely a child who's going to end up grabbing random things in the grocery store, but unlike the child comparison, he's going to be paying for everything because it's fine. He heads over to the genkan to get on his shoes and jacket.
Keiji slipped his phone in his pocket and moved to follow Mikoto's example. Once they were all ready, it was time to head on out to the grocery store for the second time that day. "You know, we're very domestic today." He commented warmly as they began their walk.
"mmm~ Waking up, breakfast, grocery store, watching tv --" the realization hits him, and he giggles, "Grocery store *again*~ Yes, I guess so." At least they're shopping for a different household this time.
Keiji grinned at that giggle when Mikoto realized the humour in the situation. "Yup, two grocery trips in one day. What is becoming of you, Mikoto-kun~?" He teased, since he imagined that his lover didn't spend a whole lot of time in the food parts of grocery stores.
"Well, I haven't completely changed - I'm not cooking, after all," the blond replies. And if Keiji thinks they won't be returning with a bunch of snacks, he's certainly wrong. Possibly booze too.
That just made Keiji laugh. "True. You're just buying what I choose to cook for you, right?" He agreed, finding this rather amusing. He had no problem with assuming he was correct about who was paying. This was food for Mikoto's place, so it was fine that the blond was going to be paying. He had no thoughts about snacks, but he was certain alcohol was going to end up on the bill before they were done.
Mikoto laughs, "Really, this is just a very bizarre way to get take out." Soon enough they're at the store and loading up on food that Mikoto just knows will be amazing once Keiji cooks it. And booze. And snacks.
"Oh? Does that mean I get to add some overhead and labour costs?" Keiji teased with general amusement. After all, if this was just elaborate takeout, then he was *technically* a fast food worker in this scenario, right? He was even more amused as they went around the store, picking up what he had expected... and then some.
Fully faking the terrible fake acting voice from a porn video, he says, "I ordered extra sausage, but... it turns out I don't have the cash to pay. Maybe I can pay you some... other way?"
Keiji burst out laughing at that, the sudden loud sound gaining the attention of a nearby customer or two before he got it under control. Once attention was redistributed, though, he replied with, "I'm sure I can think of *something*~"
"Ok, thanks~" Mikoto replies, feeling no shame at his inappropriate grocery store language~ Besides, no one had heard - well, they'd heard Keiji LAUGHING, but not the comment. He looks at their basket (which Keiji is carrying), "I think we have everything now?"
Keiji gave the lightest snort of amusement at that response, but nodded at Mikoto's observation. "Unless you have something else not on the list to add... I think you're right." He responded, voice fond, and not at all upset by the additional items. Mikoto was paying, after all, so he could add whatever he liked.
"We'll see what's in the temptation aisle," Mikoto jokes, as stores always have small delicious tempting things by the register to try to sway your will power, so he's not going to promise that he's done. But they do head towards the check out.
That comment brought another laugh from the singer, and Keiji happily headed toward the check out with Mikoto. And if a few more spontaneous purchases ended up in the basket on the way? Well, he had already been prepared. Once everything was paid for and bagged up, he headed out of the store with the other man, a little melody being hummed happily and quietly as they went.
The blond walks close to Keiji, about as close as he reasonable can while they're both in boy-mode, and smiles. He's quiet, which is a little rare for him, but he's listening to Keiji humming.
Keiji smiled at Mikoto walking close to him, but since it seemed like his lover wasn't in dire need of conversation, he continued humming as they walked back toward the apartment.
Once they get upstairs, Mikoto gets out of the genkan and puts on some nice music for them to listen to while Keiji cooks. He heads to the kitchen and basically just leans against the kitchen table, being cute and also not helpful.
Keiji followed the blond into the kitchen, then smiled at the other man taking up a position like that. He really did look very cute. "Are you going to be my adorable helper?" He asked, already knowing that Mikoto wasn't going to do any cooking, but figuring he might be willing to cutely fetch pans, and knives, and what have you.
"I already did my part," The blond points out, definitely referencing paying for the food, and then giggles. That said, if Keiji really wants help he'll do it, "Is there something you want me to do?"
That made Keiji laugh lightly. "Fine fine." He relented, though when Mikoto offered, he happily requested, "I would love it if you cutely got me two cutting boards, one for the veggies and one for the fish~ Then, even more cutely, get me knives for both~" As he spoke, he was already looking through the spice options to decide what he was going to use on the fish to compliment the kimchi fried rice.
"Oh so really you just want me to show off for you~" Mikoto replies, definitely getting the message. Fully referencing the most recent season of drag race, he trots his way over to get the cutting boards, and bring them to Keiji. Counter to his lover's request, he carries the knives more normally (thus not surpassing the previous cuteness) but that's because, like, they're knives? And he probably shouldn't play around with them.
"Exactly!" Keiji agreed easily. After all, that was definitely what he was requesting. That cute little trot made the singer smile broadly, and he took the cutting boards when offered, then set the large selection of spices he'd chosen on one of them. When the knives were given to him, he accepted them carefully, but did note the lack of cute. "Awww, no cute with the knives?" He teased. It probably hadn't been the smartest request he'd ever made. That said, he got the rice started cooking, then started chopping up the veggies that would be added to the fried rice. About halfway through, he realized, "Oh! Can you get me the kimchi you want in the rice?" He didn't specify cutely, but he sure wouldn't mind it~
Mikoto shrugs, "Knives are not very cute," is his justification. That part of him that had been controlled by his ex boyfriend is concerned that he hadn't fulfilled the request, but most of him isn't, and obviously Keiji doesn't dwell so the moment swiftly passes. When the next request comes, he says, "Hai~" and heads over to the kimchi fridge. Less cute and more sexy, he slowly squats his way down in front of it, picks out some kimchi, and slowly, sensually rises back to his feet, before bringing it back to Keiji.
"True. Should have asked for them in a sexy way instead." Keiji responded with a silly smile, showing that he really didn't care *that* much about the whole thing. He did keep an eye on the blond as his lover moved to the kimchi fridge, just in case he did something interesting. And Keiji's attention was not in vain, as he got to see that lovely, sensual move. "Thanks." He said as the kimchi was handed to him, accompanying the word with a familiar peck to the other man's cheek.
The blond is actually taken by surprise by that kiss, and it coaxes a warm smile out of him. "No problem -- thanks for cooking for me, again." he adds, because he really does appreciate it.
"It's never a problem." Keiji assured warmly. After all, he would be cooking for himself at home if he wasn't cooking here, and here he had such nice ingredients~ No, he really didn't mind cooking for the blond at all. With the kimchi in hand, he worked on chopping up a good amount of it too, then set all of the veggies aside for when the rice was ready. Then, he washed his hands and got the fish out. He rubbed and sprinkled the fish with the spices he'd chosen, considered what he'd done, then added just a touch more of the spicier elements to one of the fish. Sure, once in the pan it might wander a little, but he knew Mikoto would enjoy the extra spice, and that the little bit of migration wouldn't hurt him any. Once everything was ready, the singer got to the actual cooking, and the kitchen began to smell amazing~
Mikoto definitely does just hang out while Keiji's cooking, not attempting to help - especially since his efforts would likely be the opposite of helpful. But he's still happy to be by Keiji's side and as always the conversation flows easily as they're together. Once the food is nearly done, the blond does help by getting out dishes and drinks.
Keiji got the spicier fish and a ridiculous mountain of fried rice on one plate, then the less spicy fish and a 'normal' amount of rice on the second. Then he turned and set them on the table. "Bet you can't guess which one is yours." He teased warmly.
"....The one where the fish is red?" Mikoto suggests innocently, ignoring the mountain of rice which was also a give away. He brings his plate to the table and sits down, thanks Keiji for the food, and starts to dig in.
"How did you know?" Keiji responded with a laugh, then joined Mikoto in tucking into the food. It tasted incredible, if he did think so himself. Fresh ingredients just added something to a meal that other elements just couldn't match. "Mmm~"
"Because you're nice to me," Mikoto replies. And while he says it like a joke, it's true. Keiji had made a meal to his tastes and served him a spicier version and bigger portion and it's out of care.
Honestly, Keiji wasn't sure how him being nice related to the spicier fish being the other man's, but he wasn't going to argue that. "Well, it wouldn't be any good if I wasn't, would it?" He responded instead. The truth was, he didn't think of what he had done as being 'nice', but being aware of his partner's likes and delivering them, when possible. It made him feel good to be able to show that he knew Mikoto at least this well.
Well, compared to Mikoto's previous experiences, even a small, knowing gesture like this means a lot. It's not long at all before Mikoto's delicious food is sadly gone. He kind of wishes he was better at savouring stuff honestly, but that can't be helped. He cracks open a beer and has a sip then.
As always, even though he had less food on his plate, Keiji was still working on eating as Mikoto opened his beer and let his meal digest. It wasn't an uncomfortable situation, though. He was used to it by now, and he knew that if his boyfriend was still hungry, he would help himself to the leftover fried rice in the pan. No, he just continued to enjoy the tasty and healthy meal on his plate, working on finishing it all off, as that gave him a weird satisfaction to be able to do. Eventually, though, his plate was clean of the last grain of rice and scrap of vegetable, and he settled back in his chair, opening up his own beer and taking a satisfying drink from it. "Mmm... Is it bad if I say how good that was?" He asked, not wanting to seem overly vain, but he really had enjoyed what he had created.
"Not at all, be proud of your cooking skills~" Mikoto replies. Doesn't matter if they'd been won from hard necessity, they were now something good Keiji could carry with him. He smiles across the table at his lover, who he often forgets is younger than him honestly. "I'm gunna have to start beautifying soonish."
Seeing the least warm outfit go back away, Keiji couldn't help but be amused that Mikoto didn't have a favourite of the two left. "Should I model them for you, so you can make a decision? Or just choose one myself?" He asked, giving the blond the opportunity to have either the fun, or the easy way to decide this.
Mikoto choosing would definitely be fun -- but he thinks that there's some level of confidence that works to really sell an outfit, so he'd rather have the vocalist choose his own. "I'd like you to pick the one you like best."
"Alright." Keiji responded with ease before turning to grab the outfit on the left and put it away, leaving the last outfit for him to fold carefully and put in his duffel bag, ready for the next day. Then he grabbed some clean underwear and put that away too. "Okay, I think that's everything. I guess we can go now." He stated, turning to Mikoto to see if the blond was ready to get on their way too.
The blond would be happy with either outfit, although the fashionista in him definitely learns something from which Keiji ended up choosing. He's quite pleased, although when Keiji suggest they go... he has one suggestion, "Hmm, I think there's one more thing we need to do before we can go." then the blond moves in close to Keiji, definitely wanting to steal some kisses for the road.
"Oh~? I can't imagine what I might have forgotten~" Keiji replied, his growing smile as Mikoto moved closer showing he knew damn well what the blond was implying. Once the other man was right there, though, Keiji laughed a little, then leaned down to bestow those obviously desired kisses. His words might be teasing, but his actions tended not to be.
"I had to behave and endure through all your errands," Mikoto insists, pouting, also just being a tease though. He gets his arms around Keiji's waist as he leans up into the kiss. The height difference is mildly annoying, but somehow kind of romantic too?
Keiji didn't rush the kisses, but they also weren't planning to stay at his place too much longer either, so he didn't lengthen the kisses when they seemed to have come to a natural ending. As opposed to Mikoto's mild annoyance at their height difference, Keiji found it somewhat endearing. True, it was a bit easier when the other man was in platforms or heels, but the natural difference was cute somehow. "Have I earned your endurance now?" He asked softly, with good humour.
"Mmm, mhmm. I think I can bear it until we get to my place," He agrees, smiling at Keiji before gently pulling away, and heading to the genkan to get ready to leave. After all, it'll be even more fun when they get to his place~
The way Mikoto phrased that... Keiji had the impression he might get jumped as soon as they got to Mikoto's place. And he was not opposed to that. Not at all. "Well, as long as you think you can make it that far~" He replied, following along to the genkan so they could both get ready. Once they had shoes and jackets on, he ushered them out the door, then locked it behind them. "Shall we, then?" He said, before starting on the way out of the building.
Honestly, wouldn't it be more surprising after so many days if he didn't get jumped by the blond? That's usually what happens at this point. The blond giggles at the implication that he wouldn't last that long - imagining a scenario where he just loses it and jumps Keiji in the subway. Not that that would ever happen, but it's fun to imagine~ "Yes, let's."
As they walked, to keep his mind as much out of the gutter as possible, Keiji asked, "So, are there any errands we need to run for you, before we get to your place?" He wasn't sure what such errands might be, but it was a safe topic, right?
"Hmm? Nope~ I'm all good." Mikoto replies. And it would have to be very pressing for him to do it when he's quite excited to have personal time with Keiji after a few days without.
"Okay, good." Keiji responded happily, definitely wanting to just be able to enjoy time with the blond, and not have to stop for something that wasn't the other man's work. He *wanted* to ask if Mikoto had anything he particularly wanted to do once they got to the bassist's place, but it was a little too public to do that just now. Instead, he just happily walked along beside the other man so they could get to their destination as quickly as possible.
Mikoto does his best to keep a quick pace, although it's effortless for Keiji since the younger man is much taller. He's actually less *horny*, per se, than craving intimacy and touch with his boyfriend. He also has something he'd like to talk about.... but he thinks he'll be more comfortable with that in a more relaxed moment.
Thankfully, the transit from one apartment to the other was easy and comfortable, and it wasn't long before the Traveller was in view. "So... are we going in through the back way? Or did you want to pick something up in the restaurant before heading up?" He asked, just wanting to know which door they were making for.
"Hmm, through the back is fine~" Mikoto replies. He's not hungry yet, thanks in part to that steam bun earlier. He leads the way through the familiar alley, and up the stairs, and into his room. He doesn't immediately pounce Keiji. He takes off his shoes, and then casually sidles up to him.
"Alright." Keiji agreed easily, then followed Mikoto down the alley and up to the apartment. He was a little surprised that Mikoto *didn't* immediately jump him once the door was closed, or maybe even once they got in out of the alley, since they knew no one was upstairs right now, but he wasn't quite confident enough in shared spaces (even when definitely alone) to initiate something himself. Once he had his shoes and jacket settled, though, he was happy to find the blond moving closer. "Hello there~" He said, settling his hands lightly on Mikoto's waist, once he was close enough.
"Hi," Mikoto replies in turn, getting his arms around Keiji's shoulder and leaning up for a clearly telegraphed kiss. He definitely would like sex to happen at some point today, but he's not desperately horny at the moment -- though he'll certainly reciprocate if that's the energy the model brings to the situation.
Keiji happily joined that kiss, but... maybe he was missing something, but the heat and need he had expected to find there just didn't seem to be there. Not that there was disinterest, not at all. But it felt like sex wasn't the desire at the moment. It kind of confused the singer, but he wasn't exactly *desperate* this moment either, so he was okay waiting a bit until they were both more in the mood together. "Mmmmm~ Even though I got one of these before we left my place, it still felt too long without one on the way here." He said with a smile.
"Right?" Mikoto agrees, staying right up against his boyfriend, enjoying the closeness of their bodies, "So stupid we can't even really hold hands unless I'm looking more femme than this. Stupid world."
"It really is." Keiji agreed, linking his hands together against his boyfriend's lower back. "But, at least we can sometimes get away with it, and when we can't, we can hide at home and enjoy being together." He added, thinking that this wasn't the case for guys like Akio and Yue, neither of which could really pass as women, even from a distance.
The blond smiles, since Keiji is definitely complimenting his genetic gift of androgyny, which he definitely also agrees with, "Mhmm. I am truly blessed." he agrees. And then... he settles his cheek against the model's chest, knowing full well his head is at the perfect height to tuck in under Keiji's chin, and knowing how much his boyfriend loves that position.
"You really are. And so am I." Keiji responded, definitely meaning he was blessed by Mikoto himself. When the blond rested against him like that, Keiji absolutely did take the opportunity to rest his chin on top of the other man's head and close his eyes, taking a deep breath and just enjoying the comforting feel of that position. He had no way to explain how standing like this made him feel. It just felt good and it made him happy, and he was glad that Mikoto seemed to enjoy it too, or at least endure it with good humour.
Whether Mikoto endures it or enjoys it honestly depends on the moment, and at the moment the blond is definitely enjoying it. His eyes are closed and he's totally relaxed, taking in the comfort of Keiji's chest, those arms around him, even the smell of the younger man. He ends up giving a soft, pleased sigh.
That gentle sound made Keiji smile to himself, and he began to sway just a little. Not enough to actually feel like dancing, but just enjoying the extended embrace for a little longer. It felt good, and right, just standing there holding each other.
Mikoto smiles, unseen, against Keiji's chest, enjoying that movement -- reminiscent of slow dancing, which brings up images of sweet romance to mind. And while he still can't honestly admit to such feelings, they're definitely increasingly easy for him to accept and enjoy. "Mm~"
There were no negative reactions, and a number of positive ones, to his gentle swaying, so Keiji kept it up, feeling much the same way as Mikoto did about it. It was a sweet, intimate moment, achieved while fully clothed. It was actually just nice. After a while, though, he asked, "Happy like this? Or want to move somewhere?" Just because it might be kind of weird, just standing here, barely into the apartment.
"Hmm... I suppose we may be more comfy on the sofa? Or in bed?" Mikoto replies, happy enough to move since they have been standing/walking a long time, but not having a huge preference for where they go. Either place will offer potential for mode cuddles.
Given the general atmosphere since they got here, Keiji suggested, "Maybe the couch, for now?" Mostly because couch felt more like cute cuddles to him, while bed meant other, less adorable things. Not that this was necessarily true, of course, but that was the vibe he tended to feel.
Mikoto carefully pulls his face back from Keiji's chest, so he can smile sweetly up at his boyfriend, "Mm, ok. Sounds good." he agrees. And then pulls away all together, finally stepping up out of the genkan. "Should I grab drinks or something?"
Keiji easily let Mikoto go and smiled in return. "Drinks sound good." He agreed, thinking that wouldn't be amiss after their walk. He left that to his boyfriend, though, making his way over to the couch to wait for the other man to rejoin him.
"Beer ok? Or something healthy?" Mikoto asks as he heads towards the kitchen, his tone suggesting healthy things are gross although Keiji knows him more than well enough to know he's just joking and doesn't actually care.
"Whatever you want to get, I'm good with." Keiji responded, not because he was worried about the cost, but more that he just felt like drinking whatever Mikoto was. That said, it sounded like the preferred beverage was beer, and he was okay with that. When the blond disappeared into the kitchen, Keiji grabbed the remote first, assuming Mikoto would want either music or TV while they cuddled, then grabbed the blanket as well. Just because it was getting warmer out didn't mean it wasn't nice to cuddle under the blanket anymore.
Mikoto is well prepared, with a variety of tea stocked for Kaiya and Keiji, but he takes the younger man at his word, grabbing a pair of beers instead, as that's what the bassist would prefer to drink. He returns to the living room and puts them on the coffee table. He then settles on the sofa, directly beside Keiji and with his legs draped over the other man's lap.
A warm smile spread across Keiji's lips as Mikoto settled on the couch next to him in such a, now, familiar way, then spread the blanket across their legs in an obviously practiced way. "Drinks first? Or a few cuddles and kisses first?" He asked, honestly tempted either way. He was thirsty, but he also loved the thought of holding and kissing the blond.
The blond is far too charmed by that smile to bother with the beers for now -- besides they're probably too cold anyways. "Mmm~ Definitely cuddles and kisses first." He's already leaning in even as he says so, swiftly pressing his lips against Keiji's.
The smile changed from sweet to wide and toothy at that response, but joined that kiss readily, and with joy. He got his arms lightly around the blond and leaned into the kiss, though he didn't immediately move to deepen it. It was nice to exchange slightly more innocent kisses sometimes.
Mikoto gets his arms around Keiji's neck, being the easiest way to touch him with the way they're sitting together. If Mikoto were trying to 'progress' things he would shift onto the other man's lap and press in against him, but he's enjoying the sweeter kisses, so he stays where he is, closing his eyes sweetly into the moment and enjoying the moment.
Keiji took his cues from the blond's body language. While it was clear Mikoto was enjoying the kisses, and happy with the intimacy, he also wasn't looking to advance things. And while the model was a little surprised by this, he had no actual complaints. Enjoying holding the other man and exchanging sweet kisses was not an undesirable activity in the least!
In some ways, it's like how their relationship had been at the start - lots of touching and kissing. But whereas in the past there had been a pressure born of them both being celibate and both wanting it but not being there yet, now that pressure is absent. If they decide to have sex, they'll have sex, but they can just cuddle and kiss contentedly. And Mikoto is having trouble understanding how freeing this is for himself.
It really was a wonderful kind of freedom to just kiss and cuddle and not feel like they were teetering closer and closer to a terrifying precipice. If it did happen, Keiji now knew that they would fly, not fall, so he could enjoy everything they did together without worry or need.
The blond savours the sweet energy, the wonderful kisses. It's a romantic satisfaction that he hasn't really allowed himself to experience in such a long time that he couldn't put it into words right now. After one of those kisses, he just rests the side of his head on Keiji's shoulder.
When Mikoto brought his head to rest against the singer's shoulder, Keiji smiled, then pressed a soft kiss to that blond hair. He didn't try to change his boyfriend's position, though, enjoying the sweet simplicity of cuddling on the couch together under the blanket, the apartment abnormally quiet with no TV or music on just yet. It was actually really intimate. Maybe even as much as sex, but completely different at the same time.
Mikoto feels comfortable, happy and fulfilled in a way that he hasn't in a long time. After a while, he becomes aware of the silence though, and also this isn't a great position to keep his neck in for a super long time. So he reluctantly sits up more, and quietly suggests, "Wanna turn on the TV, or something?"
Keiji began slowly rubbing Mikoto's back in small circles as they existed in the comfortable silence. When the blond spoke up, though, he smiled. "The remote is right here." He said, lifting it up from beside him. "Any preference? Or just want the sound from whatever?" He asked. Watching TV while cuddling would be nice, but he also didn't really need the distraction. Holding his boyfriend was enough for him.
"Hmm, more just wanting sound," Mikoto admits. He knows he's told Keiji before that due to the busy household he'd grown up in, he's just used to background sound and that's part of why there's usually always something playing in the background at his house. He knows he's told Keiji, because he's told Keiji nearly everything, and is keenly aware of the things he hasn't told the singer.
Keiji nodded in understanding, then turned the TV on, spent a couple seconds changing the channel to something that wouldn't be too distracting, then set the remote down so he could go back to holding Mikoto and rubbing his boyfriend's back. "There we go. Sound, and cuddling. Perfect."
Mikoto blinks, surprised somehow at Keiji designating this situation as 'perfect'. Not that he thought Keiji wasn't enjoying himself, but he'd kind of assumed that maybe Keiji would be disappointed? But he quickly recognizes that as an effect of the 'training' his ex had given him, and not something actually to do with Keiji. It's frustrating, realizing there's still a way those talons are stuck in him, so he seeks reassurance from Keiji to help clear the feeling away, "Keiji-kun. This is ok, right?"
That question brought a confused blink from Keiji. He *had* just said this was perfect, right? "Of course!" He replied immediately, then pressed a kiss to Mikoto's temple. "Why wouldn't this be okay?" He asked, wanting to understand why his boyfriend was worried.
"It's ok that this is... simple and," the model tilts his head, trying to explain the feeling that's causing him the nerves, "And sweet. It's ok that I want this right now and not, not other things." Weird, the blond could easily say all kinds of filthy sexual things, but in this moment it feels weird to specifically say sex. Even the blond recognizes that calling it 'more' wouldn't be quite right, after all.
Keiji listened without comment or judgement, then smiled softly when Mikoto finished what he was saying. "Of course it's okay. I like cuddling with you. And, well, if you're not in the mood, then you're not in the mood, you know? No one's *always* in the mood for sex, after all. If this is what you're up for right now, I'm perfectly happy with it." He assured the blond. He wouldn't say that he couldn't be up for other things if Mikoto was in the mood for that, but he in no way wanted to do anything that the other man didn't feel like doing.
"It's not exactly that I'm not in the mood," Mikoto replies, knowing that if Keiji said 'I would like to have sex now' he could easily get there, enjoy it, and have some wonderful cuddling after. It's more that today, for whatever reason, this feels like enough. No, he thinks he finally has it. He'd be happy with sex, but today he wants this *more*. And he's not entirely used to thinking of *this* as separate from *that* in his mind, so that's something of a revelation. Thankfully, he can sit here quietly thinking and processing, without feeling rushed at all by Keiji. He knows that without having to waste thought on it.
"Mmm... But just not right now." Keiji responded, sounding not at all judgemental, or disappointed, just accepting. And he really was fine with it. He wasn't raging with sexual need right now, and even if he was, he could deal with it for himself. He would rather just hold the blond and give the other man the warm, loving care that he needed right now. To the singer's mind, letting Mikoto know that it was more than okay to *just* want this was important, especially knowing how the bassist was still affected by his asshole ex.
Perhaps a stupid question, but Mikoto is trying to gauge the situation from a 'normal' pov, instead of his which he knows is somewhat skewed from his past experiences. He asks, simply, "Is this romantic?"
"Hmm?" Keiji hummed, questioningly at that. He actually had to think about the answer for a second. "Mmm... I guess in an effortless kind of way, it is?" The singer responded, eventually. "I mean... I usually think of 'romantic' things being something that effort is put into. But this is sweet? And soft? And enjoyable?" He'd been about to say 'And loving', but he thought that would be too much for the blond.
Honestly, the blond asking if it's romantic is already kind of putting himself out there for something he may or may not want to hear. He certainly agrees about it being soft, sweet and enjoyable. He doesn't quite get the other part, "Romantic is something you put effort into?" He thinks of moments in manga where the girl trips and the guy catches her and then their faces are close and their hearts race as romantic, so it doesn't quite match up.
Keiji was definitely thinking of a completely different definition of 'romantic' than Mikoto. "Nnn... like planning a really sweet, thoughtful date that starts with flowers, or chocolates... then maybe going to a favourite restaurant, or a special place for a picnic with your partner's favourite foods packed. Then going back home to spend time enjoying each other's company before having a bath, or making love, with rose petals all around. Maybe with finger-fed chocolates or fruit involved. And champagne?" The singer elaborated, trying to describe what he thought of a traditional romantic gesture.
Mikoto listens, and he does recognize those things as romantic, although they also feel kind of unreal. Like do people really do that? But it is kind of nice to hear Keiji's opinion of it, "Oh ok." He's left not entirely sure what this is, but it feels so nice it has to be something, right?
For Keiji, this was just a normal thing that people dating did. At some point, if there was any real anything to the relationship, two people *should* be able to just enjoy cuddling together without needing to be heading toward sex, or be talking (or even making out). It was just a comfortable wanting to be together. To feel that beloved person next to him. In a certain sense, maybe it *was* romantic, but it was so normal and effortless to him that he didn't think of it that way. Still, he was curious: "So, what do you think of with the word 'romantic'?" He asked, wanting to know what he could do to give the blond that wonderful feeling.
Somehow, the bassist hadn't expected the question to get turned back on him. His surprise is briefly evident on his face before he glances down, then looks over towards the TV. "Um. I don't really know....When I was young, I dreamed of like...." and then he actually trails off, as talking about it seems embarrassing as hell.
Keiji craned his neck slightly to try to get a look at Mikoto's face, gentle concern on his own. "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. But.... I'd really love to know, when you're ready to say. It would be so much fun to make the dream of young Miko-kun come true." He added, hoping Mikoto would tell him, but not at all going to push for it.
"Mouuuu~" Mikoto complains, definitely still averting his gaze, "It's just really embarrassing. I had the most like. 13 year old girl view of romance ever! Like just... I was excited by the idea of someone holding my hand, like in my mind it would have sparkles like a comic book panel. Or like... the idea of prince charming... just... just that kind of stuff."
Keiji smiled gently at that description. "That's really sweet. I don't think you should be embarrassed by that. And when we hold hands? It does feel special and sparkly to me." He added, not even being silly. "Can you elaborate on the prince charming thing? Like... is it an aesthetic? Or, like, sweeping you away from your life? Or something else?" He asked, curious how he could deliver on that for the other man.
Mikoto's embarrassed because his past relationship had convinced him that his youthful dreams were fantasy, and not realistic - kind of like the difference between porn and real sex. "Ionno like... some of it is the aesthetic, because you see that in a lot of romance stuff. But like... yeah, I guess he sweeps you away -- like high school was terrible for me, so someone who would pull me away from that -- and protect you and... I don't know..." He shrugs, body language showing he still feels quite awkward talking about it.
"Well..... I think I could pull together some pieces to fit the aesthetic, but I'm not sure there's something you want me to sweep you away from? Or protect you from? I mean... your life is a lot more what you want it to be now, right?" Keiji asked, pretty sure he was right, but definitely wanting to know how he could make good on this dream of the blond's.
The blond rather belatedly clicks into the fact that Keiji's *asking* for the purpose of trying to *fulfill* the dream, and that realization gets him to properly look back to his boyfriend. "Oh... yeah, I don't know. Life is pretty good now."
... that said. He does remember a photo spread of Keiji looking princely and how amazing that had been.
Keiji smiled as Mikoto looked back up at him. "So, I guess I'll just have to sweep you off your feet some other way." He responded, not at all considering *not* bringing the prince charming thing to life somehow. Maybe he could get some help in this from Setsuna? Surely the other singer would have some ideas what highschool Miko would have wanted in princeliness.
Honestly, Keiji earnestly seeking some way to 'sweep him off his feet' is giving Mikoto a light case of butterflies in the stomach, so he gets a small smile on his lips. He finally comes up with something too, "Well, I think we talked one time before about... maybe taking a day trip to an onsen or something....?"
"I'd still love to do that with you. I think we talked about sometime in the summer?" Keiji responded, happy to move on to something else that Mikoto clearly wanted to do together, that also skewed to the romantic to Keiji. "When we get a little closer, we'll have to look at both of our schedules and find a time."
Mikoto hadn't exactly meant it as moving on to something else. Wouldn't Keiji sweeping him out of Tokyo to some queer positive ryokan, like a little fantasy bubble, be a great example of the kind of thing they had been talking about? "Yeah, that sounds good." He still feels mildly guilty at the model paying for something like this but it is very exciting.
Since it was something that they had already been planning, Keiji considered this less him sweeping Mikoto away, and more then going on vacation together. Either way, it felt like a wonderful, romantic getaway for them. "Any other highschool Miko dreams I can work on making reality?" He asked. Maybe it was the fact that Keiji wasn't that far out of highschool himself, but he didn't think it was silly or unrealistic to want a little cuteness or fairytale romance in a relationship.
"uhh... I don't know? Give me time to think, and if I come up with anything, I'll let you know?" Mikoto replies, having honestly not really let himself think about these things so much since his spirit had been broken by his ex.
"Okay." Keiji agreed easily with another smile. "For what it's worth, My fantasies are often soft, happy, cozy things like this too." He admitted, wanting Mikoto to know for sure that he didn't think something like this was silly in his eyes, and also that he was happy with things being like this sometimes, not just okay with it.
Honestly, the idea that Keiji actively likes and seeks out things like this moment hadn't crossed the blond's mind, so it's very good information. Immediately curious, he asks, "Oh? Like what?" He wants more specific examples!
"Hmmm? Well, just this feeling of being l-close." Keiji narrowly avoided saying 'feeling of being loved', "Cuddling, sweet kisses, just sitting easily, and quietly together. Being able to enjoy just being together without needing to talk, necessarily, or be all over each other either. I like all of the sex and stuff too, obviously, but.... Well, that part hasn't always had the best associations. The cuddling and care and sweetness, though? That's just.... what I always imagined things *should* be like. But most of the people I was with, well.... most of them were more interested in the sex than in sweetness. And maybe I didn't help with that. Even with women, it was hard to open up, and really trust." He admitted.
Mikoto had also been hoping for a more 'actionable' fantasy that he could help fulfill for Keiji, but it is somewhat soothing to have the younger man identify all the things that the blond was enjoying about this moment. He definitely picks up on Keiji almost saying love - not the first time the younger man has slipped up with something like that. He's too cowardly to ask, but he definitely finds himself hoping the other man does love him. "I mean... sex is very important to me, but..." he shrugs. If that's all it was, he could go back to picking up guys at the clubs.
"Oh! It is to me too." Keiji hastened to reassure his boyfriend. "Even moreso with someone that I'm getting the other things with, though. I feel..... I don't know. Dirty? Thinking about having a one night stand?" The singer admitted. Not that he thought *other people* were dirty for engaging in whatever sexual activity they prefered. It was just the detached-ness of it all that looped back into his trauma somehow and left him feeling a very negative way. And that seemed to be true no matter the gender of the other person involved. "I guess.... I want to feel wanted for more than just sex?" He added, trying to explain his own feelings a little better.
The blond knows that Keiji isn't judging *him* for his past multitude of one night stands, though it's still a little hard to hear it called dirty. But he can see how Keiji would really need some kind of connection to feel ok with sex, after his history. "Right."
Somehow, even though that one word didn't imply anything, really, Keiji felt like his words had disappointed the blond somehow. Knowing his boyfriend's history, he could guess that his own wording might have been misinterpreted, and he definitely didn't want that. "...you know I don't think that about you, right?" He put out there, bringing a gentle hand up to stroke Mikoto's hair. "I honestly don't care what other people want to do: have a string of one night stands, have threesomes, or orgies, or whatever. If it makes those people feel good and happy, then that's fine for them. I just.... I can't be one of them, you know? It's all about me, and how I feel about me." And that probably made no sense, but there was nothing he could do about that.
Miko smiles gently at that hand in his hair, "I know you don't mean me. By this point, you've made it really clear that you are fine with all my best, even the wild things. But it's still unpleasant to hear you refer to one night stands that way.... but I also get why?"
Keiji threaded his fingers through Mikoto's hair as he listened to the other man's words. "Mmm... I wouldn't say it's exactly the one night stands themselves that I feel that way about. It's me engaging in one. It's entirely *me* that I feel would be dirty. Not the act. Not the other person involved. Just me." Again, it didn't make sense, but it just was. "The more I think about it, I think it's more the idea that I would be dirty for letting someone *use* me. Because..." He trailed off, sure that he didn't have to elaborate exactly *why* he would feel dirty about allowing someone to use him for sex, and nothing else, even if that wasn't exactly the intent.
"Well, even though it might make you feel dirty, it doesn't make you dirty," Mikoto insists, since there isn't anything wrong with it -- or hadn't been anything wrong with it because Keiji absolutely had better not be doing any such thing currently. Speaking of which, he admits, "Well, not really something that needs to be worried about now, ne?"
"I know." Keiji responded with a small smile. The fact that he didn't think anyone else was dirty for engaging in the same activity told him, logically, that he wouldn't be dirty either. But logic and emotions? They didn't always line up. Still, that addition made his smile grow. "Yeah, definitely not something I have to worry about now. Now I have all the wonderful things I could want, including the sex." He punctuated that with a small, one-armed hug.
Mikoto hopes that's still quite true, given the blond not delivering on the sex today. But he finally decides to bring up something he's been thinking about a lot recently. After all, Akio had encouraged him to try to find a 'word' for the situation, and he thinks he's finally found one, "Ano sa, Keiji-kun, I've been reading a lot of light novels recently..."
That's not new. He tells Keiji about the stories he's reading sometimes.
Keiji had zero complaints about how the day was going, so Mikoto could rest assured that the lack of sex that day was not damaging the singer's good opinion of their relationship. the change in subject brought a fond smile to Keiji's lips. "Oh? Any good ones?" He asked, encouraging Mikoto to talk more about the books he was reading. It was fun hearing about the ones the blond found particularly interesting.
"I just started a new one a couple days ago -- haven't quite decided whether I like it or not yet," Mikoto admits. He reads more when Keiji's around anyways, since it's what he likes to do in that in between time when Keiji's asleep but he's still awake. "But it reminded me of something that always confused me as a kid."
Keiji smiled as he listened to Mikoto talk, then asked, "Oh? What's that?" If he could help in any way, he would be happy to. Even if he couldn't, though, it could be fun talking about confusing things together regardless.
"Like, how weird is the word 'lover'. It sounds like it should mean 'people who are in love', and sometimes it does. Like 'star-crossed lovers'. But sometimes it just means people who are sleeping together. Like 'she was married but had many lovers on the side'," Mikoto replies, not really needing 'help' but setting up a suggestion.
"Mmmmm...." Keiji mulled over the word and its meanings. "Well... I can't say for sure, but don't lovers, of either meaning, tend to be long-term partners that are un-acknowledged by society, for one reason or another? In the case of the star-crossed lovers, they are star-crossed for a reason: they love each other, but something outside themselves keeps them apart. In the case of 'lovers on the side', she has her society-sanctioned marriage, but her lovers give her something that relationship does not. However, she is already married, and therefore these other relationships cannot be given an official place in her public life. I'd like to think that, in both cases, there is actually 'love' involved, it's just that an official relationship cannot be had, for one reason or another. But... that's just how I interpret it." He added with a bit of a sheepish smile. Maybe he was too much a romantic, and not being realistic enough.
That was somewhat more romantic than the blond had had in mind. He tilts his head, "Do you think that if, without context, you said something like 'she's his lover' that most people would assume those people are *in love*?"
"Maybe not." Keiji admitted, then shrugged. "Personally, *I* would want to believe so, but a lot of people do seem to use it as 'she's having sex with him', without considering whether there are other emotions behind it." He still wanted to believe something like that would happen because those people were in love, rather than just wanting the thrill of sleeping around when society told them they shouldn't.
Having quite the obvious tell when it comes to these specific interactions, Mikoto averts his eyes, before asking in a casual tone, "So most people would say we're lovers then, ne?"
Keiji noticed Mikoto's reaction, but wasn't really sure which way to jump with his answer. In the end, he just went with the plain truth. "Yeah, probably." He agreed gently. *He* would describe them as such, absolutely using his definition of the word, but he had no clue how Mikoto would feel about such a label for their relationship.
It's good, for Mikoto. People will think they're just sleeping together, but they can have their own secret, extra meaning to it, that they and their close friends will understand. "A while back, I was talking to Akio-kun about our situation..." Because he's pretty worried that Keiji will grow tired of the limbo, "And he tried to help me find... a word. A word that wouldn't make me upset. And I think 'lovers' could be it." He's still not looking at Keiji, and not entirely sure that explanation made sense.
Keiji listened while Mikoto explained his thoughts. He was glad that the other man was reaching out to friends to help with his feelings about labels for their relationship because he took that as being a step in the direction of admitting they had a relationship at all. And while Keiji was okay with things being unlabeled, and just understood by the pair of them, he really did like the idea of having a word they could use so that people would understand there was something there between them. And lovers? Yeah, he was definitely okay with that being the word. "If you're comfortable with 'lovers', then I am very happy with that description of who we are to each other." He replied, knowing that *Mikoto* knew how he felt about that word, regardless of how others might interpret it. He hoped that Mikoto would view it more his way than the other way, but he wasn't going to ask that today. It was enough that the blond wanted a label for them at all. He was *not* going to ask if this meant that Mikoto loved him.
Given that Keiji had made it clear that *he* takes the word to mean love, Mikoto had not been sure Keiji would be ok with it, but hearing that the other man is *happy* with it as a descriptor? Well he picks up on that signal loud and clear. Which is a lot but more comforting than he ever would have expected it to be. "I think I'm ok with lovers... maybe we could try it out with someone safe?" The blond asks. He's thinking either Akio or Keigo, for that.
"Okay, good." Keiji responded to the information that Mikoto was okay with the descriptor. That additional thought, though, had the singer stroking Mikoto hair again. "Of course. With whoever you want." He assured, more worried about the other man feeling secure about who they used this new label with than anything else. He would happily proclaim their new status to any of their friends or family, but he knew this was difficult for the blond, so whatever made Mikoto comfortable was what they were going to do in this situation.
Mikoto is fairly certain he's ok, but he thinks testing it out will help him be clear. And since Akio is already vaguely aware of the situation, the blond decides he's the safest. He gets out his phone. As he's finding Akio in his contacts, he instructs. "I'm gunna call Akio-kun, and then pass the phone to you. And you tell him 'Mikoto-kun is my lover' and I'll see how that feels?"
"Umm... Sure?" Keiji agreed. He thought it would be more funny than anything to just say that to the drummer, but he knew Akio had a good sense of humour, so he was sure it was going to be fine.
Akio, meanwhile, was not expecting a call from Mikoto. Not that he was doing anything that would stop him from taking said call, but when the blond's name flashed up on his ringing phone, he *was* amusedly confused. "Yo!" He said, picking up the phone. He was not at all prepared for Keiji's voice to come through saying "Mikoto-kun is my lover" and nothing else. That being the case, Akio burst out laughing at the absurdity. "You damn well bet he is. Tell him I said so."
Dutifully, Keiji told Mikoto, "He says to tell you 'I damn well bet you are'." Honestly, he was pretty amused by this. "Want to talk to him yourself?" He offered, half holding the phone out to Mikoto.
The time the phone spends ringing is painfully long for Mikoto. Rationally, he's sure it'll be fine. But it's not a rational problem that he's trying to resolve, but a check to see if this is going to cause a panic reaction. And thankfully, when he hears those words it makes his chest swell in a happy way, without any of the anxiety he got when he thought about words like 'boyfriends' or 'partners'. He nods and reaches out for his phone -- hearing the tail end of Akio laughing. "Sorry about that. I wanted to test out a word."
Akio got his laughter under control as Mikoto came on the line. "No problem. Was the word a success?" He asked, hoping that his reaction to the completely unexpected situation hadn't caused discomfort for the blond. After their recent conversations, he realized this was an important thing for his friend.
Keiji, meanwhile, was happy to see that Mikoto hadn't withdrawn, or otherwise seemed upset by either his declaration *or* Akio's joking reply. To him, that made this experiment a success.
Honestly, he'd known he was giving Akio a bit of a ridiculous situation with that call and statement out of the blue. But it's with great relief and joy that he's able to honestly reply, "I think... yes. It seems like it was a success. Thanks for being our test subject on this, Akio-kun."
"Good. Feel free to use me as your test subject for other such amusing calls in future~" Akio said, still rather amused. "Anything else I can help with, while you've got me?"
Keiji could vaguely hear Akio's voice since he was still sitting so close to Mikoto, but he didn't see any reason to actually try to listen in on the other side of the conversation. Instead, he went back to gently stroking his ~lover's~ hair and enjoying the warm glow from knowing that Mikoto was happy with labeling their relationship with such a nice word~
"Hai~ Thanks Akio-kun. I knew it would be easy to explain to you," He plays with a strand of hair as he considers if he needs Akio for anything else right now, then shrugs, "I think I'm OK for now. Plus, y'know, I have Keiji-kun sitting next to me, so~" Will the drummer assume something way more sexual from that trailing off than is actually going to happen? Probably. He's too busy enjoying being pet by Keiji.
"No problem. Go enjoy your ~lover~, ne~?" Akio teased with a grin before hanging up and getting back to whatever he had been doing.
Keiji smiled at Mikoto as the phone call seemed to end. "You know, knowing Akio-kun, he's going to think we're doing something much more... hmm.... intense? than we actually are." He commented, though he had no complaints about that, either about what they were doing, or what the drummer would assume was happening. All the while, his fingers continued to thread lightly through that blond hair.
"Oh the way I said that? 100% he's thinking of something spicy," Mikoto replies sassily, as that had been intentional. Akio's welcome to think of that in his dreams, if he'd like. And the blond would rather have Akio think they're fucking than admit that he's just sitting around enjoying having his hair stroked. Actually... he looks to his lover, "Can I lay down with my head in your lap? And then you keep petting me like this?"
That cutely sassy reply made Keiji laugh. That request, though, was just so sweet. "Of course. Sounds nice." He agreed happily, then let Mikoto go enough that the blond could rearrange himself as desired.
He had kind of felt like he was asking Keiji for a favour, but the younger man seems so genuinely pleased with the situation that the blond tries to accept that his lover really does enjoy this simplicity as much as him. It doesn't take him long to find a physically comfortable position, the harder part was doing some blanket negotiation. Finally when Mikoto is settled, his head is on Keiji's lap, and he's looking towards the tv as that had seemed the best option. Of course, it means he's now paying somewhat more attention to the tv, so he blindly holds up a hand, "Remote?"
It may be a favour that he was fulfilling for his lover, but Keiji was absolutely enjoying it too. Once Mikoto was settled, the singer brought his hand back to that lovely, blond hair, stroking it slowly and lovingly. The request for the remote made him smile slightly, and he immediately handed it over. "Have an idea of what you want to find?" He asked, fine with watching whatever Mikoto found, but curious if there was a goal, or just a general search for something of interest.
"Hmm, nothing in particular," The blond admits. He's bougie enough that if he had something he specifically wanted, he'd use his laptop and some kind of video on demand service, rather than channel surfing. Explaining, "Since I'm actually *looking* at the tv now, I feel like I can find something a little more interesting though?"
"Makes sense." Keiji agreed, happy enough to have gotten the insight he'd asked for. Curiosity satisfied, he quieted down again and just watched as Mikoto channel surfed, while continuing to stroke the other man's hair in a soothingly rhythmic way. It just felt nice, sliding his fingers through the smooth hair again and again.
Mikoto is incredibly pleased by the fingers through his hair, it being close to lulling him into a pleasant trance - but he just can't find anything worth watching on tv. "Mou~" he ends up back on the channel they'd started on, half tossing his remote onto the coffee table in annoyance.
Keiji couldn't help the light chuckle that came from his lips at that soft complaint. "There's just nothing good on TV anymore." He commented, still slowly moving his fingers through Mikoto's hair. It really was a very soothing and fulfilling motion. He hadn't realized just how much he would enjoy it. He could probably do this for a literal hour or more.
"I mean, I could get something good on, but then I'd have to move~" Mikoto complains. In this on demand era, he could hook up his laptop and get something good on the screen but it does not currently seem worth it.
"I vote that this show is acceptable so that moving does not happen." Keiji responded warmly, fully against anything that ruined their current position. After all, what was on wasn't *awful*, it just wasn't super interesting.
Mikoto shifts enough to look up at Keiji after that comment, giving him just the sweetest, happiest smile at that. Keiji feels the same about what they're doing now, and that reassurance of being on the same page feels amazing. Then he goes back to lying there, chest feeling full, and watching the middling tv show.
Keiji returned that smile happily, then also turned his attention to the TV. For the rest of the show, he continued to softly, rhythmically, stroke Mikoto's hair. Sometimes he slid his fingers through it, sometimes he used the palm of his hand to smooth over the top of it, and sometimes he took the opportunity to lightly massage Mikoto's scalp before continuing to pet him.
There are occasionally some content sounds that come from the blond, quiet, like they're just his feelings escaping and not him trying to show his joy. After the show they're watching ends, Mikoto sighs. He should probably check the time, think about dinner and getting ready for work. But he's still reluctant to move. "Ne, Kei-kun, what time is it?"
Given that Mikoto had started the day rather later than he, Keiji wasn't surprised that the other man wasn't exactly sure what time it was. "Mmmm..." He dug out his phone and checked the time. "Just about 4:00?" He wasn't 100% clear what time his lover would need to start getting ready for work, but he was pretty sure they weren't into dire 'must rush' territory yet.
Mikoto sighs again, kind of right about the time, "We should probably start thinking about dinner..." Not so much that it's time to EAT dinner yet, but if Keiji wants to cook they'll have to go acquire food. He'll need an early dinner to have time to get ready afterwards.
"Mmmm.... is there something you're particularly feeling like?" Keiji asked, happy to cook if Mikoto was wanting something fresh, or to go along with something takeout, if that was the winning desire. Honestly, he'd gotten pretty good at navigating the other man's takeout menus to find things that were good for his diet, so he didn't even worry about that consideration.
Since they hadn't seen each other for a few days, it also means he hasn't gotten to eat Keiji's food for a few days, so that's obviously where he's leaning. "Ano, if you're feeling up to it, I'd love you have something you made...? We'll probably need to go to the store first though."
"Sure! Are you feeling more Japanese...? Or want me to attempt something with some of your kimchi?" Keiji asked, absolutely delighted to cook for his boyfriend. It felt nice and intimate, in a way, to feed the other man, even if he probably wasn't going to be the one buying the ingredients.
"nnnngghhnn, those both sound good. So.... whatever," Mikoto replies, then laughs at himself and that utterly unhelpful response.
Keiji laughed as well, enjoying the simplicity of this whole situation. "Okay, what about a nice baked fish with kimchi fried rice?" He suggested. He was pretty sure that Mikoto had enough nice, not too hot, spices to add to the fish, and kimchi fried rice was pretty darn tasty. If the blond felt he needed more food than that, though, the singer was open to further suggestions.
"Mm, sounds good~" Mikoto agrees. He gives a heavy sigh, and warns his lover, "Ok, I'm afraid I'm going to move now." Before finally sitting up. They will definitely need a trip to the grocery store for this.
"Perfect." Keiji replied, glad to have that decided. With that warning about Mikoto's imminent movement, the singer moved his fingers away from that blond hair to avoid getting snagged by accident. Then, when Mikoto was up, he stood up to stretch. "Mmmm.... so, I guess we need to go shopping?" He asked. He was sure rice and kimchi existed. He wasn't sure fish or eggs did, though. Or any type of non-pickled vegetable.
"Do you think there's any chance at all of me having fish in my fridge?" Mikoto asks, amused at the concept. Keiji knows him better than that, of course. "Yes, we'll need to go shopping." He stands up and stretches, since he'd been laying down for so long.
"Freezer? Maybe. Fridge? Good gods, I hope not." Keiji teased with a smile. "So, shopping for fish, probably some fresher veggies to add to the rice... do you have eggs?" He asked, since that *was* a possibility, but maybe not a high one.
"Eggs...." The blond not only considers this deeply -- but cannot decide if he has any or not. So he gives up and goes to the kitchen to check, then pokes his head out of the kitchen doorway, "Nope~"
Keiji got his phone back out and started making a list while Mikoto checked on the egg situation. When the verdict was given, he noted the item down on his short list. "Eggs... okay. Fish, veggies, eggs. I think that's everything we need." He was sure that if Mikoto thought of something else while they were there, there would be no problem with adding them to the basket.
Oh Mikoto is absolutely a child who's going to end up grabbing random things in the grocery store, but unlike the child comparison, he's going to be paying for everything because it's fine. He heads over to the genkan to get on his shoes and jacket.
Keiji slipped his phone in his pocket and moved to follow Mikoto's example. Once they were all ready, it was time to head on out to the grocery store for the second time that day. "You know, we're very domestic today." He commented warmly as they began their walk.
"mmm~ Waking up, breakfast, grocery store, watching tv --" the realization hits him, and he giggles, "Grocery store *again*~ Yes, I guess so." At least they're shopping for a different household this time.
Keiji grinned at that giggle when Mikoto realized the humour in the situation. "Yup, two grocery trips in one day. What is becoming of you, Mikoto-kun~?" He teased, since he imagined that his lover didn't spend a whole lot of time in the food parts of grocery stores.
"Well, I haven't completely changed - I'm not cooking, after all," the blond replies. And if Keiji thinks they won't be returning with a bunch of snacks, he's certainly wrong. Possibly booze too.
That just made Keiji laugh. "True. You're just buying what I choose to cook for you, right?" He agreed, finding this rather amusing. He had no problem with assuming he was correct about who was paying. This was food for Mikoto's place, so it was fine that the blond was going to be paying. He had no thoughts about snacks, but he was certain alcohol was going to end up on the bill before they were done.
Mikoto laughs, "Really, this is just a very bizarre way to get take out." Soon enough they're at the store and loading up on food that Mikoto just knows will be amazing once Keiji cooks it. And booze. And snacks.
"Oh? Does that mean I get to add some overhead and labour costs?" Keiji teased with general amusement. After all, if this was just elaborate takeout, then he was *technically* a fast food worker in this scenario, right? He was even more amused as they went around the store, picking up what he had expected... and then some.
Fully faking the terrible fake acting voice from a porn video, he says, "I ordered extra sausage, but... it turns out I don't have the cash to pay. Maybe I can pay you some... other way?"
Keiji burst out laughing at that, the sudden loud sound gaining the attention of a nearby customer or two before he got it under control. Once attention was redistributed, though, he replied with, "I'm sure I can think of *something*~"
"Ok, thanks~" Mikoto replies, feeling no shame at his inappropriate grocery store language~ Besides, no one had heard - well, they'd heard Keiji LAUGHING, but not the comment. He looks at their basket (which Keiji is carrying), "I think we have everything now?"
Keiji gave the lightest snort of amusement at that response, but nodded at Mikoto's observation. "Unless you have something else not on the list to add... I think you're right." He responded, voice fond, and not at all upset by the additional items. Mikoto was paying, after all, so he could add whatever he liked.
"We'll see what's in the temptation aisle," Mikoto jokes, as stores always have small delicious tempting things by the register to try to sway your will power, so he's not going to promise that he's done. But they do head towards the check out.
That comment brought another laugh from the singer, and Keiji happily headed toward the check out with Mikoto. And if a few more spontaneous purchases ended up in the basket on the way? Well, he had already been prepared. Once everything was paid for and bagged up, he headed out of the store with the other man, a little melody being hummed happily and quietly as they went.
The blond walks close to Keiji, about as close as he reasonable can while they're both in boy-mode, and smiles. He's quiet, which is a little rare for him, but he's listening to Keiji humming.
Keiji smiled at Mikoto walking close to him, but since it seemed like his lover wasn't in dire need of conversation, he continued humming as they walked back toward the apartment.
Once they get upstairs, Mikoto gets out of the genkan and puts on some nice music for them to listen to while Keiji cooks. He heads to the kitchen and basically just leans against the kitchen table, being cute and also not helpful.
Keiji followed the blond into the kitchen, then smiled at the other man taking up a position like that. He really did look very cute. "Are you going to be my adorable helper?" He asked, already knowing that Mikoto wasn't going to do any cooking, but figuring he might be willing to cutely fetch pans, and knives, and what have you.
"I already did my part," The blond points out, definitely referencing paying for the food, and then giggles. That said, if Keiji really wants help he'll do it, "Is there something you want me to do?"
That made Keiji laugh lightly. "Fine fine." He relented, though when Mikoto offered, he happily requested, "I would love it if you cutely got me two cutting boards, one for the veggies and one for the fish~ Then, even more cutely, get me knives for both~" As he spoke, he was already looking through the spice options to decide what he was going to use on the fish to compliment the kimchi fried rice.
"Oh so really you just want me to show off for you~" Mikoto replies, definitely getting the message. Fully referencing the most recent season of drag race, he trots his way over to get the cutting boards, and bring them to Keiji. Counter to his lover's request, he carries the knives more normally (thus not surpassing the previous cuteness) but that's because, like, they're knives? And he probably shouldn't play around with them.
"Exactly!" Keiji agreed easily. After all, that was definitely what he was requesting. That cute little trot made the singer smile broadly, and he took the cutting boards when offered, then set the large selection of spices he'd chosen on one of them. When the knives were given to him, he accepted them carefully, but did note the lack of cute. "Awww, no cute with the knives?" He teased. It probably hadn't been the smartest request he'd ever made. That said, he got the rice started cooking, then started chopping up the veggies that would be added to the fried rice. About halfway through, he realized, "Oh! Can you get me the kimchi you want in the rice?" He didn't specify cutely, but he sure wouldn't mind it~
Mikoto shrugs, "Knives are not very cute," is his justification. That part of him that had been controlled by his ex boyfriend is concerned that he hadn't fulfilled the request, but most of him isn't, and obviously Keiji doesn't dwell so the moment swiftly passes. When the next request comes, he says, "Hai~" and heads over to the kimchi fridge. Less cute and more sexy, he slowly squats his way down in front of it, picks out some kimchi, and slowly, sensually rises back to his feet, before bringing it back to Keiji.
"True. Should have asked for them in a sexy way instead." Keiji responded with a silly smile, showing that he really didn't care *that* much about the whole thing. He did keep an eye on the blond as his lover moved to the kimchi fridge, just in case he did something interesting. And Keiji's attention was not in vain, as he got to see that lovely, sensual move. "Thanks." He said as the kimchi was handed to him, accompanying the word with a familiar peck to the other man's cheek.
The blond is actually taken by surprise by that kiss, and it coaxes a warm smile out of him. "No problem -- thanks for cooking for me, again." he adds, because he really does appreciate it.
"It's never a problem." Keiji assured warmly. After all, he would be cooking for himself at home if he wasn't cooking here, and here he had such nice ingredients~ No, he really didn't mind cooking for the blond at all. With the kimchi in hand, he worked on chopping up a good amount of it too, then set all of the veggies aside for when the rice was ready. Then, he washed his hands and got the fish out. He rubbed and sprinkled the fish with the spices he'd chosen, considered what he'd done, then added just a touch more of the spicier elements to one of the fish. Sure, once in the pan it might wander a little, but he knew Mikoto would enjoy the extra spice, and that the little bit of migration wouldn't hurt him any. Once everything was ready, the singer got to the actual cooking, and the kitchen began to smell amazing~
Mikoto definitely does just hang out while Keiji's cooking, not attempting to help - especially since his efforts would likely be the opposite of helpful. But he's still happy to be by Keiji's side and as always the conversation flows easily as they're together. Once the food is nearly done, the blond does help by getting out dishes and drinks.
Keiji got the spicier fish and a ridiculous mountain of fried rice on one plate, then the less spicy fish and a 'normal' amount of rice on the second. Then he turned and set them on the table. "Bet you can't guess which one is yours." He teased warmly.
"....The one where the fish is red?" Mikoto suggests innocently, ignoring the mountain of rice which was also a give away. He brings his plate to the table and sits down, thanks Keiji for the food, and starts to dig in.
"How did you know?" Keiji responded with a laugh, then joined Mikoto in tucking into the food. It tasted incredible, if he did think so himself. Fresh ingredients just added something to a meal that other elements just couldn't match. "Mmm~"
"Because you're nice to me," Mikoto replies. And while he says it like a joke, it's true. Keiji had made a meal to his tastes and served him a spicier version and bigger portion and it's out of care.
Honestly, Keiji wasn't sure how him being nice related to the spicier fish being the other man's, but he wasn't going to argue that. "Well, it wouldn't be any good if I wasn't, would it?" He responded instead. The truth was, he didn't think of what he had done as being 'nice', but being aware of his partner's likes and delivering them, when possible. It made him feel good to be able to show that he knew Mikoto at least this well.
Well, compared to Mikoto's previous experiences, even a small, knowing gesture like this means a lot. It's not long at all before Mikoto's delicious food is sadly gone. He kind of wishes he was better at savouring stuff honestly, but that can't be helped. He cracks open a beer and has a sip then.
As always, even though he had less food on his plate, Keiji was still working on eating as Mikoto opened his beer and let his meal digest. It wasn't an uncomfortable situation, though. He was used to it by now, and he knew that if his boyfriend was still hungry, he would help himself to the leftover fried rice in the pan. No, he just continued to enjoy the tasty and healthy meal on his plate, working on finishing it all off, as that gave him a weird satisfaction to be able to do. Eventually, though, his plate was clean of the last grain of rice and scrap of vegetable, and he settled back in his chair, opening up his own beer and taking a satisfying drink from it. "Mmm... Is it bad if I say how good that was?" He asked, not wanting to seem overly vain, but he really had enjoyed what he had created.
"Not at all, be proud of your cooking skills~" Mikoto replies. Doesn't matter if they'd been won from hard necessity, they were now something good Keiji could carry with him. He smiles across the table at his lover, who he often forgets is younger than him honestly. "I'm gunna have to start beautifying soonish."