[ Well, Adachi did end up extending the invitation.
Maruki never follows the rules Adachi lays out, and now is no exception. A firm reminder to not bring anything has been thoroughly ignored โ his messenger bag over his shoulder has not only a change of clothes and his toothbrush, but a rather nice bottle of wine bundled up safely in the fabric. And cradled in his arms is a small potted houseplant. That can at least go some small way toward making the space homey. He has to wonder just how bad it really is...
He's sure Adachi will try to usher him out, but Maruki knows how to be persuasive. It's a flawless plan, really: Show up when it's already past nightfall, split a bottle of wine, climb into Adachi's lap, profit. And it's fine if it never happens again after this โ he'd like to spend the night at Adachi's just once. Just to say that he did. They can return to their usual routine at Maruki's apartment after that.
Funny that it's becoming a routine at all, though. He does have to wonder what exactly is going on here, but...
Does it matter? Maruki knows the sensation that grips his chest when Adachi opens the door. A warmth so flushed, so fluttering that it would be embarrassing if he had any amount of shame about it. He doesn't, though. He likes Adachi. He likes liking Adachi.
He grins widely, shifts the plant from one arm to the other. Tries not to immediately peer around him to get a look into the Mystery Apartment. ]
I come bearing gifts, so you can't kick me out! It's a little known rule.
[ He did extend the invitation, but he doesn't have to be happy about it.
He even looks a little annoyed already when he opens the door, eyes lingering on Maruki's a little long to be too angry about his presence, but eventually they'll have to come down to the plant and flatten right back out.
With a shrug, ] Well, it's not a cat so it could be worse.
Come on in, then. [ Even in the periphery around his scrawny ass there wasn't much to see in the doorway, and when he retreats back into the apartment proper there's...still not much to see. At all.
The kitchen they walk into is incredibly small, everything scooched together with little to no counter space to speak of, and yet there aren't any food or personal items cluttering up the place. It's almost like a sample room in a furniture store with how clean and deliberate everything is--did Adachi tidy up to prepare for a visitor, or...?
It's not much better when he opens the doors separating the two spaces. It's his bedroom, apparently, and it's barely any bigger and barely any more disorganized--just a wrinkled bedspread and haphazardly arranged clothes in a hamper in the corner to hint at the idea someone lives here. There's nothing else on the floor, nothing on the walls, just a TV and a laptop on a small low table in the middle of the room. It's almost like a prison cell, honestly. ]
None of the tea I have is that good, but I do have beer in the fridge. [ Adachi announces from the middle doorframe like the most unenthused host ever. ] Take your pick.
Wow. "Not homey" was an understatement. "Minimalist" wouldn't be the right word either, not enough intention about how little there is to see. It's almost depressing. Tidy, at least, but...
Maruki sets the plant down on the tiniest available sliver of counter space, as close to the window as he can manage. Somehow, the place only looks sadder now with one pathetic attempt at any sign of life.
He turns back toward where Adachi lingers in the adjoining doorway, smiles wide and warm at his offer. ]
Did you really think the plant was it? [ Maruki unzips his messenger bag, produces the bottle of wine and hands it off to Adachi. ] Call it a very belated housewarming gift. I thought it might be nice if we split it tonight.
[ So get to pouring, Yutz-kun โ or, honestly, they can both drink from the bottle, Maruki isn't above that โ because he's busy immediately whipping back around to open the refrigerator anyway. ]
[ Adachi's eyebrows hike right up when Maruki brings out the bottle. He did indeed think that was it, apparently, and there's an incredulous huff as his surprise turns back into performative annoyance, though this time with an overtone of fondness he can't quite keep hidden. ]
Geez, I told you this place wasn't anything special and here you are trying to class it up? You really do--ah, wait a--
[ Too late, door open! That mysterious 'Narukami' might have been onto something, forcing food into Adachi's fridge, because as it stands its contents are as follows:
2ยฝ six-packs of beer (a cheap brand) 1 whole cabbage 1 unidentified takeout box
[ Well now it's much less performative, almost petulant when he scoots past Maruki to get to the cups kept in the cabinet under that sliver of counter space. Small, also cheap, but they'll hold wine as well as any other cups. ]
I'm a grown man, I don't need you to take care of me. It's just...I was gonna go shopping and something came up. That's all.
[ Adachi conveniently doesn't need to be facing Maruki when he goes to set the glasses down on the other 'room's table, what with no other place to put them for pouring, and yet with the tone of his voice one can practically hear the rolling of his eyes. ]
Yes, I know how to cook. I cook plenty, I'll even cook for you next time we're over at your place.
[ Ran his mouth a little too eagerly to try and get Maruki off his back, but he's here now so no takebacksies.
This guy sure as shit doesn't own a corkscrew either, so pardon while he fishes out a key to fix that problem. ]
[ Oh, Adachi Tohru. You fool. You absolute buffoon.
Maruki brightens at that, following him into the other room and plunking down on one of the floor cushions. The one facing away from the television, thanks. The room is barren, yes, but it's not uninviting... It just looks like a hotel room, honestly. A place that isn't meant to be truly lived in.
He looks up at Adachi, and he can't hang onto that sternness, not even as a joke. It's impossible to deny that he now only looks pleased and hopeful. ]
Would you really? I'm holding you to that. That soundsโ honestly, I'll buy you a corkscrew next time too, you're messing up the cork...
[ He'll outfit this whole apartment if Adachi's not careful. Watch out. ]
Yeah, I will. [ Another shrug, he's still going at the cork. ] I mean, I'm not a chef or anything so don't get your hopes up, but I can make a good enough dinner when I have something to work with.
[ Pop! There it goes. He'll finally take a seat by Maruki to pour, looking pretty pleased with himself now that he has some kind of control over the situation again. In fact, he's feeling good enough about it to shoot Maruki a sly look as he's filling the other's glass. ]
There's a beat of silence as Maruki holds that sly look, fights hard to keep his own expression mild and pleasantโ
And then, despite all his best efforts, a flustered heat rises in his cheeks as he smiles back. He really is susceptible to even the worst flirtations when they come from the right source. Mortifying. ]
That was such a stretch. I hate that it works on me...
[ Would you look at that? It's drinking wine o'clock! It's time to focus very hard on wine and looking around the room, even as he scoots closer to bump his shoulder up against Adachi's. ]
Do you like it this way?
[ Maybe the blankness has a calming effect on him. Maruki doesn't know. ]
[ Success.โ Alright, he feels better enough not to make any kind of stink about bumping shoulders, not even a tiny one.
It helps that the wine is nice. He's not usually a wine kind of guy, but maybe it's a good thing his taste buds haven't rotted with the rest of him to the point he can't appreciate the taste of something objectively better than the cheapest beer he can find. Maybe, just maybe, Maruki deserves some effort whenever Adachi comes over for that homemade dinner.
Then, as always, Maruki gets curious. It was aggravating at first, but Adachi's starting to get used to just not caring whether or not Maruki knows this or that inconsequential thing about him.
This is pretty inconsequential, for example, so he hums in thought. ]
[ Maruki's brows draw down at that, pinching together in the middle as he glances over at Adachi mid-sip. ]
Does it?
[ It has the bare necessities and nothing more. There's a kindly lecture about surviving versus thriving on the tip of his tongue โ just because this place has four walls and the basic amenities needed to sustain a modern life doesn't mean it's good for Adachi. Too much time in a place like this might drive a man mad.
Maruki leans forward to rest an elbow on the table, tipping his cheek into his hand so he can hold Adachi's gaze. ]
What about what you want, though? What do you like to do when you're home? Don't tell me you just stare at the blank walls. I'll have you committed.
[ Like..... where is all your STUFF, my guy...... ]
[ Have they figured out if they're actually dating or not yet? Well, Maruki has. It's plainly clear to him that they're dating, they've been dating. They stay over at one another's apartments more often than they don't. They go out, and they have fun, and when he runs into the odd friend or former colleague, Adachi seems less than thrilled if their attention on Maruki lingers. They talk on the days they don't see one another, and Maruki misses him.
They're going to see one another tonight, Maruki has a whole dinner menu planned, butโ
Between patients, he can't help himself from reaching out early. ]
[ Adachi sure hasn't figured it out. He's been in relationships before, knows that they're doing most everything people dating do, but it's just...different? Somehow. Maybe if they talked it out he could put a finger on what it is, but it'll be a cold day in hell before Adachi's the one who initiates that conversation. He likes things the way they are now.
Silly texts over a birthday he's usually not excited about and all. ]
would you believe i feel taller?? is a growth spurt in your 30s even a thing?
It wouldn't matter if you weren't joking, I have to tell you beforehand anyway! Because I realize I should have asked earlier...
What are you doing three weekends from now?
[ Potential scheduling conflicts are. Not exactly the only reason he's broaching this through text. But they'll get there. Maybe. Or he'll chicken out. ]
[ Attachment: A flyer for an upcoming hobby expo! Model guns feature prominently. Many thanks to his mysterious acquaintance for having these in his shop that Maruki only occasionally visits to get weird snacks from the military rations gachapon. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
woke up from a nap to find i had written this. now it's your problem
Maruki never follows the rules Adachi lays out, and now is no exception. A firm reminder to not bring anything has been thoroughly ignored โ his messenger bag over his shoulder has not only a change of clothes and his toothbrush, but a rather nice bottle of wine bundled up safely in the fabric. And cradled in his arms is a small potted houseplant. That can at least go some small way toward making the space homey. He has to wonder just how bad it really is...
He's sure Adachi will try to usher him out, but Maruki knows how to be persuasive. It's a flawless plan, really: Show up when it's already past nightfall, split a bottle of wine, climb into Adachi's lap, profit. And it's fine if it never happens again after this โ he'd like to spend the night at Adachi's just once. Just to say that he did. They can return to their usual routine at Maruki's apartment after that.
Funny that it's becoming a routine at all, though. He does have to wonder what exactly is going on here, but...
Does it matter? Maruki knows the sensation that grips his chest when Adachi opens the door. A warmth so flushed, so fluttering that it would be embarrassing if he had any amount of shame about it. He doesn't, though. He likes Adachi. He likes liking Adachi.
He grins widely, shifts the plant from one arm to the other. Tries not to immediately peer around him to get a look into the Mystery Apartment. ]
I come bearing gifts, so you can't kick me out! It's a little known rule.
eats it and you whole
[ He did extend the invitation, but he doesn't have to be happy about it.
He even looks a little annoyed already when he opens the door, eyes lingering on Maruki's a little long to be too angry about his presence, but eventually they'll have to come down to the plant and flatten right back out.
With a shrug, ] Well, it's not a cat so it could be worse.
Come on in, then. [ Even in the periphery around his scrawny ass there wasn't much to see in the doorway, and when he retreats back into the apartment proper there's...still not much to see. At all.
The kitchen they walk into is incredibly small, everything scooched together with little to no counter space to speak of, and yet there aren't any food or personal items cluttering up the place. It's almost like a sample room in a furniture store with how clean and deliberate everything is--did Adachi tidy up to prepare for a visitor, or...?
It's not much better when he opens the doors separating the two spaces. It's his bedroom, apparently, and it's barely any bigger and barely any more disorganized--just a wrinkled bedspread and haphazardly arranged clothes in a hamper in the corner to hint at the idea someone lives here. There's nothing else on the floor, nothing on the walls, just a TV and a laptop on a small low table in the middle of the room. It's almost like a prison cell, honestly. ]
None of the tea I have is that good, but I do have beer in the fridge. [ Adachi announces from the middle doorframe like the most unenthused host ever. ] Take your pick.
CATBITE.GIF
Oh.
Wow. "Not homey" was an understatement. "Minimalist" wouldn't be the right word either, not enough intention about how little there is to see. It's almost depressing. Tidy, at least, but...
Maruki sets the plant down on the tiniest available sliver of counter space, as close to the window as he can manage. Somehow, the place only looks sadder now with one pathetic attempt at any sign of life.
He turns back toward where Adachi lingers in the adjoining doorway, smiles wide and warm at his offer. ]
Did you really think the plant was it? [ Maruki unzips his messenger bag, produces the bottle of wine and hands it off to Adachi. ] Call it a very belated housewarming gift. I thought it might be nice if we split it tonight.
[ So get to pouring, Yutz-kun โ or, honestly, they can both drink from the bottle, Maruki isn't above that โ because he's busy immediately whipping back around to open the refrigerator anyway. ]
But I do have to see the state of this first!
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Geez, I told you this place wasn't anything special and here you are trying to class it up? You really do--ah, wait a--
[ Too late, door open! That mysterious 'Narukami' might have been onto something, forcing food into Adachi's fridge, because as it stands its contents are as follows:
2ยฝ six-packs of beer (a cheap brand)
1 whole cabbage
1 unidentified takeout box
...And. And that's it. ]
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..............
....................... !? ]
How is it worse than I imagined...
[ Maruki almost looks offended when he closes it to stare at Adachi. At least there's a vegetable, but dear lord. ]
This isn't making me want to take care of you any less. The opposite, actually.
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I'm a grown man, I don't need you to take care of me. It's just...I was gonna go shopping and something came up. That's all.
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He leans a hip against the fridge, folds his arms over his chest and stares Adachi down. So stern. Unfortunately, so fond. ]
Do you know how to cook?
[ CAN YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF? ]
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Yes, I know how to cook. I cook plenty, I'll even cook for you next time we're over at your place.
[ Ran his mouth a little too eagerly to try and get Maruki off his back, but he's here now so no takebacksies.
This guy sure as shit doesn't own a corkscrew either, so pardon while he fishes out a key to fix that problem. ]
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Maruki brightens at that, following him into the other room and plunking down on one of the floor cushions. The one facing away from the television, thanks. The room is barren, yes, but it's not uninviting... It just looks like a hotel room, honestly. A place that isn't meant to be truly lived in.
He looks up at Adachi, and he can't hang onto that sternness, not even as a joke. It's impossible to deny that he now only looks pleased and hopeful. ]
Would you really? I'm holding you to that. That soundsโ honestly, I'll buy you a corkscrew next time too, you're messing up the cork...
[ He'll outfit this whole apartment if Adachi's not careful. Watch out. ]
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Yeah, I will. [ Another shrug, he's still going at the cork. ] I mean, I'm not a chef or anything so don't get your hopes up, but I can make a good enough dinner when I have something to work with.
[ Pop! There it goes. He'll finally take a seat by Maruki to pour, looking pretty pleased with himself now that he has some kind of control over the situation again. In fact, he's feeling good enough about it to shoot Maruki a sly look as he's filling the other's glass. ]
You know how good I am with my hands.
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There's a beat of silence as Maruki holds that sly look, fights hard to keep his own expression mild and pleasantโ
And then, despite all his best efforts, a flustered heat rises in his cheeks as he smiles back. He really is susceptible to even the worst flirtations when they come from the right source. Mortifying. ]
That was such a stretch. I hate that it works on me...
[ Would you look at that? It's drinking wine o'clock! It's time to focus very hard on wine and looking around the room, even as he scoots closer to bump his shoulder up against Adachi's. ]
Do you like it this way?
[ Maybe the blankness has a calming effect on him. Maruki doesn't know. ]
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It helps that the wine is nice. He's not usually a wine kind of guy, but maybe it's a good thing his taste buds haven't rotted with the rest of him to the point he can't appreciate the taste of something objectively better than the cheapest beer he can find. Maybe, just maybe, Maruki deserves some effort whenever Adachi comes over for that homemade dinner.
Then, as always, Maruki gets curious. It was aggravating at first, but Adachi's starting to get used to just not caring whether or not Maruki knows this or that inconsequential thing about him.
This is pretty inconsequential, for example, so he hums in thought. ]
It's got everything I need.
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Does it?
[ It has the bare necessities and nothing more. There's a kindly lecture about surviving versus thriving on the tip of his tongue โ just because this place has four walls and the basic amenities needed to sustain a modern life doesn't mean it's good for Adachi. Too much time in a place like this might drive a man mad.
Maruki leans forward to rest an elbow on the table, tipping his cheek into his hand so he can hold Adachi's gaze. ]
What about what you want, though? What do you like to do when you're home? Don't tell me you just stare at the blank walls. I'll have you committed.
[ Like..... where is all your STUFF, my guy...... ]
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so there's this ex-yakuza you should meet,,,,
please he can't handle another gruff single dad--
not the coat...... sobs
not yet serial killer fashionโข
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:3c oh you'll see
They're going to see one another tonight, Maruki has a whole dinner menu planned, butโ
Between patients, he can't help himself from reaching out early. ]
Happy birthday!!!
(*ใปฯใป)๏พโโiiiโ
Do you feel older? Wiser? Taller?
first of all how dare you
Silly texts over a birthday he's usually not excited about and all. ]
would you believe i feel taller?? is a growth spurt in your 30s even a thing?
OH YOU'LL SEE!!!!!!!
I suppose that's a "no" on wiser, huh...
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apparently i don't need it to get a man who texts like a teenage girl so there
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[ And he's learned how to use them thanks to his patients who, yes, are mostly teenage girlsโ MOVING ON! ]
I was going to tell you something about your present, but now I'm not so sure!
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aw come on you know i'm just joking
i like to joke i'm a jokester
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I know.
It wouldn't matter if you weren't joking, I have to tell you beforehand anyway! Because I realize I should have asked earlier...
What are you doing three weekends from now?
[ Potential scheduling conflicts are. Not exactly the only reason he's broaching this through text. But they'll get there. Maybe. Or he'll chicken out. ]
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got nothing on the docket
why?
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You do now!
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[ โ Seen. ]
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Are you staring really hard at a wall somewhere...
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sorry
yeah i'm definitely free to go
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