( He reddens a little, surprised by the gesture. Ginger's face feels warm against his palm.
Ginger is... a little different than he usually is - but this is the part of himself he's ashamed of, right? It's the part of himself he tries to hide. He isn't sure how to navigate this, but he doesn't want Ginger to feel rejected. Ginger had been good to him when Mika needed to feed, and this is... something similar for Ginger, he thinks. )
... What would make you happy?
( His fingers gently curl into Ginger's hair, press into his cheek.
He raises his other hand, and he offers it - as if giving permission to Ginger to show him what he wants. )
[ His name a near whisper, sounds good coming out of his mouth.
He could take this offered hand and keep him. But he hasn’t forgotten that he needs to be careful, even with someone who seems willing to just - give. The last time Ginger listened to his greed, it was the biggest mistake of his life.
He doesn’t want Mika to be a mistake. ]
I’m happy. [ It’s true in the moment and he catches the other hand. Presses that to his cheek, too, so Mika can feel his smile. His eyes disappear into crescents, both halves dissolving into simple affection. ] You kept the flower.
[ He’d seen the white, asiatic lily on the windowsill. ]
… It makes me happy just to see you. I like being by your side. It’s comfortable with you. [ Different from back home, but comfortable. ] Though it would make me a little happy if I could pick you up so you stop putting yourself down, too.
( Ginger's sweet. He's really sweet. Mika squishes his cheeks a little fondly, before letting his touch relax. He... feels at ease, knowing Ginger's happy - knowing he's doing right by him. )
I'll stop raking myself over the coals when you do. How about that?
( Heh. Poking fun at both of them, a little. He smiles, his expression warm in a way it rarely is. He... is a little bit happy, he thinks, in the here and now. Is that okay? Is he allowed to be? He doesn't deserve it, but... )
... I like the flower. I didn't think I could like flowers anymore. Maybe because it's from you.
( He hasn't gotten flowers since, probably, one of the orphans gave him one since he was a little kid. He didn't think he'd ever get one again.
He shifts closer, his hands pushing forward - fingers running through Ginger's hair unhurriedly, before they eventually come to rest behind Ginger's neck, loosely interlocking. He feels conscious of his pulse. )
[ If they had speech bubbles, Ginger’s would be blossoming shapes, edges rounded with earnest excitement. ]
I’ll give you more.
[ He doesn’t react much to the touching aside from meeting Mika’s gaze, smile spreading as Mika smiles, happiness catching. As though them reaching for one another in these casual little gestures is a natural conclusion of the yet unnamed bond between them.
Like when his family touches him. Like when Rum touches him. ]
Ask me anything you want.
[ As he waits for the question, the pillow is moved to the side to make more room for them both. It had to move eventually anyway. ]
( Would it help... He feels like it'd feel even more embarrassing then.
But... it reminds him a little fo when he and Yuu were kids, so... he does lean in, voice murmuring in his ear. )
... Um... I'm— well, that guy who's important to me, Yuu-chan... We're... family, sort of. We came from the same orphanage, and... everyone was our family there.
( There's a slight, dull throb in his heart when he speaks of it - a reminder of what he'd done. But it has gotten duller than when it first started, his emotions fading; he needs to treasure this hurt, while it lasts. While he still remembers his sin. )
... Is it weird to you if... you also remind me a little of that? Of how family feels?
[ A little of how family feels. Ginger doesn’t know exactly what that means, but he hopes family is good, kind things for Mika. Things Mika won’t feel guilty for wanting. ]
It’s not weird, if that’s how you feel. Do you want us to be a sort-of family?
( Mika pulls back a little from his ear, but not far from Ginger. His hands slip from Ginger's neck, falling over his hands. )
I mean...
( The label seems to resonate with Mika, but he hesitates, since... he knows his experience is kind of unique. He's an orphan, and everyone in the orphanage loved each other. Ginger has a proper blood family that gets along.
And Mika ruined both those things. )
It's fine if you have a better term for it. ( Whatever Ginger wants!! ) I've just... never had a word for these things, except family. For someone you like, or... care about.
[ He turns his head to watch Mika. His blue eyes track each minuscule shift in his expression. It might be creepy that Ginger likes to just… watch… like this. He finds himself doing this to Rum a lot, too.
Something about finding the people you like fascinating in every way? Every shade of light they reflect off their eyelashes is endearing. ]
I know what you mean to me, but I don’t have a word for it. So whatever family means to you, whatever I am to you, it’s fine if you want to call us that.
( Ah... Mika's expression softens, if in a slightly different way - relief, maybe. Comfort? It's something he's been short on for a long time - since the end of the world, and arriving at this one. )
... Okay. Family. ( If he were in catboy era, you'd see a happy tailswish. Alas, ) I haven't added anyone to my family since Yuu-chan. Be proud of that.
( Hands Ginger a little a self esteem... is for u... )
( Oh no... Serotonin for Mika... He's probably going to start doubting and second-guessing himself for this later, but, for now, he's just... happy? Really happy. He's gonna fluff Ginger's hair with Both hands, watch out... )
[ He wrinkles his nose and lets Mika do as he likes. His hair is a disheveled mess after, but that’s okay, if it makes Mika smile like this.
Ginger thinks… he’d be okay with a lot of embarrassing things if it makes Mika smile. ]
Eh, what’s that mean? I’m not a kid, Mika.
[ If anything, Mika’s the cute one. Look at Ginger’s tie, which he loosens and tugs off - clearly not a kid. The buttons of his black collar are worked open, too. ]
He seems kind of curious when Ginger gestures for him to come closer, but he's on a rare serotonin high so, for once in his life, he's not going to think too hard on it. He shifts closer - into his arms, if that's the idea. )
I mean... I like you, so... I guess I have to, right?
( He was already kind of embarrassed saying he likes someone in the remarks leading up to the family conversation, and while some of it lingers... Ginger is a hundred times more embarrassed right now, and it's kind of endearing in a way that distracts him. )
Mm, if I’m on a list of things you like, then I guess… that’s fine. I can be cute for a day.
[ Into his arms is good; he settles them loosely around Mika. They’re close and comfortable enough that Mika can feed whenever he feels ready and he has more access to Ginger if he wants to touch his hair again. He seems to like doing that?
And overall, keeping Mika close makes Ginger feel more at ease. They have a term now: family. Mika’s family - it’s a little like being claimed.
Ginger likes that. ]
Yuu-chan, cute things, flowers, family - what else? Tell me more.
( He can't help the desire to fluff Ginger... how can u not pet a dog when u see one.............
Anyway, it's weird, but not in a bad way, being in Ginger's arms - but it also reminds him of the last time, when Ginger had taken him up to get him to his room to drink... and now that's on his mind, especially with Ginger's neck so close and exposed. So, when Ginger asks the first thing that comes to mind is... )
... Your blood...
( It tastes really good...!? It reminded him of Yuu's blood, in a way - Yuu, who also had some weird angelic and demonic... thing going on, but different than Ginger. It made them taste different, too - have a different texture. Ginger's is smoother, and...
No, now he's going to make himself hungry. He knows that's why Ginger's here, but he still hates being hungry, so, he sets that aside a little hastily, )
—I don't know. ( Vampires lose a lot of that, too. But... ) Yuu-chan... ( Yuu-chan... Yuu-chan... What else besides Yuu-chan........ ) I think I used to like curry, when I could eat...
[ His ears go red. Nooot something he expected to make the list. Isn't that the same as saying he - uh - he tastes good?? A-aaaa... He can't say it doesn't make him happy to hear that Mika finds him palatable. But... embarrassing......... ]
W-well, you know, it's yours to taste whenever...
[ It's not like there's another vampire who wants his blood anyway. What makes him taste good...? Is it the demon half... the angel half... Mmmmm... What does Ginger even taste like...? ]
... Ah, I've never had curry before. I don't need to eat, so it's always been things the others like to try for fun. Like cakes and chips. Little things.
( Ugh, that was definitely weird to say... Even when he's not starving, blood always jumps to the forefront of his mind when it comes up... But Ginger doesn't take it badly (he thinks), and... he doesn't think he's seen his ears red before... Definitely cute...
He shifts a little as Ginger talks, facing him a little better - or, rather, facing his neck at a better angle, palms running down either side of his neck lightly to better push the fabric down... This regular feeding schedule still sits weird with him, but... if Ginger really feels better knowing Mika's eating daily... )
... Do you enjoy eating? It's not like I was able to eat that many things before all this, but... I could show you a few things I remember liking.
[ In his eagerness he almost leans in too close, head bump barely avoided. But this is really exciting news! If it means Mika can taste the dishes he used to like - ]
Then let’s! The things you used to like - and maybe dishes you haven’t tried yet.
( Oh— definitely surprised, given he didn't think this would provoke this much excitement? Ginger's... really nice.
But he'd never thought of possibly being able to taste things again. A part of him had given up, and a part of him never considered it - the "diet" back home for most people was scraps and rations, so it barely registered. Even noticing the distinct shift in taste here... he still wouldn't have thought twice about it if Ginger hadn't thought of this.
Man... Rum's really lucky. He better be changing his mind about Ginger (positively) while Ginger's away. )
Is it really that exciting? ( He says, but... it's flattering. Weird? Nice? To have someone... excited for him. ) ... If you're going to go through all the trouble... could I at least be there when you eat?
( This sounds weird, but, )
... I at least want to know if you're enjoying those things, too.
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Ginger is... a little different than he usually is - but this is the part of himself he's ashamed of, right? It's the part of himself he tries to hide. He isn't sure how to navigate this, but he doesn't want Ginger to feel rejected. Ginger had been good to him when Mika needed to feed, and this is... something similar for Ginger, he thinks. )
... What would make you happy?
( His fingers gently curl into Ginger's hair, press into his cheek.
He raises his other hand, and he offers it - as if giving permission to Ginger to show him what he wants. )
I'm happy if you are.
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[ His name a near whisper, sounds good coming out of his mouth.
He could take this offered hand and keep him. But he hasn’t forgotten that he needs to be careful, even with someone who seems willing to just - give. The last time Ginger listened to his greed, it was the biggest mistake of his life.
He doesn’t want Mika to be a mistake. ]
I’m happy. [ It’s true in the moment and he catches the other hand. Presses that to his cheek, too, so Mika can feel his smile. His eyes disappear into crescents, both halves dissolving into simple affection. ] You kept the flower.
[ He’d seen the white, asiatic lily on the windowsill. ]
… It makes me happy just to see you. I like being by your side. It’s comfortable with you. [ Different from back home, but comfortable. ] Though it would make me a little happy if I could pick you up so you stop putting yourself down, too.
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I'll stop raking myself over the coals when you do. How about that?
( Heh. Poking fun at both of them, a little. He smiles, his expression warm in a way it rarely is. He... is a little bit happy, he thinks, in the here and now. Is that okay? Is he allowed to be? He doesn't deserve it, but... )
... I like the flower. I didn't think I could like flowers anymore. Maybe because it's from you.
( He hasn't gotten flowers since, probably, one of the orphans gave him one since he was a little kid. He didn't think he'd ever get one again.
He shifts closer, his hands pushing forward - fingers running through Ginger's hair unhurriedly, before they eventually come to rest behind Ginger's neck, loosely interlocking. He feels conscious of his pulse. )
... Can I ask you something weird?
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I’ll give you more.
[ He doesn’t react much to the touching aside from meeting Mika’s gaze, smile spreading as Mika smiles, happiness catching. As though them reaching for one another in these casual little gestures is a natural conclusion of the yet unnamed bond between them.
Like when his family touches him. Like when Rum touches him. ]
Ask me anything you want.
[ As he waits for the question, the pillow is moved to the side to make more room for them both. It had to move eventually anyway. ]
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... I'd like that.
( ... As for the question...
...
...
... )
... Maybe it's too weird.
( Embarrassed........ )
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You can whisper it.
[ They’re the only two in the room, but maybe that’ll help somehow. ]
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But... it reminds him a little fo when he and Yuu were kids, so... he does lean in, voice murmuring in his ear. )
... Um... I'm— well, that guy who's important to me, Yuu-chan... We're... family, sort of. We came from the same orphanage, and... everyone was our family there.
( There's a slight, dull throb in his heart when he speaks of it - a reminder of what he'd done. But it has gotten duller than when it first started, his emotions fading; he needs to treasure this hurt, while it lasts. While he still remembers his sin. )
... Is it weird to you if... you also remind me a little of that? Of how family feels?
( A little like Yuu-chan. )
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So his name is Yuu-chan…
[ A little of how family feels. Ginger doesn’t know exactly what that means, but he hopes family is good, kind things for Mika. Things Mika won’t feel guilty for wanting. ]
It’s not weird, if that’s how you feel. Do you want us to be a sort-of family?
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I mean...
( The label seems to resonate with Mika, but he hesitates, since... he knows his experience is kind of unique. He's an orphan, and everyone in the orphanage loved each other. Ginger has a proper blood family that gets along.
And Mika ruined both those things. )
It's fine if you have a better term for it. ( Whatever Ginger wants!! ) I've just... never had a word for these things, except family. For someone you like, or... care about.
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I haven’t found one yet.
[ He turns his head to watch Mika. His blue eyes track each minuscule shift in his expression. It might be creepy that Ginger likes to just… watch… like this. He finds himself doing this to Rum a lot, too.
Something about finding the people you like fascinating in every way? Every shade of light they reflect off their eyelashes is endearing. ]
I know what you mean to me, but I don’t have a word for it. So whatever family means to you, whatever I am to you, it’s fine if you want to call us that.
It’s, um, sweet actually. I like it.
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... Okay. Family. ( If he were in catboy era, you'd see a happy tailswish. Alas, ) I haven't added anyone to my family since Yuu-chan. Be proud of that.
( Hands Ginger a little a self esteem... is for u... )
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But hey, ignore that and check out his pure and happy smile. He’s so inno - ]
I am! Mika’s family, that’s me now.
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You're really cute, you know that?
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Ginger thinks… he’d be okay with a lot of embarrassing things if it makes Mika smile. ]
Eh, what’s that mean? I’m not a kid, Mika.
[ If anything, Mika’s the cute one. Look at Ginger’s tie, which he loosens and tugs off - clearly not a kid. The buttons of his black collar are worked open, too. ]
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No, you're not. You're cute as Ginger.
( gottem )
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… Now you’re just making things up.
[ He holds out his arms. Come closer?
Ah, wait, should he have rolled up his sleeves, too… ]
Do you like cute things?
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( No lies here!!
He seems kind of curious when Ginger gestures for him to come closer, but he's on a rare serotonin high so, for once in his life, he's not going to think too hard on it. He shifts closer - into his arms, if that's the idea. )
I mean... I like you, so... I guess I have to, right?
( He was already kind of embarrassed saying he likes someone in the remarks leading up to the family conversation, and while some of it lingers... Ginger is a hundred times more embarrassed right now, and it's kind of endearing in a way that distracts him. )
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[ Into his arms is good; he settles them loosely around Mika. They’re close and comfortable enough that Mika can feed whenever he feels ready and he has more access to Ginger if he wants to touch his hair again. He seems to like doing that?
And overall, keeping Mika close makes Ginger feel more at ease. They have a term now: family. Mika’s family - it’s a little like being claimed.
Ginger likes that. ]
Yuu-chan, cute things, flowers, family - what else? Tell me more.
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Anyway, it's weird, but not in a bad way, being in Ginger's arms - but it also reminds him of the last time, when Ginger had taken him up to get him to his room to drink... and now that's on his mind, especially with Ginger's neck so close and exposed. So, when Ginger asks the first thing that comes to mind is... )
... Your blood...
( It tastes really good...!? It reminded him of Yuu's blood, in a way - Yuu, who also had some weird angelic and demonic... thing going on, but different than Ginger. It made them taste different, too - have a different texture. Ginger's is smoother, and...
No, now he's going to make himself hungry. He knows that's why Ginger's here, but he still hates being hungry, so, he sets that aside a little hastily, )
—I don't know. ( Vampires lose a lot of that, too. But... ) Yuu-chan... ( Yuu-chan... Yuu-chan... What else besides Yuu-chan........ ) I think I used to like curry, when I could eat...
( ... )
What are some things you like?
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[ His ears go red. Nooot something he expected to make the list. Isn't that the same as saying he - uh - he tastes good?? A-aaaa... He can't say it doesn't make him happy to hear that Mika finds him palatable. But... embarrassing......... ]
W-well, you know, it's yours to taste whenever...
[ It's not like there's another vampire who wants his blood anyway. What makes him taste good...? Is it the demon half... the angel half... Mmmmm... What does Ginger even taste like...? ]
... Ah, I've never had curry before. I don't need to eat, so it's always been things the others like to try for fun. Like cakes and chips. Little things.
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He shifts a little as Ginger talks, facing him a little better - or, rather, facing his neck at a better angle, palms running down either side of his neck lightly to better push the fabric down... This regular feeding schedule still sits weird with him, but... if Ginger really feels better knowing Mika's eating daily... )
... Do you enjoy eating? It's not like I was able to eat that many things before all this, but... I could show you a few things I remember liking.
( Or, close enough in this world, but. )
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[ He likes the seasonal items because they feel - special. ]
And I like sharing. [ With Rum, especially, but with his coworkers, too. Speaking of sharing: ]
If I eat the things you like, will… will my blood - um. Could I share those flavors with you?
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... Maybe? I can kinda tell diet, when I drink... You'd probably have to eat a lot of it, though.
( So long as Ginger doesn't mind that... )
... As long as it wouldn't make you sick or anything, I wouldn't mind trying it.
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[ In his eagerness he almost leans in too close, head bump barely avoided. But this is really exciting news! If it means Mika can taste the dishes he used to like - ]
Then let’s! The things you used to like - and maybe dishes you haven’t tried yet.
[ Ginger’s tall. He can do this for Mika. ]
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But he'd never thought of possibly being able to taste things again. A part of him had given up, and a part of him never considered it - the "diet" back home for most people was scraps and rations, so it barely registered. Even noticing the distinct shift in taste here... he still wouldn't have thought twice about it if Ginger hadn't thought of this.
Man... Rum's really lucky. He better be changing his mind about Ginger (positively) while Ginger's away. )
Is it really that exciting? ( He says, but... it's flattering. Weird? Nice? To have someone... excited for him. ) ... If you're going to go through all the trouble... could I at least be there when you eat?
( This sounds weird, but, )
... I at least want to know if you're enjoying those things, too.
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/2
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n… sfw
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