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[secrowtary]

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[actus]

[ there's another peel of laughter and akira is smiling ear to ear. ]

It was funny. [ that's his only defense. ]

Besides, you were meowing at me.

[secrowtary]

[ It's the best defense, clearly. Hibiki, flustered and seemingly irritated just a while ago, is now laughing together with him. ]

You compared me to your cat, I just couldn't resist. [ Without any warning, Hibiki pulls himself up a little and lets out a familiar soft sound: ] Meow.

[actus]

Hibiki.

[ akira is laughing again and in response curls his arm tighter around him. ]

As much as I love Morgana, I don't like him like that.

[secrowtary]

[ Why does Akira saying his name makes his skin crawl? He lies down comfortably on his previous spot, letting the silence linger. ]

He must be missing you.

[ Hibiki gazes up at him, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice. ]

[actus]

My da-- ... My guardian's probably looking out for him. He says it doesn't like pets, but I think he has a soft spot for Morgana.

[ he thinks morgana can handle himself. futaba and the others, though? he's worried about them, too. ]

[secrowtary]

[ DAD...Akira that's so cute... ]

That's good to hear, but...your da—guardian is probably worried sick as well.

[ The change in mood is quite drastic, so Hibiki tries to make it a little less worse. ]

It's a shame that you don't have a photo of Morgana-san.

[actus]

[ sojiro is probably getting even more grey hairs. the poor guy... ]

Ah. I can show you, though.

[ he's going to take hibiki's hand without warning and close his eyes, focusing on the mental connection as well as the signet with his other. just picture it. picture it and focus. he can do this. he can --

it's a cat in a bag. ]

[secrowtary]

[ At first, Hibiki's surprised to hear that just because he forgot about sending images. When it becomes clear, his eyes start glimmering. ]

He's very handsome. [ Smiling to himself, Hibiki feels the signet under his fingertips. ] Could you show me something else? Something you like, for example.

[actus]

[ he's fighting the urge to just think of hibiki and send him a picture of himself. instead, he remembers the trip to hawaii. so he thinks of the selfie they all took, because of course they did, they're millennials. ]

Those are my friends from back home. Some of them, anyway. Ann's here.

[secrowtary]

[ Something you like from your world, duh!! Hibiki focuses on the image as hard as he only can, trying to commit each tiny detail to memory just in case. Their expressions, appearance...everything about this image makes Hibiki smile. ]

You seem to be having fun...I'm envious.

[ He's just teasing at this point. ]

[actus]

We were on a school trip. It was definitely a much-needed break for all of us.

[ from being thieves and hooligans. he interlaces their fingers out of habit. ]

Have you ever been to the beach? Before the island, I mean.

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki shakes his head lightly, trying to hold back his laugh. Maybe he shouldn't say anything about him and not taking a day off in years. ]

I haven't. Besides, it seems pointless to go alone. [ Before Akira even has the chance to ask, he squeezes his hand. ] Would you go with me someday?

[actus]

Yeah. When we get back to the island, let's go.

[ it's soft, a sort of fondness that replaces any subconscious thoughts of what would happen once the coven disbanded and sent them all home. no, the king of yolo is just focusing on the immediate future. ]

... Just so long as the crabs are gone.

[secrowtary]

All right.

[ Hibiki makes a mental note that before their outing, he should obtain a camera and take a picture together. Akira could show it to his friends in the future, too.

This bittersweet thought makes him press into Akira. They'll have to part ways one day, that much is clear. But it doesn't have to mean that they can't try being happy together, even if just for a while. ]

I'll be looking forward to it.

[actus]

Mm.

[ he lets the comforting silence overtake them for a few moments, his hand absently playing with hibiki's hair. it's soft. nothing like his messy curls that are probably soft, too, but far less silky. ]

You're warm.

[ he means it as a compliment. ]

[secrowtary]

[ He's rather used to people calling him cold, not warm. Maybe that's the reason behind his brief laugh. ]

Am I? That's something new.

[ His hand goes up to Akira's cheek to caress it gently. ]

Are you sure you're not mistaken?

[actus]

Pretty sure. Still warm to me.

[ he smirks. ]

Maybe I'm just colder than you.

[ how mysterious??? he leans into the touch though, grinning, eyes shutting to focus solely on the feel. ]

[secrowtary]

Don't be ridiculous, no one's colder than Captain Kohaku.

[ The tone is as dramatic as it can only be, but it's not as easy to stick to the decorum when the urge to chuckle is real. Hibiki remains strong, though. ]

Do you think we'll be getting any sleep tonight...?

[ This is an innocent question, just so you know. ]

[actus]

[ ... how is that at all innocent. akira tries to go with the flow, despite the urge to latch onto that. ]

Ah... Maybe? I don't mind either way. I like talking to you.

[ so if they lay up talking all night, it's fine with him. if they doze off, that's fine, too. there's no real downside to this arrangement. ]

Sleep whenever you're tired, though. Thief's honor that I won't creepily watch you sleep.

[secrowtary]

[ That's as innocent as innocent a question can be...! ]

I'm not tired yet. [ A yawn follows his words, which ruins the effect. ] Really.

[ That didn't sound too reassuring, though. ]

I want to hear more stories about you. Tell me something, please.

[actus]

[ wow hibiki. wow. ]

Cool stories or?

[ akira please. he brushes hibiki's hair behind his ear. ]

[secrowtary]

Anything will do.

[ Let him close his eyes for a few minutes... ]

[actus]

I mean, one time I fell on a treadmill.

[ this is his go to story... ]

[secrowtary]

Poor Akira.

[ Smiling to himself, Hibiki lets his hand wander off to find the other boy's and entwine their fingers together.

He's either half-asleep or pretending to be. ]

[actus]

[ he's really glad he told hibiki he could hold his hand whenever he wanted. he really enjoys this. ]

When I first started making coffee, my guardian spit it out because it tasted so crappy. I've never been more disappointed in my life.

[ he's obviously joking about that last bit given the deadpan. ]