✧ ex-gang

[reignitions]

[There's one thing Shio can say about his life now and that it's, for the most part, quiet.

Disbanding BLAZE was not the easiest decision (no matter how it felt at the time, grief is a bitch, etc), but... well, in hindsight, it's one he's glad he made now. Gen is moderately successful and that's good enough for him. Nobody causes trouble in this quiet little out-of-the-way noodle shop.

Even if that is partially by design.

He should be expecting one of his regulars in about three, two, one...]

Comments

[threebetrayals]

Now that's just a challenge.

[reignitions]

Oh, I'm sure something'll come along to prove me wrong, but you were the one who said "Raiden creation" to begin with.

[threebetrayals]

[He snorts.]

Raiden Ei is a reclusive lesbian. Do you really think she'd have children like normal people?

[reignitions]

In my defense: I generally try to not think about Raiden Ei.

[threebetrayals]

Fair. My point still stands, though.

[reignitions]

That it does. So, yeah, fair enough.

[He chuckles.]

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni falls silent, before sighing and running a hand over his face.]

I'll need to get a new apartment. Fun.

[reignitions]

Mm. You can stay here for now, if you want.

[threebetrayals]

Is this apartment big enough?

[reignitions]

[He nods.]

It is, yeah. It's actually meant for two people, rather than one.

[threebetrayals]

[Kuni just nods. He's tired.

By the end of the following day, things have calmed down in their little city. It's not back to normal, but it can start getting there. Kuni settles in to living with Shio and tells him that he's not leaving the apartment for a while, not until the Fatui calm the fuck down some more. It's understandable.

Over the course of the next few days, Shio might notice something. Kunikaki, for all that he's an angry, still somewhat violent young man, is also remarkably good at household chores and the like. He takes to cooking, cleaning, and even mending as if he'd done them his entire life, all without even really saying he was going to do those things. Shio doesn't need to cook after cooking all day in Gen!

It's perhaps a little cute.]

[reignitions]

[Honestly, Shio hadn't expected it when he offered for Kuni to stay at the apartment.

It's actually incredibly cute how quickly he takes to the household chores, and honestly, it's... nice. Shio doesn't have the energy to do a lot, especially not cooking, after work.

... It's really cute, oh no. And it's just... really nice to sit down for a meal with someone.]

Thanks, Kunikaki, I really appreciate this.

[threebetrayals]

[He shrugs as he shuts the rice cooker off and starts dishing out for dinner.]

It's the least I could do. I'm not helping in the shop, after all.

[reignitions]

Still, it means a lot.

[Kuni's seen how tired Shio usually is after work.]

[threebetrayals]

[He shrugs.]

Give me your aprons tomorrow, too. They need hemming.

[reignitions]

Alright. I'll gather those up after breakfast tomorrow.

[threebetrayals]

Good.

[And dinner! He's still learning Shio's kitchen, so it's just a simple chicken and rice dish. He'll get more experimental once he finds the air fryer.]

Guess what I saw from the window.

[reignitions]

[Honestly, Shio's not going to object to simple. It's nice.]

What'd you see?

[threebetrayals]

Ryouta asking Jun on a date. While on a date.

[reignitions]

[A snort.]

Well, Ryouta's getting there, at least.

[threebetrayals]

I almost wish he wouldn't. This is far more entertaining than if he got his act together.

[reignitions]

[Shio snickers.]

You're not wrong.

[Oh, yeah--]

I swung by the curiosities shop earlier--or, well, tried to. The dragonblood's closed up for the week. I think we know who the IPC's going to be sending.

[threebetrayals]

Oh, fun. We get to watch the peacock swan around in his mating dance.

[reignitions]

At least it means we'll get extra entertainment for the week.

[threebetrayals]

Especially if he brings the doctor. I almost want to set up with a chair and tea and gossip like the aunties at my old apartment.