invinciblemikey

[It's funny. Yu might not have expected that sort of traditional simplicity from Mikey, when they first met. Now...it seems a bit more fitting, especially seeing the rest of the dojo. Like a really old home, or an inn, maybe...

He's trying to keep his mind off of things, when all is said and done. Trying to focus on what's here right now instead -- it happens to be the exhaustion in his own muscles, and the wooden doorframe in the room. He almost doesn't notice even when Mikey speaks. When he does...it's as if it all slams into him at once again. He knows what the other boy is doing, he gets it. After a moment,]

... Thanks.

[In spite of everything, the tone of his voice is far more grateful than an extra toothbrush warrants. It's for the thought behind it.]

(for someone whose entire being is to be completely against societal norms of japanese culture - the boy is extremely japanese. buddhist, traditional, respectful, and enforcer of bushido codes and conducts, and he was raised in this place of discipline, rules and honor. manjiro feels grateful that he's got this place, each and every tile brimming with memories of loved ones. it makes him feel safe, focused, and well. now they make memories here, too.

this might as well be a bittersweet one, with the way manjiro is breaking a lot of self-imposed rules. one of them is how his weight goes to his toes as he attempts to gain a few inches of height, press a kiss to yu's cheek, and move into the tub.)

There are four rooms here, you know. Mine and Grandpa's are fine to stay in. I'm sure I should have something to wear that fits you somewhere here, too.

[There's a warmth left behind from the kiss that is both welcome and, perhaps, a bit grounding. Thoughtfully, Yu puts a hand to his cheek, fingertips brushing over the spot as he grabs a towel to clean himself up before stepping into the water. He hears it, the offer between the lines, and-- he can't refuse it, not really. He doesn't want to go back to his house, either. Not for a while. Eventually, he'll go get his things, but for now...]

I appreciate it. [He really does.] I'd like to help out however I can, too.

[He wants to stay busy. He has a feeling Mikey might understand that, at least a bit.]

(it does wonders for the tired, aching muscles, and the stupid carpet burn he has on his back - none he regrets. manjiro's hair tilts, so a little puddle of waving gold strands form as only a bit of his face stays above water, and he comes back with a little yawn. he's a little beat, and he might just pass out like this. it's-- relaxing.)

You any good at cleaning?

[Somehow, the warmth from the water makes the remaining hot flare of anger in his chest subside, as if the water is leeching it all out, leaving just-- emptiness. It's a strange feeling, but not unwelcome.]

Don't fall asleep in here, [he warns, trying to take a bit of lightness into his voice. He doesn't entirely succeed, but it's an attempt.] I can, yeah. I did most of the cooking and cleaning, growing up.

(a chest... a nice, very broad chest, with a heart inside that beats strongly even when its drowning. mikey knows it doesn't belong to him, not entirely, his own doesn't fully belong to anyone.

in moments like these, however? those, he takes claim of yu's. these moments are manjiro's alone, and that's why his head rests against the chest to listen to it closely. his eyes rest, a hand blindly looking for the soap as he yawns.

he won't sleep, but he's exhausted. being mad is exhausting.)

Cuz your folks weren't around, I remember you told me. Emma cooked and cleaned, she likes this housewife stuff. I just clean because my grandpa would cry if he thought I wasn't keeping this place as it should be. Cooking-- neither myself nor Takemitchy, so I'll take-- (yawn) you up...

[Grief is the strangest feeling. Knowing there are things you need, comforts, essentials, and also feeling guilty for taking little things that help...it's a combination he's never going to get used to. Mikey leans against him and an arm instinctively goes around his shoulder. It's-- it's that twin feeling of wanting to move on and wanting to feel sad, and he has no idea what to do with it.

Instead, he tries to focus on what they're both saying. Words-- at least they make sense, when nothing else does. He can pull apart a conversation and put it back together, trace the line of how they got to where they are. No feelings involved.]

I like to stay busy. [It's an admission; the model kits and paper cranes have yet to make a large appearance in Aldrip, but it's no less true here.] Cooking and cleaning help me think.

You can clean-- if you keep it spotless.

(he's almost in slow motion, a limbo in existence as he gently, too softly in each circular motion against yu's skin. he's going to pass out as soon as they're out the tub, they both know it, but for now, he's valiantly holding on as he takes up the responsibility of cleaning them of the mess they started.

shampoo-- somewhere.)

[Yu exhales, a sound that might be a tired, mirthless chuckle. Whether Mikey is being serious about the requirement or not, he's weirdly glad for that turn of phrase. The challenge in it. He can't say no to something like that.]

Challenge accepted.

(no energy anymore after they've both been soaped up, so the first bottle he finds (conditioner, not shampoo, oops, that's what happens when you don't look what you grab) is handed to yu. take care of their hair, is the quiet order that he gives as his lips goes to kiss skin. lazy, lazy, lazy.)

[... Mikey hands him conditioner in a request for him to wash their hair...]

[Yeah, no, that won't do; the bottle goes back, and Yu shuffles around until he finally picks out the shampoo. He starts with the other boy first, softly running soapy fingers through wet hair.]

(mikey is half asleep why aren't you impressed that he actually is somewhat functional enough to give an order and the means?????????!?!?!?!

either way, he'll allow it. it has always been others who took care of his hair, anyway, so it just feels good. his arms wrap around yu's neck, the little kisses still present, which means some of the shampoo might end up on yu... and he's too sleepy to notice...)

[Impressed that he PICKED UP THE WRONG BOTTLE???

Yu needs things to do, right now, and this fits the bill -- or it did, until Mikey shoved a head-ful of shampoo in his face.]

Mmf-- [ugh, now he has soap in his mouth.] Hey, careful.

(BITCH THAT HE PICKED A BOTTLE AT ALL.

but the littlest gremlin chuckle comes out of him, lazy, so it's a 'he... hehe... hehe... ke...'. he knows what he has done.)

I'm helping you grow a beard.

[There's something so intensely absurd about that statement, after everything they've just been through, that Yu cannot help but laugh.]

Trying to make me look like Santa Claus?

[get it cause of the gray...]

I did just get a gift, so what the hell, why not.

(a laugh. that... soothes. it soothes more than the bath, more than the fatigue after anger, and it makes him laugh a little more, taking more of the shampoo to lather on yu's hair, making sure it's now a big white helmet.)

... Maybe by next Christmas.

I can make fried chicken, but it won't be the same.

[Somehow, he is approaching this soap helmet with an utterly deadpan expression.]

If I tell you I'm Buddhist and don't celebrate, do I still get Yu Fried Chicken and gifts?

(fine, fine. he'll go through the process of washing it off, a peck on yu's lips to tell him he's done with that.)

[In spite of himself, in spite of everything, a small smile curls at the edges of his expression, just barely.]

I'm fine with that. It's mostly just an excuse for tradition, anyway.

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