( As Kaede moves into the kitchen with him, his heart starts acting all stupid again, bouncing around and making his throat feel tight. But none of it's unpleasant, and he keeps thinking about how it'd felt when she'd taken his hand, squeezed it firmly, no matter what dwelled beneath his glove.
Maybe... she really doesn't think he's that weird, or scary? Of course, he has no reason to believe she does, she's seen Migi plenty of times, interacted with him, she doesn't seem scared of the parasite at all. No, it's not that so much as.... Well.... Would that change for her if Shinichi wanted to hold her hand in a way that went beyond desperation, or in the heat of the moment? Would she think it's weird for someone like him to like her? Is... is that even what he feels? He thinks so, thinks he recognises the hitch of warm nerves in his chest; he's had crushes before, but this is new and different and very much its own thing. He and Kaede have grown into one another like tree roots, become tangled up in each other out of necessity in Deerington and then here, too. They're all each other has; of course they have to rely on each other.
But that's not the only reason why. He'd choose her to be trapped with over anyone else. She'sโ his partner, his friend, his family in a way. And something else, too, something that makes him so dumb and nervous when she gets close, bundled up in her quilt and looking at him. He gets back to preparing the hot chocolate, the saucepan of milk starting to heat up, but it's with another nervous swallow, hands not so steady. )
N-no, I think I have everything I need here.
( That's what she means by asking, right? If he has all the ingredients he needs? Why is there a little voice in his head suddenly thinking of another reply? โ "I need to hold your hand again" โ shut up, shut up. )
Oh, actuallyโ if you don't mind looking to see if there's any cinnamon? We can put it on top, make it really fancy.
( The kitchen has a vast array of cabinets; surely there's at least one dedicated to spices... )
[Shinichi sounded a bit shaky for a moment; Kaede stepped a bit closer, brows furrowing a bit in worry. But the more she lingered at his side, the less she wanted to draw away--not just out of some protective worry, but...because she wanted to. Letting a person into her space after so long of driving them out was exhilarating, addicting even. The longer Kaede lingered, the more giddy and soft she felt.]
Oh? Are you spoiling me?
[She doesn't laugh, at him or the request. But that light thing in her chest was in her voice, too, and an almost-smile curved her mouth before she turned to look where Shinichi asked, without question.
And, because she was still rather short and this seemed quite reasonable, Kaede clambered up onto the empty countertop to get to the top shelves. She was wearing socks! It wasn't near where Shinichi was working or in the way. It was fine.
There also was cinnamon up here.]
Found some.
[The horned girl grabbed the little bottle; a vector carried it down while she rummaged a bit with her physical hands. Some other spices, fancy glasses--but actual glass ones with no handles, most likely not for chocolate. Shinichi would probably appreciate not having to hold hot glass.]
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Maybe... she really doesn't think he's that weird, or scary? Of course, he has no reason to believe she does, she's seen Migi plenty of times, interacted with him, she doesn't seem scared of the parasite at all. No, it's not that so much as.... Well.... Would that change for her if Shinichi wanted to hold her hand in a way that went beyond desperation, or in the heat of the moment? Would she think it's weird for someone like him to like her? Is... is that even what he feels? He thinks so, thinks he recognises the hitch of warm nerves in his chest; he's had crushes before, but this is new and different and very much its own thing. He and Kaede have grown into one another like tree roots, become tangled up in each other out of necessity in Deerington and then here, too. They're all each other has; of course they have to rely on each other.
But that's not the only reason why. He'd choose her to be trapped with over anyone else. She'sโ his partner, his friend, his family in a way. And something else, too, something that makes him so dumb and nervous when she gets close, bundled up in her quilt and looking at him. He gets back to preparing the hot chocolate, the saucepan of milk starting to heat up, but it's with another nervous swallow, hands not so steady. )
N-no, I think I have everything I need here.
( That's what she means by asking, right? If he has all the ingredients he needs? Why is there a little voice in his head suddenly thinking of another reply? โ "I need to hold your hand again" โ shut up, shut up. )
Oh, actuallyโ if you don't mind looking to see if there's any cinnamon? We can put it on top, make it really fancy.
( The kitchen has a vast array of cabinets; surely there's at least one dedicated to spices... )
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Oh? Are you spoiling me?
[She doesn't laugh, at him or the request. But that light thing in her chest was in her voice, too, and an almost-smile curved her mouth before she turned to look where Shinichi asked, without question.
And, because she was still rather short and this seemed quite reasonable, Kaede clambered up onto the empty countertop to get to the top shelves. She was wearing socks! It wasn't near where Shinichi was working or in the way. It was fine.
There also was cinnamon up here.]
Found some.
[The horned girl grabbed the little bottle; a vector carried it down while she rummaged a bit with her physical hands. Some other spices, fancy glasses--but actual glass ones with no handles, most likely not for chocolate. Shinichi would probably appreciate not having to hold hot glass.]