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[oh no now he's doing it on purpose. Manabu foolishly peers over the bridge of his nose and sees Kazuma up to things again with what absolutely must be murderous intent because his back seems...more?? pronounced?

is it?? or is Manabu using the single fiber of imagination he has in his empty head.

Manabu winds up cleaning the same spot of the bar for the remainder of chair torture, wearing an expression that's a mix of vexation and genuine curiosity as his train of thought keeps shifting tracks between how dare he and were his trapezius muscles that pronounced the last time he saw him without a shirt on?? ...when was the last time he saw him without a shirt on? the Gate???]

[Whether or not he's doing specifically what he's doing on purpose isn't the point. He knows something got a rise out of Manabu, so he'll just keep on keeping on--and why not have a little fun while doing menial tasks?

Eventually, though, he runs out of chairs. And the next chore means he's making his way around the bar. Glasses, bar. Yup.]

Are you still working on the same spot? [And there's the heavily amused tone, present as always.]

[there's a distinct shift of temperature that's detectable when approaching Manabu - and a little crackle of static when he blinks out of his daze and realizes Kazuma's over here now.]

A-! Wh-what? [huh???] What do you mean? I--

[he looks at the bar.]

...Oh.

Yes, oh. [He repeats with a soft chuckle before his expression fades to genuine concern.]

Are you sure you're all right?

Ye-yeah! [he ducks his head, embarrassed.] I was just spacing out. It's nothing bad! [not really. unless the trains of thought he was following are bad after all.]

So long as you're sure. [This is accompanied by a gentle touch to his arm, an affectionate smile. While he may like to push Manabu's buttons, he still does care for him and will let it slide for the sake of seeing to it that he hasn't pushed too far.]

We should be able to wrap up here soon.

[there's a little hum of electricity to be felt at first, sparking in tandem with an extra heart-thump.

Manabu mumbles an affirmative sound, still choking on his own bashfulness before he can swallow and clear his throat.]

Yeah, ah--we... We...haven't really...hung out much. Alone since--y'know.

What--oh...[Some of that was, admittedly, on purpose. To give them all some matter of space in the immediate aftermath of some very serious talks and decisions. But...perhaps that had been unnecessary?] I supposed we...haven't.

We should change that. We can change that...if you'd like. [Late hours? Don't know her.]

Well, well yeah, but! But it's kind of a little late for that right now, isn't it? [he withdraws, moving further down the bar to finish wiping it down.] If I were smarter, I'd have said something earlier or. Or something. [see, it's easier to criticize himself than address being flustered.]

It is rather late...[Not that it ultimately meant much to two who got now sleep.

It's the self-criticism that has Kazuma following him down the bar, quick to be back in his personal space, to lay a hand on his arm and pull him off task again.] None of that. Not mentioning something like that doesn't mean you aren't--I wouldn't have brought it up either...For what it's worth.

We're still...new to this. You and I. Together.

[he bristles a little, but does stop, prompted by the touch. he doesn't look over, ears red as he listens.]

Ye-yeah. Yeah. [he glances over with a wincing look that he tries to mask with a twitching at the edge of his mouth.] Sorry. Things have been...a lot lately. For a lot of different reasons.

I guess it just...feels like no good excuse, when things are quiet like this.

I understand. With things being...a lot. [While they do it for different reasons, he and Manabu both have the bad habit of taking on too much--more than any one man should be expected to bear.]

...I don't think you're making excuses either. You had your reasons for not saying anything sooner, and whatever they may be...they are yours and they are valid. But, now that it's been said and it's out there, I would like to take time to spend with you. Alone, the two of us.

Besides just cleaning up shop, you mean? [he smiles weakly.]

[That earns a full-hearted laugh.] Yes, something more than just cleaning up around here.

[A pause.]

Perhaps something more like a date?

A-- [PAFF. the hair floofs again; between the laugh and the suggestion, Manabu's really a goner here... at least he can keep jelly knees from wobbling by leaning on the bar.]

Yea-yeah! Right, ah...you... I mean, that's a good idea! If--if you have an idea of what'll do.

Besides cleaning.

[The floof is all too endearing, really. And Kazuma's always been tempted to--He's just going to reach out and tug on a strand, a gentle teasing thing.]

I'm sure we can find something to do. I believe...[Drawn out with a teasing note.] Once upon a time I gave advice as to what makes a good date...

[again, Manabu flushes red, head ducking a bit - but not turned entirely away because of captive hair.]

You mean when I was-- Hey, that-! That was about Ryuu, not-! [he swats the hand away.] So what do you mean now? Are, are you asking me to cook something?

I do like your cooking...[What? He can be honest about that much.] But I would honestly, it's more about spending time together, right? It could be almost anything as long as it allows for that.

[he looks askance, bashful, rubbing the back of his head.]

Okay, that...doesn't actually narrow things down, does it? [it actually makes it harder to choose!!]

[Cue: Amused laugh.] Sorry, it really doesn't...Ah. If dinner or a meal were to be part of it--we could spend the time getting things for it together as well?

[A beat.] Unless that's--mm...[And now Kazuma's overthinking it.]

Auhhh...

[he harmonizes with the thoughtful, vexed musing. the two of them might be a little hopeless.]

What do you usually do when you're out on your own?

On my own? [Oh they are absolutely hopeless.]

I'm usually in the Archives...or wandering Trench--there's always more to find in this place.

[his eyes wince.]

If we go to the Archive, I might fall asleep... But the wandering part probably isn't a bad idea, right?

We don't have to go to the Archive. [He chuckles, amused at the idea of Manabu just casually falling asleep there.] I'm a Scholar...I spend enough time there as it is.

Wandering though...could open us up to other opportunities--things we could stumble upon while we're out.

Mn. We just gotta look out for the feathers. [he frowns. this could be even trickier than just finding a date topic, given Trench...]

But, ah-- It, it sounds good to me! I mean, there's parts out near the Lumenarium that are pretty decent this time of year, if I remember right... It's been a while since I've been out that way.

You too, right? At least not since you got rocked by that giant monster a few months ago...

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