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[ Thank you for leaving his dick out of these wholesome chats. ]

[ Thoma's smile makes his nervousness all too clear to Ayato, even as he tries to be supportive of his lord instead. Ayato has so much more to be nervous about, after all, given that it's his blood sister in question. Nevermind that Ayaka was his own friend and family and lady... ]

[ Okay, Thoma was plenty nervous himself but he was hopeful as well. That Ayaka, the kind and beautiful soul that she was, would be approving of their relationship and they would all be able to continue on happily in their lives here, exploring this new relationship between them all. Finding happiness and ease, in this world so different from their own. ]

[ He gives a squeeze to Ayato's hand, balancing the bag of breakfast pastries in his other hand easily as he takes a calming breath then another smile. ]

As I'll ever be.

{ if anything, ayaka has already given her support and permission. the most nerve wracking thing about this was continuing forward without making it uncomfortable. he wanted things to remain stable. for them to be able to share time together without ayaka wondering if they'd rather be alone.

it's why he's gone through the trouble of dragging them out to begin with to get these ready.

he'll squeeze his hand back, then use his other hand to enter and turn the key to let them both inside. he'll follow the same routine once in, closing and locking the door behind them both as his eyes sweep across the room to find ayaka home and waiting already. }

Good morning, Ayaka.

{ he hasn't let go of thoma's hand sdgsdg }

I hope you aren't too hungry? There were quite a few options.

[ It is early in the morning when Ayaka rises. Ayato said not to prepare breakfast, so she follows his instructions and doesn't cook anything! But she gets up early to make sure Cloud gets something nice to eat, too. She may not be the lady of his house just yet, but she wants to be able to take care of him! Even if she thinks she still has much to work on, she'll keep practising. She'll get everything ready so he can have a smooth start to his day before she excuses herself to head back to her shared apartment with Ayato.

And even though her brother said they'll have delivery, she heats up a pot of water for tea. It's a bakery he's ordering food from, yes? So she'll prepare a thin blend of matcha for the two of them once he's home. And as such, Ayato and Thoma will walk in on her matcha-making kit already set on the dining table. She'll blend everything together before they eat; tea ceremony can't be missed, after all!

Upon hearing her brother's voice, she leaves her room, her hair not even tied up yet, because she really did think it would just be the two of them! At the very least, she's already dressed up and not in her nightgown and robe... ]

Good morning, Ayato. [ Her eyes widen some when she sees Thoma. Whether she meant to look down or not, she notices that the two are holding hands, which paints her cheeks a tad bit red. Ah- ] And Thoma, too!

O- One moment, please. My hair— I apologise, I didn't prepare enough.

[ SO UNPRESENTABLE... is this really how a lady should be acting!! 😫 ]

[ Her flustering over her appearance tugs a chuckle out of the blonde, at least. He was used to holding his lord's hand by now, but it was the first time they'd pointedly done so in front of Ayaka. Prior to that, he'd usually seek out Ayato's hand to refresh his seasonal energy when she had already left, or in the privacy of his apartment or Ayato's room so this... it made him feel both pleased to be able to hold the other man's hand so openly and worried he was somehow overwhelming the young lady. ]

[ Was this indecent handholding?? ]

[ Perhaps Ayaka thought it too indecent, he thinks, with little to no idea about Her Previous World. ]

Good morning, Ayaka, and please let me assure you that you look lovely however the state of your hair. I apologize for catching you off guard.

[ Still, he doesn't let go, leading Ayato over to the table so he can set down the bag in his arms. ]

Edited 2023-04-25 22:40 (UTC)

{ perhaps it's a little mean to find ayaka being so flustered incredibly endearing, to take enjoyment out of it when she's clearly embarrassed, but it's hard not to when it's so sweet to worry over something so simple. }

I'm sorry I didn't warn you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. { he laughs faintly as he's pulled along towards the table, even if he probably shouldn't, because-- } You'd have thought Thoma hadn't lived with us for years already. Besides, he has a point. You needn't fix a thing, Ayaka.

{ his voice will go softer then, giving her a smile as he holds out his free hand to get her to stop thinking about going back to her room and join them at the table instead. }

Please don't worry about it, and join us for breakfast?

[ She is pouting, Ayato. Pouting! She wishes to be prepared to receive people, even though Thoma has seen her with her hair down so many times already!! ]

I would have liked to be informed that it would not just be us, Ayato. [ Because then she wouldn't have relaxed so much! She would have woken up extra early, cleaned up a little, and made sure she really was presentable. But such is life, and she can't exactly rewind time.

She sighs. ] I'm glad to see you as well, Thoma.

Please let me fetch you a cup first before I take a seat.

[ So yes, she will join them for breakfast! But she does not take the offered hand just yet, waving a hand at it as if to say no before she walks past the two of them to get a third cup from the kitchen.

The tea is ready, after all! It is just waiting to be served. ]

[ Admittedly, he's grinning a bit at the way Ayaka pouts at Ayato and rejects (albeit softly) his hand to fetch another cup for him. It relaxes him, to see her showing emotions outside of Inazuma's perceived perfection, and the nervousness he'd felt just moments earlier walking into the apartment has dissipated. Instead, mischief slides itself in as he leans in to whisper teasingly to Ayato. ]

It seems that surprise didn't take that well.

{ and here he thought she'd be willing to let it slide because it's him. }

I'll bear that in mind for the future. { granted, he doesn't normally tend to try and do surprises anyway. they live on the edge enough as it is. so his hand drops with a sigh, sufficiently scolded. }

I likely deserved that, { and because it's ayaka-- } I'll think of something to apologise properly later. Besides, I don't recall you ever saying this would be a bad idea either.

{ yet he's getting all the blame????? (he deserves all the blame) }

[ See, if only Ayato did the right thing and let her prepare like she wanted, he wouldn't have had this experience this morning!

Ayaka's not too upset. Just embarrassed! And it doesn't even take long for her to get over it. Once she has the extra cup for tea, she sets that on the table. With her hands free, she can finally give Ayato and Thoma the attention that they deserve. Standing before the two of them, she takes Ayato's free hand first, the same one that was offered earlier. ]

I don't suppose I have to ask what you decided...

[ Because Thoma's right here, and they're holding hands!!! She couldn't be happier. ]

[ Ayato is the plan master around here, Thoma is the plan executioner. That's how it's always been between them, so it's absolutely Ayato's blame in the end. Still, he gives another little smile that's dusted with teasing. ]

I was trusting my lord's ever sound judgement.

[ It's the last tease he can get in before Ayaka returns, her words sparking him to give them both a curious glance. ]

Decided? On what?

[ ... The pastries... ? ]

{ he opens his mouth, about to counter, when ayaka rejoins them. with the question she asks, he's more than willing to drop the previous discussion, in favour of turning his attention to her. when ayaka holds his hand, he gives it a gentle squeeze in return. }

That was supposed to be the surprise. { the laugh he makes is more like a huff under his breath. } I'm sorry for worrying you the past couple of weeks, Ayaka. After we talked I think I'd already made my decision, I just wanted to ensure I had some ideas in mind for any problems that could arise. After all, I'm already aware of one Fatui Harbinger being here, the last thing I wanted was to give them ammunition.

{ though so far he has no reason to fear something like that would happen. so far. }

Though someone made that incredibly difficult. { he gives thoma a pointed look, before his expression softens. } I think it's more than worth the risk.

[ Before Ayato can even mention the Fatui, Ayaka's already slamming into him, giving him a one-armed hug, pulling Thoma along with her. Granted, her arm is not very long to cover them both, but it is the thought that counts...?

It's a relief that Ayato is prioritising himself for once, because this is what she means by taking care of himself. Just as she told Cloud before, she would hate for Ayato to lose this feeling now that he has it. Of love, of the happiness that comes with it, of feeling complete and free.

She really couldn't be happier. ]

Good.

[ Celebrate now, Ayato, because the Ayaka-hug doesn't last very long. Letting go of him, she places both hands on her hips as she makes something very clear: ]

You must not make Thoma sad, Ayato. I would be very upset if you hurt him.

[ ... Serious. Serious. Serious- until a few seconds later? She cracks and starts giggling.

She's always wanted to give the shovel talk to someone ever since Zack told her all about it!!!

(Why is she giving Ayato the shovel talk and not Thoma?!) ]

[ The commentary about Fatui and problems catches his attention, giving Ayato a very innocent blink in return when he gets a pointed look. What had Thoma been doing to be a distraction, surely nothing. ]

What distraction?

[ But his eyes soften when Ayato's does. Hearing him say out loud that this was worth it... it's a rare occurrence, he recognizes that, from the man who keeps his thoughts close to his heart. It tickles him pink, both in his cheeks and in heart, just as much as hearing Ayaka approve of them and seeing her hug her brother in acceptance does. ]

[ Honestly though, what really gets him to laugh brightly is the way she turns on Ayato to warn him about being nice to Thoma, rather than the other way around. ]

Thank you for looking out for me, Ayaka.

{ as few and far between these hugs come, he'll definitely take that opportunity to hold her against himself, his chin tucking on top of her head for the brief moment it lasts.

and while that moment is there and ayaka can't see, he very pointedly lets his eyes drift up and down thoma for a moment, as if to say really, what distraction?

but then ayaka is pulling back and when she lets go to say that and laugh after, he frowns. }

I'm not sure I've earned that warning. { he glances from ayaka to look over at thoma } Have I ever hurt you?

{ he actually looks concerned he has now, thanks ayaka

nevermind all the awful food he's made him eat over the years ksdjng }

[ Please let her reassure you, dear brother! Taking his free hand, Ayaka gives it a squeeze. ]

I was told by Zack that friends would say those things when they are introduced to the person their friend is dating!

I do not think you would make Thoma upset, but I did not wish to skip out on a formality.

[ 'u' She... just wanted to try it, Ayato. Please forgive. ]

Especially when Thoma is the first person you've ever dated!

[ Really, Ayato?? You're going to look at him like that while you're hugging your sister? He desperately hopes the light blush is gone from his face by the time Ayaka pulls away because Ayaka does not need to know!! ~~Nevermind that she probably is more experienced than both of them combined at this point.~~ ]

[ 'Have I ever hurt you' brings traumatic flashbacks of exactly all the food Thoma has had to consume over the years. Enough so that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' is his living motto at this point. He doesn't mention it though, because to him it doesn't really count. ]

Never, Ayato.

And you're right there, Ayaka. To be fair though, you should be saying the same to me about him. But I assure you that I would do my best to make him happy.

[ ... There is no helping the blush on his face when Ayaka points out what is obvious to all three of them, that Ayato has never dated before, and their very unorthodox steps prior to this point starts to sink in a bit more. ]

[ They'd really gone about this all kinds of sideways... ]

{ considering how often Ayaka has been on her own with cloud--yeah, she's fine.

though the fact that people do this kind of talk makes him look thoughtful as he thinks back to when ayaka had brought cloud over for dinner that first time. }

Should I have said those words to Cloud then, when I met him?

{ WHAT HE DID WAS WORSE-

but god... did any of them need the reminder he has no idea what he's doing? besides... }

Were you not in the same position when you met Cloud as well? Neither of us were in a position to try anything like this back home. And for what it's worth... { he trails off momentarily, his hand moving to his mouth while the other squeezes the hand still in thoma's. } You always have done. For the both of you, knowing you are safe and happy is all I've ever needed. I don't see how that would ever change.

{ but he'll move along from that quickly, by reaching for the bag of pastries on the table, freeing his other hand to ensure he can set them out. }

Since it's already getting quite late, we should get started.

Thoma, you have had so many opportunities to hurt both myself and Ayato, yet you never did.

[ Back when they were younger and he didn't have the full trust of the Kamisato Clan, she means.

As for Cloud? Ayaka shakes her head, still jolly, as she remembers: ]

There's no need. Zack told me that he would tell Cloud!

[ And she thinks that's more than enough. But she also fully trusts Cloud. Since the day they met. (sweats) ]

And of course. When I told Cloud I was nervous, after he told me that he liked me? He assured me that I didn't have to be. We would act as we always have been around one another, just that we know now.

[ That they like one another!! But yes, yes, they should move on. She takes a step back, so that Ayato???? can prepare???? their breakfast. She'll let them do the honours of setting things up, now that she knows that this was a surprise for her. ]

What will we be having?

[ Thoma painfully experienced what Ayato did to Cloud, even if it was peripherally. That was absolutely worse. ]

[ Even now he's fairly sure Cloud's got a lot more brotherly-bullying ahead of him. ]

Then, let's continue to live safely and happily, all four of us.

[ It softens his heart, as it ever does, to see both Ayato and Ayaka speaking more openly about themselves, however briefly it is. For the two of them, raised under the strict standards of the elders around them and the heavy expectations of the Kamisato lineage upon them both, moments like these could hardly exist in Inazuma. He's glad, to see that they could here. ]

[ Inwardly, he could never be grateful enough for this opportunity granted to them both, and sincerely hopes they'll be able to enjoy it as long as they'd like. ]

[ Letting Ayato's hand slip out of his own and without tea to fetch, he moves instead to pull Ayaka's seat for her, his smile easy and soft. ]

A rather wide variety, considering someone thought it best to have numerous options.

{ is tearing a bag open and flattening the sides really preparing anything? as that is all ayato is doing--there's definitely a lot less effort than either of the other two would have done, but he's careful to not jostle or touch the pastries as they tumble onto the paper as it folds out across the centre of the table. }

Mm, next time we'll invite him as well. For this though, I just wanted us to have the time to ourselves first.

...and we can save any extras for later.

{ there are only three of them here yet it's like he's tried to feed a small army--15 pastries picked out to choose from. there's a variety of lemon, strawberry, apple, chocolate, plain, honey, butter... the list goes on. }

[ Yes!! Live safely!! Use protection, kids!!

(The scene changes to show Cloud tripping on his own shoe all of a sudden. Then goes back to the three after a second.) ]

Is there any kind that you want, Thoma? [ She'll take a seat after they've chosen their bread!! Ayaka would like for Thoma to have the first pick, then Ayato.

As for Ayaka? She'd take two, when it's her turn. Any flavour is fine since she's not picky, but she'll definitely get one that's not so sweet. Something to set aside and share with Cloud later.

Once everyone is seated, she'll begin preparing the tea, mixing the matcha powder and the water first. ]

[ ... Ayato is trying and it's the thought that counts. Thoma doesn't even grimace as the bread tumbles across the torn paper and very strongly holds back the urge to point out that this is enough bread for the rest of the day. The siblings (probably Ayato mostly at this point) were getting the hang of middle-ish class living and he was very proud of their efforts. ]

Apple for me, if no one minds. But if someone wants to split it, I'd be happy to.

[ He'll be moving to take his own usual seat next to Ayato, thought not before pulling the other man's chair out in habit. ]

{ he's doing his best--except he still isn't really trying all that hard at all. in fact, if the conversation hadn't gone the way it had he wouldn't have made an attempt at all. }

Not at all, take whichever you like. They did a good job with the strawberry cake before, so I'll try the strawberry one of this. I imagine it may be too sweet for your tastes anyway, Ayaka. I did choose some that would be a little more mild as well. The almond, butter or cheese ones may be more preferable?

{ who is he kidding he literally bought one of each. }

The almond one...

[ Yes, that works! It looks cute too, so she'll try that! Hopefully Cloud will like the butter one.

Mixing the tea together and pouring it into their cups, she wonders now what she can bring to the table, in terms of a conversation topic. Ayato doesn't want to tell her how Thoma confessed, so it really shouldn't be something she's curious about anymore. :'( So she doesn't ask that. ]

Will the two of you be going out again after breakfast?

[ This is so much bread... please... ]

[ Settling in with the apple pastry he selected, Thoma very carefully avoids eye contact with Ayaka without making her feel like he's avoiding eye contact, primarily because his reasons for his next words have a lot in common with his confession. ]

Ah, I was thinking of staying in today. I'm a bit tired this morning.

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ok there we go aina.... special delivery for ayaya

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