psychedelica | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ sometime later, when Belph is camping out at his and Steph's room... Hikage will be gone for an hour or two, leaving them time by themselves, but he does return eventually! Not only that, he returns wearing an apron and with some oven mitts on. The reason for this? He has a crock pot in his hands, which he sets down on the table in their room. ]

Here. I made too much for just me.

[ as if it wasn't on purpose... ]

I have to go get the rice, so hold on.

[ and just like that, he's... leaving again?!? BYE.

in any case, if they peer inside, they'll see some kind of stew-type thing in there - one sniff makes it clear that it's curry. There are plenty of different vegetables in there, along with what appear to be shrimp. ]

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I think it'll be nice to make some happy memories while we can.

[ since god knows the trial definitely won't be. ]

... Yeah.

[ he sounds rather solemn, a shadow coming over his face; he eats another bite of curry in silence.

There are so many things he hasn't told them, still, because he's too weak and dishonest. But... ]

... I didn't have many happy memories until recently. [ he murmurs, quietly. ] Maybe not since I lost my sister.

[ he can't say it directly. but meeting them is what made him happy again. ]

If I hadn't met you, I would have kept hurting people and myself. I think I would have tried to ruin this game. ... The two of you probably saved me. So...

[ ... thanks. ]

[this is probably the only time belph has ever made someone's life better than worse.

... in any case, after a moment of staring, belph realizes... he has no idea how to respond to that! so, it's up to steph.]

[ thanks belph.

the admittance makes her look up at him. steph was already more or less aware that hikage probably would have gone down a different route if they hadn't gotten through to him; he basically admitted that he wanted everyone here to suffer. but hearing him confess this is... ]

I'm really, really happy that I was able to meet you. [ she looks at belph. ] Both of you. I know that the circumstances are... pretty terrible, and there's a lot that I wish we could have done differently, but... if there's one good thing to come from it, it's that I now know you.

[ he just nods his head quietly, looking embarrassed - but happy, too. ]

Yeah. [ a beat. ] I don't think this will be the last time we meet. But just in case... I wanted to say that.

[ as dense as he can be - and as shy - he's well aware that they brought him back to being himself rather than a mad tyrant. ]

[he takes another bite of his food.

...

as casually as he can—]

I guess the feeling's mutual.

[ she has to put her chopsticks down so that she can cover her face with her hands. ]

You're so bad at this.

[ it's to hide a smile. [

... He's shy.

[ even more than Hikage is, it seems. ]

It's frustrating, but I think it's one of his good points.

[ it's charming. ]

... Wow. Haven't you guys ever heard that you're supposed to be courteous to guests?

You're not a guest.

[ considering how many times he's been in here. ]

It's my room. I can say whatever I want.

[ sorry belph ]

I gave you food, anyway.

I feel like I'm being taken advantage of...

Belph...

[ she picks up her chopsticks just so she can point them at him. ]

You can't say that. You're constantly mean to me.

... Oi. Both of you always take advantage of me.

[ he grumbles, eating another mouthful of curry. ]

Yeah, but that's because the two of you make it easy.

[ this is rude. she looks between the two of them. ]

i've done nothing and deserve nothing.

I take back what I said. You have a bad personality.

[ and it's true, stephanie hasn't done anything but make really stupid and bad decisions!! oh wait. ]

[hmm.]

I'm glad you realize the truth, Hikage.

... Unlike Steph.

[ wow rude

... ]

I love you both.

[ cue Hikage immediately choking on his curry like the embarrassing anime he is. hack, cough, hack. ]

[belph, who is not particularly surprised by steph's declaration, continues eating his curry and somehow manages not to smirk.]

Oh... you okay there?

[ she reaches over to pat hikage on the back?? ]

-- I'm fine, [ he responds hoarsely but stiffly, although his face is still a little flushed.

nobody's told him they loved him in more than a hundred years... ]

I think he's suffering from a severe case of feelings.

Hm, Belph, you probably shouldn't talk.