kingseeking | PSL/Meme Continuation

[Kunimi doesn't actually want to cook breakfast, but he also doesn't want to grab just anything to bring back - call him smitten, because he absolutely is, but he really believes there's a right choice to cap off the dreamlike 24 hours he's just experienced. He skims cafe menus from their windows, checks out specials written on chalk signs, but nothing seems quite right.

That's when it occurs to him that he may be at a disadvantage, considering that breakfast is yet another wild diversion between American and Japanese culture. How can he possibly guess what Whelk would want when he's accustomed to a bit of fish and steamed rice?

And so he winds up standing on a Henrietta sidewalk with hands tucked into the pockets of his big hoodie, his hair mussed and eyes still a bit sleepy, looking exactly as lost as he feels.]

[Whelk and Gansey have a couple of things in common, one of them being that neither of them know how to cook and eat mostly microwave meals. The difference is that when Gansey is sick of them, he can afford to go out and get breakfast, so that’s what he’s on his way to do. It should be more like lunch, but despite being awake most of the night, he actually forgot to eat until his stomach started yelling at him. He’s without his gang again, walking down a Henrietta sidewalk on a confident stride - always looking to make a good impression even when there’s no one asking for one.

[When he stops at a crosswalk to wait for the signal, he speaks politely to the gentleman standing next to him.]

Fine morning. Almost afternoon now. [Complete with a friendly chuckle. Oh, but this person looks familiar. In a small town in the American South, someone like Kunimi stands out - also he recognizes the hoodie, the implications of which settle in right around the time he remembers where he last saw him.

[You know, hurdling himself into the poor guy’s table at Harry’s.

[Also he was with Whelk.]

Ah, Kunimi. Kunimi Akira, right? How nice to see you again.

[This is awkward, but Gansey has more confidence behind his overly friendly smile now that he’s not wiping desecrated gelato off his phone and apologizing.]

[Being so much less familiar with the surroundings and people means that Kunimi picks out Gansey's voice immediately, and - what the hell, is this guy for real? Is he operating on so many levels of irony that it's impossible to know whether he's sincere? Because "how nice to see you again" definitely sounds like something Tsukishima might have said to him through a false smile after they... well, whatever happened between them, and it's not like he and Gansey had a great introduction.

He doesn't seem fake, though. He doesn't seem fake or stupid enough to be in earnest. What is this kid's deal??]

Yeah. And you're... Gansey-kun. [A quick little shake of his head.] Gansey, sorry. Force of habit.

[Well, you know what? If Gansey's not going to tip his hand, he may as well make himself useful.]

Is there anywhere in this town you would recommend for breakfast? Ah - that does take out? [Break politeness to dig into the implications of that question, Kunimi dares you.]

[It’s simple really. Gansey is nice because if he feels that anyone dislikes him he will literally go blind.

[The breakfast implications don’t click right away.]

Kun. Is that an honorific? Can I ask where you’re from? [He’s dreadfully curious. Do they have any exchange students at Aglionby? He remembers again that this guy was with Whelk...and blushing. Weird, weird, weird.]

There are plenty of breakfast places around. That’s where I was headed as well. [Still smiling.] Wonderful diner down this way - excessively greasy. Most anywhere will do to-go, I think.

Would you like to walk with me?

[Kunimi was correct about one thing: Gansey's bright and very astute. So if he's showing such strong determination to be friendly, it must mean... he wants to be friendly?

Strange, but it still works in Kunimi's favour for now.]

Thank you, I'll try it on your recommendation. [The light changes, and Kunimi falls into step with Gansey. He almost says he's from Sendai, before remembering that specifics probably aren't necessary.] I'm from Japan. Right now I'm on a study abroad program at JMU.

[At least now Gansey can stop torturing himself with that piece of the mystery - Kunimi's not a high school student.]

And you go to the academy? [Still not wrapping his mouth around Aglionby yet.]

[Oh thank Jesus Christ himself, this guy isn’t a student - well, not a high school one anyway. Still a little weird, but Whelk isn’t that old.

[This revelation also very much reinforces that, damn, those two really were on a date. And Kunimi...hasn’t changed his clothes. No need to press on that thought though - none of his business (but also like...?).]

Aglionby, yes. Henrietta is rather new for me as well though. It’s a wonderful town, isn’t it?

[His smile becomes very genuine when he says that, suddenly a bit excited. He really loves (almost) nothing more than Henrietta.]

Mr. Whelk is my Latin teacher. He’s a very smart man. [Why does he feel compelled to compliment him right now? It’s not untrue.] How do you know him?

[Questions He Didn’t Need to Ask for 500, Alex. But his curiosity is eating through him. It’s a natural question, right? They both know him, they were both there.]

It's... interesting.

[So far Kunimi finds that cities across the different countries aren't all that different, while small towns can feel almost alien at times because they're so unlike what he's used to - but that's a lot more of his deep thoughts than he tends to share with strangers.

Gansey's question, innocent but probing as it is, earns him a careful look. On the one hand, Whelk has expressed many times, in many ways, that he has no interest in hiding their new relationship of sorts; on the other, he also doesn't think Whelk will consider details any of his students' business, and Kunimi's inclined to agree. He's not offended, mind you - he just needs to work out the delicate balance of answering.]

He is. [Don't smile, don't let too much fondness show, you big dumb sap. It really does take effort.] Not professionally, if that's what you mean. Socially.

[Okay. That should be safe.]

More than you know. [That’s in response to “interesting”.

[Warning: do not engage in conversation with Gansey about Henrietta. He will infodump on you despite being nearly perfect strangers.

[As for Kunimi’s cautious answer about Whelk, that pretty much confirms for Gansey that they are dating, or at the very least that his socially awkward and perpetually grumpy Latin teacher has a friend. Good for him, Gansey thinks. And Kunimi seems very nice.

[They’re nearing the restaurant as they approach the corner of the street they’ve crossed over to.]

So, what are you studying? I hope you’re enjoying your time in America. I’ve never been to Japan myself, but it’s on my list. I’m sure there are many interesting things to be found there.

[Hmm. Kunimi's actually a bit curious about that, so he may wind up in a much longer conversation than either of them is expecting.]

Eh? Do you mean in terms of gossip, or actual secrets?

[Gossip is not interesting in the slightest, whereas secrets... could be. Kunimi's so far out of his element, so far from his home, that discovering what lies beneath the surface of these new places has a strange appeal. For the first time since they crossed paths again, Gansey has Kunimi's full and marked attention.]

Accounting and commerce. [Most people don't tend to ask follow-up questions once they get that first answer, so Kunimi doesn't even bother waiting for one.] It's been... ehh... I spend a lot of time feeling lost, even when I know where I am. I can't think of the word...

[What he's trying to express is disorientation, but for obvious reasons, it's not worded in quite the same way in Japanese.]

[Don’t worry, Kunimi. Richard’s got you.]

It can be quite disorienting to be in a new place. I know the feeling well.

[After all, he’s a traveled man (especially for a seventeen-year-old). But, of course, it’s all lead back to Henrietta. Speaking of which...]

I wouldn’t so much say that any of it is a secret. [His eyes flash a little as he glances back to Kunimi, something more genuine hidden behind his smile than the heavily put on politeness of trying to make a good impression.] But I don’t mean gossip either.

Henrietta is a hot spot of supernatural energy, seated on a ley line. [Which sounds like it maybe should be a secret, but one Gansey’s never kept if asked about.] Those are pathways situated all around the world, but the one I’ve been looking for comes to a head here. You’ll find all matter of interesting things the closer you get to it.

And I believe I’ve gotten rather close. [He looks a bit sheepish then, but it’s a fleeting expression.] I still haven’t quite found it though.

But I will soon.

... supernatural.

[To Kunimi's credit, he doesn't immediately decide that Gansey's crazy. Strange habits, maybe, but there are many spiritual habits baked into the life and culture he's lived that Gansey would probably find strange, and he just wouldn't be able to agree. He doesn't think of himself as religious or spiritual to any degree and he'd still balk at the idea of praying at a shrine before a tournament being silly or superstitious.

So. Ley lines and supernatural power. He's dubious, but not outright skeptical. This is a potential convert if there ever was one.]

[Gansey, having spent the last seven years of his life researching this sort of thing, is used to a certain level of skepticism, so Kunimi’s hesitation doesn’t deter him a bit. He simply smiles with a confidence that is entirely unlike the brand he walked down the street with to greet him. He doesn’t just believe in this stuff. He knows for a fact that it’s true.]

Supernatural. [He points at Kunimi.] I would bet my life on it. Truly.

[He retracts his hand then, and the energy radiating from him dies down a bit. He seems to relax.]

I’m certainly open to giving you more information at any juncture you may find yourself interested. This is my life’s work.

[Kunimi takes this to mean "not for casual conversation" and appreciates the warning, since he'll want to get the food back as quickly as possible. After a moment of silent thought, he pulls his phone out of his hoodie pocket.]

If you'd like to exchange phone numbers... I'm not much of a texter and I screen my calls, though, so don't take that personally.

[Hey, at least this guy is up front about his ghosting. Ronan just locks his phone in the Pig's glove compartment and pretends it doesn't exist. Gansey gladly takes Kunimi's phone to enter his number - just in time to see a text from "Whelk-san" pop up in his banner notifications. There's only a snippet - something about "I'm starting to think you've run off on me" and the implication of a longer message - but it's enough to saddle Gansey with the realization that he is very likely entering his number into his teacher's boyfriend's phone right now. It's a little late to hand it back and say, "Nevermind, I don't want Mr. Whelk to confront me about this on Monday, sorry," though, so...

[He simply smiles politely and enters his number, then hands the phone back to Kunimi.]

Found under "Gansey", if you'd please. I don't typically go by my first name. [And please, anything but "Dick".]

Neither do I.

[Kunimi's not sure if Gansey will catch the hint of humour in his reply, but since he knows about honorifics, it's worth a try. He takes his phone back and shoots a quick text right away for Gansey's contacts.

Then he notices the text from Whelk and his whole demeanor changes - he lets out a single laugh, cheeks and ears turning pink, and has to cover his face with a hand to compose himself. Even then, his eyes still have a new sparkle to them when he looks back at Gansey.]

Sorry about that. I can keep a secret if you can.

[Gansey's next smile (he is a man of many) is knowing, if not a bit awkward. He gives a small bow and nods.]

It's not my business to spread that of others. [Definitely already told the boys about running into you two at Harry's, but that doesn't mean he has to say anything about the awkward flirty texting - honestly, he kind of wishes he could unsee it.

[He then takes a few steps forward to pull open the door of the aforementioned diner for Kunimi.]

At long last! Your breakfast awaits.

[What a good. Kunimi won't push Whelk about his distaste for Gansey, but he has decided he likes the kid.]

Thank you, Gansey-kun.

[And that's where they part ways, Gansey going to find a seat and Kunimi heading right for the till to place his order.]

PSL/Meme Continuation

that one psl

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