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Post by Kiku Honda on Apr 17, 2011 0:13:20 GMT -5
Kiku wasn't taking too kindly to this transition. Sure everyone else may have been having a grand ol' time with it but. . .this was his country. He lived so close yet so far. . .he couldn't go home. This wasn't the sort of change he ever prepared himself for.
He'd sort of been avoiding people lately, wanting his own space to adjust. If Kiku couldn't go to the comfort of his own garden to relax than he would go to a park. Close enough.
Since cooking was a vice for Kiku, he made his own lunch. It was a big lunch since he'd made so much; sushi, rice, spicy pickles, a few little shaped riceballs, some fried vegetables and a thermos specifically for soup.
Kiku cracked open the thermos and started to sip it. Yep. This was as good as it got really.
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Post by Lars Van Der Zant on Apr 22, 2011 2:44:40 GMT -5
Pacing around the cafeteria, Lars rummaged around in his brown paper bagged lunch; the contents were meagre, nothing exquisite, seeing as he was the only one in his dorm who grocery shopped. Shrugging, he selected a Fuji apple from the package before replacing it in his messenger bag. Going to sit down at what was the last empty table in the bustling hall, he swiftly changed his mind as some other senior students slid onto the benches. Making for the door, Lars made quick to throw a cheerful wave and smile in the direction of a table filled with giggly freshman girls, and he was gone.
These last few days out of house and home had been abnormally okay with Lars, sort of akin to a much needed vacation. In truth, of course he missed his own bed, but he’d enjoy this as it went. Lately he realized other nations had been subjected to the same occurrence, it made the entire experience further entertaining.
Although everything meshed well, the only wrench thrown into cogs was the stinging fact that Lars had yet to run into Kiku. The two men hadn’t seen each other for an increasingly long while, and Lars was still hesitant as to how things were between them. He had enjoyed the other man’s company, peaceful and compassionate, qualities that were a drastic change from most people Lars associated with as of late. They were in his country anyways, surely a run-in wouldn’t be this difficult to come by.
Winding his last corner, Lars exited the Student Union Building and made his way to the park across the street. The sign naturally read the name, but they were still hieroglyphs to him. He took a large bite out of the apple and juice trickled down his chin. Embarrassed, he quickly mopped the corner of his mouth with the navy sleeve of his pullover. In the middle of the park was a large playground, empty at this time of day because the elementary children were still in school. Surrounding it, were stone tables with benches to match; the park stretched out into a long rectangular loop, with paths dividing it into four-corner quadrants. The wind blew pink petals around in the trees and scattered them across the ground, sakuras rained down from bare branches. Everything was calm, welcoming.
Lars began to make his way around the perimeter of the park, scouring for a stone table that was empty to enjoy his lunch. Almost each one was occupied. After passing what seemed to be the eighth or ninth table, Lars rounded on one taken up by a single dark haired man. Lars faced the man’s back. He wore the same uniform as Lars did under the pullover, meaning they attended the same school. Could it be? He made to leave, but had to be sure. Curiosity took the best of him and he became eager.
“Kiku?”
((aklshfaklsdhfs- I'm alive <3 sorry for taking forever!))
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Post by Kiku Honda on Apr 23, 2011 3:41:38 GMT -5
[[it's okay xD I'm just glad you didn't forget about me D:]]
Kiku looked up at the sound of his, swallowing his mouthful of fish. The sun coming from behind the man made it hard to identify him at first, Kiku had to lift his hand to block the bright light. He'd gone to such lengths to avoid people, who could have found him here?
When Kiku's eyes adjusted ever so slightly to the light, he found himself surprised, "Lars. . ." Just seeing the man again brought up several emotions that he associated with the taller man, emotions he was so used to surpressing; unsureness, friendship, security and yet insecurity, affection and skepticism. . .for every bad feeling there was a good one. He was used to not thinking about the man, letting himself push thoughts of him to the side but this time. . .he didn't want too. He just sort of let the emotions happen upon him, like they proved he was the same person.
After a minute or so of awkward silence, Kiku realized he'd been staring. How awkward. He quickly grabbed his napkin and wiped his face. The last thing he needed was for the Dutch man to think him messy, which he certainly was not.
Kiku put down the napkin, folding it neatly and setting it next to his meal. He gestured to the seats opposite himself at the table, "You're. . .welcome to join me if you'd like."
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Post by Lars Van Der Zant on Apr 25, 2011 15:59:53 GMT -5
((I would never!))
Lars’ mind reeled as Kiku turned to face him, raising his hand and blocking the sun to better recognize the Dutchman. Emotion after emotion battered the inside of his skull, and he could’ve gone to list them all, but Lars really wasn’t a feeling kinda guy.
Yeah, silent and doofus-y.
He barely heard Kiku say his name.
The silence that had built up edged on steadily, consisting of the two merely staring at each other childishly. Neither knew what to say, after a few moments Kiku seemed to shake out of his stupor, reaching for a napkin to nervously dab away imaginary flecks of fish from his mouth. Lars’ lips curved upwards into a tiny smirk, baring white, pointed teeth.
Seeming to regain his composure, Kiku folded the napkin smartly and invited Lars to sit with him. The taller of the two nodded, and tripped over his feet sitting down, knocking his knee hard on the stone bench. Not without a silent curse, Lars painfully swung his leg under the table, narrowly avoiding kicking Kiku as well. He rubbed his knee, face masking the throbbing pain.
As if this wasn’t gauche enough.
His other hand came up to rub the back of his neck, a habit that he was accustomed to when perplexed verbally.
Splendid, Kiku probably thinks the narcotics have finally done me over. Great first impression Lars, you’re a champion.
Damn it all.
“How yeh been?”
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Post by Kiku Honda on Apr 26, 2011 3:19:18 GMT -5
Kiku wondered why Lars was smiling, had he missed something? He turned his head away from taller to rub the napkin all over his face, much like children do when they wash their faces. When he was sure he'd gotten whatever had provoked that smile (as well as a few layers of skin) he folded the napkin up neatly again.
He felt the table shake when Lars jabbed his knee into the table. His eyes opened in concern, "Are you all right?" He leaned over the side of the table to get a look at the leg but it disappeared under the table. Kiku recomposed himself and sat up straight once again.
Then finally the dutch man spoke and Kiku's eyes went right to the others face. It was such a casual question that is asked all the time but. . .how did one answer that when it came to someone you hadn't seen in decades? Answer too lightly and it would come across that he hadn't cared about the others absence from his life (which he did) or answer too heavily and he could scare the other away.
Kiku was usually quite the lyrical genius when it came to answering questions in high pressure situations but this. . .wasn't high pressure. It was so much more. So now, being rendered virtually retarded with words in the face of his once friend, Kiku copt out nothing better than an answer of, "I've been better. . ."
His eyes met those of the Dutchman, an begging apology behind those dark, chocolate coloured eyes of his. . .an apology his lips would never get to voice. "You? . . .how have you been?"
Damn it all.
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Post by Lars Van Der Zant on May 15, 2011 17:56:11 GMT -5
(Sorry about taking eons to post!)
Lars’ hand dragged nervously against the back of his neck, slowly sliding downwards to rest upon the table once more. His cheeks were stained a crimson, and since feeling the warmth of blood rush to his cheeks, kept his eyes trained down on the cuff of his sleeve.
Waving off Kiku’s inquiry a little more brashly than he would’ve liked, his reply was pieced together as plainly as achievable.
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks,” he almost snapped, resuming rubbing his injured knee. The redness receded from his cheeks, and after a good few seconds of leeway, Lars’ line of sight took Kiku back in.
Another wave of embarrassment threatened to take a hold of him anew as the Dutchman looked straight up into the other’s dark brown eyes. His hand streaked through choppy blonde locks, setting a few strands ajar. A simple answer followed by a question that mimicked his own left Kiku’s lips. Since Lars had really been that much of an idiot to ask the question in the first place, he now saw the difficulty and wariness of what it took to conjure up the answer.
Best not to over think, yeah? Over thinking led to a long, deliberate answer with un-needed hidden meanings. Meanings that could be deciphered as something unintentional, and mean, or too nice or disconcerti-
Shut up Lars.
Always stronger not to over analyse the ordeal, the Dutchman figured it wiser to just say the first thing that jumped to mind.
“Good,” Lars started, his lips faltering for a few seconds. Bottle green eyes took in their surroundings as additional blush flowers fell to the pavement.
“It’s honestly, really nice to see yeh again, Kiku,” he finished, adding on the last segment with a small, canine baring grin in the other man’s way.
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Post by Kiku Honda on May 17, 2011 3:20:08 GMT -5
[[it's fine~ my muses were MIA for a while but they're back now so it's all good]]
Kiku watched the other carefully. Out of all the mentally contrived responses, the attitude with which Lars said it was not expected. Then Kiku noticed the Dutchman's hand dip under the tabletop. Considering this was public, Kiku could only assume he wasn't doing the first thing that jumped to mind and proceeded to lean over and peek under the table. "Oh. . ." he'd hardly realized Lars had tripped until now as he looked for a connection to the pain.
He delved into his bag and pulled out his still cold water bottle he'd gotten from a vending machine, "Here. It's still cold. . .it might help." Kiku put the bottle in front of Lars and waited for him to take it. He did care that the other was hurt, even through the butter-thick tension.
It was difficult making conversation when things felt so tense. Kiku looked around the park, watching the wind take some flowers and petals with it. It was refreshing, like it was blowing away some of the pressure and it made him smile for a breif second. VERY. BRIEF.
Kiku's eyes slowly made their way down to the table top. He wouldn't apologize for things that happened in the war even though it was all this. He couldn't. . .it wasn't exactly his apology to give.
He was quiet for a while as another breeze came, bringing with it an idea. Kiku folded his hands together on the table, his fingers twitching nervously at the possibility of a negative answer. "Can we-" he looked up quickly, catching the other's eye for only a second before looking down again. He was usually such a composed man too. . . "Can we. . .start over?"
Kiku looked up again, his eyes looking straight to the other's green ones. He was clearly nervous but there was almost a kind of hope hiding behind. "I don't expect you to forgive me. . .and I can't apologize. . .but. . .we're here. . .in a new place. . .a new situation. . .maybe even new bodies. . .so. . .can we be new too?"
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Post by Lars Van Der Zant on May 29, 2011 3:21:43 GMT -5
Lars cringed intensely as he thought over his past actions, the embarrassment almost vivid across his face. Kiku’s abrupt reappearance into his recently upturned life had shaken him far more than he would’ve liked to admit. Lars wasn’t thinking straight, everything that came out of his mouth was a shaky, unreformed fluke of speech; merely something to fill the empty space before the real, in-depth conversation Lars was dreading. Having an antisocial and awkward nature forever returned to strike him hard.
Take it slow.
He nodded slightly at Kiku, taking the dripping cold bottle from the other man’s outstretched hand, applying it to his indignant joint. Obviously, the Dutchman hadn’t pieced together what his knee rubbing looked like from people that weren’t he. He only noted passerby’s taken aback reactions as odd.
Silence settled in once again after more uncomfortable dialogue, and the throbbing in Lars’ knee lessened in the passing few minutes that followed. He looked up at Kiku, the other man’s brown eyes looking in a different direction. Lars studied his hands once more, made unnecessary adjustments to his sleeves until they were at pristine length, perfectly flush and parallel with the other.
Pretty goddamn slow. Lars thought to himself, uncomfortable.
If he was really going to apologize for what happened in the war, it would be very terse, and broad aimed. Lars didn’t know how to deal with it, all the events that occurred, left so much to be resolved. His brain racked with unspoken words, apologies, new beginnings.
He was fortunate when Kiku finally spoke again. A false start, and then the words came again, somewhat more confident sounding from the Japanese. Lars’ eyes rose up to his level.
Almost instantly, Lars was nodding.
“That would be m’re than nice, I like the sound of it... I can’t expect forg’veness from yeh either, but I’d like to apologize anyways. For ev’rything that still lies unresolved, let’s start ov’r,” he finished with another smile, smaller than the last, but still clear on his jaw.
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