[ Maybe he senses discomfort. Mine looks away, down at the counter in front of him, like he doesn't want to scare off the picture of Nishikiyama in his bathroom mirror. He finds his eye cream to apply, a familiar next step. The quip makes him smile more than he thinks showsβ the corners of his mouth twitch upward and his reply isn't so steely either. ]
I'll put something together.
[ Leaning in to his own reflection, Mine's hand placement on his chin suggests he's considering a shave, though there's barely the appearance of stubble to go over. ]
Would you like to order in?
[ When Nishikiyama mentions breakfast. Mine's had the option on the table since waking up. ]
[ There hadn't been a sign of any maid or anything yet. Naturally, Nishikiyama had noted it'd been a serviced apartment suite complex, but there's no sign of anyone other than them so far. Probably something Mine had planned in advance. Maybe he's the one throwing off the other man's rhythm; not that he cares. He tears apart the seal of a face mask now, peeling it from the pocket and tilting his head back so that he can press and fit it on. ]
Just get what you always get.
[ If it's good enough for Mine, it's good enough for him. Between the two of them, he'd been the more finicky eater. He slides a look Mine's way from under his mask. There's still another on the countertop. ]
[ His mornings look completely different without Nishikiyama there, and Mine has thought about that fact much already. He could answer the question with a solid 'no', but then he'd imply he dislikes it. He doesn't. Mine is back to looking at Nishikiyama without the mirror between them, too preoccupied to point out that the face masks aren't part of his early AM routine. He watches the man crane his neck, an angle he hadn't had view of in the low light. ]
I'll have something brought over.
[ He says, disjointed from his thoughts but fitting the conversation. Mine pushes the bathroom drawers shut before placing his hand on the countertop, fingertips nudging the still-packaged mask there. Subtle tension's in the air when he doesn't pick it up. ]
You can wear my bathrobe, I'm going to put it on the bed.
[ Reason for Mine to leave the room, Nishikiyama needn't wait around naked. The pile of clothes has stayed the night on the foot of the bed. After putting the folded robe next to it, Mine picks out Nishikiyama's dress shirt. Fingers splay underneath the collar. He brings it up to his face again. Lashes flutter down as Mine wonders, just like in the dead of night, what he's doing well after the fact. Without stopping, he considers how Nishikiyama's scent has changed by scrubbing his skin with his products. ]
[ Mine is left to himself for a moment's time. Nishikiyama remains in the bathroom for a while, passing a look to the forgotten (he thinks) mask and then following Mine on his way back to the bedroom with it in his hand. The robe's on the mattress, his dress shirt in the other man's hand, but Nishikiyama thinks nothing of it yet. He's too close to the ground still to suspect that Mine might not do laundry. He makes a face, but the expression is hard to make out with a moisturizing mask still on. There's something almost comical about how he looks with the sheet there, like someone out of a sitcom. ]
I'll wash it when I get home, you don't need to do anything.
[ That's the only assumed reason Mine would have to sniff his shirt. ]
You didn't put on your mask.
[ He drops it there in front of Mine and expects he cooperate. Without realizing, he steps into his space and goes to the bathrobe. ]
[ Mine, with the shirt not far from his face, can sense disapproval from behind Nishikiyama's sheet mask. He's been caught, he thinks, doing something he can describe and defend to himself but not to Nishikiyama. It's nonsensical, really, that he finds it impossible to explain his want for closeness when his actions and even a few words last night have said as much. The collar of the black shirt hides how his grip crumples the fabric, where it'd sit high between Nishikiyama's shoulder blades. His lashes flutter, blinking, when the convesation readily veers off the dreaded course. Mine claims collectedness and adds whatever Nishikiyama's thinking to his bid for an answer. ]
Are you sure? I can have it cleaned.
[ He could keep itβan idea that'd no longer make sense after Mine has the shirt washed and steamed, though. He drops his hand down with it but doesn't lose it. Nishikiyama in view, Mine's brow creases. Nishikiyama wedges himself into his bubble; he tries to slim himself rather than step back. Mine's chest lifts with the breath he'd been holding in Nishikiyama's shirt. ]
No. I use this at night, usually.
[ Why, he doesn't say, but now shares about the routine Nishikiyama has already taken to changing. ]
[ There's nothing for him to be suspicious of, and thusly, he isn't. Nishikiyama instead pulls the bathrobe onto himself, each arm filling the sleeves before he wraps it around his waist and legs to cover himself properly. ]
[ Mine appears to think about his answer briefly, and then he waits for Nishikiyama to agree. In all that time, he has himself part from the thought of keeping any of the other man's clothes. Placid, he watches Nishikiyama slip into the robe. Just like that, his argument about the mask faces no further resistance, when Mine picks it up and with both it and the shirt in hand suggest he step outside the bedroom. ]
[ Nishikiyama's eyes follow Mine and his exit. There's not a lot of protest to follow it and instead comes a purposeless boredom. Without anyone to talk to, what's he to do? There's a lack of reason for him to stay in the room. Mine had wanted him in the bathrobe; he's in it. After feeling the moment has lagged for too long, he finds himself drifting into the hallway in the vague direction that Mine had left.
... But he can't let him think he's being followed.
Nishikiyama finds one room dedicated to physical fitness in Mine's room. With a punching bag and equipment stationed accordingly, Nishikiyama notices that, despite the new smell of leather, the punching bag has seen thorough practice. His fingers brush over the surface and find no splits. Not that he'd expect any. ]
[ Two phone calls made, and the shirt set outside to be picked up without Nishikiyama noticing any more. Mine returns, not completely empty-handed. He's still carrying the moisture mask, unopened. Hyper-aware of someone else sharing the space of his private, quiet apartment this morning, he listens for sign of Nishikiyama moving about before he's even close to the bedroom again. Mine doesn't go all the way back there.
He follows Nishikiyama, after an uncalculated wait, into the room where the door stands cracked open. Mine surveys his own furnishings, as someone who rarely takes the time to step in here just to have a look around. A moment that lasts before he speaks up, curious about Nishikiyama finding his way in here. ]
Are you looking for something?
[ Opposite his previous flight behavior, changing rooms, right now Mine resembles a cat slinking around its owner's legs. He stands close. ]
[ He's just here because he wound up here. His interest in the punching bag declines and, deciding that it's been enough time, he unpeels his mask from his skin. His face is glassy beneath. The lights above cast a sheen over the bonesβ his features are more prominent than most. ]
Put yours on.
[ He squints and lazily sweeps his foot at Mine's ankle. ]
[ Without asking, Mine'd arrived at the thought that Nishikiyama isn't an early riser and based his expectations this morning around that. Now, his skin looks nourished, he looks awake when he peels off the mask. Mine's interest in Nishikiyama being in this room is greater and remains as such. He looks at him overlong. Maybe that's why Nishikiyama swipes at his leg, discomforted, and Mine splits from the view of him. He decidesβ ]
Alright.
[ Setting the same intention of him leaving the room, going back into the bathroom, hanging in the air. This time, Mine just isn't so quick to go. ]
I ordered breakfast. It'll be here in thirty minutes.
[ Mine likes that his statement's earned him this kind of interest. ]
A quiche and a selection of open-faced sandwiches. It's something I hope you'll enjoy.
[ Then, he leaves.
In the bathroom, Mine looks past himself in the mirror, waiting on the picture of Nishikiyama behind him. With the face mask unfolded, he cranes his head back to drape it on. ]
[ Isn't that, like, an egg tart? Or something? Doesn't it have cheese? Nishikiyama thinks of something yellow with crust, but quiche isn't something he eats in the morning let alone often at all. As Mine makes his way into the bathroom once more, Nishikiyama simply follows. He's nowhere else to beβ nothing else in the apartment catches his attention the same way. As Mine carefully lays his facemask over her skin, Nishikiyama gazes through the mirror. ]
[ Mine smoothes the mask around the eye area, around the outer rim, gaze fixed in the mirror and seemingly on himself. Until he meets Nishikiyama's eyes via his reflection. The sheet hides any crease of his brow. ]
Yes.
[ Though rarely for breakfast, he omits. Nishikiyama told him to treat this morning like any other, the breakfast order alone is far from it. Mine has the sense, that Nishikiyama doesn't watch his eating lighter or heavier meals to match the time of day and just what tastes good. He's happy to adjust. He decides to elaborate before the pause in their conversation through the mirror stretches on. ]
It has eggs, ham, and I ordered to eat it warm. It's french.
[ This conversation is filler. Nishikiyama knows Mine won't feed him garbage (frankly, it's too expensive to taste bad). He instead studies how Mine looks with the skin mask on his faceβ the seriousness of it significantly weakened. His lips move in the open gap, hardly changing expression. ]
βIsn't this nice?
[ He tries to quip him into either vulnerability or confusion. ]
[ Mine turns away from the mirror and from the conversation about what breakfast he ordered, hand on the countertop. Again, his brow hardly seems to even crinkle, confusion concealed by the thin, neatly pressed on mask. ]
This?
[ A slow morning, their pas de deux? That Mine flusters from his own thinking is equally invisible, yet lingers in the air. His gaze flickers, to and from, Nishikiyama without the mirror between. ]
[ Though he'd been the one to steer the conversation in this direction, he seems to have trouble accepting the affection. His eyes look at Mineβ then away. There are efforts not to look at him when Mine's gaze is upon him. ]
I should probably try and be in Shinjuku again by 2. Told someone I'd meet them later in the evening for a drink.
[ Without malicious intent, Mine still finds himself expecting that sort of response, goading the other man into replying with his defenses up. His gaze stays, even as Nishikiyama insists his answer doesn't get anywhere near him. Dark browns are a stark contrast to the sheer white paper mask, and look like they'll pin him to cork board underneath. ]
[ The way he says it suggests there's more to the story. There's some heaviness in the words, the friendship between himself and Reina a relationship that's always been something to her and nothing to him at the same time. Nothing that she wants it to be anyway. ]
Did you want to come?
[ Anything to avoid talking to her one on one. She always finds ways to poke and corner him in her advances without other customers there to listen. ]
[ It doesn't suggest anything sinister, but Mine can tell that he leaves some things unsaid. Surely, Nishikiyama has more than a few people to fit that non-description. ]
Are you inviting me?
[ Mine's question back carries some levity, not feeling anxious, because he'd been offered the details of his day out of nowhere. Nishikiyama wants to share about that, and even if Mine asks he doesn't feel as though he's prying too much as a result. He already says 'yes' without putting the exact words forward: ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I'll put something together.
[ Leaning in to his own reflection, Mine's hand placement on his chin suggests he's considering a shave, though there's barely the appearance of stubble to go over. ]
Would you like to order in?
[ When Nishikiyama mentions breakfast. Mine's had the option on the table since waking up. ]
no subject
[ There hadn't been a sign of any maid or anything yet. Naturally, Nishikiyama had noted it'd been a serviced apartment suite complex, but there's no sign of anyone other than them so far. Probably something Mine had planned in advance. Maybe he's the one throwing off the other man's rhythm; not that he cares. He tears apart the seal of a face mask now, peeling it from the pocket and tilting his head back so that he can press and fit it on. ]
Just get what you always get.
[ If it's good enough for Mine, it's good enough for him. Between the two of them, he'd been the more finicky eater. He slides a look Mine's way from under his mask. There's still another on the countertop. ]
no subject
I'll have something brought over.
[ He says, disjointed from his thoughts but fitting the conversation. Mine pushes the bathroom drawers shut before placing his hand on the countertop, fingertips nudging the still-packaged mask there. Subtle tension's in the air when he doesn't pick it up. ]
You can wear my bathrobe, I'm going to put it on the bed.
[ Reason for Mine to leave the room, Nishikiyama needn't wait around naked. The pile of clothes has stayed the night on the foot of the bed. After putting the folded robe next to it, Mine picks out Nishikiyama's dress shirt. Fingers splay underneath the collar. He brings it up to his face again. Lashes flutter down as Mine wonders, just like in the dead of night, what he's doing well after the fact. Without stopping, he considers how Nishikiyama's scent has changed by scrubbing his skin with his products. ]
no subject
I'll wash it when I get home, you don't need to do anything.
[ That's the only assumed reason Mine would have to sniff his shirt. ]
You didn't put on your mask.
[ He drops it there in front of Mine and expects he cooperate. Without realizing, he steps into his space and goes to the bathrobe. ]
no subject
Are you sure? I can have it cleaned.
[ He could keep itβan idea that'd no longer make sense after Mine has the shirt washed and steamed, though. He drops his hand down with it but doesn't lose it. Nishikiyama in view, Mine's brow creases. Nishikiyama wedges himself into his bubble; he tries to slim himself rather than step back. Mine's chest lifts with the breath he'd been holding in Nishikiyama's shirt. ]
No. I use this at night, usually.
[ Why, he doesn't say, but now shares about the routine Nishikiyama has already taken to changing. ]
no subject
[ There's nothing for him to be suspicious of, and thusly, he isn't. Nishikiyama instead pulls the bathrobe onto himself, each arm filling the sleeves before he wraps it around his waist and legs to cover himself properly. ]
Today's different.
no subject
[ Mine appears to think about his answer briefly, and then he waits for Nishikiyama to agree. In all that time, he has himself part from the thought of keeping any of the other man's clothes. Placid, he watches Nishikiyama slip into the robe. Just like that, his argument about the mask faces no further resistance, when Mine picks it up and with both it and the shirt in hand suggest he step outside the bedroom. ]
Let me take care of this, first.
no subject
... But he can't let him think he's being followed.
Nishikiyama finds one room dedicated to physical fitness in Mine's room. With a punching bag and equipment stationed accordingly, Nishikiyama notices that, despite the new smell of leather, the punching bag has seen thorough practice. His fingers brush over the surface and find no splits. Not that he'd expect any. ]
no subject
He follows Nishikiyama, after an uncalculated wait, into the room where the door stands cracked open. Mine surveys his own furnishings, as someone who rarely takes the time to step in here just to have a look around. A moment that lasts before he speaks up, curious about Nishikiyama finding his way in here. ]
Are you looking for something?
[ Opposite his previous flight behavior, changing rooms, right now Mine resembles a cat slinking around its owner's legs. He stands close. ]
no subject
[ He's just here because he wound up here. His interest in the punching bag declines and, deciding that it's been enough time, he unpeels his mask from his skin. His face is glassy beneath. The lights above cast a sheen over the bonesβ his features are more prominent than most. ]
Put yours on.
[ He squints and lazily sweeps his foot at Mine's ankle. ]
no subject
Alright.
[ Setting the same intention of him leaving the room, going back into the bathroom, hanging in the air. This time, Mine just isn't so quick to go. ]
I ordered breakfast. It'll be here in thirty minutes.
no subject
[ Nishikiyama still seems interested isn't dismissive. ]
no subject
A quiche and a selection of open-faced sandwiches. It's something I hope you'll enjoy.
[ Then, he leaves.
In the bathroom, Mine looks past himself in the mirror, waiting on the picture of Nishikiyama behind him. With the face mask unfolded, he cranes his head back to drape it on. ]
no subject
Do you like eating those?
no subject
Yes.
[ Though rarely for breakfast, he omits. Nishikiyama told him to treat this morning like any other, the breakfast order alone is far from it. Mine has the sense, that Nishikiyama doesn't watch his eating lighter or heavier meals to match the time of day and just what tastes good. He's happy to adjust. He decides to elaborate before the pause in their conversation through the mirror stretches on. ]
It has eggs, ham, and I ordered to eat it warm. It's french.
1/2
[ A pause. ]
2/2
βIsn't this nice?
[ He tries to quip him into either vulnerability or confusion. ]
no subject
This?
[ A slow morning, their pas de deux? That Mine flusters from his own thinking is equally invisible, yet lingers in the air. His gaze flickers, to and from, Nishikiyama without the mirror between. ]
no subject
[ Expectant. ]
1/2
[ He'd be an idiot to give any other answer. A pause Mine's side. ]
2/2
I'm happy you're staying.
[ βBut he says this out loud. ]
no subject
[ Though he'd been the one to steer the conversation in this direction, he seems to have trouble accepting the affection. His eyes look at Mineβ then away. There are efforts not to look at him when Mine's gaze is upon him. ]
I should probably try and be in Shinjuku again by 2. Told someone I'd meet them later in the evening for a drink.
no subject
I can drive you to Shinjukuβ
[ Unlike him, Mine latches onto Nishikiyama's explanation. ]
Who are you meeting there?
no subject
[ The way he says it suggests there's more to the story. There's some heaviness in the words, the friendship between himself and Reina a relationship that's always been something to her and nothing to him at the same time. Nothing that she wants it to be anyway. ]
Did you want to come?
[ Anything to avoid talking to her one on one. She always finds ways to poke and corner him in her advances without other customers there to listen. ]
no subject
Are you inviting me?
[ Mine's question back carries some levity, not feeling anxious, because he'd been offered the details of his day out of nowhere. Nishikiyama wants to share about that, and even if Mine asks he doesn't feel as though he's prying too much as a result. He already says 'yes' without putting the exact words forward: ]
I just want to know if you want me to come.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)