The struggle is real

[whatsamada]

Characters: Ken Amada [Phobos] & Makoto Yuki [Thanatos]
Campaign: Frankenhyde
Format: Prose
Open or Closed Closed
Summary: Ken gives Makoto a gift as a means to get them talk to each other again.

After their last encounter, Ken wanted some space between him and Makoto. While it wasn't Makoto's fault, he just wanted some time to adjust to what had happened and getting use to the environment once more. As much as Ken hates to admit it, there will probably be a part of him that fears his leader but that was still no reason to keep his distance between them.

Thank goodness for Minako to convince him to talk to Makoto or else he probably wouldn't know what to do.

The problem now was trying to think of a gift for him. What was a boy suppose to do here?

Comments

[afoolshope]

It had taken a bit of courage on his part, but after Minako surprised him with a gift he decided to try and do the same for Ken. While he felt bad that Ken would be the only one to receive a gift, it was too last minute at this point and he really didn't have the mood to go shopping for very long.

But for Ken, it seemed prudent. Well, there was one solution and that was getting Koromaru over on this side. Secondly, he decided to cook something. Ren had given him the recipe for that creamy soup he made back in Index. It was warm and inviting and it was with ingredients that didn't weren't very special so they were easy to find. Once it was all done, he carefully got it into a pot that was easy enough to carry and held enough for two. Then, he and Koromaru set off to Ken's room where Makoto nodded at the door.

Koromaru barked and scratched at it. Makoto didn't exactly have hands to knock but... "Ken, are you there? E-Erm, may I come in?"

[whatsamada]

The last person Ken was expecting was Makoto to be behind that door. While he held his breath for a moment, there was a part of him that didn't want to say anything. However, he couldn't do that.

"Y-Yeah, you can." He said before making his way to open the door. As he did so, he raised an eyebrow at what he saw. Now that wasn't fair, he wanted to get some food for Makoto and now here he was doing the same thing! With a surprised look, he just stared back at the pot and then back at his leader.

"Yuki-san, you didn't have to do that."

[afoolshope]

"No, but I wanted to," Makoto replied, looking rather shy for once. His shoulders bunched up a little. One of the things he knew well was that food was always a good peacemaker and one of the best ways to make amends. He wasn't Shinji, but he felt like he did a pretty handy job with this. "I just... wanted to do something for you."

Koromaru barked, tail wagging.

"And Koro-chan wanted to say hi."

[whatsamada]

Ken could never say no to Koromaru or his leader. Kneeling down, he quickly pet the dog before smiling a little. It was too know he still remembers him despite the 2 year difference.

"Then shall we find a place to put the pot? It looks pretty heavy!" He said before looking around at his room. However, before gestured by his table, he couldn't help but gave a small pout.

"I hope it didn't take you too long to make it."

[afoolshope]

"It is a little," Makoto laughed lightly, setting it down. He wrung out his hands and wrists for a moment and then opened the lid. It was in two parts, the first holding the bowls and toasted cheese bread and spoons, once he lifted that part off, came the smell of creamy chicken and vegetable soup.

"Not really. I learned this from Ren, and he made it with very basic amenities since his essence is Robin Hood. It was kind of like camping." He explained, ladling the soup into the bowls and handing one to Ken, along with the slice of cheese bread. "I figured something hot and filling would be good."

[whatsamada]

As soon as he placed it down, Ken found himself rather hungry. The aroma was enough to make the boy hunger for the soup. If it were anyone else, he would have resisted the urge to make a comment. However, because it was Makoto?

"Then let's get started, I can't wait to try out what you and Ren made!" He said with glee as he watched him pour the soup into bowls. The moment he took a bite? He couldn't help but chuckle.

"I didn't know you could cook this well! Maybe I should take more lessons from you."

[afoolshope]

Makoto smiled a little wider. "I don't know too much yet. Just learning through trial and error. I had Shinji's cookbook at one point, although I wish I had it now."

He could make some more dishes from home. Maybe. There was some soup left over, so he set that down for Koromaru to get at once it cooled enough.

"It means a lot though, thank you."

[whatsamada]

It was strange. Whatever anxiety and tension they had throughout the entire act had vanished. He was lucky that he had a discussion with Minako that made the transition. Or maybe it was the soup talking that made it easier. Either way, Ken took a bite from the bread before looking back at his leader.

"It's not a problem." Then there was a pause. "I should be the one thanking you. You didn't have to do this and after what I said a while back."

[afoolshope]

“It wasn’t a lie,” Makoto said, stirring the veggies around a little. “And it didn’t hurt my feelings.”

So there’s wasn’t anything to keep him from doing what he said he would, which was to earn Ken’s trust back. He had to if they were going to move forward. He knew how Ken also felt about being treated like a kid but the fact was, he was 13. Makoto had to look out for him, which included keeping him well fed. He would have done this regardless anyway but he felt like it was a good first step in this awful place.

[whatsamada]

Watching his leader stir around the soup, he wasn’t sure if he should say something. Even if it didn’t hurt Makoto’s feelings, it was a terrible thing to say. He could give all the excuses but Minako was right.
He really should have known better than to say it.

He hadn’t grown up at all, had he?

Looking down, he gave a small sigh. “Are you sure?” He asked. He wanted to press for more but he wasn’t sure if that was the right thing to do. Instead, he’ll wait and see.

[afoolshope]

"No," He said truthfully, lips pursing for a moment as his brows furrowed in confusion. "But there's not much I can do about it now."

He sighed, face relaxing a bit as he set the spoon down for a moment to rest his cheek against his fist. He wasn't mad at Ken, he wasn't even really mad at this place anymore. He was just... tired and disappointed.

"To be honest, I don't know what to do," He looked over at Ken, sitting back in the chair. "This isn't something people normally get to make up for, you know? And no one's ever really... been scared of me before. If they kept their distance, it was usually a different reason."

[whatsamada]

As the silence echoed in the room, Ken knew he had to say something. The problem was how as there were a lot of things that needed to be said. He was only 13 and there was still a lot for him to process everything at happened.

His eyes looked back Makoto before looking back up at the ceiling. Placing his hand on the side of his face, he gave a small frown. "Well, I know I said something really mean but I do forgive you." He said as he tried to find the correct words to say. Was this the part where he shows how much he had matured during the past two years?

"I think a part of me will always be scared but that doesn't mean I won't stop protecting you." A pause. "You're still my leader and my friend no matter what."

[afoolshope]

It was fair enough to say. Makoto didn't really expect Ken to stop being scared, he just hoped it would fade over time. He was only 13, after all. But he wasn't going to say something like that, it was up to Ken to overcome that.

"Thank you, that means a lot."

It really did. They were all in this together and it wouldn't help if one of them couldn't be around the other.

[whatsamada]

"It's not a problem, you are my leader so it wouldn't be fair to just do that to you." He said before swinging his legs a little. It was funny knowing how being around members of SEES always made him feel like a kid. While he still was, he'll allow himself the chance to act like one.

At least just around them.

"I still have my promise to keep to protect you." It was childish of him to say that but it was true. It was the least he could do after what Makoto had gone through.

[afoolshope]

Makoto smiled nonetheless, tilted his head lightly in his hand. He really appreciated that. Since the soup seemed to cool enough, he put down a small bowl for Koromaru to dig into now.

"Just don't forget to keep yourself safe too," He replied softly, since he couldn't exactly promise anymore to also keep Ken safe. But it was the best he could do now. "And if you ever need time away, I'm sure Junpei and Fuuka would let you stay with them."

[whatsamada]

With that, the boy shook his head. While he was aware of what his leader could do, he couldn't just leave him. He knew how important bonds were and the last thing he ever wanted was for Makoto to be alone.

"No, I think I'm okay now. I just needed to reorganize my thoughts." He said with a chuckle. "You're going to have to do a lot more to get rid of me!"