clubs 2: and once more with feeling // closed to solsticeanew

[inordertobelieve]

[ Teru has gotten used to club meetings running rather late. It's one of several reasons he has freed up his schedule on those days to make him flexible at least one evening of the week. It means he can afford to be less tense when people take a while to wrap up their conversations and leave. It means he can afford to take his time with packing his things until it's only him in the room... or maybe only him and one other. ]

What a lively evening, huh...

[ A mumbled remark, for the sole sake of feeling less awkward about silence among just the two of them. ]

Comments

[solsticeanew]

[The suggestion is so small and earnest that it makes Light pause. He'd been joking earlier about Mikami being "moe" but things like this make it seem less and less joke like by the moment. Light stares, not really knowing what to do with this sentiment, then very briefly brushes Mikami's cheek. It's a very thoroughly unnecessary gesture.]

You can dream bigger than that you know.

[inordertobelieve]

That seems daring.

[ Teru responds without hesitation despite the fact that his knees feel like they are getting increasingly weaker. ]

I've had bigger wishes, but they're already fulfilled now.

[ And those were the ones he already deemed wishes far too big and far too risky. ]

You said yourself that it feels unlucky to plan beyond some things.

[solsticeanew]

[At that Light grins.]

But telling me about your sexual fantasy isn't "daring," huh?

[inordertobelieve]

--ah.

[ Teru's gaze immediately snaps to his shoes. Light's face has suddenly become a very risky area. ]

It was ... a very daring situation ... generally.

[solsticeanew]

[Internally, Light laughs, but for the sake or preserving an atmosphere he holds back and gently tips Mikami's chin back up with his thumb.]

So be a little daring. I believe in you.

[inordertobelieve]

[ Instinctively, Teru looks back up at Light when he's touched, confused that he's being touched at all. Then he realizes that eye contact is the precise hell he was avoiding to start with so he deems it necessary to stare at some spot on the wall behind Light instead. ]

My idea of a date was studying together. If you really must know. I'm not exactly an imaginative person, so... I am very open to your own ideas.

[solsticeanew]

I see.

[Light lets go, careful to try and keep his tone from faltering. This was a rather predictable answer, though.... again the simplicity of it has an odd, if slightly unpleasantly nostalgic, kind of charm to it.]

Well how do you feel about fish?

[inordertobelieve]

... I'm going to assume you don't mean to eat, right?

[ Because that'd be an odd way to introduce a restaurant visit, wouldn't it? Most people would ask about restaurants or dishes in that sense. ]

[solsticeanew]

No, I meant more along the lines of looking at them.

[A sly little smile.]

But I suppose it's not too late to rent fishing rods and spend some time by the bay either.

[inordertobelieve]

Oh, looking is good. If I had to put a hook into a fish, I'd... well, it wouldn't turn out well.

[ Hastily added: ] Which is not meant as veiled encouragement to make me do exactly that.

[ Teru breathes out slowly, easing into this whole date discussion thing gradually. ] Meanwhile, I'd like to go to the aquarium with you, yes.

[solsticeanew]

Squeamish?

[:ight raises an eyebrow and laughs. He, of course, does not acknowledge or address the fact that Mikami is 100% correct in assuming that Light is indeed amused by the image. But for the moment, he bites the inside of his cheek to keep himself from smiling too widely and turns away to go retrieve his book bag.]

Somehow I'd imagined you'd be stonefaced throughout.

[inordertobelieve]

[ Teru picks up his things as well, now eager to leave the club room behind and experience a walk in public that isn't inherently extremely awkward due to its destination. ]

I haven't made the attempt before, but I don't like the idea of having to touch fish, let alone kill them.

[solsticeanew]

[Light shakes his head as he swings his bag onto his shoulder.]

You've never had to filet a fish?

[It's a mild question, one that Light poses as he stands and waits for Mikami by the door.]

It's not so bad, you know.

[inordertobelieve]

I have somehow managed to escape it, yes. It's not that I don't like fish dishes, I just think it'd be an unpleasant feeling against the hands.

[ Probably more manageable when you haven't pulled the fish out of the water yourself and felt is struggle earlier...

He follows Light to the door so they can step out, united. What a small yet notable joy. ]

[solsticeanew]

[Light lingers at the door just long enough to briefly brush hands, partly in jest partly because he just wants]

Mm. You only touch the finest things. I understand.

[inordertobelieve]

I suppose so. Maybe I have high standards.

[ But in truth, he really just has an issue with specific textures and moistness on things generally. That sounds a lot less refined though. ]

[solsticeanew]

[At that Light simply laughs and walks out the door and holds it open for Mikami to walk through.]


There's nothing wrong with that.

[A beat.]

I've never actually been fishing myself. The closest I've come to that is kingyo-sukui [A boyish laugh.] Obviously that doesn't count.