Unexpected Developments [For Verity Willis]

[sumarusfinest]

The entire week has been a near constant roller coaster. Between discovering the fate of Verity's world, designing the memorial for the Nexus, interviewing with Schon and...revelations, the officer is completely drained when he wanders into his empty apartment at the end of the week, late evening and wiped.

The stillness of the apartment makes a numb sense of loneliness settle over him that makes eating seem like more trouble than it's worth. Might as well just settle in and read a book until he's too tired to stay awake anymore.

His tie is loosened, suit jacket hung up carefully. His holster comes off, followed by his cell phone, both set down on the counter. A pot of coffee maybe? Katsuya looks back at his cell phone.

Oh.

It's scooped up immediately, speed dialing Verity's number. The officer worries at his bottom lip while he waits for it to ring.

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

Naugus' tower may not have electricity, but the cell reception is amazing. So when her phone starts ringing, it isn't ringing long. "Hi?" She sounds tired too, a little sad but more happy. "Katsuya?"

[sumarusfinest]

"Yes." Katsuya feels a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth already. He doesn't fight it much.

"Long day. I was wondering if you'd had dinner yet. I just got home...and well." This is the sort of thing people do when they're together, right?

"I could cook us something? Or we could go somewhere...?" He sounds warily hopeful.

[brave_heart_verity]

Just the sound of his voice on the phone gets a happy little sound from her. She's pathetic really.

"No, I've been busy conducting important scientific research." She sounds like she's joking. Trying to joke anyway. "I've been staring at the ceiling and measuring how long until it drives me nuts. Forgot I'm already crazy, so, that's an afternoon wasted." She's not good at jokes.

"Dinner would be nice. Whatever you'd like." She just wants to see him.

[sumarusfinest]

"Meet me at the station? I have to gather a few things at the grocery store, so I should get there about the same time you do."

There's a sound of a sink running as Katsuya sets about washing a bowl of rice to prep it before he goes out. It will have to sit for a bit. His trusty rice cooker is pulled from the pantry while he cradles his phone to his ear with one shoulder.

"Any food allergies?"

[brave_heart_verity]

He's lucky she thinks it's cute when he completely misses her jokes.

"Okay. Can I bring anything?" The fact he's washing dishes while talking to her is so adorably domestic. She'd do the same thing probably. (On a side note, she's glad they're at the last-minute dinner stage of their relationship already. It's so much less stressful than dating always appears to be.) "There's this fruit I found in the market, it's like, strawberry-melon flavored and really good. Oh, no food allergies, and I'll try just about anything once, so don't worry."

Moving-fabric sounds are probably her getting up from bed. Now to find shoes... and something less rumpled to wear. Hell, she's going to put him on speakerphone so she has two free hands for this. Her hair needs to be brushed before she's suitable for his company. "I'm glad you called."

[sumarusfinest]

"No allergies..." Katsuya nods to himself, grabbing his fabric shopping bag and locking up the apartment behind him as he's already heading back down to the street level.

The fruit catches his attention and he hums thoughtfully.

"Sure. I'll make sure to get heavy cream and whip some for a fruit and cream dessert." That's dinner and dessert sorted with almost no work whatsoever. He trots down the last flight of stairs before the hustle and bustle of the streets of Sumaru can be heard.

"I wish I'd finished at the station sooner." It's halfway an apology. "I'd been hoping to invite you over for dinner sooner than this."

[brave_heart_verity]

"That sounds nice." This is her favorite way to cook. Having someone to collaborate with. Having someone to share it with in the end.

"I've been thinking..." She hesitates because she knows she has far too much time for that right now, and that often leads to bad ideas. "I could... bring you lunch sometimes? I know it wouldn't be a lot of time but." He has so little free time, and she has too much. She doesn't even know if it would be allowed.

Don't think too much about what you're hearing in the background, Katsuya, it's definitely not her getting half-naked or anything.

[sumarusfinest]

"That coulod be nice." Katsuya smiles. "Though it would be difficult to manage. I'm rarely at the station unless I'm preparing reports. Still, I'm sure we could manage something."

There's no overthinking anything when he's busy thinking about cooking.

"I need to let you go Verity. I'm sorry, I can't talk while on the bus." It's really frowned upon on any public transportation or crowded place. "I'll call back as soon as I"m nearing the station, okay?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay. Talk to you later." The promise that they'll figure it out is enough for now. She'll hang up and finish getting ready.

Why is getting ready suddenly so hard? It's never been this hard before! Suddenly she has too much hair and too little lip gloss and oh god her nail polish is chipped.

A braid and some bobby pins should keep her hair in place. Lip gloss is easy. Linen pants, tank top, long-sleeve gauze blouse over that to cover the tattoos a little. Shoes. Necessities gathered. Okay. Time to go.

[sumarusfinest]

The sea of harried housewives browsing the grocery store's selection makes Katsuya smile politely as he tries to maneuver his way about.

Green onions, mushrooms, carrot...sanma. Sudachi. He'll make her a homey autumn meal. He nearly forgets the heavy whipping cream before doubling back to grab some and hurry to check out.

He arrives at the station, full grocery bag in one hand. Katsuya fishes out his phone and calls her once more as he nudges the door to the Nexus open.

[brave_heart_verity]

She'd just been reaching for the handle when the door opens, so, he'll get to hear what his ringtone is. That's always nice to know? Having run the whole way she's a little flushed, but she's all smiles when she sees him.

"Oh! Hi."

How does he always look so put together? It must be some kind of magic.

[sumarusfinest]

"You didn't hurry on my account did you?" Katsuya gives her a warm greeting and lifts up the grocery bag.

Shall we?" Lots and lots of practicing during the apocalypse, Verity. Nothing short of a natural disaster makes him look out of sorts anymore.

[brave_heart_verity]

She'd be caught in her fuzzy slippers if she weren't already here, so, not even the apocalypse is likely to teach her how to dress.

"No, of course not." She hurried on her own account, which is a whole different thing. She glances curiously at the grocery bag before giving him a nod. "Yes, please. So... are people allowed to hold hands in public in Japan?"

She wants to be respectful. It's hard sometimes because she thinks some of the things she's read about are ridiculously close-minded to her, but she'll try.

[sumarusfinest]

"I'm quite certain I don't rightly care." Katsuya shifts the bag to his right arm and holds out his left for her to take.

"As two grown adults, I should think we could hold hands wherever we pleased." She might have to get the door though. His hands are now officially full.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'll take that as a 'no', you rebel." She blushes happily at the idea that he likes her enough to not care. With one hand in his and the other carrying the fruit, she'll catch the door with her foot. They are just being all kinds of improper now!

Once they're through she makes sure the door is shut firmly behind them, giving the handle a tug before turning to follow him back to his apartment. "Hard day at work?"

[sumarusfinest]

"Not terribly difficult, no." Katsuya sighs and glances at the station before turning to head toward his apartment.

"I had quite a bit of paperwork built up since the aftermath of the demon attack in the Nexus. I finally managed to get caught up today. Hence staying in late."

[brave_heart_verity]

"And now you're cooking for me. You're too good." She won't scold him for it since he's mentioned he finds it relaxing. "Thank you."

She'll lapse into silence while they walk, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. She's got something on her mind. But of course she does.

[sumarusfinest]

"It really isn't any trouble." Katsuya insists, and it's not. He's chosen an easy to prepare dish for their supper, and she is providing half of an even simpler dessert. "You can make the coffee for us while I get started."

If Katsuya notices she has something on her min d(he does), he doesn't say anything about it while they're out in public. Given what's going on in her world he expects her to.

She'll open up to him when she's ready. He suspects when they're safely sequestered in his apartment's tiny kitchen.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Okay." She's going to keep thinking he's good. He can't get out of her good opinion that easily.

He's very astute. She relaxes visibly once they're safe in his apartment, and having something to fuss over keeps her hands busy in a good way. Coffee, water, a pinch of salt, and then she's free to wrap her arms around him and watch him cook.

"So, I have some good news."

[sumarusfinest]

Now, Katsuya is cheered up when he sees Verity relaxing once they're alone in his apartment. No one to judge or lie or cause her problems in here. Except Katsuya, but well. That was just going to be something he'd have to be careful about.

He blushes slightly when she pushes herself against him, but it's not discomfort. Just readjusting to personal contact. It's never been something he's gotten a lot of.

"What is that?" He's already pulled a red apron on over his shirt and slacks, carefully chopping vegetables.

[brave_heart_verity]

Even Verity lies sometimes. She knows nobody's perfect. The fact he tries is enough.

She's going to wait until the knife is put down before telling him her news. Sharp things and shocks aren't a great combination. And maybe it's also that she selfishly wants to enjoy this moment a little longer before he's angry. "I talked to Schön about what you owe him. It's not as much as you think."

[sumarusfinest]

For a few minutes there's only the sound of the knife chopping its way through carrots, green onions, and mushrooms before all is transferred to a bowl so he can gut and clean the fish.

He hums in understanding before the movement at his workstation stops completely.

"You did? I..I mean, i've already paid some of it. My discretion, blood, and an interview. Four? Tasks left. I imagine."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Two," she corrects quietly. "You only owe him two more." Her arms tighten around him subconsciously. She'll let him go if she has to, but she doesn't want to. She so very much doesn't want to. "That's good news, right?"

[sumarusfinest]

"How did you convince him to do that?" Katsuya smiles and shakes his head slightly. "That's awfully kind of you, arguing him down like that. You didn't have to, Verity...but thank you."

He really doesn't want to owe Schon more than he has to. No arguments there.

"I wonder why he didn't tell me before." Maybe they just worked this out? He'll pull away just long enough to fish out a skillet so he can brown the fish briefly.

[brave_heart_verity]

"You're welcome."

She wonders if she can leave it there, just let him be grateful and ignorant of what she's done. They'd both be so much happier... until he found out anyway. And he'd find out someday. So she takes a breath to steady her nerves before admitting, "I didn't talk him down. I took on responsibility for the other two."