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.

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[sumarusfinest]

He seems rather shocked to see her come in and help, and the brilliant grin that spreads across his face tells her that he's very pleased she decided to join him.

"You don't have to, Verity.." He's mumbling, but he's already scooted over to give her room. Is the kitchen really this tiny or is he deliberately staying just a little too close to be casual? He keeps brushing her side with his.

"Coffee it is then." Katsuya dries his hands on a teatowel before getting them some beverages. "I must confess I don't drink nearly as much tea as I used to, but I received a very good quality brand of matcha powder from a coworker last new years, so I try to make a habit of drinking it when I can."

[brave_heart_verity]

She does love seeing him grin like that. Maybe she'll have to be more forthcoming about what she wants. He seems to have relaxed about her unexpected actions.

"I want to." He's going to have to explain this obligation language stuff to her someday. Feeling like she has to constantly reassure him about these things is going to get old fast. Maybe not so much when he's brushing up against her like that, though. The kitchen wasn't that small before, so she's pretty sure he's doing it on purpose. At some point when his hands are empty, she'll give him a gentle but deliberate hip check.

"That's a nice present. Why does matcha come as a powder? Does it taste better that way?"

[sumarusfinest]

He's really not at all accustomed to being in a relationship. She will have to ask with her words or be very very frustrated when the poor officer doesn't understand what he is doing wrong.

It really is jarring and obtrusive to a non-native, and Katsuya has actually made a habit of dialing it back. Which goes to show how crazy that whole structure must be. The hip bump makes him blush out to his ears again, and you know, that may just be the degree of blushing he normally gets. Because he's not moving away from her at all.

"It's healthier." Katsuya nods. "You drink the whole tea leaf this way, so only the best quality are used and ground into powder. The taste is richer, and it integrates into other dishes better this way. It's why you will see so many green tea flavored items and baked goods. All matcha powder."

[brave_heart_verity]

This is true, but it isn't wrong for her to need some time to figure these things out. And if she gets frustrated in the meantime, well, sometimes that happens.

Blushing and not moving away are a good sign when taken together. She'll test this theory by waiting a little while before trying again. She is again gentle but deliberate. Nobody said doing the dishes together can't be fun.

"Oh. That makes sense. But you prefer coffee?" Maybe it's a multiversal cop thing. Maybe it's a rule. She wonders what Japanese cops eat instead of donuts. So much to learn...

[sumarusfinest]

She can see his blush threatening to creep right on down his neck when she does it again. This time he makes a rather undignified noise of surprise. Briefly. And quietly. He wasn't expecting that.

"I-i. Well, uhm." He sucks in a deep breath. "Yes. Per cup, one gets more caffeine out of coffee and I like it old and/or reheated much better than old tea." And when cases get really bad he just makes double strength coffee that tastes awful but has enough caffeine to get the job done.

[brave_heart_verity]

Aww. She'll stop for now, and even manages to choke back the threatening giggle. But he should learn: let her get away with it once, and she's going to think she can get away with it again.

"So it's all about the caffeine? Promise me you won't switch to energy drinks, those things are evil." They're probably made by Roxxon in the 616, and probably made out of whatever's left over from their latest evil scheme. Nobody wants that shit.

[sumarusfinest]

"Primarily yes. Though I have grown to like the beverage for what it is over the years, I started drinking it as a way to stay awake." He still enjoys a good green tea now and again, but there isn't much occasion to make it these days.

"I've never considered them." He promises. "Too much sugar and preservatives."

Wish the dishes all done and the coffee dutifully poured in cute cat themed mugs, Katsuya leads them back to the living room. He catches sight of his suit and tie still slung over one of the dining room chairs and can't help the tiny smile on his face.

This is much better than the night he had expected.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Good answer," she agrees. Let's just let him think that's the problem. Maybe around here that really is the problem. "If you're not going to eat enough or sleep enough you should definitely worry about preservatives." This is more of her difficult American humor.

Even the simplest things together are so much better than being alone. This is true for both of them. And this time, once they're both sitting, she'll hold out her hand. It's a sort of asking.

[sumarusfinest]

She gets the black and white kitten mug that has a tiny 'Nya~n' written along its rim. If questioned he will deny buying them. They were a gift. And he is a horrible liar because he totally haggled with the middle aged department store clerk while he tried to decide which ones to get.

Watching her drink out of it makes him smile more. It's cute.

And not even Officer Suou, Sergeant Oblivious misses the question for what it is. He'll take her hand in his free one and shift closer so he can hold it more comfortably while they sit.

[brave_heart_verity]

He has seen her slippers. He will become acquainted with her collection of striped socks. She's not going to look amiss at her boyfriend having totally adorable cat mugs. At least he's got good taste. If watching her use it makes him smile, all the better.

She'll shift a little closer too so she can lean her head against his arm. It's not quite cuddling and they can both back away easily if it's too much for him. "So... what's the Japanese equivalent of dinner and a movie?"

[sumarusfinest]

"Dinner and a movie, I'm sure." Katsuya chuckles lightly. "Going to festivals together? I uhm.." He shakes his head slightly.

"I've no idea, actually. The closest thing to a date I've ever been on was inviting someone over to bake. And ended in a huge mess, a ruined batch of brownies, and both of us laughing until we cried."

"....It took me three days to clean my kitchen."

[brave_heart_verity]

She smiles at the story, tilting her head to look up at him. "I'm just sorry about the brownies." They both take food far too seriously sometimes.

It makes her nervous to admit it, but... "I had a boyfriend in high school, for a month. His idea of a good date was watching me watching him during basketball practice. He dumped me for a cheerleader when I was sick and skipped a game."

[sumarusfinest]

He laughs, a real laugh, not restrained by any politeness or public scrutiny. It makes his eyes turn up at the corners.

"Thankfully, they are an easy dish to replicate." He's still chuckling as he brings his own white kitty mug up to sip at his coffee.

"...I thought.." Well okay, no sense not asking now that he'd opened up his big mouth. Refraining from asking would only upset her. "I thought you and Loki..?"

[brave_heart_verity]

His laugh is so nice. She just brightens up when she hears it. She'll have to keep finding ways to earn it.

But that question. Siiiiigh. Such a sigh. "Why does everyone assume we were dating?" Because they've seen her Picstagram maybe? "No. We were never romantic. Everything but. Best friends, confidants, partners in crime. But I lack a certain feature he finds indispensable in his lovers."

[sumarusfinest]

Certain other friends of Verity would make crude assumptions as to what that 'something' was. Said friend means well, but is kinda a jerk when it comes to relationship stuff.

Katsuya, meanwhile, nods along. He briefly wonders if it's because she's human, but that's as far as the thought goes.

What was he supposed to say to that anyway? 'Good'? That's awful and insensitive. Even if he was a bit relieved to hear it, that's not the sort of thing you say.

"That's..I..I'm sorry you've had such a distasteful experience."

[brave_heart_verity]

That certain other friend is going to get along with Loki really well and she is not going to want to hear about it.

The "being human" thing might also have been part of it, but she never considered that. There are likely a lot of reasons things worked out the way they did, and she's simplifying or just not thinking too much about it.

"What do you mean?" She gives him a confused look. "It was confusing and scary sometimes and mostly wonderful. But not distasteful. Except when he wouldn't shut up about why he needed a new couch."

[sumarusfinest]

Probably!

"I..I meant with the other person you had dated." Clarification is key, Katsuya.

"Though it seems as though despite all assumptions to otherwise, you and this god of lies seem to be very close. He's lucky to have you as a friend." He believes it, too.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh. Well, it was high school. I think drama is a graduation requirement." She gives a little shrug. She was upset at the time, but distance has dulled the pain of the betrayal.

It's reassuring for her that he believes that. And also that he believes her about what they weren't as much as what they were. "We're both pretty lucky about it. And so are you. I wouldn't be able to be here right now if I'd never met him."

[sumarusfinest]

That's right. SHe told him how she used to be. A hermit cramped in her apartment all day, hiding from the world. Isolated. Would she still be in that apartment now if nothing had happened? He doesn't want to think about it, considering the fate of her world. Though, he'd have never met her, because she'd have never come to the Nexus...

It's a sad thought. One Katsuya tries not to follow for long.

"I believe most of the Nexus owes him a great deal of gratitude then. Including myself." He'll give her hand a little squeeze.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's not a thought worth following. Better to enjoy the quirks of fate that brought them together. She did meet Loki, she did learn to live in the world (okay that part's a work in progress), she did have crazy scary wonderful adventures, and she did find her way to Nexus.

And now she's safe as houses, curled up beside him and blushing. "Really? How do you figure that?"

[sumarusfinest]

"Think of all the people you've touched and affected since you came there." The officer remembers walking in, shocked confused and angry this had happened again. And there she was.

How many others had she helped?

"You're the one that called me when the demons attacked the Nexus. You've befriended magi, creatures, and people from many worlds. Helped them with both your unique ability, and...and your capacity to care, much as you'd like to deny it's there. I think this place is much better off for your finding your way."

[brave_heart_verity]

She hadn't thought of it that way. She wouldn't. He's seen what heroes look like in her world, and she doesn't think she could ever compete with that. It's hard for her to believe she's important. So now her blush is spreading, up to her ears and down to her shoulders, trailing off somewhere under the gauzy fabric.

"I hadn't thought of it that way." She's not admitting that he's right, but she's not arguing that he's wrong, either.

[sumarusfinest]

"Most good people don't." His voice is quiet, musing. He seems rather happy that she's at least taking it into consideration, and he gives her her dignity back by not staring at her spreading blush for too long, instead leaning back into the couch further and squeezing her hand one more time.

"I'm certain your other friends would agree with me, however." She even stood up to a...whatever Schon is and took part of his burden onto herself. She's quite heroic. He should make her a cape.

She probably wouldn't like that teasing joke, would she? Even if it was purple?

[brave_heart_verity]

"Friends are biased in our favor," she points out with a smile. She appreciates that he doesn't stare for long. But if he can feel the heat of it through his sleeve, he doesn't need to stare to know she's still blushing.

She's pretty sure Schon is a god. But gods have never scared her. Except once. But she doesn't count herself brave for going and having a talk with someone she considers a friend. Maybe Katsuya's overly concerned about how things went down.

And no. Capes are very serious business. Most jokes are fine, but you just don't joke about capes.

"But I'm not going to complain about your thinking well of me."

[sumarusfinest]

"I have a secret." Katsuya leans over so he's closer to her ear.

"I think you're very heroic in your own way."

That confession made, he'll get up and take both of their mugs to the kitchen to rinse them out and set them next to the coffee pot just in case seconds are wanted.

He goes a bit cross eyed for a moment before shaking his head and glancing at the clock. Yikes. How had it gotten so late already?

No more coffee for him, then. He'll be lucky if he doesn't doze off right there on the couch sitting next to Verity. He isn't gone for long this time, sitting right back down and extending his hand for her to take if she wants to.