KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[possedere]

You're the one who insisted to meet so late, priest. Humans eat during this time.

[Unfortunately, many seemed to be eating all the time, and between that and sleeping, Mukuro couldn't understand how they got anything done. Coupled with their laughably short lives, it never ceased to amaze him that they ever managed to accomplish anything.

If the priest's coldness bothered him, Mukuro didn't seem outwardly affected by it, instead waving a hand.]

Should I invite you to mine instead? [He canted his head to the side, smirking slightly.] We both know that you can't be so rid of me so easily. I told you, didn't I? That I would be with you for eternity. Why lie to me about your desires and fight against them?

[kokuyoyo]

I don't have a lot of free time...

[A priest's work is never done, after all. Service, counseling for those who requested it, paperwork, organizing church events... and, of course, the exorcisms. It means Chikusa's day is often full up. Times like now, right after he's finished his main duties, are some of the only ones he has available.]

[It can't be helped.]

[Probably like how it can't be helped that Mukuro reminds him of the promise he'd made, and Chikusa's shoulders hunch up awkwardly even though he steadfastly keeps his expression as it is.]

And what would you do at your home? I don't think demons know that kind of etiquette.

[possedere]

Yet here you are. Might as well eat.

[It wasn't as if Mukuro didn't know the priest's schedule intimately, and it was rather convenient that he had agreed to meet him during this time instead of lunch. For one thing, it made him nostalgic for the other time they had spent together, when they only met at night.

That sort of jab only made Mukuro laugh lightly, his head canted to the side as he surveyed the priest.]

What do other mortals do at home? Sleep, eat, and relax. I'm not interested in getting my repayment yet, if that's what you're worried about.

[Mostly because it'd been a while since he'd tried in a mortal body. It might be best to do a few test runs first...]

[kokuyoyo]

...Maybe.

[It still feels strange to spend too much money on himself. Even moving and buying a few things for hobby has felt almost like too much. His bank account isn't suffering at all, but...]

You seem to be settling in as a human well, then. [Chikusa doesn't know what to make of it as he briefly meets those eyes.] And... where do you live, exactly?

[possedere]

Should I treat you then? Considering everything we've done, it only seems appropriate to buy you dinner.

[It wasn't as if Mukuro, who had known how to blackmail, extort, and make money in excess since the days of bartering, was lacking in money. It helped to know some highly connected mortals in this day and age, and it was always helpful to know where ancient treasures of old were.

That question made Mukuro chuckle softly, and he turned back to look at the menu in consideration.]

You'll have to wait and see, priest. I'd rather not wake up to have crosses nailed to my door or to have holy water be splashed in my face every morning.

[kokuyoyo]

[The joke doesn't go over Chikusa's head, hints of that old blush creeping along his skin. If he wasn't so pale, perhaps it wouldn't be so noticeable, but there's no escaping it now.]

So long as you don't expect or want anything in return.

[It wouldn't necessarily hurt, would it...? It's not as though it's food the demon is making himself.]

[The next statements earn a scoff, and Chikusa crosses his arms on the table.]

I wouldn't do something like that.

[...It would make people lose faith in their church if, for no apparent reason, one of the priests just started hammering crosses into a random man's door.]

[possedere]

[It was good to know that Mukuro hadn't lost his touch, and he let out a soft chuckle at the blush that stained the priest's cheeks. It was an ego booster, not that he supposed he needed one, but considering how much the priest had been protesting his presence...]

Just your continued company as always.

[Mukuro flicked his bangs out of his face as he flagged down the waitress, smirking over at the priest.]

No? What would you do with the knowledge of where I lived? Send a mob with pitchforks? Break in to see how a demon decorates? Join me in the shower?

[The last one was said with a particularly throaty laugh at the thought, Mukuro propping his chin up with the palm of his hand.]

[kokuyoyo]

[That sounded fake, but fine. Thinning his lips, Chikusa glances over the menu again. It'd be easier to banish the heat from his face completely if not for the demon's dreadful habit of not shutting up.]

None of that, and you know it.

[As the waitress arrives, Chikusa occupies his attention with giving his order- the same thing he recommended to Mukuro. He shouldn't be too greedy, after all.]

[possedere]

Then why ask, priest?

[As usual, Mukuro wasn't interested in making this easy for Chikusa Kakimoto. He had, after all, said all those hurtful things about not wanting anything to do with him. Then in the very next breath showed some interest in him. Which was it? Not that he didn't enjoy the teasing and the tight rope walk.

He raised an eyebrow at the similar order, before leaning back in his chair to assess the priest's expression.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Why ask indeed? The waitress is a good distraction from having to answer for a little while, but then all Chikusa can do is avoid his gaze afterwards.]

[He should keep avoiding him, he knows. Should never have arranged this meeting or let it happen. Yet here he is: seated in a cafe having dinner with a demon. There's still anger in him, isn't there? So he wants to believe, but...]

You know where I live. It's only fair.

[possedere]

[Mukuro took it in, the way that the priest studiously avoided his face, the petulant retort, and how he was still here despite everything else. Well, so long as there wasn't pitchforks or holy water involved, perhaps there would be little harm done.

He dug out his phone, texting his address to the priest, curious to know what he would do with the information. It was in a center point between the church, Chikusa's new apartment, and his old one. It was in a surprisingly modest neighborhood, since Mukuro didn't care much for living in high rises and occupying more space than necessary. If he had his way, he would be living in a decrepit ruins, but unfortunately it was difficult to do in an actual mortal body. Unfortunately the days where he could perform his business deep in the woods under a full moon had long since passed.

Once he was done, he tucked his phone away, mouth quirking upwards.]

How is your new place?

[kokuyoyo]

[It feels strange to pick up his phone immediately as it hums with a new message, and Chikusa can only hope it doesn't make him seem desperate since the demon is sitting right there in front of him. When he sees the address, he raises an eyebrow.]

...Surprisingly humble.

[Which is a word that doesn't match Mukuro at any other time, so you'll forgive him for the slow raise of his eyebrow. Is there a catch? Is it covered in gold and has furniture made out of the bones of the innocent? He's having a difficult time putting 'normal' and 'Mukuro' in the same train of thought.]

[His lips twitch at the knowledge that Mukuro knows he's changed residences.]

Pleasant. It fits the change I wanted to make.

[possedere]

[Desperate was the last look Mukuro would dislike on the priest's face, and he poorly hid an amused chuckle at his eagerness. At that observation, Mukuro only shrugged, smiling innocently.]

You should know better than most that my avarice isn't for wealth or money.

[No, he preferred something far more carnal. Besides, he doubted the priest was the kind to be impressed by shows of wealth, so going through all of that trouble would be an unnecessary hassle.

He raised an eyebrow at that information, nodding politely to the waitress who returned with his coffee that was piled nearly a mile high with whipped cream, chocolate and caramel syrup, and chocolate pieces. Happily, he dug into it, licking some of the whip cream off of the top, humming in appreciation.]

Oh changes like your cute fuzzy hat? Have you been wearing it?

[Mukuro please keep your cosplay fetish in check.]

[kokuyoyo]

[So no pecans or wealth but a frankly extravagant amount of chocolate. Chikusa sees.]

[Politely thanking the waitress, he takes a ship of his own frappechino which partially hides his expression at the observation.]

Why such an obsession with that?

[In other words, no comment.]

[possedere]

[Listen, he only overindulged in the most extravagant of things. Whether it came to a priest's body or chocolate. Which was preferable?

That would get a small chuckle out of Mukuro as he swiped more whipped cream off of the side with a finger, sticking it into his mouth happily.]

It's a good barometer for your changes. So, have you?

[Aka Mukuro has 99 issues and a cosplay fetish is definitely one.]

Or have you been making more friends?

[kokuyoyo]

[Briefly, his gaze flickers to that finger being slipped past a pair of lips he's more than familiar with before he willfully forces his eyes away. No. He's moved on. None of that.]

...Only according to you. Anyway, the weather has been too warm for most of them.

[And that includes Mukuro's apparent favorite.]

And... I've been working on my connections to the church.

[It's the best he can do, right now. How do you just suddenly make friends, anyway? Chikusa has no idea. So, in lieu of any other options, he's fallen back like so many other times onto the church. He can't really call anyone a friend, but... they're stronger relationships, being that there's any at all, so it counts, doesn't it?]

[possedere]

[The priest's gaze doesn't escape Mukuro's notice, though he would try to be subtle for now, smirking slightly before drinking his coffee instead of toying with the toppings.]

So you'll wear it when the weather changes? I'll look forward to it.

[The mention of church connections made Mukuro hum softly in consideration. 'How is your mentor' was right at the tip of his tongue, but he thought better of it. No need to bring up unpleasant matters.]

Should I help you?

[kokuyoyo]

No.

[Just. No hesitation.]

[possedere]

A tip then?

[Mukuro tapped a finger against his lips thoughtfully, smirk almost feral.]

Perhaps you should invite more people out to dinner instead of just a demon.

[kokuyoyo]

[While Chikusa's expression stays stubbornly the same, it's easy to see the tension that locks up his shoulders.]

...Of course. What good advice, thank you.

[He pushes himself away from the table and up to his feet, taking the frappechino.]

I believe I'll start following it right away, then, so good night to you.

[possedere]

Chikusa Kakimoto.

[Mukuro didn't make a move to stop him just yet, but his gaze flickered to the side to track the priest's movements.]

It's dangerous at this time of night. I'll go with you after we've eaten.

[Laughable, considering Mukuro was the biggest danger here by far. He also sees you're not putting that frappechino down you stingy priest.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Listen, waste not want not, okay?]

[Briefly, he pauses to look down at the demon and frowns at him.]

Any more dangerous than all the other times I've walked these streets at this time? I'll be perfectly fine.

[possedere]

[Okay but he's totally fine with wasting that salad that definitely was not going to be filling and leave Mukuro to deal with them both? Rude.]

You never know, priest. Times are changing.

[Would his being trapped in a mortal body bring out his enemies? Of course it would. It just was a question of when or how quickly. He wasn't defenseless, not by a long shot, but his priest, well.

He propped his chin up with the palm of his hand, smirking softly.]

At least wait until the salad comes out. Then you're free to storm off.

[kokuyoyo]

...I wasn't storming off.

[Although, really, how needlessly cryptic. Chikusa stays where he is for a moment longer, still frowning somewhat to himself, before reluctantly turning back to sink into his seat.]

[However, if Mukuro is expecting him to be particularly talkative after that, well. Resting his chin in one hand, Chikusa turns his head to stare out the window stubbornly.]

[Back to the cold shoulder.]

[possedere]

[It had definitely looked like storming off, and being the diva that he was, Mukuro should be able to recognize it. Still, he had already opened his mouth and made an error. He could learn to be quiet. For now, at least.

He'd allow Chikusa Kakimoto to sulk in silence until the salads came out, and Mukuro was going to start eating. And gently nudging his foot against the priest's, but who was keeping track?]