KHR Hell because fuck

[warmskies]

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[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?]

[kokuyoyo]

[At least there's silence, and Chikusa is more than happy to let it continue on for as long as he stays with him. All he plans on doing is eating and then going home. Meeting with the demon again, as usual, was a mistake.]

[...It'd just be a lot easier to ignore him if he wasn't nudging his foot.]

[Chikusa tries to ignore him before sighing quietly.]

I know you're a centuries old creature, so please act like it.

[possedere]

[That retort was only going to get a small chuckle out of Mukuro as he picked at the salad, which definitely wasn't as delicious as the coffee.]

You've been researching me?

[It was a better topic than to point out that Chikusa Kakimoto had, not a few moments earlier, been giving him the cold shoulder. Depending on his answer, Mukuro might just continue to nudge him just because he could.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Not everything can be covered in chocolate, Mukuro.]

Would a demon be any younger?

[Chikusa turns back to his food, trying to brush off the question. Truthfully... It had occurred to him to do so. A demon's true name is a way to identify it, after all. If he had tried, he's sure that he could have found all sorts of information on the creature.]

[But... His fork toys with a bit of chicken , and Chikusa frowns to himself. If he'd done research... Maybe he would have given in and called the demon again even with how burned he had felt.]

[It'd been for his own good to keep himself away from information like that.]

[possedere]

[Says you.

Mukuro shrugged lightly at the question, abandoning the salad for now in favor of his coffee. He would regret it later when he couldn't sleep and when his stomach complained about being empty, but for now, the indulgence was worth it.]

Possibly, though I confess, there are few others of my kind worth keeping tabs on.

[Though since this wasn't his favorite topic, namely hearing what the priest did when Mukuro wasn't watching him ( especially if it concerned him in any way ), he switched it back.]

What did you find?

[kokuyoyo]

Nothing.

[Acting nonplussed, Chikusa continues to eat his food. He won't give the demon the satisfaction of knowing how much he's affected him or his life.]

Didn't I say I was done with you those months ago? Why would I look you up further?

[Spearing a raspberry, he raises an eyebrow.]

If I needed to exorcise you again, I already know your name. It's easier with that, as you know.

[possedere]

Curiosity, perhaps. To verify if what I've told you is the truth. Because you wanted to.

[Mukuro waved his hands dismissively at the priest's retort, which was flimsy at best. He had indeed said he was done with him, yet here he was, eating dinner with him. He knew better than to point it out and press his luck again, but it didn't make Mukuro believe meeting up again with him would be difficult.

He raised an eyebrow at that, leaning forward, gaze sharpening with interest.]

It's different now, as you're aware. This isn't possession so much as it is a symbiotic relationship.

[kokuyoyo]

...I know. I remember that much.

[And it's the implications of this difference that leave Chikusa feeling unsure all over again. If it had simply been another possession, that'd be one thing. If this were a dream, it'd be one thing.]

[But...]

Why?

[possedere]

What else do you remember, Chikusa Kakimoto?

[It was said with a rather generous play of Mukuro's tongue on his lips as he lapped up more whipped cream. Shameless, him? No, never.

The question made him wary, mostly because he didn't want to have to explain himself to the priest. Especially if in the end it wasn't going to get him what he wanted.]

Why what?